Meanwhile, in the suburbs: Superman is living in a share house and isn't too happy with Batman stealing his thunder. Is this the work of a super villain?
No. It's the work of super-genius. Sydney-based comedy team, Severe Comedy, return with the second season of their cult success web series, 'The Justice Lease', following the trials and tribulations of classic superheroes re-imagined as everyday blokes trying to survive domestic purgatory in a share house.
While season one revolved around Superman and the release of 2013 film 'Man Of Steel', in 'The Justice Lease 2: Dorm Of Justice', he has to deal with the ego-crushing indignity of his housemate Batman getting top billing in the recent 'Batman v Superman' film.
This year, 'The Justice Lease' series has been recognised for its ingenuity and wit, being nominated for four awards at Melbourne WebFest. The WebFest event honours and acknowledges innovative creativity in digital screen production across the globe, with this year's Melbourne winners receiving entries for the Rio, Rome and Montreal legs of the competition.
Series creator Paul Michael Ayre, who also plays Superman in the show, attempts to answer our questions in a single bound, along with director Jeremy Brull.
For fans of season one, what's new in season two of 'The Justice Lease'?
JEREMY: Visual effects, more characters and an unreasonable commitment to drama for something that is about superheroes living in a sharehouse together
PAUL: There’s also The Green Lantern, Constable Gordon, Lois Lane, Poison Ivy, Aquaman’s bae Mera and Ra’as Al Ghul.
The series puts classic superheroes in a shared domestic situation. What was the initial appeal of this premise?
PAUL: Look, the premise is stupid. It’s naff and it’s no longer massively unique given the raft of sharehouse comedies, but there’s something about trying to make a Shawshank drama out of it that is funny to us.
JEREMY: It also gives me a chance to work with the comic book characters I love, without being sued by Marvel and DC.
PAUL: They love suing dudes.
How did Superman end up living in a share house with Batman and Aquaman?
We had such elaborate backstories for them all that never made it to the series, or print in anyway. Superman moved first for solitude, Batman got sick of the gun crime in the US, Aquaman allowed Atlantis to become a democracy and got kicked out, and Banner was subletting because he’s from a different comic universe.
Why is Superman so steamed at Batman?
PAUL: I don’t want to take sides, but how about Batman gives Superman his own series for a second? Like, does he have to be the most interesting (super) hero ALL the time?
JEREMY: As someone who ISN’T playing one of the characters - Superman pinned all his hopes and dreams on ‘Man of Steel’, then Batman took over the sequel – ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ and Superman’s chucking a tantrum.
PAUL: It’s just so maddening how everything keeps working out for him.
Who would win a clothes-ironing competition: Superman or Batman? Explain.
PAUL: Batman has literally NEVER used an iron in his life. I'm not even sure he knows what one is. Born with a silver spoon and all.
JEREMY: I think you’re taking this too personally now.
What did you think of the film 'Batman v Superman'?
PAUL: I didn't hate it.
JEREMY: I did. When Batman smiles more than Superman, I think you’ve got a big problem…
Have you ever lived in a share house? If so, what's the most awkward experience you had?
We still live in sharehouses. Contrary to popular belief, the web-series world doesn't pay as much as you'd think it would. The most awkward experience I've ever had (PAUL) was when I walked in on a housemate masturbating. It was covered up pretty quickly and nothing was seen, and we kinda just had a normal conversation, but we both kinda knew what had been going down.
As filmmakers, what's the significance of being nominated for Melbourne WebFest?
JEREMY: As a creator it's always nice to be acknowledged for your work. And why else would we be in this field if not for the constant validation and endless stream of awards?
You've received not just one but four award nominations at this year's festival; firstly, what was your first reaction to hearing this, and secondly, do you think 'The Justice Lease' can win them all?
JEREMY: I’d like to think we’ve been pretty chilled about the whole thing. That said, if Dave Eastgate doesn’t win an award for his work as Aquaman, I will probably cry. Loudly and publicly.
PAUL: It's really up to the Gods right now. We've placed our metaphorical lamb at the metaphorical shrine of their metaphorical judgement and can do naught but await their sentence. We've also sacrificed a very real lamb on a very real shrine for a very unrelated reason. Both were interesting experiences.
How do you plan on celebrating if you win?
PAUL: I don’t think it's nice to talk about that after a lamb just died.
Are you planning on a third season of 'The Justice Lease?
PAUL: We've got enough story to last us another 3 series. Let's see if the Gods reward us with funding! We used a pretty expensive lamb.
JEREMY: I would love to see DC versus Marvel. And we’ve been dying to introduce The Joker, as played by David Collins from the Umbilical Brothers.
Melbourne WebFest 2016 will be held at Deakin Edge, Federation Square 1-3 July.
