There’s a new comic book documentary that I checked out recently – Shopping for Superman. Filmed by Wes Eastin and Scratched Lens Productions, I first heard about this doc when a friend pointed out the Kickstarter campaign. Successfully funded and most rewards delivered, the film is currently available to order on Blu-Ray and to stream on Apple+, Google Play, YouTube TV, and Prime Video.
So what’s this “talking heads” documentary about? Why nothing less than the rise and fall (falling?) of the American direct distribution local comic shop. Having enjoyed comics for over 50 years, I have watched this happen before my very eyes. How did the comic shop come about? How popular did they become, and what challenges are they facing today with competition from digital, chain bookstores, and the simple loss of floppy, monthly comic book readers?
From the height of the local comic shop market, the industry has shrunk by over 75% with more shops closing all the time.
Recent challenges like fewer readers, the global pandemic, the turmoil in direct market distribution and the ever-present digital media boom, Shopping for Superman asks if the traditional local comic shop can be saved.
Shopping for Superman delves deep into the history of the local comic shop and direct distribution. And how that model influenced publishing executives to push the industry beyond the “comics are for kids” content that dominated the spinner racks and newsstands. Direct distribution enabled adult-themed books, more sophisticated storytelling, and some of the absolute classic comics we all know.
But how does the local comic shop evolve to survive and serve as a community for all readers? You’ll have to watch the documentary to find out.
A very well-done documentary with a tonne of interviews of comic creators, publishing executives and long-standing comic shop owners.
Check out the trailer on YouTube here and head to the Official Shopping for Superman website to order the Blu-Ray or other fun swag here.
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