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Recent years have been good for the comic book and graphic novel to film adaptations such as the hugely popular SPIDER-MAN (2002) and X-MEN (2000) franchises not to mention the more low-key GHOST WORLD (2001) and A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (2005). Comic books and graphic novels have become a new way to tap into the subculture of today's audiences. Asian and European cultures have been doing it for years by adapting their most popular manga and graphic novels into various animated and live action series and films (to which we have made our own versions) but because there has been such a stigma in America that comic books "are for kids" Americans have been slow to catch on until now. Below is a list of a few of the highlights over the years.

300 (2006)

A violent exercise in war as only comic book artist Frank Miller can deliver. Director Zach Snider's faithful adaptation is a testament to great filmmaking when it comes to adapting a graphic novel for the big screen. It's like he just opened up Miller's novel and brought it to glorious life.

AMERICAN SPLENDER (2003)

The extraordinary story of cartoonist Harvey Pekar as seen through the eyes of actor Paul Giamatti and directors Sheri Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini. It's an amazing visual and live action comic rarely attempted or seen on the big screen.

BATMAN (1989)

Tim Burton's re-imagined DC character is dark and brooding and the complete opposite of the television incarnation. Audiences were shocked and awed and the success of this film paved the way for future comic book films. This film allowed the world of the comic book to become real. Unlike SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE (1978) where obviously there is a heavy "camp" feeling, BATMAN is played heavy and dark and realistic as Burton tries to make the audience believe that this could happen in the real world.

CROW, THE (1994)

Creator James O'Barr's personal creation of a wrongfully killed person returning to life to avenge his and his lover's death is a dark fantasy unlike any other comic book adapted film before it. Many audiences didn't even know it was based upon a comic until after the fact due to the film's universal themes which touched audiences in a way not originally intended.

A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (2005)

A loose adaptation of the graphic novel on the nature of evil and the life of a former gangster in hiding. David Cronenberg's film improves on the source material by making Tom Stall (played by the enigmatic Viggo Mortensen) a "regular" guy with a dark past who wants

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