Comic-Con 2018

As America faces the drawing up of Death Star plans (or border walls, refugee bans, and faith-based registries), culture and politics have never felt so . . . pop culturian as now. But stories have always been political, and fandom has, too. In this darkest timeline, themes of hope and rebellion in stories such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Wonder Woman are serving not just as moral guides, but popular culture, and particularly geek enthusiasms, are shaping cultural conversation around strategic resistance. Moderator Jennifer K. Stuller (Ink-Stained Amazons; Geektivism) leads a conversation with geeks making activism their superpower by hacking popular culture for social justice, civic activism, and participatory politics-including efforts in anti-bullying initiatives, advocacy, and for charity. Sara Mortensen (Harry Potter Alliance), Nicole Gitau (Geeks OUT; Flame Con), Tracy Deonn Walker (The Color of Fandom; Duke University), Annalise Ophelian (Looking for Leia), and Chase Masterson (Pop Culture Hero Coalition; Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) will explore the what, why, and how of geek activism, talk about rebellions being built on their favorite fandoms, and how you can raise your wand, embrace your inner Groot, and wield The Force in the name of geektivism and all that is worth saving in this world.