Being immersed in the Twilight fanfiction community AND the Batman fanfiction/fanart community, I have noticed some interesting similarities and differences.
Both Twific and Batfic authors expand upon characters and storylines, proposing situations and relationships that were not addressed in canon. That's about where the similarities end.
To make huge generalizations about the differences...
Twific authors seem to write stories that are serials, updating chapter by chapter. Time between chapters varies greatly but the majority of stories never complete. The majority of Batfic tends to be oneshots. Because Batman is a long running fandom, the fic series that I've come across so far have all been complete.
A lot of the great Batfic I've come across (and I can only speak to the slash side of things) has been written several years ago. Many of the authors are no longer active or have moved onto other fandoms, so there's not much interaction between reader and author. There are, of course, exceptions. I suspect there will be more activity around when the new Batman movie comes out.
Twific has a vibrant community that continues to thrive. The connection between writers and readers is even more enhanced by the accessibility that Twitter offers, and the array of blogs, contests and awards sites (and podcasts) that support the community. The sheer volume and diversity of Twific stories is also incomparable.
The general fandom's response to slash...
In Twific, slash is a genre of fic and you either dig or don't dig.
In superhero fandoms that have been predominantly teen (or lifelong teen-in-spirit) boys for so long, slash is more subversive. Slash stories and art are often created by girls or women, groups who have not historically been seen as equal players in this fandom.
I've seen male-on-male superhero slash dismissed as an annoying or even offensive thing that silly fangirls do. I don't often encounter that douchery because I ship slash, and I run in slashy circles.
Characters that are regular humans in regular situations...
In Twific, it often seems as though there are more All Human stories and readers than AU vampire stories. It's actually something I have found so interesting about the Twilight fandom -- the use of the Twilight characters in completely non-vampire, non-Twilight-related situations, and characterizations that are so often OOC. The AH phemonenon has led to a community of women writers that has used Twilight as a jumping off point, but is by no means tied to it. A community which has more to do with the creative process and reader feedback than it does with the fleshing out of Stephenie Myers' Twilight story world. I have often wondered if this is unique to Twilight. If other fandoms have such a huge percentage of stories that use the characters in name only.
I haven't encountered much of an All Human equivalent in Batfic. There's certainly the potential for AH in superhero fic: a superhero character without superhero powers, much like Twific writers use vampire characters as regular old humans. I think the closest thing is Batman and the Batfamily of characters who have no super-human abilities, yet train themselves to carry out superheroic missions. But that's canon, not a fanfic invention like it is in Twific. I haven't come across any fic where Bruce Wayne is anyone other than the Bruce Wayne/Batman crusading persona. HOLY SHIT what I wouldn't give to read some Bruce Wayne as Beautiful Bastard. I just pictured Bruce Wayne instead of Edward in MoTU and nearly fainted. *fans self*
There are so many similarities between Edward and Bruce Wayne... broody, self-blaming, assumers of guilt, access to wealth, extremely insightful readers of people who at times seem oblivious to the emotional reality of a situation, one is the World's Greatest Detective and the other has vampire skills of detection.
But I've never read a Bruce that was OOC, aside from behavior brought on by sex pollen (a weapon of Poison Ivy and a delicious Batfic fandom cliche).
Picturing various AH/OOC Edwards as Bruce Wayne has now inspired me to search for it.
My caveat to this post is that I've been involved in the Twific community for almost 2 years now, whereas I've only gotten into the Batfic community over the past 6 months. So make of that what you will.
I came across THIS on Fuck Yeah Comicbook Secrets. Like Post Secret, it's a site where people anonymously post opinions they wouldn't otherwise voice in their online communities.
Looking beyond the fact that this is perhaps the worst manip ever, this post really got me thinking.
I am SO curious what my Twilight/Superhero-loving friends think about it!!
Most of the comments on the post are opinions of comicbook readers who tend to hate on Twilight as a rule, so I'd love to hear from people who know and respect both (aka know what they're talking about when they voice criticism of Bella).
Here's what I'm thinking...
For me, my interest in Wonder Woman has more to do with what she stands for rather than her day-to-day adventures. In that sense she is a blank character onto which I impose my own characteristics of what I want her to be - a strong, intelligent, ass-kicking woman.
I think that WW is Bella Swan-like in the sense that in reading Twilight, Bella had some distinct characteristics but given the limits of her BPOV, SM left a lot up to us as readers to fill in the blanks. It left a whole lot to the imagination and let me insert myself into the story thru her. That's not so much a criticism as part of the appeal.
