Comments | mithen: Heroes of the Squared Circle 12: Invasion

mithen

Heroes of the Squared Circle 12: Invasion

Jun 14, 2013 21:46

Title: Invasion
Relationship: Clark/Bruce
Characters: Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne, Guy Gardner, Lex Luthor, Booster Gold, Ted Kord, Harvey Dent, Selina Kyle
Continuity: Heroes of the Squared Circle, a DC/pro wrestling fusion ( click for notes and all chapters).
Warnings/Spoilers: None
Rating: PG
Word Count 2300
Summary: Lex Luthor explains what the ( Read more... )

ch: booster gold, ch: selina kyle, ch: clark kent, ch: guy gardner, ch: bruce wayne, ch: lex luthor, series: heroes of the squared circle, ch: harvey dent, ch: ted kord

Comments 26

rdfox June 14 2013, 13:56:06 UTC

You know, I was all ready to absolutely DESPISE Lex. But then you reminded me that, no matter what else he is, Lex is a brilliant businessman. He wouldn't just completely and utterly stomp the JLI out of spite; he'd do his damnedest to make the best profit off of it he could. And he's *smart* as all hell; he'd instantly understand Bruce's points on the booking and recognize the logic there. (Hell, I wouldn't be shocked to see him offer Bruce a job as a road agent and, eventually, a spot on the booking team--I get the feeling that he has immense respect for Bruce's skills, both in-ring and backstage.) I'm honestly looking forward to seeing the JLI Invasion storyline play out; hopefully, Lex's ego won't ruin it like the WCW Invasion was ( ... )

mithen June 14 2013, 15:00:23 UTC

He wouldn't just completely and utterly stomp the JLI out of spite; he'd do his damnedest to make the best profit off of it he could. And he's *smart* as all hell; he'd instantly understand Bruce's points on the booking and recognize the logic there.

I find Vince McMahon endlessly fascinating, and I can never quite help but admire his total willingness to put the business before his own petty interests (and of course, to put the business before anyone else's welfare while he's at it). So yeah, I actually set out to write Lex as totally vengeful and cruel, and this chapter really made me realize he's got a pragmatic streak that (usually) trumps his malice.

...this is so unfair, I haven't even mentioned Snapper yet. *grumbles*

Besides, a developmental deal is NEVER a bad thing, no matter where they send you... it's not a guarantee of making the main roster, but at least it's a foot in the door and (at least sometimes) a stipend to help make sure you can pay the bills.It's true! In this case the comic canon has trumped the ( ... )

rdfox June 14 2013, 15:35:39 UTC

Vibe? Oh, God, I'd flee, too. x.x

As for Snapper... I just was looking for someone I could think of in the DCU who would be "laid-back" enough to take RVD's spot in that quote. ;) (Besides, most of the JLI roster, I can't really imagine smoking weed...)

As for Vince, I still think the best summary is a comment HBK had about him on a Vince DVD set: "He's the best boss in the world, because he's an idiot." He's very, very confusing on so many levels... but then, when written well, Lex is just as contradictory, for many of the same reasons.

And this Lex is written *well*; I can totally hear Clancy Brown's voice reading his lines in my head. (That's always been one of my standard tests for how well someone's in-character, if I can "hear" the actor in my head while reading their dialogue. Thus far, it's been true for just about everyone here!)

...so is Booster gonna pick up a snarky, sarcastic midget manager in Detroit, too? ;)

mithen June 15 2013, 02:58:29 UTC

That someone can hear Clancy Brown's Lex when reading mine is the ultimate compliment, OMG. He even looks a bit like Vince, that same calculating facial expression...

Vince as an idiot savant of wrestling is so hilarious--he does seem to do everything by gut instinct, and most of the time it works brilliantly! Now and then he fails fantastically, but even then it's epic...

...now I'm imagining a gimmick where Booster has a "robot manager" to follow him around, it would be awesome.

jlvsclrk June 14 2013, 15:35:17 UTC

All this behind the scenes stuff is so fascinating!

mithen June 15 2013, 02:59:39 UTC

I love all the machinations and negotiations--I did struggle a bit to keep tension in this chapter, as there isn't a smidge of wrestling in it! I was like, "Oh man, can I actually make a discussion of contracts and salaries interesting?" If I managed it, it is only thanks to Bruce being the awesome sneaky guy he is...

jestana June 14 2013, 15:35:48 UTC

Aw! At least Lex is letting JLI go out with a bang. *bounces* Does this mean Clark and Bruce get one last match for the greatest-hits show? *grin*

OOOOH! I know what one of Bruce's stipulations was! That Clark be given a full-time contract! It'd be just like him and I bet he won't tell Clark that was one of them because he doesn't want Clark to think he owes Bruce anything. He just wants Clark to have that chance to prove himself.

mithen June 15 2013, 03:00:47 UTC

Does this mean Clark and Bruce get one last match for the greatest-hits show? *grin*

Of course, of course! :D You know Bruce (and me) far too well... *grin* This is doubly true with your guess about his stipulations, lol.

jestana June 16 2013, 03:33:14 UTC

HOORAY! *wink*

mishagirl June 17 2013, 04:20:39 UTC

I just realized this myself! I was rereading that sad scene where Clark/Bruce never got the great Gotham closure they wanted. How amazing if they get their chance after all!

queen0fcups June 14 2013, 20:08:10 UTC

mithen June 15 2013, 14:39:39 UTC

Of COURSE Bruce has thought about all the logistics behind what it would take to start a wrestler run promotion. Because that is, of course, his endgame. He secretly has the starting capital - he's gone in from the ground up in order to make the connections and find appropriate partners.Really early on I had a couple of people comment that Batman and Superman don't seem very present in the story, and I realized that's because this really is a pre-capes origin story (a non-powered pre-capes origin story? Oooookay). Bruce is very much doing the training thing, yes! And Clark is still struggling to figure out what his "powers" (in this case, physical strength and a charisma he isn't quite aware of yet) can be used for ( ... )

queen0fcups June 15 2013, 14:42:46 UTC

that's going to come into play with Dick and maybe Tim later

VERY EXCITED FOR THIS!! *flail*

bradygirl_12 June 18 2013, 23:44:08 UTC

that's going to come into play with Dick and maybe Tim later

VERY EXCITED FOR THIS!! *flail*

Me, too! :)

stranj100 June 15 2013, 03:20:03 UTC

When this series started I was reluctant to read it. I liked stage wrestling when I was a kid back in the 80's, but grew to dislike as time passed for various reasons.

I read it because I consistently enjoy your work. Your enthusiasm shines through and it is infectious and I find myself enjoying it a great deal.

mithen June 15 2013, 14:41:56 UTC

There is SO MUCH to dislike about actual wrestling, I can't blame you at all! But that's exactly what's made it fun to write this series, I've gotten to take all the stuff I hate about the business (the steroids and drugs and abusive lifestyles, the misogyny and homophobia) and trim it out and just keep the fun stuff. :) I'm really glad to hear the fun is showing through, because I'm having a blast!