program reveals the current complexity and range found in the pages of contemporary graphic novels, and explores the ways that cultural climates and popular attitudes are reflected in comic books. All the heavyweights weigh in, including Neil Gaiman (THE SANDMAN), Frank Miller (THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS), Stan Lee (SPIDER-MAN, THE SILVER SURFER), Kevin Smith (CHASING AMY), Will Eisner (THE SPIRIT), and others. Keith David, who voiced Spawn from the TV show, narrates the program, which is presented by Peta Wilson (LA FEMME NIKITA). In addition to the star-studded cast, however, the documentary has a lot to offer fans and neophytes alike, with analyses of the role of collecting in the comic book world, and the creation of such seminal entities as DC Comics and Marvel as well as characters like Dark Horse, the Incredible Hulk, and Wonder Women. Contextualizing the innovations and progress of the art form, this documentary is not just an important exploration of the graphic arts, but a fascinating look back at the shifting cultural concerns of a nation. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.  (less)

in this case. Al Simmons was a government assassin before he was burned to death and sent to hell (plot summary's starting out nicely, isn't it?). After making a particularly bad deal with the devil--to lead Satan's dark armies in exchange for seeing his wife again--Spawn is let loose upon the world. He immediately whacks three mob hit men, making his presence known and getting himself into all sorts of trouble. Spawn is also visited by the Clown, an obese, disgusting Beatrice, guiding our third-degree-burned Dante through this hellish, topside world. There are other nasty characters, but in this first segment a very gratuitous inclusion of a child murderer goes too far for even this mature fare. Spawn isn't fun; there's very l...  (less)