Why I will be a lurker on these forums.

[kinetic]

Greetings all,
I'm not sure whether this is the place to post this but anyways, feel free to move as necessary.
 This post is my way of  letting everyone know why I will be a lurker, (I usually try and make some contribution to a forum community) , but also in an attempt to discover if I am alone in my views/outlook.
As I said in my introductory post I am a casual comic fan.
I have read comics since I was very young, but never really collected or followed a particular character or book for any length of time.
Listening to podcasts such as 11 O'clock and AC, I have discovered just how little I really know about the world of comics. It's history, it's characters and its creators.
Whenever Iam listening to Vince, Chris, Wood, David etc talk so passionately and with such joy about their favourite books, characters or artists, I feel a real sense of "Look at all the stuff I have missed out on!", and to be honest the thought of even trying to catch up on all those years of comics fills me with a feeling of hopelessness and loss.
This is why I never really have that "Hell yeah" moment when Cap or Bats busts in and takes out the bads. I don't have the long years of getting to know the characters and the villians, seeing them at their best and at their worst.
It's this reason that I think I will be mostly a lurker around the forums. I simply don't feel I have the knowledge and therefor,the right to express an opinion or publicize my thoughts on a particular book or topic. I don't have the knowledge or experience to give a balanced,well considered response/opinion.
So, am I alone in this? What do the more hardcore comic fans think of casual comic fans like me? Am I/Are we looked upon like that younger brother who just needs a bit of direction in life or are we the red-headed step child that needs a good slappin if they don't shut the hell up?
Anyways, sorry if this post rambles all over the place like a dog on lino, but hey, I'm cooking tea and looking after my 6 and 3 year old while writing

[Steve Raker]

....awww, don't be silly....shoot your mouth off without restraint like the rest of us around here!

Seriously, this is the forum where one is not berated, belittled or de-emphasized due to knowledge or opinion. No one is gonna jump down your throat or whatever around here...the guys save that for each other on the podcast

[Dave A]

I'm glad that you're aware that, as someone who doesn't eat-sleep-breathe comics, you may not be able to speak authoritatively on every topic (rather than rushing headlong into commentary like "James Kochalka sucks! A 5 year-old could draw that good!"). BUT, never feel like you're opinion on anything is unwelcome... it takes all kinds, baby.

Honestly, I think the world of comics needs more casual fans... it's wonderful to be passionate about the art form, don't get me wrong, but sometimes a culture of intense passion breeds just the sort of feeling of inaccessibility to newcomers that you're expressing. Your opinions on what you've read are just as valid as anyone else's... don't deprive us of a fresh voice on these forums! 

[Jon O]

I think most people will be just fine with you sharing your opinions.  I've never seen a more friendly forum community than these boards.  I've been lurking for a month or so, but these guys are great.  Join in the fun 

[Chad (Grilled Cheese Sandwich)]

Kinetic- I seriously suggest picking up Adam (earth616) Besonyodi's book Deus Ex Comica...it really does a great job of capturing that feeling and coming to grips with it.

Many of the members of this forum, myself included, don't have a long time or deep knowledge of comics that is evidenced when listening to the four guys expound on the podcast. Some of us have a great understanding of a few characters, one companies history, or a few specific books...others (ahem...David) can tell you what most inkers had for breakfast the day they inked a certain page...but regardless of our knowledge, interests, or opinions, we're all excepted...

It's just one big dysfuncional family, and you're well on your way to full adoption... 

[ja$#b w*&ch]

I think an honest reaction to anything is valid and contributes no matter how much prior experience or knowledge you have with a character, title, or company.

Jump in!  The water is fine!

[Dom Sutton]

Just do what I do. Look it all up on Wikipedia and then pretend you know what you're talking about! 

[Mr.one two]

Don't feel bad about your lack of comic knowledge.I have been reading comics for almost 20 years and you know what,I learn something new here everyday.There are books that I have never read like Fantastic Four,Captain America,Wonder Woman,and so on.Maybe you can find some titles that have come out in the last couple of years to check out and jump on that bandwagon,like Proof,Fear Agent,Air,Hack Slash,Scalped,DMZ.There are a lot of smart people on her.Just ask them.

