A Lesson In Fandom - How to not be a jerk

I love comic book fans! They are some of the best fans in the world, so much so that I attend a monthly all women comic book club (find out more about that here) which is a great place to discuss your favorites, share ideas, find out about new series and just generally geek out. The women who attend are all lovely, friendly and open to different opinions as the entire point of this club is that it is for all levels or readers "from those who have never read a comic, through to those who can name all the Spider-Versions from the Spider-Verse". As accepting as all these lovely ladies are there is a saying that "no fandom hates its own members as much as the comic book fandom". Unfortunately there is a small but vocal percentage that use terms like "fake geek" and "fake geek girl". So I decided I would write about how it is okay and not okay behavior in a fandom.

You should come and hang out with us next month

OKAY: Going total fangirl/fanboy over someones cosplay

People work very hard on their cosplays in their spare time, with some of them taking hundreds of hours of hard work. People usually really appreciate hearing that you like their cosplay but remember be polite, ask before taking photos and I know I don't need to tell you this but don't touch them inappropriately.

NOT OKAY: Pointing out mistakes in someones cosplay

Part of the fun of going to conventions and special events is seeing other people in cosplay and getting to dress up yourself, unfortunately not everybody can sew or like me has a very patient mother who can sew and is willing to teach. Dressing up is part of the fun even if you don't have a working arc reactor in your Iron Man costume.

OKAY: Having a differing opinion of a comic/character

I've had discussions with someone who thinks Batman is a villain because he is a vigilante I don't entirely agree but he did however have some very good points that made me think and reconsider the character.

NOT OKAY: Telling someone their opinion of a comic/character is stupid

Two people can look at a picture and see something completely different. This doesn't make them wrong they just see things in a different way. Remember variety is the spice of life.

OKAY: Talking to someone about a series they are unfamiliar with

Word of mouth is a great way to learn about different series just remember not to go on and on and on and on and on and on..........

NOT OKAY: Calling them a fake geek for not knowing the entire history of Superman

Don't be that person. There is way more in any series that anybody could ever possibly memorize so don't judge someone on not knowing as much as you it doesn't make them any less of a fan.


OKAY: Asking someone their favorite issue/arc

 Everybody loves talking about their favorites.

NOT OKAY: Quizzing them to test their knowledge

Seriously don't be that guy.

OKAY: Telling local creators you love their work

I love local creators and creator owned comic and I get reaaaaaaaaally excited when I meet them. Local creators pour their heart and soul into their work so it must be very nice for them to hear that people enjoy their work.

NOT OKAY: Telling local creators that their work is weird, you haven't heard of them or their work is expensive.

This is how people want to react when you do this

Local creators work very hard on their comics and they mean a lot to them so if you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all. As for the price, it is expensive to make comic books especially if they are being funded out of the creators own pockets which they usually are.

OKAY: Have fun. Being part of a fandom is one of the best things in the world because you get to be in a family with millions of other people who love the things you love. 

These are some of the great ladies from the All Star Women's Comic Book Club. I'm up the back left doing jazz hands.

I've actually had a very good friend of mine tell me he was actually a little jealous of the geek community because you can connect with so many people and we are like one big happy family

NOT OKAY: Let other people spoil your fun. There are always people that seem to enjoy spoiling other peoples fun, don't let them ruin yours.

 You are going to meet jerks no matter what you do in life just remember one thing: they are jerks.