American Superhero TV Series (by date)

This is a list of all television series that aired in the US that featured superheroes or were based on comic books. Also included are movie serials as they are closer to episodic television than they are to theatrical movies. I’m currently excluding stand-alone pilots, later TV movies, shows based on comic strips, and foreign language shows outside of some that aired in the US. The list is mostly complete for live action, and complete for animation through 2005 – *work in progress*

Criteria

• The series aired on a US television station, or through a US-based online streaming service such as Hulu or Netflix in English.
• The characters or setting are based on a comic book or inspired by a comic book or graphic novel.
• The main character(s) is a superhero (has super powers/costume/hero identity/etc)
• Spy heroes, fantasy heroes, and sci-fi heroes are not included with a few exceptions
• The series ran for at least 5 episodes.

Key

• S: Theatrical serial or series of theatrical shorts
• S#: Season number, based on the general consensus from IMDB and/or Wikipedia
• S#(#): Season number based on the show’s title (Season number based on the show’s production), used for shows that change their name or slightly alter their format but are generally considered the same show, i.e. Super Friends, Power Rangers
• S:# The second number is the number of episodes in that season/serial.
• Shows are separated between live action and animated.
• Shows are listed based on the year the first episode in that season aired, not based on the standard fall/spring TV seasons. i.e. midseason shows may have more than one season listed in a single year and may have a year or more between seasons.

1936

Flash Gordon – S:13

1937

Dick Tracy – S:15

1938

Dick Tracy Returns – S:15
Flash Gordon’s Trip to Mars – S:15
The Lone Ranger – S:15
The Spider’s Web – S:15

1939

Dick Tracy’s G-Men – S:15
The Lone Ranger Rides Again – S:15

1940

Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe – S:12
The Green Hornet – S:13
Mysterious Doctor Satan – S:15
The Shadow – S:15

1941

The Adventures of Captain Marvel – S:12
Dick Tracy vs. Crime Inc. – S:15
The Green Hornet Strikes Again! – S:15
The Spider Returns – S:15

Animated
Superman – S:17

1943

Batman – S:15
The Masked Marvel – S:12
The Phantom – S:15

1944

Captain America – S:15

1948

Superman – S:15

1949

Batman and Robin – S:15

1950

Atom Man vs. Superman – S:15

1952

The Adventures of Superman – S1:26

1953

The Adventures of Superman – S2:26

1954

Flash Gordon – S1:39

1955

The Adventures of Captain Africa – S:15
The Adventures of Superman – S3:13

1956

The Adventures of Superman – S4:13

1957

The Adventures of Superman – S5:13

1958

The Adventures of Superman – S6:13

1960

Animated
Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse – S1:130

1963

Animated
Astro Boy – S1:193

1964

Animated
The Underdog Show – S1:63

1965

Animated
Atom Ant – S1:26

1966

Batman – S1:34
Batman – S2:60

Animated
Batfink – S1:100
Frankenstein Jr. and the Impossibles – S1:18
The New Adventures of Superman – S1:37

1967

Batman – S3:26

Animated
Birdman and the Galaxy Trio – S1:40
Fantastic Four – S1:20
The Marvel Super Heroes – S1:65
The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure – S1:36
Super Chicken – S1:17
Super President – S1:30

1968

Animated
The Batman/Superman Hour – S1:34
Space Ghost – S1:20
The Super 6 – S1:20

1973

Animated
Super Friends – S1:16

1974

Shazam! – S1:15
The Six Million Dollar Man
– S1:13
The Six Million Dollar Man – S2:22

Animated
Hong Kong Phooey – S1:16

1975

Isis – S1:15
Shazam! – S2:7
The Six Million Dollar Man – S3:21

1976

The Bionic Woman – S1:14
The Bionic Woman – S2:22
Isis – S2:7
Shazam! – S3:6
The Six Million Dollar Man – S4:22
Wonder Woman – S1:13

Animated
Dynomutt Dog Wonder – S1:16

1977

The Amazing Spider-Man – S1:6
The Bionic Woman – S3:22
The Incredible Hulk – S1:12
The Six Million Dollar Man – S5:21
Wonder Woman – S2:22

Animated
All-New Super Friends Hour – S1(2):60
Dynomutt Dog Wonder – S2:4
Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels – S1:16
The New Adventures of Batman – S1:16
The Robonic Stooges – S1:16
Space Sentinels AKA The Young Sentinels – S1:13

1978

The Amazing Spider-Man – S2:7
The Incredible Hulk – S2:22
Wonder Woman – S3:24

Animated
Battle of the Planets – S1:85
Challenge of the Superfriends – S1(3):32
Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels – S2:8
The New Fantastic Four – S1:13
The Robonic Stooges – S2:16

