The roster ofMarvel Comics’ superheroes and villains were already pop culture icons before theMCUmade them box-office titans, so it should come as no surprise thatthere have been numerous adaptations of their characters.BeforeSam RaimibroughtSpider-Manto life orRobert Downey Jr.sipped his first martini asIron Man, the Marvel faithful jumped at the chance to watch their heroes in short-lived cartoons or the occasional live-action misfire.
The MCU gave new viewers an introductionto their legendary roster, but many might not be aware of or remember the many previous attempts at adapting Marvel stories. Whether it wasTV movies that didn’t understand the assignment or feature films never intended to be released, the following lesser-knownMarveladaptations will be fun to watch for fans who can’t get enough spandex in their lives.
10’The Punisher' (1989)
Directed by Mark Goldblatt
More seasoned Marvel fans will rememberDolph Lundgren’s portrayal of Frank Castle in the 1989 feature filmThe Punisher, but younger fans might not be aware of thelethal vigilante’s first live-action adventure.The film skips an in-depth origin story to jump into the middle of Frank’s war on crime, starting five years after his family was murdered in a car bombing. Lundgren arguably looks the part better than any of his modern replacements, and his presence is threatening throughout.
The film has reached a certain level of cult status with the fans who remember it fondly, because regardless of the level of campiness the movie veers into,it also understands the character of Frank Castle.
The Punisherwas a mainstay in video stores for a solid decade, butthe decline of physical media took movies such as the Lundgren action vehicle out of rotation. The film has reached a certain level of cult status with the fans who remember it fondly, because regardless of the level of campiness the movie veers into,it also understands the character of Frank Castle.WhenThe Punisheris done right, it should feel like a slasher movie, but instead of Jason chasing down campers, it’s Frank closing in on mobsters.
The Punisheris currently unavailable to stream or purchase in the U.S.
9’Blade: The Series' (2006)
Created by David S. Goyer
Picking up after the events ofBlade Trinity,Blade: The Seriessees the titular vampire hunter continue his mission against bloodsuckers everywhere. RapperSticky Fingaztakes up the mantle of Blade, filling the boots ofWesley Snipesfor the 12-episodeSpikeseries.Blade: The Seriesfollowed Blade as he teamed up with Krista Starr (Jill Wagner), a woman on a mission to avenge her twin brother who she believes was killed by vampires. Further complicating the plot was Krista’s transformation into a vampire after being turned against her will, and Blade’s approach to managing her condition.
WhileBlade: The Seriesstrived to embody the spirit and style of the three films,budgetary limitations made it hard to feature advanced special effects in each episode.The series was initially a strong program for the Spike network, but ratings continued to slip throughout the run. Unfortunately, Blade fans would have to get their vampire fix from other shows becauseBlade: The Serieswas canceled after one season.
Blade: The Series
8’Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.' (1998)
Directed by Rod Hardy
David Hasselhoff traded in his beach shorts for an eye patch when he starred asNick Furyin the TV movie,Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.The story follows Fury as he’s brought out from self-imposed seclusion to battle the evil forces of HYDRA led by Andrea von Strucker, aka Viper (Sandra Hess). Fury will have to use all of his skills plus a little eyeball explosive to stop HYDRA from releasing the deadly Death’s Head Virus into the world’s population.
Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.presents itself with the level of camp that was the acceptable norm for comic book adaptations in the late ‘90s.
Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.is notable for being written byDavid S. Goyer, who went on to write films such as theBladetrilogy andBatman V Superman: Dawn of Justice.Unlike Goyer’s later work,Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.presents itself with the level of camp that was the acceptable norm for comic book adaptations in the late ‘90s.There were plans to make sequel adventures featuring Hasselhoff as Fury, but a lukewarm reception stifled the would-be movie series into a solo outing.
Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.is currently unavailable to stream or purchase in the U.S.
