Mar
24
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Article by: BnB
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On
Nova
Nova Fan Fiction
Part 1
FAN FICS R US
Every month comic enthusiasts wait patiently to go to their local comic emporium to gather their horde of favorite titles. For some, the wait can be agonizing. So what’s one to do? For those that love words - enter the realm of the fan fiction writer!
First: what is fan-fiction? Fan fiction started cropping up back in the 1960’s just after the debut of Star Trek - but it wasn’t until the advent of the internet that the genre really exploded. For the most part, fan-fics are not considered canonical by the genre they support. Most stories are set in alternative universes - taking established characters along paths that they wouldn’t necessarily follow in their own universe. Stories crop up in several formats - novellas, drabbles (stories of 100 or more words in length), song-fics and the latest craze thanks to forums - interactive fan-fics where one author starts a story off and others in turn write a paragraph creating tales “on the spot.” These sites also give fans reading the stories the chance to comment and give criticism. Many fan-fic authors have gone on to become mainstream writers.
Most sites have guidelines that would-be writers have to follow. Spelling and grammar have to be spot on. Before submitting a story, a writer must have a clear idea of what the story is about; and if they have a 1-2 year plan, they have to submit that for initial approval. Most writers are encouraged to have beta-readers to handle the proofreading; but more often fan-fic writers team up and support one another - giving fresh perspectives when the dreaded writers’ block strikes.
However, one aspect of fan-fics that is a continued debate is legality. To try and clear up the do’s and don’ts; would be authors can consult chillingeffects.org which gives a lot of legal advice regarding fan-fics. Most fan-fic sites have their Individual Terms of Services to which authors must abide. For the most part, legal action against fan-fics authors has been extremely rare. All fics are covered by the First Amendment as freedom of speech; but when it comes to copyright there is a clause. However, it’s a very ambiguous area – one side trying to balance the other. In short - there’s no defining right and wrong. Each side has its moral right. Paramount encourages fan fics as they see it as a means of boosting sales for the films - while in stark contrast, Fox sent out cease and desist letters - so today Star Trek fics are considered a no-no.
Another hotbed (pun intended) is stories featuring sexual situations. Some sites have adopted fan-fic ratings based on film classifications for which they use fictionratings.com as a guide and allow such content with appropriate warnings. But many sites, including fanfiction.net (the longest running fic site) have actively banned NC-17/Mature stories. Most sites do not condone specific situations - sex with minors is outlawed but same sex relationships are encouraged. Marvel’s own policy regarding Fan-Fics is - they don’t have a policy; but as yet I’ve heard no cases ever raised regarding Marvel Fan-fics. Fan-fics are actively encouraged on the forums at Marvel.com; but fan fics with mature themes are discouraged - odd considering they can publish comics like Ythaq and Kick-Ass!
Okay, that’s the basics - but in the light that it’s Nova/Quasar month at CosmicBookNews, let’s look at Nova/Quasar fan fics! Surprisingly, there are both! Okay, not a lot compared to other more popular characters; but some serials do exist. So here’s a guide to the cream of the crop…..
Force Works by Daniel Ingram m2k.omegacen.com
Part of MK2’s Knights series, Force Works is based on a comic written by DNA back in the 90’s. Described as “the superhuman equivalent of the gay and straight alliance,” Force Works is a superhero team featuring mutant and regular members financed by a reclusive billionaire Donald Parvenue. Current members include Nova, Mirage, Wolfsbane, Adam X, Kymaera, Blink, Charcoal and Technocrat. Together they operate outside federal jurisdiction, dealing with the kind of emergencies that SHIELD and SWORD often sweep under the carpet. Recurring adversaries include New Warrior enemies the Soldiers of Misfortune. Nova here is an integral team member. Based on the Richard Rider persona of the New Warriors era (pony tail and attitude), when not busting he’s deeply immersed in his relationship with Nita Prentiss. It’s very adult, very precise writing, and also the longest running fic featuring the human rocket. One tale I particularly liked was a stand alone story in the Max 2000 anthology series where Nova has to face up to his time during the Xandar-Skrull war when one of his associates at a support group for war veterans commits suicide:
“What kind of support group?” Nita asked. “I don’t play twenty questions, twenty answers with you Rich. So kindly stop being so stubborn and tell me what the deal is with this friend of yours.”
“Former friend. Alright. As you know I got my powers from a dying member of the Xandar Nova Corps. I did the superhero thing for a while before I got roped into the war with the Skrulls. They gave me powers, so I figured I owed it to them to beat the green chins. I was there for about a year before we finally stopped them. I got to go home, without my powers.” Nova said bitterly.
“Yeah?”
“When I got home, my Dad thought I might have some trouble coping with what I saw. He was wrong, but he was also providing the room and board. He made me attend a support group for war veterans and that’s where I met Neil.”
“What war?”
“Vietnam. I’m not gonna go into what he saw, but it wasn’t pretty. He had a hard time sleeping at night, couldn’t hold down a job, the works. He used to always ask me “How did you sleep at night, knowing tomorrow might me the last day of your life?” But he seemed to get his life together last time I saw him.”
“Apparently not, poor guy.” Namorita said. “You know today’s the first time that’s happened.”
“What’s the first time?”
“First time you’ve remotely talked about your time at war in all the years that I have known you, Rich. Why is that?”
“No reason.” Nova quickly replied.
“Oh? I knew a few guys in college who went to Desert Storm. They couldn’t shut up about what they had seen and done. They would go on and on with the war stories, their tales of glory!” Namorita said sarcastically, “Why not you?”
