An Upcoming Blu-ray Release
The Original Scarlet Speedster is finally getting a Blu-ray release, much to the excitement of fans who have been following the 1990 favorite starring John Wesley Shipp that paved the way for a primetime multiverse!
Everything is new again! It certainly feels like the first quarter of the 21st Century has been steeped in nostalgia, revisiting some of the previous decades’ most viable successes and cuddling up in them like a warm blanket. The era of the reboot relaunched many an IP, across all genres, and gave an entirely new generation ownership over the new influx of content that’s followed. The most nourishing byproduct of the advent to take a second look at what’s come before has given adult fandom a very unique experience of being able to share their appreciation of a “classic” with their kids, who are following in their footsteps.
Diehard trekkers have had more than 5 decades to involve themselves in the “next generation” of Star Trek even before their children discovered the strange new worlds; just as Star Wars continued to revisit the growing mythology set in a galaxy far, far away that we are today continuing to celebrate. The modern pantheon of heroes from both the Marvel and DC comics universe has enjoyed a reignited renaissance that has brought together characters from every era and iteration, creating a cinematic multiverse that continues to grow.
One example that couldn’t be more kismet proves the theory that lightning can strike twice! This year will mark the first 10th anniversary of The Flash. The CW series spun out of the successful primetime hit Arrow and starred Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, and Danielle Panabaker. Produced by Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kreisberg, and Marc Guggenheim it gave rise to a connected series of shows based on DC comics properties and signaled the dawn of an expanded universe. The Flash ran its race for nine seasons and always recalled where it all began, especially when it came to paying homage to what had come before.
Parallel to the big screen success of Tim Burton’s groundbreaking 1989 blockbuster Batman starring Michael Keaton, CBS decidedly wanted in on the race and in 1990 premiered in primetime THE FLASH: The Original Series. Created by Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo the creative duo introduced television audiences to CSI investigator Barry Allen, whose life is forever altered when a freak accident turns him into a steadfast sentinel for justice. Two-time Emmy-Winning actor John Wesley Shipp was recruited in the starring role, portraying Fastest Man Alive, and fought all manner of corruption and villainy!
From the Archives
Also starring Amanda Pays and Alex Désert as Allen’s partners in crime, Bilson and De Meo were responsible for spearheading the most expensive television series of its time, and capitalized on an episodic format to evolve Central City’s Scarlet Speedster on his heroic journey. The series was emphatically well-received by critics but was challenged in the ratings as its time slot was often moved around, and audiences couldn’t keep track of where CBS would land The Flash next. After 22 episodes, two of which featured Star Wars actor Mark Hamill as arch-nemesis The Trickster, the series was canceled by the network.
Twenty-five years later, Berlanti would bring The Flash back to primetime and convinced John Wesley Shipp to return to the universe. The actor would portray Henry Allen, Barry Allen’s father, and play opposite Grant Gustin, ceremoniously passing the baton. With a little convincing, Shipp was also invited to step back into a super suit, first as “the original” Crimson Comet, Jay Garrick, The Flash of an alternate earth. He would once again reprise his role as Barry Allen, The Flash of 1990, bringing the legacy full circle and meeting his fate in the 5-part epic live-action adaptation of “Crisis on Infinite Earths”.
On the convention circuit, many fans have often expressed to Shipp how much “The Original Series” meant to them, and having a chance to revisit it has always been a big thrill. This June, fans will have an opportunity to return to the 1990s and re-experience THE FLASH: The Original Series when Warner Archives releases the entire season on Blu-ray. The new 2024 remastering to 1080p HD was accomplished using the 4K scans of the original camera negatives. This process will make each episode appear far more cinematic than ever before, enhancing detail and richly impacting colors. The audio will also be presented in DTS-HD MA 2.0 Stereo.
Regrettably, the new Blu-ray box set will be lacking in Special Features or Bonus Content, but fortunately, the star of the series, John Wesley Shipp is returning to the convention circuit this season and will be promoting the new release, sharing in the excitement of The Flash one more time. The Blu-ray package is currently available for pre-order on Amazon, and will likely be moving quickly, so get yours while you can! Add The Flash: The Original Series on Blu-ray to your DC collection now!
THE FLASH: THE ORIGINAL SERIES | From the Warner Archive Collection | starring John Wesley Shipp, Amanda Pays, and Alex Désert | is coming to Blu-ray in June. New for 2024, 1080p HD masters from 4K scans of the original camera negatives.
