lizzbitch:

I’m not one of those kids who has been reading X-Men since she was in grade school. Up until a few years ago, I had only known Batman from The Animated Series and the Tim Burton film. Power Girl and the Birds of Prey and Watchmen weren’t even on my radar until I had started college. 

This is common knowledge. I don’t pretend to be some sort of authority over the comic book world, and I don’t act like I know everything there is to know about comics. I know full well that I’m still dipping my toes in this subculture, and that I still have a lot to learn. 

So when I say things like “I like Amanda Conner”, and “I like Gail Simone” and “I like Black Canary”, I mean what I say. I’m a fan. I’m not saying that Amanda Conner and I are best bros and I’ve read everything she’s illustrated and we have coffee and do jello shots on Thursdays, I’m saying that I enjoy her work. It looks to me that just being a fan isn’t good enough for some people. 

It’s not enough anymore to say “Oh I’m a fan of Batman,” because I get hit with “Have you read The Long Halloween?” “No.” “Have you read Knightfall?” “No.” “Have you read A Killing Joke?” “No.” “Psh, well what the hell kind of a fan are you?” The kind of fan who hasn’t yet had the time to read the seventy years of Batman there is. I didn’t realize that there was required reading before I could be deemed worthy enough to be a fan of Batman. 

I’m not trying to be this guy. 

Because people like this guy make everything a hell of a lot less fun for those of us who are new to everything. I’m not an expert on comics. I’m not the greatest cosplayer that ever lived. And I’m not trying to be. I’m just trying to enjoy this culture. 

I have to be completely honest, I’m a mix of both of these people.  I also have only been reading comics for a few years, however, it’s my job to be the “comic book girl.”  I feel like a bit of a dick reading this, because I feel like I’ve done this to people (possibly even Liz.  I’m sorry if I have, doll!).

But at the same time, I try to say things like, “Oh, you like Batman?  Me too!  Have you read The Long Halloween?  You SHOULD!  It’s so good.  I think you’d really like it.”

I’m torn on this post.  And if I’ve done this to you, L, I’m so sorry.  That’s not how I meant it at all.