Combining the aesthetics of ‘30s-era pulpy adventure serials and Good Girl Art, illustrator Dave Stevens rocketed to comic book stardom in the ‘80s. Unfortunately, the beloved creator died from a rare form of leukemia in 2008 at the much too young age of 52. Kelvin Mao’s new documentary, Dave Stevens: Drawn to Perfection, lovingly charts the life of a man dedicated to pursuing the path of a pure artist.
Of course, Stevens is best known for creating the Rocketeer, a character that perhaps shares more DNA with the likes of Tarzan and Doc Savage than with Superman or Captain America. This aspect was just one of the ways in which Stevens set himself apart from his contemporaries. Another was his reverence for iconic ‘50s-era pinup model Bettie Page. The documentary asserts that Page’s renewed popularity which began in the ‘80s can largely be traced to Stevens’ efforts.
So, there’s plenty of discussion about both of those subjects. However, Mao endeavors to paint a full portrait of the man as well as the artist. Friends, colleagues, and lovers fondly recall interactions that give context to the tons of gorgeous illustrations and paintings that often adorn the screen. This approach allows us to better understand Stevens’ work while also showing how his artistic preoccupations manifested in his personal life.
Outside of the lush artwork, this is not a flashy film. Cinematographer Wey Wang presents interview subjects in an uncomplicated manner. When juxtaposed against archival footage, shots of artwork, and scenes from Disney’s big screen adaptation of The Rocketeer, it still makes for a somewhat dynamic presentation, though. This is largely thanks to editor Rob Chatlin’s efforts to weave these pieces together and maintain rhythm and coherency. It might feel basic, but it’s polished and confident.
Kelvin Mao’s Dave Stevens: Drawn to Perfection is a no-frills look at what made an artist’s artist tick. Folks like Brinke Stevens, Geof Darrow, Adam Hughes, and Joe Johnston regale us with tales of what Stevens was like as a person while illustrating why his art was unique amongst his peers. At 99 minutes, it’s a well-rounded portrait that doesn’t overstay its welcome. Even if you’ve never heard of Stevens, the material does a good job of explaining his relevance. I would obviously recommend it to comic lovers, but also to fans of Drew: The Man Behind the Poster, and Document of the Dead. It should be noted that Dave Stevens: Drawn to Perfection contains some coarse language and illustrations of nudes, so it may not be appropriate for all audiences. It is scheduled for release to on-demand platforms on December 2nd.
Michael Cavender