8 Massive Franchises You Didn't Realise Started As Comic Books
Iron Man, X-Men and... The Smurfs?!
As a result of the success of the Marvel and DC Cinematic Universes, comic book movies have never been more popular and it has become hard to imagine a world without them.
With film adaptations of some of the most obscure comic books like Guardians of the Galaxy becoming box-office behemoths, a successful adaptation can quickly become extremely lucrative both for studios and for comic book publishers.
However, these adaptations can often prove to be a double-edged sword, with some creators failing to reap the rewards having produced the basis of a successful Hollywood blockbuster.
Whether it be a case of the adaptation diverging so far from the original, the franchise being rebooted so many times the origins are lost or even filmmakers failing to provide any nods to their inspiration, there are many ways that a cult comic can be relegated to live in the shadow of their adaptation.
From some of the most iconic cartoon characters of all time to some of the most well-known film franchises, it seems as if there is no escape from the power of Hollywood - even as it overshadows the source material entirely.
8. The Smurfs
Despite originating as supporting characters in Belgian cartoonist Peyo's popular comic series, Johan and Peewit, The Smurfs has gone on to become one of the most recognisable franchises in the world, with an enormous range of themed merchandise as well as numerous film and TV adaptations.
As a result of their eponymous Hanna-Barbera-produced animated TV series, which first aired on NBC in 1981, The Smurfs were launched into mainstream popular culture and have resided there ever since.
Following the TV series' success, the franchise diversified into numerous media, including music, video games, theme park rides, and even a Smurfs on Ice show in Ice Capades' travelling entertainment shows.
The franchise has also received considerable success with feature films, including Sony Pictures' live-action/computer-generated films - 2011's The Smurfs and its 2013's sequel The Smurfs 2 - which collectively grossed over $900 million and featured Neil Patrick Harris and Katy Perry in leading roles.