‘Superpowered: The DC Story’ Debuts This July
by Erik Amaya
The story of DC Comics has been told in fits and starts over the years, although often told through the prism of Superman or Batman. That’s about the change, though, as July brings Superpowered: The DC Story to Max.
Directed by Leslie Iwerks and Mark Catalena — the superlative documentary filmmakers behind The Imagineering Story and Inventing LA: The Chandlers and Their Times — the three-part documentary takes a look into the “comic book company’s origins,” how it evolved from its pre-Superman days, and its influence on other creative mediums. Narrated by Rosario Dawson and utilizing archival and new interviews, it is a telling of the tale we have always wanted to see. Topics discussed include DC’s response to the criticism of comics in the post-war era, the decision to reset the narrative universe in the 1980s, the rise of both Vertigo Comics and Milestone Media, and how the company survived within the larger Warner Bros. corporation (by whatever name it takes).
And based on the trailer above, it looks like it will be an interesting discussion of some of those events, complete with Paul Levitz commenting on the chilling effect the Comics Code DC helped to create had on storytelling. Considering the quality of The Imagineering Story and Inventing LA, the series will still be illuminating even if it glosses over some missteps.
Superpowered: The DC Story comes to Max on July 20.
