Comic book readers want to send a message that modern comics offer more than cheap entertainment, Robin shouting quips to Batman or Superman leaping tall buildings in a single bound.

While comics will always be filled with images such as these, comic books have become darker and less super-hero oriented in recent years. Fans find comics appealing because of their imaginative scope and realistic storytelling.

"There's not really any other format out there that can match some of the things they do in comics," Sean Lamberger, junior graphic design major, said. "In movies, they have a budget on special effects and that kind of limits your imagination. In regular books, they can describe it, but some things you just have to see."

Strikingly colorful images may engage readers visually, but storytelling is the element that keeps the pages turning. Ball State professor Abel Alves, whose love of comics evolved from "Dr. Strange" and "Galactus" stories in the 1960s, finds the mythology of comics appealing. He also enjoys characters who are not completely evil, nor completely good.

"As Stan Lee once said, comics present a modem mythology, and I find that mythology less simplistic than 'Star Wars' in most cases," said Alves.

"Comic villains like 'Dr. Doom', 'Magneto' and 'Parallax' often do some very questionable things because they have very noble and good ends in mind. 'Magneto' dreams of a world without prejudice. The dark side of the force is pure evil and simplistic."

Family tradition and recapturing childhood memories can lead former comic book readers to picking up comics again. John Dalton, co-host of "Back Issue," which airs on Century Cable Channel 42, is a fan of comics from the '60s and '70s.

"I think that most people start because it appealed to them in childhood, than more to me as an adult," Dalton said. "I have my own kids, to see them (comics) again through new eyes. My son and I discuss comics and collect them together."

However, not all fans can return to comics as easily.

"One of the reasons I don't read comics now is my cynicism towards the world," Chris Refner, junior elementary education major, said. "I find it harder and harder to return to the innocence of my youth."

Comic book characters aren't always confined to ink and paper. While film budgets can limit what is shown, Hollywood has still made countless attempts at bringing comic books to life. Comics' adaptation to the theater can be successful.

While some enjoy these films, others believe that these movies are more violent than their comic book counterparts and are unfaithful to their print beginnings.

"It doesn't sell to the adult market; that's where the big bucks are at," Refner said. "While it may appeal to something that someone read as a child or as younger adult, it's not cool or whatever. It's not an accepted thing to watch a comic character. But when they make it dark, evil, and add crazy action, violence, and sex, then people think it's great."

Not only does Alves believe that there is too much violence and sexual situations in comic books, but he also finds the provocative manner that some characters are drawn unappealing.

"The exaggerated bodies of both men and women in the comics have become worse in the past couple of decades," Alves said. "It is refreshing to see (Neil) Gaiman's female 'Death' without a massive bosom, and it is refreshing to see some artists depict 'Dr. Strange' and 'Reed Richards' as less muscular than many other male superheroes."

However, Dalton thinks that the comic book industry sufficiently warns readers of content.

"I think that the comic industry has down well in being clear on their audience is," he said. "They mark on the book if it is intended for a mature audience. Comic books are no more violent than any other medium. I think that it's dangerous to assign the blame of society's problems to any medium."

Comic books that have been adapted for animated series have also proven to be popular among fans of all ages, and tend to be less violent than comic books or movies.

"I like the cartoons such as 'X-Men' (and) 'Batman'," Refner said. "While they have some violence they always try to tell a good story and overall promote being a good all-around person."

With new titles constantly being planned, and readers staying interested in the ever-changing plots, it appears that comic books will continue to stay popular well into the next century.