DC Comics’ ‘Legends of Tomorrow’ sets time ablaze

FROM left: Routh, Darvill, Lotz, Miller, Renee, Purcell, Henschel and Drameh

Dc Comics’ TV universe expands further with a new series, “Legends of Tomorrow” (Warner TV, Fridays, 9 p.m.), about time-traveling characters that previously appeared in “Arrow” and “The Flash.   ”

Arthur Darvill, known for playing a time-roving sidekick in “Doctor Who,” plays a proactive time guardian, Rip Hunter, who comes from a bleak future.

To defeat immortal villain Vandal Savage (Casper Crump), he recruits a variety of heroes and criminals from the present—Firestorm (Victor Garber and Franz Drameh), White Canary (Caity Lotz), the Atom (Brandon Routh), Hawkman (Falk Hentschel), Hawkgirl (Ciara Renee), Captain Cold (Wentworth Miller) and Heatwave (Dominic Purcell).

Hunter tells his team that Vandal Savage’s defeat will save countless lives and ensure that the recruits will be remembered as legends.

It all sounds simple, but Hunter isn’t telling them the entire story—in fact, he chose them specifically for another reason, which is revealed before the end of the pilot episode.

The series’ large cast is eclectic, and the time-skipping concept is promising—in the first episode, the team travels to 1975 using the time-ship Waverider to track the pivotal activities of Vandal Savage.

It’s a mission that unexpectedly pits them against a deadly adversary from Hunter’s future.

The debut episode is made lively by standout cast members like Routh, who played Superman a decade ago. This time, he portrays a less popular do-gooder, but more than makes up for it with his presence and charisma.

Garber is ideal as the knowledge-seeking professor, who is half of a composite hero. Meanwhile, Darvill breathes life—and pathos—into an old comic book character. For his part, Miller does great with his suave lines, as usual.

While stunts and effects are occasionally clunky, each of the characters is given his or her time in the spotlight.

Like other Greg Berlanti-run superhero shows, the series helps establish a wider world that has yet to be seen in DC’s films.

Green Arrow (Stephen Amell) also makes a guest appearance, strengthening this side of DC’s live-action realm, which is a  continually expanding, exciting universe!