Black Scorpion the series was meant to be funny and judging by the previous review, is best appreciated by viewers who like humor, attractive women and yes cleavage. The series owes a lot to the old Batman TV series and the Joel Schumacher Batman movies , but not quite as campy. The Black Scorpion's real name is Darcy Walker, played by Michelle Lintel who squeezes into the small , tight Black Scorpion costume. The role was originally player by Joan Severance in two direct to video movies. The series follows Darcy / Black Scorpion fighting a host of crazy super villains, avoiding arrest by the police and defying gravity by keeping her natural bounty in her tight costume. It is a real shame that the series is out of print. Hopefully NBC/Universal will reissue the movies and television series in the near future.
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screenwriter_inc31 August 2008
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robt-4209624 January 2023While it may seem silly that's what the Black Scorpion tv show was meant to be, silly. It's got that wacky,wild energy that the Batman tv show of the 60's had. It's campy and quite entertaining. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to try something different in the genre of superheroes. Michelle Lintel is a pretty good lead who eagerly takes the role and makes it her own. I'd say she's on the same good level that Joan Severance was when she played the Black Scorpion for two tv movies. It's never dull, always fun,and there's that romance between the two leads from the two movies still going strong. Watch it for yourself and maybe you'll like it like I did. It's great fun.
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Siresly9 February 2024Wow, this is the worst. That's why it's the best. But also the worst.
Imagine if someone took Schumacher's silly goof Batman, mixed it with Burton's darker Batman, then made it the worst and sprinkled sexism over it.
"Eat my shorts!" intimidates Black Scorpion's enemy.
"That goes double for me!" adds his buddy.
Like, REALLY dumb dialog and writing. It's super cheesy and very self-aware. Which makes it the worst. But also the best. And it's actually good at wrecking and exploding cop cars.
I appreciate that Prime tends to scrape those libraries clean and bring out this weird obscure stuff that would've otherwise been lost at the bottom of a barrel in some giant digital warehouse for all eternity.
Most of it is probably garbage, but this right here is an uncut cult classic trash gem. -
Evil_dead_ash6 October 2001What some people might not realize is that "Black Scorpion: The Series" is not meant to be serious. Its just an hour of over the top action, and comic book realism. Don't look at it as a serious action program or an award winning, life-changing show. Its just a hour where you can put aside reality and political correctness and enjoy fiction at its best. Yes, The show does have several women in spandex and yes, it can be a little hokey at times but its the flaws and eccentrisities that make the show a little less "stuck-up". I for one am tired of the same shows with the same plots and the same mass produced feel to them. Roger Corman, The show's director and financial backer, wanted to make something that we haven't seen in a long time. He wanted to show that television could still be fun. How many shows do we watch only because other people watch them? Black Scorpion might not be spiritually uplifting or educational at the least, but its enjoyable. The show has had some very nice acting and it does have great fight scenes. The best reason to watch is for the Supervillains that pop up every week. It brings back that feeling of the Batman series we all watched at one point or another. This homage to Batman is made crystal clear by having Adam West(Batman) and Frank Gorshin(The Riddler) both make guest appearences as supervillains. This show is probably one that viewers will either love or hate as soon as they see an episode. But I suggest you watch an episode or two.
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garbagenotreal13 June 2020Missed this when it was on real TV and saw it on Prime. I'm surprised nobody has commented about the horrendous writing. 5 minutes in, the bad guys are breaking into a gun store. The guns in the store are not locked up AND they are loaded. Just pick one up off the shelf and start shooting, even full auto.
Then there is the villain who has a gun for his hand. He shoots and hits a galvanized garbage can and it barely dents the can. He shoots police wearing vests and the bullets go through the vests and the bodies.
In the 60's, Batman was better than this. Even today, the 60's version of Batman is better than this. -
aimless-4615 November 2020Roger Corman's Black Scorpion ran for only one season, 22 episodes broadcast during the first six months of 2001. It was an interesting idea, satirize men who avidly watch exploitation cinema by featuring bumbling and corrupt male characters exhibiting the standard misandrist caricatured behaviors. But in the tradition of "Batman", cancel much of that out by also featuring young exploitation babes in scorching hot costumes.
