The Fandom Menace

{{altright}}{{cquote|Regardless of how they identify, each is a [[cancer]] cell in a larger amorphous hate blob descended from [[Gamergate]] and Comicsgate, infecting the fandoms of the most ubiquitous entertainment franchises in the world&nbsp;— mainly Marvel, [[Fun:Star Wars|Star Wars]] and other [[Disney]] titles.|||Melanie McFarland, ''Salon'', 2022<ref name=mcfarland>Melanie McFarland, [https://www.salon.com/2022/06/30/marvel-star-fandom-menace-gamergate/ Let's all stop ignoring The Fandom Menace. It's real, and it's winning]. ''Salon'', 30 June 2022.</ref>}}

{{cquote|The handful of [[YouTube]]rs who have led “The Fandom Menace” boogeyman since 2018 have nothing to do with Star Wars fandom. These YouTubers have nothing to do with “fan criticism” or opinions about a film franchise. These YouTubers platform hate mongers and [[right-wing]] [[extremist]]s. These YouTubers continue efforts to mainstream [[white nationalism]]. And these YouTubers [[grifter|profit]] from consistent and targeted harassment of any individual seen as a threat to the preservation and supremacy of white identity in American culture.|||Rewriting Ripley, 2022<ref name=medium>[https://rewritingripley.medium.com/calling-out-hate-in-fandom-isnt-enough-we-must-deplatform-it-24ab2394ae5b Calling Out Hate In Fandom Isn’t Enough. We Must Deplatform It.] by Rewriting Ripley ''Medium'', 28 July 2022.</ref>}}

'''The Fandom Menace'''{{efn|The name "The Fandom Menace" riffs on the Star Wars film {{wpl|Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace|''The Phantom Menace''||.}}}} are an amorphous collection of [[right-wing]] [[troll]]s, [[reactionaries]], and grifters that target popular media, mainly those associated with nerd/geek subcultures. It is essentially a new name for the same old shitstorms previously known as Gamergate and "Comicsgate".

Participants engage in review bombing and coordinated social media attacks against creators and other fans who take offense at their reactionary views. They frequently initiate attacks on women, people of color, and [[LGBT]] people. They use [[Facebook]], [[Reddit]], [[Twitter]], YouTube, and other [[social media]] sites to engage in often [[racist]] and [[misogynistic]] attacks. 

The Fandom Menace is usually described as a textbook example of a toxic fan culture.<ref>[https://archive.is/cArPF The Fandom Menace: How backlash to the Star Wars prequel created a toxic fan culture] by James Cooray Smith, archived from ''The New Statesman'', 7 June 2021.</ref><ref name=zubernis>Lynn Zubernis, [https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/the-science-fandom/202207/how-fandom-turns-toxic How Fandom Turns Toxic: We can no longer ignore "cancer cells," trolls, or arrogant advocates.] ''Psychology Today'', 16 July 2022.</ref><ref>LordDraconia, [https://thegameofnerds.com/2022/06/09/the-fandom-menace-how-toxicity-dissuades-newcomers/ The Fandom Menace: How Toxicity Dissuades Newcomers]. ''The Game of Nerds'', 9 June 2022.</ref><ref>Tyler Roberts, [https://thegww.com/the-fandom-menace-injecting-hate-fear-across-pop-culture-pt-1/ The Fandom Menace: Injecting Hate & Fear Across Pop Culture (pt. 1)]. ''The GWW, 19 December 2021.</ref><ref name=terasaki /><ref name=miller>Matt Miller, [https://web.archive.org/web/20181213165454/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a25560063/how-fans-ruined-star-wars-the-last-jedi-2018/ The Year Star Wars Fans Finally Ruined Star Wars]. Archived from ''Esquire'', 13 December 2018.</ref><ref name=couch>Aaron Couch, [https://web.archive.org/web/20211029155400/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/from-justice-league-to-star-wars-studios-reckon-with-toxic-fandom-4156613/amp/ From 'Justice League' to 'Star Wars,' Studios Reckon With "Toxic" Fandom]. Archived from ''The Hollywood Reporter'', 31 March 2021.</ref><ref name=vinney>Cynthia Vinney, [https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-toxic-fandom-5214499 What Are Toxic Fandoms?] ''Very Well Mind'', 28 November 2023.</ref><ref name=moore>Alan Moore, [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/oct/26/fandom-has-toxified-the-world-watchmen-author-alan-moore-on-superheroes-comicsgate-and-trump ‘Fandom has toxified the world’: Watchmen author Alan Moore on superheroes, Comicsgate and Trump]. ''The Guardian'', 26 October 2024.</ref>

