Sinking fast ten years ago. . .sinking even faster with the superior artistic interpretations of the comic book legend.

Like William Shatner, he was never much of an actor (his acting style is the very personification of "wooden"), at least not in anything I've ever seen him in, but, like Shatner (at least the post-"Star Trek" Shatner...according to some who worked with him during those "Star Trek" years, he was a pompous, arrogant douche), he's never seemed to take himself very seriously, which is a refreshing change from your typical self-absorbed, shallow Hollywood "celebrity". Like Shatner, he seems to have developed a sense of humor about his career and seems comfortable with what he's accomplished. Of course, as a kid, West was my idol...rather, his "Batman" was my idol. In truth, I've never seen West in too much beyond the TV "Batman"...a lesser episode of the original "Outer Limits" and a moderately interesting low-budget horror film from the early 80's entitled "One Dark Night"...but I'm sure I can safely say that Brando and Olivier never passed a sleepless night contemplating West's acting credits. Still, he entertained people, he certainly brought great joy to the child that I was, he became...for a short time, at least...a cultural icon, and how many other people can claim as much? Wherever he is now, whatever he's doing, I wish him well.