Superheroes

With Iron Man, Hulk, Dark Knight, Hancock, Spirit, Watchmen, Dr Horrible, etc, all appearing this year, we thought we would revisit some past superhero...er...successes?

The Tick
The Tick is large, blue, dumb, nigh invulnerable, and has escaped from psychiatric care. He hangs out with Arthur (an accountant dressed as a moth), Captain Liberty (a Wonder Woman parody) and Batmanuel, pronounced ‘bat man well’, (a Latino lothario interpretation of Batman). And the villains are even more peculiar. It's a crime that only 9 episodes were made.

The Flash
John Wesley Shipp is the fastest man alive, quicker than his Rogues Gallery (Including Mark Hamill as The Trickster,). He ran all the way to the end of the first season, and then off into the sunset to a new secret identity as a gay icon, and the father of noted tv mutant Dawson Leery. The series starts slow but picks up as more supervillains arrive in Central City.

The Greatest American Hero
It may be sickly sweet television, but the misadventures of William Katt, who lost the instruction book to his superhero suit, is strangely engaging. Robert Culp’s dry witted presence, as well as his penchant for dry dog food, helps. The series sequel, "Greatest American Heroine" however, should be avoided like Superman might avoid stepping in Kryptonite.

Batman
The 1966 movie is campy, colourful, crazy, and inventive. The Joker, Penguin, Riddler, and Catwoman team up and Batman and Robin have to rely on all their wits (as well as Bat Shark Repellent) to save the day. Ridiculously brilliant. Where was my Bat Shark Repellent when I needed protection from Deep Blue Sea.