Stephen Amell is ARROW.
The shadows continue to spread over the DC Universe, most recently with ARROW, the new reimagining of The Green Arrow as a driven, bow-wielding vigilante for justice, determined to clean up the corruption of his home town of Starling City. With its dark ambiance, its intense, parkour-inspired action sequences, and its LOST-style central mysteries (what, exactly, happened on the island that millionaire playboy Oliver Queen was stranded on for five years?), the show’s made a memorable debut, chalking up healthy ratings for the CW network.
New York Comic Con hosted press roundtables for the show, and we were there to capture the conversation with all the participants. Featured, in order: Willa Holland, who plays Thea Queen, sister to wealthy scion Oliver Queen; Katie Cassidy, who’s crusading reporter Dinah “Laura” Lance in the show; executive producer Marc Guggenheim; and Stephen Amell, who plays Oliver Queen, the feckless playboy who spends five years stranded on a island and returns a much, much different man.
Click on the player to hear the interviews.
Well, I watched the CW Networks’s ARROW, based on DC Comics’ Green Arrow character. Yes, it’s a complete re-boot of the character, and it bears little resemblence to the previous TV version of Green Arrow, played by Justin Hartley on SMALLVILLE for several seasons. With all the “re-imagining” going on I was prepared to dislike the series.
The surprising thing is, I found the series premeire quite interesting and enjoyable to watch.
To save me the typing here’s the official boilerplate regarding the series.
“After a violent shipwreck, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen was missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island in the Pacific. When he returns home to Starling City, his devoted mother Moira, much-beloved sister Thea, and best friend Tommy welcome him home, but they sense Oliver has been changed by his ordeal on the island. While Oliver hides the truth about the man he’s become, he desperately wants to make amends for the actions he took as the boy he was. Most particularly, he seeks reconciliation with his former girlfriend, Laurel Lance.
As Oliver reconnects with those closest to him, he secretly creates the persona of Arrow – a vigilante – to right the wrongs of his family, fight the ills of society, and restore Starling City to its former glory. By day, Oliver plays the role of a wealthy, carefree and careless philanderer he used to be – flanked by his devoted chauffeur/bodyguard, John Diggle – while carefully concealing the secret identity he turns to under cover of darkness. However, Laurel’s father, Detective Quentin Lance, is determined to arrest the vigilante operating in his city. Meanwhile, Oliver’s own mother, Moira, knows much more about the deadly shipwreck than she has let on – and is more ruthless than he could ever imagine.”
Well, I’m glad I had that to fall back on, because the pilot (entitled Pilot) is so stuffed with incident and characters that some of it was a blur. For instance, even though I had known in advance (at some point, months back) that Detective Quentin Lance was the father of the girl who died on the Queen’s yacht, I had no inkling of that while watching the episode, until just about the end of the program, when the policeman, frustrated with a glibly evasive Oliver Queen, asks “you didn’t even try to save my daughter, did you?” I had no idea what he was talking about for a few seconds.
There’s enough plot material in the episode to fuel a full season of a prime-time soap opera. And make no mistake, there is going to be plenty of angst-ridden soap on this show. Judging from the first episode, there’s also going to be a lot of well-done and edgy violence, as well. I was surprised at the level of violence this ‘hero’ was capable of— he’s quite literally lethal, killing a man, a kidnapper,with his bare hands simply because ‘no one can know his secret’.
In fact, later in the episode for a few seconds I thought he killed another, entirely innocent person, until I realized that the character— Oliver’s bodyguard—is set to be a series regular. He just knocked him out, apparently. (We don’t as far as I could tell, see or hear of the character again in this week’s show. Maybe it was cut for time.)
The show is an attempt to turn Green Arrow into a vigilante protagonist to match the flavor of the Christopher Nolan/Christian Bale BATMAN films. This seemed a stretch to me, as the comic book version was originally created in the Golden Age as a sunnier, more wholesome copy of the Dark Knight.
However, this show is pretty damn dark, and thus far pretty interesting, despite being overloaded with exposition, emotional confrontations, and dark doings, all of which might have been better unfolded over the course of several episodes, rather than one. It sure wasn’t slow.
The series stars Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen, and he very nicely portrays both the current cagey, fury-driven Queen, and his younger self in flashbacks. Katie Cassidy plays (Dinah) Laurel Lance, an idealistic lawyer, and in the comics becomes The Black Canary.
Colin Donnell played Tommy Merlyn, Oliver’s old hard-partying friend, who may or may not know that Queen is now a dangerous vigilante. Merlyn in the comics was Queens archery mentor and some-time adversary. In the New 52 comics (which I have not followed), he’s an old friend to whom something strange has happened. Any direct tie-in to the series? Anyone’s guess at this point.
Brian Markinson guested as Adam Hunt, the first of the villians on the Arrow’s list—from his dead father’s diary/confessional notebook. He could turn up again. Susanna Thompson as Moria Queen -- Villainess or just bad mother?
Willa Holland was Thea Queen, Oliver’s troubled sister, Susanna Thompson plays Moira Queen, a rather sinister Mother figure. She’s now married to Walter Steele, played by Colin Salmon.
David Ramsey was bodyguard John Diggle, and Paul Blackthorne was Detective Quentin Lance.
ARROW airs Wednesdays at 8:00 PM/7:00 Central on the CW Network.
From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Berlanti Productions and Warner Brothers Television, with executive producers Greg Berlanti (GFREEN LANTERN), Marc Guggenheim (FLASH FORWARD) Andrew Kreisberg (WAREHOUSE 13), and David Nutter (SMALLVILLE, GAME OF THRONES). Co-executive producerMelissa Kellner Berman .
PILOT directed by David Nutter from a teleplay by Andrew Kreisberg & Marc Guggenheim, story by Greg Berlanti & Marc Guggenheim.
Here’s ‘Justice’, the latest teaser for ARROW, The CW Network’s TV reimagining of DC Comic’s long-running Green Arrow character. Much of the footage has been seen before, though this is supposer to be for the show’s first episode, Pilot.
“After a violent shipwreck, Oliver Queen was missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island. His mother Moira, sister Thea, and best friend Tommy welcome him home, but they sense Oliver has been changed by his ordeal on the island. Oliver secretly creates the persona of Arrow – a vigilante – to right the wrongs of his family, fight the ills of society, and restore Starling City to its former glory.”
ARROW stars Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen, Colin Donnell as Tommy, Katie Cassidy as Laurel Lance, David Ramsey as John Diggle, Willa Holland as Thea Queen, with Susanna Thompson as Moira Queen and Paul Blackthorne as Detective Quentin Lance. Pilot Directed by David Nutter (SMALLVILLE) Story by: Greg Berlanti & Marc Guggenheim (GREEN LANTERN).
Script by: Andrew Kreisberg & Marc Guggenheim.
ARROW premieres Wednesday, October 10th on The CW at 8:00 PM ET/PT.
The CW has provided these little previews of ARROW, their new series for Fall 2012, with a revisionist look at DC Comics’ Green Arrow.
ARROW will air Wednesdays at 8:00 PM, followed by the returning SUPERNATURAL at 9:00. Click to enlarge
The CW Network has picked up ARROW, a new spin on DC Comics’ Green Arrow character. The show will ignore the previous TV incarnation of the character that appeared for several years on the networks’s SMALLVILLE.
From their press release: ARROW Click to enlarge
After a violent shipwreck, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen was missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island in the Pacific. When he returns home to Starling City, his devoted mother Moira, much-beloved sister Thea, and best friend Tommy welcome him home, but they sense Oliver has been changed by his ordeal on the island.
While Oliver hides the truth about the man he’s become, he desperately wants to make amends for the actions he took as the boy he was. Most particularly, he seeks reconciliation with his former girlfriend, Laurel Lance.
As Oliver reconnects with those closest to him, he secretly creates the persona of Arrow – a vigilante – to right the wrongs of his family, fight the ills of society, and restore Starling City to its former glory.
By day, Oliver plays the role of a wealthy, carefree and careless philanderer he used to be – flanked by his devoted chauffeur/bodyguard, John Diggle – while carefully concealing the secret identity he turns to under cover of darkness. However, Laurel’s father, Detective Quentin Lance, is determined to arrest the vigilante operating in his city.
Meanwhile, Oliver’s own mother, Moira, knows much more about the deadly shipwreck than she has let on – and is more ruthless than he could ever imagine.
The series stars Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen, Colin Donnell as Tommy, Katie Cassidy as Laurel Lance, David Ramsey as John Diggle, Willa Holland as Thea Queen, with Susanna Thompson as Moira Queen and Paul Blackthorne as Detective Quentin Lance.
