With Supergirl coming out this fall, I started thinking about the ladies of comics that deserved their own shows. There haven’t been many comic adaptation shows led by women. The only remotely successful shows were the recent Agent Carter, the 70’s Wonder Woman show, Witchblade and Birds of Prey. It’s more important now than ever that shows like Supergirl succeed to show Hollywood that female-driven stories can be successful and fantastic. Below is a list of 10 kick-ass women in comics who could easily be adapted into gripping television leads:
10) Wonder Woman
A new Wonder Woman show could perfectly blend fantasy and reality. We could see her battling it out with the Greek gods of old amidst a modern cityscape. The show could also have flashbacks of Diana’s time in Themyscira. When in our modern cities, the gods could present themselves as humans ala American Gods by Neil Gaiman. There are so many possibilities to play with when combining mythology and the struggles of the modern world. Diana could show viewers what it means to be a woman torn between the world of yore and our technology-driven present. DC is keeping its TV and film properties separated so a show with Diana is still plausible.
9) Witchblade
Witchblade was already a show that ran on TNT for two seasons in 2001. It was canceled only because the lead actress went into rehab. With all the love supernatural and superhero shows are seeing these days, it’s a no-brainer to launch a show that is both. For those unfamiliar with the story, it follows a NY detective who wields a sentient gauntlet that allows her to fight supernatural baddies. The show could be a perfect fit for a mature network like Showtime or HBO.
8) Catwoman
Everyone’s favorite jewel thief Selena Kyle has quite the potential for her own show. Recently in the New 52, Selena became a crime lord. The show could follow both Selena’s burgling days and her rise to mob boss. Eventually the show could introduce the Gotham City Sirens and with it Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. Given Catwoman’s complex history with Batman, it wouldn’t be out-of-place to have Bruce Wayne be a reoccurring guest character. A superhero show starring an anti-hero and not a do-gooder could prove most interesting.
7) Lumberjanes
Lumberjanes is one of my favorite comics by Boom! Studios. The comic follows five girls at summer camp who earn merit badges, fight supernatural evil and save the day. Lumberjanes would be a perfect all ages show for everyone to enjoy. There aren’t many comics series with all-female teams that have as much gusto as these young women. The show could combine the best elements of camp classics like Salute Your Shorts with supernatural kids shows like Gravity Falls.
6) Amanda Waller
Amanda Waller is not your typical female lead. She is not white. She is not skinny. She is not looking for a man. All of these are reasons why a show about such a powerhouse woman could be so interesting. The show could follow Amanda’s work as the commander of the Suicide Squad. She could send members (who could serve as guest stars) on various missions. Amanda is an interesting anti-hero who we could see rub some of DC’s heroes the wrong way. An Amanda Waller show could be a dark, witty and gripping program that keeps viewers wondering who Amanda will screw over next. Her character could also easily spinoff from her successful appearances on Arrow.
5) Elektra
With the success of Daredevil on Netflix, it’s only natural that Elektra could get her own show if introduced in the Man Without Fear’s second season. Her show could easily weave itself into the existing Netflix Marvel Cinematic Universe. The show could follow her service to the Kingpin as one of his assassins and her eventual death and resurrection. In a later season the show could feature her time on Thunderbolts and have cameos from her teammates. Elektra is an extremely dark and complex character who could easily step out of Daredevil’s shadow and have a show of her own.
4) Batwoman
If any woman from the Batman universe can hold their own show it’s Kate Kane. The show could follow her fighting crime, dealing with threats from Intergang and her rich and complicated romances. For a time Kate dated Renee Montoya aka The Question. It would certainly be exciting to have Renee on the show as a reoccurring character. In later seasons the show could show Kate’s romance with Maggie Sawyer and even allow for the marriage they were denied in the comics. It would be great for young gay people to have a hero they could see consistently on television overcoming great odds and doing it with class.
3) Ms. Marvel
Marvel is already pushing Inhuman characters in television thanks to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Kamala Khan would be a perfect Inhuman character to get her own series. She could be another one of the few female heroes to reach an all ages audience. Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel could even stop by from the films to have occasional guest appearances. A Kamala show would be extremely important in not only showing a heroine of color but a Muslim hero. There’s a severe lack of diversity in screen superheroes today. A show like Ms. Marvel can prove you don’t have to be a gorgeous blonde to be a kick-ass American heroine.
2) Spider-Woman
A show about Jessica Drew has a wealth of potential. She was brainwashed by Hydra, later became an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., an Avenger, an Agent of S.W.O.R.D. and is currently an independent detective. Her show could combine the best parts of spy shows like Nikita with powered superheros like The Flash. The best part of a show centered on Spider-Woman is that there are so many options. She is a spy, a superhero and a detective. Jessica’s show could also feature cameos from her fellow Avengers or the Netflix Defenders. Spider-Gwen could even show up for Spider-Woman duo mayhem. With her rich history, Jessica Drew could hold her own show for many, many action packed seasons.
1) Mystique
There is arguably no female X-Men character more complicated than Mystique. She is both villain and anti-hero when it suits her. Mystique can be anyone she wants to be. She is a dark character that at many points has serious emotional weight. If Fox and Marvel could settle the television rights of the X-Men characters, Mystique would be the perfect character to have her own series. There could be seasons where she is part of The Brotherhood, the Dark X-men or the Marauders. Mystique could also have many seasons where is she going solo. The show could also follow her as she tries to buy Madripoor like she did recently in the comics. The dark lady of X-Men could hold her own sinister, emotionally driven, action-packed drama that draws in viewers for years.
Let us know in the comments who you think should get her own show.
Fabulous Nothing 