JuicyTalk
DC Comics has been a fantastic source of inspiration for some of the best stories on TV, with these episodes in particular going above and beyond to explore profound and moving stories. Comic books have fought hard to earn respect over the last several decades, and in more recent years, people have finally given them a platform with expansive adaptations on the big and small screen.
That being said, for as long as these stories have inspired adaptations, they have led to some incredible moments on TV. From early shows like the 1966 Batman show, to the latest entries in the DCU, DC’s influence on the landscape of TV, and the incredible stories that have come from that, are worth every bit of praise that they have recieved.
“Hi Diddle Riddle”/”Smack In The Middle”
Batman Season 1, Episodes 1 & 2
Speaking of vintage DC TV, one of the earliest shows to gain widespread recognition is, of course, the Adam West Batman series. Modern audiences are used to seeing Batman as a dark and broody figure who fights hard to protect Gotham, despite the city and its rotten residents resisting at every turn.
With that in mind, 1966’s Batman could be seen as a departure, but this show set the foundation for what comic book adaptations could be. And with that, the first two episodes really set the tone for what to expect from the entire run with Adam West and his faithful companion, Robin, played by the indomitable Burt Ward.
Batman goes head-to-head with his rival, the Riddler, who attempts to expose his secret identity. These episodes introduce the Batcave, the campy comic book style of the show, and the unforgettable Bat-Dance that set the tone for this series as a whole. It was fun, it was wacky, but it was perfect tonally for the show, and set a precedent that set it up for success.
“Haunted”
Teen Titans Season 3, Episode 5
While the 2003 Teen Titans series was aimed at younger audiences, they weren’t afraid to take the occasional foray into darker, more psychological material. “Haunted” is an episode that focuses on Robin as he confronts the demons from his past in the form of his nemesis, Slade Wilson, aka, Deathstroke.
Robin spirals as he sees visions of Slade throughout the Titan Tower, and his friends struggle to help him see that what he is facing is not real. However, by working as a team and supporting their friend, they eventually help him stop fighting this invisible force before it causes him to self-destruct. It’s weighty, but perfectly attuned to the younger audience.
“Reckoning”
Smallville Season 5, Episode 12
Smallville is generally one of the very best TV shows to be inspired by DC Comics, taking a novel approach to the Superman story that focuses on his time preparing to become Superman, growing up in Smallville, and soaking up the lessons he can learn from his beloved adopted parents, Johnathan and Martha Kent.
However, the first half of the show’s run saw Clark generally struggle with issues that were somewhat typical of any teenager. Navigating crushes, popularity, friends, with the added challenge of trying to conceal his alien origins. That all changes in the 100th episode, “Reckoning.” Clark reveals his secret to Lana, which sets off a chain of events where she dies.
Distraught by his loss, Clark seeks Jor-El’s help to fix things and reverse Lana’s death. Jor-El obliges, but at a cost. This episode then sees Clark’s father, Johnathan, killed, which serves as a powerful moment shaping his identity going forward and cementing his morality and identity as he seeks to honor his fallen father.
“Pilot”
Superman & Lois Season 1, Episode 1
From the start of the Superman story to much later in his timeline, Superman & Lois explores Clark Kent’s life as a husband and father, also juggling his responsibilities as Earth’s greatest hero. After a successful career as a journalist in Metropolis, Clark moves his family back to Smallville to raise his sons on the farm where he grew up.
It’s a charming exploration of a familiar hero in an unfamiliar setting, and sets up a Super family, with his son’s learning about their father’s secret identity, and possessing the potential to develop powers of their own. The “Pilot” episode also has wonderful insights and a fun tone that sets the series up for success as one of the best DC TV shows.
“Like a Keith in the Night”
Peacemaker Season 2, Episode 7
Of course, it would be unfair to talk about the best shows to come out of DC without referencing one of the most groundbreaking new shows to make its mark on the landscape of comic book stories. Peacemaker, a series written and created by James Gunn, started as a fun side project in the DCEU, but season 2 helps bridge the gap and bring these characters into the modern DCU.
The penultimate episode of the season sees a lot of storylines come to a head, particularly Christopher Smith concealing his identity as an alternate universe version of himself, and the brutal fallout of that lie. Chris is savagely beaten by his alternate dimension adult brother, Keith, before his team comes to his rescue.
