Even superheroes sometimes need a drink.

No Heroics

In the British-made sitcom No Heroics, superheroes are common-place. It’s not unusual here to see someone in a full spandex costume out mowing the lawn, taking a smoke break, or just riding the bus. And in this world they do what most of us like to do in our off-hours; hang out at the local bar and complain about our lives. But when British superheroes do it, it makes for a funny, absurd, and clever little show. Not to mention one that’s more entertaining than the average American TV show.

The main characters of No Heroics include Timebomb, the Hotness, Electroclash, and She-Force, all of whom are damaged goods in their own ways. Electroclash can control machines with her voice and has spent most of her life getting back at her superhero parents. Timebomb is a gay, retired superhero with a sordid history of drug abuse, sex with random strangers, and torturing of super-villains. She-Force is the third strongest woman on the planet, but her own neediness prevents her from having a serious relationship. The Hotness is the loveable-loser type with heat powers who just can’t seem to make it big in the superhero community. He’s also the most two-dimensional character of the bunch, but that’s really a minor complaint.

The four of them meet at a bar called The Fortress that’s full of comicbook in-jokes, including a beer selection with names like Green Lamp Ale, Grey Widow Vodka, Gamma-Meister, and Logan’s Rum. The bar is run by a guy named Norse Dave, and the three fundamental rules of the place are “No Masks, No Powers, No Heroics.”

And then there’s the doorman of The Fortress, a character named Thunder Monkey. He has the power to summon up a swarm of monkeys at any given moment. Problem is, they can take up to 45 minutes to 2 hours to actually show up at the bar.

No Heroics has gained a loyal following and a British comedy award. The networks on this side of the pond took notice, and a pilot was made for an American version. But thus far, it hasn’t been picked up for series. Still, the original 6 episodes can be found on DVD and online, if you look hard enough.

- Nate