[JimN]

It's this reason that I think I will be mostly a lurker around the forums. I simply don't feel I have the knowledge and therefor,the right to express an opinion or publicize my thoughts on a particular book or topic.

If you've read a comic, you have as much of a right to express an opinion on it as anyone else and I think most of us around here would love to see that opinion expressed. In fact, I find it just as interesting to hear a casual fan's opinion of a comic as it is to hear the opinion of a more knowledgeable fan. You can bring another perspective to the discussion and that's always good so please don't hesitate to post and share your thoughts.

So, am I alone in this? What do the more hardcore comic fans think of casual comic fans like me?

I think casual fans are great and, as Dav A said, the world of comics needs more casual fans.

Am I/Are we looked upon like that younger brother who just needs a bit of direction in life or are we the red-headed step child that needs a good slappin if they don't shut the hell up?

You're definitely not the latter (although you do know that red hair is frowned upon in these parts, right?

Jim

[Derek Coward]

Dude, you have an avatar of a squirrel humping Spider-Man's head.

You will fit right in.

[Chad (Grilled Cheese Sandwich)]

You're definitely not the latter (although you do know that red hair is frowned upon in these parts, right?

Jim

Hey! I resemble that remark!!!

[ROMLIVES]

I haven't been ran off yet, and I'm both a Rom and Cleveland Browns fan!:P
Know what you like, and like what you know! 

[Wood]

Welcome! And please, please, please don't feel like you can't or shouldn't contribute. We're a bunch of knuckleheads around here and NO ONE should feel like they can't add to the conversation. 

[Jeff B.]

Kinetic,
Please post away, I assume you have a brain if you were able to post this message so the only other thing you need is a comic to read and you can form an opinion.  You don't need to have read comics for 40 years to know if you just read Batman RIP and you liked it or not.

I read comics as a kid and took a long hiatus during college and the years after, I just got back into it about 3 years ago and there are lots of references I can't immediately make myself for having missed out on the comic when it first was issued.  The great thing about being a comics fan at this time is that alot of stuff is being collected.  If the guys talk about something I missed and it sounds like something that would interest me I try to find it collected, a lot of times I can find it pretty cheap at a fraction of the cover price.  If not I could care less.  It doesn't really impact my enjoyment of the comics I am currently reading or discussing on this board. 

You can't collect and read everything, just enjoy the stuff that you do read and let us know what you think. 

[zack kruse]

You're definitely not the latter (although you do know that red hair is frowned upon in these parts, right?

Jim

You can't trust 'em! They're wily!


...sorry, Chad. You are the exception to the rule...

[zack kruse]

Kinetic,

Man, don't sweat it We all start (or re-start) somewhere and there is ALWAYS more to learn, regardless of how long you've been in the game. So just jump in, the water's fine.

If there's something you're unsure about, just ask--someone will point you in the right direction. You're among friends.

[David]

You're among friends.

... and Doug H.

[Farrell]

They're all a bunch of meanies.  



Nah, it's a lovely bunch of human beings.  I can't help but notice that you haven't posted again, so I guess we haven't convinced you?  

[Chris]

I read comics as my primary hobby from age 12 to about 18. Then I fell out of stuff all together around the time I was 20. I was almost 28 before I came back as a casual fan. Another 3 or 4 years before I got all the way back in.
Believe me, I feel the same way you do when I talk to David, Vince and Wood. Those guys have a ton of knowledge. In a lot of ways, I the casual fan (historically) of the group.

[Wood]

I read comics as my primary hobby from age 12 to about 18. Then I fell out of stuff all together around the time I was 20. I was almost 28 before I came back as a casual fan. Another 3 or 4 years before I got all the way back in.
Believe me, I feel the same way you do when I talk to David, Vince and Wood. Those guys have a ton of knowledge. In a lot of ways, I the casual fan (historically) of the group.

Hmmm, not sure I buy this my humble friend. You are, after all, Greg Rucka's 2nd biggest fan.