Archive:Fanboy

2006-11-25T10:09:34Z

84.73.231.100: /* Subjects of relevance */

{{Otheruses3|Fanboys}}

'' '''Fanboy''' '' or '' '''fanboi''' '' is a term used to describe an individual (usually male, though the feminine version ''fangirl'' may be used for females) who is utterly devoted to a single fannish subject, or to a single point of view within that subject, often to the point where it is considered an [[obsession]].

==History of fanboys and the term==
The term originated in [[comic book]] circles, to describe someone who immersed himself in the fictional worlds of comics and the culture of comics fandom. The term is often used in a derogatory manner by other less obsessed fans. In the songs of the fannish [[parody]] [[musician]] [[Luke Ski]], many characters proudly consider themselves ''fanboys''. The term is most commonly associated with adolescent and teen males but can be applicable to any age or sex. Common subjects of reverence by fanboys are [[TV show]]s, [[film|movie]]s, [[music]], [[anime]], [[car]]s, [[video game console]]s, [[video games]], [[operating system]]s, [[MMORPG]]s, and [[software]] companies.

The earliest published uses of the word "fanboy" have been dated to 1982. One reference is to the cover of the "Official Underground and Newave Comix Price Guide". On this cover page are sketched overweight, overzealous comic book collectors wearing T-shirts that state "Fanboys of America," and are describing the extreme measures they would go to, including moving to San Francisco, to preserve their comics. Also published in 1982, a comic strip appeared in Jim Engel and Chuck Fiala's "Fandom Confidential" comic. In the strip, Jim and Chuck met comic artist/writer [[John Byrne]] and collapsed into "mindless paroxysms of adoration." The John Byrne character responded that they were "a couple of fanboys in bondage" which was a play on words referring to a [[List_of_Monty_Python%27s_Flying_Circus_episodes#8._Archaeology_Today|Monty Python skit]] in which an Elizabethan era character reads what she claims to be "'Gayboys in Bondage' by William Shakespeare".[http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=7&T1=Miscellaneous+Questions#154] Another early use is in a smart-alec editorial reply by "[[Ambush Bug]]" to a letter in his comic in [[1985]].

The stereotypical image of the fanboy is as an unkempt, socially awkward, young man who may be perceived as a loud mouthed [[pseudo-intellectual]]. A popular depiction of this stereotype is the [[Comic Book Guy]] on ''[[The Simpsons]]''. They generally remain loyal to their particular obsession, disregarding any conflicting opinions or facts, are often forcefully dismissive of opposing brands, characters or points of view - regardless of their merits - and are likely to be involved in Internet [[flaming (Internet)|flame wars]].

==Subjects of relevance==
Some brands and products, which have fanboy supporters:
*The [[graphics processing unit|graphics processing units]] produced by [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] and [[NVIDIA]]
*The [[computer]] [[microprocessor]] companies [[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]] and [[Intel Corporation|Intel]]
*The [[automobile]] companies [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], [[General Motors]], [[DaimlerChrysler]], and [[Nissan]]
*The [[cola]] products: [[Coca-Cola|Coke]], from the [[The_Coca-Cola_Company|The Coca-Cola Company]]; and [[Pepsi]], from [[PepsiCo]]
*The competing video game consoles: [[Xbox 360]], [[Wii]] and [[Playstation 3]] from [[Microsoft]], [[Nintendo]] and [[Sony]], respectively
*The competing handheld video game consoles: The [[Nintendo DS]] from Nintendo, and the [[PlayStation Portable]] from [[Sony]].
*The competing [[DVD]] successor formats [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]] and [[HD DVD]]
*The competing personal computer hardware and software produced by [[Apple Computer|Apple]], [[Microsoft]], and [[GNU/Linux]]. See [[Operating system advocacy]].
*[[Digital Single Lens Reflex]] camera makers [[Canon]], [[Nikon]], [[Olympus]] and [[Pentax]].

==Media==
===Comic Book===
*[[Sergio Aragonés]]' ''Fanboy''
*Doug Holverson's "Fanboy" (anthropomorphized rotary fan obsessed with comics, who uses his electrical plug for a hand). Dates from the prolific minicomic wave of the 1980s.

===Television===
*''[[The Simpsons]]'''s [[Comic Book Guy]] refers to himself as a fanboy.
*''[[Freakazoid!|Freakazoid]]'''s [[freakazoid!#Other_characters|Fan Boy]]

===Radio/Podcasts===
*[[Fanboy Radio]] - [http://fanboyradio.com]
*Drooling FanBoy - [http://droolingfanboy.com]
*ifanboy - [http://www.ifanboy.com]
*[[The Fanboy Smackdown Podcast]] - [http://www.fanboysmackdown.com]

===Webcomics===
*Fanboy Almanac (webcomic) - [http://fanboyalmanac.com Fanboy Almanac]
*[http://www.ngeb.net/fanboys Fanboys web comic]
*[http://www.fogclub.net Fanboy Otaku Gamers Club web comic]
*[http://www.fanboysonline.com Fanboys!! Beyond Geekdom!!! (webcomic)]
*[http://www.fanboys-online.com Fanboys-Online]

===Video Games===
*[http://www.dsfanboy.com DS Fanboy]
*[http://www.pspfanboy.com PSP Fanboy]
*[http://www.nintendowiifanboy.com Nintendo Wii Fanboy]
*[http://www.ps3fanboy.com Playstation 3 Fanboy]
*[http://www.xbox360fanboy.com Xbox 360 Fanboy]

==See also==
* [[Addiction]]
* [[Otaku]]
* [[Anorak (slang)|Anorak]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fanboy Urban dictionary: fanboy]
* [http://www.netjak.com/review.php/1013 Dissecting the Fanboy Mind] - A discussion of the fanboy behavior in regards to video games.

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[[Category:Anime and manga terminology]]
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Archive:Fanboy