I guess, as far as the DC Universe of characters goes, WW is a character on whom I impose my own understanding, rather than picking up nuances of character that might have been supplied by the writers and editors of the series.
I totally yield that this opinion would maybe be different if I was more of a WW devotee who has been following her adventures religiously, gathering a more informed understanding of her character. I've read many of her stories, spanning her character's history, but perhaps not with enough regularity to see more depth in her character. I've not been on top of the most recent incarnations of WW, so I also acknowledge that perhaps this lack of depth has been rectified since I stopped reading.
Anyway, I don't see WW as Bella in any way beyond that, really, as they are so different. But this definitely made me think about how much I really know WW and how I regard her within the scheme of the DC Universe.
My twitter followers might start to unfollow me if I unleash the full power of my rage regarding the current legislative assault on the rights of gay people all around the country. So I'm gonna vent with some thoughts and some funny and not a little outrage. Read or don't read, your call.
Gay marriage is not a political issue. Being "for" gay marriage is not a "liberal" concept. It's a question of whether or not you believe American citizens deserve equal rights.
My Segregation Analogy
Being against segregation was not a political statement, it was about recognizing that a group of American citizens were being denied the same rights afforded to everybody else.
You can feel uncomfortable about homosexuality and still agree that your issues with gay people shouldn't justify denying rights to a group of Americans.
Just because some racist assholes felt weird about interacting with African Americans, that did not justify creating laws that treated African Americans differently. Especially if the arguments being made for these laws cite the need to protect the racist's world view that African Americans and Caucasians should live, work, and go to school separately.
Arguments for anti-marriage bills cite the need to protect the institution of marriage from gay people. These laws protect the world view that the institution of marriage is not about two people who are in love and want to commit to a life with one another. They assert that the concept of marriage is summed up by the presence of a penis and a vagina. No wonder the divorce rate is so high among straight people.
Joe Racist's world view included denying rights to a particular group of citizens. Just because people are citing the Bible as THE reference that puts forth the genitalia-focused understanding of marriage as THE RIGHT one, doesn't mean we should make laws enforcing that one understanding. Especially when, like with segregation, those laws happen to deny rights to a particular group of citizens. Rights that everyone else is allowed to have.
I am sooooooo sick and tired of this even being an issue. Can we just fast forward to the time when people look back on the ridiculousness of this issue? In the same way that we look back on segregation and can't fathom how anyone thought it wasn't government sanctioned racism.
~oOo~
In the same vein as "Why do you care about who I marry?" and "What gives you the right to deny me the same freedoms that you have?" ...I propose the following hypothetical:
What if I told you that Jews don't believe Catholics should be allowed drivers' licenses?
In some old document I'm pretty sure it's written that it's an abomination for a Catholic to get behind the wheel.
This is a fundamental belief that Jews hold. In fact, their whole understanding of what it means to be a driver is threatened by the idea of a Catholic behind the wheel.
So we should legislate that, right?
I'm sure Christians all over the country would have no problem having laws enacted that say (a) Catholics can't have drivers' licenses, or (b) a state can make it legal for Catholics to get learner's permits, which are essentially the same thing, right?
How is it even remotely acceptable for the government to say gay people can't marry, simply because 1 religious sect believes it's wrong? (btw, if you couldn't tell, I chose Jews and Catholics arbitrarily to demonstrate how ridiculous it would be for one group to be able to legislate their religious beliefs.)
Not sure what to call that last analogy...
The notion of politicians using people's allegiance to one particular religion to jockey for power and enforce their view as law
AKA Get your religion out of my legislation
AKA Stop trying to make me Christian, I respect that you have your views and I have mine, so stop trying to turn Biblical law into United States law.
~oOo~
Love this: "If you were worried about protecting the institution of marriage, you'd be fighting to make divorce illegal, not gay marriage."
This video is fantastic!! It's filled with snark and F-bombs to get your attention. If you're offended, sorry. But as they say in this video, "Get over it."
I love this... Rush Limbaugh is on his 4th marriage but my friends who are in love and want to start a family together are not allowed to get married. It is, in fact, against the law for them to be married.
~oOo~
WTF? Can we maybe not legislate hatred in Texas?
A bill is in front of the Texas Senate that denies rights to transgendered people. (about SB273)
Nikki is a woman who identifies as transsexual and intersex, and recently lost her husband -- firefighter Thomas Araguz -- in the line of duty. The state -- and Thomas' unsupportive family -- now wants to go against Thomas' stateed intentions, invalidate their marriage and remove all widow benefits from Nikki...at the same time that she's dealing with the grief of losing the love of her life.
