If you’re a sci-fi geek, a fantasy-movie buff, or somebody who corrects people who say “comic book” when they clearly mean “graphic novel,” you should face it – you are a fanboy. I should know, cause I am one.

2008 gave us plenty to talk about with a new Hell Boy movie, Iron Man and the awesomely kick-ass Dark Knight. There are also a couple of movies scheduled for release in 2009, and one more in 2008, that should be worthy of dragging yourself away from World of Warcraft for a few hours.

The Spirit, the new Frank Miller movie opening on Christmas Day 2008 looks promising. With the digital backlot format, you can’t help compare it to the previous Miller movies, Sin City (2005) and 300 (2007). Both were grade-A fanboy favorites, making me glad Robert Rodriguez convinced Miller to allow his Sin City comic series to be adapted to film. Miller must have liked what he saw because he’s taken to it well.

The second thing I noticed during the previews besides its ultra sleek similarity to Sin City and 300, is an over-abundance of hotties. With Scarlett Johannson, (from Black Dahlia and Ghost World), Jaime King(from Sin City and an actual movie called Fanboys) , and the fantastically caliente, Eve Mendes (from my dreams).

Besides the ladies, it also stars fanboy-favorite Samuel L. Jackson (Snakes on a Plane, the crappier Star Wars movies) as the Spirit’s nemesis, the Octopus. “Look out, m-effing Spirit. I’m the m-effing Octopus!” I made up that quote, and I have no idea if he says it. The movie also stars some dude as the Spirit.

Why I’m pumped: Dude, it’s Frank Miller

Concerns: Could this be the movie that people say was one too many of the cool-greenscreen-digital-backlot-looks-like-300-and-Sin City movies? I hope not, because I’m looking forward to the Sin City sequels.

Also, it’s not based on an actual Frank Miller graphic novel. It’s a strip that was created in the 1940’s. Will it translate well to today’s audience? And what is with that mask painted on the dude’s face with make-up?

Watchmen, (March 2009) based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. If you’re even a little bit of a comic book geek, then you’re super pumped about this one. Ask 10 comic book people what the best graphic novel of all time is, and five of them will say Watchmen.

Moore’s V for Vendetta and From Hell have already been made into flicks, but both had mixed reviews. This book, originally published in 1986, has been wasting away in development hell with many production companies and directors attached to it. Now that it’s finally being made, will it be worth seeing?

Why fanboys are pumped: Based on arguably the best graphic novel ever, at least one of the most influential.

Concerns: According to the internet buzz, Monty Python-alum-turned-director Terry Gilliam (Twelve Monkeys, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) was at one point attached to direct. After many screenplay writes and re-writes, Gilliam thought the film would be better as a five-hour miniseries.

If they get this right it will be quite a feat. I’m still interested as hell to see if they can pull it off.

Star Trek (May) I have to say that I’ve never been a big Star Trek guy. Not because I considered myself too cool, but because I considered myself a Star Wars dork, rather than a trekkie dork. There’s something about intergalactic civil war that is more sexy to me than a space fleet that boldly goes where no man has gone before.

This one was one of a couple movies on Wiff Rightly’s “Must See Movies of 2008” list whose release date got pushed back to 2009 (the others being Where the Wild Things Are, the movie based on Maurice Sendeck’s classic children’s book and the previously mentioned Fanboys)

Read Wiff’s previous preview for more details, but in summery it’s a JJ Abrams update of the well-known fanboy franchise. And it looks pretty sweet.

Why fanboys are pumped: The original Star Trek characters. Zacary Quinto, who plays the awesomely villainous villain, Syler on Heroes plays Spock. Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) plays Scottie.

Concerns: Afraid I’ll like it so much I’ll start having to attend Trekkie conventions and sing Filk songs while LARPing.