5 Best Original SuperHero Movies

 

Last week was the 30th anniversary of Damon Wayans superhero comedy BlankMan. Acknowledging the film's anniversary, got me thinking about superhero movies not based on comic books. Depend on who you ask BlankMan is one of the best original superhero movies ever created, while good I wouldn't quite go there. Here's my 5 best original superhero movies.

5. Big Hero 6

For the life of me, I don't understand why Big Hero 6 is not more popular. Released in 2014, the film follows a young teenager Hiro who is essentially a child prodigy and his robot Baymax. Along with his friends they become a group of superheroes protecting the city of San Fransokyo. The story is more so about how they got to the point of being superheroes. Covering the friendship between Hiro and Baymax, as well as Hiro's relationship with his older brother Tadashi. The film also covers grief, betrayal, and self-doubt strong subject matter for Disney films. 

4. Incredibles

The older I get, the more relatable The Incredibles becomes. The basic premise of the film is former superhero Mr. Incredible (civilian name Bob Parr) is a middle-aged man supporting his wife and three kids. He's experiencing a bit of a middle life crisis in the mundane day to day life and yearns to get back in the thick of things. He get's his wish when a new supervillain wrecks havoc on the town, along with his old sidekick Fro-zone and his family they save the day. As 40 come's knocking I totally can relate to that. 

3. Darkman

Before Sam Raimi directed the Spider-Man trilogy of films starring Toby Maguire in the 2000's, he directed an off-beat original superhero movie called Darkman. Starring Liam Neeson in the original and Arnold Vosloo (Imhotep in The Mummy films) in the two direct to cable sequels. The main character is Peyton Westlake a scientist who is working on synthetic skin for burn victims, after he himself becomes a burn victim due to criminals attacking him. He uses his synthetic skin and new found strength to exact revenge.

The film is very grounded in reality, while also paying homage to the noir genre of film. It's very underrated, and was the catalyst for Raimi eventually directing Spider-Man.

2. Meteor Man

If you know me, you know I love Robert Townsend's 1993 film Meteor Man. The film follows Townsend's Jefferson Reed a Washington D.C. school teacher who is struck by a meteor fragment and gains new powers. He uses these newfound powers to save the neighborhood from the campy drug dealers The Golden Lords led by Simon, complete with all members sporting gold hair and gold accented throughout their attire. 

The movie featured a who's who of Black talent in Hollywood at the time, is funny and a tad bit inspiring. The movie never take's itself too serious and set's out to feel like a live comic book when comic book films weren't  necessarily popular. It's a shame the movie isn't more revered as it truly is special.

1. Hancock

Hancock for all intents and purposes should have been a franchise, with at least a trilogy of films. The 2008 film stars Will Smith as an alcoholic bum superhero, who causes massive damage whenever he feel's like saving the day. He has a love/hate relationship with the general public and officials of L.A. He saves Jason Bateman's advertising executive character Ray Embrey who help's him rehabilitate his image. Hancock soon learn's more about himself thanks to Ray's mysterious wife Mary, while saving the city from a criminal out for revenge.

Besides the interesting take of a disgruntled superhero that doesnt want to be one, the film has quality jokes, good special effects and decent fight scenes. The backstory between Hancock and Mary and their past deserved to be covered more in sequels. I was really intrigued by that backstory and it made the film have it's own mythology much like a comic book.

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Great TV Show You Never Heard Of: M.A.N.T.I.S.

 

Today is the 30th anniversary of M.A.N.T.I.S. a superhero drama that debuted on Fox network August 26th, 1994, and chances are you've probably never heard of it. M.A.N.T.I.S. starred Carl Lumby (Isaiah Bradley in Falcon and Winter Soldier) as Dr. Miles Hawkins. A billionaire advocate for the community, who is paralyzed in a incident involving the police. After losing a lawsuit against the police department, and uncovering a conspiracy against the Black community. Mile's set's out to fight the injustices and use his wealth to help him. He use's an exoskeleton suit he developed that allows him to walk while wearing it and set's out on his mission to fight crime. Finding along the way the mastermind of crime in the city is a former associate Solomon Box, the recurring villain of the series.

During it's first season M.A.N.T.I.S. spoke about several issues that affected the Black community. Using action and science-fiction to educate and entertain, which at that time was still a rarity especially on network television. Miles had several tools at his disposal to aid in his crime fighting efforts and his wealth and brains rivaled that of comic icons like Tony Stark and Bruce Wayne. The show was retooled in the second season to be a bit more wacky and that led to his ultimate cancellation.

Despite only lasting two seasons the show was ahead of it's time. Dr. Miles Hawkins was Black and disabled, a rare portrayal on network television at that time. Mentioned earlier in the blog many of his missions were done to aid the Black community from the abuse of authority in the police department and corporations...sound a bit familiar? 

Even though Black Lighting was a comic book first, if you were to watch M.A.N.T.I.S. you would notice so many similarities between both TV series. The show was truly ahead of it's time and it's not only a shame that it did not last longer, but that it's legacy has been forgotten to the passage of time. 

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All-Star SuperHero Team For Earth Month

 

I randomly thought of this topic at the 11th hour on Earth day, and while it spun around in my head to write it or not. I decided hell although I missed it for Earth day, April still is Earth Month and today is National Super Hero Day, as such I charged ahead with writing it. Keeping it short and simple here are 5 superheroes, neighborhood heroes, whatever you want to call them. Whose powers and mission statements. come from or to protect Mother Earth, and if needed this would be the team I'd call.

