AMC tries its hand at reality programming.
For viewers unaccustomed to the sardonic wit of hockey stick-wielding teddy bear Kevin Smith, Comic Book Men may come across precisely as the name of the premiere implies: “Junk.” And certainly, that’s how a great deal of what I, and an entire subculture of comic book fanboys and girls, have to endure on a regular basis. In fact, it was the show’s opening conversation about the latent homoeroticism in early Batman comics which entirely sold me on tuning in for weeks to come, being a regular topic of debate between me and my friends.
Comic Book Men airs under little pretense, being one of the few shows to accurately reflect its “reality” label. The episode shifts back and forth between Kevin Smith’s live podcast, and his comic book and collectible shop, Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash. Located in Red Bank, New Jersey, Smith’s store obviously attracts a different breed of clientele – not to mention audience – than Pawn Stars or Auction Hunters, who are largely dealt with by Smith’s friends and employees, who also join in his podcast.
Like the aforementioned Pawn Stars, Comic Book Men features its fair share of visitors looking to sell their selectively appreciated memorabilia related to the world of comic books and the entertainment industry. “Junk” featured hits and misses in regard to its items, highlighting an original sketch by the late Bob Kane (creator and lead artist of Batman), a life-sized Chucky doll from the Child’s Play horror franchise, and an original Six Million Dollar Man action figure still in its packaging.
Aside from the business aspect of the show, Smith and his cohorts – Walt Flanagan, Bryan Johnson, and Ming Chen – shoot the breeze about comic book trivia, sales, using Christian Bale’s Batman voice to get what you want, and just about whatever comes up in the moment. Point of order: Kevin Smith’s comic book dream girl is Zatanna (fishnets and magic).
I’m definitely interested to see what else the store can rake in, even if only to turn down the sale. Being a juvenile as far as my collection of memorabilia goes, it’s almost spellbinding to finally see the side of the world buying, trading, and selling things that I’m interested in, and might happen to come across or even already own. I never thought I’d say this, but I might have to go to New Jersey.
Comic Book Men airs Sundays at 10 pm on AMC, filling in the hour bracketed by The Walking Dead and its recap talk show, The Talking Dead.
This review originally appeared on TV Geek Army.