Week 3: Comics culture

Summary

This week we will continue to explore the topics of comic book culture, fans, and readers.

Weekly Learning Objectives

• define fans and list examples of content and culture produced by fans
• explain ways in which fandom emerged as a virtual culture through the use of print media
• discuss the role of conventions and fan publications in the development of fan culture
• summarize the potential conflict between participatory culture and cultural industries.

Before class: Readings, resources, and tasks

• Woo, B., Beaty, B., & Campbell, M. (2020). Theorizing comic cons. Journal of Fandom Studies 8(1), 9-31. https://doi.org/10.1386/jfs_00007_1
• Pustz, M. (1999). Discovering comic book culture. Comic book culture: Fanboys and true believers. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi.
• Woo, B. (2021). Asking fans questions: The ethnographic interview. A Fan Studies Primer : Method, Research, Ethics (pp. 97-110). Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
• Hills, M. (2021). Fan studies’ autoethnography: A Method for Self-Learning and Limit- Testing in Neoliberal Times?. A Fan Studies Primer : Method, Research, Ethics (pp. 144-160). Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
• Spurlock, M. (Director). (2012). Comic con episode IV: A fan’s hope. United States: Gravitas Ventures. We will view this film in class.

In class

• Finish watching Spurlock documentary.