Geekly Roundup, April 5th: Casts on Casts on Casts Edition

On this week’s Geekly Roundup, Mark, Mike, and David have a Deadpool rating to discuss, as well as casting news for both Deadpool and the upcoming Arrow and Flash DC Television Universe spinoff. Then, a serious discussion of an offensively discriminatory joke in Pillars of Eternity turns into an excellent discussion on advancing geek culture and having civil discourse within our fandom. You won’t want to miss this episode!

The Flash's Joe, Cisco, and Eddie Perform an Acapella Ballad of Serenity

The Flash's cast members keep impressing us with their extracurricular activities. You may have seen Cisco and the good/evil/good (stop confusing me, Flash writers!) Harrison Wells performing an acapella trombone performance over Christmas, but this one takes the cake. Jesse L. Martin (Joe West), Carlos Valdes (Cisco Ramon) and Rick Cosnett (Eddie Thawne) break out into three part harmony to perform a beautiful, gospel-style rendition of the Ballad of Serenity. Get your daily dose of goosebumps after the jump.

Supergirl Reveals Benoist's Costume, Casts Faran Tahir

We have our first look at Melissa Benoist's outfit in the new Supergirl series, and costume designer Colleen Atwood has really outdone herself!

As noted here by The Mary Sue, the costume is very cute and works perfectly with the adorable Benoist without being oversexualized or unnecessarily skimpy. Hit the jump to see the full outfit.

DC Eyeing Teamup Series at the CW

Deadline is reporting that the CW and Warner Bros. Television are in development of another spinoff in the Arrow and Flash universe. The idea behind the project seems to be a superhero team-up show in the vein of The Brave and the Bold (the comics version, not the awesome-but-silly Batman cartoon). Announced to star were series veterans Brandon Routh (The Atom), Victor Garber (Firestorm) Wentworth Miller (Captain Cold), and Caity Lotz (Black Canary).

Some thoughts, with major Arrow and Flash spoilers in them, after the jump.

TNT's "Titans" Line-up Revealed!

 

 

As a kid, one of my favorite series growing up was Marv Wolfman and George Perez's standard-setting New Teen Titans run.  The Justice League was always flashier, with epic storylines that spanned the galaxy, but something always seemed more...mechanical and straightlaced about the League of the time.  The Teen Titans, on the other hand, were tight-knit, character-driven personalities that acted like real people trying to grow up, and I've always had a soft spot for the band of sidekicks trying to reach independence as a family.

After a number of animated incarnations since the start of the millennium, the Teen Titans have graduated to the growing live-action DC Television Universe with TNT's order of an Akiva Goldsman / Mark Haines pilot for "The Titans".  Let's look at some of the history behind the characters that we may see brought to the screen -- and some of the glaring omissions from Teen Titans history.

First look at the Firestorm Costume on the Flash!

Firestorm has already shown up on the Flash, playing a pivotal role in the last few episodes of this season. But the only look we've seen for the character is the much derided "fire-hobo." Now, the CW has shown their first look at the costume Firestorm will be wearing later this season on The Flash. Hit the jump to see it.

Constantine, Flash, & Gotham...OH MY! By Brian J. Patterson

Comic Con Special by TV Guide Editors - Featuring Constantine

I have been attending San Diego Comic Con for approximately 15 years...I just needed to make that known right away, thank you. When I first started going to ‘the Con’ as we would call it, the convention center was barely 1/2 in use for this event. SDCC (San Diego Comic Con) did indeed grow as the years went on. How could it not with the comics and sci fi community as its supporters? We are known to be one of the most loyal fan bases ever. SuperHeroes are our idols and we run to worship at their alters. We tithe as much as we can to their causes, and are known to have: spent our last dollars, wait in lines overnight, and travel great distances to support their cause….on MULTIPLE occasions! It is not surprising that the Hollywood community would want to come and exploit..er, I meant to say take full advantage of that type of loyal fan base, by making films geared toward this audience. Frankly, it’s a win win situation. Because when you think about it:

SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON WRAPUP: Day Minus-One/Preview Night

Comic-con is on! For those of you stuck at home, the Ace of Geeks is here to fill you in on what's been happening - be sure to check out our twitter account during the show for live updates, videos and photos. We'll also be providing wrap ups of each day here on the blog. Today, we've got John Garcia with a wrap up of the goings on before the con has even opened, and Megan Marie Fox with her thoughts on preview night.

JOHN GARCIA - DAY MINUS ONE

My group of friends got a good deal at an extended-stay hotel, but only if we get a certain number of days, so since last year, my group has done the Monday to Monday stay for SDCC.

