Supertalk: Fanboy Fun Found in Indie Film

A Review By Squedge
8/15/2001

Hey! Let's talk Supertalk! Don't know what that is? That's okay... Most people don't. But if you're a fanboy, chances are you'll hear more about this in the future, and I'm here to give you the skinny on it.

Supertalk is the brainchild of Andy Lawler and Adam Reist. When Wizard Magazine sponsored a five-minute film contest for fanboys, Andy and Adam set to task, developing the concept of a pop-psychology call-in radio show dominated by a super-powered population of callers. The duo was more than adequately prepared for the task: Andy is a law school graduate-turned-Show Biz agent, and Adam is a staff Stage Manager for CBS's Guiding Light, who (back in his college days at UNC) created the still-running college soap opera General College.

So... How does Supertalk stack up against other superhero flicks? Well... If you're familiar with my writing, you'll know that I am thoroughly disenchanted with many comic book centered movies, and with good reason. Lately, however, (especially after the release and success of X-Men) the tides seem to be turning, casting a more positive light on fanboy filmwork. And Supertalk is another step in the right direction.

Supertalk shows the insecure, human side of super heroes. Even the big boy--Superman--falls before the rhetorical might of the razor-tongued Dr. Flora Harbinger. This makes for great fun for fanboys, but be warned: watch this alone, first. If you then would like to share it with your family, friends, significant others, etc... who are NOT fanboys, you won't be stuck explaining exactly why you're laughing at a comment they don't particularly find funny.

If you're just not a fanboy, it won't help that the acting is far above average, that the costume pieces are dutifully adhered to (and beautifully done,) that the photography is stimulating and well thought out, or that the pacing is just dead-on perfect. It won't help one whit. Why?

This film is 20 minutes of inside jokes for mainstream (Marvel and DC) comics fans. If you don't know the history of Spider-Man and Gwen Stacy, if you're not aware of the sexual tension between Superman and Wonder Woman, if you can't identify the super heroes and villains from just parts of their conversations and/or costumes, you won't get it. Period.

Now... If you DO fit the above criteria, you'll almost certainly enjoy yourself. You'll get twenty well-spent minutes of watching your favorite characters get cut down to size when their world is explored from an intelligent, sardonic point of view.

You'll groan at Spidey's clone saga (thank all that is holy that it's over) references. You'll chuckle at the reasoning behind some of Superman's more noble tendencies (ever wonder why he waited to have sex with Lois?) You'll revel in Doom's control issues (and wonder why top minds such as his and Reed Richards' found themselves at night school at ESU.) You'll see Batman viewed as a sexual predator and giggle at the name confusion (David or Bruce?) of the Hulk--as well as be treated to a wonderful recreation of the opening sequence of the old Hulk TV show (my favorite part.) There's more, but you get the point...

What Andy and Adam have done on a fanboy's budget is better than many studio-developed projects, quite possibly because the target audience is so specific. They didn't try to please non-comics fans. And they probably won't. But if you're a fanboy (or girl) and you like a good laugh, even at one of your favorite character's expense, you should definitely check out Supertalk.

From one fanboy to another...
-Squedge

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