Based on characters appearing in comic books and graphic novels
published by DC Comics, ARROW is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in
association with Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television,
with executive producers Greg Berlanti (“Green Lantern,” “Brothers &
Sisters”), Marc Guggenheim (“FlashForward,” “Eli Stone”), Andrew
Kreisberg (“Warehouse 13,” “The Vampire Diaries”) and David Nutter
(“Smallville,” “Supernatural,” “Game of Thrones”). Melissa Kellner
Berman (“Eli Stone,” “Dirty Sexy Money”) is co-executive producer. The
pilot was directed by David Nutter from a teleplay by Andrew Kreisberg
& Marc Guggenheim, story by Greg Berlanti & Marc Guggenheim. Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman in the original
The network is also commisioning a new series based on the 80’s fan favorite BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, though with quite a number of changes, it would appear. Here’s the skinny: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Detective Catherine Chandler is a smart, no-nonsense homicide
detective. When she was a teenager, Catherine witnessed the murder of
her mother at the hands of two gunmen. Catherine would have been killed too, but someone – or something – saved her. No one has ever believed her, but she knows it wasn’t an animal that attacked the assassins…it was human.
Years have passed, and Catherine is a strong, confident, capable police officer, working alongside her equally talented partner, Tess. While investigating a murder, Catherine discovers a clue that leads her to a handsome doctor named Vincent Keller, who was reportedly killed by enemy fire while serving in Afghanistan in 2002. Catherine learns that Vincent is actually still alive and that it was he who saved her many years before.
For mysterious reasons that have forced him to live outside of traditional society, Vincent has been in hiding for the past 10 years to guard his secret – when he is enraged, he becomes a terrifying beast, unable to control his super-strength and heightened senses.
Catherine agrees to protect his identity in return for any insight he may have into hermother’s murder. Thus begins a complex relationship between Catherine and Vincent, who are powerfully drawn to each other yet understand that their connection is extremely dangerous for both of them.
The series stars Kristin Kreuk (“Smallville,” “Chuck”) as Catherine, Jay Ryan (“Terra Nova”) as Vincent, Max Brown (“The Tudors,” “MI-5”) as Evan, Nina Lisandrello (“Nurse Jackie”) as Tess, Nicole Gale Anderson (“Make It or Break It”) as Heather, Austin Basis (“Life Unexpected”) as J.T., and Brian White (“The Shield,” “The Cabinin the Woods”) as Joe.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is from CBS Television Studios with
executive producers Jennifer Levin (“Without A Trace,” “Felicity”),
Sherri Cooper (“Brothers and Sisters”), Bill Haber (“Rizzoli & Isles,”
“Thurgood”), Paul J. Witt (“A Better Life”) & Tony Thomas (“A Better
Life”), Ron Koslow (“Moonlight”) and Gary Fleder (“Life Unexpected”).
According to TV WIRE , Katie Cassidy (SUPERNATURAL has been cast as Dinah “Laurel” Lance, love interest to Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) in the CW pilot THE ARROW.
In the DC Green Arrow comic books, Dinah Lance is also the Black Canary, the ebony clad superhero with a supersonic blasting power. However, we may not see her don that jacket and fishnets, as the revisionist TV series seems be presenting her as Laurel Lance, a “young attorney with the City Necessary Resources Initiative” whose relationship with Oliver Queen may be largely past tense.
Also cast are Susanna Thompson (ONCE AND AGAIN) as Oliver’s mother Moiria (apparently still living) and David Ramsey (DEXTER) as “an ex-military/special forces type” who is is now employed by Queen in a security role. Black Canary in DC's Green Arrow comic books
Online sources (via ComicBookMovie) that claim to have read the script indicate that Oliver Queen is returning to “Starling City” (Star City in the comics) after being marooned for five years on an island after an incident that took the lives of his father and a girlfriend — Laurel Lance’s sister.
The castaway story is part of the DC Comic’s character’s origin. The details have been changed and tweaked for a certain amount of soap opera for the now young female-slanting network, I would imagine.
