The Internets have been ablaze with rumors that Marvel studios is pushing forward with a live action Dr. Strange movie. Marvel has long been trying to make Strange a star, but it probably wouldn't be until at least 2014 that there would be an opening in Marvels live action film slate. And believe it or not a feature film would not be the Sorcerer Supreme's first movie. Shall we take a look at the good doctor's onscreen history?
So this is how it ends for Marvel's "edgy" direct to video line of movie aimed for mature audiences, not with a bang but a whimper. Sure, I expect more Marvel animated movies to come some day, but for now the future is uncertain and with the acquisition of Marvel by Disney, this line is dead. But does anyone care? After a year plus delay, Thor: Tales of Asgard finally hit shelves to cash in on the release of the live-action Thor and I have to wonder how much of a boost the delay will even give the movie.
For a quick recap of history, Ultimate Avengers debuted back in 2006 to pretty big sales offering ratcheted up violence and action and a PG-13 rating aimed at hip teen and less hip 20 and 30 something (but possibly still living at home) audiences. Ultimate Avengers 2 and The Invincible Iron Man also performed well in spite of mediocre stories and sub par animation. Then Marvel started making crazy choices. Just when DC jumped into the game with what ended up being a superior product, Marvel decided to focus on the lesser known Doctor Strange. That was followed up with Next Avengers a PG rated movie focusing on the teen kids of the Avengers. The movie was actually okay, but it seemed clear the line had strayed from its initial promise. To their credit Marvel's next two Hulk vs and Planet Hulk were both excellent, delivering action and intensity that couldn't simply be adapted for Saturday morning cartoons. Lastly, Marvel offered up Thor: Tales of Asgard and I am left scratching my head.
I will go into detail below, but aside from the two Hulk movies, these Marvel DtVs all had a sort of TV pilot feel to them. Not that the movies were bad, just that at the end I always felt like "now that that's out of the way lets see what happens next," only there is no next. These movie have been too much setup and not enough story. Sure DC has had some origin stories but they have balanced them with epic stories at the heroes prime. The Thor movie predates an origin making it even less satisfying. Whatever. At least the Hulk movies saved this line from total mediocrity and if nothing else, Marvel drew DC into the market, so thanks for that. Here is the final ranking of the line.
#8 Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme may or may not be a faithful telling of a character that I just don't find that interesting or likable. This is a perfect example of a story that felt half told because by the time the character was introduced, organized, and ready to roll, the running time was up. I am confident a Doctor Strange 2 would have been better, but of course there will be no sequel.
#7 The Invincible Iron Man was another decent origin story that begins to feel pointless without any further stories to build upon it. The phenomenal live-action Iron Man movie released after this makes The Invincible Iron Man even more irrelevant and the flaws more evident. Oh, and the CG baddies look horrendous.
#6 Ultimate Avengers 2: The Rise of the Panther was a step down from the first Ultimate Avengers. I did like the Black Panther, but his role on the team didn't seem to justify an entire movie. My memory may also just be failing me, but this movie didn't really seem to have much point other than "stop alien invaders."
#5 Thor: Tales of Asgard doth dishonor its hero. As if they didn't learn from the teen Avengers debacle, once again we are treated with a teen hero in Thor. The movie didn't even bother for a rating which makes me think it would have ended up in the PG category as well. I just don't understand. Thor was in six of the eight Marvel movies, but he never really got his own spotlight. That is a travesty. I know this is technically a Thor movie, and there were some nice references to the rich mythology of Asgard and the Nine Realms, but one crucial element was missing. It may not seem like a big deal, but if I were to ask 10 people to name the first thing they thought of with regards to Thor, I am pretty sure 9 if not 10 of them would say something about a hammer. Well aside from a 2 second gag with a wooden mallet, there was no Mjolnir here. So basically this movie may be a good intro to Thor's world for those that know nothing of him, but its a ripoff for those who do. And its blatant contradictions from the other Thor film will do nothing but confuse new fans of the character won over by the live-action movie. Sadly, the best animated Thor movie to be found is titled Hulk Vs.
