Steven released this Spotlight for September, 2000
September's (Yes, I know it's October, but I was kind of sick a bit at the end of this month, so it's now, okay?) "Spotlight" is on SBBED D.
Okay, to make a long story short, Crazy Nutso said it best when he described SBBED D. as "controversial", and brudder, there may be no other 'Daria' fanfic writer that meets that criteria as does SBBED D. Many of her (she's a female, yes) 'Daria' fanfics (there are too many to go over in this post, so I'll do a select few), contain:
A VERY sarcastic and wickedly funny (and scheming) Daria and Jane
A VERY shallow, narcissistic, and talkative Quinn
A VERY stuck-up and b----y Sandi
A VERY hard-working and demanding Helen
A VERY--uh, perhaps you get the point by now. SBBED D's 'Daria' fics are at the most, very exaggerating when it comes to OH & Co. I thought Crazy's and John Berry's were out of this world, but SBBED D's took me to a whole new galaxy. Did I also mention that some (okay, many) of them seemed uh, kinda *outrageous* in some "certain" context, *so* ah, "outrageous", perhaps, that a certain webmaster who shall remained unnamed decided that they were a bit too much on the "raunchy" side, and decided to ban them from his website? SBBED D. took exception to this, and decided to "get back" at this fellow in some of her fanfics. If you've frequented this board, then you know the situation between SBBED D. and this fellow (he's even posted about it himself), if you haven't, let's just say that if you're interested in knowing, let him or someone else tell you (I'm almost certain he'll respond to this "Spotlight" for some reason). I'm not taking either side in the matter over that, I'm just here to examine some of SBBED D's fics, and that's all I have to say. I also won't go into too much detail over the fics that I'll go over, so you can read 'em for yourself. Despite all of this, SBBED D. does seem to have an underlying theme in her fics.
Also, from the get-go, SBBED D. lets us know in no uncertain terms that Daria and Trent are DESTINED for each other, the same for Jane and Jessie, maybe far more than any other 'Daria' 'shipper writer. End of discussion. You also should not be surprised that she *hates* T(h)om with a passion, calling him "Poochie", a bit of a tounge and cheek tkae from a 'Simpson's' ep about adding a character named "Poochie" to the "Itchy and Scratchy Show" to "jazz" it up a little. SBBED D's position is that T(h)om's addition to 'Daria' was the same thing. I'll leave that for *you* to decide. Anyway, here are some of her fics we'll go over:
"Cold Meddle Flour" involved personal responsibility, and Quinn's miserable failure in doing so. SBBED D. immediately puts the D/T 'shipper theme at the forefront here, having Daria and Trent, along with Jane and Jessie, have some of the most *animated* (no pun intended) conversation take place I've seen in a 'Daria' fanfic. Quinn is *really* shallow and out-of-touch here. This seems to be the pattern that SBBED D's going to lay out for us from this point on.
"Everybody Prom-inade" has date-rape as an underlying theme. Here, the FC goes after "men" college guys, and not "boys" as dates for LHS Prom Night. They (not only the FC, but the "men") get more than they bargained for in the end. Daria and Trent and Jane and Jessie really go to town with their "own" prom.
"The Brittany Lions" theme underneath is gender equality. Hey, if Kevin can play football, why not *Brittany*? I'll leave it to your imagination.
"Zit a dee doo dah" was one of my favorites. Quinn and Daria REALLY go to town in this one, with Quinn's appearance and behavior over a pimple being the subject. The reaction from her and the rest of the LHS student body over this is insane, the same for Daria's actions.
"Upchuck Amok" has our Resident Pervert REALLY spewing out his perversity over the school's announcement mike. (Check this: was SBBED D. the first fanfic writer to use Upchuck on the mike, something that the 'Daria' writers wrote later in "DDP", and "ATGIL"?) SBBED D. has Daria and Jane do almost the ULTIMATE thing to shut him up. What brave young women! Brrr!
"Sport Charles" almost does the same thing as "Upchuck Amok", save for the fact that Upchuck wants to *blackmail* the cheerleaders into allowing him to be the mascot so he can be near them. What D and J do to him is utter comedic madness here as well...
"The Substitute" PUSHES the envelope and then some. Take a sub who replaces Mr. D, add some teen-aged, uh, lust, and um, well, if you feel a little offended by you-know-what, maybe you should excercise a little caution here...
Both "Hot Nuts" fics stem from "The Substitute", sort of a Medivial-type of aftermath to it from Andrea's POV. Sex and the sort play out here, and caution is advised. SBBED D., suffice it to say, doesn't play around...
"Bait and Switch" is actually tame, (like "Cold Meddle Flour") and could almost be a "canon-type" of 'Daria' fic. It's a favorite of mine as well. Daria and Jodie teach their parents a lesson by "changing" families. It's quite funny.
Looks aren't everything in "Crash Test Dummy". Sandi's REALLY being b---- in this fic. Two new students come to LHS, and who's fooling who?
SBBED D. provides a walk-on in "Fanatic", when she "meets" Daria. The exchange between the two and about many other things is insanity personified. T(h)om gets a drubbing here, as well.
"The Mighty Quinn Trilogy", three stories that center around Quinn and a fellow she falls in love with over the summer, contains Daria making a bet with Jane (which Daria loses), and leaving for college. In between, D and T get closer, and lives change, especially Quinn's. In the end, Quinn, who receives very little sympathy in her fanfics from SBBED D., actually in a way reedeems herself in the end.
SBBED D. does have a reflective side. She writes a tribute to the late Charles Shultz, creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. In it, she writes Shultz had a direct influence in her, helping her to decide to become an illustrator, which leads to SBBED D. and her 'Daria' drawings. She is quite good in doing them. Crazy Nutso's website has some of them, as well as some others.
