Kevin Smith's Comic Book Men on AMC

[BEAM]

Comic Book Men premieres tonight after Walking Dead. It's like Pawn Star in a comic shop.

[Jacklefttown]

Thanks! I hadn't heard of this yet.

[Clobbertron]

It's the guys from Tell 'em Steve Dave podast interacting with customers, and they sneak Smith into every episode with a podcast round taboe at the end.

[BEAM]

I wonder if Walt Flanagan's dog will make an appearance and chase customers around with his stone boner.

[Raz9000x]

This was pretty good. The Pawn Star element is definitely there, but the roundtable element adds a lot of laughs.

[spiderpumpkin]

Very good. Seemed a little to rehearsed and fake around the roundtable.

[Owner of a Lonely B.A.T.]

I liked the first episode...but its clear anyone who walks in to sell something is a plant...which is exactly what Pawn Stars does.

Personally Kevin is histerical when he's just shooting the breeze talking about stuff...they could literally drop the Pawn Stars angle completely and just do the round table for a half hour straight and the show would be great.

[Python Viper]

I like when the customers bring stuff in, I dont know much about the comic world and the items out there. So its cool to see that stuff and learn a little about it. I will definitely keep watching the show.

[BEAM]

I echo much of what everyone has said. The "customers" was a bit rehearsed and ackward like they had a casting call for collectors, the roundtable ruled, and it should be shortened to 1/2 hour.

Looking forward to next week's episode.

[Troynos]

There wasn't enough actual "in a comic shop" for me. Too much of the pawn stars stuff.

My local comic shops have gaming nights and days, sketch clubs, etc..

That's the kind of stuff that a show in a comic shop should be built around.

[Owner of a Lonely B.A.T.]

I echo much of what everyone has said. The "customers" was a bit rehearsed and ackward like they had a casting call for collectors, the roundtable ruled, and it should be shortened to 1/2 hour.

Looking forward to next week's episode.


They pretty much did...two people I know were outright approached to be customers by the production team, and they knew the handcuff guy from conventions.

So yeah I was all pretty much staged.

[Owner of a Lonely B.A.T.]

Also I have to say that estimate of the Kane Batman sketch @ 10,000 seemed high...I mean I'm no expert but there is Kane original signed sketch stuff on ebay for as little as $600.

[BEAM]

They pretty much did...two people I know were outright approached to be customers by the production team, and they knew the handcuff guy from conventions.

So yeah I was all pretty much staged.

It played that way on TV. The people seemed really reluctant to sell and they acted like they were asked to bring in a notable collectible to be shown to be followed up with some feeble negotiating.

They should focus more on unique collectibles and then use it as a starting point for discussion on the video podcast. I find Kevin Smith's commentary on pop culture and entertainment more interesting than his movies. I'll grab and evening with Kevin Smith 1, 2, or 3 over just about anything he's directed (except maybe Mallrats).

[zedhatch]

I was actually kind of bored with it about halfway through, I turned the channel. The flea market stuff put me to sleep.

[Troynos]

They should focus more on unique collectibles and then use it as a starting point for discussion on the video podcast. I find Kevin Smith's commentary on pop culture and entertainment more interesting than his movies. I'll grab and evening with Kevin Smith 1, 2, or 3 over just about anything he's directed (except maybe Mallrats).

I like this idea.

Instead of haggling over price, use the item to discuss the comics, impact on society, etc..

And fill the rest of the show with funny bits from running the store.

[OSOK]

kevin smith looked fatter to me

[Cobra Terrorist]

Yep, I'm with you guys. I did enjoy the show, but I noticed the same stuff you guys mentioned. I could have done without all that swap meet stuff.


Also I have to say that estimate of the Kane Batman sketch @ 10,000 seemed high...I mean I'm no expert but there is Kane original signed sketch stuff on ebay for as little as $600.

I thought the same thing! I was thinking MAYBE $1000-1500, but 10K sounded WAYYYY too high.

[Syn3sthesia]

That fat body sure sweats a lot!

[swafus]

There wasn't enough actual "in a comic shop" for me. Too much of the pawn stars stuff.

My local comic shops have gaming nights and days, sketch clubs, etc..

That's the kind of stuff that a show in a comic shop should be built around.

