ComingSoon can exclusively reveal the Selling Superman trailer for the new four-part documentary directed by Adam Schomer. It tells the story of a father’s obsession with collecting comic books and his family’s path to redemption following his passing.
It will be shown at Portland, Oregon’s Cinema 21 on October 16, 2024 (all four episodes, followed by a Q&A with Schomer and special guests); Los Angeles, California’s The Landmark Westwood on November 3, 2024 (the first three episodes, with a director Q&A); and Detroit, Michigan’s Royal Oak Emagine on November 16, 2024 (all four episodes, followed by a Q&A and comic collection giveaways).
There will also be a special online screening of all four episodes of Selling Superman, which includes bonus features and a Q&A, on November 7, 2024.
Check out the exclusive Selling Superman poster and trailer below (watch more trailers and clips):
What is Selling Superman about?
“Darren Watts’ life was changed forever when he uncovered a 40-year-old secret that his father had hidden—a painful reality only a few close individuals had ever known,” the description of the documentary reads. “Darren’s father, who lived with Asperger’s (ASD), was driven by an obsessive need to collect, amassing over 300,000 comic books. While the collection includes one of the most expensive comics ever made, a rare Superman #1 (graded 7.0) valued at over $3.5 million, the toll it took on the family was profound. The obsession overtook their home, fractured relationships, and created deep emotional scars.
“Now, after his father’s passing, Darren finds himself at a crossroads, holding the keys to a comic book treasure trove but also grappling with the trauma left behind. Accompanied by his long- time friend and comic book enthusiast Brian, Darren embarks on the journey of selling Superman (and the whole collection), confronting both the adventure of selling his father’s legendary collection and the deep-seated emotional turmoil of his past.”
Schomer said of Selling Superman, “[This] is more than a story about a comic collection—it’s a story of healing, self-worth, and rewriting a family legacy. We all have stories in our families that define us, but we have the power to choose how they shape our future. Darren’s journey, like the comics he holds, is about heroism and self-discovery, facing inner battles with as much courage as any superhero.”
