We've done this twice before, so you should know the drill by now. We took a year off, but now it's time to get back to talking about characters who should, in my opinion, appear on CW's "Supergirl". So, without further ado, let's get to it.
1. Kale and Caulifla
The Saiyan/Kryptonian rivalry goes back decades. As such, it's only natural to want to see it brought to the forefront here. Who better to use as rivals to Kara than Dragon Ball's two first female super saiyans?
Now, you might think that things don't line up right. I mean, even the multiverses are incompatible. Well, the fix is simple, have these be the saiyans of Kara's universe. You don't need to introduce kais or gods of destruction, just establish that they are among the many alien species that exist out there in the cosmos.
This allows the writers to take the things that worked, but still take some liberties in terms of appearance (especially in terms of Kale's transformations) and character development. You get the best of both worlds in that regard.
You could go the traditional "space pirate" route, but I think taking a cue from universe 6's more noble breed would be the better way to go. The two wouldn't mean Earth or Kara harm. They could come to Earth looking for a good fight and nothing more. Knowing what Kryptonians can do under a yellow sun, the two arrive to see if that power lives up to the hype. Of course, the intensity would cause Kale to go into berserker form and that would be where the tension and danger come in, as the two try to reign in the uncontrollable saiyan.
Granted,Dragon Ball doesn't have the best track record when it comes to live action material, but one could argue that that is just another reason to do it.
2. Mary Marvel
This is another spot that is largely fueled by a rivalry. Even though both are upstanding paragons of goodness, Superman and Captain Marvel have butted heads many a time. You could do something similar here, or subvert that by having the two become close friends almost instantly. Mary Marvel is sunny as all get out, so it would be hard not to like her.
As to the rest of the Marvel family, you don't even need to worry about them. Just have Mary be the one that Shazam chose as his champion. No deaths or throwing characters in front of a bus, just streamlining. If I recall correctly, the power gets divided when multiple heroes are active at the same time (then again it's been a while so that may have been retconned,) so having just one makes more sense anyway.
3. Doomsday
Sometimes you just need a strong monster thing to punch heroes in the face really hard. Few do that better than Doomsday. In fact, he punches so hard, he killed Superman in their first fight. It is because of this that he makes the list.
Don't get me wrong, Tyler Hoechlin is freaking amazing as Superman. However, I figure DC wants to keep Superman in the forefront in the movies and there seems to be an inability to reach a long term shared arrangement between said movies and the TV shows.
As such, rather than just have him disappear, leaving fans wondering why the characters don't just call Superman when things get heavy, why not have him go out in a blaze of glory?
It would also allow for both an increase in tension (as Kara is robbed of one of her sources of backup) and character development, as she is now pushed further ahead in the list of Earth's primary defenders.
It would also make good fodder for the annual crossover, as Doomsday is the sort of foe who could tangle with a whole squadron of superheroes with little trouble.
4. Steel
With the fall of one hero, comes the rise of another. This is a character I know little about, but that's actually a good thing, as it introduces people to him and gives those curious an idea of how the character works.
I know that he was inspired to take on the role of superhero after Superman's death in the comics, as a way to carry on his legacy. That seems as good an introduction as you need.
The question would, of course, be "would Shaq reprise the role?" Honestly, I have no idea.
With these lists there have been two "traditions" that have emerged. The first is that the last slot is always the hardest to fill, as I usually draw a blank. The second is that each list includes one fairly absurd selection (Comet in the first, and G'Nort in the second.) This list is no different. Not only did I have a hard time coming up with a fifth, but it ended up being a bit more on the silly side, as we'll see when we get to the fifth and final nomination on the list,
5. Scooby Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang
Now, at first glance, you might think that this is forced, that I'm trying too hard. However, if you think about it, the logic behind this pick is quite sound.
For one thing, "Supernatural", another CW show, did a crossover episode last year that went over very well with even the most skeptical of fans.
On top of that, Scooby Doo has a history of teaming up with DC heroes. Back in the day, he and the Mystery Inc. gang teamed up with the dynamic duo to take on the Joker and Penguin, twice. The more recent "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" cartoon even paid homage to it in one episode. I still need to see that one, but I know it's a thing.
There's even a comic being published now that centers on the concept of Scooby and the gang teaming up with various DC superheroes. So this has precedent on multiple fronts.
