We have less than two weeks left before we enter the new year of 2020. I wanted to go back of the biggest highlights of 2019. I believe this year had to have been the best comic book content on movies and TV probably since 2008 when Iron Man, The Dark Knight, The Incredible Hulk and Hell Boy Two was released in theaters. On TV we had Batman the Brave and the Bold, and The Spectacular Spider-Man that was released and was a huge hit with the fans. 2019 However is probably the biggest and best year to live in if you are a big comic book fan, because there was a lot of content beyond the big two from DC and Marvel comics that was a huge hit. I will be go over both Movies and TV for comic books content of this year. I will have them ranked in order, from my opinion. We all have our personal ranking.
Movies
Even though there was other comic book movies in theaters, but some of the animation movies outshine the live action movies this year.
6. The Reign of Supermen
This was a direct animated movie of the second part of The Death of Superman that came out in 2018. The Reign of Supermen is loosely based from the comic book story in the 90’s, base on Dan Jurgens story. It’s about four people clamming to be Superman, with a new threat now that the real Superman is gone. It is one of my favorite from this years DC direct animated movie of this year. If you love Superman this is a must see for Superman and comic book fans.
5. Batman vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The crossover nobody seen coming in a direct animated movie. Batman vs TMNT is based on the comic book crossover story by James Tynion IV, and Freddie Williams II. What surprise the audiences is how dark the tone was for a TMNT animation. Many fans will love the story crossover and the eater eggs to both Batman and TMNT past movies. It is a great mash up of both of these characters and their worlds collide. Probably the best comic book animated movie out for 2019.
4. Spider-Man: Far From Home
Spider-Man Far From Home is one of the best Spider-Man sequel live action movies since Spider-Man 2. It is very joyful and full of surprises. Jake Gyllenhaal shines as the classic Spider-Man villain Mysterio. His chemistry on screen with Tom Holland is pure entertaining, and fun. I love that Peter Parker is still in high school for his sequel instead of rushing him into college. With the aftermath of The Avengers End Game some things was address and hits at a direction for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
3. Shazam!
Once known as Captain Marvel, and because of name publications with Marvel Comics. He now goes by Shazam! Shazam! staring Zachary Levi as Shazam, and Asher Angel as Billy Batson. This was a superhero movie that presented a great balance between the action and comedy. Lots of heart connecting moments, and Asher Angel and Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddy Freeman both steal spot light. This was a very surprising hit comic book movie DC and Warner Brothers needed after their success with Aquaman in 2018.
2. JOKER
Joaquin Phoenix one man performance as Arthur Fleck who transforms into the madness as the clown prince of crime the Joker. This is a very different take on the greatest comic book villain of all time, and in the Batman mythology. Joker presented the best presentation of Gotham City. The city is corrupt, ugly, and disturbing.This is a physiological thriller that has everyone talking and finding something new from director and writer Todd Phillips film
The Avengers: End Game
Watching Captain America using Thor’s Hammer to fight Thanos had everyone who watch this movie off their feet and scream with joy or when Captain America finally said Avengers Assemble with all of the heroes charging in to fight Thano’s army. The Avengers End Game pays off to over ten years of MCU build up since the first Iron Man movie. So many moments that will have everyone sad, happy, and excited to see what happens next for the MCU. The Avengers End Game is one of the greatest comic book movies, and one greatest movie experiences for any audiences.
TV
There was so much great TV series that either ended or just began in 2019. I have watched a lot of comic book series that came out in 2019, and it was not easy to ranked them all, but I will give some mentions to shows I haven’t started to watch that hear are great such as Runways season three, Agents of Shield, Cloak and Dagger, Season finale of Legion, and Season finale of The Gift. I know Preacher also ended this year as well. I haven’t watched much of the DC CW series this year besides The Flash, but I am sure they all had great series finales, or a good season and had huge followings. I will find time to watch them sometime in the new year. I will mention Greg Berlanti’s DCCW crossover event that has been well received by fans, but has two episode left that wont air until January 2020 the same with Harley Quinn animated series. Other series that deserve recognition is Lucifer season four, Happy season two, and Young Justice season three.
10. The Punisher Season Two
Even though The Punisher series was short staring Jon Bernthal, and Ben Barnes. I enjoyed season two and Billy Russo’s transition to Jigsaw. It is a shame this series did not continue for a season three. Season two had some pacing issues, but it was very action packed and Jon Bernthal is the best Punisher to date.
9. The Umbrella Academy Season One
The Umbrella Academy is a break out new series from Netflix. It is base from Gerard Ward, and Gabriel Ba from Dark Horse Comics. This is a very unique and a mysteries series. It is very unpredictable and action packed. It is a mixed of X-Men First Class meets Doom Patrol inspiration. Season Two will be out in 2020.
8. Jessica Jones Season Three
I was mixed about season two, but season three went back more to the noire and crime presentation that made Jessica Jones season one a huge hit with audiences. Season three brings in a serial killer with Jessica Jones trying to stop, and battling her own issues with Trish who wants to be back in her circle of trust. I really enjoyed the finale season of Jessica Jones as it does it’s best to close out the series.
