Comic Book Geeks vs. Comic Book Nerds

‘Geek’ and ‘Nerd’ are often used synonymously, especially when referencing such a wonderful group as comic book fans. Though now, simply liking comic books, or at least characters in comic books, isn't enough to quantify someone as either because after all, have you actually met someone who didn't like Guardians of the Galaxy, The Avengers, or The Dark Knight? Probably not, and if they don’t genuinely like any of those, I can only assume it’s due to some undiagnosed personality disorder because each of those movies is magic. Though geek and nerd may seem interchangeable at least on the surface, there are differences between the two.

Outwardly, both groups will seem similar. Once they start talking, the differences start to show. Geeks overall, tend to be the more social of the two. They’ll both make really obscure references to very obscure topics, but the geek will generally have more interest in the actual socializing than the nerd will. They are both generally brilliant, and will obsess over topics they’re passionate about (like comics, yay!), but the geek will be more willing to break away from the obsession than the nerd. Example: you could talk to a comic book geek about how you got underpaid at work, and made a fool out of yourself in front of a girl you went on a date with, and the geek may make a reference to how Peter Parker ran into the same problem in ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ several issues back. If you tell the same story to the comic book nerd, though he may be just as interested in Peter Parker’s adventures, he isn't nearly as interested in the conversation at hand and will probably be fairly dismissive, or shy away completely. 

So really, one of the biggest differences, though they have almost identical interests and obsessions,  is the comic book nerd is genuinely introverted and more interested in solitude than being with others, and the comic book geek is simply made unique by his passions.

Another Hail Mary play to decipher whether or not that guy you see hanging around Newbury Comics in the mall is a geek or a nerd, look at who he dates. A geek can and will fall for anybody. Nerds on the other hand, will generally only fall for other nerds. Maybe it’s because they need to share their passions with a partner, or maybe it’s just survival instinct. We may never know, but whether geek or nerd, you’ll probably call him or her boss one day.