Are we really any different from sports fanatics?

[Chris Wallace]

Time and time again I have faced criticism ranging from playful ribbing to vicious ridicule over my love of comics, and the various manners in which I express it. But I was once told that I was no different than any sports fan, sitting up watching every game wearing the team jersey and piling up all sorts of trivial facts about his favorite players.
Thoughts?

 

[Lencho01]

I'd say we are no different from them. People are fan(atics), nerds, or whatever one chooses to call them, about different things on different levels. Simply because we have different interests and like certains things more than others. There's no reason to make fun of anyone even if we could.

Like you pointed out, you could easily turn it around on them about how none of these sports and facts affect them directly since they aren't directly involved.

 

[Ultra Lantern]

Everyone has a hobby.

 

[RockSP]

Well I think it's possible to be a fan of something without going overboard. As far as being a "fanatic" goes yeah there's no difference other than sports fanatacism is more mainstream and viewed as acceptable due to the huge fanbase. But over the top fanboyism cracks me up no matter what it's based on. Whether it's lusting after a fictional heroine or spraypainting your body with "your" team's colors and running around half nude in freezing weather, it's gonna get a snicker from me.

 

[THE MR. TERRIFIC]

I think all fan-dom is related.

 

[Erzengel]

This has been discussed ad nauseum.

To me dressing up and painting your face/body to go to a sporting event to watch overly paid athletes play a game is no different that a fan dressing up as Batman to go to a convention.

Unfortunately, even with how relevant and commonplace comics have become there's still a stereotype and what's considered acceptable.

 

[Chris Wallace]

Which is sad. Wearing a t-shirt symbolizing a character you could never become is nerdy. Wearing the jersey of a team you'll never play for (and including yourself every time you refer to said team: "We" did this, "we" did that) is perfectly acceptable. The only time you can really get away with wearing superhero paraphernalia with a minimum of ridicule is if the character has a hit movie currently in theatres. Then again, I've never heard of an alcohol-fueled brawl breaking out at a Con, people fighting damn near to the death over whether one character is cooler than another or rioting and looting to celebrate a comic book-related achievement.

 

[Erzengel]

I'd definitely go to a Comic-Con for that to see asthma inhalers and retainers flying everywhere.

 

[S.A.A.D.]

I think that we are different from sports fanatics for the most part, we don't give off the trashy vibe and the excessive level of 'machismo'. We don't do legitimate betting, and we also don't sit partially naked while watching stuff, especially come winter time.

 

[SuperFerret]

We just go to different extremes.

Also, when the hell did you get unbanned?

 

[Erzengel]

I think that we are different from sports fanatics for the most part, we don't give off the trashy vibe and the excessive level of 'machismo'. We don't do legitimate betting, and we also don't sit partially naked while watching stuff, especially come winter time.

That's not any better when I see people both men and women, wearing a costume 2 sizes too small for them with pasty white skin that hasn't seen the light of day.

 

[Spider-Who?]

I've never heard of an alcohol-fueled brawl breaking out at a Con, people fighting damn near to the death over whether one character is cooler than another or rioting and looting to celebrate a comic book-related achievement.

That's because all our fighting is done on the internet.

 

[Optimus_Prime_]

They probably aren't that different on paper, but when you start factoring reality into the equation I think it's hard to deny that comics and sports simply are not on the same level. Cities don't invest millions upon millions of dollars to build comic book stores. There is no massive network contracts going to Marvel and DC. Nothing the comic world produced rivals ESPN, VERSUS, The GOLF Channel, NFL Network, MLB Network and SPEED. Also, despite the protests from the Real Life Superhero community, you can't go play a pick up game of Batman with your friends -- I mean, I suppose you could in theory, but most of what exists in comics cannot be replicated in reality whereas EVERYTHING in sports can be done as long as you practice at it (maybe not at a professional level, but fundamentally it's all the same). I also think because athletes are real people, and they compete in reality, it also in some sense separates them from comic books. Batman vs the Hulk isn't determined by a bunch of concrete statistics, whereas the greatness of players like Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, Albert Pujols are very real things determined by very real acheivements. Sports also provide a healthy outlet for competitiveness and risk taking, and while it's unfair to stereotype comic readers as basement dwellers I also wouldn't say they are the bastion of manliness, competition and risk-taking. Moreover, while the internet provides an atmosphere for nerds to debate, it's on a much more insulated playing field. I've gotten in some heated debates here, but I've never pulled a hammy berating someone for denying the greatness of Cyclops.

 

[SuperFerret]

Dammit! I just can't see the forest with all those damn trees in the way!

 

[Erzengel]

They probably aren't that different on paper, but when you start factoring reality into the equation I think it's hard to deny that comics and sports simply are not on the same level. Cities don't invest millions upon millions of dollars to build comic book stores. There is no massive network contracts going to Marvel and DC. Nothing the comic world produced rivals ESPN, VERSUS, The GOLF Channel, NFL Network, MLB Network and SPEED. Also, despite the protests from the Real Life Superhero community, you can't go play a pick up game of Batman with your friends -- I mean, I suppose you could in theory, but most of what exists in comics cannot be replicated in reality whereas EVERYTHING in sports can be done as long as you practice at it (maybe not at a professional level, but fundamentally it's all the same). I also think because athletes are real people, and they compete in reality, it also in some sense separates them from comic books. Batman vs the Hulk isn't determined by a bunch of concrete statistics, whereas the greatness of players like Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, Albert Pujols are very real things determined by very real acheivements. Sports also provide a healthy outlet for competitiveness and risk taking, and while it's unfair to stereotype comic readers as basement dwellers I also wouldn't say they are the bastion of manliness, competition and risk-taking. Moreover, while the internet provides an atmosphere for nerds to debate, it's on a much more insulated playing field. I've gotten in some heated debates here, but I've never pulled a hammy berating someone for denying the greatness of Cyclops.

