Blu-ray Slight Return: TV Edition

Perhaps it’s not odd the way the movies embraces the Marvel universe while the DC universe, although published first, lags behind in establishing a modern day cinematic cosmology. However, on the small screen, DC rules and Marvel drools.

Just look at the cross-pollination and narrative zeitgeist taking place this year alone. The Flash (The Complete Second Season) is a stand-alone character in the new film version of DC characters, and also appears on the small screen via the CW network. The Flashters’ sophomore season includes an appearance by Arrow. Okay, Arrow himself is in his complete fourth season. In the movies Ezra Miller plays Flash, but on the television show Flash is played by Grant Gustin. Such are the fortunes of the airwaves.

Likewise we’ve seen the rollout of DCs’ Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl, both in their first season, and each of which come loaded with Comic Con panel clips.

Some of the Marvel television series include Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC), as well as Daredevil and Jessica Jones, both on Netflix. Other series based on DC comics include Lucifer (Fox), Preacher (AMC), Gotham (Fox), and iZombie (The CW). While comic book scenarios attract fans of all ages, the film and TV shows mainly skew younger demographics. That being said, superheroes and their human counterparts are here to stay.

Also new on disc is the horror-comedy Therapy for a Vampire (Music Box Films, 9/6). More of a comedy with mock horror elements this recent German import follows the fading marriage of a centuries old vampire and his wife. The pair take an interest in a young artistic couple and everyone has sessions with Sigmund Freud. Some solid laughs ensue. The whole affair reminds one of another vampire satire What We Do in the Shadows.

by Michael Bergeron