Comix: Beyond the Comic Book Pages

Yet another documentary on the history and culture of comic books, Comix focuses almost entirely on superhero comics, mostly during the last 50 years, from the "silver age" of the superhero resurgence of the early 1960s to the present. The early history is presented as a whirlwind survey that leans on the iconic characters Superman and Batman, followed by an introduction to the creators (both writers and artists), a look at the fan culture of conventions and cosplayers, and interviews with some of the industry's most important and influential figures, including Stan Lee, Frank Miller, Neal Adams, and Todd McFarlane. Director Michael Valentine acknowledges the tremendous influence of comic books on contemporary pop culture but offers nothing especially revealing or enlightening, and doesn't even address the fascinating irony that while comic book heroes and stories are more popular than ever, actual comic book sales have been declining for decades. Comix is more of a family-friendly fan celebration, directed with a generically splashy style (with the screen split into comic book panels), accompanied by a big, brassy score reminiscent of Superman and other films. Extras include extended scenes, outtakes, and hour-long interviews with Lee and Miller. Optional. Aud: P. (S. Axmaker)