The Score Slinger

In the twenty years since Danny Elfman turned the unique rhythms of his band Oingo Boingo into one of film music's most distinctive voices, the composer has created a veritable Justice League of superhero scores. From the menacing heroics of BATMAN and DARKMAN to the mad scientist vibe of THE HULK, Danny Elfman has turned what used to be kids' stuff into adult listening. Consider his superhero scores the equivalent of the comics work of Frank Miller and Jack Kirby, music that goes for the dark, twisted psychology of do-gooders, then delivers their heroics with a brash orchestral punch.