In the past few months, I can't help but look around and feel a tremendous sense of vindication. When certain people indoctrinated me into the world of comic books when I was in middle school, comic books and superheroes were largely deemed to be "kid's stuff" And anybody who read them was certainly categorized with a certain degree of "geek factor." I remember wondering how anyone who gave "The Dark Knight Returns" or "Watchmen" half of a chance, could not come away not thinking that they were cool as hell? I know that it was pretty tough to walk around school with a comic book in your bag and not be the butt of someone's joke.
I'd like to think that I was secure enough with myself that I didn't care, but who doesn't want to be popular in high school? I know I was part of a "comic book club" that met after school, but I also know I didn't advertise that fact to my friends who were jocks.
Of course, eventually you grow up, maybe go to college and realize that most people like something that is off the beaten path, and you learn not to care. Still, when I met my wife I can remember her trying to stifle a laugh when I told her I was a fan of comic books. My sad devotion to this ancient religion still annoys her as I argue with friends over some point of comic minutiae.
But the most amazing things has happened in the past few years.....the rest of the world finally caught up with us. It can be debated as to the reasons, whether it be computer sfx, the prevalence of comic readers in Hollywood, the influence of gaming, or some other factor, but comic books and superheroes are taking over the world. Spider-man, The Incredibles, X-Men, Iron Man, Dark Knight, Heroes, Lost (if you don't think this is a comic book, you haven't been paying attention), 300, and hundreds of others. In 2008, of the top five highest grossing films, 3 were comic book movies. And possibly most amazingly, Heath Ledger has been nominated for an Oscar for his role in Dark Knight. I know part of it comes from his untimely death, but still, 15 years ago, you could barely get a comic movie made; now they are worthy of Academy consideration.
Of course with this amount of content out there, there are going to be some missteps (Punisher War Zone?) but they have amazingly been pretty few and far between. And with every new movie or show that comes out, the geek in me wants to jump to my feet, raise my fist (thumb visible, of course) and shout "Vindication!"
And when I do, my wife inevitably shakes her head and laughs...
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6 comments:
"sad devotion to this ancient religion" huh? OK, Darth, I'm there with ya. Although I agree with the bulk of your commentary, I never felt the need to be vindicated. I always knew people would wise up eventually.
Also....I think that if Dark Knight had not been a Batman movie (i.e. - all characters were not in costume), and nothing else changed surrounding the film...it would have at least been nominated for best picture, if not best screenplay. It's too bad that the academy can't seem to get past this. But then...that condescending attitude toward comic books is not, as you well know, uncommon.
Last one, I promise...
Lest I forget: "I find your lack of faith....disturbing."
I wish there had been a comic book club at my high school! Guess I was lucky regardless. It wasn't the coolest thing in the world to walk down the hall with comics in hand but there were enough kids that liked comics and brought them into class to read that in a way we were our own informal club. Other kids who weren't into it so much were still curious and often interested enough to borrow and read them.
I've definitely noticed the influence of comics on tv shows which is a more natural transition than movies since comics come out periodically like tv shows. Lost is a prime example and of course the success of Heroes and Smallville couldn't be more blatantly obvious. I could go on and on about how I've seen the influence of comics grow exponentially on popular media but I think I'll save it for a full fledged post for that very reason.
I'd be remiss not to comment on the cool title of your post and how accurate it seems. Once-geeky stuff like sci-fi and comics and anime has become shockingly mainstream to someone like myself who remembers how they were all relegated to misfits and dark basements at one time. Anime and manga are probably the most surprising since manga has taken over whole rows at bookstores and there are plenty of anime conventions with high attendance all over the place now. I know 'cause I've attended and had a blast. However, the comic conventions are almost TOO mainstream and commercial now. That's sad. I miss the unique community feel those old conventions had - even Comicfest, Philly's first real comic convention had a community feel in spite of being absolutely massive. I should've taken photos as I've never been to another convention quite like it. Nowadays Wizard cons just feels sterile and disappointing. At least the anime cons still have that in spades.
Hands down, the best comic book conventions I ever attended were in Mount Laurel, NJ. Close, well attended by both buyers and sellers and you didn't have to deal with city parking or public transportation.
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