In the world of comics, death is basically a running joke. Hardly any characters, even minor ones, stay dead. No matter what dramatic and heroic demises they met, they very rarely stay dead, and that goes triple for the more popular stars. Lately, the same rule can be applied to those on-screen comic adaptations. Whether it's actors reprising their roles from comic movies of old or entire series getting dusted off for a continuation, nothing is truly gone forever.

Fans have particularly embraced those revamped superhero cartoons. X-Men '97 was a huge hit for Disney+, and Batman: The Caped Crusader, the spiritual successor to Batman: The Animated Series, has been a critical darling. With profits to be made, we can be sure that Marvel and DC's corporate executives are brainstorming which shows to dig up from the graveyard, and these 10 animated series deserve a superhero-style resurrection.

TODD MCFARLANE'S SPAWN

In the 1990s, mainstream American cartoons became significantly more edgy and mature. Although the average viewer still viewed animation and comic books as kids' fare, developers were pushing the envelope with The Simpsons and later South Park. However, months before we all met Cartman, there was Todd McFarlane's Spawn.

Since this was premium cable, HBO was the perfect landing spot for a graphic, violent adaptation of Image Comics' iconic title. The show was truly a work of art and the predecessor for adult-themed superhero cartoons like Invincible. Like the comic, TMS embraced the gory horror elements, and Keith David's voice acting as Al Simmons/Spawn was nothing short of magical. With McFarlane touting that a Spawn horror movie is finally coming together, it's had Spawn back in the mainstream spotlight. This would be an opportune moment to drag Todd McFarlane's Spawn from the depths of cancellation Hell, but only if Keith David is voicing Spawn.

AVENGERS: EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES

When Disney bought Marvel Comics and all its properties, some truly great cartoons were the first victims of the corporate takeover. Before the MCU brought The Avengers together in live-action, Disney XD gave us Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. For longtime comic book fans, this was the quintessential Avengers show.

While it didn't necessarily follow the comics panel-for-panel (although there was a nice adaptation of Secret Invasion that puts the MCU version to shame), the characters stayed true to their roots. There were cameos and guest stars galore, serving to introduce some of Marvel's then-less-famous faces to a new generation of fans. In fact, for many kids, this was the first time they saw the Guardians of the Galaxy prior to their arrival in the MCU.

SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN

Sure, everyone knows the 1960s Spider-Man theme song, but 2000s kids remember this gem from 2008's Spectacular Spider-Man.

This was a show that understood Spidey. He was modernized for the era, but Peter Parker retained all the qualities that made him an enduring, relatable character. As always, he was the self-made superhero, juggling real-world problems, like helping dear Aunt May pay the bills, with gallivanting the Five Buroughs as a super-powered vigilante.

Of course, what is Spider-Man without his rogue's gallery? The classic villains were all there, though they were given a bit of a makeover for the 2000s. The pity was that the show only lasted two seasons, another victim of the Disney-Fox acquisition.

SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES

Once again, Bruce Timm and Paul Dini proved they understood the assignments when it came to two comic book legends.

After the groundbreaking Batman: The Animated Series, Timm and Dini transitioned to the only DC character arguably more recognizable than the Dark Knight: Superman. Where BTAS was as dark and gritty as Fox would allow, STAS was considerably lighter. While the shows clearly had the same style artwork, Superman was aesthetically brighter, and the themes were much more wholesome compared to those from Batman. The essence of the show had a strong comic book foundation, with elements of all Superman's eras. It truly was a show for Man of Steel fans, and it deserves a second chance, especially since James Gunn's Superman adaptation is nearing its gigantic premiere.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK

If you're like me, you miss the days of an angry, brutish MCU Hulk. Since Avengers: Endgame, he's been tremendously watered down, and we haven't seen him in a proper fight since Thanos gave the Green Goliath a beat down in Infinity War. The last time he appeared on screen, he was a comedic side character in She-Hulk. With Disney executives and Kevin Feige seemingly committed to the far-too-passive Professor Hulk, an Incredible Hulk cartoon reboot could be a mega hit.

The original show was a '90s take on the classic Hulk origin. Tying it to the 1970s live-action television series, the cartoon version featured Lou Ferrigno voicing the Hulk. Certainly it was hampered by heavy censorship for kids' shows, but if Marvel Studios followed X-Men '97's lead, a revamped Hulk would hit all the marks with audiences.

