I think one of the problems comics have in the "world" is that everyone seems to think they're geeky little stories that are for novice readers who sit in their parents basement memorizing panel after panel. Granted that was me, but it made me understand that its more than what people generally think and made me want to be part of it, which I have been for a while now. But, that's another rant.
I think the problem with "Comic book" movies, for the most part, is that they are created by folks who believe that stereotype and believe that they can't find solid stories in comics. So failures like Elektra, Catwoman, X-Men or The Hulk can't be laid on the grounds of being a comic book but being on the grounds of creators (Directors, producers, etc.) who don't respect the original work and 90% of comic book films are treated as such. Rarely we get films that translate from book to film and from Comic to film. How many times have we read books, then saw the film and were dissapointed? The same thing happens with comics adaptations. Then sometimes you're pleased: look at Lord of the Rings. For comic adaptations: look at "The Road to Perdition", "Superman I & II", Spider Man", "THe Crow" just to name a few that actually were close to their source material. The one previously mentioned, X-Men, Hulk, Catwoman, etc. don't come close to their source material. There are many, many comics or Graphic Novels that would make AMAZING films and are story wise, better than many films and novels of considerable note. The medium of of film and books separately can not do what they can do together and that's called a comic book or Graphic Novel.
Oh, and add whatever Eliza said...
