As long as I can remember, I have believed in superheroes.
Not literally, of course, I know they are fictional, but just like any legend, I believe in the power they possess to entertain and inspire.
The comic book universe is our reality taken a step further. The vices and virtues of individuals are highlighted in an effort to create a reality where anything can, and probably will, happen. To me, they have always been more than just fiction.
Today, there is nothing more popular than a superhero flick. With the recent success of The Avengers and Dark Knight Rises, there seems to be a sense of urgency to continue the money flow. My question as a die-hard fan is whether these films are being created with the fan in mind or dollar signs.
If you have never read a comic in your life, chances are Batman and Superman still mean something to you. One possible reason for this is that these characters, as well as some others, have been evolving for almost 75 years. They have been through it all, wars, cheesy lines and big hair, all while accommodating to the current reader. Along for the ride were the writers who created dastardly schemes and epic battles for our heroes to overcome.
However, when it’s time to make a major motion picture, the talent of these writers is often overlooked. These men and women are trained professionals who possess the highest comprehension of the characters they write about or, in some cases, create. They are more than capable of aiding the production of a storyline by helping define the character or by creating a new adventure.
In any case, there have been a few exceptions to this wrongdoing. The Avengers, for example, was written and directed by Joss Whedon, who has called himself “a lifelong comic book fan” and created his own comic book. The end result is praised both by critics and audiences and is currently the third highest-grossing film of all time.
In most cases, though, the screenplay is left primarily to movie writers. These films are often hit or miss, but there should not be the opportunity for a miss when there are often decades of resources available to prevent it.
Today, you walk into a comic book store, and the artistry and writing are often very similar to recently released movies. Comic books are accommodating to the movies being made when it should be the other way around.
What I look forward to is the day when I can continuously see the imagination and originality I grew up reading in comic books transferred onto film. Maybe then, we can finally do them justice.
-Taylor Jensen
