Starring John Cusack as Starman Jack Knight! A 60th Birthday Salute!

 

Actor John Cusack is 60 today. I usually enjoy the movies he stars in. Do I agree with his political views? No. Actually, it's more, "hell-to-the-no". That doesn't change that I enjoy the stories he's a part of.

There was a time when I could have seen him as Jack Knight, the sone of DC Comics' Ted Knight - not to be confused with actor Ted Knight, narrator of Super Friends and best known as Ted Baxter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. DC's Ted Knight was the Golden-Age Starman.

Jack made his first appearance in the final issue of Zero Hour and headlined the Starman comic that ran from 1994 to 2001. Written by James Robinson, with art by Tony Harris. The series was highly acclaimed. I was nominated for the Eisner for the first story arc "Sins of the Father" and won an Eisner for the "Sand and Stars" storyline. It was also nominated for "Best Continuing Series" of 1997.

At its core, Starman is about the father and son relationship between Jack and Ted Knight. The series opens with The Mist's son and daughter exacting their revenge on the Knight family. David Knight, Jack's brother is shot and killed. Opal is laid siege. Jack considers running. Instead, he rises to the occasion and turns back the tide. Afterward, Jack agrees to fight crime as needed as Starman, as long as Ted focuses his energies on his science, invention and innovation.

Robinson, with Harris and later Peter Snejbjerg carved out a corner of the DC Universe with Opal City as a focal point. Story lines were mixed with "Tales of Times Past" and "Talking With David" interludes, all driving the story forward toward its conclusion with issue 80.

Jack Knight was created by James Robinson and Tony Harris. Jack makes very rare appearances outside of Starman. Geoff Johns, David Goyer and James Robinson used Jack as part of a Justice Society of America relaunch. Following the conclusion of his series, Jack quietly shuffles off into a "happily ever after". There were some possible rumblings of a falling out between Robinson and DC Comics which ended any possible future of Jack Knight, or any other projects involving Robinson.

A live action series was in development following Smallville, at the same time as Birds of Prey. Due to the lackluster performance of Birds of Prey, a Starman live action series was on indefinite hold.

Stargirl, focusing on Courtney Whitmore, played by Brec Bassinger debuted on the DC Universe streaming platform and the CW Network as part of the Arrowverse. What's interesting is Courtney was created as an homage to Geoff Johns' sister. James Robinson was involved in the live action series. Sylvester Pemberton, the one-time Star-Spangled Kid, was called Starman for the series.

Although time has passed and Cusack has probably aged out of the character, it would have been nice to see him in the role...

A fan can dream.

Crisis on Infinite Earths: Batman

Believe it or don't, there's only been ONE live action adult Batman/Bruce Wayne. His name was West. Adam West.

I grew up on Adam West Batman reruns. I took Mr. West's Batman seriously. It wasn't until recently that I read that the '66 Batman live action series was nominated for an Emmy in the SITCOM category!

Robert Wuhl and Michael Keaton are confirmed as cameos for the CW EVENT, Crisis on Infinite Earths adaptation. The cameos are more like Easter eggs.

Burt Ward, West's co-star, as Robin, the Boy Wonder is confirmed to appear in the CW's Crisis on Infinite Earths adaptation. He appears in an as yet, undisclosed role. Should be interesting to see what character he plays...

Nightwing? The Dark Knight Returns Batman? The Kingdom Come Batman?

There's word that the DC Universe streaming series Titans will be involved in the Crisis adaptation. So, there will be a Nightwing and a Robin appearing from that series...

That got me to thinking...

Lyle Waggoner and Peter Deyell were nearly cast as The Dynamic Duo. I could see Waggoner as either Earth-3's Owlman, or a live action '66 version of Harvey Dent. The late Harlan Ellison wrote a Batman '66 Two-Face script; and, legend has it that Clint Eastwood was considered for television reporter Harvey Dent.

Kevin Conroy is making the crossover from animation to live action as the Batman Beyond Bruce Wayne...

Diedrich Bader voiced Batman in Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Maybe he, and his his version of Batman could be included.

Rino Romano voiced Batman in The Batman animated series. The series was set in the third year of Bruce Wayne operating as The Dark Knight. The series lasted for five seasons, culminating in the formation of the Justice League.

I would love to see Mark Hamill as either The Joker or The Trickster!