When you legislate the unequal treatment of one group of people it promotes hatred and is totally unAmerican. Have we learned nothing from our past travesties of denying equal rights to minorities? Are we back in the 1950s?
Because homosexuality and transgendered people make you feel uncomfortable, a whole group of American citizens should be denied equal rights?
What does it say to a person when you tell them you're not allowed to have the same rights as everybody else? That they are lesser. That they don't deserve to be treated like everyone else.
What kind of message does this send to young people who are gay?
Can we not be bullies via legislation, please?
~oOo~
I love how this video from FCKH8.com explains (ahem, yells at you) the connection between school bullying, government sanctioned bullying, and the ridiculously high suicide rate of gay teens.
~oOo~
Oh Tennessee, what are you doing?? The 'Don't Say Gay' bill would prohibit teachers from mentioning homosexuality in the classroom.
Some words are pretty offensive to say around kids,
but "gay" is not one of them.
I can't even.. just watch this...
This "issue" is the politicalization of the lifestyle of a particular group of people. If it doesn't impact you in any way, WHY DO YOU CARE?? Your "standing on principle" has had a tremendously negative impact on the lives of American citizens who happen to be gay... it is beneath us as Americans to perpetuate this kind of hatred and inequality.
~oOo~
Gay people are not some subversive group of degenerates, preying on your children and lurking in the shadows. They are ordinary people who live everywhere and work in every industry. People who fall in love and want to make a commitment to someone and create stable, loving families. How is that different from what you want for yourselves?
Seriously, how is it that this is even up for debate? If you still think that being gay is an abomination, then feel free to shake your head in judgement. Feel free to think that a person you don't even know is going to hell. You don't have to like gay marriage, but you sure as hell don't have a right to legislate your homophobia.
~oOo~
What I legitimately want to know:
What do you think is going to happen if gay people have the right to get married?
What is the societal problem that you think will erupt as a result of gay people getting married?
What danger justifies denying a single group of people the same freedoms that you enjoy?
~oOo~
A Couple Curiousities:
When someone says they have a problem with gay people or gay marriage, it kinda weirds me out. It makes me wonder why that person is so concerned with what two total strangers are doing in their bedroom.
I'm also kinda curious why it's OK for your hetero husband to want to bang you in the ass, but if someone else does the same thing in their bedroom, it's cause for being denied the right to get married??
My birthday is coming up and friends and family are asking me what I want.
Someone suggested I ask for a subscription to something like J-Date (online dating for Jewish singles). I can't deal with the whole online dating thing but it made me think about what I would even say in a profile.
I'm looking for a nice Jewish boy...
who likes to lose himself in music and geek out over pop culture inanities.
who likes to read and engage and cares about the world. Must like Jon Stewart.
who isn't so into material things and would rather spend money on the important things like HBO/Showtime and the best Netflix subscription.
who thinks sleek style refers to Mac design as opposed to fashion.
who goes out of his way to avoid being mean or unnecessarily perpetuating negativity (aka doesn't complain all the time).
It won't be connected to my twitter because mostly Twilight people follow me and I imagine they'd hate me if I constantly bombard them with all the superhero pretty that will be gracing my tumblr.
I've been jonesing for superhero Twislash, so I'm taking it to the streets of Twitter.
My plea:
WRITING PROMPT: vampSlash E/J are crime-fighting vigilantes (like Batman & Robin, but vamps & banging). Capes are optional. Aaaaand, go!
If that doesn't get your wheels turning, how about this: "Drop the tights, Edward," he growled... (from @tkegl) Gah!!
What would Batman think of superhero Twific vampSlash?
@Tkegl made this gorgeous graphic to inspire people to WRITE!
@catonspeed: "Jiminy Crickets, Jasper," Edward panted, breath coming fast and hard through clenched teeth, "I saw the Bat signal and came as fast as i could! What dastardly criminal is terrorising fair gotham tonight?"
Jasper slunk from the shadows, hooking his fingers in the utility belt stretched tight across Edward's hips, rubber chafing against rubber as he found purchase, and tugged him hard up against him. "Someone stole the stars and put them in your eyes, Edward."
@conversedcullen:
Edward wanted to protect the innocent, Jasper just wanted to rim him to death Y/FY
E: Why do I need my mask on now Jasp? J: Just put it on darlin'. Thats' right. Now open your legs
E: J, help, I've been tied to a table! J: FUCK YES! E: What are you doing to my tights? J: Hush.
STOP RUBBING IT, JASPER!!! @Tkegl "Is that a batarang in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"
@xSuperAshx:
LMAO! We're in a tight spot! RT @xSuperAshx: @AltheaJams haha! "Holy tight holes batman!!"
