8 DC Characters Who Are Way Better On TV Than Film

With bigger budgets and wider audiences, you'd expect films to be better than TV shows on every level imaginable. However, as programs such as Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad have proven in recent years, TV has come a long way and it's no longer the second-best visual medium around. When it comes to DC Comics and its numerous properties, in particular, a lot of its characters have received better portrayals on the small screen than the big one. One could argue that the reason for this is because a series allows for prolonged character development and fleshed-out arcs - which is absolutely right on the money, by the way. When characters aren't leads or in major supporting roles, they often fall down the wayside and only add "glitter" to films rather than to serve a narrative purpose. Yes, you can do fan service by throwing them in as cameos, but is there even a point to it? So, what we've done here is, we've taken a trip down the memory lane of DC shows and identified instances where characters have been better portrayed on TV than in film. Do keep in mind, though, that we're not focusing solely on the Arrowverse or current programming, but productions from the past are mentioned as well. As always, we do realize this is a controversial topic and we welcome healthy debate about it. So, if you agree or disagree with the choices listed, please do let us know in the comments section. With that said, here are the 8 DC TV characters that are better than their film versions. Lex Luthor Since Michael Rosenbaum portrayed Lex Luthor in Smallville, two cinematic iterations (Kevin Spacey in 2006's Superman Returns and Jesse Eisenberg in 2016's Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice) have appeared. Still, it must be said that Smallville's Luthor has been superior to both on every level. While Spacey's interpretation is a mixed bag due to the actor never being terrible in any role and the film's script being its biggest fault, Eisenberg's is certainly more controversial and divisive. Whether he was supposed to be Junior or the real Luthor is another story, but we're going with the fact that he's the DCEU's adaptation of Superman's greatest nemesis. Even so, he didn't exactly win many people over with his off-center and peculiar performance as the primary antagonist of the film. Ultimately, Rosenbaum showed us everything that we wanted from a deep, complex character such as the genius billionaire. He showed kindness, cruelty, and the transformation that took him from being one of Clark's best friends to his biggest threat. There was a depth and evolution to him that hasn't been explored in the big screen versions yet. Ra's al Ghul Let's get one thing straight: Liam Neeson was out of this world as Ra's al Ghul in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy. His performance was menacing, unnerving, and downright believable. He brought a seriousness and mysticism to the terrorist, while his character's impact was felt throughout the trilogy - even when he wasn't on screen. But what Alexander Siddig is doing with Ra's al Ghul on Gotham right now is simply phenomenal. Not only is he comic book-accurate in appearance and dialogue, but the sheer lunacy of the villain has also been exposed in several episodes. There's something playfully macabre about his portrayal and when that hint of music announces his arrival on screen, it feels like we're in the presence of the real Demon's Head. While Gotham tweaks and changes things for its own narrative, its handling of Ra's has been one of the best we've seen so far. Our hats go off to the supremely talented Siddig, who has set a new bar for this villain. Supergirl 1984's Supergirl wasn't a good film by any stretch of the imagination. In comparison, it makes Batman & Robin look like The Godfather. Fortunately, since that abomination was birthed, our minds have been washed and we've seen Kara pop up in Smallville and then receive her own TV show in 2015. It's the latter that's been the best interpretation of the character, though. Melissa Benoist brings an innocence and endearing charm to Supergirl as she tries to navigate her life as a young adult in the workplace and her superhero activities. Sure, there's still a lot of soap drama-esque cheese and unnecessary love triangles at every turn, but it's hard not to enjoy Benoist's lovable performance as Superman's cousin. There have been whispers that Supergirl is coming to the DCEU - or whatever the hell they're calling it this week - so we could be meeting another version of the character in the not-too-distant future. Until then, though, Benoist's Supergirl will remain our favorite version of the Kryptonian to date. Lois Lane Now, let it be said that all the different adaptations of Lois Lane have been good in their own right - yes, even Amy Adams' version is great, no matter what the Internet will have you believe. However, there's one interpretation that stands head and shoulders above the rest: Teri Hatcher's