Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics
Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics
NR | 09 November 2010 (USA)
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A look at the history of the comic book publication that launched such legendary characters as Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.

Reviews
Protraph

Lack of good storyline.

Lidia Draper

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

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Sarita Rafferty

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

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Darin

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

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Platypuschow

I was a comic book kid, from Marvel to DC to obscure companies I can't remember the name of, I was one of those kids who grew up with these superhero tales and have watched them evolve over the years.Secret Origin is a feature length documentary that looks back on DC's storied past from humble beginnings to the monster it has become today.It looks at the fluctuations in comic book popularity, the trends that molded it and the every increasing popularity of it's most popular characters such as Superman, Batman & Wonder Woman.This is a fantastic little documentary that I would say is a must for comic book fans and one of those films that may well prove enlightening even to those who aren't.Personally I think it was a bit short, it was as if it were taking you on a tour of a wondrous place but repeatedly shooeing you into the next room before you were done. Another 30-60 minutes would have done wonders to really tell the story properly.Well constructed full of great interviews and background nuggets that I found very entertaining, good job.The Good:Ryan Reynolds narrationVery insightful stuffThe Bad:Too shortThings I Learnt From This Documentary:Watchmen was inspired by Tory Thatcher Britain

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mylucylumpkins

I may just be biased (since DC makes the best superheroes of all time), but I found this documentary moving. I think that it included so many great aspects of the DC journey and that it was put together in a fan pleasing or comic novice friendly way. If you went in knowing nothing, you at least know the major markers on the comic time line. If you are well schooled in comic book lore, you get to relive it all, through the voices of the creators. I have seen a lot of comic documentaries in my time, and this one was the best. While I was watching the part about Doomsday and the death of Superman, the tears swelled up in my eyes. I tried to control myself, thinking about how idiotic it is to cry during a comic book documentary, and even over something that has came and gone, but the narration puts in those emotions. Superman did not just die in the comics, we killed him. The empathic mindlessness of our society killed the last virtuous defender of hope. Of course they brought him back, but the fact he had to be killed to show people that they had strayed to far from moral and wholesome living... wow. They actual had others in the documentary crying over the loss of Kal-El of Krypton. Wrapping it up was a look to the future of comics. I thought the very last sentiment was great. No matter how we receive our media in 100 years, kids will still know who Superman is!

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Danny Blankenship

I for one have always been a big fan of comics especially the brand made by DC, my favorite is "Batman". And after watching this documentary "Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics" one can respect and enjoy the companies start and history even more. As you see with the times and as each decade past DC changed the content of it's comics to fit the times more in a social, political, and demographic manner. The comics would become more dark and they would begin to have a graphic edge to them.From the start as you watch this educational and informative film you will see how DC created the Super hero, using many of the early stories to fit the times of war and depression. Then you see how DC tied in with Warner Bros, and this would lead to broader appeals for Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman in the form of radio, TV, and big screen movies. As with each decade passed DC would shake things up changing stories in each comic to meet the ever changing times. The stories were more outspoken taking on political corruption as it was almost like that super heroes had to fight leaders and authority figures. Thru the 75 year history this lead to more writers and artist with an edge as they produced more modern and serious graphic novels.As shown in the film comic books, and super heroes give us hope they are our dreams and escape from an ordinary way of life, as you feel that way and you even get that take during the film with interviews from well known historians, comic book inventors, and the film shows how comics and DC even though challenged impacted society, yet it's staying power is proved with TV, film and merchandise. Overall near excellent film that's informative and educational as you learn some stuff about DC that you may not have known. A must see for any comic book buff and history lover.

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Megatronika

Like most comic readers, I am surrounded by people who simply just don't get it. Even in 2010 with superhero movies charting the box office, many people still view comics as simple childish escapism.Now I can show them this documentary as an explanation of how important the comics industry is to the world. It's our modern mythology. DC comics has been around for 75 years and in that time A lot has happened, not just in the comics but in the real world as well. So naturally there's only so much you can fit into an hour-and-a-half documentary. But it talks about all the most notable and important moments and people, it shows the evolution of these character and their stories and how they adapted to the times. Comics aren't removed from reality, they make a statement about it.A common complaint I've heard about this film is that it skips Infinite Crisis completely, not even a single mention made. While I agree it was a significant series historically, I believe it's too complex of a plot to accurately summarize and justify within the time limit. I think it would have completely disrupted the pacing. As it is, this documentary is light easy viewing filled with all sorts of interesting trivia. The kind of thing to bring new people into comics.Any one of the many things they covered in this documentary could have had their own films. Like Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman or any single member of the Justice League could easily fill movie on their own. So I appreciate that they managed to successfully compress a titanic amount of information while still doing it justice.I also love that it focuses on the personal and emotional connection people make to these superheroes. It definitely sells the idea that there's more gravity to the genre than the reputation would have you believe. And at no point does it seem like the people who are passionate about comics are pathetic losers. It encompasses a wide variety of people, some of them very talented who went on to working in the industry themselves.If only I could have shown this to my parents when I still had dreams of being a comic artist. Oh well, costume designer is close enough.

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