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Comic Book

Original title: Comic Book Villains
  • Video
  • 2002
  • R
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
2.5K
YOUR RATING
Comic Book (2002)
Dark ComedyComedy

A guy dies after collecting comic books for decades. His mom inherits them and she ain't selling. Owners of 2 comic book stores want the collection. Their scheming gets ever more desperate.A guy dies after collecting comic books for decades. His mom inherits them and she ain't selling. Owners of 2 comic book stores want the collection. Their scheming gets ever more desperate.A guy dies after collecting comic books for decades. His mom inherits them and she ain't selling. Owners of 2 comic book stores want the collection. Their scheming gets ever more desperate.

  • Director
    • James Robinson
  • Writer
    • James Robinson
  • Stars
    • Donal Logue
    • Cary Elwes
    • Michael Rapaport
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.5/10
    2.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • James Robinson
    • Writer
      • James Robinson
    • Stars
      • Donal Logue
      • Cary Elwes
      • Michael Rapaport
    • 42User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Comic Book Villains
    Trailer 2:11
    Comic Book Villains

    Photos56

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    Top cast21

    Edit
    Donal Logue
    Donal Logue
    • Raymond McGillicudy
    Cary Elwes
    Cary Elwes
    • Carter
    Michael Rapaport
    Michael Rapaport
    • Norman Link
    Natasha Lyonne
    Natasha Lyonne
    • Judy
    DJ Qualls
    DJ Qualls
    • Archie
    Eileen Brennan
    Eileen Brennan
    • Mrs. Cresswell
    Monet Mazur
    Monet Mazur
    • Kiki
    Danny Masterson
    Danny Masterson
    • Conan
    James Duval
    James Duval
    • Baz
    Marshall Bell
    Marshall Bell
    • Gun Store Order
    Chris Weber
    Chris Weber
    • Tony
    Denny Kirkwood
    • Dino
    Irene Montalà
    Irene Montalà
    • Woman in Barcelona
    Donal Lardner Ward
    Donal Lardner Ward
    • Normal Customer
    • (as Donnal Ward)
    Ric Borelli
    • Slob
    Diana Terranova
    • Dancer
    Jamielyn Lippman
    • 30 Year old woman
    • (as Jamielyn Kane)
    Jo Bourne-Taylor
    Jo Bourne-Taylor
    • Accountant
    • Director
      • James Robinson
    • Writer
      • James Robinson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews42

    5.52.4K
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    Featured reviews

    6boyinflares

    Good, but only to comic book fans

    As a comic book reader and fan, I had been meaning to see this film for sometime. I wouldn't have minded waiting a bit longer, because, to be brutally honest, it is rather boring. The basic premise is two rival comic store owners fighting to purchase a large and valuable collection from an elderly woman whose son has just died. While the two comic stores are rivals, they are both in the business for entirely different reasons - one is an actual fan, one is only in it for the money. This highlights two sides to actual comic collecting as well.

    The cast are an odd mix, but like any good comic book, that is expected. Not that this is a comic, but it seems to play out as one. Donal Logue plays Raymond, the unpleasant know-it-all owner of one store, he is a genuine fan of comics (I suppose you could compare him to Comic Book Guy from "the Simpsons"). Michael Rappaport is terrific as the money-hungry Norman, owner of the second store. Natasha Lyonne is fantastic (isn't she always) in his bitchy wife, Judy. DJ Qualls impresses me for the first time ever as fan-boy (and narrator) Archie, and apart from Rappaport and Lyonne, is probably the best actor in this film. I'm in no way saying that the others are bad actors, just this film isn't their best. Cary Elwes seems a bit out of place as Carter, and the lovely Monet Mazur is very underused as his girlfriend Kiki (but then again, aren't most girlfriends in comics?) Danny Masterton is as annoying as ever as Conan, while Eileen Brennan adds a touch of class to the film.

