Fun in pages, Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope

Perhaps documentarian Morgan Spurlock's greatest gift to his new film is that he resists appearing in it. And in getting out of the way of his subject matter, he produces the best work of his career. It's a story that will be familiar to any artist trying to make a living doing what they love: a group of creative talents from across the United States gather at the annual San Diego Comic-Con---a convention of comic fans, creators, movie people, sales people---hoping to be discovered. And as we witness the struggles of these artists, costume designers and even comic salespeople--- railing against the drop in book sales and the co-opting of the convention by the movie studios---we also see what makes Comic-Con such a big deal to so many people, including prominent Hollywood types and comic creators. If you're a fantasy nerd, it will probably help, but that's hardly a requirement to enjoy Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope (the worst thing about the movie is its title) as we get carried away by the bit about the guy who wants to propose to his girlfriend at the Kevin Smith panel. And Smith is, as usual, hilarious.