Quiz Black Nerd Problems William Evans and Omar Holmon

Black Nerd Problems: 20-Question Quiz

Quiz Questions

Instructions: Answer the following questions based on the book Black Nerd Problems by William Evans and Omar Holmon. Each question is either multiple choice or short answer. Write your answers on a separate sheet. The answer key with explanations is provided after all questions.

Plot and Sequence (8 questions)

  1. (Multiple Choice) In Chapter 1, how did William Evans and Omar Holmon first meet?

    • A. In a comic book store in New York City
    • B. At a poetry slam in Madison, Wisconsin
    • C. While waiting in line for a movie premiere
    • D. On an online forum for Black nerds

  2. (Short Answer) According to Chapter 27, what real-life event made the authors realize that cosplay could be dangerous for Black people?

  3. (Multiple Choice) In Chapter 5, what quote from Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers #37 does Omar Holmon use to describe the Black American condition?

    • A. “With great power comes great responsibility.”
    • B. “You can’t win. Time to start figuring out how not to lose.”
    • C. “No lies. There will be death here today.”
    • D. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

  4. (Multiple Choice) In Chapter 6, William Evans lists three moments from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse that surpass any other comic-book movie. Which of the following is NOT one of those three?

    • A. The “What’s Up Danger?” leap of faith
    • B. Blond Peter Parker’s acrobatic fight and mentorship of Miles
    • C. The post-credits scene with Spider-Ham
    • D. Miles returning to the collider and saving Peter B. Parker

  5. (Short Answer) In Chapter 10, which superhero kills Namor?

  6. (Multiple Choice) According to Chapter 2, what Pokémon evolution does Omar Holmon use as a metaphor for the evolution of the term “nerd”?

    • A. Charmander to Charmeleon
    • B. Pikachu to Raichu
    • C. Eevee to Flareon
    • D. Squirtle to Wartortle

  7. (Short Answer) In Chapter 44, what is the name of the ship that carries the X-Men suicide mission to destroy the Mother Mold?

  8. (Multiple Choice) In Chapter 16, what does William Evans call Disney’s calculated approach to diversity?

    • A. The Diversity Dance
    • B. The Disney Two-Step
    • C. The Corporate Box Check
    • D. The Woke Wash

Character Motivation (5 questions)

  1. (Multiple Choice) Why does William Evans defend Avatar Korra against common criticisms in Chapter 4?

    • A. Because he believes the writing was always excellent
    • B. Because he attributes the criticisms to sexism
    • C. Because he thinks Korra is a perfect character
    • D. Because he prefers Korra over Aang

  2. (Short Answer) In Chapter 19, why does Omar Holmon criticize Gohan from Dragon Ball Z?

  3. (Multiple Choice) In Chapter 3, what is William Evans’s main critique of Simba from The Lion King?

    • A. Simba was not strong enough to defeat Scar
    • B. Simba never earned his throne and abandoned his people
    • C. Simba relied too much on Timon and Pumbaa
    • D. Simba was a bad friend to Nala

  4. (Short Answer) According to Chapter 7, why does Omar Holmon say the Food Wars universe would be the most annoying to live in?

  5. (Multiple Choice) In Chapter 8, what reason does William Evans give for defending Batman against Twitter criticism?

    • A. Batman never kills his enemies
    • B. Batman does not exploit his wealth or gentrify neighborhoods
    • C. Batman is the smartest superhero
    • D. Batman has the best supporting characters

Theme and Symbol (4 questions)

  1. (Multiple Choice) In Chapter 11, what does the “Black Card” symbolize according to Omar Holmon?

    • A. A ranking system for how “Black” a person is
    • B. A birthright that gains experience points through cultural knowledge and struggle
    • C. A literal credit card for Black-owned businesses
    • D. A membership pass for exclusive Black events

  2. (Short Answer) What does the “Disney Two-Step” refer to in Chapter 16?

  3. (Multiple Choice) In Chapter 46, what does the Wakanda salute come to represent after Chadwick Boseman’s death?

    • A. A simple greeting used in the movie
    • B. An inheritance of grief, resilience, and solidarity
    • C. A fashionable handshake for celebrities
    • D. A secret signal for Black Panther fans

  4. (Multiple Choice) In Chapter 2, what threat does Omar Holmon identify when nerd interests become mainstream?

