About this project
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Story Abstract
This is a true story. In early 1977, a young, struggling comic book dealer in Boulder, CO unwittingly stumbled upon the greatest comic book collection in history. The 18,000 comics, stashed away in the basement closet of a tiny Denver home, contained one pristine copy of virtually every comic book published during comic's Golden Age of the late 1930's, 40's and early '50's. This discovery remains one of the greatest collectibles finds of all time. If discovered today, the collection would be worth more than $50,000,000.
But the real story takes place in what happens next. The collection could have been found by anyone. But, we learn how our protagnist's unique life story personifies the adage, 'luck favors the prepared'. With an existential drive and sense of purpose, he vows to change the world of comic collecting, forever.
The discovery of the Edgar Church / Mile High Collection is used as a pivot, around which to tell the story of the adolescent years in the life of comic book collecting. We take a look at that moment in time when the hobby finally got the keys to the car. The story is all about 'so, what now?'.
Comic book collecting, as we understand it today, didn't exist until the late 1960's. Back then, the hobby was a small, scattered, yet intense network of hard core fans, constrained by distance and limited access to information.
Acceptance of the comic book genre remained hobbled by lingering stereotypes formed in the 1950's when no less an authority than the U.S. Senate branded comics as an antisocial, "ten cent plague" which threatened America's youth. Only a few avid readers of their favorite new releases ever considered comic books as more than mere ephemera.
Gradually, from the primordial ooze of the 1960's, a cohesive subculture evolved and began to emerge in growing numbers, in a search to share with their own.
Our youthful lead character is forced to make hard personal and business decisions that challenge the establishment which, in this case, is driven more by emotion and less by reason. As a result, he is beset by skepticism and even scorn from the orthodox factions within the sometimes eccentric community that he loves. Along the way, he is taught by a mentor and pursues the woman he yearns for, all while wrestling with the ethical dilemma of what is right and what is wrong. Does he get it right?
Shot on location in Denver, including the home of Edgar Church, this film aspires to be the The Social Network for the comic genre, merged with the simple production design and emotional tone of Breaking Away.
FAQ
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Funding Unsuccessful
This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on January 29.
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COPPER AGE - A sincere, heartfelt Thank You letter, plus access to project blog.
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BRONZE AGE - Above, plus 5 minute preview of the film, while in post production. A prop comic used in the film, plus a digital download of the completed film.
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SILVER AGE - Above, plus 10 minute preview of the film, while in post production. DVD of the completed film, including extended scenes and out-takes.
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ATOM AGE - Above, plus acknowledgement in the film credits.
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GOLDEN AGE - Above, plus a bound, 32-page, behind-the-scenes production photo album.
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PLATINUM AGE - Above, plus signed shooting script with production notations. Get to Denver and be an extra, be a grip, have lunch with cast & crew. Or, if you can't attend, have a 30 min chat with the writer/director and hear about the production's progress, challenges and gossip of what's been happening.
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EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - Above, plus Executive Producer credit, with inclusion on IMDB.com. Private screening with the director, at a mutually agreed location, anywhere in the contiguous U.S (...OK, I'll go to Hawaii in Feb).
Project By
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Everyone needs a creative outlet. David's has always been photography and writing. Liberally trained as a historian and economist, he has continued his life long observation of people and their environment. Leica in hand, he has travelled extensively throughout Asia, Europe and North America. His visual style is in the vein of photo journalism; striving to achieve a sense of ambience and place, and preferring simple composition with available light. In story telling, the historian in him examines social context and personal motive.
The first completed of four screenplays, the story of Edgar's Comics came to David's attention nearly ten years ago. The burning drive to bring this wonderful story to others can finally be realized with your help and KICKSTARTER.COM.