7’The Amazing Spider-Man' (1977-1979)
Created by Alvin Boretz
In the late 1970s, Spider-Man (Nicholas Hammond) landed in theCBSprogramming lineup to fight crime and swing on webs that looked suspiciously like a rope inThe Amazing Spider-Man.The Amazing Spider-Manwas an ambitious project to film on a television budget, as practical effects limited the ability to showcase some of the wall-crawler’s more dynamic abilities. While Spidey didn’t face off against recognizable supervillains likeKraven the HunterorVenom, he had his hands full with street-level crime that was more feasible to film.
The Amazing Spider-Manwas an ambitious project to film on a television budget, as practical effects limited the ability to showcase some of the wall-crawler’s more dynamic abilities.
As with many of the early adaptations of Marvel properties, CBS didn’t hesitate to change aspects of the characters when bringing the stories to television.The concept of Peter Parker becoming Spider-Man originates from his need to sell picturesof his alter ego to the Daily Bugle, and not out of a sense of responsibility over his Uncle Ben’s death. The series ran for two short seasons, but a change in direction for the network spurred a cancelation before receiving a third season.
The Amazing Spider-Manis currently unavailable to purchase or stream in the U.S.
6’Fred and Barney Meet the Thing' (1979)
Created by Joseph Barbera, William Hanna, Jack Kirby, and Stan Lee
The concept of a crossover has never been more loosely used than in the cartoon,Fred and Barney Meet the Thing.Now, what cannot be stressed enough is that during the entire run ofFred and Barney Meet theThing,neither Fred nor Barney ever met the Thing.Each episode was split into two parts, one focusing on Fred and Barney, and the other on a teenager named Benjy Grimm (Wayne Morton) who turns into the Thing (Joe Baker). When Benjy connects two rings and says the words “Thing Ring, do your thing!”, Benjy is able to turn into the orange superhero at will.
During the entire run ofFred and Barney Meet theThing,neither Fred nor Barney ever met the Thing.
Fred and Barney Meet the Thingis one of the most creatively divergent adaptations of a Marvel property, as it completely eliminates any reference to The Fantastic Four or the origins of the Thing. Benjy isn’t concerned about using the rings to prevent crime or solve problems that don’t directly impact him. For example, in the first episode, Benjy becomes the Thing to stop a rich motorist from triple parking by lifting the offender’s car and setting it correctly in a spot. Granted, that’s probably how the majority of the populace would also use the rings, but it’s not exactly compelling television. Fred and Barney would eventually part ways with the Thing after one season of not meeting.
Fred and Barney Meet the Thingis currently unavailable to stream or purchase in the U.S.
5’Dr. Strange' (1978)
Directed by Philip DeGuere
It would be an honest mistake to think thatBenedict Cumberbatchwas the first actor to play Stephen Strange, but a TV movie titledDr. Strangewas the first live-action outing for the Sorcerer Supreme. The CBS movie starsPeter Hootenas the good doctor. A major difference is that he’s no longer a surgeon but instead a psychiatrist. Additionally, Strange initially accesses his power from a ring passed down by his father.
A major difference is that he’s no longer a surgeon but instead a psychiatrist.
A pre-Arrested DevelopmentJessica Walterappears as Morgan le Fay, the villain prepared to destroy Dr. Strange at any cost, and it’s fun to see her in an early role. The special effects are understandably underwhelming, so instead of lavish illusions, the production team aimed for dark and spooky interpretations of the astral realm.The film was designed as a backdoor pilot for a Dr. Strange series, but the lack of positive audience response determined the TV movie was a one-and-done.
Dr. Strangeis currently unavailable to purchase or stream in the U.S.
4’The Marvel Super Heroes' (1966)
Created by Robert L. Lawrence
As the earliest animated adaptation of Marvel characters,The Marvel Super Heroeswas granted the unique opportunity of giving icons like Iron Man or Hulk their first voice.Each seven-minute segment featured a story focused onThor,Captain America, The Sub-Mariner,Iron Man, orHulk.A typical episode showcased three different episodes that would see a different Marvel hero face off against one of their famous foes.
