The secret origin story of why grown adults still argue about caped men in tights.
The historical saga of American superheroes. Born in the period between the Great Depression and the World War II to combat the hobgoblins of the modern world, these mutant human beings with superhuman powers colonized the funny papers, radio dramas, television and films, to become a truly national industry in the United States: they gave expression to the fears and obsessions of the twentieth century and bolstered American ideals.
Acting
Legendary artists finally get their close-up.
Production
Rare archival footage of early comic conventions.
Direction
Viotte connects pulp politics to present day.
Director
Michel Viotte
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released months before 9/11, the film's analysis of superheroes as American ideal exports became uncomfortably prophetic.
Several interviewed artists passed away within years of filming, making this an accidental memorial to comics' silver age generation.
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