Now that the origin story phase of comic book movies has run it’s course and two major studios (WB & Marvel Entertainment) are slowly regaining the rights to all the major DC and Marvel characters, it’s natural that we enter the next phase of comic book story-telling in the cinematic form. It’s time to start telling cross-overs (outside of The Avengers), one-offs and What If…? story-lines. Here’s 5 I think would translate great to the big screen.
SIDENOTE: I’m sticking to the big boys here. I may explore indy and smaller name titles in the future so stay tuned. Also, I have to credit wikipedia with the wording for the premises and some of the facts.
5. BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE.
PREMISE: The plot revolves around a largely psychological battle between Batman and his arch-nemesis, the Joker, who has escaped from Arkham Asylum. The Joker intends to drive Gotham City Police Commissioner James Gordon insane to prove that the most upstanding citizen can go mad after having “one bad day.”
FUN FACTS: The story was monumental leaving ripples in the ongoing Batman continuity as it features the shooting and paralysis of Barbara Gordon (a.k.a. Batgirl) by the Joker, an event which laid the groundwork for her to develop the identity of Oracle, an expert computer hacker and a vital source of information for Batman and other superheroes. It also reinterpreted the Joker’s origin as the Red Hood.
WHY IT WOULD BE GREAT: The writer of this book, Alan Moore, may be the best in the business and, while he hates Hollywood touching his work, it wouldn’t be the first time his work has been adapted to film (From Hell, Watchmen, V for Vendetta, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen). However, why it would make a great movie is that it is considered the closest thing that exists to an origin story of the Joker, flashing back to his days as a failed stand-up comedian. Now, I’m not sure anyone would want to attempt it after Heath Ledger, even though I said the same thing after Nicholson, but it would be great to see Batman’s greatest foe explored more fully.
4. MARVELS.
PREMISE: Set from 1939 to 1974; the series examines the Marvel Universe, the collective setting of most of Marvel’s superhero series, from the perspective of an Everyman character: news photographer Phil Sheldon. The street-level series portrayed ordinary life in a world full of costumed supermen, with each issue featuring events well known to readers of Marvel comics as well as a variety of minute details and retelling the most infamous events in the Marvel Universe.
FUN FACTS: This book was illustrated by my favorite comic book artist, Alex Ross, who actually paints all of his books.
WHY IT WOULD BE GREAT: From all the origin stories that have been told, we are all now familiar with most of the iconic moments in the rise of our favorite superheroes. Now imagine a movie, shot very much like Unbreakable… only instead of being from the P.O.V. of the hero, we see it through the eyes of the community that surrounds him. Imagine looking up and seeing a human spider slinging webs through the buildings above you or a man engulfed in flames racing through the night sky. The amazing nature of a superhero could truly be exploited with a film like this.
3. PUNISHER KILLS THE MARVEL UNIVERSE.
PREMISE: Officer Frank Castle (The Punisher) is dispatched to Central Park where The Avengers and X-men are fighting members of the Brood. Rather than falling victim to a gangland slaying, Castle’s wife and children are instead killed when caught in the middle of the battle. Incensed, he opens fire and kills Cyclops, Hawkeye and Jubilee. For the crime he is tried and found guilty of triple murder and sent to prison. However, he is freed from jail and brought to the mansion of a disfigured man named Kesselring where he and his wealthy associates (people who have been hurt, maimed or lost love ones to superhero battles…imagine the people who had been hurt by say Hulk throwing a car or Green Goblin pumpkin bombing a building) employ Castle to kill off every superhero in the world… both good and bad.
FUN FACTS: This one is very much in the vane of Marvel’s What If…? story-lines. Those are Marvel stories that were told outside the mainstream continuity of the Marvel Universe and were often single issues or limited runs. In my opinion, it is one of the best comics out there that no one knows about.
WHY IT WOULD BE GREAT: First and foremost, it’s a dark book. Which is just fun. The deaths and fights leading up to them are gritty and violent in the true spirit of the Punisher. Now, imagine a movie featuring the ENTIRE Marvel universe with sequences ending in major showdowns with their biggest characters. Punisher vs. Spiderman, Punisher vs. Wolverine, etc. What’s not to like?
2. KINGDOM COME.
PREMISE: Set some twenty years into the future of the then-current DC Universe, it deals with a growing conflict between “traditional” superheroes, such as Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Justice League, and a growing population of largely amoral and dangerously irresponsible new vigilantes. Between these two groups is Batman and his assembled team, who attempt to contain the escalating disaster, foil the machinations of Lex Luthor, and prevent a world-ending superhuman war.
FUN FACTS: This book was also illustrated by Alex Ross (see Marvels above). An Alex Ross partial sketch can sell for several thousands as can his prints. His lower end, smaller paintings start at around 200 thousand dollars.
