There are a number of Marvel comics and characters that would do well on TV better than in movies. They can build larger stories and end up costing a lot less than a major motion picture. It was hard to narrow it down to just five, but I think these would work best.
X-Factor Investigations
They may have to go with this name to differentiate from the ‘talent’ show currently on the air. And once that’s out of the way, the show itself will have endless possibilities. Based off of Peter David’s current X-Factor run, The show can focus on former superheroes who now sell their talents as private investigators handling anything from missing person cases to the old witch down the street. With Maddox’s split personalities fighting for control and all of the deadly threats they could weekly face, this show could be a sleeper hit for any network.
Avengers Academy/Xavier’s School for Gifted YoungstersA network can run with either idea since they are basically the same, but with different power and maybe social threads. Avengers Academy is exactly what it sounds like, a school for teens trying to be Earth’s next mightiest heroes. No, it’s not about Teenage Captain America and Ironman, it could be based on the series by Christos Gage and can focus on that team. Likewise Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters can either focus on the original five X-Men (Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Angel and Marvel Girl) or can star any number of young and future X-Men that have come through the doors over the years. This series can serve up intense superhero fights as well as social topics such as racism and tolerance, like every great X-Men story has touched on over the years. This would be more of a younger show, fitting in perfectly on the CW or ABC Family.
Heroes for Hire (rotating cast)This idea has been brought up from time to time, but it’s still worth a mention. You have another group of private eye’s, but this one is more street friendly. You can have a rotating cast of heroes on the show, focusing on a different hero every episode while building towards a larger story arch. There’s plenty of romance to balance out the action, testosterone can be perfectly balanced with the plethora of female characters they can add to the show. This can (if written properly) can the comic book show to pull off the right mix of love and action.
Black PantherThis guy. He’s been in developmental limbo for YEARS. He can’t seem to have a lasting book series, can’t seem to find a studio to launch his movies, he can’t even stay married. What he needs is a fresh start. He can find it on television. The idea can be tweaked a bit, he’s an African King that Comes to New York on business, there’s an assassination plot on him, he stays in NY to figure it out, action ensues. Political drama mixed with martial art butt kicking. This show already sounds like a smash.
Winter Soldier/Black WidowOh, you want MORE political drama mixed with high octane action? How about Captain America’s former partner that was brain washed by Soviet Russia and turned into their greatest spy that broke free from the brain washing and is now trying to right all of his past wrongs with his former Soviet spy girlfriend who may or may not have defected over to the United States? Whew. Just think about how insane this show would be. Get Ed Brubaker to write a few episodes and just hand it awards. This is more of a fit for cable than network.If I missed any, or you can think of any others that would work better, feel free to to let me know either in the comments below or on twitter @Gary_Roszko