5 Comic Book Villains Who Deserve A TV Series

 

Two heavily praised series focused on comic book villains both recently completed their first seasons. Agatha All Along on Disney plus, and The Penguin on Max. Both series were produced in a way that someone not familiar with the backstory could drop right into them and not be lost. I'm not sure if either show will get a second season, but I hope they both opened the door for more villains to get some shine. 

Per usual I started bouncing ideas off the wall on which villains from comic books maybe good fodder for TV. With that here are 5 villains who should get a TV series.

5. Anton Arcane

Dr. Anton Arcane is the main villain in the Swamp Thing franchise and a bit of an underrated villain. He is a wealthy scientist who is consumed with immortality, and will stop at nothing to achieve it. Going as far as to experiment on other's with biogenetics mutating them into "Un-Men". He's a mad genius when you think about it.

A TV show focused on Arcane would be a tough sell being that Swamp Thing is a very niche product amongst comic book fans. However, the potential is there the show would be on the lower-budget of the production spectrum and it would be a good procedural mix of horror and drama. The character was portrayed on TV by Mark Lindsay Chapman in the early 90's TV adaptation of the comic. As well as Louis Jordan in the 80's film and it's sequel. A TV show would allow the character to be fleshed out and introduced to a new generation, possibly reviving the entire franchise.

4. Black Cat

Felicia Hardy better known throughout the streets of New York City as Black Cat, the best burglar in town. She has a very love/hate relationship with one Peter Parker but that would distract from the story. A Felicia Hardy led TV show should focus on her starting her cat burglar journey, as the daughter of a cat burglar who was known on a global scale Walter Hardy.

The series could focus on a father/daughter relationship and Felicia getting use to her main "job" as well as her day job. The tone of the show could be comedic in nature more along the lines of She-Hulk or a bit more dramatic and intense like a Agatha or Loki. Maybe the popularity of a television series, would finally lead to an appearance in a live-action Spider-Man film.

3.Deadshot

Deadshot is a hit-man in the DC Comics world, quite possibly the greatest hit-man who's ever lived. He also is a hitman with a code of conduct, but also has a tendency to do death defying stunts. He is considered by most in the comic book lore to possess self-destructive behavior. Depending on what variation of Deadshot who's real name is Floyd Lawton one get's, he also is a devout family man.

Which brings a whole layer of wonderful TV to the landscape. A globetrotting assassin that kills at will, and sometimes is forced to work for the Suicide Squad. Just want's to get home to his family at the end of the day. Think John Wick with the family theme and man that could be some amazing TV.

2. Tombstone

Another member of the Spider-man rogues gallery, Lonnie Lincoln better known as Tombstone was a ruthless imposing figure in the world of crime. He was a black Albino man, who filed his teeth to give off the appearance of a vampire. Using his look and strength to intimidate his opponents. Lonnie was a enforcer for Kingpin, but eventually branched out on his own. Or depending on the story, never worked for Kingpin.

Which would create a new street-level crime lord in the MCU world, working to take control of Harlem. While also going through the effects of how much he stands out in the world of crime, and honestly since youth never feeling like he belonged anywhere. Damn, now that's a good premise for a villain's TV show to display the complexity of these characters.

1. Mr. Freeze

I wrote a blog back in 2018 practically begging for a origin story film for Mr. Freeze, I still stand behind that. However, now I would settle for a television show that would allow more time to tell his full story. And it is a simple yet relatable story, of a scientist Victor Fries driven by the desire to save his wife from a terminal disease uses cryogenics to freeze her until a cure is found. Until a lab accident changes his molecular structure and he can only survive in sub-zero temperatures.

We always see the journey of superheroes of course, but the journey of a villain with his newfound "powers" and adapting to his new life has not been explored yet (I don't think). How he must quickly use his brains to create an environment suitable for him, while also working for a cure. And becoming the latest villain to try and take over the city of Gotham. All the ingredients for prime television. Mr. Freeze is a far more complex character than his live action depictions would have believe. 

It's time we really see his story and be entertained in the process.

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My Top 5 MCU Movies

 5 years ago today, box office records were shattered, tears flowed, and fans everywhere witnessed one of the greatest cinema storytelling eras come to a end. With the release of Avengers Endgame, the culmination of a 11 year saga. Since that film's release the MCU has experienced a serious flow of ups and downs while trying to maintain it's grip on pop culture and introducing a new generation of characters.

Since the film series was such a juggernaut of the 2010's I figured I'd share my personal list of the top 5 MCU movies..so far. 

5. Iron Man

There have been way better movies the MCU has released since Iron Man was released in 2008. This film deserves a spot on any MCU film simply for providing the spark that started it all. While there may have been plans to kickstart a cinematic universe, if Robert Downey Jr's charismatic and confident yet conflicted turn as Tony Stark was not as enticing as it was, the MCU may have never been born.

The film's plot is serviceable and with it's minimal budget and effects some of the film has not aged well, but it's served it's purpose as Iron Man's and The Avengers origin story. Iron Man was a significant gamble that worked and birthed something we'd never imagine.

