Comic Book Movies Without Capes

When I started the Superhero marathon I focused on the capes, the crime fighters and the action adventurers and whatnot. Other comic book based outings were a mixed bag. I liked Road to Perdition, but didn’t care for 300 and loathed V For Vendetta and didn’t feel like reviewing them. So I zeroed in on the supers, the heroes. Because of that I missed out on adding notes on comic criminals like Diabolik or Kriminal, superb gritty violent drama’s such as Eastern Promises and a few that were just about average people and their average lives. So here’s my look at 3 of my favorite comic book movies without capes.

Ghost World
I saw this in a near empty theater in 2001. Directed by Terry Zwigoff and based on a graphic novel and screenplay by Daniel Clowes. Ghost World was about the misfits and outsiders that pepper the Earth, mainly 3 folks. Enid (Thora Birch) her friend Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson) and the lonely, record loving Seymour (Steve Buscemi) that Enid grows attached to. Seymour was not in the original comic, which was okay with me. Books are books, movies are movies. Sometimes changes fail, sometimes they improve (ala Jaws) and the relationship between the 3 works so well. The acting is a wonder across the board. Even Johansson, who has descended into awkward, wooden territory as an actress, shows promise here.

American Splendor
This was an odd one but so very good. Based on the life and works of comic book writer Harvey Pekar. The film is directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, who are known for documentaries, and this movie has that feel to it. The two also share writing credit with Pekar and his wife, Joyce Brabner. As with Ghost World, the acting is top notch, Paul Giamatti is perfectly cranky and eccentric as Pekar and Hope Davis is very good as Joyce.

Persepolis
This was another in a long list of great films released in the U.S. in 2007. The work is 100% Marjane Satrapi. She wrote it, directed it (with Vincent Paronnaud) and the animation looks very much like the autobiographical graphic novel it’s based on. The movie tells the story of a young girl who lives during the Iranian Revolution. Satrapi’s kind of irritating in real life (she has an overwhelming personality as seen in the extras) but she has lived a colorful life and is quite talented in telling her tale.

If you are a fan of the medium, and enjoy the movie adaptations as much as I do (I don’t know why specifically, but I love seeing comic books come to life on the big screen) I’d recommend these 3 highly. Thora briefly wears a Batmask in Ghost World but other than that there’s not a costumed hero in the bunch. The only thing super about them are their stories, the acting and filmmaking.

Super Years - Super Movies

I remember looking at what 2008 had to offer for the comic book movie fan, and like the villains in many a flick, I was clasping and rubbing my hands and laughing in diabolic joy at the sight of it all.

There were a lot of highly anticipated remakes and new entries which might have had me too excited, what could live up to my anticipation?

Well not a lot did, in fact a lot of it was… well, good but not OMG AWESOME! Only 2 matched and exceeded the hype. Iron Man and The Dark Knight, both of which entered my top 10.

There was also one wonderful surprise.

Though I normally don’t read a lot of reviews, I suddenly felt compelled to read EVERTHING about the Punisher War Zone. Maybe I was trying to talk myself out of going. Then a strange thing happened. I sat down and got ready for the worst experience of my life when about mid way through I thought to myself, “Hey, something’s wrong here, I’m actually enjoying this stupid thing.” I don’t know if that will translate to the DVD when I watch it, or if my expectations were so low there was nothing but up from there. But I had a good time and currently have it ranked in the 30s.



2008 wasn’t bad. But it wasn’t the end all and be all nor was it the first great season in the sun. Before Hollywood threw its hat in the ring, Italy produced a lot of low budget but often entertaining productions. These cheesy Italian flicks offered comic book bliss from 67-68 with titles like Superargo, Danger Diabolik, Fantastic Aargoman, Kriminal and the 3 Fantastic Supermen. This would be the best run until 2004.

Ahh 2004… Now that was a great year.

At the top is the film that many still regard as the best superhero movie ever, Spider-Man 2. Though the Dark Knight challenges it, SM2 (with the first) still stands as the quintessential example of the Stan Lee era brought to life. Beyond that was Pixar’s incredible “The Incredibles” - an animated force that ranks as my favorite from the company.

Apart from those Top 10 entries is one that ranks in the teens, Hellboy. It might not be as splashy as the remake but I prefer its humanity, heart and the horror elements.

Far from our shores there were 2 released in Japan in 2004. Live action anime Cutie Honey is a kick and Zebraman was full of fun and warmth.

Course we couldn’t escape the year without a few stink bombs. The spastic Punisher with Thomas Jane, the amazingly cheesy, awfully directed (by screenwriter David Goyer) Blade Trinity and one of the very worst of the worst…Catwoman!



(2008 offered up duds like Superhero Movie! The inconsistent Jumper and the acid trip that was The Spirit – so nobody gets through a year unscathed. Even the Italians gave up “Avenger X” in the 60s)

How will 2009 stack up? It’s a bit lighter in the load pan. There are 2 highly anticipated films. First up is the Watchmen – For what it’s worth, Wesley Crusher rated it as the best comic book movie ever in his blog (under his real name Will Wheton) after he saw a sneak. And there’s Wolverine. Both at first blush, offer the best shots at breaking into my top 10 list (but it’s a tough crowd, so I’d be happy with teens or 20s)

Aside from the big 2 we’ll also get stuff like Kick-Ass (from the creator of “Wanted”) and Astro Boy (From Imagi studios, who produced TMNT).

The first comic book movie of the year, Push, has received mixed reviews. I stand on the side of those who liked it. I feel it got the new season off to a solid start. Other than the theatrical releases, Marvel has put out their best DTD (direct to disc) with Hulk Vs. and DC will soon have Wonder Woman on the shelves.

2010 and 11? Might be the new Marvel Age with its string of Avenger based films and the anticipated return of Spider-Man. DC will likely have at least the Green Lantern on the big screen.