Capes, cowls, and the creation of comic book culture, on sale now about their project, their own history as comic book fans, and the fiveyear process of putting the documentary together. Nick allder, shadi almassizadeh, velvy appleton, kevin baillie. Look no further than this great resource and educational value of superheroes and. Super heroes all died out between 1950 and 1955 with only superman, batman and wonder woman and a few smaller ones still being published.
The four color trading card set will document as many public domain comic book characters from the 1930s through 1960s as possible. The precursor to marvel comics was founded in 1939 by pulp magazine publisher martin goodman. A living biography by the new york times media outlets like the new york times have reported on phenomena that shaped america for decades. Learn about marvel comicss characters and prominent writers and artists.
Every comic book documentary you must watch elongated man. Christopher irving is raising funds for four color. From my vhs recordings, here is the documentary comic book superheroes unmasked, which aired on june 23rd, 2003 with commercials. The origins of the medium, the evolution of superheroes and all the other genres as they born in different eras. Masters of comic book art eisner, kirby, ditko, adams, wrightson, miller 1987. The untold story was a reminder of the many wonderful prose books dedicated to the history of the comic book industry out there, telling the. Apr 24, 2019 back in 2014 she makes comics came out and took the viewer on a journey through the history of the female comic book creator. Stray but a little, and they will fail, to the ruin of all. Dec 11, 20 comic book confidential this documentary produced by m etrogoldwynmayer features the whole picture of the comic book phenomenon in the united states as of 1988. Jonathan gayles, who is a professor of african american studies at georgia state university, created the documentary out of his own desire to share the history of. White scripts and black supermen a documentary on the. Robert kirkmans secret history of comics teaser from the creator of the walking dead, get the stories behind your favorite comic books in a brandnew documentary series. It is based on zinns classic book a peoples history of the united states.
Comic book documentaries you should be watching simplemans. Dark knight returns, this documentary, originally aired on the history channel, goes far. With rare access to top creators at both dc and marvel, superheroes decoded uncovers how the rise of the superhero parallels americas rise as a superpower in the 20th century, evolving. Could have used a little bit more exciting graphics however in the presentation. Comic book superheroes unmasked documentary 1 mostly dc and marvel, but talks about their relevancy throughout history and politics. The history of the black male superhero in comic books. Back in 2014 she makes comics came out and took the viewer on a journey through the history of the female comic book creator. It consisted of three hour long episodes and provides a great history of comic books and how the hobby was almost destroyed and how it came to be a box office juggernaut.
This pbsproduced documentary covers the entire comic book industry and culture, spanning from its newspaper roots all the way to 20. Marvel comics, american media and entertainment company that was widely regarded as one of the big two publishers in the comic industry. A journey to recover a forgotten part of canadas pop culture and a national treasure few have ever heard about, the tale of a small country striving to create its own heroes, but finding itself constantly out muscled by betterfunded and bettermarketed superheroes from the media empire next door. This landmark issue, the first comic to present allnew material, saw the first appearance of the man of steel, superman. Pbs documentary takes a serious look at history of superheroes. A thick but approachable book, this book tells the history of comics, starting from political cartoons and funnies, through their evolution into collections of funnies, and finally comic books. White scripts and black supermen also offers critical commentary by leading scholars and comic book creators. How todd mcfarlane became the biggest comic book artist ever. Comic book confidential this documentary produced by m etrogoldwynmayer features the whole picture of the comicbook phenomenon in the united states as of 1988. The comic book history of comics by fred van lente and ryan dunlavey presents the long and storied history of the comic book and graphic novel art form and the industry that spawned it in the only format befitting the true history of comics, a comic book. Pages in category documentary films about comics the following 31 pages are in this category, out of 31 total.
Director biography director anthony desiato has been chronicling the culture of comic shops through documentaries and podcasts for the past decade. Its sad because conan was ingenius in how it represented a major. Comic bookinspired movies, of course, have become a vibrant part of the pop culture landscape over the past few decades beginning with the big screen adaptations of superman in 1978, and batman in 1989. Fredric werthham was the scariest thing to ever happen to comic books. The first monthly comic book, aptly titled comics monthly, began publication in 1922, though it also featured reprints of daily newspaper comic strips. Comic book superheroes unmasked documentary youtube. A comprehensive history of the superhero comic book fantasy genre and its influence on american culture. This is one documentary every comic book fan should watch. A history of superheroes in comic books, from the first appearance of. Comic book inspired movies, of course, have become a vibrant part of the pop culture landscape over the past few decades beginning with the big screen adaptations of superman in 1978, and batman in 1989. A neverending battle is the first documentary to examine the dawn of the comic book genre and its powerful legacy, as well as the evolution of the characters who leapt from the pages over the last 75 years and their ongoing worldwide cultural impact. The middle decade of the last century was not a good one for the comics industry.
