Jeremy Patrick

I want to talk about comic book movies—not the big blockbusters like the Batman or Superman franchises, but about some of the more obscure ones.

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A few weeks ago I bought the Fantastic Four movie at a convention. The movie was made in the early nineties for the staggering cost of almost two million dollars :) Seriously, even at that time, that was a pathetically small amount of money for a special-effects laden film like the Fantastic Four. Before watching the film, I had heard a little bit about it and I was expecting it to be laugh-out-loud. Not intentionally, mind you, but from how pitiful the filmmakers would do in portraying the F.F.’s powers.

I was actually surprised, though I can’t say if it was pleasantly or not. The special effects are good enough that they don’t make you laugh (most of the time), but the movie is, simply put, rather boring. There’s a lot of exposition when there should be more action, and the film has an uneven pace. A lot of scope is covered, however, from the time Reed and Victor knew each other at college, to the initial launch of the maiden space flight, to Reed and Sue’s wedding.

Ben’s Thing suit is the best special-effect in the movie. The face contained a lot of movement, and you could really see the big guy’s emotions. Reed and Sue’s powers were passable, and Johnny’s was okay at times (such as when he’s holding a fireball) and pathetic at times (such as when he’s in full Torch mode and flying). I supposed what disappoints me the most was Victor Von Doom. As probably my all-time favorite super-villain, the movie made him into a loud-mouthed boor.

There’s been rumors for the past several years about a full-budget F.F. movie—but nothing has ever come to pass. Still, it makes you wonder . . .

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I would never have known they attempted to make a Justice League television series (live-action, not cartoon) if I hadn’t come across the pilot episode in a comic store one day. The pilot episode pits Fire, Ice, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, and the Atom against a villain who is basically the Weather Wizard.

The show was a lot better done than I thought it would be, and it’s too bad it never made it into production—my guess is because it would be too expensive. The script was good, and there was enough humor to keep it interesting. My biggest regret, of course, is that for a Justice League (not of America) t.v. show, they didn’t include Blue Beetle and Booster Gold! By the way, anyone remember Elemental Colors? As some of you may know, Justice League is my favorite comic series ever, and B.B. my favorite character. Not including Blue & Gold was thus a big mistake :)

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Another show that is actually pretty good is a made-for-t.v. movie of Dr. Strange. I think it was created in the late 70s or early 80s. Obviously, the magic special-effects are pretty bad, but the show is still interesting enough to keep your attention. And there is a good female villain to boot.

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Not if only I can get ahold of the live-action Captain America movie, my life will be complete.

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