As I sit here (mourning mugglecast) incredibly bored, I wonder what makes a superfan. I consider myself quite the fan, but I want your opinion on how I could be SUPER!

It's not how many posters or HP objects you have..What makes a superfan is entire loyalty and devotion towards all HP actors and of course, the author. Our posters and pics and objescts are just there as reminders.

cheers
ari
i_luv_dan13

hmmm. I'd say if you walk around with a wand muttering spells, make your own Harry Potter movies, draw fan art up the wazoo, wear capes, look for symbolism in the smallest details, or talk to the books, you'd be a superfan. Dun-da-dun!

I'd say dressing up like a witch/wizard for no reason would be a good one. Also the loyalty and stuff that i_luv_dan13 said would be one. Trying to cast spells, thinking you can fly a broom, and actually flying a broom would be a few more.

Here are some traits that disloyal fans have
acting like they like harry potter when its popular and when the next popular
thing up they drop it.
Next they pretend to read it all the time and when you ask them what's happening they say something like "Sirius died!" and it's the first book
Alas loyal qualities
Going on veritaserum
Talking about deep things that go on with Harry Potter like deep thought
you know?
I'm sure there are other "loyal" traits that real HP fans have.
Also fan doesn't do it. It is friend.
Well that's my opinion!

WOW! You guys are keen on loyalty. Top marks as hupplepuffs! So I guess now I've got to keep on reading the books forever and ever. I don't mind! I'm quite loyal and will not hear a bad word against it.

happy posting!

First off, a very good question, gryffindorgirlie!

I also like the answers by people before me. I would only like to add that I see a slight difference between an obsession and a super fandom. For me, under the term obsession, there count all the things mentioned by EMILUBE37, which by the way are discussed in a hilarious VTM thread, You Know You're Obsessed With Harry Potter When..., here

On the other hand, as for the super fandom, I agree with i_luv_dan13 that indeed it is a matter of loyalty. I would only say that for me it is the loyalty to the books, and the canon in general, not so much to the actors. But it is just my personal opinion. I think that in some ten or twenty years, there will come re-makes of the old movies with new actors, but the books will remain just the same forever.

So to answer the question, I think reading the books forever and ever, or any other time span preferable, cannot hurt. And neither can not hearing a bad word against them. So, in other words, I think you are a superfan, gryffindorgirlie.

~Jana

In my opinion there are very few Superfans. And they are the people who manage to read the books, watch the movies, collect some items and work on HP sites. I'm abviously talking about the Staff and Founders of all the HP sites. They trully are Superfans. While everyone else is posting their thoughts on everything HP the Staff are helping out new members, deleting spam, helping people find topics, making sure there aren't too many threads on the one topic and so on and so forth.

I'm not saying this because I am a Mod and want recognition, compared to the other Staffers I do next to nothing, but when you think about it, who else does what we have/had to do? Whilst everyone was reading the book and taking every detail in, the Staff of this site were preparing the Forums so our members could post as soon as we opened again. Is there anything higher then a Superfan? A Megafan perhaps? If so, then the Founders and the Admins get that title! None of us match their commitment to all things HP! And although the HP sites won't last forever, not many people can say they were as dedicated as that lot!

My idea of a superfan is someone who knows the books and movies inside out. Someone to whom you could ask any question and they wouldn't even have to think about it, they'd know the answer. A superfan would be someone who would know every single flaw, mistake and continuation eroor. They'd know that something had changed between the books and know everything that had been changed to suit the movie.

I consider myself a good fan, not a superfan...dedicated yes, but I don't know nearly enough about the ins and outs to call myself a superfan...or is that person just obsessed?

I think there are many different ways of being a superfan. There's commitment to the fandom, loyalty to the author's creation, loyalty to the franchise (which includes the movies and actors and the author herself), and then there's collectors, who have more HP memorabilia than any sensible human being should have. (Know a few of those... ) There are probably more categories, but I can't think of them now.

While I definitely agree with Tahra about the commitment of staffers on HP sites (and I can vouch for the dedication of the VTM bunch!), I also think that people who contribute to the fandom in any capacity should be classed in the same category - there are only so many staffing positions on HP sites, but there are many ways to contribute. Under this same grouping, then, I'd class those who actively participate and add value to debates and discussions, fan artists, especially those who run their own sites - featuring their own or others' artwork, fanfic writers, fanvideo artists etc.

