Are we really any different from sports fanatics?

[terry78]

Batman is a kid who lives in his parent's basement and pretends he's a bat.

Wolverine is the way too old guy who keeps trying to buy young teenage girls beer.

Cyclops is the weirdo who insists on wearing sunglasses everywhere he goes.

Spider-Man is the kid who gets one-itis after Mary Jane "friend zones" him.

Thing is Jewish.

Green Lantern is the wash-out who wants nothing more than for a green man to give him some ring so he can claim he's in fact brave and not a loser.

Tony Stark is the kid who never learned to share.

Mr. Fantastic is the science nerd who tries too hard with everyone and constantly f***s up.

Booster Gold is the guy who goes and hangs around his old high school trying to impress girls with how mature he is.

Basically, a good chunk of these characters just had **** fall into their lap. Sense of entitlement fantasy.

 

[Paladin-Hoss]

Nice discussion...

Though it seems to me that the sport fans side seems to paint with a very broad stroke.

To those of you who thinks that being a sport fanatic automatically trumps being a fan of fictional characters...or that being a hardcore sport fan can only be a good thing...

I suggest a trip to Europe, then attend a soccer match, and then hang around after the match to meet the Hooligans.

then maybe, like me, you'll laugh seeing how a 40 years old accountant trembling with rage and threatening to kill you just because you told him that you're not a fan of his fav. team.

 

[BlackLantern]

oh that's most definitely just as bad and worrisome as the guy who bought one of Captain Kirks original series uniform......and showers in it

 

[Spider-Aziz]

When I aggressively defend my hobby, I'm on fanatic mode
When I ignore criticism for my hobby, I'm not a fanatic

 

[Paladin-Hoss]

oh that's most definitely just as bad and worrisome as the guy who bought one of Captain Kirks original series uniform......and showers in it

Yup! but there's one difference though. I can actually goes to youtube and show you videos of these wonderfull and balanced individuals.

Or...in YOUR case...show you the 'IT'S STILL REAL TO ME,DAMMIT!'guy video again


the guy who showers in captain Kirk costume on the other hand...

 

[BlackLantern]

Yup! but there's one difference though. I can actually goes to youtube and show you videos of these wonderfull and balanced individuals.

Or...in YOUR case...show you the 'IT'S STILL REAL TO ME,DAMMIT!'guy video again


the guy who showers in captain Kirk costume on the other hand...

haha...one of my favorites...always a good tension breaker when folks catch feelings in the wrestling thread

[YT]BvTNyKIGXiI[/YT]

 

[Optimus_Prime_]

Wrestling tries to ape both fantasy and sport and in my opinion fails miserably at both.

 

[Optimus_Prime_]

Basically, a good chunk of these characters just had **** fall into their lap. Sense of entitlement fantasy.

I do notice nerds sort of have this fantasy. Also comic book fans are incredibly materialistic, whereas I notice sports fans 'Holy Grails' are being at or participating monumental sporting events as opposed to owning someone's first appearance. With sports there is a definitive aim to create awesome memories in the real world rather than ones that occur in a fictional one. I think ultimately comic books are very silly, and fans who able to admit this don't feel this convenient hypocrisy. Sports, especially soccer (Football), get a little added gravity from it's ties to nationalism.

 

[Ness]

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.

It's because comic books aren't something people can relate to as much as sports. Or rather, their basis in reality isn't as close as sports teams are...since well, sports teams actually exist...so society generally raises the bar for them compared to comics which was once a fad for children.

Doesn't really matter though. I'm a huge comic books fan and NFL fan. I wear what I want when I want and I don't give a damn what folks think.

 

[BlackLantern]

I do notice nerds sort of have this fantasy. Also comic book fans are incredibly materialistic, whereas I notice sports fans 'Holy Grails' are being at or participating monumental sporting events as opposed to owning someone's first appearance. With sports there is a definitive aim to create awesome memories in the real world rather than ones that occur in a fictional one. I think ultimately comic books are very silly, and fans who able to admit this don't feel this convenient hypocrisy. Sports, especially soccer (Football), get a little added gravity from it's ties to nationalism.

I could see that....look at the collectibles market, especially convention exclusives....the fandom goes mad for those

as a sports fan, my first trip to Madison Square Garden definitely beats any trip to a convention

 

[Ness]

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 said.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

But you do own (from what im guessing) comics, posters, hats, clothes, ect of Superman.

Thats not worship...

 

[BlackLantern]

Thats not worship...

it kind of is

 

[Optimus_Prime_]

One of my favorite negative traits in comics is the tacit approval of how Batman/Wayne treats women. He willfully uses them to construct a false relationship then callously discards them when their relationship becomes inconvenient.

 

[BlackLantern]

One of my favorite negative traits in comics is the tacit approval of how Batman/Wayne treats women. He willfully uses them to construct a false relationship then callously discards them when their relationship becomes inconvenient.

well, the view of women in the fandom is hardly what you would call "progressive"

 

[Asteroid-Man]

I do notice nerds sort of have this fantasy. Also comic book fans are incredibly materialistic, whereas I notice sports fans 'Holy Grails' are being at or participating monumental sporting events as opposed to owning someone's first appearance. With sports there is a definitive aim to create awesome memories in the real world rather than ones that occur in a fictional one. I think ultimately comic books are very silly, and fans who able to admit this don't feel this convenient hypocrisy. Sports, especially soccer (Football), get a little added gravity from it's ties to nationalism.

