Since the debut of Iron Man (2008) Marvel Studios has become one of the biggest powerhouses in Hollywood and doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. In over 10 years, the studio has managed to build an entire world using the characters from the comics. Though not every film has been as successful as the last one, the studio has managed to constantly wow audiences across the globe. For as good as the movies can be though, they are almost always inspired by source material from the comic books, but sometimes, doing things differently has actually worked in the studio’s favor. To support this statement, we have compiled 8 superheroes that were better in movies than comics.
8) Iron Man
In the comics, Tony Stark’s Iron Man armor actually gained sentience, battled Tony, and in the last moments, replaced his failing heart after another heart attack. Then came 2005’s Extremis storyline that would be partially adapted in Iron Man 3.
The movie version of RDJ was instantly loved by fans and gained popularity. Since its release in 2008, Jon Favreau’s Iron Man has had an incalculable impact on modern movies. Not only did it kick off the ongoing Marvel Cinematic Universe and guide it on its way to becoming the highest-grossing film franchise of all time, but its influence can be felt in blockbuster filmmaking in general, with many franchises opting to construct their own shared and interconnected universes.
7) Hulk
In the comics, Hulk was doing what Hulk had done for quite a while at that point: wrestle between Banner and the beast. In 2006 Marvel Universe decided to give Hulk a different platform.
Hulk was first introduced in 2003 however it was 2008’s The Incredible Hulk that brought him into the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. The movie starred Edward Norton as Bruce Banner and fixed a lot of the first movie’s issues with a better portrayal of Banner.
But also due to disagreements between Norton and Marvel Studios Hulk’s future was not decided until Avengers.
6) Thor
Early into the 2000s, Thor was missing after fighting Loki. The character got a reboot in September 2007 With Thor vol. 3 #1 and a new look designed by Oliver Coipel.
MCU got few things wrong about Thor, one such example is his strength. He is one of the strongest beings in the Marvel Universe, Thor’s power is legendary not only on Earth but also in all the Nine Realms and throughout the cosmos. Boasting Superman-level strength, invulnerability, and a kinship with the elements themselves, Thor has taken on and defeated everyone from the Silver Surfer to Thanos.
Marvel Studios introduced Thor in Thor (2011), starring Chris Hemsworth as the God of Thunder. Using elements of Coipel’s design for the costume, Thor featured the brash Asgardian being banished to Earth and fighting his brother, Loki, and a whole bunch of frost giants.
5) Captain America
Captain America, AKA Steve Rogers, has been a staple of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger. Since then, he’s featured in six films and had cameos in two more.
In the comics, Cap is part of a superhero team called the Invaders. The audience was less and less interested in the great American hero, Captain America has seen years of dealing with disenfranchisement in the American dream and being part of Heroes Reborn.
In his first MCU film, Marvel Studios opted not to adopt the new, popular, stories that were still fresh in the comics and decided to focus on the character’s origins in WWII. The film, starring Chris Evans, is about how scrawny Steve Rodger became Captain America and fought the Red Skull during the war. It was appreciated by fans all over the world.
4) Avengers
The Avengers were a mess going into the 2000s. Luckily, Brian Michael Bendis intervened and he broke up the Avengers. Avengers Dissembled killed off characters and drove away others, allowing Bendis to build the team from the ground up.
The Avengers is arguably one of the best Marvel movies of all time. Bendis was able to reassemble the Avengers so that the comic book lineup looked similar to the movie’s cast and the original line up. The new Avengers were appreciated.
3) Guardians of the Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy was originally assembled in 1969 and had been in and out of publication since then. If someone asked you, in 2012, who the Guardians of the Galaxy were, you would be forgiven for that puzzled look on your face.
2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy had given the group a total makeover, given their obscurity to well known comic fans. Despite the fact that the group looks like the 2008 adaptation of the comic, the characters are given more traits and personality in the film and the blockbuster hit included a few components of Marvel’s space-based characters.
2) Big Hero 6
Big hero 6 was another Marvel franchise that was easily forgotten. Originally, Japanese heroes and villains were a part of the group, all assigned as a government task force. Big Hero 6 even featured retired X-Men Sunfire on the team. The comic took on a more manga-influenced tone when team member Hiro took over leadership.
The Big Hero 6 comics inspired and adapted into the 2014 Disney computer-animated film of the same name. Produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios rather than Marvel Studios, it retains some of the core themes and character concepts from the comics, but makes substantial changes and builds a new story around them. For example, the film’s version of Baymax is a friendly robot originally designed to provide medical care, while in the comics he is a bodyguard.
1) Ant-Man
Several heroes have put on the helmet until current Ant-Man, Scott Lang, was blown to bits in Brian Michael Bendis’s Avengers: Disassembled. He was later resurrected in Avengers: The Children’s Crusade, and we could see Scott Lang took over Reed Richards role as leader of the Future Foundation and a temporary member of the Fantastic Four.
Ant-man’s entry in MCU with 2015 Ant-man was loved by the fans and the film made Ant-man a less complex character with a simple story.
Source: Ranker
