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| Crisis on Earth X- Now that's a lineup... |
Redartz: Greetings, everyone! From time to time here at BitBA, we've discussed some of the current trends in Marvel/DC films. Last week we touched a bit on the tv aspect, prompted by the phenomenal four hour crossover on the CW. So today, let's 'chew the fat' about those and other shows. Many of the characters and story elements these shows are using originate from our fondly-remembered Bronze age. For instance, the protagonists of Iron Fist and Luke Cage both were created during the 70's, and their heyday as a team was found in comics from that decade and the next. Likewise, the Defenders (albeit with a notably different lineup) was born in the BA.
On the DC side: Gotham has made use of many, many characters from every Batman era. Harvey Bullock is a prime character, who first appeared in the Bronze. Then there is Professor Hugo Strange, who (although created decades earlier) figured prominently in the series; he was 'resurrected' from obscurity by Englehart and Rogers.
"Legends" features Firestorm, Vixen, Vibe, and others alongside such veterans as Rip Hunter, Atom and Captain Cold. Supergirl has really dipped into comics history; lately (spoiler alert!) hinting at appearances of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Flash also is known for extensive use of comic themes and 'Easter Eggs'.
Personally, I've enjoyed all of these shows; Marvel and DC. Some more than others; for various reasons. But Flash, Supergirl and Legends are 'must see' shows at our house. And last week's "Crisis on Earth X" was the most amazing comics entertainment I've seen on the small screen in memory. It turned me into a ten-year old all over again, geeking out over all the characters, all the humor, and all the melodrama. All the best of everything good comic tales have to offer. If you haven't seen it, do your self a big favor and catch it.
As for more specifics, let's hear from you. Do you like any of these, or other current comics-based programs? If not, why? Are there any specific arcs, or characters, or 'hidden references' that struck you? Do you feel these shows have been faithful to their Silver and Bronze age origins? And would you like to see more such crossovers? Let your inner tv critic loose.
9 comments:
Really, really enjoying Gotham. Otherwise I've watched a bit of DD and Cage which are also enjoyable. I have to wonder how big the market is for superhero fare? And, is it fair to say that the growth in superhero TV is not translating into comic sales growth?
I'm going to be (again) in the minority here, but other than the first few episodes of Supergirl and any Mark Hammill 'Flash' episodes, I haven't watched any. I haven't desired to carve any time out for 'em, plus I really don't like the original Bronze ideas used for a simple group of street-clothed heroes (Luke Cage, DD, Defenders...).
For me, if you're going to use the name, put 'em all in costumes.
I know these new shows are designed for network viewing figures and 'mass consumption' but somehow their costuming styles didn't prevent our original heroes in our 'funny books' from becoming today's legends.
Charlie is certainly correct.., as discussed before, these beloved characters have certainly transcended their original medium for the cinema and television. I applaud this, but again as mentioned above, at what cost..?
I'll stick to filling my Silver Age and early Bronze collection holes. :)
Enjoy, everyone!
I like all the DC shows and Black Lightning starts in January; although it supposedly won't be connected to the other shows, they have 52 parallel universes to play with, so they could always retcon it in.
Supergirl has been great, especially Alex and J'onn's character arcs; Flash has gotten better and so has Legends, mostly because they seemed to abandon logic and decided to have fun with the concept. For me, Arrow is the weakest right now, but maybe they can get back in the groove.
Gotham is great because it makes no sense; the writers must just sit around saying "What's the craziest thing we could possibly do? Okay, let's do that!"
I've kind of lost interest in Agents of SHIELD; I watched it last year, but didn't bother with the premiere last week. The excitement just isn't there for me anymore. I do like the Netflix shows (I even liked Iron Fist and Defenders, at least more than most people seem to) and I'm looking forward to the Punisher series.
I've watched all the Netflix Marvel shows and my favorites are Daredevil and Defenders. I'm currently about half way through The Punisher. The main thing I don't like about these shows is the way they always seem to be apologizing for being based on silly "comic books". Like the way no one wears a costume (except Daredevil), and even that looks very little like his comic book suit, to the point that it doesn't even have the "DD" on his chest anywhere. And when he wore the costume in the Defenders, they made sure that the other heroes were like "Why are you dressed in that stupid devil costume?" Plus half the time they call him "The Devil of Hell's Kitchen" instead of Daredevil, like that is somehow less "geeky". So that kind of thing irritates me. Otherwise the shows are fairly decent action adventure fare.
As for the DC shows on The CW. I have watched Arrow from the beginning, but I actually am not watching this season. All the forced melodrama is just becoming a bit too tedious. And now that Oliver has a kid to deal with, the made up angst just got ramped up past my tolerance limit. Plus, how many times is his "secret" identity going to be exposed? This has happened at least twice before on the show, only to have the genie put back in the bottle. I mean, how stupid are the people of this city?