Owning a toy and paying to watch a game are just as materialistic as the other.

 

[Optimus_Prime_]

well, the view of women in the fandom is hardly what you would call "progressive"

I just find it amusing as an adult how often comic books reverse reality when it comes to relationships. The men who sit, brood and try to remain disconnected on an emotional level ultimately are the best choice for the female lead, whereas the guys who are naturally good with people are the manipulative pricks. Of course this links to the nature of the fiction: which is telling stories we hope would come true but probably won't.

 

[BlackLantern]

I just find it amusing as an adult how often comic books reverse reality when it comes to relationships. The men who sit, brood and try to remain disconnected on an emotional level ultimately are the best choice for the female lead, whereas the guys who are naturally good with people are the manipulative pricks. Of course this links to the nature of the fiction: which is telling stories we hope would come true but probably won't.

and the metric ****ton of passive aggressiveness the fandom deals with

 

[Optimus_Prime_]

Owning a toy and paying to watch a game are just as materialistic as the other.

Actually, by definition it's the opposite

 

[The Morningstar]

The thing is, a comic book fan is more prone to get worked up over Batman beating Superman, or something silly like that.

A sports fan is more prone to getting worked up over how well their country does in the World Cup or the Olympics.

See, I can understand getting worked up over how well a team does that represents your ENTIRE COUNTRY. But getting worked up over who would win in a fight between two fictional characters?

Which is more silly?

 

[The Morningstar]

And the thing with football/soccer hooligans? Yea they're idiots. But the rivalries are rarely about the actual teams. It's for other reasons.

Like say, Roma vs Lazio. They're both from the say city, Rome. But the animosity is about politics mainly. And other gang/territorial things.

Or Celtic vs Rangers in Scotland. That's about religion. Catholic (Celtic) vs Protestant (Rangers).

The animosity is usually always already there with football/soccer hooligans. The team rivalry is just a side effect of that.

 

[Asteroid-Man]

Actually, by definition it's the opposite

Paying money to sit in a stadium as opposed to in your own home is materialistic - I know you refuse to believe it as a sports fan, but I'm sorry it's just as materialistic.
1. You're paying money
2. You're at the stadium where they are playing
3. The team is right there before you

And don't say "it's about the experience - and the experience is emotional" because honestly, any comic book fanatic could tell you that owning a limited edition 1st wave figure of something is an emotional experience too.

When it comes down to the basics, both are materialistic - sorry.

 

[Optimus_Prime_]

Paying money to sit in a stadium as opposed to in your own home is materialistic - I know you refuse to believe it as a sports fan, but I'm sorry it's just as materialistic.
1. You're paying money
2. You're at the stadium where they are playing
3. The team is right there before you

And don't say "it's about the experience - and the experience is emotional" because honestly, any comic book fanatic could tell you that owning a limited edition 1st wave figure of something is an emotional experience too.

When it comes down to the basics, both are materialistic - sorry.

That's all well and good, but what you're buying at a sports event is not material. Even if you inherited a comic collection, and never paid for a comic it would still be materialistic. You live in a capitalist society, or course things cost money, but if you spend all your money on things you don't tangibly keep you could never be accused of being materialistic. Comics are a highly material hobby. It's hard to sell yourself as a comic fan if you never buy them, although maybe the Internet will change that some. Sporting events are just events, unless you purchase a bunch of fangear at games, they simply cannot be material possessions.

 

[Paladin-Hoss]

I do notice nerds sort of have this fantasy. Also comic book fans are incredibly materialistic, whereas I notice sports fans 'Holy Grails' are being at or participating monumental sporting events as opposed to owning someone's first appearance. With sports there is a definitive aim to create awesome memories in the real world rather than ones that occur in a fictional one. I think ultimately comic books are very silly, and fans who able to admit this don't feel this convenient hypocrisy. Sports, especially soccer (Football), get a little added gravity from it's ties to nationalism.

Good grief , man! you're either completely clueless or you only hangs out with the real life version of the comic book guy from the Simpsons. NO comics fans worth his or her salt, THESE DAYS, still hunting that 'first appareance'issues on the bargain bins That kinda crap only happened in the 90's. Ask Rob Liefeld.


And ..all sport fans wants is to create awesome memories? i think i just got sugar -shock just by reading that line...

 

[Paladin-Hoss]

The thing is, a comic book fan is more prone to get worked up over Batman beating Superman, or something silly like that.

A sports fan is more prone to getting worked up over how well their country does in the World Cup or the Olympics.

See, I can understand getting worked up over how well a team does that represents your ENTIRE COUNTRY. But getting worked up over who would win in a fight between two fictional characters?

Which is more silly?

Pretty broad generalisation there. CB fans that got worked up over trivial things like that are morons...but luckily they're in the minority.A very vocal minority, but minority nonetheless.

Please don't tell me that you think we are all like that just becuase a bunch of them are here on the Hype.