Graphic novel or comic book, take your pick, either way these illustrated stories have had countless movie adaptations over the years. Their visual origins are what makes these stories translate so well to the big screen and it seems right now, Hollywood just can’t get enough.
One such movie that we think will soon be joining the ranks of best comic-to-film adaptations will be Edgar Wright’s epic Scott Pilgrim Vs the World when it’s released on August 25th 2010.
Based on the Bryan Lee O’ Malley comic series, the movie tells the story of 22-year-old slacker and bass guitarist Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) who meets the girl of his dreams Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and soon discovers that if he wants to date her, he must battle and defeat her seven evil exes.
If Scott hopes to win his true love, he must vanquish them all before it is game over.
So to celebrate the release of Scott Pilgrim Vs the World, we have compiled what we think are the best comic book adaptations of the 21st Century.
10.) Watchmen (2009)
We start off the countdown with a smart and intelligent graphic novel from the late 1980s, written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, in which contemporary issues of the day were addressed by placing them in a superhero setting.
Watchmen was supposedly one of the first publications to transition comics into the world of literature.
Zach Snyder, director of 300 and 2004’s Dawn of the Dead, had the hefty job of faithfully translating the story (with a few tweaks) to the big screen and for many of those that had grown up with the graphic novel, he did a mighty fine job.
9.) Sin City (2005)
Sin City was a series of neo-noir comics created by the legendary Frank Miller based on the crime ridden streets of the fictional Basin City.
For the movie, co-directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller himself, the story focuses on four tales of crime adapted from the comics including Marv (played by Mickey Rourke), who is out to avenge the death of his beloved Goldie.
The gruesome, intertwining, tales of crime in the underbelly of Basin City coupled with the visual comic book styling make for a movie you just can’t take your eyes off.
8.) V for Vendetta (2005)
Writer Alan Moore pops up once again in our list. When the only verdict is vengeance; voila, you get V for Vendetta. With lots of symbolism, V’s and anarchic ideas, this thought-provoking piece of cinema captures all the mystery of the original comic.
It keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering who V really is and how dedicated to her art Natalie Portman must be to have shaved her head for the role of Evey!
7.) Kick-Ass (2010)
You go into the theatre thinking this is going to be a funny flick about nerds, kinda like Superbad (well, it does have McLovin in it) then all of a sudden Hit-Girl slices a guys leg off and the movie really starts to...well...kick ass!
Based on the hyper violent comics by Mark Millar, the story follows a New York teenager who decides to don a superhero costume and fight crime. Directed by Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake) the film has already been one of the surprise hits of 2010.
6.) Road to Perdition (2002)
Let’s take a break from all the costume crime fighting and focus on a graphic novel adapted to film about a seemingly antiheroic character like Michael Sullivan, a gangster out to protect his son and seek revenge.
The film had a dynamite cast including Paul Newman, Tom Hanks, and Jude law. The movie throughout is beautiful to watch and perfectly captured the mood of the source material; did you even know Road to Perdition was a best-selling graphic novel?
5.) A History of Violence (2005)
An intense crime thriller about the owner of a diner who kills two robbers in self defence. Directed by none other than David Cronenberg and starring Viggo Mortensen, the film is based in part on John Wagner’s graphic novel of the same name.
The movie was well received when it was released, although many criticised its levels of violence and found it tough to watch.
4.) X2: X-Men United (2003)
X2 is one of those very rare occasions when the sequel is even better than the original. With the first instalment of the X-Men franchise a necessary springboard, Bryan Singer’s X2 had freedom to explore deeper into the back stories, powers and emotions of the X-men mutants - whilst also bringing some new characters to the table.
3.) Ghost World (2001)
Surprisingly, this graphic novel turned movie contains no ghost or capes (although it does have some awful 90’s fashion on display), but it does wade through the teen angst of two high school graduate girls as they figure out how to be an adult.
To some, a story about spooky crime fighting may seem more fun than a suburban teen drama, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with this movie.
2.) Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Sporting a 92% rating on the Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’, Spider-Man 2 would have settled any doubters from the first instalment.
One of the most popular superhero characters of all time, this magnificent sequel once again had director Sam Raimi at the helm and saw a reflective Peter Parker battling his own inner demons as well as the destructive rage of Doctor Octopus.
