What does it mean to be a fan of a character? There have been millions of different interpretations of Batman and the character of Wolverine as he appears in Marvel comics films bears surprisingly little in common with his original comic book impetus. In this episode, Mav and Wayne Wise are joined by guests recent Eisner winning comics scholar Andrew Deman and PCA fandom studies chair Cait Coker to discuss the concept of favorite characters in pop culture. The conversation explores how our personal identities shape our choices and attachments to characters across different media, including comics, films, and literature. They delve into how character adaptations impact fan perceptions and what it means to be a ‘true fan’ of evolving characters like Wolverine, Batman, Barbie and Captain Kirk. The episode touches on topics like mythology, the persistence of characters through different interpretations, and the occasionally toxic nature of fandom. This in-depth discussion also covers academic perspectives on the subject, emphasizing the complex relationship between fans and their beloved characters.
Citations and Links:
- Thank you to Maximilian’s thoughtForm Music for our theme
- Apply to next year’s PCA/ACA National Conference in New Orleans, LA.
- Read Cait’s work on Academia.edu
- Follow Andrew’s on Twitter: @ClaremontRun and @SeqScholars
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- Follow Wayne on Instagram: @tetroc2017
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