4 DC shows that definitely won’t be back

4 DC shows that definitely won't be back

As a longtime fan of DC Comics and a connoisseur of both superhero stories and quirky, character-driven shows, I must say that these recent developments have left me feeling rather blue.

Over the last two years, being a DC Comics fan has been quite challenging. The most disheartening aspect is that this struggle isn’t primarily due to the content itself, but rather a series of backstage decisions that have significantly reduced our access to beloved DC films and television series.

The merger between Warner Bros. and Discovery brought about new management at Warner Bros., who have envisioned a standalone, unified universe featuring DC superheroes and villains. Unfortunately, this meant the cancellation of most ongoing projects, thereby marking the conclusion of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and all films under development for that franchise, including one movie that was already completed.

On the television side, it was just as disappointing. The CW Network experienced a change in leadership who preferred to depart from the DC TV era, leading to the cancellation or final seasons of most Arrowverse shows. This marked the end of what was arguably the finest period of superhero television ever produced.

Despite the ominous cloud of 2022 still hanging over DC enthusiasts, there was a glimmer of optimism. A revitalized DC Universe is underway, with a variety of film and television projects in development. Remarkably, some of the remaining DC series managed to endure, signaling the approach of a new age for DC TV.

As a devoted DC enthusiast, I must sadly admit that even among the surviving series, the end is still looming on the horizon. Whether the shows have recently concluded their epic journeys or were destined for a solitary season, here’s a rundown of several DC shows that won’t be returning for more episodes (and the reasons behind their departures).

4 DC shows that definitely won't be back

Doom Patrol

2023 saw the conclusion of Doom Patrol‘s season 4, but regretfully, it won’t be back with fresh episodes anytime soon, neither this year nor the next. Sadly, it joins a growing list of DC TV shows from the 2010s that ended their series prematurely.

Before the establishment of DC Studios, Warner Bros. Discovery decided on a unified, consistent DC Universe across both movies and TV shows. This change required several ongoing series, notably those airing on WarnerMedia’s streaming service Max, to be discontinued to pave the way for the new lineup. However, it was later clarified that the cancellation of shows like Titans and Doom Patrol happened before James Gunn and Peter Safran took over as DC Studios heads; these decisions were already made previously.

Consequently, the fourth seasons for both series served as their final episodes, leaving fans to sadly part ways with the cherished duo introduced on the old DC streaming platform, DC Universe. The Titans concluded its run last year, while Doom Patrol said goodbye this fall, marking an untimely end to a chapter that should have lasted longer.

During the early days of DC’s streaming TV era, Doom Patrol turned out to be an unanticipated gem, receiving praise from critics immediately. Its impressive cast, stellar performances, and high-quality writing are just some factors that merited it a more fitting finale. Fortunately, it received a mostly satisfying conclusion, even though it didn’t quite meet its potential.

4 DC shows that definitely won't be back

The Flash

Among the significant TV series adapted from DC Comics characters, “The Flash” stands out as a clear front-runner. Originating from the incredibly popular “Arrow,” it managed to surpass its predecessor in popularity, significantly boosting both the network’s and DC TV shows’ overall success. The show garnered a wide range of viewers, including mainstream audiences, and eventually became The CW’s most successful series to date, spanning an impressive nine seasons.

Over the past two years, if you’ve been keeping up with Arrowverse and The CW updates, you probably noticed that the show concluded with its ninth season (which premiered on TV screens last year). However, for those of you who watched it on Netflix or other international platforms, you may still be anticipating a tenth season. Regrettably, there won’t be one.

The Flash, similar to other DC series, managed an unusual duality – escaping a premature end while being ensnared in it simultaneously. Amid The CW’s acquisition by Nexstar and the merger between Warner Bros. and Discovery, the show concluded earlier than expected (many anticipated it would run through season 10). However, due to its remarkable success as one of the most celebrated DC shows, outright cancellation was averted. This allowed it to wrap up on its own accord. Despite some creative missteps in season 9, the final image of Barry Allen smiling left any Flash enthusiast feeling emotional.

The ending of The Flash was sad for many reasons but the journey was spectacular.

4 DC shows that definitely won't be back

The Penguin

No worries! I’m here to tell you that “The Penguin” won’t disappear mid-stream. It’ll finish its initial eight-episode run on both HBO and Max streaming service. However, there’s no new season coming up, at least not for now.

As a gaming enthusiast diving into the world of Gotham, I’ve been eagerly anticipating “The Penguin,” which is marketed as a mini-series, suggesting it spans only one season. Interestingly, this series seems to be serving as a bridge between the 2022 release of “The Batman” and its 2026 sequel, “The Batman – Part II.” In this interim, we’ll witness Oz Cobb’s transformation into the notorious Penguin that DC Comics fans are familiar with. Once he’s fulfilled his role in connecting these stories, it seems likely that his saga will continue in the sequel to Batman.

Considering the narrative perspective, limiting the series to one season seems reasonable since we anticipate revisiting the character in the future, making it impractical to delve deeper into his story before the 2026 film release. However, there’s a possibility for the series to be revived for a second season post-“The Batman – Part II”, potentially serving as a prelude to the third movie in the trilogy; though, at this moment, such an event seems unlikely.

Although Colin Farrell takes great pride in the series, he was open about the discomfort of wearing that suit for extended periods. Therefore, unless there are more appearances in Matt Reeves’ The Batman films, it seems unlikely that The Penguin will be featured in any other projects at this time.

4 DC shows that definitely won't be back

Dead Boy Detectives

Among the new shows this year, Dead Boy Detectives, based on the DC comic series of the same name, might be the one that brings the most pleasure. On Netflix, the show unfolds the Afterlife journey of ghosts Charles Rowland and Edwin Payne, who assist other spirits in resolving their mysteries. The eight-episode season offers a thrilling, delightful, and simply awesome first season, as they embark on their adventures together.

The series rapidly captured viewers’ hearts, amassing a devoted following who swiftly grew fond of Charles, Edwin, Crystal Palace, Niko Sasaki, Jenny the Butcher, Night Nurse, and all the peculiar characters encountered during the season. Frankly, it’s simple to comprehend why, as Dead Boy Detectives possessed a unique charm seldom seen in modern streaming shows. It seemed reminiscent of the era of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, with its weekly mystery-of-the-week structure, skillful blending of horror and humor, and deep examination of character dynamics. Regrettably, there are not enough shows offering such a blend on television nowadays, making this one truly stand out.

Regrettably, the sudden, unexpected popularity of “Baby Reindeer” eclipsed the debut of “Dead Boy Detectives,” overshadowing it almost immediately. Netflix’s method of gauging a show’s success, which was not without fault, didn’t give it much time to demonstrate its worth. The decision to cancel it was bound to be disappointing for its supporters, and considering the quality of the show, it’s easy to understand why fans might feel let down by its treatment.

Edwin and Charles’ adventures may carry on off-screen, but the duo will live on in our hearts.

2024-09-22 19:01