With the great comic-book adapted films such as Kick-Ass and Iron Man 2 recently hitting our theaters, we thought it only be right to pay homage to the best comic-book adapted video games. So strap on your utility belt, tighten your cape, stretch your spandex, and get ready for the Top 5 Comic-Book Adapted Video Games.

Spider-man (2000) PSX, N64, Dreamcast, PC

The first Spiderman game to hit the Playstation (due to Marvel’s bankruptcy in the 90’s) was a comic book fans dream. For the first time, Spidey was able to wing around in a fully-fledged 3D environment, while taking on some of the series’ greatest villains, such as Rhino, Venom and Carnage. At that time, there was no big budget movie to base it on or marketing trend to follow. It was just a great superhero game, along with the witty humor our favourite Webhead was known for.

If you can make out this high-res PSX screenshot, it shows the awesomeness that Spider-man brought

Spawn: Armageddon (2003) PS2, Xbox, GameCube

While it was’nt well recieved by the critics, no one could deny the bad-assery one felt when wielding duel machine-guns in addition to Spawn’s already awesome chains. Spawn: Armageddon provided a true and authentic representation of what the comic books stood for. From dark atmospheric city levels, to the fiery depths of hell, Armageddon had it down, and not to mention the game being devilishly difficult.

X2: Wolverines Revenge (2003) PS2, Xbox, GameCube, PC

Don’t let the Hugh Jackman cover fool you, this is no direct movie adaption (even though it was released alongside the X-Men film sequel). The game takes on the story arc of Wolverine’s beginnings in the weapon X facility, and his return to seek revenge on those who made him the animal he is. He’s not too happy and sets out to inflict some serious pain on those responsible. The visual style is reminiscent of the comic-books and X-Men TV show, along with a cameo of villains, such as the good ol’ Juggernaut (not Vinnie Jones’ plastic muscled reincarnation), Magneto and Sabertooth.

The Punisher (2005) PS2, Xbox, PC

Although releasing a little after the 2004 film starring Thomas Jane, The Punisher game didn’t really follow the film or really have anything to do with it. This being said, the Punisher went back to its comic book roots and hit the shelves with an 18+ rating. Violent interrogations and executions led to enemies being mauled by sharks, pushed into wood grinders and basically just being killed in horrific ways. It was exactly what fans of the comics had been waiting for and it delivered, in one hell of a bloody mess.

You should never force someone to eat sushi

Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009) 360, PS3, PC

With the incredible success of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, fans were expecting a Batman game to arrive sometime alongside the movie. However, that’s not what they got. About a year later, Rocksteady Studios released Batman: Arkham Asylum. Batman fans squealed everywhere as players were thrown into Gotham City’s infamous mental hospital, against one of the series’ greatest villains -the Joker. The game not only delivered a true-to-form Batman experience, but it also had the gameplay, visuals and story to back it up.

Thanks for checking out the Friday Feature. What are some of your favourite comic-book adapted video games?