Fanboy Fisticuffs 001: Best Comic Book Adaptation

Posted on 03.3.13
Comics, Fanboy Fisticuffs, Featured, Film, John, Rod, Scott, The Geeks, The Shows
14 Comments

On our first episode Rod and Scott duke it out over which movie is the best adaptation of a comic book.

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Join us on our maiden voyage of Fanboy Fisticuffs. Each week we’ll be debating nerd topics that every self respecting fanboy should have hard and fast opinions on. On this weeks episode we talk about comic book movie adaptations. What makes a good one, what is always wrong about a bad one, which one is simply the best. Scott and Rod square off to not only choose thier favorite but also tear down the others selection.

Who is the winner?

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http://www.loungegeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/ff/FanboyFisticuffs_001.mp3

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denis

I strongly disagree that blade 2 is a bad movie.
denis

Hellboy 2 is better than 1.
denis

Kickass wins.
http://www.facebook.com/RodNunley Rod Nunley

Thanks for the comments guys. Next episode really kicks into high gear with more content and a streamlined format. Please keep listening and commenting.
http://www.facebook.com/j.alex.burns Joshua Alexander

I enjoyed the hell out of this podcast and I hope you guys can keep this going. Here’s what I would have liked…More from John. If John would have lead the podcast (Which I know he can) and have Scott and Rod playing up there sides. I see some great fun things coming because fanboys love to rank things.
http://www.facebook.com/sjpepper Scott Joshua Pepper

Definitely, guys, thanks for the feedback. We’re just warming up here (punch, punch!)
Nick B.

Scott Pilgrim and KICK ASS over SUPERMAN, IRON MAN, and BATMAN BEGINS? Nope!
http://www.facebook.com/sjpepper Scott Joshua Pepper

I’d daresay both of these over all 3, absolutely. Superman is fun, but it’s… dated and a geek relic (beloved, no doubt but still) and Batman Begins is also a great film but draws on too many ideas of who/what Batman was so it’s not a literal adaptation of Batman. Draws from Dark Night, Detective, etc. Still a great movie. Iron Man, yeah, that’s probably where I’d say we’re split. I agree, but it’s just a littttle below SP for me (but darn close!)
http://www.facebook.com/luis.carrerorodriguez Luis CarreroRodriguez

Great show guys, really gonna keep listening to this especialy since there is no more Loose Canon Comis.
http://www.facebook.com/johnny.neill28 Johnny Neill

Of this argument – Scott Pilgrim is the winner both as a better movie and a better argument. Why, you ask? When the Comic Love portion of Kick Ass is spelled out/listed, almost everything said could be spoken directly about Daredevil. The fight card was “Buscema VS Colon” or”Romita VS Kane” or something like that, and tehre were other creator nods that, though not pushed down my throat so as to make me nauseous (ooooh, delicate!) did feel wedged in as nods to self congratulatory catchers in the crowd. I haven’t read either comic, but that is my vote. Tim Burton’s BATMAN deserves more credit than you are giving it; when it was made, there was no template to work from and TB had only made two movies prior, so even he was feeling out his palette – all that aside, it’s still a pretty screwy movie about two insane weirdos.
Austin

I really enjoyed this new show, I love me some GeekBombast so i was already excited to hear John and Rod, but i also liked listening to Scott as well, i will be sure to check out the next episodes!
Grant Davis

Between the two I give it to Scott Pilgrim. What a brilliant translation of a comic that gives in to all of the playfulness but still constructs a smart, funny, heartfelt film. Greatest ever? Avengers. I can watch that over and over (and have) and still ‘marvel’ at the assembly of the team, build up to an epic battle, and passionate loyalty to the source material for the characters. Greatest film based on a comic character? The Dark Knight. Duh.
Sektos

