Comic book movies aren’t always capes, neon and Spandex (or should that be moody lighting and leather these days?). Below, I’ve listed 5 popular films that you may be surprised to hear are actually based on comics…ok, 3 of them (if you know your stuff) won’t be a surprise but the last two? I didn’t find out until years later that they started in the funny pages…so, in no particular order of preference…
2Guns. Originally published in 2007 on a 5 issue run, written by Steven Grant, BOOM! Studios’ 2Guns is the most recent film on the list. It tells the story of “friends” and undercover agents Robert Trench (Denzel Washington) and Michael Stigman (Mark Wahlberg) as they attempt to salvage what’s left of their lives and careers after a failed attempt to infiltrate a drug cartel and subsequent betrayal. 2Guns is fairly by-the-numbers plot wise and in terms of direction – yet it’s great fun and a very good movie. Relying on the unlikely chemistry between, and individual charisma of its two leads to drive the film, you find yourself being drawn in by them – they’re clearly enjoying themselves and you can’t help but find yourself smiling too. Bill Paxton as Earl is another stand-out, both in terms of performance and character – someone else clearly having a great time on the set. Highly recommended, pulpy late night viewing.
BOOM! and Grant have recently announced a sequel – 3Guns – is to be published shortly. Let’s hope it’s good enough to make it to the big screen, too.
A History Of Violence. My favourite film on the list by some way. Directed by David Cronenberg and starring Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello & Ed Harris, 2005’s film was based on the 1997 graphic novel of the same name, written by John Wagner (better known as the creator of Judge Dredd). It’s a rare instance of the movie surpassing the source material. Mortensen’s deli-owner Tom Stall hides a past that is revealed after he kills two men trying to rob his shop. The extraordinary Ed Harris plays mobster Carl Fogerty, who pursues Stall believing him to be Joey Cusack, whom he had dealings with in the mob in Philly. The heart of the movie (and why, in my opinion it’s better than the GN) is Tom’s wife Edie (Maria Bello) and son Jack (Ashton Holmes). It’s their struggles in the film to assimilate the Joey who was with the Tom that is that separates the story between the two media – in Wagner’s story Edie and Jack are both supportive of Tom through thick and thin. As you’d probably expect from Cronenberg, the film looks stunning. Harris and William Hurt (as Joey’s brother Richie) steal the show, giving real menace (Harris) and pathos (Hurt) to their respective roles. A truly great film, with an even better point: every act of violence against another has a consequence.
Wanted. Possibly the film that most of you will be familiar with, though I’m not sure how many of you will know of the Mark Millar / J.G. Jones 2003 comic series that it was based on. Published by Top Cow, it’s the reverse of AHOV – the comic blows the (very decent) film away. Able to rely more on the flexibility and diversity of theme available in comics, Millar explores a world where the super-villains won. The book has been referred to as doing for the bad guys what Watchmen did for the heroes in the ’80s by The Times. Now that’s how you compliment a comic. The film is only loosely based on the comic and is still worth a watch. Instead of villains, we’re faced with a secret society of assassins, helmed by Sloan, played by the ever-awesome Morgan Freeman. Ably headlined by James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie, it’s Timur Bekmambetov’s direction that truly makes the film worth watching. Hyper-stylised and filled to the brim with high-energy action scenes, Wanted is a little bit bananas, but it’s definitely the good kind of crazy…
Timecop. Now we’re cooking with gas…TIMECOP! Everybody’s second favourite time travel tale was based on a Mark Verheiden tale in Dark Horse Comics. Who knew, right?! I’m sure I don’t have to remind anyone, but Timecop is the seminal 1994 sci-fi action vehicle for Jean-Claude van Damme, here starring in his most famous role of “guy who knows martial arts and can kick ARSE”. Directed by Peter Hyams (the brilliant Capricorn One) and co-starring the late, great Ron Silver as Aaron McComb (love it…hair on my comb…always thought they should have shaved Ron’s head for the role, or just cast someone bald…), the ne’er-do-well of the piece. Ending in an unforgettable death scene (TWO Ron Silvers!), you should be vaguely embarrassed if you haven’t caught it.
Embarrassed, yes, but if you haven’t seen number 5 on the list you should be flat-out ASHAMED of yourself…
Weird Science. Based on Al Feldstein’s fifth issue of EC Comics Weird Science, titled “Made Of The Future”, let’s face it…this film transcends its comic book origins, mainly down to the unforgettable Oingo Boingo theme tune and ridiculous premise. Written and directed by the inimitable John Hughes, and starring an A-list ensemble cast of ’80s talent (Anthony Michael Hall, the other guy who played his friend, Kelly LeBrock and, again, a scene thieving Bill Paxton), Weird Science is required viewing for any boy between the age of eleven and…well…eleventy. Do I need to remind you of the plot that centres on two teenagers playing at creating the perfect woman…when a lightning bolt hits the house and….SHE’S ALIVE!…? No? Didn’t think so. Still great fun nearly 30 years down the line, while the Memotech MTX512 may have aged badly, the concept hasn’t and neither has the film.
Marvel-style No-Prizes to any and all who admit to putting a bra on their head as a teenager. Possibly a better prize for anyone who admits to doing it as an adult outside of a fancy dress costume. Which is a great idea…dibs on bra on the head from Weird Science as my next fancy dress costume…
Hon. mentions: Oblivion (ok…a bit cheeky as it’s unpublished but…whatever…), Road To Perdition, 30 Days Of Night, Cowboys & Aliens (a bit more obvious), Bulletproof Monk, RED, The Mask, Stardust, Ghost World, Tales From The Crypt, Men In Black, Mystery Men (only ‘cos no one remembers it at all, let alone as a comic book adaptation) and From Hell (I liked it, gruddammit).
Spoken, Written & Screamed 