^^this exactly^^ I watched it the other night and it's definitely much better than that Toy Hunters show but still seemed very over-produced and almost forced for my taste. The guy with the beard was there for laughs and he was hamming it up a bit much. The negotiating with customers was ridiculous and not at all how it's really done and the non-comic items brought in were pedestrian at best (dawn of the dead lobby cards.......neato). The roundtable was entertaining but completely random and was like unfocused riffing as opposed to a real discussion/debate which is the biggest part of the "hanging out in a comic shop" experience. I hope it improves but I'd love to see a more organic flow to all the interaction instead of "who's your favorite female superhero-what's your favorite horror movie" within the same five minute span.

[swafus]

I used to be a partner in a comic shop in orlando and most of our time was spent debating discussing movies, toys, cartoons, comics, music etc. and that should be the focus of the show. if they want to show the pawn stars trading/negotiating aspect then show the reality of it. just because somebody brings something in doesn't mean they have to make an offer on it. if that lady would have walked in with that chucky doll i would have offered her $25 for it because i "might" get $50 for it. take it or leave it. and when somebody walks in with something super valuable and they don't know it, the first thing you don't do is blurt out "this is worth $10k dollars!!!!!" you make an offer and see what you can procure it for. that's the reality of the business. sometimes you spend $50 on something you can sell for $75. sometimes you pay $150 for something you can make $2000 off of. the former is much more common than the latter.

[BEAM]

kevin smith looked fatter to me

Has he ever looked less fat? Dude is a house. Mews does coke, Smith drinks coke. One gets skinnier, one gets fatter.

[swafus]

I'm watching the 2nd episode now and it seems to really be sliding downhill quick. I mean they're playing street hockey? Who gives an airborne shit about street hockey?? It's like Kevin Smith is trying to make this show all about what he likes rather than really show the world a glimpse into comic shop life.

[BEAM]

Everything except the video podcast looked more forced than last week.

A guy selling the complete Crisis on Infinite Earth mini? When you can go on eBay and find it 10 times over for the price of a cup of coffee, your scraping the bottom of the barrel. The Star Wars lightsaber hilt was interesting but how can that guy know it was from Empire and not ANH? Just because he's read a lot of Star Wars books?

The format needs to change it up and quick.

[swafus]

Everything except the video podcast looked more forced than last week.

A guy selling the complete Crisis on Infinite Earth mini? When you can go on eBay and find it 10 times over for the price of a cup of coffee, your scraping the bottom of the barrel. The Star Wars lightsaber hilt was interesting but how can that guy know it was from Empire and not ANH? Just because he's read a lot of Star Wars books?

The format needs to change it up and quick.

agreed 100% it seems to be more of a vanity project for smith that's kinda running off the rails.

[MeLikeJinx]

I tried watching this show for the first time to see the Sneak Peek for next week's ep of Walking Dead... but after like 3 mins I felt like stabbing myself in the face... so I had to stop. LOL.

[Owner of a Lonely B.A.T.]

Has he ever looked less fat? Dude is a house. Mews does coke, Smith drinks coke. One gets skinnier, one gets fatter.



There was a point where he was thinner than he is now...I forget what film...maybe Dogma or one of his Evening flicks, but yeah he looks to have put it all back on.



Everything except the video podcast looked more forced than last week.

A guy selling the complete Crisis on Infinite Earth mini? When you can go on eBay and find it 10 times over for the price of a cup of coffee, your scraping the bottom of the barrel. The Star Wars lightsaber hilt was interesting but how can that guy know it was from Empire and not ANH? Just because he's read a lot of Star Wars books?

The format needs to change it up and quick.


Mixed feelings again on this episode....I mean I liked the Lightsaber segment and the Batmobile segment which was cool, but the Jay segment was terrible...honestly Jay always seemed kinda forced unless he is acting out Smith's dialog in the films.

I have this feeling that they find Jay to be more funny than most of us ever will...granted the film version is like so exagerated that it makes it funny.

As for his comic book bit....come on are you telling me that he doesn't get free comics?

I mean thats like Shia LeBouf asking for a copy of the Transformers Franchise on bluray and Michael Bay asking for his credit credit card.

And am I really supposed to believe Ming was just stuck with the bill? And accepted it?

As for the street hockey...I have not and never will be a fan of hockey...not that there is any issue with it I just don't care for it, so to watch 40 year old guys playing a game of it was...less than interesting.



