Comic Book Confidential (1988)

A survey of the artistic history of the comic book medium and some of the major talents associated with it.

Director:

Ron Mann

Writers:

Charles Lippincott, Ron Mann

Stars:

Lynda Barry, Charles Burns, Sue Coe

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lynda Barry	...	Herself
Charles Burns	...	Himself
Sue Coe	...	Herself
Robert Crumb	...	Himself
Will Eisner	...	Himself
Al Feldstein	...	Himself
Shary Flenniken	...	Herself
William M. Gaines	...	Himself
Bill Griffith	...	Himself / Zippy the Pinhead
Jaime Hernández	...	Himself
Jack Kirby	...	Himself
Harvey Kurtzman	...	Himself
Stan Lee	...	Himself
Paul Mavrides	...	Himself
Frank Miller	...	Himself

Storyline

In the 20th century, no artistic medium in North America with so much potential for creative expression has had a more turbulent history plagued with less respect than comic books. Through animated montages, readings and interviews, this film guides us through the history of the medium from the late 1930s and 1940s with the first explosion of popularity with the superheroes created by great talents like Jack Kirby and hitting its first artistic zenith with Will Eisner's "Spirit". It then shifts to the post war comics world with the rising popularity of crime and horror comics, especially those published by EC Comics under the editorship of William B. Gaines until it came crashing down the rise of censorship with the imposition of the Comics Code. In its wake of the devastation of the medium's creative freedom, we also explore EC's defiant survival with the creation of the singular "Mad Magazine" by Harvey Kurtzman. We then move to the resurgence of the superheroes in the late 1950's ...

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Plot Keywords:

comic book | art history | comics code | marvel comics | underground comics | 

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Genres:

Documentary | History

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 April 1989 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Comic Book Confidential CD-ROM

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sphinx Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Crazy Credits

At the end of the credits the following paragraph can be found: There are over 6000 comic book stores across North America. Check one in your neighbourhood.

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Connections

Featured in Comic Book: The Movie (2004)

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Soundtracks

Malaria
Performed by Shriekback
from OIL AND GOLD, (C) 1985, ISLAND RECORDS INC.
Courtesy of ISLAND RECORDS

User Reviews

Comic book Confidential

Not being an avid comic book reader, I found Ron Mann's insightful documentary to be revealing and informative. This film sheds light on how much of an impact comic books and their artist have in our culture, history, and society. From political satires, to old tales of classic superheroes, horror and action filled comics, Mann covers a base on all genres in the comic book world. The style in which Mann delivers this film has the viewer flying across the pages of some of the most cherished comic books. I thought it was a create and balancing introduction to those who have never even heard of some of the artists and comic books that are still well known to this day. Those new to comics and those who are proud junkies can enjoy this pleasant and informative documentary that will have the viewer turning the "page" to find out what happens next.