I know a few HP fans who would rival anyone on here for enthusiasm, but they don't wish to be part of the online fandom - their HP experience is more personal. They're crazy about the books and characters and would defend HP against critics, but they do it in their own way. It's more of a word-of-mouth type of superfan. I used to be one before I discovered the online fandom.

Then there are people who are absolutely loyal to the whole shebang - the books, the movies, the author, the actors etc. I'm not one of them, having a strong critical streak in me. I love the books, but I don't think blind loyalty is a condition for loving them. There are bits and pieces that I think JK Rowling should have done differently. Ditto, and much more so, the movies. I'd go watch all of them, but I won't feel obliged to like them. And I'll spare you all my ranting about Emma Watson and Rupert Grint's destruction of their characters. Bah!

I do think, though, that there's a minimum requirement for being a superfan: going to a midnight release, preferably dressed up as a witch or wizard. For those who started HP too late, I suppose wishing you could have gone is just as good.

I don't own nearly as many HP things as I would have done if I had places to buy them from where I live. Does HP Lego count? I desperately want a Ravenclaw scarf, a Hogwarts jumper, a Snape t-shirt, any HP mug, a VTM mug and if I carried on like this we'd all be here for very long, but buying stuff in dollars or pounds isn't funny when you have to convert from SA Rands. Sigh.

Edit: Ooh, yes, Elaine! I totally forgot to mention the trivia buffs! Yep, they're definitely also superfans. I think I know my stuff OK, but there are greater masters around, definitely.

I definitely agree with all the three previous Mods’ posts. I would say that like any other category in a human life, the understadning and perception of the category of a Superfan is subject to many interpretations, varying from person to person. Thus, each definition will be always highly subjective. Each person understands a Superfan differently, which is also corroborated by the variety of descriptions Tahra, Elaine and Laurette offer.

Also, I remember reading in one of Louise’s old posts that particularly for her, being a fan of the books and being a part of the internet fandom had become two different things. (I was looking for the actual post, but I couldn’t find it, so I’m unable to quote her verbatim). I think, her saying nicely illustrates the diversity that encompasses being a HP fan.

I have to admit to and also apologize for my total disregard of the Staffers’ work in my thinking about the definition of a Superfan in my previous post. Being in the position of a mere regular member, I somehow found myself in the state of a sweet oblivion as for the processes that lie behind the smooth workings of VTM, or any other fandom site for that matter. I surely agree that the Staffers’ dedication is a more advanced level of being a fan. As a coordinator of one of the Sorting quizzes, I know what you mean, Tahra, when you are talking about the Mods’ dedication. When the quiz was reopened after a long while, I remember getting up each morning and spending two hours sorting out tens and tens of people. I’m not complaining at all, as I love the activity and I dedicate my time and myself to it willingly. I’m only mentioning it as a little parallel with the Mods’ work.

Reading the post after myself, I’m starting to think if we actually need a category of a Superfan. I think each fan has their own reasons for the dedication, and each fan demonstrates her or his love of the HP universe differently. The whole HP universe is thus made up of the great variety of actions – reading the books, watching the movies, listening to the soundtracks, buying merchandize, writing fanfic, posting at forums, running the forums etc. etc. I’m starting to doubt if it is really necessary to stratify among the fans, making some of them more of fans than the others, in this way creating an elite class of some of them. I think, diversity and equality are one of the many books' undercurrents that Ms. Rowling attempts to communicate to her readership. Thus, defining and labeling someone a Superfan would go just against the very message of the books.

I would conclude that some fans are simply more devoted than the others but this does not make them in any way special or superior to any other fans. All of the fans, doing whatever they feel like in the realm of the fandom, are just equal members of the HP diverse universe.

~Jana

PS: Just today, I admitted in another thread, that I’ve read the whole series only once(!), except for HBP which I have read actually twice. Does this make me a lesser fan than anyone else? I can balance this seeming lack of dedication by posting here at VTM, sorting, writing fanfic, discussing the novels with my frieds and the like and the like. So where would I fit in in the stratified fandom, then?

Oh, Jana, get off the site now!! How dare you even call yourself a fan?! How could you only have read the series once? You're an insult to everyone here.