Hahah! The Bat ears! RT @xSuperAshx: @AltheaJams haha! As Batman is going down..."Watch the horns this time"
Dewww Eeeeet! Write Edward and Jasper as vampire vigilante lovers.
Hi! This is my monthly look back at what I read and loved. I've provided a soundtrack if you'd like.
In Feb & March I found myself stressed with fandom obligations, without the time I usually spend completely immersed in fic worlds.
So once I was released from obligation (could I be more dramatic?), you can imagine how happy I was to come across some new favorites from the land of fic!!
WHAT I READ
CUE DROP IT LIKE IT'S HOT
I was a judge in the High Times contest, which was really fun and yielded some great fic! I was surprised by the quality. See THIS POST for a breakdown of a handful of my faves.
Official Description:"As I watch him do the breast stroke through the choppy morning waters, I almost want to be in his place. What would it be like to be so alone?" AH/AU Ed, Jas and pot cookies. Entry for the High Times Contest
Weekend At Longmeadow by winterstale and Viola Cornuta Official Description: Garrett & Jasper met as kids, left Texas as founders of Hill Country Outlaws. Edward, Emmett and Peter ramble along to a lakehouse party for grass and girls. Tune in, get turned on and smoke up. M/F/M. Entry for the High Times Contest
Official Description: Meaning. A sunny day. Life. Truth... A safe place... And bottomless supply of Swedish Fish. "Yesterday and Today" on vinyl. And pink pot. Because we're all searching for things. E/B entry for the High Times Contest.
Official Description: "This weekend, I will kiss a boy. I will drink alcohol…I will do everything that Bella Swan never does. I might even take candy from a stranger." Entry for the High Times Contest
~oOo~
Usually I go for AU or AH, dark stories of great angst or sweet, happy romps, cracky laughfests, emotional depth, straight up smut. I love it all, especially when executed in a stellar manner.
But starting last month and well into this month I could only do heart happy fics. The great news is... I found a bunch of GREAT ones that I can't wait to rec.
CUE POLYPHONIC HEART HAPPINESS
Green by Bratty-Vamp
Official Description: What happens when lawn-boy, geek, and self-proclaimed social leper finds himself in a situation that shakes his comfortable invisibility? Will he stay green? AU- All human. COMPLETE
This was rec'd to me by purelyamuse who has hooked me up with some choice fic this month. This story was just what the doctor ordered. I read it front to back in a day or so. It was so sweet!
How to Win Back the Love of Your Existence by Missypooh
Official Description: It's 4 years after Edward leaves Bella. There are no werewolves. Bella & Jake were never more than friends. Bella has grown up, graduated from College, has a boyfriend & is moving back to Seattle to attend Law School when her path crosses Edward's. EPOV COMPLETE
This story pulled me in and I consumed chapter after chapter, wanting to know what will happen next. This author has got Edward's voice down.
Just like the title says, Edward has to find a way to win Bella back after he decimated her heart and she has moved on. But the context of her new life adds SO much to this premise, as do the changes that Edward will have to make.
This was a fun read! AND, chapter 22 should be required reading for every male of our species. For reals.
Dear Mr. Masen by jendonna
(a collab between jennde and belladonna1472)
Official Description: "Error 434: Reprimanding an executive." Life changing or just stupid? Dear Mr. Masen: A story of unauthorized Internet usage, culinary delights and the goings-on at Cullen, Inc. AH, ExB. WIP
Bella is a culinary dynamo stuck in the IT department at Cullen Inc. Edward is CFO and a workaholic. Bella sends Mr. Masen an email reprimanding him for unauthorized internet usage. He writes back mentioning he had spent that time looking for a recipe for a date that went terribly. This is one of many dating blunders that the two share as they start writing back and forth, commiserating and developing a friendship over email.
They are so charming and flawed. I am loving their "banter" via email. So far this has been so very sweet and a very quick read. Definitely a heart happy fic.
Said and Done by ICMezzo
Official Description: Graduate students Edward and Jasper feel the connection, but is it enough to overcome their differences? EdwardxJasper slash, human/vampire love. RATED M. COMPLETE
I LOVE me some vampSlash and this one was funny! Like I was legit laughing out loud at several points.
Oh, this Edward. This velcro-loving, neurotic Edward who is always trying to maintain his pride and dignity in the face of his siblings who are constantly entertained at his expense.
And Jasper, trying to maintain boundaries with a vampire Edward who has no qualms about following him everywhere.
