Comic book culture is embedded in our collective imaginations like never before, inspiring a slew of Hollywood blockbusters like Batman and Superman (for starters), as well as a number of gritty independent films, such as American Splendor, Ghost World and Road to Perdition. The genre also attracts all manner of craftsmen to explore it as a new medium, from Michael Chabon to Kevin Smith to Stephen King.   

Director Zack Snyder's reputation from box-office smash '300' and a much-publicized court skirmish over the rights to his latest film, 'Watchmen,' has generated a lot of hype, getting mainstream moviegoers interested and whipping comic-book fanboys into a frenzy.