While I can’t say that crow is my favourite delicacy, I’m not averse to eating some when necessary. And while I’m not placing an order for some corvidae quite yet, I am busy getting out the Spur 1000-Island sauce* so long, just in case. You see I’ve had my doubts about Arrow spinoff, The Flash, from the casting of Grant Gustin in the lead role of super-speedster Barry Allen aka the Flash, to the miscoloured, badly fitting costume. The far too long 5 minute trailer didn’t help calm my fears much, as it showed the story potential for a “freak of the week” approach, the very same approach that had me ditch another superhero TV series, Smallville, several years ago.
But while some of my misgivings may still come to pass (and really, I’m sincerely hoping they don’t since I love the character of the Flash, and a quality new superhero show is never a bad thing), it would seem that that the show doesn’t just hit the ground running, it races straight to to front of the pack. That seems to be general opinion of a number of folk who were lucky enough to be in attendance at an event held in Los Angeles yesterday where several studios showed off pilot episodes of their upcoming shows to potential buyers from various international networks.
A number of film/TV press and comic book folk like Mark Waid, Jonathan Hickman, Arune Singh etc were all among those in attendance, and they tweeted their very, very positive reactions to the pilot episode (via CBM).
So,THE FLASH pilot is exciting, optimistic and a ton of fun. Fantastic ending too. Very much what you’d expect from a Flash TV show. I’m in.
— Arune Singh (@arune) May 31, 2014
Saw the FLASH pilot. That’s some pretty great stuff @geoffjohns. People are going to love it. Congrats! — Jonathan Hickman (@JHickman) June 1, 2014
As expected, absolutely loved #TheFlash pilot. #RunBarryRun — Daniel the TV Addict (@theTVaddict) May 29, 2014
My sons aren’t in the ‘superhero’ phase right now, but holy moly, did the FLASH pilot reel them right in. — Matt Mitovich (@MattMitovich) May 28, 2014
I had high expectations for The Flash pilot, but that went FAR beyond what I expected. @grantgust nails it, carries the show well.
— Jonah Weiland (@jonahweiland) May 28, 2014
Watched my first new series pilot today. The Flash, naturally. There is an awwwwesome DC nod I didn’t expect. — Eric Goldman (@EricIGN) May 28, 2014
ok @CW_TheFlash pilot is a blast—A+ effects, a great lead in Grant Gustin & a WHOLE lot to love for the @DCComics fans. #TheFlash
— Damian Holbrook (@TVGMDamian) May 23, 2014
I think I may love #TheFlash pilot even more than I loved the #Arrow pilot (and I love Green Arrow more than any other hero except Batman) — Laura Prudom (@LauInLA) May 23, 2014
Not only is the #Flash pilot EXCELLENT, but (for this) the dead-mom retcon doesn’t grate. Great show, and Tom Cavanagh is astounding. — Mark Waid (@MarkWaid) May 23, 2014
#TheFlash is awesome. Guarantee that it’s the best pilot on show this year. Enjoyed it so much. — Bradley Adams (@Bradley_STV) May 31, 2014
Just saw The Flash pilot: I am SO IN! @grantgust is great as Barry Allen & the show did such a cool twist at the end! #wantmoreepisodespls
— Michelle Singh (@Varessa) May 31, 2014
And the early front runner for Pilot I’m Most Excited To See Ep 2 Of: “Flash.” Terrific. — Alan Sepinwall (@sepinwall) May 30, 2014
Damn, that’s a lot of praise, especially for Grant Gustin, who I felt may just be the weak link in this thing. And the most telling compliments come from Mark Waid, who is not only the man who wrote some of the biggest and most influential Flash stories ever, but has been very vocal and honest about his disapproval of a number of comic book adaptations (most famously Man of Steel). I can dismiss a few of those as just saying nice things so as to not be mean about a colleague’s work, but if Waid is on board, then you can damn well be sure that I am too.
So were you already psyched for The Flash and this just reaffirmed your excitement, or were you on the fence but are now doing an appropriate running man dance in celebration?
*Spur 1000-Island Sauce can make anything edible, even crow.
Last Updated: June 3, 2014
Jedi JJ
June 3, 2014 at 09:39
This has me a bit positive about it now.
LOVE arrow, so was very skeptical about this.
Kromas
June 3, 2014 at 09:41
Yep. I bet quite a bit on this being really good. Seems I finally am gonna get one right.
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 3, 2014 at 09:48
It’s terrible news, because now I’m waiting even more impatiently.
Sk3tz0
June 3, 2014 at 09:58
PIlots all great and well… But can they keep it up.. lord knows when it comes to episode 5 its all gone to shit in a handbag.
Justin Hess
June 3, 2014 at 12:27
The suit still looks shit though
RinceofThis
June 3, 2014 at 18:20
So excited about this!