The CW network has found success in the past and is doubling down on DC Comics’ superhero programming in the future. In addition to Legends of Tomorrow, CW intends on further expanding their DC Comics’ landscape with their limited animated series Vixen. The series follows Mari McCabe, aka Vixen, a former super model with the ability to mimic the ability of any animal. Her power manifests itself as the speed of a cheetah, the flight of a bird, or the ferocity of a lion, or any other creative way she chooses to use it. The character has appeared in various comic books ranging from the Justice League to the Suicide Squad since the early 1980’s and it looks like she is being groomed for solo stardom.
The new animated series exists within same world as The Flash and Arrow. CW has enlisted the voice talents of series’ stars Grant Gustin (Flash), Stephen Amell (Arrow), Emily Bett Rickards (Felicity), and Carlos Valdes (Cisco Ramon), who all reprise their roles on Vixen. It will air exclusively online on CW Seed. A branch of the CW designed to incubate new ideas and properties. So it is within the realm of possibility to see more of the character, if she catches on. Check out the trailer.
According to Forbes, Vixen is one of the most important moves being made by CW parent company Warner Bros, even more important than Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The rationale is that Dawn of Justice will be expanding its universe in a similar way, but is already a guaranteed success. Vixen on the other hand is relatively unknown IP and while there is no live-action series planned, it will still serve to help expand the television audience and the overall recognizability of the character today, and in the future. Here is their analysis:
Vixen carries with it the ability to turn DC and WBTV’s programming slate into something that can attract a younger audience from the very beginning. By utilizing two mediums they already appreciate (digital video and animation), Vixen can get them used to the idea of a shared universe without the aid of anyone else – and as most will say, there’s nothing more powerful to younger viewers than finding something on their own as opposed to having it thrust upon them by their parents – such as when they are taken to the movie theater for Hollywood’s latest costumed adventure.
It sounds like a sneaky plan, but it makes a lot of sense. A twelve year old kid getting their first introduction to the character this year, will be a prime ticket buyer for a Vixen movie in 2021, or a TV show even sooner. Now that Marvel has blazed a trail in the trans-media market, Warner Bros and other studios are figuring out ways to adjust and improve the model for their own properties. It looks like Vixen will be one of the first experiments out of the gate.
Warner Bros has their DC film slate lined up through 2020, so the likelihood of seeing her on the big-screen before then is unlikely. However, it almost seems like a matter of inevitability that Vixen will be making a live-action appearance on television in the next few years. That has been foreshadowed by the inclusion of Amell, Gustin, and others. Even actors such as Jada Pinkett-Smith have already thrown their hat in the ring to play the role in a Suicide Squad sequel, so it clearly is a topic of conversation. Make sure to keep your eyes on this project and we will bring you the latest.
Official Synopsis:
Originally from Africa, Mari McCabe’s parents were killed by local greed, corruption, and wanton violence. But the orphaned Mari refuses to succumb to the terrors surrounding her.
Inheriting her family’s Tantu Totem, Mari can access the powers of animals – anything from the super-strength of a gorilla to the speed of a cheetah. As Vixen, she fights valiantly to protect the world from threats like those that claimed her family.
Vixen premieres on CW Seed on August 25th, 2015.
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Source: CW Seed, Forbes