The age of superheroes dawned us not with the release of ‘X-Men’
and ‘Spiderman’ in the early 2000s but with the beginning of the master Marvel
plan in 2007 with ‘Iron Man’. As I wasn’t reading comics (apart from Tintin and
Oor Wullie) back then and only looking longingly at my local comic book shop
when I was intimidated by the ‘what are you doing here?’ stare, these superheroes
and by extension comic book films were all new to me. I had been completely
enthralled by ‘Sin City’ in 2005 and sort out the original graphic novels,
where I learnt just how graphic a comic styled book could be. Of course, the
fact that the movies were turning towards to comics and graphic novels for stories
was no new trend BUT the fact that we, the audience, are regularly fed our
yearly superhero films has changed the landscape of film and now, TV as well.
Comics lend themselves to television structure that it
always felt wrong that such characters and their blockbuster like stories were confined
to limited timed films and their sequels and not given the time to develop and
grow, like they do on the page. But the TV execs were paying attention. Seeing
the opportunity to adapt more stories and characters for the small screen presented
the opportunity to expand the comic universes. The CW has run with this idea with
the likes of ‘Arrow’ and ‘The Flash’ and ABC with ‘Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D’ and Netflix
too even had a slice of the Marvel pie before the announcement of the
juggernaut (no I’m not referencing the mutant) Disney creating their own
streaming service which meant shutting down shows on other platforms, although ‘Agents
of S.H.E.I.L.D’ will bow out with their seventh and final season. But both
Netflix and Amazon Prime have opted to venture further into the comics world
and go for the more ‘adult’ themed comics or as they say on the trade
paperbacks, ‘For Mature Readers’.
From Marvel to DC to Vertigo to Image to Dark Horse, the adaptations
are endless. With hits like ‘Preacher’, ‘The Umbrella Academy’ and the newly
minted ‘The Boys’, not only is the demand for comic adaptations out there, the desire
for grittier and more graphic shows needs to be met. The latter two shows that
came out this year, both renewed for second seasons have generally pleased the
fandom and gain more followers. Both source materials could be considered as little
to unknown in the grand scheme of things but with their superhero genre slapped
on them, this attracts those who love the blockbuster films but also want to
see their favourites for longer than a film. They also happen to be about
superheroes. There is no escaping this genre which has become arguably in its own
right. Actually, escape can be found in the Archie comics adaptations such as
the eternal teen haven, ‘Riverdale’ and its spin off ‘The Chilling Adventures
of Sabrina’. But both have gone darker, especially the latter.
The shows will keep coming and it may or may not feel like
overkill but if shows such as ‘The Walking Dead’ and keep on walking for multiple
seasons and news shows such as ‘Y: The Last Man’ and the legendary ‘Sandman’
have been slated to be made, at least we’re in for a variety of weird and
wonderful stories to look forward to. BUT there will come a time when, just
like me and comics, there’s just too many to keep up with.