With DC Universe released almost a year ago, the service has become an all-in-one shop for fans of DC Comics. From its vast library of comics to its expansive catalog of shows, DCU has been able to appeal to it's fan-base more so than any other service. Along with its excellent array of original shows, like Titans and Doom Patrol, the streaming service was able to revive one of the most beloved animated shows of all time, Young Justice.
With Young Justice getting a new lease on life, there's no end to the other possible revivals the streaming service could produce. Whether they be live-action or animated, every show deserves at least one more season to shine. So, for this list, we're taking a look at ten canceled shows that should get a revival for DC Universe.
10 10. Justice League Action
The most recent show on the list, Justice League Action was a collection of 52 11-minute shorts for Cartoon Network. The series featured various members of the League, with the aid of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, as they fought against some of DC's greatest villains. Despite substantial numbers for its One-Hour premiere, the show was placed in the 7 am time slot, on Saturday mornings.
For a show that was marketed for kids, it's baffling why Cartoon Network put it on at such an early time slot. They could have just shaved a half-hour of Teen Titans Go! Re-Runs for more of JLA. Why make a show with fantastic animation, characters that appeal to all ages, hilarious writing, and the voice talents of Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, James Woods, Jessica Walters, Ken Jeong and more, when you're not going to let the target demo even watch it? With streaming being popular with kids these days, it would make sense for DC to give this show another chance to gain a legion of new fans.
9 9. Beware the Batman
Released to coincide with the release of The Dark Knight Rises, Beware the Batman was the first and last CGI animated Batman show. The series had Batman fighting against some of his lesser-known villains, Such as Professor Pyg, Tobias Whale, Anarky, and Humpty Dumpty. It would later have Bat's fight against some of his more well-known foes, like Ra's Al Ghul and Two-Face. It also had him teaming up with a much more active and grouchier Alfred and a new take on Katana, who appears as a significant supporting character.
Beware the Batman was a welcome return to the more serious tone that the character is known for. The Series featured unique CGI animation, excellent writing, and a creative team that worked on some of DC's best-animated shows. Such talent included Glen Murakami (Teen Titans), Sam Lui (The Death of Superman), and guest writers Jim Krig ( Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox) and Young Justice co-creator, Greg Wiesman. Beware the Batman would go on to receive 4 Emmy nominations.
Despite this critic acclaim, Beware the Batman was written off as a "commercial failure." Cartoon Network had the series pulled from its timeslot on Saturdays and had it moved to Toonami at 1am, nine months later. The team at Toonami were then told to air the final seven episodes all in one marathon. It also didn't help that the show aired a week before the tragic Dark Knight Aurora shooting.
With the series ending with the villain Anarky wanting to "play a game" with someone and a strong implication that Batman would form The Outsiders, it would be fantastic if this series made one last appearance to clear things up.
8 8. Green Lantern: The Animated Series
Green Lantern was doomed to be canceled from the moment it first aired, especially when it premiered months after the critically panned Green Lantern movie. Despite this, Green Lantern managed to pull in pretty solid ratings. However, due to low toy sales, the show was put on ice after its only season. It's a shame, as Green Lantern managed to be one of the better animated series released in the last few years.
Rather than recounting the events of the movie, Green Lantern told its own storylines and developed it's characters in a way that was faithful to its comic book source material. The show even managed to introduce two new characters, the Vegeta-Esque Red Lantern Razer and the robotic A.I Aya (who later became Razor's love interest). From the start of the series to its end, you can tell that the creators wanted to take the material seriously and make a show that both newcomers and long-time fans could enjoy. It succeeded in both and deserved another lease on life.
7 7. Powerless
Powerless has one of the most simple and best ideas for a sitcom in years: Focus on the lives of random employee's that work at a subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises. The show featured former Disney star, Venessa Hudgens, as the head of the company's R&D. Throughout each episode, she, her co-workers, and her boss (played by Alan Tudyk) try to create a safer world in the DC Universe. However, the show suffered from a pilot that was re-shot and retooled after the series co-creator left.
Whereas critics and fans gave the original pilot positive reception, the "new" one was given a negative response. Despite this, the show managed to find it's footing slowly, but it was far too late as the show was canceled within two months. It's a shame, cause the later episodes featured funnier material and had dozens of little Easter eggs for hardcore fans. Something this unique deserves at least one more chance to shine, especially in the age of streaming services.
6 6. The Super Friends
Who doesn't remember Super Friends? The cheesy show of the '80s from Hanna Barbara introduced a generation of kids everywhere to some of the most beloved Super Heroes of all time and created the dynamic Brother-Sister duo, The Wonder Twins. Sure, it doesn't hold up that well, but it's just so campy that you can't hate it. Trying to dislike the Super Friends is like trying to analyze the 60s Batman critically, it's just too pure and innocent to do.
Since the show ended, Super Friends has had a few incarnations, over the years. Some include a short animated film released by Fisher-Price and a series of shorts on Youtube called "DC Super Friends." What better way to introduce the little ones to the most iconic Super Heroes of all time than a show that's tailored made for them. Or give us more of the Wonder Twins. The world needs more of Zan and Jayna turning into the forms and shapes of anything. Just don't forget about their sidekick monkey, Gleek. Or Apache Chief. Or Black Vulcan. Or Samurai. You get the picture.