The crossover could take a cue from "Supernatural" and largely go the animated route, or they could try to CG it up. Either way, a trip to another Earth would likely be essential, so as to keep the whole affair self contained. In either case, seeing Kara interact with the iconic talking great dane seems like a guaranteed home run for television.
That wraps it up. Will there be a fourth list? I highly doubt it, but never say never. I do wonder how much more I can milk this concept, but if some new ideas for potential guests pop into my head, I'll certainly keep the option open.
Click here to join our Patreon campaign
Click here to become a Swagbucks member.
Showing posts with label Supergirl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Supergirl. Show all posts
Sunday, December 9, 2018
Friday, October 28, 2016
5 MORE Characters Who Should Appear on 'Supergirl'
About a year ago, I wrote a list of 5 characters who I thought should make an appearance on then CBS' now CW's 'Supergirl' (you can read said list here.) I'm actually surprised at the success rate for that one. Alas, still no Comet (though the show is still young) but we did kinda/sorta get Brainiac via Indigo and Barry Allen did appear in a bona fide crossover episode with 'The Flash'.
With the second season well underway, I figured, what the heck? Let's do it again and discuss five more options for potential character appearances on the popular show.
1. Batwoman
This seems like a popular "wild mass guess". It makes sense, what with Batman and Superman being as closely linked as they are. From what I remember, Batwoman's origin isn't explicitly tied to Bruce the way the other members of the bat family are. You can't really have Nightwing without implying that Batman is out there somewhere. With this character, you could theoretically just have her be the sole Bat-hero in Gotham (which was explicitly said to exist in a recent episode.)
For bonus points, you could also use this as a way to bring in Renee Montoya as the Question, given that those two worked together fairly frequently in the comics.
2. Granny Goodness and the Female Furies
Once again, a villain makes the list. It's a bit of a long shot, given that Granny Goodness is a servant of Darkseid, who is the big bad being built up in the DCEU, but there are ways you could do it. For example, just have her operate with no mention of Darkseid. It might be wonky, but she and her group are formidable foes in their own right.
I think the more viable route would be to establish that the Darkseid alluded to here is one and the same from the DCEU. Have his quest for the anti-life equation (I assume that's what he's going to covet) span the multi-verse. It's a way to cross over the franchises without actually crossing them over; as the war for existence would be fought on multiple fronts, but each story would stand on its own. You could even have him attack the Arrowverse and threaten their world across all four shows (if you want to include Vixen in there) to really broaden the scope.
3. Static
While I never got into his show back in the day, I did see enough from the crossovers with the DCAU to develop a liking for the character. He was also well used in 'Young Justice' and it would be great to see him make the jump to a live action adaptation.
I originally thought that he should be brought into the Arrowverse, but the more I think about it, the more I think that he might fit better here. The Arrowverse is a bit crowded and this Earth could use some extra firepower.
Like Supes and Flash, Static is a hero who will likely click with Kara immediately. Both are friendly, positive, and intelligent so the show can continue to avoid the "heroes have to fight each other first" pattern.
4. G'Nort
Given my fondness for the character, I'm surprised I didn't put him in the first list, but that's what happens when you only have five slots. Much like Comet, this one is a bit on the goofier side, though it is a safer pick as, unlike Super-Horse, G'Nort never got into a romantic relationship with Kara....at least, I don't think he did.
Still, it will likely never happen, as Green Lantern (and likely the entire corps) is locked into the film universe. If Hal Jordan was blocked from appearing in the Arrowverse despite several blatant allusions to him, there's no way we're going to get G'Nort on 'Supergirl'. Still, I do think it would be fun as hell and would love to see it happen. His doofiness would allow for some comedic interactions, but his pleasant disposition and heroic spirit would fit in perfectly with this brighter and more optimistic world.
5. Lobo
I wasn't sure who to put here to be honest. A part of me thought that Artemis (the amazon, not the archer from 'Young Justice' who is currently appearing on 'Arrow') would be a good pick, as she could act as an expy for Wonder Woman (fitting as she was Wonder Woman for a while.) The problem is that it might lead to viewers wondering where Diana is. Plus, you'd have a whole island of similarly powered characters, suddenly, the already existing superheroes aren't as unique.
