Examiner.com has been upping the geek cred with a lot of posts on comic books.  While I praise that their latest article, “3 comics that should make it to film,” is pretty lacking.  Other than Runaways, two comics featuring Superman?!  Way to reach on those two.  Here’s my three, with a bonus fourth.

DMZ

DMZ is the brillant series written by Brian Wood and published by DC Comics and their Vertigo line.

The Plot: The United States is thrown into a second Civil War. While the United States government is focused on fixing problems over seas their lack of focus on the American people causes militias and their supporters to create the Free States.  The story focuses on New York City which has become a demilitarized zone seperating the two factions.  Following reporter Matt Roth, the series gives a very gritty account of living in a war zone and the politics surrounding war.

Imagine Black Hawk Down, mixed with Day, Night, Day, Night.

Dream Director: Ridley Scott

Iron Fist

Matt Fraction tells the tale of Danny Rand, the Immortal Iron Fist.  Published by Marvel Comics, this is such a great series that brings some of the best kung fu to the comic pages.

Usually a b-lister this series has raised Danny Rand’s status to a-list story telling.  All you need to do is add lots of wire fighting and some great panned out action, you’ve got a great action movie.

This movie  is a no brainer and needs to be green lit asap.

Dream Director: John Woo

Gotham Central

Really, Gotham Central, should be a television series above all else, but I could see some great one shot movies.

Published by DC Comics, Gotham Central follows the police department of Batman’s city of Gotham.  Rarley does the Caped Crusader pop up, instead the series focuses on the day to day lives and case work of the detectives who make up the department.

The series could easily take on the feel of Se7en, with the policy attempting to solve some grizzly murders perpetrated by one of Batman’s rogues.  Throw in some great backstory focusing on a couple of the protragonists and you have a character driven/comic noir movie with a touch of horror.  DC green light this please.

Dream Director: David Fincher

The Alcoholic

Another DC Vertigo book makes the list.  The Alcoholic by Jonathan Ames is a story about “boozed-up, coked-out, sexually confused, hopelessly romantic and of course, entirely fictional novelist.”  It’s only a coincidence the characters name and resemblence are of the author.

I can see this taking on a mix of American Splendor and A Scanner Darkly.  A trippy semi-autobiographical spiral into descent where the main character every so often breaks the fourth wall and addresses the audience giving deeper insight into his mind and depravity.

Dream Director: Michel Gondry