Hey, they digitized Henry Cavill's mustache in Justice League. they could digitize Hamill's beard...

Crisis of Infinite Cameos

Oh - it just got real! Actor Robert Wuhl has been confirmed as reprising his role as Batman '89's Alexander Knox in the upcoming CW Network adaptation of Crisis on Infinite Earths! This is on top of Michael Keaton appearing as a photograph of Bruce Wayne. It's quite possible that Wuhl's Knox will be reading a newspaper featuring the photograph, in a "blink and you'll miss it" cameo. It is also possible that Wuhl's Knox appears on Earth-89 - designated for the year that Batman film was released.

Yes, this is a rating event. With a capital "E". Pure and simple.

Here's what I know from twenty-four years in radio: EVERY thing is designed to be an EVENT. There isn't a show on television, a film in the theaters, a book on a shelf, a comic book on a stand - nothing is out there that isn't meant to reach MASS APPEAL. You are a demographic. EVERY thing about YOU is broken down in order to reach accurate aim.

There's been a lot of rumor, speculation and fan-casting for this EVENT.

Here's mine.

Ben Affleck as George Reeves Superman.
There must be no doubt that Ben Affleck is a Geek. He's played Daredevil; Batman, and the George Reeves Superman. Hollywoodland is a pretty decent movie and I recommend it. It's like an extension of AJ Benza's E! Mysteries and Scandals.

Tim Daly as the The Dark Knight Returns Superman.
Brandon Routh is getting a "do-over" as the Kingdom Come Superman.

Based on Kevin Conroy appearing for the FIRST TIME in live action as the Batman Beyond Bruce Wayne, I would love to see Tim Daly - who voiced Superman and Clark Kent in the Timm-Diniverse Superman: The Animated Series as the The Dark Knight Returns Superman.

Daly and Conroy infamously re-created The Dark Knight Returns on Daly's YouTube page...

George Newbern as the Justice Lords Superman.

George Newbern took over from Tim Daly as Superman in the Timm-Diniverse Justice League animated series.

Honestly, "Secret Origin" is MUCH better than the live action Justice League film. But, that's another blog.

The episode "A Better World" features the (SPOILER ALERT) death of The Flash, voiced by Smallville's Michael Rosenbaum. The League become bitter and cynical and transform into the Justice Lords. This is another casting based on Kevin Conroy crossing over from animation to live action.

 
John Haymes Newton as Ultraman, from Earth-3.

John Haymes Newton was the first Superboy. The UPN series was based on the Christopher Reeve films. Newton, and co-star Stacy Haiduk, were Clark Kent and Lana Lang off to college at Shuster University. They were joined by Perry's son, T. J. White. Newton got into some trouble and was released from the series. It would be kinda cool to see him back in action.

Gerard Christopher as Superboy-Prime.
I met Gerard Christopher at Comic-Con Chicago many, many years ago. He had a booth. He was by himself. He seemed like a very polite, nice young man. He succeeded John Haymes Newton as Superboy for the remainder of the UPN series. I think from Season Two through Season Four. There were a few years between Superboy and Smallville. I would think that Smallville was trying to distance itself from Superboy - hence the "no tights, no flights" commandment.

I would think that Superboy and stars John Haymes Newton and Gerard Christopher are kind of overlooked. Neither one appeared on Smallville - like Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher did. A cameo in the CW Network Crisis adaptation might change that.

Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher as Lois and Clark.

Both have appeared on Smallville. Cain, and Helen Slater, are the CW Supergirl's adoptive parents. Lois and Clark was landmark. Clark revealed his identity to Lois Lane and the two finally married. the series prompted DC Comics to marry the two characters, too.

Jon Cryer, who played Gene Hackman's nephew in the Christopher Reeve Superman films will appear as Lex Luthor in the CW adaptation of Crisis. Michael Rosenbaum stated on social media that he was pitched a cameo, but it was more like, Hey, we need to know rightnowthissecond if you'd like to appear as Luthor. He turned the opportunity down.

I doubt that Kevin Spacey would make a cameo as a Luthor. Bit what about Clancy Brown? He voiced Luthor on the animated Superman and Justice League series. You've seen him in the original Highlander film and on Lost. John Shea played Luthor on Lois and Clark. Sherman Howard played Luthor on the Superboy series. Any one of them could play Earth-3's lone hero, Luthor.

The question still remains, who will SURVIVE the Crisis on Infinite Earths?   

