Hi to all,
Here's the list for the first week of this month. Please excuse
the delay in posting a combination of Paul's being out of town on
the weekend and my running injury prevented posting until now.
Your indulgence is appreciated.
Collectively,
Paul <arezina@acad1.stvincent.edu
Helen <Helen@eiw-ca.com
Shunsuke <shunsuke@mailcity.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FFML Synopses List
======================
For the week of: August 1 - 7, 1998
Synopses Submitted: 20
* * * * *
[Mega Crossover]
- - - - -
Title: A World Without A Future; Day 3
Series: SM, TM!, BGC, YUA, DC Comics, etc...
Genre: Dark, Post Apocalyptic Horror
Author: Adam Christopher Leigh
Email: Omicron@sprynet.com
Homepage: http://dogbert.simplenet.com/Tempest/fiction.html
Date Sent to FFML: August 4, 1998
Size: 52 Kb
Summary:
The Sailor Scouts were working to bring about a Utopia, the
Crystal Tokyo of everyone's dreams. They Failed. This is the future,
a world reeling from the impact of an Asteroid that hit the Pacific
Ocean 20 years ago, a city named after a once prosperous one, isolated
from the blizzard in a large cylindrical column. Americans, Japanese,
Chinese, Jurains, wrapped together in over 40 million tons of decaying
metal, all alone in the cold.
The nightmare continues as the only thing stopping the icy storms
outside of NeoMetropolis begins to crumble before the unknowing
cityfolk. As Makoto and Ami work to keep the walls up, Nene and her
companion battle against conflicting views and the harsh cold to find
a way out of the large caverns they're trapped in. Read on as the
story leads up to the exciting conclusion in the next episode of
AWWAF. Script Format.
{Paul}
The meeting of the subplots finally begins to commence. So far, the
usual antagonism one might find in a crossover is very conspicuously
absent... but that's a good thing. There are far better things to do
than squabble...saving life as we know it is fairly high on that
list. 19 or 20 out of 20 for beautiful descriptions, clean prose,
and a plot that has me anxiously awaiting more.
* * * * *
[MST3000]
- - - - -
Title: A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic 6.7
Series: Mystery Science Theater 3000/Ranma 1/2
Genre: MSTing
Author: Megane 6.7
Email: fcasper@yesic.com
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Temple/4007/MSTings.html
Date Sent to FFML: August 5, 1998
Summary:
Joel and the bots are having fun in the Holocabana when Dr. F
calls on them to read one of the worst Ranma 1/2 fanfics of all time.
They may have survived *Scene Change*, but can they handle *Sheep
Hurting*? Join the crew of MST6.7 and find out! :)
{Paul}
This was... bad. Just... bad. Not bad for any reason, just... bad.
The story, not the MiST. There was very little to actually riff in
this fic...sometimes, they get miserable enough that there's no
even relative high point to let up in...
It was funny... but, again, the problem is that the original fic
must be read alongside the MiST to actually laugh. *Ugh*. 14 or 15
out of 20...funny as far as it went, but there was nothing I could
really fasten on...
* * * * *
[Ranma 1/2]
- - - - -
Title: Happosai and Cologne write fanfic
Series: Ranma
Genre: Wierd
Author: Brian
Email: brian_kun@hotmail.com
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Shrine/6648
Date Sent to FFML: August 6, 1998
Size: Small
Summary:
Be afraid... be very, very, very, very, afraid.
{Shunsuke}
Even money says this is foreplay that will lead into Yoiko's fic
"A Sick Amazon". It sure as heck seems like it....
- - - - -
Title: Possibilties, Prologue
Series: Ranma (slight AMS, not really)
Genre: ummm... continuation? sort of...
Author: Brian
Email: brian_kun@hotmail.com
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Shrine/6648
Size: 36 Kb
Summary:
Ranma's kids from the future show up. All seven of 'em.
{Shunsuke}
Until the author said Miyabi was Hinako's, I thought she would be
Tatewaki's child....
This has some merit as a "what if" fic, a chance to be WAFFy without
being too syrupy. But I have to question why people would be so
quick to accept what's going on, even with everything they've seen
and things like the nanban mirror. Also, in the last quarter of
the fic, it reads like it was rushed, and a few errors in words
and characterization occur.
Certainly the personalities are believable, and (excuse the bias)
the portrayal of Kodachi agrees with me, that she's not nuts, that
everyone misunderstands her; the fact that there's daughter who
loves her unconditionally shows that.
