2. The Film(s)
Okay, so the last two aren't the most fondly remembered comic book films, but whereas today the reputation of successful films are often overshadowed by lesser performing sequels (A Spider-Man reboot already?), not even the poor scripts and budget cuts of Supermans III and IV are enough to douse people's enthusiasm for both Superman and Superman II. Superman: the Movie is widely regarded as the first ever comic book superhero film, it was certainly the first to be released after the dawn of the blockbuster, and is still considered a classic example of the genre. The amount of ideas that the comics themselves took from the film (crystal technology, and Lois' bad spelling for example) should be an indication of how influential it was. From a time before Computer effects were at a film-maker's disposal, the physical effects of the film still have the ability to captivate modern audiences; the fact that Superman flies off the balcony only for Clark to walk through Lois' door all in one single shot is such a subtle effect that for many it must go by unnoticed, surely the holy grail of any effect regardless of how it is achieved. While many may criticise the character of Superman for being too strong and invulnerable, The Movie made the genius move of pitting Superman not against physical danger, but a no-win conundrum of two nuclear missiles that not even he could stop. When you factor in Miss Tessmacher's making him promise to save her mother rather than Lois Lane (and pretty much all of California), there is perhaps no greater predicament a cinematic superhero has ever faced. While Man of Steel may boast names such as Christopher Nolan and Russell Crowe, Superman: The Movie starred screen legends Marlon Brando, Terrance Stamp, and Gene Hackman. The fact that author of The Godfather, Mario Puzo, was on screenplay duties all to often escapes people, John Williams' epic score has also gone down in history as a career highlight of the most celebrated film composer ever to have lived, and even Darth Vader himself David Prowse served as Reeve's personal trainer. It's no surprise that Superman Returns tried to stick so closely to the origin film, but in the end this was it's downfall, as there just is no comparison. But despite everything else that went into making Superman: The Movie, it would all have been for nothing if not for the most important aspect of not only the first, but all four films.