I'll confess I'm a huge DC fan and I don't really share in all the excitement over the flood of Marvel films. I thought Iran Man 1 rocked, Iron Man 2 did not, Captain America and the latest Hulk were disappointing and Thor was decent but not spectacular. Avengers was fun but I didn't feel it was disserving of all the accolades it received. The Dark Knight Rises had some real issues with the plot but overall I thought it was a better crafted film then Avengers and the realism gave it more emotional depth and gravity. I felt somewhat detached from the Avengers like I was watching a big loud party but not invested in the results.

Having said that I think Warner Brothers has really painted themselves in a corner. The Nolan realism plays to Batman's strengths and I do think they managed to integrate in Superman but things will only get more difficult from here on out. The upcoming Flash film is going to be a real challenge and I'll spell out why I believe this to be so.

1. DC is trying to create one unified universe. Can you picture The Flash standing next to Christian Bale's Batman? How about Weather Wizard or The Trickster or Captain Cold? How about Gorilla Grodd? Can you picture and 8 foot tall talking Gorilla in the Nolan universe? Nolan wasn't even willing to use Ra's Al Ghul's Lazarus pit or Bane's Venom or The Jokers deadly joybuzzers and acid flowers. I suggest redoing the Flash's origin completely. It's not an iconic origin. Maybe something more akin to Dr. Manhattan's with him somehow tapping into the speed force. He needs a believable costume so avoid the muscle suit from the TV program (a show which I loved) and choose the villains wisely. I think Professor Zoom is a no brainer and God, if only they can figure out a way to do Grodd. But this is what I mean by WB backing themselves into a corner. Realism and The Flash are a real hard mix.

2. Speaking of the villains. Who among us read The Flash and didn't think that our hero should have been able to mop the floor with anyone in his rogue's gallery except perhaps Zoom. For goodness sake Captain Cold's only weapon was a stolen freeze gun. You can only do so many stories with him making slippery ice under the Flash's feet. Man of Steel gave Superman back his speed which means they can only water down The Flash's speed so much before he becomes the SECOND fastest man alive (if we consider Superman a man). The moment The Flash's engages one of his villains the fight is over. Green Lantern was somewhat easier because he has a much stronger group of villains to challenge him.

3. Could time travel fit in the Nolan universe? Should the writers just stay the hell away from time travel? No time travel means no Abra Kadabra. Some of the best Flash stories involve time travel but it's a dicey proposition given the universe DC is establishing.

4. I believe a realistic universe for the heroes to occupy has greater reward possibilities but it is going to be extremely tough. There are so many avenues that are sealed off. People complained that Man of Steel was too serious but the world tends to be more serious than the movies. Even that slight humorous nod when the female soldier called Superman "hot" seemed awkward and out of place. A lot of changes needed to be made to Clark Kent to fit into a realistic universe including having Lois know his secret right off the bat. And can any of us imagine Henry Cavill becoming the awkward, glasses adjusting Clark Kent from comics in Man of Steel 2?

5. If you think The Flash is hard to do in a realistic universe think about The Martian Manhunter or Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman may be the hardest because the thought of an Amazonian Island with Greek architecture existing in the same universe as Nolan's Gotham City seems hard to conceive but unlike The Flash her origin is far more iconic.

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