Comments | paxwolf: FIC: "JLA: Necessary Force" (Part 15: "Valley of the Shadow of Death"

paxwolf

FIC: "JLA: Necessary Force" (Part 15: "Valley of the Shadow of Death" - 1st Half)

Jan 12, 2010 21:15

Hi Folks! Happy New Year indeed! :-)

As my flist knows, I've had a terribly difficult time posting this oh-so-long-overdue update, but thanks to the efforts of damos, (and the help of mithen and the good advice of kawahori - thanks muchly, guys!) I'm managing to do so at last. As some of you know, I'd attempted to post Part 15 here last week, but only managed, ( Read more... )

nf, necessary force, fic, jla

Comments 14

kcscribbler January 13 2010, 13:26:51 UTC

One thing I have to say I absolutely love about this story (and your others) is that usually in JLU or JLA fic, writers tend to fall into the comic-book-aimed-at-young-audiences mentality and so write dialogue that's cheap, and drama that's more melodrama than reality - and this is neither; the dialogue is tensely charged with characterization and brilliant as both men, and the League, are, and the drama involved is just as brilliantly written but obviously on a grander scale than the typical episodic events we usually see. This is such a brilliant story, and I was so excited to see it updated - thank you!

paxwolf January 14 2010, 04:56:03 UTC

No, thank YOU! It is incredibly encouraging to receive feedback like this! *beams*

I have to admit that one reason I love fanfiction is because of the sheer possibilies inherent in this arena. And it's so wonderfully fun when you get to read your favourite characters from comics, animation, books, film, and anime but without most of the canon restrictions. At the same time, I too love it when they're clearly recognizable, the characters I originally fell in love with. So, hearing someone else say what you've said about how I wrote them ... well, that makes me feel very honoured indeed!

Thank you very much, KC! :-D

bradygirl_12 January 13 2010, 17:45:15 UTC

Amazing! I caught up on the rest of this and must say I can see why poor Clark is so worn down. What a terrible, terrible series of nightmares!

I did like the inclusion of Lex. There's a connection there (at least in SV and maybe animated), so it's logical he should be there.

But so many people!

Thank goodness Bruce is there to listen, to help...

paxwolf January 14 2010, 05:13:41 UTC

Thanks, Brady! *grin* Glad I am that you somehow manage to find time to read this with all your own epic writings!

Yes, it did seem quite fitting to include Lex in Superman's nightmares. No matter their relationship, it is a very powerful and long connection, be it as longtime enemies (as in comics canon, in which this story is of course based!) or as past close friends (as in Smallville canon), or the complicated one in the animated series. (er, I won't include their different relationship in fanon here, lol.)

I must confess that I care about Clark a good deal, and so I do feel rather bad about subjecting him to such an ordeal in this fic, and not least the horrific nightmares he suffers. I honestly wouldn't want to be in his boots. But there is a purpose to it, if that helps.

And yes, so many people. Almost incomprehensible, isn't it? *shakes head* A VERY good thing the true friend that is Bruce is there for him, oh yes. *hugs Bruce*

Thanks! :;)

bradygirl_12 January 14 2010, 17:07:43 UTC

Actually, in Silver and Bronze Age comics canon, Clark and Lex knew each other in Smallville. While they didn't have a friendship the depth of TV's Smallville, they were the two smartest boys in town and gravitated toward each other, even though Lex was his snarky self. ;) So there was a boyhood connection before DC blew everything up in COIE, though some of the recent reboots address that relationship. I blame Michael Rosenbaum and his awesome portrayal of Lex. ;)

paxwolf January 18 2010, 04:49:00 UTC

Oh yeah, you are totally right about the Silver Age etc canon, Brady. Heh, one of the hazards of working for nearly 14 years in a comic book store is that I became INTIMATELY familiar with the history and all the obscure characters of the DC universe (and the Marvel universe too, for that matter). I know the most bizarre stories and trivia from the earlier days of comics! (it's been embarrassing and amazingly geeky when these sorts of discussions come up every time I still visit The ComicShop where I worked. I still get asked truly strange questions. Why oh why can't my mind soak up USEful information??)