The pilot was written by GREEN LANTERN film alumni Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim, with Andrew Kreisberg (FRINGE, WAREHOUSE 13). David Nutter (SMALLVILLE) will direct the Warner Brothers Television pilot. Addendum: Here’s the CW’s Character descriptions for THE ARROW
Oliver Queen: A 27 year old reformed bad boy, who after having spent five years shipwrecked on a tiny, brutally dangerous island in the South China Sea returns to town a different man. Or to be more specific, a tortured, thoughtful master of the bow with a ferocious determination to make a difference. Dinah “Laurel” Lance: 28 years old, smart sexy, Laurel is a legal aid attorney determined to use her life as a one-woman war against the 1% following the death of her younger sister Sara. A sister, who as luck would have it, just so happened to have died aboard Oliver’s yacht. Tommy Merlyn: 28 years old and devil-smooth, Tommy is a trustafarian like Oliver, a spectacularly rich young man whose life revolves around parties, clubs, liquor and lots of anonymous sex. Unlike Oliver, he can’t seem to understand his former best friend’s sudden change of lifestyle and direction. John Diggle: 35 years old, African-American, Diggle is really, really big, a former military man who served with the Army Rangers in Afghanistan, and has been a bodyguard for hire for the last four years. Hired by Moira to be Oliver’s chauffeur and protector, Diggle soon finds he is trapped in a battle of wits, as Oliver repeatedly eludes his protection. But in fact, Diggle’s primary conflict is one of loyalty — he has to show that he’s working for Oliver, not Moira, before Oliver will give him a smidgen of trust. (via MTV)
According to Deadline, Stephen Amell (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES) has been cast in the lead in the CW’s Green Arrow pilot, entitled simply ARROW.
Based on the DC Comics character, The Green Arrow was created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, first appearing in More Fun Comics #73 in 1941.
The character bears a relationship to Edgar Wallace’s masked character from the novel The Green Archer. Possibly inspired by the 1940 Columbia movie serial of the same name, which presented the lethal bowman of Bellamy Castle in a more heroic light, Weisinger recast the Green Arrow as a fairly obvious Batman retread, giving him a young red-clad Robin analog named Speedy, an Arrow-Car, and an Arrow Cave headquarters.
The Green Arrow is Oliver Queen, millionaire playboy turned masked vigilante in Star City, an altogether brighter place than Gotham. In the Warner Brothers pilot he’s been upgraded to a “billionaire industrialist-turned-outspoken politician”. (In keeping with modern characterizations.) For most of his comic book career, the character was an also-ran, not making it into the Justice Society in the Golden Age, appearing instead in the Seven Soldiers of Victory (The Law’s Legionnaires) among other secondary heroes.
However, he became one of the few DC characters to survive the post-WWII die-off of super heroes, possibly because Mort Weisinger had become a managing editor of DC, and he kept the Arrow and his other creation for More Fun #73, Aquaman going as back-up features in Adventure Comics and Superboy.
In the 60’s Silver Age he would join the Justice Society, and in the 1970’s he would shed his bland, copy-cat image by changing his Robin Hood-esque costume and becoming a harder-edged, left-leaning hot-head, often at odds with his more conservative colleagues, particularly his friend Green Lantern (Hal Jordan). On the long-running WB-CW network SMALLVILLE series, Justin Hartley took on the role (again as a Batman substitute) and became a regular cast member and fan favorite.
Rather than capitalize on this history, apparently the decision has made to intentionally separate this pilot from the previous show, and thus presumably several years of potentially confining continuity problems and audience expectations.
The pilot will be directed by David Nutter, and will be written/executive produced by Andrew Kreisberg, with Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim (GREEN LANTERN).
Though it seems somewhat surprising to entrust the writing to a team that did not garner fan or critic favor with their previous superhero work, a non-super-powered hero show has some real potential on the budget-restricted network.
Here’s a preview clip from tomorrow’s episode of SMALLVILLE, Isis.
Official Description:
Lois (Erica Durance) decides to tell Clark (Tom Welling) she knows he’s The Blur, but she accidentally activates an ancient artifact that transforms her into the Goddess Isis, complete with superpowers of her own.
Oliver (Justin Hartley) and Clark reluctantly decide to ask Tess (Cassidy Freeman) for help with Lois.
Meanwhile, after Cat Grant (guest star Keri Lynn Pratt) witnesses Lois as Isis using her superpowers, she decides Lois is the Blur and sets out to prove it.
James Marshall directed the episode written by Genevieve Sparling.
SMALLVILLE airs Friday at 8:00 PM/7:00 Central, followed by a new episode of SUPERNATURAL on The CW Network.
Here’s The CW’s Official Description of SMALLVILLE Season Ten.
“The end of the beginning starts here. Taking flight in its tenth and final season, this modern retelling of a hero’s legendary origins continues to blend realism, action, heart and humor as Clark Kent (Tom Welling) soars toward claiming his birthright.
Clark has emerged from his darkest hour, only to find the path to his destiny blocked by ghosts from the past — shadows in the present tempting Clark toward the darkness at every turn. Despite insurmountable odds, is Clark strong enough to step into the light and claim his rightful place as Earth’s mightiest protector?
