Batman loves darts

Watched a Darts Match and a Comic-Con Broke Out

I’ve become enthralled with watching professional darts tournaments in the last month.

YouTube channels provide access to years’ worth of the things, and they’re something to watch.

If you’re used to watching, say, golf or bowling, you know what it’s like. The crownd is quiet, the player focuses, and then lets ‘er rip.

In darts, a stadium with thousands of people in it are sitting at long tables, knocking back beers, and singing drinking songs the entire time. They don’t care what the players are doing. Heck, they probably can’t even see it.  The dartboard is so small on that raised stage.  The large screens showing video of the match is how they keep up with it.

The crowd dances along to the music and their songs, holds up signs, and gets dressed up for the occasion.

The World Championship

Recently, Darts had its major event, the World Championships.

Let us take a look at some of the sites to behold. I’m freeze-framing YouTube videos here, which is what’s causing the blurs in these.

Who’s present in these crowds?

Some Smurfs, including Papa Smurf:

Smurfs at the 2017 World Darts Championship

 

Wonder Woman:

Wonder Woman at the 2017 World Darts Championship
Sorry for the blur. It was a moving camera shot. Tough to pause those clearly.

Batman!

Batman at the 2017 World Darts Championship

Hulk and Waldo!

Hulk and Waldo at the 2017 World Darts Championship

And because comic cons are more pop culture than comics these days, we also have Mario and Luigi next to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:

Mario, Luigi, and TMNT at the 2017 World Darts Championship

Bert and Ernie!

Bert and Ernie at the 2017 World Darts Championship

And if you’re going with your Muppets references, you can’t miss Waldorf and Statler, the only two people in the hall who weren’t having fun, I’d guess:

Waldorf and Statler at the 2017 World Darts Championship

 

I didn’t get a screengrab of it, but there was a Spider-Man there, too.

 

The Players

Everyone gets in on this, including the players in their colorful jerseys.

Here’s Holland’s own, Raymond van Barneveld in his fetching Barney Rubble shirt.

Charlie Brown played Barney Rubble and won.

Pictured with him there is Michael van Gerwen (“MVG”), the Michael Jordan of darts, who is also obviously a Charlie Brown cosplayer.

You can watch this whole match here.

This younger player, Daryl Gurney, looks like he’s emulating Iron Man with his jersey:

Iron Man at the 2017 World Darts Championship

But, wait, it gets better.  Dart players have nicknames.  Gurney wears his across his back.  And it’s practically a superhero name:

Daryl Gurney is the Superchin of darts

“SuperChin”!

You can watch this match here.

In Conclusion

I know this might sound nuts, but — I love watching darts now, and I’m grateful that so much of it winds up on YouTube.  I don’t think Sky Sports 2 (the “ESPN Ocho” of the UK?) gets much air time in America… (They do offer a stream, but I’m not a subscriber.)

You just never know where comics will show up next…

Dart Tournaments are the next Comic-Con?


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3 Comments

  1. You finally discoverd darts? Shame on you 🙂
    Starting februari 2 the premier league darts begins.
    A competition with 10 players, and each match they must try to win 7 legs.
    You will see a lot of comic book characters.
    Including 3 of my countrymen (Gerwen/Barneveld/Klaassen).
    Look at the PDC site for more information.

  2. Eric – I can’t help it. In North America, it’s a total blackout on it. Not even the smallest sports network airs it here. I just got lucky when I saw that NY Times article and searched YouTube. =)

    I’ll keep my eye out in February for the next big tournament. Thanks for the heads up. Van Gerwen is a lot of fun to watch, and your country seems to be quite the home for top notch darts players, too. Impressive. I need to go find a Belgian player to root for now, to satisfy my ancestors…

  3. Hi Augie – Your lucky then. Kim Huybrechts will play too, and he’s Belgian.
    With a little luck you will spot an old fashioned Robin and possibly a (Amando Connor) Power Girl while watching the matches and a whole lot more of hero’s.