The 'I only read the big two' thing is getting old

I was at a local con in Phoenix last weekend and this guy kept telling everyone he's a 'real comic fan' but only reads Marvel and DC. He said, and I quote, 'everything else is just fan fiction.' It matters because it shuts down so many great stories. I got into comics through Image books like Saga, and now I read stuff from smaller presses all the time. That attitude makes new readers think there's only one way to enjoy the hobby. It also ignores how many big ideas start outside the big two. How do you even call yourself a fan if you're ignoring whole sections of the medium? What's a great non-Marvel/DC book you'd hand to someone like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

craig.parker3mo agoMost Upvoted

That guy at the Phoenix con is missing out. Calling everything else fan fiction is just wrong. Look at The Walking Dead. It started at Image and became a huge TV show. Same with Hellboy from Dark Horse. Those are original ideas that shaped pop culture. I'd hand him something like Invincible. It's a superhero story but with its own rules and a complete, planned ending. Shows you what you can do outside the shared universe model.

the_sarah3mo agoProlific Poster

Handed him Saga and it changed his mind.

fiona_scott442mo ago

AND THEN he had the AUDACITY to say it was just "filler" until he read the whole first arc in one sitting! I had the same thing happen with a friend who swore he hated fantasy. Handed him Fables and he was HOOKED after the first trade. Like you said, it's not just about the story, it's about showing them something that breaks their stupid "mainstream only" mindset. People who dismiss everything that isn't Marvel or DC are just missing out on so many good comics that actually have complete endings and real stakes.