FEATURE: Are Comic Book TV Shows Being Undermined By Their Big Screen Counterparts?

FEATURE: Are Comic Book TV Shows Being Undermined By Their Big Screen Counterparts?

It's an exciting time to be a comic book fan, with plenty of our favorite characters appearing across multiple media platforms. But can these different adaptations have a negative effect on one another - and which ones are the most important? Hit the jump for my take on the subject!

Feature Opinion
By Minty - Jun 04, 2015 05:06 PM EST
Filed Under: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that we are living in a ‘golden age’ of comic book adaptations, with over forty superhero films set to be released over the next six years. This success has trickled down into television as well - as shown this season, where there were no less than ten adaptations on the small screen. Given the number of future projects in the pipeline, it's hard to imagine that this era of superhero dominance across multiple platforms is about to end anytime soon.

Part of the novelty of these small screen adaptations is their ability to bring to life heroes who would never get a chance to feature in their own movies. Green Arrow, The Atom and Quake are just a few examples of characters that have benefitted from this. On paper, it’s a perfect system – handing the A-Lister’s the spotlight in Hollywood, while giving the ‘lesser-known’ characters their own time to shine elsewhere. And yet, over the last year or so, a few cracks have begun to appear in the relationship between the two mediums.



In 2013, Marvel Studios expanded into television, with the arrival of Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D on ABC. Contrary to fan expectations, the show was widely panned during its early stages - heavily criticised for its weak storytelling, bland characters, and numerous unsubtle MCU references. However, following a dramatic change in direction at the end of Season 1, the series has since gone from strength-to-strength, finally evolving into the show that fans had once hoped to see.

And yet, despite S.H.I.E.L.D.’s remarkable turnaround in quality, the show still appears to be viewed as the ‘black sheep’ of the Marvel Studios family. The publicity tour ahead of Age Of Ultron’s release last month serves as a great example of this. There were several moments during interviews or on talk shows where key figures like Kevin Feige, Joss Whedon and even a few of The Avengers appeared to brush off any association with it.

Perhaps most striking were Whedon’s claims that there have may even been a little tension between Marvel’s film and television camps at one point:


“I think actually the movie people were a little bit cross about the TV show. They were sort of like ‘Well you can have this but not this. And this but not that.’ It’s complicated enough as it is without me adding another layer of complication. We also created a TV show called S.H.I.E.L.D. right before they made a movie where they destroyed S.H.I.E.L.D.. So everybody’s having a GREAT time!”



Given how poorly Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. was initially received, It’s easy to argue that Marvel were justifiably keen to cut-off any association with the show. However, having watched it perform such an impressive critical U-Turn, why wouldn’t they embrace the new-and-improved series? Instead, the show has been left in a creative limbo – still attached to the overall MCU, but unable to influence it in any meaningful way.


A more interesting case is Marvel’s recent team-up with Netflix. Praised for its talented ensemble, exhilarating fight sequences and outstanding production value, Daredevil was a huge hit with TV binge-watchers worldwide. Its success has prompted many calls for Matt Murdock’s inclusion in the wider MCU. And yet, ironically, some would call this a ‘step-down’ for the character – at least thematically. Daredevil’s dark, violent tone was one of the show’s greatest strengths. Would the character still have the same appeal in a PG-13 environment like Civil War?

Given Daredevil’s incompatibility with the MCU, along with the creative restrictions imposed on Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., is it fair to say that DC’s approach to their television properties has been the more successful model? The assumption was that by isolating their DCTV properties, the writers would be given the freedom to tell whatever tales they pleased - within their own universe.

Except, they haven’t…



Arrow’s early seasons served as a platform for many fan favourite DC comics characters, including Deathstroke, Amanda Waller and The Suicide Squad. These were all plot threads that had to be abandoned in Season 3, as a result of Warner Bros’ upcoming Suicide Squad film. The reason for this? So that general audiences wouldn’t be confused by multiple versions of the characters onscreen - as if the world couldn't tell the difference between Will Smith and Michael Rowe...

Many would argue however, that The Flash has still continued to flourish in spite of these 'restrictions'. The 
spin-off of Arrow delivered a fantastic debut season, and has rapidly become one of the most popular genre shows on TV. The writers’ willingness to embrace the source material (no matter how corny or complex it may have been) helped to drive the show to new heights. All of a sudden, The CW had a ratings smash on their hands.

The Flash’s overwhelming popularity has allowed for its continued existence. Had Greg Berlanti and his team waited until this summer to develop the show, it seems likely that DC/WB would have stopped it from going ahead – due to the Untitled Flash Film currently in the works for 2018. For the moment, however, the show appears to be fairly untouchable, and probably won't have to step aside creatively in the same manner as Arrow did.



