Comic Book To Movie Wish List

It has finally become all the rage. Turning comic books into big and small screen entertainment is now the norm. It allows us comic book geeks a chance to show our kids what we read growing up. Yes, I know, they can still read them too, but who can compete with Hannah Montana for Christ’s sake?

There have been a lot of blunders in the realm of comic book to film ventures. The Ang Lee Incredible Hulk debacle comes to mind as an example. However, over the last few years comic book publishers and Hollywood’s elite have been taking things a bit more seriously. The X-Men movies have been great entertainment (except for the Wolverine movie, but I digress), the Batman series won some Oscar gold, and films like Iron Man have excited the comic book faithful once again.

This has allowed me a chance to wish, want, and hope about certain titles coming to the screen. Here is a wish list of seven comic titles I’d like to see made into movies and a little explanation as to why I think it would be gold.

1. The Flash: I know, I know, it’s supposed to come out in 2011, but they haven’t officially named a lead for the role as of yet, so it’s not a for sure thing. Barry Allen deserves his moment on the big screen. With the technology we have today there is no reason why The Flash wouldn’t be anything short of kick ass. Of course I did say that about Captain America and they managed to screw him up royally.
2. Shi: Yes, I said Shi. Remember that wonderful Bill Tucci title? It was great, it was brilliant, and it still has a pulse. Why not revive it on the big screen? I can really see the value in such a thing. Bad girl comics were extremely popular in the 90s. No better time to put them back in the spotlight after such successful movies as Kill Bill and anything with Angelina Jolie’s lips.
3. Super Friends: All the talk around the comic book to movie campfire is about the build up to the Avengers movie. It should come out sometime in 2012. Robert Downey Jr. has to cash the check from Iron Man 2 first then we will see it. This means there is no better time than now to build up a Super Friends movie. Let’s face it, the last Superman film was a disaster unless your purpose was to take a nap. It would be a great way to let the Christopher Reeves movies live in our minds and do something different with Superman and all his friends. They could go on forever fighting the Legion of Doom in sequel after sequel.
4. Gambit: Maybe it’s just me, but I want to see a movie just about Gambit. In fact, I wouldn’t mind a TV series about him either. I think he may fit the small screen mold a bit better anyway. I enjoyed seeing him in X:Men Origins: Wolverine, but it only fanned a flame, it didn’t quench my thirst.
5. Strangers In Paradise: Speaking of small screen, somebody will have to explain to me why HBO hasn’t scooped up the rights to do a Strangers In Paradise series yet. It would be a perfect fit! I think Katchoo and Francine would draw big among females already addicted to HBO and open up more possibilities on the screen story-wise that may be limited in a comic book setting. Somebody get Terry Moore on the phone STAT!
6. Metropol: What? You’ve never heard of it? Why not? Back in the Era of Independence (that’s how I commonly refer to the 1990s comic book surge of independent titles) Metropol was one of my favorites. It was extremely different, clever, and dark. A movie could be made easily and I would highly recommend Terry Gilliam direct it to preserve its soul. Although something tells me Ted McKeever would want to direct it himself.
7. Spawn: I realize they made a Spawn movie for HBO back in the day, but it is time to think bigger and have him do his thing on the silver screen. I think the best thing about the made-for-TV movie was the toys. That was a mighty collection of hero vs. villain. There is simply more to tell and have any of us heard of Michael Jai White since he played Spawn? Didn’t think so.

Honorable mentions: Sister Armageddon, Afro Man, Bone, The Tick, and Lady Death. All of these would do well if done correctly.