There has been a lot of talk about superhero films and the seemingly excessive amount of comic book adaptations that have crept up over time. But comic book movies have been around for a lot longer than people often realize.
Whether it be The Batman serial from the 1940s or the infamous critical failure that was Howard the Duck, comic adaptations have been part of pop culture far back before this recent boom. In some cases, moviegoers may not have even been aware that certain films were actually adapted from comic books. This brings to mind some of the adaptations that may have snuck by fans over the years. And in some cases, this might have been a blessing in disguise.
10 The Punisher (1989)
Before Jon Bernthal or Thomas Jane, there was Dolph Lundgren. Back in 1989 came the first live-action appearance of the Marvel comic character, the Punisher. Frank Castle first appeared as the skull-clad anti-hero in the apes of The Amazing Spider-Man #129 and was created by Gerry Conway, John Romita Sr. and Ross Andru.
The live-action film did not receive a wide release in the United States and was not critically well-received at the time. The character of Frank Castle wasn't even featured in his signature skull attire that the comic character has worn in various styles since his debut, so this was easy to overlook.
9 Dr. Strange (1978)
This 1978 television movie was the first live-action look at Doctor Stephen Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme. The film starred Peter Hooten as Strange the psychiatrist, one of the many changes from the comics, who must protect Earth from the devilish Morgan le Fay, played by the late Jessica Walter.
Ambitious for its time, the movie had plenty of special effects that crew members needed to work extensively on. It aired on CBS in hopes of spawning a series, but unfortunately, the series did not get picked up and this Dr. Strange now is only a distant memory.
8 Swamp Thing (1982)
Written and directed by horror icon Wes Craven in 1982, Swamp Thing is based on the DC Comics creature. The large green hero first appeared in the pages of House of Secrets #92 in 1971 and became a household name during the infamous run that comics legend Alan Moore had on the title.
The live-action film starred Ray Wise as the title character and Adrienne Barbeau as a female version of another DC hero, Matt Cable. It can be described as a campy horror monster flick but had enough charm and fun to make film critic Roger Ebert give a positive review upon its release.
7 Captain America (1979)
A made-for-TV movie released by CBS in 1979, Captain America was far from the super-soldier that fans have followed since his introduction in Captain America Comics #1 from 1941. Actor Reb Brown starred as a Steve Rogers that did not resemble the hero from the panels, wearing a motorcycle helmet and wielding a clear shield.
The film also described the hero as an artist and not the soldier who fought Nazi forces in WWII. However, when a sequel to the film, Captain America II: Death Too Soon, was released that same year, it showed noticeably improved Captain America so fans could easily recognize as the leader they fell in love with.
6 Nick Fury (1998)
Based on the Marvel comics character, Nick Fury, this 1998 television movie shows a retired Fury, played by David Hasselhoff, being recruited by S.H.I.E.L.D. once again to take down HYDRA. The film managed to also include other Marvel characters like Dum-Dum Dugan and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. There was even an important plot point that used the Marvel term, Life Model Decoy.
An important credit to notice was that this TV movie was actually written by David S. Goyer, who was credited on Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, Blade, and Netflix's upcoming series The Sandman.
5 Steel (1997)
Released in 1997, Steel was a superhero film based on a DC Comics hero of the same name. John Henry Irons II first appeared in The Adventures of Superman #500 in 1993 and has come to be identified by his steel suit with his signature high-tech hammer.
The film starred basketball player turned actor, Shaquille O'Neal, as the title character who fights against criminals who wish to use the weapons he designed for evil. Shaq even contributed the song, "Men of Steel" for the soundtrack. The altered costume Shaq wore for the film did away with the original design with the Superman 'S' logo on the chest but kept the outfit equipped with high-tech gadgets. Unfortunately at the time of the film's release, it was critically panned.
4 Supergirl (1984)
A spinoff to the Superman film series that began in 1978, Supergirl was a 1984 film based on the comic book heroine of the same name. In the comics, Kara Zor-El (Supergirl) made her first appearance in Action Comics #252 in 1959. She was Superman's cousin until her death in 1985.
The movie starred Helen Slater as Supergirl and Faye Dunaway as the antagonist Selena, who takes a powerful orb for her own gain. The film was directed by Jeannot Szwarc and written by David Odell, who penned other screenplays like The Dark Crystal and the Masters of the Universe film adaptation.
3 Man-Thing (2005)
One of the few Marvel horror characters to be adapted, Man-Thing was inspired by the character of the same name, who first premiered in Savage Tales #1 in 1971 and was created by the combined efforts of Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway, and Gray Morrow.
Man-Thing released in 2005 in only a few theaters internationally while premiering through the Sci-Fi channel in America to predominately negative reviews. The story followed a sheriff that investigating a string of murders in a swamp and soon coming into contact with Man-Thing.
2 The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988)
When The Incredible Hulk wrapped in 1982, the show did not get a proper ending until this TV movie premiered in 1988. The Incredible Hulk Returns starred Bill Bixby as Dr. David Banner (instead of Bruce) while actor Lou Ferrigno played his giant green counterpart, The Hulk.
What makes this sequel movie especially interesting is that Hulk battles against his fellow Avenger, Thor. Played by Eric Kramer, Thor later agrees to fight alongside Hulk against a criminal organization before Hulk must once again search out another cure.
1 American Splendor (2003)
Released in 2003, American Splendor was a biographical film about the life of writer Harvey Pekar, who wrote the 1976 comic series of the same name. The series was very autobiographical, as shown in his popular graphic novel, Our Cancer Year.
American Splendor starred Paul Giamatti as Pekar and was directed by filmmaking team Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini. Besides holding its comedic style, the movie also featured the real Harvey Pekar in meta-styled segments throughout. The movie went on to be nominated for the Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards.
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