Post-Batman and pre-XMen comic book films.

[Azrael]

What do you think are the best and the worst released in that period? As far as we remember there was a lot of cheese released in those days, with some films like Spawn being particularly bad, while others being entertainingly corny (like Street Fighter - yeah it's a VG movie, but one could classify it as "comic book" the same way Darkman or Underworld are more or less comic book films).

I still like The Shadow with Alec Baldwin (and its magnificent score, Batman-homage by Jerry Goldsmith), and I enjoyed the Darkman sequels with Arnold Vosloo.

[Gotham Knight]

The first Darkman is by far one of my favorite movies.

[thecolorsblend]

I dig on the Shadow.  It's sadly underrated.  I've often thought the basic movie as it is with a bit more flair with the camera would've gotten more attention at the box office.  As much as anything though, I think we can chalk this one up to bad timing.  The production had its fair share of challenges (not being able to shoot the proper ending, for one) but none of that would've necessarily been fatal if it had been released, say, in 1999 or thereabouts.  Right or wrong, audiences might've thought of the Shadow as a Batman ripoff (when the opposite is true, if anything).

Strangely, I think a Shadow movie would actually do very well nowadays.

I was something of a Spawn fan when the movie came out.  Imagine my disappointment.  It's still better than Tank Girl and Steel though (not that they set the bar very high or anything).

Aside from BR, I'd have to say that the Crow is probably the best comics movie from the 90's.  Mostly, comics adaptations from that period have a lot of similarities to the Special Olympics.

[johnnygobbs]

Apart from the Batman series (well at least the first three anyway, give or take Forever) my favourite comic-book related films of the 90s were:

The Rocketeer
Dick Tracy
The Mask
Blade
and to lesser degree The Phantom (not a great film, but it has its moments)

I would also include the first two Addams Family films too, although they are based on comic-strips as opposed to comic books, so I'm not sure they count.

The first two of the bunch I mentioned possess the type of pop-movie lightness and unmuddled simplicity that I feel is missing from many of today's comic-book films, and that I hope will be recaptured with the forthcoming Captain America film.  While I never expect (or want) Batman to be portrayed in a light, familly-friendly way there are some comic-book movies that would have benefitted from a less tortured, grim tone (i.e. Superman Returns and some of the X-Men movies).  Unfortunately, I find that even when directors do go for a lighter tone today it can come off rather ham-fisted as was the case with the Fantastic Four films.

[Batmoney]

Blade, The Mask, The Shadow and Mortal Kombat. Darkman is pretty good too.

[Azrael]

How could I forget The Crow and the two Addams Family movies?...

[phantom stranger]

I know Unbreakable has its detractors but I think it's an amazing take on the genre. Would love to see a sequel one day.

[Grissom]

I do enjoy Darkman, The Phantom, The Shadow, Blade, Dick Tracy, The Rocketeer. These I found were enjoyable superhero films.

[johnnygobbs]

I do enjoy Darkman, The Phantom, The Shadow, Blade, Dick Tracy, The Rocketeer. These I found were enjoyable superhero films.

Agreed Grissom.  Especially the last two.

[Grissom]

Thanks, johnny, I must say something about The Rocketeer, I actually received the VHS from an aunt of mine in the mid-90's and have seen it quite  a few times. I love the old throwback to 1930's, 1940's hollywood with some great action sequences. Joe Johnston directed this film and I have liked him ever since, he did some others like Honey I shrunk the Kids, JP3, Hidalgo and the upcoming Wolfman. He's a solid director and one that has a knack for great visuals, action sequences and characters.