#4 Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow is a movie that sounded like a disaster, but wasn't. The story was pretty enjoyable and the Hulk's role was perhaps the movies highlight. My main problems with the movie are that the limited running time prevents the viewer from really caring about this new roster of characters. Also, the movie was annoying in that the whole point of these DtVs was to make animation more geared for teens and adults. Why then produce an (albeit good) adventure aimed at kids?
#3 Ultimate Avengers deserves credit for launching not only this line of Marvel DtVs but DCs line as well as movies for other characters like Hellboy. I really like the WWII sequence as well as the Hulk fight at the end. The middle is a bit uneven, but for the size of the cast, everyone was given a couple of memorable scenes.
#2 Planet Hulk surprised me. No I have not read the original story, but the whole idea sounded a bit hokey to me. I am still not sure I like the idea of perma-Hulk versus transforming Hulk and the movie did seem quite reminiscent of the movie Gladiator. Nevertheless, when all was said and done the talking/thinking Hulk stuff didn't bother me at all.. Besides, if they were going to do another Hulk movie, I suppose this approach was better than another monster that must be stopped story. The arena fights, especially the one with Beta Ray Bill (if they could use Wolverine in Hulk Vs, why couldn't they use Silver Surfer here?) were enjoyable, and all of the flashbacks were entertaining. In the end this movie stands on its own, the most complete movie in this whole line.
#1 Hulk Vs. not only delivered two stories for the price of one, but both were interesting, different enough from one another, and briskly paced. I probably preferred the Wolverine story to Thor, but both were enjoyable. This simple idea begs for a follow-up with a Hulk Vs 2 or even a line of Marvel Vs movies. Even though this isn't really a movie as much as two long episodes, it is proof that longer running time isn't always better.
There you have it. To recap:
#1 Hulk Vs. (Wolverine and Thor) #2 Planet Hulk #3 Ultimate Avengers #4 Next Avengers #5 Thor: Tales of Asgard #6 Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther #7 The Invincible Iron Man #8 Dr. Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme
Yesterday, I posted figures for the first week of Planet Hulk DVD sales. There seemed to be some interest in how these DVDs were selling overall so today's treat is a look at DVD sales for Marvel and DC to date. These numbers do not include DC DVDs released prior to the current "adult-oriented" line, so no Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo etc.
As you can see in the graph, Superman: Doomsday leads the pack in revenue with Batman: Gotham Knight in 2nd and Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther in 3rd.Probably not the best 3 as far as quality goes but there was a lot more buzz and marketing when these lines were launched. Since then, DC's sales have more or less leveled off and Marvels were in decline but seem to be in a bit of recovery after Hulk Vs big jump (based on the other DVD trends Planet Hulk will still most likely at least double its current revenue).
Surprising is the performance of DC Justice League: The New Frontier based on the acclaimed graphic novel. Although it currently has the edge over Green Lantern: First Flight by about $22,000, it will be passed soon as GL has been a more consistent seller over time. Also, even though Wonder Woman's first week sales were weak, Hera has given her strength to eclipse both GL and New Frontier. The Superman Batman: Public Enemies film has not sold as well as either solo film, but it has done fairly well though not quite as well as Marvel's Hulk Vs.
Speaking of Hulk Vs, its performance has been nothing short of amazing, even outselling Iron Man which received a boost from the huge performance of the live action film (maybe this speaks to the poor quality of The Invincible Iron Man). In fact, Hulk Vs has made nearly as much money as the original Ultimate Avengers. There just has to be plans for another "Vs." themed Marvel movie, or could the runaway success be tied to the inclusion of a certain popular X-Man? Its is also apparent that Next Avengers was a real bomb. You have to wonder where a Spider-Man, X-Men, or Fantastic Four movie would land on this chart.
Lastly, just for fun here are the number of times each of the main heroes has appeared in the 7 DC or 7 Marvel movies. Believe it or not Thor actually seems to have the edge over Hulk in number of appearances, though Hulk may win with screen time.
