Comic books are big business. Hell, they're doing so well that they're giving the things away. The king of the comic business, Marvel, is so flush that they decided that instead of letting big movie studios buy the rights to their stories, they'd expand the movie arm of their operation into a full-fledged studio and just make them on their own. And if anyone doubted the studio's ability to make that leap, their first effort,......

Remember when you were a kid, and mom and dad slid a steaming plate of Brussels sprouts, or spinach, or broccoli in front of you, and commanded, "Eat it. It's good for you!" You know now that they were right. And even back then, you probably had some sense that it was probably the right thing to do. That didn't make the experience any more enjoyable, though. Nanking, a new documentary produced by Washington Capitals......

Good morning, Washington. Getting going on a Monday is normally difficult enough, but we were having a few technological difficulties this morning as well, so thanks for your patience and bear with this truncated Morning Roundup while we get up to speed. Tax Scandal Triggers Reviews in Counties: Neighboring jurisdictions are apparently taking D.C.'s tax office scandal to heart and initiating big reviews of their agencies. Property tax revenues are slated to be scrutinized in......

MONDAY >> Performing as Phosphorescent, Matthew Houck (right) dropped his latest effort, Pride, at the end of last month. Reviews for the album have been glowing for the Southern-bred multi-instrumentalist. He’ll be making an appearance at the Black Cat with the help of his touring band. 9 p.m., $10. >> With an album titled Heavy Deavy Skull Lover, you’d be right to guess that The Warlocks aren’t exactly members of a pep squad. Still, their......

Good morning, Washington. If you're the kind of person who delights in reading angry product reviews on consumer web sites, head over here and read some of the comments about the Presidential Inn on New York Ave. Highlights include "I have never been so disgusted with a place in all my life," "I can't even believe that it is running legally," and, tellingly, "upon my departure I noticed small red bumps all over my body."......

MONDAY When it comes to examining the state of contemporary theatre, Robert Brustein has few peers. Expect a stimulating discussion when Brustein comes to the J to offer his viewpoint on how the post-9/11 years have played out on stage — issues he takes on in Millennial Stages: Essays and Reviews 2001—2005. District of Columbia Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. NW., at 7:30 p.m. $8. Also, from the McSweeney’s camp of writers come Kevin......

Cameras Receive Mixed Reviews: Over the weekend the first four of 48 planned surveillance cameras went live in the District, promising to help police handle an on-going crime emergency. But how useful might they be? Not very, according to the Washington Times. Officials in other cities that implemented the cameras argue that they don't do much in helping stop crime, an experience that proven in our northern-most suburb, Baltimore: Baltimore, for example, set up......

Good morning, Washington. Marine Corps Marathon registration opens at noon today, so those of you ready to take on the 26.2 should be ready to get your information in. There will be a number of DCists doing their best to join the field this year (the presale password is "dehydration"). Yours truly will not be among them, but we wish all entrants the best. At right is a photo of Wilson Bridge construction; no reason......

FRIDAY: >> The Freer Gallery kicks off it's 10th annual Iranian Film Festival this weekend, and it's well worth a look. We'd recommend Tahmineh Milani's latest film The Unwanted Woman, a story about a married couple confronted with the devastating effects that sexual desire can have in their society. Milani is the same filmmaker who was jailed after her 2001 film The Hidden Half perturbed the fundamentalist Iranian government. As you might imagine, Milani has......

The Post's Reliable Source confirms today the news that Ana Marie Cox will be officially leaving her gig as the voice behind Wonkette to better focus on writing a follow-up to her debut novel, Dog Days, which is due to be released tomorrow. Wonkette will live on, jointly helmed by David Lat, who earned notoriety through his Supreme Court blog Underneath Their Robes, and Alex Pareene, a 20-year-old NYU dropout. Cox's book, which is published......

What happens when you put together five friends, four pumpkins, and 30 beers? We don't know because we can't remember; there were thirty beers. All we know is that we got ham-daddy. Fortunately, we had paper and pen on hand and can recount to you what happened. Well look at that! We were smart enough to leave the carving to more sober times, but it turns out we did manage a testing of our......

There's lots going on this weekend. What are you up to? FRIDAY: -- "Team America: World Police" opens tonight at theaters everywhere. Reviews from the NYT, Post, Rotten Tomatoes -- Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players at Iota in Arlington, $12 -- Grand opening of Eclipse, an "electro, industrial, darkwave, alternative" dance night slated for the second Friday of the month at Between Friends (11th and U St). Resident DJs include Dirty B, MindCage, MissGuided, and Ras......