As a lifelong DC Universe aficionado with an unquenchable thirst for witty humor and innovative storytelling, I can’t help but be captivated by the tale of Powerless. It’s like finding a hidden gem in a junkyard full of rusty superhero relics – a breath of fresh air amidst the gloom and doom that often permeates the DC Universe.
Picture a hilarious sitcom featuring Vanessa Hudgens, Danny Pudi, Alan Tudyk, and Ron Funches. Seems like it could be a winner, doesn’t it? Now… let’s move the action to the DC Universe. The show Powerless, created by Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker, ran for just 12 episodes on NBC before being axed. Although showrunners Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker have since achieved great success with animated shows like Harley Quinn and Kite Man: Hell Yeah!, Powerless was a flop for NBC, despite having a small but devoted fan base.
Reflecting on their conversation with ComicBook.com, Schumacker and Halpern fondly looked back on their tenure as joint showrunners for Powerless. This TV series, set within the DC Universe, centers around ordinary workers at Wayne Security who create products to safeguard Gotham and Metropolis citizens from getting caught in the crossfire when superheroes battle villains. Schumacker mentioned, “We were incredibly lucky to join this show in multiple aspects, but one of them was that it served as our introduction to DC as a whole.” Initially working as consulting producers, they eventually took over as co-showrunners.
It’s clear from its humorous cast and outlandish plot that Powerless offered an unexpectedly optimistic and funny take on a universe typically shrouded in darkness, the DC Universe. The creators admitted their inspiration stemmed from the Silver Age of comics (1956-1970), characterized by vibrant colors and quirky characters. Schumacker added:
Once we took over as showrunners, there was a significant shift in direction. Initially, the series revolved around an insurance company handling the aftermath of superhero battles; however, it evolved into a more technology-focused narrative, reminiscent of the sitcom “Better Off Ted.” Our intent, at least, was to infuse a dose of Silver Age-style absurdity and whimsy.
Powerless Being Canceled Meant the Show Was Creatively Free
Initially designed as a prolonged series intended for casual TV viewers to explore the DC Universe, Powerless unfortunately didn’t get a second chance due to NBC’s decision not to renew it during production of Season 1. A total of 12 episodes were aired, with the rest of Season 1 becoming available on TVNZ+ a day after the show was canceled.
For Schumacker and Halpern, not having their series renewed wasn’t exactly what they hoped for. Yet, it offered them a unique opportunity – the freedom to fully commit to the final episodes, infusing them with as much wildness and quirkiness as they desired, with reduced intervention from NBC. Schumacker put it this way:
I believe this tale is reminiscent of a TV series in essence, encapsulating both success and failure. At some stage, it seemed as if the broadcasters decided not to commission additional episodes, yet they didn’t outright cancel the show. Instead, they appeared less interested in promoting it, which might be referred to as a passive approach. Consequently, they allowed us a great deal of creative freedom regarding the show’s wackiness.
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2024-09-16 17:01