Syfy’s Reality TV Series That Was Too FUN to Die: Stan Lee’s “Who Wants to Be a Superhero?” Lives on in the Hearts & Minds of Fans & Competitors

In this promo photo, Stan Lee (center) poses with the contestants from the second season of his “Who Wants to be a Superhero?” competition-reality show. (Photo: Syfy)

Comics legend, Stan Lee, appears omnipotent and able to “rule the world” in this screenshot from the opening sequence of Syfy’s, Who Wants to be a Superhero? In the show, Lee did indeed make the final contestant elimination decisions, essentially controlling the “destinies” of all on the show.

A Great Idea For a Show
—That Ended Much Too Soon

For superhero aficionados, comic book geeks, and action figure fans, the Syfy Channel’s inspired and family-friendly, competition-reality show, “Who Wants to be a Superhero?” (WWTBASH) was like a little slice of Heaven. Each episode was “entertainment-light,” to be sure, but it could also be an intriguing, emotional, and suspenseful, mini morality play, played out each and every week. Challenging the wannabe “heroes” with a series of contests, the show ultimately attempted to uncover what was (or was NOT) inside of each contestant’s heart and soul (i.e. empathy, selflessness, determination, heroism, etc.). And while fans may not have always agreed with the show’s “elimination” decisions, the audience was all too happy to be along for the ride—on what was proclaimed as—”The Adventure of a Lifetime!”

While even the mention of “merchandising” could get you booted off the show (just ask “Levity,” who was cut BEFORE he entered the lair). the potential for POST-show profits from products based on popular characters was HUGE. Clearly, each of these lady heroines from Season 1 would’ve made GREAT action figures for fans and collectors. (How about a face-off between Monkey Woman and Creature? Mmm) Unfortunately, Stan Lee and Syfy chose not to pursue such lucrative (and lovely) tie-ins. (Photo: Syfy)

Phillip Allen, aka “Mindset,” describes his character’s acute mental powers of telekinesis, and that his armor is “from the future” in an episode of Who Wants to be a Superhero? His unique appearance (bald head, arched eyebrows) and elaborate handmade costume (complete with a working chest-light) made him an early fan-favorite. Sadly, during filming of the show, his original costume was ruined when barrels of corn syrup were poured on it during a showdown with the evil, “Bee-Sting.” It was quickly replaced by the show’s costumers, but (unfortunately) he was eliminated immediately afterwards. His character would’ve made a FAN-tastic 1:6 scale action figure! (Photo: Variety)

An “American Idol” for Fans and Creators of Superheroes

Despite high ratings for the Syfy Channel and repeated pleas from its legions of fans, the show’s creator and Oz-like host, comics legend Stan Lee (now 90), replied that his schedule no longer permitted him to do the show, and that a third season would not be produced (even with a substitute host). In hindsight, his decision appears to have been very short-sighted and ill-advised.

It’s been 6 years since Lee’s brainchild last aired on television. At the time of its cancellation, the show was extremely popular and nowhere near running out of steam. Its format was simple: hold nationwide tryouts for comic book and superhero fans (and cosplayers) who believed they had created the “next great superhero,” bring the Top-10 finalists to Stan’s super-secret superhero “lair” (a warehouse in Los Angeles), put them through a series of creative competitions to test their mental acuity, athletic mettle, and strength of personality (or “grit”) before “eliminating” them one by one, until a final winner was found. Today, it’s still a tried and true formula for programming success (see American Idol, America’s Got Talent, Big Brother, Survivor, etc.). Nevertheless, Lee was adamant about calling it quits, and any plans for future episodes (or merchandising) have clearly been shelved as well.

These prototype comic book covers showed GREAT merchandising potential for both Season 1’s “Lemuria” and Season 2’s “Basura” characters. Imagine the action figures! (Photo: Dark Horse Comics)

Clearly the show had the potential to be a real “cash cow” for all concerned, and the power to turn “ordinary citizens” into overnight celebrities. Here, 2nd Season finalist, John Stork, aka “Hyper-Strike” (l) and 1st Season winner, Matthew Atherton, aka “Feedback” (r), sign autographs for rabid fans at a comic con held soon after the show went off the air. As a winner, Atherton appeared in a comic book of his own, but due to short-sightedness by Stan Lee and Syfy, the other cast members had little to no merchandise they could offer to fans. (Photo: Dark Horse Comics)

WWTBASH’s Vast Untapped Merchandising Potential

Such simple and embraceable shows are the stuff TV producer’s dreams are made of, and they are rarely executed as well as Who Wants to Be a Superhero? Over time, the show’s inexpensive, (i.e. profitable) format, could easily have been updated, refined and reworked, keeping it fresh and interesting for years to come (How about an all-girl version? An International version? A teenaged sidekick version? An all-Japanese version?). The possibilities are endless. Sadly, after only two seasons, it was all over. And now, all that remains of the show are a few comic books for sale on ebay and two seasons worth of DVDs available on a “made-to-order” basis over on Amazon. There are no other toys, action figures, or video games based on the show. NOTHING at all for fans, past, present or future to enjoy—or spend their money on. The amount of lost revenue to Stan Lee and Syfy is literally staggering. 6 YEARS worth!

Famed custom action figure company, Herobuilders.com, produced these figures based on characters from the second season of Who Wants to Be a Superhero? and offers similar “one-of-a-kinds” to collectors (even the relative heights are correct!). But currently, there are no plans to mass-produce a WWTBASH line of toys. (Photo: Herobuilders.com)

Will The Show Ever Return?

After Lee pulled the plug on Who Wants to Be a Superhero?, a collective groan of disappointment could be heard from fans all around the world. Perhaps if and when the Syfy Channel and Stan Lee realize what a mistake they’ve made, fans will finally see a Season 3. Regardless, the staff here at The Joe Report are all big fans of the show, and we felt this would be a good time to check back in with the 20 wannabe heroes—one at a time—to find out what they’re all up to now.

To begin, we purchased the DVD sets of the show HERE, and watched all of the episodes over again, jotting down questions for each of the contestants as we went. Next, we set our intrepid staff to the difficult task of tracking down all the contestants, and interviewing them one by one. Despite the daunting mission before us, we took inspiration from Season 1’s winner, “Feedback,” whose catch-phrase was: “GAME ON!”

E. Quincy Sloan, aka “Ty’Veculus,” was a clear standout in Season 1. His costume, muscular physique and superb backstory (he’s a real-life firefighter), made him a HUGE fan favorite and a shoe-in for merchandising. That helmet and leather armor ROCKED. What a concept! (Photo: Syfy)

Bottom Line: The premature cancellation of Who Wants to be a Superhero? marked a huge missed opportunity for many people, all the way from Stan Lee himself, to everyone at Syfy, to comic book and toy collectors, and countless wannabe superheroes all around the globe. Here at The Joe Report, we’ve adopted a “wait and see” attitude, and our hopes for a return of the show (in any form) remain undiminished. Meanwhile, Interview #1 is now in the can, and as we wait for the boys in the composing room to set the type and prepare the press plates, we thought you’d like to know that our faithful sponsor, Patches of Pride, is currently hosting a Who Wants to Be a Superhero? contest on their Facebook page found HERE. The prize is everybody’s favorite wannabe superhero, Captain Action (seems like an appropriate choice) and the contest is open to the general public. So…Enjoy! (PS: Who will be our first WWTBASH Interviewee? Stay tuned, HE’s coming SOON!)