Marvel Show Ranking
Shenell Logan '23 Staff Writer
Last year, Marvel released their first five series on the popular streaming service, Disney+. The releases included the shows WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Hawkeye, Loki and What If? As the new programs were being released throughout the year, many opinions were given as to whether or not the shows were good. As someone who has been an MCU fan since 2012 and watched the shows as they were being released, I have my own ranking of these series.
1. WandaVision
Marvel made the excellent decision to release WandaVision first as the show is Marvel’s most out of the box creation they have released in a very long time. WandaVision is a new and exciting addition to the Marvel universe and brings something fresh to the table. It strays away from the regular Marvel formula and does it the right way. Wanda Maximoff’s (Elizabeth Olsen) character was explored and explained thoroughly and done in such a creative way. Along with the much appreciated deep dive into Wanda’s character, WandaVision also set up many gateways for future Marvel projects which builds excitement for what’s to come. WandaVision is a captivating, creative show with a refreshing pace and eye-catching action, making it the absolute best Marvel show released in 2021.
Marvel made the excellent decision to release WandaVision first as the show is Marvel’s most out of the box creation they have released in a very long time. WandaVision is a new and exciting addition to the Marvel universe and brings something fresh to the table. It strays away from the regular Marvel formula and does it the right way. Wanda Maximoff’s (Elizabeth Olsen) character was explored and explained thoroughly and done in such a creative way. Along with the much appreciated deep dive into Wanda’s character, WandaVision also set up many gateways for future Marvel projects which builds excitement for what’s to come. WandaVision is a captivating, creative show with a refreshing pace and eye-catching action, making it the absolute best Marvel show released in 2021.
2. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier pushed boundaries where a lot of films in this genre are afraid to push. The show presented to viewers that even in a world where the impossible is possible, racism still exists. While the show has outstanding action, pacing, and solidifies Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) as Marvel’s new Captain America, the demonstration of racism still existing within a superhero world is wildly significant and gives the viewers, especially black viewers, a chance to connect even more with Sam Wilson and the challenges he faces throughout the show. Besides that, everyone else who played alongside Mackie including Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Wyatt Russell as John Walker and Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter, executed their roles perfectly and helped to really bring The Falcon and the Winter Soldier to life.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier pushed boundaries where a lot of films in this genre are afraid to push. The show presented to viewers that even in a world where the impossible is possible, racism still exists. While the show has outstanding action, pacing, and solidifies Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) as Marvel’s new Captain America, the demonstration of racism still existing within a superhero world is wildly significant and gives the viewers, especially black viewers, a chance to connect even more with Sam Wilson and the challenges he faces throughout the show. Besides that, everyone else who played alongside Mackie including Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Wyatt Russell as John Walker and Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter, executed their roles perfectly and helped to really bring The Falcon and the Winter Soldier to life.
3. Hawkeye
Hawkeye is a fun and, may I say, adorable show. Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) and Clint Barton’s (Jeremy Renner) dynamic is lighthearted and enjoyable to watch. Hawkeye is much more simple and easy-going than most of the other shows that were released last year and gets a few more chuckles from me while watching. Although there were a few slow parts that made me lose focus, Hawkeye was a pleasure to watch. After watching, I found myself exceptionally excited to see the duo again in the future.
Hawkeye is a fun and, may I say, adorable show. Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) and Clint Barton’s (Jeremy Renner) dynamic is lighthearted and enjoyable to watch. Hawkeye is much more simple and easy-going than most of the other shows that were released last year and gets a few more chuckles from me while watching. Although there were a few slow parts that made me lose focus, Hawkeye was a pleasure to watch. After watching, I found myself exceptionally excited to see the duo again in the future.
4. Loki
If I could describe Loki in one word it would be disappointing. There were so many things that I struggled with during my watch of the show: the irritating romance between Sylvie and Loki, the rushed, and horrible, character development of Loki in the first episode, the drastic differences between this Loki and the Loki we see in Marvel films… there’s too many to list. It was like the writers of the show decided to scrap everything that made Loki Loki and then also name the show after him, but focus on anything but him. Loki is such a frustrating show to watch when you know how good it could have been. Unfortunately, Marvel decided to release this garbage to the world and now there’s no way to take it back.
If I could describe Loki in one word it would be disappointing. There were so many things that I struggled with during my watch of the show: the irritating romance between Sylvie and Loki, the rushed, and horrible, character development of Loki in the first episode, the drastic differences between this Loki and the Loki we see in Marvel films… there’s too many to list. It was like the writers of the show decided to scrap everything that made Loki Loki and then also name the show after him, but focus on anything but him. Loki is such a frustrating show to watch when you know how good it could have been. Unfortunately, Marvel decided to release this garbage to the world and now there’s no way to take it back.
5. What If...?
Besides the connections a few of the episodes have to future Marvel projects, What If? is useless. I could have gone my entire life without watching a single second of this show. Not only is it boring most of the time, the voice acting is horrible. The only decent voice actor was Chris Hemsworth, who voiced his own live action character, Thor. I cannot remember feeling a single emotion while watching What-If? and I still wonder if I was actually supposed to feel anything while viewing. I will most definitely never watch this show again unless I was somehow forced to.
Besides the connections a few of the episodes have to future Marvel projects, What If? is useless. I could have gone my entire life without watching a single second of this show. Not only is it boring most of the time, the voice acting is horrible. The only decent voice actor was Chris Hemsworth, who voiced his own live action character, Thor. I cannot remember feeling a single emotion while watching What-If? and I still wonder if I was actually supposed to feel anything while viewing. I will most definitely never watch this show again unless I was somehow forced to.