With the state of the world being what it currently is, what better time to talk fandom and politics? The newest special issue of Transformative Works and Cultures does just that:
The essays in this issue contribute not only to fan studies but also to our understanding of the current political-communication climate. The affective nature of fandom is often treated as being at odds with the rational discourse of the political sphere, and the relationship between fandom and politics is often dismissed or ignored. The articles in this special issue build on fan studies’ strong foundation to rebut that claim. They offer extensive evidence that fandom and politics are compatible—indeed, perhaps even natural fits. The essays suggest the wide variety of ways fandom and politics come together, be it across election campaigns, via activist resistance, around voter registration, and by charity work.
Hinck, Ashley, and Amber Davisson. 2020. “Fandom and Politics” [editorial]. In “Fandom and Politics,” edited by Ashley Hinck and Amber Davisson, special issue, Transformative Works and Cultures, no. 32. https://doi.org/10.3983/twc.2020.1973.