Harley Quinn continues to be the shining example of superhero content as one of DC Comics' best-animated shows of all time, and there’s more to come. Ahead of the season three finale, a fourth season was recently announced. Plus, there’s also Noonan’s, the spin-off series about Kite-Man. Hopefully though, Noonan’s won’t be the only spin-off as many other characters would benefit from the Harley Quinn approach.
DC Comics has excelled time and time again on the animation front, and perhaps they should keep it that way in light of the issues plaguing their live-action side in the DCEU and on HBO Max. An animated show like Harley Quinn would allow for some lesser-known characters to get their deserved moment in the spotlight. Whether they’re actually part of the Harley Quinn universe or in a show all to themselves, these anti-heroes and villains would be entertaining to watch in their own animated show.
Suicide Squad
The Suicide Squad is not lacking in avenues for content in film or TV, especially not after The Suicide Squad, but they’d still be a perfect fit for their own animated series. They have featured in Harley Quinn already, so it could be a spin-off like Noonan’s for Kite-Man, or it could be an entity all on its own. With all the various members over the years, it's ripe with opportunity as an action-comedy series.
It could feature the classic team of Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, Enchantress, Katana, and Killer Croc, but they could throw in Harley Quinn and Rick Flag too. Some of them could be worthy of their own series or shorts, but they’d be better together, and the show could poke fun at the heroic teams like the Justice League and Avengers by giving the villains the focus.
Outlaws
Another team that would make for an interesting animated show is the Outlaws, consisting of Red Hood, Arsenal, Starfire, Bizarro, and Artemis, a hodgepodge team if ever there was one. This was an important moment in Jason Todd’s transformation from revived villain to the anti-hero he is today, but it’s never been shown outside the comics. His fellow teammates also have their own problems and insecurities to deal with, so together the Outlaws have plenty of character development to capitalize on.
An Outlaws animated series with Red Hood as the main protagonist would have all the dark humor and violence that has made Harley Quinn or Invincible so popular. Furthermore, since the team unites unexpected characters from across the DC Comics universe, the opportunities are abundant for who else could be brought in as a supporting character and/or antagonist.
Huntress
Batman has no shortage of fantastic supporting characters, whether in the Bat-Family or not, including Huntress. She is definitely more of a hero, but often her quest for vengeance and bloodthirsty nature can put innocent people in harm's way. She isn’t naturally a comedic character like Harley (though Mary Elizabeth Winstead shone comedically in Birds of Prey) so the show would skew darker and more serious.
She has appeared in various tv shows like Justice League Unlimited, but she’s not gotten to shine on her own, so a Huntress animated series would be something many fans would love to see. Her story and tone could be comparable to The Punisher, in exploring her tragic upbringing and quest for revenge, but it could also incorporate Batman and other supporting characters.
Jonah Hex
If DC wanted to go down a completely different route than prominent characters like the Suicide Squad, they should go with Jonah Hex, the bounty hunter recognized by his scarred face. This could follow his endeavors in the 1800s and/or in the modern days, but the former would showcase something that hasn’t been explored deeply besides in Jonah Hex from 2010 with Josh Brolin.
He’d be an interesting protagonist because he’s quite cynical but still holds to a strangely noble and honorable moral code. In particular, a Jonah Hex show could actually adapt the entire DC universe and set it during the 1800s and could thus showcase fellow heroes and villains in new lights, both aesthetically and thematically. Plus, it would allow a more underrated and lesser-known character to gain a newfound prominence.
Lobo
Lobo has actually already had his own animated series as part of the DC Animated Universe after appearing in Superman: The Animated Series and Justice League, but he’d be due for an update. It was quite mature and bloody, but it was still restricted by broadcast standards to really showcase all his potential. Therefore, he’d do great with his own HBO Max series that could explore with some more freedom.
This would allow for more of the DC Universe cosmos to be explored as Lobo completed different bounty contracts. The show could also bring into play the other versions of Lobo and the question of who the real one is.
Vigilante
Despite the issue plaguing the DCEU, there is one thing fans can feel secure with, but it's something that took them by complete surprise. Thanks to Peacemaker the franchise does have a stable footing, yet he was a character that very few casual fans were probably familiar and that goes double for his sidekick, Vigilante. Since Peacemaker has his own live-action show, then Vigilante could get an animated series.
The character would fit in well with the world of Harley Quinn, and it could explore his various backstories and the different people who have used the title. Like Jonah Hex it could go down the western route with Greg Saunders or his modern interpretation of Adrian Chase.
Bizarro
Animated series are perfect places for strange characters that wouldn’t work all that well in live-action like Bizarro, the Kryptonian clone, and Superman villain. He could still come into play as part of the DCEU, but they’d have to reincorporate Superman and restabilize the franchise first. Like Vigilante or the Suicide Squad, Bizarro would also work well in a future Harley Quinn season.
A Bizarro series could also incorporate the other clones and denizens of Bizarro World, being able to showcase different versions of various heroes and villains. While he did start as a villain, over the years he has transitioned to become more of an anti-hero, and while that’s been explored before, there’s not been a protagonist like Bizarro.
Swamp Thing
One of the best new additions to season three of Harley Quinn is Sam Richardson as Swamp Thing with a delightful characterization of a hipster as opposed to his traditional serious portrayal. As such, many would love to see him get his own spin-off to explore even more of his lore and comedic side.
It could also be nice to see him in his more conventional depiction in his own show, perhaps voiced once again by Mark Hamill like in Justice League Action. However, it is probably still too recent since the cancelation of Swamp Thing, the live-action series formerly on DC Universe. As such, a new Swamp Thing show isn’t something people should expect anytime soon, but down the line, hopefully, it can happen.
Rogues
Of course, there are some great prospects from Batman and Superman’s rogues gallery, but Flash’s villains would also be worthy of their own series, especially if they’re all teamed up as the Rogues. The villainous team is made up of characters like Captain Cold, Captain Boomerang, Heat Wave, Mirror Master, Golden Glider, and more. Though they deserve their shot in the DCEU, that doesn’t seem likely anytime soon.
An animated series for the Rogues might be the best chance for these characters to showcase themselves without the Flash constantly beating them up. In particular, it would be exciting to see the Rogues in a heist-style show utilizing each of their special skills like Oceans Eleven.
Deathstroke
Deathstroke is another villain whose level of violence and various storylines fighting different heroes that would translate well to animation. After an extensive history throughout shows like Teen Titans and Young Justice, Deathstroke briefly did get his own miniseries, Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons with Michael Chiklis starring.
However, Deathstroke has such a rich and complex backstory that he deserves something more ongoing. This would be a darker and more serious show than Harley Quinn, being more in the vein of Batman Beyond, and it could also explore his strange relationship with Nightwing.