What's the rock bottom worst Comic adaptations ever?

[kingdom warrior]

I find this point of view very interesting. To me, "The Incredible Hulk" remains the greatest of all the comic adaptations simply because it surpassed the source material. The Hulk has had two quasi-flop movies already, and the reason is clear to me. On his own, the Hulk is simply not that interesting of a character. That is why his original book was cancelled after only six issues, and that is why they are constantly changing him from green to gray, smart to dumb, etc., etc. The other problem is Banner. The Bruce Banner of the comics is just not a likable guy.
The TV series wisely dumped everything that didn't work. Making Banner a compassionate doctor rather than a bomb scientist was a huge improvement.
So was scaling the Hulk's powers down to a believable level. In the TV pilot, the Hulk's rages are terrifying to watch. He is genuinely frightening, yet when he is calm, some of his tender scenes invloving children or animals remind us he's just a misunderstood gentle soul. I never got that from either the 2003 or the 2008 film. I like both the modern films for what they are, but the only Hulk for me remains Lou Ferrigno, and no one will ever be a better Banner than Bill Bixby. He made you CARE about what happened to him, and you wanted to see him cured.

Very well said, Lot's a Folks forget that it was Bill Bixby carried most of the show and he was an incredible actor. He was great doing comedy and heavy drama. He was such a likeable/ loveable actor that he was able to sell himself as Banner. because of the limitations of 70's tv, the show has a lot of cheesey effects that DON'T hold up well today. Ferrigno does make a cool Hulk but I never really dug the Beatle wig he wore always thought it was a bit silly. I do agree that in the pilot when he changed in the rain he was frightening.

Like so many TV shows it went a little too Long, the later stories for me were just so boring......I like the first three seasons, but found the later ones to have jumped the shark. The Death of the Incredible Hulk was actually pretty good......

[Brazoo]

I agree with enyawd72. I think the show made the character more sympathetic than the movies or the comics (for the most part). I think Ang Lee was unfairly maligned for trying to make some kind of emotional story out of The Hulk, like the show had. I think his problem was that instead of going simple like the show his movie got too convoluted.

Of course, the main reason for The Hulk's reduction in strength was probably just budget related.

In Canada there was a show called "The Littlest Hobo" on around the same time, it was about a stray dog who traveled place to place helping people and then moving on when his work was done.

It's basically the exact same show as The incredible Hulk show, but with a dog:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgGKSjiw0HQ

I enjoyed both shows though - and the "sad Hulk" theme from the end of the show has always stayed with me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUWgE0EVQ9c

Poor little Hulk...

[Figuremod73]

Im a big fan of the tv show. I think of it as a elesworld type of thing. Ferrigno and Bixby did an amazing job and they did make you care about Hulk/Banner. The way it was written makes you WANT him to find a cure.

[enyawd72]

I agree. I used to watch it as a kid, sure... and I kind of liked it... but it just wasn't the true Hulk to me.
The Hulk I knew was Bruce Banner. He talked and could throw tanks around and fought enemies like The Abomination and Zzzax.

It just didn't translate well to the small screen with its associated "scaling down" of concept and budget limitations, etc.

It bugs me that the most recent Hulk movie was kind of an updating of that show.

One day, I hope we'll get a Hulk movie that has Bruce being caught in a gamma bomb blast, and which will finally feature Rick Jones.

I find this point of view very interesting. To me, "The Incredible Hulk" remains the greatest of all the comic adaptations simply because it surpassed the source material. The Hulk has had two quasi-flop movies already, and the reason is clear to me. On his own, the Hulk is simply not that interesting of a character. That is why his original book was cancelled after only six issues, and that is why they are constantly changing him from green to gray, smart to dumb, etc., etc. The other problem is Banner. The Bruce Banner of the comics is just not a likable guy.
The TV series wisely dumped everything that didn't work. Making Banner a compassionate doctor rather than a bomb scientist was a huge improvement.
So was scaling the Hulk's powers down to a believable level. In the TV pilot, the Hulk's rages are terrifying to watch. He is genuinely frightening, yet when he is calm, some of his tender scenes invloving children or animals remind us he's just a misunderstood gentle soul. I never got that from either the 2003 or the 2008 film. I like both the modern films for what they are, but the only Hulk for me remains Lou Ferrigno, and no one will ever be a better Banner than Bill Bixby. He made you CARE about what happened to him, and you wanted to see him cured.

