I watched Smallville slash happen and was kind of dizzied, awed and taken aback by the growth rate

Oh yes. I kept up with it for a couple of weeks I think, then the volume got so overwhelming (nor was I that deeply into it) that I just wound up hanging out on the boards at TWOP instead.

I did get quite involved in Sky Captain fandom right from the start, which came out of the gate strong but sadly lost steam after several months (the fandom's DOA as far as I know). Here's hoping HF doesn't go that way, though I doubt it will, given HF's pedigree.

then chop them up and combine the best bits for a story that actually works

Heh. Right now I'm hoping to cannibalize one of my unposted fics for spare parts...