Which would you pick as the best?

Um, none of the above. My favorite is actually Hellboy.

That said, I'd probably go with X2 or Spider-man 2.

-The Rat

Yeah, I've heard some good stuff about Hellboy, but there's a limit of 10 poll choices, so I went with the films I thought the most people were most likely to have seen. Amazing, when you add in television adaptations, how many there really are.

Blade was a good adaptation. It told the story of Blade and had action like a comic.

Blade 2 sucked.

Don't forget Road to Perdition. That is supposed to be a bang-on live action conversion.

I ... can't decide. :(

Does "Wonder Woman" count? I think it was shot on film...

Never seen "Road to Perdition". If they wanted me to watch it they'd have filmed it while Hope and Crosby were around to be in it...

Road to Perdition is a fantastic film - never woulda guessed it was based on a graphic novel.

Tough choice, but I had to go with Spider-Man too. That's maybe a knee-jerk reaction, as I've only seen it the once so far, but it's right up there with Superman - the Movie. S-tM deserved the top spot for so many reasons - artistry, ambition, passion, epic scale...it's one or two small stumbles are small in comparison to the bigger picture. But that "reversing the Earth" puts Spidey 2 just that little bit ahead.

Funny about Blade - not being into comics for so many years, I was unfamiliar with it. Also hadn't been watching Buffy, and not into that stylistic milieau (blend of vampires and martial arts/Mtv-edited fight scenes). When I saw the trailers for Blade, I thought "Man that looks awful. Looks more like a comic book than a movie."

When I saw Superman II on it's theatrical run, I thought it was better than the first film. But either it's FX don't translate well to the small screen or it was a film of it's time that's just dated now, even on DVD it just doesn't seem as great.

"Spiderman" didn't do it for me, I thought the CGI weak and thought it was uninvolving. The sequel looks promising...

I was pleasantly surprised at X-Men II, again I wasn't a huge fan of the first one, but the second one was pretty fast paced and much more confident, plus there was dependable Brian Cox.

Of course I'm partial to the Batman character - but, it wasn't the BEST adaptation from comics to screen. Batman Returns was even worse ( Catwoman - Good. Penguin - Bad. Christopher Walken - just plain disturbing. ) The Batman animated series, thus far, has done the best job of adapting the Batman comics to the screen.

But movie wise I'm gonna have to go with Spiderman II. I'm usually a sucker for movies that recount the characters origins - and I did love the first Spiderman movie - but, I honestly feel that Spiderman II surpassed the first film.

Superman The Movie was close, but Lex Luthor and his bumbling assistants, Otis and Miss Teschmacher (sp?), were too corny to be believable. Some people liked Superman II better. I never did, frankly, but it was a good movie.

I enjoyed XMen. I still haven't seen XMen II, the Hulk, or Daredevil.

- GJS

Batman Returns is a huge favorite of mine, I'm not as taken with the first Burton Batman. I don't count it as highly in this poll because it's a more Burton's stylized take on the world of Batman than it is faithful to the comics...but it resonates with me on a personal level more than most of the above. It's a better, richer film than the first in every way (IMnsHO) despite the plot being messy. The first was a bitter, angry movie (beyond the Joker's character), and difficult to empathize with. Batman Returns was for me all the less ugly for having tremedous sympathy for all of it's characters - and for being unusually complex for this kind of movie in presenting each character, "good" and "bad" alike as being truly neither black nor white but struggling to find an identity while stuck in the middle.

Superman 2 has strengths that make it a good film: a strong, moving story; strong, likeable actors giving engaging performances, slick photography; an epic confrontation, towards which our emotions are skillfullly built by the story. Unfortunately, the film is filled with the camp humor of Richard lester (I disliked the camp in Donner's as well, but Donner used it more delicately), and particular stunts in the fight scenes -owuing to stunt fx capabilites of the time involving wire work - are slower than we find exciting today. It's inferior to the first in scope and direction, but the story rocks.

Both X-Men films are excellent examples of how comic book adaptations should be done, even without the traditional costumes (which would have been out of synch with the movies' sensibilites). X-Men 1 had a weak third act, the sequel didn't have that problem.

I'm one of the few who thoroughly enjoyed Ang Lee's The Hulk, understanding Eric Bana's character and finding his portrayal subtle and touching... as well as the script's dissection of emotional scarring and the havoc it wreaks with relationships. The Hulk sequences come as a dreamlike release of pent up anger and frustration, surreal in the bliss of release. Still, I've yet to see it a second time, I haven't yet decided how well the ideas flow into a cohesive whole or how well the stylized editing holds up. The finale left me scratching my head a little too.

