It starts as an interest, then you're a fan, now you're a geek.
We are totally living in the Golden Age of television. Now now, I know people will argue that, but seriously…we are. Coming up with the top 10 of 2014 seemed easy, but it wasn’t for me at all. There is so much great television that I am harassed daily because I haven’t watched a particular show. I have FX’s Tyrant on my DVR still awaiting a watch. CW’s The 100 is anxiously awaiting a play and the guys on this particular website are at me to get Arrow started. There is seriously not enough time in the day for all of the great T.V. So here I go. My top 10 of 2014 and a few honorable mentions…
Back in September we got the news that a Supergirl show was given a full series order from CBS and that the man behind Arrow and The Flash, Greg Berlanti and Chuck and No Ordinary Family producer Ali Adler would be running things. The premise is rumored to focus on Superman's cousin, Kara Zor-El, as she begins to use her powers that she'd been hiding for years. Now The Wrap is reporting that casting has begun and that Claire Holt best known as Rebekah on The Vampire Diaries and The Originals is up for the title role.
Well we were expecting to see the Rogues on 'Flash' eventually and one key member might be joining them soon...but first he'll be seen on 'Arrow.' Nick Tarabay (Star Trek Into Darkness, Spartacus) will portray Digger Harkness aka Captain Boomerang. He'll make his debut in the seventh episode of the season and then continue into the eighth episode which we know will be the crossover event episode with 'The Flash.'
Cable network TNT is working on a deal to produce a pilot based on the teenage super team, Teen Titans from DC that would be called 'Titans.' Akiva Goldsman (Fringe, A Beautiful Mind, I Am Legend) is writer/executive producer on the project with Warner Horizon Television producing. This would add the increasing large number of DC Comics television adaptations that are already in production. Arrow, The Flash, Gotham, and Constantine will be airing soon, along with the rumored Supergirl pilot that's being shopped around.
This will be the year of Comic Book TV shows. We've had shows in the past, notably Wonder Woman, The Incredible Hulk, and Smallville. More recently we have Arrow and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. but this year we will see Gotham, Constantine, and The Flash join the fold. Netflix will premiere five shows available to stream from Marvel Television, Daredevil being the first in 2015 and then Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and eventually The Defenders. And now we're getting word that DC is shopping the idea of a Supergirl television show in the near future.
Looks like we're getting a bigger 'Prison Break' reunion than expected. We found out that Robert Knepper would return to the DC TV Universe on 'The Flash' as Clock King, and that Peter Stormare would take on the role of Count Vertigo on 'Arrow.' We also learned that Wentworth Miller would play the Rogues villain Leonard Snart aka Captain Cold in episode four of 'The Flash.' Now we learn that joining Miller in episode four would be Dominic Purcell as Mick Rory aka Heat Wave.
The casting news never seems to end with CW's 'Arrow.' It seems they've added another familiar DC character to guest star. Amy Gumenick (Supernatural) has been cast to play Carrie Cutter aka Cupid in episodes six and seven when 'Arrow' returns for season three. Cupid has a deadly obsession with Green Arrow in the comics, and it'll be fun to see that play out...maybe not so much for Ollie.
It was announced a few weeks ago that Devon Aoki would be joining the cast of Arrow for Season 3 as a recurring character. It seems that due to scheduling conflicts, she'll have to leave the show. But fear not, Katana-fans, she's already been recast by someone familiar to the comic book universe. Rila Fukushima (The Wolverine) will be replacing Aoki as Tatsu Yamashiro aka Katana. While we have no confirmation yet, I think its safe to assume we'll be seeing Tatsu in Oliver's flashbacks, but I'm hoping we also get to see her in the present time as well...perhaps fighting alongside Canary, and a fiery red-head named Barbara?
Looks like another evil archer will be visiting the streets of Starling City. Matt Ward (TRON: Legacy, Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem) has been cast to play Simon Lacroix aka Komodo. Komodo was introduced in Green Arrow's New 52 run and it looks like he'll make his first appearance on Arrow during episode two and he won't necessarily be a one-shot villain.
Casting news has been coming fast and furiously this past week as we approach the fall television season. Last week we found out that Devon Aoki was cast to appear in Season 3 of CW's Arrow. She'll be portraying the intriguing and enigmatic character Tatsu Yamashiro aka Katana. All indications lead to her being in Oliver's flashback storyline.
We've seen him on 'Arrow' and we've been getting small glimpses of the scarlet speedster during filming of the pilot, but now we have our first full teaser for 'The Flash' starring Grant Gustin. Here it is, in case you blinked and missed it. What did you think? Are you excited? Is there such a thing as too many comic book television shows?
DC fans have a lot to look forward to this fall. Not only is Arrow returning to the CW for its third season, but The Flash is joining the CW line-up. Over on FOX, the world of Gotham will hit the small screen. And not to be outdone in the battle of network geeks, NBC has Constantine, primed and ready for the airwaves.
The Dark Knight graced our televisions screens way back in the 1960’s with Adam West starring as our Caped Crusader. (And you’ll soon be able to own the collection on DVD.) Since then, he hasn’t been on television in a live action series. Due to Warner Brothers or DC Comics not wanting there to be any discrepancies in the story telling between the big screen and what may get produced on television, we’ve been deprived the glory of seeing The Bat on television. But should this really be a concern anymore?