The superhero genre proves to be as enduring and brave as its shining stars -- especially on the small screen. Over the years, superhero TV shows have gone from being sparse to dominating television content. However, not every superhero series can be a hit. Many superhero adventures have flopped with audiences, as proven by the likes of Bibleman and Manimal.
Ironically, sometimes villains become the redemption point for such failed superhero series. These evil antagonists charm audiences with things like their unique abilities and fun personalities, even when all else fails. From Emperor Gorganus to Davos, some great villains -- not heroes -- come to the rescue and redeem the terrible superhero shows they are a part of.
10 Poison Ivy (Batwoman)
Batwoman was a highly anticipated DC installment. The show's female-driven storyline and inclusive queer content gave it tons of promise. Unfortunately, the bland series failed to live up to audiences' expectations. Batwoman's off-screen controversies further contributed to its swift downfall after the first season.
However, one thing Batwoman did right was introducing Pamela Isley, aka the beloved Poison Ivy. Poison Ivy blossomed from a helpless experiment into a ruthless villain with a moral mission. She punished those who committed crimes against nature and, in doing so, often became the villain to be rooted for, even against Ryan and her team. Just like her alias, Poison Ivy's empowering characterization allowed her to grow into an incredible villain even in Batwoman's tough environment.
9 Emperor Gorganus (Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters From Beverly Hills)
Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters From Beverly Hills turned out to be as bewildering as its lengthy name, and not in a good way. The series' wild storyline and wacky character quirks earned it more ridicule than praise, even with its child audience. The series felt like a low-budget Power Rangers but without any of the lasting charm.
One winning factor of the series, however, was the main villain, Emperor Gorganus. Gorganus had the cunning and following of notorious masterminds like Thanos, mixed with the humor and ridiculousness expected from a kids' villain. Gorganus' multitudes and iconic personality emerged as the true heroes of Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters From Beverly Hills.
8 Luxor Spawndroth (Bibleman)
Some superhero TV shows are so bad that they're good -- but Bibleman is not one of them. The series was aimed at younger audiences to promote Christianity. However, its scripture-based premise, terrible production, and unintentional humor ensured that Bibleman is only remembered for all the wrong reasons today.
Bibleman's one (and perhaps, only) saving grace was its main villain, Luxor Spawndroth. Luxor's shape-shifting form and sinful temptations turned him into a comedic character, but he also had depth as he slowly grew in prominence and became Bibleman's supervillain. Luxor proved that villains don't have to be serious to leave an impact and remained a standout factor of the meme-inspiring series.
7 The Dragon (Manimal)
The suave and lavish lifestyle of James Bond merged with the magic of animal shape-shifting in Manimal. The result was just as disastrous as one would think. The series featured a hero that could transform into any animal; while the premise had potential, the poor effects and delivery morphed it into a terrible superhero TV show.
But Manimal did bring one of the more interesting villains in the form of The Dragon. The show revealed The Dragon to be merely a cunning man who used lore and fear-mongering to gain power. The Dragon was written with clear Orientalist stereotypes but emerged as an inspired and formidable villain that transcended his offensive writing. Most importantly, The Dragon showed that brains can rival brawn -- a common trope in today's superhero content.
6 Balfour (The Thundermans)
The Thundermans was Nickelodeon's attempt at a live-action superhero sitcom for kids. Sadly, the series proved to be nothing like the other Nickelodeon shows that defined the network. Instead, the show's over-the-top humor, lack of great characters, and overdone premise left audiences unimpressed.
However, one character that broke that mold was Balfour. Played by Joey Bragg (of Liv & Maddie fame), the hilarious antagonist depicted a more humane and fun side to villainy. Balfour showcased his layers as he worked as both a friend and foe, similar to Kim Possible's Dr. Drakken. Balfour had everything from evil schemes to a father-son arc with Dr. Colosso to a fitting end as a bunny. As a result, he shone as a great villain in a not-so-great superhero show.
5 Gangster Prankster (The Black Scorpion)
The Black Scorpion offered nothing new to the world of superhero TV. The series followed a cop-by-day-superhero-by-night storyline, complete with the usual wise-cracking sidekicks and clichéd villains. But The Black Scorpion created an especially terrible name for itself through the hyper-objectification of its titular heroine.
Many of the show's redundant villains furthered that same misogynist lens, but Gangster Prankster had great substance to set him apart. The villain's terrifying smirk defined him, giving his character a creepy vibe similar to The Joker and true to the comics. Gangster Prankster's harrowing backstory, menacing energy, and iconic name further made him a villain to be reckoned with. His wicked characterization also made The Black Scorpion that much easier to consume.
4 Citrocet (The Ripping Friends)
The Ripping Friends combined the superhero narrative with animation and raunchy humor. Despite the show's popularity at the time, The Ripping Friends' dark humor certainly would not fly today. Its outdated views and capitalization on stereotypes made it one of the worst superhero shows, especially by modern standards.
However, one factor that even current audiences will appreciate is the show's recurring villain, Citrocet. Citrocet served as a satirical take on dictators, but his relentless pursuit and brilliantly wild plans almost made viewers root for him. Citrocet's humor collided with his character's subtle social commentary to create a fleshed-out and intriguing villain in an otherwise immature world. His hilarious nicknames (like Stinky Butt) also made his character unforgettable.
3 Blackfire (Teen Titans Go!)
Teen Titans Go! wants to recapture the fun and popularity of its predecessor but fails. Compared to Teen Titans, the second series has always felt like it was trying too hard, relying too heavily on comedy and fan service than actual quality content. The different animation style and character revamps also did it a disservice.
For these reasons, Blackfire's return in Teen Titans Go! made all the difference. Starfire's beloved sister retained the same personality and sister rivalry as in Teen Titans, this time with a fun redemption arc as she tried to rebuild their relationship. Blackfire's nostalgia also helped make her a fun antagonist compared to new entries, and her presence on screen elevated the series itself. While Blackfire couldn't fully redeem the terrible Teen Titans Go!, she gave a glimpse into Teen Titan's past glory.
2 Maximus Boltagon (Inhumans)
Inhumans had all the potential to become one of the best superhero TV shows. Unfortunately, the series' poor handling of its great comic book characters disappointed fans and critics alike. The show's bad reputation proved to be inescapable, with the Marvel Cinematic Universe moving far away from the Inhumans brand today.
Amidst all the backlash, Inhumans' villain stood out as the show's trump card. Maximus Boltagon's character was a power-hungry and immoral counterpart to his righteous brother, Black Bolt. Maximus' ruthless nature, his dominance over the Inhumans, and his deep quotes made him a fantastic supervillain. The great villain shared many similarities with Loki's characterization -- further proof of his potential -- but, sadly, Maximus' on-screen impact was limited due to his failed series.
1 Davos (Iron Fist)
Iron Fist was always destined for poor reception. While the comic book material may have thrived once upon a time, the hero's journey is riddled with Orientalism and an overarching white savior trope. Iron Fist has no place in a modern and progressing world, and the series' dull plot and mediocre fights made it even more unlikeable.
However, Iron Fist's Season 2 villain stood in stark contrast to the show's disappointment. Davos (aka The Steel Serpent) transformed from Danny's best friend to his arch-rival after the other boy was granted the Iron Fist title. Davos' fervent contempt, his sympathetic backstory, and his impressive action sequences made the villain the breakout star of the otherwise awful superhero show.