The Hidden Gem of 90s Comic Book Movies That Will Blow Your Mind!

Once upon a time, comic book movies were a rarity. Although adaptations of comics have existed since the days of film serials, their current dominance in popular culture is a relatively new development. In 1995, Batman Forever claimed the top spot as the highest-grossing film, with Judge Dredd coming in at a distant #50 in terms of comic book competitors. A hidden gem, Tank Girl, resides even further down the list at #172, unfortunately forgotten by many.

In the present day, the majority of comic book movies are owned by just two major studios: Marvel and DC. These studios have gained even more control over the market than they have over their original comic book medium. Rarely, an outsider film will arise, but it often attempts to replicate the success of the big players. Rather than focusing on creating quality movies, everyone seems more concerned with emulating the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This trend can leave fans longing for the earlier days of comic book cinema.

What is Tank Girl about?

What is Tank Girl based on?

Earth, in the year 2033, suffers from a devastating drought caused by a catastrophic comet strike. The remaining water supply is tightly controlled by W&P, a corrupt corporation that will stop at nothing to maintain its monopoly. Residing in the desolate Australian outback, Rebecca "Tank Girl" Buck relies on one of the few remaining free wells in the world as her source of survival. Unfortunately, the tranquility of her commune is shattered when W&P forces invade. Tank Girl's beloved boyfriend is mercilessly slain, and both she and her young friend, Sam, are taken captive. Amidst her captivity, Tank Girl encounters Jet Girl, a highly skilled mechanic. When a group of powerful human-kangaroo hybrids known as Rippers launches an assault against W&P, Tank Girl and Jet seize the opportunity for vengeance. Unleashing Tank Girl upon the ravaged Earth becomes a force to be reckoned with, her anarchic spirit akin to Bugs Bunny's becoming her most formidable weapon. Consequently, an intense clash unfolds, pitting punk rock freedom against a corporate-controlled monopoly. While the film may not have attained its desired audience, it undeniably serves as an intriguing metaphor for its position within the market.

Tank Girl made its debut in 1988 as one of the featured strips in the renowned British magazine Deadline. The creative team behind this popular comic consisted of writer Alan Martin and illustrator Jamie Hewlett, who first crossed paths while studying at The West Sussex College of Art and Design in the mid-80s. As coincidence would have it, they formed a band called The University Smalls and decided to incorporate the suffix -girl into the titles of their songs after the release of the 1984 Supergirl film. Martin and Hewlett, both devoted comic book enthusiasts, stumbled upon the perfect inspiration for their new creation – a chance sketch of a rebellious punk girl standing before a menacing tank, thus giving birth to the iconic character known as Tank Girl.

Martin and Hewlett found the perfect moment to create a counterculture hero when Thatcher's administration banned the promotion of homosexuality. At that time, women were gaining more prominence in the punk scene. Tank Girl quickly became an influential figure in the counterculture comic scene until Dark Horse bought and reprinted the strips in 1991. In 1995, a new series of graphic novel-length stories premiered under Vertigo. After a 12-year break, during which Hewlett co-founded the band Gorillaz with Damon Albarn, IDW and Titan Comics revived Tank Girl with a few one-shots and limited series.

However, as an adaptation, Tank Girl falls into a common trap in comic book movies. It fails to capture the essence of the original work. The original comic strips were anarchic and fragmented, resembling stream-of-consciousness half-stories more than a continuous narrative. The movie felt the need to give Tank Girl a moral drive and a straightforward storyline, which hindered its rebellious nature compared to the source material. Despite its imperfections, the film does manage to convey some of the comic's unique energy. Tank Girl offers elements that cannot be found elsewhere for fans of comic books.

Why does Tank Girl deserve more attention?"

Tank Girl did not receive kind reviews from critics in its time, but modern audiences have a different perspective. Some even believe that the film's protofeminist elements intimidated the predominantly male executives and film critics of that era. The cast and crew acknowledge that it is not a flawless film, but Tank Girl offers something that very few other comic book movies can. It is vibrant and audacious, captivating audiences with its eccentricities and refusal to conform. Key aspects such as the costumes, set design, and the performance of lead actor Lori Petty are widely praised. Despite the studio's attempts to suppress it, Tank Girl is recognized as one of the most peculiar examples of its genre, which is an achievement in itself.

In a world dominated by increasingly homogeneous superhero movies that even dedicated fans find tiresome, Tank Girl is a nostalgic treasure. The film continues to exert its influence today. It is said that Margot Robbie's production company considered remaking Tank Girl a few years ago, just before she starred in Birds of Prey, a film that unapologetically draws inspiration from the 1995 flop. Tank Girl deserves to be acknowledged as more than a failed experiment. It may lack refinement, but its rebellious energy is simply irresistible, demanding our unwavering attention.