Over in the 12 Questions thread
Kirk G said:
In some ways, the questions that were selected are interesting in themselves. Are there others that would be fun to answer? What comic book did you either defend against friends' criticism or refuse to share with them?
Most of my friends do not read comics so I don't have a good answer for you.
However this got me thinking about another question. Thus the reason for this thread. We're all adults here who have been reading comics for a long time. What type of reaction do you get when you tell people you read comics? What is your response when they ask you why? or give you a condescending look?
With the popularity of Batman and the Avengers films and the Walking Dead show, comics are starting to be cool to the mainstream. Or more specifically characters and/or stories that started out as comics.
I still get a bit of stares from folks when I bring up my love of comics. I do encounter people who think comics are still kid stuff. I have found a difference when I say "I collect comic books" and "I read comic books". One implies it's a hobby like fishing, the other is self explanatory. Do you ever get the reaction "They still make comic books?" I did a few years ago.
My response is usually that while I love reading I have sometimes get distracted have trouble finishing a book. Comics are easier for me to get through and the stories aren't just for kids. I still get to read. I've always preferred shorter stories anyways or reading magazines. Also comics aren’t for kids and they aren’t always filled with super heroes. It’s an art form and a form of story telling. It encompasses all genres so there’s something for everyone.
So what are some of your experiences?
Finally, what are recommendations you give for people who want to give comics a shot? I found that it doesn’t always work to list out the critically acclaimed or the classics. I ask what they are interested in such as the movies or shows they like or the books they like to read and go from there. If they say they like Batman I always recommend Batman Year One, Batman The Long Halloween and Dark Knight Returns. Usually I’ll go with Long Halloween because it’s longer, has all the villains and has a surprise ending.
Replies
I can only speak regarding the U.S., since I grew up here. It seems to me that when an art form is native to the U.S., people are ashamed of it. Jazz, Rock and Roll, and Comic Books all suffer from this. Jazz has finally gotten some respect after close to 100 years. Rock and Roll and Comics have received SOME respect in a limited way these days.
There is still a presumption that comic readers are intellectually or emotionally stunted and all live in their parents' basements. Shorthand in a movie or TV show to demonstrate that a character is like this is to show him (never her) as reading a comic book. If the character is a female, the shorthand is that she has cats. I’m a comic reader, cat lover, and Vietnam veteran, so choose your stereotype.
I tend not to get into it unless I already know the person well and they already (presumably) know I'm not crazy or stupid. I would tell everyone I met but I don't enjoy getting angry at the reactions.
I agree. I find it goes over better to say "I collect Silver Age Comic books from when the Marvel Age of Comics was being developed.... rather than "I read comic books"...cause that's too broad and allows them to supply any image in their mind that they've encountered...
I actually enjoy some of the reactions I get when I tell people I read comics. Or when I bring -or brought them, laid off at the moment- to work. I like being underestimated and considered non-threatening. I've found the less people take me seriously the less of a threat they consider me to be and the safer I am.
As I recall I got a far less negative reaction in work when I brought in comics than when I brought in a book "Chick's in Chainmail" even though the book was a collection of warrior women stories edited by a woman. All people saw was the cover.
I'm pretty much matter-of-fact about telling people I read comic books, or reading them in public, or saying that on Wednesdays, I'm going to the comics shop.
Only once did I get a negative reaction that stands out in my mind, when I bought some comics from a regular bookstore, and the cashier started being snarky about it. It was one of those moments when you think of the perfect comeback hours later and wish you had thought of it on the spot (to wit, "Yeah, I buy comic books, and I just bought enough to pay your salary for the entire day.")
It isn't something that comes up often, but I don't hide that I read comics. I've never been laughed at or sneered at because of it. Usually I get,"Oh, cool." Some people want to talk more about it and some don't. I am more that willing to go as far into it as they want. If they want recommendations I try to give them some. I think Batman: Year One is always a good one. It is a really good story, and can it isn't too long. I also like to have a few non-superhero choices as well if that isn't their thing (ie. Fables)
I did get a "They still make those?" reaction on a plane flight one time when I was reading the Essential volume of Silver Surfer.