I watched the first 2 seasons of Supergirl, and DC's Legends of Tomorrow, but I realized last year that I would let several episodes build up in my DVR and then I would have to kind of force myself to watch them. It really came to seem more like a chore than something I enjoyed. So, I decided to spare myself the pain this season. I'm sorry, but Supergirl is just bad in almost every way that I can think of. Bad writing, bad acting, bad special effects. It's just… bad. And I pretty much feel the same way about DCs LOT too. (This is of course just my opinion). I may watch the current seasons of SG, Arrow, and DCs LOT on Netflix in few months, if Netflix is still running them.
The only CW show I'm still watching is The Flash, and I must say it's been pretty good so far this season. They've toned down the angst factor quite a bit, and the stories have been a bit more fun. Plus they introduced The Elongated Man this season, and that's been really great. (I never thought I'd see the day). Hopefully the rest of the season will maintain the same lighter tone throughout.
I also have the 4-part "Crisis on Earth X" crossover on my DVR and I plan to watch it. Hopefully it will be fun.
Okay, let me start out by saying I am a Marvel Geek. There, feel so much better.
I do think that's what allows me to watch the CW shows and enjoy them. I have nothing invested in these people. NOTHING!!! I don't care if they change their origin, back story, add new people, give Kara an adopted family (Superman and Supergirl). Not at all, not one bit. And I really thought before Supergirl's first season on CBS, I was gonna hate it. I have watched the crossovers and really liked them. Though, hindsight wise, last year's really pales now in comparison to this years. (Oh, Mike, just a correction, there are 53 parallel earths. One earth is so bad no one wants to go there, Earth X.)
As I said before, I loved the "call back" to classic TV/Movie idioms. The Good Guy/Bad Guy doppelgangers, the heroes in a concentration camp, Heat Wave's "I hate Nazis", they just hit all the bases!!! I guess I'm just living in the moment with these DC shows.
That being said, that is the very reason I've stayed away from the Netflix shows. Can I take another hit to my childhood? However, my sister and one of her coworkers are huge, HUGE, fans of the Netflix shows. She calls, okay, texts me with questions all the time. ALL. THE. TIME.
(Woke up this morning, started to sneeze
I had a cigarette and a cup of tea
I looked in the mirror what did I see
A nine stone weakling with knobbly knees
I did my knees bend press ups touch my toes
I had another sneeze and I blew my nose
I looked in the mirror at my pigeon chest
I had to put on my clothes because it made me depressed
Surely there must be a way
For me to change the shape I'm in
Dissatisfied is what I am
I want to be a better man
Superman Superman wish I could fly like Superman
Superman Superman I want to be like Superman
I want to be like Superman
Superman Superman wish I could fly like Superman
Woke up this morning, what did I see
A big black cloud hanging over me
I switched on the radio and nearly dropped dead
The news was so bad that I fell out of bed
There was a gas strike, oil strike, lorry strike, bread strike
Got to be a Superman to survive
Gas bills, rent bills, tax bills, phone bills
I'm such a wreck but I'm staying alive
Look in the paper, what do I see,
Robbery, violence, insanity.
Hey girl we've got to get out of this place
There's got to be something better than this
I need you, but I hate to see you this way
If I were Superman then we'd fly away
I'd really like to change the world
And save it from the mess it's in
I'm too weak, I'm so thin
I'd like to fly but I can't even swim
Superman Superman I want to fly like Superman
Superman Superman wish I could fly like Superman
Superman Superman wish I could fly like Superman
Superman Superman I want to be like Superman
Superman Superman I want to fly like Superman).
Thanks for your thoughts and comments, all!
Charlie- with you on Gotham. My wife and I just binged the last four episodes to get caught up. As for how the shows have translated into sales? A very good question. I'll have to look into that and report back. Perhaps someone among us has some info along those lines...
David_b and William- yes, the lack of costumes is a negative. I still enjoy the Marvel shows, but that's part of why I prefer the DC shows (A tough admission for a Marvel zuvembie). And William, it was fun to see Ralph Digby show up. And let us know what you think of the crossover; I'd love to hear your impressions.
Prowl- good point about your 'lack of investment' in the DC backstories. It seems easier to just enjoy the many comic references that do come up, when the divergences aren't a big issue for you.
For a long time I followed the DC shows particularly the Flash and I really liked them. Haven’t had much time to follow lately but I like what I’ve seen in pictures - costumes and all.
I like the Netflix world as well. But much different. Much more R rated - particularly Jessica Jones and the Punisher. I liked both but they are very violent. I do not like the Punisher as a character in comics, but on Netflix it is much more like a Death Wish type movie.
@Prowler: Yeah, after I wrote that I remembered Wells talking about the 53rd Earth that nobody mentions, but I didn't correct myself; good catch :)
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