Evidently, some of you were curious enough to check out the very cool series of YouTube vids, “I’m a Marvel… and I’m a DC,” from It’sJustSome RandomGuy, using the framework of the popular “I’m a Mac… and I’m a PC” commercials to parody the depiction of superheroes in the movies, often at the expense of poor ol’ Superman.
Two things happened since I wrote about it Monday. For one, our It’sJustGuy has posted a sixth short film, a sequel to his previous installment guest-starring Batman, about Spidey drinking his way into oblivion via milk shakes after the largely scathing reviews of S3. For those of you who don’t get the joke, other people have: In just two days, folks have played the newest film nearly 100,000 times and the first one was watched almost 1.6 MILLION times!
For seconds, I had a chance to ask the talented man behind the videos and voices, Michael Agrusso, a writer and performer working and living in LA, a few questions yesterday. Hit the jump for the rest of the story…
1. How long had the idea for “I’m a Marvel… and I’m a DC” been percolating?
I pretty much acted on it as soon as it occurred to me. Around late February/early March, I was looking online and I read the news that both the Wonder Woman movie and the Flash movie had lost their directors due to creative differences with Warner Bros. On the same day! I was disappointed because I had been looking forward to seeing those movies.
Meanwhile, Marvel had a slate of movies featuring a slew of their characters scheduled through 2009 and beyond. And, say what you will about the varying quality of some of their movies, at least they were getting made. I had also just seen some of the Mac/PC commercials, and that’s where the idea for the first one came from.
2. Any inspiration from Robot Chicken?
I’m a fan of Robot Chicken. But, no, not really. The only reason I used action figures was because I could afford them.
3. My wife, who doesn’t know Marvel from DC characters got your concept immediately, probably because you used the movie tie-ins to perfection. Did the pending opening of S3 give you to impetus to do it?
Thank you. Yeah, I suppose Spider-Man 3 had a little something to do with it. And, yes, I did focus on the movies mainly because they contained the most commonly seen version of the characters.
4. Are you doing all the voices?
Yes. It’s all me and its a lot of fun. I’ve been doing different voices since I was a kid. It’s nice to get attention for something that used to get me detention.
5. So far, we’re not seeing any women in your vids. Will we see Catwoman or Wonder Woman make guest appearances down the road?
As soon as I figure out how to shift my voice from a baritone to a soprano, that will happen. Or if I can convince my girlfriend to do more than hold up the backdrop.
6. Heard from anyone at DC or Marvel yet?
No. I’d love to hear what they have to say though. I actually love both companies and their characters, despite what I might say in my videos. They’re done purely for laughs. They’re meant for parody, and to reflect the common conceptions that I’ve read online.
And, by the way, I want to go on record as saying that I really don’t hate Superman! I know some people seem think that I do, but the truth is, I was raised on Supes and he will always be one of my favorites. Besides, the big guy’s been around for a long time, I think he can survive a bit of good-natured ribbing from little ol’ me.
7. Are you a filmmaker, or want to be one in your next professional life?
I never really considered myself a filmmaker. I think I’m more of a writer and performer. If I get another professional life, I’d love to do either of those. I love writing, I love performing, I love comic books, I love writing comic books, and it was such a blast to make these videos where I got to do all of them. It’s just so awesome that some people seem to be enjoying them. I love all of my subscribers and I’ll keep making vids as long as they can stand them.
May 10th, 2007 at 10:25 am
They really are great. Charming. Funny. Satirical and sincere at the same time . . . is that even possible?
I’ve been forwarding them to people since I first saw them. I didn’t realize how wide spread they were, but that’s VERY cool!
One of those ideas that you say, “I wish I would have though of it”; at the same time, I’m glad I didn’t, since I don’t think I could have done it NEARLY as well! Kudos!
Ben
May 10th, 2007 at 11:30 am
I really didn’t take them as anti-Superman at all. Just good fun.
May 10th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
I just watched the whole lot of them. Very funny. Keep up the good work.
May 11th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Man, the 6th was up by the time I got to em the other day. I thought they were friggin hilarious! I was laughing so hard. And the way he poses them. Like having spidey hold his head down during a certain line and stuff. Brilliant!
Thanks for the interview with the creator.
May 11th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
“I never really considered myself a filmmaker.”
Trust me.
You’re not.
June 15th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Trying hard to reach my cousin Mike Agrusso Please contact me @ marie_agrusso@msn.com