Every once in a while, television spawns some quality programming that has the potential to appeal to your average comic book fan (which is a discerning crowd to say the least). Since I consider myself a pretty average comic fan, let me point out a couple tidbits you may well have seen or may have missed.
Two gems from years past (2003 to be specific) which I particularly enjoyed were the History Channel's Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked documentary and CBS's Return to the Batcave, the Misadventures of Adam and Burt.
If you haven't seen the History Channel's Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked documentary, you are missing a real treat. Featuring an "A" list of comic celebrities including Denny O'Neil, Jim Steranko, Michael Chabon, Will Eisner, Mike Richardson, Kevin Smith, Frank Miller, Bradford Wright, Paul Levitz, Stan Lee, Joe Quesada, Avi Arad, Neil Gaiman and others this show does a nice job of walking through a rich mix of comic history. It's filled with classic images from DC and Marvel Comics and is laced with extensive interviews. Trust me when I say it's a fun way to spend a couple hours. Silver Bullet Comics does an outstanding job reviewing this program so I won't try and repeat their solid effort [full review].
Return to the Batcave, the Misadventures of Adam and Burt really surprised me. I found it both imaginative and entertaining in a great, silly sort of way. If you haven't heard of it, the basic premise finds Adam West and Burt Ward sent on a crazy adventure when the Batmobile ends up stolen from a car museum. The two must track it down, find the thief and return it to its rightful resting place. After solving an initial puzzle, the dynamic duo realize that the clues to finding the fiend are hidden in their own past. What follows is a great homage to the Batman and Robin television show of the 60's. If you like it, you'll love it. It's certainly a love it or hate it kind of show. For me, it was great.
If you missed either of these two, don't give up hope as you can still check them out. Return to the Bat Cave is getting it's national release on May 17, 2005 [amazon].
Okay, out with the old and in with the new. One of my primary reason for posting this quick commentary was to point out a couple upcoming shows you might want to set the TIVO (which I consider the best invention of the last few decades) to grab. Coming soon...
Ultimate Super Heroes, Ultimate Super Villains, Ultimate Super Vixens - It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Bravo's three-part special Ultimate Super Heroes, Ultimate Super Villains, Ultimate Super Vixens. The series premieres Thursday, May 26 (10-11 PM EST) and will air at the same bat time, same bat channel for three consecutive nights. Learn more by visiting www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=2887.
Man-Thing - Premiering on the Sci-Fi channel on Saturday, April 30, at 9PM EST, this movie started out it's life geared toward a full theater release. In the end, it was deemed worthy of television alone and found a quiet home on the Sci-Fi Channel. From the on-line billing it's summed up... "Agents of an oil tycoon vanish while exploring a swamp marked for drilling. The local sheriff investigates and faces a Seminole legend come to life: Man-Thing, a shambling swamp-monster whose touch burns those who feel fear." Learn more by visiting the Sci Fi at www.scifi.com/manthing/
If you haven't seen the History Channel's Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked documentary, you are missing a real treat. Featuring an "A" list of comic celebrities including Denny O'Neil, Jim Steranko, Michael Chabon, Will Eisner, Mike Richardson, Kevin Smith, Frank Miller, Bradford Wright, Paul Levitz, Stan Lee, Joe Quesada, Avi Arad, Neil Gaiman and others this show does a nice job of walking through a rich mix of comic history. It's filled with classic images from DC and Marvel Comics and is laced with extensive interviews. Trust me when I say it's a fun way to spend a couple hours. Silver Bullet Comics does an outstanding job reviewing this program so I won't try and repeat their solid effort [
Return to the Batcave, the Misadventures of Adam and Burt really surprised me. I found it both imaginative and entertaining in a great, silly sort of way. If you haven't heard of it, the basic premise finds Adam West and Burt Ward sent on a crazy adventure when the Batmobile ends up stolen from a car museum. The two must track it down, find the thief and return it to its rightful resting place. After solving an initial puzzle, the dynamic duo realize that the clues to finding the fiend are hidden in their own past. What follows is a great homage to the Batman and Robin television show of the 60's. If you like it, you'll love it. It's certainly a love it or hate it kind of show. For me, it was great. 