CW's Superheroes/DC's Decline

As autumn beckons, my mind turns not only to crusty leaves, crisp air and pumpkins, but to a new batch of CW's DC/WB superhero shows. Alas, as was the case last year, my faith wanes.

The good vibes started to subside a few seasons back when "Supergirl" joined the CW camp. Contrary to the smooth way the show played on stodgy CBS, things got mighty unorthodox on what many presumed was a more fitting network. 

For starters, bad became good, and good became bad, without a smidgen of ironic justification. James Olsen took pride in slanting news reports; Supergirl gushed over a parallel-plane President, despite the woman's flagrant insincerity (why, oh why, couldn't Lynda Carter have won a more respectable part?); and well, you get the dreadful drift.

It didn't take long for "Supergirl'"s stain to infect the other shows, in particular "Legends of Tomorrow". Though the White Canary-led jaunt retained its "Doctor Who" ambiance, its reinterpreted (and therefore, inaccurate) historical staging became more common than sporadic. 

Crackpot history wasn't CW's only DC misstep. The shows' soap-opera trimmings tiered to a nauseating peak: "The Flash" took delight in our hero's sexual relationship with his "sister", and "Arrow'"s focus fell on sappy squabbles and strained relationships. When scripts did tap some needed virility, it was generally penitentiary-based, pushing most traces of time travel, alternate realities and the need to snuff out corruption and deceit to the back burner.   

Please don't misunderstand: I've no objections to planting plebeian seeds within a fantasy plot line, but dear Lord, it's got to be within reason. When episodes of "Supergirl" catered to dating pursuits and wedding bliss (no matter if the participants were "diverse", "straight" or you name it), I took issue. Leave that fluff stuff to "General Hospital" and "Love of Life", not comic-book adaptations where mad scientists, rampaging robots and verbose apes should occupy the adversarial spotlight.

Okay, perhaps there's still a chance that these disconcerting intersections will lose favor among the execs. "Black Lightning" looks like a great way to set things on course, but considering the other series' track records, how long before it also stumbles? The same might be said of Batwoman, Lois Lane and Dreamer's anticipated intros: sensible, maybe, but if their actions are gimmick-driven, cloudy or (like CW's infrequent-flying Kal-El) designed for shameful defeat, why the bloody hell bother?

Indeed, the current situation leaves DC's followers little reason to feel confident. WB's theatrical scene continues to be hit and miss, with matters now further complicated by Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill's departures. In addition, though the DC/WB's direct-to-disc, animated features have proven exemplary, they come way too few and far between. Then, there's the much hyped, DCEU subscription service, which promises to deliver new cartoon and live-action shows in the near future, but it'll cost $75 a year to test its uncertain waters. Ouch!

Despite these good and/or bad insinuations, it hurts to see DC's most prolific, filmic strand go the Disney/Lucasfilm route. Perhaps the reverberations from "Star Wars'" backlash will rattle CW's leadership enough to reinstate the programs' earlier formats, while WB gets its other houses in order. That's probably too much to ask at this far-gone point, but then if worse comes to worse, we still have Fox's "Gotham" and SyFy's "Krypton" to lean on, right? On the other hand, considering the troubling way things have been going, dare we be so certain?

CW's Black Lightning Strikes!!!

CW has kicked off its live-action adaptation of DC’s “Black Lightning”, a Metropolis-spawned superhero who can project electrical currents from his body to thwart villainy; and yeah, man, the show sure does strike the ideal mark, at least for its initial episode, “Resurrection”. In other words, so far, so good…

Normally, I essay predictions on superhero shows in advance of their premieres, but in this instance, I thought it best to reflect on the product after viewing its introduction. I realize that a good opening doesn’t guarantee a smooth flow for an entire season, but considering the way CW’s other, superhero shows have recently faltered, my optimism for “Black Lightning” wasn’t all that luminous. Taking a little taste before judging it seemed only proper. 

Much of “Resurrection’”s appeal  comes from the actor who plays Jefferson Pierce, the gent otherwise known as Black Lightning. Cress Williams conveys sophistication, style and determination in the role. He's also quite affable and therefore, identifiable. In this instance, however, Cress' interpretation is based on the character as he'd appear in later years, long after he’s retired his superhero guise. 

He’s now a hard-working principal with high principles, and therefore, pretty much like any other productive, law-abiding citizen. Alas, Pierce’s daughter, Jennifer (China Anne McClain), has crossed paths with a gang, and to complicate this, for initial reasons unknown, certain members of the police force seem intent in stopping Pierce in his travels whenever the opportunity arises. Why? Is it due to some vile profiling tactic? Perhaps, but whatever the cause, it's enough to trigger grave concern, making one wonder if these events aren't connected to some higher-order criminality; and if so, will Black Lightning return to remedy them?

