The Rec Center #106
Thank you to everyone who submitted “that one fic” recommendations this week! We now have enough for several rec lists, which is awesome. Along with the first of those lists, we’re also bringing you some K-pop fandom analysis, some awesome Naruto/Caravaggio fanart, and the greatest “plums in the icebox” meme poem we’ve seen to date. — Gavia
new stuff
“‘Benefits’ and Labor – K-pop Fandom in Tokyo Beyond the Major Groups” by Miranda Ruth Larsen at The Learned Fangirl
“While focus on prominent idols is important, much of what sustains the transcultural K-pop machine occurs on the streets, face to face.”
“BTS Fans Flock To Viral Horror Fanfic ‘Outcast’ Based On Band” by Tamar Herman at Forbes
On “Outcast,” the Twitter-based K-pop fic that went viral this past week—complete with a ton of fanworks about the fanwork.
older stuff
“The Unbearable Solitude of Being an African Fan Girl” by Chinelo Onwualu at Omenana
“Being an African fan girl is a strange, liminal thing. You’re never quite sure that you exist, you see.”
tumblr & beyond
Naruto art in the style of Caravaggio’s Judith Beheading Holofernes by Alexis Moore
“MarxXEngels Hurt/Comfort BoyxBoy don’t interact if you don’t like yaoi”
It’s honestly UNBELIEVABLE that no one wrote a “plums in the icebox” Bucky Barnes parody poem until now. Beautiful.
“When the author deletes your favorite fanfic.”
This Darth Vader text/photo post is... true art.
“all i could think was that there was drama in the bible fandom”
fanfiction
Last week we asked you for recommendations for “that one fic”—the ultimate fic you recommend in a particular fandom. These often get overlooked in our regular lists because fans assume that ~everyone has already read them, but obviously that’s not the case! Hopefully this list can be a fun intro to some fandoms you haven’t tried before. — Gav
“Ink Your Name Across My Heart” by PrettyVK. 58K words, rated Explicit.
Fandom: BBC Sherlock; Ship: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Recced by: BakerStMel
Backstory: On the cusp of admitting his feelings for John Watson, Sherlock Holmes develops anterograde amnesia and can’t form new memories.
Rec: Amazing concept—John and Sherlock’s POVs are told in opposite directions on the timeline. Gimmick aside, it’s got brilliant characterization and true heart.
Content warnings: Memory issues/hallucinations
“Parabiosis” by Penumbra. 258K words, rated NC-17.
Fandom: The X-Files; Ship: Mulder/Scully
Recced by: Mary
Backstory: A poetic exploration of Mulder and Scully’s relationship, this tracks its own casefile where the agents pursue a mummy across state lines, and clocks seamlessly in and out of the last two seasons of the show (which were 6 and 7, no arguments thank you).
Rec: The XF revival is a trash fire, but this is a beautiful call-back to the dreamy tones of the original series. It always reminds me why Mulder & Scully are my super problematic OTP. This fic is The One.
Content warnings: Graphic description of a murder/mummification at one point
“How to File Form 39-B” by Hoyden. 10K words, rated Explicit.
Fandom: Naruto; Ship: Kakashi/Iruka
Recced by: Gryvon
Backstory: The first time Iruka met Hatake Kakashi, he was still on some pretty good painkillers.
Rec: Wonderful domestic fluff mixed with spies.
Content warnings: N/A
“These Unending Alchemies of Honour” by justira. 39K words, rated Teen.
Fandom: Final Fantasy XII; Ship: Gabranth/Vaan
Recced by: Renay
Backstory: At the end of Final Fantasy XII, Gabranth survives against all odds. Instead of death, there’s life, the twin brother he left behind to fight for another empire, and the brother of the boy he killed, but no redemption—not yet.
Rec: This story goes in a “what if” direction and spools out the tangled relationship between a man who committed atrocious war crimes and the people he betrayed, who now have to decide whether to work with him, and how. It’s also a very fascinating character study that digs into self-worth and forgiveness.
Content warnings: Age difference, referenced character death
“Blessed is the Match Consumed” by cygnaut. 19K words, rated Mature.
Fandom: X-Men: First Class; Ship: Gen
Recced by: inklingofadream
Backstory: AU where Prof X and Magneto remain friends and allies in establishing a mutant school, and at the time of the fic have gathered a small class of students. In this fic, Magneto’s (canonically a Holocaust survivor) worst fears come to fruition and he finds himself being held in a military facility meant to contain mutants.
Rec: This story has all of the moral ambiguity and turmoil that often gets bleached out of Magneto’s characterization, and also manages to balance an inherently dark premise with humor where appropriate and believable, genuinely charming child characters.
Content warnings: Moderate violence, a lot of discussion of the Holocaust and all that that entails
“Divided We Stand” by KouriArashi. 157K words, rated Mature.
Fandom: Teen Wolf; Ship: Derek/Stiles
Recced by: Gryvon
Backstory: Derek is being pressured by his family to pick a mate, and somehow stumbles into a choice that they didn’t expect and aren’t sure they approve of....
Rec: This is probably THE Derek/Stiles fic to get someone into the fandom.
Content warnings: Bullying, homophobia
FINAL THOUGHT
This weekend bidding wraps up on the second-annual “Fandom Trumps Hate” fanworks auction. Last year FTH raised $32,000 for a whole host of charities and nonprofits, and tons of fanworks were created in the process! If you have any cash to spare—even a few dollars—head over to their site to check out which fic writers, artists, betas, crafters, vidders, and other fans are offering their services. You have until 11:59 PM EST this Sunday, January 14th, so if you’ve been thinking about bidding, do it now! — Elizabeth
Have a favorite one-off rec? Please send it our way! We’ll use it in a future list. Other fanworks—comics, vids, etc—are strongly encouraged as well. And if you have any interest in doing an entire rec list or explainer, please get in touch! elizabethandgav at gmail dot com.
If you liked this, please share it with your friends! https://thereccenter.substack.com/. And find us on social media: Gav (twitter/tumblr) & Elizabeth (twitter/tumblr)