- - - - -
Title: Illuminations, Chapter 16 (revision)
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Dark, Alternaverse
Author: Freemage
Email: freemage@hotmail.com
Date Sent to FFML: June 2(?), 1998
Summary:
Series is an alternate explanation of the true motivations of many R.5
characters. The Illuminati have been ID'd as the force behind it all,
but their agent remains unknown.
Episode 16 (revision): A brief showdown between Ranma and Hinako sends
Akane home in a rage. Nabiki keeps digging into Ryouga. The Panda's
still in disgrace. And what's up with that strange, abandoned building?
{Shunsuke}
Spooky stuff, this. The described dream scene is menacing and
brutal without going over the top. The characterizations of people,
while none develops anyone further or adds insight to them, fits
everyone. I'll admit I haven't read the series, so I can't offer
comment on how things are proceeding other than saying it makes
sense and has good pace. The only thing remarkable about this is
the plot, but it's not bad stuff.
- - - - -
Title: Hiroshi and Daisuke Write A Fic
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Parody
Author: Gary Kleppe
Email: kleppe@execpc.com
Homepage: http://www.execpc.com/~kleppe/comics.html
Date Sent to FFML: August 5, 1998
Size: 8 Kb
Summary:
Hiroshi and Daisuke (my MSTing team) try to write a fic of
their own. Uh oh....
{Shunsuke}
I would have rather they stuck to the spatula spanking thread.
This one makes me glad I didn't submit my own self insert fic to
this list. ^_^ (No chance, Hikaru, you messed up my files!)
- - - - -
Title: Hearts and Minds Prelude 4 - Ryoga and Akari: The Gift [revised]
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Continuation
Author: Gary Kleppe
Email: kleppe@execpc.com
Homepage: http://www.execpc.com/~kleppe/comics.html
Date Sent to FFML: August 4, 1998
Size: 38 Kb
Summary:
Genma and Soun threaten to expose Ryoga's secret, forcing him
to stay away from Akane. Can he make a new life with Akari when his lack
of direction sense makes it difficult to stay in one place for any
length of time?
{Shunsuke}
The plethora of putrid pig-puns in Prelude Part 4 is particularly
ponderous, and potentially poisonous. The portrayal of people is
plucky and pleasing, and I praise the penman's presentation of the
Pig-boy's paternal possibilities as poignant and proper. Perhaps
prying and preening puns from the prose would pack more of a punch.
(It probably pleased the person putting pen to paper to presume
puns would be appreciated.)
(PS: I'll stop using illiteration if you stop using the puns. ^_^)
- - - - -
Title: Childhood of a Modern Dynasty - Chapter 4A&B: Gifts of Love
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Continuation
Author: Jim Lazar
Email: jimlazar@earthlink.net
Homepage: http://home.earthlink.net/~jimlazar/anime
Date Sent to FFML: August 5, 1998
Size: 91 Kb (posted in two pieces)
Summary:
Chapter 4 of a ongoing series documenting 60 years of Akane Tendo's
life. Lost friends, lost loves, happy times and sad. What events shapped
her life and made her the Matriarch of the Tendo family and all it's
various branches?
Chapter 4 covers the end of 1998: A sneak attack by Kodachi while Ranma
is still in his casts, the removal of everyone's casts, an attempt to
get the two Kunos off Ranma and Akane's back (can you say: look at my
breasts Kuno and tell me you still want a guy who turns into a girl!),
and after Akane burns her foot in the forest trying to learn the Moko
Takabisha just what are two healthy teenagers to do with all the time
they have on their hands now?
{Shunsuke}
Boy, this is WAFFy enough to make you gag. ^_^ Occasional humour
and a slow romantic pace work well here, the author does a good job
of describing things, although he sometimes repeats himself as he's
done in earlier parts.
And...Perverts Convention? Is this run by the Shriners or US
Presidents?
- - - - -
Title: Ranma-ototo: Please Save My Family - Part 2
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Alternate history/original flavor
Author: Jim Lazar
Email: jimlazar@earthlink.net
Homepage: http://home.earthlink.net/~jimlazar/anime
Date Sent to FFML: August 3, 1998
Size: 38 Kb
Summary:
Second of three parts. Follow up story to Ranama-ototo miniseries.