“Because I left the war behind me!” Nova snapped angrily before he flew out of the window….
By Daniel Ingram Max2000 No. 3
Nova by Anthony Crute thehouseofideas.net
Essentially a re-telling of Nova’s origin set in the All Star Universe, this is Richard aged 19, viewed an outcast by his father, jealous of his younger brother, this is a Richard Rider who is desperate for a change in life and gets his wish, but not in the way he thinks…
Richie turned in the airless vacuum of space. His misty eyes moved across the surface of the world as it slowly rotated his home out of his view. He sniffed gently and wished he could wipe his eyes. It had been close to twelve hours since he had left the planet which turned far below him.
Twelve hours before that he was sitting in a S.W.O.R.D. holding cell being questioned on his origin…which was only about two days ago.
In less than a week he had been given the powers of a god to be some kind of alien police officer. He’d been hunted by some aliens who wanted to eat him. He’d had his government turn against him and then was physically abducted by an alien super agent calling himself Captain Marvel and told he could never return to his home or even to the very planet of his birth.
The unfortunate part was that he couldn’t actually go anywhere else. “Computing…” informed The Worldmind. The super computer which had been downloaded into his mind along with all these superpowers he had.
Rich watched the world and waited. He’d asked the Worldmind to come up with a way to get him home. When he didn’t like the first hundred or so responses of there being nothing he could do he asked again and again.
“Nova Richard Rider, Captain Marvel is Guardian of the Universe chosen by Universal entity Eon…his jurisdiction supersedes that of the Nova corps without resorting to resolutions 54224 through 60368.”
“Do that then!” Rich barked.
“Negative resolutions 54224 through 60368 refer to intergalactic war, civil war, peacekeeping missions, genocide, war crimes and 1000 other variables which do not apply to the current situation.”
“Tell me then Worldmind, what good are you?” Rich’s words hung in the air as he floated in silence until The Worldmind spoke again.
“Nova Richard Rider it must be brought to your attention that you retain only 24 hours of Earth atmosphere left in supply. Without repair to the Nova suit, the first priority is to repair systems for unlimited production of the needed atmosphere for Nova to survive. The second priority is to return to Xandar for training in use of the Nova powers.”
“I JUST WANT TO GO HOME!” Screamed Rich, his fist tightened and he unleashed a blast of energy from both his hands through the space all around him. He stopped and moved his hands to his helmet with a grunt of annoyance.
Nova by Antony Crute No. 7
The Champions by Scott Redmond marvel.omegacen.com
Here Nova has created a new team comprising of former New Warriors having briefly served as a West Coast Avenger. Members include Namorita, Night Thrasher, Turbo, Firestar and Darkhawk! While contemplating a romance with Turbo, Richard feels something exceptional is about to happen to his life. The series ties into an ongoing Silver Surfer featuring the Nova Corps and a Quasar series following Wendell Vaughn’s encounter with the Annihilation Wave. All three will link into the authors’ ongoing Nova series coming soon. I like this opening from part 4 with Rich and Vance….
Downtown Los Angeles early in the morning was almost as busy as the rest of the day. People moving about their early daytime activities whether it be work or any number of other errands or things. In the middle of all the busy office buildings and banks and other corporations stood one gleaming skyscraper.
Standing out from the rest, two figures stood upon its roof high above any of the traffic and distractions below, worrying about nothing but the target they coveted. The orange ball moved between their hands to the target behind them. Two men. A contest of wills and power. Two old friends bonding over a game. It was a story as old as time and it continued this day.
Richard Rider stood defensively and prepared for the attack. It could come from any direction and without any warning. He had to be on his guard. Reaching up he wiped the sheen of sweat off his face before turning back to glance at his goal. As he ran forward towards the looming goal, he caught a glimpse of his adversary. Out of the corner of his eye Rich watched the figure getting closer and closer. As Rich jumped, he prepared to deliver the package. Just as victory was assured, the figure slammed into legs causing them both to fall to the ground roughly.
“Told ya, that you couldn’t bring me down, Buckethead. I may have been injured before, but I’m back and more than ready to keep beating your ass.” Vance Astrovik laughed as he hopped up off the ground.
Reaching a hand down he pulled Rich to his feet. The basketball that had been in Rich’s hand rolled across the ground finally coming to a stop at court’s edge. A game of rousing one on one in the middle of the night hadn’t been on their schedules. After everything that had happened lately, a little bonding didn’t hurt.
“Oh please. Besides I thought we agreed no powers?”
“I don’t need my mutant powers to bring down a chump like you.”
“Where’s Angel at, doesn’t she need to get your balls out of her purse?”
“Oh good one, buddy. The scintillating wit of Kid Nova lives on.”
The Champions by Scott Redmond No. 4
Marvel Mansion - not an ongoing series as such, but one of those interactive fic forums where several dozen fans create stories together following pre-decided arcs/plots. Here another alternate universe Richard Rider, again based on his New Warriors rough around the edges persona – dates Namorita, gets catapulted into the 616 to face Norman Osborn’s Thunderbolts, and when desperate for work becomes a male stripper! The present arc ties to Annihilation; but so far it’s been a re-tread of what went on in the comics - even the dialogue is the same. It’s apparently run out of steam as so far no new entries have appeared.
Anyway, check out these stories! Meanwhile, in the next part of this article my co-writer is going to let you in on a project that we’ve been working on for 2 years. Cause next time we’ll be giving you insight into Novaverse 615 and a taste of the kind of fan-fic writing we like to do!
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