Who was/is the best portrayal of a comic character?

[thunderbolt]

Yeah, Robin WIlliams' Popeye is an overlooked one.

[PNGwynne]

Villains: Well, maybe I'm biased, but I think Buzz Meredith's Penguin
was the best foe on the show, in terms of capturing the essence of the comics version.

And let's recognize BIlly Campbell as the Rocketeer and Billy Zane as the Phantom--really earnest, on-key performances in modest B-films that were nice tributes to the characters.

[PNGwynne]

For really iconic portrayals, I'd have to choose Chris Reeve as Superman. Jeez, he was wonderful and I miss him. I'm not even a big Supes fan and I think he's the best on-screen superhero, ever.

But...Lynda Carter's WW and Tobey Macguire's Spidey are pretty nearly as good.

All three bring something to their performances that transcends the occasional weaknesses of the scripts.

And if WBs ever does a Shazam! film, I vote for Jerry O'Connell to star.

BTW, I liked Affleck as DD--check out the director's cut: It's a subtantially better performance and a better movie.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Here's one from left field: Robin Williams as Popeye.

Agreed! Popeye is an odd movie. Too high-brow for its own subject matter, I think. Too...artsy. Kind of like the way they went with Dick Tracy. Almost TOO much reverance for the material to make it really fun. But the casting was dead-on. Shelly Duvall was actually good as Olive Oyl, and I normally can't stand her.

When I first saw the movie in the theaters, I hadn't seen the old Fleischer Popeyes yet. Just the made-for-TV toons from the 50s and 60s. So I didn't get why Williams did all of that mumbling! But when I did finally see the original cartoons, I had a whole new appreciation of the movie.

Chris

[megoscott]

Seems like collectively you guys have mentioned every single performance of every single character ever.

Here's one from left field: Robin Williams as Popeye.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Fred Savage should have been Robin in the Burton films.

He would have worked out well, I think.

A few years back, when there were no Batman films being made, Frankie (Malcom in the Middle) Muniz would have been a great young Dick Grayson Robin. He had that smart but scrappy factor Dick needs.

Chris

[Mego Milk]

Fred Savage should have been Robin in the Burton films.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I remember an interview where Hamm said he wanted Charlie Sheen and Willem DaFoe.

I think I remember him mentioning Sheen too. Not sure he could pull it off, but physically, he looked like a Dick Sprang Bruce Wayne. Even the original BTAS design always reminded me of Sheen somewhat.

Chris

[knight errant00]

I remember an interview where Hamm said he wanted Charlie Sheen and Willem DaFoe.

I remember an interview with 89 Batman screen-writer Sam Hamm in Comics Scene before Keaton and Nicholson were cast and he had Dafoe picked for Joker and I think Ray Liotta was his Batman preference. Honestly I think both of those would have worked. Dafoe is dead-on the Brian Bolland Killing Joke version of the Joker, and Liotta can play an intense Batman-type well.

Chris

[The Bat]

I remember an interview with 89 Batman screen-writer Sam Hamm in Comics Scene, I think Ray Liotta was his Batman preference.

Chris

Anybody would have better than Keaton! Although I liked Jack as the Joker....Heath Ledger was MUCH better! I can also see Dafoe in the part!

[Earth 2 Chris]

I wanted him to play the Joker back then.....he has the natural grin and he's also a hell of an actor who would have played a real sinister Joker......

I remember an interview with 89 Batman screen-writer Sam Hamm in Comics Scene before Keaton and Nicholson were cast and he had Dafoe picked for Joker and I think Ray Liotta was his Batman preference. Honestly I think both of those would have worked. Dafoe is dead-on the Brian Bolland Killing Joke version of the Joker, and Liotta can play an intense Batman-type well.

Chris

[kingdom warrior]

Willem Dafoe was Burton's original Joker choice, but had Jack forced upon him. Would have loved to seen that.

I wanted him to play the Joker back then.....he has the natural grin and he's also a hell of an actor who would have played a real sinister Joker......

[Cosmicman]

Toby McGuire Spiderman

Robert Downey Jr Iornman

Ben Affleck Daredevil

Edward Norton Dr. Bruce Banner

Bill Bixby Dr. David Banner

Heath Ledger Joker

John Wesley Shipp The Flash (Matt got me the whole series! Thanks Matt!)

Jessica Alba Sue Storm Richards

Christopher Reeve Superman


and who can forget Hugh Jackman as Wolverine

[Adam West]

Thomas Hayden Church was pretty much a dead on ringer for the Sandman

[filmation batman fan]

My List of Definitive Portrayals:

Christopher Reeve Superman

Adam West & Burt Ward Batman and Robin (Dynamic Duo)

Christian Bale Batman (Dark Knight Batman)

Lynda Carter Wonder Woman

Heath Ledger Joker

Aaron Eckhart Harvey Dent/ AKA Two Face

John Wesley Shipp The Flash

Jackson Bostwick Captain Marvel

Tobey Maguire Spider Man

Edward Norton Dr. Bruce Banner

Bill Bixby Dr. David Banner

Lou Ferrigno The Hulk

Robert Downey Jr. Iron Man

Ian Gruffudd Reed Richards

Jessica Alba Sue Storm Richards

Michael Chiklis The Thing

Chris Evans Johnny Storm

Ben Affleck Daredevil

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Margot Kidder Lois Lane

Sam Huntington Jimmy Olsen

Michael Caine Alfred

Gary Oldsman Jim Gordon

Chris O Donnell Robin

Kevin Spacey Lex Luthor

Jack Nicholson Joker

Burgess Meredith Penguin

Frank Gorshin Riddler

Julie Newmar Catwoman

Lyle Waggoner Steve Trevor

Kirsten Dunst Mary Jane Watson

JK Simmons J Jonah Jameson

Sam Elliot General Thunderbolt Ross

Liv Tyler Betty Ross

Jack Colvin Jack McGee


Cheers.