Forget The Name - A Book

[PovertyRow]

I heard a while back (at my age that can be anything from a month to 5 years) about a book (fiction) that had to do wioth comic books - I believe Golden Age but could be wrong - it may have been set in the GA era. Was a novel. Does this ring a bell with anyone?

 

Oh - was perusing TIVO'S Wish Lists a few weeks ago (have "comic books" as a search) and recorded a movie about two rival dealers trying to buy a classic GA collection from an elderly woman after her son died. Anyone remember or see this? It was absolutely horrid - in my opinion - not passionate enough to argue the point though!

[Illiterati-migration]

Those were "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier And Clay" by Michael Chabon (absolutely FANTASTIC book) and "Comic Book Villains" (and yes, that was a HORRIBLE movie).

 

But pick up that Kavalier & Clay! You won't be disappointed!

[aardvark88]

Rent video of Free Enterprise to see Capt Kirk & Big Apple Comics, CA. Humor in similiar vein of Comic Bk Villians video/dvd.

[PovertyRow]

Those were "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier And Clay" by Michael Chabon (absolutely FANTASTIC book) and "Comic Book Villains" (and yes, that was a HORRIBLE movie).

 

Yes! that is the book! and Yes! It was truly a horrible movie. In the Taranitno-ripoff-of-the-feel-of-reservoir Dogs - when the guy was answering the comic questions - he said Marvel MYSTERY Comics #1 - they were actually doing ok until that point. Dammitall -I want to be a Hollywood computer, old comic book and anything-else-I-know-about consultant so I can make megabucks and at least TRY to guide tihngs down the right alley!

[COI]

Is that the movie where the guy meets his love interest in Big Apple, when they both go to reach for the same TBP, while his friend is trying to mooch $30 to buy a copy of X-Men 268? I remember seeing that scene in a movie on HBO, but I can't remember the rest of it, or the title.

[fantastic_four]

It was absolutely horrid - in my opinion - not passionate enough to argue the point though!

You're right, it was horrid, and I don't think I'm being overly critical. The first half was enjoyable, but what the heck was up with killing all the characters? It was like a poorly executed Tarantino-inspired film.

 

I kept wanting to enjoy that film too...I kept giving it chances after it did something that was just terrible...and it kept throwing more terrible stuff at me.

[PovertyRow]

Is that the movie where the guy meets his love interest in Big Apple, when they both go to reach for the same TBP, while his friend is trying to mooch $30 to buy a copy of X-Men 268? I remember seeing that scene in a movie on HBO, but I can't remember the rest of it, or the title.

 

Nope - not by a log shot - about two scheming dealers trying to by a collection from the elderkly mpother of the son who died young. A truly horrid thing.

 

Now if anyknows knows about the movie your talking about would like to know about it!

[COI]

Actually, I was asking about the movie "Free Enterprise" that odin mentioned. I'm fairly certain that was it. All I can remember is that scene, and Willie Shatner acting like a fool near the end. He played himself in the movie, and the lead characters were trekkies and obssesed with him. I'm sure Odin can explain it much better.

[PovertyRow]

Actually, I was asking about the movie "Free Enterprise" that odin mentioned

 

So you were. Would you believe I was giving an object lesson in responding to the wrong post? Oh? You wouldn't/ So you are basically saying you have a measure of intelligence?

[Kevin Boyd]

Actually "Comic Book Villains" was written and directed by James Robinson.

 

Robinson is an english writer who wrote for DC in the late 1990's/early 2000's. Among other things, he did Leave it to Chance, Starman, The Golden Age mini-series, and helped launch the current JSA series and the latest Hawkman series.

 

He's quite obsessed with golden age comics and pop culture in general.

 

Kev

[PovertyRow]

Thanks for the info. Regardless, that was a pretty mean-spirited movie. Dagnabbit!

[Kevin Boyd]

It was.... however, I didn't hate it as much as you did. I actually found the first half quite amusing (until it descended into a horrible bloody mess).

 

I think he must have drawn some inspiration from the Mile High Collection (having mentioned it in the film!) and the board favorite the "preserved butter" collection. Every serious dealer I've met is always hoping to come across their own pedigree collection... I found it quite funny to see how the two types of comic shop owners (essentially the one run by the comic store guy from the Simpsons and the other by a yuppie guy who started his business up because he thought new comics and action figures were good investments and only does it now because his wife pushes him). Watching their eyes light up with the thoughts of what treasures might be in that collection was amusing - I've seen that look a thousand times.

 

Watching the two polar opposites collide was amusing - until the whole Cary Elwes subplot came in and the thing went from absurd-mildly amusing-in-a-I-could-see-something-like-this-happening kind of way to a this-is-just-plain-pathetic-and-really-annoying train wreck.

 

Kev

[aardvark88]

Andrew,

Yes, the title was Free Enterprise. At the beginning of the movie, the 2 Trekkers find Capt Kirk inside a used bookstore perusing a porno mag & promptly decide they wish to interview their idol.

Golden Apple had 1st Gambit bk priced at $60 retail during the CVM explosion of prices.