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THE POWER OF FANDOM – A WOBAM Story

Avengers: Infinity War


There was an idea, Stark knows this, called the Avengers Initiative. The idea was to bring together a group of remarkable people, see if they could become something more.

Nick Fury

That was Marvel’s The Avengers, and while this story is nowhere near as grand, it saved my life. From the outside WOBAM! Entertainment might seem like your typical nerd blog. We covered everything from news, reviews, editorials, and even a podcast. That’s not even close to what WOBAM was. It was a family. Paul Romano began to this project alone but somehow cultivated a culture so pure and welcoming that no matter who came and went, it still was a family. We pretty much talked single day for four years straight. Discussing things from website stuff to real life stuff. These guys I worked with became my closest friends. Through good times, and bad they were always there.

I’m a bit of an introvert (understatement of the year), but I feel at home here. Were we the biggest site? No, but that wasn’t the point. A group of friends came together from all walks of life and created something out of passion. Arrow, Batman, The Avengers, Star Wars. That’s what brought all of us together, but the friendships are what made us stay together. That’s the power of fandom. Isak even got people into Anime. I still don’t know how he pulled that off.

The Worlds of DC

It starts with one common interest, then it blossoms into a mutual association, leading to that person becoming your best friend. Fandom unites people all across the globe. The relationships we formed with continue past the time of this website. The people I’ve worked with here changed my life for the better. I’m more confident in my writing, podcasting, and leading abilities. I’m slightly less shy (yes, somehow I was even worse), and I learned how to be a Boss Bitch (inside joke).

This post was originally going to be about what heroes mean to us, but I realized that your friends and family are the real heroes. The power of fandom can be a double-edged sword. Sometimes it can be toxic, making you wish you were never apart of it. Then there are times where you end up a better person because of it. Special thanks to my WOBAM partners: Paul Romano, John Mathews, Landon Beall, Jason Thompson, Colin Kelly, Isak Wolff, Nate Richard, and Markus Mattila for making me the best version of myself. You all made it all worthwhile, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Part of the journey is the end. Thanks to everyone who has ever read one of my 350 posts. I’ve given you my all, and I don’t have anything left. It has been an honor. Stay whelmed.

Although I love this company more than almost anything in the world, I have decided to step down from my post and spend more time with my family. I do not fear the unknown. I will meet my new challenges head-on, and I will succeed, and I will laugh in the faces of those who doubt me. It’s been a pleasure working with some of you, and I will not forget those of you soon. But remember, while today it is me, we all shall fall… In other words I’m quitting.

Dwight K. Schrute
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