Arrow EP Shrugs Off S.H.I.E.L.D. Comparisons, Instead Hails 'Golden Age' of Comic Book Fare
Among the effusive reactions to Arrow‘s fall finale, one TVLine reader assigned Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. to “study every episode” of The CW’s super drama over the winter break “and learn how a great comic book show is done.”
And while such comparisons have been made by others, Arrow showrunner Andrew Kreisberg doesn’t see Oliver Queen and the S.H.I.E.L.D. team as adversaries on the airwaves.
“We don’t really feel like we’re in competition with anybody else,” Kreisberg responded when I presented him with the aforementioned reader’s “homework” assignment for S.H.I.E.L.D. “We’re only trying to outdo ourselves as we move forward.”
RELATED | Where Did Arrow‘s Oliver and Felicity Land in Our Year in Review?
Kreisberg also prefers to focus on the bigger, Ben-Day dotted picture here — an overall resurgence of comic book adaptations on screens small and big. For in addition to Arrow, its anticipated spin-off The Flash and ABC’s S.H.I.E.L.D., The CW is developing a pilot about DC Comics’ Hourman, NBC hopes to spin Constantine’s story, Fox aims to explore Batman bestie James Gordon’s origin story in Gotham and no fewer than four Marvel heroes are set to call Netflix home.
“I think all of us here — not just as writers but as viewers — are thrilled that we’re in what feels like a golden age of comic book adaptations in both film and television,” Kreisberg shared. “We’re excited to be part of this real shift in the TV landscape that includes S.H.I.E.L.D. and hopefully for next season Gotham and Constantine, and even the Daredevil show, which I’m really excited about.”
RELATED | Save the Dates! Your Guide to 75+ January Premieres, Finales and More
“We really feel like a rising tide lifts all ships,” Kreisberg concluded, perhaps (?) unaware that his choice of words evoked the name of a S.H.I.E.L.D. nemesis, “so the more comic book adaptations the better!”
Do you echo Kreisberg’s POV — that it’s not “Arrow versus S.H.I.E.L.D.” but simply super enough that TV is embracing comic book fare?
Want more scoop on Arrow, or for any other show? Email insideline@tvline.com and your question may be answered via Matt’s Inside Line.
Related stories
Matt's Inside Line: Scoop on The Mentalist, NCIS, S.H.I.E.L.D., Blacklist, Bones, Hannibal and More
Stephen Amell Teases Arrow's Mirakuru Freak-Out and a First-Of-Its-Kind Oliver/Laurel Scene
Carrie Diaries Preview: Will Walt and Bennett's Romance Survive NYC's Mid-'80s AIDS Crisis?
Get more from TVLine.com: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