Done right you expand your target audience, getting not just those tuning in for young babes but those who also appreciate the opportunity to laugh at themselves. You might even get some female viewers who appreciate a nice bit of irony and the relatively well written banter that goes on during each episode. The problem was that unlike "Batman", "Black Scorpion" was a show that canceled itself out. Casting was the biggest problem. Michelle Lintel in the title role seemed like a good choice physically. She had the looks and the athletic ability, filling out her costume nicely enough. But she was far too sterile and few of the episodes were directed well enough from a acting-for-the-camera perspective to move her character into erotic territory.
And unlike "Batman" the female guest stars brought very little sizzle to the production. The series seemed intent on employing aging actresses who looked like they had just arrived at the studio after dropping a station wagon of kids at soccer practice. Pretty much all the main female villains (Athena Massey, Sherrie Rose, Renee Allman, etc.) were pushing forty and had been physically unexceptional even in their prime.
Some of the sidekicks (Faith Salie, Ava Fabian, Kimber West, and Patricia Ford for example) were absolutely sizzling but that brings up the other main issue with the series. These actresses were hopelessly underutilized and the hyper-editing of the action sequences typically cut away from them after a few poorly lite frames. Their costumes were certainly gratuitous but with the horrible lighting and the wide master shots it was impossible to became engaged. The situation cried out for some well-lighted lingering close-ups, but the producers arrived ticketless at the clue-bus station. It was just too antiseptic to even be a gentle tease. -
lotsafun16 December 2003BLACK SCORPION is an entertaining show in the same vein as the 60's BATMAN show, the GREEN HORNET, George Reeve's SUPERMAN, and the 70's WONDER WOMAN series. Ms Lintel is beautiful and the bad guys are entertainingly over the top. Adam West and Frank Gorshin are especially terrific. BLACK SCORPION is quite campy and far out. The same can be said of most old school comic book styled stuff and that's just what makes it great fun. It's easy for the pretentious to miss the point and pick on a show like this one, but like much of Roger Corman's work it is clearly made with the intention of being fun escapist entertainment. I love classic comic book styled fun and BLACK SCORPION definitely delivers.
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ericjcant-121 May 2021This is pure b-movie trash culture in all of its shoddy, low budget glory and it is fabulous fun when it hits its best episodes (eps 1, 8, and 21-22 are my personal favorites). I am actually stunned as I write this, having watched upwards of roughly a hundred different Corman productions, and I have to say that when Black Scorpion is at its best, this is top notch cheese, though I would suggest you skip the lower rated episodes.
Black Scorpion is a pulp fest. The whole series revels in being trash culture of the most superficial kind. Everything from the costumes to the dialogue is pure cheese, and the low budget effects are the classic real life footage and stunts. If you like stuff blowing up and ninja fights, you will love this. It is a serious contender for the cult hit hall of fame. I really do have to give Corman credit on this. It is a gem, and completely true to form and tradition of the schlock variety. Black Scorpion has about everything you could want or expect from a cheap shallow Corman film. Honestly. It moves forward with tons of momentum that holds the line very well, and it is freaking beautiful! Love it! -
quizzler5 January 2005I'm a proud owner of 'Black Scorpion the Series' on DVD, and I respectfully disagree with my predecessor's comments. Taken on its own, this show plays really well as simple crime-fighter camp, a light-hearted homage to shows like the old 'Batman' series, with lots of silly humor slipped in. Darcy Walker, the main character, as a law-upholding cop by day, and a costumed vigilante by night, walks a fine line between her two worlds. Equipped only with exceptional fighting ability, and a souped-up, transforming car, she has to cope in a world where criminals routinely obtained super-powers. She beats them at their own game, with skill, determination and humor. Banter amongst fellow-cops, jibes at corrupt local politicians and lots of nerd-revenge humor whenever Supervillains attacked, make for enjoyable, albeit slightly unorthodox, storytelling every week. In fact, there is something for most tastes in this series, stuff blowing up, car chases, highly-watchable costumed baddies, and, of course, good triumphing over evil. A must-watch for any fan of the genre.
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saueranson10 October 2022Yes, it's campy and corny, but that's the point. It's supposed to be an over-the-top comic book show. My personal favorite villains from this show are The Breathtaker, Flashpoint, Inferno, Clockwise, Greenthumb, Slapshot, Medusa, and Stunner.
