Comic Book Documentaries

[CharlieRock]

I found quite a few documentaries on the Netflix channel, some even Instant. The others I'm waiting for on DVD.

Comic Book Confidential(1988) NR

Ron Mann's documentary explores how comic books were elevated to pop art and bore witness to cultural phenomena with the help of legendary creators such as Robert Crumb, Will Eisner, William Gaines, Bill Griffith and Stan Lee. The film traces the medium from its ultrapatriotic beginnings -- with pages filled with superheroes fighting for truth, justice and the American way -- and shows how it evolved into sophisticated, complicated, readable art.

Confidential was okay, it is rather old and so might be considered dated. It doesn't focus so much on the golden age of comics like I thought it would but how the Counter-Culture indie comics came about. Still rather interesting and shows a pre-Hollywood Frank Miller in the last interview segment.

Comic Book Pajama Party: Women Who Love Comic Books!(2004) PG-13

Meet eight beautiful, intelligent and fun young women who also happen to be huge comic book fans. Gathering together one evening to talk about the comic books they love -- and hate -- these gals lounge, eat chocolate, guzzle wine and give you the low-down on manga, anime, Neil Gaiman, Marvel and DC, the universe in general and men in particular. Be a fly on the wall as these smart, savvy and outspoken chicks dish about more than just pop culture.

This one is DVD only, still waiting on it. MrsCharlie seemed interested ...

Starz Inside: Comic Books Unbound(2008) NR

Why do comic-book heroes translate so well to film? Some of the biggest names in both industries, including Marvel Comics guru Stan Lee and Hollywood producer Roger Corman, discuss the reasons behind comics' crossover appeal to movie audiences. Actors Ron Perlman and Selma Blair, director Richard Donner, comic-book illustrator Paul Pope and other insiders also weigh in with their views in this hourlong documentary.

I saw this one on instant earlier. It was pretty neat and interviewed the main cast members of the Hellboy movie. As it says, it's focus is on comic book movies and I noticed a few movies I had not known were based on a comic book previously.


Let me know if you guys find others. I love documentaries about comics and watch all the special features on my comic book movie DVDs.

[Yoc]

Great idea for a topic Charlie!
I recently watched "Will Eisner profession: cartoonist" which had some interesting moments especially if you are into Eisner and the Golden Age.

A really good one was "JONATHAN ROSS IN SEARCH OF STEVE DITKO" from 2008.
Try here for a write-up: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/comicsbritannia/ross-ditko.shtml

"Comic book superheroes unmasked" from the History Channel (2005) wasn't bad.

Those are all I can think of off hand.  I'd love to hear if anyone has more to recommend.
-Yoc

[Aratak]

I'll second the "In Search of Steve Ditko" most heartily, Yoc. In fact, I'd say it's the finest tribute to a comics artist/writer I think I've ever seen. Ross just loves Ditko and that love really translates well onto the screen.

Comic Book Confidential is one of my all-time favorites, too. You've got Will Eisner narrating one of his Spirit strips, and interviews with a dozen other greats that have now passed on. I'm a big undergrounds fan as well, so that part of the film plays to my interests aw well.

Lastly, anyone that loves Frazetta needs to see "Frazetta: Painting With Fire" - a wonderful interview/bio of the artist. It's available on some copies of the "Fire and Ice" DVD. Good stuff!

[CharlieRock]

Fire and Ice?
Ah, now that movie takes me back a few years.
LoL

[darwination]

Fire and Ice was on the Independent Film Channel a while back. Netflix used to let you rent just the bonus DVD for the film, but apparently they don't anymore.  Perhaps it's as part of the move by film companies to restrict bonus features in rentals so that they might be available only to people who buy the film.

I loved Comic Book Confidential as well.  Lots of golden age material along with art/indy comix interviews.

[josemas]

I would recommend both The Confessions of Robert Crumb (1987) and Crumb (1994) for insightful looks at the famous underground cartoonist.

Best

Joe

[Yoc]

Crumb was disturbing but oddly fascinating.  I watched it twice over the years and felt this is likely the kind of content reality tv producers dream about.

[comicOD]

Crumb was disturbing but oddly fascinating.  I watched it twice over the years and felt this is likely the kind of content reality tv producers dream about.

Crumb was very dark. I really did feel sorry for his brothers, especially the brother who lived with
his Mom. And just after the film was made, that same brother committed suicide. Sad

[josemas]

I watched the earlier documentary after first seeing Crumb and it gave even more insight into the whole very dysfunctional family situation the brothers Crumb grew up in and how it probably affected the older brother, Charles Crumb (who was also a very talented artist when he was younger) eventually leaving him unable to produce art, participate in society and apparently finally suicidal. 
It's just lucky that younger brother Robert was able to channel things in a more positive direction but even his problematic upbringing shows in his idiosyncrasies.

Best

Joe

[darwination]

http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Secret_Origin_The_Story_of_DC_Comics/70151285?trkid=2361637#height650


That's a new one I watched this weekend that I thought was very well done. There's probably nothing new for lifelong fans, but the production is top notch and there was plenty in the way of footage and photos I'd never seen.  Kudos to DC on the great job looking back.

[Aréat]

Yes, I thought it was well done too.