"Deadpool" is the next quirky superhero to hit the big screen, in February, with Ryan Reynolds in the lead role. He will join a long line of unusual superheroes in comics and on the screen.
"Deadpool" is the next quirky superhero to hit the big screen, in February, with Ryan Reynolds in the lead role. He will join a long line of unusual superheroes in comics and on the screen.
20th Century Fox
"Ant-Man," with the power to shrink down to the size of, well, an ant, has been a part of Marvel Comics for over 50 years. He (in the person of Paul Rudd) finally made his movie debut in 2015.
"Ant-Man," with the power to shrink down to the size of, well, an ant, has been a part of Marvel Comics for over 50 years. He (in the person of Paul Rudd) finally made his movie debut in 2015.
Zade Rosenthal/Marvel/Disney
In the original ultraviolent comic adaptation, Kick-Ass was literally just a teenage boy who wanted to be a superhero -- and pre-teen Hit-Girl actually had experience as one. (Here, we see the older, wiser heroes in the sequel).
In the original ultraviolent comic adaptation, Kick-Ass was literally just a teenage boy who wanted to be a superhero -- and pre-teen Hit-Girl actually had experience as one. (Here, we see the older, wiser heroes in the sequel).
Daniel Smith/Universal Pictures
"Spoon!" was the battle cry of the Tick, the ever-optimistic satirical comic book hero. He was ready to fight evil no matter how much damage he caused or how long the odds against him. Patrick Warburton played the Tick in the short-lived live action series, which was preceded by a popular Saturday morning cartoon.
"Spoon!" was the battle cry of the Tick, the ever-optimistic satirical comic book hero. He was ready to fight evil no matter how much damage he caused or how long the odds against him. Patrick Warburton played the Tick in the short-lived live action series, which was preceded by a popular Saturday morning cartoon.
Columbia TriStar Television
A talking raccoon and a talking tree (who says only "I am Groot") were two of the most unlikely box office blockbuster stars in the comic book-based "Guardians of the Galaxy."
A talking raccoon and a talking tree (who says only "I am Groot") were two of the most unlikely box office blockbuster stars in the comic book-based "Guardians of the Galaxy."
Marvel Studio
It didn't last long, but the 1960s sitcom "Captain Nice," starring William Daniels, is still remembered by vintage TV fans.
It didn't last long, but the 1960s sitcom "Captain Nice," starring William Daniels, is still remembered by vintage TV fans.
NBC
One of the original tongue-in-cheek movie superheroes is the Toxic Avenger, who debuted in a 1984 movie of the same name.
One of the original tongue-in-cheek movie superheroes is the Toxic Avenger, who debuted in a 1984 movie of the same name.
Troma Entertainment
The film adaptation of "Howard the Duck" was one of the biggest box office bombs of the 1980s, though he made a triumphant comeback in a "Guardians of the Galaxy" cameo.
The film adaptation of "Howard the Duck" was one of the biggest box office bombs of the 1980s, though he made a triumphant comeback in a "Guardians of the Galaxy" cameo.
Universal/Getty Images
The "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" were nothing short of a phenomenon in the late 1980s and early 1990s. They continue to be rebooted for TV and film to this day.
The "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" were nothing short of a phenomenon in the late 1980s and early 1990s. They continue to be rebooted for TV and film to this day.
New Line Cinema
Damon Wayans took on the superhero genre as the klutzy title character of the movie "Blankman."
Damon Wayans took on the superhero genre as the klutzy title character of the movie "Blankman."
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Jim Carrey's star was rising, and the spectacular visual effects made "The Mask" a big hit in 1994.
Jim Carrey's star was rising, and the spectacular visual effects made "The Mask" a big hit in 1994.
New Line Cinema
"Tank Girl," a movie starring Lori Petty and based on the comic of the same name, didn't blow up the box office in 1995, but it became a cult classic.
"Tank Girl," a movie starring Lori Petty and based on the comic of the same name, didn't blow up the box office in 1995, but it became a cult classic.
Trilogy Entertainment Group
In 1999, Mr. Furious (Ben Stiller) led a team of comic actors in "Mystery Men," another movie that failed at the box office but developed a following. From left are Shoveler (William H. Macy), Mr. Furious, the Blue Raja (Hank Azaria), the Bowler (Janeane Garofalo), Spleen (Paul Reubens) and Invisible Boy (Kel Mitchell).
In 1999, Mr. Furious (Ben Stiller) led a team of comic actors in "Mystery Men," another movie that failed at the box office but developed a following. From left are Shoveler (William H. Macy), Mr. Furious, the Blue Raja (Hank Azaria), the Bowler (Janeane Garofalo), Spleen (Paul Reubens) and Invisible Boy (Kel Mitchell).
Universal/Getty Images
1960s cartoon fans loved "Underdog," which was made into a live-action movie in 2007.
1960s cartoon fans loved "Underdog," which was made into a live-action movie in 2007.
Walt Disney Pictures
In "Hancock," Will Smith played the superhero as screw-up -- as seen in shows like "Greatest American Hero."
In "Hancock," Will Smith played the superhero as screw-up -- as seen in shows like "Greatest American Hero."
Columbia Pictures