The Headline Awards
Celebrating the Anthony Head Fandom and all of the amazing talent within.
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2022 Headline Awards Winners
Art Awards
Change Award [Best Manip]
Winner - Giles Manip (5th on page) by 51kas81
“This is a great manip, with a chaotic theme that
really harkens to the chaotic nature of Ripper.
It’s high energy and full of attitude!”
Runner-up - Giles/Buffy Manip (1st on page) by gaiarheahera
“Gaiarheahera presents a really subtle manip.
Sort of reminiscent of the snaps used when Dawn
fades in and out of view! With very subtle editing,
it makes you double back to see if it’s an actual
pic of a moment captured between the pair.”
Owning My Mistakes Award [Best Artwork]
Winner - Dressing Up Rupert Giles *the trilogy* by flummoxedangel
“The exuberant creativity in this trilogy of pictures completely
won us over. The given title suggests that the outfits are the
main point - and let's be honest, they all suit him splendidly,
even the bright flowery waistcoat in the first picture - but the
poses, facial expressions, and prop details should not be left
unappreciated. It's a wonderful art style too, so soft and very
expressive. And it captures Giles' features perfectly -
this is our Watcher, to a T.”
Runner-up - Ripper & Olivia '76 by monsoonhazard
“This art piece creates a believable history for Giles and Olivia in
their wild younger years. It easily evokes a wonderful headcanon
about Ripper and his band-- and whatever questionable
shenanigans they got into between gigs. Stylistically, it feels like
an homage to the Buffy comics, and it demonstrates a skill that
would fit right in with the published comics canon. The detail of
the Mark of Eyghon tattoo is the frosting on a delicious cake.
Well done!”
Angels in Many Guises Award [Fan Favorite Art]
Winner - Ripper & Olivia '76 by monsoonhazard
Runner-up - “Giles can like, get it” by flummoxedangel
Fanfiction Awards
Giles
Watcher Watchers Award [Best Gen Fic]
Winner - Buffyworld by il_mio_capitano
“Buffyworld has an excellent concept. More than just a
character study, it has that special jewel-like quality of a
really excellent, fully-contained story written in very few
words. Nice segue from grief to anger.”
Runner-up - don’t have the blood to show by rippergiles
“don’t have the blood to show is a poignant character study
that reveals Giles’ thoughts as he digs Buffy’s grave. It’s
lovely that the author gave him three nightmare scenarios
in relation to Buffy: that he’d barely been aware of her first
death, that he’d taken her powers, and that he feels this
second death is his fault. It’s interesting to see this bookish
Watcher, who works so often in his head, doing this physical
labor as a penance. It’s heart-wrenching to see him thinking
through potential futures for Buffy even as he digs her grave.
And the conclusion is heartbreaking: he drags his feet while
digging because it won’t be possible to put her in the grave
until he’s done.”
Twosome of Cuteness Award [Best Romance]
Winner - Something Old, Something New by TheScholarlyStrumpet
"I always feel these two need a bit of a push to really take
action or else it feels out of character, and this writer
handles that beautifully. The way the tension of the story
is fueled by their mutual self-restraint rather than random
obstacles feels very right for them. This was hands down
our first choice."
Runner-up - Emergence by Antennapedia
“This is a delicious and fun little romp from the beginning
to the end. Angst and longing, laughter and “Ow.” Kudos,
and a story well done. “And that was it… as they say.””
Good Squirm Award [Best Smut]
Winner - Ama Unum Maxime by mswhich
“This is such a fun category to judge and the competition
is always fierce. This year the winner of the Good Squirm
Award goes to Ama Unum Maxine by mswhich. Anyone
who reads this fanfic will admire the fantasy - because
let's be honest, who hasn't fantasized about Rupert Giles
admitting his very horny feelings for you in the sunnydale
library? You will leave this fanfic frustrated only because
you've already wished a million times you could be in
Willow's shoes and research with Giles all hours of the night,
and this story explores one of the many late-night study fantasies they could have shared. Even if you are put off by the idea of Giles and Willow, you can easily put yourself in her shoes and still relate to their feelings and the fantasy. This fanfic, without question, deserves the smut award for putting words to a fantasy we all secretly (or not so secretly) share!”
