"Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked" - History Channel (aired June 23rd, 2003)

From my VHS recordings, here is the documentary "Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked", which aired on June 23rd, 2003 (with commercials included).
Commentary: This documentary was a reaction to the rise of superheroes films in the early 00's: With the success of the X-Men and Spider-Man films in 2000 and 2002 (and with 2003 promising the release of films about Daredevil, the Hulk, and the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), this was the perfect moment to explore the history of the medium.
This was before the rise of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (with 2008's Iron Man) and before the revamp of DC Comics films (with "Batman Begins" in 2005), and so superhero movies were still a new (and uncertain) novelty of sorts, at this point.
This was before Stan Lee started having cameos in every Marvel film, before Joe Quesada became a celebrity appearing on late night talk shows to promote Marvel Comics, and before Frank Miller "went off the deep end" with comics like "All Star Batman" and "Batman vs. Osama Bin Ladin" (which ended up getting cancelled/rewritten). In comic book story terms, this was before crossovers and "Mega Events" completely took over Marvel and DC (which I believe started with "Avengers Disassembled" for Marvel in 2004, and "Infinite Crisis" for DC in 2005).
Besides being a good documentary on comic book superheroes, this also serves as a glimpse into what the History Channel was like in the Summer of 2003.

[@Glassandcandy]

Watching this on air as a kid is actually what got me into comics as something of greater importance than just cathartic “good guy beats bad guy” stories with a moral lesson.

[@Swampthing86]

RIP Dennis O'Neal, Will Eisner, Jim Steranko, Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Len Wein, George Perez, Dave Cockrum, Gill Kane, Curt Swan, Gene Colan, Mike Zeck, Arnold Drake, Bruno Palimonti, Mort Westinger, Steve Ditko, CC Beck, Lee Falk, Phil Norris, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, Joe Simon, Julius Swartz, Steve Dillon, Bernie Wrightson, Carmine Infantino, Joe Sinnot, Sal Busema, Bill Everett, Alan Grant, & Bill Parker. We lost a lot of comic book writers & artists over the years. My favorite comic book superheroes are Spider-Man Thor Captain America Deadpool The Punisher The Doom Patrol Spawn Swamp Thing Shazam/Captain Marvel Hellboy The Teen Titans Nightwing Blade The Phantom Guardians Of The Galaxy John Constantine/Hellblazer The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

[@thewkovacs316]

steranko is still with us....thank god

[@Band_Aid_Man_]

last time I checked, Sal Buscema is with us!

[@jamesforbes4996]

I don't know what I enjoyed more, the story or the commercials from the early 2000s. Weird to see a commercial for MCI.

[@parsman9914]

Keith David's voice is so badass.

[@jakereher4809]

haha I thought it was James Earl Jones for a second! Great voice

[@PhflyDan1]

Done know

[@bennywark3103]

I thought that voice sounded familiar

[@JNTjr]

I met Keith at a horror convention a couple of years ago, and I had him sign a dvd copy of this documentary. He was looking at me baffled as to why I had him sign this. 😂

[@karandalgary3153]

Back When History Channel was Worth Something

[@SMarcey]

Its incredible when you think about who we have lost from the comic world in the last 20 years. Seeing Will Eisner in this destroyed me.

[@bryansteele832]

Will Eisner, Stan Lee, Carmine Infantino, Jerry Robinson, Neal Adams, Joe Kubert, Denny O'neal, Norm Breyfogle, Alan Grant, George Perez, Len Wein.............

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Now John Romita.

[@islandplace7235]

I was three when this aired. I had a vague memory about it, but could never find it. I had no idea of the year it came out or anything. Finally I found you. Like nearly 20 years later.

[@GBELCHIOR616]

Me too

[@FB3Network]

Back when THE HISTORY CHANNEL was actually *ABOUT* history.

[@steelydanlover1972]

And not about how humans needed aliens to invent shit for them.

[@vp_wrld]

It’s so crazy seeing some of these old ads 😂

[@SaintBrokenDay316]

I’m sure these commercials would make my parents go “ohhhh i remember direct tv, and those funny Hotel adds”

[@RosebudKane41]

I watched this the night it aired when I was 12 hahaha, wow this is nostalgic! 👍🏼Brought me right back to that time, posting on the old superherohype forums, following production of Spider-Man 2, rumors about “the new Batman film” running rampant, etc.

[@spideyhead897]

Same here. Exact same story

[@TheOneNerd1]

Thanks for including the commercials. Saving this for my personal archive

[@christophertomasello1227]

Jack Kirby was the father of modern comics

[@TheJereld]

I met Jim Steranko in person. Super nice guy. Chatted for 5 mins at a comic con.

[@needfoolthings]

I love Steranko's epic hair. Legend, for some other reasons too, of course...

