The YnM van rolls up to the kerb: it's recently been washed and waxed, and once it comes to a stop, an androgynous figure in a rumpled black suit, dark hair slightly on end, rolls down the window and peers out.

Hey there, I'm matrixrefugee, and I am bringing a classic Van out of the garage this month, namely the Yami no Matsuei (aka Descendants of Darkness) van. It's an honor to be your driver for this fandom and for this month.

The manga has been in hiatus for a number of years, due to the mangaka's health and some editorial problems, but as of this fall, it has come back into production in Japan, and hopefully will continue. For those of you who are devoted to the series and are patiently waiting to read more, I'll be offering some of my favorite fics and vids; and for those of you who haven't heard of it before, there are two lovely overviews to be found Here and Here Unfortunately, the picture links seem to have expired, but not to worry: here's a few pics of the lovely (in every sense of the word) cast of death gods, mortals, energy feeders and more:

( Cut to save ye f-list and to build suspense )

I'm a fan of Hisoka/Tsuzuki fics and Muraki/*most anyone* fics, so there's likely to be quite a few of those, as well as some recs offered by the lovely folks at yami_no_matsuei and yamifics. But, I'm glad to have you folks riding with me, and I hope enjoy the ride through the mortal world and the afterlife!

Fandom: YAMI NO MATSUEI

Pairing: Tsuzuki/Hisoka

Length: 720

Author on LJ: measuringlife

Author Website: Fic tag on author's LJ

Why this must be read: Part of Tsuzuki's charm and quirkiness is that he's terrified of ghosts, despite the fact that he's dead himself. This fic captures that hilariously, as he and Hisoka go undercover at an office to see what's going bump in the boardroom; it really shows Tsuzuki's wacky ineptness and Hisoka's level-headness, which balances him out, revealing why they really make a good team.

He's A Terror

Hello, this month I am one of the drivers of the van but before we starts let us take a closer look into this fandom. I hope the journey will have no potholes even if English isn't my mother tongue. :-)

I tried to avoid spoiler in this overview but there are still some which are white coloured. Please mark the parts to see them.


Fandom Overview for "Wizards of Waverly Place"


How can I describe a series like Wizard of Waverly Place or WoWP like the fans call the show? At the first look WoWP is a typically Disney series and nothing more than a fun show for young children and teenagers. Basically it is a show that every adult would avoid.

...Right?

( Click to see the answer... )

So, let's begin our journey with THE fanfic of this fandom.

Fandom: WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE
Pairing: Justin/Alex
Length: 28.875 words
Author on LJ: moirariordan
Author Website: theborogoves, fanfiction.net, Ao3
Why this must be read:

If you ask a WoWP-fan for only one rec I’m sure 8 of 10 will give you a link to this fanfiction. Why? Because it’s simply perfect. Heartbreaking and realistic, but still perfect.

No joke. This is one of the few fanfics which I read and re-read and re-read.

The fic takes place in a world where the secret of the magic world is revealed and it starts with one simple question. How would the mankind reaction? Acceptance or fear? Is our world really so accepting?

moirariordan shows the reader a world where humans struggle to accept magic. It's a world where history repeats itself, where families get separate and friends turn to enemies. In the end Justin and Alex only have each other during their struggle to survive. Their search for a save place is heartbreaking and even if you have problems with the fact that Justin and Alex are brother and sister try to read the fic. The way moirariordan writes their relationship is so realistic and natural that there is no other possible outcome for them.

Also the ending is beautiful. A little bit sad, but also hopeful. It's no fairytale end but a real world end and this is nothing more than Justin and Alex wished for.

In Fire, In Ice (Ao3) or FF.net or LJ
--> The sound of a world falling.

 (Mods, we need some serious musical theater tags!)

Musical theater fandom is an interesting animal. Like any entertainment genre, its topics and themes are as varied as human experience. What’s curious, though, is that Broadway nerds like me often tend to just enjoy musical theater, period, whether it’s the Gothic gore of Sweeney Todd, the feel-good brightness of Hairspray, or the madcap history lesson of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. Despite a range of musical styles and diverse modes of storytelling, musical theater somehow lends itself to a comprehensive fandom of sorts.

( General Overview )
 
( The Classics )
 
( The Contemporary Favorites )
 
( The Big Two )
 
( Fandom Support! )

Fandom: MARVEL COMICS (specifically X-MEN: FIRST CLASS)
Pairing: Erik Lehnsherr/Charles Xavier
Length: 117,000 words
Author on LJ: nekosmuse
Author Website: AO3 Account

Warning: None.

Why this must be read: A wonderful AU where Erik's already the scary champion of mutantkind and Charles is already in a wheelchair. In the manner of OTPs everywhere, despite being diametrically opposed they meet and fall in love at pretty much first sight anyway. It's a slightly longer (and pleasingly respectful) journey to work out how to get from there to a happy ending though, given they go in with their eyes open, and every minute is worth the ride.