As “Smallville’s” epic ninth season came to a close, General Zod (Callum Blue) and his Kryptonian Army declared war on the people of Earth. Clark prevented the deaths of thousands, if not millions of humans by using the Kryptonian Book of Rao to stop the attack. The spiritual tome opened a gateway to another world, one where Clark’s people could exist in peace. One-by-one, every Kryptonian on Earth was propelled across the universe, but as Clark prepared for his “ascension,” Zod refused to leave. Using a blue Kryptonite dagger to make himself human and avoid being sucked into space, Zod remained behind so that he could rule a world without its guardian, Clark Kent. Having no other option to rid the world of Zod’s tyranny, Clark plunged the dagger into his own abdomen, protecting himself from ascension — and exiling Zod in the process. Though victorious, Clark’s win was bittersweet as he plummeted off the building and into the darkness below.
After a fateful kiss, Lois Lane (Erica Durance) realized that the two men she had been torn between all season — Clark Kent and Metropolis’ heroic Blur — were one and the same.
Having finally found redemption and a second chance at love, Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) and Oliver Queen, a.k.a. the Green Arrow (Justin Hartley), were ripped apart. Chloe was forced to painfully listen as the love of her life, Oliver, was abducted by mysterious assailants during his attempt to help Clark defeat Zod’s Army.
And Tess Mercer (Cassidy Freeman), heir to the late Lex Luthor empire and double agent for the now-defunct government organization Checkmate, was fatally burned at Zod’s hand in an attempt to right past wrongs. As Tess flatlined in Metropolis General Hospital, she was visited by a shrouded, elderly woman. The granny’s motives…still unknown.
Throughout season nine, Clark, bearing the iconic S-shield of his heritage, struggled to find his place between the human world in which he was raised and the Kryptonian world he was born into. Having made peace with his dual heritage, Clark, in season ten, must now find the courage to step out of the shadows and emerge into the light.
Never before has there been such a dangerous time for Clark to step into the public eye and take on the mantle of the inspirational icon he is destined to be. As the tide of sentiment in Metropolis turns against heroes, branding them as unchecked vigilantes, our defender of justice will be called upon to re-define what it really means to be a superhero.
Given how dangerously close Clark has skirted to crossing the line in the name of “justice” in the past, will he truly earn the right to be the symbol of good for humanity, or will he prove the naysayers right, that no one individual can be judge, jury and enforcer. John Schneider, Tom Welling in 'Lazarus'
In the midst of this turmoil, a new danger will emerge as a dark force takes on many faces, threatening Clark at every turn. Hawkman (Michael Shanks), Supergirl (Laura Vandervoort), and Jonathan Kent (John Schneider), Clark’s late, adopted father — forever and always Clark’s moral compass, will stand by Clark’s side as he takes his final steps toward accepting his birthright. He will need all the help he can get to fight the impending evil onslaught…the greatest darkness ever unleashed on Earth.
The season ten premiere, “Lazarus,” opens mere seconds after last season’s finale. Clark Kent wakes from his near-death experience, haunted by the ghosts of his past, both friend and foe. Given a new lease on life, Clark must find a way to rid himself of every last temptation, to purge himself of every last shard of doubt in his heart before he can become the beacon of hope the world needs. But a very real threat from Clark’s past has returned to challenge his ascent, causing Clark to question the nature of his crusade.
Lois Lane will face her own crisis of meaning, trying to redefine her place in the world now that she knows Clark’s super secret — but Clark won’t discover that she knows, and that’s the way she wants to keep it. Lois will try her best to keep the mild-mannered reporter at arms’ length in the hopes that a life free of romantic complication will make him a better hero.
Struggling with her own affairs of the heart, Chloe Sullivan will be faced with an impossible question — how much is she truly willing to sacrifice to protect the people she loves? Chloe will take a tumultuous step into danger for the greater good, the hands of Fate, her only guide. Justin Hartley as Green Arrow
When Chloe vanishes, Oliver Queen will be forced to look long and hard at the circumstances behind it. Blaming himself for her disappearance, Oliver will begin exploring accountability for all his past actions, good and bad — what great lengths will Oliver go to in order to bring his lost love back home?
Having risked her own life in an attempt to become accountable for her own misguided actions, no one is more surprised than Tess Mercer when she wakes, alive and well, in a seemingly abandoned medical facility. But what secrets lie in wait in the recesses of “Cadmus Labs”? And how much is Tess willing to give up to seize her second chance at redemption?