[@Mitchthe1soul]

Memories. I taped this on that very day. Still have the tape, though these days not unlike just about everybody else, I have DVDs and other stuff like that. Funny enough, I never saw League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen when it was in theaters and nobody even mentioned if it was good or not, so it would be a few years later before I finally saw it.

[@ComicPower]

Really good documentary here. Comic books for too long were laughed at as disposable campy sci fi for kids and now the stories coming out them have gone on to become the highest grossing movies of all time. Comics won and I'm glad I'm alive to ser this medium I've love since I was 5 years old become this iconic and profitable and taken more seriously by the public.

[@CartoonManWhoo]

top 10 favorite superheroes? top 10 favorite comic runs?

[@ComicPower]

@Cartoonist Weasel i got a chance to speak to Jim Starlin at Charlotte Heroes con last Sunday and it was an honor.to speak to Thanos. I told him he was now immortal for getting a speaking line in End Game and he joked that he should be eligible for an Oscar. He also said he never dreamed that Thanos would be adapted because he thought it might be too weird for a wider audience but he was wrong. Nice guy. Glad i got to talk to one of my heroes.

[@tanyachavis2578]

That would be true except all comic book heroes are stolen from real people of the Bible. I’m not a right wing Krazy person. I love comics. It’s just not true it’s by original geniuses. All these “heroes” were already in the Bible. The Apocryphal versions too. Read them. For yourself.

[@somebadbatter]

​@@tanyachavis2578 wadda hell jesus was bitten by a radioactive spider?

[@Wonderpalm1979]

Stan Lee, Steranko, Will Eisner already. Legendary as it gets

[@MovieMakerJBT]

11:32 an absolute legend! Forever missed, & keep checking that blood sugar often.

[@thedonofthsht76-58]

I love the vhs lil static on this. Makes it feel like 03 again! Lol

[@MutantsInDisguise]

7:38, 1:08:20, and 1:28:32, Batman, my favorite superhero, one who was more than just a superhero; he was a profound character whose vengeance and heroism is explained exquisitely.

[@shibolinemress8913]

I'd love to see this updated to include the MCU/DCEU! Something else would be the effect of 1960's - 1990's Saturday morning cartoons on the comic book industry.

[@AceLM92]

Funny how Joe Quesada says that the industry is still fighting the idea that comic books are for kids, yet he couldn't tell a mature story of Spider-Man getting divorced from Mary Jane and instead had their marriage erased by Mephisto in one more day, just to reset the status quo of young and single Spider-man. Joe's hypocrisy is hilarious to me. By the way dude couldn't you have edited out the commercials?

[@davidlindsay9564]

Joe is off base and should realize that young readers is where the industry SHOULD put their focus while the industry is getting attention over the movies.

[@MetalPersonJ]

But then you don't have Wilford Brimley and his diabetus! :(

[@bryansteele832]

@@davidlindsay9564 Kids have been been priced out of comics for over a decade. The average price now is $5.00. I think they know that too. Back in 2005 I got back into comics for a couple of years, and I remember picking up new issues and the ads in it were for gillete razors, new music albums coming out, Mountain dew, and a pontiac solstice. I remember thinking "what happened to the ads for Lucky charms, candy, baseball cards, toys and video games?" Kids just watch the on screen media now.

[@davidlindsay9564]

@@bryansteele832 because they were priced out, and if the focus became the collectability not the readability. It's sad.

[@MichaelKurse]

I stopped reading Spider-Man after that horrible story.😆😆😆😫😫😫😫

[@erwinbreyson]

Make History Channel Great Again

[@ThePrimeDirective_]

Fantastic watch, thanks for uploading this in full!

[@KennethKralyJr]

Great documentary about Comic Books !!!

[@U2BEMatchmaker]

I still remember some of these characters.

[@Launchpad05]

Narrated by 'Spawn', himself. (Keith David)

[@MetalPersonJ]

That's not Keith David, Spawn was Michael Jai White! Not all black guys look alike Mr. CreamOfSumYungGuy.

[@wallywest2038]

If you’re a real Spawn fan you would know Keith David was the voice of Spawn in the 90’s cartoon series years before Michael Jai White

[@Launchpad05]

@@wallywest2038 And Goliath from 'Gargoyles'.

[@MetalPersonJ]

@@wallywest2038 Fair point, that I did not know.

[@donnytom8891]

The show has an advertizing.

[@abdulbasit9435]

Imagine sitting these writers in a theatre, giving them 3D glasses and showing them Avengers: Endgame

[@Gitjadas]

100% Sure I watched this the night of. What a blast from the past.

