Time Machine: Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked on AllMovie

Hosted by Peta Wilson, this breezy cable TV documentary chronicles the history of comic-book superheroes, from the introduction of Superman in 1938 to the present day. The producers were given unprecedented access to the files of DC and Marvel, the foremost purveyors of funny-paper protagonists with "powers far beyond those of mortal men." Among the topics covered are the neurosis-ridden heroes created under the aegis of Marvel's Stan Lee, and the kinkier aspects of DC's superheroine Wonder Woman. And of course, there is ample time afforded to the clean-up-comics campaign of the 1950s, sparked by the specious findings of psychologist Frederick Wertham (Seduction of the Innocent). In addition to the ubiquitous Stan Lee, artist/writers Jim Steranko and Will Eisner are interviewed. Released around the same time as the theatrical premiere of the Marvel-inspired movie The Hulk, Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked first aired on June 23, 2003.