Look, I can't lie: the first time I visited Los Angeles, I psyched myself out with mental images of women with crazy plastic surgery, carrying little chihuahua dogs in purses that cost more than my car. But, normal people who did not O.D. on re-reruns of "Beverly Hills, 90210" know that L.A. actually has an amazing culture of wonderful un-Botox®'d artists.
And acclaimed indie director Lance Bangs captured that scene in his 2009 documentary Family Portrait, a film centered around the great Family Bookstore, and the people behind the counter, like Sammy Harkham and David Kramer.
Sure, you can watch the entire documentary online, or if you're lucky enough to live in Portland, you can head over to the Whitsell Auditorium at the Portland Art Museum this coming Sunday, September 26th at 7:00 pm, as Bangs himself will screen the film, along with three others that have nothing to do with comic books.