[kingdom warrior]

Vampirella was a classic. They have never been able to launch a decent series with her. The infamous "crotch bat" has taken on many forms but I don't think one realizes that shot that was originally posted is a "crotch bat" and with the pubes showing through the mesh screen and all. Must have been some kind of Showtime's attempt at an adult Vampirella look.
Personally, I'm glad things have changed over the years. The whole Wookie thing never really was a major look on a gal for my tastes
Thanks for sharing that pic Brian.

http://home.windstream.net/wbittle1/talisa.jpg

I'm surprised with all the dumping of Costumes that Hollywood hasn't jumped on making Vampirella a hour long TV show......especially with all the Vampire craze these days......

[kingdom warrior]

^ Speaking of Clayton Moore, last week Svengoolie aired a Rocket Man (or something similar) serial chapter in which Moore played one of the heavies. I had seen him before without the mask, but it was neat to see him again.

I agree the production values were solid on Legend of the Lone Ranger, but Spillsbury just sank the project. How could a casting director or director go so wrong in putting an actor in the costume.

I couldn't make it through the WB movie. Dawson's Creek may work in Smallville, but not in the old west.

I guess Spillsbury fit the suit well....... Brady Bunch Johnny Bravo in joke....greg fit the suit....lol

[Cosmicman]

Vampirella was a classic. They have never been able to launch a decent series with her. The infamous "crotch bat" has taken on many forms but I don't think one realizes that shot that was originally posted is a "crotch bat" and with the pubes showing through the mesh screen and all. Must have been some kind of Showtime's attempt at an adult Vampirella look.
Personally, I'm glad things have changed over the years. The whole Wookie thing never really was a major look on a gal for my tastes
Thanks for sharing that pic Brian.

[madmarva]

^ Speaking of Clayton Moore, last week Svengoolie aired a Rocket Man (or something similar) serial chapter in which Moore played one of the heavies. I had seen him before without the mask, but it was neat to see him again.

I agree the production values were solid on Legend of the Lone Ranger, but Spillsbury just sank the project. How could a casting director or director go so wrong in putting an actor in the costume.

I couldn't make it through the WB movie. Dawson's Creek may work in Smallville, but not in the old west.

[kingdom warrior]

I gotta disagree with ya Tom. I think "The Legend of the Lone Ranger" is pretty faithful in spirit to the original material. They made John Reid a law student who was deputized as a Texas Ranger to explain his thirst for justice, but other than that in a few minor details, it's pretty close to the original radio origin.

Making Butch Cavendish a rogue general out to overthrow the US government was a stretch, but really no worse than making Lex Luthor a genius out for a land grab in Superman:The Movie, instead of a mad scientist.

The movie had so much going for it, great location shooting, servicable script, great soundtrack, but it's one major flaw is...it's star stunk on ice. Clinton Spillsbury looked good in the mask, but he couldn't act his way out of a paper bag. And they even had to re-dub his voice with another actor!

I have to admit this movie is a guilty pleasure. My dad and I watched the Clayton Moore series together, and when we saw this advertised as showing on TV, we had to watch it. It was a nice father-son moment for us to watch a Lone Ranger made in my time.

I won't argue that it's not bad, but it's fairly faithful. For really, REALLY bad, see the WB TV movie from about 10 years ago. Whoa. Stinks on ice.

Chris

I recently Got it and watched it...agree 100% Chris, I like it for what it is. That TV remake made me sick watching it.....

[boynightwing]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 and 3. I can tolerate 3 a little more then 2.

Superman 3 and 4 I can't watch again.

Batman Forever has some kind of curse on it and I can't watch it without something bad happening in my life. (But I don't suppose that counts as bad adaption, just bad for me)

The Crow 2 and 3 and if they made any more after that, then those too. The TV show needs to go on that list. It's terrible. I remember an episode where he was testifying in court?? He's a ghost!

Wolverine Origins. I understand they needed to PG it to get the audience but it doesn't excuse the poor story and handling of Deadpool. The special effects didn't hold up either. There are scenes where his CG claws are moving around on his hand.

X3 was just as bad, but it had some moments I enjoyed.

I might be one of the few who liked the Fantastic Four. I hated the first one but I really enjoyed the Silver Surfer. I liked the portrayal of the characters and I thought it was a fun movie. They dropped the ball on Dr Doom big time.

