12/3/2023 0 Comments First sequential art![]() ![]() The character of Superman is timeless, and the success of the 1978 movie showed not only how a man could fly but also how the blockbuster format is a must to ensure this genre’s success in a money-making sense. Children could see what their grandparents were into when they were young. Since this mainstay is not likely to change what printed works gets adapted, perhaps the pulps had a better influence back then since the divide was not huge. Interestingly, the pulps did save the day with films like Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers. During this era and in North America, only two films stood out - the live action Spiderman and Doctor Strange. This collection is archived by Criterion. The success of Sabrina, The Teenage Witch in the 90’s proved the television was easier to work with - even though vast changes were made to create Riverdale (2017)Īlthough the superhero genre tends to dominate what gets made, Japan saw phenomenal success with its historic Lone Wolf and Cub, which ran from 1972 to 1974. Archie had an attempt in the television world with a pilot in the 60’s and an ABC special appeared in the 70’s. During this time, the output of films based on simpler titles was few and far between. The Batman movie from 1966 was designed to bolster the TV series. Nerds excited for the latest imagining (due to arrive in theatres in 2019) may well feel this update is going to be feel like Greatest American Hero.įor certain flagship characters to get realized in live-action again, the wait was longer. A 12-part serial produced by Republic Pictures flashed onto screens, proving interest for these heroes is there. The only other character which received a quick cinema treatment is Whiz Comics Shazam! aka Captain Marvel (starring Tom Tyler). Of the three, only George Reeve’s Superman (1952) was faithful to the source material. Its 1949 sequel, Batman and Robin tried to keep to the spirit of the comic, but that never really worked.Įven the 1944 version of Captain America gave the hero the day job of a district attorney. The 1943 version of Batman interpreted this cape crusader as a government agent. While attempts to realize a superhero film had its problems from a Hollywood filmmaking perspective, the studios did manage to adapt them to a workable format which was budget friendly. Very few will remember the cinematic take of Mandrake the Magician (1939). This era when this group of films got an awkward start never did give any of the big sellers at the newspaper stand a fair shake. Attempts to bring him back this century have not been successful. His cinema career sat in limbo until ’46 and his reawakening didn’t occur until ’94. He appeared in shorts starting in 1931 and got a full-length film ’37. The Pulps helped give rise to the superhero with characters like The Shadow - whose origins began radio. Periodic looks at what happened on this front will also be offered. Also, television played an important role in popularizing this genre. To be fair, certain key heroes like Batman and Superman will be explored. The early years followed the romance of this eponymous character to Dagwood, the comic relief, and the media buzz upon their marriage is comparable to the media hoopla when Peter Parker aka Spiderman married Mary Jane. Blondie (1930) was immensely popular because of its look at middle-class suburbia. Harold Teen (1928) may well be the first to arrive on the big screen in North America. Instead, these projections were humourous looks at everyday life. In the golden age of cinema, superheroes did not command the screen. The next work which followed was based on the British comic Ally Sloper (1867). In the early days of cinema, French journalist Georges Sadoul believed Louis Lumière‘s L’Arroseur Arrosé (1895) was an adaptation of L’Arroseur (The Gardener), a strip by artist Hermann Vogle. ![]() Not everyone realises cinema and the sequential art medium go hand in hand. The idea to adapt popular titles began way before Marvel and DC comics formed and this essay offers a highlight reel of these other popular works. Movies based on comic strips/books are big business, and not all of them were based on superheroes. ![]()
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