Tessellation

Fandom: Musical Theater / A Chorus Line
Pairing: None
Length: 7,773 words
Author on LJ: beatrice_otter
Author Website: At FFN, Dreamwidth, and AO3

Why this must be read: A textured, emotional look at the aftermath of the auditions. The friendship between Diana and Paul feels real, and, most importantly, the author ties the heart of A Chorus Line--the love and need to dance--into the heart of the story.

“They’re waiting for the X-rays,” the receptionist said. “Are you his girlfriend?” She looked Diana up and down, frowning.

“No,” Diana said, raising her chin and refusing to be intimidated. “I’m his best friend.”

“Oh,” the receptionist said. She glanced around the near-empty waiting room, as if trying to find someone else to pawn Diana off on. “Well, I suppose I could show you where he is.”

Diana bit her tongue and followed.

The Beat Goes On

One of the chief joys of being a comics fan, I think, is that there's constantly something new on the horizon, and if something happens that you don't like, you only have to wait a little while for a retcon or a reboot. The unpleasant corollary, of course, is that sometimes it's something you do like that falls victim to the retcon/reboot. And of course, the whole thing can seem impenetrable and inaccessible to new fans.

My advice then to new fans: don't try to get entirely caught up, just dive in and start reading the fic! If there's a character you don't know who seems vaguely important, look them up on Wikipedia. That's what it's there for! (Jimmy Wales may disagree.) That's what I did, and it was enough to convert me from DC to Marvel in the real world as well as the fandom one.

( The single biggest change in Marvel waters this year, I think it would be hard to argue, has been the popularity of the new movies, and thus the increased exposure of characters who were not necessarily well known, or well-fanned, outside comics circles. )

( Fandom Overviews here at Crack Van )

(  Pairing Specific Introductions at Ship Manifesto )

The Cap/Iron Man Slashy Moments List (Illustrations from Forty Years of Comics)

(  Livejournal Communities )

(  Big Bangs )

( Kink Memes )

Fandom: KISS KISS BANG BANG
Pairing: Harry/Perry (if you turn your head to one side and squint)
Length: 3000
Author on LJ: tayberhecate
Author Website: Author's fanfic tag
Why this must be read:

This is one I quite like because it touches on so many little details concerning Harry's sketchy past and his new relationship with Perry, whatever that actually is. Harry is pretty damn whumpable, and even gets his fair share in canon, and this fic gives tiny little peeks as to why he's slightly pathetic.

There are two things going on in tayberhecate's fic (neither of which are cases, actually), and they both come together brilliantly. Ostensibly, the story is about Harry slowly coming to learn that he doesn't have to steal Pop-tarts from 7-Eleven to avoid going hungry, but there's something else under the surface that's more subtle and human with Perry becoming a little bit more than just a meal ticket. There are several good little moments when Perry lets himself slip from being the arsehole employer and lets himself be Harry's friend which are all just wonderful.

The Breadwinner

Hello, I'm exbexand I'll be driving the van for Wilby Wonderful this month.  If you need a little refresher course, I encourage you to check out sperrywink's excellent overview.  My first rec this month comes from the illustrious akite

Fandom: Wilby Wonderful
Pairing: Buddy/Carol (Buddy-centric), Duck/Dan implied
Length: short
Author on LJ: akite
Author website:  Tales of A.Kite

Why this must be read:


In just a few paragraphs, akite captures the essence of Buddy: a good man who has lost his way, but who ultimately always does what's right.  She cleverly places him in a very fitting place on the island he loves.

Water Tower

Fandom: WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE
Pairing: Gen
Length: 964 words
Author on LJ: jdphoenix
Author Website: fanfiction.net
Why this must be read:

My second rec is really a gen fic. No joke, there is no pairing except past Juliet/Justin. It is really unusual for me to read gen fics but this one is... special because it is one of the few fanfictions which really could happen like that in the show.

The fic is short but still long enough to give the reader a (perfect) look into Justins and the relationship with his mother and vice versa. Especially Theresa is perfect and I adore the last few paragraphs about Juliet. The author shows within three sentences the love and understanding between Justin and Theresa, the importance of Juliet for Justin and this alone is worth a rec.

More Woe (LJ) or FF.net
--> Theresa bonds with Justin when he comes home after curfew.

Hello! I'm possibly way too excited to have borrowed the van this month, to rec for Big Time Rush, aka Nickelodeon's delightful boyband/tv show/crosspromotional thing.

Every description of BTR is obligated to start like this: Big Time Rush is the story of four hockey playing best friends from Minnesota who get the chance of a lifetime when megaproducer Gustavo Rocque signs them as his newest boyband.

Which is to say, it's a Nickelodeon sitcom about a boy band, and, Monkees-style, the kids who play the band in the show then became a band in real life, with the same name, who tour singing music that is later featured on the show. The band's music is fun and poppy, while the show itself is genuinely clever and chocked full o' cartoon style hijinks as it both embraces and lovingly parodies boybands.

And come on, you want to see these four dudes on your TV, don't you? They're so dreamy!



( It's the only life you've got, so you've got to live it big time (Oh oh ohhhh oh) )