[@lp.shakur]

Spawn is literally narrating 😂

[@officerM1911]

Keith David's Narriration tho...And DiaBeetus commercial at 12:00

[@partlycloudyoptimist809]

Super hero’s get me thru the day. In a miserable lonely place… the escape gives me enough to try to go on.

[@rootfish2671]

My favorite part 1:54:52

[@broken1394]

300 thousand for Action 1? Nope, a 9.6 copy recently sold for over 6 million. Crazyy

[@danahambelton941]

What the hell with the 18 year old commercials?

[@alandhopewell]

What, you couldn't edit out the commercials?

[@russellhughes1228]

My SPIDER-MAN storyline ends when the BatMan tv show started back 1966.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Pity, because Spider-Man got even better and more three dimensional when Romita took over.

[@ibukanibu]

I was mad when I saw that this had commercials but when I saw Wilfred Brimley, I knew that all was well with the world! #diabetus

[@Jordan-np2uu]

At least you’re able to skip ahead past the commercials. I’d rather have that than ad breaks where sometimes you have to sit through them.

[@Henry-kz4gn]

Superheros unmasked! *starts with a superhero that doesnt wear a mask

[@rabbiyohanan6823]

I came here just to see the commercials. I am joking btw

[@KendrickHarrisKenfinity]

Our timeless heroes and "marvelous" storytellers are the best to dive into, with our taking no back talk from other LofEG members.🎯💪🏾💥☀️ Stay safe everyone!

[@kitwalker2968]

The Phantom King Features Syndicate Feb 17, 1936.

[@deeznutzzz3217]

Nancy reagans just say no campaign in 80s did a teen titans anti drug comic that all puplic schools in America gave the students..loved it..been reading comics for 30 plus years now

[@Jordan-np2uu]

I love the music at 42:38

[@martyndyson9501]

Yea reading a comic of a screen isnt good but what Stan didnt think about is having voice actors read them too you! I love comic artwork as it takes me back to those days in the 80's and 90's, so id rather watch a motion comic with the almost zero motion and voice actors with special effects than a dedicated cartoon, unfortunately doing it the way i use comics nowadays means im not giving any money to the industry, i watch dedicated youtube channels who buy the comics and adapt them for people online, all i do is sub to the channel and press the like button, its great for me, but not great for the comic book industry, no wonder its dying a slow death.

[@christopherwashington2417]

Superheroes started in 1820 with Invanhoe by Sir Walter Scott.

[@drmodestoesq]

You could argue that the mythologies like the Greek gods were full of superheroes. They've made Thor and Hercules into comic book characters.

[@CartoonManWhoo]

Robin Hood and Arthur are older than that!

[@christopherwashington2417]

@@CartoonManWhoo Spring heeled jack from 1808

[@user-sf3pg6fi1j]

Gilgamesh, Heracles, Jason and the Argonauts, Sun Wukong, Rama, Ilya of Murom were even older.

[@Moodboard39]

@@drmodestoesq 😂 cyclops , Medusa

[@JNTjr]

11:35, the internet’s commercial!

[@user-ix5gf2on1w]

American commercials are so upbeat and corny I cannot stop laughing......I am here to listen to kieth David narrate a comic book documentary I,ve seen it before I really enjoy it.

[@howardhales6325]

They always say only three heroes survived the golden age. No respect for Robin. 😊

[@oluhamilton2121]

Keith David narrating, WHAAAAT?

[@michealbohmer2871]

Does anyone else search for the documentaries they show in the adverts (e.g. "Devil's Island: Hell on Earth")?

[@SergioFigueroa759]

can you upload TNT Commercials from 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 please

[@brightnewage7491]

Amazing Spider-Man 🕷 #36 v2 WTC book

[@MartinAndChristopher]

55:57 THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

[@bryansteele832]

Between this doc, PBS's super heroes never ending battle, and secret origins history of DC, I actually do not want to see a another history of comics again. At least not talking about the Golden and silver age. I think everything has been said except for getting in depth with the writers and artists which unfortunately 90% of them are gone now.

[@donovandelaney3171]

They were payed one hundred and thirty dollars. No wonder Superman is Cursed!

[@xHaloxReviewerx117x]

Interesting that Jason Todd was hated back then and now he’s probably the most loved robin with dick Grayson. And y’all thought Todd was a brat back then.....Damien was a lot worse

[@paulerekson4699]

love super heroes i give it 20.0000 star

[@samankucher5117]

Cool adds on this video 🙂

[@Spectre2434]

Only Moulton could save us 😮

[@trevorstarr3738]

what city was this recorded?

[@russellhughes1228]

Fred was the biggest emeny of dc marvel ervey had who was out of control.

[@thewkovacs316]

why does every comic book doc help to push the stan lee myth?

[@lyndoncmp5751]

There is no myth.

