Article: Comic Book Movies

Feature films adapted from comic books are not just a recent cinematic fad. Granted, behind most of the superheroes and anti-heroes which adorn the comic book influenced films lay a history of made-for-TV movies; but big screen versions of these heroes are not limited to the high-def generation. Christopher Reeve perfected Clark Kent before Brandon Routh, Kent’s later incarnation, was out of Huggies. Adam West was Bruce Wayne before Michael Keaton replaced his Batman toys with copies of Playboy, and before Christian Bale was a glint in his father’s eye.

With the influx of comic book adaptations dominating the box office in recent years, it seems studio executives cannot wait to green-light a film version to whichever comic book they can get their hands on. Audiences have suffered the lows (Catwoman, Ghost Rider and Wolverine: Origins) and the highs (The Dark Knight, The Incredible Hulk and Watchmen) throughout the influx of these movies. This is just the beginning; the list is ever growing, with films such as Jonah Hex, Kick Ass and Captain America kicking and screaming their way into cinemas last year.

A common misconception about comic book films are that they are all about super powers and guns, but this is not true. Comic book films are not all about super powers and guns. Artistic movies such as Art School Confidential and Ghost World were based on comic books. The Crow and From Hell took their gothic chords from the beautifully dark comics by James O’Barr and Alan Moore respectively. Also, comic book movies are not just for boys with attractions towards explosions and violence. Teenage girls fell in love with the comic book based Josie and the Pussycats. Howard the Duck has become a cult classic twenty years after is bombed at the box office. The strictly adult Fritz the Cat began his perverted escapades on the pages of a graphic novel.

Naturally, the biggest blockbusters which were adapted from comics are the products of the two biggest comic companies; DC and Marvel. Both companies have set up their own film studios and both take an active role in film production of their adaptations. The most notable example of the companies’ participation is Stan Lee, Marvel’s graphic novel grandfather, who acts as a consultant, producer and even takes cameo roles in the films. The competition between the two studios is fierce, with DC boasting giant success in the Batman and Superman series’, while Marvel enjoys success of the X Men, Spiderman and Fantastic Four series’. The future for these companies looks golden, as recent rumours from the DC camp state that Christopher Nolan is not only beginning to map out his follow-up to The Dark Knight, but is also taking a shot at a new Superman film. Marvel has green-lit adaptations of The Avengers and Nick Fury as well as a reboot of the Spiderman franchise. Whether these films will be huge successes like their predecessors remains to be seen, but at least there is fun to be had while finding out.