Comic books excel at giving geeks fantasies. Mostly involving superpowers. And almost as often involving hot chicks with superpowers. The cinema industry has been using attraction for ages when it comes to movies, so, when comic book movies started becoming mainstream, it was only natural they’d tap into that fantasy pool when it comes to hot fictional barely clothed women. So let’s have a look at what drooling material it offered us so far and how it compares to the original.

Batgirl

Maybe not the best way to start the list considering Batman&Robin is full on camp and quite nauseating. But Alicia Silverstone was hot stuff at the time, she was exactly what you’d call a vixen. Sadly, there’s little of that in the movie as she’s relegated to being a minor underdeveloped character, and the suit doesn’t help at all. The comic book version doesn’t need rubber suits with nipples to fight crime.

Catwoman – Michelle Pfeiffer

The first Batman movie presented us with Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman. Michelle was (I would say she still is, despite the age) sultry, attractive and yet a departure from previous portrayals on TV (Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt). As far as the comic book goes, this was a lot closer(both in aspect and in style) than Halle Berry’s Catwoman.

Barb Wire

One of the earliest comic book inspired renditions of a tight clothed character, Barb Wire wasn’t too true to it’s source. Betting on an extremely popular Pamela Anderson and her cleavage, the film was not a huge success (to put it kindly). Pamela had the look, but had little of the attitude that defined comic book character (let’s say she wasn’t chosen for her acting skills).

The Fox

Wanted’s Fox was half action heroine, half object of desire. Angelina was far from the original portrayal of the character(no costume with fox ears, also white), but she put on her smooth persona, and displayed some cool. The original was more Halle Berry than Angelina (and a Bond style Berry might have handled the character better), but then again who would bet on Halle after the next item on the list happened?

Catwoman – Halle Berry

The one question on my mind after seeing this ridiculous attempt at a spin-off was “How can you go from Monster’s Ball to this?”. The costume was sexy, yet Halle seemed less attractive than in better movies when she had more clothes on. Not content with changing the aspect they went on to turning this classic villain to a do-gooder.

Elektra

To be honest, Elektra is a minor Marvel character. The fact that, after Daredevil bombed, the spin-off came together is all thanks to the charms of Jennifer Garner. Coming hot off the heels of Alias, and a romance with Ben Affleck,
the action heroine managed to be the one good thing about both movies. As far as staying true to the original, Garner does put on a red outfit, and she’s an assassin in both, but that’s about it.

Silk Spectre II

Well, when it comes to honoring the original, no one does it better than Zack Snyder, and Malin Ackerman is as close to the character in looks and mannerisms as you can get (though she is a bit, just a bit, younger). An she looks gorgeous in the black/yellow suit. Notable mention: Silk Spectre I – Carla Gugino (I always like when Carla shows how sexy she is).

Black Widow

As portrayed by Scarlett Johansson in Iron Man 2. Though the character has seen two incarnations, the movie went with the original redhead, Natasha Romanoff while at the same time acknowledging the existence of the second, by having the blonde Scarlett (predestined name?) play her. As with all minor Marvel characters, she might make more appearances as the franchises grow.

Sue Storm

Not exactly my first choice for playing a blonde older sister to a hot headed Johnny Storm, but Jessica Alba is always a treat for the eyes. We’ll refrain from commenting on her acting skills, her dyed hair, or any suppositions about how a Sue Storm – Reed Richards night in bed might go about. Honorable mention: Jessica Alba’s character in Sin City – less acting required, more sultry dancing.

Sand Saref

Frank Miller’s The Spirit might not be a great movie, but it has two good things going for it: Eva Mendes and Scarlett Johansson in fantasy role-playing attire. Eva Mendes is Sand Saref as far as femme fatales go, even if the original wasn’t a latina.

5. Dune

This one has priors. You remember Sting in a bikini right? Or, if you’re a bit a snob – David Lynch’s misunderstood adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel. This time, it seems to have Pierre Morel attached. He doesn’t have Lynch’s credentials, and nothing of his last two movies suggest he’d be up to it (Taken was a good action flick but no more, and From Paris, with Love almost, and i stress that word, made a good popcorn movie).

4. Fahrenheit 451

Ray Bradbury’s novel has also been adapted for the big screen previously, by none other than Francois Truffaut. Now, you get me someone of his caliber to direct, and a decent script and I’m all for another film, as I love Sci-Fi, but, as far as we know this might end up being an action movie. As far as Hollywood goes, we’re living a dystopian future right now.

3. Gulliver’s Travels

This one is pretty much a sure thing, being in post-production. But somehow I doubt Rob Letterman, director of Monsters and Aliens and Shark Tale is capable of bringing the Brit’s adventures to life. I’m sure it will look great, but I expect less subtext than the book had (call it a book for children if you like, I call it political allegory). Also, Jack Black in the lead role (I’m sorry to see an actress as talented as Emily Blunt in what I predict will be 2010′s Land of the Lost).

2. Atlas Shrugged

Now this is one dystopian future I’d like to see, but given some director’s recent failure in bringing a book to the big screen (Peter Jackson’s Lovely Bones), I don’t have much faith in it. It would require a pretty damn good director for Ayn Rand’s magnum opus, and a good cast. Considering it has the writer of the second Tomb Raider and Sahara attached, I don’t see it coming together yet.

1. Paradise Lost

Yes, you know it. Hollywood’s now turning to poems for inspiration. The writer has nothing under his belt, and the director, Scott Derrickson, is best know for the less than thrilling The Day the Earth Stood Still. I’d call this one dead in the water or a huge failure.

I’ve been away for a while. Did me good. Got my head clear. Nothing like some days at the beach, wind in the hair, water on my feet, and lots of pretty girls to look at.
Anyway, managed to finish reading Watchmen today. Must admit my built up expectations from all the praise going around in forums and pretty much everywhere on the Internet was exceeded. It truly is a literary accomplishment. Not to say it’s perfect. Some issues turned out to be less wholesome as others, and some characters, while well established, seemed to be written a bit shaky.
On the other hand, you can’t ignore the multitude of themes and philosophical issues raised by the comic, not to mention the large amount of easter eggs tossed in. And done so quite intelligently, using a plethora of visual and writing techniques. It’s amazing to realize just how many movies, TV shows, and even books were obviously inspired by this comic book(be it at a conscious or subconscious level, Watchmen has been quite influential). But I’m sure it’s not just this one, but a lot of Alan Moore’s work.
The upcoming movie, as seen from the amazing trailer everyone was so excited about a month ago or so, when realeased, looks to follow the comic as much as anything could. The cast is well chosen (I applaud the choice of Jackie Earle Haley for the part of Rorschach), the director is capable of bringing a comic book to life (as seen with 300). It certainly won’t be The Dark Knight at the box-office, might even be criticized, but I do feel it will be quite entertaining.