Namor and 9 other Golden Age comic book characters who got major reinventions
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Black Panther: Wakanda Forever features the long-awaited introduction of Namor to the MCU. The character debuted in the Golden Age of comics, becoming one of Marvel’s first and most significant figures. However, Wakanda Forever significantly changes its story to fit the modern world, giving it a much-needed boost.
Like Namor, many Golden Age characters had to change to keep up with the times. Over the years, these heroes and villains have undergone major alterations to keep them fresh and relevant to modern audiences while maintaining the essence that made them pop culture icons.
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Debutant a Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Namor is the ruler of the underwater kingdom of Talokan. He is of Mayan descent, speaks Mayan and is very proud of his background and his people. Like the franchise’s previous villain, Killmonger, Namor is a contrast to the hero: both he and Shuri want to protect their kingdoms but take radically different approaches.
Wakanda forever‘s Namor is significantly different from his comic book counterpart. The original Namor came from Atlantis and acted as an anti-hero, continually coming into conflict with the Fantastic Four. Namor’s reinvention on the big screen adds to the character’s rich legacy, making him feel fresh and relevant in today’s multicultural landscape.
penguin
Batman has arguably the best and strongest rogues gallery of any superhero. His villains shine for their psychological complexity, acting as perfect enemies for the obsessive, damaged hero. Oswald Cobblepot, also known as The Penguin, is one of his most famous enemies, a slightly old-fashioned and slightly silly character who can seem too much of a product of his time.
However, Oswald has continued to reinvent himself, becoming one of the Dark Knight’s best and most notorious enemies. Danny DeVito’s disgraced portrayal of the character showed off the weird elements, while Colin Farrell’s portrayal presented him as a crime lord and businessman. Oswald can be both, which is why he stands out among the other Batman villains.
Captain Marvel
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Before Marvel took control of the Captain Marvel name, it belonged to one of the most famous heroes of DC’s Golden Age. Now known as Shazam, DC’s Captain Marvel was one of the company’s flagship characters, as famous as Batman and Superman, and sometimes outselling them. It lost its place when the Golden Age ended, and although it received a reintroduction in 1972, it was never able to regain its former glory.
However, Shazam returned to the spotlight in 2019 thanks to the movie of the same name. Portrayed by Zachary Levi in one of his best performances, Shazam became a light-hearted and comical figure, in stark contrast to DC’s other big-screen figures. He may not be as famous or beloved as DC’s Trinity, but Shazam successfully reintroduced himself to the big leagues in a charming and undeniably fun way.
Wonderful woman
Arguably the greatest heroine in comic book history, Wonder Woman remains an icon. Its place in live action has been defined by two major versions, each adapted to succeed in its respective moment. Lynda Carter played Wonder Woman in the 1975 show of the same name, playing a more stylized version of the character. Carter’s Wonder Woman was funny, charming, modest, and almost flawless.
Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the character emphasizes her warrior roots. She’s still beautiful and elegant, but much more practical and battle-hardened. Both versions retain Wonder Woman’s overwhelming kindness, but update key aspects of the character to better reflect the sensibilities of her time.
Aquaman
For years, Aquaman had a horrible reputation. He was considered the joke of the Justice League, a silly character in a silly orange suit with a bunch of silly powers. This changed in the new millennium when DC Comics made a considerable effort to update the character and make him less embarrassing.
However, Jason Momoa’s performance as Aquaman in the DCEU really made the difference. Part surfer, part bona fide god, Momoa’s Aquaman is what many believed the character could never be: cool. Momoa’s portrayal of the King of Atlantis breathed new life into the character, revitalizing him in the eyes of the public and turning him into a powerhouse of unparalleled strength and stature.
Catwoman
Catwoman is one of the Dark Knight’s most enduring and significant villains. However, their chemistry is undeniable; in fact, Batman and Catwoman’s iconic relationship ranks among the genre’s best romances.
The infamous cat thief has had many lives on screen, from the vivacious Julie Newmar to the alluring Ertha Kitt. Michelle Pfeiffer acting in 1992 batman returns It remains without a doubt the best portrayal of the character. Transforming Selina into a meek secretary who uses her new identity as Catwoman to pursue sexual liberation and revenge, Pfeiffer’s take on the role was made for the feminist wave of the 1990s. Future versions, including Hathaway and Kravitz, focused more on the con angle, keeping Catwoman relevant in the pop culture lexicon.
Superman
The Man of Steel is the poster child of what a superhero should be. Powerful beyond comprehension, Superman remains kind, selfless, caring and honest. He is the ultimate model, and his many versions over the years stay true to that characterization, for the most part.
Christopher Reeves’ defining take on Superman remains beloved to this day. He was the last son of Krypton ripped from the comic page and an incredibly difficult act to follow. Brandon Routh did his best Reeves impression, but the audience didn’t respond to his performance. Henry Cavill opted for a more grounded approach, playing Superman as a misunderstood god-man. His portrayal remains divisive, but it certainly resonated with many fans; however, it looks like he’ll be taking a more traditional approach to Superman now that he’s back in the role. Still, the Man of Steel remains a compelling figure in pop culture, perhaps because of his overly traditional stance.
captain america
Once upon a time, it might have been unthinkable that Marvel’s best boy scout would become such a popular character among modern audiences. However, the MCU and Chris Evans successfully made Captain America a genuinely intriguing, layered and inspiring character throughout the Saga of infinity.
Cap is still very much by the book, but his personality is more complex than ever on the page. Dealing with severe trauma and regret, Cap is the perfect leader for a team like the Avengers. His commitment to duty and fighting prowess made him a fan favorite, but his role as the ultimate embodiment of heroism made him a cinematic icon.
joker
Arguably the best and easily the most recognizable villain in comics, Joker has been around since 1940. As an archenemy, Joker has pulled off many infamous schemes in comics and played a crucial role in the Dark Knight’s most iconic stories. Naturally, it has also appeared in several live-action adaptations.
Jack Nicholson defined the Joker for the 20th century, portraying him as a mobster and living up to his title as the Clown Prince of Crime. Heath Ledger took the character in another direction in 2008, portraying him as a deranged psychopath and anarchist, cementing the Joker as the greatest comic book villain of all time. Finally, Joaquin Phoenix turned him into a murderous, unwilling leader and the epitome of a villain who thinks he’s the hero of the story.
Batman
Few characters have undergone as many transformations as the Caped Crusader. The character’s personality has remained pretty much the same, though he’s made some confusing forays into comedy. Still, Batman remains the Dark Knight: traumatized, stoic, obsessive, and caring.
However, modern iterations of Batman have taken different approaches. The animated series featured him as the ultimate hero, while Nolan’s trilogy featured him as a vigilante. This year, Matt Reeves focused on the detective aspect, showing how versatile and adaptable the character is. Through it all, Batman has remained compelling and fascinating, a figure who exists outside the norm but will always do what is right.