5 5. Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles
After taking a hiatus from animated movies, DC animation legend Bruce Timm returned to produce a new take on Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman in 2015s Justice League: Gods and Monsters. The film featured a vampire version of Kurt Langstrom as Batman, the son of General Zod as Superman, and Orion's wife, Bekka, as Wonder Woman. It was a 100% original take on these characters, and it's one of the most upper-appreciated movies in DC's line up of animated films.
To help build up hype for the film, DC teamed up with the now-defunct Machinima to release a series of shorts that would help flesh out the universe of Gods and Monsters. After high views in the millions, DC and Machinima announced that a second season would come the following year and would consist of 10 episodes. But, according to director Sam Liu, the show was shelved for reasons he couldn't explain and the season never aired. Maybe these episodes will never be finished, but it would be amazing to see this universe come back for one last hoorah.
4 4. Static Shock
14-year-old Virgil Hawkins was just your ordinary kid until he was hit with gas and became the hero Static. Static Shock took a then-recent/obscure character and turned him into one of the most recognized African-American Super Heroes. The series ran for four seasons and had Static fight against the likes of the shape-shifter Ebon, the fire head Hotstreak, and many more. Not only did Static Shock manage to have great animation and classic hero vs. villain action, but it also wasn't afraid to deal with massive issues.
Some of the series most well-known episodes included Static helping a homeless girl getting control of her powers, Virgil's friend, Richie, dealing with his racist father, and a bullied youth named Jimmy bringing a gun to school. Sure, Batman: The Animated Series may have touched on similar themes, but never on a more personal level like Static Shock did. In an era where a lot of these topics are just as relevant now as they were back then, we need a show that isn't afraid to discuss these topics to kids.
3 3. Batman Beyond
After the success of Batman: The Animated Series, the same creative team decided to figure out a new, inventive way to do another Batman TV series... Set it in the future. Bruce Wayne, now an older man who has retired as Batman, decides to help Terry McGuiness, a troubled youth who lost his father, in becoming the next Batman. Throughout its 52 episode run, Batman Beyond was able to bring a distinct take to the Bat-Mythos and even won an Emmy.
The futuristic Gotham was distinct from past versions, and it's characters were just as developed as BTAS. Meanwhile, the animation was top-notch and dealt with themes that were instantly familiar to Batman. Co-creator Bruce Timm has already chimed in at a possible revival at the Comic-Con panel that celebrated the shows 20th anniversary. A lot has happened to Terry McGuiness since his last appearance on TV, in Justice League Unlimited. Terry was officially made a part of the DC Universe by Grant Morrison in his mini-series Batman: Time and The Batman. Batman Beyond also was revived as a comic series that's still going on.
People clearly want more of this show, and DCU is the perfect place for it.
2 2. Teen Titans
What's left to say about Teen Titans? While nowhere as mature or sophisticated as entries in the DC Animated Universe, Teen Titans was able to stand on its own and has developed one of the most devoted fan followings for an animated TV show. While occasionally dabbling into heavy drama, Teen Titans was better known for its great Super Hero action and wacky anime comedy.
Since its cancellation, Teen Titans was put on ice 'till 2011 with the release of Teen Titans Go! While this version of the classic characters retained the same voice cast and has received several Emmy awards, a lot of fans DESPISE this new take with the wrath of a thousand suns. You only need to go to any comment section of any TTG video on YouTube and read why fans hate it.
However, with the original versions of the Titans set to fighting their Go! counterparts in the upcoming DTV film, Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans, it's clear that DC and WB have been listening to fans who want a revival of this beloved show. Besides, who wants their show to end on a cliffhanger as the original did?
1 1. Constantine
Rather than focusing on Millenial-style melodrama, Constantine was all about its titular character, John Constantine, fighting demons and taking names. While the robust special effects and atmospheric world-building were strong enough to make the series enjoyable, it was the characters that stole the show. From Charles Halford's performance as Chandler to Matt Ryan's now-iconic take on the titular hero, it was the characters that made this show a fan favorite. This was thanks to the excellent creative team of Daniel Cerone and David S. Goyer who were able to create a distinctive television show that has developed a strong and dedicated cult following.
Sadly, much like other beloved cult sci-fi TV shows, Constantine only lasted around one season on NBC. Since then, Ryan's version of the character has made numerous appearances in Arrow and has become a series regular on Legends of Tomorrow. Aside from live-action appearances, Ryan has reprised his role in R-rated animated films, such as Justice League Dark and Constantine: City of Demons.
Both Titans and Doom Patrol have been able to deal with much more adult issues since they're not on network TV. It would be amazing to have a much darker version of Constantine to binge-watch. In an age where TV studios no longer have to be shackled to the rules of Broadcast Standards and Practices, Constantine would be a perfect fit for DCU... It would at least give us something else supernatural to watch there now that Swamp Thing is canceled.