Provides a historical survey of films based on graphic novels and comic books, focusing on 15 innovative films and film franchises that have been crucial to the development of this wildly popular film genre.
M. Keith Booker is Professor of English at the University of Arkansas. He is the author of numerous articles and books on modern literature, literary theory, television, and film including Monsters, Mushroom Clouds, and the Cold War (2001), Strange TV: Innovative Television Series from The Twilight Zone to The X-Files (2002), Science Fiction Television (2004), Alternate Americas: Science Fiction Film and American Culture (2006), Drawn to Television: Prime-Time Animation from The Flintstones to Family Guy (2006), From Box Office to Ballot Box: The American Political Film (2007), and Postmodern Hollywood (2007).
This entertaining study of the interactions between various media
starts with Superman: The Movie (1978) and concludes with such
recent work as 300, Spider-Man 3, Ghost Rider, and Fantastic Four:
Rise of the Silver Surfer. Booker has a broad knowledge of his
field. In 15 chapters he touches on some very interesting
work--e.g., the Batman films, Ghost World, Road to Perdition,
American Splendor, Sin City--analyzing many films in depth and
mentioning others in his lengthy introduction. Many scholars have
commented on some of these films, but this reviewer cannot think of
anyone else who deals with them in such detail. For example, Booker
may be the first critic to note that Howard the Duck (1986)--a film
that became a synonym for failure--actually made a small profit
when the international receipts were counted in. Even readers with
a preference for highly developed characters in meaningful historic
plot situations will acknowledge Booker's expertise. One cannot
help but note the impact on popular culture of the films he reels
off. Recommended. All readers, all levels.
*Choice*
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