Ten Forward: The Decade's 10 Best Comic Book Movies

As we come to the 10th anniversary of SyFy Portal, I thought we would celebrate by looking at the 10 best comic book hero movies in the past decade.

Now, in anticipation of a flood of “You forgots,” I have eliminated movies based on one-shot graphic novels (such as “V for Vendetta” and “300”), and you will never see me list “Sin City” in any “Best of” categories, unless it’s the “Best of Misogynistic Crap” list. Sorry, guys, but I just don’t swing that way!

The following list is in chronological order. I refuse to choose which one is the bestest of them all, because I value my life!

1. “X-Men” (2000) -- I have to admit, I did not grow up reading X-Men comics. While they debuted when I was a small child, they weren’t as popular as Superman, Batman or Spider-Man. My oldest son, however, read them voraciously, and knew the X-mythology inside and out.

It was clear, however, that while DC comic heroes represented ideals for people to look up to, Marvel heroes represented the everyday life struggles of anyone who is “different.” People could identify with them. If it wasn’t that aspect of the movie that was appealing, then it was the presence of Hugh Jackman.

2. “Spider-Man” (2002) -- Who can’t identify with the smart geeky guy suffering from the angst of unrequited love, who gets bullied all the time, and then suddenly gets cool super powers? It’s the biggest “I’ll show them all” of them all. Plus, there’s web-slinging action and people writing cartoon songs about you.

“Spider-Man 2” was nearly as good, complete with Doc Oc, and a killer train sequence.

3. “X-2” (2003) -- All the greatness of the first movie, but in a better story. My favorite line in the movie: “Have you tried not being a mutant?”

4. “Hellboy” (2004) -- If the makeup, art design and special effects don’t win you over, the snarky banter and fighting off scary, slimy creatures while holding a box of kittens will at least tickle your innards. “Hellboy 2” was equally as good, looking much like a hybrid between “Indiana Jones” and “Star Wars” movies, but with a big red guy and a skinny blue guy in the lead.

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