Showerthought: My sister said comic fans gatekeep without even trying

She told me, 'You guys talk about runs and artists I've never heard of, and it feels like a test.' It hit different because she's right, we just assume everyone knows the deep cuts. Do you think being a 'real fan' means knowing the obscure stuff, or just loving the characters?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_wendy1mo ago

See it as sharing cool stuff, not a test. Loving the characters is the main thing, but talking about a great run is just wanting to share that joy.

jenny471mo ago

Exactly, it's just fans wanting to share the hype. Got into a new series recently and my friend wouldn't stop texting me about this one artist's issues. Wasn't a quiz, just pure excitement. That kind of energy is what makes following stories so fun. Makes you remember why you got into it in the first place.

evan_green521mo ago

Feel for your sister, that's totally real. I've been on both sides. I once tried to talk to my cousin about the whole Krakoa thing in X-Men and just watched his eyes glaze over. But I also remember my buddy getting me into Hellboy by just handing me a trade and saying "trust me, this art is wild." It's a hard line between sharing a cool thing and making someone feel left out. The love for the characters is the only real ticket you need.