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| source// Vertigo Comics |
Comic books have never been as mainstream as they are today, thanks mainly to the huge success of Marvel and DC’s live-action adaptations. Still, it’s been a long, bumpy road to reach this point. For some years, the quality of comic-book movies were hit and miss: just compare Blade or Spider-Man 2 with Batman & Robin or Shaquille O’Neal’s Steel.
Now, multiplexes are jam-packed with faithful adaptations of comic book characters. Take a look around your local cinema over the next few months, and you’ll see Captain America, Iron Man, Batman, Superman, and even Wonder Woman.
However, as wonderful as this is, the casual filmgoer deserves the chance to discover the vast diversity of superhero-free material in today’s comic-book industry. While the big two companies focus heavily on cape-wrapped heroics, publishers like Image Comics, Boom! Studios, IDW, Dynamite, Dark Horse Comics and more all have a fantastic portfolio of work. Science-fiction, fantasy, and horror feature in abundance, with hundreds of fantastic superhero-less titles available. Many of these feature concepts that would work wonders on the screen, and would almost certainly be a breath of fresh air for those in need of something different.
Books like From Hell, Road to Perdition, and Judge Dredd have all been adapted with varying degrees of success, but there’s still masses of potential out there just waiting to be tapped.
10. ReMIND
This charming tale involves a variety of strange and magical creatures in a highly original fantasy setting. Heroine Sonja, a lighthouse keeper in a fictional town, one day loses her beloved cat, Victuals. Locals claim the cat was taken by the Lizard Man, a nightmarish creature this little seaside community is terrified of, though Sonja knows this is actually a myth (created by her late father, no less).
Needless to say, Sonja soon discovers the Lizard Man is real, and worse, there’s more than just one. What follows is a fun, exciting story based around heroic cats, nefarious lizards, and a sprawling underwater kingdom. Created by Jason Brubaker, an artist at Dreamworks Animation, reMIND is a beautiful book just waiting to be transformed into an animated feature.
The visuals could easily be translated to the screen, and the talking animals, awesome exosuits, and action sequences would work brilliantly when animated. The story is also funny and family-friendly enough to make this less of a gamble for any studio, with no risk of causing offence (unlike some of the other books on this list). The material wouldn’t look out of place in the Studio Ghibli portfolio, and has the potential to be a big hit.
Still, as it’s not the most well-known book on the market, the chances of it being picked up are sadly slim.
9. The Wake
Scott Snyder’s made quite a name for himself with his outstanding work on Batman, but he’s also written a variety of other hit titles including Wyches, American Vampire, and The Wake.
This is a highly original story set across two timelines: in one, Marine Biologist Lee Archer is pulled from her work to assist the Division of Homeland Security in understanding a strange new threat, while the other half of the narrative jumps 200 years into the future. Both stories are based around the presence of a new type of marine species and their impact on the world.
To say more would be to spoil it, but The Wake is a gripping story based around an unusual type of ‘monster’ surprisingly underused in the science-fiction and horror genres. As a movie, the plot would work brilliantly with the potential for creepy underwater moments, high-tech futuristic action sequences, and bizarrely frightening villains. Lee Archer’s a cool, engaging heroine that many popular actresses could take on, but much of the film’s appeal would be based on the monsters themselves.
As underwater villains go, Snyder’s creatures look horrific as drawn by Sean Murphy, and would look just as terrifying on the big screen. With a great mix of practical and CGI effects, The Wake could be a refreshing addition to the sci-fi horror genre.
8. Rogue Trooper
2000 AD is a weekly delve into science fiction, fantasy, horror, and satire. Since 2012’s awesome Dredd adaptation came along, the anthology comic has continued to enjoy a rise in its popularity. Considering how amazing many of the ideas exploding from its pages are, it’s a surprise so few of its strips have been adapted for the movies.
Rogue Trooper is one of the comic’s most well-known characters, and has actually come close to being translated to the screen in recent years. Gary Whitta (screenwriter of The Book of Eli and Rogue One) discussed his work on the movie, while concept art looked promisingly faithful to the comics. Trying to get the film made, on the type of budget it needs, is understandably tricky, even with Sam Worthington once attached to produce and appear in some form.
Rogue Trooper is set in the far future, as the Norts and Southers battle over a planet known as Nu-Earth. Their decades-long war has devastated the world itself, but as ravaged as it is neither wants to back down. Rogue himself is a genetically-engineered soldier on the warpath, accompanied by his three undead allies who live on as biochips implanted into his backpack, rifle, and helmet.
