Astonishing X-Men, and Alias fanfic
Aug. 10th, 2005 06:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
selenakI got my copy of Astonishing X-Men #11. It was a joy to read, especially if, like me, you’re fond of Charles Xavier, but also a painful reminder of how much I miss Joss Whedon scripted tv. The man can just to do so much with a few lines of dialogue, and makes his characters come alive. It’s not that I don’t love and adore the classy tv shows I’m given (bows into Ron Moore’s direction), but… Joss. Words. Know what I’m sayin’?
By now, I’ve tried to catch up on some of the backstory and read some issues written by Chuck Austen and supposed to take place between the last big thing and where Joss came in. These were interesting and not bad, but my, one had everybody and their dog telling Xavier how much he sucks for still caring about Magneto and the other had everybody and their dog telling Scott how much he sucks for having had illicit relations with Emma when Jean was still alive. Neither of these gentlemen was allowed to say much of anything back. Methinks Mr. Austen was playing favourites.
So, reading the newest of Joss’ take on the X-Men was an even better experience than usual, because while our man Joss isn’t above favourites in all of his stories, either, he can do ensemble, dialogue (as in someone actually talking back), and gives everyone something to do other than just stand around or deliver their piece. Even if it’s just a small thing. My favourite example of this ability of his in this issue: after Our Heroes did their “let’s go help the Professor” thing and are about to leave, their backs turned to the audience/readers, the golden-skinned nameless mutant who healed them snarks “you’re welcome”. And you realize they never bothered to thank him for saving their much kicked butts. And Joss gives him that moment.
The meat of the issue is of course Xavier versus Danger. I was very curious of how Joss would write Xavier, especially given that he set this up as a father/offspring battle. If it reminds me of anything in his tv shows, it’s of Giles’ re-entrance and subsequent fight with Willow in Grave. (An episode not written by Joss but by David Fury, I know.) To wit: Charles Xavier is the coolest. Calm, dignified and ruthless. (That he mentions that magnetic friend of his is a nice touch, too.*g*) And manages to make Big Bad Danger like a teenager having a tantrum. However, this is not done by suddenly letting Danger become, forgive the bad pun, less dangerous or disallowing her to talk back (hear that, other writers?). The dialogue they had was fascinating. One of the things Danger brings up, that Xavier’s presentation of himself in his own mind is still crippled, that she chooses her limitations whereas Xavier is his, and Xavier’s rejoinder (“In the end, though, aren’t we all? Our Limitations? If none of us had limitations, what would God do with his time?”) practically backs for Xavier exploring fanfic. *looks begging at![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
penknife and andrastewhite*
Equally fascinating and begging for fanfic:
“The X-Men. They don’t have the slightest idea of who you really are, do they?”
“I like to think that Jean knew. Knew, and understood.”
In other news, I wrote a little Alias vignette for the “What if” challenge.
By now, I’ve tried to catch up on some of the backstory and read some issues written by Chuck Austen and supposed to take place between the last big thing and where Joss came in. These were interesting and not bad, but my, one had everybody and their dog telling Xavier how much he sucks for still caring about Magneto and the other had everybody and their dog telling Scott how much he sucks for having had illicit relations with Emma when Jean was still alive. Neither of these gentlemen was allowed to say much of anything back. Methinks Mr. Austen was playing favourites.
So, reading the newest of Joss’ take on the X-Men was an even better experience than usual, because while our man Joss isn’t above favourites in all of his stories, either, he can do ensemble, dialogue (as in someone actually talking back), and gives everyone something to do other than just stand around or deliver their piece. Even if it’s just a small thing. My favourite example of this ability of his in this issue: after Our Heroes did their “let’s go help the Professor” thing and are about to leave, their backs turned to the audience/readers, the golden-skinned nameless mutant who healed them snarks “you’re welcome”. And you realize they never bothered to thank him for saving their much kicked butts. And Joss gives him that moment.
The meat of the issue is of course Xavier versus Danger. I was very curious of how Joss would write Xavier, especially given that he set this up as a father/offspring battle. If it reminds me of anything in his tv shows, it’s of Giles’ re-entrance and subsequent fight with Willow in Grave. (An episode not written by Joss but by David Fury, I know.) To wit: Charles Xavier is the coolest. Calm, dignified and ruthless. (That he mentions that magnetic friend of his is a nice touch, too.*g*) And manages to make Big Bad Danger like a teenager having a tantrum. However, this is not done by suddenly letting Danger become, forgive the bad pun, less dangerous or disallowing her to talk back (hear that, other writers?). The dialogue they had was fascinating. One of the things Danger brings up, that Xavier’s presentation of himself in his own mind is still crippled, that she chooses her limitations whereas Xavier is his, and Xavier’s rejoinder (“In the end, though, aren’t we all? Our Limitations? If none of us had limitations, what would God do with his time?”) practically backs for Xavier exploring fanfic. *looks begging at
penknife and andrastewhite* Equally fascinating and begging for fanfic:
“The X-Men. They don’t have the slightest idea of who you really are, do they?”
“I like to think that Jean knew. Knew, and understood.”
In other news, I wrote a little Alias vignette for the “What if” challenge.
no subject
Date: 2005-08-11 12:42 am (UTC)One of the things Danger brings up, that Xavier’s presentation of himself in his own mind is still crippled, that she chooses her limitations whereas Xavier is his, and Xavier’s rejoinder (“In the end, though, aren’t we all? Our Limitations? If none of us had limitations, what would God do with his time?”) practically backs for Xavier exploring fanfic. *looks begging at
Well, it has been a while since I wrote comicverse X-Men fic ...
Equally fascinating and begging for fanfic:
“The X-Men. They don’t have the slightest idea of who you really are, do they?”
“I like to think that Jean knew. Knew, and understood.”
That was the line that made me dance the dance of joy. I've actually had a story on that subject half-written for years; maybe I should finish it.
no subject
Date: 2005-08-11 04:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-11 10:45 am (UTC)It really is. Looking forward to the next issue, as well. (And that's a lovely Xavier icon you have there, btw.)
And hence you've a holy obligation to write fanfic.*veg*
I'll see what I can do *g*. (I have some ficathon things to take care of first, but maybe it would do my muses good to work on something else anyway.)
no subject
Date: 2005-08-11 11:42 am (UTC)