Cape Crusaders Trivia Quiz

Answer: Pamela Anderson

Barbara Kepetski is known to her friends as Barb Wire. She runs a bar in Steel Harbor called the Hammerhead, but the Hammerhead doesn't pay its way. So, to keep the wolves from the door Barb resorts to a bit of bounty hunting on the side. Published by Dark Horse Comics, Barb first saw print in 1994 and then made the transition to the big screen in 1996.

The film's storyline is set in 2017, during the Second American Civil War, where Barb's life is turned upside down when her ex-lover shows up and he's married to a wanted fugitive. Hard call for a bounty hunter.

Answer: Howard

"Howard the Duck" first appeared in Marvel Comics "Adventure into Fear #19" (1973). Right from the outset he'd caught the eye of a young George Lucas who was determined to put him on film, immediately after he'd wrapped the production of "American Graffiti" (1973).

However, the initial feedback was not positive and then he was besieged by a series of production issue. That, in itself, should have been an omen. "Howard the Duck" did not manage to make it into cinemas until 1986. It flopped, both commercially and critically.

It ended up being labelled as one of the "worst films of all time". However, like a lot of "worst" films it has since developed a wide cult following.

Answer: The Road to Perdition

Tom Hanks is Mike Sullivan who looks up to his boss John Rooney, played by Paul Newman in his last "on-screen" role, a man who has, essentially, treated him like his own son. Rooney's own son, Connor (Daniel Craig) causes their latest job to go awry. The twist is that Mike's twelve year old boy has hidden in their car and witnessed the murder. Connor, not wanting any loose ends, decides to go after Mike and, in the process, kills Mike's wife and other child. Blood being thicker than water, John Rooney now sets the dogs on Mike who is on the run, seeking both revenge and redemption.

The film is a close adaptation of Max Collins' story published in 1998, which, in turn, was inspired by a Japanese manga series "Lone Wolf and Cub" (1970). The other titles above are also stories by Collins and are sequels to the original.

(Note) One of the meanings of "perdition" is "ruin", hence the photo.

Answer: Weird Science

Gary (Anthony Michael Hall) and Wyatt (Ilan Mitchell-Smith) have a crush on Deb and Hilly but they're humiliated and lose out to Ian (Robert Downey) and Max (Robert Rusler). Alone at home for the weekend with a serious case of the "miseries", and, inspired by the 1935 film "Bride of Frankenstein", they hook up a doll to Wyatt's computer, hack into a government computer system to get more power and, bingo, out pops their perfect woman in the form of Kelly LeBrock.

The film's title is a direct take from the title of a series of comics published by EC Comics, that ran for twenty two issues and phased out toward the end of 1953. The storyline for the film was taken from a tale in the comic's fifth issue called "Made of the Future!", which was written by Al Feldstein and published in January of 1951.

Answer: From Hell

"From Hell", directed by the Hughes brothers, has but a loose connection with Moore and Campbell's extraordinary novel. Moore's original work was inspired by the tale of Jack the Ripper and his gruesome murders in Whitechapel during the late nineteenth century.

The film uses the same settings, the terrifying murders of prostitutes from the area, the time period and the characters to a degree, but took great licence with the plot. Alan Moore is quoted as being a little more than displeased that his "rough and tumble" police inspector Abberline was replaced by an "absinthe swilling dandy" portrayed by Depp.

Answer: No

In the movie, Henry the Record Keeper (a delightful cameo by Ernest Borgnine) informs William Cooper (Karl Urban), the CIA agent tasked with terminating Frank Moses (Bruce Willis), that someone marked Moses as RED; "Yeah. RED. R-E-D, Retired: Extremely Dangerous." Within that line are two of the subtler changes to a story line that differs markedly in its move from comic book to silver screen.

In the comic, written by Warren Ellis and released over three issues from 2003, Frank Moses is Paul Moses. Moses is retired after serving the CIA faithfully for forty years.

When a new director is appointed to the CIA, he sees the Paul Moses' file and is appalled. He then fears what the outcry would be if any of this leaked to the public, so he orders Paul's termination. Moses defeats the assassins, identifies that he's been sanctioned by the CIA, and informs them that his status has now changed from green (non-active) to red, and he is now an active killer again.

Answer: Ace fighter-pilot

Created by Chuck Cuidera and first appearing in "Military Comics #1" (1941) Blackhawk emerges from 1939 Poland and forms a squadron of ace fighter pilots from around the globe, initially, to exact revenge on the German Captain von Tepp whose bombing raid killed his sister and mortally wounded his brother.

In the Columbia serial the war is over and the Blackhawk, who now runs The International Brotherhood, a private flying investigative force, is out to stop Laska, a master spy, whose plan is to steal the experimental super-fuel known as "Element-X".

Answer: Constantine

The character John Constantine (Keanu Reeves) was created by the wonderful Alan Moore and the basis for this film's storyline can be taken from the "Dangerous Habits" story arc ("Hellbazer" issues #41-46, 1991). Constantine has been to Hell and knows that it is where he will return when his days on Earth are done.

He holds onto the hope that the good deeds he performs, banishing demons from the Earth, may hold him in good stead in avoiding that end. Here he investigates the supposed suicide of a devout Catholic, which will, ultimate, lead him to a confrontation with Satan.

Answer: Viggo Mortensen

The film, which Mortensen described as "perfect film noir", opens in a small town diner where two would be robbers are killed, in self-defense, by Mortensen, who plays the diner's owner. The incident brings national attention to the town and Viggo's character and sets of a chain of events that brings his past links to organized crime to the surface.

In a scenario where excellence matches excellence both the film and the graphic novel would be recognized for worthiness. The novel, by John Wagner and Vince Locke, would be nominated for the 2006 Angouleme International Comic's Festival prize and David Cronenberg, the film's director, would be nominated for the Golden Palm award at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.

(Note 1) Mortensen played the part of Aragorn in the epic film trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" where his character was known as both Strider and Ranger of the North, amongst other names.
(Note 2) The picture of the Colosseum was used because it too has a history of violence.

Answer: The Pussycats

Initially published in comic form as "She's Josie", the name changed to just "Josie" and, eventually "Josie & the Pussycats". The strip ran from 1963 to 1982. It was adapted into a Saturday morning cartoon show by Hanna-Barbera Productions in 1970.

The movie version of "Josie & the Pussycats" was released in 2001 and, along with Cook, starred Tara Reid and Rosario Dawson, who made up the rest of the band. The film is loosely based on the comic series and it involves the Pussycats' record label in a secret deal with the US government to insert subliminal messages into pop songs that would encourage the young generation to spend more money to help boost the economy.