As the DC Universe gets another look with Superman’s "Man of Steel" in theatres now, we should mention the comic book company’s offerings on the small screen.
DC, taking its name from the original "Detective Comics," has had a presence on TV throughout the decades, as part of a business partnership and ownership by Warner Brothers, and under the Time Warner umbrella.
That’s the reason we would be able to see Batman and Robin cross over from their work with the Justice League on "Super Friends" and find those meddling kids on Hanna-Barbera’s "Scooby-Doo." The share in ownership also allowed Daffy Duck as his Duck Dodgers character take a turn as the Green Lantern.
In the current TV schedule, DC’s "Teen Titans" is enjoying a run on the Cartoon Network. The animated show aimed at children features the hijinks of Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy.
And the CW network has "Arrow," a reboot of the complicated life of Oliver Queen as "Green Arrow," who is out to make things right after his father and others have wronged the city.
The series starring Stephen Amell as the title character had a successful first season, being one of the most-watched shows on CW. Andrew Kreisberg and Marc Guggenheim are back at the helm for season two, and speculation runs rampant on what other comic characters may find a place on the show.
"Andrew Kreisberg sat me down and gave me the big pitch and then after I got the pitch he went, 'OK, here's the game-changer,’" Amell said in a recent interview. "And the game-changer is a 'game-changer.' I can't say, but it's something and some people that aren't just familiar to DC Comics fans ... they're like ... more familiar than Green Arrow."
That leaves the door open for an appearance by Superman, Batman or Wonder Woman, just to name a few.
"Arrow" is scheduled to start up again in the fall season, sometime in October.
HOME AND CABLE: Time Warner Cable launched its home security service on Monday.
"Imagine you’re away on vacation and realize that you left the thermostat set at 72 degrees or left a closet light on. IntelligentHome lets you make adjustments remotely using a PC or smartphone. You can also temporarily disarm the system so a neighbor can come in to check the house, and you can even watch live video of your pets at home. It really brings customers a whole new level of peace of mind – and convenience," Adam Mayer, VP of IntelligentHome, said in a statement.
The move makes another revenue source for the service company beyond its cable, internet and phone offerings.
GOING ROGUE: New to the comic book world, Amigo Comics is said to have a hit on its hands with the release of the first two editions of "Rogues!" In fact, the No. 2 issue of the comic sold out before shipping.
Cover art on issue two was done by artist Emanuela Lupacchino, known for work on Marvel’s "X-Factor" and the books "Archer and Armstrong," "Ame-Comi" and the graphic novel adaption of the ABC hit series "Castle." Find out more about the new comic series on Facebook.
Media is bombarding us everywhere.
Instead of sheltering his brain from the onslaught, Steve embraces the news stories, entertainment, billboards, blogs, talk shows and everything in between.
The former writer, editor and producer in TV, radio, Web and newspapers, will be talking about what media does in our community and how it shapes who we are and what we do.