Superman, batman, spiderman, the hulk, and countless other comic book. Oct 18, 2012 last weeks release of sean howes marvel comics. A twonight documentary about the history of superheroes in comic books, the movies, and on television, superheroes decoded does a good job. Mar 26, 20 white scripts and black supermen also offers critical commentary by leading scholars and comic book creators. A documentary on the early representation of black male superheroes.
They spread new ideas one such idea happened to be the rise of the superhero comic book in american pop culture. Affectionately called the house of ideas by the fan press, marvels bestknown comics titles include fantastic four, the amazing spiderman, the incredible hulk, iron man, daredevil, thor, captain america, and xmen. The air dates for kirkmans documentary about the history of comic books has been announced, as well as the creators who will be interviewed. Its not an understatement to say that with the current global pandemic, the comic book retailers currently stand upon the edge of a knife. The film is about the history of the american comic. This week id like to feature the oversized magazinebook entitled. Dont miss the twonight premiere event starting sunday, nov. Comic book superheroes unmasked documentary the origin. Narrated by keith david, and has a great list of comic artists and writers being interviewed. Comic book confidential is an americancanadian documentary film, released in 1988. Threepart pbs documentary takes superheroes seriously. Robert kirkmans secret history of comics season 1, episode. Clocking in at three hours, this detailed production covers.
The film is about the history of the american comic book industry from its origins in the 1930s to the present day, and how comic books have mirrored and affected the society around them. Filmmaker crosses america to document comic book store culture. Whether they are about the industry itself or about comic book characters ive grown to love over the years, nothing beats a good comic book documentary to help quench my thirst for comic book knowledge. Little nemo in slumberland, by winsor mccay, begins running in the new york herald. My comic shop country documentary now available to watch. I dont think first run features could have anticipated the most unusual timing when it released the documentary my comic shop country from filmmaker anthony desiato. It featured traditional historians, people from inside the industry such as stan lee, and people who grew. In case the name isnt a dead giveaway on this one, this film is all about the history of one of comics. The first comicstrip reprint collection, the yellow kid in mcfaddens flats, is published as a 196page hardcover book. Sep 06, 2017 this pbsproduced documentary covers the entire comic book industry and culture, spanning from its newspaper roots all the way to 20.
Oct 10, 20 capes, cowls, and the creation of comic book culture, on sale now about their project, their own history as comic book fans, and the fiveyear process of putting the documentary together. For the documentary, desiato traveled the country and interviewed comic book store owners and wellknown comic book editors and writers, like paul levitz and mark waid. The comic book history trading card set on kickstarter. The first comic with a continuing story, it is still noted as one of the most richly illustrated comic strips of all time. History is taking an indepth look at several iconic marvel and dc comic book creations in the upcoming twopart documentary superheroes decoded. If you are going to watch a documentary on the history of comic books. There are interviews from comic book writers, artists, and actors that have portrayed these heroes. The product of two teenage boys from cleveland, ohio, jerry siegel and joe shuster, superman was an overnight sensation and forever transformed the fledgling comic book industry. They contain great interviews with people from the era, and do a great job of breaking down the cultural significance of superheros, albeit it in broad terms.
White scripts and black supermen a documentary on the early. Marvel comics conan the barbarian was sadly left out of this story. Comic book superheroes unmasked history channel aired june. Comic book superheroes unmasked is a television documentary that aired on the history channel in 2003. In february 1935, dc comics precursor, national allied publications. May 17, 2016 to help celebrate this, amc networks is planning a history of comic books documentary miniseries that is tentatively titled heroes and villains. Persepolis told us about the islamic revolution, the history of iran, and the struggles of women and the veil, all in a far more accessible style albeit a more narrow focus than a weighty factual book could manage. Its parent company, marvel entertainment, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the disney company. Marvel comics is an american comic book line published by marvel entertainment, inc.
