Follow the Leader: Episode 73: Comic Book Geography!

Martinex1: Hope everybody is having a wonderful May so far! The Summer months and vacation season are upon us.   But what do we have in store for today?  Who knows?  It is up to the leader every Tuesday when a faithful commentator gets a chance to set up a topic!  Take it away...

Chew the Fat: The Bronze Age on Current TV

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. 

TV Guided: Who Else Deserves a Shot at Prime Time?

Redartz:  Good day, all!  Today we feature a topic suggested by our friend and frequent commenter, Charlie Horse 47: given the plethora of shows the past few years centered on and around our favorite heroes, what characters have been overlooked by the "Powers that Be"?

Martinex1:   There sure have been a lot of programs over the decades that fall into our hobby wheelhouse.  It may have seemed sparse when we were growing up, but between Saturday morning live-action shows and the occasional nighttime classic we still had some choices.   Today though with Supergirl, The Flash, Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Daredevil, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and the upcoming Defenders, it is a good thing that somebody invented the DVR.

Redartz:  Quite right! I don't know what I'd do without Netflix and CW on Demand from our cable provider. It's almost an embarrasment of riches, hero-wise. Who would have thought, thirty years ago, what we'd have to choose from today?

Martinex1:  I still have a fondness in my heart for that strange Shazam! show.   Riding the highways and biways in a Winnebago with a guy named Mentor, Billy Batson converses with animated Greek gods, yells "Shazam," becomes Captain Marvel, and fights some bullies on dirt bikes, saves a girl who loves horses,  and protects kids from falling boulders!  It is so bad it is good!

Redartz:  Back in the day, I was nuts over The Green Hornet, and of course Batman. I also liked Incredible Hulk , and watched (but was less than ecstatic about) Nicholas Hammond as Spider-Man. Now I never miss Gotham, Supergirl, Flash and Legends. It's amazing to me, each week, how much detail and attention is given in these shows to their four color origins.

Martinex1:  As far as what I would like to see some day on TV,  I will stay off the A-List and leave those characters for the theaters.   I'd like small screen versions of Monark Starstalker (from Marvel Premiere fame) in a more cerebral space adventure ala Space 1999.  Or 3-D Man in a 1950's battle with shape changing Skrulls.  Or even better, ROM's adventures against the Dire Wraiths in Clairton, West Virginia. 

I'd also like to see a fourth-wall breaking version of She-Hulk on TV. 

The only casting selections I can think of would be Timothy Olyphant as Starstalker.  And I'd like to see Lance Henriksen, Peter Weller, and Bill Paxton as Skrulls.

Redartz: What (who?) would I like to see? Like you, Marti, I'd avoid the big guns and leave them for the big screen. How about...Deadman- great potential as a crime/horror meld.  Man-Thing: could be done as a creepy anthology, kind of like Gerber's original version was. And Marti, I'd tune in to watch your 4th. wall She-Hulk every episode!

What shows would all of you schedule? Any casting suggestions?  Go for it, the networks are listening...