The Rec Center #436
HAPPY IWTV S2 WEEKEND!!! (Skip to the bottom for Gav’s review! It’s so good!! I’m not even holding it against her that she wouldn’t share her screeners. I love anticipation. 🥲)
We also have articles on Phantom Menace’ fandom legacy, a groundbreaking Black comics/games creator, and a space for ambivalent Swifties, plus Dungeon Meshi fanart and a multifandom grab-bag of fic! — Elizabeth
new stuff
“‘Star Wars: The Phantom Menace’ Fandom Lives in 2 Different Realities” by Matt Goldberg at The Wrap
25 years on, The Phantom Menace has a dubious legacy in Star Wars fandom—still derided by many, but now old enough to warrant some nostalgic praise. And as this article explains, the expanded universe of animated shows has given many fans a different view of this divisive movie.
“One Man’s Mission to Make Video Games a Little Less White” by Jamal Michael at Mother Jones
“When you’re the butt of a joke, your true self feels like a rumor no one wants to believe.” On the work of journalist, comics writer, and narrative designer Evan Narcisse.
“Swiftie Rehab” by Emma Madden at Vulture
An interesting piece about r/SwiftlyNeutral, a subreddit where Taylor Swift fans express ambivalence and/or critiques—standard fare for a lot of critical media fandom, but far more rare in the stan-culture world.
each red white and royal blue sequel should be about them opening their relationship to the son of a new head of state
— Jackson McHenry (@McHenryJD) May 10, 2024
older stuff
“When Wizards and Orcs Came to Death Row” by Keri Blakinger at The Marshall Project
“Some read books or find religion. Some play games like Scrabble or jailhouse chess. Others turn to D&D, where they can feel a small sense of the freedom they have left behind.” This incredible piece of reporting was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize this week.
tumblr & beyond
Dungeon Meshi fanart by nousanti
Spider-Man photography post one...
... and two.
bringing back an iconic iwtv post
“can someone explain this kendrick and drake beef in final fantasy terms”
one could argue this is in fact a key appeal of the soulmate au!!
“its so brave that you have such a 2012-coded url in this 2024 world”
fanfiction
We’ve got an unthemed grab-bag this week! Thanks so much to everyone who sent in a rec. — Elizabeth
“Scandal” by Anonymous. 95K words, rated Explicit .
Fandom: Succession; Ship: Roman Roy/Jeryd Mencken
Recced by: Orangistae
Backstory: In the wake of a data breach at ATN, explicit photos are leaked of Roman and President Jeryd Mencken, and the Roys are once again plunged into a major public scandal.
Rec: This fic has all the scheming, sniping and drama that you might expect, complete with on-point media and social media reactions, and it’s enormously fun and engrossing. It doesn’t shy away from Roman's dysfunction or Mencken’s awfulness, but shows how they complement each other in a way that somehow works better than basically any other relationship in Succession.
Content warnings: Roman’s whole deal, sex that’s consensual but not necessarily safe or sane, past child abuse, past rape, eating disorders
“we deliver this virgin unto thee” by firstaudrina. 1.9K words, rated Teen.
Fandom: Jennifer’s Body; Ship: Jennifer Check/Anita “Needy” Lesnicki
Recced by: Sofia
Backstory: Jennifer’s Body is a teen horror-comedy movie about Needy, whose best friend, Jennifer, turns into a of people-eating monster after a satanic ritual gone wrong. This story reimagines the movie with Jennifer and Needy’s roles reversed.
Rec: Firstaudrina’s stories always have impeccable vibes, and this one features top-notch characterization, like any good role-reversal AU should.
Content warnings: Murder, people being eaten, canon-typical violence/gore
“Moths” by husborth. 2.9K words, rated Gen.
Fandom: Batman; Ship: Gen
Recced by: anon
Backstory: Batcow lives in Wayne Manor’s semi-decrepit stables. Winter has arrived in New Jersey and Damian is worried about the building’s environmental control.
Rec: Listen to me, tiny terror Damian is a favorite. But don’t you sometimes want to just see him be COZY with his DAD?
Content warnings: N/A
“Reasonable Adjustments” by catwalksalone. 56K words, rated Explicit.
Fandom: 9-1-1; Ship: Buck/Eddie
Recced by: Mutecornett
Backstory: An AU where Buck is Christopher’s science teacher when Eddie meets him. Eddie is deeply repressed about his sexuality in this fic, but goes on a JOURNEY.
Rec: A deeply healing, nuanced, realistically imperfect account of how Eddie comes to terms with his own sexuality. Buck is utterly adorable and delightful in drawing Eddie out, and Christopher is integrated into the story thoughtfully as well; plus, absolutely top notch writing that rings true.
Content warnings: N/A
“Flower of Another Kind” by Deriliarch. 3.4K words, rated Gen.
Fandom: The Untamed; Ship: Jiang Yanli/Jin Guangyao
Recced by: sweetpollyolliver
Backstory: This is an alternate universe where, instead of entering an arranged marriage with her lifelong crush Jin Zixuan, Jiang Yanli enters an arranged marriage with his illigitmate brother Jin Guangyao. They both stay in Lotus Pier. It’s a last minute change that is intended as a back handed insult to both of them but they make the best of it.
Rec: I fell in love with this soft AU and have re-read it several times. In this story, Yanli is demisexual which would make an arranged marriage with anyone awkward, let alone someone you don’t know. The author perfectly writes her voice and the way they handle this situation is as gentle and kind as Yanli is herself. Part of an ongoing series if you want to read more.
Content warnings: N/A
“i got a past, but it’s present tense” by paperclipbitch. 11K words, rated Teen.
Fandom: Barbie (Movie 2023); Ship: Ryan Gosling’s Ken/Simu Liu’s Ken
Recced by: planta_genista
Backstory: After the events of the Barbie movie, the Kens are trying to figure out their roles in life after Stereotypical Barbie left for the Real World. Stereotypical Ken is trying to figure out what there is beyond just Beach, and his old rival Ken is helping him.
Rec: This fic is absolutely perfectly voiced: Ken and Ken team up to find their purpose in life, including Australians, Beach, scary Horses, Kate McKinnon’s Weird Barbie. The tags are Crack Treated Seriously and Seriousness treated Crackily, I laughed and laughed and laughed some more.
Content warnings: N/A
And a vid!
“lumax | lost” by froggy jackpack. 4 minutes, rated Teen.
Fandom: Stranger Things; Ship: Maxine “Max” Mayfield/Lucas Sinclair
Recced by: Jessica
Backstory: This fanvid is an exploration of the relationship between Max and Lucas, two of the kids/younger teens in Stranger Things. Lucas is a generally open person and fiercely loyal, and Max is prickly and stubborn.
Rec: I found this fanvid after watching a Jamie Tartt fanvid by the same creator that had been recced in this newsletter a few weeks ago. The editing is fantastic, and
I appreciate the subtitles, but the song choice in particular struck me in the heart and was 60% the reason why this video made me cry.
Content warnings: Minor gore
I need to bathe Sam Reid like a horse... like I lead him to the stables n sit on a lil wood stool with a bucket of warm soapy water n a soft bristle brush n go to town on his skin n coat until it's velvety to the touch... then I comb his mane for hours to unimaginable glossiness
— i’m normal (@boners) February 7, 2024
FINAL THOUGHT
Season 2 of Interview with the Vampire premieres on Sunday, and I had a genuinely delightful time reviewing it for TV Guide. Another sublime dose of gothic freak behavior.
Have a great weekend, everyone! xoxo Gav