Comix:
Beyond The Comic Book Pages
(2016/Kino Lorber DVD Set)
Picture:
C Sound: C Extras: B Documentary: C
Michael
Valentine's Comix:
Beyond the Comic Book Pages (2016)
is an insightful documentary about the history of comics and features
interviews with some of the biggest names in the business and more.
From the history of the medium, to the modern day influence it has on
our society and a look at some of the dedicated fans at comic-cons,
this documentary covers all the bases.
What
holds the film back is some sloppy editing and sound mixing that
makes the piece feel a little amateur. Hardly are there title cards
or subtitle identifications to explain who some of these artists are,
shots that don't linger on interviews long enough, and quick cuts to
images and comic art that make it feel like a rushed piece. However,
the interviews are nothing to shake a stick at featuring comic book
legends Stan Lee, Frank Miller, Mark Waid, Neal Adams, John Romita
Jr., Marc Silvestri, Mike Richardson and more. The piece also looks
at comic book movies, conventions, and how nerds are looked at with
higher regard due to the recent popularity of the medium. Too bad
only fanboys and scholars will understand all of it.
Presented
in standard definition with an anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of
1.78:1 and a lossy 2.0 Dolby Digital stereo track, the film looks
fine for DVD but could definitely benefit to a High Def upgrade and
clean up work. Obviously shot on different formats, some shots are
more clear and sharper than others and overall the sound mix seems a
little off - with the musical score often overpowering some of the
dialogue in key scenes.
Extras
include...
Extended
Scenes and Outtakes including Anime and Manga, The Art of
Collaboration, Comics and the Movies, Influences, Insights, Making
History, More on Comic Book Conventions, Outtakes, and a Theatrical
Trailer.
Complete
Hour-long interviews with Frank Miller and Stan Lee.
Insert
booklet with a mini comic.
While
the documentary has some heart and covers a lot of ground, its
technical errors and off-kilter editing makes the overall pacing seem
off.
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
