Superhero live-action television series

Superhero live-action television series are television programs which feature the adventures of superhero characters, typically adapted from their original comic book roots, applied in a live action format. This often requires considerable modification in contrast to the animated television series translation of superheroes. Live action series featuring superheroes have been featured on TV almost since the beginning of the comic book medium and continue today in varying degrees. Such programs are typically action, science fiction, and adventure oriented, though they can also be drama oriented.

Limited budgets and oddball writing hampered many early superhero series. The 1950s Adventures of Superman series starring George Reeves - an extension of the popular movie serials - featured very limited and unconvincing special effects but was hugely popular.

The live-action Batman series of the late 1960s, starring Adam West and Burt Ward, made playful use of many of the conventions of superhero comics, including colorful costumes, visual sound effects, implausible escapes, and heavily expository dialog. The series helped sell color televisions and introduced the characters to millions of viewers. It reflected and reinforced the popular perception of superheroes as childish entertainment and made Batman a household name.

Batman led to imitators like Captain Nice and Mr. Terrific but only The Green Hornet starring Van Williams as the Hornet and a young Bruce Lee as his sidekick Kato approached the popularity of Batman.

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