Bad guys beware. A new lineup of superheroes is invading your television sets.
As the epic battle for your attention intensifies, DC Comics is pushing back against Disney/Marvel by commissioning two hot new shows for the small screen: Gotham and The Flash.
Gotham is a prequel concept show focusing on the back stories of other players in the Batman universe - rookie cop Jim Gordan generally takes centre stage. It's a novel idea but it doesn't work.
Without the Bat to hold the narrative together, it is a mishmash of ideas moving sluggishly, with only half-formed characters to carry it. Newly orphaned Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) is present and brooding in the background but the show's main twist - on an already overwrought story - is to try to position the boy in the role of catalyst rather than protagonist. Young Bruce listens to death metal while drawing angry images (when he's not trying to burn himself). This doesn't make for engaging television.
The best acting is delivered by Camren Bicondova as Selina ''Cat" Kyle in the first two episodes, but she doesn't talk. Ben McKenzie, who plays Gordon, is stoney and one-dimensional. The shows get better with each episode and will no doubt fly high on the Bat-tails of the man himself.
Grant Gustin plays Barry Allen, The Flash - a good guy nerd who discovers he has superhuman speed after he's struck by lightning, created by a particle accelerator (of course). With punchy action, relevant dialogue peppered with amusing banter, and fast-paced storytelling, you find yourself actually caring about the characters and engaging in a story most viewers have never followed closely.
- On Vuzu Amp (DStv 114) on Mondays at 7.30pm
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