Comic-Con matters not because of the power of the event itself, but because of the power of the fan. Geeks, nerds, whatever you call us, we’re the new power player. Truth is, we’ve always been the ones with the power. What we buy, what we see, what we do determines “the markets”.
If we pile into theaters to see giant robots bash each other to pieces, does it really matter what the critics say? Well, yes, but the point is that our money still gets spent. It’s why geek culture has exploded over the past several years. It’s why we have our own magazines (Geek Monthly), clothing companies (Think Geek), television shows, entire TV networks (Take it as a compliment G4.) and so on and so forth.
It’s a place where trends can be set, where a core sample fanboy and fangirl interests can be taken, and most importantly a place where the lines between geekdom are blurred. Who goes to Comic-Con? Only comic book lovers? No. Only movie fans? No. How about fans of TV shows like, “LOST” and, “Star Trek: TNG”?
The truth is people who read comics love movies and television, and you can say that sentence in any order you want. We might have one primary interest, but we all love media of all kinds. Am I a movie geek first and foremost? Sure. But that doesn't mean I don't have boxes of comics stashed away, because I do. I like to visit Bob's Comic Castle just to talk about movies sometimes while I browse. There's plenty of media cross-over that happens so frequently between all of the above.
For example, consider the prequel comics that Orci and Kurtzman wrote and released before this summer’s “Star Trek” reboot, "
Countdown". That was an excellent four book run.
Companion comics are a regular occurrence lately. Of course, there is the fact that comic book movies are still going, and going and going. I remember being very small and Tim Burton's, "Batman" coming out. The discussion in my house was, "Can comic books make good movies?" Ever since then, every time another comic book movie comes out, it's, "When will this trend end?" I can estimate, oh...never.
Because of what’s possible on the production front now, our paper heroes can be brought to life in a believable way. X-Men, Batman, Superman, Spiderman, the Fantastic Four, hopefully someday Wonder Woman, and coming soon the Green Lantern. (For the record, I think it's a darn shame that they didn't let Joss Whedon filly develop his WW script.)
Lest we forget the unsung classic, "The Rocketeer", the hilarious-to-rent but you secretly like it, "The Shadow", and the even more hilarious-to-rent but it's actually kind of bad, "The Phantom".
Those are just the mainstream comics that have made the leap to the silver screen. There have been so many more, “Road to Perdition”, “Constantine”, "Watchmen", etc.
I could highlight the connections between comics, film and television for pages and pages. But I don’t need to, do I? Comic-Con is a meeting of the minds. It’s an event so powerful that the studios come
to the people.
It’s almost always the reverse, with the fans clamoring for advanced screenings of movies or gathering in comic book stores to talk about which authors are doing what and why. There's a reason that a TV show about four comic book nerds (
The Big Bang Theory) is doing so well, there's a lot more of us now than there used to be. Enough for a mainstream TV show to hold a regular and large viewership. Remember when comic book fans were supposed to look like
Jeff Albertson, the "comic book guy" from "The Simpsons"? Yeah, not so much anymore...
But at Comic-Con, the producers of these materials actually want to connect with the fans. The velvet ropes are down and the fans get the chance to feel acknowledged and heard. At Comic-Con the world is turned upside down, and in my opinion, that’s the right direction. Films, comics, and TV belong to the audience. They belong to us. When we adopt something, it’s ours forever.
Comic-Con also creates an electric atmosphere. I have to be honest, I’m sad to say I’ve never been before. But I have been to Star Wars Celebration, the Doombuggies Swinging Wake and many other conventions, conferences, meetings and events. The environment at all of them is the same. It’s exciting; it’s a place for people to just let their inner geek go. A place where you aren’t asked, “Aren’t you a little too old for that?”
But the truth is, there is no age limit on comic book fans, movie geeks, or the like. There never will be, and Comic-Con gives you the chance to get up close and personal with the people who create and participate in that industry and others who love it as much as you do. (There are even a few opportunities at this year's Con for those of you looking to break in.)
Comic-Con is powerful not only for those that attend, but for those that have the chance to view videos of panel discussions after the fact on the internet. (i.e. the incredible Futurama panel from last year) Leaked previews of films can create buzz for films a year away from their release, and the word of mouth advertising that comes from the event is literally priceless.
Unlike many other elitist industries, comics, films, and television are specifically for the fans. I’m not saying there aren’t bad practices out there; goodness knows we’ve seen our fair share of botched movies and comic runs directed at us fangirls and boys just inside of this year. But Comic-Con is probably the event where the veneer between fan and creator is at its thinnest.
Every year, exciting news breaks there. If you’re like me and you can’t make it, no problem. Just search the internet and you’ll find the news of the day in no time. This is the 40th year for the landmark event, and I think we can cross our fingers that it will happen again next year. Maybe we can make it for the 41st Comic-Con. Until then, I don’t know about you…but I can’t wait to see what happens.
Comments
I've always wanted to go but
I've always wanted to go but it seems like tickets sell out before I even realize it's that time again. After 40 years, it's great to see people still enthusiastic (maybe even obsessive?) about the Con. I'm sure it's going to be killer this year!
Awesome post, Audrey
Very inspirational!
Next Year
I'm going to do whatever it takes to go. I hear you on those tickets selling out LIGHTNING QUICK Michelle...the same thing happened for Star Wars Celebration and the 40th Anniversary party Disney is throwing for the Haunted Mansion. It's such a challenge to get into these special events. Between that and missing the D23 convention this fall due to scheduling problems, I am SERIOUSLY depleted of good convention experiences. Which is a shame, b/c they're a huge source of inspiration for me. I love the hob-nob experience of being around so many peers. I need it to re-charge.
The more you write, the more
The more you write, the more I learn. Please for the sake of geeks everywhere, KEEP WRITING and if you go to a convention soon, take me with you.
I agree
I have to agree that comic cons, gen cons, and sci fi cons are indeed a great meeting of the minds. It is really awesome to see that other people get inspired by these events.
Wow
Now even I want to go, even though I'm hardly a "fan-girl". What is that, anyway?
A fangirl...
is sort of an interchangeable term for lady geek. A fan-girl is very into the details of whatever she loves, be it from the film, comic, or television realm. She's the girl who has costumes from movies, boxes of comic books, and plenty of friends from all over the globe that she chats with online about her particular geeky obsessions. They can be gamers, but they don't have to be. Fan-girls, like super=heroes, have specialties. For example, I'm a Haunted Mansion and Disney World expert, with a touch of obsession over voice-over artists and can recite to you any of the Indiana Jones movies as well as Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, word for word. Every fan-firl has a special power. Hmm...maybe this deserves a blog. haha!
I'll make it one year.
I've always wanted to go out for that. Since Altanta is closer, every year I would drive to Dragon*Con. It's fun, but it's attendance is about 30,000 and Comic-Con has over 100,000. Comic-Con also is close to Hollywood, so they get all the cool sneak previews of movies. Now that I'm in Orlando and have to fly to Atlanta, one year I'll just decide just to fly to San Diego instead.
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