Top 10 Favorite Comic Book Movies

In collaboration with A Fistful of Suck we try something different as we both make our top favorite lists and compare the two, knowing there will be differences, similarities and debates (possibly) within the two. It took about half a day to compose this list deciding exactly what the list will specifically consist of. The aftermath was decided on Movies based on Comics,Graphic Novels, and Manga (Japanese Graphic Novels). So to clarify it cannot be the other way around or be like an example like Unbreakable nor The Incredibles. I will include shorter lists for other random stuff. So here’s my favorite comic book movies:

10.) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Live Action Movies

We start now to one of the earliest of my childhood comics and heroes; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I really wanted these movies to be higher, but because I put them all together I had to keep them lower on my list. Well last, but still I loved the first movie, second movie for Super Shredder, and third, well, it played a slight homage to the Turtles in Time game, right? Here’s hoping to a good remake.

9.) Superman

An absolute classic by anyone really. The late Christopher Reeves is really the mirror image of the comic book character. This is definitely the best Comic Book movie based on Superman, but it doesn’t quite take the cake of the all time best. It spawned a few sequels and an alternate story to the second movie. And another alternate story negating the 3rd and 4th movies. Superman has quite taken a rough patch in movie history, but a few movies have made it to be great nonetheless.

8.) Akira

A list that included comic and manga based movies at least deserves a spot for this violent animated trip. Made from the very Japanese mind of Katsuhiro Ôtomo this movie very much defines what Japanese animation consists of. This animation is very grown up. You see things that can’t possibly be shown in a regular kids cartoon. When I first saw this it really messed with my head, the story line was different. Its hard to actually describe the movie. Just know its violent, got cool bikes, and kids (or teens) kill stuff.

Dishonorable Mentions:

Now time for something different. Probably not something to mention because of the brutality and horror this films induced when first mentioned, seen or even made. This films killed the comics we read because of the poor production values, or just because the movie was just awful. You can thank me later for just mentioning them:

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace – 3 was bad, but Nuclear Man? Where the heck is Bizarro? Christopher Reeves didn’t deserve to be punished like this for his character to receive this…

Son of the Mask – Even mentioning it hurts me so…and hurts the first movie.

Batman and Robin – This hurt me even more to even have seen it. As a kid i didn’t know any better, but seriously why do this to our beloved Batman franchise? I think just remembering what I saw and realizing how bad it was is what happened. Thank god for Chris Nolan.

Monkeybone – Another movie I had the displeasure for watching since I actually saw part of the movie being filmed at the Natural History Museum not knowing what’s going on. To this day I still have no idea what that movie was about. Also it was a comic book?

Ri¢hie Ri¢h – Don’t get me started Macaulay Culkin.

Howard the Duck – Sexual relations with a humanoid duck, I won’t say more.

7.) 300 and Sin City

Continuing on…I am going to go out on a limb and say I like these two equally. Both have a nice style and feel of comic books. Essentially to me feeling like true true comic book movies; if that makes sense. These movies presented a new style of filmmaking which included mostly on a green screen or blue screen (yes technology is weird). But anyways these movies have really made a new big step into comic book movie making, something different for helmer’s to take if nothing else won’t work. But don’t make mistakes like The Spirit; at the same time.

6.) Batman (1989)

I’m Batman.

Tim Burton’s Batman to be precise and the start of iconic music and the start of real Batman movies. Adam West movies are fun and campy but this is true modern Batman now. It was dark and shows Tim Burton’s true dark style to movies. Also I thought Jack Nicholson was crazy, but didn’t think he was crazy as the Joker. Yet, I am proven wrong. I am kind of put off by Prince music, but only a minor put off (not really a Prince fan). The movie is still a great first Batman movie.

Honorable Mentions:

Just half way to the end of my list, here’s a few movies that didn’t make my list:

Batman Returns – Right after Tim Burton’s first Batman outing, we are introduced to the gross out Penguin, played by Danny De Vito. And Catwoman, played by Michelle Pheiffer. You gotta love the score from the movie as well.

Hellboy 1 and 2: Hellboy has always been a strange character for me to get into, but his movies are always fun. A devil demon who eats a lot of 3 Musketeers bars and cares for cats.

The Crow: Brandon Lee is the son of the best Kung Fu master in the world Bruce Lee, so we know so far what we are getting into. Brandon Lee may have died in between the movie do to an accident on set, but did make one great last movie.

Mystery Men – Didn’t make it to my list, but the movie dared to be different. It was strange yes, but I liked it for the most part. Also its based loosely on a comic called The Flaming Carrot. The movie looks better.

The Punisher – I really wanted this to be on my list, but I had more fun with the other movies on my list though. I also think this movie is very highly disregarded. The channel FX may side with me.

Constantine – Better than anyone says believe me. Its based on the comics of Hellblazer. Not sure of the differences, but I like the movie. Keanu Reeves, only sometimes.

Watchmen – Another movie I really wanted to be on my list; I love the comic book but its still not entirely the same from the book. I still love the movie, the different ending is still a little off though.

And just movies to mention for space: Batman Begins, The Incredible Hulk, Men in Black, The Mask, Wanted, Spiderman, X-Men movies, and Ghost Rider (for some parts).

5.) Spider-Man 2

During its time, it was probably the greatest comic book movie made. Its been dethroned. Its still really good even for that fact. Best Spider-Man movie in my opinion as well. Its fun, its got Doc Ock played by surprisingly to me by Alfred Molina. Fun Fact: Alfred Molina played a small role at the beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark. I’m totally not kidding about that.

4.) V for Vendetta

A movie about a terrorist blowing up major monuments in London and coming out around the time something similar happened in London probably wouldn’t sound like a good idea. But since it doesn’t take place in our time and considering London is being run by a dictator, it doesn’t really seem to matter anymore. V is the terrorist in the movie, like most terrorists, he has a motive, but has a better reason for it. That all sounded wrong, its a good movie by the way. Natalie Portman is in it. Its bloody good…yeah forget it.

3.) The Rocketeer

Originally going to be higher on my list, which honestly may not be in any particular order. But this is probably my first comic book movie and really started this whole thing that I have started (what is that exactly?). First movie I have seen for a person to don a mask or helmet, and introduced me to heroes. Its not exactly like how the comics are, with Nazi’s on jetpacks, but its still a great movie though. Also not to much sexual innuendo going on here, but in the comics you might see it more. There’s a difference with that. Also this needs a new DVD release and Blu-ray to go with it.

2.) Iron Man

I’m Iron Man; I totally ripped off Batman.

To be perfectly honest, right away and for a while; I didn’t know if I liked this movie. Yes its funny and got all the elements for a good comic book movie but after watching a few old episodes of the cartoon series; I didn’t like it. It seemed too bland of a story and the cartoon was really weird and never went anywhere for me which made the movie confuse my like or dislike for it. After thinking it through and watching it again a few more times and seeing some comedy on Tony Starks alcoholism: I really like this movie. Bring on the second movie.

1.) The Dark Knight

Screw you both; I’M Batman.

Never thought it would be here, or first for the matter. I realize this is a favorites list and not a top ten list, but I have to say I enjoyed this movie so much I couldn’t just not include it. I also thought it wouldn’t be my all time favorite, I actually said it would rank lower. But no, I thought so wrong it didn’t even happen the way I had originally thought. Everyone knows the story, everyone has seen it (by now, and you better have). Its also one of the greatest movies ever made. If someone doesn’t like this, you seriously don’t know a good movie.