Routledge Cult Collectors: Nostalgia, Fandom and Collecting Popular Culture

Cult Collectors examines cultures of consumption and the fans who collect cult film and TV merchandise. Author Lincoln Geraghty argues that there has been a change in the fan convention space, where collectible merchandise and toys, rather than just the fictional text, have become objects for trade, nostalgia, and a focal point for fans’ personal narratives. New technologies also add to this changing identity of cult fandom whereby popular websites such as eBay and ThinkGeek become cyber sites of memory and profit for cult fan communities. The book opens with an analysis of the problematic representations of fans and fandom in film and television. Stereotypes of the fan and collector as portrayed in series such as The Big Bang Theory and films like The 40 Year Old Virgin are discussed alongside changes in consumption practices and the mainstreaming of cult media. Following this, theoretical chapters consider issues of gender, representation, nostalgia and the influence of social media. Finally, extended case study chapters examine in detail the connections between the fan community and the commodities bought and sold. Topics discussed include: The San Diego Comic-Con and the cult geographies of the fan convention Hollywood memorabilia and collecting cinema history The Star Wars franchise, merchandising and the adult collector Online stores and the commercialisation of cult fandom Mattel, Hasbro and nostalgia for animated eighties children’s television Review "Cult Collectors makes a skillful contribution to cultural and fan studies, theorizing "second-hand fandom" whilst smartly tackling "transformative nostalgia". Emphasizing places and spaces of collecting – whether San Diego Comic-Con, Collectormania or Forbidden Planet – Lincoln Geraghty forcefully argues for the individualizing vitality of collectors’ material and consumer practices. This is a valuable study of how fans commemorate, curate and create value in today’s media culture. Definitely one to add to your collection." Matt Hills, Professor of Film & TV Studies, Aberystwyth University "As I sat down to read Cult Collectors in an office full of licensed toys, posters, mugs, and candy, its importance was clear: film and television studies have had too little to say about collectibles and about the huge role they play in media culture. Geraghty delivers the goods in this accessible, smart, fun, and highly perceptive book. Highly recommended." Jonathan Gray, Professor of Media and Cultural Studies, University of Wisconsin, Madison About the Author Lincoln Geraghty is Reader in Popular Media Cultures and Director of the Centre for Cultural and Creative Research in the School of Creative Arts, Film and Media at the University of Portsmouth. His research interests lie within the broad contexts of British and American popular culture and he has written extensively in these areas.