For those that are aware of it's existence, I'm not forgetting the 1995 Electra, just choosing to eliminate it from the comic book type films.
While there are some who would argue that the comic movie trend really started back in the 70's with Christopher Reed's Superman, I would tend to disagree. For the most part, the movies were good. At least the first ones were. I still have problems stomaching any of the Batman other than the first, and more than one of the Superman movies convinced me that the writers were keeping several drug dealers in the money.
In the past few years, America (if not other countries) seems to have the need to have Super Heroes. I am quite sure that 9/11 has a lot to do with this. While we know they are just movies, the need to see the good guys prevail seems to keep us going to the box office (OK, the action and effects have a lot to do with it also). The comic book heroes from our childhood readings, made real on the silver screen gives new life to the characters.
While the idea of Super Heroes is wonderful, I think we can all agree that we have enough villians in this world and could do with out the Super Villians.
On Sept. 20, 2001 comic book artist Mike Deodato released this
DC Comics and Marvel Comics (the two largest comic publishers for those who are unfamiliar with these books) are both located in New York City. The writers, artists and editors got to get up close and personal with the tragedy following 9/11. The trailer featuring Spiderman building a web between the twin towers of the World Trade Center to catch bad guys was pulled. But the comics did not ignore the events as did prime time television shows. Alternative Comics, Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, and Oni Press came out with special editions in tribute to the heroes of lower Manhattan.
Marvel Comics put out a 64-page tribute titled "Heroes" (all proceeds went to charity) and follow up with a book called "Moment of Silence." This was comprised of four stories, each devoted to one individual's experience on September 11. The stories were told in pictures with no text. The first section of "Moment of Silence" portrayed the experience of Anthony Savas, a building inspector for the Port Authority, and the father of a Marvel employee. Savas chose to remain in the building to assist with the evacuation. On September 30, his body was recovered in the ruins of the towers.
Marvel Comics also came out with a series, The Call which chronicals the lives of every day heroes, Firemen, Police and EMT's. Of course being comics, there are additives to the every day heroes. Nonetheless readers are presented with something more tangible than a super hero resulting only from a mutation, exposure to gama or cosmic rays, coming from another planet or inexplicable super powers.
I can only hope that in addition to the current comic movies in the make, that something from The Call makes it to the screen some day. Super Heroes are wonderful, but real heroes are even better.