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 Abaddon8780 |
Tales from the Tower #1: Learning Curve |
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Posts: 345 06/12/07 17:46 Titans Together! |
Tales from the Tower #1: Under the advice of Nightwing, Batgirl goes with Robin to observe the Teen Titans in action and learn the values of teamwork,
professionalism, and family. Well, two out of three ain't bad...
The first chapter of the newest Cat-Tales spin-off is now live on the website and Fanfiction.net.
"Here's to crime!"
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ussentinel |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 1746 06/12/07 18:36
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Congratulations! I've always had an admiration for these characters (and their various incarnations since the inception of the team). I really liked the
CT "flavor" to this fic; especially with the Mssr. Mallah and Brain interaction. Of course, now you'll have to get used to "I can't
wait for the next chapter." Get used to it.
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Kessie.gothampm |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 176 06/12/07 21:52 PuddyCat Detective (PCD) |
When I got the note about a new spin off, I had hoped that it would be written by you, Abaddon. Looking forward to the next chapter
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travisbickle275 |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 93 06/13/07 03:37 |
Congratulations, Sister! ;)
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BenRG |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 294 06/13/07 03:51 |
Hmm! An interesting idea. I've always wanted to see some further exploration of the Cat Tales-verse Titans and here is our chance.
It is still a bit too early to judge this story and the overall concept. One thing is clear from the outset: The characterisations are good. So long as we have plenty of the thoughtful and insightful writing we have come to expect from this fanverse, then Abaddon's brainchild is sure to be a classic. I'm already enjoying Cassie's view of the Titans and the exploration of her own uncertainties. As far as villains go, I'm interested to see that the lead bad guy is Slade Wilson (Deathstroke the Terminator), probably one of the few well-rounded sociopaths in the DC-verse apart from Hitman.  I liked Deathstroke
and his family of heroes and villains when he was a recurring villain in the original Titans comic (and father of one of their members, IIRC). If this factor
is adopted in 'Tales From The Tower', that means that Rose is going to have to deal with at least three of her late brother's friends - Cyborg,
Beast Boy and Raven. I also suspect that a strange ersatz-high school rivalry is going to develop between the younger Titans and the villain teens that will
further complicate Wilson's plans.
Overall, I will be interested to see where this is going. Hopefully the overall plot and concept will be further crystallised in the next chapter. BenRG's Rating: 7/10 ~*~*~*~
They call me BenRG But... I don't know why... ~*~*~*~ |
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Chris Dee |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 774 06/13/07 08:52 |
Something I especially like is the blend of familiar comic characters with the daily life stuff like man flummoxed by teenage daughter and her ipod, and the
all-important find-friend-with-truck for moving day.
--Chris Dee
Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Superpowers corrupts - superbly. --Identity Element |
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fangirl1001 |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 64 06/13/07 09:52 |
I love how the typical brooding villian I-shall-have-my-revenege scene was brought to a screeching halt by the teenager. So far, this story looks to be an
excellent blend of superhero/supervillian hysteronics (is that the word I want?) and the mundance day to day stuff. It was like something from a Kage Baker
novel. I only know of the Teen Titians from a handful of the cartoon episodes, so I like having everything introduced via Cassie the newcomer. I admit I
stopped a few times reading this chapter to Google some of the villians, but I think the research was worth it so I had a picture to go on when we find out who
/really/ invented tickle me Elmo. And the headress description was spot on.
The Beast Boy as a penguin on a slip n slide was hilarious. Poor embarrased Robin! It sounds like the hereos and villians have more in common than they would ever care to admit. One question - when exactly in the Cat Tales timeline does this take place? Also, if you include a discussion by one of the teens of I-can-save/destroy-the-world-but-I-can't-order-a-beer you will have my undying love. Evil Overlord's List Rule 42: "When I capture the hero, I will make sure I also get his dog, monkey, ferret, or whatever sickeningly cute little animal capable of untying ropes and filching keys happens to follow him around." |
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Nodrogs |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 225 06/13/07 11:38 |
How about an argument 'What's the difference between having a secret idenity and a fake id'?
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ichigenka.gothampm |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 260 06/14/07 14:07 |
I thought this intro chap was really well done. As we said before, the touch of real life affecting heroes/villains is always a fun read.
Somethings I noticed and things that I can't wait to see resovled. 1) Conner's not dead! Yes! While I thought his death served a purpose in the 'Post' They really killed him off just when he was getting interesting. 2) Rose rolled her "eyes" as in plural. I take it she didn't go though the crazy "I'm just like you dad" thing. Very nice, it helps lend more independence to her character being rebellious. 3) Goldilocks. She's a new character I don't know too much about so it'll be fun to see what direction you take her. Can't wait for the next chap! |
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Abaddon8780 |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 345 06/15/07 06:37 Titans Together! |
Right! First off, thanks for all the great comments! I really appreciate them all.