Nah, just kidding

I don't think fandom is defined by how many times you've read the series, but by how well you understand it. Judging by most of your posts, and your fanfics, I'd say that you had a reasonable understanding! Possibly better than some other people I know who call themselves fans... But then who am I to judge them?

I tend to agree with you about whether we really need an elite group of superfans. As you said, diversity and equality are very prominent themes throughout the series and to segregate different people from each other based on nothing other than levels of obsession (which is all fandom is really isn't it? At it's core I mean) seems rather... well, I try not to do it too much! In my mind, it's not a particularly healthy way to live is it? Always measuring yourself up to others based on something that's really quite superficial. To be a fan is great, and to participate in online forums, write fanfics, reading the series, watching movies etc is a fun part of being a fan. But with this comes the danger of judging others and making some people seem better/more devoted than others.

I do also appreciate that this thread was supposed to be light-hearted and fun, but nevermind!

I don't think the thread necessarily has to be about making judgement calls about people, or labelling people. The question is about our opinions on what makes a fan a superfan. And it's quite true that some people are more devoted than others, so there's no point in us denying that. It doesn't make them "better", though, except perhaps in terms of how we define superfans, which is quite an arbitrary and relative concept - and more to the point, illusive, since we all have different opinions on the issue. No offence or discrimination is meant by it.

We all consider some traits in fans to carry more weight than others. Not that this is an important and serious topic or that it changes anything; that's just how it is. It's been a very interesting discussion so far, finding out what different people single out as decisive for them. Since being a superfan is such a silly, fun and superficial thing, I see no harm in people stating their opinions on what really makes a superfan. It don't see it as a judgement call, at all. For example, if someone felt that absolute loyalty to the actors is a requirement, I wouldn't be offended because I'm not loyal to the actors to that degree. I also wouldn't feel judged. I simply have a different view of things, and I think that's healthy. Having a different opinion of what makes a superfan isn't offensive just because it doesn't coincide with others' opinions. J.K. Rowling's books do make allowance for differences in opinion about the nature of success and what matters in life. Just look at the story of the Malfoys!

Being against defining what makes a superfan is, of course, a valid opinion in itself, and I'm sure no judgement is meant by that either.

Yes, I definitely agree with Louise on this. It's quite possible to be a fan of one but not of the other. Again, it depends on whoever it is defining the term "superfan" whether this matters at all. I lean towards loving the HP books as being the basic requirement for a superfan, but someone else might feel that people who write many fanfics are more qualified to be called superfans. I find the diversity of opinion very interesting!

Yep, thats a pretty good description of a superfan. I would also like to add that a Superfan might absoulutley disagree with a statement about HP but at the same time agree and fight back. I have actually done this with my next-door neighbour. Hes a HP freak like me.

First off, Rebecca, the beginning of your post made me laugh so hard yesterday. I really couldn’t stop, seeing how I am “an insult to everyone here.” I think you’ve managed to keep the light tone of the thread with such an opening. (A little off-topic side note, thank you for complimenting my posts).

Now, along the more serious note. Laurette, I didn’t mean to be offensive in my post or disregard other people’s opinions (posing the question, if we really needed the Superfan category, was only a way of enhancing the discussion). Quite on the contrary, I too contributed with what I think makes a Superfan and what I value in a fan, or Superfan, the most. Like you, I find the variety of people’s definitions interesting. Obviously, I simply phrased my opinion in a rather awkward way. I definitely don’t deny that there are various degrees of “devotion” and as I say in the previous post, some people are simply more devoted than others. You are right in saying that “that’s just how it is.”

I might have phrased my opinion a bit harshly, because I am always a little bit hesitant when it comes to superlatives. I’m more a relativist kind of person, always arguing against absolute values or statements. Thus, what I saw as slightly problematic, and what caused me to argue the way I did, was the actually name of the category which has an air of the absolute around itself. But you are right, I certainly didn’t mean any offence or judgment by expressing my opinion against defining the concept.


I hope I haven’t managed to communicate anything like this. If I did I really apologize. I don’t want to be mistaken, I definitely value plurality of opinions and certainly do not get offended when people’s opinions do not coincide with my ones.

I will be more careful with words the next time. I promise.

~Jana

PS: mjane95, your definition sounds much intersting too, tough a little confusing for me.

Ooh, it's been ages since I last dived into a discussion like this on VTM!