4. Guardians Of The Galaxy

At the time of the film's release it was so far different than anything Marvel had put out at the time. Featuring at the time a C list Marvel property full of C list characters, that many people outside of devoted fans had never heard of. James Gunn using the low expectations to his advantage, crafted a part space opera, part fish out of water 80's nostalgia comedic zinger of a film.

Peter Quill's introduction dancing to Red Bone Come and Get Your Love should be in any discussion regarding best character debuts. That debut scene also helped show we were in for a different kind of marvel film at the time. The film also played a bit part in continuing the arc of Thanos and the infinity stones. The film proved that light hearted comedy in comic films can work, and spawned two sequels, a Disney Plus special, rides at Disney Park's and more.

3. Winter Soldier 

Winter Soldier turned 10 Years old this year and to me is one of the better MCU films in the entire catalog and has held up very well. It was the MCU movie to me that had that first shit just got real moment, when it was revealed Hydra had infiltrated Shield for all these years. When First Avenger released in 2011, I personally overhyped the film so much I was severely disappointed when it didn't meet my expectations.

Winter Soldier exceeded my expectations, integrating a political conspiracy thriller into a comic book film. While giving Steve Rogers more of a purpose trying to find out what happened to his friend Bucky, was top tier story telling. For the action piece I think we all can admit the elevator scene is one the best fight scenes in cinema history. 

2. Black Panther 

When Black Panther was released February 16, 2018 it was a cultural event. Sold out shows, audience members came in droves with their dashikis on and represented leading the box office gate to a total of $1.3 billion. Fan's went to show love for the culture, but the story of the film is what engaged them. Showing a African Utopia society and the technological advancements  the fictional country Wakanda had was a sight to see. Chadwick Boseman was a screen general as Wakanda's king T'Challa and his hero Black Panther. T'Challa learned quickly in the film, that sometimes you pay for the sins of your parents and that the traditional way of doing things is not always the best. 

But it was Michael B. Jordan as one of Marvel's top 3 villains alongside Thanos and Loki who stole the show as Killmonger. Killmonger was full of rage and misplaced anger but wanted to use Wakanda's resources to help liberate Black people. T'Challa and Killmonger learn from one alone in their respective ways, which made the film even more powerful. It was he last film in the MCU released before the last two Avengers film to cap off the Infinity Saga, which gives it another cool spot in history.

1. Avengers Infinity War/Endgame

I count these two films released a year apart as one, mainly due to the fact it tells an complete story across the two and is an culmination of a saga. In fact originally the two films were called Infinity War part 1 and part II which illustrate how attached at the hip they are. Honestly Infinity War maybe the better film pacing and stakes wise, but Endgame is the more emotional film. Infinity War showed the chaos and brutality that Thanos could do and had that gut punch of seeing your favorite heroes turn into dust after that snap knowing we had to wait a full year to see how everything played out.

Endgame was a fan service film full of callbacks to previous films, easter eggs, that amazing final battle scene where Cap finally uttered the famous Avengers calling. I can watch that scene over and over by the way, and of course that emotional death. It truly was the apex of the MCU thus far and one of the coolest things to witness. This is why it is the best of the 33 films released in the MCU so far.

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Time To Freeze

 Filmmaker and comic book geek Kevin Smith recently commented that it’s time to bring the Mr. Freeze character back to the big screen. After thinking about it for a while damnit he is absolutely right. In my opinion Mr. Freeze is Batman’s number two nemesis behind The Joker. His tragic reasoning for being a villain is a stark contrast to The Jokers chaos at all cost character. The Joker is a fascinating character and will always be known as Batman’s arch-nemesis, his character has been portrayed in several incarnations throughout film. A origin movie is currently in development with Joaquin Phoenix portraying the clown prince, while Jared Leto is still primed to get another run with his portrayal of The Joker.

 Mr. Freeze on the other hand has only been portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the campy Batman and Robin movie. The character of Victor Fries however is worthy of another run and has a good story to tell. There’s no plans anytime soon for him to appear in Ben Afflecks Batman film, so a origin film as part of DC’s stories outside of the DCEU would be the best route.

  A good man who as a scientist just wanted to find a cure for her terminally ill wife, he’s gone mad after an accident and becomes Mr. Freeze. That slow burn from common man to villain would make for a interesting story outside of the caped crusader, think of Walter Whites slow burn in “Breaking Bad”. Of course with the payoff being his final transformation into the villain we know today.

  An Mr. Freeze origin movie has so much room for an interesting backstory set against real life backdrops. The common debate about new and unconventional methods to treat diseases and illnesses, cryogenics as a means to prolong life, the marriage between medicine and politics, and of course lost love. Include a criminal organization or corrupt businessman Dr. Fries runs foul of trying to save his wife. He could be the sad hero in his own film as well, throw in some cameos from other Batman characters to satisfy the Easter egg hunters. Keep the bad cold puns to a minimum and this could be a victory for DC.

  The 1998 animated film Batman and Mr. Freeze: Subzero was Mr. Freezes best incarnation. It displayed heart, action, and consequences in a children’s film. DC needs to green light this sooner than later and let everyone know it’s Time To Freeze.

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