Superman and Warner Bros. movies to go to the 'dark side'

Warner Bros. executives have been working to figure out what they could do to capitalize on what they have learned from the success of "The Dark Knight." One of those initiatives is to have upcoming films based on their comics properties take on a darker tone.

This plan is reported to include the next feature film based on the Man of Steel himself. The way I see it, it is an interesting idea for some characters, but maybe not Superman.

Only last week I read that a Green Arrow screenplay will not so much focus on the origins of the hero but will just hit the ground running with a tale of G.A. trying to break out of the notorious (to comics fans) Super Max prison. Green Arrow, a dark side? Sure. Superman?

That idea dredges up memories of Christopher Reeve as "Evil Superman" flicking peanut projectiles at liquor bottles in "Superman III."

I sincerely hope the makers of this next Superman movie leaves that "Superman Returns" concept behind and chooses to take a note from the most successful comic stories the character has been part of. And whatever kind of movie it's going to be it certainly shouldn't take too many notes from "The Dark Knight."

In the last twenty years Batman's stories have more than sustained the dark tone depicted in the aforementioned film.

Superman's best recent tales have taken the iconic nature of the character and either changed the world around him or tackled his origin story from a different perspective.

In Mark Millar and Dave Johnson's "Superman: Red Son," the concept of the hero being raised in the Soviet Union offers an interesting take with all kinds of possibilities.

In Mark Waid and Leinil Francis Yu's "Superman: Birthright" the origin gets a retake with some of the successful elements of the television series "Smallville" (Lex Luther and Clark Kent's relationship) worked into the plot.

The most recent and interesting character retake I find to be the most refreshing while not destroying the essence of Superman, is Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's "All Star Superman." Every issue in the 12-part limited series I have read so far I would breathlessly describe to my wife (much to her dismay).

And while there is but one issue to go in the All Star series, the simple concept of Superman having a short time to live and working to resolve the world's problems before he is done will and should be considered among one of the best and most character respectful stories in the Superman lexicon.

It is good to hear the WB is taking a note from the fans of their movies, but please don't forget the work most appreciated by the comic fans as well.