in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Okay, have you stopped laughing yet? Well, hear us out here for a second before you mercilessly troll the comments section. Hatcher's Lane was as comic book-accurate as they come. She was a straight-talking reporter, with a lot of drive and attitude, and always getting herself into a pickle because of her desire to get the big scoop - and that's exactly what Lois is all about throughout the ages. In addition, it helped Hatcher's cause that she looked a lot like the character from the comic books. In the later part of the series, she did become annoying and more of a lovesick puppy than the powerful journalist we all loved, but those earlier seasons were pure gold. Hatcher tapped into the essence of Lois Lane and delivered a pitch-perfect performance for the ages. Victor Zsasz As a serial killer who carves a tally mark on his body for every person he murders, Victor Zsasz isn't exactly someone you'd expect to enjoy a beer and game of football with. Naturally, when the character, played by Tim Booth, made a brief appearance in Batman Begins, he was pretty much the serious, maniacal murderer you'd expected to see. Anthony Carrigan's Zsasz on Gotham, however, is nothing like Booth's interpretation. On paper, it shouldn't work, but Carrigan's unique, somewhat comical, portrayal of the killer has become a real highlight of season 4. His quips and morbid sense of humor are hilarious and he's undoubtedly become one of the best recurring villains of the show. In many ways, he's the character that encapsulates the program's quirky tone the best. Look, Zsasz will never be a villain on the same level as the likes of Joker, Penguin, or Two-Face. Even so, Carrigan has done something different and interesting, turning this deviant into a bona-fide fan-favorite and making him more popular than he should have any right being. Deadshot This one might upset Will Smith's fans, but Arrow's Deadshot was more of the straight-shooter we wanted than the Fresh Prince's sassy marksman in Suicide Squad. While Smith's Floyd Lawton might've had the better costume, Michael Rowe's character had the better overall arc. Considering the atrocious editing and stitch-job of Suicide Squad, there's the possibility that there's a better underlying story for Deadshot somewhere on the cutting room floor (along with Jared Leto's Joker takes). Nonetheless, we can only make up our minds based on what we saw and Rowe's performance takes top marks here. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that we'll ever see Arrow's Deadshot again, since he was killed off in the series to ensure that fans didn't confuse his character with Smith's. Yet, it's amazing how no one thought the same of The CW's Flash and DCEU's Flash, but whatever… Perry White In the Superman mythos, Perry White plays a pivotal part in the lives of Lois and Clark. He might come across as the tough and demanding editor of the Daily Planet, which he is, but White is also an undercover sweetheart who has become a good friend (and godfather to Jon Kent) to the Kents. Portrayed by the late Lane Smith in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, White was given a major role in the series and formed a fundamental part of the storylines for all four seasons. Sure, the focus was primarily on Lois and Clark (they were the titular characters, after all), but White - and Jimmy Olsen - brought the color to the world which truly made this a Superman series to remember. You see, not all things from Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman were as bad as the Internet claims them to be. While Laurence Fishburne's turn as the character in Man of Steel and Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice wasn't bad, we simply didn't see enough of him in the DCEU to make our minds up about his performance. Constantine Oi, mate, there's a bloody problem when a British, chain-smoking, wise-cracking, blond man who fights demons is portrayed by a dark-haired American with one permanent facial expression. Jokes aside, 2005's Constantine wasn't that terrible of a film - even if it felt nothing like a Hellblazer story. In one of the best castings in recent history, Welshman Matt Ryan was chosen to portray John Constantine in a TV series about the demon hunter, which unfortunately only ran for one season between 2014 and 2015. Not only did Ryan nail down the look, but he brought the attitude and sarcastic demeanor as well. Hence everyone's disappointment when it was announced that the series would be canceled. Fortunately, the brains behind the Arrowverse noted his incredible performance and have brought him back for guest appearances on Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow. Additionally, Ryan will still voice the character in an animated web series, which is due out next year. Like our girl Mariah once sang, "There can be miracles when you believe." Tell us, do you agree that these DC TV characters are better than their film versions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.