Does anyone remember Avengelyne? One of the stable of physically implausible, gravity ignoring scantily clad uber-fantasy comic babes of the 1990s, Avengie was a fallen angel turned Earthly protector of The One, a human who could stave off the Apocalypse. Rob Liefield, Avengelynes creator, will be working to bring her to the big screen with the titular role going to MMA fighter Gina Carano, who made her acting debut in Steven Soderberghs Haywire (where she kicked nearly everyones ass but Michael Dougl
ass) and most recently appeared throwing down with Michelle Rodriguez in this summers Fast and Furious 6. Liefeld and Carano will be at Comic Con this Saturday talking to the fans and signing posters that showcase her as Avengelyne. Of course, its highly unlikely those posters will have the lithe and athletic star in the same mind-boggling non-clothing that the outrageously proportioned pen-and-ink fantasy paraded around in back in the day. In fact, casting Carano obviously puts the emphasis on the characters tougher action side and less on the cheesecake-before-Armageddon sensibility that overwhelmed the rather generic comic.
The story, which lends itself to a butt-kicking babe movie in the vein of Underworld, always felt a bit ripped off from the likes of Spawn but might work quite well as a fun horror-themed b movie. When God banishes Avengelyne for unknowingly opposing his love for humanity, shes cast to Earth without her powers, although she retains superior strength and has miraculous blood that heals the sick and what not. From there, shes sallying around like Barb Wire and fighting off the demons that want to burn the world in ash and flame. Sounds like business as usual in the overheated adolescent mind, although one hopes that Carano brings a more interesting presence to the title, which never much seemed aimed at young female readers. Where Avengelyne goes from here is anyones guess, but this is one property that has the freedom to go wherever it wants to. I dont think there are many out there that could really tell you either way what the primary arc of the comic was, and the greatest criticism likely to ring out is that Carano doesnt have big enough bazongas for the role. Then, again no one outside the adult industry does. What do you think of Avengelyne as a film? Is this the right follow-up for Carano, or should she be looking for a more grounded showcase for her considerable skills?