Sunday Rec-a-thon
Hi Everyone!
Here are my recs this Sunday. I chose to recommend works from thirteen different fandoms, and in a variety of formats. Most of these are fiction recs, but you'll see the odd video and a fan comic. I hope you enjoy these!
Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender (TV)
Title: 30 Avatar Short Stories
Author: Sophia Prester
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3411516/1/Thirty_Avatar_Short_Stories
Rating: K+
Status: complete, multi-part.
Summary: Each of these thirty stand alone stories focuses on a different character from Avatar.
Why I fangirl this: Sophia’s fics are all marvelous, but I especially love this one because she not only writes ficlets focused on Avatar’s main characters, but also on its minor characters. And each story is a little gem.
Fandom: Batman (any format)
Title: The Last Temptation of Alfred
Author: David Hines
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1769479/1/The_Last_Temptation_of_Alfred
Rating: K+
Status: complete, one-shot.
Summary: At a butlering convention, Alfred has a moment of weakness.
Why I fangirl this: This is one of those really-hard-to-do short fics that is also completely hilarious. And Alfred is awesome, so it’s great to see a story from his perspective. No angst here, this is lighthearted and funny, but completely in-character.
Fandom: Alice in Wonderland (Movie, 2009)
Title: From Her Hands
Author: Luc Court
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5890324/1/From_Her_Hands
Rating: K+
Status: Complete, one-shot.
Summary: Post-movie, Hamish and the White Queen. Alice isn't the only person to become subject to the Underland's attention.
Why I fangirl this: This is a subtly but definitely creepy Mirana, which is how I think she should be. And Luc does a great job of using Hamish’s brief appearance in the movie to create a fully realized character.
Fandom: Chronicles of Narnia (makes most sense if you’ve read the whole series)
Title: Imaginary Menagerie
Author: unoriginal-elizabeth
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1315369/1/Imaginary_Menagerie
Rating: K+
Status: complete, one-shot
Summary: Susan keeps trying, even though she can feel the back of whatever wardrobe she is in, flat against her back. Even though she will never feel soft fur around her face. Even though she does not believe in Aslan.
Why I fangirl this: This is one of the only fics that makes me cry, and it continues to make me tear up. This is hands down the very best post-Last Battle Susan story I’ve ever read.
Fandom: X-Men
Title: Unexpected
Author: Kristen Elizabeth
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1350874/1/Unexpected
Rating: M
Status: complete, multi-chaptered
Summary: "Ah mean...ya know me and him didn't just play cards in that cave that night." (Rogue/Gambit)
Why I fangirl this: One of my old favorite fics, one of my old favorite pairings. Not really movie-verse, but I don’t think you’d be lost if your only familiarity with the X-Men universe is the movie trilogy. The author did choose to write in dialect (which is a style that tends to annoy me), but if you can get over that you'll probably enjoy the story.
Fandom: Tin Man
Title: The Good Witch
Author: countesscole
Link: http://countesscole.livejournal.com/95275.html (will take you to most recent chapter and chapter list)
Rating: PG - 13
Status: WIP, multi-part, updated 8/1/2010
Summary: The Witch is gone, but that doesn't mean the war is over.
Why I fangirl this: This indulges my love for epic fiction. Slow-build romance, adventure, and magic, oh my! (DG/Cain)
Fandom: Princess Tutu
Title: Håll Om Mig / Hold Me Now
Vidder: Marissa Panaccio
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHZqxecCukg
Rating: G
Status: Complete
Summary: Music video to “Håll Om Mig” a Swedish pop song. No specific pairings, but kind of spoilery. I did see this vid before I watched the anime, and honestly I’m not sure if someone who hasn’t seen the show can tell what’s going on in this video - the show is extremely complex. Maybe don’t watch if you’re not into spoilers and also happen to be in the process of watching the anime.
Why I fangirl this: I don’t understand the words, but holy moly is this one of my favorite vids of all time. The timing, the editing, the music, and the choice of clips comes together for a very dramatic punch.
