‘Comic Book Men’ opens up the 4-color world

As a TV geek, I respect and revere comic book geeks. Pop into any decent comic shop and those rows upon rows of long-boxed back issues attest to the richness of the medium since its inception in 1933. Because of that, it seems more impressive to achieve a high level of knowledge about comics than it does TV or films.

Feeling a kinship

I’ve taken a few cursory stabs at being a comic book geek. I tried to get on an “X-Men” kick after the first movie came out in 2000. I cherish my collection of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” comics, although I only got into those after the 1990 movie came out.

And I gobble up everything Dark Horse publishes under the “Star Wars” and “Buffy” banners, but of course those titles — and my fandom — originated in the moving-picture media.

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So I’m not a true comic book geek, but I feel a kinship with the people on “Comic Book Men” (9 p.m. Central Sundays on AMC), which chronicles the owner, three employees and one hanger-on at Jay & Silent Bob’s Secret Stash in New Jersey.

The owner, of course, is filmmaker Kevin Smith, someone so skilled at telling stories about his life and career that he went on tour doing just that a few years back.

Always-accessible Smith

When “Clerks” came out in 1994, Smith was at the forefront of a new era of accessible filmmakers and TV showrunners who were fanboys just like us. (As with many people, my entry point into “Clerks” was the buzzed-about scene where Dante, Randal and a customer have an analytical discussion about the construction of the second Death Star.

Pop-culture references like that are now ubiquitous, but it was fresh at the time.) But comic books — as big as those fictional universes are, DC, Marvel or otherwise — have always seemed like a more insular, cozy world, and it seems that’s where Smith belongs. Besides, like so many of his contemporaries, comic books influenced his work in other media.

Smith is a great guide into this four-color world as leads a free-wheeling podcast roundtable with his pals, the topics bouncing around from Robin’s origin story to favorite horror movies to favorite artistic rendition of Catwoman.

The guys have the rapport of old friends, talking passionately about a shared love and not hesitating to brutally make fun of each other. That’s one of three interlocking segments of “Comic Book Men.”

Buying and selling

My favorite segment of the show is when patrons come in to offer to sell their goods to the store.

The screen flashes up the basic tidbits of information about the item, but mainly it’s just fascinating to hear the clerks and the potential seller chat about the item, whether it’s a comic featuring the first appearance of Blade, signed by the artist; a “Six-Million Dollar Man” action figure, mint in box; an Australian “Dawn of the Dead” one-sheet; or a Chucky doll from “Child’s Play.”

I won’t deny that the bartering and haggling is somewhat addictive, too.

Too much ‘reality’

The least successful part of the premiere was the contest portion, styled after reality shows. The employees each took a box of overstock memorabilia to a famous New Jersey flea market with the goal of making more money than their colleagues.

(The prize was a day off, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the winner spent the day hanging in the shop anyway.)

When one of the guys started breaking another’s “Star Trek” commemorative plates, it seemed a bit too much like he was performing for the camera. Still, since the contest will be something different every week, there’s potential for improvement.

Overall, it’s fun to be a fly on the wall at Jay & Silent Bob’s Secret Stash. The only thing better would be to physically peruse the wares. Or to work there — although, after one episode it’s clear that my geek cred (although substantial in most social settings) is far to low to land a position there.

Comments

Seth Stringer:

John,

While you think you fall short of being a comic book geek (to me, albeit to a lesser extent, you’ve achieved that distinction … in a good way that’s enviable, of course) think about how I feel. Like you, I’ve only picked up on comic books when inspired by a movie or tv show. I remember my brother getting into the “Spawn” series in the mid-90s. The illustrations were insane and drew me in and the fighting sequences were violent and everything a teenager would want, but the package didn’t make me stick around for long. That sums up my relationship with comic books, which in the end just don’t hold a candle to the mediums of the big and little screens.

