Our Favorite Comics Adaptations (A Classic Comics Christmas 2007)

[Cei-U!]

Another great Classic Comics Christmas has come and gone, which means it’s time for me to post the results. First, the stats:

263 eligible votes were cast by our 25 participants this year.

The tally includes 57 movies (50 live action, 7 animated), 4 movie serials, 2 theatrical cartoon series, 10 TV movies or specials (5 live action, 5 animated), 32 TV series (13 live action, 19 animated), 3 individual episodes of TV series, 1 series of comedy sketches, 1 animated portfolio, 1 radio series, 1 Broadway musical, 1 spoken-word concert, 11 musical recordings (including 4 TV theme songs), 3 spoken word recordings, 1 series of novels, 6 novels (including 1 unpublished), 1 unproduced screenplay, 3 works of fine art, 1 coloring book, 4 games, 3 trading card sets, 3 sets of action figures, 2 indivudual action figures, 2 model kits, 5 miscellaneous toys, 5 miscellaneous collectibles, 4 articles of clothing and 1 hoax.

The top vote getters, receiving 7 votes each, are A Charlie Brown Christmas and the 1978 Superman movie. Second place saw a threeway tie between Batman: The Animated Series, the first Spidey movie and V for Vendetta, each with 6 votes. 5 votes earned the bronze for the campy 1960s Batman TV series, the Marvel Super-Heroes animated series, the Max Fleischer Superman cartoons, the animated Tick series and the second X-Men film.

4 votes: American Splendor, Batman Begins, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, Hellboy, The Rocketeer, Sin City and the X-Men trilogy.

3 votes: The Adventures of Superman TV series, the ’66 Batman movie, DuckTales, Ghost World, Justice League Unlimited and the ‘60s Spider-Man cartoon.

2 votes: The Adventures of Captain Marvel serial, Barbarella, the 1943 Batman serial, the ’89 Batman movie, Dick Tracy, Flash Gordon, A History of Violence, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Li’l Abner, the Mego Super-Hero toy line, Mystery Men, the Fleischer Popeye cartoons, the 1980 Popeye movie, Spider-Man 2, the entire Spider-Man trilogy and Elliot Maggin’s novel Superman: Last Son of Krypton.

1 vote: Everything else. (What, you think I’m gonna retype 127 names?)

And now, without further ado, the lists:

* Entry ruled ineligible

Aaron King

12. Spider-Man mask/shirt combo
11. Batman (1966 movie)
10. G-Men from Hell (2000 movie)
9. Marvel Super-Heroes (1986 RPG)
8. Marvel Legends (2006 RPG)
7. Spider-Man (2002 movie)
6. The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988 TV movie), The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989 TV movie) and The Death of the Incredible Hulk (1990 TV movie)
5. American Splendor (2003 movie)
4. Justice League Unlimited (2004-06 animated TV series)
3. The Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941 serial)
2. Batman: The Animated Series (1992-95 animated TV series)
1. Heroclix (2002- game)

benday-dot

12. Hellboy (2004 movie)
11. A History of Violence (2005 movie)
10. Popeye (1980 movie)
9. Village Green Preservation Society (1968 Kinks song)*
8. Nursing Home (2003 Barbier sculpture group)
7. Sin City (2005 movie)
6. Marvel Super-Heroes figures (early 1970s toys)
5. Ghost World (2001 movie)
4. The All-New Super Friends Hour (1977-78 animated TV series)
3. Fantastic Four: The Way It Began (1974 Power Record)
2. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 animated series)
1. Spider-Man (1967-70 animated TV series)

Cei-U!

12. Full Metal Alchemist (2003 animated series)
11. Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD (1998 TV movie)
10. It’s Superman! (2006 novel)
9. Dick Tracy (1990 movie)
8. Li’l Abner (1959 movie)
7. Batman (1966-69 TV series)
6. The Rocketeer (1991 movie)
5. Fantastic Four (1975 radio series)
4. Superman (1941-43 animated shorts)
3. Spider-Man (2002 movie)
2. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 animated TV special)
1. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993 animated movie)

