TAGGED AS: FOX, Netflix, Superheroes
As the fall season approaches, much of the excitement in the realm of comic book television surrounds the Arrowverse crossover scheduled for December 9–11. This year, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow sits out the event as Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl unite to introduce Gotham City into their television multiverse and present the live-action debut of Batwoman (Ruby Rose). The character is also expected to join the CW roster in her own series next year. Oh, and if that were not enough, Superman (Tyler Hoechlin) will join the fun and new television Lois Lane will debut during the event.
And while it may seem that The CW dominates the comic book television landscape with seven shows based on comic book properties and an eighth on the way, there are a few other programs returning or debuting over the autumn months with great plans of their own. New characters, continuing story lines, and a few shake-ups will occur as comic book superheroes, survivors, and high schoolers return from their summer breaks. Let’s take a look at what the new fall season has in store for some of your favorite comic book TV shows.
Returns: September 7
What to Expect: Following the events of Marvel’s The Defenders, Danny Rand (Finn Jones) tries to live up to the promise he made to Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) by keeping the downtown gangs in check. With The Hand undone, the power vacuum threatens to rip the city apart. But Danny’s old friend Davos (Sacha Dhawan) has a different idea. Using his newly found powers and his alliance with Joy Meachum (Jessica Stroup), he plans to take the Immortal Iron Fist from Danny anyway he can. Meanwhile, Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick) questions her desire to stay in the fight while Misty Knight (Simone Missick) comes downtown chasing a case of her own. But everyone will have to face the various personalities of Typhoid Mary (Alice Eve), whose apparent alliance with Davos and Joy comes with a few unusual conditions.
Suggested Reading: The Immortal Iron Fist Vols. 1 & 2 by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, David Aja, Travel Foreman, Kano and Tonci Zonjic.
Returns: September 25
What To Expect: The Mutant Underground faces a complex future following the defections of mutants like Polaris (Emma Dumont) and Andy Strucker (Percy Hynes White) to the Hellfire Club. That group’s Inner Circle, led by Reeva Payge (Grace Byers), has no intention of maintaining the X-Men’s dream of peace between mutant and human, which means the Underground will be fighting a war on two fronts as the Purifiers renew their campaign against mutants. Meanwhile, Erg (Michael Luwoye) and the Morlocks make themselves known and a new company swoops in to take the place of Trask Industries as Agent Turner (Coby Bell) continues his crusade against mutant kind. Also, the mutant cure Reed Strucker (Stephen Moyer) received from his father is failing, meaning his long dormant powers are about to be revealed.
Suggested Reading: X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills by Chris Claremont and Brent Anderson.
Returns: October 7
What To Expect: A year-and-a-half after Negan’s (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) defeat, Rick Grimes’ (Andrew Lincoln) loose coalition of local communities continues to face challenges in the zombie-infested world. They also face the threat of the Whisperers, led by Alpha (Samantha Morton), and the impending departure of series star Lincoln as The Walking Dead finally says goodbye to Rick. But what his final moments will mean for Maggie (Lauren Cohan), Michonne (Danai Gurira), Carol (Melissa McBride), or Daryl (Norman Reedus) is anyone’s guess. Will one of them step up to lead the coalition or will they have to wait for Morgan (Lennie James) to return from his Fear The Walking Dead sojourn to provide the necessary wisdom and menace to rule over a post-Negan world? Well, it may not mean much to Maggie as Cohan is also departing the series — and people usually leave The Walking Dead as corpses.
Suggested Reading: The Walking Dead Vol. 24: Life and Death by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn.
Returns: October 9
What To Expect: Despite Barry (Grant Gustin) and Iris (Candace Patton) planning to wait awhile before having a child, their daughter Nora (Jessica Parker Kennedy) arrives from the future claiming she’s made a huge time-travel mistake — that definitely makes her Barry’s daughter. If a new generation of speedster wasn’t enough, Team Flash faces the new threat of Cicada (Chris Klein), a former beat cop turner serial killer of metas, and he might have his sights set on Cisco (Carlos Valdes). Meanwhile, Dr. Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker) searches for answers about Killer Frost, with her questions leading back to her difficult mother, Carla Tannhauser (Susan Walters) and her long absent father, Thomas Snow (Kyle Secor). And as has become Flash tradition, Tom Cavanagh will debut a new version of Harrison Wells, known as “Sherloque,” following Harry’s return to Earth-2 last season.
Suggested Reading: The Flash by Mark Waid Book Two by Mark Waid, M.D. Bright, Phil Hester, Greg Larocque, and Patch Zircher.
