Friday Favorites with Special Guest Andra Passen

Posted By on August 30, 2013

Welcome back to Friday Favorites. This week NerdSpan welcomes comic creator Andra Passen who’s here to share her favorite fictional comic fans of the 90s.

Passen’s comics, Crowded Thoughts and Crooked Teeth, focus on music, indie music shows, pizza, and the struggle to find a meaningful relationship. What makes her comics work so well is one–you don’t need to invest a lot of time reading them, and two–most people can identify with the thoughts and feelings expressed. You won’t find social media styled drama about a bad date here. Passen is smart, witty and cuts right to the truth of any situation.

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So it makes perfect sense some of her favorite fictional comic fans are also some of the smartest characters that have been created.

Top 5 Fictional Comic Fans of the 90′s

5. Rocko / Rocko’s Modern Life

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Rocko, freshly thrown into the real world, takes a job at Kind of a Lot O’ Comics Working under Mr. Smitty. The good and evil in the comic buisness are both represented. Mr. Smitty is only there for the sales while Rocko cares for both the customers and the comics. Rocko is typically shown behind the desk calmly reading a comic, usually starring Really Really Big Man. Throughout the series Mr. Smitty is miserable and often about to blow. Not only does good conquer evil- but it also lowers your stress level.

4. Jerry / Seinfeld

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Half fictional, sure, but Seinfeld included more Superman references than any other sitcom. A quick glance at his apartment and you’ll find a Superman figure on the shelf and a Superman magnet on the fridge. In the 1993 episode “This Visa”, George describes Jerry: “Dark and disturbed? His whole life revolves around Superman and cereal.” If Seinfeld taught me anything, it’s that the road to happiness is paved with Superman and cereal.

3. Doug / Doug

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Quailman is by far the most memorable atler ego of Doug Funnie. Not a Halloween goes by where I don’t see someone dressed as Quailman. Quailman is theperfect example of DIY cosplay. Throw some underwear over your pants and suddenly you’re transformed. Doug could finally step outside of himself and feel heroic, and capable of getting the girl.

2. Comic Book Guy / The Simpsons

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Though his real name is Jeff Albertson, he is known for his comic book obsession. Comic Book Guy is the owner of The Android’s Dungeon & Baseball Card Shop. His sits in his shop all day snobbishly judging everything as the best or the worst ever. In the 1997 episode “The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show”, CBG complains that “As a loyal viewer, I feel they owe me.” It is this level of entitlement that makes Comic Book Guy similar to so many people we know.

1. Brodie / Mallrats

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Sometimes one’s love for comics is so pure that it’s hard to balance with romantic love. Sometimes you need Stan Lee to offer some perspective. With both loves heavily regarded, it’s easy to relate. Brodie learns that true love is the biggest prize of all, better than all the comics in the world. Like many I’m still dreaming of both.

So who are your favorites?

Next week: Our favorite reboots.

Andra Passen writes comics and worries too much. She lives in Brooklyn.

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About the Author

Josh Flynn
Josh Flynn is a writer and journalist from Indiana. His essays, stories, and articles have appeared in The Indianapolis Star, Nuvo Newsweekly, Slam Magazine, Copper Press and Punchnel's. He has an English BA from Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis (IUPUI) and an MA in creative writing from Ball State University. He is currently working on his novel. His writing can be found at joshpflynn.com.