Official Synopsis:
Called "One of the true geniuses of the medium" by Entertainment Weekly, Mack's work expands the possibilities of graphic novels and other fields he explores. David is the creator, author and artist of KABUKI and was also the writer and artist of Daredevil (one of the top ten best selling comics in the United States) from Marvel Comics. David says "This is the most intimate and extensive interview and exploration of my work so far. There is a lot of stuff on this DVD I’ve never shown before.” Produced by Hero Video Productions’ award-winning staff, “The Alchemy of Art: David Mack” is the latest in a series of DVDs produced by Hero Video examining the comic book industry. Fans can find “The Alchemy of Art: David Mack” at their local comics shop.
Our Take:
In the world of comic books, David Mack is considered by most to be one of the finest artists working in the medium. The unfortunate part about that is that his talent is recognized almost solely in the graphic novel world. The fact of the matter is that David Mack is one of the most talented artists working in any medium, genre, or field today. Through his work on the groundbreaking Kabuki comic books and his stint on Marvel’s Daredevil, Mack has shown himself to be one of the most unique voices in comics today.
In the entertainment world, comic book superstars tend to get the least amount of attention. You can turn to any People Magazine to read about Brad and Angeline any day of the week, but how hard is it to find a good interview with a comic book writer or artist, especially in video format? Yes, you can find some good print interviews with writers and artists in comic-related magazines such as Wizard and Comics Buyers Guide, but you’ll never see an interview with Brian Michael Bendis on Entertainment Tonight. That’s where Hero video Productions steps in with their line of documentary DVD’s. These videos bring comic book fans in-depth, professionally-made spotlight DVD’s that give us a chance to get to know our favorite comic book creators. As a long-time Mack fan, I was extremely pleased with The Alchemy of Art: David Mack.
The video gives us an hour-plus interview with Mack that basically takes us through his childhood into the beginnings of his career, up through his current status as a big name in comics. Mack is extremely gracious and forthright, discussing his work and his life in detail. We also hear extensively from his brother, Steven Mack, who provides a separate point of view but is equally as interesting. Throughout the film we are treated to photos of Mack’s various works of art as well as pieces of art from his past, including childhood drawings, school projects and such. It’s a fascinating glimpse into what makes one of the medium’s most exciting talents tick.
Lest you think that the interview is all you get, this terrific DVD comes with a handful of extra features, including one really great commentary track unlike any other commentary track you’ve seen before.
* The Shy Creatures (5 minutes) - Mack talks about his new children's book.
* Kabuki Commentary (26 minutes) - The equivalent of a director's commentary. Mack takes us through an issue of Kabuki page-by-page.
* Visionaries and Voices (4 minutes) - Mack talks about his work with an art-based charity.
Comic book fans in general should find this video interesting, but David Mack fans especially really can’t afford to pass up this amazing DVD. It’s a great way to find out more about the artist than you’ve ever been able to before, and with its professional composition and nice visuals, it’s never dull or boring. The Alchemy of Art: David Mack is a real treat.
RECOMMENDED!
Overall Picture:
Movie: A
DVD: B+
- Mike Spring
Editor
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