Photo Credit: Marvel
With Avengers: Infinity War coming out this month, it serves as a reminder for all of the overlooked heroes. No, Hawkeye isn’t on this list but we came up with 10 underrated characters who deserve their own television series. From fan-favorite Moon Knight to LGBTQ icon Northstar, there are plenty of big names to consider for a Marvel TV show.
10. Shang-Chi
The casting of Finn Jones in Iron Fist frustrated a lot of fans. Netflix has had some serious problems regarding representation in their library. With movies like Death Note and The Outsider, the streaming service suffered from missteps the past few years.
Developing a series for the Marvel hero Shang-Chi could be a turning point for them. “The Master of Kung-Fu” has become one of the most popular heroes in the Marvel comic books.
He’d be a perfect fit within the noir universe, and give choreographers the opportunity to develop beautiful fight scenes. Shang-Chi is an expert in multiple martial arts styles and can use a myriad of weapons.
While Daredevil and Danny have a fighting style closer to brawling, a show about Shang-Chi could showcase a more graceful clash.
Photo Credit: Marvel
9. Hyperion
Marvel’s version of Superman, Hyperion has long been overlooked despite his compelling backstory.In the Earth-31916 version, he is raised in the United States, leading a sheltered upbringing under the watchful eye of the government.
Like Clark Kent, Hyperion landed in the Midwest and was adopted by a family. However, his childhood was manufactured by the military. Hoping to raise the boy to become the newest weapon for the United States, he quickly became isolated and sheltered. The United States goes to extreme lengths to indoctrinated the young boy as a patriotic weapon for the country.
In this day and age, it would be fascinating to view a backstory as unique as his. The government does everything possible to try and keep him as a weapon.
They build a fake school that furthers his estrangement from regular kids, fake his parents’ death to give him further motivations, and have the U.S. President shower him with confidence.
Photo Credit: Marvel
8. Northstar
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If the FOX/Marvel deal goes through, then the latter will finally be able to use mutants again. Northstar has been one of the most influential characters in the comic book’s history. As one of the first openly gay heroes in Marvel, it would be a huge step in the right direction to introduce Jean-Paul Beaubier in the MCU.
As of now, Marvel has no major LGBT characters in their movies, and Jeri Hogarth is the only one in the television series.
While Northstar wouldn’t fit into the noir theme on Netflix, he could be a perfect candidate for Hulu’s much brighter shows. Growing up in Montreal, Beaubier is a skiing champion despite his rebellious exterior.
A lot of superhero shows (look at the CW) film in Toronto, and it would be inexpensive to film a series for him in Canada. His home life is also intriguing to explore, with his sister suffering from a split-personality disorder.
While trying to build a relationship with her, he maintains and eventually marries his boyfriend which helps him become a spokesperson for AIDS awareness. In this modern era, Northstar could be a role model for a new generation searching for an LGBT character to look up to.
Photo Credit: Marvel
7. Noh-Varr
Introducing Noh-Varr would allow Marvel Television to explore more areas outside of just the United States. For the most part (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is the exception), Marvel has tried to keep their series more grounded.
However, fans have been asking for characters that work outside of the normal formula. S.H.I.E.L.D. introduced the Kree to television as well as the Inhumans, which sets the table for Noh-Varr’s arrival.
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His comic book line also deals with a lot of identity politics. Almost all television shows have made comments about our modern day political environment. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Noh-Var has been established as a sex symbol within the Marvel universe.
He could easily headline his own series on Freeform or the CW as an attractive young lead. It also leaves the door open for the Young Avengers to make an appearance. Kate Bishop and the twin sons of Scarlet Witch have become incredibly popular within the comics.
Photo Credit: Lions Gate Home Entertainment
6. Next Avengers
Avengers: Infinity War arrives this month and many fans are worried their favorite hero is going to bite the dust. The Next Avengers animated movie was a tentative hit but was ultimately left as a standalone film. Yet, the universe has plenty left to explore.
Set in an apocalyptic wasteland, all of the Avengers have died (with the exception of Tony Stark) and left their children as orphans. Tony trains them in a safe haven but is plagued by the fact that he left Hawkeye’s and Mockingbird’s son behind.
Yet the rest of the kids are thriving as young heroes desperate to venture into the outside world.
Unfortunately, this is easier said than done since Ultron has taken control of the world. It seems feasible that Marvel would be able to convince James Spader to return as the voice of the villain.
It would also allow a new generation of Avengers to star on television, especially because the show doesn’t need to have appearances by the movie stars. All of the teens feel like accurate combinations of their parents rather than just rehashes of the same thing.