WHY IT WOULD BE GREAT: We’ve done the prologue to death so why not do an epilogue. Imagine a world so bad, that even Superman has given up hope and now lives in solitude. Generations of superheroes have spawned further generations and, without Supes to be the balance, the line between “hero” and “villain” has become blurred. Essentially, Superman gets the gang back together and leads an all out superhero attack to clean up a very dirty DC world. It also features complicated and engulfing story-lines for all the former Justice Leaguers.
1. THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS.
PREMISE: The story of a middle-aged Batman who comes out of retirement to fight crime, only to face opposition from the Gotham City police force and the United States government… not to mention Superman. I can’t do all the layers of this story justice. You should just go read it or at least check out a detailed breakdown by CLICKING HERE!!!
FUN FACTS: The Dark Knight Returns was written by comic scribe Frank Miller. Forget 300 & Sin City… this is his finest work.
WHY IT WOULD BE GREAT: Did I mention a final showdown with Superman??? What else do you want? In all seriousness, I’m not actually convinced we won’t ever see this movie. I know Christopher Nolan is aware of the book and could see him returning, with Christian Bale, ten years from now and turning his trilogy into a quadrilogy. Let’s just say, I’m pretty sure there’s a reason his next film ends with “Rises” and not “Returns”. While that could be a long shot, I assure you, this is one of the quintessential Batman books out there in publication… if Nolan doesn’t step up, somebody will!
Remember, we here at Man, I Love Films don’t do definitive lists. We do our favorites and we want to hear yours. So, make sure and tell us about them in the comments section below.
Andrew (8)
Wayne (8)
John (6)
Josh (6)
Jessica (5)
Justin (5)
Lauren (5)
Steve (5)
Dave Enkosky (4)
Sir Phobos (4)
Twitter: TapaidhNaomh
December 9, 2011 3:22 am
No love for Marvel 1602?
Twitter: kaiderman
December 9, 2011 1:56 pm
I’ve read bits and pieces of it. Wouldn’t put it over this and not sure that would work cinematically until we are absolutely saturated with these films. We’re still getting the big boys their origin stories… maybe down the line but certainly not before these.
Twitter: TapaidhNaomh
December 9, 2011 7:50 pm
I can understand that line of thinking. It is a bit obscure/experimental to really work as a launch. Still, I really enjoyed the mix of history and Marvel lore.
Twitter: fandangogroover
December 9, 2011 3:44 am
Good call on the two Batman novels. I haven’t read any of the others. I did an article on The Dark Knight Returns a couple of years ago, as I remember I suggested Michael Keaton reprises his role. I really like the idea of Batman kicking Superman’s arse. When researching it I came across a couple of references to Clint Eastwood looking at it but the idea dropped in favour of Batman Begins.
Twitter: kaiderman
December 9, 2011 1:58 pm
Yeah, I hate Superman until he pops up in Gotham. Then I love him because they have a great back and forth.
As far as Clint, I love him as a director but not sure I want him touching this one on either side of the camera. I still think Nolan will revisit this… hoping, at least.
Twitter: fandangogroover
December 11, 2011 3:08 pm
I don’t see Superman in a Nolan movie.
Twitter: fandangogroover
December 11, 2011 3:18 pm
When I did my The Dark Knight Returns article I was thinking about who could play a convincing gray haired 50 year old Batman, and the first person that cam to mind was George Clooney. If only he hadn’t already fucked it up.
Twitter: kaiderman
December 13, 2011 6:09 pm
hahaha… that is a great point.
Twitter: joelburman
December 9, 2011 6:06 am
Great list Kai. I stopped following Marvel religiously in 1991 so I haven’t been in the loop for a while. I may actually add a couple of these in my X-mas wish list.
Twitter: kaiderman
December 9, 2011 1:58 pm
These are all great reads. Read my reply to Markus for another suggestion. His is great as well.
Twitter: MarkusWelby1
December 9, 2011 8:02 am
Dark Knight Returns for sure, but also “Batman: A Death In the Family” where Jason Todd dies. The Death of Superman would be cool too. Just kill em all I say.
Twitter: kaiderman
December 9, 2011 2:01 pm
I LOVE the Death in the Family series. I actually own it autographed by one of the writers.
Not sure it works great cinematically though. Robin doesn’t translate well to the screen and Todd is the second Robin which requires some knowledge of the continuity of the universe so I don’t know. If they tweaked it a bit, hell yeah! Though, they might lose what it is.
If I had to recommend another Batman, I would say HUSH which was actuallt my #6. A GREAT book that incorporates Superman and Batman’s entire rogue gallery as well as Nightwing, Oracle, etc.
