Pop culture hijacks geek culture
Nathan Carter
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: Voices
I would like to express my displeasure that my culture has been hijacked and held hostage by pop culture.
It has been happening for a long time. It began before I was born, but I have seen it flourish in my generation more than any previous generation.
First it was cartoons and comic books. Then it was George Reeves, followed by Adam West on television. Then it was Christopher Reeves and Michael Keaton on the silver screen.
Then it exploded.
I am, of course, talking about comic book culture. I only mentioned DC Comics characters because they are my favorites. And this is my column, so I can do that. My problem isn't that the films and television series are popular. My problem isn't that there is more merchandise to buy (because that is what I love about it). My problem is all the people who watch the films and come out thinking they have the whole of everything.
So you watched The Dark Night. Good for you. So how did Two-Face get his face destroyed in the comics? Which comic was that? Who wrote it?
Yeah…that's what I thought.
For the 20 or so people on campus who could answer at least two of the last three questions, you get an A. I figured you needed motivation. Finals are coming up after all.
How about Superman? Lex Luthor is the default villain for the films. Name another.
Thought so.
Another thing that bothers me is people claim to be "a huge fan" because the movie sparked their interest.
Granted, you went out and bought the graphic novel afterwards. Good for you. I have done a bit of this myself, but I have always picked up Batman here and there and have tried to keep up with the story line and writers. I also was a junkie for the 1990s cartoon and the Adam West television shows. You just picked up a single copy of Watchmen without any knowledge or interest in the works of Alan Moore.
My suggestion, try some research (in the case of the previously mentioned Allan Moore, The Killing Joke is a good place to start). Find a writer you like and collect his or her writings. In the meantime, you can catch up on some things you have missed (like your misspent youth). In the meantime, shell out some cash and enjoy your formal education. Till then, shut up until you have become educated enough to speak about it. You just make a fool of yourself.
You have been warned.
It has been happening for a long time. It began before I was born, but I have seen it flourish in my generation more than any previous generation.
First it was cartoons and comic books. Then it was George Reeves, followed by Adam West on television. Then it was Christopher Reeves and Michael Keaton on the silver screen.
Then it exploded.
I am, of course, talking about comic book culture. I only mentioned DC Comics characters because they are my favorites. And this is my column, so I can do that. My problem isn't that the films and television series are popular. My problem isn't that there is more merchandise to buy (because that is what I love about it). My problem is all the people who watch the films and come out thinking they have the whole of everything.
So you watched The Dark Night. Good for you. So how did Two-Face get his face destroyed in the comics? Which comic was that? Who wrote it?
Yeah…that's what I thought.
For the 20 or so people on campus who could answer at least two of the last three questions, you get an A. I figured you needed motivation. Finals are coming up after all.
How about Superman? Lex Luthor is the default villain for the films. Name another.
Thought so.
Another thing that bothers me is people claim to be "a huge fan" because the movie sparked their interest.
Granted, you went out and bought the graphic novel afterwards. Good for you. I have done a bit of this myself, but I have always picked up Batman here and there and have tried to keep up with the story line and writers. I also was a junkie for the 1990s cartoon and the Adam West television shows. You just picked up a single copy of Watchmen without any knowledge or interest in the works of Alan Moore.
My suggestion, try some research (in the case of the previously mentioned Allan Moore, The Killing Joke is a good place to start). Find a writer you like and collect his or her writings. In the meantime, you can catch up on some things you have missed (like your misspent youth). In the meantime, shell out some cash and enjoy your formal education. Till then, shut up until you have become educated enough to speak about it. You just make a fool of yourself.
You have been warned.
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