Never got around to seeing Daredevil - I thought an extended version was due on disc?

Haven't seen either Blade yet, and missed Hellboy.

Never got around to seeing Daredevil - I thought an extended version was due on disc?
Interesting. I know that an entire sub-plot involving a street-level informant portrayed by Coolio was excised to shorten the run-time and you can sense that there are scenes missing throughout the story. I'd like to see them restored as it might help what to me was a pretty unsatisfying adaptation.

As of this post, it looks like Superman - The Movie, Spiderman, and Spiderman 2 are in a dead heat for favorite.

For sheer scope, sweeping story and grand spectacle, I think that Superman probably wins out. I can still remember how thrilling and uplifting the film was when I first saw it... and that was just the opening credits! The rest of the film really struck a chord, and was as emotionally satisfying as it was spectacular in it's execution. Remember, this was 1978, and this movie was every bit as groundbreaking as Star Wars in it's innovative visual effects and process photography. No one had ever seen anything like that before. This guy really flew!

Unfortunately, we never got to see the total completion of Richard Donner's brilliant direction in Superman II, which ended up as a good, but not great film with Richard Lester's involvement.

X-Men 1&2, and Spiderman 1&2 were all well done, with the sequels actually being better than the originals. I thought that Spiderman 2 was absolutely fantastic. Peter Parker's struggle with his duality was more satisfying than any amount of costumed webslinging, IMHO. It was what Superman II should have been. Just excellent moviemaking.

Personally, I happen to like Tank Girl.

Interesting that Superman seems to be in the Lead. This is the one I voted for,I don't think it was simply out of Pity for Chris Reeve's Present Condition,Nope I believe that when this film was first released (78') It did for ALL Future Comic to Film Adaptations what Star Wars did for Sci-Fi Films (and Televison) Even today TWENTY some Years later I can see the Infulences of Donner's Supes Movie on even Recent release like Spidey 2! (btw IMHO I thought Spidey 2 was better than the First) but anyhoo The First Superman Film had (again imho) everything! BUT then out came the Second Film and not only did I get more of (My All Time Fave Villian) Lex Luthor Wonderfully played by Gene Hackman but you got General Zod and that Sexy Ursa (Well I thought Sarah Douglas was Hot just didn't dig the Short Wig lol) Anyhoo Yeah Supes had and STILL has it all!!

I would have to choose BATMAN (1989) as the Runnerup But I gotta Say Billy Zane's 1994 Version of "The Phantom" is/was Way under rated! as is Baldwin's "Shadow" both very Entertaining (to Me Anyway) but not very Commerically sucsessful I guess cause the Kids were'nt to familiar with these Older heroes.kind of a shame really.

JOHN/LONFAN

Ok, how can anyone say X-Men in either of its forms were any adaption to the comic storyline?

Does anyone remember the origins of those books? As in the Origional X-Men? Professor, Cyclops, Jean, Angel, Beast and Iceman?
That was all.
Granted they did redo the series and the "New" X-Men did include Wolvie and Storm, but as founding characters that were sought out by Xavier to save the origional X-Men from a living Island (I believe it was called Kracken). These "new" X-Men also included Colossus (the metal kid in X2), Nightcrawler, Banshee, Sunfire and Thunderbird.

I'll even fire another at ya, Mysique is Rogue's adoptive mother in the books.

Now I have nothing against the movies, actually I rather enjoyed them both. But I can't stand by and let someone say they were good adaptions from the comic books. Good movies inspired by the comic books, maybe. But not adapted.

"Swamp Thing" would have to be my favorite, now that I think about it. There are a couple of reasons.

"Swamp Thing" would have to be my favorite, now that I think about it. There are a couple of reasons.

Two come immediately to mind.....


http://www.fantasyfemales.co.uk/barbeau/barbeauFFCDaug01/thumbs/barb1008.jpg

Glad to hear someone else liked The Shadow. Now if only they would release a WIDESCREEN dvd.

Okay, the X-Men films mess with the stories and cast. Since I never read the X-Men comics, that obviously is lost on me where hardcore fans of the title may be bothered. Honestly, films are such a different medium that I don't ask or expect films to be that slavish to the comic installments - in most cases, you can't squeeze all that in, nor does it always suit the film's aims. When it's done and done well, as the many elements in the Spider-man films, it's an added joy, but in general I know the films have to be their own beasts. I call them good adaptations for bringing that worlds and those characters to life in a lifelike and lively way, and doing something thoughtful with them while remaining as faithful to that world and characters as the demands of the story and director's vision allow. Nothing wrong with messing a little with the details or timelines - the comics themselves do it all the time!

