It should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me that I am a huge fan of the recent comic book film adaptation movement. I was raised on a formula of Superman, Indiana Jones and Star Wars movies. Matured to the Batman and Spider-man series’. And in my adulthood have enjoyed both fleeting and sustained relationships in the comic book movie genre. But this article sent chills of pleasure down my spine (which I came across via a Slashdot post).
The article is a list of 75 comic book properties that are being vetted for a big screen treatment, and there are so many delicious items on this list. I’m already jonesing for the next chapters in Spider-man, Batman, the Avengers set, and Superman. It is exciting to hear that Wonder Woman and Green Lantern may be in the works as well. Many of the indy options they are entertaining have got me intrigued (e.g., Y: the Last Man). And the team-up/ensembles (i.e., JLA & Avengers) are just a fantasy come true.
Sure I’m also a critic and not all of the attempts have been stellar. I was skeptical of Batman Begins until I saw it as a result of the previous offerings. I’m a Marvel fan moreso than a DC guy, but they’ve laid some eggs as well (e.g., Electra). But they can’t all be winners and I’m not about to lose faith in the genre over the losers.
I’m also prepared for the possibility that the bubble may burst and a lot of the ideas on the list may never make it to the big screen. But many of them do have the story substance to create compelling dramas and in the end, that is all we all are really looking for – a reasonable balance of fantasy and drama we can relate to. So as long as no one tries to sell us on another hyber-drama in rubber nipples (a la Batman & Robin – btw, why didn’t Batgirl get rubber nipples too?), I think the trend can carry on. And if so, I would be very happy. After all, I am a huge fan.