In the world of fandom, there is no stronger display of love and support for a favorite artist or celebrity than owning official merchandise. From t-shirts and hats to phone cases and keychains, fans proudly show off their devotion by donning these items adorned with their idols’ names and faces. But in recent years, there has been a rise in a new type of fan – the corpse admirer – who takes this adoration to a whole new level.
Corpse admirers are fans who are enamored with deceased celebrities or historical figures. They idolize these individuals even after death and often collect merchandise related to them. This phenomenon is not something entirely unheard of; think back to the obsession with Marilyn Monroe that still exists today, decades after her passing.
For some, collecting official merchandise may seem harmless enough. After all, it’s just another way for fans to express their love for their idols. However, when it comes to Cannibal Corpse Merch admirers, things can get rather morbid.
One prime example is Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion-turned-museum in Memphis, Tennessee. Fans flock from all over the world to this location as if on a pilgrimage to pay homage to “the king” and his extravagant lifestyle before his untimely death at 42 years old.
But beyond the attractions such as tours of his private jet and VIP access inside his bedroom at Graceland Mansion lies an extensive gift shop featuring hundreds upon hundreds of Elvis-themed items – everything from mugs and magnets to replica jumpsuits worn by the singer himself. Even more bizarrely, visitors can purchase jars containing air from inside Graceland Mansion itself.
It’s not just music icons that garner such intense admiration even after death; figures like writer Edgar Allan Poe also have devoted followers who seek out any piece of merchandise related to him they can find. And if you thought buying air was strange enough already – how about purchasing locks of Poe’s hair? Yes, you read that right. Some fans have even bought locks of his hair for over $5,000 at auctions.
So what drives this obsession with the deceased and their merchandise? It could be a desire for connection – something tangible to hold onto from a figure no longer present in the physical world. Additionally, some see it as a form of tribute or honoring those who have left an indelible mark on society.
However, some argue that this type of fandom is unhealthy and serves as a way for fans to live vicariously through their idols. It also raises questions about the ethics of profiting off someone’s death and how far such adoration can go.
In conclusion, while official merchandise may seem like harmless fanfare at first glance, the rise of corpse admirers brings to light an entirely different level of devotion that goes beyond simple fandom. While it may be impossible to control what people choose to collect or how they express their admiration for beloved figures – it does raise important points about boundaries when it comes to posthumous celebrity worship.