11 ’70s Superheroes of TV: ‘Six Million Dollar Man,’ ‘Hulk,’ ‘Wonder Woman,’ ‘Isis,’ More

Given the summer 2025 success of both Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps and DC’s new version of Superman, it may be difficult to believe there was a time when those two companies did not rule the big screen or the small. In fact,  the television airwaves were filled with a variety of 70s superheroes, some based on comics (The Incredible Hulk) and others not (Man from Atlantis).

The ’70s was a transitional decade for the genre, where the colorful camp of the ‘60s Batman series was still casting a long shadow, but audiences were starting to want something a little different and, depending on the night of the week you tuned in, they began to get it.

This was the time The Six Million Dollar Man redefined what a TV superhero could look like. Steve Austin didn’t wear a cape, but his slow-motion leaps and bionic sound effects were etched into our pop culture memory just as deeply as any comic book crusader. Over on CBS Saturday mornings, Shazam! took a more straightforward route: a teenage boy shouting a magic word, turning into a caped hero and delivering moral lessons between battles with mild-mannered villains. The tone was often way too earnest, but kids loved it.

And then there was Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman, a show that started with World War II-era adventures before being modernized midstream. Her iconic twirl-to-transform, bullet-deflecting bracelets and charm helped elevate the series beyond its comic book roots. From there, the networks kept rolling the dice.

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There were oddities, too, like Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, a Saturday morning riff on Batman’s POW!-wham! glory days; or Man from Atlantis, which gave us Patrick Duffy with gills and webbed fingers, searching the seas for something more. And after doing some searching of our own in regard to 70s superheroes, we’re presenting the findings in the form of the primetime and Saturday morning heroes below.

1. ‘The Six Million Dollar Man’ (1973–1978, ABC, TV Series)

Superhero confidential: After a near-fatal crash, astronaut Steve Austin is “rebuilt” with bionic implants that give him superhuman strength, speed and vision. As an agent of the Office of Scientific Intelligence, he takes on dangerous missions that blend espionage with superhero-style feats, becoming a 1970s icon of man-and-machine heroism. 
Cast: Lee Majors (Col. Steve Austin), Richard Anderson (Oscar Goldman), Martin E. Brooks (Dr. Rudy Wells)
Behind-the-scenes: Adapted from Martin Caidin’s novel Cyborg, the show began with three successful TV movies in 1973 before going to series in 1974. Produced by Harve Bennett, it was known for its slow-motion action sequences and electronic “bionic” sound effects. The show’s popularity sparked a media franchise, including spin-offs (The Bionic Woman), comic books, toys and reunion movies.
Looking back…: Anyone who was a kid or young teen in the 1970s undoubtedly did their best to run in slow motion to imitate Steve Austin, but the show went through quite a transformation from an exploration of a guy desperately trying to hold on to his humanity while coping with his bionic implants to battling things like… Big Foot! It could be goofy, but nostalgically speaking, the show was awesome.

2. ‘Wonder Woman’ (1974, ABC, TV Movie Pilot)

Superhero confidential: This early take on Wonder Woman reimagined Diana Prince as a more grounded, secret agent-like character. She retains some of her Amazonian powers but operates in a world of spies and sabotage, bearing little resemblance to her traditional comic book counterpart.
Cast: Cathy Lee Crosby (Wonder Woman/Diana Prince), Kaz Garas (Steve Trevor), Ricardo Montalbán (Abner Smith)
Behind-the-scenes: Produced by Douglas S. Cramer and written by John D.F. Black, this pilot strayed from comic book tradition and gave Wonder Woman a modified costume and tone. While the ratings weren’t strong enough for an immediate pickup, it laid the groundwork for the more faithful and successful 1975 reboot starring Lynda Carter.
Looking back…: Uh, no! Given how far removed this was from the comic that inspired it, one has to wonder why they even bothered. And this version didn’t even have Lynda Carter going for it (no disrespect intended, Cathy Lee Crosby).

3. ‘Shazam!’ (1974–1976, CBS, TV Series)

Superhero confidential: Teenager Billy Batson travels across America in a motorhome with his mentor (oddly named Mentor). By speaking the word “Shazam!,” he transforms into the mighty Captain Marvel, wielding the powers of ancient gods to protect the innocent and teach moral lessons.
Cast: Michael Gray (Billy Batson), Jackson Bostwick / John Davey (Captain Marvel), Les Tremayne (Mentor)
Behind-the-scenes: Produced by Filmation, this Saturday morning live-action show was among the first of its kind. It emphasized morality plays, often concluding with a PSA-like lesson. Bostwick was replaced by Davey in Season 2 amid contract disputes. Despite its low-budget effects, the show achieved cult status and remains a milestone in televised superhero storytelling—especially for Saturday mornings, which is where it aired.
Looking back…: This was admittedly a lot of fun, although Bostwick was so much better as Captain Marvel than Davey. The moral lessons might have made you want to barf, but it was a solid Saturday morning diversion while we were waiting for the coming of true superhero adventures (Superman: The Movie was only a few years away).

