The Building Blocks of the Superhero Genre: Exploring the Pioneers
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has become the most successful cinematic franchise in history, but the superhero genre has been around for much longer. In fact, some of the best examples of superhero movies don’t star Marvel or DC characters whatsoever. As fans of the genre, we’re familiar with the typical characteristics of a superhero movie: a protagonist with extraordinary abilities, themes of heroism and self-discovery, and plenty of action. The movies that excel at conveying these elements span decades, with some of the best examples released when the genre was in its infancy.
RoboCop (1987) is an early superhero origin movie that depicts Alex Murphy’s transformation into a cyborg after being brutally murdered. The movie is a paragon of justice, embracing the cyberpunk subgenre and satirical elements, with an R-rating. RoboCop is an original character, with cybernetic enhancements that transform him into a tour de force whose morality and humanity clash with his corporate programming, making him a distinctly moral figure who strives to uphold justice.
Another influential movie is Blade (1998), which was released during a time when the superhero genre was struggling to find its footing. Blade, a movie about a human-vampire hybrid, was hot on the heels of 1997’s Batman & Robin, and managed to uphold the superhero genre when DC’s first Batman franchise fumbled. Blade’s visual style, action sequences, and Wesley Snipes’ depiction of the titular character have made it a cult classic among genre aficionados.
While Marvel and DC may dominate the genre today, some of the best superhero movies of the last few decades had nothing to do with the two studios. The sequence of events, from RoboCop to Blade, showcases the building blocks of the genre. The influence of these movies can be seen in later successful superhero films, such as the MCU. As the genre continues to evolve, exploring the pioneers that came before is a must for any fan.