Fandom: Final Fantasy VIII
Title: This Final Heaven
Author: Ms. Starlight
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2396350/1/This_Final_Heaven
Rating: M
Status: complete, multi-part
Summary: In Ancient Trabia, a great hero passed on a legend of the end of time. In the future, a sorceress set the pieces moving. And in the present, an unlikely group of heroes stand alone against an unforgiving god. SeiferxQuistis, SquallxRinoa, IrvinexSelphie
Why I fangirl this: SeiferxQuistis is totally my it-would-never-work-but-I-love-it-anyway guilty pleasure pairing. And Starlight has written a great epic fic to indulge just that. There are other (canon) pairings in there too.
Fandom: Good Omens
Title: Ordinary Miracles
Author: Nenena
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3740722/1/Ordinary_Miracles
Rating: T
Status: complete, multi-part
Summary: It's tough being an apprentice angel, especially when your teacher doesn't understand you, a demon keeps showing up to harass you, and you're not naturally talented with thirteendimensional calculus.
Why I fangirl this: This fic stars an OC, Theo, who is fully realized and interesting. It’s funny, and imaginative, and very Good Omens-like. Aziraphale and Crowley are in fine form, and it’s fun to see them from an OC’s perspective.
Fandom: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Title: Mutant Ninja Turtles Gaiden
Author: Tigerfog
Link: http://www.mntgaiden.com/en/
Rating: T-ish
Status: WIP, multipart
Summary: This is a very lengthy fan comic that portrays the TMNT characters as adults. Many of the supporting characters from the TV show and movies also make appearances.
Why I fangirl this: The story is very dark, the art is incredible, and the Tigerfog is able to believably age characters that most fans know as pizza-eating teenagers. There are some spots of lightheartedness, but this is definitely a serious, angsty story.
Fandom: Labyrinth
Title: Et in Arcadia, Ego
Author: Tara1189
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4806708/1/Et_in_Arcadia_Ego
Rating: M
Status: complete, one-shot
Summary: Because not all prisons are metal and bars. JS oneshot.
Why I fangirl this: This is not a romance. Jareth and Sarah are locked in a power struggle, and it's emotional and disturbing. This is pretty much how I picture Jareth (although I’ve been known to read much fluffier Labyrinth fare), so it’s good to see a fic of this caliber that’s not shy about going to a dark place with his character (and with Sarah’s).
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: The Shoebox Project
Author: ladyjaida and dorkorific
Link: http://www.lomara.org/sbp/ (a pdf conversion of the original SBP, which is/was located at http://community.livejournal.com/shoebox_project/)
Rating: T
Status: incomplete forever, I fear, but in multiple parts.
Summary: Letters and photos from a shoebox under Remus' bed, strung together in a plot-like fashion.
Why I fangirl this: Probably everybody and their dog has read this already, but in case you haven't, you should. It's a lovely fic/art combo focusing on the Marauders. Remus/Sirius and James/Lily romance is in there, too.
Fandom: Final Fantasy (multi-game); Dead or Alive; Ninja Gaiden; Kingdom Hearts
Title: Dead Fantasy
Creator: Monty Oum
Link: http://www.gametrailers.com/users/montyoum/gamepad/?action=fanmovs (There are other videos there, but you want Dead Fantasy numbers I-V.)
Rating: PG to PG-13
Status: 5 videos completed, possibly more to come
Summary: This is a series of five CG action movies that pit characters from the Final Fantasy series against characters from the Dead or Alive series. The combatants are all female characters, although some male characters are introduced later in the series. The movies are in a battle royale sort of style, and thus contain a lot of video game violence. The fifth video may be disturbing to some because of its Tarantino-esque fight scene. The beginnings of an actual plot are starting to emerge, but it’s unclear whether the videos will continue.
Why I fangirl this: I’m really only familiar with the Final Fantasy women in these videos, but it doesn’t matter. The action is beautifully rendered, and it’s really, really awesome to see these characters in full combat mode (not something you really see too much of in the actual games). There’s no dialog, the animation, music, and action speak for themselves.