Lobo, on the other hand doesn't have that sort of baggage. On top of that, he was already indirectly alluded to in one episode, so the groundwork has already been laid. The writers wouldn't have to bend over backwards to incorporate him into the narrative and I have to figure that an appearance from the main man would be a lot of fun.
Will I do a third list next year? I don't know. As I said before, we don't want guest appearances to become a gimmick, nor do we want this Earth to get too cluttered. I have a feeling that this list won't have the same success rate as its predecessor, but it's still fun to think about who could appear in future stories.
Click here to join our Patreon campaign
With the second season well underway, I figured, what the heck? Let's do it again and discuss five more options for potential character appearances on the popular show.
1. Batwoman
This seems like a popular "wild mass guess". It makes sense, what with Batman and Superman being as closely linked as they are. From what I remember, Batwoman's origin isn't explicitly tied to Bruce the way the other members of the bat family are. You can't really have Nightwing without implying that Batman is out there somewhere. With this character, you could theoretically just have her be the sole Bat-hero in Gotham (which was explicitly said to exist in a recent episode.)
For bonus points, you could also use this as a way to bring in Renee Montoya as the Question, given that those two worked together fairly frequently in the comics.
2. Granny Goodness and the Female Furies
Once again, a villain makes the list. It's a bit of a long shot, given that Granny Goodness is a servant of Darkseid, who is the big bad being built up in the DCEU, but there are ways you could do it. For example, just have her operate with no mention of Darkseid. It might be wonky, but she and her group are formidable foes in their own right.
I think the more viable route would be to establish that the Darkseid alluded to here is one and the same from the DCEU. Have his quest for the anti-life equation (I assume that's what he's going to covet) span the multi-verse. It's a way to cross over the franchises without actually crossing them over; as the war for existence would be fought on multiple fronts, but each story would stand on its own. You could even have him attack the Arrowverse and threaten their world across all four shows (if you want to include Vixen in there) to really broaden the scope.
3. Static
While I never got into his show back in the day, I did see enough from the crossovers with the DCAU to develop a liking for the character. He was also well used in 'Young Justice' and it would be great to see him make the jump to a live action adaptation.
I originally thought that he should be brought into the Arrowverse, but the more I think about it, the more I think that he might fit better here. The Arrowverse is a bit crowded and this Earth could use some extra firepower.
Like Supes and Flash, Static is a hero who will likely click with Kara immediately. Both are friendly, positive, and intelligent so the show can continue to avoid the "heroes have to fight each other first" pattern.
4. G'Nort
Given my fondness for the character, I'm surprised I didn't put him in the first list, but that's what happens when you only have five slots. Much like Comet, this one is a bit on the goofier side, though it is a safer pick as, unlike Super-Horse, G'Nort never got into a romantic relationship with Kara....at least, I don't think he did.
Still, it will likely never happen, as Green Lantern (and likely the entire corps) is locked into the film universe. If Hal Jordan was blocked from appearing in the Arrowverse despite several blatant allusions to him, there's no way we're going to get G'Nort on 'Supergirl'. Still, I do think it would be fun as hell and would love to see it happen. His doofiness would allow for some comedic interactions, but his pleasant disposition and heroic spirit would fit in perfectly with this brighter and more optimistic world.
5. Lobo
I wasn't sure who to put here to be honest. A part of me thought that Artemis (the amazon, not the archer from 'Young Justice' who is currently appearing on 'Arrow') would be a good pick, as she could act as an expy for Wonder Woman (fitting as she was Wonder Woman for a while.) The problem is that it might lead to viewers wondering where Diana is. Plus, you'd have a whole island of similarly powered characters, suddenly, the already existing superheroes aren't as unique.
Lobo, on the other hand doesn't have that sort of baggage. On top of that, he was already indirectly alluded to in one episode, so the groundwork has already been laid. The writers wouldn't have to bend over backwards to incorporate him into the narrative and I have to figure that an appearance from the main man would be a lot of fun.
Will I do a third list next year? I don't know. As I said before, we don't want guest appearances to become a gimmick, nor do we want this Earth to get too cluttered. I have a feeling that this list won't have the same success rate as its predecessor, but it's still fun to think about who could appear in future stories.
