The highlight of this summer movie season can be summed up in one word: superheroes.
For fans who lack patience or simply want a better understanding of these silver screen characters, the best place to look is in the glossy pages of comic books. In fact, the three superhero films premiering this summer borrow inspiration from specific story arcs.
The following books are essential reading for anyone remotely interested in the grandiose, capes-and-tights spectacles arriving in theaters soon.
Grandiose may be an understatement when describing “The Avengers,” which drops May 4. A culmination of Marvel’s slow plan to bring all their movie heroes together, “The Avengers” sees Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and other heroes establish the ultimate team-up to save Earth from an invading alien force. The plot almost directly mirrors “The Ultimates” by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch.
Marvel established the Ultimate Universe so creators could write modern, edgier versions of popular characters without years of continuity constricting them. As a writer, Millar takes full advantage of this freedom – his characterizations are tough, rude and occasionally downright mean. Underneath his signature writing style though, the cores of the characters remain true to their original molds. Every character is compelling and given ample story time.
The scope of the story is epic, opening at the height of World War II and spanning across the globe. In this regard, Hitch’s art delivers and then some. His cinematic, widescreen approach to paneling and realistic figures make for gorgeous artwork. Every action scene is detailed and visceral.
Expect the clashing personalities and intense action of the book to translate onto the screen as Marvel hopes to pull off a project four years in the making.
It’s been over four years since the last Spider-Man movie and many fans still have a bad taste from the last film. On July 3, “The Amazing Spider-Man” will start fresh with a reboot featuring a new story and a new creative team. After receiving superpowers from a radioactive spider bite, nerdy high-schooler Peter Parker uncovers secrets left by his deceased scientist father, learning something about great power and great responsibility along the way.
The father subplot is a new spin the creators hope to explore on film but the story can be found in “Ultimate Spider-Man” by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley.
Bendis’ writing acts as a respectful homage to the original but he doesn’t hesitate to mess with the status quo. Bendis’ Spidey is an angst-ridden teenager who is slowly maturing into the wisecracking hero readers are familiar with. He also explores Parker’s connection to his father, and much of the action stems from his discoveries.
All this action is wonderfully captured by Bagley’s fluid, dynamic pencils. His smooth shapes and thick lines help the art to pop off the page.
With Bendis hired as a consultant for the reboot, expect this experience to be closely reflected on the big screen as the “wall-crawler” begins a new adventure.
Ending arguably the most successful superhero adventure to date, “The Dark Knight Rises” will conclude Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy on July 20. Batman faces his toughest challenge as the mercenary Bane violently tears down the peace he’s established.
The 1993 story arc “Knightfall” details this same plot over the course of 17 issues and two Batman titles. Handled by multiple writers and artists, Batman is pushed to his limits after Bane stages a massive breakout at Arkham Asylum. His plan is to wear Batman down before crippling him so he can rule Gotham City.
The writing is outdated in many scenes, falling prey to the ridiculous gimmicks common in ’90s comics – remote-controlled attack robots and crammed storytelling being the main offenders. However, Batman’s physical and mental deterioration is handled extremely well, and several minor allies and villains shine in the brief moments they’re given. The art is more consistent, and the stakes and action elevate with the turn of each page.
The brief teasers and spoilers from the film suggest scenes like the prison break and Batman and Bane’s confrontation will transfer from page to celluloid this summer.
While serving as good primers for their respective films, these books also work well as jumping on points for new comic book readers. When moviegoers walk out of the theaters this summer craving more action and adventure, these comics will be ready and waiting.
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