Had a weird moment at the local con last year that split our friend group

We were in line for a signing at Emerald City Comic Con, and this guy ahead of us was wearing a full, screen-accurate Spider-Man suit. My friend Mike said it was awesome, but my other friend Sarah said it was cringe and he was 'trying too hard.' They argued for like 20 minutes while we waited. It made me think, where's the line between being a dedicated fan and going overboard? Has a con moment ever made you question what being a fan really means?

4 comments

4 Comments

victor_robinson2mo ago

Honestly, who cares if someone's suit is cringe, it's just a costume.

charlescraig2mo ago

Exactly, like wadew51 said, people just hate seeing effort.

wadew512mo agoTop Commenter

That whole thing reminds me of my old gym. Some guys would show up in full matching outfits and headbands, and others would make fun of them for trying to look pro. It's the same energy, just a different hobby. People always seem to police how much effort is "too much.

gibson.avery2mo ago

Yeah, that "trying too hard" thing always gets me. I mean, I once spent three months hand-sewing scales onto a lizardman costume, and my own mom asked if I was having a mental break. So maybe I'm the cringe guy. But if putting in the work makes you happy at the con, who's it really hurting? Some people just like the craft of it.