Photos
Video
'Who Wants to Be a Superhero?': So it begins
Welcome, true believers, to another season of Stan Lee's Who Wants to be a Superhero?. The first season was a bit of a mess, though to me the most egregious failing was Stan's notion of what makes a superhero. The creator of nuanced, conflicted characters like Spider-Man and the X-Men for Marvel insisted contestants instead be glorified Boy Scouts, more like a certain super-character over at Marvel rival DC.
A hero does fall on tonight's first episode, so be on the alert for spoilers.
Our story begins with a short look at the audition scene, and I have to say the costumes are pretty damn elaborate. Even better, some of the potentials made their own movies with special effects better than the first season of this show. Honestly, if I had the nice costume and the special effects, eff Stan Lee. I'd start make mini-movies online and be popular as Chad Vader.
One movie is a music video for someone called Cosmic Bitch, and though I already know who our contestants will be, part of me hopes she shows up.
The auditions then move to a darkened room with Stan interviewing people via big-screen television. Two of the contestants are pretty much just, um, exotic dancers, and sure enough when he asks for catchphrases, each begins undulating. One gets a bit too handsy with herself, and we cut to a hilarious shot of wide-eyed Stan shaking his head. We also meet our hard-luck story of this season, Whip-Snap, who's had a hard-knock life.
Our final 10 are chosen, and they are sent for by last season's winner Feedback. Mr. Back supposedly now has a successful comic (which I've never seen at Chicago Comics) and a movie on Sci-Fi. Huh. Feedback controls electricity, and so some of the gathering is presented in clever ways (leaping into phones, power lines, light fixtures, etc.). Our new heroes are:
Basura, who uses the power of trash; Braid, whose colorful hair has many powers; The Defuser, a gadget-using supercop; Hygena, who cleans up crime; Hyper-Strike, a martial artist; Mindset, a telekinetic time traveler; Mr. Mitzvah, armed with his Star of David paddle; Ms. Limelight, who... well, she's an enormous ditz; Parthenon, this year's Feedback, who has a magic armband; and Whip-Snap, a whip expert.
Our heroes assemble in costume (and in Parthenon's case, suddenly sans beard) in front of the familiar warehouse from last season. Feedback directs them inside and zaps away. The 10 run through the old dry-cleaning factory, prompting one of the women to sarcastically say, "I love the smell of sweaty Spandex." Good point. Next is the lair, and while our contestants gloss over Stan's old glasses and the pencil with which he began his career, I think I'd stop and gawk in geeky reverence.
We begin our first challenge with Stan kidnapped by a mysterious figure. (I'll cheat and tell you press materials identified him as Dr. Dark.) The heroes must split into two teams of five, infiltrate the city's aqueduct and face wind and water (that is, giant fans and pressure hoses) to turn a valve, pull a lever and turn a key. It's an impressive challenge, and I have high hopes already for this season. Long story short, only one team manages to shut down the trap within the allotted four minutes, and I wonder whether a season can end quite so quickly.
But Stan's not dead, of course, and reveals himself to be the villain in disguise. Hw wanted to test the heroes. So, the ends justify the means now? I have no problem with that; his most famous characters explored that territory.
The next challenge involves questioning one Mr. Long about a robbery. Each hero gets two minutes to get as many clues as possible, and I immediately think of Rorschach's trick with fingers. Sure enough, Mr. Long suffers from acute ADD and wants to talk more about each hero than his loss. Most avoid this trap, though Braid uses her entire time describing her powers. Once back outside, the heroes find their SUVs' tires have been removed.
Defuser takes the lead to get the tires replaced, but only three heroes notice the guy carrying a stack of boxes and the old lady struggling with a walker. (Nobody notices the conspicuously placed lost dog.) Hoo boy, we're back to being Scouts.
Yep, that comes up at elimination. The Bottom Three are Ms. Limelight, who hasn't proven herself; Mr. Mitzvah, who was rude to Mr. Long; and Braid, who of course botched that second challenge. Braid's failing is worst, and her costume is zapped away. Next week: The heroes meet a bee-themed supervillain!
I have to say it was alot better than Season1 and I was hoping the obnoxious Ms.Limelight would go home but she didn't that sucks I dont like her
Diane | Jul 26, 2007 10:26:01 PM | #Honestly, it's a cheeseball show. I didn't watch season 1 at all, but happened to catch this episode. It was much better than I thought it would be. But the only thing gonna bring me back is to see the amazingly attractive Basura. Holy Hot Cakes Batman!
Will | Jul 27, 2007 8:58:58 AM | #The cheese is the Point. That and watching Mitzvah slowly alienate himself from everyone. Hilarious!
I find it freaky that The Defuser looks like a buff version of Matt the Psychic cop from Heroes.
Ms. Limelight? She's too much of a ditz to survive long, but she gets on Mitzvah's nerves, so that'll be funny to watch escalate.
Contrary to the original article, but WhipSnap is this year's Feedback. She's got a troubled past, and is pinning all her hopes on impressing Stan Lee. But boy does she cry a lot for a security guard.
I can't wait for Stan to bring out the attack dogs again. Most of this bunch is dog food, figuratively.
ComputerKing | Jul 27, 2007 10:31:23 AM | #What a waste of a time slot.
since Nbc Universal has taken over they put too much garbage on.This show is the worst of the worst.I can't believe so many comics came from Stan Lee.
His appearance along with the superhero wannabes , are like fingernails on a blackboard.For the shows finale they should bring back all the contestants to kick the crap out of Mr Lee.
That I would watch.
ms. limelight is hott
not gona say | Aug 5, 2007 12:12:45 AM | #this show is the worst of the worst, a dog laying a turd on the sidewalk was more entertaining than this show
jason85 | Oct 23, 2008 4:01:43 PM | #
Zap2it Twitter Talk