The execution of the initial episode is more in tune with “Arrow” than CW’s other productions, but I also sensed a tonal correlation with such grim Marvel/Netflix shows like “The Punisher”, "Luke Cage" and “Daredevil”, though without the layered violence. 

A competent supporting case reinforces this somber tonality and includes Christine Adams; Nafessa Williams; Damon Gupton; and character-actor great, James Remar. 

I’m curious whether “Black Lightning” will build enough momentum to become a CW staple. This might not be an easy task for its creators, considering the slip in CW’s superheroic quality, where a significant blurring of good-vs-bad has occurred: “Supergirl” being the main culprit, of course. On the other hand, “Black Lightning” might be just the right, moral jolt in the arm that the network needs to impact its other DC shows. 

I’d also love to see Pierce team with the other crusaders through a series of crossovers—though only if those crossovers adapt the right, earnest vibe. All we need is to have Black Lightning join the gang in an hour-long song-and-dance routine, and then...well, need I say more?

CW's DC Crusaders Return, But Oh! How The Mighty Have Fallen (An Editorial Lament)

Betrayed! That’s how I feel by last season’s CW superhero shows. How, you might ask? Well, here's the rundown...

First off, “The Flash” was more soap opera than classic DC. It's bordered on such during past paths, but Season 3 took it to a whole new, humdinger level. Sure, the season had some admirable moments, particularly whenever Gorilla Grodd made the scene, but otherwise its momentum was smothered by Barry Allen (Grant Gustin)’s salacious obsession with his adopted sibling. Damn it, why can't he just love Iris as a sister? The two may not be blood related, but all the same, the psychological and environmental ramifications of their coupling causes me discomfort, and from what I've read and heard, I ain't the only one ridin' that righteous train. 

We can only hope that Season 4's character redesign ("reborn/recharged", as CW proclaims) will get us closer to, not farther away from, Allen's better qualities; if not, perhaps the producers would be wise to abandon this current incarnation and transport us back to John Wesley Shipp's '90s universe, or at least some modernized extension of it. That particular CBS version never once strayed from the straight and narrow, and that's precisely what this current show desperately needs--the damn straight and narrow.

While "Flash" slipped significantly from its once noble standing, “Legends of Tomorrow” actually improved on its second run; of course, Season 1 left much to be desired as it wrestled to find its time-travel footing, sometimes seeming more like a "Doctor Who" wannabe than its own thing. 

What improvement Season 2 gained stems from Dominic Purcell’s dry-humored portrayal of Mick Rory/Heat Wave, but even with Purcell's blunt wit, the show has faltered via historical inaccuracies and a general hollowness. Yeah, it was nice to see that episode devoted to young George Lucas, but it never truly felt sincere: Lucas felt more like a fleeting novelty than a man destined to reinvent Alex Raymond's "Flash Gordon". Without the required credibility, there's no sincerity, and without sincerity, the magic dies. (In the same vein, I could go on for days bemoaning the Reagan/Gorbachev installment, but it's suffice to say, it didn't come close to being all that it could have been: another terrible, missed opportunity...)

To worsen the situation, Ray Palmer, the Atom, has been reduced to a bumbling, along-for-the-ride second-stringer. If he was ever given the chance to shine, the writers were quick to bolt him right back to ineptitude. I mean, gee whiz, wasn’t Palmer supposed to be the primary force behind this show? As I recall, a solo Atom series was even considered at one point. So, what happened? This is a real slap in the face to ex-Superman actor, Brandon Routh, who early on shined in the Palmer role. The Atom must be in the forefront—the competent forefront, that is, with all his amazing abilities amply displayed—if "Legends" is ever to succeed. Somehow, though, I doubt Palmer will reclaim his prestigious spot, but oh, how I wish to be proven wrong...

“Arrow”, in contrast to the latter shows, was at least more consistent in its dark, somber tone. However, there were way too many times when Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell)'s heroics were marred by the same ponderous padding that's cursed “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” Instead of experiencing "Arrow" anchored with verbosity and perplexing passages that put Queen at an embarrassing disadvantage, I'd rather that its episodes be cut in half. I know that won't happen, but it still would be preferable to seeing the regal Green Arrow spawn yawns.  

On the other hand, superfluous chit-chat isn't so bad when compared to the monumental way "Supergirl" has derailed. So pleased were we when the series leaped from CBS to CW. The move made sense. Most of us were confident that, in addition to giving Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) more chances to mingle with the other heroes, CW was less likely to make Kara Danvers engage in (and support) skewed politics. Boy, oh boy, were we ever wrong!

Indeed, of all of CW's DC shows, “Supergirl” has become the most ideologically slanted, often favoring elements of corruption before acts of justice. I don’t care if the plots are relegated to some parallel plane. Within "Supergirl'"s sector, good is generally bad, and bad is generally good: distasteful for this character and her regal heritage. 