1979

The Incredible Hulk – S3:23

Animated
The World’s Greatest Super Friends – S1(4):8
Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels – S3:16
Flash Gordon – S1:16
Fred and Barney Meet the Thing – S1:13
The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse and Heckle and Jeckle – S1:48
The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show – S1:32
Spider-Woman – S1:16
Super Globetrotters – S1:13

1980

The Incredible Hulk – S4:18

Animated
Flash Gordon – S2:16
Super Friends – S2(5):24

1981

The Greatest American Hero – S1:9
The Greatest American Hero – S2:22
The Incredible Hulk – S5:7

Animated
Kid Super Power Hour with Shazam! – S1:26
The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show – S1:44(?)
Space Stars – S1:22(?)
Spider-Man – S1:26
Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends – S1:13
Super Friends – S3(6):18

1982

The Greatest American Hero – S3:13
The Phoenix – S1:5
The Powers of Matthew Star – S1:22

Animated
The Incredible Hulk – S1:13
Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends – S2:3

1983

Automan – S1:13
Manimal – S1:8

Animated
Bananaman – S1:12
Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends – S3:8
Super Friends – S4(7):24
SuperTed – S1:12

1984

Animated
Bananaman – S2:12
Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show – S1(8):16
SuperTed – S2:12

1985

Misfits of Science – S1:16

Animated
Bananaman – S3:15
The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians – S1(9):10
SuperTed – S3:12

1986

Animated
Astroboy – S1:52
Centurions – S1:65
Defenders of the Earth – S1:65

1987

Animated
Bionic Six – S1:22
Bionic Six – S2:43
Ducktales – S1:67
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – S1:5

1988

My Secret Identity – S1:24
Sable – S1:7
Superboy – S1:26

Animated
Ducktales – S2:10
Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures – S1:13
Robocop – S1:12
Superman – S1:13
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – S2:13

1989

My Secret Identity – S2:24
Superboy – S2:26
Tales From the Crypt – S1:6

Animated
Ducktales – S3:18
Further Adventures of SuperTed – S1:13
Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures – S2:6
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – S3:47

1990

The Flash – S1:22
My Secret Identity – S3:24
Superboy – S3:26
Swamp Thing – S1:22
Tales From the Crypt – S2:18

Animated
Captain Planet and the Planeteers – S1:26
Ducktales – S4:7
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – S4:39
Toxic Crusaders – S1:13

1991

Superboy – S4:22
Tales From the Crypt – S3:14

Animated
Captain Planet and the Planeteers – S2:26
Darkwing Duck – S1:65
Darkwing Duck – S2:13
Hammerman – S1:13
Swamp Thing – S1:5
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – S5:22

1992

Human Target – S1:7
Swamp Thing – S2:11
Swamp Thing – S3:39
Tales From the Crypt – S4:14

Animated
Batman: The Animated Series – S1:65
Captain Planet and the Planeteers – S3:13
Darkwing Duck – S3:13
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – S6:16
X-Men – S1:13

1993

Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman – S1:21
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers – S1:60
Tales From the Crypt – S5:13

Animated
The New Adventures of Captain Planet – S1(4):22
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – S7:27
X-Men – S2:13

1994

Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman – S2:22
M.A.N.T.I.S. – S1:22
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers – S2:52
Robocop – S1:22
Tales From the Crypt – S6:15

Animated
The Adventures of Batman and Robin – S1(2):20
Duckman – S1:13
Fantastic Four – S1:13
Iron Man – S1:13
The New Adventures of Captain Planet – S2(5):12
Phantom 2040 – S1:20
Space Ghost Coast to Coast – S1:10
Spider-Man – S1:13
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – S8:8
The Tick – S1:13
X-Men – S3:19

1995

Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman – S3:22
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers – S3:43

Animated
The Adventures of Hyperman – S1:13
Duckman – S2:9
Fantastic Four – S2:13
Freakazoid! – S1:13
Iron Man – S2:13
The Mask – S1:15
The New Adventures of Captain Planet – S3(6):13
Phantom 2040 – S2:15
Space Ghost Coast to Coast – S2:9
Spider-Man – S2:14
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – S9:8
The Tick – S2:13
X-Men – S4:17

1996

Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman – S4:22
Power Rangers Zeo – S1(4):50
Sabrina the Teenage Witch – S1:24
The Sentinel – S1:10
The Sentinel – S2:24
Tales From the Crypt – S7:13

