2012 is set to be one of the more ambitious years in comic book cinema history. Batman 3, Spiderman reboot, Green Lantern and the first Avengers film will somehow try to squeeze into the summer months in an attempt to steal viewers from one another. While it is arguable that interest is at its peak, comic book films have always been a tremendous hit or miss proposition. Unlike the horror film genre, which has seen a disappearance from cinematic relevance, the comic book genre is dependent on expensive special effects, big name actors and sometimes unfilmable source material. Their success comes down to whether or not they can break into the status of cultural phenomenon.
Last year, Watchmen was only able to garner 107 million of its 140 million dollar budget domestically. After great hype and a very loyal fan base, DC and Warner Bros. were left with a financial lemon. Early warning signs are showing that comic book films are on the steady decline. As is the case with any genre, certain franchises continue to produce. Iron Man 2 had a fantastic showing amidst sub par reviews. However, formerly successful franchises such as Spiderman, X-Men, and Superman have seen their credibility shrink under several very unconvincing performances. While certain franchises will continue to produce for years to come, it is impossible to say that audiences have not reached their limit with the comic book craze. 2 Fantastic Four movies, 2 Incredible Hulk movies, 2 Punisher movies, Daredevil, Electra, Ghost Rider, and most recently Jonah Hex have shown that audiences are not jumping into seats to see what’s next to pop off of the pages. Much like the horror genre, the lack of consistent and original material is slowly draining a very patient and forgiving audience. By 2012, filmgoers and comic book lovers will be asked to keep the genre alive.