Nerds Were Right All Along
The term “comic book nerd” is officially dead. Yes, you heard that right. The stereotypical image of a pepperoni-faced, buck-toothed, glasses-wearing “nerd” is no longer viable in American culture. Why? Because we’re all nerds now.
That’s right, and YOU are a nerd, my friend. “No way” you might think of yourself as an “athlete” or “cool kid” back in the day. Well, those days are over. You are officially a nerd.
“How can we be so certain that I’m a nerd?” you might ask yourself. Easy. Ever heard of Iron Man, Thor, or Captain America? What about Black Panther, Vision, or Ant-Man? If you’ve heard about these characters, you’ve officially entered nerd status, and guess what, that’s perfectly okay. It’s actually really cool that we’re all nerds now.
The fact of the matter is comic books have been extraordinarily cool for a long time. The history of comic books goes back to the 18th century, beginning with magazines or books containing entertaining art and caricatures known by thousands of people. Over time the art, graphics, and content within comic books evolved into the fantastic pieces of art and literature we love today.
Yet, thanks to Hollywood, comic books have become more popular than ever. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has shattered box office records and set new standards for what constitutes a blockbuster hit.
Despite the massive popularity of the MCU, the truth is there is no Avengers without comic books. Another reality is the people that used to be labeled “nerds” were right all along. The content within comic books is fantastic, and there are several reasons people have always loved comic books.
First and foremost, comic books are an excellent and healthy way to escape from the real-world. Life is stressful, and over the past year, it has gotten REALLY stressful. Life can also be boring or unpleasant. No matter the problem or particular unwellness that is occurring in your life, it can sometimes be beneficial to escape for a few minutes and put your thoughts elsewhere.
Nerds figured out before the rest of us that comic books were one of the best ways to escape. Because comic books are not based on real-life, it gives us as readers the ability to fully disengage from whatever real-life problems are taking place and focus on something else.
Another awesome thing about comic books is that they have something for literally EVERYONE.
Many people have a misconception that comic books are only about superheroes, and that is beyond false. The range of genres and topics that comic books encompass is far greater than what you can find in movies and on television.
Are you looking for action? Check. What about crime? Check. Or maybe even romance? You’re covered. There is a comic book literally for every type of person imaginable.
Additionally, comic books age like fine wine. After not flipping through your old-school Superman, Spiderman, or Batman comics, it is beyond refreshing to open them up today and escape back into the same stories that fascinated you when you were a teenager.
Maybe the best part about comic books is the fact that they never run out of content. That’s right, just like any typical book series, comic books come in series as well. The difference, however, is that comic books offer a lot more content and can run for years on end.
Hopefully, you’ve finally realized that you’re a nerd, and being a nerd is entirely okay. It’s actually better than okay; it’s cool as hell. So instead of trying to play the “cool kid” card and act like you’re above being a comic book nerd, join the club. Embrace the inner nerd that is within you and start up your own comic book collection. We promise you, and you’ll feel better and look cooler. So get started today!
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