So it seems as though DC finally has their film universe to rival Marvel, but what about the indie comics? There are a wealth of great publishers out there putting out fantastic material by diverse creators, and lately I find myself enjoying the indie stuff more and more. I thought it might be fun to make a list of underrated or overlooked indie comics that deserve CBMs and envision what they might look like on the big screen.
Have you read any of these? Did I miss any other awesome indie comics that need CBMs? Let me know in the comments below.
1. Suicide Risk
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Mike Carey
Artist: Elena Casagrande
Synopsis:
Leo Winters is an exemplary cop for the San Diego PD. He only wants to help and save lives. Lately, he's been seeing more and more superhumans and they all seem to be villains. So when he's offered a chance at superpowers of his own, he jumps at it, thinking he can offset the balance. Little does he know that the powers might come with some extra baggage. Is there a reason all the superhumans are villains? And is Leo destined for the same fate?
Fancast:
Director, Robert Rodriguez
Leo Winters, Joseph Gordon Levitt
Pros:
Recently, Fox, Sony and Warners have all attempted to introduce cohesive cinematic universes , following Marvel's example. If some other major film studio (such as Universal or Paramount) were interested in following in the footsteps of their predecessors, look no further than Suicide Risk. Writer Mike Carey built a vast superhero tapestry with interesting characters that would be great for introducing a universe. If BOOM! were to combine this series with their other popular superhero comic, Deathmatch, they'd have a huge pool of superheroes and villains ripe for the picking with all new and different characters for audiences to fall in love with.
Cons:
The first few issues of the comic introduce a large stable of characters, which can be daunting on the general audience, but the story stays mostly focused on the main character, Leo Winters, so it keeps the reader engaged. The superheroes seem to be reincarnated souls inhabiting characters' bodies, so they are all essentially 2 characters. If some of the more complex narrative were streamlined, it could definitely be awesome.
2. X
Publisher: Dark Horse
Writer: Duane Swierczynski
Artist: Eric Nguyen
Synopsis: X is a mysterious one-eyed vigilante who wears tactical gear, a mask (with a locked chain around his neck to conceal his identity) and a cape. X is the Punisher times ten, crossed with Jason from Friday the 13th. He is like Frank Castle in that he doles out relentless punishment to mobsters and gangsters in his fictional city of Arcadia. He is like Jason Vorhees because the comic is very violent and gory. It is not uncommon to see characters have their fingers or limbs sliced off by swords, in addition to many gun deaths and fatal explosions. He was created in the 90's by Steven Grant, but the definitive take on the character came with Duane Swierczynski's 2013 revival.
Fancast:
Director, David Cronenberg
X, Frank Grillo
Leigh, Natalie Dormer
Pros:
That this film would need an R rating is considered a Pro here since I believe the movie could be made on a budget to justify an R rating. Deadpool has paved the way. The perfect X film would combine the best aspects of 3 genres: Slasher films, gangster flicks, and action movies. X has no superpowers, so this is not a superhero movie, but there would be pelnty of fighting, blood and explosions. In the comic, Duane Swierczynski's introduction of the blogger, Leigh, as X's reluctant sidekick helps the character in a way the previous series failed to achieve: X is now much more likeable and relatable.
Cons:
The X comic book is extremely violent and X's motivations are largely bereft to the reader. Even with the inclusion of the blogger, Leigh, audiences may have a tough time relating to or accepting this character for what he does to his victims, no matter how depraved they may be.
3. Half Past Danger
Publisher: IDW
Writer: Stephen Mooney
Artist: Stephen Mooney
Synopsis:
In the summer of 1943, Staff Sergeant Tommy 'Irish' Flynn thought he was fighting monsters called Nazis. But when his platoon arrives on a remote island in the South Pacific, they find that the Nazis are in cahoots with an entirely different kind of monster -- Dinosaurs!
Flynn, the sole survivor from his platoon, is coaxed into returning to the island by a mysterious female MI6 agent named Huntington-Moss and her American counterpart, Captain John Noble. And when they set foot back on the island, there's even more in store for them than just Nazis and Dinosaurs.