Click here to join our Patreon campaign
Friday, May 20, 2016
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
5 Characters Who Should Appear on 'Supergirl'
Supergirl seems to be taking off, which is a good thing. While the show has made it clear that there are only two superheroes active, and the odds of another DC Comics based TV shared universe are slim; that doesn't mean that other characters can't pop in to add some flavor to the show's universe and overall plot arc.
1. Brainiac
As was the case with 'Man of Steel', I was a little disappointed that the writers didn't take the opportunity to set up Brainiac as a future big bad. He's a cool villain who could use some more mainstream exposure. You could have used the Geoff Johns run in the comics as an inspiration and have the alien AI be the one who destroyed Krypton. This would work well for Supergirl as, in said comics, she witnessed the attack and was scared crapless of the foe as a result. It would have given Kara some psychological fodder as well as an arc and moment of triumph as she overcomes the fear to win the day. While that's a missed opportunity, it would be great to see him appear as a threat not just to the city, but to the planet as a whole.
This could also be where Supergirl teams up with her cousin. Now, the show did make it clear that Kara doesn't want help, which is fine. But if you write it right, it wouldn't necessarily have to play that way. You don't even have to go the "Kara saves her cousin" route either. Have both National City and Metropolis get attacked and have both heroes independently decide to take the fight to Brainiac. They meet up outside his ship and decide to work together. Boom, hero team up.
2. Comet the Super-Horse
While a lesser known member of the team of "Superpets", Comet actually has a close tie to Supergirl in that they were romantically involved. Yes, Supergirl was in a relationship with a horse, comics! To be fair, the character was a shape-shifter, which helped remove some of the squick. Actually, Supergirl was a shapeshifter for a while too, that was weird. It's unlikely that a TV network would want to go this route, for obvious reasons, but that's kind of why I want to see them do it.
Even if the network wanted to sidestep the whole romantic angle, bringing in a super-powered horse is still something worth doing.
3. John Constantine
Of course, the character would be played by Matt Ryan, because he's just that good at it. Yes, he did appear on 'Arrow' but there's no reason he can't show up here too. He's so much fun to watch and it would be a way to introduce magic to the show, which is a prominent vulnerability for Kryptonians. It would also open things up for writers to bring in demons and other kinds of monsters for Kara to fight.
Now, this would raise the issue of continuity. According to Word of God, Ryan's appearance on 'Arrow' brings that show into the shared universe. Frankly, I find that to be an odd choice as they are adamant that it was just a one-off appearance and I doubt that they're going to pick up any of the dangling plot threads from the NBC show. Honestly, it would have made more sense to just say that he was that universe's version of the character. Multiversal doppelgangers are played by the same actor/actress on 'The Flash' anyway so it would be consistent. You could, however, go that route here and have an iteration of the character exist in her universe that is separate from the NBC/Arrowverse continuity.
4. The Flash
Speaking of the Arrowverse, there was talk of this show being part of it, but CBS opted out. As such, there won't be any crossovers between them...for now. The producers are still up for doing it some time down the line. I think having it be its own universe worked out, but with the multiverse being established, you could use the breaches as a pretense to have Barry pop in for an episode. Or, you could have Kara get pulled through and be in that universe for a while. Considering her struggles to prove herself, the latter might work out better for her. With both heroes being as noble and personable as they are, I think they'd make a great team.
I mean, look at this.
This can be canon.
5. Zatanna
It's odd, given the show's feminist slant that all of the characters I've listed so far are male. You could argue that Brainiac is genderless, but you get the point. For what it's worth, that was incidental. I had reasons for wanting to see each individual character pop up and the list just sort of came out that way.
While Wonder Woman isn't likely to make an appearance due to the movies and Hawkgirl, Vixen, Black Canary, and Huntress exist in the Arrowverse; Zatanna is still up for grabs and she is an awesome character in her own right. As such, she's more than deserving of the closing spot on the list.
As is the case with Constantine, Zatanna would allow magic to be brought into the fold, while also giving Kara a potent ally. While I am partial to the traditional backwards speak based magic, I think this is one instance where the elemental mystic route might be the better take for the character. It's still a formidable ability, but it doesn't overshadow Kara and it makes it easier to create viable threats for when the two characters do decide to work together.
The show's universe may never get as expansive as the Arrowverse, and one wouldn't want the show to fall back on using character guest spots as a crutch the way Smallville did. That doesn't mean the show can't dabble in it occasionally to add a bit of flavor to Kara's world.
