Why Can't DC Get it right?

[Octoberist]

that's why I hope that this new DC Entertainment can change all that. Put friggin' animated DC shorts before a movie like Green Lantern. Do whatever it takes to market these characters and in no time, people will know who Green Lantern is. more so than before.

 

[E-Man]

Go to Walmart and show the first ten people through the door, regardless of age or sex, a drawing of Green Lantern. The majority will have no clue who he is. A few will say "that white guy is wearing Green Lantern's costume, but Green lantern is a black guy". A few of the older crowd will look at you confused after you reveal the name and say "no, I remember Green Lantern, and that isnt him".

In other words...he is not that well known.

Have you actually tried this experiment? It sounds like something worthwhile to do. I think most people would recognize GL as long as it's not a drawing of Ion or Parallax. If the ring is there, then I bet that people would recognize Green Lantern. Plus, the First Flight movie wasn't too bad. I'm sure some young people at least heard about it if they didn't catch it on Cartoon Network when it aired.

 

[Heretic]

Have you actually tried this experiment? It sounds like something worthwhile to do. I think most people would recognize GL as long as it's not a drawing of Ion or Parallax. If the ring is there, then I bet that people would recognize Green Lantern. Plus, the First Flight movie wasn't too bad. I'm sure some young people at least heard about it if they didn't catch it on Cartoon Network when it aired.

As I've mentioned...I kind of HAVE done this experience. I used to run a pop culture store at a popular tourist town. Since I'm a geek, I had a superhero section of tshirts etc. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, Punisher...these t-shirts (mostly just logos...) were recognized instantly. Flash was often pointed at along with the statement "Look, it's Flash Gordon shirts". Green Lantern did not sell...it was a green shirt with the logo...and over and over and over again every day I was asked which superhero it was...and when I said "Green Lantern" I generally got a confused look. I even sold superhero rings...one of them being Green Lantern. Despite the fact that he's the only one that wears a ring, that was the lowest selling ring in my store. No one seemed to know what it represented. This was a VERY busy store with TONS of customers from all over the consumer map of ethnicity, age etc. Green Lantern was simply not recognized very often.

 

[BlackLantern]

Im with Heretic on this one

 

[Octoberist]

i think some people may know Green Lantern's name but that's about it. I think The Flash is more recognizable to the masses than GL.

 

[Hound55]

i think some people may know Green Lantern's name but that's about it. I think The Flash is more recognizable to the masses than GL.

He is. Ditto Aquaman. But Green Lantern would be recognised next most right after that.

GL is pretty much between tiers, but its worth making a film for him because although he's not AS well known, he has a pretty passionate following who'd go out there and see it.

A decent movie would rocket him above Flash and Aquaman... possibly Wonder Woman too these days...

As I've mentioned...I kind of HAVE done this experience. I used to run a pop culture store at a popular tourist town. Since I'm a geek, I had a superhero section of tshirts etc. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, Punisher...these t-shirts (mostly just logos...) were recognized instantly. Flash was often pointed at along with the statement "Look, it's Flash Gordon shirts". Green Lantern did not sell...it was a green shirt with the logo...and over and over and over again every day I was asked which superhero it was...and when I said "Green Lantern" I generally got a confused look. I even sold superhero rings...one of them being Green Lantern. Despite the fact that he's the only one that wears a ring, that was the lowest selling ring in my store. No one seemed to know what it represented. This was a VERY busy store with TONS of customers from all over the consumer map of ethnicity, age etc. Green Lantern was simply not recognized very often.

Did they buy Flash rings and then return them later when they found no costume would pop out...?

 

[Webhead2006]

yea i do really hope with the changes within dc comics into dc entertainment will bring new and bright future for upcoming/future dc films/tv shows/cartoons and beyond.

 

[REDophile]

Its funny, Aquaman is definitely more recognizable than GL right now (that may change with the movie), but I don't think the public could take an Aquaman movie seriously. He's known as the guy that talks to the fishes and ridiculed on Superfriends.
GL is a tailor made blockbuster movie despite not having as much pop culture clout.

 

[Octoberist]

aquaman is more reconizable than GL but also the most ridiculed, so GL should be happy that he's not as 'well known' as Aquaman.

Hell, I think Namor is more cheesy than Aquaman but he doesn't get any flake from Joe Public. Thank you Super Friends.

 

[Docker2.0]

Good point Red and October. Noone is going to take Aquaman seriously. Look at how they make fun of him on Family Guy. He's basically the joke of superheroes now.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKIV-o6YyUw&feature=related

 

[Octoberist]

at this point, there's no way WB and DC would invest so much time in 'reinventing' him unless they are willing to take a risk and get some real talent behind it.