Returns: October 9
What To Expect: The battle for Freeland continues as Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams), his daughters Anissa (Nafessa Williams) and Jennifer (China Anne McClain), their mother Lynn (Christine Adams) and Gambi (James Remar) prepare for Tobias Whale’s (Marvin “Krondon” James III) next move. The team will also, presumably, deal with whatever long game the ASA is playing with its meta-human drug program and the Green Light victims it held in those cryogenic pods. Jordan Calloway, who played Jennifer’s almost-boyfriend Khalil last season, will return as a series regular. Changed into the meta-human Painkiller, he will also prove to be a continuing adversary for Team Lightning. Meanwhile, Jennifer will begin to see a therapist to help her adjust to meta-human life while Jefferson faces his replacement as principal of Garfield High. Anissa will also meet a “social media-savvy” love interest — though we’re still wondering why she stopped talking to Grace Choi (Chantal Thuy) after that night at the bar.
Suggested Reading: Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands by Tony Isabella and Clayton Henry
Returns: October 10
What To Expect: First up: the trial of Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) as Hiram Lodge (Mark Consuelos) attempts to exact his revenge on those meddling Riverdale High kids. The situation may lead to Archie and Veronica (Camila Mendes) breaking up again. Betty (Lili Reinhart) must confront her mother and sister’s interest in the cult-like Farm and its leader Edgar Everner, while Jughead (Cole Sprouse) awaits the return of his mother and his little sister Jelly Bean to Riverdale. Meanwhile, Kevin Keller (Casey Cott) and Josie McCoy (Ashleigh Murray) face a new reality as step-siblings when his father and her mother try to integrate them into one family unit under one roof. But it wouldn’t be Riverdale without a special stunt episode and the fall event comes early as episode four features a flashback episode in which Apa, Cott, Murray, Mendes, Reinhart, Sprouse, and the rest of the young cast play their characters’ parents in a Breakfast Club–inspired story that promises to reveal a long-buried secret. The Breakfast Club’s Anthony Michael Hall will guest star as 1980s Riverdale High Principal Featherhead.
Suggested Reading: Afterlife with Archie Vol. 1 by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla.
Returns: October 14
What To Expect: With the threat of Reign behind her, Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) faces a new threat in the form of Supergirl? Taking its cues from the Superman: Red Son graphic novel, season 4 will introduce a Russian doppelganger of Kara who has very clear plans for the United States and National City. Lynda Carter returns as President Olivia Marsdin, but her secret identity as a Durlan shapeshifter may soon become public knowledge as her vice president (Bruce Boxleitner) will become “an unlikely leader who steps up in a big way up when his country needs him most.” But that may play into the hands of Agent Liberty (Sam Witwer), a man using the anti-alien sentiment to his own advantage. Meanwhile, Brainiac 5 (Jesse Rath) continues to acclimate to the 21st century, Alex (Chyler Leigh) gets used to running the DEO, and J’onn (David Harewood) discovers who he is without the burden of command. Also, expect Lena (Katie McGrath) to learn Kara’s secret at some point, leading the two friends to become bitter enemies with James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks) stuck in the middle. Nicole Maines joins the series as Nia Nal, a CatCo employee with a dreamy power, as does April Parker Jones as Colonel Lauren Haley.
Suggested Reading: Superman: Red Son by Mark Millar, Dave Johnson and Kilian Plunkett.
Returns: October 15
What To Expect: After finally revealing himself as the Green Arrow, Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) finds himself behind bars at Slabside Maximum Security Prison, where old opponents like Bronze Tiger (Michael Jai White), Derek Sampson (Cody Runnels), and Brick (Vinnie Jones) eagerly await their chance for payback. Meanwhile, Team Arrow contends with Ricardo Diaz’s (Kirk Acevedo) latest recruits: The Longbow Hunters. Red Dart (Holly Elissa), Kodiak (Michael Jonsson), and Silencer (Miranda Edwards) are eager to assist Diaz in exacting his revenge on the remaining members of the team, which includes Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards), John Diggle (David Ramsey), Curtis Holt (Echo Kellum), Dinah Drake (Juliana Harkavy), and Rene Ramirez (Rick Gonzalez). Meanwhile, Black Siren (Katie Cassidy) continues her tough journey from villain to — well, less of a villain, really. But perhaps a returning Roy Harper (Colton Haynes) will be able to withstand Diaz and the Longbow Hunters while Ollie figures out a way to survive Slabside.
Suggested Reading: Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters by Mike Grell.
