Contributions by Timothy P. Barnard, Michael Cohen, Rayna Denison, Martin Flanagan, Sophie Geoffroy-Menoux, Mel Gibson, Kerry Gough, Jonathan Gray, Craig Hight, Derek Johnson, Pascal Lefevre, Paul M. Malone, Neil Rae, Aldo J. Regalado, Jan van der Putten, and David Wilt In Film and Comic Books contributors analyze the problems of adapting one medium to another; the translation of comics aesthetics into film; audience expectations, reception, and reaction to comic book-based films; and the adaptation of films into comics. A wide range of comic/film adaptations are explored, including superheroes ( Spider-Man ), comic strips ( Dick Tracy ), realist and autobiographical comics ( American Splendor ; Ghost World ), and photo-montage comics (Mexico's El Santo ). Essayists discuss films beginning with the 1978 Superman . That success led filmmakers to adapt a multitude of comic books for the screen including Marvel's Uncanny X-Men , the Amazing Spider-Man , Blade , and the Incredible Hulk as well as alternative graphic novels such as From Hell , V for Vendetta , and Road to Perdition . Essayists also discuss recent works from Mexico, France, Germany, and Malaysia. Essays that explore how comic books inspire film and create new realms of visual art This book of essays that explore how comic books inspire film and create new realms of visual art - Provides an edited anthology that explores the aesthetics, economics, and critical/commercial reception of film adaptations of comic books - Contains commentary on recent critical hits and commercial blockbusters such as American Splendor, Ghost World, Spider-Man, and Dick Tracy - Includes essays on films and comics from a variety of countries outside America, including Germany, France, Mexico, and Malaysia - Features contributions from Timothy P. Barnard (National University of Singapore), Michael Cohen (La Trobe University, Australia), Rayna Denison (University of Sussex), Martin Flanagan (University of Bolton), Sophie Geoffroy-Menoux (University of La Réunion-France), Mel Gibson (University of Northumbria), Ian Gordon (National University of Singapore), Kerry Gough (University of Central England, Birmingham), Jonathan Gray (Fordham University), Craig Hight (University of Waikato), Mark Jancovich (University of East Anglia), Derek Johnson (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Pascal Lefèvre (University of Leuven), Paul M. Malone (University of Waterloo-Canada), Matthew P. McAllister (Penn State University), Neil Rae (Goldsmiths College, University of London), Aldo J. Regalado (University of Miami-Florida), Jan van der Putten (National University of Singapore), David Wilt (University of Maryland) Essays that explore how comic books inspire film and create new realms of visual art Essays that explore how comic books inspire film and create new realms of visual art Ian Gordon has taught history and media studies for many years at the National University of Singapore. His publications include Superman: The Persistence of an American Icon , Ben Katchor: Conversations , Film and Comic Books, and The Comics of Charles Schulz: The Good Grief of Modern Life , the latter three published by University Press of Mississippi. Mark Jancovich is professor of film and television studies at the University of East Anglia. Matthew P. McAllister is associate professor of film, video, and media studies at Pennsylvania State University.