Source Material Deviations: The Top 5 Greatest

Source Material Deviations: The Top 5 Greatest

Source material changes... those words make us shudder, but should they? Here are a list of top 5 Greatest Deviations from source material.

Editorial Opinion
By Woodinator - Mar 29, 2013 10:03 AM EST
Filed Under: Other


When it comes to source material deviations in a CBM there's really only two ways that can turn out; AWESOME! or HORRIBLE.

I have compiled here a list of Top 5 CBM source material deviations. This list should show that changing the content from the comics isn't always a bad thing.

#1) THE SECRECY OF HELLBOY

The Source: In the original comic books Hellboy tends to just walk around and do whatever he wants. There aren't many (if any) instances of people freaking out at the sight of this large red man with horns. The tone (though the stories are very dark) is a light hearted almost whimsical approach to Hellboy's existence in the eyes of the public.

The Film Deviation: In the movie we find Hellboy is a BIG secret. The B.P.R.D. keep him locked away unless needed to dispense of the occasional supernatural pest. The only time the outside world gets a look at him is through the blurry (Bigfoot like) pictures that pop up from time to time in a trashy tabloid.

Why It Works: First off, this just makes more sense. It sheds a layer of weird off of the final product that always felt wrong to me in the comics. It also adds a neat feel to HB's adventures as he is transported from place to place in a big blue garbage truck, it gives off this "poor man's James Bond" vibe that just works with our beloved cigar smoking , beer drinking hero. Lastly it enabled for a great story arc to take place in the sequel where after HB is revealed to the world the reception he receives is that of a strange hatred from the people he's been protecting (which is really how people would respond).

#2) EBEN AND STELLA'S RELATIONSHIP

The Source: In the 30 Days of Night Graphic Novel, Eben and Stella are a happily married couple who are deep in the throws of love. They sit together watching the sun set as the story (and the literal 30 Days of Night) begins.

The Film Deviation: In the film Eben and Stella have been separated for sometime (for reasons never really revealed). The tension of their failed marriage permeates the entire story even as the sit and watch the sunrise as Eben bursts into flames.

Why It Works: The heavy tension of Eben and Stella's relationship allows for a very human emotional reaction that was not present in the books. Seeing Eben step up his game to save the lives of those around him reminds Stella of why she loved him in the first place. Due to their re-connection during the second act of the film, Eben's choice and death become much more powerful on the screen.

#3) V FOR VENDETTA'S SETTING

The Source: The original story is set in the 1990s and was created as a response to British Thatcherism in the early '80s and was set as a conflict between a fascist state and anarchism

The Film Deviation: The film is set sometime between 2028 and 2038. The film's story has been changed by the Wachowskis to fit a more modern political context. In short it was looking ahead instead of looking back.

Why It Works: While Alan Moore would argue that these changes stole the heart of his work, I personally believe they added a lot of depth to an already great story. It left the audience with an awe and wonder of whether or not such control could ever happen in our own future and whether or not a terrorist could actually be a hero in the correct political climate. Telling the story from the past (or even the present) takes those questions away from the audience... and I believe that would be a disservice.

#4) JOKER'S ORIGIN

The Source: The comic book formula for Joker is fairly simple. Gangster + Batman + Acid bath= Crazy Clown Prince of Crime.

The Film Deviation: The film version... Not so much. The origin from the film's Joker is, well, we don't know! It's multiple choice. It could be A, B, or C. My money however is on D: None of the above. All we really know is that acid played no part in his creation and there are scars making that smile instead of plastic surgery gone a rye.

Why It Works: Some would say it works because it grounds the Joker in reality. I, however believe that it worked so well because it gave him (what most CBM characters are missing) a hint of mystery. What is scarier than a nut-ball anarchist clown with a twitchy trigger finger? A nut-ball anarchist clown with a twitchy trigger finger that you know nothing about. The Dark Knight was a great film (in part) because it wasn't bogged down with another boring origin story.

#5) 300's POLITICAL CLIMATE AND BETRAYAL

The Source: The original material focused almost exclusively on the Spartan's and their battle against the Persians.

The Film Deviation: The movie added an extra layer of political tension and intrigue within the counsel that occurred during the Spartan's Battle.