 

[El Payaso]

I still remember that Cartoon Network commercial with Aquaman in a store trying to communicate telephatically with the tunafish can.

 

[GL1]

Dude, CN dogged out Aquaman so badly.

I also have an odd memory of the powerpuff girls telling superfriends WW that "one day we'll be as developed as you are!" and her crossing her arms over her chest embarassed-like.

 

[Timstuff]

that's why I hope that this new DC Entertainment can change all that. Put friggin' animated DC shorts before a movie like Green Lantern. Do whatever it takes to market these characters and in no time, people will know who Green Lantern is. more so than before.

That would be friggin' bad ass. I love theatrical animated shorts, and I'd love to see Warner Bros. start attaching some to their movies.

 

[Heretic]

An issue that DC has is that some of their characters just seem silly.
Let's just make a random epic underwater movie about the king of the sea kingdom. I mean make it GOOD.
If it was called Namor, people might show interest due to the subject. If it was called Aquaman people would giggle.

Seriously "Aquaman???".

DC has a hill to climb there...but it's worth it to try. You just have to make sure that there is no way that the public can see these films as comedic and silly.

 

[MadVillainy]

You know another hero Im surprised DC hasnt used alot yet is Green Arrow. At the bare bones of him, he follows a similar format to Iron Man and Batman. Rich guy gets gadgets and becomes awesome.

Also a Green Arrow movie probably wouldnt cost that much.



and as for Aquaman, of course he could be in a good movie, but as everyone else said...he's Aquaman and he's a joke

and theatrical animated shorts would be awesome

 

[dnno1]

Not as popular as Superman or Batman. That's why.

 

[Crook]

An issue that DC has is that some of their characters just seem silly.
Let's just make a random epic underwater movie about the king of the sea kingdom. I mean make it GOOD.
If it was called Namor, people might show interest due to the subject. If it was called Aquaman people would giggle.

Seriously "Aquaman???".

DC has a hill to climb there...but it's worth it to try. You just have to make sure that there is no way that the public can see these films as comedic and silly.

See, any superhero with "man" as their suffix is inherently corny sounding. We give the likes of Batman and Spider-Man a pass because their names are ingrained in our heads and associated with awesome characters. But looking strictly at their names...they're all stupid.

I have never been a fan of using the names as movie titles. Not only does it lack originality, but as I said, they're all stupid. I really liked Nolan's approach with TDK. The title sounded very ominous and was thematically relevant to the character. Take that approach and you'll be on your way to making credible works of art, not merely "comic book" adaptations.

As for Aquaman, dude has potential. His rep is way low right now, but it's not unlike where Supes and Bats were at certain points in time. You just have to make him relevant to the masses and redefine his image. The man's King of Atlantis, and controls every living organism that occupies the water. Am I the only one seeing the potential badassness of that?

You know another hero Im surprised DC hasnt used alot yet is Green Arrow. At the bare bones of him, he follows a similar format to Iron Man and Batman. Rich guy gets gadgets and becomes awesome.

Difference being that IM and Batman actually have cool gadgets and personalities. GA has a varied arsenal, but no matter how much you try to jazz it up they are still bows and arrows. When was the last time those were cool?

 

[jmc]

Given Robin Hood's reception it's definitely not now.

 

[mat-chow]

DCE could absolutely go full out with a badass Aquaman movie. If the film was promoted in a way that showed his strength, regalness, and "eco-warrior/ defender of the seas" attributes the public would eat that $@&! up. Completely. All the jokes would fall by the wayside with a well done film. I think Green Lantern is going to be burned into everyone's brains by next summer. If you think there won't be Iron Man levels of promotion (anyway) for this movie you're crazy.

 

[dnno1]

Given Robin Hood's reception it's definitely not now.

Robin Hood never had to face Iron Man, though.

 

[Heretic]

Again, Avatar is apparently going to take place partially underwater. You MUST beat Avatar to the punch. Coming out afterward would just feel like a second rate rip off.

I'm all far not calling it Aquaman...and making it an absolute epic film about a KING, not a silly superhero.

 

[Mr. Earle]

Given Robin Hood's reception it's definitely not now.

I thought it was gonna do well at the B.O. Its not?

 

[Octoberist]

nope, and not a whole lot of people liked it. i haven't seen it but my pal saw it (without me, that bastardo)and he didn't like it. and he has great taste in movies.

 

[jmc]

I thought it was gonna do well at the B.O. Its not?

For a film that's about one of the most famous folklore characters in history, has two Academy Award winners in the lead, is directed by Ridley Scott and cost over $200 million, it's an appalling reception even given the bad reviews it's gotten.