Kick-Ass: The Comic Book Versus The Movie
June 7, 2012 by Pranay Suri
Kick-Ass, whether it be the movie or the comic, has become a great success. In this article I will compare the comic, which was written by Mark Millar, and the movie, which was directed by Matthew Vaughn, to decide which one did a better job. I will compare the portrayal of three major characters in the story; Big Daddy, Hit-Girl, and Kick-Ass. The comparison will be divided into three categories. The first category is which medium stayed true to the overall message in its portrayal of the character. The second category is which medium made for a better story in its portrayal of the character. The final category is which medium made the character cooler and more presentable. The medium that gets the highest points will be the winner.
Warning: Spoilers ahead!!
Dave Lewinski in the Comic
Dave Lewinski in the comic book is a scared pathetic boy with no special talents or skills. He is very much your average teenage boy. He is hopelessly in love with Katie Deauxma, a girl from his school. He even goes as far as to pretend that he is gay just to be friends with her. He drowns himself in comic books and harbors fake delusions of becoming a superhero out of pure boredom and thus takes up the role of Kick-Ass. This, as to be expected, turns out to be a huge failure and he soon finds himself in a situation that he can't help to control. The movie and the comic are pretty much on the same page up till this point in the story but it all changes after the appearance of Hit-Girl and Big Daddy, but we will get to them later.
In the comic Dave's story comes to a bitter sweet end, well more bitter than sweet for him anyways. He ends up beating the bad guys, even though he had very little contribution to all this. He spends most of the fight cowering in fear and his one real contribution was shooting a guy in the balls in order to create a distraction so Hit-Girl could kill the rest of the bad guys. A new confident Dave comes out of this with a lot of confidence and decides its time to tell Katie that he isn't gay and that he really loves her. Her reply is to get her boyfriend to beat the crap out of him. All in all Dave was a big failure as a superhero... but that was the point wasn't it? He was a normal boy in the real world. If he had been a kick ass superhero wouldn't it have been a little silly?
Dave Lewinski in the Movie
"The origins" of Dave Lewinski in the movie, played by Aaron Johnson, is almost identical to that of the comic book. The major difference between Dave in the movie and Dave in the comic was in the last few scenes. As I stated earlier Dave in the comic didn't really participate in the decisive battle. In the movie however he makes a surprising and heroic entrance. Hit-Girl's back is against the wall at he comes in and saves the day in true superhero fashion.
Another major change is that in the movie Dave gets the girl. I mean come on.. he tricked her by claiming he was gay and then she fell for him... I'm not buying it.
1st Category (Message): COMIC
Well Kick-Ass satirizes the idea that a normal kid could become a superhero. In that sense it is clear that the comic wins this category because the movie makes Dave seem somewhat heroic. The idea that everything works out for him in the end also goes to show that there were no consequences for his actions. Everything turned out perfectly.
2nd Category (Story): COMIC
This was a close call. The movie's change in Dave definitely made some improvements to the story but I think that it does more wrong than good.
3rd Category (Coolness and presentability): MOVIE
Dave in the movie related to a much wider audience and the successful love interest was bound to draw some praise even though I didn't really go for it.
2 POINTS GO TO THE COMIC!!!
1 POINT GOES TO THE MOVIE!!!
TOTAL POINT COUNT:
MOVIE: 1 PT
COMIC: 2 PTS
Hit-Girl in the Comic
In the comic Hit-Girl is a brainwashed killing machine. Her father uses her as a tool to live out his childish fantasy, much like Dave's childish fantasy. Hit-Girl bairly showed emotion in the comic. She was simply there to do her job. She appeared to be cold hearted, violent, and most importantly flawed. She was by no means perfect. In the comic Hit-Girl appeared to not even be a teenager yet but she had no childishness left in her. The way she killed people was almost surgical. Her costume in the comic is very dark and she doesn't stand out much. This can't be said for Hit-Girl in the movie.
Another thing that is very important to note is that we didn't find out about Hit-Girl's true identity till the sixth issue of the comic. Two thirds of the comic is done by the sixth issue. Hit-Girl in the comic is known as Hit-Girl, not as Mindy.
Hit-Girl/Mindy in the Movie
The first time we see Hit-Girl, played by Chloe Grave Moretz, in the movie we actually see her secret identity. A scene that is briefly mentioned in the comic serves as our introduction to Mindy. This difference makes the viewers think of a little girl instead of a killing machine when they think of Hit-Girl. This set the tone for Hit-Girl in the movie. She was a lot more childish than she was in the comic and less like a killing machine. Hit-Girl also wore a bright purple wig and costume instead of the dull black costume worn in the comic to further her childish aura.
