World's Finest Teen Titans #3, DC Comics, cover-dated November 2023.
"Welcome to Titans Con!" by Mark Waid, with art by Emanuela Lupacchino. .
What
happens when Professor Alan and Chief Fanhole Derek Crabbe visit Titans Con? How angry is Derek going to get? And how much does Mark Waid dislike comic book fans?
Listen to the episode and find out!
Click on the player below to listen to the episode:
Right-click to download episode directly
You may also subscribe to the podcast through iTunes or the RSS Feed.
Promo: COMIC BOOK TIME MACHINE
Link: Derek's Fanholes Podcast
Next
Episode: Sea Devils 18, DC Comics, July-August 1964.
Send e-mail feedback to relativelygeeky@gmail.com
"Like" us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/relativelygeeky
You can follow the network on Twitter @Relatively_Geek and the host @ProfessorAlan
Source: The bagging and boarding competition, Heroes Con 2024.
Music in the episode: Sunshine Day, by Mixaund. His music can be found at MIXAUND.bandcamp.com. Song Source: Free-Stock-Music.com
There is a lot to talk about from this absolutely wonderful discussion so bear with me.
ReplyDeleteEmanuela Lupacchino - first saw her work WAAAYYYYY back in the K. Perkins run on Supergirl in 2014 and have always been a fan. Loved her work on Starfire and am always happy to see her on a book I am buying.
Mark Waid -when he concentrates on writing good superhero stories that are classic in nature but modernized (like BSWF for the most part), he sings to me. But some of his stuff doesn't hit home (I skipped this series for what its worth) because he is heavy handed. And I definitely have to separate the art from the person as he recently said the election will make his work suffer.
Which leads to this issue which sounds ham-fisted. The first thing is this. Waid should celebrate the industry and things like conventions. If I had never been to a con before, if I read this issue, I might think 'I never want to go to something so gross'. That isn't what Waid should be promoting. So maybe there should have been some 'there is way more good than bad at these things'.
To riff on what Derek said, I have a very short leash with comics. They are expensive. Gone are the days of 'I'll give this new comic 6 months to see where it is going." Back in the day that 6 month trial might cost you $5. Now it could be $30. So usually I will drop comics quickly if the tone is off. I am not reading comics to be preached at. I certainly don't want to read books where I am painted as the enemy. Had I been collecting this book, I would have dropped it here.
Next, you are right that while there are creepy fans there are also a-hole creators who simply are brusque or rude with their fans. So maybe a mirror should have been held up a bit.
I go to many conventions and have way more positive experiences, meeting creators and talking about the work and comics in general. I think most fans are just that ... fans who are excited.
But in this era, I also have made sure to feel out the vibe. For example, I met a celeb and bought the 'pic and autograph' package. For the pic, she came out from behind the table to stand next to me. I basically froze, standing rigid so I didn't invade space or do anything that might be perceived as odd. She finally said 'you can stand closer' letting me know what is allowed. I was grateful figuring that someone like her might have more handsy folks snuggle in too much.
But more and more, I feel I am becoming a grumpy old man.
Maybe you need some sort of 'convention therapy' episode?
Thanks, Doc. Welcome to the "Grumpy Old Man" stage of life.
DeleteMost of the interactions I've seen or been involved with at cons have been positive, or at a minimum neutral. But I can imagine that being a creator who witnesses, or is part of, negative interactions ... that could certainty turn one against the fans, to one extent or another.
And thank you for the affirmation that new comics are too darn expensive!