A longstanding tradition at Lubbock Con Rob and Matt will have a discussion related to comics and comic book movies. What makes a good comic book adaptation? What makes a bad one? How do comics and movies intercede with one another? Join us won't you?

Presenter/Panelists: Rob Weiner and Matthew Mceniry

With so much real horror in the world, why is the horror/true crime genre one of the most popular forms of entertainment? This academic discussion will talk about why we love horror and real life horror in the form of true crime. True Crime podcasts, books, and movies are some of the most consumed in American Culture. In addition horror novels, comics, movies, and videogames are equally popular. It has been argued that horror and true crime can provide a cathartic experience. This panel seeks to understand why?

Presenter/Panelists: Rob Weiner and Joshua Salmans

Come and discuss Popular Culture Topics with faculty from Texas Tech University.

Presenter/Panelists: Rob Weiner, Erin Burns, Jenni Jacobs, and Shelby Hebert

This panel will explore how Tumblr's fandom became a breeding ground for social justice movements and a safe haven for marginalized voices. For many, Tumblr's fandom wasn't just a place to geek out, it was a refuge, a digital utopia where difference was celebrated and everyone could belong. This panel will explore how Tumblr’s unique platform, with its focus on anonymity and community-building, became the unlikely birthplace of a social justice revolution.

Drawing on the research, the panel will examine:

- How Tumblr's fandom mobilized around issues like LGBTQ+ rights, body positivity, and racial justice, using their collective voice to challenge harmful stereotypes and fight for a more equitable world.

- How Tumblr's fandom popularized concepts like trigger warnings and helped shape a more inclusive and progressive understanding of topics like sexuality, gender identity, and mental health, fostering conversations that often went unheard in offline spaces.

- How Tumblr offered a safe space for fans who felt ostracized in their offline lives, particularly those from marginalized communities.

- How Tumblr fostered a culture of radical acceptance, allowing fans to explore their identities, find solidarity with like-minded individuals, and challenge societal norms that excluded them.

- How, similar to the hippies of the 1960s who leveraged physical spaces to foster community and share radical ideas, Tumblr provided a digital space where young users could explore, express, and advocate for social justice causes, mirroring and expanding on the causes defined and fought for in the 1960s.

- How the research dubbed this generation of fans "digital hippies" for their embrace of countercultural ideals and their commitment to social change.

Join us as we discuss how Tumblr's fandom used their passion to make a difference, leaving an indelible mark on fan culture and the world beyond. We will discuss the lasting legacy of Tumblr’s fandom and how its influence continues to ripple throughout today's digital landscape, leaving a lasting impact on everything from online discourse to fan conventions

Presenter/Panelists: Sydney Scheller