Twitter: fandangogroover
December 11, 2011 3:14 pm
You don’t think Robin translates well to the screen but want The Dark Knight Returns? Robin is integral to the plot and to further confuse people, Robin is a Girl! I think Robin can work in the right movie, there was far more wrong with the Joel Schumacher movies than just Robin.
Twitter: kaiderman
December 13, 2011 6:10 pm
Robin as a legitimate superhero… no. A female Robin… absolutely. I dunno why but think it would work fine.
KINGDOM COME! You are THE MAN for including that! Really have no clue why they haven’t made TDKR into a movie yet, or why Batman Begins wasn’t just Year One, but maybe someday…
Also, ever read Y: The Last Man? Best graphic novels ever written, IMHO.
Twitter: kaiderman
December 9, 2011 2:02 pm
Heard of it but have not read it. I’ll keep an eye out.
Batman Year One would be a great adaptation if they plan a reboot. Similarities but they could still do it.
Alex Ross is a genius and KC is a great book. Some of his best art as well.
Aiden, you MUST read that Punisher book… it is great!
I’ve just slowly been getting into graphic novels over the past couple of years, so I’ve not much to compare among graphic novels, but I do think The Dark Knight Returns would be an awesome movie. It’s a much different take on the character and a lot darker than I expected. Would probably have to be an R-rated Batman flick, which I doubt will ever happen.
Twitter: kaiderman
December 9, 2011 2:04 pm
I don’t think it has to be R but I would love if they had the balls to do it. Batman might be one of the few franchises tat could still pull big box office with that rating.
Twitter: videovangaurd
December 9, 2011 8:58 am
Great list Kai. I would also be excited to see Black Hole, Superman: Red Son and Y: The Last Man become serious movies as well.
Twitter: kaiderman
December 9, 2011 2:04 pm
Great suggestions. I believe they were planning a Y movie with Shia LeBouf starring and DJ Carrusso directing but it fell through.
Twitter: ScribeHard
December 9, 2011 12:35 pm
The Dark Knight Returns for … the … WIN.
I was a huge Frank Miller fan back when he wrote Daredevil on a monthly basis.
(In fact, I revisit the Born Again story arc about once a year.)
(In fact Part II, my avi is take straight from Born Again.)
And, if I may totally nerd out here (like I haven’t already), I’ve got first editions of the original four books that, combined, make up the graphic novel.
It, along with Moore’s The Watchmen, changed comics forever.
Great list, Kai.
Twitter: kaiderman
December 9, 2011 2:06 pm
Is that the run that came around or just after he killed off Elektra?
I ask because I read Daredevil casually. Same with Iron Man.
Twitter: ScribeHard
December 12, 2011 8:08 am
Yes, it was around the time of the death of Elektra. Now I’m remembering the Bill Sienkeiwicz artwork on that. Time to dig up some old issues.
Twitter: SilverEmulsion
December 9, 2011 11:06 pm
Great list! I’d love to see both of the Batman comics adapted. I know you said you were sticking with the big names, but I really, really would like a live-action adaptation of Blade of the Immortal. It’s so cinematic and amazing, it would make an incredible film if the right people were behind the camera.
Twitter: kaiderman
December 13, 2011 6:11 pm
I don’t know that one. I’ll look into it.
Twitter: agracru
December 13, 2011 7:38 am
Here’s the problem with most of these– they’d require more than one movie to be done proper justice. I wouldn’t want to see all of Kingdom Come crammed into one two hour movie. Hell, that’s true of any suggestion I can come up with, too– especially Transmetropolitan, which I think would be pretty amazing as a series of films and which I’m surprised hasn’t been brought up yet (unless I’m just that unobservant).
Twitter: kaiderman
December 13, 2011 6:12 pm
Kingdom Come excluded, I think the rest of these could be done in two hours no problem. KC might be better suited as a miniseries.
Ok since no-one here seems to no anything about anything im gonna tell you this.
The Dark Knight Rises is already being made into a animated film by Warner Bros. Production is going on right now.
2. Both “The Death of superman” and parts of “A death in the family” has already been made into films by DC Universe Animated Original Movies.
Start reading the news folks!
Twitter: kaiderman
December 14, 2011 3:13 pm
Fair points and I do know what you’re talking about. I have seen both of the latter and had heard The Dark Knight Returns (I assume you meants returns and not rises) was being tinkered with.
These were being thrown out potential live action features. While I like the animated movies, I definitely want to see these in a live action universe.
Dude, get the images right! That`s not from Marvels, but from Eye of the Camera. and that’s not from Kingdom Come, instead it’s a panel from Peace on Earth.
Peace!
Twitter: kaiderman
December 14, 2011 7:23 pm
You’re right. I uploaded the wrong KC pic. Thanks. Was supposed to be the one from the slider.
However, the Spidey pic is there because of what I wrote in the post.
Thanks for reading and welcome to the site.