Marvel Universe
"Flame On!" - The publication of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee's "Fantastic Four" in 1961 heralded the arrival of a new comics continuum - the Marvel universe. In contrast to DC comic's shiny utopian "uber-mensch", Marvel characters had 'feet of clay' - uncertain heroes for uncertain times. Try as they might to do what's right, the world seems set against them. But on they fight. And fight and fight. Etcetera.
Marvel characters are visually bombastic in their goings on, limiting early adaptations to animation. During the rush for Star Wars cash in the 70s and 80s several live action Marvel TV shows were produced but technological compromise fashioned results which were a far cry from the source material. More recently, Marvel has been riding the wave of digital film-making as it has broken through the industry. They have had much success (and some wipeouts) on the big screen building cinematic franchises which will no doubt continue for years to come.
Pictured: The friendly neighbourhood wall-crawler takes it all the way to the top in "Spider-man"(2002) - Marvel's biggest box-office bonanza.
X-Men: Apocalypse ( Blu-ray ) (2016)
7/10
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Rose Byrne, Nicholas Hoult, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Oscar Isaac, Lucas...
Since the dawn of civilization, he was worshipped as a god. Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel's X-Men universe, amassed the p... Read more
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
8/10
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Anna Paquin, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, James McA...
Like most of the films in the X-Men series X-Men: Days OF Future Past is set in the not too distant future. But the world is a very different place. L... Read more
X-Men: Days of Future Past ( Blu-ray ) (2014)
8/10
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Anna Paquin, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, James McA...
Like most of the films in the X-Men series X-Men: Days OF Future Past is set in the not too distant future. But the world is a very different place. L... Read more
X-Men: Days of Future Past - The Rogue Cut (2014)
7.4/10
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Anna Paquin, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, James McA...
With a never-before-seen, alternate cut of the film - plus 90 minutes of all-new, immersive special features - the X-Men: Days of Future Past Rogue Cu... Read more
X-Men: First Class (2011)
7.7/10
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Starring: Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt, Rose Byrne, James McAvoy, January Jones, Michael Fass...
Set against the backdrop of the looming Cuban Missile Crisis, this thrilling prequel shows mutants Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lensherr (Mi... Read more
X-Men: First Class (Blu-ray) (2011)
7.7/10
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Starring: Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt, Rose Byrne, James McAvoy, January Jones, Michael Fass...
Set against the backdrop of the looming Cuban Missile Crisis, this thrilling prequel shows mutants Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lensherr (Mi... Read more
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
6.7/10
Director: Brett Ratner
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, Ian McKellen, Anna Paquin, Kelsey Gram...
Brett Ratner steps into Bryan Singer's directing shoes for the official last in the series and this time our mutant heroes must face a potential 'cure... Read more
X-Men: The Last Stand ( Blu-ray ) (2006)
6.7/10
Director: Brett Ratner
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, Ian McKellen, Anna Paquin, Kelsey Gram...
Brett Ratner steps into Bryan Singer's directing shoes for the official last in the series and this time our mutant heroes must face a potential 'cure... Read more
X-Men: The Legend of Wolverine (2003)
7.4/10
Director: Anon
Starring: Animation
The most popular Super Hero team in history is here in this action-packed animated adventure. When a familiar face from Wolverine's former life resurf... Read more
X-Men: Volume 1, Episodes 1-8 (1992)
7.4/10
Director: Various
A fondly remembered treatment of Marvel's classic super-hero team. This series from the early 1990s brought cutting-edge animation and design to Satur... Read more