All right, DC. You need to do something . . . and soon. Because if this were a superhero battle between you and Marvel Comics, it would have been over a long time ago.

I know, I know. With all of my comic book "shop talk," I'm risking turning this humble little column into Talking Comics, instead of Talking Pictures. But Marvel Comics, the so-called "House of Ideas," has been everywhere — especially on the big screen. So where's DC?

Last year's biggest movie, "Spider-Man," featured Marvel's most beloved character. And 2003 seems to be Marvel's year. We've already seen an adaptation of the comic "Daredevil" this year, and "X2" (based on the "X-Men" books) opened to huge numbers. And "Hulk" is coming in June.

There are also other Marvel-based movies in the works, including "Spider-Man 2," which is already filming, "Namor," "Iron Man" and another go at "The Punisher." Also in the works is "Fantastic Four," to be directed by Peyton Reed ("Down With Love"), as well as a sequel to "Daredevil" and a spinoff movie starring Jennifer Garner's Elektra character.

Marvel's movie dominance seems pretty ridiculous considering its strongest competitor, DC, has the best-known superhero properties in Batman and Superman. In fact, the top-selling monthly comics title is currently "Batman."

For whatever reason, new DC-based movies have been heard of but not seen. Aside from the "Justice League" animated series on cable's Cartoon Network, DC's only real presence in film or television lately has been the "Smallville" television series.

A new live-action Superman movie has yet to get off the ground (excuse the awful pun). And there have been numerous failed attempts to re-do Batman, including a live-action "Batman Beyond" feature and "Batman Year One."

Things may finally be changing, however. A remake of 1978's "Superman," written by JJ Abrams (TV's "Alias") is moving forward, albeit very slowly. And several actors have tested to play the Man of Steel, including Josh Hartnett, Paul Walker and Brendan Fraser.

Also, there's finally a director attached to the on-again, off-again Batman project — Christopher Nolan, who made a splash with his smart, edgy thrillers "Memento" and "Insomnia."

Here's a roundup of some of the less-known comics properties in movie development:

THE CROW: WICKED PRAYER: Yep, there's going to be a fourth movie based on James O. Barr's brooding comics character. Edward Furlong, David Boreanaz and Dennis Hopper are starring, and "Six String Samurai" writer-director Lance Mungia is in charge.

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GHOST RIDER: Mark Steven Johnson, who wrote and directed "Daredevil," is also writing and directing this supernatural action-thriller. Nicolas Cage is planning to star as the title character, a skull-headed, motorcycle-riding spirit of vengeance.

LONE WOLF AND CUB: This will be a live-action version of Kazuo Koike's long-running manga series — from writer-director Darren Aronofsky, who at one point had been working on an adaptation of Frank Miller's "Batman Year One" storyline.

PREACHER: During last month's "X2" press junket, actor James Marsden said the long-delayed version of this rather sacrilegious comic "maxi-series" may finally be moving forward. Marsden will play the title character, Jesse Custer, a renegade clergyman who gains heavenly powers and then seeks answers from God.


E-mail: jeff@desnews.com

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