2018 was a banner year for TV comic book adaptations as the vast majority of shows found and enthralled audiences both wide-ranged and niche alike. There really is something for everyone out there, thanks to the rise of Netflix, Amazon, and the endless cable channels.The comic book television landscape will only continue to grow in 2019, but that expansion sometimes comes at the cost of quality.
Many shows flourished while upping their storytelling game, and offering juicy character development, as well as social commentary. However, other shows faltered. To be sure, it’s very difficult to craft a weighty, consequential narrative while balancing the outlandish nature associated of comic book storytelling. There were bound to be a few failures.
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Highlighting these failures, both minute and daunting, is what this list is about. “Worst” may not be the most accurate word to describe these seven shows, but they were very disappointing at the very least.
A dishonorable mention goes out to Jessica Jones. The second season failed to meet even half the mark set by the show’s initial outing. That can be partially attributed to Netflix’s structure mandates, but that doesn’t absolve Jessica Jones from its own sins. Aside from another stellar performance from Krysten Ritter, the second season of Jessica Jones failed to impress. The show definitely needs to revisit the drawing board, but its pedigree kept it off the list this go around. At least Jessica Jones will have one more shot at it when the show’s third, and likely final, season drops in 2019.
Now it’s time to look back at our picks for the seven worst TV shows of 2018. Which shows would you place on this list? Let us know in the comment section below!
Worst TV Shows of 2018
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7. iZombie
Let’s kick things off with a show that deserves its spot on the list despite having plenty of merit. The CW’s iZombie does plenty of interesting things with its concept. And it allows Rose McIver a showcase for her talent of weaving through multiple characters and personalities with impressive ease.
Unfortunately, things began to slip this year. The widening universe of New Seattle became littered with convoluted science and incoherent plotholes meant to add unearned weight to the show’s conflict.
The season finale and the decision to end the series next year following its fifth season offers promise that the show will correct course. Here’s hoping iZombie ends on a strong note. We don't want it to be on this list next year.
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6. Riverdale
After that oddball non-sequitur of a cameo by everyone’s favorite Bravo boy, Andy Cohen, way back in March, no one should have been surprised when Riverdale ran off the rails.
The chaos is entertaining, but it is easy to get lost somewhere between drug-laced fizzle rocks and townsfolk committing murders in order to ascend within a tabletop RPG that is tied to a mythical creature that may or may not be real.
Things get more confusing when you realize that’s only one plotline among a large number of others. There are surely more secrets to be revealed that might provide clarity, but, for now, this mess remains under quarantine.
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5. Gotham
Gotham might be the most fun show to make this list. Every twist and turn feels more over the top than the last. The “No Man’s Land” teasers have also set the stage for even more insanity in the final season.
Sadly, this also causes the show to fall apart as a complete product. The show feels like nothing more than crash TV, with each episode trying to top the previous in terms of ridiculousness and excitement.
Every series eventually runs out of steam. Unfortunately, Gotham has nothing to show when the layers are peeled away. It's an empty shell of a series that could have been so much more.
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4. The Gifted
Some shows fall flat due to their lack of direction. The Gifted sends itself in so many different directions that it never hits the target.
There’s no shortage of action and plenty of intrigue, but it all goes to waste, thanks to countless branching plotlines. The need to cram every character into each episode robs them all of importance, leaving audiences disappointed at breakneck speed.
An ensemble piece in the X-Men universe can work well, but the ability to pull off such a task remains out of reach for this show.
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3. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The initial TV offshoot of the Marvel cinematic universe continued its reign as the show that will not die. It seems that Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s fate has remained in question on an annual basis since its debut, narrowly escaping ABC’s axe every time.
Most shows would face the same peril when cursed with the same underwhelming cast, uninspiring plotlines, and dismal Friday night time slot.
Regardless, the series lives on, with at least two more seasons on the way. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was meant to be Marvel's flagship TV series, but it's become an afterthought at best.
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2. Cloak & Dagger
No program defined plodding and forgettable more than Freeform’s first foray into comic book adaptation, Cloak & Dagger. The two young leads, easily discernible archetypes, and integration of young adult melodrama made the show a perfect fit for the channel.
What the creators forgot to include was tangible, meaningful conflict and characters deserving of audience investment. Instead of ramping up the pace, the show's stories slowed to a crawl.
Cloak and Dagger's only saving grace is that the creators still have time to improve thanks to Freeform’s history of giving shows multiple attempts to find their footing.
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1. Iron Fist
The second season of Iron Fist righted a few wrongs and it was better than the first season. But those corrections came a tad too late.
The show’s cancellation was probably inevitable due to the growing tensions between Netflix and Disney. It wouldn’t have surprised us if Iron Fist had still been shuttered even if things was still sunshine and rainbows between the two media giants.
Unlike the other Marvel Netflix shows, Iron Fist never felt like it had anything to say underneath its action. There was no commentary and no voice. It ultimately wasn't good enough to survive, and the only way we'd want to see Iron Fist again is if he and Luke Cage finally open Heroes for Hire.