Here are my recs this Sunday. I chose to recommend works from thirteen different fandoms, and in a variety of formats. Most of these are fiction recs, but you'll see the odd video and a fan comic. I hope you enjoy these!
Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender (TV)
Title: 30 Avatar Short Stories
Author: Sophia Prester
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3411516/1/Thirty_Avatar_Short_Stories
Rating: K+
Status: complete, multi-part.
Summary: Each of these thirty stand alone stories focuses on a different character from Avatar.
Why I fangirl this: Sophia’s fics are all marvelous, but I especially love this one because she not only writes ficlets focused on Avatar’s main characters, but also on its minor characters. And each story is a little gem.
Fandom: Batman (any format)
Title: The Last Temptation of Alfred
Author: David Hines
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1769479/1/The_Last_Temptation_of_Alfred
Rating: K+
Status: complete, one-shot.
Summary: At a butlering convention, Alfred has a moment of weakness.
Why I fangirl this: This is one of those really-hard-to-do short fics that is also completely hilarious. And Alfred is awesome, so it’s great to see a story from his perspective. No angst here, this is lighthearted and funny, but completely in-character.
Fandom: Alice in Wonderland (Movie, 2009)
Title: From Her Hands
Author: Luc Court
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5890324/1/From_Her_Hands
Rating: K+
Status: Complete, one-shot.
Summary: Post-movie, Hamish and the White Queen. Alice isn't the only person to become subject to the Underland's attention.
Why I fangirl this: This is a subtly but definitely creepy Mirana, which is how I think she should be. And Luc does a great job of using Hamish’s brief appearance in the movie to create a fully realized character.
Fandom: Chronicles of Narnia (makes most sense if you’ve read the whole series)
Title: Imaginary Menagerie
Author: unoriginal-elizabeth
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1315369/1/Imaginary_Menagerie
Rating: K+
Status: complete, one-shot
Summary: Susan keeps trying, even though she can feel the back of whatever wardrobe she is in, flat against her back. Even though she will never feel soft fur around her face. Even though she does not believe in Aslan.
Why I fangirl this: This is one of the only fics that makes me cry, and it continues to make me tear up. This is hands down the very best post-Last Battle Susan story I’ve ever read.
Fandom: X-Men
Title: Unexpected
Author: Kristen Elizabeth
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1350874/1/Unexpected
Rating: M
Status: complete, multi-chaptered
Summary: "Ah mean...ya know me and him didn't just play cards in that cave that night." (Rogue/Gambit)
Why I fangirl this: One of my old favorite fics, one of my old favorite pairings. Not really movie-verse, but I don’t think you’d be lost if your only familiarity with the X-Men universe is the movie trilogy. The author did choose to write in dialect (which is a style that tends to annoy me), but if you can get over that you'll probably enjoy the story.
Fandom: Tin Man
Title: The Good Witch
Author: countesscole
Link: http://countesscole.livejournal.com/95275.html (will take you to most recent chapter and chapter list)
Rating: PG - 13
Status: WIP, multi-part, updated 8/1/2010
Summary: The Witch is gone, but that doesn't mean the war is over.
Why I fangirl this: This indulges my love for epic fiction. Slow-build romance, adventure, and magic, oh my! (DG/Cain)
Fandom: Princess Tutu
Title: Håll Om Mig / Hold Me Now
Vidder: Marissa Panaccio
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHZqxecCukg
Rating: G
Status: Complete
Summary: Music video to “Håll Om Mig” a Swedish pop song. No specific pairings, but kind of spoilery. I did see this vid before I watched the anime, and honestly I’m not sure if someone who hasn’t seen the show can tell what’s going on in this video - the show is extremely complex. Maybe don’t watch if you’re not into spoilers and also happen to be in the process of watching the anime.
Why I fangirl this: I don’t understand the words, but holy moly is this one of my favorite vids of all time. The timing, the editing, the music, and the choice of clips comes together for a very dramatic punch.