    • A. Nerds will become less intelligent
    • B. Gatekeeping from long-time fans who fear losing their subculture identity
    • C. The quality of nerd media will decline
    • D. Non-nerds will take over all conventions

Synthesis (3 questions)

  1. (Short Answer) How does the book redefine the term “nerd” in the opening chapters? (2-3 sentences)

  2. (Multiple Choice) How does the book connect fictional stories to real-world racial trauma? Choose the best example from the chapters.

    • A. Comparing the Green Lantern Corps to police accountability (Chapter 13)
    • B. Criticizing the Hamilton musical for humanizing slave owners (Chapter 36)
    • C. Describing how the Spider-Man PS4 game reminded Omar of police killings (Chapter 5)
    • D. All of the above

  3. (Short Answer) In Chapter 47 (Outro), William Evans recalls wanting to be Gandalf the Grey for Halloween. Why does his father insist he should be Gandalf the White instead?

Answer Key

  1. B – Evans and Holmon met at a poetry slam in Madison, Wisconsin, in 2008, as described in Chapter 1.
  2. The killing of Darrien Hunt. Hunt, a Black cosplayer, was shot by police in 2014 for carrying a plastic sword. This event directly caused Evans to hesitate when buying a Buster Sword replica.
  3. B – The quote is “You can’t win. Time to start figuring out how not to lose,” which Holmon sees as encapsulating the struggle of being Black in America.
  4. C – The three moments listed in Chapter 6 are: (1) Blond Peter Parker’s fight and mentorship, (2) the leap of faith, and (3) Miles saving Peter B. Parker. The post-credits scene is not mentioned as a top moment.
  5. T’Challa (Black Panther). In Avengers #40, T’Challa kills Namor for flooding Wakanda and destroying an alternate Earth.
  6. B – Holmon compares the nerd spectrum to Pikachu evolving into Raichu, showing growth and broader inclusion.
  7. The Mother Mold (the ship is not given a separate name; the strike team destroys the orbital Sentinel factory).
  8. B – The “Disney Two-Step” describes how Disney includes marginalized characters but avoids full, authentic representation.
  9. B – Evans argues that criticisms of Korra (cockiness, losing the Avatar line) stem from sexism, and he contrasts this with his daughter’s positive reaction to the show.
  10. Because Gohan never lived up to his potential after defeating Cell. Holmon blames Gohan’s complacency and the fandom’s demand for Goku’s return.
  11. B – Evans argues Simba never earned his throne: he caused Mufasa’s death, fled, left his family to Scar’s tyranny, and only returned when forced by a ghost.
  12. Because of the constant erotic fan service. Every meal causes people to orgasm and disrobe, making social interactions unbearable and ruining everyday life.
  13. B – Evans notes that Batman does not exploit his wealth or gentrify neighborhoods, unlike many real-world billionaires.
  14. B – The Black Card is a birthright that accumulates experience points through cultural knowledge, encounters with racism, and lived experience. It is not a ranking or literal card.
  15. Disney’s pattern of including marginalized characters without committing to authentic representation. Examples include turning Black characters into nonhuman forms, erasing specific cultural identities, and using narrative shortcuts to avoid addressing oppression.
  16. B – After Chadwick Boseman’s death, the salute became an inheritance – a gesture of grief and resilience that now holds the weight of legacy.
  17. B – Holmon warns that when nerd culture becomes trendy, long-time fans may gatekeep to preserve their subculture identity, using trivia as a litmus test.
  18. The book argues that “nerd” is not a fixed identity but a spectrum that includes anyone passionate about a hobby, from comic books to sports to farming. It critiques media depictions that limit nerds to white males and calls for a more inclusive definition.
  19. D – All three examples (Green Lantern cops, Hamilton critiques, and Spider-Man PS4 trauma) show how the book uses pop culture to address real-world issues like police accountability, slavery, and the constant threat of violence.
  20. His father believed Gandalf the White, who returns after death and leads others, was a more powerful and hopeful symbol. Evans later understood that his father’s preference reflected the need for resilience and leadership in the face of adversity.