Photo Credit: Marvel
5. Spider-Woman
Spider-Woman might be tricky to star in her own television series if the rumors are true about Jessica Drew appearing in the Spider-Man: Homecoming sequel. However, until the introduction is confirmed, fans can dream of the hero jumping to the small screen.
People who have never read her comics tend to think she’s just a female version of Peter Parker. However, Spider-Woman has long been her own hero deserving of the spotlight.
She got her powers against her will, and they left her with no memories in a world she didn’t recognize. It’s always fascinating to watch a person relearn their life, and would make for compelling television.
However, in recent years what’s set Jessica apart is her status as a mother. She doesn’t use her son as a reason not to go out and fight but is actually inspired by him. Yes, she worries about handling a double life and leaving her baby alone.
At the end of the day though, she wants him to grow up with the same drive for justice as she has. It’s something every parent can relate to and would be something completely different for Marvel to introduce in the MCU.
Photo Credit: ABC
4. Ghost Rider
Robbie Reyes debuted on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. last year as a widely beloved anti-hero. The ABC series wasn’t able to sustain the budget to keep his CGI going, another network would be able to.
If Marvel doesn’t plan to remake the Ghost Rider film series, then why not continue exploring the character on television. S.H.I.E.L.D. introduced him, but there’s still plenty left to learn about Reyes.
Marvel has also mentioned their desire to seep things rated PG-13 in the movie universe. Even though Nicholas Cage is hoping for an R-rated version of the well-liked vigilante, it seems like he won’t be making any film appearances in the near future.
However, he would make a good fit for the Netflix Marvel universe. In fact, a few years ago Ghost Rider was rumored to be considered for his own series alongside Moon Knight.
Photo Credit: Marvel
3. Kamala Khan
It’s shocking that nothing has been done with Kamala Khan, one of the most popular modern Marvel characters. The young teenager is expected to make her debut in an animated television series, but it’s high time she gets some of her own recognition.
Khan has all the makings of a strong female lead, and can easily slip into the role of audience surrogate. Khan, who becomes Ms. Marvel when Carol Danvers took on the title of Captain Marvel, is the perfect young hero. She even writes superhero fan fiction, like many comic book readers do and she openly fangirls over other heroes.
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With the emergences of Runaways and Cloak & Dagger, Marvel is making an active attempt to appeal to younger audience. Kamala exudes positivity which would be a stark contrast from the other two shows.
She would be a fun addition to the roster of Marvel Television and would have some fun crossover events. Hey, even Brie Larson could make an appearance on the series — one of those elusive Marvel film/tv crossovers that are so rare nowadays.
Photo Credit: Disney/ABC
2. Nova
Richard Rider is most likely appearing in the movies, but Sam Alexander is a well-liked hero that many fans are aching to see. His comic book creation is heartbreaking and inspiring.
Based off of the writer’s son, Sam, who died from cancer, it would be incredible to see his character come to life on TV as Nova.
Sam also has an easy-going attitude about him that feels a bit like young Peter Parker. He is first and foremost a kid before being a hero. Despite only having abilities with his helmet, he’s shown to be incredibly courageous even without it.
However, his jump to superhero is a fascinating origin story in its own right. His father was actually a Nova member, before retiring to lead a life on Earth. He suffers from PTSD as a galactic fighter and quickly becomes an alcoholic who disappoints his son.
It isn’t until he disappears that Sam finally realizes who his father actually is and makes it his mission to find him. It’s a touching beginning for a hero, and Marvel would be able to highlight the difficulties working-class families face as well as PTSD in veterans.
Photo Credit: Marvel
1. Moon Knight
How long will Marvel fans have to wait for Moon Knight to finally debut in a live-action TV series? He is probably the most asked about superhero in the MCU.
In fact, James Gunn has even mentioned that he had a Moon Knight movie idea he had pitched to Marvel. More recently, Pacific Rim: Uprising director Steven S. DeKnight even expressed his interest in helming a Moon Knight television series on Netflix.
DeKnight previously was the showrunner for Daredevil season one, which gave fans a glimmer of hope for negotiations to eventually begin between the two entertainment goliaths.
With the DC streaming service expected to kick off soon, Marvel has some serious reasons to consider introducing Moon Knight. He’s often compared to Batman, and with the caped crusader “allegedly” making his debut on Titans, it would make sense to offer up an alternative.
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Which Marvel characters would you like to see come to television? Let us know who you would add to the list in the comment section below and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook & Twitter for more on your favorite shows!