The Rec Center #116
Welcome! We have a bunch of articles this week, some important analysis from Shakespeare fandom, some Yuri Plisetsky fanart, and the return of “That One Fic” recs. — Gav
new stuff
“There’s An Online Harassment Campaign Underway Against People Advocating For Diversity In Comics” by Rachael Krishna at Buzzfeed
“Creators and fans are pushing for more representation of women, racial diversity, and LGBT characters in comics. But they’ve been met with a hostile backlash online.”
“The Art of Black Panther” by Luke Plunkett at Kotaku
Gorgeous concept art for the costumes and set design of Black Panther.
“‘Pacific Rim’ actor Charlie Day says slash fanfic informed his performance” by Gav at The Daily Dot
A rare example of an actor acknowledging fanfic and shipping in a non-embarrassing way! This is actually pretty cool.
Fansplaining on “Stop Everything!” on ABC Radio National
Yesterday...uh...today...time zones...Elizabeth and her podcast partner, Flourish, were on Australian radio to talk about fandom, and Elizabeth took the opportunity to announce to both Flourish and Australia that she’s spent the past week reading X-Men fanfiction.
older stuff
“This Is How Star Trek Invented Fandom” by Molly McArdle at GQ
“This is what Star Trek fandom looks like a half century out: dizzyingly diverse, good-willed, extraordinarily (if inadvertently) influential, equal parts goofy and moving.”
tumblr & beyond
Lisa Frank Yuri Plisetsky fanart by andykuzuki.
SERENA WILLIAMS IS AN AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER FAN, THIS IS NOT A DRILL.
Magneto should’ve played Hungry Hungry Hippos.
“in this post, i will detail my rankings and reasons thereof of the sluttiness level of every character in hamlet, or their “ho ratio,” if you will,”
The “economic footprint” of “the nation of Fanfiction,” or, really interesting fandom stats about jobs in AU fic.
fanfiction
“That One Fic” returns! (See our previous installments: part 1 & part 2) In case you’ve forgotten this theme, late last year a reader wrote to suggest we solicit recs for ‘that one fic’ that people would recommend to someone getting into a new fandom. We wound up with enough for, like, at least half a dozen lists (and more are welcome—especially if you disagree with the one fic someone else recced for your fandom!). Thanks, as always, to our guest reccers. — Elizabeth
“Beyond the Void” by Kantayra. 11K words, rated Teen.
Fandom: Hellboy (movies); Ship: Nuada/John Myers
Recced by: Gryvon
Backstory: Some days Myers stares into the Void, and some days the Void stares back into him. And, then, some days the Void spits out naked elves that hold Myers hostage, mess with his head, and make him seriously question his sexuality.
Rec: This story started my love of the absurd pairing of John Myers (from the first Hellboy movie) and Nuada (second movie).
Content warnings: N/A
“Cause and Effect” by themayqueen. 56K words, rated Mature.
Fandom: Hanson RPF; Ship: Zac Hanson/Original Female Character
Recced by: Liz
Backstory: Zac Hanson meets Spencer Kerr at a time in his life when everything seems like it is falling apart. She may just bring it all back together again for him in ways.
Rec: This fic is the first fic I read when I got back into Hanson fanfic and one of Bethany’s best stories. The characters are likeable and relatable.
Content warnings: Abortion, infidelity
“Single Use Weapon” by Fahye. 67K words, rated Explicit.
Fandom: NBC Kings; Ship: David Shepherd/Jack Benjamin
Recced by: Orangistae
Backstory: Kings is a modern reimagining of the biblical Book of Kings, in which idealistic farmboy David becomes a war hero and is thrust into an unfamiliar world of royalty and politics. In this fic, David is crowned king and must learn how to deal with his new position, while former heir Jack struggles to find a new purpose in life.
Rec: An enthralling fic full of political intrigue and loyalty kink by the always-wonderful Fahye, with great characterisation and world-building that feels totally consistent with canon.
Content warning: Torture
“Until My Feet Bleed And My Heart Aches” by Reiya. 198K words, rated Explicit.
Fandom: Yuri!! On Ice; Ship: Yuuri Katsuki/Victor Nikiforov
Recced by: Juliette
Backstory: In an alternate universe, Victor accidentally breaks Yuuri’s heart at the tender age of 11, setting him on a warpath where Yuuri is determined to dethrone the legendary Victor Nikiforov and become the ultimate champion of figure skating. Yuuri’s mission is based in his belief that Victor is selfish and cruel, and is fueled by his hate for him—but once he gets in one room with Victor, the sexual tension is overwhelming and boom, a love/hate sexual relationship is born. One thing they do better than sex is repress their feelings...for five years...until everything goes to hell.
Rec: Unlike the show, Yuuri and Victor start off as enemies (kinda) and fall in love without realizing it for a long time. The relationship between Yuuri and Victor was developed in such a realistic way where miscommunication, anxiety and low self-image got in the way of two people whose love for each other was clear to everyone but themselves. There is no villain in the story but the characters’ own dark thoughts and repressed feelings as such there is angst everywhere but the happy ending is just waiting to heal our wounds!
Content warnings: N/A
“Drastically Redefining Protocol” by Rageprufrock. 46K words, rated Explicit.
Fandom: Merlin (BBC); Ship: Merlin/Arthur
Recced by: Sallylockarts
Backstory: THE modern AU for Merlin/Arthur—an absolute classic. Arthur is still crown prince of England, Merlin still secretly has magic and is of a much lower class. It’s just set in the modern day, with all the comparisons to the actual British royal family that brings with it.
Rec: This is the modern-day royal AU everyone wanted after/during the show, and Pru, as always, delivered in spades. It’s everything you could want it to be; funny, romantic, awkward and really well written!
Content warnings: N/A
FINAL THOUGHT
A request! People often write in with suggestions or to ask if they can do an explainer or guest list. I try to keep on top of these messages...but things definitely fall through the cracks. Apologies to anyone who is waiting for a ball I dropped!! This is an official request to nudge me if you wanted to do a rec list or an explainer and you’re waiting for my response. Just hit reply or email elizabeth and gav at gmail. And I know we say it constantly, but it bears repeating: we’re so grateful to everyone who contributes to this newsletter. <333 — 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)