Fandom, a kingdom formed by fans, where fans are united as one towards their beloved. It also differentiates between fans and non-fans. However, fans have different ways to show their love towards their favourite comic.
One of the spotlight among the comic fandom is the cosplaying in Comic-Con, held in different areas such as in San Diego, New York and London. Participants are encouraged to dress as their favourite characters in the event. The convention hall is filled with cosplayers walking out from comic books, as classic as Marvel characters or as updated as the latest Japanese comics. It’s common to see people impersonating the same character. In the last New York Comic Con in 2019, a group of people cosplaying as Spider-Man; thus, accidentally reproducing the iconic meme picture and getting viral online. This is when the boundary of fandom between fans and non-fans is blurred. Everyone, regardless of ever watching Spider-Man, can resonate from the recreation of the meme. Comic characters no longer live only in the comic books but also among us.
Apart from cosplaying, there are other ways for fans to demonstrate their love. Back when I was utterly addicted to Ouroboros, a Japanese detective comic, even till today, my Instagram icon is still a fan-made picture of the comic. By typing in the keyword in the search engine, countless fan-made images can be found. Sometimes I just admire the talents others have. I wish I am as talented as they are in creating gorgeous handicrafts, drawings or texts. I had once organised a fandom page back in my secondary school days. However, the page was left abandoned when I got busy. That’s why I’m impressed by those admins who post delicate designs daily. Their patience and dedication mark their love for the comic.
Moreover, purchasing is the easiest way to support the fandom. Many gems are hidden due to the lack of support. If the Demon Slayer comic hadn’t been adapted into anime, it would not have achieved such a record-breaking success. The publisher will cancel the series when they believe they cannot make enough money from the comic. That’s why producers cannot accept copyright infringement. Some unscrupulous “fans” upload the comic without the company’s consent. Although translating the comic can open up the fan base and market. Yet, the more people watch the free pirated comic online, the fewer people will buy a printed comic book. In this commercial society, sales are king. Buying comic books is the most direct way to support the author who persists in drawing their best comic.
Although cosplaying may not be viral in Hong Kong, it’s still phenomenal to see Hong Kong cosplayers gather in the annual Ani-Com & Games Expo, a local fandom festival. Fandom exists in multiple ways; let it be evident in cosplaying, using the favourite character in the social media icon, or simply buying a comic book. As long as it’s a healthy way to show their love, fandom embraces all kinds of representation.
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