Top 5 Films Based on Comic Books

In recent years comic book-inspired films have taken the world of cinema by storm, with blockbusters such as Marvel's Avengers, DC’s Justice League and many more. But this new wave of comic-based big-screen action doesn’t end with the Marvel and DC powerhouses. Throughout the history of cinema, there have been a plethora of titles inspired by smaller comics from an unsuspecting American football player saving the earth, to a hornless half-demon fighting off Nazis, can you guess what we're talking about?

We've assembled a list of some of our favourite comic book film adaptations, so sit back and enjoy. Fair warning though - this may contain some spoilers.

1. 300

If you were expecting a historically accurate representation of ancient Greece and its people, then you might be a little disappointed. But that is not to say that this non-stop action, gore fest blockbuster falls short by any means! Based on the 1998 comic series of the same name by Frank Miller, 300 is an intense cocktail of bravery, brotherhood and sacrifice that's sure to keep you on the edge of your seat as you witness the last stand of King Leonidas I and his 300 Spartans as they hold back Xerxes and his immense Persian Army.

2. Flash Gordon

This cult classic sci-fi adventure is based on the Flash Gordon comic strip first seen in 1934 and produced by Alex Raymond. Flash Gordon follows the adventures of an American football player, yes you guessed it, Flash Gordon (Jones) as he leaves earth with his two companions, Dale Arden and Dr Hans Zarkov. You follow this trio to the planet Mongo as they unite the planets warring factions and stop the evil emperor Ming’s plan to destroy the Earth.

3. Hellboy

Hellboy’s first appearance was in the San Diego Comic-Con Comics #2 in 1993 and has since appeared in various comic miniseries and one-shots. It wasn’t until 2004 that we got a live-action feature-length film. Simply titled ‘Hellboy’, we are introduced to the big red half-demon with a right hand of stone and horns filed down to stumps. Armed with abilities and guns that seem to defy the laws of physics and a killer backstory, Hellboy and his companions battle against a rising evil. Since the success of the first film, there have been two more Hellboy films in 2008 and 2019.

4. Kingsman

Forget Mr Bond, there’s a new kid on the block. Starring Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Firth and Michael Caine, this star-studded enterprise is based on the Kingsman comic book by Mark Miller and Dave Gibbons. Kingsman: The Secret Service is the first of three Kingsman films to date, with a sequel released in 2017 and a prequel released a couple of years later in 2021. Kingsman: The Secret Service follows young Eggsy as he is put through the tests of, and initiated into the Kingsman Secret Service.

5. V for Vendetta

Starring Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman, V for Vendetta is a grimdark action set in a dystopian Britain. Originally based on the 1988 Vertigo Comics series of the same name by Alan Moore, David Lloyd and Tony Weaver. The plot follows V, a masked anarchist fighting to free the nation from the iron fist of an oppressive state, and Evey Hammond, a young woman that gets caught up in V’s elaborate plot to bring down the government.

So, that concludes our short list of the best films based on comic books. If you have any other suggestions of films based on comic that you like, let us know on our Facebook at WeBuyBooks! Got some unwanted comic books to sell? Drop us an email at info@webuybooks.co.uk with a list of what you are looking to sell and a couple of pictures, and we’ll get straight back to you with an offer.