Gail Burt of Metropolis Comics in Bellflower, California saw Teresa Moran's Talk Back comment on Comic Movies (see 'Teresa Moran of Acadiana Book & Comic Shop on Comic Book Movies'), and agrees:

I saw Teresa's recent comics and have to echo what she said -- and let's hope the moviemakers take note.  Well-made comic-based movies that are based closely on the established continuity of that book tend to do extremely well at box office (Spider-Man 1 and 2, X-Men 1 and 2, Hellboy).  Big bucks and a grand time for all.

Well-made comic-based movies that are based loosely or not at all on the comics that gave breath to them tend to tank (Catwoman, Batman & Robin -- which was based less on the comics than on the '60's TV series).  Big loss and a horrible backlash against the genre that has proven one of the most successful of all.

All you have to do to prove out this theory is see how many times the excellent Sandy Collora fan flicks Batman: Dead End and World's Finest have been downloaded to know that it can even be done simply -- as long as the spirit is right and the character rings true.  If you change anything about the actual character, you may end up with a good movie -- but it won't be that character.  In other words, that JJ Abrams Script with Lex Luthor as an alien and all might actually be a good flick, but it would NOT be Superman. 

You just have to get it right.  For crying out loud, WB, they're YOUR characters - DO something with them!  Look at Marvel!  Emulate!  Succeed!

Ahem.  Pardon my fervor.  I'm just dyin' for a good Superman or Batman movie.