If the successes of HBO Max‘s Peacemaker and Penguin have taught us anything, it’s that underdog characters can carry a series just as well as DC’s biggest icons. These lesser-known characters are brimming with untapped stories and cinematic potential, yet DC has failed to capitalize on many of them. Here’s a look at DC’s underdogs who seriously deserve their own HBO Max series.
The Question
Vic Sage Deserves a Gritty Neo-Noir Detective Thriller
The Question
Created by Steve Ditko, The Question first appeared in Blue Beetle #1 (1967) before being acquired by DC Comics in the early 1980s. While former Gotham detective Renee Montoya currently holds the mantle, Vic Sage remains the character’s most iconic incarnation, making him the ideal lead for an HBO Max adaptation exploring his origins and descent into moral obsession.
Known for prestige thrillers like True Detective and Watchmen, HBO already excels at the kind of storytelling The Question demands. A series centered on Sage could deliver a gritty, neo-noir detective mystery steeped in conspiracy, paranoia, and philosophical tension, the perfect blend of crime drama and psychological intrigue for both DC fans and HBO’s established audience.
Constantine
DC Gave Him a Movie, But What He Really Deserves Is a Mature-Rated Occult Horror Series
John Constantine with demons in Constantine City of Demons
Even though Constantine has appeared in a live-action movie and several animated films, most Hellblazer fans agree the character has never been fully realized on screen. With his vast lore, moral complexity, and the perfect balance of superhero grit and supernatural horror, only a long-form series could truly capture the depth of John Constantine’s world.
Constantine’s talent for investigating and confronting demonic and occult threats lends itself perfectly to an episodic format, where each case could unravel a new layer of his cursed existence. A Constantine HBO Max series could serve as DC’s answer to Supernatural, only darker and steeped in psychological and occult horror.
Lobo
DC’s Already Found Their Lobo, Now It’s Time for His Own Series
There Were Plans For Jason Momoa To Become The DCU LoboCustom image by Simone Ashmoore
Those following James Gunn’s DCU know he’s already found his Lobo in Jason Momoa, who previously played Aquaman before the cinematic reboot. Momoa is set to debut as the intergalactic bounty hunter in the 2026 Supergirl movie, and that appearance could easily serve as a perfect launchpad for a standalone HBO Max series.
While some fans might see that as wishful thinking, it’s worth remembering that The Penguin followed the same path, debuting in The Batman before earning his own critically acclaimed spinoff. Given Momoa’s history with HBO through Game of Thrones and his natural fit for the larger-than-life role, an HBO Max Lobo series feels like the next no-brainer success.
Huntress
Mafia-Vibes AND Superhero Vigilantism: Helena Bertinelli Brings the Best of Both Worlds
Huntress (Helena Bertinelli)
Huntress is one of the most underrated members of the Bat-Family, largely because she stands apart from Batman’s shadow. Unlike the Robins or Batgirls, Helena Bertinelli’s story isn’t defined by the Dark Knight but by her own moral code and mafia origins. That independence and ambiguity make her the perfect candidate for a character-driven HBO Max series.
If there are two things HBO excels at, it’s Mafia dramas (The Sopranos) and morally grey antiheroes (Peacemaker). Helena’s background as a mafia heiress-turned-vigilante combines both worlds, offering the potential for an intense, emotionally layered series exploring Gotham’s criminal underworld and one woman’s quest for justice in a city built on corruption.
Plastic Man
Patrick “Eel” O’Brian Could Be DC’s Next Comedy Hit
Cover B Michael Allred Variant cover Plastic Man No More #1 feature
Many fans write off Plastic Man because of his goofy personality, yet he’s secretly one of the most powerful and durable heroes in the DC Universe. His humor and chaotic charm aren’t weaknesses; they’re what make him perfect for television. That balance of comedy, action, and heart could make him DC’s next breakout hit on HBO Max.
Patrick “Eel” O’Brian’s story has all the ingredients for success: a small-time crook turned reluctant hero, shapeshifting chaos, and endless visual potential through his elastic powers. HBO has already proven it can turn unlikely characters like Peacemaker into fan favorites, and Plastic Man deserves that same irreverent, high-energy spotlight.
Zatanna
DC Robbed Us of a Zatanna Live-Action Movie, But We’ll Take a Series as Compensation
Zatanna casts a spell in DC Comics cover by Ariel Diaz
When DC announced a live-action Zatanna movie, fans were thrilled to see the beloved yet often overlooked heroine finally get her due. So it was no surprise that many were devastated when the project was canceled. However, fans would likely forgive DC if the company instead gave Zatanna her own HBO Max series.
Interest in the character is undeniable, with Zatanna starring in multiple recent solo series, including Zatanna: Bring Down the House (DC Black Label, 2024), Zatanna (DC All In, 2025), and Zatanna & The Ripper (WEBTOON, 2022). With such consistent comic appearances proving her appeal, it’s clearly past time for Zatanna to make her live-action debut, and a solo TV series would be the perfect way to do it.
Deathstroke
Deathstroke Could Be DC’s Answer to Marvel’s Hit Series The Punisher
Deathstroke in his classic blue and orange costume, from DC Comics.
If any DC character has the potential to rival Marvel’s The Punisher, it’s Slade “Deathstroke” Wilson. After his live-action debut in Justice League (2017), fans were clamoring for more, and excitement peaked when DC announced a solo Deathstroke movie starring Joe Manganiello.
Unfortunately, the Deathstroke movie was canceled, much like the Zatanna project. However, DC could more than make up for it with an HBO Max series, delivering a brutal, tactical drama full of high-stakes action. Deathstroke’s unique moral complexity as a mercenary torn between fatherhood and mercenary greed would make for a gripping, character-driven series with huge potential.