Who Watches The Super X-men?

...while finishing up my afternoon meal today, I indulged in yet another article comparing and contrasting the current comic book film universes. At Den Of Geek, they discussed it in terms of box office receipts and news concerning future scheduling, directors & actors hired or fired and so on. On a grand scale, I completely understand the need to examine this from those perspectives. After all, it is the financial health of these big budget movies that determine the future of not only more adaptations, but more sequels.

http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/comic-book-movies/30801/the-current-state-of-the-big-comic-book-movie-universes

However, as a fan and frequent theater goer who anticipates almost all of these films, I would like to take this opportunity to perform said examination from a lone viewer's perspective.

Marvel Studios

No one can argue the hot streak that Marvel has been on now since 2008. They have effectively taken superheroes that were relative B-list characters such as Iron Man and Captain America and made them household names for one and all. They have made all the right moves, taken huge gambles and just about everything has come up Marvel. To doubt what they are doing and have already done is madness.

For my money, each film has had varying shades of being good-to-great, but I have yet to meet one Marvel cinematic gem that I have not enjoyed. Before Iron Man, I knew nothing of Tony Stark beyond the look. Unlike comic readers, I had no squabble with Robert Downey Jr. being cast because at that time, I was hardly reading comics and prompted back then, I would say that there's Batman and then a bunch of other characters. Now? I have read piles of Marvel comics, loved almost all of them and would gladly extol the greatness of Steve Rogers as I daydream of holding The Winter Soldier on BluRay in my hands. Yes, these movies are that good.

With just the rumors of what is to come, I eagerly anticipate what Marvel is going to do next with baited breath. Aside from making truly awe-inspiring movies with excellent casting, they make blockbuster movie season fun again. Waiting for The Avengers or The Winter Soldier felt very much like being amped up to go to your first carnival as a kid. These films have the unique distinction of being expertly crafted while making me feel young again. These are films I can watch on the edge of my seat and also get excited to view with my nephews for those big moment when Iron Man arrives on screen.

Fox: X-Men & Fantastic Four

This one is a bit weird. I'm not certain how they plan to construct a film universe out of two properties. When it comes to X-Men anything, I am all the way live on board with everything. If Batman is my number one, the X-Men are number one point five. If they made a Magneto solo film where Michael Fassbender spends two hours knitting an afghan, I will demand front row center. If they actually made a Deadpool film true to the character, I would cartwheel to the multiplex. I unapologetically like X-Men Origins: Wolverine, despite the near universal griping. If it's X-Men, I am there.

However, when you are talking Fantastic Four, I don't know that I could be less enthused. I read one trade of theirs and it was just decent. I made it through the first Fantastic Four movie without falling asleep, but that is about the extent of that. At this point, it almost feels as if people need to be reminded that those first two films even exist. When it comes to the upcoming reboot, I feel no different than if someone informed me that studios were bidding on a Rubics Cube film franchise.

Sony: Spiderman, Venom & Sinister Six

I try and maybe I will try again someday, but I just do not like Spiderman. The character has an origin that is as well known as any and the aesthetics of the character are instantly attractive...until Spiderman opens his mouth. He starts chatting away at those he is capturing or preparing to battle and to me, they might as well see who can do The Robot longer. Any sense of excitement or drama feels quelled by one-liners and puns.

I admit to liking my superheroes to be more brooding more often than not. But there is room for a lighter comic book universe as well. I will be the first to admit that while the movie has its issues, I enjoy the Green Lantern. Yes, Nathan Fillon would have made a better Hal Jordan. Yes, the movie should have spent more time on Oa and in outer space. But at the end of the day, I just wanted to see Green Lantern on screen and for now, I'll take it.

And therein lies the problem for me with Spiderman and his respective comic book and film universe. Despite this being where I discuss my opinions on Spiderman, I veered off to talking about another character from a different publisher. When I hear of more Spiderman-related cinema coming down the pike, I am content to wait for my brother to buy the BluRay.

Warner Brothers: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman & The DC/Vertigo Universe

To me, there is no more frustrating thing on this planet than DC Comics when it comes to the film universe. While much is being bandied about for future release, nothing new seems to be on the horizon yet beyond Sandman (which I am very stoked about when it becomes officially official). The Christopher Nolan Dark Knight trilogy is amongst my favorite films ever made, but they lie completely outside what is supposed to come. Everything begins with Man Of Steel, a film I unabashedly love but reside in the minority on if Amazon is to be believed.

While I am highly anticipating Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, the title scares me because, aside from being a bit long, it sucks. Show me a trailer that knocks my head off and you can change it to Dawn Of Cool Things Done By Weirdos In Leather Suits and I will bow before it. Until then, Dawn Of Justice sound cheap and inappropriate, especially considering the resources being used. Allegedly inspired by The Dark Knight Returns, Batman comes out of retirement which means he was already Batman for years prior and.....nevermind.

Then, there is Wonder Woman. Women across the globe, whether they read comic books or not, would raise their hands in celebration if a solo Wonder Woman film gets made. It's such low hanging fruit in that millions have been waiting and, from what I have read, women were willing to line up for miles for the chance to play Diana. The wait alone would cause a Wonder Woman film to be a massive hit and still, nothing official yet.

After the big three, nothing much seems to be coming to the big screen. Television is where DC rules and while it is great to see Barry Allen and Oliver Queen in fitting small screen adaptations, it would have been nice to see them in something bigger. And when it comes to Vertigo, the glut of great titles waiting to be adapted seems almost criminal. While Fables, Sandman and Preacher are supposedly coming, nothing yet definitive on 100 Bullets, Lucifer, Y: The Last Man, Swamp Thing etc.