One can barely throw a shield these days without hitting a superhero movie, sequel or re-make. However, comic book guru Moray Rhoda believes that if you are going to spend your hard-earned cash, maybe consider watching some of these lesser-known comic book properties.

Sin City – A Dame to Kill For

What it’s about: Based on the limited series detective noir Dark Horse comic book by the legend Frank Miller, who actually takes charge of directing too. 

Tell me more: Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men) plays Dwight McCarthy, a private investigator who is drawn into a deadly conspiracy by his former lover Ava Lord (Eva Green, Casino Royale). Ava  needs Dwight to help her escape her abusive  husband, but Dwight’s initial attempts to  rescue her are stymied by her husband’s  hulking manservant, Manute.

Things soon take a darker and deadlier turn with the rescue becoming a mission of vengeance and violence. Frank Miller’s work on Sin City has been lauded for the complex structure of it’s plot and the deep characterisation of the characters, and this instalment should build on the innovative filmmaking of the first Sin City movie.

Why it should be good: Sin City: A Dame to Kill For includes many of the first movie’s ensemble cast reprising their roles (Jessica Alba anyone?), as well as new cast members (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who should all be worth the price of admission alone. But if that isn’t enough, it also promises some very stylised over-the-top violence and hard-boiled dialogue.

Release date: August 2014

Big Hero 6

What it’s  about:  Computer- animated adaptation of the Marvel comic, set to be the first Disney
animated feature to star Marvel characters since Mickey acquired Spidey in 2009.

Tell me more: Big Hero 6 is a group of Japanese government-sanctioned superhuman operatives. The story
centres on 13-year old boy genius Hiro Takachiho (known as Hiro Hamada in the movie) and his self-created robot, Baymax, who will be tasked with protecting the city of San Fransokyo. The other members of Big Hero 6 are: Honey Lemon who has the ability to pull anything out of her “Power Purse”; Go Go Tomago whose power is transforming herself into an explosive ball of energy; Fredzilla who can channel the power and aura of a Kaiju (monster); and Wasabi-No-Ginger, a chef who uses swords and can also give form to his Qi-Energy, materializing it as throwing knives.

Why it should be good: Marvel’s solid characters and big on-screen heroics, combined with Disney’s proven heartstring-pulling, money-spinning magic, could easily make this a sleeper hit. [RN]

Release date: November 2014

Hercules – The Thracian Wars

What it’s about: Based on a five-issue Radical Publishing comic book series by Steve Moore, which debuted in May 2008, Hercules stars Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. Brett Ratner (X-Men: The Last Stand) directs.

Tell me more: After finishing the 12 labours of the gods, Hercules turns his back on Olympus and lives only for danger and adventure. Years go by as he makes his living as a mercenary, then his five companions and him are hired by the King of Thrace to train his men to become the deadliest army of all time. To defeat the terrible warlord that threatens Thrace, Hercules must once again become the hero he once was.

Why it should be good: Johnson is perfectly cast as the larger than life hero, and as his many action roles have proven The Rock is no stranger to violence and combat. Combine some good set pieces with his trademark charm and comedic timing and this could be a summer blockbuster.

Release date: August 2014