Fancast:
Director, Stephen Spielberg
Sergeant Tommy "Irish" Flynn, Colin Farrell
Captain John Noble, Chris Evans
Huntington-Moss, Hayley Atwell
Pros:
Dinosaurs! Who doesn't love dinosaurs? Also, it's a World War II period piece. Combine those 2 things and you can't really go wrong. I cast Stephen Spielberg as Director just so we could all envision a world where Jurassic Park and Saving Private Ryan are the same movie. WHAAAAT!!!
Cons:
One of the main characters, Captain John Noble, bears a striking resemblance to a certain other "Captain" we know from another universe. He doesn't wear a costume, but he has similar blonde hair, similar face, similar build and similar super-soldier type powers. He bears such a strong resemblance, that comparisons would have to be made. I even cast Chris Evans as Captain John Noble in the fan cast.
4. Zero
Publisher: Image
Writer: Ales Kot
Artist: Various
Synopsis: Raised from childhood to be a ruthless, thoughtless killer, Edward Zero spent most of his life thinking he was at least killing for the right side. But when he finds out the truth, it sends him over the edge and he does eveything in his power to escape it. Zero follows the exploits of the titular spy in the moments leading up to his defection and what happens after. It's a mind-bending, time jumping, sci-fi/spy book that keeps the reader gripped and forces them to question the true motivations behind governments going to war.
Fancast:
Director, David Lynch
Edward Zero, Leonardo Dicaprio
Pros:
One of the great aspects of the series is that writer Ales Kot uses a new artist each issue. I think the film could follow that basic structure, using a variety of different film techniques, from High Quality HD, to low quality security camera shots and 70's looking 8mm shots. The comic is big on action, but more focused on the toll that violence takes on the protagonist, both physically and emotionally. It could be a polarizing and thought provoking film.
Cons:
It might be difficult for general audiences to get behind. I would envision it as James Bond crossed with a David Lynch film. It’s definitely strange, and the final arc of the series kind of went off the deep-end with its utter weirdness. Still, I think the bones are there and the story needs to be told in another medium.
5. Paper Girls
Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Artist: Cliff Chiang
Synopsis:
Brian K. Vaughan, creator of Saga and Marvel's Runaways, has returned with a great new story about local paper delivery girl Erin, who by chance encounter, meets fellow paper girl Mackenzie and her friends on "Hell Morning," November 1st, 1988, just as a portal opens in the sky of their town allowing nefarious beings to pass through. Throughout their adventure, they encounter pterodactyls, deformed ninja creatures, cyborg warriors and more.
Fancast:
Director, Fred Dekker
(The girls in the book are 12, and I don't know anything about pre-teen actresses)
Pros:
It has a Goonies/Monster Squad vibe that, as a child of the 80's, I think is just rife with potential. If not Fred Dekker, get the guys from Turbo Kid to direct it.
Cons:
Vaughan is a master storyteller who always crafts heartfelt and thoughtful stories. I can't really think of any cons and I would be surprised if this doesn't get optioned very soon.
6. We Can Never Go Home
Publisher: Black Mask
Writer: Matt Rosenberg
Artist: Patrick Kindlon
Synopsis:
Another 80's period piece, this book is about an outcast boy and a popular girl from the same high school who are forced to go on the run together when they accidentally reveal their nascent superpowers to the public by murdering a classmate. At first, they think it's kismet and they're destined to be together, but they soon discover how little they actually know about each other and how little they can trust each other.
Fancast:
Director, Michael Mann
Duncan, Justin Bieber
Madison, Selena Gomez
Pros:
The book has a mixtape of classic 80's punk songs, so the soundtrack is already complete. It's like a twisted cross between SLC Punk and Natural Born Killers, but with superpowers. Bieber and Gomez might seem like an odd choice for an 80's movie, but the main protagonist has some underlying insecurities that I think the Biebs could pull off.
Cons:
It's possible that only a niche audience can fully appreciate a coming-of-age high school love story about the 80's counter-culture. Like SLC Punk, it will need to be done on a low budget and will be relegated to cult classic status. It might work
really well for a TV series. Maybe for FX or AMC.