The first TV Superman was a father figure: George Reeves was a grownup when he played Clark Kent/Superman in the ’50s.
The superheroes taking over TV this fall are up-and-comers. Today’s protectors of the realm are depicted as untapped potential — they are mostly youngsters in the state of becoming, kids with greatness thrust upon them.
As comic-book superheroes arrive in new TV adaptations, the challenge for the creator-producers is to be faithful to legend while inventing new, younger chapters of the heroes’ lives.
Observe the reluctance with which young Barry Allen (played by ), a.k.a. assumes his power (beginning Oct. 7 at 8p.m. locally on Channel 2). In this spinoff of the CW’s top-rated “Arrow,” after a freak accident, the young CSI investigator awakens from a coma to discover he is the Fastest Man Alive.
“He’s just so endearing,” Gustin said of his character. “He’s so sweet. He’s curious. He’s a nerd.”
For the writers, it’s a chance to tell a rather sweet coming-of-age tale in the guise of a superhero story.
“We’ve incorporated almost everything from the mythology into it and added a whole new backstory with S.T.A.R. Labs,” said DC Comics chief creative officer Geoff Johns. “It’s probably the most faithful DC Comics adaptation ever.”
In a nice generational handoff, 1990s “Flash” TV star John Wesley Shipp plays Barry’s father. Amanda Pays, who was in the previous version as Tina McGee, reprises her role as a scientist at a competing tech company.
See the future Batman in (on Fox) a child unaware of his destiny, learning whom to trust, grieving the murder of his parents by a masked criminal in a Gotham City alley. For fans, the most challenging aspect of “Gotham” is that it isn’t really a Batman origin story; it’s more a Commissioner Gordon origin story.
And note the rise of (Oct. 24 on NBC) based on the DC Comics Hellblazer series and chronicling the character’s early years, stars Matt Ryan (“Criminal Minds”) as demon-hunter and master-of-the-dark-arts John Constantine. He’s a bit of a magician (cue the fiery hands), a supernatural detective. The spirits of the dead tend to haunt him. And, in the NBC version from David Goyer and Daniel Cerone, he’s played by hunky Welsh actor Matt Ryan.
Angélica Celaya plays the psychic Zed Martin, a character from the original comic, replacing the originally cast Lucy Griffiths (“True Blood”) as female lead.
Compared to “The Flash,” Constantine is a more mature, angry hero in a much darker tale. The inscrutable rules of broadcast TV won’t let him be seen smoking, but the producers are clear that the character does indeed smoke. Besides bad habits, he’s got a lot of baggage. Constantine may be the grownup of the lot; in the comic books, he aged in real time over the course of 30 years.
While these young heroes train themselves to take risks, female superheroes are on the horizon — too little too late, but better than nothing? — for midseason. (By the way, it’s 2014 and still no “Wonder Woman” update.)
Meanwhile, it’s tempting to root for the bad guys.
Have you noticed? The thugs, gangsters and goons of “Gotham” are more engaging than the supposed hero, the dour straight-arrow cop who will become police Commissioner James Gordon, played earnestly by Ben MacKenzie. While we wait for young Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) to sprout wings, we’re enjoying the terrific villains.
Most deliciously menacing are the nightclub owner played by Jada Pinkett Smith, one Fish Mooney (the name sounds like something out of the old Dick Tracy cartoons), and Robin Lord Taylor enjoying a breakout role as Oswald Cobblepot, the emerging Penguin. Neither has superpowers, but both have intelligence and a magnetic appeal.
Gordon is (intentionally) a drag. His partner Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue, typecast) is much more fun. So are the corrupt politicians of Gotham City, notably mob boss Carmine Falcone (John Doman of “The Wire”) and Mayor James (Richard Kind). They are smartly written and well cast to make up a toxic stew of badness. Until Master Wayne takes flight, they’ll explore the depths of delinquency. Is it satisfying enough for Bat-fans to see the kid practice endurance, holding his palm over a flame? Focus on Bruno Heller’s clever atmospherics and urban decay instead.
More young superheroes are on the way.
For next season, TNT is preparing “Titans,” a one-hour drama that will focus on DC Comic’s younger heroes — a tale in which Batman’s sidekick Dick Grayson, yet to become Nightwing, leads a fledgling band of DC heroes.
Fox has ordered a series based on DC’s Vertigo property “Lucifer,” described as an hour-long drama that features a bored Lord of Hell resigning his post to open a piano bar in Los Angeles.
“Supergirl” is up next. Greg Berlanti, who co-created and executive-produced “Arrow” and the spinoff “The Flash,” is working with Ali Adler (“No Ordinary Family”) to bring the DC Comics character to TV.
“Agent Carter,” the “Captain America” spinoff (and “S.H.I.E.L.D.” prequel) will debut on ABC at midseason. Hayley Atwell, who played the character in the “Captain America” films, will reprise the role based on the Marvel character Peggy Carter, a 1940s woman of science running secret missions.
There’s more. Four Net-flix shows — featuring Marvel heroes Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist and Luke Cage — are scheduled for 2015.
Writers and producers say reviving beloved comic book characters for the screen always entails a balance between brand awareness and creative license. Will fans be frustrated with lack of attention to the marquee-character, say, Batman, or will they warm to the creative richness of “Gotham”? So far, the ratings are solid (7.45 million viewers in the second week) and “Gotham” has the distinction of being the most pirated show of the new season.
As more superheroes make the leap from page to TV, there will be nitpicking, but also eager anticipation from loyalists. It may take superpowers to satisfy hardcore fans, stay true to the mythologies and expand stories while opening the characters.
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830, jostrow@denverpost.com or twitter.com/ostrowdp