    Overall, I was expecting more. There aren't that many films around which focus on comics so "Comic Book Villains" does a good enough job. THe cast are great over all, and there are bits of comic trivia scattered throughout the film, and its fun trying to pick up all the names of characters and events from various comic book series. But at times, the film can be a bit boring. For fans of comics, I suggest you watch it, but for others, view with caution.
    8The Overdrama

    See this movie if you've ever liked comics

    I admit that I rented this movie simply because I love comic books (and have been wanting to see it ever since I first learned it was being made); however, the movie really surprised me. It was a very entertaining tragicomedy, namely thanks to its premise of trying to get a 45-year-old comic book collection from an unrelenting mother.

    Donal Logue put forth an excellent performance as the bankrupt and shabby local comic store owner, and Cary Elwes actually made a believable thug. Despite cliché hijinks from the Natasha Lyonne-Michael Rappaport team-up and unnecessary narration, the story makes good with incorporating capitalistic competition, laid-back criminals, and comic trivia. In short, anyone can really enjoy this movie, but it is a must-see for what Stan Lee calls "true believers."
    alrodbel

    Brilliant Film making

    Comic Book Villains

    The semi-sociopath who reigns over the other similar souls in his comic book emporium has been worked enough to be a cliché. There is even such a chubby unkempt looser lovingly portrayed as part of the Simpsons repertoire. Other than displaying a life that many of us can look at condescendingly, can this be a lead character for a movie?

    Opening in a vein of light hearted reminiscence of small town Americana, the drama builds with the discovery of the death of a "collector." This man had lived with his mom his entire fifty some years with only one love, collecting comics. Our Simpsonesque character is now in a contest with another store owner to see who can finagle the mother of the deceased into selling this bonanza.

    A standard criticism of many films is that the characters devolve into cartoon figures. This film does quite the opposite. It starts with clichés and whimsy and slowly peels away this facade to expose a throbbing violent human conflict. When goaded by their true passion, love of comics and the wealth to transcend their limited horizons, greed rears it's transforming head. What is more amazing, the fim still manages to keep a sense of wit, but now with a mordant ironic tinge that is intrinsic to the human condition when raw passion transcends reason.

    This is inspired filmmaking. Not a scene, not a line, not an expression was included that did not ring true. This movie was not well received by the voters of my internet site, so what you have just read it a minority report.
    5=G=

    Junk flick

    "Comic Book Villains" tells of an old lady who's sitting on her late son's valuable comic book collection and two competing comic book store owners who want it at any cost. Among its many deficits this shabby film has a handful of second rate actors, an amateurish screen play, obvious low budgetness, awful music, and a generally lame execution. Cinematic junk food. (C-)
    Andy-422

    Mediocrity at its Most Mediocre

    Here's a great cast, with a good concept for a plot, how can it go wrong?

    It can, if there's no writing! OK, that's not fair, if there's CONSISTENT writing. Like so many SNL skits, the first half is well developed, then, well, they have to end it somehow.

    I had the same problem with this movie that I had with Monster's Ball. Now how could I mention those two movies together? One is the great academy award winning darling, one is a straight to video farce.

    But both suffer from the fatal flaw: failing to convince me of the characters' motivations, and changes. In Comic Book Villains, we get a basic greed motive, but I didn't care what happened to any of the characters except Archie. That may have been intentional, so we wouldn't feel horrified by their bad behavior, but that just goes to show how de-sensitized we are to violence. It's a plot device to end a movie, not a logical or understandable part of the plot.

    I guess if you feel you have to see all movies with references to comic books, go for it. But otherwise, use your 90minutes for something else.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Wonder Woman was first introduced December 1941 in All Star Comics #8 then made her first featured appearance in Sensation Comics #1 January 1942.
    • Goofs
      In the closing scene Archie is standing with the Sagrada Familia (Cathedral) behind him. Then he turns to a girl to light her cigarette and the Sagrada Familia is still behind him, even though he is now facing in a different direction.
    • Quotes

      Raymond: Either you're trying to patronize me, fuck with me, or get yourself killed. And, by the way, you're doing a pretty good job.

    • Connections
      Featured in Troldspejlet: Episode #28.13 (2003)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 3, 2002 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Comic Book Villains
    • Filming locations
      • Santa Clarita, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Capital Arts Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 32m(92 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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