Unveiling the Dynamic Triumph: DC TV Shows Triumph Over DC Universe Movies in an Epic Manner

Summary

DC TV shows master the art of introducing captivating adversaries, exemplified by the emergence of Lex Luthor in Superman & Lois and the transformation of Two-Face in Gotham Knights. These series skillfully enhance the complexity of these villains, all the while remaining faithful to their core essence.

Contrasting with this, DC movies have faced difficulties in portraying memorable villains. Both Sabbac in Black Adam and Kalypso in Shazam! Fury of the Gods lack distinct qualities.

DC's forthcoming projects can take cues from TV shows by adopting a gradual buildup towards villain introductions. Moreover, establishing personal connections between the villains and the heroes can contribute to creating more captivating storylines.

TV shows in the DC Universe surpass the movies in a significant aspect. While movies are commonly regarded as the primary medium for DC, it doesn't mean that the movies are superior to the shows in all aspects.

DC has produced numerous TV shows in recent years, featuring a diverse range of characters from its library. Only a handful of these shows are currently ongoing, with series like Arrow and The Flash recently concluding after several years on the air. Conversely, several shows were prematurely discontinued due to low viewership. For example, shows like Batwoman and Stargirl didn't make it past their third seasons. Notably, Gotham Knights stands as one of DC TV's most notable recent failures, as it was canceled by The CW even before completing its first season.

DC TV Shows Are Crushing New Villain Introductions

Due to these struggles, it is easy to overlook the numerous strengths these shows possess, one of the greatest being their exceptional villains. Michael Cudlitz's portrayal of Lex Luthor in Superman & Lois is a standout example. The show provides a refreshing take on Superman's archrival while maintaining the character's essence. In a brilliant move, Superman & Lois reveals that Lex was wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he did not commit for 17 years, thanks to an inaccurate story by Lois Lane. This revelation adds new layers to the villain's motivation for his schemes in the series.

Interestingly, Lex was not the only Superman villain to make a thrilling appearance in the season 3 finale of Superman & Lois. After teasing the return of Bizarro for several episodes, the series surprises viewers by transforming him into Doomsday. This decision deviates significantly from both characters' comic origins, but it adds an intriguing twist to Doomsday's Kryptonian heritage and ability to grow stronger through death, presenting him as the result of a mutilated Superman doppelganger.

DC Universe Movies Have Struggled To Present Memorable Villains

Following in the footsteps of Superman & Lois, which brilliantly brought in Lex and Doomsday in the latter part of season 3 and transformed them into formidable adversaries, Gotham Knights took a similar approach by delivering a remarkable introduction to Two-Face. Through the course of several episodes, the show skillfully developed the character of Harvey Dent, gradually building up his idealistic nature, until his ultimate transformation into the iconic comic book persona. Misha Collins' portrayal of Two-Face throughout an entire season allowed for the creation of a nuanced interpretation of one of Batman's most legendary foes.

In contrast to the successful introductions of memorable villains in Superman & Lois and Gotham Knights, the DC movies have struggled in this area. The character Sabbac, portrayed by Black Adam, possessed great power but lacked distinctiveness. Similarly, Kalypso in Shazam! Fury of the Gods failed to leave a lasting impression. Another example is Dark Flash, who was only revealed as the true villain in The Flash towards the end of the film, detracting from his potential as a compelling antagonist.

Boasting poorly-developed and forgettable villains holds back DC’s movies, as evidenced by the underwhelming box office performances and critical reception of all three DC releases. A more compelling and memorable antagonist may not have single-handedly salvaged any of the films, but certainly could have greatly enhanced their narratives. By providing a stronger foundation for viewers to emotionally invest in the overarching plot and the conflict between the hero and their respective adversary, a better villain would have been an invaluable asset to these movies.

How The New DC Universe Can Present Better Villains

With James Gunn leading the way into a new era, DC can learn from its shows when it comes to its future projects. Following the approach taken by Superman & Lois and Gotham Knights, DC can successfully introduce iconic characters like Doomsday, Lex Luthor, and Two-Face by incorporating them gradually and thoughtfully into the overarching storyline. For example, in Superman & Lois, the anticipation for Doomsday was built up by first hinting at Bizarro's existence in season 2.

Lex Luthor was not introduced in the series until the final episodes. However, his backstory with Clark and Lois, as well as his longstanding animosity towards them and Bruno Mannheim, was established beforehand. This preemptive explanation for Lex's hatred added to the anticipation for the eventual face-off between him and the heroes. The DC shows excel at developing their villains beyond mere plot devices and highlighting the personal ties between them and the protagonists. This approach presents a fantastic model for the future of the DC Universe.