Akane Saotome settles into life at the Tendo house as Happosai appears
and starts to train Ranma.
Sadness falls as Soun's wife, Hanaki, has to fight the cancer growing
within her. Brave little Kasumi promises to Save her mother's family,
but can she?
And just who are those two time traveling teenagers anyway?
{Shunsuke}
There's a lot of changes in how things happen, yet the two going
through time have the same experiences as normal. This sometimes
doesn't make sense, but the alternate timeline and events unto
itself does.
The pacing here is not as fast as other work by this writer, which
makes reading a different task than what's normally required.
Whether that's good or bad depends on your personal prefereces.
- - - - -
Title: South Park 1/2
Series: Ranma 1/2 & South Park
Genre: Fusion/Lemon
Author: Jim Lazar
Email: jimlazar@earthlink.net
Homepage: http://home.earthlink.net/~jimlazar/anime
Date Sent to FFML: August 7, 1998
Size: 8 Kb
Summary:
A very lemon story about what happens when you take a great series like
Ranma 1/2 and fuse it with a raunchy, irreverent show like South Park.
Sorry Ukyo fans, but she's Cartman, big bones and all.
{Shunsuke}
George Carlin says the seven words over and over again in his comedy
sketch, and on Saturday Night Live there was a skit about a nudist
colony where nearly every second word of dialogue was "penis".
Gratuitous and excessive swearing and other subject matter when done
to the point of being ridiculous can be funny, but not here. If
that was the author's intent, he unfortunately didn't succeed; this
reads more like it was intended to offend and not amuse, sorry to
say.
- - - - -
Title: Tiger Claw - Part 5 (1/2),(2/2) & Part 6 (1/2),(2/2) - drafts
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Continuation/Alternate Reality
Author: Madamhydra
Email: madamhydra@aol.com
Homepage: http://members.aol.com/madamhydra/index.html
Date Sent to FFML: August 6, 1998
Size: Part 5 (50 Kb, 36 Kb); Part 6 (48 Kb, 32 Kb)
Summary:
During a battle with Kuno and Ryoga, Ranma displays the true
power of the Neko-ken was revealed in all its terrifying glory. The
fight is just a small part of an ominous scheme engineered by a
powerful sorceress and a mysterious entity known only as Ebon of
the Shadows... and Ranma is the chosen target.
In parts 5-6, Ranma and Akane visit Ukyo, who was attacked during
the previous night. They also meet her rescuer, a young woman called
Yuri. During encounters with Kodachi and Shampoo's cousin Dan Xin, it
becomes clear that Ebon's dark magic has wrought both obvious and
subtle changes in Ranma. Ukyo discovers Yuri's reasons for her unusual
interest in the Kuno family. Pantyhose Tarou pays an unwelcome
visit to the Tendo dojo and finds out about Ranma's cat phobia in a
spectacular fashion.
{Shunsuke}
Y'know, this is vaguely reminiscent of Alan Harnum's C'thulhu fics
of last year, although this one is more about spirits than gooey
blobs. Edgy, dark, fast paced and gritty, this has my attention.
Oh - and why the hell can't more people use English the way this
author does? <*sigh*>
- - - - -
Title: Wishing Upon the Same Star Pt. 1
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Original Flavor
Author: Megane 6.7
Email: fcasper@yesic.com
Homepage: http://members.xoom.com/RyanMercury/megane.html (under
construction)
Date Sent to FFML: August 3, 1998
Summary:
Lost in China and anxious to find his way back to Akane, Ryouga
finds himself in a strange forest where he ends up saving the life of a
small creature that has the power of human speech. In return for saving
his life, the creature promises to grants him any single wish he
chooses. What will Ryouga wish for and what will occur as a result?
{Shunsuke}
Hmm...sounds like the parable about the fisherman who catches a
talking fish (it promises him three wishes if he lets it go).
The telling of this story is nice, and the scene is with Akane is
ambiguous enough to make you wonder which part is the dream. With
a few minor nitpicks the text is easy to read and well written, my
only bug is the ending; cliffhangers I like, but this cuts off in
mid-scene. That differs to readers taste, but this is something
most people will like.
- - - - -
Title: Wishing Upon the Same Star Pt. 2
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Original Flavor
Author: Megane 6.7
Email: fcasper@yesic.com
Homepage: http://members.xoom.com/RyanMercury/megane.html (under
construction)
Date Sent to FFML: August 5, 1998
Summary:
Ranma is knocked unconsious after an angry confrontation with
Akane at school, presenting a grand opportunity for Shampoo. Meanwhile,
Kunou and Gosunkugi attempt to woo Akane and a familar figure finally
finds his way back home.
