“I probably am the biggest nerd in Congress.” Congressman Robert Garcia admits that he is a huge fan of comic books and the movies inspired by them. As a Democrat and former Mayor of Long Beach, Garcia has been a comic book enthusiast since he was a child and claims to have seen every Marvel and DC movie multiple times.
Garcia made headlines in the comic book community earlier this year when he was sworn in on a rare copy of 1939’s Superman No. 1. He further gained attention with tweets aimed at DC Studios co-head James Gunn, playfully threatening a congressional inquiry unless Gunn delivered a DC slate by the end of January. Two days later, Gunn complied and unveiled the slate. Garcia is even set to lead Wednesday’s public hearings on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (formerly known as UFOs).
Expanding on his love for comic books and his commitment to the entertainment industry, Garcia recently unveiled the Congressional Popular Arts Caucus at Comic-Con. The caucus has attracted 20 lawmakers from both political parties who share an interest in movies, TV, and gaming as well as the issues affecting those spaces.
Garcia recognizes the influence that popular arts have on the American economy, stating, “Think about what the biggest movies are – it’s Marvel blockbusters, it’s Star Wars, it’s DC.” The caucus will focus on various issues including copyright, piracy, artificial intelligence, and labor.
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The unveiling of the caucus comes at a challenging time for the entertainment industry, as the writers and actors’ strikes have brought Hollywood to a halt. This was particularly evident at Comic-Con, which had very limited Hollywood presence this year. To show his support for the unions, Garcia appeared on a Comic-Con panel to introduce the caucus and also participated in a SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) demonstration.
When asked if lawmakers could bridge the gap between studios and unions, Garcia expressed his desire to support the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA but acknowledged that the negotiations were currently taking place between the unions and the studios. If necessary, policymakers could step in to support the unions in the future.
Garcia has been attending Comic-Con since the ‘90s and has fond memories of waiting in line for Hall H to witness some of the biggest reveals, including the first trailers for movies like Man of Steel and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. This year, however, he found himself in the spotlight as attendees swarmed him for photos after his panel. Despite the attention, Garcia appreciated that this year’s Comic-Con had a focus on comics, reminiscent of conventions from the past.
In conclusion, Congressman Garcia’s love for comic books and the entertainment industry has led him to create the Congressional Popular Arts Caucus. This bipartisan initiative aims to address important issues in the entertainment sphere and show support for the writers and actors during ongoing negotiations. Garcia’s passion for the popular arts and his desire to bring attention to their impact on the economy and society make him a unique and influential figure in Congress.
