Most women or girls who have shown a public interest in some form of geekery (comic books, video games, etc.) have probably experienced some form of sexist gatekeeping. Most have encountered at least one man, if not scores of them, who don’t believe their interest in genuine and feel the need to make them prove their knowledge of a subject.
And apparently, that isn’t just restricted to actual women, but fictional ones, as well.
Earlier this week, in the kind of bizarre conversation that can only happen on Twitter, prolific comics writer Gail Simone asked fast-food chain Wendy’s if they preferred Marvel or DC universe. Why? Who knows, although it did come right on the heels of this discussion:
Did you ever notice how many restaurant chains sound like early Spider-man villains?
Face the fury of…THE BURGER KING!
Beware the bombast of…EL POLLO LOCO!
Dread the danger of…IHOP!
Shudder at the sound of…THE SIZZLER!— GAIL SIMONE (@GailSimone) February 6, 2019
Anyway, Wendy’s wrote back, answering “Marvel,” and Simone went on to ask a number of other brands. A surprising number of them responded.
Dear Gail,
Are you referring to the movies? We enjoy Marvel’s ambition and general success in building a complex cinematic universe with diverse heroes. But we also appreciate DC Universe’s willingness to allow each hero’s story to be told in unique ways. So both. https://t.co/KojpYEIk7v
— Little Debbie (@LittleDebbie) February 7, 2019
This is honestly pretty stressful! Doesn’t like half of humanity not exist anymore in the Marvel universe? Then again, it’s like ALWAYS raining in the D.C. universe. Wow. This is tough. I guess it’s a draw? BYEEEEEEEE! 🍕😍🍕😍
— Pete Zaroll (@totinos) February 7, 2019
My vote goes to Ryan Reynolds as he connects all universes space and time
— SUNNYD (@sunnydelight) February 8, 2019
Marvel has better movies but DC Super Heroes are ICONS!
— AriZona Iced Tea (@DrinkAriZona) February 7, 2019
we stand with @ValiantComics despite their allegiance with our mortal enemy @hotpockets
— Steak-umm (@steak_umm) February 7, 2019
We stand with the Great British Heroes 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 Wimpy, Captain Britain, Spider Woman and the whole of Team Excalibur vote for Marvel Comics! 🇬🇧 😎
— WimpyUK (@WimpyUK) February 8, 2019
Falcon…Stan Lee…Marvel, easily.
— Hooters (@Hooters) February 8, 2019
That’s not even close to all of the responses. And yet Wendy’s is the only company that I could see that encountered this sort of reaction:
The fuck does @Wendys know about comics. Besides what movies are popular…
— Derek Frederick (@THEONLYKOH) February 7, 2019
And of course more dudes jumped in to make “her” offer proof. Wendy’s wasn’t having any of it, though.
Loved Fraction’s Hawkeye, The Visions, and was super invested in the original Civil War. Anything with Joe Mad art still gives those super nostalgia vibes. Use the app, so a little behind on super current. Always love reading X-Men, and digging Black Panther.
— Wendy’s (@Wendys) February 7, 2019
This sort of demand for proof of an interest is a bad faith mood and never something you’re required to engage in. You don’t have to live your love of comics or anything else on some jerkwad’s terms.
But I’m glad Wendy’s chose to if only because now we all have the gift of this response:
This is the best gatekeeping response. I’m thinking of putting it on a tshirt. pic.twitter.com/fvHCZmVJqk
— 🇨🇱 enfys ︽✵︽ (@okelay) February 7, 2019
It’s sad that even corporate logos can get accused of being “fake geek girls,” but it’s always nice to see a gatekeeper get put in their place.
Sorry I ruined Twitter again, everyone!
— GAIL SIMONE (@GailSimone) February 7, 2019
(image: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)
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