Strap on your utility belts, brightly colored tights, and flying capes. The influx of superhero and villain movies at the box office this summer packs quite a punch. The only crime gone unpunished is the outrageous costs of refreshments at local theaters where our heroes reside, but that won’t stop the superhero sensation.
The evolution of superhero movies through the past seven decades has vastly improved in the eyes of the die-hard comic book fans. The first super to hit the big screen was The Dark Knight, in “The Batman” in 1943. DC and Marvel franchises have battled ever since to have the biggest block buster. With every movie produced, the productions are becoming more similar to the graphics that readers have been falling in love with since their first production of “The Phantom” back in 1936.
“I think that comic [books] being made into movies is monumental because it popularized the comics. Before the movies, only people that read the comics were into superheroes. The movies seemed to spark interests in people who [otherwise] weren’t as interested. It has helped with [the] overall popularity and success,” senior Gabriel Solomon said.
“It also creates a public interest in the comics and that makes the business of comics flourish because more people are willing to read them because they saw the movie,” junior Melissa Kumrow said.
While the works of Stan Lee and Edmond Hamilton are undeniably riveting, the real action is woven into the masterpieces they have conjured. The current thrills include “The Avengers” franchise, “Batman vs. Superman”, and the “X-Men” anti-hero “Deadpool”. The box offices have certainly reaped the rewards with this current superhero frenzy.
“My favorite superhero movie is “The Dark Knight” because Heath Ledger’s portrayal as The Joker was incredible, the action scenes were spot-on, and they did a great job of sticking to the comics,” senior Brandon Smith said.
The conflict isn’t only between the heroes and villains on screen, but between the fans that idolize the fictional characters. The fan bases have gained ferociously in numbers through recent years, as evidence by conventions such as ComicCon that travel all across the country. Fans come from all over the country and stretch across all genres, from comic books to anime, to partake in cosplay, meeting the actors that bring the characters to life and being a part of the overall experience.
“[I’m] more of a Marvel guy than a DC guy,” Jeff Jarot, English teacher said, but he does have some D.C. figurines in his classroom.
DC and Marvel comics are by far each other’s biggest rivals in the epic battle of the cinema. Marvel is the mastermind behind movies such as “X-Men” and “The Avengers”, while DC is the creator of “Superman” and “Batman”. In the beginning DC was more superior in the box office, but in recent years Marvel has thrown harder punches and turning out bigger blockbusters.
“I have read comic books as a child because the idea of being a superhero is such a human fantasy that everyone can relate to. Hollywood uses these stories to connect audiences with the heroism that comic book lovers have fell in love with,” John Miller, English teacher said.
Supers started on the pages of beloved comic books and have evolved to big screen cinema. Grab your Justice League, the Robin to your Batman and enjoy the modern age of the heroes and villains we love.