March Fic Recs in DC COMICS for crack_van
Fandom: DC COMICS
Pairing: Terri Rothstein, Teth Adam (Black Adam)/Al Rothstein (Atom Smasher) implied
Length: 976 words
Author on LJ: devilc
Author Website: DevilChild's Den
Why this must be read:
One of my favorite stories. This fic spotlights a minor character, Atom Smasher's mother, Terrie Rothstein. It is an excellent study into the gray areas of heroism and the repercussions of her superhero son's public and private activities in Kandaq. Poignant and purposeful, it provides insight into the little things that make up our motivations.
The letters come in drips and drabs to Terri Rothstein's house.
She opens them, reads them, and puts them in a box. She doesn't quite know what to think.
Life didn't ... no, to say that life didn't prepare her for a situation like this, well, it's a way of hiding, isn't it? It's a cop-out. What she means to say is that she never thought she'd find herself in a situation quite like this, and that it's awkward, because there's really not anybody to talk to about it, or ask for advice. There are few clear paths in life, and in her case, it's even muddier.
She keeps her mouth shut, except to say "No comment" when asked about Al.
Al murdered a criminal to save her life.
Murder is wrong. Murder is a sin.
Terri's glad to be alive...
The last story in the "Ring of Fire" Black Adam series, "Colateral Damage" can be read on it's own, or in succession.
Colateral Damage
Fandom: DC COMICS
Pairing: Alan Scott/Jay Garrick/Ted Grant, canonical pairings
Length: 3249 words
Author on LJ: bagheera_san
Author Website: Fic Master List
Why this must be read:
Hot and utterly unique. This fic is amazingly awesome old-person powers porn from the dc_kink meme. Bagheera does a wonderful job in presenting this threesome with plausible in-character responses. Their powers are put to good use in moving the action and the tight Wildcat point-of-view provides delicious humor along the way to getting the guys off. Delightful!
The first thing Ted Grant did when his best two buddies came stumbling into the brownstone high on sex pollen was to laugh. He sat on the couch, snickering into his fist all the way through Jay’s attempt to explain politely that a villain’s weapon had turned them horny enough to jump anything with legs. Meanwhile, Alan tried to look stoic.
“The stimulating effect hasn’t worn off so far,” Jay finally finished. “As you can - “
“Yes, I can,” Ted guffawed, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. “I’d have to be blinder than Doc Mid-Nite not to see it. Holy shit! Seems pollen are woody enough to give you wood, eh, Alan?”
“Unfortunately, neither Mid-Nite nor Terrific are in tonight,” Jay replied, with the faintest hint of a smile. Alan, on the other hand, was not so easily amused. His glare was withering, but Ted wasn’t so easily deterred. A prime opportunity like this to make fun of the two most staunch and square members of the JS of A didn’t often present itself.
“Bet ya wish it had been Hourman and Belle on that mission. Those crazy kids probably wouldn’t even notice a difference.”
“You shouldn’t wish this predicament on anyone,” Alan admonished, reaching a new level of humorlessness.
“Yeah,” Ted grinned. “And you should be hella glad it’s me here tonight and not one of the kids. You’d be scarring them for life with that - ”
One For The Team
Fandom: DC COMICS
Pairing: Dian Belmont/Wesley Dodds (Sandman I)
Length: 1703 words
Author on LJ: wabbitseason
Author Website: none found
Why this must be read:
Originally written for comica_obscura, this fic focuses on the often overlooked and absolutely fabulous, Dian Belmont. Dian was the life-long companion to the original Sandman, Wesley Dodds; she shared in his adventures and was a Pulitzer Prize winning novelist. wabbitseason gives us a heartrending look at the loving sacrifices they made for each other, as well as the quiet strength they lent each other. She does so with a light touch, clear description, and an accessible situation.
"Inspiration" is an excellent introduction to Dian and Wes for those unfamiliar with them, and a touching glimpse for old fans.
