With comic books breaking further into the mainstream, it goes without saying that new releases are making their way into 2022 thick and fast. Whilst it can be easy to focus on the movies that have landed in our theaters (hello, Spider-Man: No Way Home), we also can’t neglect the many TV series that are based on comic books.
With new shows and new seasons, series based on comic books are hitting the small screen this year and making big waves.
'Peacemaker' — Season 1
If you fell in love with John Cena’s portrayal of Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad — bad jokes, anti-heroism, the lot — you’ll love Peacemaker. The show, which just aired its season finale last week, has already been renewed for a Season 2, with creator James Gunn using Peacemaker's eyes as a catalyst to build the show.
John Cena’s muscle man embodies confusing nationalistic traits with changing ideologies, and the result is a hilarious and moving show, guaranteed to crack up and tear up. Combined with an ensemble cast with acting talent to the bone, the show brings you into a colorful yet dark world, and above all, the furthest thing from peaceful.
'The Sandman' — Season 1
What makes this show so special is the fact that for decades, The Sandman was deemed unfilmable. The Sandman (based on the DC comic book of the same name) transcends both time and space, embodying mythical lands, iconic figures, and strange realms never seen before on the small screen.
With the show set to contain 11, hour-long episodes, the trailer seems to demonstrate that the show will be stick closely by its source material. For comic book fans all over, rejoice at Season 1 of The Sandman making its way to Netflix in 2022.
'She-Hulk' — Season 1
Another upcoming Marvel show as a part of their Phase 4 MCU Plan, She-Hulk is a 10-episode half-hour legal drama that takes us back to the world of the Incredible Hulk. The show focuses on Jennifer Walters, Bruce Banner’s cousin, who possesses the same big, green powers.
While not too much of the show is known yet, the star-studded cast includes Tatiana Maslany, Ginger Gonzaga, Jameela Jamil, Mark Ruffalo, as well as Tim Roth, who is set to reprise his role from The Incredible Hulk. Fans of Hulk comics will revel in the quick wit and epic fight scenes we know and love from Marvel.
'Ms. Marvel' — Season 1
With the MCU set to now include the beloved Kamala Khan, Ms. Marvel is a treat for Captain Marvel comic fans. Ms. Marvel was the original name given to Captain Marvel in 1976, who became Captain Marvel in 2012. Of course, a new Ms. Marvel had to take her place, and that’s where Kamala Khan comes in.
Kamala (Iman Vellani), a 16-year-old Pakistani American from Jersey City, has always looked up to the Avengers, particularly Captain Marvel - until she finds powers just like them. Ms. Marvel is a treat for Captain Marvel fans everywhere, with Season 1 set to debut this year.
'Moon Knight' — Season 1
Another Marvel Phase 4 addition is Moon Knight, set to premiere on March 30th. The series follows Steven Grant, a gift-shop employee who suddenly finds himself plagued with memories of a past life, soon discovering he shares a body with a mercenary by the name of Marc Spector.
With the series based on the comic book of the same name, Marvel fans will love the debut of Moon Knight on the small screen. With award-winning actors Ethan Hawke and Oscar Isaac playing the two leads, this is one to not be missed.
The Boys — Season 3
Our favorite anti-heroes and manipulative superheroes (or rather, supes) are back! With Season 3 of The Boys set to debut on Amazon Prime on June 3rd of this year, it’s clear that excitement is high to see where the show goes after the explosive Season 2 finale.
With a new cast set to appear, including Supernatural star Jenson Ackles playing Soldier Boy and The Walking Dead veteran Laurie Holden playing Crimson Countess, it’s safe to assume that fans are in for a wild ride this season.
'Harley Quinn' — Season 3
With Harley Quinn popularized by Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey, and The Suicide Squad, the character has built up a mainstream following resulting in Harley Quinn, an animated show on HBO Max. Season 3 is set to debut this year, with fans everywhere wondering what exactly the show will get away with this time.
The show starts with Harley Quinn (Kaley Cuoco) breaking up with the Joker (again), then following Quinn trying to make a name for herself amongst her fellow supervillains. All the classic Gotham regulars show up in the animated extravaganza, making it a very exciting series.
'The Flash' — Season 8
Beginning March 9, the second half of Season 8 of The Flash is set to air on The CW. With Barry (Grant Gustin), Iris (Candice Patton), and the rest of Team Flash pushed to their limits to save the world, the fate of humanity is at stake.
After Armageddon, the five-episode crossover event that plunged the beginning of Season 8 into chaos has left viewers' heads scratching about what comes next, especially with the unexpected team-up between The Flash and Atom. With Batwoman, Green Arrow, Black Lighting, and more making a crossover appearance in Armageddon, the stakes are higher than ever.
Stargirl — Season 3
Another The CW creation, Stargirl is a combination between superhero action and teen drama, perfect for younger audiences who are also fans of the comic of the same name. Season 2 of the show wrapped up by forcing characters, both villains and heroes, to team up and fight the main antagonist of the season.
Season 3 is expected to come out this year, with a lot of character dynamics predicted to shift as the season commences, with frenemies being a major theme of the show.
'Doom Patrol' — Season 4
Another DC show, Doom Patrol, commenced after the team was introduced in Season 1 of Titans — the dark and gritty take on the youthful squad of former sidekicks and heroes in the DC Universe, ready to break out and protect the innocent.
Doom Patrol holds unfamiliar characters such as Negative Man (Matt Bomer) and Robotman (Brendan Fraiser) — finally ready to be heroes and take on villains. Each character has spent the first few seasons battling their past demons, making Season 4 being released this year all the more exciting.