[@buupdraws]

From what is that creepy joker from at 1:43:00

[@speedylizard1247]

It was from a novel not sure what one

[@felixsjodin6037]

Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth

[@kabirchowdhury4003]

Of course it’s a good documentary

[@thomashenderson9004]

DC ( Deliriously Clueless) takes a # count from their fans to kill Jason Todd but , couldn't possibly do the same thing with Bruce Wayne (Batman ) marrying Seline Kyle ( Catwoman) ?? This character just can't a happy chapter in life can he?

[@ardathbey4150]

It's over... deal with it ! How many Batman comics were printed last month... enough to kill

[@Spectre2434]

Petra!

[@kojo7485]

❤🎉Rest in Peace 🙏 🪦 Ed Piskor 🙏 😢 🎉❤

[@Homeschoolsw6]

1:44:42..." tried to sell "

[@theanimelibarian7881]

Im old

[@ramn5143]

SUPERMAN

[@DuplicitousDark]

now theyre turning tim gay.

[@pencilneckgeek1842]

so comic books are propaganda

[@raynwolfsbane2084]

All art is political. Comics are no exception.

[@faceandaname]

Frucking ads

[@johnkalkirtz658]

41:25 that's homophobic and sexist and, it made for a compelling argument? The 50s was a f-up time

[@AngelaShortt]

I was born in 1958, but of course, I don't remember anything about that decade. My parents did live during that time, and from what they told me, it was a very f**cked up decade. But I was still intrigued by the history of superheroes comic books, television shows and movies. I was really into comic books as a kid, and I was surprised by how much I already knew about the various milestones and events that took place over the years. The one that stands out the most for me was the death of Jason Todd in Batman

[@AngelaShortt]

..."Death In The Family". I managed to buy a used copy of it at a comic book store for $20. And I lost it a few years later after I moved from where I was living. Well, that was a lost "investment". But the story was so heartbreaking to me. What Joker did to Jason was despicable.

[@JasonPizzolato]

50s were awesome. The only ppl who didn't like them were the commies & the cucks.

[@medisonluna1254]

I’m sure these commercials would make my parents go “ohhhh i remember direct tv, and those funny Hotel adds”

[@raynwolfsbane2084]

@@JasonPizzolato the 50s sucked for everyone who wasn't a straight Christian white guy. You can thank your conservative heroes for getting EC Comics banned and the CCA. Yay censorship! Yay cancel culture!

[@michealbohmer2871]

Peta's been living in the US too long, she's mispronouncing mask and ask!

[@johnschultz8906]

The ending of this program is hypocritical Stan Lee said we could never have superheroes punching Islamic extremists it wouldn't work but I bet if it were the Nazis he'd have no problem what so ever getting behind that

[@haha-lj5sq]

He’s saying we can’t have it now. It was okay in the 40s but it’s not so black and white now.

[@reggieclayton8544]

The woman's voice sounds like a man.

[@Band_Aid_Man_]

her name is that of a man's, too! Peter Wilson.

[@russellhughes1228]

My dad the BatMan has better gardas then my anut wonder woman.

[@Frst2nxt]

Batman vs Osama nin Ladin shouldn't have been canceled. Comins against Hitler helped defeat naziism, the world needs the end of islam.

[@MutantsInDisguise]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@parsleyisthicc]

Tell me your opinion on Zionism

[@davidlindsay9564]

Typical Stan Lee BS, "I can't be writing about this (the war) and not be fighting myself...." shows a picture of Stan in uniform. Yeah, you are a real Audie Murphy, Stan. You had a nice cushy desk job during the war and never fired a shot. Kirby was at Normandy and actually fought Nazi's one on one. "You know me I'll take credit for anything that isn't nailed down" -Stan Lee. Yep, but I didn't think that extended to stolen valor.

[@matthewrosenthal753]

You do realize Stan was talking about how he felt, and that soldiers have no control over their job. It’s given to them by the chain of command. Thank you to the men and women of our armed forces and your families for your service and Sacrifice.

[@davidlindsay9564]

@@matthewrosenthal753 Stan being Stan was probably assigned to infantry and charmed his way out of it with his usual salesmanship.

[@matthewrosenthal753]

@@davidlindsay9564 Soldiers go where they are told. That how the military works. Not everyone gets assigned to combat even in war time.

[@andrewpytko4773]

@@davidlindsay9564 Nope they told him to be a clerk for the army so he did.

[@andrewpytko4773]

Stop pretending you're some badass rebel for supporting Kirby by defaming Lee. You're not cool, you're not edgy. You're not being real. You're just being a douche.

[@danvua2567]

1:02c.

[@medisonluna1254]

I’m sure these commercials would make my parents go “ohhhh i remember direct tv, and those funny Hotel adds”