5. Toxie

Every team needs some sort of comic relief and Toxie would be that guy. Toxie is the main character of the Toxic Avenger film series, which were some low budget B movie trilogy during the 80's with a belated sequel in 2000. While the film series was rated R, in the early 90's a cartoon debuted changing the name to Toxic Crusader and taking a more environmentally kid-friendly approach.

Toxie was a meek young man named Melvin who accidentally came in contact with a toxin and became a super human. He then set out to fight off industrial polluters in his fictional hometown.

4. Swamp Thing

Swamp Thing is a DC Comics character depending on who you ask he is either a B level comic book character or C level. Swamp Thing is a a half human/half plant matter creature. He was a brilliant scientist named Alec Holland, and depending on which origin story is crafted one or another a bad accident forced him to merge with the swamps of Louisiana. He has superhuman strength, can manipulate any forms of plant. He also has regenerative ability, limiting the amount of damage inflicted upon him. He has made it his duty to protect the swamp land in which he lives, and the environment in general.

Swamp Thing has been portrayed in two live-action films, and two live-action television series. As well as a cartoon, and guest appearances on several other DC animated films and TV shows. Swamp Thing is the intelligent yet brooding and moody member of the team. 

3. Aquaman

Aquaman is the King of the seven seas. Aquaman's name beneath the seas is Orin and above ground it's Arthur Curry or A.C. He is a half-human, half-Atlantean, the son of the Queen of Atlantis and a human lighthouse keeper. He can communicate and call out for help all forms of marine life, with the ability to establish bonds with them. He has superhuman strength as a result of his Atlantean heritage and can breath underwater indefinitely. He is seen as the protector of the sea and everything that encompasses the sea.

Aquaman would be the overly confident borderline cocky member of the team. With his superior strength and other powers making him very sure of himself. Aquaman is one of DC Comics most popular comic characters, he has appeared in four live action films portrayed by Jason Mamoa, a live action incarnation of the series Smallville, and numerous cartoons.

2. Storm

A legendary member of the X-men team. Storm is a mutant capable of controlling the elements with her powers. She was born Ororo Munroe to a Kenyan princess mother and an American father who was a photographer. Her powers began to demonstrate during her Manipulating the weather is definitely a good skill to have if your trying to protect the one thing (mother nature) that grants you those specific powers. Her connection to earth is so strong, deep emotional states can cause severe uncontrollable weather events. She can also use her powers to fly and is a skilled hand to hand combat fighter. 

 Storm is a headstrong and fearless woman, who shows a great of compassion for others and is very loyal to her teammates. She has been portrayed by both Halle Berry and Alexandra Shipp in X-men live action films, and numerous X-men featured cartoons.

1. Captain Planet

Without a doubt the most well known eco-hero in pop culture. During the mid-90's Captain Planet was a very popular cartoon that aired on TBS, co-created by Barbara Pyle and Ted Turner. Captain Planet is an humanoid figure created through the power of five rings held by individuals dubbed The Planeteers. When needed the powers of wind, fire, water, earth, and heart combine and Captain Planet is called to action. He has the ability to fly, become invisible, and use the powers of the respective rings to manipulate the elements. 

Captain Planet has a dry sense of humor, but is a very noble individual. He cares tremendously about saving the environment, and will do what is needed to save the planet. Captain Planet has never been in a live action film, but he was featured in books, toys, and video games back in the 90's.

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Bring Back Steel, Without Shaq

The DC Universe streaming service is set to debut later this month. Streaming services are all the rage nowadays and every media company out there is throwing their hand in the bucket for some extra cash. A good thing about streaming services is that it has opened the door for so many creators and content that wouldn't see the light of day in traditional media.

 The DC Universe has already announced some original programming Titans, Swamp Thing, and Doom Patrol are a few properties that will air on the DC Universe platform. While I’m personally looking forward to Swamp Thing, I think DC should use this opportunity to bring Steel to the small screen.

  As a live action TV show with about 10 episodes, it could right the wrong that was the movie starring Shaq in 1997. Since TV shows and movies based on comic books, are developed with much more care nowadays it could rival any of the Marvel Netflix shows or CW DC shows. Here are three things a possible series would need to be successful.

Getting John Right

First order of business is portraying John Henry Irons as he is in the comics. A engineer/scientist who works for a high tech firm Amertek Industries and uses his brain just as much as his size to get the job done. Some things go south on the job and John leaves to become steel.

Representation is very important in any genre, highlighting a black superhero who is very intelligent and builds his armor and gadgets rivaling Iron Man on his own. Could be a spark in a lot of Black kids to take more of an interest in the STEM field. Streamline his armor and make it less clunky add some gadgets that have real life purposes and someone could really believe they would see Steel walking down the street.

Setting

Location is next, in the 1997 film Steel is set in Los Angeles. In the comics he traditionally lives in Metropolis, even moving to Washington D.C. at one point in the comics. The series would benefit from not being in Metropolis, as too many viewers would always be waiting for clues that superman is around. Having Steel set in a fictional inner city would probably be the best bet to allow the character to build his own world.

Opponent

A compelling villain, most superheroes stories are best when they have a villain that is a perfect foe to them. The stakes have to be real and high, and something is personally affecting the hero.  Steel doesn't have a primary villain that is synonymous with him.

He’s traditionally fought street gangs, which he did in the film. If a series was created and the creators went that route, it would draw comparisons to CW’s Black Lighting.

Using a fellow employee at amertek who has gone rogue would be the best option. Maybe throwing a wrinkle in the story that the employee knows John Irons is Steel. That could make for a nice cat and mouse game.

We need more black superheroes.  Black Panther proved there's a market for it. Luke Cage and Black Lighting have produced quality, interesting TV shows. If DC wants to make a serious splash in the streaming world, a Steel TV show would definitely help out. Hell DC hire me I’ll do it!

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