4. ‘The Secrets of Isis’ (1975–1977, CBS, TV Series)

Superhero confidential: High school teacher Andrea Thomas discovers an ancient Egyptian amulet that allows her to transform into the goddess Isis, giving her powers over the natural world. As Isis, she protects her students and community with wisdom and elemental strength.
Cast: Joanna Cameron (Isis/Andrea Thomas), Brian Cutler (Rick Mason), Joanna Pang (Cindy Lee)
Behind-the-scenes: Also produced by Filmation, Isis was created as a female-led counterpart to Shazam! and the two often aired together as “The Shazam!/Isis Hour.” With crossovers between the two shows, it marked a milestone as the first American live-action superhero show with a female lead. Cameron’s performance earned her a devoted fan following, and the character was later incorporated into DC Comics continuity.
Looking back…: There may have been plots to the episodes but to be honest, we couldn’t tell you one of them. That being said, Joanna Cameron was quite memorable as Isis and made the show a true highlight of Saturday mornings.

5. ‘Wonder Woman’ (1975–1979, ABC/CBS, TV Series)

Superhero confidential: Princess Diana of Themyscira leaves her hidden Amazonian island home to help fight the forces of evil in the world of man. As Wonder Woman, she possesses super strength, agility, a golden Lasso of Truth, indestructible bracelets and a magical invisible jet. Disguised as Diana Prince, she works alongside government agencies to uphold justice, first during WWII and later in the modern day.
Cast: Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman/Diana Prince), Lyle Waggoner (Steve Trevor, Seasons 1–3; Steve Trevor Jr. in Seasons 2–3)
Behind-the-scenes: After the Cathy Lee Crosby pilot failed to launch a series, ABC ordered a new, more faithful version. Produced by Douglas S. Cramer and Stanley Ralph Ross, the first season was set during World War II and embraced the colorful camp of the comics. When CBS picked it up for Seasons 2 and 3, the setting was updated to the 1970s. Lynda Carter’s performance became iconic, and the show helped cement Wonder Woman as a pop culture icon. The spinning transformation sequence and Carter’s physical grace became signature elements of the series.
Looking back…: Gal Gadot made a great big screen Wonder Woman, but for an entire generation there was no one but Lynda Carter. As was the case with Isis, none of the show’s plotlines come to mind, but Carter as WW certainly does.

6. ‘The Bionic Woman’ (1976–1978, ABC/NBC, TV Series)

Superhero confidential: Jaime Sommers was a professional tennis player who became critically injured in a skydiving accident. Thanks to advanced bionic technology—similar to that which saved Steve Austin in The Six Million Dollar Man—she is rebuilt with superhuman hearing, strength and speed. As an agent for the Office of Scientific Intelligence, Jaime balances secret missions with her personal struggles, becoming one of TV’s first truly complex female action heroes.
Cast: Lindsay Wagner (Jaime Sommers), Richard Anderson (Oscar Goldman), Martin E. Brooks (Dr. Rudy Wells)
Behind-the-scenes: Jaime Sommers was originally introduced in a two-part episode of The Six Million Dollar Man and was meant to die at the end of her storyline. However, fan response was so overwhelming that the character was revived and given her own spin-off. Lindsay Wagner’s nuanced performance earned her a 1977 Emmy Award, a first for a female lead in a science fiction or superhero series. The show ran for three seasons (two on ABC and one on NBC) and spawned several crossover episodes and reunion movies with Steve Austin.
Looking back…: Even back in the day, we knew there was something different and special about Jaime Sommers, thanks to the performance offered by Lindsay Wagner. No matter how silly some of the stories got (and they really did—we’re talking to you, Max, the bionic dog), she somehow made it all feel real. Okay, maybe not Max, but everything else.

7. ‘Electra Woman and Dyna Girl’ (1976, ABC, TV Series—Segment of ‘The Krofft Supershow’)

Superhero confidential: Crime-fighting journalist Lori becomes Electra Woman and teams up with her teen sidekick Judy, aka Dyna Girl. Equipped with high-tech gadgets and operating out of their “ElectraBase,” they battle a rogues’ gallery of flamboyant villains.
Cast: Deidre Hall (Electra Woman), Judy Strangis (Dyna Girl)
Behind-the-Scenes: Created by Sid and Marty Krofft, the series aired as a recurring segment on The Krofft Supershow and was clearly inspired by the 1960s Batman series. Though aimed at a younger audience, its over-the-top villains, catchphrases and retro sci-fi aesthetic have made it a cult favorite.
Looking back…: Deidre Hall, who went on to fame on Days of Our Lives, brought sincerity to the campy format. The show only lasted one season but remains a nostalgic gem. An okay edition to the genre, but, c’mon, we ain’t talking Isis or Wonder Woman here!

8. ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ (1977–1979, CBS, TV Series)

Superhero confidential: After being bitten by a radioactive spider, college student Peter Parker gains the proportionate strength, agility and wall-crawling ability of a spider. He dons a homemade costume and uses his powers to fight crime as Spider-Man while keeping his identity secret as a freelance photographer.
Cast: Nicholas Hammond (Peter Parker/Spider-Man), Michael Pataki (Captain Barbera), Ellen Bry (Julie Masters, Season 2)
Behind-the-scenes: Produced by Charles Fries and Dan Goodman, this was the first live-action television series starring Spider-Man. The show emphasized low-stakes crime drama rather than supervillains due to budgetary limits. Despite strong ratings for the 1977 pilot movie, CBS only sporadically aired episodes, fearing the “superhero glut” from also broadcasting The Incredible Hulk and Wonder Woman. Still, it was popular with younger viewers, and Hammond’s earnest performance laid the groundwork for future adaptations.
Looking back…: This show was really bad, driven home by the fact that Spidey’s “webs” looked more like ropes. Still, Hammond was a sincere and effective Peter Parker. We had to wait about 25 years before we got a real Spider-Man on film in the form of Tobey Maguire in Sam Raimi’s 2002 film.

9. ‘The Incredible Hulk’ (1977–1982, CBS, TV Series)

Superhero confidential: After a lab accident involving gamma radiation, scientist David Banner transforms into a powerful green-skinned creature whenever he becomes angry. On the run and presumed dead, Banner travels from town to town under assumed names, trying to find a cure while being pursued by a tabloid reporter.
Cast: Bill Bixby (Dr. David Banner), Lou Ferrigno (The Hulk), Jack Colvin (Jack McGee)
Behind-the-scenes: Developed by Kenneth Johnson, The Incredible Hulk brought a more dramatic, adult tone to the superhero genre. Inspired as much by The Fugitive as by the comic, it emphasized character-driven stories and social themes.
Looking back…: Ferrigno’s silent, muscular Hulk and Bixby’s sensitive portrayal made a lasting impression. The show was a ratings success, running five seasons and spawning several post-series TV movies in the late ’80s. It remains one of the most respected superhero shows of the decade and we have nothing snarky to say, beyond the fact that late in its run it definitely fell into formula.

10. ‘Man from Atlantis’ (1977–1978, NBC, TV Series)

Superhero confidential: Found unconscious on a beach with no memory and strange abilities, a mysterious man dubbed “Mark Harris” is believed to be the last survivor of the lost civilization of Atlantis. Possessing webbed hands and feet, the ability to breathe underwater, and superhuman strength, Mark joins the Foundation for Oceanic Research to explore the world’s oceans and protect the planet from environmental and extraterrestrial threats.
Cast: Patrick Duffy (Mark Harris), Belinda Montgomery (Dr. Elizabeth Merrill), Alan Fudge (C.W. Crawford)
Behind-the-scenes: Created by Mayo Simon and Herbert F. Solow, Man from Atlantis premiered as a series of four TV movies in early 1977 before transitioning to a short-lived weekly series. Robert Justman (of Star Trek fame) served as producer. NBC hoped to capitalize on the post-Jaws aquatic craze and sci-fi resurgence, but the show struggled in the ratings. Though it lasted only 13 episodes, it launched Patrick Duffy’s career and remains a cult favorite for its earnest tone and underwater action sequences. It also made waves internationally, becoming one of the first American shows sold to China.
Looking back…: While short-lived, Man from Atlantis was actually one of the better superhero shows of the decade. The scripts were fairly intelligent and Duffy was so damn likable as the innocent Mark Harris. Victor Buono, best known as King Tut on the Adam West Batman series, chewed the scenery as Mark’s arch enemy, Mr. Schubert.

11. ‘Legends of the Superheroes’ (1979, NBC, Two-Part TV Special)

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Superhero confidential: The Justice League of America—including Batman, Robin, Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, and others—teams up to celebrate a retirement and later to foil a villainous plot. The specials parody superhero conventions with campy humor, colorful costumes and intentionally exaggerated performances.
Cast: Adam West (Batman), Burt Ward (Robin), Garrett Craig (Captain Marvel), Howard Murphy (Green Lantern), Bill Nuckols (Hawkman), Alfie Wise (The Atom), and others
Behind-the-scenes: Produced by Hanna-Barbera and aired as a pair of specials (The Challenge and The Roast), this live-action oddity reunited Batman stars West and Ward while introducing other DC heroes rarely seen in live-action. Intended as lighthearted fare, it resembled a superhero-themed variety show more than a proper action series. Though widely panned and forgotten for decades, it has since been re-evaluated by fans for its sheer novelty and pre-Justice League ambition.
Looking back…: Given the campy craze of West and Ward’s Batman in the 1960s, there seems to be something appropriate in wrapping up our list with this entry, though those specials are really bad. Truthfully, it’s not even stupid fun, just…dopey, and it felt like a relic from a past era.