The recent release of Iron Man 2 has provoked me to look at the phenomenon surrounding comic books being made into films. Films based on best-selling comic books have two options to either fail or succeed, those successful tend to have hyper special effects and those that fail are ones that fail to construct the lovable storyline and continue the themes and characteristics that made the comic so great. Since before 2000 Hollywood has entrenched the superheroes and their ideals of keeping society true of accepting all those whether they wear a purple skin tight spandex suit, a bat mask or are able to drain the life of another through touch. These superheroes are not all born with supernatural abilities, they become the hero by a traumatic experience such Tony Stark in Iron Man, Peter Parker in Spiderman or a less conventional hero in Robin Hood who steals from the rich to give to the poor. I will discuss a multitude of comic book film adaptations including pro-heroes and anti-heroes or ones that challenge society’s ideal of what it is to be a superhero?
Comic book heroes can be separated into two categories, those that have super power and those that are heroes but use devises and gadgets to outwit villains. X-men and Superman will be used to demonstrate those who do have supernatural abilities. The phantom, Watchmen and Batman will demonstrate those who are heroic just not through powers.
Each comic book has the basis of Good versus Evil and the films highlight that point by the actions or darkness that surrounds those who want to doom the world. A great representation of this is the hugely successful franchise, X-men and spin off such as X-men origins: Wolverine. The first film made in 2000 was an adaption of the much loved story created by Marvel Comics which made the progression to cartoon and the cinema. The story follows mutants who through a gene have abilities beyond the reach of normal humans. These abilities have led to their isolation as society does not accept their unique nature. Through this comes the evilness or supposed evilness of Magneto a mutant who wants to kill humans as they are unappreciative of the mutant population. On the good and forever good is Charles Xavier a leader for mutants and host of a school that houses those with special abilities which exclude them from normal education. The first film is dedicated to the battle between Magneto and Xavier and the fact that they both have teams of mutant who do battle but this changes in the second film were they band together to rid off a foe. William Stryker is a character that forces the mutants to work together as he recreates Cerebrum and emulates a female version of Wolverine. These films come to an end in the Final Stand were the power of Jean Gray destroys Xavier and husband Scott leading to the ultimate battle of the Golden Gate Bridge were those who were young in the first film become the heroes in the last. The amazing elements of these films is how they use special effects and creative ways to add to the greatness of the characters. The claws of Wolverine, the laser of Scott’s eyes, the tongue of Toad, The lighting of storm and the amazing first scene of the first film were we see Magneto reach is arms and the fence break down. A tribute to the story and marvellous characters that add to the nostalgia of the comic and cartoon.
Another beloved comic book character that has made its way to the big screen and a television show is Superman. Clark Kent assumes his superman identity when innocents are in danger but he like x-men characters was born with unique abilities to fly and have ultra strength but like all heroes he has his weaknesses. Those include kryptonite and in the films Lois Lane and in the series Lana Lang. One of the elements that makes superman recognizable is his outfit which famously has the underwear on the outside but also for the fact that when he does change persona’s he wear no glasses and his hair is parted differently. Commonly known as ‘the man of steel’ superman is the most popular superhero for Halloween but also promotes the values and morals a hero needs to have from his wholesome upbringing on the farm to being a reporter of the daily planet. Like all superheroes Superman has a love which is what keeps him grounded, Lois Lane is a continuous interest in the comic, film and television series. Similarly this tactic of one true love is used in many comic such as the Phantom but even more so the Batman franchise.
Batman also known as Bruce Wayne is in costume from head to toe in Black, cape and mask as he save the citizens of Gotham from sadistic villains wishing to freeze, poison and destroy. During the 90’s there were multiple movie surrounding Batman and his counterpart Robin but in the 2000’s Batman Begins and The Dark Knight were released showing the darkness that surrounds the man who fell down a hole which had bats. The most recent release the Dark Knight included the Joker and at the end Two face but it also established how far the technology used in Batman has come along. The Bat Mobile looks like a military tank ans his weaponary is no longer obsolete its hard and fast gadgets. The idea of Batman is his like a vigilante but is supported by cops as his Bat symbol shines on the roof of their headquarters, he promotes safety and heroism meanwhile having his rich persona out hanging with the ladies. Like x-men there are characters that keep Batman grounded such as Rachael his childhood sweetheart but also Alfred the humble but tough Butler who keeps the Bat cave up to speed and reminds Batman that this world is nothing without honesty and dignity and he must inhabit that in order to protect it.
A film that differs technology wise is the 1996 hit The Phantom. The simple plot explains the legend of the Phantom and the introduction of the three skulls which are the object of affection for those evil and good. The good versus evil relationship has three parties. The first being between the Phantom and Xander Drax a business man who has heard and wants the power of the three skulls and the second between the Phantom and the Singh brotherhood who are a pirate family who operate beneath a cave. Entwined in this story is a love that was lost and found through the heroic actions of Kit Walker who is the Phantom. Although Kit is mortal he has at his disposal on an island called Bengalla a wold named Devil and a horse named Hero who provide him with getaway and fierce attacks when needed. Also at his disposal is the use of the island where treasure hunters appear, so his not a conventional superhero but the acts and moral decency he inhabits make him a candidate in the superhero debate. The film holds true to the comic as the spandex and masks are exact replicas as well the skull ring which is the fourth skull needed to complete the force of power, the horse and wolf who are faithful to their master and the events which are not special effects but have the same effect because they hold true to the character and the traits that make the Phantom the ‘Ghost who Walks’.
Superhero films follow a precursor where their predictable but the film Watchmen released 2009 shows a different side to the hero dynamics. Watchmen originally a comic shows how sometimes to be good you need to be bad. The film follows a group who were a collective until they split and found their own identities which was to fall into society as another mundane working class individual, be a vigilante or in the public sector. Although the film follows many characters the most interesting are the comedian and Rorschach. The comedian who dies at the beginning is considered to be a suicide or a gang or politically linked but it is Rorschach who supposes something else is wrong when Dr Manhattan the Blue alien hero is accused of causing cancer. Although Rorschach seems to be good he can also inflict horrible pain as in the prison scene which contradicts the ideals of heroism is the idea is to protect those who use the extent of the law such as Superman but his Vigilante style sends a different message. It is said that Watchmen is an extradionary comic and for this reason it has the heroism audiences have come to know and rely on to escape into the world were heroes do exist is torn down by those who hide behind masks and were one the heroes and now the villains.