Animated
Duckman – S3:20
Freakazoid! – S2:11
The Incredible Hulk – S1:13
The Mask – S2:30
Space Ghost Coast to Coast – S3:15
Spider-Man – S3:14
Superman: The Animated Series – S1:13
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – S10:8
The Tick – S3:13
X-Men – S5:14

1997

Buffy: The Vampire Slayer – S1:12
Buffy: The Vampire Slayer – S2:22
Night Man – S1:22
Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation – S1:26
Power Rangers Turbo – S1(5):45
Sabrina the Teenage Witch – S2:26
The Sentinel – S3:23
Timecop – S1:9

Animated
Diabolik – S1:36
Duckman – S4:28
The Incredible Hulk – S2:8
The Mask – S3:10
Space Ghost Coast to Coast – S4:25
Spider-Man – S4:11
Spider-Man – S5:13
Superman: The Animated Series – S2:28
Todd McFarlane’s Spawn – S1:6

1998

Buffy: The Vampire Slayer – S3:22
The Crow: Stairway to Heaven – S1:22
Night Man – S2:22
Power Rangers in Space – S1(6):43
Sabrina the Teenage Witch – S3:25

Animated
The Magician – S1:39
Powerpuff Girls – S1:13
Robocop: Alpha Commando – S1:40
Silver Surfer – S1:13
Space Ghost Coast to Coast – S5:11
Superman: The Animated Series – S3:10
Todd McFarlane’s Spawn – S2:6

1999

Angel – S1:22
Buffy: The Vampire Slayer – S4:22
Harsh Realm – S1:9
Power Rangers Lost Galaxy – S1(7):45
Sabrina the Teenage Witch – S4:22
The Sentinel – S4:8

Animated
Avengers: United They Stand – S1:13
Batman Beyond – S1:13
Batman Beyond – S2:27
Powerpuff Girls – S2:13
Sabrina: The Animated Series – S1:65
Space Ghost Coast to Coast – S6:8
Superman: The Animated Series – S4:3
Todd McFarlane’s Spawn – S3:6

2000

Angel – S2:22
Buffy: The Vampire Slayer – S5:22
Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue – S1(8):40
Sabrina the Teenage Witch – S5:22

Animated
Batman Beyond – S3:12
Powerpuff Girls – S3:13
Static Shock – S1:13
X-Men Evolution – S1:13

2001

Angel – S3:22
Buffy: The Vampire Slayer – S6:22
Mutant X – S1:22
Power Rangers Time Force – S1(9):40
Sabrina the Teenage Witch – S6:22
Smallville – S1:21
The Tick – S1:9
Witchblade – S1:11

Animated
The Brak Show – S1:9
Justice League – S1:21
Powerpuff Girls – S4:12
Space Ghost Coast to Coast – S7:8
X-Men Evolution – S2:17

2002

Angel – S4:22
Buffy: The Vampire Slayer – S7:22
Birds of Prey – S1:13
Mutant X – S2:22
Power Rangers Wild Force – S1(10):40
Sabrina the Teenage Witch – S7:22
Smallville – S2:23
Witchblade – S2:12

Animated
The Brak Show – S2:11
¡Mucha Lucha! – S1:13
Static Shock – S2:11
X-Men Evolution – S3:13

2003

Angel – S5:22
Mutant X – S3:22
Power Rangers Ninja Storm – S1(11):38
Smallville – S3:22

Animated
The Brak Show – S3:8
Justice League – S2:26
¡Mucha Lucha! – S2:22
Powerpuff Girls – S5:12
Sabrina’s Secret Life – S1:26
Space Ghost Coast to Coast – S8:7
Spider-Man: The New Animated Series – S1:13
Static Shock – S3:15
Stripperella – S1:13
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – S1:26
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – S2:26
Teen Titans – S1:13
Tutenstein – S1:13
X-Men Evolution – S4:9

2004

Power Rangers Dino Thunder – S1(12):38
Smallville – S4:22

Animated
The Batman – S1:13
Danny Phantom – S1:20
Justice League Unlimited – S1(3):13
¡Mucha Lucha!: Gigante – S3:17
Powerpuff Girls – S6:15
Static Shock – S4:13
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – S3:26
Teen Titans – S2:13
Teen Titans – S3:13
Tutenstein – S2:13

2005

Power Rangers S.P.D. – S1(13):38
Smallville – S5:22

Animated
American Dragon: Jake Long – S1:21
The Batman – S2:13
The Batman – S3:13
Ben 10 – S1:13
Danny Phantom – S2:20
Justice League Unlimited – S2(4):13
Justice League Unlimited – S3(5):13
Krypto the Superdog – S1:26
The Life and Times of Juniper Lee – S1:13
The Life and Times of Juniper Lee – S2:13
Minoriteam – S1:20
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – S4:26
Teen Titans – S4:13
Teen Titans – S5:13