It's also refreshing to not have Edward and Alice's powers playing into things. And I love that because he hasn't had access to people's minds for the duration of his vampirehood, he is stuck with the basic understanding of humans and human nature. Well, whatever he's witnessed or been able to pick up with his keen vampire hearing. This Edward is left with a lot less insight, yet he retains the cocky Edward pride. Fabulous, the trouble that gets him into!
Also, ICMezzo provides a special treat of outtakes and funny missing moments in her A/Ns! My favorite was Jasper's Batslash dream with Edward as Dracula/Batman!!
It took several chapters to get going, but once it did, this story was charming and funny and a great frickin read!!
The following two fics weren't straight up heart happy ---
there was tension and drama, and really two very stellar all-round fic reads.
For the Summer by Camoozle
Official Description: Every year Bella waits for the 'Pay Checks' to roll into her sleepy river town and every year Edward's hers, just for the summer. AH, AU, OOC, B/E COMPLETE
I LOVE this story!
I've heard about how great it is forever but I think I was avoiding it because I just assumed that Edward would be this entitled asshole. Not so. purelyamuse again steered me in the right direction and said if I didn't read this we couldn't be friends. Just kidding. Not really.
The story takes place over a series of 17 summers, starting from when Edward and Bella are both little. Reading about their summer adventures was like living vicariously.
Camoozle's writing is so natural and very true to her character of Bella. Especially as she evolves and changes over time. Very tight. And what a frickin Bella! It was interesting to be inside the head of such a dynamic character. She saw Edward's flaws and acknowledged her own, which is refreshing. And there was nothing malicious about their conflict. Just genuinely good people who have problems communicating their true feelings.
This was a straight up great read. A burst of happy combined with fantastic storytelling.
The Art Teacher by spanglemaker9
Official Description: He gave me art and words and passion and life, but all I wanted was him. COMPLETE
Faque me, this fic.
I LOVE when an author uses a character's interpretation of art as another means of delving into the character. Starting in the very first chapter we get a glimpse of where this Bella is coming from through her selection and description of a particular painting.
And we get to see the passion and enthusiasm Edward has for art as he teaches a seminar at Bella's school. Understandably, Bella feels a pull towards him.
"I listen as he talks about art and how it can speak for us where words fail."
And this Bella is no wide-eyed little girl - she can sense that he feels it too.
I was pleased to find out that the majority of the story takes place when they are no longer teacher and student. And it was majorly refreshing, some of the turns this story took.
This was such a fantastic story! If you drool, like I do, over sensual description of color and form - this story is for you. If the idea of Artistward gives you goosebumps, what the hell are you waiting for? Go read this now!
~oOo~
Another way I found to slough off the stress?
Two words: Batman. Slash.
CUE BATMAN AWESOMENESS (btw, The Edge from U2 did this theme song for one of the more recent incarnations of animated Batman.)
My new obsession was sparked by a Batman animated movie which has been playing on Netflix streaming - Batman: Under the Red Hood. It explores the relationship between Batman and Jason, the boy who was the 2nd Robin. It seemed to just skim the surface of a really complicated dynamic. So I sought out fanfic to fill in the blanks. Which of course led me directly to Batslash. And that's where I've been ever since.
My OTP... Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson (Robin #1)
I won't go into it here too much but there are some fascinating possibilities that arise when you have Bruce Wayne, a stoic, emotionally stunted individual who is powerful both physically and societally due to his wealth and status.
And he's interacting with this funny, lively younger man who he took under his wing, training Dick to become the first Robin (the original partner in crime-fighting). So then here's Dick who is looking for love and approval while simultaneously trying to prove himself and assert his independence.
Now imagine when you stir in relationship uncertainty, sexual tension, and the adrenaline rush that comes from beating up bad guys and saving the day. Talk about ripe for fanfic. Ok, I went into it, but just a little bit.
WHAT I WROTE
You didn't think I'd leave you with just one Polyphonic reference, did you?
CUE THE MOST HAPPY-MAKINGEST BAND ON EARTH COVERING THE QUINTESSENTIAL ANGSTY BAND, NIRVANA.
...which would be the inclusion of an Althea-ism into urbandictionary. WOOT!
READ THIS IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY:
Why You Gotta Be Pullin' That Fic
I don't understand why pulling fic is so common. I sometimes wonder if authors even realize the negatives. Even if you pull them, your stories are still out there. Someone will claim your words as theirs, and there will be nothing you can do to prove otherwise (unless you want to pay to get lawyers involved). Click on my post to see what I mean.
FOR TWIFIC PIMPS
The Fanfic My Fanfic contest is now over. Here are results.
