25 Best Superhero Television Shows Of All Time
Photo Credit: ABC
20. Adventures of Superman (ABC)Â
Running for six seasons, Adventures of Superman was the first live action Superman television appearance. George Reeves played Clark Kent but had no relation to Christopher Reeve, who would go onto to play the character in a later incarnation.
Unlike Smallville, Adventures of Superman followed Clark’s adventures as the titular superhero alongside Jimmy Olsen (Jack Larson), Lois Lane (Phyllis Coates for Season one/Noel Neil), and Perry White (John Hamilton). The show was beloved by many including the network who wasn’t willing to say goodbye to the series even after the death of multiple actors.
Hamilton’s death was quickly written around with a new actor taking on the role of White’s brother, however, Reeves’ suicide was a different problem they would need to work around. While ABC tried to pitch a series with Jimmy Olsen taking the lead, actor Jack Larson immediately rejected the idea feeling like it would be dishonorable and insulting to the memory of his costar.
Hamilton’s death was quickly written around with a new actor taking on the role of White’s brother, however, Reeves’ suicide was a different problem they would need to work around. While ABC tried to pitch a series with Jimmy Olsen taking the lead, actor Jack Larson immediately rejected the idea feeling like it would be dishonorable and insulting to the memory of his costar.
Although Adventures of Superman was surrounded by tragedy, the series was an introduction to the superhero genre on television. Sure, it will never be considered the greatest show of all time, but at the very least it paved the way for more networks to take a risk adapting comic books onscreen.
Of course, Adventures of Superman didn’t faithfully take into account the source material with many infamous characters not appearing in the series. For example, Lex Luthor never makes an appearance despite being Clark Kent’s biggest foe but the series did keep his weakness to kryptonite.