Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope
Video on Demand
Directed by Morgan Spurlock
Written by Jeremy Chilnick and Morgan Spurlock
Starring Holly Conrad, James Darling, Skip Harvey, Eric Henson, Chuck Rozanski, Joss Whedon, Harry Knowles, Stan Lee, Kevin Smith, Guillermo del Toro, Edgar Wright, Robert Kirkman
Wrekin Hill Entertainment
Original Released: April 6, 2012

“My tribe… I have found my tribe!”

Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock‘s latest movie explores the cultural phenomenon that is San Diego Comic-Con. Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope follows the lives of five attendees as they make their way to the ultimate geek mecca.

There’s Eric Henson, an aspiring illustrator currently in the U.S. Air Force, looking to impress publishers with his portfolio. Holly Conrad is a costume and creature designer who hopes her creations will win top awards at the convention’s Masquerade Gala.

Back in early 2000 Kevin Smith, then at the height of his popularity as a filmmaker, saw the launch of a primetime animated series based on his debut feature, the 1994 cult classic comedy Clerks. The show was set to air Wednesday nights at 9:30 on ABC, the ideal time slot for a show inspired by a movie whose script was so rich in poetic vulgarity and profanity that the Motion Picture Association of America’s ratings board originally slapped an NC-17 on Clerks, a decision that was later successfully appealed by the film’s distributor Miramax Films. Smith had entertained offers from rival networks for the animated Clerks series before settling on ABC as an act of corporate solidarity since the network was owned by the Walt Disney Company, the multimedia conglomerate that also owned Miramax.

The trailer for the latest feature from acclaimed documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) has been released. “Why should that mean anything to me,” you’re probably wondering. Because the movie in question is Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope, Spurlock’s long-awaited celebration of supreme geekery centered around the annual San Diego Comic-Con he collaborated on with legendary Marvel Comics writer/publisher Stan Lee, film and television visionary Joss Whedon, and Ain’t It Cool News founder Harry Knowles, who all served as producers on the documentary.

You can watch the trailer here below.

The Bionic Man #5
Based on a story by Kevin Smith
Script by Kevin Smith and Phil Hester
Pencils by Jonathan Lau
Colors by Ivan Nunes
Letters by Simon Bowland
Covers by Alex Ross, Jonathan Lau
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: December 21, 2011
Cover Price: $3.99

Hot Damn! It’s Steve Austin on his first all-out undercover adventure with his brand new bionics. While fun, it’s not at all what I was expecting from The Bionic Man #5.

OK, let’s get one thing straight, and for me to do this I HAVE to go into spoiler territory: While the story is a LOT of fun, there was something about it that bothered me. Writers Kevin Smith and Phil Hester have brilliantly updated the bionic man and his powers significantly from the 1970s, but there’s one of his new powers I’m not that fond of — it’s Steve’s ability to make his face and voice resemble anyone that he wants. While this is cool in a Zartan sort of way, Steve spends most of the issue fighting and spying as a 60-year-old Russian business executive. That’s really not what I want out of this comic book.

Kevin Smith: Too Fat For 40
Blu-ray | DVD
Directed by Joey Figueroa
Starring Kevin Smith
Shout! Factory
Release Date: October 18, 2011

Virtually anyone who was alive in the Nineties knows the name Kevin Smith. His movies are both epic and notorious. His ability to draw in the viewer is no different whether he is in front of the camera or behind it. Kevin Smith: Too Fat For 40 is his fourth Q&A-styled video presentation and his only one filmed on his birthday.

Filmed in the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, New Jersey (Smith’s hometown), this was originally aired as a two-hour special, but the video release is an uncut three-and-a-half hour version! Let me say that I have been a huge fan ever since Clerks and have thoroughly enjoyed all of his films (I refuse to speak of *cough cough* Jersey Girl *cough cough*) and his Q&As.