Please don't apologise! That definitely isn't what you communicated. I tried to make a point, perhaps a bit more harshly than what we've become used to at VTM, that people, in general, ought not to be offended by the fact that others' opinions differ - I'm certain that we all agree about that, so this was more of a general statement than in direct response to what you or Rebecca said. I quoted you because I wanted to comment on your thoughts. They were, well, thought provoking, and that's great!

Couldn't agree more! It certainly has enhanced the discussion, and I'm sorry if I sounded personal about it. I simply meant to present the counter argument. In fact, I couldn't resist!

And you weren't. Your opinion, or open-ended question, is, like I said, valid in itself, so I didn't take offence, and I hope no-one else did.

I find this is very interesting, so sorry if I bore you all to death exploring this. Being a student of the natural sciences, I am especially used to giving names and defining categories and phenomena that are useful for understanding problems or the nature of certain things. (Although this really isn't exclusive to the natural sciences; it's just really an integral part of the thought processes of the natural sciences. Anyway.) Definitions are meant to explain something of the boundaries around names and concepts so we can use them more precisely.

That's also why I absolutely love language and grammar. Patterns that emerge naturally in language are named and defined and collectively called grammar, and this naming system helps us understand our languages better, and it even helps us learn new languages by providing a naming system by which we can draw comparisons between languages. I therefore rather like names and definitions.

However, I do understand that naming a category and defining it is a very final sort of act, and it can potentially lead to exclusion. Choosing the name of such a category carefully is therefore important. However, it's also quite true that many things simply cannot be pinned down even by the precisest (most absolute?) definition. Once again, language is a great example. No-one has ever really been able to define the precise meaning of the word "beauty". We all just learn how to use it and it works. On a different level, analysing the grammar of a poem would bring minimal insight into why it touches the heart.

To use this analogy for our superfan issue: In my opinion, the term "superfan" is an illusive one, because the nature of the phenomenon it describes is so arbitrary and relative. The "super" bit, in my opinion, is more of an intensifier (suggesting degree) than an allusion to the absolute. Perhaps similarly to words like "beauty" (a word that also seems to suggest an absolute standard), the term is one that cannot do more than simply suggest this concept or standard, leaving it open for people to decide what shade they give it and in which contexts they use it. Because the term "fan" is wide and vague, the term "superfan", which only adds the notion of degree, will also be wide and vague.

And trying to analyse grammar to understand poetry, I think, would be similar to using the term "superfan", and the idea of "grading" fanaticism, to try to get to the heart of loving Harry Potter. I'm not saying there aren't degrees of fanaticism, but I think what you, Jana and Rebecca, were trying to say is that it only skims the surface of what being a fan is all about. I agree with that.

However, that does not mean that the term isn't useful! Even if it's only for having a fun discussion about the meaning we all attach to it. Nah, kidding! I think it IS a useful term. It has a clear purpose, which is to allude to the notion of varying degrees of fanaticism.

Yeah, Laurette, what a discussion!

First off, thank you for the reassurance concerning the way I argue. It is all the better coming from a Mod herself.


Don't be sorry about that! Just go ahead and explore to your heart’s content! That’s what I’m always looking forward to – reading people’s elaborations on their opinions. And your arguments are very well-structured.

Now, I would like to dwell a bit on why I am hesitant with giving names and naming categories in general, be that the category of a Superfan or any other. Surprisingly, I have the very same reason for that like you, Laurette. Being a student of humanities (English, History, and Comparative Literature) I specialize in post-colonial studies, where naming is generally understood as an expression of the superiority of the colonizer above the colonized subject. Though, of course, I fully accept and understand your arguments for the necessity of names, I wanted to present the other side of the issue too.


And again, here I see the basic difference between the realms of natural and humanity sciences. Whereas the former strive for exactness, measuring and clear boundaries (or like you say, defining the boundaries around the names), the latter are here to erase the boundaries, and make them as implicit as possible. In each boundary, there lies a latent threat that some time in future, one of the categories that the boundary divides will be elevated at the expense of the other.

But I’m not saying that names and naming are all bad. Don’t get me wrong. Like you demonstrate with the example of grammar, naming and exactness are necessary in life and in the society in general. I only wanted to point at some of the dangers that lie within it too.

