Mark Hamill directs and stars in the straight-to-video mockumentary Comic Book: The Movie, largely filmed on-location at the 2002 Comic-Con International in San Diego, CA. Comic book fan Donald Swan (Hamill) is hired to make a documentary about his favorite superheroes: Commander Courage and Liberty Ladd. A big Hollywood film company has funded an action blockbuster about the legendary superhero, although with an updated image. Commander Courage becomes an aggressive anti-terrorist played by Bruce Easley (Daran Norris) and his sidekick becomes sexed-up eye candy Papaya Smith (Donna D'Errico). Traditionalist Swan fights to save the dignity of his beloved hero. His documentary crew consists of studio executive Taylor Donohue (Roger Rose) and intoxicated cameraman Ricky (Jess Harnell). A consultant on the project is Leo Matuzik (
Billy West), the grandson of the original character creator.
Kevin Smith,
Hugh Hefner,
Bruce Campbell, and
Stan Lee appear as themselves. Legendary actors
Sid Caesar and
Jonathan Winters play a pair of old army buddies who reminisce about the good old days. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide