Marvel TV Shows MCU Fans Forgot About, Ranked
With the recent success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films, and the hugely popular TV shows such as Agents of SHIELD, Jessica Jones, and Daredevil, it can be easy to forget the amazing, lesser-known Marvel TV shows that graced our screens long before the MCU took off. Even some die-hard MCU fans may have forgotten these gems. Here is a ranking of 9 of the very best TV shows that MCU fans may have forgotten about.
- The Incredible Hulk
This classic from the1980s is one of the first TV adaptations of a Marvel superhero. Starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno, The Incredible Hulk ran for five seasons and earned seven Emmy nominations during its time on the air. Despite receiving relatively high ratings for its duration, it has been sadly forgotten in the light of the MCU’s more recent offerings.
- Wonder Man
Wonder Man was a short-lived sitcom from the late 1980s based on the eponymous hero. Starring character actor Gilbert Gottfried, the show ran for thirteen episodes, but never achieved much success. Unfortunately it has been largely forgotten in the wake of the more successful TV adaptations since.
- Iron Man: The Animated Series
This adaptation of the classic comic book character was relatively short-lived, only running for two seasons, but it was particularly important in its introduction of the character of War Machine. Starring Robert Hays in the titular role, Iron Man: The Animated Series is a fondly remembered adaptation of the character before his entry into the MCU.
- Black Panther
This one-off animated movie from the mid-1990s featured introductions of Shuri and Killmonger before they found widespread popularity in the MCU movies. A large part of its plot focuses on Wakanda’s journey to modernizing and the threat of global domination it faces. Although the movie didn’t prove to be particularly successful, it is remembered fondly by some Marvel fans and can be seen as a kind of prequel to the events of the later MCU films.
- X-Men: The Animated Series
One of the most popular Marvel cartoons of the 1990s, X-Men: The Animated Series ran for five seasons and featured a large array of characters from the X-Men universe. With some of the cast from the feature films voicing the cartoon versions, including Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen, the show was loved by many fans and led to the creation of other cartoons based around the X-Men comics.
- Spider-Man Unlimited
Spider-Man Unlimited was a surprisingly mature animated series from 1999 featuring the beloved webslinger. Featuring a unique sci-fi twist, the show follows Spidey as he travels to an alternate version of Earth and faces a multitude of villains. Despite this series being relatively well-received during its time on the air, it has since been largely forgotten in the wake of the MCU’s success.
- The Spectacular Spider-Man
The Spectacular Spider-Man was a popular animated adaptation of the hero’s story which aired in the late 2000s. Featuring a diverse and ambitious plot, the show was critically acclaimed and rewarded with two Emmy awards. For some odd reason, however, the series has been largely overlooked since then and is, unfortunately, no longer in production.
- The Marvel Action Hour: Fantastic Four
For some of the older Marvel fans, this one may not be forgotten, but for anyone who isn’t familiar with it: the Marvel Action Hour was an hour-long block of Marvel-based animation aired in the 1990s. It was made up of two parts; the first was an adaptation of the Fantastic Four, and the second stars Iron Man. Although it hasn’t been as widely remembered as some other Marvel cartoons from the same era, it is nonetheless of historical significance and worth checking out.
- Blade: The Series
This underrated adaptation of the Marvel character aired for just one season in the mid 2000s. Despite having a great cast, led by Sticky Fingaz, the show failed to find significant popularity, although it still has a small cult following. The only way to watch it now is to dig through the murky depths of the internet.
These forgotten Marvel TV shows all deserve to be remembered, although they may be overshadowed by the more successful adaptations of characters since. It just goes to show, however, that dedicated Marvel fans don’t need to look far to find some amazing content, and there are plenty of gems to be unearthed in the MCU’s back catalogue.
