In its second season, “Arrow” continues to be one of the most reliable performers on The CW network, with a potential spinoff series for “The Flash” in the works for next year. But The CW isn’t done mining the DC Universe for more superheroes.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, The CW is developing “Hourman” as a TV series, loosely based upon the DC superhero of the same name. Originally created by Ken Fitch and Bernard Baily in 1940 during the Golden Age of comics, Hourman was Rex Tyler, a chemical researcher who developed a drug called Miraclo that gave him superhuman strength and reflexes for an hour.
The CW incarnation of “Hourman” will follow a pharmaceutical analyst who realizes that he can see events one hour into the future, an ability he uses to prevent tragedies as a way to repair his damaged relationship with his ex-wife and his son. From that description, it sounds like the Miraclo angle has been dropped. There is actually a precedent for Hourman being able to see events in the future, thanks to a gift from the third Hourman, who was an android from the 853rd Century. Just… don’t ask me to explain that.
While “Hourman” is not one of DC’s marquee heroes, he is an established character and the lack of a huge fanbase will allow The CW to make as many changes to the source material as it wants without fear of a huge backlash.
Michael Caleo (“The Sopranos”) is slated to write the “Hourman” pilot and executive produce the potential series alongside Dan Lin and Jennifer Gwartz. If “Hourman” goes to series, it would likely premiere in Fall 2014 on The CW.