Click here to join our Patreon campaign
1. Brainiac
As was the case with 'Man of Steel', I was a little disappointed that the writers didn't take the opportunity to set up Brainiac as a future big bad. He's a cool villain who could use some more mainstream exposure. You could have used the Geoff Johns run in the comics as an inspiration and have the alien AI be the one who destroyed Krypton. This would work well for Supergirl as, in said comics, she witnessed the attack and was scared crapless of the foe as a result. It would have given Kara some psychological fodder as well as an arc and moment of triumph as she overcomes the fear to win the day. While that's a missed opportunity, it would be great to see him appear as a threat not just to the city, but to the planet as a whole.
This could also be where Supergirl teams up with her cousin. Now, the show did make it clear that Kara doesn't want help, which is fine. But if you write it right, it wouldn't necessarily have to play that way. You don't even have to go the "Kara saves her cousin" route either. Have both National City and Metropolis get attacked and have both heroes independently decide to take the fight to Brainiac. They meet up outside his ship and decide to work together. Boom, hero team up.
2. Comet the Super-Horse
While a lesser known member of the team of "Superpets", Comet actually has a close tie to Supergirl in that they were romantically involved. Yes, Supergirl was in a relationship with a horse, comics! To be fair, the character was a shape-shifter, which helped remove some of the squick. Actually, Supergirl was a shapeshifter for a while too, that was weird. It's unlikely that a TV network would want to go this route, for obvious reasons, but that's kind of why I want to see them do it.
Even if the network wanted to sidestep the whole romantic angle, bringing in a super-powered horse is still something worth doing.
3. John Constantine
Of course, the character would be played by Matt Ryan, because he's just that good at it. Yes, he did appear on 'Arrow' but there's no reason he can't show up here too. He's so much fun to watch and it would be a way to introduce magic to the show, which is a prominent vulnerability for Kryptonians. It would also open things up for writers to bring in demons and other kinds of monsters for Kara to fight.
Now, this would raise the issue of continuity. According to Word of God, Ryan's appearance on 'Arrow' brings that show into the shared universe. Frankly, I find that to be an odd choice as they are adamant that it was just a one-off appearance and I doubt that they're going to pick up any of the dangling plot threads from the NBC show. Honestly, it would have made more sense to just say that he was that universe's version of the character. Multiversal doppelgangers are played by the same actor/actress on 'The Flash' anyway so it would be consistent. You could, however, go that route here and have an iteration of the character exist in her universe that is separate from the NBC/Arrowverse continuity.
4. The Flash
Speaking of the Arrowverse, there was talk of this show being part of it, but CBS opted out. As such, there won't be any crossovers between them...for now. The producers are still up for doing it some time down the line. I think having it be its own universe worked out, but with the multiverse being established, you could use the breaches as a pretense to have Barry pop in for an episode. Or, you could have Kara get pulled through and be in that universe for a while. Considering her struggles to prove herself, the latter might work out better for her. With both heroes being as noble and personable as they are, I think they'd make a great team.
I mean, look at this.
This can be canon.
5. Zatanna
It's odd, given the show's feminist slant that all of the characters I've listed so far are male. You could argue that Brainiac is genderless, but you get the point. For what it's worth, that was incidental. I had reasons for wanting to see each individual character pop up and the list just sort of came out that way.
While Wonder Woman isn't likely to make an appearance due to the movies and Hawkgirl, Vixen, Black Canary, and Huntress exist in the Arrowverse; Zatanna is still up for grabs and she is an awesome character in her own right. As such, she's more than deserving of the closing spot on the list.
As is the case with Constantine, Zatanna would allow magic to be brought into the fold, while also giving Kara a potent ally. While I am partial to the traditional backwards speak based magic, I think this is one instance where the elemental mystic route might be the better take for the character. It's still a formidable ability, but it doesn't overshadow Kara and it makes it easier to create viable threats for when the two characters do decide to work together.
The show's universe may never get as expansive as the Arrowverse, and one wouldn't want the show to fall back on using character guest spots as a crutch the way Smallville did. That doesn't mean the show can't dabble in it occasionally to add a bit of flavor to Kara's world.
Click here to join our Patreon campaign
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)