Spider-Man 2 had the perfect balance of everything and few die-hard Spidey fans could deny that.
1.) The Dark Knight (2008)
The current king of comic adaptations, not only did The Dark Knight break all sorts of box office records, it broke comic book stereotypes.
Christopher Nolan’s sequel tells the story of Batman’s struggle against a Gotham City falling into chaos, spearheaded by his ultimate Nemesis, The Joker.
What sets the film apart is the cleverly woven layers of story, the brilliant cinematography, the quality of the acting and the ability to leave the audience with a constant sense of foreboding.
Not only did Heath Ledger’s performance as The Joker win him a posthumous Oscar, The Dark Knight is generally regarded as the greatest comic book movie of all time.
Scott Pilgrim vs the World is out now.
Graphic novel or comic book, take your pick, either way these illustrated stories have had countless movie adaptations over the years. Their visual origins are what makes these stories translate so well to the big screen and it seems right now, Hollywood just can’t get enough.
One such movie that we think will soon be joining the ranks of best comic-to-film adaptations will be Edgar Wright’s epic Scott Pilgrim Vs the World when it’s released on August 25th 2010.
Based on the Bryan Lee O’ Malley comic series, the movie tells the story of 22-year-old slacker and bass guitarist Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) who meets the girl of his dreams Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and soon discovers that if he wants to date her, he must battle and defeat her seven evil exes.
If Scott hopes to win his true love, he must vanquish them all before it is game over.
So to celebrate the release of Scott Pilgrim Vs the World, we have compiled what we think are the best comic book adaptations of the 21st Century.
10.) Watchmen (2009)
We start off the countdown with a smart and intelligent graphic novel from the late 1980s, written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, in which contemporary issues of the day were addressed by placing them in a superhero setting.
Watchmen was supposedly one of the first publications to transition comics into the world of literature.
Zach Snyder, director of 300 and 2004’s Dawn of the Dead, had the hefty job of faithfully translating the story (with a few tweaks) to the big screen and for many of those that had grown up with the graphic novel, he did a mighty fine job.
9.) Sin City (2005)
Sin City was a series of neo-noir comics created by the legendary Frank Miller based on the crime ridden streets of the fictional Basin City.
For the movie, co-directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller himself, the story focuses on four tales of crime adapted from the comics including Marv (played by Mickey Rourke), who is out to avenge the death of his beloved Goldie.
The gruesome, intertwining, tales of crime in the underbelly of Basin City coupled with the visual comic book styling make for a movie you just can’t take your eyes off.
8.) V for Vendetta (2005)
Writer Alan Moore pops up once again in our list. When the only verdict is vengeance; voila, you get V for Vendetta. With lots of symbolism, V’s and anarchic ideas, this thought-provoking piece of cinema captures all the mystery of the original comic.
It keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering who V really is and how dedicated to her art Natalie Portman must be to have shaved her head for the role of Evey!
7.) Kick-Ass (2010)
You go into the theatre thinking this is going to be a funny flick about nerds, kinda like Superbad (well, it does have McLovin in it) then all of a sudden Hit-Girl slices a guys leg off and the movie really starts to...well...kick ass!
Based on the hyper violent comics by Mark Millar, the story follows a New York teenager who decides to don a superhero costume and fight crime. Directed by Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake) the film has already been one of the surprise hits of 2010.
6.) Road to Perdition (2002)
Let’s take a break from all the costume crime fighting and focus on a graphic novel adapted to film about a seemingly antiheroic character like Michael Sullivan, a gangster out to protect his son and seek revenge.
The film had a dynamite cast including Paul Newman, Tom Hanks, and Jude law. The movie throughout is beautiful to watch and perfectly captured the mood of the source material; did you even know Road to Perdition was a best-selling graphic novel?
5.) A History of Violence (2005)
An intense crime thriller about the owner of a diner who kills two robbers in self defence. Directed by none other than David Cronenberg and starring Viggo Mortensen, the film is based in part on John Wagner’s graphic novel of the same name.
The movie was well received when it was released, although many criticised its levels of violence and found it tough to watch.
4.) X2: X-Men United (2003)
Tagged in Watchmen