The Horror Of...Halloween Night, Justice League Action - "Trick or Treat"

Another morning, another bowl of Count Chocula, and another chance to delve into superheroes and horror.

This time we can delve into a more recent DC series that would fit nicely into the old Saturday Morning format. Justice League Action.

And the shows has a Halloween episode!

"Trick or Treat"

Semi-Heroic Reviews.

Time for adventure, time for larger than life heroics. Time for good to best evil. It's time for Semi-Heroic Reviews! ...It's the third name that popped in my head, and it amused me, so we're stuck with it.

"Holy Carpal Tunnel, Batman! Does that mean he'll review
us?"
"No. Just following our serial required 5 flow charts.
Reviewing us could kill a man."

It's time to head back to the thrilling adventures of yesterday year, or even this year.

Why? Because, like with The Horror Of posts, the point of talking about movies, TV, comics, etc, is to share things and talk about things I love and enjoy, not tear things down for fun. There's is so much out there that we can all enjoy, and some things that are under appreciated, or, even in the Internet Age Resurgence of Super Heroes, unknown to many.

So let's enjoy the bounty.

And to start us off, let's start a trek through the DC Comics Extended Cinematic Universe, and whatever acronym you use for it.

Yes, we will be heading back to 2013 with Man of Steel.

We'll move through the current slate of DC movies until we reach Wonder Woman, and then we'll have that review some time in the weeks to come, after I can see the film a few times and mull on it.

Constantine - Episode 1 - Non Est Asylum - "To Edit a Pilot."

Finally we get to see the results of being John Constantine and Hellblazer to TV. I did touch a bit on what the show will be bringing from the comic, and adding, previously.

Based on what I've heard about the pilot, and know about the changes the show has gone through, it seems the episode is largely intact from the first finished product. But let's address this stuff as we look at this episode.

But, yes, the Dr. Fate reference is still intact. Yeah!

The episode opens with Constantine checked into Ravenscar Hospital. Constantine is locked up, by choice.

It's motto: Hey, we're not Arkham.

Can Constantine usher in DC Horror?

It's October 24th, so it's time for another DC Comics series to premiere on TV. This time it's a former Vertigo Comics star who's been moved into the Nu52...If you don't read comics that made no sense...Never mind.

John Constantine!


Constantine

Trailers in Short - Speedsters, Mystics, and Detectives. Oh My!

Well if the rounds of superhero movies isn't enough, we seem to be in store for a whole range of TV series based around comic book heroes. (Okay, we often have various superhero series these days. But let's all pretend, like the media does.)

So let's see all the DC Comics and Marvel Comics offerings coming this year. (And maybe some movies. We are obliged.)

Let's start with The Flash (he always races to the front of line). He's a favorite of mine in comics. And I am always pleased when he gets some press or representation. (And maybe they'll finally finish a Flash video game. The one that almost came out before looked lovely.) And I do love a speedster.

Another DC Comics show coming. A Golden Age hero...No, not her. *UPDATED*

Word is out that we will be seeing ANOTHER hero get a shot at coming to Live Action TV. ...No, it's still not Wonder Woman. Or, other interesting female heroes...

Barbara is not amused.

Issue 29 - Guy Davis, Matt Wagner,
Steven T. Seagle

It's Hourman! ...You all know him, right? Heck, I'll be honest when I first read about him getting a show, for some reason, I read it as the Sandman. And that got me a little excited (Particularly if they were using Sandman Mystery Theatre as a basis. Wesley Dodd. Driven by nightmare to fight crime. And then you could have an awesome Dian Belmont.) But, no, it's Hourman. The hero with the hour of power...think Underdog, or that one Bugs Bunny cartoon with the magic carrots.

And which Hourman?

Rex Tyler?

Rick Tyler?

Android from the Future?

The basic idea for Hourman (Let's just skip the variation of powers, how the powers are activated, and their downsides) is that he created the Miraclo vitamin pill. When he takes the pill he suddenly has strength up towards the levels of Golden Age Superman, great speed, and increased resistance to physical harm.

But the effect only lasts an hour. And then he returns to normal. Generally it was not possible to take a pill more than once a day. But there were times he was written to take multiple pills over an issue of his book.

Manhunter - Birds of Prey # 117

There is nothing wrong with bringing this character to life on TV. It could prove to be good TV.

But we've seen they are already moving now on the Flash, Commissioner Gordon, and John Constantine. Each is up for their own show, on different channels. But Wonder Woman is on pause. No one is talking about an Oracle show. No is talking about Renee Montoya as the Question. No is talking Kate Spencer as the D.A. turned Manhunter. Or, Power Girl. Or, Katana (Yes, she is in Beware the Batman, but that's ending and she could translate to Live Action.).

It is clear they are leaving a lot of good characters they are leaving on the table. And it's painfully clear the women aren't even making it to that table.


____

When you see the addition of an Hourman to the list of heroes possibly appearing on the CW channel. It brings them closer to form something like the Justice Society of America. Two or three more heroes and they could have a team. Granted, they've now introduced Black Canary on Arrow, but they could use more heroines, and/or the could spin off Canary. But, I do still want a Sandman.

Cover by Shawn McManus

And they could do a show between the levels of Constantine and the other hero shows. Dr Fate. Just saying.

You could have Nabu, the source of most of his power trying to take control/force him down certain paths. A show with a hero vying with his own powers, while dealing with apocalyptic dangers. What will destroy the host of Dr. Fate? It's enemies, or it's benefactor?

Cover by Peter Gross

But really I am talking about using Kent Nelson (the original Doctor Fate). And when you have Kent, you have to have Inza Cramer/Nelson around. She started as a foil, who became romantically involved compatriot. And when you have her around you can eventually get an improved Fate.

Cover by Peter Gross

Then maybe she can turn Congress into newts again. That was great.

A guy. A gal. A helmet. It's what we need.