The best comic book flicks

Over the past decade or so, the comic book film has become big business for the media industries and sometimes big fun for audiences. And some times, big, steaming piles of garbage in the case of “adaptations” like “Ghost Rider.” Thus, for our final staff list of the semester, WEEKEND contributors discuss the best and worst comic book films of all time.

The best

“Ghost World” (2001): Terry Zwigoff’s adaptation of Daniel Clowes’ graphic novel is the gold standard for literary comic book films. The characters are realistic and sympathetic, while the dialogue is sharp and witty. You probably won’t even realize it’s based on a comic. – Brian Marks

“X2: X-Men United” (2003): Before “Spider-Man 2” and “The Dark Knight” convinced everyone that the comic book movie could be a place for legitimate storytelling and character analysis, “X2” did the same things to a lesser extent and lesser fan-fare. But just like those that came after, this film proved that sequels can be better than the original, especially when character is serviced above set pieces. – Cory Barker

“Spider-Man 2” (2004): While the groundbreaking “Spider-Man” was a fun popcorn movie, the sequel proved to be a riveting, fairly awesome and actually real-world rooted film without losing any of the tone that made the original so indicative of the comic. Alfred Molina’s Doctor Octopus is one of those all time iconic movie villains, and although I never read a bunch of the comics, even I knew J.K. Simmons was the absolute best casting choice for Jonah Jameson. – Brian Welk

“A History of Violence” (2005): Yeah it was based on a comic! It took what was a pretty standard and straight forward “former criminal made good” comic and turned into a haunting story of violence coming to a small town. It smartly tells the story on a far more realistic and serious note than the comic, with a great performance from Viggo Mortensen. – Mikel Kjell

“V For Vendetta” (2006): Though it doesn’t keep such a dark, depressing and aggressive voice as Alan Moore intended with his graphic novel, the Wachowski Brothers know how to write about oppressed civilizations. And thankfully, the film isn’t stuffed with celebratory action sequences, but instead emphasizes the intriguing relationship between V and Evey. – CB

“300” (2007): I found it hard to justify the vicious level of gratuitous violence and sex “300” had to offer, but I was enchanted by what felt like such an artful and visceral experience of sheer male testosterone. – BW

“Persepolis” (2007): Marjane Satrapi’s movie adaptation of her classic comic gave us all the quirky animation and political commentary we would expect from this story about the Islamic revolution in Iran. – Megan Clayton

“Hellboy II: The Golden Army” (2008): Guillermo Del Toro’s first foray into the big red devil’s child was a solid exercise in world-building, but with the “Pan’s Labyrinth” glow on his work, he was able to combine the great elements of the first Hellboy film with his love of cool-looking monsters to  make the second journey much improved. – CB

“Iron Man” (2008): This one deserves mad props. People who don’t read comics had never heard of Tony Stark, but suddenly his accessibility is on-par with Batman’s. The guy has no powers; his vast intellect (and fortune) make him a superhero, while Robert Downey Jr.’s fantastic performance made him the perfect sympathetic smart-ass. This one compelled an immediate second viewing. – Vanessa Torline

“The Dark Knight” (2008): Had Batman, the Joker, and Two Face never existed before “The Dark Knight,” the characters still would’ve completely worked. As it is, the film serves as the best example of how to do an original take on pre-existing characters that stays true to their essence in a compelling, modern context. Who doesn’t get chills when from the pencil trick? Who doesn’t feel dread when the clown puts the gun in Harvey’s hand? – Kaleb Havens

Honorable mention: “Sin City” (2005), “Batman Begins” (2005), “Road to Perdition” (2002), "American Splendor" (2003)

Check out the worst by clicking on the link to the right of this story!