I Really Do Love The Idea That Peter Parker's And Spider-Man's Reputations Are Mirror Images. The Public

How to bookbind your fanfic!

Part 1: From AO3 to printing

The necessary first step is turning your AO3 fanfic into booklets. Your whole book will be a bunch of booklets piled on top of each others and stitched together.

Booklet examples:

Btw, this is the official Word tutorial on how to make a booklet.

You can see there are different options. I usually do 8 pages, which is what you will see in the video. This means that a booklet of 8 pages is two sheets of paper, printed front and back, folded and one put inside the other. To have your word pages in the correct order you will need to format your word document.

Everything is in the video but here is the text for easy reading (btw the fanfic I used is Exit by schwutthing, an amazing Valjean/Javert fic)

Do not download the fanfic on AO3. Click on "Entire work" and copy paste it on word.

Format your word document. Click on File-> Margins. Select "Multiple pages: Book fold" and "Sheets per booklet: 8". Put "Gutter" to 1cm.

Double click on the empty area just above your text, on a random page of the document. This will make the "Do not download the fanfic on AO3. Click on "Entire work" and copy paste it on word.

Format your word document. Click on File-> Margins. Select "Multiple pages: Book fold" and "Sheets per booklet: 8". Put "Gutter" to 1cm.

Double click on the empty area just above your text, on a random page of the document. This will make the "Header and Footer" option appear. You can click on "Footer" and select the format for the pages' number. Always add the pages number, it will make your life easier.

Now you can justify your book. I usually justify (select all text with CTRL+A and click on Justify), but keep in mind that some documents might not enjoy passing through "justify" so double check your final document. For example, if there are lines of poetry and the author wrote into the next line without starting a new paragraph the justify option will make it weird.

Make your book pretty! I added some illustrations and blank pages. I also made the title of the fanfic bigger.

Fix the chapters' titles and notes. I clicked on Home-> Find and searched for "Chapter", so I could select on each chapter title and make it bold, and also delete the "Chapter text" added just after. You can do the same with "notes" in case you want to delete notes.

Now it is time to print! I prefer to save in pdf before, so I will do that.

IF YOU HAVE A PRINTER THAT DOES NOT PRINT BOTH SIDES

Click on print

Select "Microsoft print to pdf"

Select "Manually print on both sides"

This will create two different files pdf, one for the front pages, and one for the back pages.

Click on the file for the front pages and print them all. Do not panic if you see the pages number all over it.

Now take your printed (only on one side) block of pages and load it into your printer again, making sure that you will now print on the blank back. Open your back pages pdf file and print.

(you can do a trial with a few pages to see if everything is lining up correctly).

IF YOU HAVE A PRINTER THAT PRINT BOTH SIDES

"Click on print

Select "Microsoft print to pdf"

Select "Print on one side"

This will create a single pdf that you can print on your both-sides printer. You will see that the page are not in the order you had on the word document, but the whole file will start with page 8 (see video).

Now print!

What you want is this:

You can see that on the front you have page 8 first, page 1 after, because when folded it will end up with page 1 at the start of your booklet! And on the back of this first sheet you have 7 and 2, that will end up in the correct position.

Now you will have a lot of pages... time to fold and create your booklet! Every two sheets... you will fold as you see above.

Next post will be specifically about folding the booklet, making the holes and sewing them together.

Oh, cool animation

-wait it's WHAT?!

The Silver Swan, built by John Joseph Merlin and James Cox, 1773.

Source: Mechanical Marvels, Clockwork Dreams (BBC)

One of Spidey's first (and still one of his finest) chilling moments of superhuman intimidation. This is a teenager, and up til this he mostly moved like one. As opposed to, you know, a force of pure primal fury.

Notice that Peter's stride is not even MOMENTARILY halted by the gangsters trying to tackle him. Amazing Spiderman 11

I'd watch this sitcom

They meet at the Secretly Side-Characters Support Group, having all been referred to what they think is a Protagonist Party by well-meaning friends and acquaintances. Hilarity ensues.

