The upcoming fall TV season features a plethora of superhero shows, from ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. to the CW’s The Flash.  Here’s your guide to figuring out which ones are worth your time.
Arrow (Wednesdays at 8:00 PM on the CW)
This DC Comics adaptation stood head and shoulders over the other superhero shows last year with its engaging mix of action, strong characters, loads of comic book references and a healthy dose of drama. Â Beloved by critics and comic book fans alike, this show looks to dominate the superhero-TV market once again.
The Flash (Tuesdays at 8:00 PM on the CW)
If any show can dethrone Arrow it’s its spinoff, an exciting origin story with a likeable main lead and awesome special effects.  Grant Gustin (who Glee fans may remember as Sebastian Smythe) played the character spectacularly in Arrow and will almost certainly do so again. With comic book legend Geoff Johns (who made B-list characters like Green Lantern and Aquaman cool again) co-writing, this action-packed show (which will also feature crossovers with Arrow every 8th episode) is sure to be a smash.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Tuesdays at 8:00 PM on ABC)
While this show had a slow start last season, it finally found its footing after its Captain America: The Winter Soldier tie-in.  The show will have to strike a balance between appeasing jaded Marvel fans and telling the drama-laden, action-laced stories the Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for.   The end of the first season left several interesting plot threads hanging that the writers could easily exploit, including Agent Ward’s betrayal of the team and hacker Skye’s mysterious heritage.  With Xena: Warrior Princess star Lucy Lawless and more comic-book characters in sight, Agents may have what it takes to edge out The Flash, which is in the same timeslot.
Agent Carter (ABC)
Not much is known about this Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spinoff, which will begin airing in January 2015. Â Hayley Atwell stars as the titular character, a member of the male-dominated Strategic Scientific Reserve. Â The series appears to be eschewing comic book continuity in favor of working with original characters and stories; it may be able to succeed where Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. failed dismally.
Gotham (Mondays at 8:00 PM on Fox)
A young Detective Jim Gordon must find the man who killed Bruce Wayne’s parents while grappling with the many sinister villains of the city.  The pilot was generally well-received; critics praised the crime drama for its solid writing and its performances, especially Jada Pinkett-Smith as original character Fish Mooney.  The show will also feature well-known characters like Bruce Wayne, Catwoman, and the Penguin as children.
Constantine (Fridays at 10:00 PM on NBC)
John Constantine hails from Hellblazer, a comic published by Vertigo, DC’s imprint for mature readers.  The first few issues are absolutely terrifying, with dark, skin-crawling visuals lit only by the light of Constantine’s cigarette.  While Constantine will hopefully tamer than its precursor, viewers should be able to enjoy the pithy, trenchcoat-wearing magician in all his glory.  The show doesn’t air until October 24th and not much is known about the show—the pilot was scrapped and rewritten a few weeks ago after the female lead was panned by critics for being too weak.
By Ananya Nrusimha
