At the Height of Their Power

The 10 best, most popular and groundbreaking graphic novel adaptations

by Lauren Barbato | Published July 17, 2008

Christopher Reeves stars in 1978's Superman: The Movie.

Say goodbye to those flowery adaptations of 19th-century British literature and Oprah’s Book Club bestsellers. Studio executives have unearthed a new moneymaking inspiration in comic books and graphic novels—and this summer is full of them. From Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk—the first two movies from newly-minted Marvel Studios—to Wanted and Hellboy II: The Golden Army, the season has already seen an unusual amount of these adaptations. This week audiences are eagerly awaiting another—arguably the most anticipated film this year, period—when The Dark Knight is released on Friday.

Once considered a niche art form, graphic novels now continually sweep the box office and make appearances at the Academy Awards. With the reinvention of the Batman franchise with 2005’s Batman Begins, this summer’s theatrical slate and the upcoming movie version of Watchmen (2009)—the only graphic novel to receive the prestigious Hugo Award—it looks like these tormented heroes and villains are here to stay. For those who still have their doubts about actually appreciating an action flick as real cinema, rest assured these movies consist of more than senseless fight sequences; they often feature layered, profound and sincere messages (though the stunts are pretty cool, too).

In preparation for this weekend’s release of The Dark Knight, MM thought it worthwhile to take a look back at 10 of the best, most popular and/or groundbreaking graphic novel movie adaptations.

Superman: The Movie (1978)
The late Christopher Reeves will forever be defined by his portrayal as, ironically enough, the invincible Superman. Also starring Marlon Brando as Jor-El and a brilliant Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Superman: The Movie marks an impressive milestone in the history of special effects, garnering a Special Achievement Oscar at the 1979 Academy Awards. Okay, so it still looks phony enough to know that he’s not really flying, but did you actually believe those thick-framed glasses made such a huge difference between Superman and Clark Kent?

Batman (1989)
While the hit 1960s television show was fun, with its freeze frames and wide-range of onomatopoeia, Tim Burton’s whimsically-brooding—not to mention Oscar-winning—take on the Dark Knight was the first version to resuscitate a dying franchise. Batman’s back, and with an updated suit of custom-made microfiber and a bulletproof six-pack, he means business. Starring Michael Keaton as the masked hero, it was the deliciously creepy Joker (played by Jack Nicholson) who stole the show back then, too.

X-Men (2000)
The first of the X-Men movie franchise saw Bryan Singer introducing audiences to a group of unlikely heroes in the form of mutants (played by the likes of Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry and James Marsden). Ostracized from human society, these mutants possess their own “X-factor” that ranges from telekinesis, laser eyes and even the ability to manipulate weather—all factors that made for great special effects possibilities on screen.

Spider-Man & Spider-Man II (2002 & 2004)
Director Sam Raimi set the new superhero standard with his energetic, big-screen renderings of Stan Lee’s beloved Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire), the hopelessly dorky teen-turned-incredible-human-spider. Both films are bursting with all the right ingredients to keep the audience wanting more: Mad scientists taken over by their even madder inventions (played brilliantly in two separate movies by Willem Dafoe and Alfred Molina), unrequited love with its glimmers of hope (the first movie’s upside-down kiss between Parker and childhood love Mary Jane spiced up relationships worldwide) and fight scenes at frightening heights.

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Comment by marvel comics t-shirt on 8/21/08 at 12:00 am

Comic books are a natural fit for big screen blockbusters and as long as uncreative studio executives stay out of the way they will thrive in that environment. They’re great resources for stories, amazing visuals and unforgettable characters so when you see someone with a Marvel t-shirt it’s not because they’re trendy it’s because they’re freakin awesome. Comics rule!

Comment by fairings on 8/26/08 at 8:11 pm

This genre will probably continue as long as well loved comic books are popular. I will never get tired of watching the classics especially my favorites - Superman and Batman.

Comment by free g1 on 12/17/08 at 11:26 am

There have been sooooo many movies in this genre in the past 2 years. Kind of crazy

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