However, Chris doesn’t resist, paralyzed and accepting the consequences of his choices. This episode is incredibly emotional, and finally reveals some of the softer core of Peacemaker that has been slowly chipped away across his time in the DCEU and DCU. It also plays with concepts of choice and consequences, providing major setups that will likely pay off in the future of the DCU.
“Out of Time”
The Flash Season 1, Episode 15
The Flash stands out as the very best show in the Arrowverse, with a dynamic cast, complex emotions, and long-form storytelling that managed to maintain momentum and excitement for several seasons. But with that said, the first season of the show was probably the best in its nine-season run.
And in particular, “Out of Time” delivers some instrumental developments that set up future stories, and saw Barry Allen confront some difficult truths. This episode sees Barry face off against the Weather Wizard, and accidentally traveling back in time several hours.
However, this episode also exposes Harrison Wells, Barry’s mentor, as the evil Eobard Thawne, aka Reverse Flash, and sees Barry confess his feelings to Iris, only to have many of these monumental moments reversed. It’s a fascinating set of revelations that creates tension for the rest of the season, and establishes Barry’s instrumental new power to change time.
“Almost Got ‘im”
Batman: The Animated Series Season 1, Episode 35
Batman: The Animated Series may well be the best animated superhero show ever made, and for a number of reasons. The show balanced humor, darker themes, the wild and wacky Batman stories, and the more gritty aspects of Gotham, all in a format that appeals to audiences of all ages.
And one of the very best episodes that highlights the clever storytelling and unexpected twists of the show comes later in season 1, with “Almost Got ‘im.” This episode sees several of Batman’s greatest rivals gather together for a game of poker as they swap stories about coming close to capturing their vigilante nemesis.
The episode unpacks some hilarious moments, but it also cleverly conceals Batman throughout before a major twist that sees him get the upper hand on his rivals, and once again prove why he is the world’s best detective.
“Divided We Fall”
Justice League Unlimited Season 2, Episode 12
Justice League Unlimited provides a shared DC Universe that could arguably be better than the entire DCEU, and remains a more fleshed out and fully realized vision of a connected story than the DCU has yet to create. And to that end, the episode “Divided We Fall” showcases how much is possible within the DC world of stories when limits aren’t an issue.
The episode sets up Lex Luthor and Brainiac as one united being, blending superintelligence, creativity, ambition, and ruthlessness in a way that threatens the world’s greatest heroes. This newly formed villain summons forth opposite versions of the heroes to compete with the likes of Superman, Batman, and company.
The episode is exceptional, and remains one of the best crossovers for characters in the DC Universe to this day.
“A Great or Little Thing”
The Penguin Season 1, Episode 8
Back to live-action, with Matt Reeve’s expanded Batverse. Colin Farrell stars as Oz Cobb, aka the Penguin as he makes moves to take over the criminal underworld that rules Gotham. Throughout the season, Oz manages to undermine and overthrow multiple crime syndicates, worming his way in, and relying only on his young protégé, Victor.
But in the finale, as Oz achieves his goals, sending Sofia Falcone to Arkham Asylum, and assuming his position as the new King of Crime in Gotham, he shockingly turns on his loyal friend to secure his place at the top and avoid any manipulation from external sources using those close to him. It’s twisted, it’s shocking, and it perfectly fits the greedy and paranoid character.
“Heart of Ice”
Batman: The Animated Series Season 1, Episode 3
Finally, returning once again to Batman: The Animated Series, and just a few episodes into the show’s run, we have “Heart of Ice.” This episode explores the origins of Victor Fries as he descends into madness and becomes the terrifying Mr. Freeze.
While Mr. Freeze has been portrayed in various projects over the years, this brief introduction serves as the very best. Examining his affection for his terminally ill wife, the cruel betrayal by his employers and benefactors, and his desperation as he transforms into a dark monster haunting Gotham. It’s exceptional in every regard, and all packed into just 22 minutes.
All of the above stories and shows deserve recognition as the very best of DC storytelling on the small screen, and they stand out as some of the most complex, rich, and emotionally fulfilling stories to come from the incredible DC Comics source material.