I think and I imagine most will agree, the show's strength remains to be in 5 guys just shooting the shit about comics and pop culture...I'm not saying that, that is ALL they need to do, cause honestly I liked the Batmobile segment and I even liked the segment last week at Collingswood...but the 'sales' segment is just boring and feels way too staged.

[Troynos]

Have they shown any customers that aren't famous (Jay) or trying to sell anything?

A comic book store lives off it's regular customers. And Smith's store has to have a ton, even people that go there just to check out the store because it's Smiths. Where are those people?

[GI Guppy the third]

There wasn't enough actual "in a comic shop" for me. Too much of the pawn stars stuff.

My local comic shops have gaming nights and days, sketch clubs, etc..

That's the kind of stuff that a show in a comic shop should be built around.

I don't remember the last time a comic shop I was at actually bought stuff from customers. That seems like the last thing that goes on.

[GI Guppy the third]

I tried watching this show for the first time to see the Sneak Peek for next week's ep of Walking Dead... but after like 3 mins I felt like stabbing myself in the face... so I had to stop. LOL.

I felt the same way.

[Troynos]

The guy Bryan, who doesn't work there but is the manager's friend and hangs out there all the time...

Was I the only one to find him annoying and a bit of an asshole?

[Python Viper]

I thought Mewes was clean these days, he didnt seem to be in the ep. Maybe thats just the residual effects.

Maybe to put a little fun into the ep, Smith told him to show up and act a fool to get on the guys' nerves.

The lightsaber thing was VERY cool, 7 Grand??, NICE!!! Batmobile 2nd place. I remember seeing it in ROCK STAR, that was a fun scene.

[BEAM]

but the 'sales' segment is just boring and feels way too staged.

I could have sworn I saw the Crisis guy leave with the same plastic bag and he walked in with, making me believe the "transaction" was completely staged ... as if we did already know that.

They need to stick to people with interesting collectibles. The Batmobile and lightsaber hilt guys could have been expanded on. Two interesting collectibles that either went no where or got bogged down in annoying fan boy lust.

I thnk Troynos's idea could work too. They must have some interesting regulars to the shop. Perhaps a little insight into thier favorite books to spur a discussion.

[bigvig]

I really like the concept and SOME of the execution, but its seems REALLY forced and dragging to me. Too much of it seems like its written by Smith like its "Clerks" or something, and it just isnt working for me. Last nights episode seemed REALLY forced, like they were going to bring in "Jay" and it was going to be hilarious. I find him incredibly annoying and I just wanna punch him in the face. My wife said he looked messed up on something. I said, "Nah, he's just a retard and Kevin Smith thinks bringing him in will be funny."

[The Batman]

Well I was gonna watch the 2nd episode of this but nevermind now. This show is gonna suck bigtime.

[Cobra Terrorist]

Yeah...I think I'm all done with this show - already! The manager and the dude with the beard are just unlikable dicks, and there's just not enough real "comic-stuff".

Like swafus said - Street Hockey??? I turned the channel.

[solid.wii]

-1 for everytime they cut to Kevin Smith laughing.

[swafus]

Before I left Orlando last year a film producer buddy of mine had the idea of setting up cameras in our comic shop and jujst running film. Of course we would have laid out some things to talk about/argue over and would have had some of our big money collectors bring in some of their prized pieces but mostly it would have been kind of a revolving cast of interesting regulars nerding out and also getting some of the absolute freakazoids that casually strolled into the shop on film! The most entertaining part of our days sometimes were when a social mutant would c ome in and ask about "adult....comics" in a super creepy way or the endless army of people that had a whole garage full of MOC toys!!.....(90's toybiz x-men:-( which we would swiftly tell them not to bring in. Someone mentioned comic shops not buying things and i partially agree. The only time they are buying something for cash uts when they KNOW its something they can not only sell but make a decent profit on. Shops are much more willing to give "store credit" than cash. Also on comic books, we had a standard trade-in price of $10 per long box unless there were very special books included.

[swafus]

Yeah...I think I'm all done with this show - already! The manager and the dude with the beard are just unlikable dicks, and there's just not enough real "comic-stuff".

Like swafus said - Street Hockey??? I turned the channel.

Ha!, yeah dude. I didn't give a damn about street hockey when Clerks came out Kevin Smith and I care even less now that I'm 34. Regardless of that, it has NOTHING to do with comic books!!

[Owner of a Lonely B.A.T.]

Another thing...Jay flew across country just to bum comics?
I think Smith has a west coast store he could do that at.

[sharky]

Maybe they should just not even call it a reality show and just make a show about a comic book shop. Still do it in the same style of a reality show, just use actors and have some story elements. Kind of like Operation Repo.

[BEAM]

There will be 6 episodes.

Kevin Liell, Star Wars artist and the Star Wars "expert" on the show seen this week examining the lightsaber hilt, gave that information on the Feb 14 Forcecast podcast. He's in about 4 of the 6 episodes, so I guess we'll be seeing more Star Wars talk.

[PROVOST]

Just checked out the 1st ep,will catch the rest later.

Looks interesting....

[OSOK]

-1 for everytime they cut to Kevin Smith laughing.
ill give that a -1 too

[Clobbertron]

I don't remember the last time a comic shop I was at actually bought stuff from customers. That seems like the last thing that goes on.

That's exactly right. I've worked at 3 comic book stores and they rarely bought from customers.

[OSOK]

dear lord

http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/osok2000/KevinSmith08TIFF.jpg

[BEAM]

That's a man that likes snack cakes. And lots of them.

They might have been from the time he was too fat to fly. If I was at the airport I'd have yelled "Fly Fat Ass! Fly!"

[Jacklefttown]

I enjoy the show, but these are not random people walking in to sell stuff. The "customers" are completely staged.

My friend's brother, Tom, was the last guy in the last episode with the 1st appearance of Wonder Woman, 1st appearance of Robin, etc... he has been tight with Kevin Smith for several years and was asked on the show to spotlight his collection.

[BEAM]

The last episode was the best so far, highlighted by Tom's collection. The show should really revolve around highlighting a collection or high end collectibles. Forget the selling part. Too staged and the back and forth is uninteresting.

[Jacklefttown]

Good point. I think it's cheesy to have freaky looking people show up to sell "Chucky" dolls and what not. Gives fandom a bad name.

What's next? Fully attired Cosplay freaks arrive to sell a MOC Remco Crystar and want seven thousand bucks for it? Come on!

[bluebikerboy1]

im waitting for the greasy overweight white guy. the one with the grey ponytail, mustard stained sweats, and the thick glasses. you know the one that talks with a lisp and comes off as creepy and shy.

anyways im waiting for one of them to walk in with a bin full of poc gi joes and demanding 2x store value because they are "scarce" and can be sold for 4x face value........

you know its coming

[jogunwarrior]

There are so many bad things about this show. It seems to have a sort of identity crisis; it wants to be pawn stars, and so many other things that it becomes a mess.

It also doesn't help that the characters portrayed are terribly unlikable. They also do little more than reinforce the negative stereotypes the mass public already feels towards Comic Book collectors. Shame on Kevin Smith for that.

[Python Viper]

I like the mix of nerd-talk and random collectibles showing up staged or not, they are still cool to see. Its nice to get back info and tidbits on movies and other entertainment.

[CG76]

Except for Kevin Smith and the asian guy, the comics guys acted like jerks to me. I just fast forwarded until the parts where they showed actual comics being sold.

[JohnnyAngel77]

I just like seeing the shit that I'm into on tv. Its fun.

[MeLikeJinx]

I actually lasted 30 seconds this time... but only because I was too lazy to change the channel for a little while. LOL. I heard them talking about what was their favorite battle. I lasted long enough to hear someone say Batman vs. Superman and Hulk vs. somebody. Seriously, this show is like the most unwatchable show ever maybe. LOL.

[bluebikerboy1]

last nights episode was ok,
i am having a love hate relationship with this series, to me i like shows that talk about history (abiet comic and action figure) and such so for me i find interest. but the guys just seem like ass holes, they basically bashed that guy looking at thoes wierd action figure set. why would you tell your customer you are trying to sell something too that hes a sick freak for wanting this item?
what kind of sales school did he go to? he sucks. and then the couple selling the godzilla, you tell them to there face they are a geeky couple? wtf? the old guy isnt any better.

[CG76]

I saw the last two episodes. It looks to me the guys in the show are starting to act less like jerks. I actually enjoyed watching the show although I couldn't help not think that some of the parts were scripted.

[RolandofGilead]

I would like to watch, but the impression I get from the commercials is that's it more about pointing and laughing at the comic dorks, that it is about actual collecting.

[bluebikerboy1]

I would like to watch, but the impression I get from the commercials is that's it more about pointing and laughing at the comic dorks, that it is about actual collecting.

it does give some nice history on diffrent artists, comic series, and to an extent diffrent action figures. for that basis alone for me its worth watching.