Then again, though we have exact categories and names in the language system, it is marked by a certain vagueness. The reason for that being that each and every relationship between a signifier (the word or sign in general) and signified (the concept, thing etc. in reality) is wholly arbitrary. The words do not mean the objects. They merely point to them, signify them (or suggest, like you say). The meaning of each word is only such as we, members of the community/society, agree on. Each person has their psychological constructs about what any word means. When I say “mother” or “Superfan” for that matter or any other word, everyone will imagine something slightly different depending on one’s experience. Hence the variety in people’s opinions on what a Superfan is like.

Now, the Superfan has somehow disappeared in my discussion of exactness versus erasing of boundaries. I like your idea of “super” being mere intensifier, not an absolute value. If this occurred to me before, I think I wouldn’t have even argued against the category. It being an intensifier nicely expresses the different degrees of obsession we’ve talked about.

I’m sorry, I went totally off-topic now and you, as a good Mod, shall tell me off for it. I guess my contribution would be more appropriate in the Great Hall, but like you, I couldn’t resist answering. *braces herself against the scold*

~Jana

Ohhh, I should SO be packing and getting ready (I'm going away for a few days), but I would like to say one or two things. Quickly. I'm always late.

This absolutely true! It also happens to be one of reasons language is so dynamic, metaphoric and capable of poetic expression. Meaning is flexible and context dependant, and true word artists exploit this to conjure new, wonderful images and ideas.

Where did "superfan" fit in again? I'd tell you off, but ... er, no time! I'm so very late... No, I'm kidding. I think that your reply was a very natural one to my post, so, in my opinion, it was totally reasonable. Perhaps we can open a Great Hall thread some time on something that will allow a discussion of this nature!

I wish I could type a proper reply, but I really should be getting off the computer. Thanks for presenting the other side of the naming argument, Jana! It was most interesting!

I am not a superfan. (As I am proudly putting all of my HP paraphanalia into my brand new curio cabinet received as a gift for just the purpose of displaying it all. Ahem. Ignore that man behind the curtain.)

Okay, so I'm hardcore!

Maybe that's the semantics of the discussion. What's "super"? Obviously there are different definitions, but I think the one most congruous with our topic is this: exhibiting the characteristics of its type to an extreme or excessive degree. And of course the "type" that we're discussing here is this: the fan. What's a fan? An enthusiastic devotee, an ardent admirer.

In this case, we're looking at what is the excessive degree, extreme Harry Potter enthusiastic devotee.

Based on personal preference, I think some people enjoy looking at things by categorizing them and others prefer to look at larger, undefined motifs. I enjoy starting at definitions, looking at the pinpointed category and then branching out from there. In a strict sense, there are only a few superfans. . . . In a broad sense, there are millions. If we think strictly within the box, everyone measuring up to everyone else - then the definition of what a superfan is becomes narrow. There really aren't that many fans who go to the exponential degree of enthusiasm. That's not saying that there aren't great, devoted fans - but that's for those who would live and breathe Harry.

If we take the same definition and sort of broaden the theme to a personal category - then we're all superfans of something. I'm a fan of many things, but of all m interests, Harry Potter is at the top of the pop culture list! In my life, I'm a superfan of Harry Potter.

When compared to other people. . . I'm probably more of a fan than others and most likely less than some.

And then we have the sub-outlets of being an HP fan! There are some people who might only be a moderate HP fan but a huge Daniel Radcliffe fan.

I think it's fun, other people think it's kind of lame. But it's great to have interests, and I think it's a better obsession than some things out there. So go ahead and be a superfan!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go dust my triplicate copies of each HP book!

I guess you could say I am a total superfan..Let me explain... First off I have every book in the HP series and have read them religiously since I've bought all of them, I have HP posters, I have HP wall paper (Starring Draco of course ) I also had a personalized license plate made for my car of the Hogwarts crest with all 4 Houses, I also have personalized tags on my car itself that says "S1YTHRN" and I proudly have the Slytherin House crest tattoed on my upper arm and I'm also getting a Death Eater like tatoo on my lower arm. Ok if that does not describe a super fan I don't know what does

Another thing that would describe a superfan is the undying loyalty that one has for the charactors or a particular charactor and house. In my case my loyalty lies within Slytherin House and with Draco Malfoy..In case you have'nt guessed that by now...Anyway its great that HP has such a large worldwide assortment of fans of all ages, this is like the biggest thing since Star Trek, except that it's 100% better...

