"A Jedi like my father before me": Social identity and the New York Comic Con

Authors

  • Jen Gunnels New York Review of Science Fiction

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3983/twc.2009.0161

Keywords:

Comic Cons, Community, Cosplay, Fan studies, Generation X, Identity, Performance studies, Sociology, Star Wars

Abstract

Few venues exist for adults to play dress-up, with Renaissance festivals, comic and other media conventions, and live-action role-playing games comprising the bulk of these venues. This sort of behavior is expected of people in their formative years—children and teenagers—where they try on and receive feedback about their selves. What might be the reasoning behind the behavior of adults doing so, especially after primary socialization has occurred?

Author Biography

Jen Gunnels, New York Review of Science Fiction

Independent Scholar specializing in Performance Studies particularly as they pertain to fan studies.

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Published

2009-09-15

Issue

Vol. 3 (2009)

Section

Symposium

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