7. Titans Season Two
Titans Season two was a trillion times better from Season One. Titans Season two felt like a true live action of the DCU from the comic books. We get a lot of awesome moments from the season two. I really enjoyed Esai Morales as Deathstroke, and Brenton Thwaites continues to be a fantastic Dick Grayson. We finally get Nightwing and in action! I really enjoyed Joshua Orpin who plays Superboy. Season three will be out in 2020.
6. The Tick Season Two
I wish more people would watch the Tick series. It is streaming on Amazon Prime and was the first comic book property they have that was original series by Amazon. The series had a balance of dark and light tone that worked extremely well for the series. The series respected the source material from the comic books. Season two is fast pace and has a very tight story that connects all together. I highly recommend people to watch this series it is very underrated.
5. Swamp Thing TV Series (2019)
Even though the series was cancelled, after the first episode was aired. The series had potential to be something great. It had great practical effects and had a very good origin story base on Len Wein and Alan Moore Swamp Thing comic book run. The series featured a Blue Devil, Madame Xanadu, and Phantom Stranger who potentially could be in a Justice League Dark spin-off series they might’ve been planning. I highly recommend fans to check out this show because it can easily be treated as a standalone series. Great acting performances, and great villains from Avery Sunderland, and Dr Woodrue/ Floronic Man.
4. The Boys Season One
The Boys is another break out series from Amazon Prime . The Boys is created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson base on the comic book from Dynamite Entertainment comic books. This is series where the Super Heroes are the villains but posed as heroes thanks to cooperate. It is something new added to the superheroe presentation. It is dark and balls to the wall. Karl Urban and Anthony Starr are the breakouts from the series. Season Two already wrapped and will be release in 2020. Highly recommend audiences to check this series out.
3. Doom Patrol Season One
Doom Patrol needs to have a bigger audiences, because it is the best new series on the DCU streaming service app. The series has a lot of heart, and one of the most unique comic book tv series to date. This series has balance of action, dark humor and a mystery factor to the series. It is a very well written series, that will connect with audiences. This series bring some of the best performances from a great cast staring Diane Guerrero as Crazy Jane, Alan Tudyk as Mr. Nobody, Timothy Dalton as The Chief Matt Boomer as Negative Man, Brandon Fraser as Robotman, and April Bowlby as Rita Farr.
2. Daredevil Season Three
In my opinion this is the best Marvel live action tv series of all time. Unfortunately it ended early this year from Netflix, because of the Disney Plus coming in . We get the best performance from our protagonist Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock and our antagonist Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk/ The Kingpin. Vincent D’Onofrio brings his best performance as Wilson Fisk, and it will be very hard for any actor to match his performance playing Wilson Fisk in the future of Marvel Studios do not bring anyone from the Netflix series into the MCU. Season three was very well written and goes back to being a grounded gritty series like in season one. The series did leave an open-end at the ending if the series ever gets revive by Kevin Feige from Marvel Studios since they are taking over the Marvel TV division.
HBO’s The Watchmen Season One
HBO’s Watchmen is the new and best comic book series of 2019. The Watchmen is in the running to be the greatest comic book TV series of all time. The series is a worthy direct sequel to one of the greatest graphic novels of all time. Created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. David Lindleof takes the same elements from the graphic novel, and expands on another character like Hooded Justice and expands on his origin and how it is the center of the new sequel. The show is a mystery, drama, and politic series just like the graphic novel was in the 80’s. Every idea that David Lindleof had for the series is all in season one. Nothing is left loose, and everything that is plan in the series is paid off. This is a very, very well written series. If you love Watchmen you need to watch the sequel series. If you are looking for a good show the beige watch HBO Watchmen is must watch. HBO did announce a season two, but no word if David Lindleof will be back because he hasn’t found a good idea for a season two.
What to look forward to in 2020 for comic books TV and movies
All of female superheroes is expected to take over 2020. We have Birds of Prey will be out in February 2020, and it is still an X factor in my opinion. There’s no telling if the movie will be a huge hit, but it does have a following because of Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn from Suicide Squad. We have The Umbrella Academy, The Boys, Doom Patrol season two coming out next year. A new Superhero series with Star Girl, Titans Season three, and Young Justice Season four called Phantom. We will finally get the MCU tie-end series from Disney Plus with The Falcon and the Winter Solider as well as Wandavision in the fall. We have the Black Widow movie, and Wonder Woman 84 that will dominate the box offices in the summer. We will start seeing more of the Enternals movie that is set to be out next fall. The Eternals assembled an all star cast staring Angelina Jolie, Richard Mardden, Kimail Nanjiani, Salma Hayek, Lauren Ridloff, and many more. We will have the infamous New Mutants and Venom 2 set to be release next year. 2020 will be a very exciting year for all things comic books on movies and TV. Other than Superman Red Son, we will have a sequel of Justice League Dark, called Apokolips War, and Superman Man of Tomorrow, from DC direct animation. I am sure there will be other exciting releases coming to the HBO Max streaming services from DC and the Vertigo line.
Lucifer season five or season finale is schedule to come out in 2020, No word on any of the independent comic book series will come out on Netflix. Mark Millar announce American Jesus is in production with Netflix, Sandman is in the works from Netflix. No word on what Amazon has for new comic book series, besides The Boys Season two,
My Comic Book Opinion 