The Rec Center #427
Hello everyone! This week we have articles on Dune and anime physical media, Better Call Saul fanart, and a multifandom list of slow burn fic. — Elizabeth
new stuff
“Expanding the ‘Dune’ Universe” by Ben Lindbergh at The Ringer
With the success of Dune: Part 2, what can fans expect from the franchise going forward?
“The golden age of DVDs isn’t over yet for anime fans” by Charles Pulliam-Moore at The Verge
“Physical media might seem like it’s on its deathbed, but the anime DVD and Blu-ray industry couldn’t be more alive.”
“Why Anatomy of a Fall Became One of the Most Memed Films of the Year” by Gabriella Paiella at GQ
Leading into Oscar weekend, a morally complicated French legal drama has the dubious honor of being the awards season’s biggest TikTok/meme hit.
a lot of low effort jokes about Dune on the timeline from people who didn't get these thoughts out of the way when they were first reading the book 20 years ago at 13. and those people probably know to skateboard or play guitar instead. so good call on their part
— thomas violence (@thomas_violence) March 7, 2024
older stuff
“The incredible story of the world's largest bobblehead collection” by Ryan Hockensmith at ESPN
A deep dive into the inception of the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where “10,500 joyous ceramic figures sit waiting to wiggle.”
tumblr & beyond
Better Call Saul fanart by pherredraws
“hrghh another long and difficult day...”
Some amazing TinTin crossover fanart cartoons with vintage characters.
The natural fanfic genre trajectory.
If you haven’t seen any of the Chilean TV Star Wars beer ads, well... this is essential viewing.
fanfiction
Since we started taking submissions many years ago, one tag in particular has been far more popular than others: slow burn. This particular slow burn list has some extremely long fics, for those who like their burn extra slow. Thanks so much to everyone who sent in a rec! — Elizabeth
“In From the Cold” by makeit_takeit. 70K words, rated Explicit.
Fandom: Men’s Hockey RPF; Ship: Travis Konecny/Nolan Patrick
Recced by: Persephone_Jones
Backstory: Nolan Patrick is a journeyman player for the Edmonton Oilers, Travis Konecny is a “rig pig” a.k.a. an Alberta oil-fields worker. They meet on an app and Patty slowly, slowly, slowly tempts Travis out of his closet and into his high-rise apartment.
Rec: Deep character work through a single POV. Canon characters while being a totally AU setup. Jokes! Pining! [fire emoji] sex. An emotional journey is had. (I don’t know if this is an enticing description or not.)
Content warnings: Internalized homophobia
“In the Shadow of the Parhelion” by Elerrina174. 390K words (WIP), rated Explicit.
Fandom: Dragon Age; Ships: Cullen Rutherford/OFC, Blackwall/Female Trevelyan
Recced by: disasterhawke
Backstory: This story follows Finley, sworn sword to Evelyn Trevelyan, as she deals with her best friend becoming the one person who can save the world from a gnarly end. Finley is a very practical and socially oblivious character with a complex past—and so is Cullen Rutherford.
Rec: This story is the slowest of slow burns, but in the best way. Finley is a fantastic protagonist and the complexity of her relationships with not only Cullen but also Evelyn make this an incredible read.
Content warnings: Child abuse, graphic violence, nightmares/flashbacks
“Strange Moons” by racketghost. 145K words over 12 works, rated Explicit.
Fandom: Good Omens; Ship: Aziraphale/Crowley
Recced by: Sky
Backstory: This is a twelve-part series showing C & A through different moments of history, from WW1 to present days.
Rec: This incredible slow burn is so well-written, you won’t be able to put it down once you’ve started! The characterization is excellent and the angst is interwoven with just enough pining and feelings as to make a perfect blend! The poetic style and the heart-wrenching metaphors will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading!
Content warnings: Graphic depictions of war
“Heaven Has A Road But No One Walks It” by Silvestris. 355K words (WIP), rated Mature.
Fandom: 陈情令 | The Untamed (TV), 魔道祖师 - 墨香铜臭 | Módào Zǔshī - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù; Ship: Xue Yang/Xiao Xingchen/Song Lan
Recced by: Jonah
Backstory: This is a Yi City fix it fic that asks the question of ‘what if Xue Yang had managed to bring back Xiao Xingchen?’
Rec: This fic takes the premise and explores it so thoroughly—asking all the hard questions and not making this an easy time for anyone. Also it’s just very emotionally resonant.
Content warnings: Canon-typical angst, violence, and trauma
“The Monsters are Due on Maple Street” by nimmieamee. 42K words, rated Explicit.
Fandom: Riverdale; Ship: Alice Cooper/FP Jones II
Recced by: anon
Backstory: The backstory for Betty’s mom and Jughead’s dad, their teen years and falling out. So the “Marauders” fic of the Riverdale world.
Rec: This fic has better writing and character development than the show (not hard, but still). Even if Riverdale isn’t your jam, it’s a beautifully written fill-in of the history between Betty’s mom Alice and Jughead’s father FP, their teenage years, and falling out. It’s the Marauders fic of the Riverdale fandom and will forever be your headcanon of their past.
Content warnings: N/A
“Loaded March” by Footloose. 1.3 million words over 16 works, rated Mature to Explicit.
Fandom: Merlin (TV); Ships: Merlin/Arthur, Lancelot/Gwen, Morgana/Leon
Recced by: Erin
Backstory: This is a modern military AU with magical realism that was inspired by Merlin, the TV show about Arthurian legend from 2008. The show has leadership themes and the fic translates that into King Arthur coming to his own in a modern military surrounded by his knights and Merlin. The tone is military, but the context and conflicts take more from the magical plots of the show.
Rec: The pacing in this fic is masterful and the world building is the best I have seen, well laid across all 16 parts. The character development, plot, narration and clever dialogue is incredibly immersive. Part 15, Do or Die, is my favorite and I have read it many times. Great long read.
Content warnings: War, kidnapping, violence, emotionally abusive parenting, parental abandonment, persecution, mind control
MIRANDA: This Fremen guy I'm seeing keeps getting sand in the bed
— Ross Sayers (@Sayers33) March 6, 2024
SAMANTHA: Make him shower first. Once his balls are as blue as his eyes, he'll start scrubbing his worm
CHARLOTTE: Ew. I would only marry a man from one of the great houses.
CARRIE: Big is moving to Paris
FINAL THOUGHT
Just a quick reminder before the Hugo Awards nomination deadline closes on Saturday: The Rec Center is eligible in the Fanzine category, and we’d very much welcome any nominations!
And to everyone else: Have a fun weekend! — Gav