Thor 5.1 - (Ultimate Avengers, Ultimate Avengers 2, cameo in Doc Strange, Next Avengers, Hulk Vs., Planet Hulk), and Thor is upcoming.
Hulk 5 - (Ultimate Avengers, Ultimate Avengers 2, Next Avengers, Hulk Vs., Planet Hulk)
Iron Man 4.5 - ( Ultimate Avengers, Ultimate Avengers 2, Iron Man, Next Avengers, brief but non-integral role in Planet Hulk)
Superman 4 - (Doomsday, New Frontier, Superman Batman, Crisis on Two Earths)
Batman 4 - (New Frontier, Gotham Knight, Superman Batman, Crisis on Two Earths), and Red Hood is coming
Wonder Woman 3 - (New Frontier, Wonder Woman, Crisis on Two Earths)
Green Lantern 3 - (New Frontier, First Flight, Crisis on Two Earths)
Captain America 2.5 - ( Ultimate Avengers, Ultimate Avengers 2, cameo and kid version in Next Avengers)
Ant-Man / Wasp 2.5 - ( Ultimate Avengers, Ultimate Avengers 2, cameo and kid version in Next Avengers)
Black Widow 2.5 - ( Ultimate Avengers, Ultimate Avengers 2, cameo and kid version in Next Avengers)
Flash 2 - (New Frontier, Crisis on Two Earths)
Martian Manhunter 2 - (New Frontier, Crisis on Two Earths)
Black Panther 1.5 - (Ultimate Avengers 2, cameo and kid version in Next Avengers)
With the advent of Planet Hulk there are seven lucky Marvel DtVs. While I have enjoyed them all to some extent, some have been much more effective in drawing me back for repeat viewings than others. My preferences may adjust a bit from time to time, but as of now, this is how I would rank them.
#7 Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme may or may not be a faithful telling of a character that I just don't find that interesting or likable. I would also say that these DtVs just aren't long enough for origin stories to feel like they aren't completely rushed.
#6 The Invincible Iron Man was another decent origin story that begins to feel pointless without any further stories to build upon it. The phenomenal live-action Iron Man movie released after this makes The Invincible Iron Man even more irrelevant and the flaws more evident.
#5 Ultimate Avengers 2: The Rise of the Panther was a step down from the first Ultimate Avengers. I did like the Black Panther, but his role on the team didn't seem to justify an entire movie. My memory may also just be failing me, but this movie didn't really seem to have much point other than "stop alien invaders."
#4 Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow is a movie that sounded like a disaster, but wasn't. The story was pretty enjoyable and the Hulk's role was perhaps the movies highlight. My main problems with the movie are that the limited running time prevents the viewer from really caring about this new roster of characters. Also, the movie was annoying in that the whole point of these DtVs was to make animation more geared for teens and adults. Why then produce an (albeit good) adventure aimed at kids?
#3 Ultimate Avengers deserves credit for launching not only this line of Marvel DtVs but DCs line as well as movies for other characters like Hellboy. I really like the WWII sequence as well as the Hulk fight at the end. The middle is a bit uneven, but for the size of the cast, everyone was given a couple of memorable scenes.
#2 Planet Hulk surprised me. No I have not read the original story, but the whole idea sounded a bit hokey to me. I am still not sure I like the idea of perma-Hulk versus transforming Hulk and the movie did seem quite reminiscent of the movie Gladiator. Nevertheless, when all was said and done the talking/thinking Hulk stuff didn't bother me at all.. Besides, if they were going to do another Hulk movie, I suppose this approach was better than another monster than must be stopped story. The arena fights, especially the one with Beta Ray Bill (if they could use Wolverine in Hulk Vs, why couldn't they use Silver Surfer here?) were enjoyable, and all of the flashbacks were entertaining. I also liked the resolution of the movie with the exception of one [SPOILER] how one of the villains finally decided to switch sides. [/SPOILER] Time will tell, but I wont mind revisiting this one.
