By: Cynthia Ayala

We all have those favorite shows that critics raved about and had action, suspense, the whole shebang. But for some reason, networks cancelled said shows due to “lack of ratings”, regardless of the fan base that was growing and growing. It happened with notable cult classic show Firefly, whose fan base garnered an amazing film, and it happened with Family Guy, whose fan base bought up those DVDs like candy forcing FOX to bring back the show.

Not all shows are that lucky though. Firefly also has a comic book series courtesy of Dark Horse comics, and other shows that have been cancelled that have comic book continuations include Charmed, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, & Angel and Faith.

But there are other shows out there that deserve a comic book series to continue where the show unfortunately left off (on a cliffhanger of all things), due to network cancellation.

1. Almost Human

Almost Human was a FOX show that was incredible. It had great plot lines episode to episode to episode and a great cast. This was a 2013 American science fiction series that included the cyberpunk and crime drama genres and starred Karl Urban as the grouchy and charming Detective John Kennex and Michael Ealy as the robot DRN-0167, aka Dorian, a robot that is unique and can tap into human emotions.

Those two paired together made such an amazing team. They had the right chemistry and there is no doubt about them being great actors. Not only that, but the rest of the cast, while small, fit very well together as well. Each one played their parts well and it was obvious that they were friends. Combined with the interesting stories from episode to episode, it was such an entertaining show to watch.

The show took place in the year 2048 where the uncontrolled evolution of science and technology caused the crime rates to rise, forcing the police to implement a policy that pairs every human officer with a combat-model android.

The series did receive and Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Special and Visual Effects. While the show was considered for renewal, it’s obvious that it was pushed aside for less grander shows. Come on guys, this show definitely deserves a comic book pick up where the show left off.

2. Forever

Forever was an ABC show that aired Tuesdays and starred Ioan Gruffudd as Dr. Henry Morgan as the New York City medical examiner who studies the dead with his Sherlockian approach alongside his partner, Detective Jo Martinez, played by Alana de la Garza, while simultaneously tries to solve the mystery of his own immortality since his death 200 years ago.

There was so much going right with this show and despite the controversy that this was somewhat based off the novel Forever by Pete Hamill, it was still a good show that differed from the novel in several ways. The show had these brilliant flashbacks that normally would bother me, but the way they were constructed and built the show, allowing for it to flow and reveal the story, it worked. In a comic book series, those flashbacks would be wonderful. Given the story as well, there’s no knowing where this show would go, what direction it would take. It was unpredictable, and that is a good thing.

There was so much character development and a fitting cast allowed for the show to be incredibly captivating. It worked. It was a good show and the way it flowed and built up episode after episode is exactly what would make it a good comic book series.

3. The Gates

This show just needs to be brought back because you just, it’s unforgivable to cut off a show with such a good cliffhanger. Just no okay.

The Gates, an ABC show,
was a Drama, Crime drama, Mystery, Suspense, Supernatural drama, Horror and Thriller film. Talk about your genre overload, but it worked. The show followed a police officer Nick Monohan as he moved his family from Chicago to the quiet and upscale community called The Gates, where he was made chief of police. But soon, they discover there their neighborhood is filled with vampires, witches, werewolves, and a succubus.

This is the only show that I know about that had a succubus in it back in 2010. Nowadays, there is no telling what you’re going to get on tv, but for a show from five years ago, it was amazing.

This show had such a great cast who all played their fantastical parts so well. They dynamic between the cast members and their parts was so amazing. This was, it was just a great show and Chandra West as the “bad” witch, made such a great antagonist for the show. She was manipulative and charming and you just loved to hate her. Then there was Vampire couple, oh my god, their dynamic was to die for, no pun intended. Played by Luke Mably ad Rhona Mitra, they just had this tantalizing synergy that resonated off the screen.

But enough about the cast, the show is on Netflix, I do recommend watching it because it’s just good and has all the fantastical appeals of a fantasy/horror show. Just take a look and say no to this show being comic, I dare you. Especially after that season finale. Some things, I just forgive.

4. American Gothic

American Gothic was a horror/supernatural drama that aired back in 1995 on CBS. The show took place in the fictional town of Trinity, South Carolina and revolved around Caleb Temple, played by Lucas Black and the town’s corrupt sheriff Lucas Buck, played by Gary Cole who is speculated to be the devil himself, or just one of his minions.

This is a classic show that may have paved the way for shows like American Horror Story. It has the suspense, the intrigue and the good versus evil aspect of the show. The point of the show was to showcase all the supernatural aspects of this little town and the fight of Good versus Evil. Everyone wants to protect Caleb from Lucas Buck, his father by rape who killed his sister, a ghost played by Sarah Paulson who helps Caleb stay one step ahead of his father.

This was such good show that was for several awards in 1996 and 1997 so it’s not like it went unnoticed, but due to low ratings, one again, the show was cancelled. Ah, a show that aired before it’s time. Just think about how popular this show would be in today’s age. Dark Horse comics could really make something out of this show and you know what, I’m dying to see how this show plays out.

5. Alcatraz

Last but certainly not least we have Alcatraz, a FOX show from 2012 that was cancelled after the first season.

The official plot summary of the show, according to Wikipedia is as follows:

“On March 21, 1963, 256 inmates and 46 guards disappeared from the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary without a trace. To cover up the disappearance, the government invented a cover story about the prison being closed due to unsafe conditions, and officially reported that the inmates had been transferred. However, federal agent Emerson Hauser (Sam Neill), a young San Francisco police officer tasked with transferring inmates to the island in 1963, is one of the first to discover that the inmates are actually missing and not transferred. In present-day San Francisco, the “63s” (as the missing inmates and guards are called) begin returning, one by one.”

This show, much like with Forever, shifts back and forth between the past and the present and, much like with the above, also had an amazing cast. The show starred Sarah Jones, Jorge Garcia, Jonny Coyne, Parminder Nagra, Jason Butler Harner, Sam Neill & Robert Forster. These people in the future had to hunt down dangerous criminals who were somehow transported to the year 2012.

The show was listed as one of the eight honorees of the “Most Exciting New Series category at the 1st Critics’ Choice Television Awards, elected by journalists who had seen the pilots” and achieved “generally favorable reviews” on Metacritic. Robet Bianco of USA Today wrote: “Alcatraz is easy enough to follow, with twists and surprises that are enjoyable and not enervating”. But once again, while it had a favorable start, viewership did drop and thus leading to it’s cancellation even if critical reception was still favorable and high.

However, with the cliffhanger and possibilities this show offered, a comic book series can explore everything that was left off, going back and forth easily with amazing visuals and writing. Who knows where this show would have taken us?