“Smallville” was developed for television by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (“Shanghai Noon,” “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor”), based on the DC Comics characters. Kelly Souders & Brian Peterson serve as executive producers, along with James Marshall, Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins, Joe Davola and Tom Welling. The series is produced by Tollin/Robbins Productions, Millar/Gough Ink and Warner Bros. Television. SUPERMAN was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.”
SMALVILLE returns Friday September 24th at 8:00 PM on The CW Network.
Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video have announced DC SHOWCASE; “a series of animated shorts featuring characters from the celebrated DC Comics vault.”
“On November 9, 2010, Warner Home Video will distribute the DC SHOWCASE Original Shorts Collection, the first quartet of animated adventures featuring the never-before-seen SUPERMAN/SHAZAM! : THE RETURN OF BLACK ADAM, as a Special Edition Blu-Ray™ for $29.99 (SRP) and single disc DVD for $19.98 (SRP).
DC SHOWCASE animated shorts initially appeared as special bonus content on the 2010 slate of DC Universe Animated Original Movies. The 10- to 12-minute films include The Spectre, Jonah Hex and Green Arrow. All three titles will be presented in extended formats along with the first-ever release of SUPERMAN/SHAZAM! : THE RETURN OF BLACK ADAM.
In SUPERMAN/SHAZAM! : THE RETURN OF BLACK ADAM, Clark Kent’s latest interview subject is street kid Billy Batson. What Clark doesn’t know is that Billy is more than a feisty kid with a lot of heart – he has been chosen by an ancient wizard to represent the good of man as the World’s Mightiest Mortal just by invoking the name of the wizard, “Shazam!”
Billy’s powers come none-too-soon, as he also discovers he’s being pursued by a centuries’ old, murderous villain, Black Adam – a foe so powerful, even Superman can’t stop him alone. The all-star cast of SUPERMAN/SHAZAM! : THE RETURN OF BLACK ADAM is led by Jerry O’Connell (CROSSING JORDAN) as Captain Marvel, George Newbern reprising his Justice League role as Superman, Arnold Vosloo (THE MUMMY) as Black Adam and two-time Emmy Award® winner James Garner (8 SIMPLE RULES) as The Wizard.
Bruce Timm (SUPERMAN DOOMSDAY) is executive producer and Joaquim Dos Santos (JUSTICE LEAGE, AVATAR: The Last Airbender) is director of the first series of DC Showcase titles. Michael Jelenic (WONDER WOMAN) wrote the 22-minute script.
Other shorts included on the DC SHOWCASE Original Shorts Collection:
THE SPECTRE – A detective story with an ethereal twist featuring an otherworldly character. The short is written by Steve Niles (30 DAYS OF NIGHT), and the voice cast includes Gary Cole (ENTOURAGE) and Alyssa Milano (CHARMED).
JONAH HEX – The tough-as-nails bounty hunter always gets his man – until someone else gets to him first – in this case a murderous madam who wants to steal more than just his bounty from Jonah Hex. Based on a story from the award-winning Jonah Hex comic series, and scripted by world-renowned author Joe Lansdale. The voice cast is led by Thomas Jane (HUNG), Linda Hamilton (THE TERMINATOR), Michelle Trachtenberg (MERCY, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER) and Michael Rooker (DAYS OF THUNDER).
GREEN ARROW – At the Star City International Airport to pick up his girlfriend, Oliver Queen is forced into action as Green Arrow to protect the 10-year-old Princess of Vlatava from his old nemesis Merlyn the Magnificent and the League of Assassins. Greg Weisman (Young Justice) pens this action-packed tale, which features the voices of Neal McDonough (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES) as the title character and Malcolm McDowell (ENTOURAGE) as his foe.
DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection 1-Disc Special Edition DVD features more than 1 hour of exciting extra content, including:
• Four animation shorts (est. 62 min)
• Four additional bonus TV series episodes handpicked by Bruce Timm
DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection Blu-Ray™ features more than 2 1/2 hours of exciting extra content, including:
• Four animation shorts (est. 62 min)
• Commentaries by renowned writers Steve Niles, Joe Lansdale, Greg Weisman and Michael Jelenic
• Four additional bonus TV series episodes handpicked by Bruce Timm
• Digital copy online of the shorts”
SHOWCASE #4 The Silver Age FLASH debuts
For those too young to remember, DC’s Showcase comic book was an anthology title in which the company would give new characters a try-out. The Silver-Age Flash, Challengers of the Unknown, The Creeper, and Adam Strange all made their debut in the comic, which lasted from 1956 to 1970 in its original run.
