Comic Book documentaries to binge watch
For many of us now starting to venture into adulthood, we have been witness to the full on blooming of the comic book industry making its imprint on films to animation series to half-baked yet nostalgic live action series to memes to documentaries to even spotting a Joker face paint on the recent protests that have galvanized the world around us. Comic books have become embedded into our psyche when growing up.
As we remain homebound and are tired from lapping up the latest films and series, here are a few shocking, heart wrenching, and dramatic documentaries from the comics world you should look at:
1.Batman and Bill
Perhaps one of the darkest open secrets in the DC Universe surrounding the creation of its darkest superhero, Batman, is who is the man behind Batman, Gotham, Joker, the iconic rogue gallery, and the franchise the entire franchise the Caped Crusader has come to be known with. What looks like a dizzying investigative rollercoaster ride into the sad and tragic life of Batman's co-creator, Bill Finger, the documentary takes us into the dark underbelly behind the creation of pop-culture's major icons from a struggling family's battle to secure recognition from an entertainment colossus to Bob Kane's guilty confessions to the impact of Batman on all our lives. Released in 2017, this is perhaps the finest documentary of the Dark Knight's genesis.
2.In Search of Steve Ditko
Released in 2007 by the BBC, Steve Ditko remains one of the most elusive and I dare I say, beguiling figures in the world of comics whose life till this day remains shrouded in mystery and ambivalence. The co-creator of Spiderman, the documentary involves a stellar cast of legendary writers from Alan Moore to Neil Gaiman to Stan Lee. It explores the life and storied legacy of a man who even in his own documentary refused to sit for a recorded interview, but relied on the narrator, Jonathan Ross to take the lead for him. Dabbling with excitement, suspense, and awe of a man's creative genius, this is necessary watch.
3.With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story
The most conspicuous face in comic book culture is the great Stan Lee. Stan is everything he named his creations to be – amazing, fantastic, and incredible – and the 2010 documentary takes us inside the mind and life of a man who helped many of us to dream to be superheroes -flawed and imperfect – yet with the urge to do the right thing.
4.Look, Up in the Sky: The Amazing Story of Superman
Released in 2006 at the same time as Bryan Singer's Superman Returns, the film looks at the creation of an American icon who many believe stands for a nation's ideals. Superman was the first superhero film to break out into the box office and has been making rounds since in the animated, live action, and gaming mediums. Bringing together of the actors, directors, and producers involved with the Superman media over the years, the documentary is a heartfelt love letter to one of the greatest creations of pop-culture.
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