Ep 2. Life After Clerks

In season 1, episode 2 of Comic Book Men titled "Life After Clerks," the team at Kevin Smith's comic book store, Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash, recollects the time when they starred in the film 'Clerks.' The episode begins with Walt Flanagan, the manager of the store, catching up with customers and asking them to pose in superhero cutouts. Bryan Johnson, the owner of the store, joins Walt and talks about the aftermath of being a part of 'Clerks.'

The show's opening moments show Bryan feeling nostalgic about the film and how he feels that it changed his life. Bryan talks to Kevin Smith, the writer, and director of 'Clerks' about the impact that the film not only had on fans but on their personal lives. The conversation steers towards Kevin's creation of the characters Jay and Silent Bob and their initial appearance in 'Clerks.' Kevin explains how he created the two characters and how they became an integral part of his universe.

The next segment of the episode focuses on the store and the people who come in to sell comic books. A man walks in with a book that is based on the 'Justice League' but with a twist. Instead of superheroes, the comic features members of the Jesus League. The team finds this amusing, and they begin to negotiate the price of the book.

The conversation shifts to the comics that are based on the show 'The Walking Dead.' Walt explains to the customers about how the comic book series came to be and how it differs from the popular television show. The show's popularity led to the creation of a new TV show on AMC, which led to a surge in sales for the comic book series.

The next segment of the show focuses on the guys discussing their respective experiences in the retail world. Walt shares a story about a customer who was looking for a particular issue of a comic book and how he searched high and low to fulfill the customer's request. Bryan shares a story about how he refused to sell a rare comic book to a customer who was being openly condescending to him.

The show then takes a different turn as the guys discuss the personal relationships that inspired Kevin Smith's films. Kevin opens up about his inspiration for 'Clerks' and how it was based on his own experiences working at a convenience store. Walt shares a story about his wife, who was the inspiration for a character in Kevin's film 'Chasing Amy.'

The final segment of the episode focuses on Steve-Dave, a regular customer at the store, and his obsession with the 'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.' Steve-Dave has created a gym routine based on the Power Rangers, and the guys are impressed with his dedication. After the workout, the group steps outside to find the DeLorean car from the Back to the Future series parked outside the store. The owner of the car stops by to show off his vehicle and there is a discussion about the films.

Overall, the episode provides a mix of entertainment, humor, and personal stories. It's great to see the group reminisce about being a part of the cult classic 'Clerks.' It's also entertaining to see their interactions with customers who come in to sell their comic books. The show provides an in-depth look at the comic book world and how it has changed over the years. A must-watch for all comic book and Kevin Smith fans.