APOCALYPSE SOON

Hollywood’s been watching “Watchmen”--that controversial series of 12 comics from DC Comics set in a dark, realistic world on the edge of nuclear war--and 20th Century Fox has nabbed the rights.

Both Fox and DC veep Paul Levitz confirmed the deal. Joel Silver will produce.

Latest in a new wave of sophisticated, adult comics that deal openly with violence, sex and ideas (for instance, “Watchmen” exploring public reaction to rampant crime and Nixon as a nuclear-minded president), “Watchmen” has garnered raves from trade reviewers, though it’s decidedly not for the kiddies. The Watchmen of the title are costumed heroes and anti-heroes dealing with problems as Apocalypse approaches.

Issue No. 11, due out this month, will get DC Comics’ new “Mature Readers Only” label--which a number of writers and artists, including Watchmen’s creator Alan Moore, are protesting in current trade publication ads.