# Transplant a movie villain...into a comic book universe! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 4, 2013, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873 "2013-04-04T23:33:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2013, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/1 "2013-04-04T23:33:42Z")
A few days ago, a picture leaked of the kids’ Halloween costume design of the villain of the upcoming Superman movie, _The Man of Steel_, General Zod. It looked rather like [Lord Humungus](http://t.fod4.com/t/36ae51ddc5/c480x270_35.jpg) from _The Road Warrior_. With a fur cape. That got me to thinking: The Lord Humungus was _cool_—I’d actually kind of _like_ to see him as a comic book villain. (I don’t know if he’d be ready to go up against Superman…but seeing as Superman’s major movie nemeses have been “Evil Land-Use Schemes” and “His Own Inner Demons and Personal Failings,” maybe I’m wrong.) So, that brings me to this topic: What are some movie (or TV) bad guys that YOU think would do well if transplanted to a comic book universe or movie? My picks? •[UNISOL Andrew Scott](http://universalsoldier.wikia.com/wiki/Andrew_Scott), from _Universal Soldier._ AKA “the one Dolph Lundgren played.” Skilled, powerful supersoldier…zombie…cyborg…thing. Also completely, violently, delightedly, cheesefully insane. •[The Nothing](http://villains.wikia.com/wiki/The_Nothing), from _The Neverending Story_. Jus’ popped into my head…kind of a weird choice, especially if you’re thinking of a villain for a summer action blockbuster. But I’ve seen superheroes “battle” abstract antagonists before. And I’ve seen the last 20 minutes of _Akira_. I think It’s got a shot. •[Neil McCauley](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_%281995_film%29) from _Heat_. Eh, what the heck. An interesting foil…and Hans Gruber was just too obvious. 😉 So, anyone else? Master criminals? Monsters? Killer clowns? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2013, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/2 "2013-04-04T23:37:29Z")
Darth Vader is an obvious one. He has the whole comic book costume and superpowers already. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2013, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/3 "2013-04-04T23:39:18Z")
Darth Vader. Evil force-wielding part robot Sith lord Hannibal Lecter. Sorta like the Riddler, but scarier and less campy ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2013, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/4 "2013-04-04T23:47:19Z")
Mad Dog from The Raid. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2013, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/5 "2013-04-04T23:55:44Z")
The problem is that comic book characters are far too overpowered. Put Hannibal Lector into the DC Universe and Superman would have him wrapped up. Or put any of them in the Authority’s universe and they’ll be dead. Though putting Lector’s ability to read people up against the Midnighter’s ability to predict actions might be interesting. But Lector would still die in the end. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/6 "2013-04-05T02:12:00Z")
Jafar, from ALADDIN, seems to have a pretty solid approach to villainy: first ensorcel yourself a head of state, and then make sure to wear a disguise while sending a clueless hireling off to retrieve one of those enchanted artifacts that get dug up from time to time in comic-book universes. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/7 "2013-04-05T05:11:40Z")
You want a movie villain that will be totally scary-ass? Try Kayser Soze motherfucker! ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/8 "2013-04-05T10:50:42Z")
The [Thing](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_%281982_film%29) would work. The trick will be in arranging matters so it doesn’t eat the whole biosphere, but there’s various ways a comic book setting could forestall that possibility. Or not… ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/9 "2013-04-05T13:48:50Z")
IT aka Pennywise the Clown would be one hell of a Batman villain. And somehow, even though he’s a clown, not at all a Joker retread. I’d actually love to pitch that to DC. The interaction between Mista J and Pennywise would be worth the cover price. The “batmen” from Stephen King’s short story The Ten O’Clock People. They’re a pod-people style monster that replaces prominent figures. Only people who are trying to quit smoking can see them due to a unique chemical imbalance. Perfect for the Punisher. He can rampage around the country hunting, torturing, and executing “batmen” all the while the entire Marvel superhero universe thinks he’s actually assassinating elected officials. This culminates in an epic standoff where The Punisher somehow holds his own with guns, claymores, and his wits in a sort of Assault on Precinct 13-style raid with Cap, Spidey, Thor, Wolverine, et al as the raiders. It obviously culminates in a dramatic reveal of the “batmen” in which the superheroes now take the fight to the batmen. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/10 "2013-04-05T14:15:38Z")
The Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man vs. Superman. At first Supes would be looking for Mr. Mxyzptlk, and while the big softie is itself no match for the Man of Steel, Gozer may be able to do some damage. Maybe Ambush Bug could come by and do color commentary. ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/11 "2013-04-05T19:11:20Z")
“Death” from the Final Destination series, versus… hmmm, what characters do I want to see die in hilariously convoluted ways…? OK, against any characters that Rob Liefield has created what are still being used, with the possible exception of Cable. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2013, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/12 "2013-04-06T09:06:19Z")
How about the T-1000? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2013, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/13 "2013-04-06T10:02:26Z")
Godzilla. Frankenstein. Dracula. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2013, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/14 "2013-04-06T10:08:29Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Godzilla. > Frankenstein. > Dracula. Godzilla and Dracula have both showed up in Marvel actually. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2013, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/15 "2013-04-06T15:58:07Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Godzilla and Dracula have both showed up in Marvel actually. And DC has some sort of Frankenstein, I believe. Or maybe it’s Frahnk-en-steen. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2013, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/16 "2013-04-06T17:19:12Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Godzilla and Dracula have both showed up in Marvel actually. [Frankenstein](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein's_Monster_(Marvel_Comics)), too. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/17 "2013-04-08T00:10:34Z")
One I thought of a long time ago was from Goldeneye. (if you haven’t seen it and still plan to and don’t want to be spoilered that a villain gets killed and James Bond wins, well, what’s wrong with you?) There’s this computer geek villain in the movie and he winds up getting killed with liquid nitrogen or something really cold like that. After the movie I turned to my friend and said “You know, if that movie was set in the Marvel Universe, that guy would be back in a few months as Frost-Byte” ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/18 "2013-04-08T16:20:34Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > IT aka Pennywise the Clown would be one hell of a Batman villain. And somehow, even though he’s a clown, not at all a Joker retread. I’d actually love to pitch that to DC. The interaction between Mista J and Pennywise would be worth the cover price. > > The “batmen” from Stephen King’s short story The Ten O’Clock People. They’re a pod-people style monster that replaces prominent figures. Only people who are trying to quit smoking can see them due to a unique chemical imbalance. Perfect for the Punisher. He can rampage around the country hunting, torturing, and executing “batmen” all the while the entire Marvel superhero universe thinks he’s actually assassinating elected officials. This culminates in an epic standoff where The Punisher somehow holds his own with guns, claymores, and his wits in a sort of Assault on Precinct 13-style raid with Cap, Spidey, Thor, Wolverine, et al as the raiders. It obviously culminates in a dramatic reveal of the “batmen” in which the superheroes now take the fight to the batmen. Hey, I’d buy that comic! Nice. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/19 "2013-04-08T17:23:20Z")
> [@gytalf2000](#): > > Hey, I’d buy that comic! Nice. [You could read this one.](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/72112.Astro_City_Vol_2). It’s pretty much the same plot. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873/20 "2013-04-08T19:35:18Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > Frost-Byte I simultaneously want to shake your hand and smack you upside the head. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplant-a-movie-villain-into-a-comic-book-universe/654873.md?page=2)