PILOT LITE: Constantine (2014 television pilot)

I am easily the biggest Hellblazer fan that I know. This isn't intended to sound like a boast, but I own John Constantine's first appearance in Swamp Thing, all 300 issues of the ongoing title and every single crossover, special, miniseries, guest-spot and novel that the Vertigo character has been featured in. Again, I'm not trying to brag (well, maybe a little), I just want you to understand the respect and reverence I have for this character.

CBM PROFILE: Thor

Marvel's God of Thunder doesn't have a whole lot in common with the original Asgardian hammer-wielder. Sure, the name and basics are the same but many of the specifics have been changed to create something almost entirely different that stands on its own. It's a testament to the talent of the people involved with his creation (and marketing!) that saying the name "Thor" conjures images of the comic character rather than his mythical basis to just about everyone (experts in Norse culture notwithstanding). And yet, it seems that it's only been recently that he's been given a whole lot of attention outside of the page. Sure, he's had many a guest-appearance but he rarely starred in anything.

Thor's most enduring look.

Much like the Norse myth, Marvel's Thor is the son of Odin and hails from Asgard. His brother, Loki is often his antagonist and the two have fought (and made up) multiple times throughout the decades. His adventures have featured a strong supporting cast such as The Warriors Three, Lady Sif, Baldur and Heimdall (many of which are also based upon Norse gods). It didn't take him long to join the ranks of the Earth's Mightiest Heroes (he debuted in Journey into Mystery in 1962 and was present with the Avengers for their first adventure in 1963), ever since he's been closely associated with them. He has gone through various re-designs, re-interpretations and even a death or two. But what's always been at the core of the character is the fact that he's a hero in the most classical sense. He may not always be polite or humble, but he uses his godly strength to defend humanity from otherworldly threats. Since most people are at least passingly familiar with his role in the Marvel Universe (and since his history is so extensive), I'll leave it at that. This ain't Wikipedia.

PILOT LITE: The Flash (2014 television pilot)

For better or worse, it is impossible to discuss The Flash without first addressing the series that laid the groundwork for it. In its first couple of seasons, Arrow has established a definitively serious tone for its cast of characters. I think, overall, it works for the series. It's dealing with a younger, angrier Oliver Queen who has far more self-doubt than is typically seen in the comics (at least prior to that whole "New 52" thing). As such, the tone fits his character. In season two, when the future-Flash Barry Allen was introduced and it was announced that he would be getting his own spin-off series, I was a little hesitant due to said tone. Barry has always been a character known for being (for lack of a better term) a "good" guy. So how would his character work in a world that's as somber and dour as Arrow's? Well, the two-parter that introduced him answered that question partially, and it turns out it's "pretty well, actually". The character is still the same old Barry from the comics. He's sincere and good-hearted, just updated to better reflect the world that we live in currently, which makes perfect sense.


THE UNADAPTED: Shang-Chi

Guest Writer Extraordinaire Brian Baer provided this look at a Marvel character who has had a whopping zeroo appearances in expanded media. Where's the Kung Fu love, Marvel?

Writing about Marvel, especially characters who haven't been adapted yet, isn't easy. Pre-Iron Man, movies and other media based on Marvel's characters were as hit-or-miss as DC's. Since then it's become a different story. Not only are audiences being treated to high quality films, the Cinematic Universe's scope is almost too comprehensive to allow Monday Morning Quarterbacking. But this is the internet, after all. So, I'll give it a shot.