Toxic right wing trolling of entertainment media is not restricted to Disney and Marvel properties. In 2023, the [[BBC]] series ''Doctor Who'' faced criticism from anti-"[[woke]]" fans when an [[alien]] is asked for its pronouns.<ref>Jacob Dressler, [https://www.screengeek.net/2023/12/06/doctor-who-alien-pronoun-backlash/ ‘Doctor Who’ Faces Backlash For Asking Alien Its Pronouns]. ''Screengeek'', 6 December 2023.</ref>

==Antecedents==
===Gamergate===
{{main|Gamergate}}

===Comicsgate===
[[File:Mockingbird 8.jpg|thumb|right|165px|[[Argumentum ad cellarium|Basement dwellers]] went completely apeshit at expressions of diversity in comics with attacks on author {{wpl|Chelsea Cain}} in 2016.<ref>Melissa Leon, [https://www.thedailybeast.com/chelsea-cain-returns-yeah-im-dead-to-marvel-trust-me Chelsea Cain Returns: 'Yeah, I’m Dead to Marvel. Trust Me.'] ''The Daily Beast'', 25 September 2018.</ref><ref name=berlatsky /><ref name=krishna />]]
Comicsgate was a campaign, similar to Gamergate, in opposition to perceived "forced diversity" and [[progressivism]] in the content of North American superhero comic books and the kinds of creators who work in the industry.<ref name=krishna>Rachael Krishna, [https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/krishrach/comicsgate There’s An Online Harassment Campaign Underway Against People Advocating For Diversity In Comics]. ''Buzzfeed News'', 22 March 2018.</ref> The movement was described as part of the [[alt-right]] movement and part harassment campaign, which targets women, people of color, and LGBT individuals in the comic book industry whose goal is to "combat [[SJW]] control of popular media". They are reminiscent of Gamergate in terms of tactics, their excessive focus on Marvel's Iron Man character {{wpl|Riri Williams||,}} and how the group acted as a catalyst in the firing of comic book writer {{wpl|Chuck Wendig}} in 2018. Comicsgate is essentially Gamergate for comics instead of games, a campaign created by and for alt-right grifters.<ref name=berlatsky>Noah Berlatsky, [https://archive.is/1JpFk The Comicsgate movement isn’t defending free speech. It’s suppressing it.] Archived from ''The Washington Post'', 13 September 2018.</ref><ref>Eric Francisco, [https://web.archive.org/web/20180912204729/https://www.inverse.com/article/41132-comicsgate-explained-bigots-milkshake-marvel-dc-gamergate Comicsgate Is Gamergate's Next Horrible Evolution]. Archived from ''Inverse'', 9 February 2018.</ref> 

The most prominent talking heads in the movement were [[conservative]] comic book artist Ethan Van Sciver and Richard C. Meyer, who runs a YouTube and Twitter blatherfest called "Diversity and Comics" (now known as "Comics MATTER w/Ya Boi Zack").<ref>Asher Elbein, [https://www.thedailybeast.com/comicsgate-how-an-anti-diversity-harassment-campaign-in-comics-got-uglyand-profitable #Comicsgate: How an Anti-Diversity Harassment Campaign in Comics Got Ugly&nbsp;— and Profitable]. ''The Daily Beast'', 2 April 2018.</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrlzSqLSGj8GIOeT5jrQsJA Comics MATTER w/Ya Boi Zack], the re-branded version of "Diversity and Comics" on YouTube.</ref>

