Superhero animation often serves as the definitive introduction to the worlds of Marvel and DC for entire generations. These shows distill decades of complex comic book lore into accessible, action-packed adventures, creating the versions of iconic characters that stick with viewers for a lifetime. However, not all animated series are created equal. For every show that enjoys a celebrated, multi-season run, there is another that vanishes after a handful of episodes, the victim of network mismanagement, low budgets, or a creative vision that was simply too far ahead of its time. These are the projects that leave behind a legacy of unfulfilled potential, either cult classics or forgotten misfires that deserve a second chance.
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The modern media landscape, with streaming services constantly struggling to find new content to offer subscribers, offers the perfect environment to right these historical wrongs. After all, a reboot is an opportunity to take the core concept of a beloved but short-lived series and finally give it the resources and creative freedom it needs to flourish. Alternatively, it can also be a chance at redemption, allowing creators to reimagine a flawed show and build something entirely new and compelling from its foundations. The following series represent the best of both worlds: cartoons that were either good but incomplete or bad but full of untapped potential, all of which are uniquely positioned for a modern revival.
5) Static Shock
Airing as part of the Kids’ WB block from 2000 to 2004, Static Shock was a significant piece of the DC Animated Universe, which began with Batman: The Animated Series. The series followed the adventures of high school student Virgil Hawkins (voiced by Phil LaMarr), who gains control over electromagnetism after a chemical explosion exposes him to a mutagenic gas. Still, what made Static Shock so memorable was its commitment to balancing superhero action with a grounded look at teenage life. In addition, the series was never afraid to tackle serious social issues, earning critical acclaim for its thoughtful storytelling and for providing a charismatic, intelligent Black superhero for a new generation of fans.
The enduring popularity of the character makes the absence of a new Static Shock series feel like a massive missed opportunity. A modern reboot could build on the strong foundation of the original, using a serialized format to delve deeper into the origins of the “Big Bang” and the lives of the other super-powered “Bang Babies” in the city of Dakota. The new DC Universe being built by James Gunn and Peter Safran offers a perfect space to reintroduce Static. A revival could update the show’s themes for a contemporary audience, maintaining the original’s blend of humor, heart, and social relevance that made it a classic.
4) Swamp Thing: The Animated Series
The 1991 Swamp Thing cartoon is an infamous example of a failed adaptation. Lasting only five episodes, the series was a thinly veiled toy commercial that stripped its source material of all its depth and horror. It reimagined the tormented elemental guardian as a generic Saturday-morning hero, with Swamp Thing (voiced by Len Carlson) battling the comically inept villain Anton Arcane (voiced by Don Francks) and his band of mutant creatures. The show also ignored the rich mythology of the comics in favor of simplistic environmental messaging.
A character as complex as Swamp Thing deserves another shot at animation, and a modern reboot could finally do him justice. The creative failure of the original series provides a clear roadmap of what to avoid. By drawing inspiration from the seminal comic book run by Alan Moore, a new show could embrace the body horror and ecological mysticism that define the character. Furthermore, an animated series would be the perfect medium to explore the surreal and visually inventive landscapes of the Green. With Swamp Thing poised to play a role in the new DCU, an animated project could serve as a brilliant introduction to the supernatural corners of the universe.
3) Legion of Super Heroes
Running for two seasons from 2006 to 2008, Legion of Super Heroes took a young Superman (voiced by Yuri Lowenthal) from Smallville and dropped him into the 31st century. There, he joined a sprawling team of teenage heroes from across the galaxy, including the hyper-intelligent Brainiac 5 (voiced by Adam Wylie) and the telepathic Saturn Girl (voiced by Kari Wahlgren). The series was a fun and energetic space opera for a younger audience, successfully navigating its massive cast of characters and delivering exciting adventures that explored an optimistic future.
The core concept of the Legion is ripe for a serialized reboot. While the 2006 series was enjoyable, it barely scratched the surface of the team’s narrative potential. A modern animated show could take a deeper dive into the politics of the 31st century’s United Planets and the personal relationships between the Legion’s many members. The vast cosmic canvas of the Legion’s world offers endless storytelling possibilities, making it a perfect fit for the kind of long-form narrative that thrives on streaming services. Furthermore, a new series could serve as an excellent way to introduce the team’s complex lore before a potential live-action appearance in the DCU.
2) Silver Surfer
The 1998 Silver Surfer animated series was a creative marvel that was canceled far too soon. In a bold attempt to replicate the art of creator Jack Kirby, the show used a groundbreaking mix of 2D and 3D animation to create a visually distinct cosmic landscape. The series followed Norrin Radd (voiced by Paul Essiembre) as he traveled the galaxy, seeking his lost home of Zenn-La and helping those in need, all while being pursued by the agents of his former master, Galactus (voiced by James Blendick). The show was celebrated for its philosophical themes and mature tone, but was canceled after just 13 episodes on a major cliffhanger.
The timing for a Silver Surfer revival has never been better. A version of the character, Shalla-Bal, appeared in this past summer’s MCU film The Fantastic Four: First Steps, played by Julia Garner. A modern animated series could re-introduce the classic Norrin Radd incarnation of the character and finally provide a conclusion to the unresolved story of the original show. The Surfer’s story is one of tragedy, sacrifice, and redemption, themes that are perfectly suited for a sophisticated, serialized animated drama that could explore his complex comic book mythology.
1) Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes
Airing in 2006, Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes remains one of the best adaptations of Marvel’s first family. The series stood out with its anime-influenced art style and its perfect understanding of the team’s core dynamic. It portrayed the Fantastic Four as a tight-knit but dysfunctional family of adventurers, expertly balancing epic sci-fi plots with the humorous and relatable conflicts between its main characters. Despite its quality, the show was plagued by a poor and inconsistent release schedule, leading to its cancellation after a single, 26-episode season.
Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes provides the ideal template for a new animated project to accompany the team’s official entry into the MCU. The tone and characterizations in World’s Greatest Heroes were pitch-perfect, and a reboot could recapture that same spirit while telling a more ambitious story set in the MCU. It is the perfect opportunity to deliver the definitive animated version of the Fantastic Four that fans have been waiting for.
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Image courtesy of Focus Features.