Most of Monday was spent traveling and we got to the hotel really late, so I figure I would start filling you guys in on Tuesday, July 22.

We still had a lot of last-min costume construction to do. A lot of my hotel-mates and friends are from the 405th Infantry Division of Halo cosplayers, so they were working on missing bits of armor pieces, while I was working on leftover touches on my Brother Warth costume.

We decided to take a break and do some fun, touristy things around San Diego. We went to this amazing place called "Hash House a Go Go" on 4th street.  They are famous for their amazing breakfast things like a chicken and waffles tower with amazing country friend sage-flavored chicken and waffles that have bacon inside. (Next time, I'd better eat breakfast before reading your articles, John. -Ed)

This year, though, after a 30 min wait, I got a giantic 18-oz hammered, country-fried pork loin. It was around a 16 inch by 16 inch monster.  

LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE (in a Flash) FOR THE CW NETWORK by Brian J. Patterson

I’m sure that all of you comic book and DCU fans have been completely frazzled trying to get your hands on that online copy of the CW’s FLASH pilot. Because, unless you've been living under a rock with no wifi, then you are aware it leaked online (at your local neighborhood torrent sites everywhere).

Well, I’m a little bit more than stoked to make as many of my friends “jelly.” Because while there are those of you not able to get a sneak peak at the CW’s pilot, I’m happy to report that I’m NOT in that minority. In the immortal words of Daffy Duck, “No, not this little black duck!”

Let me begin by saying that it is rare for television to see a more complete and satisfying superhero origin story. Its filled with Action, Comedy, Cameos, Drama, Effects, One liners, a solid Origin Story, References for Comic Book fans (but not too overpowering so that the general audience won’t get the material), and even juicy spoiler nuggets that make you want more. All in all, it was a gorgeous unfolding of the classic tale of Barry Allen and did it great justice. In my opinion, it is one of the quintessential Hero’s Journeys telling.

The Action is just enough (unlike Man Of Steel). The comedy is put in just the right places (one liners are my favorite here). The cameos (while some might think can get gratuitous) are of people who fit into the world. The drama is hit spot on where it appears, and even though they operate on a tight budget, the effects are pretty kick ass. 

As an actor, I’m really impressed by this cast. Especially Grant Gustin's Barry Allen. As a comic book fan my favorite part of the entire show are the comic book references; mostly because of their accessibility. You see, when distributing productions rich with historic detail only known to fans, there is a delicate balance that one must strike in order to appeal to the general public and not just the locked in demographic of fans. Flash does that successfully, with great ease, and still satisfies the locked in comic book fans with rich Flash mythology references. Kudos to writers Greg Berlanti, Gardner Fox, Geoff Johns, Andrew Kreisberg, and Harry Lampert! Oh, and who could miss the spoilers?!? Can you say, Gorilla Grodd, Professor Zoom, Justice League, & Infinite Crisis? 

 The Casting Call leaked in December..Buzz creator. The script leaked in January...Buzz creator. The actual show leaked in June...BUZZ CREATOR! So, has interest halted? Hell, no! Fans are interested more than ever and are in even MORE of an uproar than ever. The news is spreading around the globe faster than Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, Wally West, and Bart Allen can carry it! Even new hashtags like #BringItOnCW have emerged. Personally, I think that the leak was deliberate. People, and when I say 'people,' I mean production companies, are learning that in this age of technology, more honesty and transparency helps to spread the word and popularity faster than you can say "speedforce." With a built in audience to give you guidance and feedback early in it's inception so that you can change anything necessary (and quick before it airs), it's the opposite of a leak. At that point it's a strategic and powerfully navigated man made river.

The CW already has tons of practice putting together strong comic book television series’ with Smallville, and most recently Arrow. They are finally beginning to understand what they have in the iconic brand of DC Comics’ cast of characters, for what these characters stand, how to represent them, and most importantly how to tell their story. In addition, they are finally talking to each other (something they learned from Marvel/Universal). So the marriage is slowly becoming seamless and symbiotic. The future is looking really bright for the CW’s FLASH. While pilots are often great to raise interest in a show, entice, and build excitement, I truly believe that FLASH is nothing but a firm foundation upon which many future building blocks (episodes) of gorgeousness will be placed. Thank you, CW. You have truly proven that lightning can strike twice for you. ;)

Promotional poster from the CW Network

Brian J. Patterson is an actor and producer who splits his time between Los Angeles and San Francisco. He's a lifelong DC comics fan, who plasters his apartment with every picture of Wonder Woman imaginable.

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