==Members==
===Leaders===
[[File:10.2.10EthanVanSciverByLuigiNovi1.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Van Sciver&nbsp;— unlike this guy, the real Superman actually wears tights&nbsp;— tight tights!<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G59JnM4JKNQ Robin Hood: Men in Tights (3/5) Movie CLIP - Men in Tights (1993)] ''YouTube''.</ref>]]
*'''Geeks And Gamers/DDay Cobra (Jeremy Griggs)''', an American high school dropout turned YouTuber whose channel focused on various forms of media, including movies, television and videogames. Originally started out as more objective in his reviews before devolving into far-right ideology after the release of ''Star Wars: The Last Jedi''.<ref name=mcfarland/> Was directly called out by Zack Snyder for spreading hate on his own livestream.<ref>[https://www.thewrap.com/zack-snyder-rips-alt-right-youtube-channel-geeks-gamers-on-justice-league-livestream/ Zack Snyder Rips YouTube Channel Geeks + Gamers on 'Justice League' Livestream]. ''The Wrap'', 18 March 2021.</ref>
*'''{{w|Ethan Van Sciver}}''', a once popular, but now disgraced comic book artist known for illustrating and/or drawing covers primarily for DC and Marvel Comics and a central figure in the Comicsgate campaign. Van Sciver has since stopped working within the mainstream comic book industry and now devotes most of his time collaborating with far right figures to create comics. He obsessively uses [[Twitter]] and his Youtube channel to shit out deranged smears against various female comics creators/journalists with liberal or progressive beliefs, such as {{W|Gail Simone}} and {{w|Heidi Macdonald||.}}<ref>[https://www.comicsbeat.com/this-stuff-all-sucks-gail-simone-responds-to-ethan-van-sciver ‘This stuff all sucks’: Gail Simone Responds to Ethan Van Sciver]. ''Comics Beat'', 29 September 2018.</ref>
*'''RK Outpost (Ryan Kinel)''', an American YouTuber that became prominent after making daily videos berating Star Wars and Marvel for their perceived "wokeness" and alleged [[Persecution complex|agenda against straight white males like himself]].  
*'''Nerdrotic (Gary Beuchler)''', former comic shop owner and convicted felon — allegedly for selling [[methamphetamine]]s to minors — turned far-right YouTuber. Claims credit for the "M-She-U" insult against Marvel movies. Hosts the weekly "Friday Night Tights" livestream which is attended by many of the Fandom Menace figures and has featured controversial figures as guests, including far right radio host and conspiracy theorist [[Alex Jones]], [[Proud Boys]] founder [[Gavin McInnes]] (who was intoxicated and proceeded to expose himself and urinate on camera during his appearance) and former US Republican Presidential candidate [[Vivek Ramaswamy]].<ref>[https://www.geeksandgamers.com/topic/nerdrotic-has-the-most-interesting-backstory/ Nerdrotic has the most interesting backstory]. ''Geeks and Gamers'', 8 May 2021.</ref>

===Troops===
*'''[[Computing Forever]] (Dave Cullen)''', an [[Irish]] YouTube talker and [[conspiracy theorist]] who holds reactionary and [[nationalism|ultra-nationalist]] views
*'''Bounding Into Comics (John F. Trent)''', a right wing [[webshite]] that reports on comic culture, comic books and entertainment in general; the webshite has been identified as associated with alt-right harassment trolls since at least 2018<ref>[https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/bounding-into-comics/ Bounding Into Comics], ''Media Bias/Fact Check.''</ref><ref>Abraham Josephine Riesman, [https://www.vulture.com/2018/08/comicsgate-a-comic-book-harassment-campaign-is-growing.html Comicsgate Is a Nightmare Tearing Comics Fandom Apart — So What Happens Next?] ''Vulture'', 29 August 2018.</ref><ref>[https://dorisvsutherland.com/2022/08/09/bounding-into-comics-joins-the-satanic-panic/ Bounding Into Comics Joins the Satanic Panic]. ''Attack of the six foot tranny'', 9 August 2022.</ref><ref name=gramuglia />
*'''Bowlestrek''', a Twitter troll and YouTuber who foams and froths about {{wpl|Doctor Who}} and "[[SJW]]s"
*'''Itchy Bacca''', owner of a blog called "Disney Star Wars is Dumb"<ref name=medium/>
*'''Cosmic Book News (Matt McGloin)''', a less successful version of Bounding Into Comics that has been around since 2008<ref>[https://archive.is/UQfol About Us (Staff)]. Archived from Cosmic Book News, 2024.</ref>
*'''{{w|Will Jordan (author)|The Critical Drinker}} (William "Will" Jordan)''', a [[Scottish]] YouTuber, and author with almost 2 million subscribers
*'''Yellow Flash''', a [[Canadian]] YouTuber that makes videos ranting about "wokeness" in comics and movies
*'''That Umbrella Guy''', an American YouTuber sharing the same qualities (or the lack of them) of the others mentioned

==Tactics and activities==
The methods that the Fandom Menace uses to achieve its goal ranges wildly from [[boycott]]s and "review bombing" to coordinated harassment and disinformation campaigns on social media.
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===Review bombing===
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===Online harassment of cast and crew===
One of the most notorious aspects of the Fandom Menace is its tendency to select specific actors who (usually due to said actors either professed progressive beliefs or their marginalized status seen as an attempt diversify a pop culture staple) had pissed off reactionary fanboys before sending social media mobs to subject them to unrelenting cyberbullying. Many of those targeted are often young women of colors or members of the LGBTQ+ community headlining the latest installment in media franchises that been historically been overwhelmingly white and male.