To add fuel to the fire, the show's guest stars, whether recurring or one-shots, have been shamefully misused, including Dean Cain, Helen Slater, Teri Hatcher, Kevin Sorbo and Lynda Carter. The latter’s misrepresentation stings the most: a conniving Madame President, whose obvious, insincere stance is taken at face value. Okay, Carter isn't playing Wonder Woman here; I realize that, but if she’s supposed to be a baddie, then why isn't that fact acknowledged and/or discussed? That most politicians are corrupt and self-serving might be a given, but that doesn't mean their deceit should ever be accepted with a mere shrug. 

The most heart-wrenching betrayal, however, comes from Superman. Remember how Tyler Hoechlin impressed fans when he flew into Season 2, to the point where the actor and his Man of Steel portrayal seemed destined to give Henry Cavill’s a competitive run for the money? Unfortunately, by Season 2’s close, Kal-El had been diminished into a cruel, mind-controlled parody, incapable of saving the world, let alone supporting his cousin in the cataclysmic circumstances presented. BLASPHEMOUS!!!

Well, at least in “Supergirl’”s case, there may yet be a glimmer of hope, at least some wee promise for the show to return to its roots, if one can believe what one reads. With that said, I still can't shake how the much ballyhooed, second “Flash/Supergirl” (mid-season) crossover was to be a spectacle for the ages, and instead we got an hour-long, musical jaunt that added nothing to either show or for that matter, any of the overlapping plots. Okay, it might be nice to see the cast members show off their talents beyond the DC universe, as in perhaps a non-connecting, variety-show, special-of-the-week, but why squash the established superheroics and story thread? It's like we were being told that these folks are too good for the material they regularly engage in, and we, the fans, needed a cultural awakening, as it were, to reprimand us for our insipid allegiance. That's just plain mean, not to mention sadistically self-indulgent on the participants' part. 

And it's precisely this sort of crazy, CW decision-making that hurts the network's prestige. It doesn't reflect well on DC or WB, either, when such blatant, tradition-stomping is ignored.

If this haphazard, pompous progression continues, DC/WB’s big-screen, Justice League adventures will surely soar without interference, comparison or complaint among fans. As it stands, CW's recent programming has been more a curse than a blessing to those who've tuned in; I wonder how many viewers will remain on board. I can only hope that the tarnish left by the shows' sappy and misdirected experimentation will wash away. It's a pity we can't just jettison the damage to some faraway, unseen, alternate reality: one that we and our heroes would be honored to scorn and better yet, forget. 

Justice Returns to CW: Arrow, Flash, Legends, and Supergirl!!!

CW has the corner covered on DC action heroes, occupying four nights out of seven with adapted, comic-book hits: "Arrow", "The Flash", "Legends of Tomorrow" and (yes, it finally happened) "Supergirl". (The adventurous fun starts Oct 4).

"Supergirl" was dumped by CBS: a blessing for its fans. After the Flash appearance on "World's Finest", it was obvious that Kal-El's cousin deserved a better, more appreciative locale. Heck, the crossover's stellar ratings didn't do a thing to impress CBS execs, but CBS' loss is CW's gain, and the line-up is gonna be a wonder to behold, with all these stellar heroes soaring through one connecting stretch. 

"Flash" and "Legends" certainly stirred the pot with their parallel-universe/time-travel escapades: the impact of which will undoubtedly influence "Arrow" and "Supergirl", but to what extent is yet to be seen. There's much mystery surrounding what might develop, including of all things, a musical team-up, but the speculation only adds to the excitement. 

For example, back-up characters like the Martian Manhunter or Jay Garrick (preferably John Wesley Shipp's version) could dart beyond their evident, fixed bases. I mean, gee whiz, thanks to CW, we're even going to see Superman make visible appearances in the form of Tyler Hoechlin. Wow!!! Let's face it, if "Supergirl" had remained on CBS, Superman would have at best and most remained in the impractical shadows. 

Say, wouldn't it be cool if Brandon Routh were to meet the new, television Superman? How 'bout, for that matter, the Atom and Supergirl crossing paths, or perhaps Dean Cain meeting Hoechlin and/or Routh, and well, you get the idea.

This is truly a golden age for superheroic television, and let's not forget all those cool Marvel entries on Netflix, as well as ABC's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."; too bad, though, "Agent Carter" didn't prevail. Big loss there. Nonetheless, CW's staff should be proud of the way it's covering the DC end of it. 

Sure, Spielberg might be right when he says that the current superhero craze will go the way of the western (i.e., eventually wear out its welcome), but for now, let's rejoice in what we have. This is one genre that deserved to go big--and I mean, really big--long ago and would have been so in the late '70s (with offshoots for the likes of "The Incredible Hulk", "Spider-man"..."Wonder Woman"), if not for Nielson-rating interference. Better late than never, though, that the bonanza has finally come and with so many fruitful avenues yet to explore.