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5 Minutes
Overview: A Supercharged Second Half of 2025 for Comics on Screen
After a blockbuster summer that included DC Studios' new Superman and the MCU's The Fantastic Four: First Steps on the big screen, the remainder of 2025 shifts its momentum to streaming and television. Fans of superhero series and comic book adaptations can look forward to a diverse slate of releases — from gritty live-action dramas to irreverent animated experiments. Here are the five major Marvel and DC TV shows still set to arrive before the year ends.
Peacemaker Season 2 — Return to James Gunn’s Rebooted DCU
Plot summary
Peacemaker Season 2 continues the twisted, comedic saga of John Cena’s titular antihero as he navigates a world reshaped by James Gunn’s rebooted DC Universe. Expect punchy, irreverent storytelling that blends dark humor with unexpectedly emotional beats, while deepening the show’s ties to the new cinematic timeline.
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Cast and crew
John Cena returns as Peacemaker, with James Gunn now steering the project from a new vantage point as co-CEO of DC Studios. The season reportedly features six actors from Gunn’s Superman film, cementing narrative bridges between HBO Max’s small-screen experiments and the theatrical DCU.
Production details & release
Peacemaker’s second season comprises eight episodes and will arrive on HBO Max on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Production notes emphasize Gunn’s more hands-on creative imprint, making this installment a key piece of the revitalized DC strategy.
Critical reception & opinion
Early responses from critics and fans have been excited about the tighter integration with the new DCU and Cena’s continued charisma. As a fan, the second season feels poised to balance outrageous action with surprisingly thoughtful character beats, making it a must-watch for anyone following DC’s TV universe.
Iron Man and His Awesome Friends — Preschool Marvel Animation
Plot summary
Designed for very young viewers, Iron Man and His Awesome Friends reimagines iconic Marvel characters as youthful, fun-friendly versions who solve problems and learn about teamwork. Think Spidey and His Amazing Friends but centered on Tony Stark and his junior allies.
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Cast & production
Produced by Marvel Studios Animation in partnership with Atomic Cartoons, the series debuted on August 11, 2025, on Disney Jr. and Disney+. It features pint-sized takes on Iron Man, Riri Williams as Ironheart, Vision, Amadeus Cho’s Iron Hulk, and a childlike Ultron.
Reception
The show has been praised for introducing comic-book lore to a new generation while keeping gentle educational themes. Expect additional episodes to roll out across late August on Disney Jr. and Disney+.
Marvel Zombies — A Dark, Animated Twist
Plot summary
Marvel Zombies adapts an alternate timeline concept originally seen in What If...? and pushes it into mature, TV-MA territory: familiar heroes wrestle with infection, survival and moral collapse in a brutal, animated apocalypse.
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Cast, crew & release
The four-episode series boasts a star-studded voice cast including David Harbour (Red Guardian), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel), Hailee Steinfeld (Kate Bishop) and Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova). Marvel Zombies launches on Disney+ on October 3, 2025.
Critical take
Expect polarized reactions: fans of darker comic-book adaptations will appreciate the boldness, while casual viewers should be warned about graphic content. For animation and MCU aficionados, it’s a provocative experiment worth watching.
Wonder Man — Celebrity, Superpowers, and a Hollywood Satire
Plot summary
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars as Simon Williams — an actor whose life intersects with real superpowers. The series blends superhero origin tropes with satirical takes on fame, stardom and the entertainment industry.
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Cast, crew & release
Directed and created by Destin Daniel Cretton, Wonder Man spans eight episodes and features Ben Kingsley, Ed Harris and Demetrius Grosse. Rolling out on Disney+ under the “Marvel Spotlight” banner, the show is scheduled for December 2025.
Production note & opinion
Cretton’s involvement suggests an emotional core under the superhero trappings; this could be one of Marvel’s more introspective late-year offerings.
Batman: Caped Crusader Season 2 — Noir Animation Returns
Plot summary
Amazon Prime Video’s Batman: Caped Crusader takes a stylized, noir approach to Bruce Wayne’s early crime-fighting days. Expect moody visuals, mature themes and a bold reinterpretation of Gotham’s rogues gallery.
Production & release
Although separate from the new DCU continuity, Caped Crusader has been greenlit for a second season, with voice work reportedly already underway. Season 2 is on track to premiere before the end of 2025 on Prime Video.
Final thoughts
Late 2025 is shaping up to be a feast for fans of superhero television: a mix of family-friendly animation, adult-oriented experiments, and serialized live-action entries that deepen both Marvel and DC’s streaming strategies. Whether you’re tracking MCU continuity, following James Gunn’s DC reboot, or simply love smart comic book storytelling, these five shows promise something for every kind of viewer.
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