I think they were pretty creative for the costumes for the most part. Clockwise has Clock shaped goggles, Flashpoint's costume is shiny, Greenthumb looks like a Gardener (that's even his last name), and Inferno looks like a demented Firefighter.
Some of the other costumes though...oof. Slapshot, A Hockey themed villain, just wears a powered suit of armor. I honestly think he should've resembled more of a Hockey player. They couldn't have it at least included a Puck or Hockey Stick symbol somewhere on it?
Gangster Prankster's costume is a huge downgrade from the movie. He just has a spade around his eye, instead of the Clown make-up on one half of his face and the dyed hair.
Some really minor villains could've been the focus of their own episode. Cupid from "Fire and Brimstone" is never shown being caught on screen. The Sanitation Psycho could've been more intriguing if he wasn't killed in his debut episode.
Even a villain from a cold open could've been the main focus of an episode. In Episode 19, the cold open features a mentally ill Astronaut who's broken into a museum to steal rocks from a space exhibit and strapped Steve to a model rocket with explosives. A villain who think's he's not on earth and is fighting Aliens would've been really entertaining. -
jolesaiea20 March 2022Those reviews strike a chord in harmony with my own trashy mind and voice what I could not even construct verbally about the series.
But without regret of spending time on those well lit close up costume moments that kept me anticipating and salivating for more.
Yet was so disappointed to learn it ran only one season. -
videomaniac26 July 2004Black Scorpion was always a guilty pleasure that I enjoyed. This was fun comic book escapism and that's why I loved it. Lots of action, silly jokes, and people in wacky costumes. It wasn't Emmy worthy stuff by any means, but I always loved watching this show. I also enjoyed looking at Scott Valentine! I miss this show. Black Scorpion provided lots of "cheese cake" for the guys, but it also did a good job of giving us a strong heroine. I liked cheering for the Black Scorpion and watching her kick butt. This show was never meant to be taken as seriously as some reviewers on here have. It was often "corny" but that was the beauty of it. They just don't make TV as FUN as this anymore.
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nettrick31 January 2001I have really enjoyed the Black Scorpion series. I think it is hilarious the way the characters interact. The villains and vixens have all been pretty good also. I think the names are awesome for the villains. Also, Black Scorpion has a cool website.
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worldchanger383 April 2001This has got to be the most stupid show to ever hit Sci-Fi TV. It follows the misadventures of Michelle Lintel in a barely-there black outfit that just shows EVERYTHING. This show will make your homework seem fascinating in comparison. 3\10
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bjbrown5 January 2001The creators of this television show apparently intend this to be a campy throwback to the 1960s Batman. What they don't understand is that stupid doesn't equate to campy and rip-off doesn't equate to parody.
In the episode I watched, the villain was "Fire-Arm," who's arm is replaced with a machine gun. He starts by attacking the city and police force with his machine gun, shooting everyone and surviving bullets with his impenetrable armor. Then shows up Black Scorpion, in her cleavage-revealing, leg-revealing, thong black bodysuit. Instead of shooting her, Fire-Arm closes in to engage in a martial-arts battle with her. Black Scorpion later uses her magnetic car to pull Fire-Arm's machine gun out of the socket.
Scenes from the next episode revealed Black Scorpion in a cat-fight with a female villain, with lots of cleavage all-around.
There is nothing witty or insightful about this attempt at "camp." The creators probably have some knowledge of the genre- I could spot the rip-offs all over the place- the show isn't done with any commentary on or love for the genre. This supposed throwback to the 60s Batman has a touch of cursing and a lot of killing, the lack of which is part of what made Batman campy in the first place.
Maybe the creators of this show meant it to be stupid. Whether they meant it or not, it's stupid and a waste of an hour. -
KoshNaranek15 January 2001Guys, view only for the cleavage, and then ONLY with the sound MUTED (to avoid brain damage caused by listening to the dialogue), IF you are tempted to view this at all. It's a complete waste of time. Given the amount of heartbeats available to you in your life, it's not worth squandering any of them on this. It's not campy. It's just STUPID and BORING. It makes Lexx, and the Batman (with Adam West) look like Emmy winning productions.
