Powerless – a workplace sitcom set in the DC universe – is stuffed full of easter eggs. Here are ten of the best…
Opening Credits
Powerless has some ingenious opening credits. A collection of images taken from classic comic book covers – including Superman’s debut in Action Comics #1 – but with the focus put on the helpless pedestrians in the background.
Adam West Voiceover
A promotional video for Wayne Security talks of their big invention – Joker Anti-Venom. This allows anyone affected by the Clown Prince of Crime’s nasty laughing venom to cure themselves. The voiceover for this scene is none other than Adam West AKA Batman ’66!
President Lex Luthor
A newspaper headline seen for the briefest second on screen mentions President Luthor vowing to make Metropolis super again. This is a dual reference to Lex Luthor’s tenure as president in the comics and Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen
As well as West, another DC legend who cameos in Powerless is Marc McClure AKA Jimmy Olsen in the Christopher Reeve Superman movies. McClure plays protagonist Emily Locke’s encouraging father. The actor also appeared on Smallville and as Marty’s brother in Back to The Future.
Crimson Fox and Jack O’Lantern
On her first day at work, Emily is caught in a superhero battle between Crimson Fox and the villainous Jack O’Lantern. Both are taken from the comics. Fox is actually two twin sisters operating under one superhero identity. Jack usually has a, well, Jack O’Lantern for a head.
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