9 Edgy Superhero Shows That Break The Mold

The superhero genre has largely defined the film industry in the 21st century, with recent shows attempting to break the mold with edgy, subversive takes to comic book adaptations. The idea of deconstructing mythology is prevalent in modern fiction writing, be it finding new takes on ancient myths, revisionist Western films, or superhero shows where the costumed heroes are the bad guys. Heroes like Superman and Captain America are the modern American mythological heroes who represent the best humanity has to offer, which of course prompts a cynical, subversive take.

Anti-superhero media is typically bleak and violent, contrasting the light-hearted nature of popular Marvel and DC films with characters who represent a pessimistic and often more grounded view of American society. The Deadpool films proved that audiences could follow a violent, profanity-filled story where the costumed character is actually an anti-hero. TV shows like The Boys took things a step further, prompting audiences with the idea that superheroes would be corporate tools and the most powerful of all would be pure evil. Other new superhero shows have explored the genre from different perspectives, such as coming-of-age stories and comedies.

9 The Boys

A world where superheroes are the bad guys.

With three seasons out, The Boys has become the most popular title of the anti-superhero genre. The series is known for overtly graphic violence, gore, and mature content, and also for its commentary on American politics and media through the use of superheroes that mirror DC’s Justice League. The character of Homelander in particular examines what the powers of Superman would look like in the hands of an immoral man controlled by a major corporation. Almost all the super-powered characters of The Boys are corrupted in some way, offering a grounded look at what current American society might look like if powers were factored in.

8 Invincible

An animated superhero series for adults.

Sporting a star-studded voice cast headlined by Steven Yeun and J.K. Simmons, Prime Video utilizes animation to tell the story of Invincible. Based on the comics of the same name, the series follows Mark Grayson, the son of the world’s most powerful superhero, Omni-Man. Like Homelander, Omni-Man resembles Superman in many ways, though it’s instantly clear that there’s more to him than what meets the eye. Invincible tells a mature coming-of-age tale about Mark Grayson, as he develops his own abilities under the tutelage of Omni-Man, a hero who may not be as altruistic as he seems.

7 Gen V

Expanding The Boys universe with college-aged characters.

Prime Video expanded The Boys universe with Gen V, a spin-off show following characters at a university that trains upcoming supes for crime-fighting and media marketability. For fans of The Boys, Gen V is an exciting follow-up and necessary viewing for those looking to stay caught up with the TV universe’s timeline, as the series explores ongoing stories from the main show. The younger characters offer a more relatable perspective for younger audiences, but the spin-off still explores mature subject material with prestige value.

6 Peacemaker

DC’s least competent hero.

James Gunn proved himself to many DC fans with The Suicide Squad and the subsequent series, Peacemaker, starring John Cena as the titular anti-hero. The HBO series is another violent, dark-humored exploration of what would happen if the wrong type of person was led to fight crime. While the series is edgy, it at least follows the character on his attempt at redemption as he tries to learn and grow out from the influence of his evil father. John Cena is hilarious in the starring role but also brings depth and sensitivity to the character, managing to make him likable.

5 Jessica Jones

Exploring the darker corners of the MCU.

The Netflix Marvel shows are beloved for exploring darker and more mature aspects of the MCU. While the Avengers dealt with cosmic threats, Jessica Jones handles street-level crimes through her detective agency. While other heroes seek to save the world, Jessica Jones is primarily concerned with paying her bills and dealing with personal issues like addiction and PTSD. She’s a complex character with grounded and relatable issues, making Jessica Jones one of the best Netflix Marvel shows.

4 Watchmen

A sequel to Alan Moore’s classic comic.

Alan Moore’s Watchmen comic is one of the most profound deconstructions of the superhero concept, and the 2019 HBO miniseries did a fantastic job adapting its ideas into TV. The series is a sequel to the original comic set 34 years after the events of the comics, following a mix of old and new characters. It follows up the comic series’ exploration into themes of nuclear annihilation on top of relevant ideas about police brutality and social injustice. Watchmen not only managed to be an unbelievable anti-superhero show, but it’s also one of the best HBO miniseries.

3 The Umbrella Academy

Netflix’s hit super-powered original.

Netflix’s originals have been hit or miss, especially in the genre of shows about people with superpowers. But The Umbrella Academy is certainly one of the hits, following a group of estranged super-powered siblings who learn that their adoptive father has died, leading them to solve the mystery of his death. The heroes portrayed in the Netflix show are all complex characters, each with their share of flaws and struggles that make them relatable and multi-dimensional. The Umbrella Academy mixes the superhero genre with elements of family drama, exploring the interpersonal relationships of its characters.

2 The Tick

Amazon’s first superhero venture.

The Tick was ahead of the curve in exploring the superhero genre from different angles, bringing comedy into the mix. The series follows a hero known as The Tick, and his sidekick, Arthur, who together form an unlikely crime-fighting duo. The 2016 series is mainly a satire of the superhero genre with witty and quirky characters. While The Tick does have its gory moments, it’s not nearly as gruesome or cynical as The Boys, taking a more light-hearted approach to its superhero satire.

1 I Am Not Okay With This

A super-powered teen sitcom.

There are tons of fantasy shows Netflix canceled too soon, and the 2020 series I Am Not Okay with This was definitely one that deserved a chance for more. With only seven episodes, the series is a quick and fun watch about a teenager navigating her newfound superpowers on top of high school and family-life drama. Starring Sophia Lillis and Wyatt Oleff from the It films, I Am Not Okay with This has a fun cast and premise.