Review of Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope (2011) by Macdara C — 25 Jun 2012

Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fanâ(TM)s Hope - Short Review.

And the geek shall inherit the earthâ¦.

Comi-con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope is a joyous hymn to everything superhero and science fiction. The documentary's multiple story lines unfold at Comic-Con, San Diego's annual four day convention.

The spine of the story is woven together with beloved creators, such as Avenger's Director Joss Whedon, filmmaker Kevin Smith, and film-critic Harry Knowles, waxing sentimental about their first "Con" and the sense of belonging they experienced when they first stepped into the aisles of the conventions showroom floor.

While the celebrities might help sell a few more tickets, the real stars of the film are the subjects who attend the conference - some who walk in as underdogs in their chosen fields. From comic book illustrators, to comic book dealers, and even costume designers, each one of whom have their hopes set high to, if only for a moment, get a chance to fulfill what every great comic book character achieves - to live in their essence. To escape the humdrum ordinariness of life and become who they were born to be - even if it means putting on a mask.

While I'm certain Director Morgan Spurlock and his crew only begin to scratch the surface in getting under the skin of the sub-culture known as Comi-Con, the film does succeed in writing an affectionate love letter to those who endure the line ups, shell out the cash and at times shoulder the stereotypes of being labelled outcasts in the real world.

Even those unfamiliar with the realm of comic collecting will find access to the world of "the con's floor" intoxicating, if not, at times, lovably nerdy.