The novelty of the format will likely vary per fan, but the style is a fun retro watch with a faithful retelling of classic stories.
The Marvel Super Heroesweren’t animated by modern standards. Instead, they utilized a process called xerography to copy and manipulate images directly from the comics.The end result is a sort of living comic book, where there’s virtually no character movement outside their mouths when they speak.The novelty of the format will likely vary per fan, but the style is a fun retro watch with a faithful retelling of classic stories.
The Marvel Super Heroesis currently unavailable to stream or purchase in the U.S.
3’The Fantastic Four' (1994)
Directed by Oley Sassone
Chronicling how Marvel’s First Family acquires their powers and learns to work as a team,The Fantastic Four’s first live-action film was produced by famed low-budget auteurRoger Corman. Produced for only one million dollars, the film’s low-budget visuals have often been the subject of ridicule, although few have actually seen the film from beginning to end. Long considered one of the moretreasured pieces of lost media, the 1994 adaptation ofThe Fantastic Four,if speculation is true, was never designed to be released.
Produced for only one million dollars, the film’s low-budget visuals have often been the subject of ridicule, although few have actually seen the film from beginning to end.
A portion of the fan base feels the script and performances inThe Fantastic Fourare more faithful to the spirit of the characters, making it the superior version.The 1994 outing will most likely face difficulty competing with thenew Disney-producedThe Fantastic Four: First StepsstarringPedro Pascal, but still didn’t deserve permanent shelving. Time will tell how faithful the MCU version ofThe Fantastic Fourwill hold up.
The Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four (1994)is currently unavailable to stream or purchase in the U.S.
2’Spidey Super Stories - The Electric Company' (1974-1977)
Created by Paul Dooley, Joan Ganz Cooney & Lloyd Morrisett
With great power comes great responsibility… to educate. ThePBSseriesThe Electric Companywas on its fourth season of teaching kids to read and practice math using quickly moving comedy sketches when they introducedSpidey Super Storiesto the mix. Each one of the 65 produced sketches featured Spider-Man (Danny Seagren) as he fought villains like The Wall, a living piece of wall. Spider-Man doesn’t speak in the shorts; rather,his thoughts and speech are expressed via a word bubble that appears next to his head.Spidey Super Storieswould be the first live-action appearance of Spider-Man on television.
Spidey Super Storieswould be the first live-action appearance of Spider-Man on television.
Marvel fans of a certain age might have seen episodes ofThe Electric Companyin their youth, but outside of grainy uploads online,a quality copy of Spider-Man’s foray into children’s academia is hard to find.SeeingMorgan Freeman, who was one of the cast members ofThe Electric Company, share screen time with Spider-Man is worth the effort for collectors of all things Marvel.
Spidey Super Storiesis currently unavailable to stream or purchase in the U.S.
1’Captain America' (1944)
Directed by Elmer Clifton & John English
The oldest live-action adaptation of a Marvel Comics character, fittingly, is Captain America in a 15-part serial titled,Captain America.The series follows Grant Gardner (Dick Purcell), District Attorney by day, and Captain America by night, as he attempts to solve a series of mysterious deaths.Armed with his trusty pistol, Captain America punches his way through the mysteryto stop the evil Scarab (Lionel Atwell) from obtaining dangerous artifacts called the “Electronic Firebolt” and “Dynamic Vibrator.”
This incredibly loose adaptation of Captain America predates Marvel Comics itself, with the company still named Timely Comics at the time of the serial’s production.
Not counting the costume,there is essentially zero reference to the basic story elements of Steve Rogers and his ongoing battle with The Red Skull– not even choosing to include his trademark shield. This incredibly loose adaptation of Captain America predates Marvel Comics itself, with the company still named Timely Comics at the time of the serial’s production. While the 1944 version of Captain America doesn’t possess super strength, he does hold the place as one of the most obscure Marvel adaptations to ever be recorded on film.
Captain America (1944)is currently unavailable to stream or purchase in the U.S.