#1 Hulk Vs. not only delivered two stories for the price of one, but both were interesting, different enough from one another, and briskly paced. I probably preferred the Wolverine story to Thor, but both were enjoyable. This simple idea begs for a follow-up with a Hulk Vs 2 or even a line of Marvel Vs movies.
There you have it. To recap:
#1 Hulk Vs. (Wolverine and Thor) #2 Planet Hulk #3 Ultimate Avengers #4 Next Avengers #5 Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther #6 The Invincible Iron Man #7 Dr. Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme
The Super Hero Squad is set to debut on September 19th on Cartoon Network and the promotion for the series is heating up. From the hero montage, it looks like everyone from Avengers to X-Men to Fan 4 and their dogs are joining the show's lineup (sans one itsy-bitsy spider).
The villains are equally well represented.
Perhaps even more impressive is the all star line-up assembled to voice these characters. They have Luke Skywalker, Geordi, 6, Parkman, The Real Ice-Man, Newman, Sulu, Hercules. Wow!
I don't know if the show is going to be any good, but at least they aren't holding back on the A-listers like they did with that horrible 90's Avengers series. This looks like it could be a fun show. And at the least, my 4- year old daughter will soon know who The Punisher is.
The biggest event of the year, and one of the biggest milestones ever for superhero shows was the 1978 debut of Superman: The Movie. Promising audiences that they would believe a man could fly, Richard Donner delivered an epic telling of the Man of Steel's origins and first clash with the diabolical Lex Luthor. While it was not the first live-action Superhero film, or even the first live-action Superman film, its success, technological accomplishments, score, and influence mark this movie as the beginning of an era for the superhero film genre. For more, check out the SuperheroShows film capsule.
Challenge of the the Super Friends
Another high point of the year was the animated debut of the Challenge of the Super Friends featuring the Legion of Doom. Under the leadership of Lex Luthor, the core members Bizarro, Black Manta, Brainiac, Captain Cold, Cheetah, Giganta, Gorilla Grodd, Riddler, Scarecrow, Sinestro, Solomon Grundy, and Toyman united to take on the Justice League.
Although the Super Friends series was revived in 1977, the "Friends" mostly only fought weather, beasts, and aliens. Having actual villains took the show to a new level.
So DC had a good year. What about Marvel...
The Fantastic Four
Its hard to pick a high point in 1978 for team Marvel, but I guess I will give that award to the animated The Fantastic Four. Ironically, there are really only 3 of the team here: Mr Fantastic, The Invisible Woman, and the Thing. The Human Torch's rights were elsewhere tied up. You would think not having the whole team would prevent the show from being made. Ah, its called the Fantastic Four, but it doesnt specifically identify who the Four are. Besides, in the comics, the lineup has had some variation over the years including temporary members Luke Cage, Nova, She-Hulk, Ms. Marvel, Ant-Man, Namorita, Storm, Black Panther, Hulk, Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Ghost Rider. So which of them was in the show? None. Instead they opted to introduce the robot H.E.R.B.I.E. (Humanoid Experimental Robot, B-type, Integrated Electronics). The series lasted just 13 episodes.
Dr. Strange
The Strange one also experienced what was asdly one of his carreer highs in 1978 in the form of a made for TV movie. The movie failed to inspire investment in a hoped for ongoing series. In the show, a young woman named Clea Lake becomes a pawn of the Sorceress Morgan Le Fay. The current Sorcerer Supreme, Thomas Linmer (aka Merlin) and his man-servant Wong recruit psychiatrist Stephen Strange, to become Linmer's disciple and the next Sorcerer Supreme. Strange must thwart Margan and save Clea. Youtube never ceases to amaze:
Spider-Man Strikes Back
Spider-Man Strikes back is nothing more than episodes 2 and 3 of the 1977 Amazing Spider-Man series packaged together for Eurpean and home theater release. Fool me once, shame on you... This Spider-Man is still lame.
