[din-9]

Superheroes and fantasy have become mainstream over the last few decades. Things do change.

[close04]

The 2 topics you mentioned simply didn't enjoy a general audience. But the people who did enjoy them did so relatively out in the open.

I can't think of a time in recent history when any weird sex fetish was openly discuss the weirder fetishes.

[drsim]

I object to the word 'weird' here but I get your point.

A time that comes to mind is Fifty Shades of Grey bringing sadomasochism into popular culture and discussion.