by Ken Parker
Forget the movies. That particular
battle between DC and Marvel doesn't really get interesting until
next year. Right now the battle is on television and while they are
not really going against each other head to head, it is still
interesting to see how both sides are amping up their game with their
current and future series. There is so much going on right now and I
am not even dealing with the animated series.
Starting with Marvel is a bit easier
because they have less programming right now. Actually, only two.
Agents of SHIELD and Agent Carter are taking turns
keeping Marvel on the TV map right now. Agents of SHIELD is
in its second season and has been on a roll since mid season last
year. Ever since people started spouting “Hail Hydra” the show
has been on fire. The characters have a direction and an urgency.
They are not in control and in a comfortable situation. They are
fugitives and being hunted by the government and Hydra. New
characters and an overall well written story arc has really brought
this show into its strengths. The action is top notch and the humor
is all clicking along with the drama. The thought that there may be
some kind of connection with the upcoming Avengers movie is
also getting a bit exciting as is everything going on with Skye and
the upcoming Inhumans movie story.
Despite all this, the series has
bottomed out with its ratings earlier this season. The show debuted
last season at over 12 million and is now ranging between 4-5
million. It is interesting to note that many people love the show
and its direction and yet the 7 million people who are no longer
watching it don't seem to care. Last season the show never fell
below 5 million and yet this year it has six out of ten times. The
primary reason might be that it is up against a NCIS show. I
always have said that in the movies, Marvel can do no wrong and on
TV, NCIS can do no wrong. They can have a NCIS: Bangor
and it will be watched by over 15 million.
Agents of SHIELD is not doing so
well and there is no guarantee it will come back for a third season.
That would be a shame as it is a better show and its connections with
the movie universe, while thin at times, is still a great way to
cross promote and generate interest.
Agent Carter recently proved a
fact in TV ratings. The lower ratings does not mean its bad. The
most recent episode at the time of writing this was called “The
Iron Ceiling” and was the show's best yet. Peggy Carter, an agent
who is told to take food orders for the agency, goes back to her
element and fights along side the Howling Commandos in an action
packed story that also sees a glimpse of the Black Widow Ops that our
own Natasha Romanov (Black Widow) is a product of and we should see a
bit more of this in the upcoming Avengers movie.
Despite a cracking episode, it is the
lowest rated episode to date. I guess NCIS: Springfield was
on that night. Still, the show has managed to get close to 7 million.
The show is pretty spectacular as well.
The connections to Captain America, SHIELD, the Stark family and so
on are numerous but the story of spies and 40's adventure is well
produced and I really hope this is picked up for a second season.
Now DC has Gotham, The Flash
and Arrow. Gotham is a perfect look at a pre-Batman
era with the origins of various villains and the emergence of Jim
Gordon. This show has a bit of an anti climatic feel to it and
unless future seasons speed up time, we are not going see Batman AKA
– Smallville with Superman. Still, what makes this show
interesting is the corrupt politics and shady mobs and the game of
power going on. The cast of characters is outstanding with Robin
Lord Taylor highlighting the ensemble as Penguin. The dark feel is
handled well and it all fits in perfectly.
Gotham is not up against
NCIS Flushing, NY.
The ratings have bounced between 5-7
million but has nothing to worry about as it has already been renewed
for a second season. The show is holding its own fairly well against
the opposition which includes garbage such as the inconceivably
popular Bachelor show. Good news, 
The Flash is a fun show. This
is an action packed funny entertaining program that is doing lots of
things right. The cast works well and there is enough going on with
the big picture that it has stayed fresh. CW likes the ratings
between 4-5 million and has already renewed it. This show IS going
up against an NCIS show, I think NCIS: Walla Walla and
doing very well.
Arrow is also doing well but has
flirted with high 2 millions. Still, a renewal for its 4th
season has already happened. The show is a darker version of the DC
universe but fits in well with its sister show, The Flash.
The crossover the two shows had earlier in the season worked well and
really shows the strengths of both shows and how they are great
flagships for the network.
I love what both of these shows are
doing in creating a universe of heroes and villains. I am especially
looking forward to the inclusion of The Atom. I loved when
Smallville brought in more heroes and if these franchises do
this, without over doing it, it will be cool!
I have already talked about how DC has
done better in the television front, mostly because they are bringing
in some of the main characters. Marvel is all supporting characters
up to this point. Now I believe DC on TV can survive when their
movie counterparts debut, but it may be awkward.
Now both Marvel and DC have new shows
on the horizon that could change this television landscape a bit.
Supergirl is going to be on CBS so it may not link up with
Arrow and The Flash which is a shame because I want it
all connected!!! Still, the show is being written and produced by
Greg Berlanti who also works on those other shows so perhaps...
Supergirl appears to be more
like Smallville and so the jury is out on this. The
difference might be that Kara already has had her powers for a while
and won't be growing into them as Clark did in Smallville.
Marvel is debuting Daredevil and
AKA Jessica Jones and while I know little of the Jones
character, Daredevil is a well known hero and it will be
interesting to see how the show does both creatively and with
ratings. DC laughs at these shows because they are debuting on
Netflix. Despite this, Netflix is becoming a bigger player for
programs and if these shows do well they would at least open the door
for more Marvel characters on Netflix and potentially a move to
network TV.
So DC is winning the small screen
battle for sure but Marvel is starting to focus more attention in the
area of television. It would seem logical that Marvel could exploit
this audience but its series are bigger networks with a higher
expectation for ratings. Perhaps DC recognizes the need for
superheroes on TV and has done so for years. It's inability to bring
a new Wonder Woman series to light is its only mis-step, one that
might not be a priority with the theatrical movie on the horizon.
I have confidence in Marvel but
uncertain the quality control will be present with the upcoming
Netflix series. If they are able to succeed with Daredevil
and AKA Jessica Jones you may see the flood gates of new
series on both the networks and Netflix – good news for comic fans
all around.
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