[MeLikeJinx]

it does give some nice history on diffrent artists, comic series, and to an extent diffrent action figures. for that basis alone for me its worth watching.
Yah, when they have the actual comics in their hand and they are just casually talking about them... this show is really good. But pretty much everything else is just so unwatchable IMO; they are trying way too hard to be funny and interesting that it is hard to watch at times.

[Owner of a Lonely B.A.T.]

i've been saying it from ep 1...the show at its best is when the 5 of them are just shooting the breeze about comics movie tv and pop culture.

I'd even be fine with them having some people come in to talk about some pieces of their collections. But all the customers trying to hawk stuff is so and feels so stagged. Also the odd out store stuff, like the tats or the hockey game or the yardsale or their Zombie Day promotion are all pointless and feel terribly stagged.

Cut the show back to thegroup just chit chatting, and I'd also say kill about a half hour of the show...1 hour entirely too long and it would be fine.

[BEAM]

I thought as a whole, last night's episode was the best of the series. I really enjoyed the first segment in particular. Hopefully if it comes back, they'll continue on this track.

[jogunwarrior]

i've been saying it from ep 1...the show at its best is when the 5 of them are just shooting the breeze about comics movie tv and pop culture.

I'd even be fine with them having some people come in to talk about some pieces of their collections. But all the customers trying to hawk stuff is so and feels so stagged. Also the odd out store stuff, like the tats or the hockey game or the yardsale or their Zombie Day promotion are all pointless and feel terribly stagged.

Cut the show back to thegroup just chit chatting, and I'd also say kill about a half hour of the show...1 hour entirely too long and it would be fine.

I actually had an idea for a show similar to this called Nerdgasm, granted it was going to be Public Access and not on AMC.
But I agree that is how I would do the show.

[Jmacq1]

I don't remember the last time a comic shop I was at actually bought stuff from customers. That seems like the last thing that goes on.

Pretty much every comic shop I know of stopped buying much of anything around the same time the economy tanked (probably due to a flood of product as everyone and their mother showed up trying to sell all their early-mid 90's comics to pay the rent). However, we had at least one place in my area that was actually quite generous when it came to buying stuff from customers prior to that. They're still in business too, so I guess it worked out for them.

[MeLikeJinx]

Pretty much every comic shop I know of stopped buying much of anything around the same time the economy tanked (probably due to a flood of product as everyone and their mother showed up trying to sell all their early-mid 90's comics to pay the rent).
I tried to sell all my "good" comics to a LCS back in '95... I was kinda stunned at the price he quoted to me (the LCS guy was cool though). So I just sold them all to my friend for $20 instead; I rather have him have it anyway. He said all the hard protective mylars alone were worth that much. LOL. I was getting out, so I didn't really care what I got for them.

[riot_control]

I like the show and agree with OOALB, the best parts are the guys shooting the shit. Was it just me or does Jay look like shit!!! Since watching the show I've purchased started on picking up a few comics here and there. Maybe it's the lack of anything interesting to me on the shelves that's made get back into it. :s

[bluebikerboy1]

who thinks they will get a 2nd season?

[Troynos]

who thinks they will get a 2nd season?

It's on AMC, which really needs to fill air time, and it has Kevin Smith attached.

It'll get a second season.

[lazlo76]

I actually lasted 30 seconds this time... but only because I was too lazy to change the channel for a little while. LOL. I heard them talking about what was their favorite battle. I lasted long enough to hear someone say Batman vs. Superman and Hulk vs. somebody. Seriously, this show is like the most unwatchable show ever maybe. LOL.
Yeah that kind of lame talk seems more appropriate for kids at playground arguing who's cooler Wolverine or Batman.

If they discussed more interesting subjects like favorite storyarcs, favorite writer, artist, etc. then it would get exciting but the average non- comic book audience wouldn't care for this which is sad.

What also would be cool is if they talked about the decline in the comic book market such as the 90's oversaturation of hyped events like Death Of Superman, Knightfall.

[lazlo76]

Has the show gone on hiatus? I've checked wikipedia and that hasn't been updated, would really suck if the one chance of comics getting into the mainstream was suddenly canned in favor of more Mad Men crap.

[bluebikerboy1]

season finale was last month i believe,
kinda suprised no reruns that i can see