Chris Nowlin

12. Blade (2006 TV series)
11. The Rocketeer (1991 movie)
10. X-Men: Evolution (2000-03 animated TV series)
9. The Tick (1994-97 animated TV series)
8. A History of Violence (2005 movie)
7. The Caped Crusader Caper (1972 “The New Scooby Doo Movies” episode)
6. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993 animated movie)
5. X2 [X-Men United] (2003 movie)
4. Batman Begins (2006 movie)
3. DuckTales (1987-90 animated TV series)
2. Batman: The Animated Series (1992-95 animated TV series)
1. Spider-Man 2 (2004 movie)

dan bailey

12. Premonition (2005 animated movie)
11. Do the Standing Still (1977 Table song)
10. Uzumaki (2000 animated movie)
9. Ghost Rider (1977 Suicide song)
8. Superman (1978 movie)
7. Batman (1966 Neal Hefti theme song)
6. American Splendor (2003 movie)
5. Marvel Super-Heroes Stickers (1967 bubble gum premiums)
4. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 animated TV special)
3. The Addams Family (1964-66 TV series)
2. V for Vendetta (2005 movie)
1. Marvel Super-Heroes (1966 animated TV series)

drcyclops

12. The Mask (1994 movie)
11. Spider-Man (2002 movie) and Spider-Man 2 (2004 movie)
10. The X-Men trilogy (2000, 2003 and 2006 movies)
9. From Hell (2001 movie)
8. Hellboy (2004 movie)
7. Fantastic Four (1967-68 animated TV series)
6. Heavy Metal (1981 animated movie)
5. Popeye (1980 movie)
4. Tank Girl (1995 movie)
3. Superman (1941-43 animated shorts)
2. Batman: The Animated Series (1992-95 animated TV series)
1. Mystery Men (1999 movie)

Dr. Hfuhruhurr

12. Super-hero postage stamps
11. The Flash (1990-91 TV series)
10. The Tick (1994-97 animated TV series)
9. The Overstreet Price Guide*
8. Legion of Super-Heroes (2006- animated TV series)
7. Superman (1978 movie)
6. Hellboy (2004 movie)
5. Saturday Night Live super-hero sketches
4. Justice League Unlimited (2004-06 animated TV series)
3. Superman: Last Son of Krypton (1981 novel)
2. Spider-Man 2 (2004 movie)
1. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993 animated movie)

To be continued...

[Cei-U!]

foxley

12. Challenge of the SuperFriends (1978 animated TV series)
11. Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995 movie)
10. Mystery Men (1999 movie)
9. Spark Roast Coffee hooded sweatshirt
8. Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron (1966 Royal Guardsmen song)
7. XXXenophile (1996 card game)
6. Footrot Flats: A Dog’s Tale (1987 animated movie)
5. Modesty Blaise (1965-96 novels)
4. Superman (1941-43 animated shorts)
3. Sandman: The Dream Hunters (1999 novel)
2. Batman: The Animated Series (1992-95 animated TV series)
1. Sin City (2005 movie)

Gingold

12. The Bizarro Jerry (1996 “Seinfeld” episode)

icctrombone

12. Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981-86 animated TV series)
11. Catwoman (2004 movie)
10. Marvel Super-Heroes (1966 animated TV series)
9. The Adventures of Superman (1952-58 TV series)
8. Duckman (1994-97 animated TV series)
7. X2 [X-Men United] (2003 movie)
6. V for Vendetta (2005 movie)
5. Daredevil (2003 movie)
4. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007 movie)
3. Batman (1989 movie)
2. Smallville (2001- TV series)
1. Superman (1978 movie)

Indigo Al

12. Manzinger-Z (1972-74 animated TV series)
11. Modesty Blaise (1966 movie)
10. Batman Begins (2005 movie)
9. The Orson Welles “Batman”hoax
8. The X-Men trilogy (2000, 2003 and 2006 movies)
7. The Spider-Man trilogy (2002, 2004 and 2007 movies)
6. Barbarella (1968 movie)
5. Marvel Super-Heroes (1966 theme songs)
4. Josie and the Pussycats (19nn theme song)
3. Batman (1966-69 TV series)
2. Wonder Woman (1976-79 TV series)

Kan-Man

12. It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman (1975 TV special)
11. Superman (It’s Not Easy) (2000 Five for Fighting song)
10. Marvel Super-Heroes (1966 animated TV series)
9. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973 animated TV special)
8. Justice League (2001-04 animated TV series) and Justice League Unlimited (2004-06 animated TV series)
7. The Road to Perdition (2002 movie)
6. Mego World’s Greatest Super-Heroes (1971-82 toy line)
5. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 animated TV special)
4. The Tick (1994-97 animated TV series)
3. Batman: The Animated Series (1992-95 animated TV series)
2. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966 animated TV special)
1. Batman Begins (2006 movie)

