PBS isn't the first stop for most comics-loving fanboys, and the three-hour “Superheroes” tacitly acknowledges this by offering less of a lovefest and more of a primer on comic books.
It’s a good primer, because PBS does structured history well. It just feels more academic than slam-bang.
Originally, “Superheroes” was planned to run over three nights. Airing it all at once turns out to make sense, because the three hours are linked in style and content.
Perhaps the most interesting hour is the second, titled “Great Power, Great Responsibility.”
The title is a reference to Spider-Man, who the show argues humanized superheroes in a way that Superman, Batman and their ilk did not.
Spidey achieved that distinction the hard way, “Superheroes” suggests, through one of the most famous and stunning comic stories ever: “The Night Gwen Stacy Died.”
Gwen was Spider-man’s girlfriend. As all fans know, he failed to save her.
Superheroes weren’t supposed to let their loved ones die. He did. That changed the game.
Talking with authorities like Marvel Comics mastermind Stan Lee, the producers also tie comics to changes in America.
This includes the end of World War II, the 1950s comics code, the social upheaval of the ’60s and the New York crime wave of the ’70s — which inspired the first wave of grey-area superheroes who administered “street justice” that didn’t always emanate from the moral high ground.
“Superheroes” brings PBS into the comic book world the way its pledge-drive specials bring PBS into the pop music world, with quality productions that keep things clean and tidy.
It’s fun for fans, and some of them may even learn a little something.
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