449: Hidden Gems [2007 & 2008 SPN_J2_BigBang Retrospective]
title. Imagine the Houses
author. elohvee
characters. Sam/Jess, Sam/Dean, Dean/Jess, Dean/OFCs
rating. NC-17
words. 39,810
summary. Golden Gate goes down on a Tuesday. On Friday, the Tower of Pisa topples over backwards. The Sydney Opera House shatters. In Cawker City, Kansas, the world's largest ball of twine kills four people. There are no horsemen, just an apocalypse: and once the storm blows over, the survivors must find a way to reconnect over what has been left behind.
read this. Stark writing emphasizes the hopelessness of the characters in the midst of the apocalypse. This version of the apocalypse is haunting and creative. The relationships feel real, born of love and long overdue acceptance rather than impetuousness. I especially love the character of Jess here - a passionate, strong-willed woman who knows what she wants and won't let anyone mollycoddle her. [2008]
title. Relax, It's Just Sex
artist. peach_gurl
characters. Jared/Jensen
rating. G
type. watercolor
summary. Scene featuring Jared and Jensen
see this. The shading is beautiful, as is the general mood of the piece, evinced by the colors used and their expressions. The positioning of Jensen in particular is gorgeous. [2008]
title. Two Times Jared
author. benitle @ benitle_writes
characters. Jared/Jensen
rating. NC-17
words. 27,300
summary. Jared thinks he's a normal, straight guy. Until he meets his gay self, or well, his other self that's a little more than gay for Jensen.
read this. Such a cool, cracky premise! I love the idea of a personification of a repressed desire and this was used effectively to study Jared's personal turmoil, as well as his burgeoning relationship with Jensen. It avoids the angst and ends up coming out fresh and fun. [2007]
title. Snow
artist. dun
characters. Sam & Dean
rating. G
type. digital drawing
summary. Cover art featuring Sam and Dean with the Impala
see this. Her clean lines and wonderful coloring really does a lot, but I think the "less is more" approach works perfectly here. The blank snow really adds balance to it and I love their footprints in the snow. [2007]
title. A Foreign Country
author. casspeach
characters. Dean/OFC
rating. PG
words. 30,000
summary. Dean finds himself alone and badly injured on the side of a mountain in Colorado with no memory of who he is or what he’s doing there. This is the story of the life he makes for himself when he has no knowledge of hunting or the dangers lurking in the dark (or, gasp, Sam!!). When something threatens his new family he’s forced to fall back on lessons he can’t remember being taught, and skills he can’t remember acquiring to protect them.
read this. An utterly compelling story that is notable for the author's decisions, which are fairly different from most amnesia!fic. This is a strong casefic coupled with a study of Dean's innate character. I felt that each pre-accident detail Dean remembered was poignant and added a level of dramatic irony. [2007]
title. Never Let You Go
artist. _hibiscus
characters. Sam/Dean
rating. PG [reccer's rating]
type. digital painting
summary. Cover art and two scenes all featuring Sam and Dean.
see this. I love the rich colors and bold style. Plus, I'm a huge fan of details, like Sam's curl, the rosary, and the light glare off the Impala's wing mirror. [2008]
title. Yes Sir (I Don't Mean Maybe)
author. hkath
characters. Jared/Jensen
rating. R
words. 23,812
summary. The path to parenthood is full of complications for Jared and Jensen, who are forced to take part in a trendy parenting class to improve their chances at adoption. Can they survive encounters with obsessive tabloid reporters and nosy talk-show hosts, handle the needs of a very special robot and resist the gravitational pull of the small planet called Vin Diesel? Will they come through unscathed and unscarred on the other side of this story? Will there be schmoop? (Spoiler: There will be schmoop.)
read this. This is kid!fic without the kid. The amount of crack here is truly impressive. I think this really gets to the heart of the adoption idea without becoming a schmoop free-for-all. The boys are as in-character as RPS gets and their antics are entertaining without losing sight of the context. There's hilarity throughout and a payoff that's worth it. [2008]
title. The Far Side of the Sea
artist. slodwick
characters. Sam & Dean
rating. G [reccer's rating]
type. digital graphics
summary. Cover art featuring Sam and Dean and Scotland (art is linked from the post)
see this. This is incredibly atmospheric. Everything works together to create the dreamy, hazy feel. I especially love the cut squares on black, which gives it a lot more depth. [2007]
title. When It Crackles
author. lyra_wing
characters. Sam/Dean
rating. heavy R
words. 22,400
summary. A cult is rumored to be guarding the Fountain of Youth. Oh, and while investigating it, Sam and Dean get roped into getting married.
read this. The mystery here is fascinating and kept me guessing right up to the big reveal. It makes sense and ties the entire story together in a way few casefics do. The author's Sam and Dean are completely in character and their awkwardness was endearing rather than embarrassing (which is quite a feat, in my opinion). [2007]
title. The Telegram
artist. leyna55
characters. Sam, Dean, John, Mary, Jess, Ava, Jo
rating. G
type. digital painting
summary. A Sam/Dean AU, set in San Francisco in 1910.
see this. I love period art when the artist has really done their research. The costumes on all of the characters are beautiful and definitely period. I also love the decision to keep the main focus on the character by giving them desaturated backgrounds. [2008]
title. To Wake A Captive Dreamer
author. sophie_448
characters. Jared/Jensen, Chris/Steve, Chad, Sophia
rating. NC-17
words. 27,234
summary. Once upon a time (ten years ago to be precise) something terrible happened to Jensen. He’s been dealing with it, or failing to deal with it, ever since. His best friend, Chris, takes care of him and Steve takes care of Chris. They’re one precariously balanced little family who also happen to play in a band together. When Jared becomes their new bassist, everything changes. An unorthodox retelling of Sleeping Beauty.
read this. I love fairy tale retellings and this one is fascinating because it is not straightforward. In this story, there's really nothing stopping them except themselves, rather than thorns and curses. This story is all about deciding what you want and putting in the effort to get it. [2008]
title. Rubber Ducky (You're the One)
artist. glockgal @ glockart
characters. Sam & Dean
rating. G
type. digital painting, pencil
summary. Cover art featuring Sam and Dean, plus a scene with Sam in the Impala with rubber duck!Dean
see this. I feel like it's not common to see two radically different styles overlapping, as in the cover. It really works here, and the texture/colors for Dean's portrait are amazing. [2007]
reccer's note. Four years ago, spn_j2_bigbang began as a relatively small community event. In that first year, 48 stories were written and presented with their companion art pieces. Last year, that same event featured almost 600 fic and art pieces. With so much to see and read, it's no wonder some get forgotten or overlooked.
For the next three weeks leading up to this year's Big Bang, I'll be posting recs I consider to be underrated from the past four years' events. This week focuses on 2007 and 2008. You can find other recs from these years under the tags for the 2007 and 2008 Big Bangs. Next Wednesday will focus on the 2009 Big Bang. I'd love to hear any that you consider absolute must-reads. Happy reading!