I've warmed to The Shadow as a stylish and exciting fantasy romp, but it's high camp humor is a direct violation of the dark and menacing tone one would expect or probably wish for from an adaptation of the original stories, pulp novels, or radio shows. But I enjoy it as it's own thing...the characters and actors are enjoyable, the art direction is great fun...yeah, I'd like to see that come out in a decent dvd as well.

What about The Rocketeer? Never read the graphic novels, but I hear the film is fairly close - and it's a fun movie! Exciting, with amiable heroes, an old-fashioned boo-hiss villain, great fx, a rousing score, and plaenty of small treasures like a Rondo Hatton homage and the Nazi Rocketman propaganda film among other nods to the era. One of my favorites, been watching for a good anamorphic copy to come along.

Love "The Rocketeer". One of life's great injustices is that it was released the same week as "Terminator II". A true gem.

I can agree with the Rocketeer.
I have always thought that fun watch. Even if the only reason I saw it was I misread Bill Campbell as Bruce Campbell, and had to see it.


The only real reason I have such a cross at the X-Men as a movie is because I grew up with them and loved that story for over 20 years. Well at least till Clairmont and Lee gave up on them and the comic went to hell.

I liked "The Shadow" and "The Rocketeer" very much, and am sorry not to see either listed for voting purposes. I DID vote for Superman II, because for sheer closeness to the comic character, I think this was the best of the 4 movies of that series.
I am very greatful that the direct-to-video "Captain America" was likewise not included; it was a stinker comparable only to a zombie movie, with only the performance of Darren McGaven to make it watchable (once).

Anyone remember the orgional Spiderman movie from back in the 80's?


That was a stinker.


Seaview, I do remember that Cappy movie. Ranked up there with Spidey and Dolph Lungren's Punisher. (I never saw the "new" Punisher to compare)

Anyone remember the orgional Spiderman movie from back in the 80's?


That was a stinker.


Seaview, I do remember that Cappy movie. Ranked up there with Spidey and Dolph Lungren's Punisher. (I never saw the "new" Punisher to compare)

OMG!!!!!!! I just remembered the TV film "Dr. Strange". I must revise my "stinkiest" title from Cap to that other one. It shaved IQ points off the viewer!

I have to pick Spidey2 as the most accurate Comic to movie I've seen. Since we already overcame the origin change in the first, the only variation to the comics was Ocks involvement in Parkers life, otherwise it was a great Spiderman comicbook on the screen. Every other one has too many changes to be an accurate "Comicbook" movie. Personally I loved the X-men movies, the Rocketeer and Hellboy, and felt the changes to the story/characters were, for the most part, justifiable, but for this poll, and my interpretation, they don't qualify.

Anyone remember the orgional Spiderman movie from back in the 80's?


That was a stinker.


Seaview, I do remember that Cappy movie. Ranked up there with Spidey and Dolph Lungren's Punisher. (I never saw the "new" Punisher to compare)
I know that a couple of 2 part episodes from the 1970s "Spider-Man" TV show were packaged as direct-to-tape movies in the 1980s. Is this what you're referring to? The '91 Captain America had two things going for it - a more than serviceable plot and Salinger looked the part in the costume. But everything else about it was horrible - the budget was way too low budget to do the character justice, The Red Skull was Italian, and Cap barely wore the costume through the entire movie. And if you think that version was bad, check out the two made-for-TV movies from the late '70s. Captain America is a Chevy van driving surfer dude crossed with Evel Kneivel. Quality stuff!!

OMG!!!!!!! I just remembered the TV film "Dr. Strange". I must revise my "stinkiest" title from Cap to that other one. It shaved IQ points off the viewer!I actually have a bit of affection for this one due to some Ditko-like set designs and Jessica Walter's portrayal of Morganna, but the portrayal of the good Doctor as a polyester wearin' ladies' man and the "Shaft Goes to Hades" waka waka soundtrack definitely date it all to hell. On the other hand, I prefer the treatment of Daredevil in the made for TV "Trial of The Incredible Hulk" to the big screen version. I'm serious. Anybody remember "The Return of The Incredible Hulk" with The Mighty Thor?:freak:

Did Thor loose his hammer in that and with it his powers and Banner had to "help" him?

