Big Screen Success With Comic Book Movies

The first comic book series to be adapted to the small screen was "Superman," which debuted as a TV series in 1966. It wasn't until 1966 when "Batman: the Movie" came out, later followed by "Superman: The Movie" in 1978, that the genre of full-length comic book movies really took off. The characters were so "real" to audiences that many say there will never be another Superman like Christopher Reeves or another Batman like Adam West.

While the 1995 movie "Batman Forever" (directed this time by Joel Schumacher) proved to be more financially successful than its predecessor, the critics weren't as generous and criticizing everything from the "hard-rubber bat suit" and "obviously fake, computer-generated Gotham City" to Tommy Lee Jones' "Harvey Dent knock-off" performance and the "predictable climax."

Nevertheless, audiences believed in comic book movies and they went to see the 1997 "Batman and Robin" in mass droves, bumping the comic book movie to #1 at the box office that week, and yet the aftermath was such an abysmal failure that "Batman" George Clooney offered to personally "refund anyone who had the misfortune of paying to see it." If it weren't for director Christopher Nolan's brilliant stroke of genius, the Schumacher legacy may have tainted the Batman franchise forever.

"You could tell having seen Iron Man and having seen Batman, that the writers and producers and directors now know how to treat these movies," Marvel Comic creator Stan Lee said.

He added that comic book movies will continue to get better and better with new technology and adaptations. Coming up in 2009 is Marvel's highly anticipated "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" prequel, starring Hugh Jackman, in addition to another "Punisher" movie. "Iron Man 2," "Thor," "The Avengers," "Spider-Man 4" and another "Captain America" are also reportedly in development for subsequent years.

As for DC, "The Spirit" and "The Watchmen" are set for release in 2008 and 2009, the latter of which has many comic book fans talking. Several more movies have been in development for the past few years, including: "Superman (reboot)," "The Green Lantern," "The Justice League of America," "Wonder Woman" and "Batman 3."

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