Supacell Review: Marvel & DC Should Take Notes From Netflix's Uniquely Spectacular New Superhero Show

Summary Supacell offers a fresh, original superhero story with a diverse cast and unique power origins.

The show stands out in a saturated market, delivering fully realized characters in just six episodes.

Supacell's storytelling and character development make it a must-watch.

Supacell is an incredibly well-conceived take on superhero stories. It's fresh, with a strong foundation and talented actors filling out the cast. Season 1 consists of just six episodes, but in each hour-long entry, the heroes that populate the world of Supacell become more familiar, and the mystery surrounding their gifts and their connection thickens. As a result, season 1 stands out as an incredible first chapter in an original superhero story that makes a distinct impression in a saturated market.

Supacell (2024) Cast Michael Salami , Eddie Marsan , Adelayo Adedayo Release Date June 27, 2024 Seasons 1 Directors Sebastian Thiel , Rapman Main Genre Sci-Fi Creator(s) Rapman Expand

The story takes place in South London, where a group of five individuals ( played by Tosin Cole, Nadine Mills, Eric Kofi-Abrefa, Calvin Demba, and Josh Tedeku, respectively) begin to develop mysterious powers. Aside from each of them being Black, there is no clear connection, and the story sees them reacting to their newfound gifts in very different ways. However, the slow reveal of how and why the characters got powers makes for a unique and interesting take on the popular genre, with a new approach that is extremely well-executed.

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Supacell Takes Superhero Origins In A New Direction

Image via Netflix

Supacell stands up against tough competition — Marvel's MCU, DC's expansive offerings, Prime Video's popular shows like The Boys and Invincible — and it manages to stand out. The story is, at its core, a superhero origin story, but by creating a distinct point of origin for the characters' powers, it makes for something exceptional and modern. Comics of the past have been clever in their approach to exploring a superhero's origin story, but outside popular IPs, most superhero narratives tend to recycle the same backstories.

The story is at its core a superhero origin story, but by creating a unique point of origin for the characters' powers to stem from, it feels like something entirely new and modern.

Instead, series creator Rapman doesn't rely on tropes and tradition. A superhero story set outside the US that brings together underrepresented individuals as the primary stars, while building a narrative that fits around them turns Supacell into a singular story that perfectly delivers something worthwhile and engaging. Meanwhile, most studios and creatives are sinking their time into established IPs in an effort to make a guaranteed return on investment when they should be looking to something like Supacell to stand apart.

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Supacell establishes a brand-new superhero team with an ensemble cast, and it perfectly sets up five distinct heroes, with their own stories, backgrounds, and characteristics. The Netflix series takes risks, and they pay off thanks to the spectacular cast, and the strength of the narrative. The series takes an insider look at the characters' lives, while actually presenting nuanced emotions and thoughtfulness. Supacell lifts these characters up and makes them real.

Supacell's Superheroes Are Original

Image via Netflix

Most new shows have a challenging time setting up two or so primary characters across ten or more episodes. Supacell manages to deliver a fully realized, layered cast of five primary heroes and several more recurring characters in a way that feels complete in just six episodes. The fact that this is an original superhero story with no preexisting canon to draw from makes it that much more impressive.

Supacell manages to deliver a fully realized, layered cast of five primary heroes and several more recurring characters in a way that feels complete in just six episodes.

Supacell never loses sight of the characters that populate the story. It also leaves us invested and engaged in what happens next. It's the mark of a phenomenal show that excels thanks to actors who perfectly embody their roles, and writing that constantly increases tension in a way that is both coherent and enticing. Supacell feels like a show that is on the same level as Breaking Bad in terms of the drama and storytelling, and it combines these elements harmoniously.

Supacell season 1 is now available to watch on Netflix.