I think I remember something like that. I do remember the Daredevil in the Hulk thing though.


As for the Spidey movie, it may have been the TV show one. I'll try and rent the VHS from the mom and pop store down the street some time and see if I can figure it out. (They have all the bad videos :cool: )

Did Thor loose his hammer in that and with it his powers and Banner had to "help" him?
It was a "pilot" for a series in which Dr. Donald Blake has the ability to summon The Mighty Thor - who dresses like Hagar The Horrible and who behaves like David Lee Roth with a bit of Hulk Hogan thrown in. The wussy Dr. Blake constantly tries to put the breaks on Thor's Thunder God-like behavior, and much hilarity ensues. It's "I Dream of Jeanie" meets "The Odd Couple" - Marvel style - and it's just as good as it sounds.

Roger Corman's Fantastic Four.Just when it was about to be released,it was bought and shelved by WB,who were going to do a big buget film.You can find copys at comic book conventions.Its very well done.

Yeah, I actually like Corman's FF movie, too. It's got pretty cheesy SFX/VFX, but the basic plot wasn't too bad. Acting left something to be desired, but then we're talking pretty much a bunch of nobodies in the various roles. I mean, the movie was made on a very low budget for what it should have had. I think I remember reading somewhere that it only cost about $1 million to make, I think it was? The spirit to the FF comics was there, and that's what counted for me.

For what it's worth, I guess.

- - - - - -

Jeffrey Griffin
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I voted Superman.

I don't get the facial transformation in "The Shadow" ... yeah, yeah, yeah the illustrations look like that
... oddly enough Alec Baldwin with bushier eyebrows and a big nose ends up looking like Billy Baldwin.

I always thought Burton should've cast Joe Pesci over the too obvious Devito. No stunt casting by Raimi ... so far.

Corman's FF is kinda fun .... it's a shame Rebecca Staab really is a nobody ... another in a long line of unsung big screen beauties.

I believe Spider-Man also has shown Bryan Singer was too cautious with respect to colorful costumes undercutting the audiences suspension of disbelief.
A year one, ground level X-Men lineup would've been fine with me but I believe it's all snikt, snikt, snikt to the X-faithful.

A couple of months ago, Jimmy Kimmel ran some 5th generation VHS clip of the Japanese live action Spider-Man tv show.
Sweet ... not good ... but nice to see, even just a short clip, something I've only heard about.

A couple of months ago, Jimmy Kimmel ran some 5th generation VHS clip of the Japanese live action Spider-Man tv show.
Sweet ... not good ... but nice to see, even just a short clip, something I've only heard about.
I've got four of these on tape. A major hoot. The Japanese Spider-Man resembles his American namesake in costume and wall-crawling powers only. He drives a Spider-Mobile and supersizes to fight rubber-suit monsters in each and every episode.

I've got four of these on tape. A major hoot. The Japanese Spider-Man resembles his American namesake in costume and wall-crawling powers only. He drives a Spider-Mobile and supersizes to fight rubber-suit monsters in each and every episode.
That sounds like a scream, Scott! You'll have to show that to me the next time we get together!

http://www.newworldzorro.com/presskitinfo/zorrowest.jpg

- GJS :wave:

Looks like your hairline is receding old chum. That's why I wear the hat.

I'd be very interested to see a poll like this 10 years from now. Will the Spider-Man movies continue to score highly then? I doubt it.

I'd be very interested to see a poll like this 10 years from now. Will the Spider-Man movies continue to score highly then? I doubt it.
How come? "Superman:The Movie" is almost 30 years old and it's right there at the top.

Superman: The Movie is obviously thought of very highly by many. I agree it is definitely one of the best adaptations. It's the Spider-Man movies that I think are a bit overrated right now due to their freshness in people's minds. As time passes, I wonder how many people will want to see both movies again and again. I haven't seen Spider-Man 2, so I can't comment on that one. (I hope to see it soon!) I do think the first one suffered from an overabundance of closeups during fight scenes---similar to the closeup dance scenes in Annie. I kept wanting to tell the camerman, "Zoom out!" Much of the swinging Spider-Man scenes seemed a bit too fast for my tastes also. The speed seemed to emphasize the fact many of them were CGI shots. I liked the fact the origin of Spider-Man followed the comic version closely. JJJ and Peter Parker were cast well also. I gave the movie a solid "B".

What? No "Howard The Duck" :D ??!!??

There are no Technicolor Fleischer Popeyes either!

