American Splendor

As the Halloween night of 1950 fades into memory, we find Harvey Pekar (Harvey Pekar) steadfastly refusing to don a superhero costume while trick-or-treating, a decision that would later become a metaphor for his unconventional approach to life. Fast-forwarding to a series of documentary-style vignettes, we witness the real Harvey Pekar sharing his experiences as a part-time used-record collector and salesman, a pursuit that allowed him to connect with like-minded individuals.

The cinematic fabric is woven from fragments of time, with 1962 serving as the backdrop for Harvey's chance encounter with shy greeting card illustrator Robert Crumb (Robert Crumb) at a yard sale. The two kindred spirits bond over their shared passion for jazz and comic books, laying the groundwork for a lasting friendship that would transcend genres.

As we jump forward to 1975, a now-popular Crumb returns to Cleveland for a visit, only to find Harvey struggling to come to terms with his newfound single status. A somber moment spent amidst the "deceased" files at the VA hospital where he works serves as a catalyst for Harvey's creative awakening, prompting him to attempt drawing his own stories despite his evident lack of artistic talent.

However, an unexpected epiphany at a local supermarket inspires Harvey to pour his emotions onto paper, leading him to stay up all night writing. It is here that Crumb intervenes, offering to illustrate the scripts Harvey has been working on for a new comic book series. The resulting collaboration would go on to yield eight critically acclaimed issues of American Splendor, though financial rewards remain elusive.

As Harvey's artistic voice gains traction, he finds himself reuniting with Alice Quinn, a woman from his college days, over shared discussions about Theodore Dreiser's Jennie Gerhardt. This chance encounter leaves him feeling more isolated than ever.

Meanwhile, in Delaware, Joyce is frustrated by her partner's decision to sell her copy of American Splendor No. 8, an act that sparks a correspondence with Harvey. As they discover their kindred spirits, Joyce travels to Cleveland, and the two embark on a dinner date that ultimately culminates in a whirlwind romance. Following a bout of nausea and vomiting at his apartment, Harvey's concern for Joyce's well-being leads her to suggest skipping courtship and getting married, an unexpected twist that would forever alter the trajectory of their lives.

As the days go by, Harvey finds himself reunited with his colleague Toby Radloff (Toby), who's on his way to Toledo to indulge in the cinematic splendor of Revenge of the Nerds. Meanwhile, Harvey is bound for Delaware, where he'll be tying the knot with Joyce and lending a hand in her relocation to Cleveland. Sitting beside the real-life Harvey Pekar, the genuine Joyce Brabner shares tales of what it's like to have one's life woven into the fabric of his stories.

As Harvey and Joyce settle into married life, they attend a screening of Revenge of the Nerds alongside Toby. However, Harvey is left underwhelmed by the film's mediocrity. The newlyweds' domestic bliss is soon disrupted by a message from a theater producer, eager to adapt American Splendor into a stage production. Following its successful Los Angeles debut, Harvey's rising fame is tempered by Joyce's emotional struggles and maternal yearnings, further complicated when a producer offers him a guest spot on Late Night with David Letterman (David Letterman). Harvey's appearance on the show proves a resounding success, leading to multiple return engagements, while Toby's newfound MTV stardom serves as a constant reminder of their diverging paths.

Meanwhile, back in Cleveland, Harvey's anonymity is shattered when someone recognizes him from his Late Night escapades. This sudden notoriety only serves to infuriate him further. As Joyce pursues her creative and activist endeavors at a peace conference without Harvey's blessing, he's left grappling with the discovery of a lump on his groin.

Without Joyce by his side, Harvey finds himself returning to Late Night, this time donning an "On Strike Against NBC" t-shirt, which leads to chaos. When Joyce finally returns, she's met with the unwelcome revelation of Harvey's diagnosis: lymphoma. In the face of his impending mortality, Joyce urges him to chronicle his experience through a comic book, but Harvey's initial reluctance is eventually tempered by her determination.

As Harvey navigates the arduous process of treatment, he begins to question the nature of reality, wondering if he's merely a character in a comic book or an actual flesh-and-blood individual. One fateful night, he finds himself lost in a surreal dreamscape, pondering the various Harveys that populate the telephone directory.

A year later, Harvey and Joyce proudly sign off on the completed Our Cancer Year, only to be met with the triumphant news of his remission from cancer. As they prepare to adopt Danielle, their hearts are filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the life they've built together. The real-life Harvey Pekar hangs up his VA hat, and in a poignant celebration of his retirement, Joyce, Danielle, and Harvey share a heartfelt embrace with their colleagues at the VA hospital.