This will be one of the shortest of the Wold Newton Universe (WNU) apologia entries, as there is so little to "fix" in order to let it slip into the small superhero corner of the Wold Newton Universe.
Right now, I am willing to take this as the more-or-less true account of the WNU Incredible Hulk, with three exceptions.
A) Bruce Banner (called David Paine in Planetary for legal reasons) was baithed in extra-universial energy saving a teenage boy, not the wife of General Ross.
B) The Hulk could change back into Banner from Hulk mode. While I disagree with Dennis E. Power's theory that Banner was some sort of lycanthrop, I agree whole heartedly that he is a desendant of Mr. Hyde.
C) The Hulk was finally captured by the American government in 1983 and left at the bottom of a deep shaft--he died ten years later in 1993.
James Bojaciuk
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Planetary Annotations--Nuclear Spring (Preview Issue)
Preview Issue: “Nuclear Spring”
Theme: The Incredible Hulk
Quick Summary: The Planetary team breaks into a secret government base where an aged general tells them the Planetary Universe version of the Incredible Hulk story.
Opening Line: "You come on in, boys. Have a drink on me. Been a long day."
Annotations:
Page 4, panel 1: The general seems to be overly green, his shirt, eyes, and skin all sharing in this tone. Perhaps this is a reflection of his hatred of David Paine.
Panel 2: It’s stated the experiment took place in 1962, this was the year the first issue of The Incredible Hulk hit the news stands.
Panel 4: The general makes mention of “integral series” bombs; then in the next panel notes that the bomb is also a computer. This relates to the mathematical Integral Test for Convergence. This test is used to find if a series of positive numbers are convergent. Perhaps this “convergence” relates to Planetary’s theme of attempting to break and analyze the veil between universes.
Page 5, panel 1: Paine was trying to “monkey” with the “machinery of the universe.” The result of the bomb, had it been successful would be more or less to replace the matter from Universe A with matter from Universe B; or as we see, take the matter from Universe A and combine it on the atomic level with matter from Universe B.
Panel 4: Paine called his device a “quantum box,” a theory more popularlly known as Schrodinger’s cat. This means in the context of the story that Paine doesn’t know what the result of the bomb blast will be since because of the bomb’s nature all possible states exist within the affected matter until it is observed.
Page 8, panel 1: This is the battlefield where the US army combated Planetary’s Hulk analogue. The way the general talks it seems that this battle happened shortly after Paine was blasted with the universal matter swap. But note the wreckage in the upper left corner. It is an Apache Helicopter, a piece of equipment that was not introduced to the army until 1984. In fact the first test flight was in 1975.
Surely you must be thinking that this is a simple error I uncovered, but I don’t think it is so simple. With any other comic series I would agree—a simple lapse on the part of Cassaday—but here, with the level of interconnectiveness and continuity, I can only assume that a later date during the 1980s is being hinted at.
Panel 4: “He finally died. In nineteen eighty three.” 1983 saw a story line where Bruce Banner’s mind took full control of the Hulk. This is most likely Ellis’ comment that the Hulk comics ran out of story lines there.
Theme: The Incredible Hulk
Quick Summary: The Planetary team breaks into a secret government base where an aged general tells them the Planetary Universe version of the Incredible Hulk story.
Opening Line: "You come on in, boys. Have a drink on me. Been a long day."
Annotations:
Page 4, panel 1: The general seems to be overly green, his shirt, eyes, and skin all sharing in this tone. Perhaps this is a reflection of his hatred of David Paine.
Panel 2: It’s stated the experiment took place in 1962, this was the year the first issue of The Incredible Hulk hit the news stands.
Panel 4: The general makes mention of “integral series” bombs; then in the next panel notes that the bomb is also a computer. This relates to the mathematical Integral Test for Convergence. This test is used to find if a series of positive numbers are convergent. Perhaps this “convergence” relates to Planetary’s theme of attempting to break and analyze the veil between universes.
Page 5, panel 1: Paine was trying to “monkey” with the “machinery of the universe.” The result of the bomb, had it been successful would be more or less to replace the matter from Universe A with matter from Universe B; or as we see, take the matter from Universe A and combine it on the atomic level with matter from Universe B.
Panel 4: Paine called his device a “quantum box,” a theory more popularlly known as Schrodinger’s cat. This means in the context of the story that Paine doesn’t know what the result of the bomb blast will be since because of the bomb’s nature all possible states exist within the affected matter until it is observed.
Page 8, panel 1: This is the battlefield where the US army combated Planetary’s Hulk analogue. The way the general talks it seems that this battle happened shortly after Paine was blasted with the universal matter swap. But note the wreckage in the upper left corner. It is an Apache Helicopter, a piece of equipment that was not introduced to the army until 1984. In fact the first test flight was in 1975.
Surely you must be thinking that this is a simple error I uncovered, but I don’t think it is so simple. With any other comic series I would agree—a simple lapse on the part of Cassaday—but here, with the level of interconnectiveness and continuity, I can only assume that a later date during the 1980s is being hinted at.
Panel 4: “He finally died. In nineteen eighty three.” 1983 saw a story line where Bruce Banner’s mind took full control of the Hulk. This is most likely Ellis’ comment that the Hulk comics ran out of story lines there.
Planetary Annotations--Introduction
Up to this point, no one has annotated the comic series Planetary—aside from one abortive and cluttered attempt by a college professor. (You can find his work, some of which I do adapt, at http://www.utdallas.edu/~jenelow/planet.html)
So I’ve taken up the job of searching every panel of Cassaday’s art for material worthy of comment. And since he’s a detail guy, and Warren Ellis adds so much to script, there is a lot of stuff to find—so keep watch.
The schedule for these posts will be an annotation of an issue on each Saturday. On Sunday, if applicable, I will post an apologia on how that issue of Planetary fits into the Wold Newton Universe.
Next: Nuclear Spring Annotation
James Bojaciuk
So I’ve taken up the job of searching every panel of Cassaday’s art for material worthy of comment. And since he’s a detail guy, and Warren Ellis adds so much to script, there is a lot of stuff to find—so keep watch.
The schedule for these posts will be an annotation of an issue on each Saturday. On Sunday, if applicable, I will post an apologia on how that issue of Planetary fits into the Wold Newton Universe.
Next: Nuclear Spring Annotation
James Bojaciuk
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Writing Update 10/17/09
I feel too sick at the moment to actually write, so I figured I should post some kind of update on my writng.
My novel is going smoothly dispite some problems with plotting. I hope to be finished by Christmas. This is a dream novel to be working on; each new problem just makes the work better.
I'm working on a major licenced short story, the research of which is going well. The hardest part is copying the style of the author who lefft this unfinished--but I've read enough of his work that it's not too much of a challenge to attempt his style.
A short story about a certain Lord of the Jungle finding himself shipwrecked on an island known for producing dinosaurs and giant apes. I'm aiming for publication in a future volume of the Lofficiers execelent Tales of the Shadowmen anthologies.
(Three pages of a projected 30 are complete.)
Also: A short story taking place in the present day where a very liberal public defender (To make a joke: Is there any other kind?) has a very personal encounter with some Lovecraftian things while working on his current case.
(Zero pages completed out of a projected eight-or-ten.)
Bonus A: I'm considering, when I finish my current projects, submitting a novel to Pulp Press. They're currently running an open call on 23,000 word action novels, so it sounds right up my alley.
Bonus B: A short novel titled "The Electric Demon." This tale features Doc Savage--in a fight for his life against the insane Doctor James Caliban, Monk and Ham--trapped in the Africian caves of the Unknown Nine, and, Fu Manchu--facing such foes as even his wicked mind could not dream.
The main reason this story is not yet complete is that I am working on this story as part of my school's Creative Writing class. (One page complete out of a projected 60.)
James Bojaciuk
My novel is going smoothly dispite some problems with plotting. I hope to be finished by Christmas. This is a dream novel to be working on; each new problem just makes the work better.
I'm working on a major licenced short story, the research of which is going well. The hardest part is copying the style of the author who lefft this unfinished--but I've read enough of his work that it's not too much of a challenge to attempt his style.
A short story about a certain Lord of the Jungle finding himself shipwrecked on an island known for producing dinosaurs and giant apes. I'm aiming for publication in a future volume of the Lofficiers execelent Tales of the Shadowmen anthologies.
(Three pages of a projected 30 are complete.)
Also: A short story taking place in the present day where a very liberal public defender (To make a joke: Is there any other kind?) has a very personal encounter with some Lovecraftian things while working on his current case.
(Zero pages completed out of a projected eight-or-ten.)
Bonus A: I'm considering, when I finish my current projects, submitting a novel to Pulp Press. They're currently running an open call on 23,000 word action novels, so it sounds right up my alley.
Bonus B: A short novel titled "The Electric Demon." This tale features Doc Savage--in a fight for his life against the insane Doctor James Caliban, Monk and Ham--trapped in the Africian caves of the Unknown Nine, and, Fu Manchu--facing such foes as even his wicked mind could not dream.
The main reason this story is not yet complete is that I am working on this story as part of my school's Creative Writing class. (One page complete out of a projected 60.)
James Bojaciuk
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Prologue of my novel.
Take note that this will be removed in about a week.
Prologue
James Bojaciuk
The environmental leader’s face was violently ugly.
Or so thought Alice Clayton. She looked at Victor Lupin’s head again and shuddered. His nose had been broken in the past, and an ever so faint scar shaped like a sideways “N” was on his cheek. Although, it seemed apparent that the other girls at this “Save the Earth” party did not share her feelings, since many were hanging on the activist’s chest, arms, whatever they could get a hold of. He watched them hungrily with his green eyes. His mouth puffed at his long cigar even more hungrily.
“Thank you for inviting me Mr. Lupin.” Alice said. Even though he repulsed her, Alice’s mother had taught her nothing if not to always be polite.
