The Best Comic to TV Adapatations

Dr. Furball · 01-06-2010, 03:10 PM

Ever since before most of us can remember, comics have been adapted to the small screen many, many times, in both animation and live-action.
Some...weren't so great (Spider-Man Unlimited, anyone?). Others retold classic stories in new ways and sometimes improved on the source material.
In your opinion, what were the best ones?

As far as accuracy goes, I gotta hand it to the Sam & Max cartoon of the late 90s. It emulated the comics incredibly well. The running gags, overall mood, sense of humor, and characterization were lifted straight from Steve Purcell's original stories, despite being a kid's show based on a comic for teens and adults. I'd even go as far to say that the titular duo are written more accurately here than they are in the recent games.

The Spectacular Spider-Man is another good one, in how it takes the original stories from the 60s, modernizes them for today's audience, while changing enough to keep fans guessing while still keeping the spirit of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's stories intact. Heck, it's the only Spider-Man adaptation that starts Peter off in high school!

I didn't mention Batman: The Animated Series since I need to refresh my memory on it. But don't let that stop you guys. Discuss!

Metal Mario · 01-06-2010, 08:58 PM

My favorite live-action adaptation would be Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Great show. It was both dramatic and light-hearted where appropriate, and it also managed to present Superman with a credible challenge or threat every week while resorting to kryptonite only two or three times per season. Very creative and imaginative. It's a shame they ended it after four seasons.

As for my favorite animated adaptations:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003)
Spider-Man (1981)
Spider-Man (1994)
The Spectacular Spider-Man
Batman: The Animated Series
The Batman
Justice League Unlimited

And an honorable mention to both X-Men (1992) and Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

t3hDarkness · 01-06-2010, 11:38 PM

I don't think I've ever seen one that at least passable when compared to the source.

**Valigarmander** · 01-06-2010, 11:43 PM

Batman: The Animated Series.

Hamill as the Joker should be reason enough.

Metal Mario · 01-06-2010, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t3hDarkness

I don't think I've ever seen one that at least passable when compared to the source.

Then you need to watch the shows that I listed.

Panfan · 01-08-2010, 05:06 PM

Batman: TAS
Batman Beyond
X-Men
Spider-Man
Smallville

And nobody's mentioned The Tick? For shame.

Benaitiaya · 05-20-2010, 10:58 PM

i did not seen it yet

01-06-2010, 03:10 PM	#1
Dr. Furball Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mad Science Academy, 12th Floor Gender: Posts: 1,125 Thanks: 185 Thanked 97 Times in 60 Posts	The Best Comic to TV Adapatations Ever since before most of us can remember, comics have been adapted to the small screen many, many times, in both animation and live-action. Some...weren't so great (Spider-Man Unlimited, anyone?). Others retold classic stories in new ways and sometimes improved on the source material. In your opinion, what were the best ones? As far as accuracy goes, I gotta hand it to the Sam & Max cartoon of the late 90s. It emulated the comics incredibly well. The running gags, overall mood, sense of humor, and characterization were lifted straight from Steve Purcell's original stories, despite being a kid's show based on a comic for teens and adults. I'd even go as far to say that the titular duo are written more accurately here than they are in the recent games. The Spectacular Spider-Man is another good one, in how it takes the original stories from the 60s, modernizes them for today's audience, while changing enough to keep fans guessing while still keeping the spirit of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's stories intact. Heck, it's the only Spider-Man adaptation that starts Peter off in high school! I didn't mention Batman: The Animated Series since I need to refresh my memory on it. But don't let that stop you guys. Discuss!

01-06-2010, 08:58 PM	#2
Metal Mario Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Gender: Posts: 16,435 Thanks: 72 Thanked 190 Times in 127 Posts	My favorite live-action adaptation would be Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Great show. It was both dramatic and light-hearted where appropriate, and it also managed to present Superman with a credible challenge or threat every week while resorting to kryptonite only two or three times per season. Very creative and imaginative. It's a shame they ended it after four seasons. As for my favorite animated adaptations: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003) Spider-Man (1981) Spider-Man (1994) The Spectacular Spider-Man Batman: The Animated Series The Batman Justice League Unlimited And an honorable mention to both X-Men (1992) and Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

01-06-2010, 11:38 PM	#3
t3hDarkness Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: I weep oily black tears of joy. Gender: Posts: 7,590 Thanks: 119 Thanked 418 Times in 306 Posts Blog Entries: 5	I don't think I've ever seen one that at least passable when compared to the source.

01-06-2010, 11:43 PM	#4
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,755 Thanks: 1,649 Thanked 5,701 Times in 2,581 Posts Blog Entries: 20	Batman: The Animated Series. Hamill as the Joker should be reason enough.

01-08-2010, 05:06 PM	#6
Panfan AND HE PRAYS Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grayskull Gender: Posts: 18,806 Thanks: 1,405 Thanked 2,251 Times in 1,339 Posts Blog Entries: 15	Batman: TAS Batman Beyond X-Men Spider-Man Smallville And nobody's mentioned The Tick? For shame.

05-20-2010, 10:58 PM	#7
Benaitiaya Newbie Join Date: May 2010 Gender: Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	i did not seen it yet