The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences will hand out their annual Emmy Awards this weekend, honoring what they feel are the best shows on television today. Just as the Oscars have snubbed comic book movies over the years (Heath Ledger’s posthumous Supporting Oscar win aside), comic book TV shows haven’t gotten much love from the Emmy selection committee either, despite the quality of comic book series quickly rising over the year.
Someone has to stick up for our favorite genre of television show and so we humbly submit these five comic book TV shows for Emmy consideration:
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Daredevil
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Daredevil is actually up for three Emmy Awards, for Outstanding Main Title Design, Outstanding Visual Effects in a Supporting Role and Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series. While it’s great that the Marvel/Netflix series earned some accolades for technical awards, Daredevil‘s cinematic quality and acting rivalled most of the television shows in the “Best Drama” category. In particular, Vincent D’Onofrio was outstanding as the Kingpin, transforming the seedy crime lord into an almost sympathetic, lovelorn character.
Arrow
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With some of the best stunts and action sequences on television, it’s kind of shocking that Arrow hasn’t gotten at least one Emmy nomination during its three year run. While CW have traditionally gotten snubbed by the Academy, Jane the Virgin earned several big nominations, proving that even the Academy recognizes the smaller network can produce quality shows. I was really surprised that Arrow didn’t earn a nomination for the second season episode “The Promise”, in which the designers built an enormous set for the climactic battle between Oliver and Slade and Ivo’s forces on Ivo’s Amazo ship.
The Flash
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The Flash rightfully earned an “Outstanding Special Visual Effects” nomination for the episode “Grodd Lives”. That episode was a high water mark in comic book television thus far, as the show producers unapologetically and faithfully adapted a classic comic book villain without cutting corners or resorting to a less “comic book-y” interpretation (like the dreadfulย Galactus storm in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer). The Flash has some best special effects on television, so hopefully the show comes away with a much deserved award. I also think The Flash deserves some love for its costume design, which found a way to depict classic comic book designs for live action television.
Marvel’s Agent Carter
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Of all the comic book shows that aired last season, Marvel’s Agent Carter stood out, a perfect mix of humor, action and drama set in the 1940s. With Hayley Atwell returning for her role as the no-nonsense SSR agent and former Captain America flame, Agent Carter had a strong cast, a tight and unconvoluted plot and plenty of themes that were still relevant for the modern day. It’s a bit shocking that Agent Carter didn’t receive a single Emmy nomination, whether it was a “Best Leading Actress” nomination for Atwell, a Supporting Actor nod for Dominic Cooper or James D’Arcy, or a technical Emmy for its striking costume designs or fun action sequences.
The Walking Dead
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The Walking Dead is one of the few comic book shows that’s won Emmys, having won back to back awards for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup in 2011 and 2012. The AMC zombie show has earned a few Emmy nominations every year, almost always in technical categories for its visual effects. However, The Walking Dead is one of the biggest shows on television and it’s a shame that the Academy hasn’t recognized the brilliant acting of Andrew Lincoln, Melissa McBride or Norman Reedus or the show’s captivating and chilling plots. Since the show seems to up the drama (and misery) factor every year, maybe the show will eventually earn a bigger Emmy nomination.
