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9 superhero series to stream

Cape Town - Make internet TV your superpower this weekend by streaming these series on Showmax, DStv Now, Netflix and Amazon Prime.

1. Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger (Showmax)

Tyrone and Tandy only have two things in common: They’re in love, and they’re just realising that they have superpowers. Tandy is armed with daggers of light, and Tyrone can teleport. Hailed by Vulture as “the superhero show of the summer” with excellent performances praised by Variety and a dark grittiness that elevates above the realms of other teen superhero series, Cloak & Dagger is first and only on Showmax. Episodes 1 and 2 land on Friday, 8 June express from the States, with fresh episodes every Friday.

2. Marvel’s Runaways (Showmax)

Six teenagers discover that their parents are part of an evil organisation that requires ritual human sacrifices, and they band together to stop them, discovering their own unique powers on their journey. AV Club says this about Runaways: “The most valuable part of the series is how these not-yet adults somehow bring the best out in each other as they learn how to survive and create their own, vital family-of-choice, a bond that’s only more effective when it’s displayed on a more granular level in the TV show.” All 10 episodes are ready to binge first and only on Showmax.



3. Marvel’s Agent Carter, S1-2 (Showmax)

This acclaimed series, which has 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, follows former code breaker and field agent Peggy Carter as she returns to work at the Strategic Scientific Reserve after World War II. It’s up to her to go undercover to clear her colleague Howard Stark’s name as a weapons smuggler, flying in the face of orders from the SSR. Critics and audiences alike adore Agent Carter, with the Daily Telegraph saying: “With a star-making turn from Atwell and an overwhelming air of fun, it was a treat for both Marvel converts and new viewers.” 

4. Arrow, S1-4 (Showmax)

Billionaire playboy Oliver Queen uses his wealth to turn himself into a vigilante crime-fighting force to be reckoned with in this dark series based on the DC Comics hero Green Arrow. He may not have superpowers as such, but he is every bit as dangerous as the criminals he’s hunting. Seasons 3 and 4 both have 100% critics ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, with plenty of “promising elements”, says AVClub.



5. The Flash, S1-2 (Showmax)

Thanks to a science experiment-gone-wrong in Season 1, normal-guy scientist Barry Allen is living in fast-forward as masked superhero The Flash in this fun sci-fi series based on the DC Comics character. This is a more light-hearted superhero series than most of the others on this list, and for the first two seasons make for a quick, easy binge session. Entertainment Weekly agreed with so many other critics that are fans of this series: “I love the right stuff that The Flash represents. He's a blazing streak of Tomorrowland in a gloomy, doomy, fury road culture.”

6. Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD, S5 (DStv Now)

The latest season of this fan favourite superhero series about the secret intelligence organisation run by Agent Phil Coulson is currently streaming on DStv Now, with Seasons 1 to 3 available on Showmax for those that need a refresher. Season 5 stands apart from previous seasons, with critics calling it “bonkers” - in a good way (Entertainment Weekly) - and “a crazy ride” (Forbes), which isn’t surprising, considering that the season opens with the agents stranded in space on a mysterious ship.

7. Supergirl, S1-2 (Netflix)

Kara Zor-El embraces her superpowers at age 24. For anyone not familiar with the DC character, Supergirl is Superman’s heroic little cousin, and for those looking for a family-friendly superhero show, this is it. Melissa Benoist has been praised for her performance as Supergirl, as has Calista Flockhart as Cat Grant. NPR says: “Melissa Benoist (Glee, Whiplash) is spot-on as Supergirl and Ally McBeal alum Calista Flockhart chews the scenery appropriately as media mogul Cat Grant.” The first two highly-rated seasons are currently on Netflix.

8. DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, S1-2 (Netflix)

A time traveller from the future called Rip Hunter unites a ragtag group of superheroes and villains to save the world in this visually powerful series - because forces of good aren’t enough to stop the destruction of not only the Earth, but also time itself. The special effects are impressive, and Season 2 is especially popular with critics and fans.

9. The Tick (Amazon Prime)

Arthur, an oddball accountant, falls in league with a powerful character in a blue costume known as The Tick in a world that is filled with superheroes and supervillains, and becomes his sidekick. Together, they aim to take down the supervillain The Terror, who has been terrorising their town, and who killed Arthur’s father. This series is probably the most violent on this list, but it’s also the funniest, with the Sydney Morning Herald reviewing it thus: “The violence is sometimes startling but the silly humour keeps the grins coming.”

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