5 Best Films Based on Dark Horse Comics

No Comments
Bruce Willis in Sin City

With all the talk about Marvel vs. DC, it’s easy to forget that those two juggernauts aren’t the only two comic book publishers in the business (crazy, right?). Believe it or not, films based on the work of other companies have also been adapted to the big screen. While Image Comics and IDW Publishing are also among the biggest names in the comic book world, Dark Horse Comics has probably seen more of its published titles make their way into theaters. Here are the five best films based on Dark Horse titles.

The Mask (1994)

Jim Carrey in The Mask

Jim Carrey in The Mask

In 1994, Jim Carrey was having a breakthrough year. Sandwiched between Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Dumb and Dumber was this madcap comedy adventure that sees Carrey’s Stanley Ipkiss transform into a green-faced human cartoon, courtesy of a wooden mask imbued with the power of Norse god Loki. No, the film doesn’t feature an appearance by Tom Hiddleston’s Marvel version of the character (though we’d be interested in seeing such a cross-over!). Instead, the Charles Russell-directed film incorporates a romantic subplot involving a sexy lounge singer played by Cameron Diaz, several musical numbers, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off star Ben Stein as a psychiatrist. A film about overcoming one’s inhibitions, The Mask features a far lighter tone than its source material, and inspired a popular animated series and a dreadful sequel. Smokin’ indeed.

American Splendor (2003)

Paul Giamatti and Hope Davis in American Splendor

Paul Giamatti and Hope Davis in American Splendor

This semi-autobiographical comedy/drama deals with the life of comic book writer Harvey Pekar, blurring the line between life and art. Paul Giamatti stars as Pekar — with Hope Davis as his wife and frequent collaborator Joyce Brabner — in a film that is as distinctive an experience as reading one of Pekar’s comics. Directors Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini make their non-documentary feature debut here, and fittingly incorporate appearances by the real-life counterparts of many of the characters dramatized throughout the film. American Splendor earned universal critical praise and an Academy Award nomination for its screenplay.

Sin City (2005)

Rosario Dawson and Clive Owen in Sin City

Rosario Dawson and Clive Owen in Sin City

Frank Miller’s vision came bursting to (mostly black-and-white) life in this feature co-directed by Miller himself and filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. The film stays remarkably true to the source material, essentially lifiting most of its screenplay directly from the comics. Fusing together three tales from Miller’s comic book series, Sin City unites a stellar ensemble cast that includes Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, and Mickey Rourke as the leading men of this larger-than-life neo-noir classic. The film’s extreme violence and depiction of women have been criticized by some – echoing complaints lodged against Miller’s comics – but its distinctive visual style and imaginativeness managed to lead the film to a worldwide box office gross of $158 million. A sequel followed nine years later, but failed to achieve the same level of success.

300 (2007)

Gerard Butler in 300

Gerard Butler in 300

Another film based on Frank Miller’s work, 300 followed a similar approach to Sin City in that it hewed close to its source material, retaining the hyper-stylized aesthetic and in-your-face approach to violence. Gerard Butler leads the film as King Leonidas, who marched his army of 300 Spartans to face the overwhelming Persian army of the self-professed “god-king” Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro). Though the film (like the comic) takes great liberties with the historical account of the actual event, director Zack Snyder places greater emphasis on spectacle, and demonstrates a visual flair that has since become his trademark with subsequent comic book adaptations like Watchmen and Man of Steel.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

Ron Perlman in Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Ron Perlman in Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Guillermo del Toro first introduced moviegoers to Mike Mignola’s demonic superhero in the 2004 original film, but this sequel arguably provides a better picture of the imaginative approach the filmmaker – who both writes and directs here – is capable of when operating at the top of his game. In Hellboy II: The Golden Army, he takes the titular hero and his allies at the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense into the realm of fantasy and magic, pitting them against an elf prince with designs on a mythical army. Frequent del Toro collaborators Ron Perlman and Doug Jones have dynamite chemistry as Hellboy and Abe Sapien here, and the film’s third act is so strong that its rabid fanbase is still crying for del Toro to find a way to finish the trilogy with one more installment. Here’s hoping.

What do you think is the best film based on Dark Horse Comics? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Previous Post
Arnold Schwarzenegger in Batman and Robin
5 Most Disappointing Superhero Films Ever Made
Next Post
Most Iconic Comic Book Movie Anti-Heroes
Menu

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.

We use cookies to give you the best online experience. By agreeing you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy.

Privacy Settings saved!
Privacy Settings

When you visit any web site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Control your personal Cookie Services here.

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

In order to use this website we use the following technically required cookies
  • wordpress_test_cookie
  • wordpress_logged_in_
  • wordpress_sec

We use Google Tag Manager to monitor our traffic and to help us AB test new features.

Decline all Services
Accept all Services