Superman is finally back and the hierarchy of power in the DC Universe has changed, but not in the way Black Adam had initially marketed. With the recent hiring of James Gunn and Peter Safran as the heads of DC Studios, there might be some stable foundations to build a truly shared universe that could one day come to rival the MCU. While the DCU has been popular and entertaining with beloved films like Man of Steel, Wonder Woman, and The Suicide Squad, it felt disjointed aesthetically and thematically. Nevertheless, many fans aren’t losing hope in the franchise and see a bright future ahead.
A true saving grace over the past year was Peacemaker, the DCU’s first HBO Max series. It was an huge success, remarkable for elevating such an obscure and underrated character to star status. While the shakeups in Warner-Discovery have already affected the DCU, with the unfortunate cancelation of Batgirl, there are still other shows in development. As many fans remain hopeful, they have ideas about who should get their own HBO Max series in the DCU like Peacemaker, sharing their thoughts on Reddit.
The Question
Like Peacemaker, Vic Sage hails originally from Charlton Comics, but since their integration into DC’s main continuity in the ‘80s, The Question has become a premiere and fan-favorite DC character. He’s a character perfectly suited for an HBO Max series, with some fans saying it could emulate True Detective or Sherlock as a highly-realistic detective show – that would make the character fit in well into The Batman’s universe too.
u/hydrohawkx8 said, “I always imagined it as something more episodic with each episode having him solve some crazy conspiracy theory that either winds up being true or has a different but equally interesting truth to it.” There’s even more merit for a show for The Question as it could also incorporate Renee Montoya, Vic’s protégé, from Birds of Prey, played by Rosie Perez.
Captain Boomerang
While some popular DC characters have already been killed off, the joy of comics is that they are never gone for good, so hopefully, the DCU can operate similarly. This would be perfect to bring back Captain Boomerang, a Suicide Squad character eagerly deserving of their own spin-off like Peacemaker. He did meet his end in the shocking opening sequence of The Suicide Squad, but like a boomerang, he can still swoop back into the picture.
u/Bman324 likes this idea, stating, “I imagine almost a super-powered Trailer Park Boys season of him mixing it up with other rogues, trying to get a big score only to end back in prison.” This could function succinctly as a prequel series detailing his escapades before being indentured into Task Force X, and it could also incorporate other Flash villains like Captain Cold and Weather Wizard. If The Flash goes as many think it will, the DCU could be reset so Jai Courtney could still have a future as Captain Boomerang.
Huntress
Birds of Prey also set up a great future for Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s Huntress. Her backstory was explored in the film, however, there is still much more of her life to explore, from her connection to Batman and Nightwing to her role as an anti-hero. All in all, Huntress is a prime candidate for her own HBO Max series.
u/JeromeInDaouse_90 wrote, “After Birds of Prey, I kinda wanted to see a Kill Bill-esque Huntress series.” This sounds like a cool opportunity, perfectly suited for HBO Max due to its maturity and violence – thankfully Birds of Prey established Huntress as an unexpectedly funny and goofy character, so there would be good opportunities for levity too.
Deathstroke
Before the upturns that shook the DCU, Justice League had set up a future for Joe Manganiello as Deathstroke. However, in the years since he’s not done a thing – a true disservice for such a fantastic character and a fun actor. The time now might be ripe for him to get his own series.
Like others, this could be a villainous origin story, showcasing how he was once a hopeful soldier but has since become a ruthless mercenary. u/True_Leadership_2362 thinks, “Deathstroke needs a limited series that leads into a World’s Finest film.” Such a series could finally make good use of Deathstroke before he does become the main antagonist opposing Batman and Superman.
Booster Gold
While the DCU does center on the big names, some cool Justice Leagues members are still waiting for their shot in the spotlight. That would include Booster Gold, someone whose story is greatly suited for TV. u/floatyfloatwood is a fan of this, writing, “I would love to see a Booster Gold series.”
He is an interesting character as he hails from the future, and his show could allow for some cool intellectual and technological advancements for the DCU. Thematically, it could follow Booster Gold as he initially poses as a hero and then learns how to be one truthfully.
Deadman
Many fans are eager for the introduction of such characters as John Constantine, Zatanna, and Deadman for a Justice League Dark team-up. As to who deserves their own show, Deadman is a popular option.
Boston Brandt was a circus performer who was killed, but unable to pass on and remained as a ghost capable of possessing the living. u/WaldoJeffer65 thinks “Deadman might be a good TV series in the vein of Quantum Leap – each episode features a new body he jumps into in order to track down his killer.” This could be in tandem with other projects for fellow Justice League Dark members, and it would allow another underrated character to get his due attention.
Animal Man
In the MCU, they are already at the point when they can break the fourth wall with She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and eventually Deadpool 3. DC Comics also has some great characters who can break the fourth wall like She-Hulk, but none as unique as Animal Man. u/ArkBirdFTW wants a show for “Animal Man based on Morrison’s run,” referencing the 1980s revival written by Grant Morrison in which he breaks the fourth wall to speak with Morrison himself.
Unlike She-Hulk or Deadpool, Animal Man’s breaks aren’t usually for humor, but rather they are quite introspective. An Animal Man would mix the classic elements fans want in a superhero story with a deeply compelling, personal narrative.
Captain Atom
Another Charlton Comics character who should join the DCU is Captain Atom. He is incredibly powerful, thanks to an experiment that left him a being of pure atomic energy. Giving him his own series would allow for another interpretation of law and justice that would differ from Peacemaker, Batman, and Superman’s.
u/erehwon3 suggested a plot, writing, “Iraq War veteran gets experiment upon while incarcerated with the chance to get his sentence reduced. After the experiment throws him 20 years into the future, he now has to struggle with the powers of a god and try to reconnect with his surviving family.”
Adam Strange
While the DCU has remained terrestrial so far, hopefully, it will soon expand into the cosmos. This would then give a good opportunity for a show following Adam Strange. He is importantly linked to Zeta-Beams, technology that allows for instant interstellar travel that would expand the potential for the DCU exponentially.
u/Gamer_ely said, “Strange has so much potential for awesome Flash Gordon-style adventures”. This could therefore help expand the DCU and incorporate other cosmic characters like the Green Lantern Corps, Thanagarians, and maybe the New Gods.
Legion of Super-Heroes
If there is one team that is perfectly suited for its own DCU HBO Max series it is the Legion of Super-Heroes. The team does exist far in the future, but if there’s a way to incorporate them, it should be explored. There are so many great team members from Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad to Brainiac 5 and Chameleon, that would benefit from a dedicated live-action series.
u/spider-venomized wrote, “The Legion of Super-Heroes series has worked and could work if they did a sorta Justice League Unlimited method of having a big crowd, but only focus on like 5+ - the legionary of the day.”