When I was young I would see the comic covers on magazines and would draw them. I didn't see the animation cartoons that came up on HBO till I was able to purchase the DVDs. I've never read the comics, because I do not like reading much, lol.
I'm not a major fan but a fan nonetheless.
When I work on my art, it's mostly a thank you to all those that made those things possible for them to exist.
Those things like movies, cartoons, and video games that made me get away from terrible reality at those times.