Annie Wilkes and the modern fanboy

Annie Wilkes is every celebrity's worst nightmare.  She's an obsessed fan who let her admiration for a book series consume her life, so much so that she feels she knows the characters better than the writer who created them.  If anything is made that deviates from that vision of what the character should be, she goes nuts.

While the book was written decades ago, it still resonates.  If anything, I think it makes a bigger statement now than it did when it was first released.  With internet message boards being filled with trolls who will complain and nit pick ad nauseum, Annie's obsession almost seems commonplace.
But she's psychotic, you say? Have you read AICN's talk back section lately?  Have you scrolled through the wretched hive of scum and villainy that is the DC Comics message boards? They can be amusing and some people do bring thoughtful discussion to the table, but there is a lot there that proves every nerd stereotype right and then some.

Many posts will talk about how a certain writer doesn't get the character.  In some cases, they're right.  Characters (especially superheroes) can, have, and will get stuck with bad writers.  Still, these iconic characters are icons for a reason.  They can endure it and will survive.  Superman survived the red/blue fiasco, Spider-Man survived the Clone Saga, so on and so forth.

Criticism is one thing; it's even OK to not like a writer's work.  However, calling for them to die in a fire, like some did with writer Peter David, is crossing the line.  Message boards are ridiculous and can be, at times, unpleasant, but they are ultimately harmless.  Fans should be wary of the slippery slope that they prance around.

Annie Wilkes should act as a caution sign for all of us who are passionate about something.  Whether it's comics, literature, or movies, it is important to keep these things in perspective.  It may start out harmless, but the more you engage in that kind of behavior, the more likely you are to go bug nuts and to lose your sense of self as well as your sanity.