Space at the Con : Conversations About Representation in Popular Culture at Comic Conventions
a five-day multi-media extravaganza wherein every major and minor film , television , gaming , and publishing company attempts to out-wow the over 300,000 attendees . It has become an international movement , inspiring conventions across the United States and around the globe . In New York , more than 167,000 attend , Toronto hosts 127,000 , France ’ s Festival International de la Bande Dessinée d ’ Alger draws more than 200,000 , and Tokyo ’ s Comiket had over 180,000 attendees ( Salkowitz “ How Many ”).
So , comic cons are big business and well attended . But why ? They are expensive�major cons cost at least $ 200 for a pass to attend all days�and crowded . What is the allure ? The simple answer is access . Fans who attend comic cons enjoy access to the people who create some of their favorite media , celebrities who star in the film and television iterations , and experts who pontificate on the media . Important announcements and delicious behind-the-scenes tidbits are shared on panels , sneak previews are shown , and autograph and photo opportunities with celebrities are sold . Comic con is the place to learn more about pop culture and what its future looks like . The purpose of this qualitative research project is to better understand the narratives and themes around representation of marginalized groups ( women , LGBTQIA + individuals , people of color , people with disabilities , and more ) in media and what impact participants believe these discussions can have .
If one were looking for a place to directly encounter media and popular culture , a comic con would be ideal . As Smith describes it , San Diego Comic-Con “ plays host not just to the comic book industry , but it has become an important promotional venue for the film , television , video gaming , role gaming , and toy industries , among others ” ( 10 ). Beyond learning about the media they consume , attendees at comic cons find
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