{Shunsuke}
Gosunkugi talked without stuttering? OOC!
Kidding aside, this picks up from part one in the same manner.
Ranma's comments seem too harsh and not typical, even for Akane's
worst food, but it's good enough a plot device to get Ranma out the
door.
Things in this chapter are a little more mundane aside from what
Ryouga does at the end; I don't see where the Shampoo v. Kodachi
fight is going or what purpose it serves. If it does something
for later on, great, but I don't get it right now.
- - - - -
Title: [Wheel of Fire] #5: Specters
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Continuation
Author: Razorclaw X
Email: spiceoflife@hotmail.com
Homepage: http://www.crosswinds.net/anaheim/~slythe/ranma/ranff.html
Date Sent to FFML: August 5, 1998
Size: 50 Kb
Summary:
An old enemy introduces Ranma to his greatest match yet. Ukyo
learns something about herself that she didn't want to know. A man of
shadows makes his first move in a larger scheme.
{Shunsuke}
This could have done with being a tad more serious, it would have
made some scenes more effective, and also a better description of
the fight scene outside of Ukyou's mind would have helped. This
isn't bad stuff, I just found there was something...'not' there,
you know? Still, character exploration is a good thing.
- - - - -
Title: Three Souls, One Heart- Chapter 1
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: Manga\movie Continuation with strange Timeline
Author: David A. Tatum
Email: desaix@sysnet.net
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/7872/fanfics.html
Date Sent to FFML: August 4, 1998
Summary:
[whole fic]- Returning from the adventure on Toma's island, the Ranma crew
runs across an old enemy- the evil oni- and it follows them home.
[chapter]- Background and mood-setting.
{Shunsuke}
With different but consistent characterizations of Ranma and Akane,
this author is trying for a more calm exploration of their feelings
for each other than the usual feudin' fiances. Using this as a
subtext for a story about an evil makes it a nice counter-focus.
The text is pleasant to read and the author has a grasp of how to
write in English. My only concern is about Toma: could an eleven
year old be as mature as he's portrayed? I do not mean to say he
can't, I just can't visualize it.
- - - - -
Title: Birthdays-Ryouga
Series: Birthdays
Genre: Character Sketch
Author: Michael C. Won
Email: skeezy5@geocities.com
Date Sent to FFML: August 6th, 1998
Size: 22 Kb
Summary:
Fourth story under my "Birthdays" group. My resolution to the
RARA (Ranma-Akane-Ryouga-Akari) love polygon. Surprisingly, there
are NO pieces of broken fourth walls lying strewn about.
{Shunsuke}
Boy, talk about heavy on the symbolism. This was nice, but I think
you took it a bridge too far. (Sorry. ^_^) I don't recall the two
boys ever knowing each other like this at age 14, but what the hey,
WAFF all you want if it's like this.
* * * * *
[Ranma 1/2 / Oh My Goddess!]
- - - - -
Title: Contrition, act 2 of "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished"
Series: Ranma 1/2, OMG
Genre: Xover, Humor
Author: Nightman
Email: nightman@provide.net
Homepage: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mredding/
Date Sent to FFML: August 3, 1998
Size: 16 Kb
Summary: The Goddess Peorth is now busy as Ryouga's fianc�e; but what
happens
when she makes Kasumi into her helper?
This short fic is written firmly tounge-in-cheek and tries to take cliches
and
fic-cannon and do STRANGE things with them.
{Paul}
*Ahem* BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh... this is just plain NUTS! But it's
that good kind of nuts, you know? That "happy silly fun fun" kind
that so little of is seen nowadays. Which is why it comes as a major
shock when what happens in a moment of delusional insanity is
cemented forever in reality... perhaps a bit of foreshadowing, but
there is a definite and somewhat unshakable permanence about what
happens that ends this fic on an unexpectedly sad note...
16 or 17 out of 20.
