In this post is an idea I wish for someone to use because I have not the resources to do it myself.
But we’ll get to that.
I love documentaries. Okay, I love good documentaries, especially those about music. Standing in the Shadows of Motown for example is probably one of my all time favorites. It covers the backing band for pretty much every Motown song that people love. If you love music, you should see this film…sorry…where was I? Oh yeah!
But unfortunately, good documentaries on comic books are few and far between. Sure, we usually get a small one per character on the DVD release of a comic book based film but very rarely is there a nice two hour film.
But there are a few.
Comic Book Confidential is probably the best film on the subject of comic books. Released in 1988, Comic Book Confidential looks at everything you could ever want to look at in the history of comics; the origins of the comic book, the war years, the comics code, indy comics and more. It pretty much ends right at 87. You watch interviews with creators like Miller and Moore right as Watchmen and Dark Knight are starting to gain full steam. It a fascinating look at comics and the later half is a really good snap shot of the era.
Crumb is another worth while viewing. While not explicitly about comics, it is a great look at one of the men who shaped independent comics. It’s a little weird and sometimes disturbing but as a film we get to see a bit into the life of an artist and how he came to be.
And finally we have Prisoners of Gravity. Yes, I know it wasn’t a film but it is more then worth finding. This series from TVO was instrumental in getting me into more then just super hero comics. Hosted by Rick Green, the show not only covered topics in comics but also looked at sci-fi, fantasy and horror. My introduction to The Sandman came from this TV series. It also introduced me to the world of William Gibson and Michael Moorecock.
But alas, these are from the past. Comic Book Confidential was available on dvd but it must have been a small print run as the dvds are in a high price bracket (you can find it in dubious legality in numerous places on the web but it can be downloaded legally through itunes and amazon) but Crumb is easily found. TVO has done all of us a favor by posting episodes of Prisoners of Gravity online for us all to stream.
But why has no one else tackled similar subjects on film?
There are plenty of topics to chose from but I have an idea that I’m giving away free.
Got a pen?
Okay, here it is.
Comic Book Confidential ends for all intents and purposes in 1987. A lot of interesting things happened in the comic book industry after that. Marvel’s fall into bankruptcy, the rise of comic culture in the last few years to the mainstream. Bio wise, Jack Kirby seems to be a perfect topic but to me it’s taking a look at the 90’s and very early 00’s that would make for a fascinating film. Think about the founding of Image for a minute. A lot of you newer readers might not realize how very big and how very rich the Image founders got. How did this whole market fall apart? It’s been covered in print but I think someone could do a really interesting job on film.
What about you dear reader? Any subjects in comics you would like to see covered?
Depends what you mean by “the rise of comic culture in to… the mainstream.” In a nutshell, I think this may be the problem.
People see the movies and just assume my parents are suddenly interested in comics. I know a lot of non collectors who go see the movies, purely as entertainment, but their interest in comics remains non-existent.
I guess it’s like any of us… I like the movie Wall Street and certain western movies but doesn’t mean I’m going to start wearing a 3 piece suit with a cowboy hat. The public at large has always known about comics but the medium doesn’t necessarily have their support.
This DC revamp is a case in point. I have to assume that corporate must have hired researchers to help them plot course but collectors who’ve been in it for 20+ years all seem to see it as a desperate attempt that’s set to fail. I’m not sure if this negative sentiment has to do with insight (from past examples) or human nature (resistance to change). Can researchers truly gain understanding from the outside?
I guess I don’t quite understand the strategy… or maybe there is no strategy. There seem to be an assumption that “casual readers” need a “jumping on point” but I don’t think “casual readers” should be the territory to conquer since they are “casual” by choice.
Seems to me the effort should be placed on trying to figure what the ad industry is trying to figure out… What is the motivation that people need in order to generate a preference?
The current comic book model is old school, ie; make the product, wave your hands so people know about it, then hope they come. But the new model is… determine what people desire, then create it. But this means thinking high level and looking beyond current definitions of what a comic book is which I don’t believe the execs are able or willing to do… because the conclusion maybe that the medium itself, whether print or digital no longer fulfils that desire.
Thus, the conundrum.
(But yes, as a fan… an updated documentary would be nice.)
There are lots of interesting stories out there, that I would like to hear from comic creators. I would even be happy to put a camera on Ethan Van Sciver and watch him talk for an hour, that guy is just entertaining.
I agree with you Brent, there is a good documentary there, about the rise of the speculation boom in the 90’s, to slump in sales now.
If you look at how many issues of Spawn #1 sold, and compare that to how many issues of #200 (the most recent milestone) sold. It would be interesting to hear from people in the business, explain why they think comics got to where they are today.
I would also like to hear from guys like Geoff Johns, Ed Brubaker and Grant Morrison, and find out what their plans are for comics in the future.