High School history teacher, and unapologetic fanboy, Mark Hamill (as Don Swan) is tapped to serve as technical adviser for a film adapting the adventures of his favorite super-hero, "Commander Courage". The film producers decide it would financially rewarding for a documentary to accompany the film, and DVD. So, Hamill is followed around, showing his love for "Commander Courage" (and bare-legged sidekick "Liberty Lad"), interviewing comic strip celebrities (like the Marvelous Stan Lee), and inadvertently causing trouble for the movie studio.
Don't search your "Golden Age" comic book collection for any evidence of "Commander Courage". The "Wow Comics" heroes "Mr. Scarlett (& Pinky)" and "Commando Yank" look promising, but the super-hero is more (or less) a composite creation. His origin is like a "Big Bang" version of Fawcett's "Captain Marvel". As with "real" comic heroes, "Commander Courage (and Liberty Lad")" undergo a steroids 'n' silicone reboot. The "Dark Age" version is the movie studio's interest, much to Hamill's chagrin.
Mr. Hamill's film satirically illustrates what it attempts; but, its specialized focus does not, unfortunately, advance the idea that comic books are an important art form. Instead, the film will probably confirm an unbeliever's view of comic book aficionados as arrestedly developed. "Comic Book: The Movie" is funnier as a satire on Hollywood studio types. While obviously low budget, it is an enjoyable movie.
Cameraman Jess Harnell (as Ricky) is the film's greatest asset. Mr. Harnell smoothly makes every one of his lines, both scripted and improvised, work. Harnell is Hamill's indispensable, and sometimes hilarious, sidekick (and, he does a fantastic Beatles impression). Billy West (as Leo Matuzik) has some Keatonesque deadpan moments. Discovered in "a musical version of 'Under the Yum Yum Tree'", Daran Norris (as Bruce Easily) essays one of the better "comic" characterizations. And, Jonathan Winters and Maggie Thompson show how to give a great "cameo" performance.
Do NOT skip viewing the full version of Hamill's historically revelatory interview with Hugh Hefner, on disc two.
Finally, Matt Kenny, the boy receiving a "Shazam!" toy from Hamill, is the film's biggest super-hero. He REALLY knowing his "Marvel Family" characters.
****** Comic Book: The Movie (2004) Mark Hamill ~ Mark Hamill, Jess Harnell, Billy West
Don't search your "Golden Age" comic book collection for any evidence of "Commander Courage". The "Wow Comics" heroes "Mr. Scarlett (& Pinky)" and "Commando Yank" look promising, but the super-hero is more (or less) a composite creation. His origin is like a "Big Bang" version of Fawcett's "Captain Marvel". As with "real" comic heroes, "Commander Courage (and Liberty Lad")" undergo a steroids 'n' silicone reboot. The "Dark Age" version is the movie studio's interest, much to Hamill's chagrin.
Mr. Hamill's film satirically illustrates what it attempts; but, its specialized focus does not, unfortunately, advance the idea that comic books are an important art form. Instead, the film will probably confirm an unbeliever's view of comic book aficionados as arrestedly developed. "Comic Book: The Movie" is funnier as a satire on Hollywood studio types. While obviously low budget, it is an enjoyable movie.
Cameraman Jess Harnell (as Ricky) is the film's greatest asset. Mr. Harnell smoothly makes every one of his lines, both scripted and improvised, work. Harnell is Hamill's indispensable, and sometimes hilarious, sidekick (and, he does a fantastic Beatles impression). Billy West (as Leo Matuzik) has some Keatonesque deadpan moments. Discovered in "a musical version of 'Under the Yum Yum Tree'", Daran Norris (as Bruce Easily) essays one of the better "comic" characterizations. And, Jonathan Winters and Maggie Thompson show how to give a great "cameo" performance.
Do NOT skip viewing the full version of Hamill's historically revelatory interview with Hugh Hefner, on disc two.
Finally, Matt Kenny, the boy receiving a "Shazam!" toy from Hamill, is the film's biggest super-hero. He REALLY knowing his "Marvel Family" characters.
****** Comic Book: The Movie (2004) Mark Hamill ~ Mark Hamill, Jess Harnell, Billy West