There’s massive potential for a gritty, action-packed sci-fi epic here, but it does pose an expensive gamble for any studio. Keeping it on a smaller budget would be a challenge given the concept, and so much depends on getting the look of Rogue himself right. With an experienced action director attached and an effective marketing campaign, though, Rogue Trooper could be a hit, but if it’s ever going to be made, now is the right time with comic-book adaptations in vogue.
7. The Invisibles
Created by genius writer Grant Morrison, The Invisibles is a trippy series based around an underground group of rebels as they try to take down an alien race, which has enslaved the people of Earth without being detected.
While it sounds fairly straightforward, The Invisibles is a mind-bending epic that features some bizarre characters and situations. For example, the series starts in Liverpool as Dane, a working-class troublemaker, is sent to a school for young delinquents later revealed to be run by the evil aliens themselves, before being rescued by The Invisibles themselves. These rebels have suitably odd names and looks: King Mob, Lord Fanny, Boy, Ragged Robin are the core team, but others are revealed later in the run.
Grant Morrison famously accused The Matrix of being based on The Invisibles, but a straight adaptation of the material would be incredibly difficult for any studio. With such disparate elements as time-hopping back to the French Revolution and sentient satellites par for the course, The Invisibles is a brilliant, bold, but totally outlandish comic.
However, if the focus of the first arc were to be tightened, a movie adaptation could be successful. The concept of freedom fighters struggling to take down an evil empire is universally popular, but the themes of anti-conformity and sub-cultures would be hard for some audiences to take if handled poorly. While someone like Terry Gilliam might be able to handle such odd material, the alien angle and action scenes would need to be the key selling points.
Somewhat ironically, making the adaptation close in tone to The Matrix would likely help, and allow the core themes and ideas to remain intact. Casting well-known names and investing in outstanding production design and effects would be essential to maximize commercial appeal.
6. Black Science
Industry veteran Rick Remender has created some exceptional comic books, and Black Science is one of his finest yet.
Black Science follows a team of scientists on a dark, strange trip through multiple dimensions. Protagonist Grant McKay, formerly of The Anarchistic Order of Scientists, has cracked Black Science itself and found a way to break through the barrier of reality to reach alternate worlds. When the team’s mission goes wrong, they’re left to survive in one bizarre dimension after another, encountering all kinds of nightmarish species.
Featuring a high concept and endless possibilities, Black Science is almost tailor-made to be a movie franchise. Science-fiction remains as much a draw for mainstream audiences as ever, with recent hits like Interstellar, The Force Awakens, and Guardians Of The Galaxy exploring the genre in a variety of tones and styles. Black Science’s core concept is akin to Quantum Leap, with McKay and his companions stranded in a seemingly infinite struggle to get home.
There is massive potential with this comic book, and if given the proper script and budget, it could become a hugely successful blockbuster. A director like Duncan Jones, as comfortable with action as with intelligent science-fiction, could bring a magic touch to the material.
5. East Of West
Set in a dystopic America created by an alternative history, East of West is based around a huge concept: the arrival of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. However, unlike other depictions of these characters, they are actually presented as the heroes, with Death himself in the lead.
Along with the strange and original setting (a United States in which a comet’s impact brought the never-ending Civil War to a close and led the country to unite in a more powerful way), this twist on such a familiar idea gives East of West a unique feel.
Mixing elements of science-fiction and Westerns, this is a bold and brilliant series that offers huge potential as a movie. As commercial as the idea is, though, it still poses a risk for studios due to the bizarre nature of the Four Horsemen as heroes. While audiences would likely take to it, a studio would need to feel it was a gamble worth taking. Giving the film a smaller budget and making a more low-key adaptation might be a smart idea, but it could leave fans feeling short-changed.
4. Strange Girl
Written by prolific scribe Rick Remender, Strange Girl is an epic exploration of faith as told through the eyes of a girl left behind after the Rapture.
Published by Image Comics, Strange Girl follows heroine Bethany Black as she attempts to reach the final remaining gate to Heaven. Disgruntled demons are in hot pursuit, and many horrific obstacles lie in wait.
Remender’s series could make one hell of a movie (pun absolutely intended), boasting plenty of attractive qualities. A badass, hugely-likeable lead. A funny, grotesque demonic sidekick. Great villains. An original post-apocalyptic setting.
While Strange Girl might cut a little too deeply for hardcore religious types, it’s a fantastic comic that deserves to reach a wider audience. A film adaptation could easily be a commercial blockbuster, but the chances of a studio taking a risk on it are slim (to say the least). If a popular young actress was put in the lead and the story’s action was expanded, it could be an attractive proposition, but exploring the problems associated with religion in massive multi-million-dollar movies is generally a no-no. Still, we’ll always have the comic – hopefully it’ll fall into the right hands someday.
