A Third Comic Book Blockbuster to Hit the Big Screen This Summer
Posted on 08 March 2008 by Nicholas Johnson
As the Spring and Summer movies start rolling out, we're getting closer and closer to the release of the new comic book movies, IRON MAN and THE DARK KNIGHT. Both of these movies are going to be huge and probably make a billion dollars each. These two movies have been so "on the radar" that they have all but eclipsed another comic book movie that is coming out. "What movie is that?", you might ask. The movie is WANTED. You may have seen the 30 second trailer during the Super Bowl. If you haven't, then you can check it out on MySpace or YouTube. Don't make the mistake of watching the trailer for MOST WANTED, Keynan Ivory Wayans incredibly horrible attempt at being a action-hero badass. He failed miserably.
I'm sure your immediate question has switched from, "What movie is that?" to "What comic is that?" I am talking about Wanted, a comic that burst on the scene back in 2004 as a part of Millarworld. This comic was published by Top Cow comics, but it is all Mark Millar's creation. This was my first introduction to Mark Millar's awesome ability to craft stories and characters. Granted, this 6-issue series feels like a grittier, more mature DC or Marvel title. Whether you choose to get wrapped up in trying to figure out which Marvel or DC character that each different character in Wanted resembles, or you focus on the storyline, you'll find yourself wanting to reread this title a few times. Lucky for you all that missed it the first time around, you can actually go out and buy the trade paperback and read it all in one sitting. I, on the other hand, had to wait months to finish this series.
Are you thinking, "But what's it about?", yet? I was getting to that. Here's the basic premise: Wesley Gibson, who suspiciously looks a lot like rapper Eminem, finds out that his father, that he thought had abandoned him as a child, is the world's greatest assassin and is a member of the Fraternity (of Super Villians). Think the LEAGUE OF SUPER VILLIANS (from SUPERFRIENDS) if they actually did the horrible things that super villians do. After Wesley's father is killed, he is confronted by the Fox, his father's protege and occasional lover, who introduces him to the world of evil without consequences. Wesley embraces his father's legacy and apparent genetically transferred abilities and wackiness ensues. It isn't until issue #4 that the series gets into the fun comic book stuff that the first three issues unwittingly promises, but it's a fun ride throughout.
I'm recommending this comic for 1 huge reason. As the old adage goes, if you like the movie, you'll love the book. I am not sure if I am looking forward to the movie this summer, it's set to release on June 27, 2008 (be sure to look for Ash's movie review shortly after that). I'm just not sure if Hollywood is ready to put out a true adaptation of this comic book. On top of that, I just don't see Morgan Freeman and (future saint) Angelina Jolie signing on to do a movie that glamorizes murder, rape, and other abhorrible crimes. I have seen the trailers and WANTED looks like it will be a fun, action-filled ride, but I am willing to bet that I will come out of the theater extremely disappointed.
As a wise (cartoon) man (Homer Simpson) once said, "I like my beer cold, my tv loud, and my homosexuals flaming", I like my comic book movies to be so close to the book that my only argument is that wasn't enough time to cram more into them. I really don't like watching a 2 minute trailer and thinking "Where's this, this, that, and that??" To me, that just sucks. And when it comes to the movie adaptation of the amazing comic book Wanted, all I could have wanted is an NC-17 Director's cut that brings a little tear to my eye when it ends.
Popularity: 6% [?]
March 9th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Oh, Nick, I’m so sorry that you might be disappointed by Wanted. I can completely understand loving a book but hating the film adaptation. Since I know nothing about the comics, I’ll enjoy the special effects - which look freakin’ amazing - and staring at James McAvoy for a couple of hours
March 9th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
James Macawhoo? Never heard of ‘em. I’ll reserve judgment until I see a preview. Then I’ll let you know whether I’m going to see it or not.
March 10th, 2008 at 9:55 am
He was in The Last King of Scotland and Becoming Jane and most recently Atonement. He also played the faun in the most recent adaptation of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Ring any bells?
March 10th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Nope. By the way, who was she before she was Jane?
March 10th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Becoming Jane…..isn’t that the movie about the young girl who has a taboo desire for unbridled monkey love and finds a way to make a “career” out of living with apes in the jungle and having all sorts of monkey love fantasies come to life?
March 10th, 2008 at 11:58 am
… I have no response to that. Maybe that’s Gorillas in the Mist.
March 10th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
hahaha…it was the movie about Jane Austen when she was young, and how she “became” the famous authoress that a lot of women, particularly young ones, adore. Anne Hathaway played Ms. Austen, and James McAvoy played her dashing love interest.
June 21st, 2008 at 9:53 pm
I saw Iron Man a week ago and loved it! Best Marvel comic book movie ever. Competes with the new Batman for best ever.
Definitely looking forward to the next Batman flick at the end of this summer. Wanted looks good too, though very unrealistic. The whole bending bullet trajectories seems a bit farfetched.