In the movie Hit-Girl's relationship with her father is a lot stronger. First of all its not built on lies. Big Daddy isn't just using Hit-Girl as a tool. instead they are both fighting to avenge their fallen mother and the wrongs that the mob committed.
Category 1 (Message): COMIC
The main change was that Hit-Girl was made to be more childish in the movie. This took away from her imperfection and the flaws that were present in the comic. These flaws were important to the message because they helped to satirize the idea of a superhero. Furthermore, the relationship with Big Daddy being based on lies also helped to ridicule the entire situation. When this was also taken away by the movie the strength of the message was lost.
Category 2 (Story): MOVIE
By making these changes to Hit-Girl Vaughn made Hit-Girl's character a lot deeper. He was able to develop her character a lot more because she had more substance to her. This improved the overall story because we were more invested and interested because of these changes. Her improved relationship with Big Daddy also helped the story to flow better.
Category 3 (Coolness and presentability): MOVIE
Hit-Girl is way more likable and relatable in the movie. She has a mind of her own instead of being a pawn and she actually has depth to her.
2 POINTS GO TO THE MOVIE!!!
1 POINT GOES TO THE COMIC!!!
TOTAL POINT COUNT:
MOVIE: 3
COMIC: 3
Big Daddy in the Comic
Big Daddy in the comic didn't play that big of a role as compared to Dave or Hit-Girl. The big thing is that he was the one controlling Hit-Girl. His secret origin was all a lie he was actually just a fanboy trying to live out his childish dreams. All in all he was a pretty lame character.
Big Daddy dies an execution style death with no honor. He tells everyone how he tricked his daughter and then gets shot in the back of the head.
Big Daddy in the Movie
Big Daddy, played by Nicholas Cage, in the movie is a strange character. Mark Millar was making a batman and robin reference in the Kick-Ass comic and Vaughn decided to make that reference a direct translation by making Big Daddy's costume Batman's costume. As I said Big Daddy did some really cool things in the movie. The warehouse scene immediately comes to mind. He took down a warehouse full of guys single handedly.
In the movie Big Daddy's death is noble and kind of heroic. He is burning to death but he still finds it in himself to direct Hit-Girl to victory in the fight. He died a warrior's death instead of the pathetic death given to the comic Big Daddy.
Category 1 (Message): COMIC
This might be a little bit of a surprise but the cool parts of Big Daddy in the movie kind of kill the message. In the comic he serves as a failed version of Kick-Ass. He was a fanboy and he screwed everything up by trying to live out his child like fantasy. If the message wasn't clear enough through Kick-Ass then it was backed up by Big Daddy's failure. The movie changed all that and by doing this it weakened the message.
Category 2 (Story): TIE
I think that in both mediums Big Daddy contributes to the story. In the comic he does it indirectly. His story really puts a twist on things. In the movie its his action and his coolness.
Category 3 (Coolness and presentability): MOVIE
No competition here.
1.5 POINTS GO TO THE MOVIE!!!
1.5 POINT GOES TO THE COMIC!!!
TOTAL POINT COUNT:
MOVIE: 4.5
COMIC: 4.5
IT IS A TIE!!!!!!!
"The origins" of Dave Lewinski in the movie, played by Aaron Johnson, is almost identical to that of the comic book. The major difference between Dave in the movie and Dave in the comic was in the last few scenes. As I stated earlier Dave in the comic didn't really participate in the decisive battle. In the movie however he makes a surprising and heroic entrance. Hit-Girl's back is against the wall at he comes in and saves the day in true superhero fashion.
Another major change is that in the movie Dave gets the girl. I mean come on.. he tricked her by claiming he was gay and then she fell for him... I'm not buying it.
1st Category (Message): COMIC
Well Kick-Ass satirizes the idea that a normal kid could become a superhero. In that sense it is clear that the comic wins this category because the movie makes Dave seem somewhat heroic. The idea that everything works out for him in the end also goes to show that there were no consequences for his actions. Everything turned out perfectly.
2nd Category (Story): COMIC
This was a close call. The movie's change in Dave definitely made some improvements to the story but I think that it does more wrong than good.
3rd Category (Coolness and presentability): MOVIE
Dave in the movie related to a much wider audience and the successful love interest was bound to draw some praise even though I didn't really go for it.
