8 Years Later, This Underappreciated DC Show Deserves a DCU Reboot

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A new comedy called *Powerless* premiered on NBC in Spring 2017. It was a workplace comedy set in a world of superheroes and villains, playing with familiar comic book ideas. Sadly, the show didn’t last a full season and isn’t widely available to watch now. However, it would be a great fit for James Gunn’s new DC Universe, and the concept of the Justice Gang offers a strong starting point.

I always thought *Powerless* got a bad rap. It came out right after *Captain America: Civil War* blew up and alongside the disappointing *Justice League* movie, but honestly, the timing felt *right*. Superhero stuff was everywhere! It wasn’t that the show was terrible, it just didn’t get the chance it deserved. Now, if it were made as a streaming series for the new DC Universe, I think it would kill it. It could connect to everything else they’re building, reveal cool new story details, and just make the whole DCU feel more grounded and believable. I really think a reboot would be a huge success.

Powerless Was Ahead of Its Time and Doomed When It Debuted on Network Television

Initially, *Powerless* seemed like a promising show. Several DC Comics-based series were already on TV, including *Gotham* on Fox and five live-action shows on The CW (*Arrow*, *The Flash*, *Supergirl*, *Legends of Tomorrow*, and *Riverdale* – all produced by the same team). Both the Marvel and DC cinematic universes were huge successes in theaters. However, despite featuring Vanessa Hudgens and Alan Tudyk, the show was canceled by the network after just two months.

The show centered around Emily Locke, played by Vanessa Hudgens, a relentlessly optimistic executive at Wayne Security. She led a quirky team of inventors who created gadgets like a watch that detected supervillains and an umbrella that could withstand falling debris. The series took place in a fictionalized version of Washington D.C. (Charm City) and featured lesser-known DC characters like Crimson Fox and Green Fury. Richard Tudyk played Vanderveer Wayne, a relative of Bruce Wayne who was even more eccentric and ineffective than Michael Scott from ‘The Office.’ The show’s characters were intentionally over-the-top to emphasize the heightened reality of the world, but it arguably leaned too heavily into that style.

Without the superhero elements, *Powerless* felt like a lot of other sitcoms. What set it apart was its take on the DC Universe – portraying it as strange, sometimes risky, but mostly just ordinary or comical. For example, one episode featured Emily dating a villain’s assistant who then robbed her workplace. In another, the characters acted recklessly, joking that Superman would simply reset the day if something bad happened, like Lois Lane’s death being dismissed as a conspiracy theory. With a few changes and a move to a streaming platform – or even as an animated series – a show like this would fit perfectly into James Gunn’s new DC Universe.

The DCU’s Justice Gang Provides the Perfect Twist to Reboot the Powerless Concept

The show *Powerless* didn’t succeed, and it wasn’t just because of low ratings. The initial idea, where the characters worked at an insurance company covering damage caused by superheroes, was much stronger than what ended up on screen. The conflict – Emily Locke wanting to help victims of superhero mishaps and her coworker (who wasn’t connected to Bruce Wayne) trying to avoid paying claims – was a good starting point. Plus, the show existed entirely on its own, without connections to the wider DC universe, meaning iconic heroes like Superman and Batman were just theoretical. If James Gunn’s DC Universe wants to revisit this concept, it would be best to return to that original premise.

Considering Superman’s base of operations, it’s been established that the Justice League evolved from a group called the Justice Gang. Currently, however, the Gang is operating independently. The film showed the Justice Gang actively protecting Metropolis from threats like giant monsters and creatures from other dimensions, though their methods aren’t as precise as Superman’s. Therefore, it’s logical that Lordtech Industries would have a team dedicated to helping civilians recover from the damage caused by superhero conflicts. A new series, *Powerless*, could focus on the people Lord sends to clean up after the Justice Gang, dealing with real-world consequences beyond simple gadgets or insurance claims.

If the Justice Gang becomes a major force in the DC Universe, a show focusing on them would be incredibly valuable. Both *Superman* and *Peacemaker* explored the ethical dilemmas faced by heroes, especially when dealing with powerful organizations and individuals. Being employed by Maxwell Lord offers the Justice Gang more than just a salary—he provides protection and utilizes his extensive network in business and politics. A DCU series like *Powerless* could delve into this complex relationship and system far more effectively than any side story within a different show or movie.

A Powerless Reboot Could Illuminate the World of the DCU Better Than Any Other Project

While a focus on insurance claims would have been a stronger concept, *Powerless* is actually a more enjoyable show than many people realize. It cleverly examined typical superhero story tropes, but without the grimness or depressing themes seen in shows like *The Boys* or *Invincible*.

The original *Powerless* series offered a fresh take on superheroes by blending celebrity culture with the chaos and risks that come with superpowers. However, the show struggled because the world outside of its limited settings felt underdeveloped and unimportant. A reboot could enrich the DC Universe by creating a more believable and connected world, while still maintaining the show’s funny and character-driven stories. Without connections to the broader DCEU or Arrowverse, the show’s references to those universes felt inconsequential. Beyond world-building, a reboot would also open up opportunities for crossovers and shared storylines.

Originally, there was discussion about Jason Momoa making a guest appearance. At the time, DC executives weren’t keen on these kinds of crossovers, but James Gunn embraces them. Given the show’s lighthearted nature, characters from shows like *Superman, Supergirl, Peacemaker, Creature Commandos*, and *Lanterns* could all potentially appear. This approach could build towards future storylines and create connections (or even cleverly rewrite past events) to make the DC Universe feel more unified. Rebooting *Powerless* also offers a unique chance to explore the consequences of problems caused by superheroes. However, the main reason James Gunn should bring back *Powerless* is its potential to contribute to the overall narrative, going beyond just cameos, crossovers, and maintaining continuity.

James Gunn really leans into the strange and often illogical elements of comic books – more than most other filmmakers. While some comic fans love this approach, viewers unfamiliar with the source material might find it confusing. As seen in *Peacemaker* Season 2, even silly ideas can lead to surprisingly moving stories. A show like *Powerless* could help audiences grasp what it’s like to live in a world filled with bizarre things like giant starfish and super-powered animals. It could also explore the practical side of superhero teams – how the Justice Gang finances itself, and what truly motivates Maxwell Lord. It’s still unknown whether Lord Tech profits from its heroes, or if funding the team is about gaining influence and power.

While superhero stories often focus on action and humor, there’s a wealth of potential in exploring the lasting impact these heroes have on ordinary people – both before and after the battles are over. The dynamic between a hero’s powers, their sense of duty, and the law is central to shows like *Superman* and *Peacemaker*, and will likely be a key theme in *Lanterns*. A fresh take on *Powerless*, now set within the DC Universe, seems like a natural fit and could really expand on these important themes.

Powerless is available on DVD, Blu-ray and digital wherever movies are sold.

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2025-10-12 05:38