Lone Ranger

12. Tales from the Crypt (1972 movie)
11. Lash House (2004 unpublished novel)
10. The Rocketeer (1991 movie)
9. Super Hang-ups (1970s wall decorations)
8. Batman Begins (2006 movie)
7. Superman (1940ish H. J. Ward painting)
6. Batman: The Ultimate Evil (1996 novel)
5. Batman: Stacked Deck (1975 Power Record)
4. American Splendor (2003 movie)
3. Spider-Man (2002 movie)
2. Superman (1941-43 animated shorts)
1. The Tick (1994-97 animated TV series)

MDG

12. Flash Gordon (1936 movie serial) and Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (1940 movie serial)
11. Tales from the Crypt (1972 movie) and The Vault of Horror (1973 movie)
10. Marvel Super-Heroes (1966 animated TV series)
9. Batman trading cards (1960s)
8. American Splendor (2003 movie)
7. Superman (1941-43 animated shorts)
6. Superman (1978 movie)
5. Batman (1966-69 TV series)
4. Danger: Diabolik (1968 movie)
3. Ghost World (2001 movie)
2. The Adventures of Superman (1952-58 TV series)
1. Vaughn Bode's Cartoon Concerts (late 1960s one man show)

MWGallaher

12. Superman Meets Computer Crook Viewmaster reel
11. Robin (1968 Aurora model kit)
10. Reverse Flash t-shirt
9. Private Snuffy Smith (1942 movie)
8. Watchmen (unproduced screenplay)
7. The Red Tornado (1985 Kenner action figure)
6. Batman Scope (1967 toy)
5. 300 (2007 movie)
4. The Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941 serial)

Paradox

12. Superman Revenge Squad t-shirt
11. Blade Trinity (2004 movie)
10. Goat Inaction Figure (1990ish toy)
9. Josie and the Pussycats (2001 movie)
8. Charlie Brown’s All-Stars (1966 animated TV special)
7. Superman (1978 movie)
6. The Tick (1994-97 animated TV series)
5. Sin City (2005 movie)
4. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 animated TV special)
3. V for Vendetta (2005 movie)
2. The Rocketeer (1991 movie)
1. Li’l Abner (1959 movie)

prince hal

12. Dennis the Menace (1959-63 TV series)
11. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 animated TV special)
10. Marvel Super-Heroes (1966 animated TV series)
9. The Phantom (1996 movie)
8. Santa Claus is Coming to Town (animated TV special)*

Polar Bear

12. Super Powers (1984 animated TV series)
11. The Hulk: What Savage Beast (1996 novel)
10. Spider-Man (1967-70 animated TV series)
9. Green Lantern power ring (1990s collectible)
8. Shogun Warriors (1970s toy line)
7. Snoopy, Come Home (1972 animated movie)
6. Annie (1977-83 Broadway musical)
5. Flash Gordon (1980 movie)
4. Spider-Man “Electric Company” appearances (1971-77 TV series)
3. World’s Finest (2004 fan film)
2. The X-Men trilogy (2000, 2003 and 2006 movies)
1. Superman: Last Son of Krypton (1981 novel)

Red Oak Kid

12. Batman (1943 movie serial) and Batman and Robin (1949 movie serial)
11. Batman (1966 movie)
10. Batman trading cards (1960s)
9. The Adventures of Superman (1952-58 TV series)
8. Shazam! (1974-77 TV series)
7. Batman coloring book (1960s)
6. Ghost World (2001 movie)
5. Batman (1966-69 TV series)
4. Apocalypse… Now! (1996 “Superman” animated TV series episodes)
3. Popeye (1933-41 animated shorts)
2. Superman Slurpee cup (1970s promotional giveaway)
1. The Batmobile (1967 Aurora model kit)

Reptisaurus

12. Olympia, WA, Marvel mural
6. Marvel Colorforms (1983 play set)

Roquefort Raider

12. Perry Rhodan (1967 movie)*
11. Prince Valiant (1954 movie)
10. Jumbo Comicorama Compendiums*
9. Asterix et Cleopatre (1968 animated movie)
8. Cerebus (1980s animated portfolio)
7. Popeye (1933-41 animated shorts)
6. Spider-Man (2002 movie)
5. Objectif Lune and On a marché sur la lune (audio recordings)
4. Batman (1989? Voidoids song)
3. V for Vendetta (2005 movie)
2. The X-Men trilogy (2000, 2003 and 2006 movies)
1. Astérix et Obélix: Mission Cléopâtre (2002 movie)

shaxper

12. Silver Surfer (1998-99 animated TV series)
11. The Incredible Hulk (1978-82 TV series)
10. Super Powers: Galactic Guardians (1985 animated TV series)
9. Batman (1943 movie serial)
8. X2 [X-Men United] (2003 movie)
7. Superman (1978 movie)
6. Pryde of the X-Men (1989 animated TV movie)
5. Spider-Man (2002 movie)
4. DuckTales (1987-90 animated TV series)
3. Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-97 TV series)
2. V for Vendetta (2005 movie)
1. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993 animated movie)

