Question: Well, the faq does say no question is too small and I haven't found this question asked elsewhere so...

I'd like to suggest the introduction of icons for the badges, as seen in Team Fortress 2, Day of Defeat: Source or even Kongregate. Imagine your favourite badge transformed with a colourful and amusing image!

With a community as large and diverse as this one, we ought to be able to come up with some decent badge icons. 

What say ye?

EDIT: How about them apples? (Just a sample of what's possible..)

<http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/708d33b019.jpg> Commentor

<http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/e367b04bbe.jpg> Epic

Answer: 
Personally, I feel that the beauty of the badges is in their names. Some are very creative and others are well, some may say abstract.

As much as part of me is curious/excited to see how the graphical badges might turn out, I feel that it will dilute the names' impact.

Having say that, maybe someone can come out with a couple 'prototype' graphical badges that can swing my vote. :P

UPDATE:  

Added dboarman's recommendation  

[some badges from dboarman http://imgcash4.imageshack.us/img197/8514/badgeideas.png?0.6349713410095544](http://imgcash4.imageshack.us/img197/8514/badgeideas.png?0.6349713410095544)
It doesn't sound real useful even for visual effect, since the badges are only seen when you look at your profile page or the badge page.