Hay guys, great podcast

B4 get to the debate-
* Blade 2 IS DEFINITELY better than 2 (atleast for me), you guys are the first I’ve ever heard say 1 was better
* I enjoyed Watchmen, and think its a good adaptation of a very dense book that most think (and still do) is unfilmable
* Avengers (for me) is not very good film, and Im a Whedon fan too. It was very bland, with very little happening for most film, lack of threat of any kind, no or redone character arcs, 1D villain and Deus EX ending. It doesnt fit very well in timeline & after events of other films too. The deleted opening for Cap America is better to me than most of that film
* Bane wasn’t JUST a henchman, I always saw him as a partner to Talia. I’d definitely Argue that Bat Begins, DK & DKR are better “complete films” than either of your choices, but are not direct adaptations of course.
* V for Vendetta is G8T film perhaps I’d place this one as one best adaptation (watch Book vs Film of this on youtube)

TO THE DEBATE!!!
Scott Pilgrim is a dificult film for me. Certainly Edgar was a gd choice, and it shows in film, HOWEVER the handling of Ramona and terrible casting for Scott bring this film down for me as a film (which I saw first) and an adaptation (I do appreciate it more after reading book in marathon session BUT pales in comparison). Its hard when the Book takes place of over 1yr and has time to render the whole world, and film handles pretty well, but without relatable and interesting leads it can be difficult to watch

The book is so thouroughly and believably focused on the relationship of R&S with both being relatable and/or enjoyable to start with, and then you see their history and past (including supporting characters) adding layers and flaws to them that they have to fight to overcome and improve themselves>

Michael Cera plays a slightly less Michael Cera still with monotoned and non-commital attitude, that coupled with Romana remaining aloof and cold for majority of film makes them for most people (big part of film not doing well) and my self on many viewings not enjoy film. One of my Uni tutors put it best in that having a passive protagonist is incredibly hard to pull off, and usually doesn’t work. Scott in the book is enthusiastic and energetic alot, though lazy of course. He’s a guy who it is believable gained a number friends and potential love interests but couldn’t keep or attain a number of them due to his problems.

PS. Deleted scenes for the film would have helped film IMMENSELY (sick of CAPS yet ); The expanded swing set shows a happier Ramona and a self aware and honest Scott that, coupled with longer Eve discussion after coffee shop and extra moments of nega-scott through-out film, help to add layers and relatability to characters. Also would have loved if they used expanded ‘Garbage Truck’ & ‘Black Sheep’ shown on DVD/Blu-ray that shows shows enjoyment of R&S in 1st and both their old relationship issues in 2nd

Also I dont think Knives was ever the choice in the book, though she was originally in Movie. problem with this is it makes whole film (book) irrelavant and takes away from Knives own character arc in the two (plus in book she’s more stalker, with Kim being the other Love interest)

Kick-Ass
When it comes to Kick-Ass, having not read either before 1st viewing, I definitely enjoyed it more. KA is more relatable and likeable that Cera’s Scott (+ proactive), has Hit Girl & BD who are awesome throughout film, villians thru out are enjoyable and rest supporting cast is fun. The Ending is also better than the books (thou here u can argue themes of the two), and felt more rewarding than Scott’s (though I do love end fight etc of that film). It also handles its compressed timeline more effectively in relation to its characters.

Ultimately, KA as an adaptation is more successful I think, and I think that shows in Revenue, making twice as much as Scott internationally WHILST costing half as much. Pilgrim is better made and prehaps the better film, but its let down by the interpretation (and acting) of the leads. Its the community of films (without the great leads) – It tries to be so different and ‘skip’ the stables of sitcom ie romantic relationships and their developement (plus characters), that it loses ALOT of people. Say what you will about Big Bang, but the Sleaze & pathetic Howard is now one of the more matured characters & married, Lenoard is more confident and has successful love life, and Sheldon has become more understanding and emotional plus is too in a relationship he is working hard on. Penny is smarter, and one of the gang, and there is now two additional gd main female characters
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001422550717 Luis Diaz

I have to say Scott was really close for the win but, when John mentioned “TMNT” I threw my hands in the air and said TOUCHDOWN!!. Even though TMNT is just a convoluted mix of adaptations of Comics (both Archie, and the Eastman& Lairds comics) and 90′s cartoon. It still satisfied me.

Fanboy Fisticuffs 001: Best Comic Book Adaptation

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