Runner-up - Highly Professional Colleagues by RoselynnThornwood
“I admire RoselynnThornwood's ability to write a smut story
that stays true to character - because many times,
unfortunately, the characters we love get lost and their
personalities become unrecognizable when authors attempt
to write smut. However, RoselynnThornwood held on to the
character’s voices throughout the story for every character
that made an appearance. If you are looking for a quickie
that is completely believable without straying too far from
canon, this fanfic is a great pick! Plus, bonus points for
introducing fans to the boudoir artist at the end! (I've
subscribed to her patreon account and can attest that the artwork for this story is steamy and amazing)! Great work!”
Dark Age Award [Best Dark]
Winner - Broken by RoselynnThornwood
"The title says it all. You will feel broken after reading the
heartache and indecision Giles has to endure in order to
safeguard Buffy's life as well as his own. The story begins
rather familiarly as it takes place at the end of the second
season when Angelous is doing what he does best: tourture.
Giles sees that Buffy has been dragged into his nightmare and
you can feel his heartbreak at the thought of what horrors
await her. Unfortunately he couldn't have imagined what he
would be asked to do.......
Broken is as dark as it gets for a relationship like Buffy and Giles that is built on so much trust and fatherly love. The story will have you on the edge of your seat, wishing you could look away but compelled to read on for what awaits is a twist few could see coming."
Runner-up - Help by witchee_writer
“This story has layers of darkness wrapped within it, from
Angel’s desperation for help, his memories of torturing Giles,
and the revenge enacted on him by Ethan Rayne that toes
the line between playful and bitter. Giles’ own conflicted
feelings toward Angel mirror what we see in the show and
as such this story fits in nicely as a slight divergence from
canon events. It also has a surprising domesticity between
Ethan and Rupert, seen through Angel’s eyes as well as their
own. It’s a fun relationship that everyone knows is bad for
them but we love it anyway.”
You Were the One I Loved Award [Fan Favorite Giles Story]
Winner - i may have died, but your loving raised me by The_Eclectic_Bookworm
Runner-up - Anything to Help by froxyn
Other Characters
May the Best Man Win Award [Fan Favorite Other Character Story]
Winner - The King by Skyson
Runner-up - Tea and Sandwiches by Neena
Runner-up - You, Me & Not Them by Dynapink
Additional Fiction
Little British Award [Best Short]
Winner - Frozen Stiff by Ruuger
“As compact and beautiful as a scene in a
snow globe, this little glimpse of Giles and
Faith working together and sharing comradery
in their own individual very guarded ways was
a joy to see. Never were two people so well
suited to find the beauty in something dark,
or the difficulty in something beautiful.
This fic captures that perfectly.”
Runner-up - A Good Watcher by TheScholarlyStrumpet
“This story is masterfully crafted around a
framework of only four lines of canon dialogue.
It delves deep into Giles' thoughts and feelings
and paints a picture that is suddenly so much
bigger and more laden with meaning than the
scene in the show. An excellent piece of character
introspection, and a treat to read.”
Epic Award [Best Series/Long-fic]
Winner - Sanctuary by DHW
“DHW is an incredibly talented writer, whose ability to
describe and trigger other senses with words just gets better
as the story progresses. They patiently take their time with
the story, allowing a build-up that is engaging and authentic
to the characters and the show. Their excellent knowledge
of the show (and comic), allows them to work canon (and
original quotes) into their story seamlessly, to their advantage.
Their well-timed introductions of other characters as a vehicle
to progress their story is masterful also. Their plot has slow burn, humour, romance, angst and some amazing twists and turns. Overall, Sanctuary is intelligent, evocative, and believable. The only downside is that it remains unfinished…”
Runner-up - Thirty-ish Days (and Thirty-ish Years) by Dynapink
"Through a series of vignettes, Dynapink gives us a glimpse
into moments unseen in episodes of Buffy and creates a
post-series headcanon that is absolutely believable. The
characterization is masterful and clearly the work of an
author who adores this fandom and knows its players
intimately. The exploration of Giles's relationships with
many different characters is delightfully done; this is exactly
the sort of thing fanfiction is for. I hope this author continues
work on this piece, as it was a pleasure to read."
