Comic Books Made for Television
Comic Book Titles That Would Make Great Weekly TV Shows
A recent announcement by Warner Brothers president Jeff Robinov has put a halt to the development of a series that would have followed the adventures of a young Dick Grayson in the years before he becomes Batman's sidekick, Robin.
Like the failed Aquaman pilot and one of the main facets of the short-lived Birds of Prey series, this show would have followed a teen on the journey to the hero he was born to become.
That Warner Brothers would seriously consider developing a show like The Graysons, which is an obvious clone of Smallville, just highlights how little television executives realize the potential of comic books to be adapted to the small screen. DC and Marvel Comics along with various independent comics houses in the marketplace have numerous titles and characters that could be turned into riveting weekly television.
Nightwing or Batgirl
Neither DC Comics nor Warner Brothers would have any interest in diluting the success of Chris Nolan's Batman franchise by running a weekly Batman show in parallel. A show revolving around Nightwing, the hero that Robin grows into once he leaves Batman's side, Batgirl or both could be a successful marriage of detective show and comic book action. Add a dash of sexual tension and it could be a hit.
Moon Knight
Marvel would be unlikely to want to place their answer to Batman up against the box office muscle of Nolan's Dark Knight, but the masked, gadget wielding, cape wearing hero has an espionage based back story that makes him a good bet for weekly television. Tie each season to a conspiracy story line, keep the costume simple and the action tight and Moon Knight could make it.
Gen 13
From the Image line of comics, this sexy team book would make a wonderful counter to the sometimes too serious Heroes on NBC. Presented with a degree of humour, this band of government created heroes gone renegade could turn a tidy profit for the network willing to take a chance on them.
The Green Lantern Corps
Even if a Green Lantern film does eventually hit the silver screen, it will likely focus on Hal Jordan. That leaves three other characters who have at one time or another been the Corps' choice as Green Lantern of Earth to base a series around. Add various members of the Corps, and there is a potential for space opera to meet police drama in a special effects extravaganza. A decade ago the effects budget would have been a roadblock, but today there would be ample affordable ways to create the various hard light creations of the ring wielders.
While Marvel Comics is rolling along quite nicely on the big screen, they have no presence on the television landscape. It would help their long term plans for their movies if they were to have some of their lesser known properties gathering an audience in a weekly format. DC Comics has fared better on the small screen, but they might be wise to prime the audience for future film projects by creating a fan base through television shows.
Television executives need to realize that it is time to put the Smallville formula to rest, at least for a while, and try creating serious superhero shows aimed at grown ups.
Inside Cover of Mythology, Signed By Alex Ross
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