EVERYTHING BUT IMAGINARY #182: WHAT'S ON THE TUBE?

[Blake Petit]

So here it is, friends, the beginning of a new fall television season, and we as comic book fans have a lot of different shows of special interest to us. There are shows based on comics, shows with comic creators involved, and shows that just plain look cool. Now let’s be honest here, not everything on the air is going to be worth watching – heck, chances are most of it won’t – but that doesn’t mean we can’t still hope, speculate, and keep our fingers crossed.

Let’s look at Saturday morning first. Last year, the Cartoon Network cancelled two of the most beloved geek shows on the market, namely Justice League Unlimited and Teen Titans. The new CW Network, though, is going to try to fill the void a little bit with a new DC superhero cartoon, Legion of Super-Heroes. This version of the classic science fiction series will feature a large group of Legionnaires, joined not by Superboy, but by a “young Superman.” (The immediate assumption when this news came out was that the litigation over the Superboy trademark was keeping him out of the show. I leave you to debate that on your own.)

No matter why the cast was chosen the way it was, I’m anxious to see if this show is any good. The first superhero comics I ever read were Green Lantern and Legion of Super-Heroes, and as such, they both hold a special place in my heart. I want this to be a good show. I want this to be a great show. I haven’t really seen much about it yet, outside of a few promo images, but I’ve got my fingers crossed.

Filling the void over at the Cartoon Network is a new Fantastic Four cartoon, which has already premiered, but which I haven’t had a chance to watch yet. I’m a longtime fan of the FF, as you well know, but I’m still pretty mad at the Cartoon Network over the whole Justice League Unlimited fiasco. I was pretty unhappy with them to begin with, actually. I’ve found that my interest in the Cartoon Network declines in precise relation to how little they show old Hanna-Barbera cartoons anymore. I want to watch the FF cartoon, if for no other reason than to assuage my curiosity, but it isn’t easy to motivate myself to seek it out.

There are a few live-action shows on the air for us as well – most notably the sixth season of Smallville. I love this show. I think it’s perhaps the best live-action Superman series ever put to screen. There are missteps in it (the Clark/Lana thing was stretched out far too long, for example), but they’ve got the spirit of the characters nailed down perfectly. Michael Rosenbaum in particular, as Lex Luthor, is an impressive figure. He’s a tragic figure, not an evil one – somebody who’s struggling against his own heritage to be a good person, and failing. This sixth season will add a new semi-regular, one “Oliver Queen,” and will reportedly bring back guest-stars from previous seasons, including Victor Stone (“Cyborg”) and Bart Allen (“The Flash”).

As much as I love this show (in fact, it’s a point of personal pride for me that I’ve managed to get my girlfriend hooked on it as well), I think this season should probably wrap it up. The point of the series, the heart of it, is that it’s a show about the boy who will become Earth’s greatest hero. There’s not too much farther to go in this story before the boy becomes a man, and once it becomes “The Adventures of Superman,” Smallville would lose its uniqueness. I hope that if the show does end this season, though, they finish it with a bang.

Over on NBC, we’ve got a show that’s tailor-made for the comic book fan: Heroes. The basic concept, from what I understand, is that a group of seemingly random people all over the globe suddenly manifest superpowers. The show is about their struggle to learn how to use them for the right thing. The concept was interesting, but I was sort of on the fence as to whether I wanted to watch it. That is, until I heard that one of the producers of the show was one Jeph Loeb. Loeb has been responsible for some of my favorite superhero comics over the last few years, including stuff like Batman: The Long Halloween, Superman For All Seasons and, of course, a run on Superman/Batman. But that’s not all. Not only is Loeb one of the creators behind this show, but he left another show to take the job. He left Lost. Lost, for crying out loud. So this leaves one of two possibilities: either he’s about to commit the producer’s equivalent of David Caruso leaving NYPD Blue, or this show has really got something going for it. Either way, they’ve got my attention.

And speaking of that other show Loeb has walked away from, season three of Lost hits the air in a few weeks. This is definitely a show with crossover appeal – aside from Loeb, Detective Comics writer Paul Dini also has done work for the show, and producer Damon Lindeloff came to comics to write the Ultimate Hulk Versus Wolverine miniseries, which last I checked was scheduled to be completed some time after the heat death at the end of the universe.

Even beyond that, though, the show has so much going for it. The characters are strong, the writing is top-notch, and the literally dozens of mysteries surrounding “The Island” are the sort of thing that comic book fans eat up. The show’s producers recognize it too – for three years now, Lost has had a major presence at the San Diego Comicon. This is a show for comic fans, make no mistake.