A social gathering of dudes who all have serious Main Character Syndrome, but all are wildly different genres. One of them is the "people don't like me because I'm too smart" Misunderstood Genius who isn't actually particularly smart, just mean. Another one thinks he's wisecracking and clever by just talking like a character in a Marvel movie. Third one thinks he's subtly pulling off a mysterious Film Noir vibe by wearing a fedora and spending most of his time internally narrating, and silently staring at people. The fourth one is a deeply dramatic purple prose self-fashioned Byronic Hero who is unaware that he would be a mildly annoying minor antagonist in a Jane Austen novel at best. The fifth one has gotten his entire personality from shounen anime.

So wait are livestock guardian dogs to their flocks like… Clark Kent among the residents of Smallville? He’s been here since he was a baby, we all know him, and he’s… generally one-of-us shaped, uh, approximately. And then when something goes wrong he suddenly leaps into action and does some terrifying impossible shit none of us could do. And then comes back home and settles in like nothing happened and he’s one of us again.

So does the guy know you're white-knighting for him on social media? Seriously tho chillax. I thought we were doing a bit? You know, since like I said earlier Spider-Man started off as literally just a masked wrestler...and that his particular level of wisecracking can only be obtained by a certified doofus. (As an out of character aside I'm not really sure how this level of role-playing works, I'm kind of new to Tumblr. Am I not supposed to acknowledge the bit? Was it rude to interact back? Sorry if I'm messing up your RP I honestly don't know the rules)

Spider-Man's Canon Crypidization

As much as I love how Batman went from respected lawman to urban legend, I feel people fail to appreciate the Marvel equivalent. Peter Parker's alterego went from 'literally a wrestler with a gimmick' to 'he might maybe have once been human? We hope?!' in the eyes of the average civillian/mook.

Like his origin is clearly human, he's a tv performer and it's understood that his webbing is a gadget he came up with for the schtick. Then a little later when the Xmen become more popular and have more of an effect on the Marvelverse, you get the whole 'mutant scum' angle. But it eventually becomes clear that no, whatever this guy is, 'typical mutant' ain't it. (The alien suit debacle does not help with this at all.)

By the mid 80s Spider-Man is basically a cryptid, helped along by how the choreography and art style changed enough to show him moving in a way that is very inhuman, striking from the shadows, gravity optional. There's a whole arc where he adventures overseas and just straight up passes for a supernatural being so as not to compromise his secret id.

Then whenever anybody interacts with him long enough for him to start quipping they realize he's just a huge dork. Like, you know the inhumanly strong man-shaped shadow that can tell you pointed a gun at him from two blocks away without looking? He's going to give you a punny nickname while tying you up with a semi organic compound hitherto unknown to science. It's so funny.

Juuuust when I thought I'd found all the ways the works of take-my-heart-gently-in-his-hands-Tolkien could bring me to tears youse gotta hit me with a take like this. How dare. Well played.

Once again thinking about the “Tolkien elves are physically superior to humans in every way” thing as a disability parallel

Somehow the first time I've seen memes about this incredibly meme-able book.

it's bad image friday. when i post bad images (i know he doesn't actually say that btw)

My first ask answer! And it was all I could have hoped for! :D I didn't even think of there being security footage, poor Spock XD

Hello, you said your asks were open for McSpirk prompts so how about: due to a mix up with the fire detection system, Spock is unexpectedly fire-hose'd. Which is decently dangerous for humans, probably worse for deserts species, and unfortunately would look absolutely ridiculous. McCoy must valliantly stick to his medical ethics instead of laughing at Spock's wet-cat not-misery.

This was an EXCELLENT prompt. It ended up longer than I usually make these, because I was having fun playing in the space. Thank you for sending this in!!

“Well, that’s no good.” 

“Mr. Scott, the engine of the Galileo 7 is smoking.” 

Scotty peeked his head out of the shuttles door to stare at Spock with tired eyes. “Aye, Mr. Spock. I am aware that the engine is smoking.” 

They were in the shuttle bay, making some necessary repairs after their most recent mission.

“I suggest you remedy that immediately,” Spock said firmly.

