25 Best Superhero Television Shows Of All Time

Photo Credit: NBC

14. Heroes (NBC) 

If  Heroes had only one season, it would have been considered one of the best superhero shows of all time, maybe even of the science fiction genre. Unfortunately, the Tim Kring helmed series lost a massive amount of steam following the success of its first season as well as a pretty terrible revival.

Despite all of its missteps, Heroes’freshman run was one of the most enjoyable seasons of television as well as a massive triumph for NBC. The series follows a group of gifted individuals in different parts of the world as they try to figure out who they are as well as preventing a massive explosion in New York City. Before his This Is Us fame, Milo Ventimiglia starred as Peter Petrelli, a nurse who dreamed of saving the world. Petrelli found himself with the ability of mimicry, allowing him to copy other peoples’ powers if they’re in his vicinity. However, with a vision of the future, his destiny is set where he must “save the cheerleader to save the world.”

Said cheerleader is Claire Bennett (Hayden Panettiere), a confused girl who is coping with her immortality as well as the knowledge that her adopted father (Jack Coleman) works for a nefarious organization. Without realizing it, she is being hunted down by Sylar (Zachary Quinto), a psychopathic villain who steals other people’s powers. If it seems confusing to follow, Heroes expertly paces out the show in a comic book format that makes it incredibly easy to comprehend upon viewing despite the large ensemble cast.

Despite its many missteps from season two onwards, Heroes was innovative to genre television. For the first time, it adopted a true ensemble like a comic book as well as keeping the feel of reading rather than watching. There’s a reason the show has garnered such a following even today, and that’s because it’s truly a show for comic books fans who need characters that feel like genuine people rather than fiction.