5 Obscure Marvel Comics that Could Be Great TV Shows

newuniversal

With Battlestar Galactica debuted on Syfy in 2004, the series allowed the network to transcend its reputation as a producer of strictly low-brow genre fare. The thrilling and provocative series proved that a prestige TV show could be produced within a genre framework. Sadly, Syfy has been unable to replicate BSG’s critical and commercial success since it went off the air in 2009. However, the broadcaster can regain its relevancy with an adaptation of Marvel’s newuniversal.

A revamp of a ‘80s line of comics called New Universe, newuniversal was a bold departure from most Marvel fare. The Warren Ellis and Salvador Larocca created series asked what the world look like if superheroes really existed. After a worldwide whiteout, four individuals are granted incredible superpowers. But instead of using their abilities to fight evil or dominate the world, the cast sets out to radically reshape the planet in wholly unexpected ways. Combining elements of hard sci-fi, transhumanism and conspiracy thriller, newuniversal was unlike anything else Marvel published at the time.

Newuniversal’s subversion of genre conventions, cerebral tone, and decompressed storytelling style would make it a natural heir to Galactica. And its realism and global perspective would help it stand out from Marvel’s unusual output.