One of the emails I received as result of my now legendary Manga Threat/Manga Opportunity posts (and yes, I’m milking those for all they're worth) had the following line in it:
“Superhero comics are a stagnating wreckage of homoerotic, spandex clad imagery groped only by you aging, overweight, sweaty fanboys in the seclusion of your mother’s basement."
To which I thought, “Hey, I’m not a fanboy!”
I’m actually quoting a bit out of context - the writer was having a little fun summarizing what she thought some folks who read manga thought of those of us who read superhero comics. But I’m firm in my conviction that I’m truly not a fanboy.
When I start to think about what kind of fan I am I realize I’m the kind of fan who’s slightly out of touch with the younger fans. I’m very likely to say things that make them roll their eyes and not want to be seen with me in public. My clothes aren’t very cool and I really like to barbeque. It’s not uncommon for me to talk about the good ol’ days of comics and sometimes I fall asleep in my recliner with comic books and the cat in my lap. If I overheard a manga fan and superhero fan having an argument, calling each other “poopie-head” and whatnot, I’d likely step in with a stern, “That’s enough boys!” (And you know it would be boys.)
There’s more, but you get the idea. I’m a FanDad and I can accept that. And the first one of you characters who asks for an allowance is grounded for a week.
Comments