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This year, shows based on comic books are sweeping the Emmys. The Marvel series WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier took home a combined 28 nominations. And WandaVision has already won three. The Boys and The Umbrella Academy each scored several nominations, as well. 

In addition, Lucifer and Doom Patrol have joined the party, with each series grabbing a nomination of its own.

What is ‘Lucifer’ nominated for?

Tom Ellis in 'Lucifer'
Tom Ellis in ‘Lucifer’ Tom Ellis in ‘Lucifer’I Fox/Getty Images

The series is based on the incarnation of Lucifer seen in Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman comics and Mike Carey’s Lucifer spinoff, published by the DC Comics imprint Vertigo. In the TV show, Lucifer (Tom Ellis), having grown weary of his role as leader of Hell, relocates to Earth. He works with the LA Police Department to solve murders and falls in love with Detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German).

This year, the show was nominated for an Emmy in the category of choreography for scripted programming. This is the show’s first nomination. While the show originally aired on Fox, all six seasons of it are now available to stream on Netflix.

What is Doom Patrol nominated for?

Doom Patrol is based on DC Comics, as well. The premise is that a group of misfits with powers come together to form an unlikely team of superheroes, finding themselves in all kinds of bizarre and absurd situations.

The series this year was nominated for an Emmy in the category of stunt coordination. Doom Patrol was originally streamed on DC Universe and now streams on HBO Max. The first three episodes of its third season will premiere on Sept. 23.

Comic book shows and movies during awards season

Marvel comic books on sale
Marvel comic books on sale in London, 2017 | Ollie Millington/Getty Images
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The good news for Lucifer and Doom Patrol is that they might have a better chance of taking home a win than they would have a couple years ago.

Traditionally, the Television Academy has not looked upon comic book-inspired media particularly favorably. Indeed, genre fiction in general has tended not to do as well as reality-based dramas and comedies when it comes to awards.

But comics and the films and shows based on them have continued to grow in popularity over recent years, and have proliferated as a result. And it looks like the Academy might be starting to take these projects more seriously. 

WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, The Boys, and The Umbrella Academy have all snagged nominations this year. And that’s in addition to the 24 nominations for The Mandalorian. While the latter is not based on a comic book, it is certainly genre fiction. So perhaps the days of sci-fi, fantasy, and comic book-based shows being largely shut out are coming to an end.

If you want to see which of your favorite comic book-inspired series will take home a win, the ceremony will air on CBS at 5 p.m. PDT/8 p.m. EST on Sept. 19. You can also stream it on Paramount+, Hulu Plus Live TV, YouTube TV, and FuboTV.

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