Returns: October 22
What To Expect: Because the Legends never do anything correctly, their defeat of the Time Demon Mallus has opened a door for mystical creatures to invade the timestream. It will be up to them and expert exorcist John Constantine (Matt Ryan) to put the genie back in the bottle – chances are, they will have also face a genie at some point while removing werewolves, ghosts, and other creatures from Earth-1’s often fractured history. But the stress of the situation may lead to a Legend “breaking bad.” Besides Ryan and season 3 guest stars Jes Macallan and Courtney Ford joining the cast on a permanent basis, Ramona Young will appear as Alaska Yu, a young woman in love with fantasy novels and the idea of becoming a superhero. Hopefully, the Legends will welcome her with open arms and not make superheroes look too bad in the process. Also, Nate Heywood (Nick Zano) will finally get to know his father (Tom Wilson) a little bit better and Maisie Richardson-Sellers trades in playing Amaya Jiwe for a new character named Charlie, one of those mystical fugitives plaguing the Legends this season.
Suggested Reading: Hellblazer Vol. 1 by Jamie Delano and John Ridgway.
(Photo by Diyah Pera/Netflix)
Debuts: October 26
What To Expect: Sabrina Spellman (Kiernan Shipka) is a not-so-average student at Greendale High. Half witch and half human, Sabrina must reconcile her dual heritage while facing supernatural threats to the town and typical high school drama, like starting something with Harvey Kinkle (Ross Lynch). But she must also contend with her protective aunts Zelda (Miranda Otto) and Hilda (Lucy Davis), her British cousin Ambrose (Chance Perdomo) high school rival Prudence (Tati Gabrielle), and nefarious school principal George Hawthorne (Bronson Pinchot). Luckily, she has her best friend Rosalind Walker (Jaz Sinclair) by her side and the compassionate ear of her mentor, Mary Wardell (Michelle Gomez).
Suggested Reading: The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Vol. 1 by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Robert Hack and Jack Morelli.
(Photo by Patrick Harbron/Netflix)
Returns: fall 2018
What To Expect: While the other Defenders presume Matt Murdoch perished in their final confrontation with the Hand, the Daredevil of Hell’s Kitchen survived an entire building toppling down upon him. Now, he finds himself in the care of a group of nuns. One of whom, Sister Maggie (Joanne Whalley), may be his long lost mother. Meanwhile, Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) is itching to get out of prison and back into power. Oh, and he probably wants revenge on Matt — once Matt lets the world and dear friends like Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) and Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson) know he’s still alive. Wilson Bethel and Jay Ali are also slated to appear. The latter will play socially awkward FBI Agent Ray Nadeem while many suspect the former will play Matt’s arch-nemesis Bullseye. Annabella Sciorra will also continue as mob boss Rosalie Carbone, the part she played in the closing episodes of Luke Cage‘s second season.
Suggested Reading: Daredevil: Born Again by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli
Debuts: fall 2018
What To Expect: When Dick Grayson (Brenton Thwaites) sets off as his own after a falling out with Batman, he will have to assemble a team of young heroes to help the emotionally distraught Raven (Teagan Croft). With Starfire (Anna Diop) and Beast Boy (Ryan Potter) joining the team, the new Titans will have to face the unpredictable vigilante team of Hawk and Dove (Alan Ritchson and Minka Kelly), the oddity of the Doom Patrol, and the dark secret of Raven’s past. Also, Dick will have to contend with a new partner (Lindsey Gort) at his day job at the police department and at least one appearance by bad boy Robin Jason Todd (Curran Walters). The series is the first original live-action scripted series that will launch on the upcoming DC Universe streaming service.
Suggested Reading: The New Teen Titans Vol. 1 by Marv Wolfman and George Perez.
Debuts: This fall
What To Expect: The daily series will provide “added depth” to announcements regarding the DC Universe service’s original series, its library of comics, and the burgeoning community. Each episode will feature a headlines segment; a single-topic segment like an in-depth interview or deep dive into an upcoming book, film, or series; and a panel discussion.
Suggested Reading: The DC Comics official website.
(Photo by Hulu)
Returns: December 21
What to Expect: The kids – Alex (Rhenzy Feliz), Molly (Allegra Acosta), Gert (Ariela Barer), Chase (Gregg Sulkin), Karolina (Virginia Gardner), and Nico (Lyrica Okano) – find escape from Los Angeles is much harder than they expected and discover sanctuary in a half-buried mansion somewhere in the hills. As they scavenge for food and look after one another, they must also confront a growing suspicion that one of them is still in contact with Pride leader Jonah (Julian McMahon). Meanwhile, their Prideful parents continue to look for their runaway children as Jonah moves on to the next stage in his plan.
Suggested Reading: Runaways Vol. 2: Teenage Wasteland by Brian K. Vaughn and Adrian Alphona.