If you consider yourself a nerd, geek, cosplayer, or comic book fanatic, you know about the San Diego Comic Con. If you are a businessman, jock, musician, film maker, average Joe mother, father, brother, sister or even the President of the United State, chances are you have heard about the San Diego Comic Con. In case you haven’t, Morgan Spurlock‘s latest documentary Comic Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope will take you by the hand and give you an inside look at one of the greatest events in the world.
The film starts off by introducing a few aspiring comic book artists hoping to get their lucky break into the comic industry by showing their work to comic companies during the largest comic book convention in the world. We then meet a woman who is a costume maker and is currently working on her Mass Effect 2 costumes for the annual Masquerade Ball which usually has some of the most elaborate and impressive costumes ever seen. Finally, the other main person of interest in the film follows the Mile High Comic Book company and their journey to the convention in which comic books are now on the bottom of the totem poll during the event and how the industry is sort of fading away. Along the way we learn about the history of the convention and some celebrities explaining why they enjoy the event and what it has turned into today, which obviously includes Stan “The Man” Lee.
Since we first heard about the film at last years Comic Con, I have been waiting anxiously to see the film and would maybe get a 
chance to witness something I didn’t know existed during the Con. First I want to address that the film was shot during the 2010 Comic Con which was a bit of a debate amongst a few in the audience. A few people kept saying it was last years, but I can personally say that it was not last years event and was defiantly 2010. The film has some very funny parts to it and even a few romantic moments, like when a kid proposes to his girlfriend during the Kevin Smith Panel. While I enjoyed the film and appreciated what Spurlock was going for, I was a bit disappointed.
Let me start by saying that Comic Con is a massive event and there is no way you could put everything into a film, it really needs to be done as a TV series. I know Spurlock was trying to focus more on the comic aspect of the convention, but I wish he would have had a bit more back story on the event and shown how the film and television industry has gradually taken over. Also I would have liked if he focused a bit of time on the legendary Hall H. If you have never been to SDCC, Hall H is the biggest event hall in which all the major studios host their panels and show footage for their films. In order to get into this Hall people start lining up outside in a small field hours before doors open, around 9 a.m. Hell, last year there were about 20-40 people who were actually in line a day before the Twilight Panel so they could sit in the front row. Also there needed to be some mention or attention on all the awesome SWAG that is given out by the different companies at the convention. People go nu
ts for free stuff, especially free stuff that is limited edition or exclusively for Comic Con. People will take some of these items and then sell them for a fairly nice profit, some even pay for their entire trip by selling their swag along with the exclusive toys that are sold during SDCC.
The characters that were followed for the documentary were interesting and did bring something special to the film. You want to see them all prevail at their quest. I have never been able to attend the Masquerade ball and being able to see what exactly takes place during it, is something I’m making a must see at this year’s event. Those costume are amazing and the fact that they are all home made is incredible. Was this one of Spurlocks best documentaries? No, not by a long shot, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t enjoyable. If you are a SDCC veteran or even plan on attending the event in the next few years, this film is a must watch. Even if you don’t ever plan on attending the event (Which I recommend everyone should experience at least once) this is still a very entertaining and interesting film. I really wish Spurlock would do a mini series about Comic Con so people could really get a solid feeling for the event.
Rating: Good Documentary but lacks some important aspect about the SDCC. Regardless, still very enjoyable and everyone should check it out either on VOD or in theaters. 6.5/10
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