Well Cyclops did eff a lot of hot telepaths.

 

[Yurka]

Which is sad. Wearing a t-shirt symbolizing a character you could never become is nerdy. Wearing the jersey of a team you'll never play for (and including yourself every time you refer to said team: "We" did this, "we" did that) is perfectly acceptable. The only time you can really get away with wearing superhero paraphernalia with a minimum of ridicule is if the character has a hit movie currently in theatres. Then again, I've never heard of an alcohol-fueled brawl breaking out at a Con, people fighting damn near to the death over whether one character is cooler than another or rioting and looting to celebrate a comic book-related achievement.

Well someone did get stabbed in the eye at Comic-Con last year , but I get your point.

I think there are simply a greater number of sports fans, hell, I'm also a sports fan. Are they different? I dont really think so, I believe that comic fans are more of a minority and probably always will be so there tend to be those negative stereotypes.

 

[Optimus_Prime_]

I think, despite the many fat, amorphous blobs who watch sports like it's their job, that sports do a lot to promote physical activity. If you're passionate about sports to the point that you want to devote your life to them more than likely you'll have to compete and practice to make that dream a reality. Even if you simply wished to be an ESPN analyst or a sports writer it helps your resume immensely if you have played sports - particularly the one you wish to be involved in. Coaching as well. While most coaches were not star athletes, generally they gained their encyclopedic knowledge of their respective games by playing them and being involved team sports.

With comics the only true outlets are writing them, drawing them, or I suppose reviewing them. While I think writing and illustrating literature is a noble pursuit, both are kind of esoteric hobbies that simply don't garner the respect and status of a professional Quarterback. That may be a little shameful; being well educated and having the ability to write/illustrate are very incredible talents that really better us as a society, but on the other hand devoting those talents to comics may not be the best outlet for them. As much as comic fans want the same deference given to them as sports fans, I think it's just too hard to compete with reality.

 

[amazingfantasy15]

The difference between comics and sports is one is a social activity and the other is a solo activity. You'll never seeing 100,000 people turn up to see someone write, draw or read a comic.

 

[SuperFerret]

The difference between comics and sports is one is a social activity and the other is a solo activity. You'll never seeing 100,000 people turn up to see someone write, draw or read a comic.

Look! Someone who gets that it's not about the details and actually provides an actual difference between being a sports fan and being a comics fan.

 

[Spider-X]

If Comic fan = Comic nerd
Then Sports fan = Sports nerd

If you know a lot of statistics and details about a particular thing/hobby/etc...you are a nerd...doesn't matter if it's sports or comics.

I'd say the biggest difference between sports and comics is the obvious: sports are played by actual humans and take a lot of discipline and often bodily effort to be good at. Where as comics are pretty much just awesomely drawn picture books with stories about people, often fictional with supernatural abilities involved...though they are written, drawn, and produced by very talented people.

It just depends where you find the most value: actual humans giving there all to win in physical competition, or amazing stories/art made by amazingly talented writers and artists. Both things can inspire, depress, make you laugh, cry, etc.

But that's really what it boils down to...A sports "fan" calls you a nerd because you like comics...call them a nerd back, because that's what they are too.

 

[KevanG]

Well I don't remember the last time there was a riot when Superman won a fight in the comics unlike the European football riots.

 

[Spider-X]

Well I don't remember the last time there was a riot when Superman won a fight in the comics unlike the European football riots.

if you had a colosseum full of comic fans reading a particularly massive and important battle for the first time and it didn't end how many would want...blood would be spilled

 

[Optimus_Prime_]

Dammit! I just can't see the forest with all those damn trees in the way!

I can't really tell if you're agreeing or being satirical/sarcastic, so I'll take this as an opportunity to expand upon my point -- rather than direct this specifically at you.

If we're just going to speak in generalities, as everything appears on paper, there is no real difference. Yet, that reminds me of my friend the Cowboys fan, and an exchange we had. He told me at the beginning of 2010 that "The Cowboys are the best team on paper" and my prophetic response was "then Tony Romo can have fun playing paper Football in the post-season". The fact is, this doesn't play out in reality the way it does in some purely academic discussion we may have about it. I'd certainly like to say comic nerds warrant the same "respect" sports fans get, but the reality is sports are a more social activity that carries more weight and has a larger societal impact than comic books. I also have a feeling that it's just more primal for humans to worship physical competition, which may explain why sports are so popular and why comics just don't carry the same appeal.

 

[C. Lee]

Time and time again I have faced criticism ranging from playful ribbing to vicious ridicule over my love of comics, and the various manners in which I express it. But I was once told that I was no different than any sports fan, sitting up watching every game wearing the team jersey and piling up all sorts of trivial facts about his favorite players.
Thoughts?

I've never say in the rain or snow to read my favorite comic book.....

 

[Scourge2099]

This one sports fanatic laughed when he saw me reading Fear Itself , but he uses football analogies to describe bus drivers.