The Quad

Issue date: 9/1/08 Section: Entertainment

With a summer of fantastic blockbusters, who would have thought that movies based on comic books would turn a profit that would rival the ages? "The Dark Knight", "Hellboy 2: The Golden Army", and "Iron Man" are just a few of the movies that were inspired by the great illustrators and writers from the Marvel and DC Universes, but how will one top such greatness?

Taking a look forward, we have sequels coming out like "Iron Man 2," "Transformers 2," "G.I. Joe,", and most likely a third installment of "Batman Begins" series.

There are still many lesser-known movies that will be coming out within the next few years. These will keep you on the edge of your seat.

On December 5, the next installment to the "Punisher" series, entitled "Punisher: War Zone", will be released. This time instead of Thomas Jane playing Frank Castle, or his alterego The Punisher, we have Ray Stevenson. This major change may turn some people away because this difference is very clear. On the other hand, "Punisher: War Zone" will probably still have just as much violence as its predecessor.

Over the upcoming years Marvel looks to put its best comics forth beginning with "Iron Man 2" in mid-April 2010. "Thor" will also be released in late June of that same year.

"Captain America" and "Spiderman 4" are looking to be released in May 2011 while July of that year brings in Marvel's superhero team movie, "The Avengers" to the big screen.

With more than two dozen announced or in development, the next few years should be filled with fantastic movies.

Marvel's greatest rival, DC Comics, have yet to jump on the band wagon and have only announced "Wonder Woman" and "Teen Titans: The Judas Contract" in the upcoming years.

DC seems to be very vigilant of which comics they wish to bring to the silver screen since some directors and comics turn south if the right crew and story line is not put in place.

One of the most anticipated movies was not even created by Marvel or DC. "The Spirit", from Quality Comics, is the next movie out from the twisted mind of Frank Miller, who created "Sin City", "300", and many others. "The Spirit" is the story of a man who works almost like Batman but is more of a detective who fights for righteousness and justice. Another movie that made fan boys shake in their shoes at "Comicon," a massive comic convention in San Diego, was "Watchmen".

"Watchmen" is a very dark and sinister comic about, what else but amurdered superhero whose fellow heros seek to find those responsible for his death. This all occurs in a city, where superheroes must be registered with the government in order to keep some sort of precedent to keep the "masks" in line.

With everything from "Punisher" to "Captain America" and "Wonder Woman", it seems that the big movie producers have a plethora of storylines, heroes, and heroines to create the big blockbusters of the next few years.

With everyone from Johnny Depp as a rumored Riddler, to Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, it seems that even the actors want to fulfill their childhood fantasies of being a superhero.

Only time will truly tell which ones will become the best sellers and fan favorites but regardless of who ends up taking down the record of sales for "The Dark Knight" it will truly be a great few years for those of us who still want to remain kids at heart and watch our favorite heroes take to the streets to show that justice will prevail.

Adam Korman is a fifth-year student majoring in professional studies. He can be reached at AK587939@wcupa.edu.

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