Comic book culture has changed a lot over the years, especially since the late 20th century. This change has been driven by fans speaking up for social justice, which has greatly influenced comic book fandom and events.

1. A Brief History: Comic books have always shared important social messages. For example, during the 1960s, many comics showed feelings against war. Over the years, they have also highlighted the experiences of different communities. Characters like Black Panther, introduced in 1966, and Ms. Marvel, introduced in 2014, show how important it is to have more diverse stories in comics.

2. Numbers on Representation:

   • A study from 2020 by the Comic Book Industry Alliance found that only 29% of comic book characters were women, and about 17% identified as LGBTQ+.
   • Good news! Between 2018 and 2021, there was a rise of 10% in comic series led by women.

3. Activism at Conventions: Comic conventions are now also places for social justice efforts. For instance:

   • The San Diego Comic-Con, which gets over 130,000 visitors each year, has held discussions like "Comics as Social Commentary." These panels focus on serious topics such as racism and gender inequality.
   • The #ComicsGate movement brought attention to the mixed opinions among fans about representation. Over 45% of convention goers want to see more inclusive storytelling.

4. The Power of Fan Movements: Fans have had a big impact on the comic book industry:

   • More independent comic publishers are focusing on social justice topics. For example, "Black Comix: African American Comic Book Artists and Writers" shows a growing awareness about representation.
   • Surveys show that about 72% of fans feel comic books should address important current social issues. This shows that fans expect more from the stories they read.

5. Wrapping Up: The ways in which fans advocate for social issues have changed both what comics are about and how fans interact with each other. As fans continue to push for fair representation, comic books are becoming more than just entertainment—they're also a way to educate and promote positive change in society.