You're also right about the fantastic performance of Rosenbaum in the role of Lex! That changed a lot for fans, don't you think? ;-)

Yes, all true, and I guess I also should have specified that though NF is comics canon, it does only follow the canon of the so-called 'Modern Age', (the 'new' JLA in particular) and yes, only after Crisis on Infinite Earths, so the post 1987/John Bryne revamp is still in effect, which makes ( ... )

Thread 5

mithen January 14 2010, 03:58:21 UTC

“You’re in worse shape than even I’d suspected,” Batman finally said, sobered.

I like this moment a lot, because it reveals how very well Bruce understands Clark--to know that if Clark sounds so bitter and sad, something really must be terribly wrong. It's such a telling little moment...

paxwolf January 14 2010, 05:22:45 UTC

And you are so very good at noticing these little moments, Jen. *impressed, as always*

Yes, Bruce, at least as observant as you, would indeed notice when something is quite wrong with Clark. I don't think there's anyone else in the universe who understands Clark the way Bruce does, (and vice versa) not Lois, his parents, the telepath J'onn, or Diana. (though they are all would be close. Just not quite in Bruce's game.)

Thank you again for your wonderful help! And that of your time-generous husband, Jen! (I'm so glad I've finally, finally got this part out. It was a scary chapter for me to part with, for lots of reasons!)

carolandtom January 20 2010, 17:15:10 UTC

I was awaiting this new part so eagerly and then I had to wait to read it because of RL demands. But now that I've finally been able to read it at ease, I can't tell you how much I loved it! It's awesome ( ... )

paxwolf January 22 2010, 05:17:20 UTC

Oh, Carol, you have made my night. It's great to see you around! *hugs* (and believe me, I know all about RL issues preventing one from being online! No need to apologize to ME, not ever ( ... )

cmer January 23 2010, 18:18:20 UTC

Um, I had the other entry bookmarked to read when I finally had time, then I proceeded to the next entry, and then I found this... oops! Sorry, I didn't realize you had the whole chapter posted here. >_<

But eeeee! I love fics like this! Batman knows exactly what Superman is feeling because he's been with him for so long, that is so lovely. <333

And... wow, oh wow! This chapter is INCREDIBLE, Pax. I'm absolutely blown away by the sheer brilliance of this fic. Seriously. The way that Superman is keeping something inside that scares the shit out of him, and Batman is desperately trying to open him up is so powerfully felt here. I'm so thrilled with this chapter, usually it's the other way around (Superman tries to get Batman to open up ( ... )

paxwolf January 27 2010, 05:47:02 UTC

Oooh, Tina, I'm SO glad you liked this part!!! Between this comment and your next, wow, I couldn't ask for a lovelier bit of feedback! This intense chapter really spoke to you, apparently, and I couldn't be happier about that. It's actually a huge relief that this difficult scene is so well-received. (and now I'm wondering why I angsted so terribly over it and hesitated to post it. *shakes head ruefully*)

Yes, I am sorry about the confusion in posting this. The previous two entries to this one were my initial attempt to post - but due to technical difficulties (and enormous coding, apparently!) I couldn't post the chapter in its entirety. Most frustrating. (I shall have to see if I can alert any unwary or confused visitors as to where the whole chapter is.)

The way that Superman is keeping something inside that scares the shit out of him, and Batman is desperately trying to open him up is so powerfully felt here. I'm so thrilled with this chapter, usually it's the other way around (Superman tries to get Batman to open up).Yay ( ... )

cmer February 17 2010, 18:14:26 UTC

I can totally relate not wanting to post something because you think it's godawful or embarrassing or something, yet someone out there might become a huge fan of what your work and will want you to produce more of it. You never know till you try.

And again, no problem on the posting confusion bit! I was able to find everything just fine. If you're ever stuck posting your next chapter, lemme know and I'll be happy to help you. I'm not doing much of anything nowadays anyway...

I'm so happy you're having fun turning the tables. :) It's always fun trying something new that people may not expect when reading your work, because what they usually expect happens too often in comics. And I was on the edge on my seat wondering how the heck Bruce would get Clark to open up since he was so deadset against opening up and reliving the horrors he experienced in the first place. I figured Bruce would find a way; he's not called the World's Greatest Detective for nothing, y'know. ;) So, yeah, of course I totally adored this piece. <3 ( ... )