I'm trying to make a fun little game with java, because java make it so easy to manipulate graphics, except that i am hitting a road block!! for example: when you use the

Code:
public void paint( Graphics g )
{
    Image firstImage = createImage( 500, 400 );
    anImage = getImage( getCodeBase(), "theImage.bmp" );
    offScreen.getGraphics( firstImage )
    offScreen.drawImage( anImage, 10, 30, this );
    g.clearRect( 500, 400 );
    g.drawImage( firstImage, 0, 0, this );
}
this draws an image ("theImage.bmp") just fine to the screen, BUT... if i were to draw two images, the background of the second image covers up the first image. Understand what i mean? How do i get it so that i can only paint just the 'Image' and not the surrounding black background which is required cuz you have to do something with that space in a .bmp file. There has to be a way to so this, no in fact i know there is a way to do it!!! Any Ideas???? Please Help!! Thanx in advance.