Best Comic Movie Ever?

Could Iron Man, the newest live-action movie release from Marvel Studios, be the best comic book movie adaptation of all time? In order to take claim to one of the grandest no-prizes of them all, it would have to best among others: Spiderman (2002), X-Men (2000), Batman (1989) and (some would say the grand-daddy of them all) Superman (1978) starring Christopher Reeve. Comic book movies have been rather hit and miss throughout their fairly long cinematic history (Captain America appeared on the big screen as early as 1944 not to mention pulp magazine's The Shadow, et al). I was sorely disappointed in the recent attempts at bringing my favorites from childhood to the filmgoing public, the Fantastic Four. Sure, they were fun movies, and the sequel did a great job at portraying the cosmic Silver Surfer, but in the end they missed the mark. Don't even get me started on the Surfer's boss, Galactus!

Perhaps my allegiance to the Fantastic Four was its ultimate downfall. Since the movie-makers didn't match my ideal FF - they were doomed to fail. Maybe that's why I loved Iron Man so much. Yeah, I was a comic book geek as a kid - and a Marvel Comics comic book geek to boot - but Iron Man was never one of my favorites. I pretty much stuck with the FF. So I don't know what they messed up in the new film adaptation starring Robert Downey Jr. in the title role. Ignorance is bliss and Iron Man rocks!

Downey plays a perfectly greasy Tony Stark, military arms manufacturer and billionaire playboy who finds a conscience after being kidnapped by terrorists. He wreaks vengeance on the evildoers in the most awesomest costume/machinery ever. Tony Stark is Iron Man.

Is it better than the Fantastic Four? Tons! Spiderman? Obviously! X-men? Batman? Easily! But is Robert Downey Jr. in titanium alloy armor better than Christopher Reeve in spandex? All I can say is: Go see Iron Man and find out for yourself!