But that doesn’t mean the nostalgia and process behind them doesn’t still interest me. Like you, I love the origin stories, and the banter of knowledge that flows from the conversations and pod casts in “Comic Book Men” is like a history lesson. And I don’t feel it’s put on in any way nor out of character for the men involved. Even “the competition” was enjoyable enough, albeit to a lesser extent — I’d prefer they never leave the comic book store, which seems to be a treasure trove of … well, treasures.

I really like this show. Akin to Napoleon, I derive a lot of happiness out of it. It’s a must-watch on my DVR and a perfect follow-up to “The Walking Dead.”# Posted By Seth Stringer | 2/19/12 11:07 AM

Seth Stringer: This was the first post of mine in awhile that my post wasn’t rejected because of the multiple uses of “r@pe.” I guess that means you write about a lot of dark $hit.# Posted By Seth Stringer | 2/19/12 11:09 AM

John: Ha ha. Good thing I didn’t write too much about the “Chucky” fan with the bloody heels. Probably wouldn’t have let me post it. Yeah, “Comic Book Men” is a great addition to AMC’s lineup, with “Walking Dead,” “Talking Dead” and — if it ever returns — “The Killing.” I read that “CBM” came about because they went to Kevin Smith desperate for a show to retain their comic-geek audience. I hope they keep emphasizing these types of shows; it’s becoming a cool network.
Oh, another reason why I can’t get into comics is the very reason they think they are drawing new fans: Re-launches of old titles. I prefer an ongoing story that respects what happened before. This is the case with “Star Wars” and (mostly) “Buffy/Angel” and at least the Mirage-originated run of “TMNT.”
Oh, and I also really liked “Batman: The Animated Series” back in the 1990s. All of those stories were based on the comics. Someday I plan to get the DVDs and rewatch them.
I’ve met too many true comic geeks for me to qualify as one, but thanks for the vote of confidence. We need to get Matt to weigh in on “CBM”; he definitely qualifies as a CBG.# Posted By John Hansen | 2/19/12 2:41 PM

Another Matt:

When I first heard about this show, I thought it was going to be like “Pawn Stars” for comics. While it only occasionally delved into that territory over its first two episodes, that was some of the most interesting stuff “Comic Book Men” did, in my opinion.

I love when they dig into the history of comics or have debates about what super powers they would choose, the show just doesn’t seem entirely sure of what it wants to be. Certain bits — I’m thinking of the appearance of the 60s-era Batmobile and the contest stuff — feel contrived for television. I think the podcast would be interesting to listen to, but I’m not sure that the show will translate into interesting television on a consistent basis. Even though it makes hanging out in or owning a comics shop seem really fun, I also find the most of the regulars on the show a bit grating.

On the other hand, it’s a fine gap-filler for AMC to keep its audience around for another half hour before “Talking Dead,” which has remained an enjoyable recap show, except for the inclusion of Dave Navarro, who came across as a jerk when he was nagging the EP of “The Walking Dead” for more zombies in the show.

On that note, how do you guys feel about the state of that show since it has returned? I thought it has enjoyed some of its best scenes throughout its whole run recently, even if some of the stuff at the barn is getting to feel a little repetitive.# Posted By Another Matt | 2/22/12 10:35 AM

John Hansen:

Matt–

Yeah, CBM should drop the blatantly contrived stuff and stick with the podcast and the memorabilia traders. Indeed, that is the heart and soul of the show.

As for Walking Dead, I thought the latest episode was strong. I feared that it would be a long standoff in the bar and was pleasantly surprised when Rick just told the truth to the bad guys. It kind of tailed off toward the end. The whole Shane vs. Rick thing is over-dramatized. I think the Shane camp should just go their separate way, no hard feelings. It’s a big, empty world and talented zombie-killers like Andrea and Shane should be able to find their own encampment. I’m interested to see where the mystery of the comatose young woman goes.

Navarro was a bit extreme in his criticism, but I think he meant well. He was a fan trying to stir up some debate, but maybe he should’ve peppered in a bit more praise to balance it out.

All told, one helluva 2.5-hour block on Sundays on AMC.# Posted By John Hansen | 2/23/12 12:32 AM