Joker: 10 1970s Comic Book Movies DC Should Make Next

5. Raven As Carrie

Wildcat Rocky
Warner Bros.

The 1970s wasn't solely an era of socio-political dramas, however. It also redefined how we think about genre movies, providing many of the foundational classics of modern horror and sci-fi.

In fact, it's probably worth recalling that one of the great influential classics of the 70s is essentially a dark, small-scale origin story for a superpowered character, something that would be perfect if DC and Warner are looking for another Joker.

1976's Carrie is the inspiration for any story that uses the archetype of superpowers as a "curse" akin to the "curse" of puberty and menstruation for teenage girls, or indeed for a litany of ideas about superpowers as an analogue to or enhancer of teen angst. The introduction to Rogue in the opening scenes of the original X-Men movie has a little of this to it.

First appearing just a few years after Carrie hit cinemas as part of Marv Wolfman's 1980 reboot of the Teen Titans, Raven, a character whose original pitch was that she couldn't express any strong emotions or her demonic father's dark magic would flow through her, would be the perfect DC character to fit this troubled teen role.

There have been various takes on Raven and her different magical abilities down the years, but her powers manifesting as Carrie-esque telekinesis is increasingly a popular one.

With a Shining sequel and a fourth season of Stranger Things on the way, it's clear that nostalgic properties that have the feel of classic early Stephen King are very popular at the moment, so DC could do well to tap into that.

Contributor
Contributor

Loves ghost stories, mysteries and giant ape movies