Best of the Best: Gaming Web Comics
Making fun of other people/things/animals/concepts is what separates human beings from everything else (including aliens). If you don’t partake in reading your fair share of comics, or at least Penny Arcade, then shame one you.
I thought you called yourself gamer!
Now that you are finished bowing your head down in despair, let me show you the light that is making fun of everything via the art of comics. All are gaming related in nature, and all you should read religiously.
Press on!
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Spider-man! Spider-man! Does whatever a spider can! Like piloting giant robots to fight space monsters. Wait, what?!?
Batman. Spider-Man. Superman. No matter who your favorite is, there’s no denying that these three qualify as the three most well-known comic book characters of all time. Every one of them has seen highs and lows in virtually all forms of media: television, movies, video games, and the industry that originally spawned them, comic books. Looking towards the future, only one of the “Big 3″ has reached the status of top-tier entertainment in the realm of cinema: Batman. “Spider-Man 3″ disappointed, though it was by no means horrible. That same thing, sadly, cannot be said of the abysmally-behind-the-times “Superman Returns.” While Batman looks to continue his domination as King of the comics movie kingdom, there’s still plenty of time for the “Lesser 2″ to firmly reestablish their supremacy. Here’s how all three should approach this battle of awesomeness.
If Hollywood is to be believed, originality is overrated. And since most film studios have single project budgets that rival the value of many small countries, they must be experts on the subject. So it’s no surprise when the video game industry focuses their efforts on making titles around existing characters; but while Hollywood is making quality films based on beloved comic book super heroes, it seems that the game companies just haven’t figured out how to invert the secret of the film’s success.
No matter why you are, or what made you one, if you’re a comic book fan you’ve got ample amount of reason to rejoice about how our favorite heroes are getting star treatment. Spider-Man 3 may not have made us fanboys jump for joy, but it made enough money with the general public to guarantee a sequel, and I have a knowing feeling that some of SM3’s excess cash is going to help fund even more Marvel movies. And let’s not forget The Dark Knight, which will most likely topple Titanic as the highest-grossing film of all time, its massive dollar signs was only matched by the rave reviews of critics that, for so long, shunned comic movies as another fading pop culture phenomenon. Even “indie” comic movies like Hellboy are doing well at the box office. In the rush to transport comics from the printed page to the silver screen, here are some of my favorites comic book characters that deserve their own movie franchise.
Within the complex dichotomy of heroes and villains there exists a complex, yet delicate tête-à-tête. This is staggeringly apparent in the medium of the comic book. Men and women in capes and masks chasing after dastardly malefactors in a never ending dance; but, what were to happened if one side were to end these tireless encounters? Is stopping evil as simple as locking it in a box? The answer is not as clear or as apparent as one would think.
Given runaway successes like Spider-Man 3 and The Dark Knight, both Marvel and DC are looking to launch several new comic movie franchises in the following years. Individual plans for movies featuring Wolverine, Magneto, Captain Marvel, Thor, and Captain America are all in the works, plus there is always Spider-Man 4 and the next Batman sequel to look forward to. There are even rumblings of a “reboot” Superman film, complete with dark and edgy atmosphere. But it’s in their best interest (both Marvel and DC) to realize that some superheroes should stay as far away from movie screens as possible.
I know what you’re all thinking: another Spiderman game that’ll be released for every system, oh boy. The previous three Spiderman games raise doubts and disappointment, but let’s try to treat this one as a separate entity. I know I’m taking a big risk, but I’m hoping this game won’t flop because it really seems to have a lot going for it.