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)
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.