3. Copperhead
Copperhead is a space western. ‘Nuff said, right?
Written by Jay Faerber and published by the mighty Image Comics, Copperhead follows Clara Bronson, the new sheriff of the eponymous 24th Century mining town. Populated by bizarre aliens, androids, and humans of all kinds, Copperhead poses something of a challenge for Sheriff Bronson – but with her alien sidekick, she’s determined to bring law and order to her new stomping ground.
Copperhead is ripe for a movie adaptation. Featuring a great lead character readers can’t help but sympathise with, a stunning sun-bleached location, and huge potential for high-octane action scenes to break up the procedural plot, Copperhead could be a big-screen masterpiece in the future. Given the huge potential and commercial concept, there really is no impediment to a Hollywood studio throwing money its way.
While costumes and CGI would make up the various aliens, Charlize Theron would make a fantastic Bronson: she could sell the tough, intelligent, compassionate sheriff with ease. A director with experience in gritty science-fiction would be a huge advantage, such as Ridley Scott or Neil Blomkamp, provided the plot focused as much on police work as action.
2. We3
Imagine Homeward Bound reinvented by James Cameron in his prime. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?
Welcome to We3: a beautiful, powerful, evocative, kick-ass comic book just waiting for the right team to bring it to a wider audience.
Three animals – a dog, a cat, and a rabbit – have been kidnapped from their owners and used in military experiments. Our furry heroes are encased in heavy-duty exosuits and sent to perform covert assassinations – until, that is, a guilt-ridden scientist aids their escape.
With vague memories of ‘home’, the three set out to find their families and the better lives they believe lie in wait elsewhere. Needless to say, the military isn’t happy to see them go, and aim to bring their investments back by any means necessary.
The action that unfolds across the three issues is nail-biting stuff, exploring such heavy themes as: man’s dual potential for extreme cruelty and selfless kindness; unbreakable loyalty; the dangers of scientific and technological advancement; the importance of all life; and sacrifice for the ones we love.
Written by super-genius Grant Morrison and illustrated by Frank Quitely, We3 was published by Vertigo Comics back in 2004 but is truly timeless. While this has all the ingredients of a heartbreaking watch, a movie based on We3 could well be an important piece of science-fiction cinema that provokes life-changing thoughts and feelings in audiences. Audiences might find the concept hard to take at first, as films based around animals are typically for families, and We3 has moments of violence that could not be cut.
James Gunn recently had an informal chat about adapting this with Morrison himself, but no more has been said since. As anyone who follows Gunn on Facebook and Twitter will know, he’s a huge animal-lover – combined with his impressive writing and directing skills, this makes him the perfect man to adapt We3 for the screen. The man behind mega-hit Guardians of the Galaxy would surely pique studios’ interest and be a nice selling hook for mainstream audiences.
1. The Stuff Of Legend
This incredible series is published by Th3rd World Studios, and produced by Mike Raicht, Brian Smith, and Charles Paul Wilson III. Without doubt, this is one of the most inventive, exciting, and downright awesome comic books you’ll ever read – and it could be just as beautiful on the big screen.
Basically, this is Toy Story as put through a dark, dreamlike filter. When a young boy is kidnapped by the Bogeyman and pulled into a strange other world (‘the Dark’) inside his closet, his collection of courageous toys venture into the mysterious void to rescue him.
We have a teddy bear, a jack-in-the-box, a toy soldier, a piggy bank, and more. Each has their own distinctive personality, and have their own reasons for choosing to go (or not, as is the case for some). However, there’s another twist. A brilliant, brilliant twist.
When the toys enter the Dark, they change form: Max, the teddy bear, becomes a huge grizzly, all lethal teeth and claws; the jack-in-the-box becomes an axe-wielding, clown-faced jester with mad combat skills; and, of course, the toy soldier becomes the gun-toting leader our heroes so badly need.
The adventures they experience in the Dark are thrilling, funny, action-packed, creepy, and moving. This is a story of heroes, villains, loyalty, love, and more, with stunning artwork in a sepia tone, like that of an old, well-loved storybook.
With the right writer and director, The Stuff of Legend could be an amazing film. It has a fresh, commercial concept and great characters, offering immense potential for an unforgettable series of movies. It’s pretty hard to imagine a studio throwing a massive budget its way, but the film would work best as animation, with entirely different styles for the real world and the Dark.
Guillermo del Toro would be a smart choice of director, given his impressive experience and flair with dark fantasy, and his involvement could prove attractive to the right studio.
Let’s make it happen, Hollywood!
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