Way back in the mid-90s, Paul Dini and Bruce Timm developed a pitch for an animated series that would follow the adventures of Robin as a solo hero. Globe-trotting adventures with the possibility (explored more fully in later shows) of expanding the Animated DC universe, all done in their signature style.
posted
I just occurred to me: If they made the show about Barbara Gordon instead, as a Nancy Drew-esque pre-Batgirl, I'd watch it in a heartbeat.
Posts: 6689 | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
Smallville made SOME sense, at least Clark still had powers and such and apparently bad guys to fight. But Dick as a kid traveling with the circus? He won't have any of his Robin tools, or any of the skills that Bruce taught him over the years, like HOW TO FIGHT.
This gives my stomach a lurchy feeling.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
I can see it as sort of a young Indiana Jones, and that would be great.
However, I have zero confidence in the ability of the people behind the CW and Smallville to do anything like the young Indiana Jones.
I like Barbara Gordon idea, too, but I also think they'd mess that up.
I've got the new episodes of Smallville from this season on my DVR, but I haven't been able to bring myself to watch them.
Posts: 1894 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I know. I enjoyed most of Smallville's first and second seasons, despite the obvious flaws. But...the show has just become hideously unwatchable.
Even the promise of a Legion of Super-Heroes live action episode this season hasn't piqued my interest. And I'm the definition of a die-hard Legionnaires fan. Posts: 6689 | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I watched Smallville for awhile, stopped, then got back into it. I thought it was great, compelling even, for awhile.
I stopped watching when SPOILER!!
When Clark finally tells Lana his secret and everything is all hunkydory except then it all goes terribly wrong and he goes back in time and stops himself. That was sort of the last straw for me.
If they are going to do anything with Robin, they should do a show about him going solo as Nightwing. I think that'd be much cooler.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I could see it working, if done right. It ain't as if an adult would allow a near-pubescent child to become a crimefighting sidekick if he weren't one HECKUVA way more competent than a mere (even world-class) gymnast. And The Graysons could be about how he got that way. Possibly Shiva as his first martial arts instructor? Etc
posted
To put Shiva into a position that she'd even consider teaching a kid circus acrobat would take so much retooling they'd effectively have created a new character.
Posts: 6689 | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
It ain't as if Smallville fits particularly well with the pre-existing Superman backstory.
Shiva is Robin's nemesis.....in the same way as Ra'sAlGul is Batman's? Possibly gave her the moment to save her own life? Or thought he was risking himself to save her life? Which would have been treated the same as actually risking by Shiva's sense of honor.
Then there is the why of his secret identity. "Robin" as in "The early bird catches the worm" taunt? after the pre-ward DickGrayson captures a criminal (aka a "worm" as the prejorative metaphor) that a solo Batman had been chasing?
And we do know that the Graysons had to have a long-term fairly close relationship with Wayne: otherwise DickGrayson would have never become Bruce's ward. Possibly as a circus trainee in gymnastics, rope and highwire work, and trapeze artistry (air work)? during the period of the "BruceWayne dropped off the face of the Earth" wanderjahr before he reclaimed his inheritance and became Batman.
Somehow having BruceWayne running away to join the (world-travelling) circus.....fits well.....in the interstice between disappearing when he first becomes an adult and receiving his polishing in the martial arts from Ra'sAlGhul. "No one asks who you are when you join the circus."
Like I said, a LOT of possibilities IF it is done well.
quote:Originally posted by aspectre: It ain't as if Smallville fits particularly well with the pre-existing Superman backstory.
You say that as if it's something to be emulated.
Though, I was talking about her personality. The thing that makes her interesting, as comics have tons of "Best Martial Artists EVER" characters.
She's really not the type to mentor a circus kid, unless you change the thing that made her stand out in the first place.
Posts: 6689 | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I don't think it'll be be much fun, knowing that Robin's (presumably) lovely family are all destined to die horribly. It would kind of undermine any reason to get attached to them or wish them well. Having said that - I wouldn't watch anything that billed itself as a follow up to Smallville, after the trainwreak that has become.
Posts: 1528 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
No more prequels! I've been waiting through 8 years of terrible scripts for Clark to become Superman.
Posts: 3134 | Registered: Mar 2005
| IP: Logged |
Personally, I'd like to see them tackle one of the more obscure DC characters. It'd actually free them up creatively.
Posts: 6689 | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
Seriously, though, I'm making my way through Birds of Prey on DVD, and I'm wondering just what superhero would work in the WB style. Birds of Prey didn't (for me), Smallville doesn't. What would? What hero actually fits this style of storytelling?
I don't see the problem being with the properties. I see the problems being with the developers.
Posts: 1894 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
quote:What hero actually fits this style of storytelling?
I suspect that X-Factor -- in its detective-story incarnation -- or The Avengers might work. But nothing DC has, IMO.
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Birds of Prey failed because instead of following the comic, they tried to make it into and X-Men-esque show, with a dash of defunct DC lore than ordinary viewers wouldn't get or care about.
That, and it -really- wasn't a very good show.
Generally speaking, when it comes to other media, DC Comics has the really good cartoons but very mediocre live action shows.
That said, I would -kill- to see a live TV series based on the John Ostrander/Kim Yale incarnation of Suicide Squad.
Posts: 6689 | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I think Smallville DID work for a while, it just got "drag this thing out as long-as-possible-itis." I actually think Season 8 isn't TOO terrible either. He's finally becoming Superman and the subplots are more interesting.
Posts: 4136 | Registered: Aug 2008
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
