Comic book movies have graced the big screen since 1966, when Adam West and Burt Ward starred in “Batman: the Movie.” For years, directors struggled on how to adapt the graphic novels into a palpable product, and we have seen a number of different takes. For instance, the earliest “Batman” movies used comical sound effects and a humorous edge to draw the line between make-believe and reality.
By contrast, “Superman” is a much more serious story, full of action but devoid of the humorous overtones. More modern adaptations have played with special effects and character development. “Sin City” is a more serious film noir that’s narrated very true to the comics, using black-and-white cinematography and very little splashes of color to give accent. “X-Men” presents very in-depth character portrayals that delve into the past, present and future psyches of all its complex anti-heroes.
The comic books DC put out seemed to enjoy more big screen success throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with “Superman II, III, and IV,” “Swamp Thing,” “Batman,” “Batman Returns,” “Batman Forever,” and “Batman and Robin.” Warner Brothers released all these films relentlessly, with a new debut each year it seemed. The 1989 Batman movie, directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as Batman and Jack Nicholson as the Joker, was the second-highest grossing comic book movie until “The Dark Knight” (2008) knocked it down a notch.
The sequel “Batman Returns,” the third-highest grossing film of 1992, again starred Keaton as Batman and featured directing by Tim Burton but added Danny Devito as the Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman. Writer/Director Kevin Smith called 1992 “the summer of the bat,” when Batman merchandise filled every store and sold with amazing efficiency.
While DC Comics dominated the 1990s with their “Batman” series, “Spider-Man” vied for top superhero status in the new millennium. Until Christopher Nolan’s “Batman: The Dark Knight” (earning $522,106,180 at the box office) reclaimed the winning spot for the caped crusader, Sam Raimi’s “Spiderman” trilogy was considered #1 (with $403,706,375, $373,585,825 and $336,530,303, respectively), as far as comic book movies were concerned.
All three Spiderman films set opening day records in the US, were the top 3 Marvel Comic movies ever made and were the most successful films ever produced by Sony/Columbia. Stan Lee was actively involved in the scripting and filming of the movies to ensure success. Marvel’s “Iron Man,” starring Robert Downey Jr. was the fifth most successful comic book box office hit, bringing in $318,223,785.
“You could tell having seen Iron Man and having seen Batman, that the writers and producers and directors now know how to treat these movies,” Marvel Comic creator Stan Lee said. He added that comic book movies will continue to get better and better with new technology and adaptations. Coming up in 2009 is Marvel’s highly anticipated “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” prequel, starring Hugh Jackman, in addition to another “Punisher” movie. “Iron Man 2,” “Thor,” “The Avengers,” “Spider-Man 4″ and another “Captain America” are also reportedly in development for subsequent years.
As for DC, “The Spirit” and “The Watchmen” are set for release in 2008 and 2009, the latter of which has many comic book fans talking. Several more movies have been in development for the past few years, including: “Superman (reboot),” “The Green Lantern,” “The Justice League of America,” “Wonder Woman” and “Batman 3.”
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2004 DC Comics 34 by 11 Swamp Thing Horror Monster Promo Poster/Banner
This Swamp Thing 34 by 11 inch promotional poster/banner was produced in very small quantities and was distributed to comic book shop dealers only. This promo poster was never for sale to the public, and that’s why so few of them were ever made. And of the small number of these promo posters that were produced, most of the surviving promo posters have been previously displayed, damaged, or destroy…
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Music of DC Comics: 75th Anniversary Collection
$9.18
The Music of DC Comics: 75th Anniversary Collection celebrates highlights of DC Comic’s rich musical history including many rare theme songs that have never before been released. The compilation begins in 1941 with the theme song from Max Fleischer’s Academy Award Nominated Superman Cartoons and moves through the decades. Theme songs from the DC Superhero Filmation cartoons from the 1960′s includi…
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Swamp Thing
$7.15
Horror vet Wes Craven wrote and directed this campy swamp romp adapted from the DC Comic of the same name. Adrienne Barbeau stars as cleavangelically blessed government agent Alice Cable, sent to the bayou to guard the brilliant Dr. Alec Holland. Holland is using recombinant DNA to create “a plant with an animal’s aggressive power for survival.” Let’s hope none of that volatile secret formula…
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Marvel Legends Series 8 Man Thing Action Figure
$17.89
Chemist Ted Sallis was assigned to “Project Gladiator”, an experiment aimed at recreating the lost “super-soldier” serum that had spawned Captain America during World War II. Sallis attempted to midify the “super-soldier” serum with another serum, one that had historically transformed people into monsters and got close to success. But he was betrayed by his wife, Ellen. To guarantee that the secre…
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