Comic Book Confidential

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Starring: Lynda Barry
Rated: Unrated
Type: DVD
Directed By: Ron Mann
Studio: Homevision
Release Date: 2002-07-23
Award winning director Ron Mann's (Grass, Twist) loving, comic-book-style homage provides the inside scoop on one of the most colorful and popular of all American art forms. From the fantastic adventures of superheroes Spiderman, Captain America, and Batman to the realism of American Splendor, from the terror of Tales from the Crypt to the sophisticated commentary of Maus and the pure insanity of MAD, Comic Book Confidential treats comics with the esteem they deserve.

Nice, but...
Is it art or is it garbage? Good approach to the world of comics, but bias against standard comercial comics.

The best comic book documentary on DVD
I have an old laserdisc copy of this documentary and can vouch for its quality.

While it's NOT a complete history of comics, it's a good summary for people who want to learn general comic book history and become familiar with some of the great names in comic book history.

I'm glad to hear that the extras which existed on the LD edition have been ported to the DVD version. People will enjoy the comics extras and be transported back in time to when these concepts and characters were new while reading the old comics.

Recently, the History Channel aired its own documentary on superheroes, but the older Comic Book Confidential still blows the newer documentary away. To top it off, the History Channel has only offered a DVD-R of its program and if anybody is familiar with DVD-Rs, you know they aren't as professionally produced as a standard DVD and lack the chapter stops and extras most of us expect as standard requirements for a GOOD DVD!

CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF COMIC BOOKS
Comic Book Confidential is one of the best documentaries on comics and has a timeless feel about it. Made in 1989, it remains relevant over time. Generally, it's a historical rather than a 'confidential' look at the medium. But it is so well executed that one has to admire Mann's witty, creative and heartfelt approach. I've seen a few other documentaries on the subject and few 'feel' as personal.

However, as this IS a vast subject, Ron does run out of time, leaving one begging for a sequel. We see snippets of the late Jack Kirby, and you find yourself wanting to see more of the man. Ditto for the other creators.

The documentary leans heavily towards the underground and more adult aspect of comics rather than the men-in-tights superhero genre so be prepared. If you're expecting to see an extensive in-depth explication of Batman, this is not the documentary to watch. If you want an overview of American comic book culture and a peek into its varied nuances, Comic Book Confidential is for you.

Ron Mann's COMIC BOOK CONFIDENTIAL
A nice and unusually accessible introduction to an exciting artform. Yes, don't confuse this with THE MASTERS OF COMIC BOOK ART, hosted by Harlan Ellison. Two very different videos! I got so much from MANN'S documentary that, given the steady infusion of strong talent into this art medium hence ( Fantagraphics' catalog, Drawn & Quarterly Publications and others), I wish there was a sequel! Oh well... the print medium, whether words or drawings or a combination of the two, is too slow and quiet to get a lot of screen time, so this may be IT! Check it out. It's informative and fun!

a wonderful, nostalgic ode to the funny pages!
This is a great introduction to the history of comic books and graphic novels. Anyone looking for an indepth study should just avoid this documentary as it is really targeted at the newcomer. And yet for hardcore fans of the old classics, this is worth a look as well -- if only to see and hear great artists like Jack Kirby and Will Eisner reading from their works.

The film is a little rough around the edges technique-wise but this gives it a certain low budget charm. There is also a whimsical sense of humour that really works well.

My only gripe is that Ron Mann didn't interview Alan Moore! A huge omission, in my opinion. That, and I wish he would've had more of Frank Miller but that's a minor quibble at best.

Definitely worth a look if you are interested in the history of comic books.