Top 10 Makeup Effects in Comic Book Movies
It's time for a different kind of makeover. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the top 10 makeup effects in movies based on comics. For this list, we're taking a look at seemingly un-filmable comic book characters that were brought to life through innovative makeup artistry. These makeup effects made the characters we know and love from our favorite comic books all the more real.
Special thanks to our user Brennan Young for submitting the idea on our Suggestions Page at WatchMojo.comsuggest
Top 10 Makeup Effects in Movies Based on Comics
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It’s time for a different kind of makeover. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 makeup effects in movies based on comics. For this list, we’re taking a look at seemingly un-filmable comic book characters that were brought to life through innovative makeup artistry. We’re excluding those that have been enhanced by computer effects, like Hugo Weaving’s Red Skull in “Captain America: The First Avenger.”
#10: The Crow “The Crow” (1994)
Superhero Origins: The Crow
When Eric Draven is murdered, the rocker is reborn as an angel of vengeance that could give Marilyn Manson a run for his money in the makeup department. Modeling his new look after a harlequin mask, Eric transformers himself into a gothic terror with a soulless white face, black slashes across his eyes, and lipstick that cries out, “kiss of death.” His awesomely spooky appearance has made the Crow an especially popular character to dress as for Halloween - or any given day if you’re a regular Hot Topic shopper.
#9: Jigsaw “Punisher: War Zone” (2008)
Billy “The Beaut” Russoti earns the alias of “Jigsaw” after our titular antihero disfigures him in a glass crusher. Although a plastic surgeon does what he can to patch him up, he can only do so much with a puzzle that’s missing some significant pieces. Looking like the mutilated offspring of Frankenstein, the only thing more scattered and repulsive than Jigsaw’s face is his mind, which is dead set on punishing the Punisher. He might be horrifically ugly, but Jigsaw more than makes up for it with one classy wardrobe.
#8: Marv “Sin City” franchise (2005-14)
Mickey Rourke’s already pretty beat-up face was taken to new levels of grit to play Marv in “Sin City.” The spitting image of Frank Miller’s artwork, this ape-ish low-life’s mug is like a brick wall. You can punch it, stab it, and shoot it, but nothing will tear it down. Covered in scars and with a birdlike nose, Marv doesn’t have much luck attracting ladies. He has visibly attracted a fair deal of opponents, though, likely having a body count equivalent to the number of scratches on his body.
#7: All Mob Villains “Dick Tracy” (1990)
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Some gangsters get their nicknames through their heinous actions. Most of the ones in “Dick Tracy,” however, are named after their unfortunate facial disfigurements. The villains leap right out of the comics into the physical world with the appearance of live-action cartoon characters. Winning an Oscar for Best Makeup, John Caglione Jr. and Doug Drexler assemble a whole mob of diverse baddies like the Brow, Little Face, Flattop, and Pruneface. Who would have thought that out of all of them, Al Pacino’s Big Boy would end up being the most attractive?
#6: The Thing “Fantastic Four” franchise (2005-07)
Comic Book Origins: Man Thing
Being mostly reliant on lazy CGI, 2005’s “Fantastic Four” failed miserably in creating a convincing Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, or Human Torch. The only member of the foursome we ever believed was really there was The Thing, who the filmmakers thankfully gave a more practical touch. Hidden under sixty pounds of latex, Michael Chiklis was turned into the topless rock titan. The only features he retains from his human appearance are his bright, blue eyes. Of course if you’d ask Johnny Storm, the rocky exterior is an improvement.
#5: Clown / The Violator “Spawn” (1997)
While Spawn himself is an impressive achievement in makeup, Clown easily takes the cake. You’d never guess in a million years it’s John Leguizamo in that fat suit as the demon who leads Spawn down the path of evil. Possessing shape-shifting abilities, Clown regularly assumes a stumpy sumo wrestler body, hellish eyes, ratty teeth, and a face painted blue. Makeup artist David LeRoy Anderson of “The Nutty Professor” and “Men in Black” was the perfect person to mold this chubby, grotesque creature into a slimy reality.
#4: The Joker “The Dark Knight” (2008)
Supervillain Origins: The Joker (Redux)
In Tim Burton’s “Batman,” Jack Nicholson’s Clown Prince of Crime was permanently mutilated with white skin, green hair, and a haunting smile. Christopher Nolan took a different approach in “The Dark Knight,” hiring John Caglione Jr. and Conor O’Sullivan to paint a Joker that could exist in the real world. With scars across his mouth and clown makeup carelessly smeared on his face, Heath Ledger wears the mask of sheer evil. It’s a fitting face to accompany a symbol for anarchy and terror that parallels Batman’s symbol for justice.
#3: The Penguin “Batman Returns” (1992)
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You ever hear the phrase, “A face only a mother could love?” Well not even Oswald Cobblepot’s mother could look past her child’s vile exterior. Given his twisted, stubby form, it’s tragically ironic he was abandoned and raised by penguins in Gotham’s sewers. Danny DeVito was born to play the Penguin, as sad as that sounds, who’s never been more animalistic with a beak-nose, pale skin, and razor-sharp teeth. Leave it to Tim Burton to take a character as outlandish as the Penguin and make him even more bizarre.
#2: Mystique, Nightcrawler, Beast & Azazel “X-Men” franchise (2000-)
Supervillain Origins: Mystique
The “X-Men” movies have envisioned so many unique mutants made possible through makeup that we couldn’t single out just one. Of course, the most iconic of the bunch is Mystique, whose naked, scaly body is draped in blue latex and airbrush paint. Over the years, various makeup artists have treated us to other characters like the hairy Beast, the demonic Nightcrawler, and the even more demonic Azazel. The fact that real people are under all that makeup really adds a human element, which ties into the themes of this franchise. Before we sit our top pick down in the makeup chair, here are a few honorable mentions: - Laufey “Thor” (2011) - Gamora and Ronan the Accuser “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014) - Pearl “Blade” (1998) - Ephialtes “300” (2007)
#1: Hellboy “Hellboy” franchise (2004-08)
Superhero Origins: Hellboy
Guillermo del Toro’s “Hellboy” films have produced an entire golden army of distinctive creatures, like the fishy Abe Sapien. The standout, however, has got to be the title character. Prosthetic makeup effects and Ron Pearlman’s down-to-earth performance made for a flawless fusion to create a creature who’s one half satanic brute, the other half laidback dude. Watching these films, you’d never think of Hellboy as a big guy painted red with a fake giant arm. You believe that he’s the real deal and the definition of movie makeup magic. Do you agree with our list? What makeup effects made your favorite comic characters a reality? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
