Team Epic
Encyclopedia
Team Epic is a Canadian television and web series consisting of four forty minute episodes that began broadcasting in fifteen minute segments on the show's official website in October 2007. In 2009 the show was picked up and began airing weekly on the digital cable network BiteTV in a similar fifteen minute format. Following a ragtag band of Canadian superheroes, the show itself is filled with iconic Canadian imagery and Silver Age of Comic Books
references. Obvious visual influences can be seen between the show's lead character, Captain Epic, and traditional Canadian superheros, Captain Canuck
, Guardian
and Northguard
.
"Set in and around the streets of downtown Toronto, Team Epic is a fast-paced live action comedy that provides an original look into the everyday lives of superheroes and how they become the figures we know and revere."
aired on Canada's Space Network/CTV as a gag interviewee.
Andrew Pulsifer of the Torontoist wrote,
"A lot of people are going to be asking if it’s any good, but you know what? We’re not going to pass harsh judgment. It’s cute, quaint, and while the acting and production values and script may be lacking in some areas, they are no worse than certain other Canadian dramas aired on national television. Torontoist also thinks it would be really enjoyed by kids. (Although a character says "douche" at one point. Can kids hear the word "douche"? Is "mommy, what’s a douche?" too awkward a question for parents? Consider yourself warned.)"
Marilyn Campbell at About.com wrote,
"The show is far from perfect, but with episode two already ironing out some of the rough edges from episode one, the series certainly has promise (now if they can just get from "amusing" to "laugh-out-loud funny" they should be set)."
On the more negative side, Jordan Bimm of The Varsity wrote,
"Style kicks the ass of substance in this showdown. The writing team, wardrobe designer and acting coach (if there even is one) have got to go if there is to be any future for Team Epic."
Silver Age of Comic Books
The Silver Age of Comic Books was a period of artistic advancement and commercial success in mainstream American comic books, predominantly those in the superhero genre. Following the Golden Age of Comic Books and an interregnum in the early to mid-1950s, the Silver Age is considered to cover the...
references. Obvious visual influences can be seen between the show's lead character, Captain Epic, and traditional Canadian superheros, Captain Canuck
Captain Canuck
Captain Canuck is a fictional Canadian comic book superhero. Created by writer Ron Leishman and artist/co-writer Richard Comely, the original Captain Canuck first appeared in Captain Canuck #1 ....
, Guardian
Guardian (Marvel Comics)
Guardian , also known as Weapon Alpha and Vindicator, is a fictional character, a Canadian superhero in the who was the leader of Alpha Flight. He was created by John Byrne, and first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #109 which was co-plotted by Byrne and his long-time collaborator Chris Claremont...
and Northguard
Northguard
Northguard is a Canadian superhero created in 1984 by Mark Shainblum and Gabriel Morrissette.Developed during the mid-1980s burst of small- and medium-press comics publishing by Canadians, Northguard was one of several serious efforts at developing a made-in-Canada superhero series for modern...
.
Plot
According to the show's official website the plot is described as;"Set in and around the streets of downtown Toronto, Team Epic is a fast-paced live action comedy that provides an original look into the everyday lives of superheroes and how they become the figures we know and revere."
Cameos
Actor Scott Leaver who played Omniscient the Alien on the show has also appeared as Omniscient on the television show InnerSPACEInnerSPACE
InnerSPACE is Space 's leading Sci Fi genre news program holding an average audience of 52,000 during winter January 2010, up 27% from winter January 2009. Not to be confused with the Sci-Fi film Innerspace .-About:...
aired on Canada's Space Network/CTV as a gag interviewee.
Reception
The show received generally mixed reviews. While concept and production value were generally praised, the show suffered from poor writing and inconsistent tone.Andrew Pulsifer of the Torontoist wrote,
"A lot of people are going to be asking if it’s any good, but you know what? We’re not going to pass harsh judgment. It’s cute, quaint, and while the acting and production values and script may be lacking in some areas, they are no worse than certain other Canadian dramas aired on national television. Torontoist also thinks it would be really enjoyed by kids. (Although a character says "douche" at one point. Can kids hear the word "douche"? Is "mommy, what’s a douche?" too awkward a question for parents? Consider yourself warned.)"
Marilyn Campbell at About.com wrote,
"The show is far from perfect, but with episode two already ironing out some of the rough edges from episode one, the series certainly has promise (now if they can just get from "amusing" to "laugh-out-loud funny" they should be set)."
On the more negative side, Jordan Bimm of The Varsity wrote,
"Style kicks the ass of substance in this showdown. The writing team, wardrobe designer and acting coach (if there even is one) have got to go if there is to be any future for Team Epic."