Off The Marquee

On Saturday, October 10^th a documentary about the current state of the comic book industry will play in Tucson as part of the Tucson Film and Music Festival. Directed by Miguel Cima, Dig Comics! tells the story of the decline of the comic industry, but takes a positive stance by putting comics in the hands people who don’t normally read them for some interesting reactions. Through an email interview, I was able to ask Cima a few questions about the film and the state of comics in general.

Q: The overall tone of the film seems very positive. What influenced you to attempt to re-educate the public rather than focus on the decay of comics as a past time?

“Well, there’s a little of both in the film actually. You gotta be honest about the past if there’s going to be a better future. But the thing is – and the movie proves this – that if you find a way to get comics into people’s hands, you will win over new converts. My focus is fueled by my love of art, my undying belief that art helps us understand each other better and reinforce beauty in our souls. And comics is such a wonderful and unique art form, an American original dying in America – it just makes me sad. Even the big publishers do little to raise awareness in the marketplace because they’re too busy counting the money that the movie licensing makes. The way I see it, it’s exactly as if you had never heard music, and here I have the Beatles’ catalog but you won’t even check it out because this whole music thing is strange and weird to you. It’s that absurd. I want to show everybody what they are missing because it is so wonderful.”

Q: With all the interest in comics as subject matter for blockbuster movies and the rising popularity of graphic novels, there is a lot of talk about the comics returning to the fold. Do you agree with this notion, or do you think any new interest being noted is nominal?

” So far, nominal. And that’s not an opinion, all you gotta do is check the numbers. In Japan, they have half the population, yet 7 times the comic sales of the US (they call comics “manga”, but it’s comics, trust me). The industry in the US as a whole does about $500 million a year. Spider-Man 3 – the crappiest of the movies – alone beat that number. I always hear, “Nobody reads anymore in this age of new technology”. Well guess what? The book publishing industry does 4 or 5 times the business of comics every year in the US. So again, that’s wrong. But you are correct that the time is NOW to raise awareness. The comics industry needs to ride the wave of success the film properties are providing and get people to read comics again. There are so many ways to do that, yet I don’t see many efforts. I am going to prod them to look at that some more once we expand the short into a feature (we are in the process of seeking financing right now).”

Q: I noticed your screening went well at the San Diego Comic Con. SDCC is such a focal point for comic enthusiasts. Were you nervous to screen it there?

“Sure I was! But it went well, was well received, and actually won the Best Documentary prize. What I’m finding is that most comics enthusiasts respond very well to the movie because they share my passion. And non comics folks enjoy my passion and energy, plus they get to learn about something new and cool.”

Dig Comics! plays at Crossroads along with I Need That Record, a documentary about the decline of independent record stores. This double feature kicks off at 11:30 AM on Saturday, October 10^th at Crossroads.

Grand Cinemas Crossroads 6
4811 East Grant Rd. Tucson, AZ

Visit Dig Comics! at
www.digcomics.com

I Need That Record!
www.ineedthatrecord.com 

www.tucsonfilmandmusicfestival.com/

Off the Marquee is a forum for reviewing and promoting overlooked classics, cult movie screenings, second-run viewing opportunities, and independent film. If you have anything in that vein you would like to share or promote, I would be psyched to hear about it.
groovetomb@hotmail.com
www.billupsallen.com