This raises an important question: should the movies really be allowed to have that much of an effect on the TV shows? In order to be the best adaptation it can be, The Flash will require access to all of the key characters from the Scarlet Speedster's rich comic book history – including his family, friends, allies and, of course, his entire Rogues gallery. But with a Flash feauture film on the way, will DC/WB continue to allow for this to happen? I suppose only time will tell.

By now I’m sure you’re wondering where this is all going. The point of this article wasn't to criticise comic book movies, but instead to highlight the potentially negative effects they may have on other adaptations. Had Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. not made so many forced references to the MCU and concentrated on perfecting its story in its first season, its weekly viewership would be much higher. Additionally, shows like S.H.I.E.L.D., Arrow and The Flash ought to have the freedom to tell their own stories without fear of clashing with or angering the big movie studios.

At the end of the day though, the movies are always going to win this battle. They receive the most funding, sign-on the biggest stars and feature the most iconic comic book heroes. This seems fair, as they do attract a much larger target audience. That said, if companies like DC and Marvel hope to achieve similar success on the small screen, it’s time they started treating those adaptations with a little more respect.

What are your thoughts on the relationship between comic book movies and television? Do you think they should all be connected across both formats, or would you rather see them kept separate? Let me your thoughts on this topic – I’m sure most of you will completely disagree with me! Be sure to sound off in the comments below!

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MisterSuperior
MisterSuperior - 6/4/2015, 6:08 PM
@Niklander

Since S3 of Arrow wasn't awful, yes, I'd be fine seeing it part of the DCCU. REALLY don't understand how people just bash on the season while glorifying the overrated second season. Oh well :/

But....these shows won't connect, no matter how great they are, with the film's universe.

Doesn't really matter, though. The season finale of Flash introduced the multiverse so a fanboy's dream could be that Watchmen connects to everything or The Dark Knight Trilogy even.
MisterSuperior
MisterSuperior - 6/4/2015, 6:11 PM
1.) Daredevil
2.) The Walking Dead
3.) Arrow
4.) The Flash
5.) Constantine (RIP!)
6.) Agent Carter





7.) The Black Sheep of the MCU (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)
8.) Gotham
9.) iZombie
McGee
McGee - 6/4/2015, 6:14 PM
Don't forget about us little people when you become an editor Minty.

SnapperCarr
SnapperCarr - 6/4/2015, 6:14 PM
Well most of the time the tv shows are inferior to movies when in fact they should be a benefit, as a lot of comic characters fit that mold better.

But I think Marvel/Netflix has it right using the street level characters son tv so the movies can focus on the more cinematic characters.
TheEpicJuicebox
TheEpicJuicebox - 6/4/2015, 6:18 PM
I don't seethe point of keeping the tv shows and movies seperate (cw) of they have restrictions on who they can and can't use like the suicide squad, batman, Harley Quinn, and any characters that are going to be in upcoming films as for marvel they need more synergy when it comes to the tv shows because as if right now it seems they have a sibling rivalry going on.
McGee
McGee - 6/4/2015, 6:20 PM
Ror used to be cool.

But once he became an editor/power user, he began saying things like Could you guys please stop posting all this graphic hentai?

Or he'd say something like God damn it, just because this thread is about X-Men: DOFP, doesn't mean you can post Fappening pics of Jenifer Lawrence! Jesus! What's wrong with you guys?
Gigacrusher45
Gigacrusher45 - 6/4/2015, 6:21 PM
Concerning DC at first I thought "Why wouldn't they take the success of Arrow (and now The Flash) and use that to their advantage to make the movie universe better?" But now I'm glad they are separate because nothing bad can happen to the good shows Arrow and The Flash are. Plus I hate who they cast as the movie Flash so I'm thankful the TV version has it down.

With Marvel there's a weird thought going around about how Age of Ultron didn't mention anything about Agents of Shield. The movies come first, plan and simple. It's harder to assume everyone watching a movie has watched 20 plus episodes of a new TV show. It's more likely people will have seen previous Marvel movies before watching new ones. And also this is all a first. Marvel is the only one doing something like this so you can't expect all their extended properties (TV and Netflix) to have any sort of grand effect on the movies.
Baf
Baf - 6/4/2015, 6:25 PM
DC will always have the multiple universe thing to bank on. The property doesn't need a shared universe. The Multiverse is built into the fabric of the storytelling. They can do what they want with their characters and never be wrong.
SauronsBANE
SauronsBANE - 6/4/2015, 6:29 PM
As usual, Minty:

SauronsBANE
SauronsBANE - 6/4/2015, 6:33 PM
Seriously though, this whole movie vs TV thing is so weird.