The Best Batman movie ever
"BATMAN: THE MASK OF THE PHANTASM"
Batman the way he was suppose to be not queer
lookin rubber suits. No lame villians. Jim Carey???
Give me a break. What's next Opar as Wonder Woman?

Superman: The Movie is obviously thought of very highly by many. I agree it is definitely one of the best adaptations. It's the Spider-Man movies that I think are a bit overrated right now due to their freshness in people's minds. As time passes, I wonder how many people will want to see both movies again and again. I haven't seen Spider-Man 2, so I can't comment on that one. (I hope to see it soon!) I do think the first one suffered from an overabundance of closeups during fight scenes---similar to the closeup dance scenes in Annie. I kept wanting to tell the camerman, "Zoom out!" Much of the swinging Spider-Man scenes seemed a bit too fast for my tastes also. The speed seemed to emphasize the fact many of them were CGI shots. I liked the fact the origin of Spider-Man followed the comic version closely. JJJ and Peter Parker were cast well also. I gave the movie a solid "B".
I agree that "Spider-Man" had some problems. I'd probably give it a B+. You should see "Spider-Man 2". In my opinion it's the only adaptation on this list other than "Superman: The Movie" that deserves a solid A. (and I would still have to go with "Superman" in a clinch).

I may watch it tomorrow.....but my daughters appear to be leaning more towards watching Catwoman.

You see, I don't go to the movies too often since I got separated from my soon-to-be-ex. She usually takes the kids to the movies on her visitation weekends. Since they go to the multiplex, she has them sneak in to watch 1 or 2 extra movies free of charge. By the time they get home, they've seen most movies I'd like to watch.

I've really only gone to the movies a few times in the past year on dates......and then we ended up watching either chick movies....or comedies...The women I've gone out with didn't seem too interested in super-hero-type movies.

....the hunt for that near-perfect woman continues.....

I agree that "Spider-Man" had some problems. I'd probably give it a B+. You should see "Spider-Man 2". In my opinion it's the only adaptation on this list other than "Superman: The Movie" that deserves a solid A. (and I would still have to go with "Superman" in a clinch).
I feel exactly the same as Scott, except... in a clinch I would go with Spiderman 2 ( and this is coming from a diehard "DC Comics over Marvel Comics" afficianado ). Why? Because, as I stated earlier, Lex Luthor and his gang were played for laughs instead of malevelance. Gene Hackman was amusing but, I just didn't 'buy' him as Lex Luthor. Doc Ock, on the other hand, is extremely believable and very threatening! In my opinion, Spiderman 2 has raised the bar for all other superhero movies that come after it.....

..... Batman Begins had better be Da--ed good!

- GJS

Gary - I can certainly see your reasoning even though I love Hackman's performance. Did anybody besides myself get the feeling that "Spider-Man 2" contained more than just one tip o' the hat to the first two Superman movies. I can think of several myself.

Did anybody besides myself get the feeling that "Spider-Man 2" contained more than just one tip o' the hat to the first two Superman movies. I can think of several myself.
Personally, I loved the reference when Aunt May tells Peter, " Afterall, you're not Superman!"

- GJS :)

Gary - I can certainly see your reasoning even though I love Hackman's performance. Did anybody besides myself get the feeling that "Spider-Man 2" contained more than just one tip o' the hat to the first two Superman movies. I can think of several myself.
I remember having maybe a vague impression of this, but I'm not certain. What, specifically, did you notice?

Qapla'

SSB

The first 15 minutes of "Spider-Man 2" are very similar to the section in "Superman:The Movie" after Superman has first revealed himself - a quick series of vingettes in which both Superman and Spider-Man thwart various crimes and perform good deeds - the tone and pacing are so similar that this part of "Spider-Man 2" seems almost like an homage - especially the exact replication of one particular shot - Spider-Man running directly toward the camera while pulling his shirt open to reveal the costume underneath - and another scene in "Spider-Man 2" where a guy says "Hey! He stole my pizza!" reminds me very much of the scene in "Superman:The Movie" where the pimped out dude says "Whoah, Jack! That's a bad out-fit!" Also, the entire theme of "Spider-Man 2" reflects that of "Superman II", in that the Superhero nearly throws away his powers in order to be with the woman he loves. I also felt the slow motion shot of the face of Doc Ock's wife reflected in the exploding shard of glass visually mimicked the image of the Kryptonian criminals imprisoned within the mirror-like "Phantom Zone" from "Superman:The Movie".

I had the exact same feeling watching Spider-Man 2 earlier today. I kept thinking, "They must be doing that on purpose!"