Pekar is a frustrated file clerk working at the local V.A. Hospital. He is also a comic book fan who befriends the young illustrator Robert Crumb and is soon inspired to create comic books based on his own life. Along his bumpy journey he meets, marries and falls in love with Joyce, an admiring comic book seller.

Based on the comic book series "American splendor" by Harvey Pekar and "Our cancer year" by Harvey Pekar and Joyce Brabner. Special features: audio commentary with directors and cast featurette: Sundance Channel's "Anatomy of a scene"; music only track: "American splendor song"; special "My movie year" 6 page comic insert that appeared in "Entertainment Weekly"; animated menus ; DVD ROM features.