Manchester Black

[FirestormTheNuclearMan]

[IMG]

It would be excellent to see him on the big screen in a Superman movie.

[DonC]

No, it wouldn't. He was a one-note villain who served his purpose. Moviegoers would need to understand why he appeared in the comics (to show that Superman didn't need to be a hyper-violent killer to still do good in late 1990s and early 2000s comics) to get his story.

[ascended]

No, I disagree. I think the concept of Black works outside of the era he was created in. Its the tale of "how far do you go? And do the ends justify the means?" That sort of mindset certainly applies today. Just look at the mess we were/are in with Gitanimo (sp?) Bay and the concept of torture. Black easily works as well today as he did then, even if the comics industry has moved away from the anti-hero movement that defined the 90's and early 00's.

Granted, there are a ton of other villains I would rather see on the big screen, (most of them in fact) but Black could still work.

But the whole Elite story is going to be in a direct to dvd animated release this year sometime, and that's not bad for a "one-note villain" right? I'm happy to see him in animation and leave him there. Now, if only DC could bring him back into the comics.

[Zak213]

It would be a cool idea because you gotto keep supes fresh in the villians he faces so using an obscure guy like Manchester can work from time to time.

[Retro315]

I'd like to see Manchester turn up again, actually. Not in the films, though. Too many legends and icons for that who deserve a turn. But apart from his original appearance, the idea of this Sid Vicious-esque guy, almost another "version of Superman", anti-authoritarian, but anti-establishment as well. For justice, but capable of being lethal. He's got the same beliefs as Superman, just pushed too far into rebel behavior and rowdy mayhem. I think that would play really nicely with Morrison's current Superman. And even the themes mix nicely, "Springsteen Superman" vs. "Sex Pistols Manchester", these two kind of working class blokes with chips on their shoulder - even a bit of "countryboy" vs. "punk" to go with the America vs. England obvious overtones in their origins/personal themes.

Maybe Black thinks Superman's too soft because he's too busy making messy scenes to realize that Superman is a lot smarter than his punk self and is doing things on many levels. It relates back to his JL: Elite thing pretty nicely, I think.

[Let's Kill Hitler]

I'd rather see Jenny Sparks and the Authority on the big screen than Manchester Black and the Elite.

[The Frozen Reptile]

Toyman or Myxlptlk would be awesome in a movie...so would the Parasite or the Composite Superman.

[FirestormTheNuclearMan]

Toyman or Myxlptlk would be awesome in a movie...so would the Parasite or the Composite Superman.

Yes to all but Toyman.

[Thor-Ul]

Yes to all but Toyman.

With the right writer, even Toyman could be great.

[Last Son]

For me to accept him in a movie, he'd have to be pretty heavily reimagined. I just don't see the appeal to him or how Superman would have any trouble stopping him. Mxy, on the other hand, could be interesting, as long as the movie isn't nothing but a bunch of goofy pranks that turns the whole thing into a comedy.

[Zak213]

i think he could work but i think it would work better if there was a generation gap like in the original rather than them being contemporaries.

[Thor-Ul]

If the animated movie works, I think is very possible to see again the Elite, maybe even associated to Stormwatch.

[Robotman4]

i think it would work. it's not like that whole "superheroes need to be badass" and "Superman is a boring boy-scout" talk has/or ever will go away. yes, the character and The Elite were created to represent the superheroes of a certain era (90s-early 2000s), but people occasionally need to be reminded why Superman matters.

[Thor-Ul]

Maybe they would start working along Superman, because they admire him, but later the Elite would began to think Superman don't do enough to stop crimes and they decide go furhter, Then Superman must fight a monster he himself helped to create.

[DantePD]

I think Black could work REALLY well for the films in the hands of the right writer. (And seeing Action #775 adapted would be satisfying for those of us who get deeply sick of the "Superman needs to be more badass, like Batman!" stuff.)
I'd like to see Morrison take a crack at him in Action...