So, a few answers to some questions and comments I've received: -Yes, Slade is a little more highbrow that Bud Light....but that's for the hired help. While he's out getting the extra beer and pizzas, I expect him to pick up a sixer of Newcastle or Beck's for himself. -The timeline for Learning Curve is shortly after Fortune Cookies. That's where Dick says that Cass needs to learn how to work on trust and teamwork and then tells her that she'll be meeting the Titans. Typically if the story is congruent with elements from Cat-Tales, I'll put in the CT number at the beginning of the author's notes on the first chapter. -Slade knows about KROQ and the type of music they play the same way most parents know about anime and other sorts of pop culture that the younger generation like; they'll go into their rooms, listen to it or watch it for a few minutes, then declare that they don't understand and could their offspring please turn down the volume. Same deal here. 
-Unfortunately, Rose is down one left eye still. However, I plan on explaining that a little more in depth later on. So you'll have to wait and see on that.
-Yep, Conner is still alive and healthy. I have one of those unexplainable attachments to the former Young Justice members in the Titans, especially since I never read the book when it was still going. But given the way things have gone in the DCU, it felt good to have Conner and Bart back to the way they were and the way they should be. So much more potential there... -That all said, I am including the new recruits from the OYL book into the existing Brotherhood. It gives us more people to play with and what's more, Goldilocks gives us another teen to work with. So it's not just the Adult Villain Show, with Rose all by her lonesome. That all said, I couldn't resist a dig at the Houngan. I mean really, who the hell dresses like an extra from Zardoz, plays with electronic dolls, and wears a japanese fan on his head all for the pretense of calling himself a villain? Of course, there was Catman.... In any case, I hope that answers some questions and I'm already getting ideas and scenes for Chapter 2 put together. Thanks for reading everybody. :D
"Here's to crime!"
Last Edited By: Abaddon8780 06/15/07 07:56.
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travisbickle275 |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 93 06/15/07 15:09 |
Now that I've got time for a real read, I'll offer a proper comment! My fanfiction review is reprinted below (with apologies to Abaddon for its
somewhat awkward style - my words just aren't coming to me this evening). Congratulations again, and welcome to the sisterhood. =D
I liked in particular the way in which we were shown it being explained to Cassie just who each of the Titans were. I myself am not as familiar with their story-verse as I'd like, so it was nice to be able to ally myself with Batgirl in our mutual state of uncertainty. I would suspect that she and I will end up having a very similar introduction to the team as the story progresses, which I for one look forward to. I also suspect that in future we will be given greater insight into both Cass and the Titans themselves - perhaps somewhat lacking in this opening chapter, but understandably so in the context of Batgirl's induction. This is a good technique on the writers part, and he is clever to acknowledge that not everyone will be aware of the Titans. Instead of being turned away from a story which assumes I'm a TT expert, my interest has been peaked and I'll carry on reading in future. I also like the characterisation of Slade (Deathstroke the Terminator if I'm not mistaken? I really do need to catch up on my comics...). He has a winning combination of dastardliness and long-suffering, an immediately likeable character that shows depth. He continues the CT tradition of three dimensional nemeses, and seems at the moment to be an excellent addition. And, I think most importantly of all, the writer has taken time to establish a sense of 'fun' in both halves of the story arc. Surprising but welcome on the 'baddies' side, the heroes enjoying themselves shows a strong grasp of characterisation - teenagers acting like teenagers, if you will. The point may sound obvious, but it is one a lesser writer would overlook. Plus, of course, as a reader, enjoyment is paramount - particularly, I think its fair to say, in the fanfiction arena - and this is a story I very much enjoyed. And, of course, I love the T shaped line breakers. ;) |
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Random Equinox |
#11 | |||
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Posts: 279 06/16/07 16:33 |
I don't really know anything about Teen Titans or their foes. The closest equivalent would be a few episodes from the animated series...but my strongest
impression was how I cracked up two seconds into the theme song and had to switch the channel (no, Joker gas was not involved. Didn't have to. The song
was that silly), so my knowledge is still hazy. Tim and Cassie are the only guys I'm familiar with.
Therefore, to say I really enjoyed the first chapter of this new spin-off is a reflection on the plot itself, and how it brought the characters to life. I have to feel sorry for Tim. He has enough trouble trying to make Cassie feel welcome in the Tower (even if it's only a week-long stay and not a permanent commitment) without having to be embarassed by the immaturity and lack of professionalism of his friends and teammates. First impressions do count for something, after all, and an indoor slip-and-slide is hardly my idea (or Tim's) of starting off on the right foot. Seeing Cassie's impressions of the Titans, and Tim's apologetic reactions to any impressions they might make on her, makes the characters more interesting and more real. The same goes on the villain front. It seems that, when it comes to stopping the "bad guys," heroes have nothing compared to the attitude of a teenage daughter or the logistics of overseeing Moving Day. Slade and Rose have caught my attention, and in a mere chapter, to boot. Not for any grand plans of The Big Heist or world domination *coughRa'scought*, but because of their personalities and the way they interact with others. Slade's quiet and steady professionalism and Rose's irreverent and brash attitude makes them, again, more interesting and more real. I'm definitely looking forward to the next chapter. If the character and plot development proves to be as three-dimensional as the opening chapter, this spin-off will be very entertaining and fun to read. |
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danvighar.gothampm |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 53 06/17/07 21:31 Gothamite |
I've seen most of the Titans cartoon episodes, and I have at least a passing idea who the others are. I look forward to seeing this develop, especially in
the more 'real' and less episodic way that good fanfic can present the characters.
