Is "Comic Book Movie" a Genre?

[Heretic]

The general audience refers to superhero movies as comic book movies. They would not be saying "I'm going to see that new comic book movie A History of Violence this weekend." In fact, there's a better chance that they'd call Hancock a comic book movie.

Again, when Twilight and Das Boot (both novels) are considered the same genre, then we'll discuss whether or not comic book movies are all the same genre.

 

[Brother Jack]

I don't think so. Superhero films run such a wide gamut that if it is its own genre it is very difficult to pick out what defines it. Is it that they're all about people with superpowers? Well, Batman and several others don't have that. What about guys wearing masks? The Punisher doesn't wear a mask. Based on a preexisting property? Unbreakable isn't. To me its a category like animated films are in their own category but not a genre.

 

[Heretic]

Also, I'll point out that on this very website...which is devoted to comic book films and related products...many comic book based movies end up in the non-comic book movie forum. I've questioned this a few times and each time get slapped down with "More people look at this forum, so we'll talk about it here instead."

 

[Gary Griffith]

I don't think it's fair to call "Comic Book Movie" a genre. I think "Superhero Film" is the more pure definition.

I collected comics through the late '70s, and I was shocked to rent movies like Road to Perdition, A History of Violence, Red and The Losers and find the DC logo at the openings. I guess these are more "graphic novels" than comic books, but I always felt the "graphic novel" term came from embarrassment of the "comic book" title.

I feel even "superhero movie" is a bit misleading. Superhero movies - based on comics or not - have already stretched from "V for Vendetta" - yes I think this fits the rules of a superhero film (character made stronger through experiments, wearing a costume, fighting an evil govt) - to "My Ex-Girlfriend is a Superhero" (basically a rom-com with superhero themes). The superhero genre can be part of any genre.

Just look at the 4 SH movies released in 2012

1) The Avengers - Pure superhero film, full of action and humor

2) TDKR - Dark, psychological, some action, a little humor

3) TASM - Growing pains, romance, responsibility, action, humor

4) Ghost Rider:SOV - Horror, action, some humor

I'm not trying to rate/review any of these movies, just putting out there that they are 4 different types of films released within 12 months. Whether you like all or any of them is irrelevant. Just shows how wide-ranging the term "Superhero Film" can be.

I expect the Superhero Genre will become more versatile in the next few years.

I suggest we all enjoy the ride!

 

[Heretic]

Gary, a case could be made that Dredd and Chronicle are also superhero movies.

 

[Gary Griffith]

Gary, a case could be made that Dredd and Chronicle are also superhero movies.

Oh yeah, I know. Haven't seen Chronicle or Dredd, but I agree they're def superhero films from what I've heard.

What I meant to say, and maybe didn't do it too well, was that 1) Superhero movies don't NEED to be based on comic books (I believe Hancock is another in this category) and 2) Superhero movies can be thrown into ANY film genre.

I mean where do you place Kick-Ass? Is it a black comedy, a satire or a superhero film? It's a bit of all three, IMO.

That's why the Superhero film Is and Isn't a genre. What I was trying to prove by the 4 films from 2012. They couldn't be more different, but they're all Superhero films.

I just feel the term Comic Book Films is basically confused with Superhero Films, rightly or not.

I don't think Road to Perdition is a better film than The Avengers. They're both great films, IMO. However I don't think they should both be put under the same umbrella.

Just my opinion.

 

[Thundarr]

I've read all of the arguements posted so far, and I've got to agree that Comic Book Movie is a category, while Superhero Movie would be considered a genre.

Like movies, comic books come in all sorts of genres, not just superheroes. There are horror comics (Creepshow, Tales From The Crypt), comedy comics (Archie, Richie Rich, etc), western comics (Raw Hide Kid, Jonah Hex), Sword & Sorcery comics (Conan, Red Sonja, Iron Jaw), etc. One can say that Creepshow, Richie Rich, Batman, and Conan The Barbarian are all comic book movies. But you certainly couldn't say they're all the same genre.

 

[Gary Griffith]

Even take a series like the Bond films.

Now Bond is not a superhero in the classic sense - he doesn't wear a mask or costume - but he is an over the top hero, and his "costume" is a tuxedo, or SCUBA suit or etc

However, over 23 films and 51 years, he's had his share of adventures.

