Who said the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the only place to see Marvel characters to come alive beautifully?
>>That is completely unfair
Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we are counting down our picks for the Top Ten Marvel TV shows
For this list, we're looking at all the television series that have stemmed from the pages of Marvel Comics and are ranking them based on their popularity,
critical reception, and overall impact on pop culture.
>> Do you have any children?
>> No...I don't
>> Good
Because I would have to kill them too
Number 10: Wolverine and the Xmen
As the X-men's fourth animated television adaptation, this incarnation added an interesting distinction by placing everyone's yellow spandex wearing superhero
at center stage
>> Be gentle
>> Yeah right!
The first scratch is always the most painful
So now you can relax
Having no connections to its predecessors, the show boldly begins with an explosion that results in the disappearance of the teens father figure and leader
>> Don't be alarmed Logan. We're still at the institute.
But this is what you might call a meeting of the minds on the astral plane
This unexpected event causes the X-men to disband only to reunite under a new adamantium clawed commander.
when the government declares a war against mutants
Though long time fans and critics applauded it, Wolverine and the X-men only lasted one season
Number 9: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D
After the mega success of the Avengers, Disney execs scrambled back to the studio for television tie-ins to the Marvel cinematic universe
Centered on the titular agents lead by the spoiler alert thought to be dead agent Colson,
This breakthrough scifi/superhero drama takes just a few steps back from the explosions and adrenaline rushing visuals
to get more intimate with characters.
bringing in the big hitter organizations from all of Marvel
including the sinister Hydra and the Inhumans. The show has become a blockbuster hit for the small screen
While we tip our hats to the atomic age Agent Carter, the win goes to S.H.I.E.L.D for its stronger action, cinematic direction, and balanced team based dynamic
Number 8: Spiderman and his Amazing Friends
The only thing more amazing than a web slinging Superhero, is a web slinging superhero teamed with a generator of ice and a heroine manipulator of fire
Forming the spider friends, this cartoon saw Spiderman and the X-men's Iceman as well as newcomer Firestar
join forces after meeting his classmates in the fictitious Empire State University
Aired alongside The Hulk's first animated series, the show featured narration by non other than the man himself: Stan Lee
Airing for three seasons, Spiderman and His Amazing Friends featured a wide variety of Marvel storylines
heroes, and even original villains created specifically for the show
making it one of Marvel's finest earlier endeavors for television
Number 7: The Incredible Hulk.
Starring Bill Bixby as Dr. Banner, and Lou Ferigno in green beast mode, this marked the first and to date the only form of media where two separate actors portrayed
The Hulk
Brilliantly written with themes of desperation, isolation, and of course emotion
The show ran for 5 seasons on CVS
before being picked up by NBC for a film trilogy
serving as the show's final acts
Keeping it's pulse vital through syndicated rounds on numerous networks, this adaptation may be
the oldest live action Marvel show on our list but it remains a smashing classic to this day
Number 6: Spider-Man
[Spider-Man them plays]
As one of two television shows that served as Marvel's initial endeavors into story telling media outside comics,
This was the show that helped launch Spider-Man and his arch enemies to their present day prominence and glory
Initially airing on ABC, the shows limited lifespan was due to escalating budget problems
forcing production to recycle footage and scrap narratives considered too expensive to animate
Nevertheless, the show was a instant hit that boosted comic sales and encouraged merchandise production for the hero
Also let's not forget the cheesy but classic theme song that has since become a synonymous with Spidey as his suit
Number 5: Spider-Man The Animated Series
Yeah yeah more Spider-Man but what can we say? He's a great character
Considered as one of the best animated shows of its time, this series breathed new life into Spidey for every Superhero aficionado and child of the 90's
Reaching unexpected heights with ratings, the animated series was one of the earliest Marvel properties
To spawn it's own sub-franchise with merchandise ranging from action figures to video games to comics
Originally aired during the height of FoxKids Saturday Morning lineup, the show is now surprisingly syndicated in Disney's children's networks
drawing in nostalgic and newcomer fans of all ages
Number 4: Jessica Jones
As one of the two initial Netflix titles created for the MCU, and don't worry we'll get to the other one soon
Jessica Jones was the underdog name that soared to unanticipated peaks after its premiere
Starring Kristyn Ritter as the eponymous super strong and flying heroine turned private detective, this show's deviant take on the superhero genre
throws darker elements of psychological thriller and neo-noire into the mix
Receiving widespread acclaim for its acting, mature approach , and grim subjects, Jessica Jones' name may not be as prestigious as some of her Marvel peers
but that's guaranteed to change soon thanks to this show.
Number 3: The Avengers, Earth's Mightiest Heroes
Let's do a head count. They've got a god of thunder, a legendary super soldier, a tech savy billionaire, a skilled hunter tracker, an omnipotent idealist
with shall we say vision, a super woman marvel, couple of underestimated side shifters, a master marksman, a hyper intelligent acrobatic assasin, and oh yeah a Hulk
Debuting 2 years prior to the release of their first live action film, Earth's Mightiest Heroes were already kicking ass in the New Marvel Universe for television
long before the epic confrontation before Loki and the Chitauri.
Originally a microseries, the show was picked up for full length episodes, and story arcs after a spike in popularity
and went on to spawn new ongoing comic titles and a replacement series
Number 2: X-men The Animated Series
Perhaps the only thing more awesome than this classic series was its catchy and marvelous them
Introducing the heroes to virtually every human being onf the 90's,
this animated series is considered the show that brought both the X-men and Marvel to their first colossal peaks in pop culture
Gorgeously drawn and written with epic narratives, the mutants whether heroes or villians were the forces to be reckoned with
during their time
It was unquestionably Marvel's crown and jewel for television surpassed only by one recent live action hit
but it's still our top tip for the company's best animated show.
Before we flip the channel to our numer 1 pick,
here are some honorable mentions
Number 1: Daredevil
Taking the top spot on our list is the initial Netflix original series that caught streamers and Marvel fans off guard
Set in the same Universe as the MCU. This new imagining of the attorney by day, crime fighter at night superhero
brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "Justice is Blind"
Following the same dark tones that and crime drama approach as Jessica Jones, Marvel's Daredevil
sees the guardian on Hell's Kitchen truly living up to the devil in his name
adult oriented narratives and bloodier confrontations
featuring a star studded cast, incredible sets, and impressive effects, the show takes the same wonders
found in Marvel's comics and films and beautifully repackages them for the small screen
Do you agree with our list?
Which Marvel based T.V shows are your favorite?
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