300 is not an exact retelling of the battle but a fictionalize version of it. I've got a copy of Frank Miller's graphic novel of it and it is fantastic. They've done the same thing with this film that they did with his Sin City and that is to make the characters look as much like the book versions as possible. It is a great story and I recommend to anyone that they should pick it up and read it. Mr. Miller's work is finally getting some excellent adaptions and it is well deserving.
300 along with Sin City are some of his best work but much of Batman Begins was taken straight from his Batman: Year One storyline. His artwork lends well to adaptation to film since the look is kept not just the premise of the books.
As for Ghost Rider, I was never a fan of the books and don't expect too much from the film but I will see it. There are many books which I would love to see adapted into film if done properly are excellent stories.
