Retrospective 1987

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace

I wouldn't believe if I didn't see it. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace killed the Superman film franchise for nearly 20 years, and it still hasn't really been resurrected. Its hard to believe that just a few years earlier Superman I and II had been monumental hits. In my opinion, Superman 4 is even less redeemable than Batman and Robin because B&R can at least be laughed at; it brought in new cast member like Clooney and Ah'nold that had not been part of the series' past. This just made me want to cry. Both Reeve and Hackman had starred in earlier movies and their inclusion in this movie made it apparent how far the franchise had fallen. I mean, when did Superman have bricklaying vision?



It really is hard to believe just how bad this was. Audiences agreed and this movie earned just $15 million.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

On the bright side, '87 gave yield to the uber successful Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series. Over 10 seasons, running through 1996 the series delivered 193 episodes showing who knows how many pizza's being consumed by the sewer dwelling amphibians.

Once a Hero

Less successful was the live action series, Once a Hero which lasted only three episodes. The series was about a down on his luck comic book illustrator whose life is turned upside down when his creation, Captain Justice came to life. How creative...

The Spirit

Before The Spirit was made into a steaming pile of box office disappointment in 2008, it was made into a TV movie. Its tough to say which was more devastating to the properties image.

Spider-Man Wedding

This last entry is a bit of a stretch, but in 1987 Spider-Man and Mary Jane's wedding in Shea Stadium was televised to build up publicity for comic book storyline. "I thee web," indeed.