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I used to think gatekeeping at cons was just a joke until a guy at Emerald City told my kid his favorite hero was 'for babies'.
We were at the DC booth and my son, who's 8, was showing off his new Blue Beetle figure when this older fan in line behind us scoffed and said that character was 'for babies' and he should read something 'real' like Watchmen. I just turned around and said, 'He's reading comics, that's the whole point,' and we walked away to get a sketch instead. How do you handle that kind of stuff without letting it ruin the day for a new fan?
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pat6396mo ago
That was the perfect response. You shut it down without making a scene and showed your kid what actually matters, which is enjoying what you like. Some people just forget why they got into comics in the first place.
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oliver7726mo ago
Perfect response? More like a missed chance. If we never push back on gatekeeping, the hobby stays stuck in the past. Letting a rude comment slide just teaches your kid to accept bad behavior. A quick "Hey, comics are for everyone" would have made a stronger point about standing up for what you love. Sometimes making a small scene is exactly what's needed.
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linda3056mo ago
Exactly. Silence just lets that stuff keep happening.
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