Comic Book TV Show Fall 2016 Power Rankings: Week 4

The fall television is underway, and our TV Power Rankings is back for Week 4.

The TV Power Rankings is our official list of the best comic book shows on television. As with last year, we’ll start the list with only shows that are either currently on the air or have a scheduled premiere date.

So how do we decide where shows wind up on the list? We take into account fan buzz, ratings, and critical response, as well as feedback from our readers.

We’ll update the Power Rankings every Saturday, using our criteria as well as your input. We’ve also included a handy poll at the end of the slideshow to give you a voice in pushing your favorite show up the rankings. So be sure to click through to the end and let us know which shows you feel should rank a bit higher.

1) The Walking Dead

Last Week’s Ranking: #5 (up 4 spots)

The Walking Dead had a HUGE New York Comic-Con, but the biggest reveal was a new clue as to who Negan’s victim will be. We won’t spoil it here, but our Walking Dead expert Brandon Davis makes a VERY compelling case in case you want to read it. 

The Walking Dead premieres in just over a week, and AMC is airing an 88 hour marathon of the series to get fans in the mood. I can’t think of a better way to get prepped for next weekend’s premiere than rewatching the entire series over just one week. 

2) Supergirl

Last Week’s Ranking: #8 (up 6 spots)

Yes, Supergirl is back and drawing big ratings for the CW. This week’s episode had plenty of memorable moments, but easily the biggest part of the series was the introduction of Superman to the DC television universe. Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman WAS Superman and watching him interact with Kara, Jimmy, and Cat was a pleasure to watch. Plus, we got to meet a Luthor AND got a tease of a classic DC villain, so this season should be a blast, especially when the Guardian joins the fray.

3) Westworld

Last Week’s Ranking: #2 (down 1 spot)

Because of all the scandal and intrigue surrounding Sunday’s presidential debate, HBO had to think fast in order to keep Westworld‘s momentum going from last week’s monumental start. So, they released the second episode early on HBO Go and On Demand. 

In a lot of ways, this week’s Westworld was the proper “start” of the series. We met two new guests to the parks, saw a “woke” Dolores trigger past memories in another host, and got a tease about Ford’s future plans for the park. ComicBook.com will be sharing our best theories about the series each week, so stay tuned to the show on Sundays.

4) Luke Cage

Last Week’s Ranking: #1 (down 1 spot)

Luke Cage buzz is starting to die down a bit, a sad side effect of Netflix’s model of releasing entire seasons at once. At this point, it won’t be long until Luke Cage drops off the power rankings entirely, but we felt that it deserved a spot for at least a little longer. 

5) Iron Fist

Last Week’s Rating: #9 (up 4 spots)

NYCC was all about Iron Fist. We got a first teaser, which brought back a classic Daredevil villain and teased Danny’s mission in New York. We also saw the Iron Fist in action, albeit only to punch down a steel door. It’s going to be a long wait until March 2017, but the last Defenders series looks to be worth the wait. 

6) The Flash

Last Week’s Rating: #3 (down 3 spots)

The Flash hit a series low in the ratings, even though this week’s episode teased big changes to the “Flarrowverse” universe. We saw some early reverberations of Barry’s tampering of the timeline, including one that could have a MAJOR impact on Arrow. As Doctor Alchemy makes an impact on the Flash’s world moving forward, we’ll see if ratings pick up. If not, maybe Caitlin’s emerging powers will be the jolt The Flash needs.

 

7) Defenders

Last Week’s Ranking: N/A

Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and the other Netflix series are all building towards The Defenders, an epic miniseries that has fanboys drooling with anticipation. Marvel brought together all four Defenders together on stage at NYCC, but the big news was who will be playing The Defenders‘ villain. Sigourney Weaver will act as the Defenders’ antagonist, although who she’s playing is still a mystery. 

8) Gotham

Last Week’s Ranking: N/A

We kind of forgot about Gotham in last week’s rankings (our bad), but the show is back in the top ten where it rightfully belongs. It’s been a slow build to start the season, but the action and madness should pick up now that the Penguin is mayor and Barnes is infected by whatever is in Alice’s blood. Plus, Bruce’s doppelganger put the moves on Selina, which is the weirdest love triangle we’ve ever seen in comic book television. 

 

9) Arrow

Last Week’s Ranking: #6 (down 3 spots)

On the plus side, we live in a world where Ragman and Wild Dog are regular characters on television. On the other hand, we also live in a world where Ragman exists solely to give Felicity Smoak angst. At least Prometheus’s identity still has us a little intrigued about where things are going, because otherwise Arrow still feels like the same frustrating show from last season.

 

10) Legends of Tomorrow

Last Week’s Ranking: N/A

Supergirl wasn’t the only superhero show to make its grand return this week. Legends of Tomorrow also premiered this week, showing the team scattered through time due to a mission gone wrong. Although Rip has (allegedly) passed away, seeing the Legion of Doom AND a tyrannosaurus rex was more than enough to make up for his absence.

Honorable Mentions and Polls

Missed the Cut: iZombie (CW), Outcast (AMC), Preacher (AMC), Dark Matter (SyFy), American Horror Story (FX), Riverdale (CW), Lucifer (Fox), Fear the Walking Dead (AMC)

[Note: Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and other shows that don’t have an upcoming “premiere date” have been left off the rankings unless there’s some sort of new news about the show, but will be added once a premiere date has been announced.]