Marcey

See I don't collect mcuh in the way of paraphernalia. I have the books and am currently trying to put together a collection of the earliest editions of each that I can find...of the earlier books. I have a nice stamp collection, a few posters, all the movies on DVD (special editions) and apart from my daughter having a rather fetching Gryffindor/Hermione uniform, that's about it.

And this is where I think people will differ on their opinions of what makes a Superfan.

I don't profess to know everything contained within the pages of the books but I can give most people a run for their money. As I've said I don't have a huge collection of memorabilia so I guess I fall into the same catergory as Janet...



Some might say that a person who eats, sleeps. drinks the HP verse is a tad obsessed so the term Superfan although could be directed at them, but then so could the word geek.

In fact I found this article 'Are you a superfan' and in it you can read the lengths that some will go to show their loyalty.

Anything from a license plate, and a tattoo ( Dracoslady ) to one guy who had his house remodelled to look like the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, personally I think the latter is deranged, but it's all subject to personal opinion. Just because I don't have a seperate room in my house dedicated to the cause, is no indication of the level of my fan status, but then just because Marcey has some nice tats doesn't mean she's deranged, like I said, it's all subject to personal opinion.

Incedently if a certain Mr Spielberg chooses to sell his license plate ET1 for a fiver, I'd glady take it off his hands and I wouldn't give a darn who called me a geek or any other name for that matter!!

Edit: You guys might find this fun!! I took the HP quiz...I am a Superfan...but the questions were really easy!

Woohoo! Yeah, I took the test! I am a true Superfan! I would never have thought it actually. I mean, I know the books inside out, and participate quite a bit here on VTM, but that is really as far as my Superfandom goes. I don't have collectable items, I don't really think the movies are that great (much to the horror of many people here I know), I don't have any HP paraphernalia other than books that will soon need to be replaced. However, I am constantly linking the intracacies of the plot with the wider world and other literature, discussing the merits of particular characters etc. My form of fandom is something I take - well, not seriously, but I suppose I have a lot of respect for it, whereas other means don't quite register with me (though of course I'm not saying they're not valid). I guess it just goes to show how differently people react to this world-wide phenomena, and how we are all have the 'right' to be considered as the ultimate Superfan

etphonehome, i took the test and got 19/20-and they say i'm not a superfan?! Ok, the questions were slightly easy, but i guess there were some that only a superfan would know (How old is professor MacGonagall, come on ... though i did get that question right ...)

A superfan to me is just a highly obssessed one. But more than obssessed, like-reeeeeally obssessed. Like all their work books are covered in HP duraceal (sp?) and they have all the merchandise and can repeate quotes from the top of their head.

Ok, so i acn repeat quotes, but my books are no longer duracealed.

I don' think that makes me a superfan. I'm not that obssessed to talk about HP every moment of every day.

I also think, as Mundu pointed out, that superfan's have just a lot of respect for HP. Like, i respect my book's like they're alive or something (I refused to bring my copy of DH on a boat, because i was afraid it'd fall over-board).

So a superfan to me, is someone who just loves the books and would do anything to defend the said books.

I think a superfan is a lot of things. It could be someone who reads the books over and over again and writes fan fics about the series (me). Or someone that watches the movies over and over again (my friend). It could be someone who spends their time making harry potter graphics (my other friend). And still, it could be someone who owns all the harry potter junk on earth (all of us).

My point is that superfandom (I did make up that word ) comes in many forms.

i think it comes down to whether or not you have read the harry potter books so many times that you can quote them word for word, and yet you will still happily read them again, and the same for the films...i like to think i am among these fans

Oh, I am definitely among those fans! I could probably do the sorcerer's stone movie word for word.

But it's also just the love of the series. Those people who stand outside at midnight, wearing Harry robes, glasses, and painted a scar on their head, waiting for the next book to come out are probably superfans (I wait until the next morning) even if they can't directly quote some of the books or movies.

Superfandom (Hope you don't mind I used your word, forsaken_wolfess, but it's cool! ) is different depending on the fan. DracosLady has the tattoos and wallpaper. I, have a battered up copy of every single book, with bits of Saltines stuck in between the pages, bookmarks still stuck in the books. I have read each book about a million times and I can still recite what was written on Gringott's door in the first book. (You know, the Enter stranger but take heed, of what awaits the sin of greed...?) That's all from memory! I don't like the movies as much as I like the books (It is going to be IMPOSSIBle to fit book 6 into 2 hours of video, according to me) so I don't have a lot of posters or wallpaper. I prefer to picture my own characters the way I wanted to, because I didn't like how Moody looked on video, and after watching it the movie picture is always stuck in my head and my other pictures are gone! So yep, main reason why my books are battered. Bye-bye movies!

