The worst comic book flicks

Over the past decade or so, the comic book film has become big business for the media industries and sometimes big fun for audiences. And some times, big, steaming piles of garbage in the case of “adaptations” like “Ghost Rider.” Thus, for our final staff list of the semester, WEEKEND contributors discuss the best and worst comic book films of all time.

The worst

“The Phantom” (1996): Back before comic book and superhero films were not big business, a few would trickle each year and be generally awful. The Billy Zane – seriously – vehicle “The Phantom” lugged into theaters with the beautiful tag-line “Slam evil!” and served two purposes: 1.) Billy Zane should never wear purple and 2.) the comic book film movement would be set back a few years. – Cory Barker

“Batman and Robin” (1997): One word: nipples. Of all the abominations this film created, bat suit nipples are by far the worst. George Clooney is one of the greatest living actors, but he wasn’t meant to play Batman. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Uma Thurman should kick themselves for being in this movie. – Brian Marks

“The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” (2003): It is completely beyond me what would compel the people producing this movie to add even more characters to what is already an insanely large cast in the comic. Terrible acting, laughable special effects,and a strange shift in focus from the literary to straight up action with literary characters made for not just a terrible adaptation but a terrible movie as well. – Mikel Kjell

“Hulk” (2003): Ang Lee’s version of this story is the worst comic book movie ever made. The story has no relation to the great comic book on which it was based nor the formidably entertaining television show starring Lou Farigno. Nick Nolte’s character is completely out of place and I still don’t understand why he was even in the movie. – Doug Evans

“Catwoman” (2004): This one triggers a gag reflex. Where historically Selena Kyle had gone whipping through Gotham, Patience who-the-hell-ever struts around New York in a story about as smart as my bichon frisé.  What really hurts is the squandered potential – with a better plot and script, the re-imagining could’ve worked. – Vanessa Torline

“Elektra” (2005): I can see the logic from 20th Century Fox when pitching “Elektra,” considering the title character comes from the tremendously successful and celebrated “Daredevil.” How could people NOT want to see this? Oh wait. – CB

“Superman Returns” (2006): I respect Bryan Singer’s urge to create an loosely-veiled indirect sequel to Richard Donner’s first two Supes films, except that post- “Spider-Man,” we expect more – more character development, more action, more intrigue. Despite Brandon Routh and James Marsden’s best efforts, this is the most boring mainstream comic book film ever. – CB

“30 Days of Night” (2007): Although this movie might not have had the most nuanced leading man in Josh Hartnett, it did treat us to some of the goriest and least-sexy vampire imagery we’re likely to see on the big screen in a long time. – Megan Clayton

“The Spirit” (2008): Though he succeeded with the black-and-white-that’s-really-just-greenscreen approach with “Sin City” under Robert Rodriguez’s tutelage, Frank Miller’s “The Spirit” was over-the-top awful in very conceivable way. No one should ever let Frank Miller direct a film again. Ever. – CB

“Watchmen” (2009): Although worse movies have been made even within the genre, “Watchmen” is the biggest fanboy exploitation film ever made. It’s dark, noir style and its horribly allegorical and poetic tone was just a flimsy cover for every fan’s wet dream. With an absurd plot, overrated visuals and a completely unnecessary level of violence, the film still managed to set the trend for the mind-set that all comic book and superhero movies should concede to the desires of the fanboys. – Brian Welk

Dishonorable mention: Any Threequel or Quadquel; X-Men, Spider-Man, Superman, you name it. Something about the third and fourth installment of Superhero movies compounds their level of suck. Why were there five villains in “Spider-Man 3?” Sandman seemed like an afterthought, and Topher Grace’s Venom was facepalm worthy.

“X3” suffered from a director exchange, and all the social commentary went with Bryan Singer (but did not follow him, somehow, to “Superman Returns”) and lets not even go into the abortion that was “X-Men: Origins.” – Kaleb Havens

Click to the right of this story to find out our picks for best!