Comics, Classrooms, and Captain America: Teaching Through Fandom with Mark Domeier

In this episode of Geek Freaks Interviews, Frank is joined by Mark Domeier, a passionate middle school English teacher from Minnesota who uses comic books and pop culture to bring reading and writing to life for his students. With a collection of over 14,000 comics, Mark shares how he leverages his love for superheroes and stories like Star Wars, The Outsiders, and even The Mandalorian to make literature relevant and fun. We explore how comic books support reading comprehension, creativity, and engagement, and how fandom can help students find their voice in writing. Whether you're an educator, comic lover, or lifelong geek, this episode is full of inspiration.

Timestamps and Topics:

00:00 – Intro and welcome
00:22 – Mark’s comic collection and using comics in education
01:08 – Visual storytelling and reading comprehension
02:53 – Mark’s first comic subscription and lifelong love of Spider-Man
04:22 – From Marvel to DC: Expanding fandom
05:59 – What inspired Mark to become a teacher
07:07 – Encouraging reading through comics and creative assignments
08:01 – Teaching with Star Wars in the classroom
09:57 – Using essays to analyze Star Wars and develop critical thinking
11:29 – Comics in lessons: Drawing stories, analyzing narratives
13:17 – Creative final projects: Comic books, screenplays, and songs
16:08 – Fighting for creativity in the age of AI
18:23 – Middle school creativity vs. deeper literary structures
21:08 – MCU, Mandalorian, and how current media inspires students
23:37 – From the classroom to pop culture essays and fandom discussion
25:01 – Connecting WWII and Star Wars in teaching Anne Frank
26:32 – Fandoms showing students what makes a good person
29:07 – Using sports fandom in class to build engagement
30:55 – Funko Pops, Stephen King, and knowing your students
33:02 – Meeting students where they are and guiding them forward
35:40 – Advice for teachers using fandom in education
38:29 – Closing thoughts and gratitude

Key Takeaways:

• Comics can help students visualize and understand stories, boosting comprehension and engagement.

• Students are more likely to connect with material when they see their interests and strengths reflected in it.

• Pop culture like Star Wars and the MCU can be tools for teaching analysis, persuasive writing, and historical parallels.

• Offering students options in how they express learning—whether through art, comics, or music—promotes creativity.

• Teachers must adapt to their students’ learning styles and passions, especially in a world increasingly impacted by AI.

• Fandom isn’t just entertainment—it’s a pathway to deeper learning and connection.

Memorable Quotes:

• “If you read 20 or 25 comic books, that’s the same as reading a novel.”

• “Every student should read The Outsiders. I’ve taught it almost every year of my career.”

• “I’m just going to go out kicking and screaming, fighting to make kids be creative.”

• “I remember being a kid and wishing that I could be bitten by a radioactive spider.”

Call to Action:
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Listener Questions:
Have a question for Mark or thoughts on using comics in the classroom? Send them our way and we might include them in a future episode!

Apple Podcast Tags:
comics, education, Star Wars, Marvel, teaching strategies, pop culture in school, middle school reading, student creativity, graphic novels in education, Geek Freaks Interviews