Firefly

Comics: But They Really Want to Direct Newsweek

Feb. 21 issue - The latest comic-book superheroes are from a real different world-Hollywood. These days, TV and movie scribes are cranking out comics. Even directors are in the game; Bryan Singer ("X-Men") and Darren Aronofsky ("Requiem for a Dream") will publish later this year. Why the shift? Big names help boost sales. But are you ready for do-gooders who talk like "The O.C." ’s Mischa Barton? A roundup:

Serenity By Joss Whedon
The "Buffy" creator got his fangs in this new series. Out in July. A prequel to the upcoming movie based on the canceled TV show "Firefly"-set 500 years from now. Are you lost yet?

Young Avengers By Allan Heinberg "The O.C." writer knows as much about comics as Seth. Four teenage superheroes with dialogue like "This is not superhero behavior." But at least they throw punches, not lawn furniture.

Man With the Screaming Brain By Bruce Campbell Actors can write? From the B-movie star of "Evil Dead." A four-issue mini-series (out in May). This title character switches brains after a mad scientist performs an operation on him.

Deadshot By Christos Gage He’s penned episodes of "Law & Order: SVU." Issue three is out now. Hit man Deadshot learns of his daughter’s existence and faces his biggest challenge yet: baby-sitting.