MORE SERIOUS: From Russia With Love, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, For Your Eyes Only (barely), Licence to Kill, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall

LESS SERIOUS: Goldfinger, Thunderball, Octopussy, The Living Daylights, Goldeneye, The World Is Not Enough

TOTAL COMIC BOOK: You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, A View to a Kill, Die Another Day (These are the films where the Bond villain wanted to take over the world - a theory non-Bond fans think applies to every film. Just not true)

SOMEWHERE INBETWEEN: Dr. No, Diamonds Are Forever, Live And Let Die, The Man with the Golden Gun, Tomorrow Never Dies

I know this isn't a direct correlation to Superhero films, but it shows how much of a difference you can make with the SAME character. Imagine how much you can differentiate with a stable of heroes.

I just feel there's a lot to be explored and I'm looking forward to all of it whether it's Marvel/Disney, DC/WB. Fox. Sony or anyone else!

Peace and love to everyone!

 

[SpideyFan866]

I say no.

The term comic book movie is too expansive.

As expansive as the genres outside of comic book based movies.

Now Superhero movies....... THAT can be considered a genre. A not well respected genre. Far from it. But a genre nonetheless.

 

[Gary Griffith]

I say no.

The term comic book movie is too expansive.

As expansive as the genres outside of comic book based movies.

Now Superhero movies....... THAT can be considered a genre. A not well respected genre. Far from it. But a genre nonetheless.

I totally agree. Superhero films will never be respected, though they should be if they're good.

A good film should be a good film. Whatever the genre.

Whatever! I like them, that's really all that matters to me.

 

[Thundarr]

Even take a series like the Bond films.

Now Bond is not a superhero in the classic sense - he doesn't wear a mask or costume - but he is an over the top hero, and his "costume" is a tuxedo, or SCUBA suit or etc

However, over 23 films and 51 years, he's had his share of adventures.

MORE SERIOUS: From Russia With Love, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, For Your Eyes Only (barely), Licence to Kill, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall

LESS SERIOUS: Goldfinger, Thunderball, Octopussy, The Living Daylights, Goldeneye, The World Is Not Enough

TOTAL COMIC BOOK: You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, A View to a Kill, Die Another Day (These are the films where the Bond villain wanted to take over the world - a theory non-Bond fans think applies to every film. Just not true)

SOMEWHERE INBETWEEN: Dr. No, Diamonds Are Forever, Live And Let Die, The Man with the Golden Gun, Tomorrow Never Dies

I know this isn't a direct correlation to Superhero films, but it shows how much of a difference you can make with the SAME character. Imagine how much you can differentiate with a stable of heroes.

I just feel there's a lot to be explored and I'm looking forward to all of it whether it's Marvel/Disney, DC/WB. Fox. Sony or anyone else!

Peace and love to everyone!

However, the Bond films are of the Action/Adventure genre (while the books they're based on are likely classified as Spy Thrillers). There are certain parallels between spy movies and superhero movies, but that doesn't put them in the same genre (unless that genre is Action).

 

[Gary Griffith]

However, the Bond films are of the Action/Adventure genre (while the books they're based on are likely classified as Spy Thrillers). There are certain parallels between spy movies and superhero movies, but that doesn't put them in the same genre (unless that genre is Action).

Yeah I totally agree, I was just trying to say that a series as long lasting as the Bond films could also work for superheroes. I guess I said it badly. My point was that we could have decades of superhero films, with different subtexts if Marvel/Disney, DC/WB, Sony, Fox and whoever go about it correctly.

There's a gold mine to be dug if they want to

 

[Thundarr]

Yeah I totally agree, I was just trying to say that a series as long lasting as the Bond films could also work for superheroes. I guess I said it badly. My point was that we could have decades of superhero films, with different subtexts if Marvel/Disney, DC/WB, Sony, Fox and whoever go about it correctly.

There's a gold mine to be dug if they want to

And they have been digging in that mine for the past 40 years or so. There's the 1966 Batman & Robin movie with Adam West & Burt Ward. Then the 1978 Superman movie with Christopher Reeve. Tim Burton's Batman movie in 1989. Plus the numerous sequels and spin offs. And this list doesn't even include the old movie serials from the 1940's (I'm not sure if they'd be considered movies, although they were shown in movie theatres).

Sometimes the studios strike gold (Superman '78, Batman '89, The X-Men, etc). Other times they hit a methane pocket and it blows up in their face (Batman & Robin, Steel, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Green Lantern, etc).