Stan Lee Presents - Part 2 of 2: Who Wants to be a Superhero?

While the production I wrote of yesterday, Lightspeed, was largely a miss in a hit-and-miss industry, it seems that Stan "the Man" Lee has ventured into the world of reality television and survived round one, with "Who Wants to be a Superhero," a six part weekly series.

Having interviewed thousands of would-be superheroes, Stan Lee chose eleven finalists who would compete for immortality through the opportunity to become a real-life superhero (that is, the winner would get their own comic book). The contestants were gathered together and transported to Mr. Lee' s mansion, where he appeared to them via remote feed. Then they were moved to what was to be their new secret lair, a warehouse in a run-down part of the city, whereupon it was discovered that there was a spy in their midst. Rotiart (traitor spelled backwards) revealed himself and the footage he had taken of the fledgling heroes revealing characters flaws. Three heroes were singled out: Levity, Creature, and Iron Enforcer, and Levity was told to turn in his costume.

The next day, the super acquaintances met to undergo their first mission: to change in public without allowing themselves to be seen, and to race through an archway to the finish line. Stan told them to do so in a manner befitting a true superhero. Unbeknownst to the heroes, he had planted a "lost child" near the finish line. Only four of the heroes stopped to help her, and of those four, only one actively called out to the crowd, trying to find her parent. On a darkened rooftop, Stan again singled out three heroes, one of which would be turning in their costume and going home. Again, Iron Enforcer was selected. Nitro G and Monkey Woman were also selected. After hearing reasons why they had ignored the child's pleas for help, Stan sent Nitro G home.

I have written before that I am not a fan of reality television. However, once in a while, something comes along that grabs my attention and won't let go. In a broad stroke of genius, Stan has mixed "reality" with pop culture and turned out what promises to be an entertaining show. I'm really looking forward to seeing the heroes on this show grow.

Stan Lee Presents - Part 1 of 2: Lightspeed

When I first heard that Stan Lee had a new series coming to Sci-Fi, I knew without a doubt that I had to watch it, being the comic book fan-boy that I am.

I should have known better. Stan Lee's last attempt at live-action television superheroism was Nick Fury: Agent of Shield, starring David "Don't Hassle the Hoff" Hasselhoff, way back in 1998, and it sank beneath the waves of inferiority.

Lightspeed was not much better. One thing that really irritated me about the production was the quality of the special effects that were used. Watching this show was akin to traveling back in time and watching TV in the 80's, although I have to admit that the effects in the Greatest American Hero were slightly more believable.

Lightspeed's powers, although extraordinary, were run-of-the-mill. DC Comics has had a character for years and years and years with the same ability. His name is the Flash, and he had a television show in 1990, starring John Wesley Shipp as Barry Allen, aka the Flash. Somehow, while that show was worthy of multiple seasons, it only aired for one (I hope Stan Lee didn't overlook this).

The acting was mediocre, as was the writing. The cast consisted of mostly little known actors, except for the now 67 year-old Lee Majors (Six Million Dollar Man), who at the end of his distinguished career in leading the GHOST squad, has decided to have a little fun a "kill a few hundred people."

Daniel, aka Lightspeed, upon discovering his newfound ability, runs to Academy Sports, where he slyly mentions to the clerk that he's trying to break the land speed record with a jetpack, and that he needs "a suit." The clerk finds him an ensemble in the back (I guess all the superheroes shop at Academy Sports).

Having looked up Lightspeed on Wikipedia, I found that this character is not the first in the Marvel universe to be attached to the name. Her first appearance was in 1984, in Power Pack #1.

Tsk, tsk, Stan.

With all the money you saved on big name actors and special effects, you could have at least hired a decent writer.

Watch Naruto, Dattebayo!

I just finished watching the first 194 episodes of Naruto. I was hooked after perhaps the first five. Looks like I'll just have to keep watching. Thanks to the guys at naruto-kun.com for hosting the fansubs, provided by Dattebayo and AnimeOne. ANBU is the producer of this series if I'm reading that right (Interestingly, ANBU is also the name of a ninja organization in the Naruto series).

It's been a long time since I've watched any anime. Wish I'd known what I was missing. The characters in this series are wonderful.

Incidentally, these are showing on Cartoon Network now, but you miss out on the full flavor of the characters with the English-dubbed versions. Go with the subtitles, and you may even pick up a little Japanese, dattebayo!