There's no definitive answer on the topic, but the general consensus is Marvel Studios can't use Hulk in another solo movie due to rights issues with Universal Pictures. However, that might not apply to an animated series. Since those 1990s Marvel shows are en vogue after X-Men '97, why not resurrect 1996's Incredible Hulk? Since X-Men '97's producers have suggested we'll see some of those '90s Marvel cartoon characters appear in the next season, this could be a massive opportunity to see Hulk square off with Wolverine. For that matter, seeing Hulk battle the entire X-Men would be a spectacle in itself.

BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD

As James Gunn gears up for his version of Superman to kickstart Chapter One of the new DCU, it would be a boon for DC Films to introduce the lesser-known DC characters to the mass audience. That's exactly what 2008's Batman: The Brave and the Bold did so well.

Certainly not everyone appreciated the campy, Golden Age-inspired Batman, who was meant as much for laughs as action, but the show worked as comedy. It also served a larger purpose: providing a platform for DC's more obscure characters. From Booster Gold, Etrigan, and Blue Beetle to B'Wanna Beast and Kamandi the Last Boy, Brave and the Bold familiarized kids with plenty of names and faces from DC's extensive past. That could be a perfect formula for Gunn to utilize as he digs into the DC pantheon.

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED

Similar to Brave and the Bold, Justice League Unlimited was a great vehicle for introducing the larger world of DC Comics to a younger audience. The biggest difference between the two shows was the comedy. Where Brave and the Bold went full absurd comedy in line with the 1966 Batman show, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited had a more serious tone. It was still geared towards kids, so JLU didn't get too mature and had its occasional laughs, but it never got too silly. Comic fans appreciated its foundations in the source material without playing all the characters for jokes.

JL and JLU's true success was in expanding the animated DCU. The series helped build a new generation of Justice League fans and showcase the depths of the league's ranks. Certainly Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman were the stars, but each episode presented other characters as worthy teammates. Whether or not Gunn intends to build towards a new live-action Justice League team, only his inner circle knows for sure. Even if the JL isn't on the table, utilizing the animated realm to explore DC's history would be a win.

BATMAN BEYOND

For years now, fans have been begging for more Batman Beyond. The sequel to Batman: The Animated Series, the futuristic, heavily sci-fi Dark Knight continues to gain popularity despite the show having ended in 2001. While he's been spotted in the comics in various iterations, we have yet to see Terry McGinnis make his return to the screen. Not that there haven't been opportunities. Before the DCEU began its reboot phase, there were rumors that Michael Keaton would play an elder Bruce Wayne mentoring Terry in a live-action Batman Beyond film. When that didn't pan out, reports circulated that the driving forces behind Sony's masterful Spider-Verse movies pitched an animated Batman Beyond flick to the old DC Films guard.

With Gunn and Peter Safran helming the DCU, Batman Beyond fans are hoping they will be more receptive to bringing the character back to life. Live-action would be an interesting choice, but a cartoon series revival might be the better action.

SILVER SURFER

Silver Surfer was not exactly a good show...but it could be.

After X-Men: The Animated Series and Spider-Man revived the Marvel cartoon brand on Fox, more projects were in order. So followed Avengers, Iron Man, Fantastic Four, and Silver Surfer. While none of those lived up to the high marks set by X-Men and Spider-Man, they had their fans and could have a second life on Disney Plus thanks to X-Men '97. Of all four shows, Silver Surfer could be the real prize.

Besides Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU to play Doctor Doom, the big news in the Fantastic Four realm has been Julia Garner's casting as Silver Surfer. What has Surfer fans concerned is that it won't be Norrin Radd in the movie; we'll see his wife, Shalla-Bal, riding the magic surf board. That leaves a golden opportunity for a Silver Surfer animated revival.

While the MCU will feature Shalla-Bal, a new show could follow the adventures of Norrin Radd. As we have seen with X-Men '97, fans have loved seeing their favorite characters return in animated form, and that could be the case for the Surfer as well. In essence, it would give audiences two distinct Silver Surfers, both exclusive to their respective universes.

THE SAVAGE DRAGON

Speaking of bad cartoons that could be revamped into something amazing, studios might want to give The Savage Dragon a second look. The series aired from 1995 to 1996 and has been mostly forgotten in the nearly three decades since its final episode. Even Savage Dragon creator Erik Larsen has reportedly called the show "not awesome," which is never a good look for a project. Still, given the lasting popularity of the comics, a reboot/continuation in the right hands could be something great. Of course, it would have to be as mature and tongue-in-cheek as the source material. Here's looking at you, Seth Rogen. After all, he helped bring The Boys and Invincible to life, not to mention reviving the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brand with Mutant Mayhem.