History get youtube premium get youtube tv best of youtube music sports gaming. This documentary originally aired on pbs, directed by michael cantor and. Itself a work of history, jules feiffers 1965 essay was arguably the first attempt to create a critical history of the golden age of comic book superheroes, with the writer looking at the impact. The walking dead comic book creator robert kirkman stars in this documentary series that takes a deeper look into the stories, people and events that. Directed by ron mann and written by mann and charles lippincott, the film is a survey of the history of the comic book medium in the united states from the 1930s to the 1980s, as an art form and in social context. Robert kirkmans amc comic book history show debuts in november. Amc orders history of comic books documentary miniseries. In order to capitalize on the growing popularity of comic booksespecially those starring superheroesgoodman created timely comics. A neverending battle is the first documentary to examine the dawn of the comic book genre and its powerful legacy, as well as the evolution of the characters who leapt from the pages. After the war, sales dropped dramatically and then continued to slide down throughout the 1950s. Also from the hallowed halls of dramatic voices is keith david who in my opinion is in the pantheon along with james earl jones and john facenda. Canadas forgotten comic book superheroes and their legendary creators.
Coverdated august 1961, it was published may 9, 1961. A must see for any comic book lover, er for any lover of american and indeed world history for that matter. May 26, 20 comic book superheroes unmasked documentary darkstar659. Comic book heroes unmasked originally aired on the history channel is a pretty good documentary largely going over the superhero genre in comic books. An example of an early precursor to print comics is trajans column. Cbr news spoke with kantor and maslon who also coauthored a companion book, superheroes capes, cowls, and the creation of comic book culture, on sale now about their project, their own history as comic book fans, and the fiveyear process of putting the documentary together. With a deft hand, the illustrations and even lettering evoke the material of each period, while maintaining a coherent metastyle across the production. The walking dead comic book creator robert kirkman stars in this documentary series that takes a deeper look into the stories, people and events that have transformed the world of comic books. Ive compiled a list of comic book documentaries that i think every fan of the hobby should watch. The film is a heartfelt exploration of the power of comic shops to build a community that honors the original form of the superhero. The book is not truly a history of comics, as it just covers the beginning of the industry, and just covers early comics, but it still well worth owning, even today. From my vhs recordings, here is the documentary comic book superheroes unmasked, which aired on june 23rd, 2003 with commercials included. Jonathan gayles, who is a professor of african american studies at georgia state university, created the documentary out of his own desire to share the history of black male super heroes. Indepth documentary about the history of the hellboy comic book, the history of the character and the making of the 2004 movie adaptation of the same name.
Director marisa stotter shares an eyeopening documentary through the. He was a highly distinguished psychologist who thought comic books were bad for kids, and his efforts to have them censored had a horrible and lasting impact that still affect comic books to this day. The first two segments of this documentary are wonderful for someone, like myself, who only had a cursory understanding of comic book history. Romes trajans column, dedicated in 110 ad, is an early surviving example of a narrative told through sequential pictures, while egyptian hieroglyphs, greek friezes, medieval tapestries such as the bayeux tapestry and illustrated manuscripts also combine sequential images and words to tell a story. The product of two teenage boys from cleveland, ohio, jerry siegel and joe shuster, superman was an overnight sensation and forever transformed the.
Comic book superheroes unmasked tv movie 2003 imdb. The comic book greats comic book superheroes unmasked comics britannia. Through interviews with prominent artists, scholars and cultural critics along with images from the comic books themselves, this film examines the degree to which early black superheroes generally adhered to common stereotypes about black men. To help celebrate this, amc networks is planning a history of comic books documentary miniseries that is tentatively titled heroes and villains. A history by gambit1024 april 25, 2012 23 comments the most recognizable comics characters in the world.
In 1933, funnies on parade became the first color comic book printed in the now standard size of 6 58 x 10 14 inches. Comic book superheroes unmasked history channel aired. The graphic novel was illustrated by mike konopacki. The series is being produced by robert kirkmans skydance entertainment, marking yet another collaboration with the walking dead creators company. Comic book superheroes unmasked documentary darkstar659. The golden age of comics comics have been in existence since the end of the 19th century, but it was after the depression that the popularity of newspaper cartoons expanded into a major industry. Jan 31, 2018 back in 2014 she makes comics came out and took the viewer on a journey through the history of the female comic book creator. Comic book history series jon morris and hope nicholson comic books werent always a billiondollar industry, but theyve always been a unique and fascinating medium.
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