Spider-man 3 I don't even own and never will.

Supergirl was terrible but I am in love with Helen Slater so I continue to watch it. I also just really like the character Supergirl, I always have. I wish the story had been better in the movie.

Does Transformers count as a comic adaption? If so, then all three of those suck. The first GIJoe sucked too. The second one looks amazing.

I haven't seen too many low budget comic movies to comment on them sadly.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I gotta disagree with ya Tom. I think "The Legend of the Lone Ranger" is pretty faithful in spirit to the original material. They made John Reid a law student who was deputized as a Texas Ranger to explain his thirst for justice, but other than that in a few minor details, it's pretty close to the original radio origin.

Making Butch Cavendish a rogue general out to overthrow the US government was a stretch, but really no worse than making Lex Luthor a genius out for a land grab in Superman:The Movie, instead of a mad scientist.

The movie had so much going for it, great location shooting, servicable script, great soundtrack, but it's one major flaw is...it's star stunk on ice. Clinton Spillsbury looked good in the mask, but he couldn't act his way out of a paper bag. And they even had to re-dub his voice with another actor!

I have to admit this movie is a guilty pleasure. My dad and I watched the Clayton Moore series together, and when we saw this advertised as showing on TV, we had to watch it. It was a nice father-son moment for us to watch a Lone Ranger made in my time.

I won't argue that it's not bad, but it's fairly faithful. For really, REALLY bad, see the WB TV movie from about 10 years ago. Whoa. Stinks on ice.

Chris

[Bruce Banner]

I actually never liked the hulk tv show. I tried and tried to. but it was just so bad, he looked cool but he could be shot and bled, could barely tip a car over.. as a kid it just wasn't the hulk to me

I agree. I used to watch it as a kid, sure... and I kind of liked it... but it just wasn't the true Hulk to me.
The Hulk I knew was Bruce Banner. He talked and could throw tanks around and fought enemies like The Abomination and Zzzax.

It just didn't translate well to the small screen with its associated "scaling down" of concept and budget limitations, etc.

It bugs me that the most recent Hulk movie was kind of an updating of that show (coupled with elements of the Marvel Ultimates Hulk).

The Hulk wasn't created in a lab, by an experiment gone awry. He was created "in the heart of a nuclear explosion, victim of gamma radiation gone wild"!

One day, I hope we'll get a Hulk movie that has Bruce being caught in a gamma bomb blast, and which will finally feature Rick Jones.

[Werewolf]

I think the worst adaptation of that was the 1980 movie "Legend of the Lone Ranger".

I'm guessing you didn't see the made for TV one from 2003.

I really liked Lone Ranger as a child. Both the Clayton Moore series and the Filmation cartoon. I like that movie and stil have my original childhood toys from it. It's not perfect but it's much better than people give it credit for. I think a lot of animosity towards it comes from the studio being jerks towards Clayton Moore and not the film itself.

The studio really shot themselves in the foot with how they treated him. If they had any brains they would have paid him to make appearances promoting the movie. An endorsement from the beloved TV Ranger would have really helped the movie. Because the movie is actually very respectful towards the characters and the series. Spilsbury isn't as bland as people say, Christopher Lloyd and Jason Robards are very good it and as an added bonus Tonto is actually played by a Native actor.

[MIB41]

Most don't realize it, but the Lone Ranger was both a comic strip and later a comic book before he became famous on television by Clayton Moore. I think the worst adaptation of that was the 1980 movie "Legend of the Lone Ranger". Horrid by every measure. And resembled little of the character. During that same period, the studio went to court and banned Clayton Moore from wearing his mask during autograph signings because of the movie. So it was a crime both to the comic and to the man who made it popular on television.

[Brazoo]

"The Spirit" was unbelievably bad - but the crazy thing is it's also a total culmination of Frank Miller's artistic vision. I mean, it's undeniably from his mind - all the imagery, themes and dialog are completely his. It's not like it feels like he lost control of the movie and that's why it turned out badly - it seems at least like this is exactly what he was trying to do.

I'm not trying to knock him - I like a lot of Miller's comics - but they are all kinda exactly as crazy as this movie. No?

Maybe if he was adapting one of his comics and not The Spirit we'd all enjoy the absurdity more?