Clakkata-clack, clackety-clackety-clack-clack, clakka-ping.
Dian Belmont's fingers moved smoothly over the keys of her typewriter, not even hearing the gentle patter of the rain outside. She barely even noticed the noise the pounding of the keys made, so focused on the scene unfolding on the page. She tried not to stop and think too much. She could smooth out the transitions in the revisions. What was important right now was pounding out the words, getting into a good solid rhythm...
"Still working?"
"What?" Dian looked up from the typewriter to see Wesley Dodds standing in the doorway. He shed his dripping wet overcoat. "Oh, yes, I was just finishing this..." Her fingers had continued moving by rote, catching up with her original thought. When she finished, she looked down, cringing at an obvious typo. "Oh damn, I'll never get this done in time." Dian muttered.
Inspiration
Fandom: DC COMICS
Pairing: none, Ted Grant (Wildcat I) and Courtney Whitmore (Stargirl)
Length: 986 words
Author on LJ: milleniumrex
Author Website: Milleniumrex at AO3
Why this must be read:
Ted Grant (former heavyweight champ and the man who trained Batman and Black Canary) takes Stargirl into the ring and in the process hits the quintessential charm of the current JSA, and indeed the DCU: It's inter-generational respect. Fun, well-paced and with pitch-perfect voices, this fic is where I go for some "happy".
The sparring match with Wildcat was one of the initiation rites of the JSA. Whether you wanted to or not, you were getting in the ring with the old man and letting him knock you around for a while. Most of the rookies just got it over with quickly, but Courtney had managed to put it off for almost a year. Ted didn't really want to punch the youngest member of the team, she told herself. If she never brought it up, he never would either.
It was a good plan. Until the Saturday that he tossed a pair of boxing gloves at her and told her she had fifteen minutes to suit up.
Sparring
Fandom: DC COMICS
Pairing: Charles McNider (Doctor Mid-Nite I)/Pieter Cross (Doctor Mid-Nite II)
Length: 1077 words
Author on LJ: smittywing
Author Website: Smitty World 2.0
Why this must be read:
What it means to be Doctor Mid-Nite and a gay man pre-Stonewall. The tone of this fic is perfect, dry and intelligent. Smitty gives us a tantalizing glimpse of these colleagues from different eras and what could have been.
Charles McNider was surprisingly easy to convince of his sincerity, Pieter Cross realized. He'd asked a battery of typically skeptical questions but time travel didn't seem terribly unfamiliar to members of the former JSA and once he'd heard the name Per Degaton, McNider was ready to pledge his support. His quick compliance left Pieter facing the man who would eventually influence his professional life to an extraordinary degree and he could think of only one matter that still baffled him.
"May I ask you a personal question?"
"I suppose," McNider acquiesced. "In your time, it's all academic anyway."
"Not...not this," Pieter admitted. "I've been -- I suppose this is awkward to hear as well as to say, but I've been reading your journals. You mention Myra Mason."
Past Is Prologue
Fandom: DC COMICS
Pairing: Alan Scott (Green Lantern), Todd Rice (Obsidian)/Damon Matthews
Length: 1084 words
Author on LJ: merfilly
Author Website: Filly Fictions on Dreamwidth
Why this must be read:
Moving and amusing, Merfilly captures both Todd's current happiness and his long-standing anxiety and anger about his place in his families AND Alan's desire to protect and understand his children. Her characterization is impeccable, the plotting feels natural and this story is one that needed to be told. It feels like it could should be canon and that's the best kind of fanon, IMO.
Alan Scott had made himself a solemn promise on learning that he had twins that he would do anything for them, try to guide and nurture them in all the ways he had been denied by losing their mother when he did. More than anything, he had wanted to protect them, which had been part of his initial resistance to them joining a team of any kind. He honestly couldn't keep from trying to protect them, not with all the guilt he felt over their mother, and over their young lives.
Like Father, Like Son
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