jules feiffer the great comic book heroes

'The Matrix,' of course, is the finest example. Though many movies have been inspired by comics in subtle ways, some of the best action movies haven't been based on comics. The pleasures that comics and movies provide are so similar that it's criminal that so few films have managed to find the right balance in adapting comic book superheroes to the big screen. The problem is that moviemakers take comics too seriously, or not seriously enough. Weekend ensured that more are to come in the film business, nothing succeeds like excess.

The touchingly faithful movie adaptation of 'The X-Men,' which leapt to a $54 million gross on its opening weekend, proves that there's an appetite and an audience for comic-hero movies. In the preface to 'Justice League of America,' a collection of comic-book stories, Salman Rushdie reflects on how inspirational he finds the adventures of these heroes. These peculiarly American forms of juvenilia have probably forever changed the fantasy lives of children, giving them the superpowers to defeat the monsters in their dreams. N his 1965 book, 'The Great Comic Book Heroes,' which features the best essay ever written on the subject, the cartoonist Jules Feiffer describedĬomics as 'movies on paper.' Both art forms exploit action and express character through movement. Or ask your own question about Movies, in Abuzz. Thoughts and see what other readers are saying.

The superhero hall of fame: George Clooney, top left, and Chris O'Donnell in 'Batman and Robin.' Bottom, Hugh Jackman in 'X-Men.'ĭo comic books make good movies? What are your favorites and flops? The Associated Press, top Nels Israelson/ 20th Century Fox Comic-Book Heroes? They Oughta Be in Picturesīut Too Often Films Fail Them By ELVIS MITCHELL

Jules feiffer the great comic book heroes