The most frightening aspect of all this is that these are merely a few of properties that are being discussed. Other classics that producers are currently eyeing include The Sandman, Hellblazer, Preacher, Daredevil, House of Secrets, Iron Man, Ghost Rider, Wonder Woman and even The Silver Surfer. The numbers increase daily as Hollywood looks for the next big payoff. Sure, some of them will be made, and a few may prove moderate successes, but the majority will leave comic fans eternally pissed and non-fans perplexed as to what all the fuss is about.

But we're still searching for the answer: Why do most of these flicks fail? Why is a successful 100-million dollar film based on a best-selling comic an exception to the rule? Simply put, Hollywood has no respect for the integrity of the comic book. Rather than respecting the stories and characters that keep readers coming back every month, production companies are intent on capturing the look of comics while filling the costumes with recognizable faces.

So how can Hollywood halt this terrible trend and satisfy we fans who bemoan the butchering of our heroes? One word.

Animation.

Comics and animation both are forms of sequential art, so the jump to animated movies is pretty much a no-brainer. Rather than plopping down oodles of cash to have a megastar clowning in tights onscreen, producers would do well to employ the plethora of talented artists eking out a living in small animation studios. Though CGI effects work has come a long way in recent years, simple line artwork can still easily render images that would require countless hours and dollars to realize in live-action scenarios. The Japanese have already proven that anime is commercially viable with major successes in films like Princess Mononoke and Akira, while American studios still view the success of Toy Story and The Lion King as flukes. Animation is an easier and less expensive process than live filmmaking. Cast members don't have to go through extensive makeup sessions, sets don't have to be built, extras need not be hired, and fans don't have to be disappointed.

So let's skim a few million off these megabudgets and hand it to guys like Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, who proved with Batman: The Animated Series that they possessed a deeper understanding of the characters and concepts than any Hollywood hack. Let's respect the stories and the folks who slaved to create them. Comic books have always been hyperreal -- how much more perfect a venue of presentation is there? Given time, audiences will grow to accept it. Let's keep the artists working at what they do best.

I, for one, know that I wouldn't be disappointed -- and in any case, I'd be spared the sight of a gay, alien, robot dog.

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