We've seen this before...Entertainment properties based on toy lines. It's worked for Transformers for decades. GIJoe got it's start this way too. But it has only ever led to failure and derision when tried with DC Comic properties. And this afternoon, Variety reports that it's coming our way again starting with BATMAN: UNLIMITED.
Does anyone remember the Joel Shoemacher BATMAN films? Or the “Super-Powers Team: Galactic Guardians” cartoon show from the early 80s? “Galactic Guardians” was based on a Mattel toy line. But it wasn't renewed for a second season. You can find it on Amazon instant video if you search hard enough.
I know we'd all like to pretend that BATMAN FOREVER and BATMAN & ROBIN never happened. We'd all like to wish those films away along with the T-X and the first two acts of TERMINATOR 3. But those train-wrecks of Bat-story-telling were designed around the toy lines. Chris O'Donnell (GRAYSON/ROBIN) even said so in interviews after the fact. And the films were terrible.
Some blame George Clooney. Some blame Joel Shoemacher. I'd say that in both cases the blame is misplaced. Both men have gone on to have brilliant careers after these Bat-debacles. I blame the studio executives for forcing the filmmakers to work backwards from the toys, designing vehicles, sets and plot around the toys.
And now DC Entertainment is trying it again, this time with animated properties. Have they completely lost their way over there at Warner Bros. Animation since forcing Bruce Timm out?
DC has a long and rich history of great flims and shows based on characters and story: The Richard Donner Superman films, the Tim Burton Batman films, Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy, Zack Snyder's comic-based projects, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Teen Titans (not Teen Titans Go!) and the Batman, Superman, Batman Beyond and Justice League cartoons from Bruce Timm, Dewayne McDuffy and James Tucker. And recently ARROW, THE FLASH and GOTHAM. These properties and their creators always, put story and character first. Toy sets and action figures may or may not have come after, but these are the shows that live in our hearts as sterling examples of what DC's heroes can be.
If DC wants to add toy sales to its bottom-line, why not develop some toys, role-playing games, apparel, etc based on properties that are already successful like Greg Berlanti's shows, ARROW and THE FLASH on the CW?
Look, I don't blame the toy makers, the costumers, or the game designers. They all want to sell their products just like the writers on this website want to sell our content. It's worked somehow with Transformers and GI Joe. I don't know how. But designing the shows or movies around the toys has always been a colossal failure for DC. Maybe this time will be different. Let's hope.
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