Subject: [OTL]: ...I really should try to be more timely about this....
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999: from 'rith
Syl, "Invasion": I've been enjoying this whole series. The bits of characterizaton in between the action make it work. You've got a great handle on all the players.
Dark Mark, "Professor and the Pupil"--interesting, and totally plausible. Next time--Warren? Cool! I do like Warren, but I loathe what's been done to him. Any chance to see him pre-Poccy/metal wings/Betsy will be a rare treat. I'll be watching for that one.
...of course, I'm still enjoying "Dance with the Demons," and the appearance of Talia at the end of the last one was a nice surprise. I liked her a lot in NML #0--made me believe Bruce and she care about each other.
Naturally, "Superman and Man" deserves all the raves it's been getting, but I'll hold off on feedback until it's all wrapped up.... [hint! ;) ] But I do think this one is one of your best pieces yet.
Mel, "A Good Meal": I *told* Kaylee she'd created a fictive everyone would want to use in Draco, and I'm glad to be proved right. ;) I love the Beldacci-Brown family--they feel very real, and a welcome addition to the world of the Corner. It's also nice to see Jason get some unqualified approval for his Draco-work, untainted by all his difficult associations with the Bat-clan.
...you already know how much I loved "A Dinner of Herbs," but saying it again never hurts. I'm tremendously flattered KJ and now you chose to use "my boys" (g) in the Draco-verse. You did a wonderful job on the characterization of Dick, Roy, and Garth, and it's even more impressive that you did this without having read the books. "Secret pirates." "Never get good wives." This stuff is just wonderful. I hope to see a lot more of the family--and Draco--from you.
I also enjoyed your trio of Bobby-fics, from the self-loathing despair of "A Different Theatre" and "Coming Home" to those wonderful three little words in "Believing Eyes." One day--it may be hoped--the official X-writers will give Bobby the credit that fanfiction does.
Amanda Sichter, "The Third Time I Died": Yike. Oh, this is *good.* Creepy and horrible and absolutely compelling. It begs sympathy, and then begs the question: How much sympathy can you *have* for a woman who gave herself to the devil--not once, but three times, and always knowing the consequences? It takes real talent to make you care, nonetheless. And I did.
"Interlude in Bludhaven": {blink}{blink} Amanda, is that YOU? ...this isn't depressing or dark, but it IS wonderful, from the interplay between Dick and Helena to the bits with Barbara (oh, I love her, I do) and Dick's internal monologue. Favorite bit: "~Hello sexual perversion, my name is Dick Grayson, it's a pleasure to meet you.~" I laughed out loud. Something about those masks, and heroing...it's a whole thesis. This fic just delighted me from start to finish, and made me determined to reopen my own half-started Huntress fic--may I call on you for background? :)
Larissa James, "The Man in the Machine": Ultron, wow. That's...very cool. I hope this *does* become a series--one of the most intriguing bits out of the new Avengers series was the "well, of course" revelation that Ultron's brain patterns were based on Hank's. Hank...is not a well man. Hm, it's almost a Hulk-parallel; all of Hank's darker emotions expressed in another form. Intriguing.
"The Simple Life": It must be open season on supporting characters--and I'm glad. It's nice to see that Gyrich, the MiB we all love to hate, has at least one person to love him. Heartbreaking last line.
D Benway: Whenever I open my OTL folder and see a post by Doc, I get this odd shiver down my spine. Kind of a sense of creeping horror.
It is good.
"Arrow Through the Heart": The good Doctor is a surgeon, swiftly and precisely cutting to the very heart--both of the fictives and the reader. The relentless pace of this one only heightens the intensity. YJ *is* getting better, and I'm not surprised Arrowette's crisis-situation in #15 sparked this fic; nor am I surprised at how effective this semi-sequel was, in Doc's hands. The appearances of Steph and the Huntress, Rob's despair and Cissie's frighteningly calm acceptance of the Way Things Are, add up to a thoughtful--and thought-prokoking--fic.
"Morning in America": *Extremely* disturbing. I'm still thinking about this one. From start to finish, a solid wave of horror. I think the worst part may simply be the concept itself--all those young, hopeful YJ kids, utterly warped into something so painful. Distopia, indeed. Really one of the *nastiest* Elseworld-possibilities I've seen in a while--and I do mean that as a compliment. :) ...and please be assured, I'd made the note to feedback this *before* your accidental post, so consider this "unsolicited"--it really was.
Matt Nute, "Generator": My very first thought on finishing this fic was, "And this is why I won't be writing Authority anytime soon." You intimidated the urge right out of me. ;) Aside from being beautifully written, the concept is powerful, worthy of the Authority. I agree with Poi, a little; the idea that human creativity/suffering stems from a *machine* doesn't quite do it for me. But if we are just the lens.... Well, it's an intriguing concept, regardless. Because character is all, in whatever I read or write, the best parts were the insights into the characters' heads, their fears and private horrors. And seeing Jenny push the Midnighter to use his powers for something *other* than combat was my favorite moment.
*deep breath*
Indigo's fics...
...blow me away. Pretty much as a given. The four noted below are only the ones that had the *most* effect. :)
"Spoiler's World": I've only read a half-dozen issues with Steph, and this fic makes her a lot more real to me. It's utterly heartbreaking, and so very true: "They outpower you, Boy Wonder, but they'll never outclass you." Tim really is one of the finest characters in the modern comics era. Knowing him makes Steph's situation all the more painful, because he *is* everything she says--and you just have to empathize with her sense of loss. I really hope we haven't seen the last of her.
"Family Bonds": Trust Indi to make the Bat-Mite a totally credible narrator. This is altogether sweet, and the Mite is most fitting guardian angel for the "Clan of the Cave Bat." *snicker* The poor thing certainly has his work cut out for him.
"Through A Mirror Brightly": Oh, wow. This fic reminds me that of all Batman's rogue's gallery, Harvey may be the only reclaimable one. This piece is *hope.* It's a damned shame it will never happen in the comics--but I'll remember it every time I read a Two-Face story from now on.
"Secret Confession of a Screwup Slacker Himbo": ...which certainly wins the
award for best title I've seen in a while! :) I'm utterly thrilled to think
that my request for RoyFic had anything to do with this. It feels very *him,*
and that's wonderful, because I've fallen in love with Roy Harper.
No, my mailbox *isn't* clear, but that's what I've got time for...thanks for the great work, all.
'rith
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