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With it feeling like Comic Book Month at least locally, Wizard World Minneapolis last weekend, Free Comic Book Day last Saturday, and MSP Comicon (formerly Springcon) next week, it seems like the perfect time to comment and grade the numerous current TV shows, that have all come from their comic book roots.
We’re excited that the genre continues to grow in fanbase and scope, and look forward to most of these, every week. Here are Vu and John’s rundowns on what’s currently out there.
NOTE: All television cover art are taken from themoviedb.org.
Arrow
VU: Although I watched the first few seasons (mostly for Deathstroke, the Terminator), I have given up on the show for its mediocre melodrama.
VU’s GRADE:
(2 out of 5)
JOHN: This show does seem so very “CW” with its over-emphasis on too-serious characterization, inner pathos, and relationships, sometimes at the cost of a good basic story. It barely resembles the Oliver Queen I know from the comics, but I am loving all the guest characters introduced (The Atom, Deathstroke, etc). As a result, I’m “in” and “out” of this show, and the current Ra's al Ghul/League of Assassins plotline (which is really a Batman story anyway), has gone on too long.
JOHN’s GRADE:
(2.5 out of 5)
We’re excited that the genre continues to grow in fanbase and scope, and look forward to most of these, every week. Here are Vu and John’s rundowns on what’s currently out there.
NOTE: All television cover art are taken from themoviedb.org.
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Arrow
The CW
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VU: Although I watched the first few seasons (mostly for Deathstroke, the Terminator), I have given up on the show for its mediocre melodrama.
VU’s GRADE:
JOHN: This show does seem so very “CW” with its over-emphasis on too-serious characterization, inner pathos, and relationships, sometimes at the cost of a good basic story. It barely resembles the Oliver Queen I know from the comics, but I am loving all the guest characters introduced (The Atom, Deathstroke, etc). As a result, I’m “in” and “out” of this show, and the current Ra's al Ghul/League of Assassins plotline (which is really a Batman story anyway), has gone on too long.
JOHN’s GRADE:
VU: My main problem with the show is the S.T.A.R. Labs employees of college students and a professor in a wheelchair. I also feel that it was a mistake to cast someone so young to play Barry Allen. I have given up on watching this CW show. VU’s GRADE: JOHN: This show is so good- you don’t know what you’re missing, Vu! Great tone and pacing to the episodes, a wise homage to the 1990’s series (John Wesley Shipp playing Flash’s dad, Amanda Pays is back, and Mark Hamill reprising The Trickster), and great plotlines that take its time to build up the Reverse-Flash and Grodd storylines. A fun and modern take on the character and the Arrow crossovers are great too. JOHN’s GRADE: |
VU: I am biased on this show because I love the Vertigo/DC Comics. I do have issues with the NBC series, such as their non-smoking policy stance. When the show is at its best, it is when the story is based on the comics. Despite the rumors, I honestly do not think they are going to renew for a second season... and I'm okay with that. VU’s GRADE: JOHN: This show took a while into its initial 10 episodes to find its groove, but it did, and I’m on board. It could use the freedom of a non-network place, but they do the best with what they have. Welsh actor Matt Ryan takes well to the lead part, making the Keanu movie mis-step, way in the rearview mirror. Recent network meetings have been promising towards some kind of return, so we’ll have to see. JOHN’s GRADE: |
VU: I haven't read the comic book, but I am familiar with Michael Allred's work (especially his quirky Madman series). What I like about this series is that it reminds me of Veronica Mars. VU’s GRADE: JOHN: Snappy dialogue, exciting self-contained episodes, Mike Allred’s artwork used well in the intro and segment breaks and interesting sub-characters, make this one to watch. Think I read only issue #1 of the comic, but this show is good enough, I should re-visit more of the source material—can’t wait to see where the show goes next. JOHN’s GRADE: |
VU: Hey, love Batman? Here is a show that is based on the Batman Universe... only the show isn't about Batman. Sure, a young Bruce Wayne is in it, but the show is mainly about his future villains and Commissioner Gordon. I wish the tone of the show could be more like Frank Miller's Batman: Year One. VU’s GRADE: JOHN: A promising show with all kinds of potential, and also little at all. Bruno Heller has done a great job developing the series and the look and cinematography of it is almost a character on its own. That said, I hate the fact that all the characters know of each other in this early genesis (sorry, Bruce and Selina never played together as kids, people) and sometimes the villains (Penguin, Fish Mooney) get a little too much screen time. Because we all know what the characters evolve into, the limitations of the source material loom over the show. JOHN’s GRADE: |
VU: The problem with this show is that it is about some normal Agents of SHIELD and Skye the computer hacker. The highlight of the show was when it tied directly with the second Captain America movie.... However, the show seems to have lost its focus with the second season. I've actually given up on watching the show. VU’s GRADE: JOHN: Here’s a show that should have been great, than never was, and then should have been cancelled. Often trying too hard to prove that “It’s all connected”, the show has had some good points, but the bottom line for me is that I don’t care about any characters outside of Coulson and May and pretty much agree with everything Steranko wrote about the first season. JOHN’s GRADE: |
VU: Despite it being only an eight episode show, I'd given up on the show mid-way. I'm just not interested in the 1940s. There are no heroes in the show, but you do see Tony Stark's dad and Nick Fury's Howling Commandos. VU’s GRADE: JOHN: This mini-series was a good Marvel breath of fresh air. Hayley Atwell is a star in the role, loved the post-WWII setting, and the tone and action were fun and well-paced. Looks like she’ll be back, which is welcome news and I’d be ok with Agents of SHIELD getting cancelled and this taking its place. JOHN’s GRADE: |
VU: I have access to this show, thanks to my PlayStation Plus subscription... but was not impressed with the pilot. I haven't read the comic books, but I had a lot of problems with the show. For example, there was a moment in the first episode when the main character got really, really angry and tried to smash a car window. The show didn't paint a very good picture of his violent mood swings. VU’s GRADE: JOHN: The big limitation to this show is the audience reached- as I don’t have a Playstation, I won’t be watching any more than the first episode, which is readily available. The budget visually looks a little low on-screen, and I never pictured Walker as someone like Sharlto Copley, sorry. The plot changes made and change in Deena Pilgrim I was ok with, but there wasn’t enough there to make me want to continue watching. JOHN’s GRADE: |
VU: Have you seen this show? It is the best super hero show, thanks to its dark, brutal take on the character. I'm a big fan of Frank Miller's Daredevil run, which it seemed the Netflix series is based on. There are also elements of Garth Ennis' Punisher (for his portrayal of the Kingpin) in the show as well. I really wish they would make a Batman show like this... but for now, we're getting a great Daredevil: Year One.
VU’s GRADE: |
VU: I've read all the comics, at least up to issue #120. I love it when the show follows the comics, which is what the later part of Season 5 is doing. I wasn't that happy with the season finale, it was a letdown. When the show is at its worst is when it tried to humanize its villains (like the Governor's two standalone episodes or trying to explain the Terminus people). Otherwise, I own all the Blurays and will look forward to seeing Season 6.... as well as Fear: The Walking Dead spinoff. VU’s GRADE: JOHN: I’m only a casual reader of the comics, so I mostly expect the unexpected and think it’s great that they can veer from the source continuity. Characterization is at a benchmark, and main characters can come and go at any moment, which is exciting. Sure, some ups and downs over its numerous seasons, but this is the comic book adaptation show to beat. JOHN’s GRADE: |