In closing, SBBED D. is a *very* animated (again, no pun intended) and opinionated 'Daria' writer, perhaps the most "controversial" 'Daria' writer of them all (She has her own bio). If you want to get the gist of her writings (and her), well, you'll have to read them all for yourself. Prepare to be knocked off of your feet. I don't know if she'll respond to this, since she's kind of "outside" the regular mainstream of 'Daria' fanfic writers, not posting here (CN might let her know), but what do YOU the reader think of her? If you want to judge for yourself, you might want to take a gander at her fics on Crazy's or CB's sites (and if I missed anyone else, please let us know) Thanks.
Crazy Nutso
What can I say about SBBED D that hasn't already been said? (Glances around)
Probably the BIGGEST influence on my writing then any other fanfic writer I can think of. Who else does cheesy cameos and has people from rl show up in fanfics?
She's also contributed a ton of fan art (and YES some of that has been deemed 'controversial' as well!) to my web site. Despite her talent for 'gross' humor, which puts a lot of people off, and her tendency to rant agains stuff she doesn't like, which puts more people off, her stories still manage to entertain.
Canadibrit
I think it's really cool that SBBED D is getting her turn in the spotlight. Her fics really take things to the limits, and that's something I admire. It takes guts and talent to be able to do that, especially with the Daria cast, who a lot of people don't take well to authors allowing them to unbend, as it were. It sure as the-hot-place-with-the-trident-wielders isn't canon, but isn't it fun?
Rock on, SBBED.
Brian Taylor
I'd have to say... station. That's the word of the day, by the way. =) You didn't mention some of my favorites, Steven. That's a punishable offense, you know. How dare you not mention "Hell" or "18?" What about "No Foolin'?" I banish you to the outer spheres, where Kevin will punish you by following you everywhere and calling you "Steve Daddy" until the fifth season premiere. I hope you're happy now.
Yes, I am grinning rather evilly right now. No, you can't make me lose the grin. Nice try, though. =)
Geoffrey Roberts
I agree with pretty much everything that was said - it's been way, way too long since she had her time in the spotlight. Bad pun NOT intended.
Trust me on this, SBBED - your work kicks @%$£. It's not often that reading a single piece of writing REALLY does something for you, but I must admit, "No Foolin'" did that for me. Now I'm hooked. I blame you for this.
Congratulations, SBBED!!! You deserve it.
Killjoy
*LOOK OUT! CRAPPING ON AND ON AHEAD!*
When I first saw your work, Debbs (back in September I skimmed over Everybody Prom-inade at the "Duck Pond"), I have to admit, it was a big surprise to me. At that time, I was heavily into reading the work of more canonised ficters like C. E. and John Berry (love his "Simpsons" flavour). Yours was the first off-canon fic I ever read, and although the whole thing about Quinn and rape has been labeled as a cliche, for me as a newbie at the time it was quite moving. (Plus the 'shipper aspect was just irresistable! ^_^)
I guess I kinda forgot about you until we met through the Rubber Room at the beginning of this year. I really got into your work after that. The second one I read was "No Foolin'"... very funny. The whole deal with Daria & Jane's alter-egos ("Destiny" & "Serenity"? I don't really remeber their names, the parts that stood out for me was Jane hitting Trent with the thong while he drooled over Daria and J & D starting to sing in class)was great.
Some people write bawdy humour into their stories and it just comes out as either "gross-out" or "porn", but you have a way to couple the raucous jokes with fast-paced wit and innuendo. Your underlying storylines can sometimes be very touching ("Mighty Quinn"- SOB!) without becoming saccharine or corny- it just makes you feel all warm and fuzzy. All in all, you're a bit like the Seth McFarlane ("The Family Guy"-- great show) of Daria fanfic.
And of course, the art. Many art teachers of mine have dismissed my work as "childish" or "too naiive", only cuz I'm not inspired by Lichenstein or Stan Lee, but Jim Davis & Matt Groening. Seeing you as a successful artist with a similar bright, bold style to my own work and reading about the way you communicated through art as a kid has in a way inspired me to continue with the cartooning style I have chosen.
Finally, your endless support of me in aspects of free expression and originality in the Daria community, the whole season IV business (BOO! HISS! DAETH TO POOCHIE!) and of course, 'Shipperdom!
You've said that with socialising you're incredibly shy, but having only acess to your creative works, my first impression of you was an outgoing, confident person-- a regular Jane Lane! (Perhaps you should change your name to Debra JANE Hopkins? or DARIA Jean?) Art is all about communication, and it's certainly something you have absolute mastery over.
Kudos and thanks, Debbs.
Response to Geoffrey Roberts
Oh, yes-BLAME ME! Soon, EVERYONE in 'fan-fic' land will wear white caps on their heads!
DARIA: Ah ha-my evil plan is WORKING!
Now, about this 'Sock Master Socko'-are you related to Mick 'Mankind' Foley of the 'WWF?'-DD
Response to Killjoy
Killjoy-do NOT let your teachers discourage you-from my years as a student, the majority of them are all a bunch of 'Edna Krabappel' type who want nothing but conformity & 'cookie-cutter' ness WITHOUT getting student to freely express themselves openly-which is what they SHOULD be doing?
Teachers want you to idolize 'master' painters and NOT someone like Matt Groening-well, I idolize political cartoonist Thomas Nast, 'underground' cartoonist Robert Crumb as well as Charles Monroe Schulz as a kid-all a bunch of 'free-thinkers!'
Sometimes, adults don't know what's good for kids-that's why kids have to DARE to dream-which is what I'm doing with Rachel in 'Wanted:Flowers 2'-if you want something bad in life-DO IT!
Don't let anyone steer you otherwise-DD