2 POINTS GO TO THE COMIC!!!
1 POINT GOES TO THE MOVIE!!!
TOTAL POINT COUNT:
MOVIE: 1 PT
COMIC: 2 PTS
Hit-Girl in the Comic
In the comic Hit-Girl is a brainwashed killing machine. Her father uses her as a tool to live out his childish fantasy, much like Dave's childish fantasy. Hit-Girl bairly showed emotion in the comic. She was simply there to do her job. She appeared to be cold hearted, violent, and most importantly flawed. She was by no means perfect. In the comic Hit-Girl appeared to not even be a teenager yet but she had no childishness left in her. The way she killed people was almost surgical. Her costume in the comic is very dark and she doesn't stand out much. This can't be said for Hit-Girl in the movie.
Another thing that is very important to note is that we didn't find out about Hit-Girl's true identity till the sixth issue of the comic. Two thirds of the comic is done by the sixth issue. Hit-Girl in the comic is known as Hit-Girl, not as Mindy.
Hit-Girl/Mindy in the Movie
The first time we see Hit-Girl, played by Chloe Grave Moretz, in the movie we actually see her secret identity. A scene that is briefly mentioned in the comic serves as our introduction to Mindy. This difference makes the viewers think of a little girl instead of a killing machine when they think of Hit-Girl. This set the tone for Hit-Girl in the movie. She was a lot more childish than she was in the comic and less like a killing machine. Hit-Girl also wore a bright purple wig and costume instead of the dull black costume worn in the comic to further her childish aura.
In the movie Hit-Girl's relationship with her father is a lot stronger. First of all its not built on lies. Big Daddy isn't just using Hit-Girl as a tool. instead they are both fighting to avenge their fallen mother and the wrongs that the mob committed.
Category 1 (Message): COMIC
The main change was that Hit-Girl was made to be more childish in the movie. This took away from her imperfection and the flaws that were present in the comic. These flaws were important to the message because they helped to satirize the idea of a superhero. Furthermore, the relationship with Big Daddy being based on lies also helped to ridicule the entire situation. When this was also taken away by the movie the strength of the message was lost.
Category 2 (Story): MOVIE
By making these changes to Hit-Girl Vaughn made Hit-Girl's character a lot deeper. He was able to develop her character a lot more because she had more substance to her. This improved the overall story because we were more invested and interested because of these changes. Her improved relationship with Big Daddy also helped the story to flow better.
Category 3 (Coolness and presentability): MOVIE
Hit-Girl is way more likable and relatable in the movie. She has a mind of her own instead of being a pawn and she actually has depth to her.
2 POINTS GO TO THE MOVIE!!!
1 POINT GOES TO THE COMIC!!!
TOTAL POINT COUNT:
MOVIE: 3
COMIC: 3
Big Daddy in the Comic
Big Daddy in the comic didn't play that big of a role as compared to Dave or Hit-Girl. The big thing is that he was the one controlling Hit-Girl. His secret origin was all a lie he was actually just a fanboy trying to live out his childish dreams. All in all he was a pretty lame character.
Big Daddy dies an execution style death with no honor. He tells everyone how he tricked his daughter and then gets shot in the back of the head.
Big Daddy in the Movie
Big Daddy, played by Nicholas Cage, in the movie is a strange character. Mark Millar was making a batman and robin reference in the Kick-Ass comic and Vaughn decided to make that reference a direct translation by making Big Daddy's costume Batman's costume. As I said Big Daddy did some really cool things in the movie. The warehouse scene immediately comes to mind. He took down a warehouse full of guys single handedly.
In the movie Big Daddy's death is noble and kind of heroic. He is burning to death but he still finds it in himself to direct Hit-Girl to victory in the fight. He died a warrior's death instead of the pathetic death given to the comic Big Daddy.
Category 1 (Message): COMIC
This might be a little bit of a surprise but the cool parts of Big Daddy in the movie kind of kill the message. In the comic he serves as a failed version of Kick-Ass. He was a fanboy and he screwed everything up by trying to live out his child like fantasy. If the message wasn't clear enough through Kick-Ass then it was backed up by Big Daddy's failure. The movie changed all that and by doing this it weakened the message.
Category 2 (Story): TIE
I think that in both mediums Big Daddy contributes to the story. In the comic he does it indirectly. His story really puts a twist on things. In the movie its his action and his coolness.
Category 3 (Coolness and presentability): MOVIE
No competition here.
1.5 POINTS GO TO THE MOVIE!!!
1.5 POINT GOES TO THE COMIC!!!
TOTAL POINT COUNT:
MOVIE: 4.5
COMIC: 4.5
IT IS A TIE!!!!!!!