* * * * *
[Sailor Moon]
- - - -
Title: Sailor Moon 4200 - Chapter 5 [Revision]
Series: Sailor Moon
Genre: Serial / Epic
Author: Angus MacSpon
Email: macspon@ihug.co.nz
Homepage: http://shell.ihug.co.nz/~macspon/fanfic/index.html
Date Sent to FFML: August 4, 1998
Size: 105 Kb
Summary:
SERIES SUMMARY: It's 700 years since the destruction of Crystal Tokyo, and
Artemis is looking for a new generation of Senshi. Some of them are the old
ones reborn once more; some of them are new; and all of them are in trouble.
EPISODE SUMMARY: Sailor Venus tries to cope with the disaster of her second
mission; Sailor Jupiter tries to cope with being reborn AGAIN; and in the
middle of a major rescue mission, the monsters strike at last and a new
Senshi appears...
{Paul}
This is... 19 or 20 out of 20. It's just so... REAL. I can feel the
fear and uncertainty and the false confidence and the devil-may-care
attitude of the three major players... and what goes on behind the
scenes is definitely as important as what goes on in them. Subplots
galore, heading god-knows-where... but I'm sticking around for the
conclusion.
Call me a sucker for post-apocalypse stories.
- - - - -
Title: Sailor Moon 4200 - Chapter 6
Series: Sailor Moon
Genre: Serial / Epic
Author: Angus MacSpon
Email: macspon@ihug.co.nz
Homepage: http://shell.ihug.co.nz/~macspon/fanfic/index.html
Date Sent to FFML: August 4, 1998
Size: 127 Kb
Summary:
SERIES SUMMARY: It's 700 years since the destruction of Crystal Tokyo, and
Artemis is looking for a new generation of Senshi. Some of them are the old
ones reborn once more; some of them are new; and all of them are in trouble.
EPISODE SUMMARY: Itsuko discovers she's being bugged, and take measures
that
may put her into even deeper trouble; Venus' secret identity is in danger;
Artemis holds the first meeting of the new Senshi; and a battle with a
monster gives hints that something nasty is afoot in the background...
{Paul}
Now this, this is good. This is very good. Continuing subplot with
minor resolution good. Battles like no one's business and still
unsure but still victorious good. Whole freakin' lot of
foreshadowing and speculation and I WANT SPOILERS OR I WON'T SLEEP
TONIGHT good.
19 or 20 out of 20 good.
* * * * *
[Sailor Moon / Hellblazer]
- - - - -
Title: Sailor Hellblazer
Series: John Constantine: Hellblazer / Sailor Moon
Genre: Comedy
Author: Rod M. & David Tai
Email: rpm39788@bayou.uh.edu
Homepage: http://www.uh.edu/~rpm/fanfic
Size: approx. 180Kb
Summary:
The line of Constantine has had a tradition of dabbling in magic,
stretching back thousands of years. Gemma Masters, John Constantine's
niece, is destined to be the next in their bloodline to enter into
the world of magic, and it all will begin with a magic wand and
a magic phrase.
But something odd happens.
Uncle John gets the wand instead.
SEE John as a woman! SEE cat abuse! SEE more profound
observations by Minako Aino!
A comedy of errors, starring John Constantine, Sailor Venus,
Sailor Mars, and Gemma Masters.
All this, and we blow up a planet too. :)
{Paul}
This is... just plain WRONG. But then, Dire Fates wasn't exactly
expected either, and that was good.
It says something about the fic when the omakes make you fall out
of your chair, laughing like a maniac. This was absolutely
hilarious... Douglas Adams does the Sailor Senshi comes to mind...
10 out of 10 for sheer humor, 18 or 19 of 20 overall.
* * * * *
[Tenchi Muyo!]
- - - - -
Title: A Debt Incured
Series: Tenchi Muyo!
Genre: Sci-fi
Author: Douglas Whiddon
Email: Doug_Wa@geocities.com
Date Sent to FFML: August 4, 1998
Size: 17 Kb
Summary:
The origin of the three sisters and the empire of Jurai are
revealed and Tenchi's destiny is set into motion.
{Shunsuke}
The premise of this story is interesting, defining the origins of
Jurai, possibly explaining the nature of Juraian people, and telling
of beings older than time and more powerful that can be imagined.
The pace starts slow and builds, with a nice pacing and piques my
interest, making me wait for the next part. Now for the downside.
The author needs to take the time to get the language right. More
than a dozen times the wrong homophone was used making it hard to
read, and on top of that some sentences were hard to read. Much
of this was clear, but this story deserves a better effort.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
End of the Reviews List for the week of: August 1 - 7, 1998
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