Bookworm_1918, you kind of got me thinking. A superfan doesn't have to love everything about the series. You don't like the movies as much because you visualise differently. I hated the fact that Sirius, Dumbledore, Cedric, and Dobby died. One of my mates doesn't like Ginny. (she has a major crush on Harry; it's best not to ask.) But I think we can all be described as superfans.

My guess is that almost everyone on this site is a superfan, since we were all devoted enough to join a site devoted to the series. Sometimes I question our sanity... and then I think it's fun to be different and insane! And then I usually think I need some help...

I agree with you, bookworm_1918 and forsaken_wolfess. A fan is one who not only loves books, but also can disagree with things that's being written.

I don't think it's all about reading the books a hundreth times. One of my friends is a fan, but only read each book once since she can basically remember the lines as they come if she reads it one more time. Yes, reading the books again and again because you love them is of course being a fan, but I think there's more than that to it.

One thing I think identifies a fan is that he/she wants to know more. For one the book simply isn't enough. Wanting to know about te author or looking up info (take hp-lexicon). I think that's a thing a real superfan would do

Also a person who puts his/her whole heart into the books. One who cries when their favourite characters die (RIP Sirius!), one who shouts at the book when someone does something stupid. If you've really got your feelings into it, it shows you love the books and that you deserve to be a fan!

forsaken_wolfess and happy-potter, you've got it right!
Well, all us here at VTM can be defined as superfans, we have joined this site to discuss HP and connect because of our love and passion for these books (and movies, some people actually love the movies more than the books (I'm not one of them)) and because we are addicted to the universe somehow. I was sad when I finished the DH because I knew no more was coming.
And as you said Vicki, a superfan is a fan who gets emotional about the books. It has been many times when I have cried and when my mother asked what was wrong, I just began shouting, saying "You know NOTHING!". Crying, laughing, screaming, shouting, feeling with the book, then you are a superfan!

Uh, heh heh, that's me too. I cried so much when Dobby, Sirius and Dumbledore died. But, as an author, I can see why she might need to do that to make the book work.

Anyway, what are the opposite of super-fans? 'Cause I think I've met a few of those. They completely hate Harry Potter and think it is contaminating kids' brains (I've heard it before, and I'll probably hear it again.)

Well, shouldn't being here on Veritaserum make you enough of a superfan? Yea I agree, someone who also disagrees on some of the text. A superfan (get this) would not really like the movies! They would usually watch the movies just to see what a character would look like or sound like or so on. You see, in my opinion, the movies are messed up A LOT. Don't get me wrong - I love all the actors and actresses (most of them anyway) but some of the directors (not pointing fingers) messed up. I think the director who followed the book the closest was the one of the first two. The fourth one NO WAY I hate that movie it was soooooooo screwed it made no sense and it makes me go - GRRR I'M COMING TO GET YOU! - You know what I mean?

well i highly doubt that a super harry potter fan is someone who goes out & buys stuff . i mean yes i do that but its becuase i want to feel closer to harry potter <3 but what about people who dont have money to be buying stuff like that ? they wouldnt be considered fans? exactly . so really to be honest i dont think theres a super fan because as long as we stay true to harry potter & the story & JKR then thats all the fandom that HP needs (: no need to start a WW4 for the greatest super harry potter fan. we alll are . in our own way of course . harry potter is like a city . the city isnt built or well recognized becuase of one person . its the loyalty & devotion that the whole city gives & its thats one small umphf that each person brings<3.. thats how i see it

& as i just saw which i want to agree on as well a fan isnt someone either who agrees on everything just becuase JKR wrote . i mean thank you , im grateful but you have to be willing to draw the line & admit if there isnt something right . becuase a true potter fan would want the truth

You don't have to buy everything Harry Potter-like, nicky potter. If you did, I'd either not be a true hp superfan (which I most definitely am!) or entirely broke, one of the two. You just have to love the ideas, that's the only requirement. You can do other things, but that's the main need.