Comic Book Villains
Comic Book Villains
R | 03 September 2002 (USA)
Comic Book Villains Trailers

When word hits the street that a nearby elderly gentleman has a cache of old, rare, and very valuable mint condition comic books, rival comic book shop owners Raymond McGillicuddy (Donal Logue) and Norman Link (Michael Rapaport) both set out to be the first to buy them. But when the old man declines to sell, the former friends turn into enemies, and a friendly rivalry becomes tainted with greed and turns to murder.

Reviews
Redwarmin This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place
Mischa Redfern I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.
Bob This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.
Skyler Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.
wes-connors In a typical American town, wiry comic book fan DJ Qualls (as Archie Lake) favors buying comics at the store run by his portly, pontificating and pipe-smoking friend Donal Logue (as Raymond McGillicudy). They really enjoy reading and collecting comic books. Across town, another comic shop is operated by the more business-oriented husband and wife team Michael Rapaport and Natasha Lyonne (as Norman and Judy Link). Thanks to dastardly Danny Masterson (as Conan), a "switch hitter" who frequents both stores, both proprietors learn about a death in the comic collecting community...After consuming "too many burgers," overweight comic book collector David Cresswell has died...Naturally, the dead man still lived with his mother, Eileen Brennan (as Mrs. Cresswell). She inherits a roomful of valuable comic books. Both businesses visit Ms. Brennan, but she misses her son and doesn't want to sell his comic book collection. Since they are worth a fortune, the rival stores try to woo Brennan. Although he begins as an advocate for Mr. Logue, Mr. Qualls befriends the old woman. Logue also gets handsome Cary Elwes (as J.C. Carter), a former high school bully, to help...When nothing seems to get Brennan to part with her son's old comics, the characters resort to drastic measures. They even become violent. This qualifies "Comic Book Villains" as a dark comedy. The plot sounds interesting, and the story was written and directed by James Robinson - an actual comic book creator. However, the film fails to be flattering or funny. The locations appear authentic and Joey Altruda's musical score is a plus. It is strange to see no "DC"-owned character depicted in a film about comic books.**** Comic Book Villains (9/3/02) James Robinson ~ DJ Qualls, Donal Logue, Cary Elwes, Natasha Lyonne
drumax-759-417828 First I should say I am fanboy who owns about as many comics as the collector only seen in this movie in a photo of a woman's departed son. Needless to say I was interested in the movie. I did like the movie, not because it was about comic books as, to be honest, the comics were just a prop for what I felt was a very good story.I am pleased to say I did not see a two dimensional simpsonesque 'comic book guy' in this movie. I did not see a movie about comics but a movie about how rivalry, greed, desperation, and regret can cause people to do bad things. I believe the real focus of this film is the habitually greasy comic book shop owner and true fanboy Raymond. A man who has a true passion for comics, who is 'off' and because of this has had a very hard life. He followed his passion and now finds himself broke and faced with what might be his only chance to find what he see's as greatness and while it seems trivial to most to set the bar of greatness where he has, his desperation has now made it so that he is willing to do whatever to takes to accomplish this goal.Although he justifies his actions by the fact that he truly appreciates the art, history and craft of comics while his rivals merely see them as a means to make money...in the end it is, to him, also all about money and he is just the most desperate of those who are looking to get them. It did not have to be about comics. It could have been coins, art, jewels, anything of great value...this is about a group of people turned into killers to get their hands on what they see as a chance to cash in and become rich....and certainly this can happen, to good people, especially in the case of someone like Raymond who feels he has nothing at all to lose.This movie IS a comedy / drama but it is a very dark one. I enjoyed the film and recommend it whether you like comic books or not....in the end it was a good story and well executed by most involved with a special acknowledgement to Donal Logue who was outstanding.
merklekranz Kind of a unique idea for a dark comedy. Competing comic book store owners trying to outwit each other for a prize collection. Unfortunately the crazed collectors are all, except one, unlikable, unsympathetic, and greedy. The movie is very uneven, with characters morphing from just scheming crazies, to murderers. It is at this point, when almost everyone has transformed into killers, that "Comic Book Villains" seems to have run out of ideas, and rapidly spirals downhill. If after the confrontation in the old ladies home, the script had been fully developed, the movie might have worked better on several levels. As it stands, it is at best, a very mediocre black comedy. - MERK
karalynnn Comic Book Villains was a delicious Dark Comedy. Well scripted and well acted by a really great cast. A delightfully likable and hateable cast of characters make up the story. I highly recommend it for anyone and everyone who has ever been into anything or known a person who is a little obsessed with something.I found out about the movie by checking out the Nevermore Film Festival website where I first learned about Bubba Ho-Tep so it was right along the lines with that movie. I laughed out loud, I cringed and squirmed in my seat and shook my head in total astonishment. A great effort by everyone involved.However I don't think I will ever get used to Cary Elwes with an American Accent.