Behind Green Eyes Award [Best Characterization]
Winner - You, Me & Not Them by Dynapink (Ed Walker)
“It's a rare treat to find something new and engaging to
read in this underserved fandom, but it's especially
rewarding when the voice of each character is captured
as beautifully as they are in this fic. Ed is so very Ed in the
face of Lauren being Lauren that reading this felt like
discovering a forgotten episode of the show.”
Runner-up - What the Heart Wants by TheScholarlyStrumpet (Rupert Giles)
"What the Heart Wants explores the mind of Giles as he
struggles with the First in the shape of his lost love, Jenny.
You can hear his inner monologue as he frets about how to
keep his charges safe and the fatherly concern he has for
Buffy. The story also highlights the guilt Giles feels about
Jenny's death. It is a short, but well worth the read to look
into the mind of Giles."
Mystical Convergence Award [Best Crossover]
Winner - I ven eden by pythia (BtVS/ Lord of the Rings)
“I ven Eden is a really engaging crossover. We enjoyed the
classic premise of dropping characters from one world into
another, and how we got to see some perspective from Giles,
Buffy, and Halbarad, which showed the characters from both
series through new eyes in lovely ways. It’s clear the author is
very invested in the Tolkien universe. The setting, dialogue,
and descriptions felt very natural even with Buffy characters
where they shouldn’t be. Buffy and Giles were in-character and their interactions were realistic, and the way Tolkien characters and concepts were woven in gave fans of both series something enjoyable. The prophecy focusing on Giles was an interesting change of pace from what we usually see, dropped in with humor from Buffy and gravity from Halbarad. Overall a very enjoyable read that made us want to find the follow-up stories.”
Runner-up - But Not Forgotten by Vesica (BtVS/Fire Fly)
“With candles, incense, and music, Inara creates a temple.
With metaphor, imagery, and melodic lines, Vesica creates a
sacred space, a place where two lonely people can forge a
connection that allows past friends and loves to be
remembered in peace.
The story starts in metaphorical darkness, with Inara “roaming,
… looking, searching for something in the black.” Inara’s past is
split into the chaotic “rough and tumble of Serentiy” and the
stifling, numbingly perfect prison walls of House Madrassa. In
a delightful twist, Vesica does not create a happy alternative
out of these two opposites but instead puts Inara in limbo, a new ship where her opportunities are bland at best. She only lights up when she receives the message from Rupert.
The author takes this unexpected pairing and really makes it work. Rupert is both charming and gallant, a side of him we saw far too little of in the series. It’s delightful that they each see people they miss from their own pasts in each other, and waiting until the end to reveal Rupert’s name is a fun touch.
The story ends in light, both real and metaphorical. Light, as compared to darkness, represents a space where both Inara and Rupert can be seen and can ultimately be honest. Their first encounters are in darkness. Rupert has her blow the candles out. It’s only after Rupert arrives bloody, itself a revelation, that they leave the candles lit. It’s in this lighted space that Rupert shares his past, stories of the friends he lost when he stepped through a portal, and that Inara shares that she has loved and lost.”
Hydra Award [Best Multi-ASH]
Winner - Tea and Sandwiches by Neena (BtVS/ Little Britain)
“Tea and Sandwiches: this is the second time our judges were
privileged to vote this story in as the winner for its category. So
much juicy characterization packed into such a short piece.
Fantastic drawing that final parallel between Sebastian and
Andrew's relationships to Tony Head's two characters.”
Runner-up - Tabloid Headlines by protoneoromantic (Multi)
“Tabloid Headlines: how could the Headline Awards fail to
recognize a hydra with every single Tony Head! A fantastic
advertisement for the awards themselves, and a Herculean
effort to bring everyone and everything together in a single
universe that blurs not just the barriers between the different
story's worlds but the fourth wall as well.”



























