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.