In the comic Hit-Girl is a brainwashed killing machine. Her father uses her as a tool to live out his childish fantasy, much like Dave's childish fantasy. Hit-Girl bairly showed emotion in the comic. She was simply there to do her job. She appeared to be cold hearted, violent, and most importantly flawed. She was by no means perfect. In the comic Hit-Girl appeared to not even be a teenager yet but she had no childishness left in her. The way she killed people was almost surgical. Her costume in the comic is very dark and she doesn't stand out much. This can't be said for Hit-Girl in the movie.
Another thing that is very important to note is that we didn't find out about Hit-Girl's true identity till the sixth issue of the comic. Two thirds of the comic is done by the sixth issue. Hit-Girl in the comic is known as Hit-Girl, not as Mindy.
Hit-Girl/Mindy in the Movie
The first time we see Hit-Girl, played by Chloe Grave Moretz, in the movie we actually see her secret identity. A scene that is briefly mentioned in the comic serves as our introduction to Mindy. This difference makes the viewers think of a little girl instead of a killing machine when they think of Hit-Girl. This set the tone for Hit-Girl in the movie. She was a lot more childish than she was in the comic and less like a killing machine. Hit-Girl also wore a bright purple wig and costume instead of the dull black costume worn in the comic to further her childish aura.
In the movie Hit-Girl's relationship with her father is a lot stronger. First of all its not built on lies. Big Daddy isn't just using Hit-Girl as a tool. instead they are both fighting to avenge their fallen mother and the wrongs that the mob committed.
Category 1 (Message): COMIC
The main change was that Hit-Girl was made to be more childish in the movie. This took away from her imperfection and the flaws that were present in the comic. These flaws were important to the message because they helped to satirize the idea of a superhero. Furthermore, the relationship with Big Daddy being based on lies also helped to ridicule the entire situation. When this was also taken away by the movie the strength of the message was lost.
Category 2 (Story): MOVIE
By making these changes to Hit-Girl Vaughn made Hit-Girl's character a lot deeper. He was able to develop her character a lot more because she had more substance to her. This improved the overall story because we were more invested and interested because of these changes. Her improved relationship with Big Daddy also helped the story to flow better.
Category 3 (Coolness and presentability): MOVIE
Hit-Girl is way more likable and relatable in the movie. She has a mind of her own instead of being a pawn and she actually has depth to her.
2 POINTS GO TO THE MOVIE!!!
1 POINT GOES TO THE COMIC!!!
TOTAL POINT COUNT:
MOVIE: 3
COMIC: 3
Big Daddy in the Comic
Big Daddy in the comic didn't play that big of a role as compared to Dave or Hit-Girl. The big thing is that he was the one controlling Hit-Girl. His secret origin was all a lie he was actually just a fanboy trying to live out his childish dreams. All in all he was a pretty lame character.
Big Daddy dies an execution style death with no honor. He tells everyone how he tricked his daughter and then gets shot in the back of the head.
Big Daddy in the Movie
Big Daddy, played by Nicholas Cage, in the movie is a strange character. Mark Millar was making a batman and robin reference in the Kick-Ass comic and Vaughn decided to make that reference a direct translation by making Big Daddy's costume Batman's costume. As I said Big Daddy did some really cool things in the movie. The warehouse scene immediately comes to mind. He took down a warehouse full of guys single handedly.
In the movie Big Daddy's death is noble and kind of heroic. He is burning to death but he still finds it in himself to direct Hit-Girl to victory in the fight. He died a warrior's death instead of the pathetic death given to the comic Big Daddy.
Category 1 (Message): COMIC
This might be a little bit of a surprise but the cool parts of Big Daddy in the movie kind of kill the message. In the comic he serves as a failed version of Kick-Ass. He was a fanboy and he screwed everything up by trying to live out his child like fantasy. If the message wasn't clear enough through Kick-Ass then it was backed up by Big Daddy's failure. The movie changed all that and by doing this it weakened the message.
Category 2 (Story): TIE
I think that in both mediums Big Daddy contributes to the story. In the comic he does it indirectly. His story really puts a twist on things. In the movie its his action and his coolness.
Category 3 (Coolness and presentability): MOVIE
No competition here.
1.5 POINTS GO TO THE MOVIE!!!
1.5 POINT GOES TO THE COMIC!!!
TOTAL POINT COUNT:
MOVIE: 4.5
COMIC: 4.5
IT IS A TIE!!!!!!!
Normally, I read a book and, in case, if I like it, I watch a movie afterwards... But I can't say exactly what's more nail-biting for me... I'm reading an amazing post, which has been recently published at http://bigessaywriter.com/blog/books-vs-movies-what-is-more-suspenseful and trying to figure out what's the most "nail-biting"!
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