Table of Contents
Foreword: Visiting Comic-Con, Revisiting Comic Book Culture Matthew Pustz 1
Introduction: The Pilgrimage to Comic-Con Matthew J. Smith 9
Part I Identity and Play at Comic-Con
Actualized Fantasy at Comic-Con and the Confessions of a "Sad Cosplayer" Kane Anderson 15
"Love to Mess with Minds": En(gendering) Identities Through Crossplay Catherine Thomas 29
Part II Gendered Fandom
Queer Conversations: LGBTIQ Consumer/Producer Interface at Comic-Con and the Intransitive Writing of Comics Ben Bolling 40
Soaring to New (?) Heights: Cute, Tough, Geek Girls and Post-Feminist Discourse Lisa H. Kaplan 52
You Don't Own Me: The Representation of Twilight Fandom Melissa Miller 63
Part III Negotiating Fandom Through Communicative Practice
"What Can You Tell Me About [Blank]?" Exploring the Social Rules of Fan Talk Brian Swafford 76
Facing Front True Believers: Panels as Exercises in Image Management Jon Judy Brad Palmer 88
"You are not a true geek, I am": The Role of Communicative Aggression in Geek Culture Chad Wertley 102
Part IV Technology and Participation
"Ask me about my zombie plan": Fan Dissection and Female Participation in RedvsBlue Cameron Catalfu 116
Where Are the Web Shows? Tanya D. Zuk 128
Part V Attending Con
What Are We Waiting For? A Look at Line Culture Regina C. Gasser 142
Tense Proximities Between CCI's Comic Book Consumers, Fans and Creators Christian Sager 153
The Volunteer Experience: Meaning, Motivation and Role Conflict in a Temporary Organization Michael J. Tornes 169
Afterword Randy Duncan Peter M. Coogan 183
References 187
About the Contributors 195
Index 199
