Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
| Fandom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name: | Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog | |
| Abbreviation(s): | Dr. Horrible | |
| Creator: | Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, Zack Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen | |
| Date(s): | 2008 - present | |
| Medium: | internet film/miniseries | |
| Country of Origin: | United States | |
| External Links: | Official Site, Wikipedia article | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | ||
| ||
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog is a made-for-the-internet musical co-created by Joss Whedon. It stars Neil Patrick Harris as Billy (the eponymous Dr. Horrible), Nathan Fillion as Captain Hammer (his superhero nemesis), and Felicia Day as Penny (his love interest).
Background
The film was written and produced during the 2007 American writers' strike, and the Dr. Horrible fandom started before the film was even completed, when the trailer was posted.
(See also: 'Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog': An Oral History by Adam B. Vary.)
The writers and stars appeared at Comic-Con, where there were multiple showing of the film. Sing-along versions and Rocky Horror-eque performances, such as at Dragon*Con. Additionally, there have been a number of live stage performances of the story, such as Dr. Horrible Live.
Joss Whedon has also written comic books based on the Dr. Horrible universe, as well as a book that has behind the scenes stories and photos from the film, as well as the sheet music to all the songs.
Response & Criticism
Ending
Many fans were upset by Penny's death at the end of the film. Many long-time fans of Joss Whedon were reminded that Joss is evil. There was an influx of fix-it fics where Penny survived or was resurrected.
Feminism & the "Nice Guy"
Some fans saw Penny's characterization as an extension of Joss Whedon's perceived sexism, and thought that her fate was a classic example of the Women in Refrigerators trope. Others feel that Whedon used the trope intentionally to present Dr. Horrible as a critique of the "Nice Guy."
See also: Blogging along with Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog by Holly at Feministe.
Other Thoughts
Fanworks
- Horrible Turn (a fan-made prequel)
- Doctor Octoroc's 8-Bit Dr. Horrible (Dr. Horrible as an 8-bit video game)
- fanart on deviantArt
- Echoes in a Lonely World by etothepii. Hammer/Horrible fic in which they accidentally get a temporary empathy bond
Fanfiction
- Dr. Horrible fanworks on AO3
- Dr. Horrible fanfiction and crossovers at Fanfiction.net
- horrible_fic, a LiveJournal community
Fansites & Communities
LiveJournal
- drhorrible_blog
- dr_horriblesing
- drhorribledress (costuming)
- horrible_awards (fan awards)
- horrible_fic (fanfiction)
- ihasafreezeray (macros)
