Red Bank, NJ
Today’s Throwback Thursday post is very special. Why? Because I’m pretty sure that this is the “youngest” Throwback that I’ve ever posted and because I just so happened to meet one of the stars of this particular series over the weekend (and completely forgot to mention meeting him in my previous post). So what are we traveling back in time for today? Kevin Smith’s Comic Book Men (2012-2018).
Comic Book Men ran for seven seasons on AMC. Considering the fact that AMC often buried it behind The Walking Dead replays late on Sunday evening after the Talking Dead live show, it’s a wonder that the series lasted as long as it did. Many fans of the series, myself included, just couldn’t stay up late enough to watch an entire episode, especially if they had to work in the morning. I would always try to stay up to watch the original broadcasts, but often had to catch up through video on demand later in the week.
The show was funny, engaging, educational at times, and loaded with nostalgia. Each episode was based out of Jay And Silent Bob’s Secret Stash, Kevin Smith’s comic book store, with different adventures happening primarily in and around Red Bank, New Jersey. The first season consisted of six one-hour episodes that saw the main cast, Walt Flanagan, Mike Zapcic, Bryan Johnson (who wasn’t an actual employee of the store), and Ming Chen, appraise and make offers to buy and sell pop culture items such as comics, toys, and props from films. They also visited a local flea market, got tattoos, and made a commercial for the store among other things. The show would cut to the cast and Smith recording a podcast about the topics and events covered during the episode as well.
Beginning with the second season and until its cancellation, the series was reduced to a half hour and ran for thirteen to sixteen episodes. Also with season two, the series began having more and more celebrity guests. Jason Mewes (Clerks, Dogma, Mallrats, etc.) appeared in the first season and in multiple episodes afterwards. Brian O’Halloran (Clerks) got the celebrity ball rolling in season two and other notable guests included Adam West, Burt Ward, Stan Lee, Dean Cain, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, Peter Mayhew, George Perez, Jim Lee, and Kevin Eastman.
Some of my favorite episodes of the series involved Robert Bruce, a noted pop culturist who knows pretty much everything about anything toy, film, or comic book related. He was often brought in to appraise an item whenever it stumped Walt, Mike, or Ming. He was loaded with knowledge and was quick to note anything that might have been odd or off-putting about particular items.
I also enjoyed episodes where the gang went on small adventures to places like the JAWS Museum, another museum that featured an Action Comics #1 (first appearance of Superman), and when they visited the “Batcave” of a Batman superfan’s home. Not only was it great to see some of the items and books that were featured in these episodes, it was also fun to see the looks of pure joy spread across the faces of Walt, Bryan, Mike, and Ming. It was obvious that these men loved what they were doing in each episode.
Watching the guys humiliate one another was also a great aspect of the series. Granted, most of the time the humiliation was placed on Ming, but he did get in a few shots of his own against the rest of the guys. One of the best things to happen on the show was the recreation of Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman’s wedding. Mike dressed as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) and poor Ming dressed in drag as Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), complete with bright blue lipstick (that Sue never actually wore) and they rode off to their honeymoon in a car at the end of the episode.
Over the weekend, I had the chance to meet Ming Chen at Gulf Coast Fan Fest. I attended a couple of the panels that he hosted and got to briefly talk with him during the convention. He seems like a genuinely nice guy and he gave attendees some great advice on starting up their own podcast. I asked him if the guys on the show really did give him constant crap or if it was just for the series. He told me that it was actually worse whenever the cameras were off because there were some things that just couldn’t be shown on television.
Comic Book Men was cancelled earlier this year. It’s sad that the series came to an end, as I do believe that it gave nerds and geeks like myself a genuine look at ourselves. I know plenty of people that are exactly like many of the folks that showed up in the series. I have friends that collect everything from comics to toys and movie posters. I know guys and gals that can recall facts about some of the most obscure comics and television shows out there. I know people that have wept when they were forced to sell one of their beloved items due to needing money for school, healthcare, or other necessities.
In other words, Comic Book Men was me and everyone like me.
Be sure to check out the series on Amazon Prime if you didn’t get to see it during its original run on AMC. I also recommend meeting the cast of the show if you get a chance. I know that Ming, Mike, and Bryan attend many comic book conventions throughout the year. Jason Mewes does as well. Hopefully Walt will hit the con circuit soon, but I don’t believe that he attends many conventions.
I hope to visit Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash one day, and I also hope to meet more of the guys.
As always, thanks for reading. Comic Book Men might have only recently left us, but it leaves a giant void in geekdom in its wake. I’ll see all of you again real soon!
Ken's Alternate Universe! 