As a SModcast/SIR Network/Kevin Smith/Tell Em’ Steve Dave fan, I’ve had super high hopes for “Comic Book Men”, since it was first discussed on the “Tell Em’ Steve Dave” podcast. After watching the show, I can’t say that I was let down, but the show just left me feeling luke-warm.
The show itself deals with people who come in to Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash (Kevin Smith’s comic book store in Red Bank, NJ), and try and sell things that they think have great value. The other portion of the show is a contest to see who can sell more at the Collingswood New Jersey flea market. The show features all of the guys who are normally on the “Tell Em’ Steve Dave” podcast and the “I Sell Comics” podcast. They are:
Walter Fanagan: Manager of Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash, illustrator and long time friend of Kevin Smith
Bryan Johnson: Writer and long time friend of Kevin Smith
Ming Chen: IT guy/lackey/friend of Kevin Smith
Mike Zapcic: Employee of The Stash
If you’ve been a fan of the SModcast network, there is really nothing new on this show. The guys make fun of Ming, have some pretty witty one-timers, and throw in a little ribbing at one and other. I found the show to be super slow moving, about a half hour too long and did not have a whole lot to offer it’s female watchers or it’s non-geek watchers. They begin the show talking about which super heroine is the hottest and then make fun of the only chick in the entire show. To be fair, the chick was a bit of a train wreck, but they didn’t have anything as rude to say about the other people (men) who came in as they did about her.
If they were trying to reach a large audience, I think they really missed their target. Unless you are a pretty big comic book fan, you won’t even understand half of what they’re saying. I understand that AMC thought “The Walking Dead” would be a great lead in for the show, since it’s based on a comic, but the biggest thing that “The Walking Dead” has that “Comic Book Men” doesn’t is content. I hate to say it, but I think even the most hardcore of Kevin Smith fans will be disappointed.
“Comic Book Men” is on Sunday nights at 10 PM on AMC.
And if you want a super funny TV show featuring one of the guys of “Tell Em’ Steve Dave” watch Brian Quinn on “Impractical Jokers” Thursday nights on TruTV.