Btw, whatever happened to Starfire? |
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NathanPerry.gothampm |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 388 06/18/07 07:35 Gothamite |
In DCU continuity, Starfire left the Titans to join Nightwing's Outsiders team. Of course this happened because a trip to the future suggested she needed
to be there for Dick, who in CT-land is happily married, so I haven't a clue how that works out.
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fangirl1001 |
#14 | |||
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Posts: 64 06/18/07 08:02 |
Didn't Starfire get blown up at her own wedding? I vaguely recall hearing something about her almost marrying Nightwing being disrupted by her dying at the
alter. If true - Dick really does have a thing for red heads!
Evil Overlord's List Rule 42: "When I capture the hero, I will make sure I also get his dog, monkey, ferret, or whatever sickeningly cute little animal capable of untying ropes and filching keys happens to follow him around." |
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Abaddon8780 |
#15 | |||
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Posts: 345 06/18/07 09:36 Titans Together! |
Too clear up confusion, yeah Star and Dick almost married. However the wedding was interrupted by Raven who had turned evil and beat Star to an inch of her
life. She didn't die though and has been with the Titans up to recently where she went to the Outsiders with Dick.
Because Dick is married to Babs in Cat-Tales, I didn't want to get into the whole Kory-Dick-Babs triangle...so I eliminated Kory from the line up. Don't worry, I plan on addressing it later, but it's assumed that she is currently working with the Outsiders.
"Here's to crime!"
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Allaine |
#16 | |||
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Posts: 1779 06/18/07 11:16 |
Thank God, it's a TT story where we can reliably assume Tim will not be paired up with Kon. (It's a scary world out there, it really is.) I was really intrigued when I first heard about this story. While I've never been much of a reader of the Teen Titans, much less a viewer of the ridiculous animated series, for various reasons I've had a fondness over the years for the Titans second only to the denizens of Gotham. I think we're moving farther away from the CT world we readers are familiar with - even JLAin't, I think, dealt mainly with characters CT readers have seen in many of Chris' stories. Here, however, we're being introduced to a real assortment of characters who are new to this ficverse, and I'm very curious to see where this goes. My initial impression is pretty favorable. Of course, my attention was initially focused on the villains, however. I think Deathstroke obviously needs to be kept away from Bruce when he's brooding, because if the two were to brood simultaneously and within yards of each other, they'd probably create some kind of space-time anomaly, or a miniature black hole, perhaps. Something that would consume all existence within seventy miles. As someone whose parenting skills make Bruce's relationship with Dick over the years look like something from a 1950s sitcom, Deathstroke is a very odd duck. And yet we're working today primarily with villains who aren't completely off their rocker, another somewhat new experience for us ;) Moving day . . . these villains are very strange. (Of course, the Brain and Mallah typically make me think of Hector Con Carne and Bosco.) And I'm sure I'm not the only one who wonders what would happen if Cass - hell, we've got two Cassies now, guess I'll just have to call the other one WG or Sandsmark from now on - and Rose got together and, in the grand tradition of Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfus comparing scars, debated whose father had more "interesting" notions on child-rearing. I'm very excited to see where you're going with this. Thanks a bunch.
Sincerely, Allaine
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Janshi |
#17 | |||
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Posts: 17 06/18/07 18:37 |
It's beginning to look like something extremely promising. It's hip, hop, and very cute. I am slightly reserved - the villains are getting great screen
time but the heroes are looking somewhat 2-D and flat. This is only the opening chapter however and I look forward to some great character exploration!
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Fett One.gothampm |
#18 | |||
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Posts: 48 06/24/07 23:26 |
Everything I know about the Titans comes from the cartoon so I'm not too familiar with all of the characters but I still enjoyed readin this.
I was surprised Bart was called Kid Flash since I was under the impression that his name was Impulse. |
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ichigenka.gothampm |
#19 | |||
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Posts: 260 06/25/07 14:04 |
Bart dropped the Impulse name after Deathstroke shot him in the knee with a shotgun. He decided that he need to grow up and started to read everything in the
local library. That's when we found out that Bart can not only read at super speed but is able to remember EVERYTHING he does. With his new found knowledge
he decided to become Kid Flash.
Last Edited By: ichigenka 06/25/07 16:10.
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Abaddon8780 |
#20 | |||
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Posts: 345 07/20/07 22:27 Titans Together! |
Teenage wizards? That's yesterday's news. Teenage superheroes? Now we're talkin'!
Learning Curve Chapter 2 is now live! Read it here at the website or at Fanfiction.net. Come on, that Harry Potter book will still be there when you get done reading.
Edit: Ack, jumped the gun a little. The new chapter's not on the website yet, but it's up at FF.net. Sorry about that.
"And sometimes," Tim muttered, "it's like living with a bunch of second
graders."
-Learning Curve
Last Edited By: Abaddon8780 07/21/07 08:35.
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