{{wpl|Kelly Marie Tran}} is an actress who starred in the 2017 film ''{{wpl|Star Wars: The Last Jedi}}''. After the film's release, Tran was attacked by right-wing trolls over the internet in a targeted harassment campaign spearheaded by The Fandom Menace.<ref name=zubernis /><ref name=vinney /> After a wave of harassment and abuse, Tran removed all posts from her Instagram account without explanation. After an outpouring of support, Tran spoke out in a piece for ''[[The New York Times]]'' in August 2018:

{{quotebox|I want to live in a world where children of color don’t spend their entire adolescence wishing to be white. I want to live in a world where women are not subjected to scrutiny for their appearance, or their actions, or their general existence. I want to live in a world where people of all races, religions, socioeconomic classes, sexual orientations, gender identities and abilities are seen as what they have always been: human beings.

This is the world I want to live in. And this is the world that I will continue to work toward.<ref>Constance Grady, [https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/8/21/17763610/star-wars-kelly-marie-tran-new-york-times-instagram-harassment Star Wars’ Kelly Marie Tran speaks out on the harassment that drove her off Instagram]. ''Vox'', 21 August 2018.</ref><ref>[https://archive.is/xG1uT Kelly Marie Tran: I Won’t Be Marginalized by Online Harassment]. Archived from ''The New York Times'', 21 August 2018.</ref>}}

{{wpl|Moses Ingram||,}} another ''Star Wars'' actress, was bombarded with racist messages on social media in 2022.<ref>Tom Tapp, [https://deadline.com/2022/05/moses-ingram-obi-wan-racist-messages-1235036063/ Ewan McGregor Addresses Racist Messages Sent To ‘Obi-Wan’ Costar Moses Ingram: “We Stand With Moses. We Love Moses” – Update]. ''Deadline'', 31 May 2022.</ref>

===Defamation of character and slander===
In 2019, an inflammatory and photoshopped tweet that condemned late Marvel legend Stan Lee as an “appropriator of culture” attributed to [[science fiction]] writer {{wpl|Alyssa Wong||}} began to circulate in right-leaning spaces on social media. Despite how obviously fake looking it was, the so-called “tweet” was promoted by several right-wing media sources, including Bounding Into Comics, which attacked Wong mercilessly and peddled hate to their fans. After it was revealed to be a hoax by more reputable sources, Bounding Into Comics was forced to make a retraction.<ref name=gramuglia>Anthony Gramuglia, [https://www.themarysue.com/alyssa-wong-right-wing-attacks-why/ Right-Wingers Tried to Take Down Author Alyssa Wong With a Fake Tweet. Why?] ''The Mary Sue'', 26 August 2019.</ref>

==In conclusion==
{{aquote|The worst part about this trend is that there’s not really any way to fix it, especially when these fandoms have become so entrenched in their own toxicity that it’s basically a micro-economy. Every day, you get new videos or social media hot takes about how they ruined Star Wars and Marvel. Type in either woman's name to any social media site, and you'll probably see rants against these women before you find any actual interviews with them or information about them. It's an [[echo chamber|endless feedback loop]] of shameless pandering.|||Kimberly Terasaki, ''The Mary Sue'', 2023<ref name=terasaki>Kimberly Terasaki, [https://www.themarysue.com/why-toxic-fans-are-targeting-female-producers/ Why Toxic Fans Are Targeting Female Producers]. ''The Mary Sue'', 5 May 2023.</ref>}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fandom Menace}}
[[Category:Alt-right]]
[[Category:Antifeminism]]
[[Category:Cartoons and comics]]
[[Category:Censorship]]
[[Category:Fascism]]
[[Category:Gamergate]]
[[Category:Homophobia]]
[[Category:Internet]]
[[Category:Media]]
[[Category:Neo-Nazism]]
[[Category:Racism]]
[[Category:Sexism]]
[[Category:Social justice]]
[[Category:Transphobia]]
[[Category:Trolls]]

Categories: Alt-right, Antifeminism, Cartoons and comics, Censorship, Fascism, Gamergate, Homophobia, Internet, Media, Neo-Nazism, Racism, Sexism, Social justice, Transphobia, Trolls