Simon Garth

12. Batman (1966 movie)
11. Spider-Man (1967-70 animated TV series)
10. The Batmobile (Corgi toy)
9. X-Men (2000 movie)
8. Sgt. Rock (1980 XTC song)
7. Spider-Man (2002 movie)
6. X2 [X-Men United] (2003 movie)
5. The Crow (1994 movie)
4. Men in Black (1997 movie)
3. Justice League Unlimited (2004-06 animated TV series)
2. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006 movie)
1. Fantastic Four (2005 movie)

Slam Bradley

12. Ace the Bathound stuffed toy
11. Sin City (2005 movie)
10. DuckTales (1987-90 animated TV series)
9. The Tick (2001 TV series)
8. Hellboy (2004 movie)
7. Batman: The Animated Series (1992-95 animated TV series)
6. Batman (1989 movie)
5. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 Vince Gauraldi album)
4. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 animated TV special)
3. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966 animated TV special)
2. Mego World’s Greatest Super-Heroes (1971-82 toy line)
1. Batman (1966-69 TV series)

The Confessor

12. Dick Tracy (1990 movie)
11. Barbarella (1968 movie)
10. Batman Returns (1992 movie)
9. X2 [X-Men 2] (2003 movie)
8. Superman trading cards (1978-79)
7. Spider-Man (1967 TV series theme song)
6. Flash Gordon (1980 movie)
5. The Spider-Man trilogy (2002, 2004 and 2007 movies)
4. Superman Returns (2006 movie)
3. Superman II (1980 movie)
2. V for Vendetta (2005 movie)
1. Superman (1978 movie)

To be continued...

[Cei-U!]

As has been noted in previous years, the real fun of these Yuletide exercises is hearing the stories behind the selections. Here are links to the individual threads:

The Challenge
The First Day
The Second Day
The Third Day
The Fourth Day
The Fifth Day
The Sixth Day
The Seventh Day
The Eighth Day
The Ninth Day
The Tenth Day
The Eleventh Day
The Twelfth Day

Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who participated, urge those who submitted partial lists to complete their ballots and to wish everyone here at CBR and Classic Comics the very best 2008 they could possibly wish for.

Cei-U!
I summon the year-end roundup!

[Roquefort Raider]

Many thanks for this great Christmas tradition, Kurt!

Happy new year to you!

[Lone Ranger]

Great job Kurt. It was tons of fun.

If we had a Classic Comics Citizen of the Month contest, you'd win in landslide!

[foxley]

Thanks Kurt. It was great fun and made really think about what it is I enjoy in comic adaptations.

(And I still don't believe I was the person to nominate Sandman: The Dream Hunters. :p )

[Aaron King]

Wow, thanks for doing the extra legwork and getting exact titles and dates for things I left annoyingly nebulous.

You are like a bolt of lightning!

[Paradox]

Great job, sir! It was my first year and I must say, it was more fun than I figured it would be. Thanks for all your work, Kurt!

[MDG]

Very fun--surprising amount of things that I wouldn;t have though of. Or knew existed.

MDG

[Polar Bear]

I have to admit, my Netflix queue got considerably longer over the course of this thread.

Thanks, Kurt, for all your hard work! I'll look forward to next year's event!!

[benday-dot]

What can I say... you are the best Kurt. Don't know whether you are the heart and soul or the mind and the brain of this here fine Classic Comics forum. But take your pick... take it all... c-est vous!

[Cei-U!]

Originally Posted by benday-dot

What can I say... you are the best Kurt. Don't know whether you are the heart and soul or the mind and the brain of this here fine Classic Comics forum. But take your pick... take it all... c-est vous!

I think of myself as the spleen and medulla oblongata of the Classics Board. :D

Cei-U!
I summon Physiology 101!

[MWGallaher]

I've finished off my list for 2007. December was a very rough month for the Gallaher family, but things are looking brighter day by day. Thanks to all of you with whom I've shared the past year on the CBR forums, particularly this wonderful Classic Comics forum. Happy New Year to all my chums--and that's all of you!