Comic Book Confidential

1988

1h 30m

Documentary

List

75%

Tomatometer

8 Reviews

62%

Audience Score

250+ Ratings

This 1988 film delineates the meteoric rise of the comic book art form beginning with its fervently nationalistic characters and stories of the 1930s and '40s, its underground rebellions of the '60s and '70s, and the dark and human stories of the 1980s. The documentary gifts a rare treat to comic book fans by featuring the artists themselves reading from and sharing anecdotes about their work. Director Ron Mann also covers the controversy surrounding censorship by the Comic Code Authority.

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Roger Moore

Tribune News Service

Affectionate, gentle and nostalgic

Jan 8, 2013

Full Review

Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

The highest compliment I can pay the picture is that it makes me want to delve further into the research and discussion of comic books, to continue exploring where Mann's work ends.

Rated: B

Dec 12, 2012

Full Review

Maitland McDonagh

Film Journal International

Excessively kind look at the obsessive fans who descend on San Diego's popular Comic-Con convention.

Apr 6, 2012

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jun 26, 2005

Full Review

Daniel M. Kimmel

Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Rated: 4/5

Feb 8, 2004

Full Review

Ryan Cracknell

Apollo Guide

Just as much for those not familiar with comics as it is for hardcore fan boys.

Rated: 74/100

Nov 23, 2002

Full Review

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Audience Member

It's nice for the interviews, but it's not very deep, maybe it was good when it came out, but to me it's just kind of ok.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

One of my all time favorite documentaries about comic books. Very informative !!!!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A look at both popular and cult comic book creators and their work, and its social significance - although this film is around 25 years old it has held up quite well.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A nostalgic and informative documentary.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Interesting look at Comics!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Informative, yet way too heavily weighed towards the indy scene. This one leaves out way too much about mainstream stuff. Stan Lee is mentioned for about 2 minutes in a comic book documentary?! Something is wrong...

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

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Ron Mann

Director

Lynda Barry

Self

Robert Crumb

Self

Will Eisner

Self

William M. Gaines

Self

Jack Kirby

Self

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Synopsis

This 1988 film delineates the meteoric rise of the comic book art form beginning with its fervently nationalistic characters and stories of the 1930s and '40s, its underground rebellions of the '60s and '70s, and the dark and human stories of the 1980s. The documentary gifts a rare treat to comic book fans by featuring the artists themselves reading from and sharing anecdotes about their work. Director Ron Mann also covers the controversy surrounding censorship by the Comic Code Authority.

Director: Ron Mann
Producer: Don Haig, Martin Harbury, Charles Lippincott
Screenwriter: Charles Lippincott, Ron Mann
Production Co: Sphinx Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 19, 2017
Runtime: 1h 30m

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