Scotty sighed. “Your suggestion has been noted, Mr. Spock. Though some assistance may help me remedy the situation faster.” 

Spock paused for a moment, a brow lightly arched. And then, with a nod, he said, “Understood. I will examine the exterior.” 

He stepped around to the front of the shuttle and trailed a careful hand across its surface. Scotty retreated back into the shuttle, and within moments, Spock could hear the clanging and banging of repairs. 

There was a spark, and heavy, dark smoke puffed out of the shuttle. Spock’s brow furrowed. “Mr. Scott–” 

His words were interrupted by the sound of an alarm. Red lights began to spin around the shuttle bay. Spock barely had time to process what was happening before the walls opened up, and the anti-fire apparatus settled into place. 

Spock’s eyes grew minutely wider with realization as the system turned on, and a wall of icy cold water smashed into him.

It was powerful enough to send him flying; his back hit the windshield of the Galileo 7.

When the water pressure finally ceased, Spock found himself drenched to the bone, with his back against the cracked windshield of the shuttle, and a soreness already seeping into his bones. 

Scotty jumped out of the shuttle. “Mr. Spock! Are you alright?” 

Spock took a deep breath and blinked as he tried to get his bearings. He sat up slowly and slid off the front of the shuttle. His boots hit the ground with a squelch. 

When Spock offered no immediate response, Scotty frowned. “You’d best head to Sickbay, Mr. Spock. I’ll get things cleaned up here.” 

–

McCoy had seen all sorts of things in his years as a doctor. 

A sopping wet Vulcan was a new addition to the list. 

As Spock stepped into Sickbay, McCoy had to turn quickly to stifle a laugh. Now’s not the time, he reminded himself. He was a doctor, and if Spock was here, that meant he actually needed him. 

And so, he gathered his senses and turned back around as straight-faced as he could manage. “So,” he said, “what happened to you?”

“A fire system malfunctioned in the shuttle bay,” Spock responded shortly, as if that answered all his questions. “I only wish for you to check me over and confirm I am able to return to duty.” 

McCoy motioned towards the nearest biobed. “Have a seat.”

He had to turn around again as Spock made his way across the room. Each step caused his boots to squeak, and there was a puddle left behind when his foot lifted again. 

“Looks like the fire system really got you, huh?” McCoy pulled out his medical tricorder as Spock sat on the edge of the bed. His usually perfect hair was sticking in all sorts of directions, and there was an indignant pout on Spock’s face that brought McCoy a quiet joy. He scanned him in silence, because he didn’t trust himself to keep from making fun of him. 

“You’ve got some minor bruising, but it looks like you’ve avoided any sprains or strains. Being Vulcan certainly helped.”

Spock made a quiet non-committal hum in response. 

“My biggest concern,” McCoy continued, admiring the irritation on Spock’s face with a silent delight, “would be hypothermia. You’re from the desert– you’re not used to getting wet, and you’re not meant to get cold.” 

“I am aware.” Even now, it was evident that Spock was trying not to shiver. “Am I allowed to return to duty or not, Doctor?” 

“Go get yourself dried off and warmed up, Spock.” McCoy finally let a grin creep onto his face, just so Spock could see it. “And then I think you’ll be fine, if not a bit sore.” 

Spock let out a quiet grunt of acknowledgement before sliding off the biobed and walking wetly to the door. He said nothing else before leaving the room. 

Immediately, McCoy made his way to the intercom. “Sickbay to Captain Kirk.”

“Kirk here. What is it, Bones?”

“Jim,” McCoy smiled, “I’m gonna need to see the security footage from shuttle bay. Immediately.” 

This series has singlehandedly cured me of my tendancy to roll my eyes at canon divergences...

Update: just listened to the suggested soundtrack and hey guess who just solved a lifelong mystery about what song is in a heirloom musicbox. This series, HONESTLY.

THE FINAL PROBLEM - part 9

This update comes with a content warning, which you can read here if you're so inclined.

THE FINAL PROBLEM - part 9 of a few more - part 1 - part 2 - part 3 - part 4 - part 5 - part 6 - part 7 - part 8.