Yes, when people ask "is it art?" they're ussally actually asking is it good art? Who knows?

It's part of something broader. A lot of people seem to need whatever they enjoy (science fiction / comic / video games) to get a seal of approval as great and serious art. They complain that people don't respect the art they enjoy. Of course, when someone tries to do something serious in the genre/medium they complain that it is the wrong kind of whatever. You're supposed to respect first-person-shooters and space opera as great art. They don't want you to make anything that actually tries to be literary.