Why It Works: Simply put, it gave a solid backbone to the battle that we all loved watching. Without the political elements beefed up the story would have felt flat and uninterested. Due to the heavy focus on the trials that Lena Heady's character was dealing with at home, the film felt interesting and intelligent instead of just being an overpowering action film.

Whether you like source material changes or they make you grown in pain, I hope you enjoyed the list. What are your favorite source material deviations? Leave them below.

Until next time, Woodinator

COMING SOON: TOP 5 WORST SOURCE MATERIAL DEVIATIONS!
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Spideyguy94
Spideyguy94 - 3/29/2013, 10:51 AM
I think v for vendetta is a good movie on its own. But as a adaptation it's a complete bastardisation of the source material, what it lacks is the greyness of the comic. In the comic we don't know if v is the good guy of he's just insane and doesn't know what he's talking about.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 3/29/2013, 11:35 AM
Levi is right.

There have been a lot of explanations of Joker's origins, but its been hinted that the Joker himself has lied about it so many times that maybe he himself doesnt even know for sure.
Woodinator
Woodinator - 3/29/2013, 12:05 PM
Thanks, Imadick... correction has been made. Sorry that my spelling error detracted from your enjoyment of the article.
Woodinator
Woodinator - 3/29/2013, 12:11 PM
I am aware that many iterations of Joker's origin have occurred over the years (as is the case with most comic book characters) but the traditional origin is:

A man named Jack had a pregnant wife, and they lived in a rundown tenement on the far side of Gotham City. In an effort for money, Jack resorted to a life of crime and began placing himself in mob affairs. One night, the mob hires two men to kill Jack. The men let Jack do their wishes under the alias Red Hood. His costume consisted of a large domed red helmet and a red cape. During the robbery, the plant's security guards spot the intruders and shoot the other criminals dead. The engineer tries to flee, but Batman appears and corners him on the plant's catwalk. Terrified, he jumps off the catwalk into the chemical basin to escape,and swam to freedom, surviving because of a special breathing apparatus built into the helmet. The toxins in the vat permanently and grotesquely disfigured him, turning his hair green, his skin white and his lips red. Upon discovering this, he went insane, and became the Joker.

Regardless of that, the point of Nolan deviating from the source material was that he didn't take the time to take us through another overdone boring origin story and his use of scars and face paint instead of chemical disfigurement.
Woodinator
Woodinator - 3/29/2013, 12:13 PM
@ JokerFAn - There are MANY that have a deviated from the source to become both a financial success and amazing works in their own right. This is just my top 5.

GOOD CALL on The Mask though, I didn't even think about that one.
Tainted87
Tainted87 - 3/29/2013, 1:57 PM
Watchmen.

One of the most faithful adaptations ever, up to a fault...

But the best deviation: not having the giant alien squid teleport in and psychically kill all of Manhattan before dying almost instantaneously. It would have been amazingly stupid.
--

An inverse - Green Lantern trying to adapt Secret Origin and dramatically deviating away from the material because too many ideas were running around in the kitchen that was the script. If they had stuck with Secret Origin, it would have been perfection.
TheLokey1
TheLokey1 - 3/29/2013, 1:59 PM
I know most of you don't like this movie, but I thought that in ghost rider sov having anything the rider controls be powered by hell fire was a nice touch.
marvel72
marvel72 - 3/29/2013, 4:18 PM
fox x-universe nuff said.
GuardianDevil
GuardianDevil - 3/29/2013, 4:42 PM
I could pretty much add everything that had happened in X-Men films so far, that and the fact that Captain America wasn't one of the Avengers the first time they fought Loki. Neither was Clint or Natasha for that matter...

But, hey still loved it. Differer from the source, but cool movie nonetheless.
GuardianDevil
GuardianDevil - 3/29/2013, 4:43 PM
*differed
marvel72
marvel72 - 3/29/2013, 6:00 PM
@ fenix122

but captain america did join the team in issue 4 which was early on,also the ultimates cap,hawkeye & black widow were in the first team in the ultimate universe.

the marvel cinematic universe is elements from both universes.
TheManFromMars
TheManFromMars - 3/29/2013, 6:22 PM
I agree with JokerFan about The Mask.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 3/29/2013, 7:29 PM
Woodinator

Yeah, the part about the Red Hood falling in the chemicals is pretty much the same for all of the possible origins of Joker, mainly because Batman was involved at that point, so its not something that can change, or that Joker can make up.