Does There Have to be a Crisis on Infinite Earths?

I'm hyped about the upcoming CW Network adaptation of the 1985 comic book series Crisis on Infinite Earths! I'm excited about the cameos mostly. I've seen a few episodes of Arrow, The Flash and Supergirl - I liked what I saw; unfortunately, I just haven't had time to binge-watch an entire season or series.

Smallville was the last series that I followed closely. I followed it, because at the heart of the Superman story is a story of adoption. At the time the show was in prime time network run, my wife, Cathy, and I were adopting three children. I followed Jonathan and Martha Kent's story. I really liked John Schneider's Jonathan Kent. I followed Tom Welling's struggle as Clark, with the fitting in, and the maturing into both man and Superman. Yes, it was a more angsty take on the Man of Steel. Early episodes struck me as kinda realistic... For my mileage, the show derailed when Clark did not go to college, yet still ended up a reporter as The Daily Planet. I know Christopher Reeve pulled that same thing off years earlier - somehow that worked! The Smallville microscope... not so much. But then, Smallville was trying very hard NOT to be the previous Superboy. Hence, the "no tights, no flights" commandment, I would imagine.

Photographs of Welling and co-star Erica Durance re-uniting for the CW Crisis are on social media. Michael Rosenbaum shared his reason for NOT reprising his role as Lex Luthor on social media, too.

(One of the cool highlights, is that it is quite possible that the Smallville: Season Eleven comic book storyline will be considered canon!)

Triple threat John Wesley Shipp will be appearing - again - as the '90's The Flash; the legendary Kevin Conroy - who voiced Bruce Wayne and Batman in the '90's Bruce Timm-Paul Dini Batman: The Animated Series - will appear as the older, grizzled Bruce Wayne from Batman Beyond - in live action!!! Brandon Routh will appear as the Kingdom Come Superman. Tyler Hoechlin, from Supergirl, join in as that version of Superman. '66 Robin, the Boy Wonder, Burt Ward is confirmed, but in an unspecified role. There's been rumors of Lynda Carter making an appearance as Wonder Woman. There's fan speculation over other cameos, too.

But, does there have to be a Crisis on Infinite Earths?

The point of the original Crisis was basically housecleaning. Simply put, DC had a LOT of characters in so many different places. The point of Crisis then, was to put ALL of their characters in ONE place: one SINGLE Earth, with ONE timeline or history.

For instance: The Golden-Age Justice Society of America was formed in 1940 and disbanded in 1951. The Earth, or reality that they existed in did NOT develop a Justice League of America. There was a gap - filled with team-ups - from 1951 to 1985, when the children and proteges of the Justice Society formed the team Infinity, Inc.

Now, the Earth, or reality that the Justice League was in, never produced a Justice Society during World War II. Barry Allen, one of the founders of The Silver Age, read The Flash - Jay Garrick - comic books growing up. It was part of the inspiration for him to become the next generation The Flash. I would argue that it also inspired the formation of the League, since the team was just Barry, Arthur Curry as Aquaman, Hal Jordan's Green Lantern, J'onn J'onzz as the Martian Manhunter and Diana Prince as Wonder Woman. Batman and Superman were sort of grandfathered in.

There was later a THIRD Earth, with evil mirror images of the Justice League; kind of like that classic episode of Star Trek. 

Other Earth's or realities were developed, like Earth-S, for the SHAZAM! Family of characters that DC got from Fawcett. As DC got other characters from other companies, the Earths, or realities, multiplied... almost to infinity.

Here's the thing: the point, then, of Crisis, was to eliminate all of those infinite Earths or realities down to a single timeline - or history - on a single Earth. 

So, with Tom Welling, Brandon Routh and Tyler Hoechlin all appearing as a version of Clark Kent, will only ONE survive? There are fans calling for Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher to appear from their Lois and Clark series - but would their version end up being erased? I'd love to see Tim Daly and George Newbern appear. Both voiced the animated Superman, like Kevin Conroy voiced Batman. It would be cool to see John Haymes Newton and Gerard Christopher from the Superboy series appear. But would their versions be eliminated, too?

Is this CW adaptation streamlining DC live action - and possibly animation - continuity?

That's the big question on my mind right now. Okay, there are other, bigger, more important questions on my mind, but as a comic book geek, this is what I'm wondering.

Who will survive this live action adaptation?