In a slight departure from the normal column this week, The Comics Outsider reports from one of the more obscure events in this diverse comics world, The 2006 Slash Fiction Awards. Join him, the nominees and the winners in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, due to a slight accident with his camera and an unexpected Search and Seizure, there are no actual pictures from the event. However, we did Google Slash Fiction and print some of the tamer pictures that were listed.

Comics conventions are all well and good, but it can be argued that they are not really focused on the comics buying public, but more as a glorified sales tool, hype market or some form of publisher self pleasure. They don't seem to be by the fans, for the fans which some of the better, smaller Cons used to be.

So, where are the truly innovative events now? Who will be the champion of the comics fans who are too shy to appear in the glaring lights of a full, fledged Con? Who, to paraphrase Ms Bonnie Tyler, are the streetwise Hercules, to fight the rising sun? Where are the heroes, from the end of the night that have got to be strong, and got to be right and got to be larger than life?

Well, I met a few of them at the weekend when I attended a truly innovative awards ceremony; The 2006 Slash Fiction Awards.

This is the third year that these awards have been handed out, and each year it has grown in stature. As is the case nowadays, these started out via an Internet message board "virtual" awards bestowed to the writers of the very best in slash fiction. However, such was the response from the slash community that plans were put in place to have an actual, physical ceremony at some stage. It took 2 years, but when everyone signed in at the Las Vegas Tropicana Resort and Casino, you could tell that something special was about to happen.

The atmosphere was positively dripping from the chintz curtains that surrounded the banquetting hall and the event had attracted a crowd of well over 500 people. There was laughter, singing and a general fun feel to the whole thing. Drinks flowed, and there were more wings than you could shake a stick at, so on the catering front there were no issues.

Of course, since slash fiction is text based, there wasn’t much scope for showy graphics. However, some of the authors did read extracts from the stories nominated in the big categories. Of course, many of these readings were pre-recorded as some authors still prefer to remain anonymous. As an added visual aid, a large screen television behind the podium showed panels from various comic books which featured the lead characters in some poses which could almost be fitting in with the tone of the stories. Someone obviously had a lot of time to peruse their long box and get down for some hot scanning action.

Another innovation was used for the "Best Slash Character" and "Best Slash Couple" awards where look-a-likes were hired to portray the comic character nominees. Of course, I don’t think much of the show’s budget was spent on hiring these people and the guy playing Professor X did look a little nervous when the crowd chanted "Give him some tongue!" when he and Magneto received the "Best Slash Couple" award.
I even managed to do a "live" version of The Comics Outsider column, using more slash oriented rumors of course. Such as:

The Helmets and the Wheelchair
Seems as though Magneto and Professor X’s relationship is feeling the strain at the moment, but don’t panic as "Stroking the X" writer Magslove1718 is rumored to be introducing some brotherly love in the form of Juggernaut to shake things up a little. Look for Juggy to hop between beds as he works his way up to the ultimate X-threesome.

I won't go into much detail about others as they are spoilerific and I know some of you are avid followers of this sub-sub-genre, so lets leave the veil of mystery at half mast.

I thoroughly enjoyed the event, but I had to ask the organiser, Gunt001, how these winners and their storylines could ever be topped.

"Well, 2006 is shaping up to be even better," he said enthusiastically. "Three or four of the regular writers are working on a major space based epic they're calling 'Analiation'. Its going to blow your mind."

Here's a rundown of the main winners this year:
Best Character (Self Pleasure): Plastic Man (3rd year running)
Best Couple: Professor X & Magneto
Best Crossover: Green Lantern/Silver Surfer: "Board in the Rings"
Best Writer: LuthorSupes2601
Best Artist: Rob Liefeld
Most Shocking Revelation: Martian Manhunter reveals he is pregnant with Superman's child in "Surprise Package"
Best Anime Slash: Fists in the Northstar
Best Sapphic Scene: Power Girl and Supergirl make love as worlds collide in "Kissing Cousins"
Best Group "Scene": Batman vs Joker/Clayface/Penguin/Riddler/Two-Face/Killer Croc/Hush in "Villains Lubricated"
Best Threesome: Jamie Madrox, Jamie Madrox & Jamie Madrox in "Multiplication/Masturbation?"
Best Hero/Villain: Superman and Lex Luthor (3rd year running)
Most Horrific Moment: Atom's climax kickstarting his growth process and ripping Yellowjacket apart in "Tiny Love"
Oustanding Achievement Award: XLover01

I hope you enjoyed this special report from an event which can only go on from strength to strength I'm sure.

Me? I’m just looking to the Boise Cosplay Convention this August. I’m working on my Sailor Moon costume even as I write, how about you?

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