But there's the origin that you described very well. There's another one that said he was already in the mob and he tried to kill the head boss and ended up getting a hit put out on him. There's the one that said he was a failed comedian who turned to crime so he could make a living and became the Red Hood.

Im sure there are a few more, but JokerFan deacribed it best because he took the words straight from the joker. In his mind, his memories are multiple choice. Like he was so scarred from falling in ghe chemicals (because that is the one thing that is the same in all his origins) that he truly doesn't even know for sure who he was before that happened.

Now again, that could all be a load of crap too, because the Joker is constantly screwing with people. The funny thing is, everyine thinks Joker is crazy, but the fact of the matter is that he's the farthest thing from it.
Woodinator
Woodinator - 3/29/2013, 7:58 PM
Thanks to all for the input! I plan on posting the second part of this article: Top 5 Worst Source Material Deviations next week. That should stir up the hornet's nest. Lol
RobGrizzly
RobGrizzly - 3/29/2013, 10:21 PM
Very good article! Joker is slightly arguable, but I agree on everything
I'm hoping 1-5 is in ascending order of quality, because it seems the movies are better and better for the changes, as you go down the list. 300 should definitely be the #1 best source deviation.

Hoping to see Watchmen on the worst list. That movie was doing so well, and then when they do decide to make a change, its at the end, and kind of defeats the whole point of the Ozzy's plan!
GuardianDevil
GuardianDevil - 3/30/2013, 1:29 AM
@Marvel72
True, but you see Cap America didn't join until AFTER the avengers had defeated Loki and Hulk had called it quits. Like I said doesent matter much for the films because it worked great for the movies.
breakUbatman
breakUbatman - 3/30/2013, 3:59 AM
Speaking of the Hellboy franchise how about the Red/Liz relationship or the total reinvention of Abe Sapien and Kroenen
Woodinator
Woodinator - 3/30/2013, 7:12 AM
@BreakUBat, Hellboy was full of great Deviations so I just picked the one that I felt had the greatest impact on the tone of the film.

@Rob Grizzly, they are listed in no particular order. If I had to pick a personal favorite as far as impact and tone it would probably be Eben and Stella from 30 Days of Night. As far as whether or not Watchmen will make the next list... I guess you'll have to wait and see.
marvel72
marvel72 - 3/30/2013, 8:37 AM
@ Fenix122

not having captain america,iron man & thor in an avenger film would be like not having superman,batman & wonder woman in a justice league movie or an x-men movie without cyclops,jean grey & beast.

eh,hold on a sec x-men first class but you can see what i'm getting at.
GuardianDevil
GuardianDevil - 3/30/2013, 7:33 PM
@Marvel72
I wasn't saying they should have an Avengers film without Cap...but it IS considered a deviation from the source.

I agree that an Avengers movie without Captain America wouldve been incredibly stupid, which is why I said it goes along with this list. It wasn't true to the comics, but it worked better that way.
Woodinator
Woodinator - 3/31/2013, 8:04 PM
Thanks Fangz!
AC1
AC1 - 4/1/2013, 10:47 AM
Yeah, in the comics we know Joker was the Red Hood, fell into a vat of acid, and Batman was involved. We don't know why he was there, we don't know whether he was the Red Hood as an acomplice or a fall-guy, and we know nothing of his prior life. All we know is a guy turned up in that factory wearing that red hood, fell into a vat of acid, and popped back out as a psychotic clown.
AC1
AC1 - 4/1/2013, 10:48 AM
Also, the V For Vendetta changes were made because the original was written at a time when the '90s were the future. Obviously, the '90s had passed by the time the movie was made.

Still, nice article.
johnblake
johnblake - 4/4/2013, 6:42 PM
didnt know if anybody agreed with me. i do like the route V for vendetta movie took and ive enjoyed both. think the movie was better.
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