Marvel's film division has a love/hate relationship with Marvel TV, which is why they made life hell for Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen with their plans for SHIELD. Meanwhile, their film division was in charge of Agent Carter (Feige was hands-on for all the episodes, one of the Russo brothers directed an episode, the Cap writers wrote all of them, etc) and look how much smoother sailing that had.

WB/DC, meanwhile, keeps their mediums completely separated...yet the movies are still influencing the choices they can make in the shows. It makes no sense.

There's a middle ground somewhere there, and I'm sure some studio will figure it out sooner or later.
NightBoyWonder
NightBoyWonder - 6/4/2015, 6:34 PM
No connecting the DCCU. The only way it would work is with the time-travel element with The Flash. But even with that, it may end up being complicated. The GA is already aware that there are two separate DC Universe like there are two separate Marvel Universes (Marvel & FOX)
DallasAvenger
DallasAvenger - 6/4/2015, 6:34 PM
I prefer them to be connected but the TV shows are always going to be the sometimes forgotten often ignored little brother to the movies. They'll never make the profit the movies do and won't have the budget. As much as I like The Flash TV show the movie will be seen by many, many, many more people and the action and effects will blow the show out of the water. And in reality for me personally I get great characters and plot and dialogue from comic books but I don't get dynamic action so that is always at a premium and of huge importance to me these live-action shows and movies.
Darth258
Darth258 - 6/4/2015, 6:35 PM
If the DCCU and the TVverse aren't connected i'm fine with it, but i'm not ok with them not being connected and still seeing some characters (or even small references like LuthorCorp as they wanted to mention in Flash) ruled out or killed off because they are in a totally different universe.
TMW1987ProudProWrestlingFan
TMW1987ProudProWrestlingFan - 6/4/2015, 6:36 PM
I'm one of those that would like the TV universes to be connected to the Cinematic ones but it does seem like a chore for those involved on either medium & having to weave things in & out on both platforms to fit.

So, if we can't have everything connected, well then at least in WB's / DC's case here I hate the fact they think people who watch the TV Shows & the Movies are too stupid to differentiate between a TV version of a character & a movie version of a character. Season 3 (And possibly future seasons of Arrow) suffered because of the Suicide Squad movie. Why can't I watch a show that features Harley Quinn, Katana, Deathstroke, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, Amanda Waller, etc & enjoy stories with them that are going on on TV & then when I watch the movies with those characters, I can enjoy them in different stories with a different cast on the big screen. It sucks that the movies dictate who can & can't be used on TV or that the viewing public will be confused.

Yet, Suicide Squad features Joker, but it's perfectly fine for Gotham Season 2 to introduce Joker as a regular character on there, even if it is a different time frame. So why did they just not let Arrow do what they had planned with Harley for Season 3 & if they want to use their version of Katana or their Suicide Squad & Deathstroke in future, so be it. Manu Bennett is F*cking awesome & will be a miss from Arrow in the future if he can't be used.

If you're not going to connect your TV & Movie universes as one, well, let there be Movie versions of your characters & TV versions of your characters, WIN / WIN.

Josh Bowman for a TV version of Batman please if they ever have a Batman TV Show again or if they skip a few years on Gotham.
Darth258
Darth258 - 6/4/2015, 6:37 PM
We got a Suicide Squad movie and a Deadshot dies in another universe.
What happens to The Flash when a DCCU Flash shows up?
dckizzle
dckizzle - 6/4/2015, 7:02 PM
Should do a connection later on after a few movies
ralfinader
ralfinader - 6/4/2015, 7:05 PM
It's going to take one hell of a Flash movie to undermine that show.
Darth258
Darth258 - 6/4/2015, 7:09 PM
I can't wait to see the Teen Titans series.

And i'm also happy that there is a Superman flying around in the Supergirl universe, and if and when that and the CWverse connect it's going to be great.

HulkOnion
HulkOnion - 6/4/2015, 7:09 PM
WHY WE NEED A MULTIVERSE
TMW1987ProudProWrestlingFan
TMW1987ProudProWrestlingFan - 6/4/2015, 7:23 PM
Another thing here with WB's / DC, IF you've seen the Supergirl Pilot, why dance around with who the F*ck her cousin is, so cheesy the way they were going around it, just say SUPERMAN for FFS if you're going to acknowledge him or have those scenes of him flying around or make no reference at all, jesus that was cringe worthy.

They wouldn't even allow to say what the S stood for properly on the show & gave it a different meaning. SMDH! *Facepalm!*
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