2006

Blade – S1:12
Heroes – S1:23
Power Rangers Mystic Force – S1(14):32
Smallville – S6:22

Animated
American Dragon: Jake Long – S2:31
The Batman – S4:13
Ben 10 – S2:13
Ben 10 – S3:13
Danny Phantom – S3:13
Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes – S1:26
FreakShow – S1:7
Krypto the Superdog – S2:13
Legion of Superheroes – S1:13
The Life and Times of Juniper Lee – S3:13
The Life and Times of Juniper Lee – S4:6
Space Ghost Coast to Coast – S9:9
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – S6:26
Tutenstein – S3:13

2007

Flash Gordon – S1:21
Heroes – S2:11
Painkiller Jane – S1:22
Power Rangers Operation Overdrive – S1(15):32
Smallville – S7:20

Animated
The Batman – S5:13
Ben 10 – S4:13
DinoSquad – S1:13
El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera – S1:26
Legion of Superheroes – S2:13
Space Ghost Coast to Coast – S10:8
Sushi Pack – S1:26

2008

Heroes – S3:25
The Middleman – S1:12
Power Rangers Jungle Fury – S1(16):32
Smallville – S8:22

Animated
Batman: The Brave and the Bold – S1:26
Ben 10: Alien Force – S1(5):13
Ben 10: Alien Force – S2(6):13
DinoSquad – S2:13
The Secret Saturdays – S1:26
The Spectacular Spider-Man – S1:13
Sushi Pack – S2:26
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – S5:12
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – S7:13
World of Quest – S1:13

2009

Heroes – S4:18
Misfits – S1:6
Power Rangers RPM – S1(17):32
Smallville – S9:21

Animated
Batman: The Brave and the Bold – S2:26
Ben 10: Alien Force – S3(7):20
Iron Man: Armored Adventures – S1:26
The Secret Saturdays – S2:10
The Spectacular Spider-Man – S2:13
The Super Hero Squad Show – S1:26
Wolverine and the X-Men – S1:26
World of Quest – S2:13

2010

Human Target – S1:12
Human Target – S2:13
Misfits – S2:7
No Ordinary Family – S1:20
Smallville – S10:22
The Walking Dead – S1:6

Animated
Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – S1:26
Ben 10: Ultimate Alien – S1(8):20
Iron Man: Armored Adventures – S2:26
The Super Hero Squad Show – S2:26
Tiger and Bunny – S1:26

2011

The Cape – S1:10
Misfits – S3:8
Power Rangers Samurai – S1(18):23
The Walking Dead – S2:13

Animated
Batman: The Brave and the Bold – S3:13
Ben 10: Ultimate Alien – S2(9):32

2012

Arrow – S1:23
Lab Rats – S1:20
Misfits – S4:8
Power Rangers Super Samurai – S2(19):22
The Walking Dead – S3:16

Animated
Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – S2:26
Ben 10: Omniverse – S1(10):10
Ben 10: Omniverse – S2(11):20

2013

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – S1:22
Arrow – S2:23
Lab Rats – S2:25
Mighty Med – S1:24
Misfits – S5:8
Power Rangers Megaforce – S1(20):22
The Thundermans – S1:20
The Walking Dead – S4:16

Animated
The Awesomes – S1:10
Ben 10: Omniverse – S3(12):10
Ben 10: Omniverse – S4(13):10

2014

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – S2:22
Arrow – S3:22
Constantine – S1:13
The Flash – S1:23
Gotham – S1:22
Henry Danger – S1
Lab Rats – S3
Mighty Med – S2
Power Rangers Super Megaforce – S2(21):20
The Thundermans – S2
The Walking Dead – S5:16

Animated
The Awesomes – S2:10
Ben 10: Omniverse – S5(14):10
Ben 10: Omniverse – S6(15):10
Ben 10: Omniverse – S7(16):10
Ben 10: Omniverse – S8(17):10

2015

Agent Carter – S1:8
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – S3
Arrow – S4
Daredevil – S1:13
Fear the Walking Dead – S1:6
The Flash – S2
Gotham – S2
Heroes Reborn – S1(5)
iZombie – S1:13
iZombie – S2
Power Rangers Dino Charge – S1(22)
Powers – S1:10
Preacher – S1
Supergirl – S1

Animated

Guardians of the Galaxy – S1
SuperMansion – S1:13