Fandom: Final Fantasy VIII
Title: This Final Heaven
Author: Ms. Starlight
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2396350/1/This_Final_Heaven
Rating: M
Status: complete, multi-part
Summary: In Ancient Trabia, a great hero passed on a legend of the end of time. In the future, a sorceress set the pieces moving. And in the present, an unlikely group of heroes stand alone against an unforgiving god. SeiferxQuistis, SquallxRinoa, IrvinexSelphie
Why I fangirl this: SeiferxQuistis is totally my it-would-never-work-but-I-love-it-anyway guilty pleasure pairing. And Starlight has written a great epic fic to indulge just that. There are other (canon) pairings in there too.
Fandom: Good Omens
Title: Ordinary Miracles
Author: Nenena
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3740722/1/Ordinary_Miracles
Rating: T
Status: complete, multi-part
Summary: It's tough being an apprentice angel, especially when your teacher doesn't understand you, a demon keeps showing up to harass you, and you're not naturally talented with thirteendimensional calculus.
Why I fangirl this: This fic stars an OC, Theo, who is fully realized and interesting. It’s funny, and imaginative, and very Good Omens-like. Aziraphale and Crowley are in fine form, and it’s fun to see them from an OC’s perspective.
Fandom: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Title: Mutant Ninja Turtles Gaiden
Author: Tigerfog
Link: http://www.mntgaiden.com/en/
Rating: T-ish
Status: WIP, multipart
Summary: This is a very lengthy fan comic that portrays the TMNT characters as adults. Many of the supporting characters from the TV show and movies also make appearances.
Why I fangirl this: The story is very dark, the art is incredible, and the Tigerfog is able to believably age characters that most fans know as pizza-eating teenagers. There are some spots of lightheartedness, but this is definitely a serious, angsty story.
Fandom: Labyrinth
Title: Et in Arcadia, Ego
Author: Tara1189
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4806708/1/Et_in_Arcadia_Ego
Rating: M
Status: complete, one-shot
Summary: Because not all prisons are metal and bars. JS oneshot.
Why I fangirl this: This is not a romance. Jareth and Sarah are locked in a power struggle, and it's emotional and disturbing. This is pretty much how I picture Jareth (although I’ve been known to read much fluffier Labyrinth fare), so it’s good to see a fic of this caliber that’s not shy about going to a dark place with his character (and with Sarah’s).
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: The Shoebox Project
Author: ladyjaida and dorkorific
Link: http://www.lomara.org/sbp/ (a pdf conversion of the original SBP, which is/was located at http://community.livejournal.com/shoebox_project/)
Rating: T
Status: incomplete forever, I fear, but in multiple parts.
Summary: Letters and photos from a shoebox under Remus' bed, strung together in a plot-like fashion.
Why I fangirl this: Probably everybody and their dog has read this already, but in case you haven't, you should. It's a lovely fic/art combo focusing on the Marauders. Remus/Sirius and James/Lily romance is in there, too.
Fandom: Final Fantasy (multi-game); Dead or Alive; Ninja Gaiden; Kingdom Hearts
Title: Dead Fantasy
Creator: Monty Oum
Link: http://www.gametrailers.com/users/montyoum/gamepad/?action=fanmovs (There are other videos there, but you want Dead Fantasy numbers I-V.)
Rating: PG to PG-13
Status: 5 videos completed, possibly more to come
Summary: This is a series of five CG action movies that pit characters from the Final Fantasy series against characters from the Dead or Alive series. The combatants are all female characters, although some male characters are introduced later in the series. The movies are in a battle royale sort of style, and thus contain a lot of video game violence. The fifth video may be disturbing to some because of its Tarantino-esque fight scene. The beginnings of an actual plot are starting to emerge, but it’s unclear whether the videos will continue.
Why I fangirl this: I’m really only familiar with the Final Fantasy women in these videos, but it doesn’t matter. The action is beautifully rendered, and it’s really, really awesome to see these characters in full combat mode (not something you really see too much of in the actual games). There’s no dialog, the animation, music, and action speak for themselves.