It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

In a typical American town, wiry comic book fan DJ Qualls (as Archie Lake) favors buying comics at the store run by his portly, pontificating and pipe-smoking friend Donal Logue (as Raymond McGillicudy). They really enjoy reading and collecting comic books. Across town, another comic shop is operated by the more business-oriented husband and wife team Michael Rapaport and Natasha Lyonne (as Norman and Judy Link). Thanks to dastardly Danny Masterson (as Conan), a "switch hitter" who frequents both stores, both proprietors learn about a death in the comic collecting community...After consuming "too many burgers," overweight comic book collector David Cresswell has died...Naturally, the dead man still lived with his mother, Eileen Brennan (as Mrs. Cresswell). She inherits a roomful of valuable comic books. Both businesses visit Ms. Brennan, but she misses her son and doesn't want to sell his comic book collection. Since they are worth a fortune, the rival stores try to woo Brennan. Although he begins as an advocate for Mr. Logue, Mr. Qualls befriends the old woman. Logue also gets handsome Cary Elwes (as J.C. Carter), a former high school bully, to help...When nothing seems to get Brennan to part with her son's old comics, the characters resort to drastic measures. They even become violent. This qualifies "Comic Book Villains" as a dark comedy. The plot sounds interesting, and the story was written and directed by James Robinson - an actual comic book creator. However, the film fails to be flattering or funny. The locations appear authentic and Joey Altruda's musical score is a plus. It is strange to see no "DC"-owned character depicted in a film about comic books.**** Comic Book Villains (9/3/02) James Robinson ~ DJ Qualls, Donal Logue, Cary Elwes, Natasha Lyonne

If you have ever been seriously involved in the comic book world, this movie hits home. The comedy is great and so are the characters. The dark comedy makes it even better in my opinion although I wouldn't recommend it for children under twelve.If you have been involved in the comic book world, you can easily relate to the movie characters. That is what made it a good movie for me. All the characters were well developed and well acted. Granted, I think it takes a certain type of person to like this movie but there are plenty of us out there.A friend showed me the movie in 05 and I had no clue it was around otherwise. It is definitely worth seeing even if you aren't a comic book geek.

Comic Book Villains tells the story of Archie (DJ Qualls) who works at his best friends comic book store. His best friend is Raymond McGillcuddy (Donal Logue) who's enemy's are rival comic book store owner's Norman and Judy Link(Micheal Rapaport & Natasha Lyonne). When both parties here of a recently deceased comic book fan's large collection of priceless comic book's both parties declare all out war. While the two parties are plotting against each other Archie Befriends the dead comic collector's Mum Mrs Cresswell (Eileen Brennan). When Mrs Cresswell refuses to budge about not selling the comics Raymond hires his old school bully Carter (Cary Elwes) to steal the comics. If you like low budget movies you'll love this. If you hate anything to do with comic book's you will surely hate this I will give an 8 for different to Hollywood dross.

The first hour of this movie is absolutely priceless and will have you giddy. All the performances without exception are perfect. Donal Logue really stands out as McGillicudy, the pipe smoking comic store owner. Just watching him on screen will have you laughing. Pretty much everyone in the film is down on their luck and looking for some success to make their lives a little better. When they finally see the chance for greatness, they all go too far.The only false note is between the teenaged orphan and the old woman. Their friendship seems to come together a little too quickly, but really if they spent more time on this relationship it would not be an improvement since it's the most boring part of the story. It's a lose-lose situation. Later, when something bad happens to her the tears are a little too much considering they really hardly know each other.I also thought the film got perhaps a little too dark. At first some of the confrontations between the competing parties were hysterical, such as when McGillicudy smashes one of his rivals garden gnomes and then runs away. But pretty soon we have a body count and it just seems like it doesn't fit with the rest of the movie. Still, it's a pretty good ending. Well worth seeing if you've ever visited a comic book shop.