So there will be plenty on the air this season to keep me occupied, friends. The only question I’ve got is when I’m supposed to find the time to watch it all.

Favorite of the Week: September 13, 2006

It’s a shame that The Escapists is only a six-issue miniseries, because it’s one of the best to come from Dark Horse in a long while. Brian K. Vaughan’s examination of the creators of a new comic based on a “classic” character is an amazingly entertaining tale, and this issue is no exception. With the publicity stunt to bring attention to their character succeeding far beyond expectations, criticism of the book is sure to follow. Where the story goes next will be anyone’s guess, but I can’t wait to find out.

Blake M. Petit is the author of the superhero comedy novel, Other People's Heroes, the suspense novel The Beginner and the weekly “Think About It” humor column at Think About It Central. His new comic, Evertime, is coming soon from Tightlip Entertainment. E-mail him at Blake@comixtreme.com and visit him on the web at Evertime Realms.

[Joe Illidge]

I hope LEGION is good.

I could only stand 10 minutes of FANTASTIC FOUR.

I think the fact that Tim Kring and Jeph Loeb are friends had a lot to do with him taking on the role he has on HEROES, which is higher up the food chain than his previous role on LOST.

And I only bought issue 1 of THE ESCAPISTS (can't beat a $1.00 price tag), but if subsequent issues follow the same standard of quality, that's a GREAT miniseries.

[Adam Chapman]

Didn't realize Fantastic Four had already aired- DLing the first three episodes now...

The show I was most looking forward to this year was Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. It's Sorkin, who's always brilliant, and with an outstanding cast, including Matthew Perry (in a semi-comedic role, he was brilliant 3 years back on West Wing in his varied guest appearances), and Bradley Whitford. And the show was totally worth the wait, the first episode was phenomenal, and hopefully a good forecast for the rest of the season...

[Joe Illidge]

Originally posted by Adam Chapman

The show I was most looking forward to this year was Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. It's Sorkin, who's always brilliant, and with an outstanding cast, including Matthew Perry (in a semi-comedic role, he was brilliant 3 years back on West Wing in his varied guest appearances), and Bradley Whitford. And the show was totally worth the wait, the first episode was phenomenal, and hopefully a good forecast for the rest of the season...

I'm right there with you.

Having Sorkin back as creator and head writer is a godsend, and the episode was really good.

At least Sorkin was smart enough to acknowledge the homage to Paddy Chayefsky and NETWORK within the show, else the critics would've bashed him for it.

But yeah, FF's out, and it, to me, is an example of what happens when you put a "modern spin" on something that's already perfect.

And the characterization of Susan was like pre-Byrne FF. She came off as weak in the first ep.

[Andrea Speed]

Having Sorkin back as creator and head writer is a godsend, and the episode was really good.

At least Sorkin was smart enough to acknowledge the homage to Paddy Chayefsky and NETWORK within the show, else the critics would've bashed him for it.

Indeed. The show was better than I expected. And it was essentially nothing but talking for an hour - but much like a Bendis Daredevil comic, it was so fascinating you didn't care.

[Blake Petit]

I enjoyed Studio 60 quite a bit myself. Couldn't quite find a comic book connection to justify its inclusion, though.

[patrick]

I watched the Fantastic Four the other day. It's terrible (but better than the movie). What's the deal with taking these comic book properties and making than more "anime" when they translate to an animated series. From X-men:Evolution to The Batman to Teen Titans to Fantastic Four. This formula doesn't seem to be working. Don't they realize that what made Batman:
The Animated Series so great in the 90's was that they stuck to the original tone and feel of the comic!?

[Joe Illidge]

Originally posted by patrick

What's the deal with taking these comic book properties and making than more "anime" when they translate to an animated series. From X-men:Evolution to The Batman to Teen Titans to Fantastic Four. This formula doesn't seem to be working. Don't they realize that what made Batman:
The Animated Series so great in the 90's was that they stuck to the original tone and feel of the comic!?

I feel your pain, but unfortunately, it seems as if the anime aesthetic is more marketable these days.

That said, it's a big part of what I HATE about the new FF cartoon.

Admittedly, though, TEEN TITANS grew on me. I never became an avid watcher, but if it was on while I surfed, I stopped to watch.

But man, do I miss JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED. Quality with no anime style.

[Joe Illidge]

Originally posted by Blake Petit

I enjoyed Studio 60 quite a bit myself. Couldn't quite find a comic book connection to justify its inclusion, though.

Yeah, kinda impossible.

I'll give you the inclusion of LOST, but considering that Loeb's gone and Lindelof is so busy writing LOST that he's not writing (or very sloooooooowly writing) ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS. HULK, it was kind of a stretch.

[Adam Chapman]

Hey, I'm sure there's a connection to comics with Studio 60 if you look hard enough for it.

[Joe Illidge]

Aaron Sorkin, creator of Studio 60, had John Wells on his team.

Wasn't John Wells involved in the production of the now-defunct WB show Jack and Bobby, as was Brad Meltzer?

And we all know what Brad's working on these days, the talky JLA.

Holy crap. I may have done it!

Adam, please confirm.

[Blake Petit]

Originally Posted by Joe Illidge

Originally posted by patrick



I feel your pain, but unfortunately, it seems as if the anime aesthetic is more marketable these days.

That said, it's a big part of what I HATE about the new FF cartoon.

Admittedly, though, TEEN TITANS grew on me. I never became an avid watcher, but if it was on while I surfed, I stopped to watch.

But man, do I miss JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED. Quality with no anime style.

I warmed up to Teen Titans too... although I still think it had one of the all-time worst TV theme songs.

But JLU... man, that was gold. Perhaps the greatest superhero TV show of all time.

[ErinPatricia]

Yes, Im now officially hooked on Smallville

Dont forget dear, I'm only 2.5 dvd's away from buying the 3rd season for you, and watching it for you before you get it of course

[Blake Petit]

Originally Posted by HarleyQuinn19

Yes, Im now officially hooked on Smallville

Dont forget dear, I'm only 2.5 dvd's away from buying the 3rd season for you, and watching it for you before you get it of course

I think I can live with that.

(To all the single guys out there, I highly recommend finding yourself a great geekgirl.)

[Jason Kanno]

Originally Posted by Blake Petit

I warmed up to Teen Titans too... although I still think it had one of the all-time worst TV theme songs.

But JLU... man, that was gold. Perhaps the greatest superhero TV show of all time.

I dunno. The original Batman: TAS set an impossible standard with its mood, acting and story quality. Don't get me wrong, JLU was fantastic, but Batman: TAS sits atop my list.

[Blake Petit]

Originally Posted by WMdude46

I dunno. The original Batman: TAS set an impossible standard with its mood, acting and story quality. Don't get me wrong, JLU was fantastic, but Batman: TAS sits atop my list.

Oh, Batman: TAS was fantastic. But I think JLU just took everything that was great about Batman and made it even BETTER.

[Jason Kanno]

Originally Posted by Blake Petit

Oh, Batman: TAS was fantastic. But I think JLU just took everything that was great about Batman and made it even BETTER.

Mmmmm... not sure. JLU wasn't quite as elemental as Batman, and more took after Superman and Gotham Knights. Great superhero action, but Batman had mood and atmosphere we very rarely see in a cartoon, or in a television show in general.

[Blake Petit]

I'm honestly not sure what you mean by "elemental," but I think it really comes down to personal tastes. Batman had more of that noir feeling, which is what made it such a great show. But JLU was pure superhero action, and that, to me, is even better.

[Joe Illidge]

The last season of BATMAN, when it was part of THE NEW SUPERMAN/BATMAN ADVENTURES, especially the episode called "Out of Time", I think, where Batgirl dies and Gordon initiates war on Batman, is second to none.

JLU, the last two seasons, had GREAT WRITING, but art and animation weren't as good as that last batch of BATMAN episodes.

There was also a great BATMAN episode with Clayface's offspring, girls who looked like Battle Angel Alita, and Robin doing martial arts stuff.

[Blade X]

Hey Blake, you forgot to mention the new swason of THE BATMAN that will also be premiering this saturday on KIDSWB (or is that CWKIDS). You also forgot to mention the TEEN TITANS movie that just aired this past weeken on Cartoon Network..

I also got my fingers crossed for the new LOSH cartoon. So far, I am less then impressed with the previews I've seen of the show.

The new FF cartoon is ok, but it can DEFINITELY stand for some improvements. It's an "ok" show that has the potential of being a GREAT show. If I had to rate/compare this current FF cartoon with previous animated versions of the FF, I would rate the new FF below the 60's series and the 2nd season of the 90's series, but aI rate it above the 70's series and the 1st season of the 90's series.