スパイダーマン - Supaidāman
Japanese Spider-Man on the other hand is a whole other topic. Marvel gave a Japanese company unrestricted license to some of its characters. Spider-Man's likeness was used in this Power Rangeres-esque series. Probably a better use than Spider-Man Strikes Back. 41 episodes were produced. Come to think of it, this was probably Marvel's high point for the year. At least it enjoyed some longevity.
There you have it. 1978 was an uneven year for the big two.
Updated:
In 1978, existing shows Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle and The New Adventures of Batman were repackaged with 5 new shows to create Tarzan and the Super 7. These included a live action segment, Jason of Star Command and four Superhero themed shows: The Freedom Force, Manta and Moray, Superstretch and Microwoman, and Web Woman. I don't remember watching these as a kid, but honestly, I am amazed these things even got made. They look pretty terrible.
* The Freedom Force
The Freedom Force showcased Isis from the live-action The Secrets of Isis series of the time and added Merlin, Sinbad, Super Samurai, and Hercules from 1977's Space Sentinels
* Superstretch and Microwoman
Superstretch and Microwoman can kind of be described a Plastic Man and the Atom get married. The show featured Chris and Christy Cross, your average suburban African-American couple. Chris could take virtually any shape (such as a plane, a robot, a rubber ball, a perfect double of a villain, etc.) whileChristy could shrink to microscopic size. A match made in heaven. Frequently tagging along on their adventures was their little dog, Trouble with whom they battled Granny Candy, the Toymaker, and evil counterparts from another dimension,Superstarch and Magnawoman.
* Manta and Moray
You know what hero is cool? Aquaman. Manta and Moray, a pair of amphibious superheroes hoped to win over some of that rabid Aquaman fanbase. Manta (Monarch of the Deep) was the last survivor of the ancient civilization of Mu, which was destroyed by a terrible explosion, but Manta was engulfed by a wave of unknown radiation, and placed into a form of suspended animation deep beneath the waves. He was discovered and awoken by Moray, a human woman, whom he subsequently married. He was amphibious, but could not be away from water for too long or he would weaken and die. LikeAquaman he could communicate with sealife, but he could talk to land animals as well. Moray was raised by dolphins after the plane her parents had been flying in crashed into the sea; she learned to live in the ocean. Together with Whiskers the sea lion and Guppy the whale they protected the sea.
* Web Woman
Web Woman was the alias of Kelly Webster. She was originally going to be called Spider-Woman but Marvel getting wind of the plan invented their own Spider-Woman to assure the copyright which would debut in her own series in 1979.
Kelly saved the life of an alien insectoid who was swept into a raging river during a thunderstorm. In gratitude, the alien gave her with a mysterious ring, which gave her the powers of the entire insect kingdom. Her transformation into Web Woman was brought on by a vocal command combined with the power of the ring that spoken like this:
"Insects of the world...small creatures of the cosmos...lend me your powers...NOW!"
She has a variety of weapons, such as a webline from her utility belt, and the ring could produce sleeping gas and an energy beam that solidified into webbing. She was aided in her missions by a furry littleinsectoid-like alien named Spinner. She traveled in a spider-shaped, 8-legged flying saucer called Webtrac. Sounds pretty cool.
The villains are equally well represented.
I don't know if the show is going to be any good, but at least they aren't holding back on the A-listers like they did with that horrible 90's Avengers series. This looks like it could be a fun show. And at the least, my 4- year old daughter will soon know who The Punisher is.
Superman
The biggest event of the year, and one of the biggest milestones ever for superhero shows was the 1978 debut of Superman: The Movie. Promising audiences that they would believe a man could fly, Richard Donner delivered an epic telling of the Man of Steel's origins and first clash with the diabolical Lex Luthor. While it was not the first live-action Superhero film, or even the first live-action Superman film, its success, technological accomplishments, score, and influence mark this movie as the beginning of an era for the superhero film genre. For more, check out the SuperheroShows film capsule.
Spider-Man Strikes back is nothing more than episodes 2 and 3 of the 1977 Amazing Spider-Man series packaged together for Eurpean and home theater release. Fool me once, shame on you... This Spider-Man is still lame.
