Deep Conversations

Here are all of the icons I've made for various challenges during fandom_empire Bingo and Powerball. The newest are on top and the oldest are at the bottom. I think I've improved a lot!

Fandoms include Supernatural, Roswell, Roswell New Mexico, The Falcon & The Winter Soldier, Halloween Stock, Demi Lovato, and Mulan.


( 22 icons under here )

To close out my thoughts on Escapade Con this year: The Falcon and The Winter Soldier panel was a lot of fun. There was a lot of positivity, and reflection on Sam as THE person to take over as Cap even though there is significant baggage involved. There was discussion about how it was great that they did discuss race outright in the show, and had Bucky get humble about his lack of knowledge, and people who were familiar with the comics had some really cool predictions that I'd like to see come true. I'm still annoyed with all the unnecessary killing and violence at the very beginning, but eh, it was an action show first and foremost.

The Supernatural panel was fun too! It was kind of cathartic to make fun of the prequel a bit. The discussion was mostly about fics we liked to read, and some reccs came out of that regarding outsider POV which is such a great trope - but especially with SPN fic.

I was grateful for the newcomer meet-up. That's how I met Jocarthage, and then they introduced me to Roswell: New Mexico!! Of course I find a shiny brand-new show right when it gets canceled :( But I've binged s1 and s2 and it's such a fun show. I'm getting my alien and scifi fix but also, SO MANY SHIPS <3

The 'save the kinkmemes' panel gave me an interesting perspective on preserving your online presence. I was thinking about deleting my LJ, but panel members discussed how saving your own content isn't necessarily about you - it's like a record of what was happening online in fandom spaces and otherwise at that time. Plus, you don't know who has read/saved your posts and wants to go back to them (I know I have followed quite a few dead links on LJ and I've been disappointed). At least AO3 exists so we can save your own fic - it's just tricky to save fic that was happening in comment threads, and you can't just post other people's fic on AO3.

The Teen Wolf panel wasn't my fav. There were a lot of Peter fans and I'm not that girl. I have glanced at some negativity online, but I joined the fandom late so I avoided a lot of it - this panel definitely gave me a glimpse because I heard why people don't like Scott (he assumed the worst about Stiles and blamed him for stuff???) and Allison (she should have stayed evil because she was too mean to Derek's pack???). But Allison is one of my favorites, so I'll just stay in my happy corner of tumblr :P

The law review about the A/B/O fic lawsuit was great. I had read the big 'mainstream' article when it came out, and I definitely cringed that the writer didn't know anything about fandom and also that fandom was so out in the open, but it was fun to discuss with another lawyer and hear other fan reactions to it. You can't call a trope protected intellectual property!! But also, the case didn't proceed all the way because one of the authors was caught in a lie and that led to a deal.

Day 5: Compare and/or contrast your very first fandom obsession and your very latest fandom obsession.

First fandom obsession was probably Clark Kent/Lana Lang from Smallville, and now my favorite OTP is Sam/Bucky of MCU. Very different OTPs, but both fandoms are based on comic books that have huge followings and a ton of canon history. There are still trolls and ship wars, that I now know to stay on the outside of. I was definitely an obnoxious fan back in the day, and I took everything way too personally. I'm still a shipper, but now it's a lot more fun to kind of just be in my own little corner. I related to Clark and to Lana a lot - as for Sam and Buck, I don't think I relate so much as I just really enjoy them/their personalities every time they are onscreen together.

Day 6: What's a fandom that you wish had a bigger following?

The Expanse! It's a kickass scifi show with some really gorgeous scenery and actors. Plus there is a ton of ship potential for all of the mains, although it did take me a little while to get to know everyone. The online fandom did rally to save the show, but I still hardly see any fandom content in terms of fic/vids/art etc.

Also, The English Game. It was a mini series on Netflix with SO much potential. The enemies to lovers trope was strong in this one, with the main characters being rival soccer players who also were from vastly different social classes. I'll probably nominate for Yuletide this year.

Day 7: What's the longest time you've been in a fandom. Not necessarily your oldest fandom, but a fandom that you started and still continue to read/write/create content for in some way.

Probably Band of Brothers. I can't remember when I first watched the series, but I've been writing in that fandom since 2011 when the camp toccoa comm on LJ was active. There was a big lull before BoB got popular on tumblr/discord again, but I'm still participating in that fandom.