Our Top Ten Reasons Why Financial Meltdowns Favor Fanboys
History doesn’t repeat but sometimes it rhymes: The last time there was a total financial meltdown it was a good era for fanboys, in fact the 1930s was pretty much the birthplace of modern fandom itself. Here are my top ten examples why the last Great Depression was fanboy friendly:
Superman, Issue #1 (1938): The entire genre of caped superheroes can be traced to this comic book. The good and bad side of economic chaos is that it can make you look for a hero to save the day.
Snow White (1937): This was the first feature length animated film ever made. If it weren’t for the depression Disney never could have afforded the manpower to make this film. And of course in a depression the idea of lost innocence is popular (and caution required when being offered free apples).
Worldcon (1939): This was the first major science fiction convention where fandom as we know it started. Shown above are some fanboys who showed up and decided to go and hang out at Coney Island to celebrate (by the way Ray Bradbury is guy on the top right!).
The Shape of Things to Come (1936): H.G. Wells wrote a screenplay that predicted WW II and travel to the moon. Depressions are good for science fiction because it makes people want to think ahead to the future (and in this case 100 years into the future).
The Wizard of Oz (1939): This wasn’t the first time that Oz hit the silver screen, but this is THE definitive version. A depression may spurn one to take a long a long journey, but it also makes you realize that there’s no place like home…
The Discovery of Pluto (1930): Poor Pluto may have been demoted from a planet status recently, but its discovery was celebrated back in the day! The great thing about a depression is that it may make you look a little bit outside of your world (and comfort zone).
At the Mountains of Madness (written 1931 published in 1936): One of the best novels by the master of horror H. P. Lovecraft. Economic chaos can make you slightly paranoid that there’s an evil force out there — and this novella captures that special feeling.
King Kong (1933): A giant ape climbs the Empire State Building to do battle with airplanes while clutching a cute blond! Suddenly being out of work seems just a tad mundane…
Detective Comics #27 (1938): This comic book is best known for the debut of a dark knight called Batman. In a depression muggings may go up, but that might inspire a crime fighting duo to spring into action.
Frankenstein (1931): This film illustrated the idea that with a modern man made mess perhaps only an army of angry villagers armed with pitchforks can set things right. And of course sadly I’m rooting or the monster…