We all love a good superhero smackdown. Watching Superman hurl a villain through a skyscraper or Batman trade blows with the Joker is pure adrenaline. But what about the regular folks trying to grab a coffee while a Kryptonian is using their office building as a punching bag? For them, every epic battle is a potential workplace hazard. That's the brilliant premise of Powerless, a 2017 NBC sitcom that's now streaming all 12 episodes on Prime Video—and it's the perfect weekend binge for anyone who's ever wondered who cleans up after the capes fly.
Set in Charm City (a smaller, less glamorous cousin to Metropolis and Gotham), Powerless stars Vanessa Hudgens as Emily, an optimistic new manager at Wayne Security. Yes, that Wayne. The company, a subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises, is tasked with creating gadgets for the powerless—everyday citizens who just want to survive a superhero fight without getting flattened by a falling bus. Think umbrellas that deflect debris, villain deterrents, and other life-saving doodads. The team is led by the brilliant but cynical Teddy (Danny Pudi) and the lovable Ron (Ron Funches), who are understandably wary of Emily—she's their fifth boss in a year.
The real scene-stealer is Alan Tudyk as Van Wayne, Bruce Wayne's selfish, boastful, and hilariously incompetent cousin. Van dreams of shutting down the Charm City division to score a cushy corporate gig in Gotham, but Emily's team has other plans. Under her leadership, they develop a wrist-worn supervillain detector that catches the Joker's attention—and Batman's. The device becomes a massive hit, saving the company and forcing Van to stay put. It's a classic underdog story with a superhero twist.
For DC die-hards, Powerless is a treasure trove of Easter eggs. The pilot alone features obscure characters like Crimson Fox and Jack O'Lantern, plus a cameo from Starro the Conqueror (last seen in The Suicide Squad). Later episodes nod to President Lex Luthor's comic-book presidency and even poke fun at the infamous "Superman reverses time" plot from the 1978 film. The show's love for DC lore is evident in every frame, from the Kane and Finger's Pub (a tribute to Batman's creators) to a henchman-for-the-Riddler subplot that's pure comedic gold.
Sadly, Powerless was ahead of its time. It premiered during the grim, humorless era of the Snyderverse, when DC films were all brooding and no laughs. The show was canceled after just nine aired episodes (three more were produced but never broadcast). Today, with James Gunn bringing levity back to the DCU, Powerless feels like a lost gem that would thrive in the current landscape. It's a funny, clever love letter to the comics that never got the chance to grow.
If you're looking for a lighthearted superhero fix that doesn't involve world-ending stakes, Powerless is your show. It's a reminder that even in a universe of gods and monsters, the little guys—and their gadgets—matter. So grab some popcorn, stream it on Prime Video, and enjoy a weekend where the only thing collapsing is your laughter. Just make sure no supers are thrown through your TV.
