No other show can match "The Boys" in being such a ruthless satire, deconstructing every superhero trope and then some. But still, there are some underrated shows almost just as entertaining.
10. Misfits (2009-2013)
This British series revolves around five juvenile delinquents who get struck by lightning during a freak storm. They end up with superpowers, but they're far from heroes. Kelly gains telepathic abilities, Curtis can turn back time, Alisha sends people into a sexual frenzy upon touch, Simon turns invisible, and Nathan is, well, immortal but doesn't know it yet.
The group stumbles through a series of morally gray challenges, like accidentally killing their probation officer and hiding his body.
9. Utopia (2013-2014)
So, you've got a group of online friends who are obsessed with a mysterious graphic novel called "The Utopia Experiments." This is no ordinary comic; it's filled with conspiracy theories and deadly predictions.
When they get their hands on the unpublished sequel, they attract the attention of a covert organization called The Network. Now, they're on the run, trying to decode the manuscript while dodging assassins. With every page they read, real-world catastrophes seem to line up with the book's narrative.
8. Jericho (2006-2008)
The setting is Jericho, a small Kansas town. One day, a mushroom cloud appears on the horizon, signaling a nuclear attack.
With communication cut off from the outside world, the residents are left to fend for themselves. Supplies run low, alliances are formed, and power struggles erupt. Jake Green, the prodigal son, steps up to lead the community while his dad, Johnston, the town's mayor, is out of commission.
It's a fight for survival as they deal with fallout (literal and figurative), internal rifts, and the looming threat of whoever set off the bomb in the first place.
7. Alphas (2011-2012)
Dr. Lee Rosen oversees a group of people with neurological mutations, or "Alphas," who can do extraordinary things.
There's Bill, who gains super strength when his adrenaline spikes; Rachel, who can enhance one sense at a time; Gary, who can interpret any electronic signal; Nina, who can force people to do her bidding; and Cameron, who has hyperkinesis. They work for the Department of Defense to solve crimes involving other Alphas. Of course, being government assets isn't as cool as it sounds.
6. Happy! (2017-2019)
Ex-cop turned hitman Nick Sax's life takes a surreal turn when an imaginary unicorn named Happy starts talking to him. No, he's not hallucinating – well, maybe he is, but that's not the point. Happy informs Nick that he's the imaginary friend of his estranged daughter, Hailey, who's been kidnapped. Together, they set off on a mission to rescue her.
As you can guess, it's a wild, violent, and absurd ride through New York's criminal underworld.
5. The Tick (2016-2019)
The Tick is a blue-suited, amnesiac vigilante who's big on heart but kinda short on brains. He teams up with Arthur, an accountant who wears a moth-like super suit. Together, they try to take down a long-thought-dead villain named The Terror.
While The Tick is strong and virtually invincible, he's also hilariously clueless about, well, everything. Arthur, on the other hand, is the brains of the operation but struggles with courage.
4. Reaper (2007-2009)
On his 21st birthday, Sam learns his parents sold his soul to the Devil. Now he must serve as Hell's bounty hunter, capturing souls that have escaped and sending them back to the fiery pits.
With the help of his slacker friends, Sock and Ben, he uses magical objects, like a vacuum cleaner or a handheld remote, to snag these dark spirits. Sam grapples with his new "job" and tries to win the heart of his crush, Andi.
3. No Heroics (2008)
This British comedy showcases superheroes in their off-hours, hanging out at a bar specifically for the caped crowd. Forget saving the world; these heroes are more concerned about their social media following and romantic lives. The group consists of Alex, who can move objects with his mind; Jenny, who's made of ice; Don, who's tremendously strong; and Sarah, who can manipulate time but only by 10 seconds.
It's superheroes with a serious dose of reality, dealing with petty issues, fragile egos, and even PR disasters.
2. Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)
While technically not a series, this standalone interactive film from the "Black Mirror" universe deserves a spot on the list. You play as Stefan, a young programmer in the '80s, developing a choose-your-own-adventure video game based on a book called "Bandersnatch." Depending on your choices, the plot veers into different realities involving multiple timelines, family drama, and existential dread.
From the mundane choice of cereal to the deeply unsettling option to kill or not to kill, you shape Stefan's fate, making you complicit in the mind-bending journey.
1. Powers (2015-2016)
Based on a comic book series, "Powers" is set in a world where superheroes and villains are a part of everyday life. Christian Walker, a former superhero who lost his abilities, now works as a detective to solve "Powered" crimes. Alongside his partner, Deena Pilgrim, he confronts threats and investigates murders where superpowers are involved.
When his nemesis, Wolfe, escapes from prison, Christian must deal with his past while trying to prevent further catastrophe.