No longer do fans have to hide their comics in their bags, stash their trading cards where no one can find them or wear their costumes only on Halloween. The era of the geek is here. Traits that used to be associated with being a “geek” or “loser” are now becoming more popular and more accepted.
Over the summer numerous conventions are held for fans of everything from Harry Potter to Anime. Comic Con International, the crowning convention of the summer, is no longer limited to just the die-hard fans. Movie studios have gotten wise and realized that the audience they should be catering to is an already established fan base. This year celebrities like Bill Nighy, Mark Walberg and Gerard Butler were at the event.
Even television networks have realized they could benefit from doing things for their fans. The cast of NBC’s “Heroes” was at Comic Con, and fans got an extra surprise with a preview of the next season. I don’t see actors from such illustrious shows as “Grey’s Anatomy” or “Sex and the City” coming to special events for their fans.
Comic book fans have had a great year because not only was there a “Batman” movie, but there was also “Iron Man,” two movies that made tons of money at the box office. In years before movies like “300,” “Transformers” and “Spiderman” also dominated.
There used to be only one midnight showing a year for a movie, but now there’s at least one a month. Midnight openings aren’t just limited to movies either. Books and video games have also been honored with long lines of adoring fans hoping they can be the first to finish it. “Halo” and “Harry Potter,” two products that have massive followings, have had successful midnight releases.
There’s even an entire channel devoted to science fiction, which is the aptly named Sci-Fi Channel.
Networks and studios have finally realized that instead of marketing to a new audience, they should be focusing on franchises with solid fan bases. Fans will benefit. Of course, there’s always the risk that studios will take advantage of fans by trying to milk franchises until they’re dry (“Indiana Jones” might ring a bell), but for now it seems like most studios don’t want to turn the fans against them.
People can finally show their love for any comic, manga, or movie character without having to worry as much about being made fun of. Yes, there will always be those people who feel the need to make fun of others, but they don’t know what they’re missing. It’s finally cool to be a geek.