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This is probably the stupidest thing I've ever seen on television (my use of the non-existent term stupid-est is intentional, given the subject matter). After watching the first episode, I suddenly realize why people drive around with "Fight Prime Time, Read a Book" bumper stickers. Black Scorpion is sooo bad, it makes shows like Nightman seem brilliant. Whatever demographic this horror caters to can't be smart enough to pick their own teeth. The superhero thing has been done to death; the trick is to be smarter and edgier than the last incarnation. 85% of the dialogue in Black Scorpion is mind-numbing cliché. What a waste of time.
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Rambo-723 August 2001Who drew the short straw & was forced to produce this thing? This is one of the worst pieces of trash I've ever seen. So bad, in fact, it has provoked my first review of a TV show on IMDB. I have taped hundreds of first episodes, and unfortunately (or, it might turn out, fortunately) I missed the premier of this one. I'm watching the 2nd episode as I write this, and I don't even need to see the rest - it hits the bottom of the barrel, and then some. Bad editing, poor production, awful effects, a lousy script, a pitiful story, rotten characters... all add up to a big fat "power off" push on the remote. It's no wonder they took 3 years to release it - "Attention all units - robbery in progress at Angel City Bank. Suspect has identified herself as Hurricane. Don't forget to wear your raincoats." I can't even call it campy, because 'campy' suggests a slightly humourous vein, rather than a ridiculously stupid one. I kind of like Soupy Sales & Playboy's Shae Marks in their bits in this episode, but since those few seconds is the only redeeming feature of this hour-long show, it ain't sayin' much...
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debaser-711 January 2001This was one of the worst shows I have ever seen. Perhaps it will get better with time (which would require much), however, it is presently a mess. Black Scorpion goes for a campy feel, but delivers a 60 minute stream of bungling idiots. The show's creators fail to realize that camp is not stupid. For camp to work, there must be an underlying degree of intelligence. After the program, I simply felt insulted.
The show has too much T&A for children, but not enough substance for an adult. Personally, I can't figure out who they were aiming the show toward.
If you enjoy shows where heavy artillery is represented by tying bottle rockets to strings, you may be okay with this one. Honestly, I'm having a difficult time finding the proper words to express how terrible Black Scorpion truly is. Perhaps when the pain killer wears off, I'll be able to think more clearly. -Jeff! -
marissabgood27 March 2003I finally am getting around to writing about this ridiculous and short-lived series. I was subjected to watching more because of my ex-boyfriend than my own particular tastes. An episode entitled, "NO STONE UNTURNED" was on one of my VHS tapes that I was recycling. Yes, my ex taped these shows. Anyways, I was about to roll over "NO STONE UNTURNED" when I started watching it and actually enjoyed it. This particular episode seemed noticeably better in terms of the overall look of the show. Maybe they put more money into this one. The story of Medusa turning people to stone and having to be defeated by Black Scorpion is quite inventive in an otherwise moronic series. Sci Fi Channel thankfully yanked the inconsistent series off the air. I think I will keep this one about Medusa.
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seanfhocail19 January 2001Avoid this junk at at costs!
"THE BLACK SCORPION SHOWS NO MERCY."
This is certainly true for any hapless viewers who are caught in this deadly web of idiocy.
ATTENTION ALL UNITS AVOID THIS SCI-FI CHANNEL STUPIDITY -
...because Dave is the man.
Aside from seeing Dave on the show playing a villain, there's nothing worth seeing here. Somebody wasted a LOT of money on this. Everything about it was too stupid to describe. I think it started out as an action show that was supposed to be serious, but once it was in the can it turned out to be so terrible that the only way to save it was to call it a slapstick parody. This isn't an off the cuff insult aimed to bash the show. This is really what I think. It's much more plausible than calling it pure parody. -
maggie-335 May 2002OK normally I give scifi shows the benefit of the doubt concerning the outfits of the heroines. But c'mon a female superhero wearing a black boostea (?) and knee high hooker boots? That is ridiculous, I mean don't you think that heroine who wants to be tken seriously would wear something that is functional? Plus how the heck does she get the money for an advanced science lab on a detectives salary? And how the heck does an ex-con who stole cars know something about every type of science? This show didn't even deserve to be shown for six episodes. The show was a disgrace, how it passed FCC tests I don't know. All in all unless your a pubescent teenage boy you won't even find this show amusing. Even guys wouldn't wanna suffer through this show to watch her in action.