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Who hasn't read a Comic book and thought to themselves "This would make a GREAT film"? the film industry took note and gave us Batman, Superman, The Fantastic Four, X-Men, Casper and The Hulk to name but a few. Even The Twilight Zone joined the growing market and is one of the first ever to make it onto the screen with real-live action. The list is by no means exhaustive nor does it look like coming to an end any time soon. D.C comics, Manga, Marvel and many more have made the leap of faith into our Cinemas. Below are a few of my favourites.

BATMAN. DC Comics. First appeared in 1939.
Batman was one of the first Comic book heroes to reach the big screen in 1966 with BATMAN: THE MOVIE but this film is not recognised as a direct adaptation. Later in 1989 Tim Burton would bring our Hero flying back with Batman, a darker and more serous film than the 1966 version. With Michael Keaton (White Noise) in the title role and Kim Basinger (LA Confidential) as his beautiful Vicky Vale we were offered a film that emulated its Comic book birth. Jack Nicholson (As Good As it Gets) as the irreverent and hysterical Joker is a joy to behold. Riding high on the success of Tim Burtons 1989 film we were then treated to BATMAN RETURNS once again directed by Tim Burton in 1992. Again Michael Keaton took the leading role, this time along with Michelle Pfieffer (I am Sam) as the purrrfectly gorgeous Cat Woman, Danny DeVito (Drowning Mona) as the gross and tragic Penguin and Christopher Walken (The Prophecy) as a corrupt Max Schreck. In 1995 Joel Schumacher directed BATMAN FOREVER starring Val Kilmer in the title role. Nicole Kidman (The Others), Tommy Lee Jones (Men in Black)as TwoFace and Jim Carey (Number 23)as The Riddler also star. Tim burton had walked away from the franchise at this point and it shows. This film is lighter and the characters, other than Tommy Lee Jones are brittle. Even Jim Careys manic adaptation of The Riddler was not highly rated. BATMAN AND ROBIN came in 1997 along with Mr Schumacher. Once again, no Tim Burton. A shame as he is just what this film lacked and as such it is now widely recognised as the worst of the Batman franchise. Schumacher simply did not have the 'feel' for the characters and even the inclusion of George Clooney in the title role along with Arnold Schwarzenegger (6th Day)as Mr. Freeze and Uma Thurman (Kill Bill) as Poison Ivy could not turn this film into a tour de force. Then we have probably the best Batman film to date. In 2005 BATMAN

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