The documentary, Marvel's Behind the Mask, will be exclusively broadcasted this Friday, February 12th on Disney+. It explores through several interviews and comic book extracts the power of identity behind the most iconic superheroes we know and love today. From the duality of the characters Peter Parker / Spiderman, Bruce Banner /Hulk and other superheroes such as the members of the Fantastic Four and the Avengers, this hour-long documentary not only proves to be fascinating but also reveals itself to be nostalgic for the golden age of comic books.
It is interesting to see in this documentary that the approach of DC and Marvel superheroes was not conceived in the same way. While DC seems to emphasize the superheroes and their heroic actions, Marvel Comics emphasizes the human aspect of these superheroes. By knowing more about their personal weaknesses, readers become more personally attached to these characters. In the image of the evolution of time, these superheroes have become an extension of our society. The numerous interviews show the evolution of the Black Panther character and how his name had to be changed for a few issues (to Black Leopard) to avoid a rapprochement with an American movement of the 60s.
Since the beginnings of comics, secret identities have been an integral part of the normal lives of superheroes and villains. But it is the underlying characters that resonate within us through generations of fans. Since the advent of the Marvel era of comics in the early 1960s, Marvel writers and artists have used the notion of identity to examine the evolving concept of equal rights. These legendary Marvel creations and stories have not only reflected the world around us, they have become a reflection of our own identities and who we really are.
This fascinating documentary looks back at the very identity of the characters and asks what impact they have on their social environment. Marvel Comics superheroes such as Luke Cage, Spider-man, Fantastic Four are thus representative of a New York neighborhood. This link with reality reinforces not only the adhesion of the readers but also the nature of these superheroes.
Marvel's Behind the Mask features personalities from Marvel's 80-year heritage, including the writers and artists behind the emergence of characters such as Black Panther, Miles Morales, Ms. Marvel, Luke Cage, the X-Men, Captain Marvel, and many other characters from the Marvel universe, highlighting Marvel's impact on pop culture and media.
The documentary Marvel's Behind the Mask is produced by Marvel New Media with Tarmac Creative. The film is directed by Michael Jacobs and produced by Chris Gary and Ryan Simon for Tarmac Creative and Strike Anywhere. Joe Quesada, Shane Rahmani, Stephen Wacker, John Cerilli, Harry Go and Sarah Amos are the executive producers of Marvel.
Synopsis :
Meet the writers and artists behind characters like Black Panther, Miles Morales, Ms. Marvel, Luke Cage, the X-Men, Captain Marvel, and many other characters in the Marvel Universe, highlighting their impact on pop culture and media.
Marvel's behind the mask
Directed by Michael Jacobs
Producer : Chris Gary, Ryan Simon
Executive producers Joe Quesada, Sarah Amos, Shane Rahmani, Stephen Wacker, John Cerilli, Harry Go
Cast (interviews) : Joe Quesada, Henry Jenkins, John Jennings, Peter Sanderson, Sana Amanat, David Walker, Stan Lee, Neal Kirby, Reginald Hudlin, Tom Brevoort, Jo Duffy, Darry “DMC” McDaniels, Christopher Priest, Denys Cowan, Ann Nocenti, Roy Thom as, Tony Isabella, Larry Hama, Don McGregor, Douglas Wolk, Gerry Conway, Amanda Shendruk, Leah Williams, Kelly Sue Deconnick, Jeanine Schaefer, Chris Claremont, Ivan Velez Jr, Ramzy Fawaz PHD, Allan Heinberg, Brian Bendis
Director of Photography : Joshua Weinstein
Editor : Clayton Worfolk
Music by Mondo Boys
Durée : 62 minutes
Review : 5/5
(Source: press release)