Readers and Fans: Lived Comics Cultures

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter expands on some of the different practices, interactions and preferences of readers and fans as part of their lived comics cultures, for, as Benjamin Woo argues, “An adequate understanding of the readers of comic books and graphic novels must extend beyond reader-text relationships to comprise contexts of reception” (125). Engagement with the medium has taken various forms, from casual readership and sharing titles amongst friendship groups in childhood, through to being a collector. Further, the chapter looks at how readers, both historically and today, have accessed their comics in varied formats and across many genres in Britain and the USA, linking their lived experience with production. In looking into these issues, the chapter touches upon several different publishers, genres, and titles, including DC and Marvel comics as well as British girls' comics and what might be considered cult publications because of their popularity and lasting impact on the comics scene, such as 2000 AD (1977-date).
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Cambridge Companion to Comics
EditorsMaaheen Ahmed
Place of PublicationCambridge
PublisherCambridge University Press
Chapter14
Pages287-307
Number of pages21
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9781009255653
ISBN (Print)9781009255684, 9781009255691
Publication statusPublished - 31 Jul 2023

Publication series

NameCambridge Companions to Literature
PublisherCambridge University Press

Keywords

  • comics, fandom, reading practices

Cite this