“No, thank you for coming Miss. Clayton. It is a pleasure to have the youngest member of one of the world’s most famous environmentalist families.”
She already noticed that many of the guests were well under twenty. Sensing her thoughts, Lupin said: “If we do not use the young to win the culture wars, what have we gained? Does the earth live if we convert the old and dying to our cause? No, the children must be used. As an antagonist of mine once said, “A little child shall lead them.”
The walls of the party hall had been freshly painted a bright red which clashed with the old lime green tablecloths. On the far side of the room was a cluster of guests reading with reverence an old leather bound book. Nearer Alice and Lupin was the buffet table, which was now missing a steak knife, and a drink stand. Between the two far points was a row of doors leading deeper into the house.
Lupin saw that one of his fourteen-year-old assistants was gesticulating; two fingers swung above his head.
“I must apologize, but I am needed in the next room.”
Alice took a sip of her drink and nodded, watching Lupin walk away toward where the page was now frantic in his movements. She picked up the ladle and refilled her drink from the bowl, still remembering her grandfather’s warning. “Always watch for the lion when bending for a drink.”
Sure enough, the lion came hunting for a doe. He was wearing a loose robe over his street clothes. His face was pulled into a permanent hyena smirk.
“What’s a cute blonde like you doin’ without a boy?” She turned, her face disgusted. “Hoo, she’s got grey eyes too. Never bedded one of them before!”
“Make another comment like that and you will never be able to “bed” another woman again. Am I quite clear?” She said, still watching Lupin argue with the page. In her hand was a steak knife stolen from the buffet table. She welded her blade backhanded at roughly his crotch level. If he tried anything more, a simple backwards flick from her hand would sever something he would much rather not loose. Sweat poured down his pocked visage; he slowly backed away into the crowd.
The leader was now shouting quietly at his subordinate, quietly for he was attempting to keep the guests from finding out what the problem was. Lupin’s eyes shone yellow under the fluorescent lights near the door.
That’s funny, she thought, in the harsher light his eyes are almost the same color as Great Uncle Clark’s. She groped for the cross that hung from her neck. Dear Lord help me…it cannot be ...?
Lupin turned toward her, his eyes sending a message. I’ve found you out, wretch.
She was unsure now, If she ran no one would know what happened, but if she stayed she could very well die. But she was not afraid of death, if it came, then so be it. But why hurry the grave, she thought, folding the steak knife into a crease in her dress.
Lupin finished his harried conversation then spent the next twenty minutes rounding the room talking personally with each guest.
He then wove his way to the door and rested a gigantic hand upon the handle. His face was warped into a sickening smile and his eyes were, thanks to the shade he found himself in, half green and half yellow.
“Come my friends and supporters. I have for you tonight the preview of that which will save us from ourselves, please follow me.”
After a five minute walk through the halls and stairwells of the old house they arrived in a room near the center of the structure. In the center of the room was a pedestal with an indent in the top; it was visually similar to a birdbath but deeper. Lining the walls were computer servers of the newest models, clearly someone rich was funding this affair. But as to this money-man’s identity it was unclear. Lastly some chalk-marks marred the Victorian woodwork, but Alice could not see the design from where she stood.
“In one week’s time we shall open a universal hole where I stand.” He said, tapping the chalk mark with foot. “This shall allow entry of something we call…a Great Old One. He, or I suppose I should say “It” as its biology contains both male and female part such as some sea dwellers, will come and cleanse the earth of pollutants, saving the earth from murder, bigotry, and pollution. And all morality will be replaced with true morality—our own.”
All but one of the guests genuinely applauded these notions. Alice did so as well, but only not to stick out and show herself.
“We shall use the computers, manned ably by Mort. Who sadly could not come tonight due to tomorrow being the start of school. Our “magical” Miss. Millie will be handling the chalk and other things of her type. And lastly I shall be handing the r’’ok’og’a. It promises to be a night the world shall not forget.
“But before we all go home and sleep peacefully in our beds, we have two orders of housekeeping. The first is for everyone still in high school to remember to show for the young people convention in two days.
“The second is that we have a spy in this room.”
The guests were thrown into confusion, who could the traitor be? Alice kept from panic and followed the crowd, except she, unlike they, had no clue as to what Lupin’s plan was.
“Who’d ever betray us?” She said as a smokescreen.
‘Come now Miss. Clayton. Do you think I’d not know you were the spy? Come now. You insist on convorting around with that Cross. It’s a wonder that none other than I saw though your attempt at infiltrating us.
“Seize and eliminate this feminine nuisance.”
The crowd stopped being fearful, simultaneously they became murderously angry.
Alice Clayton hefted the knife and stabbed at the first attacker. He was a teenager, barely any older than her herself. Glasses dropped off his dead face and crunched to the floor.
Alice backed herself up against the room’s corner, and let them come to her. Her grandfather’s wisdom came back once more. No matter how bad the situation, no matter how deadly your enemy, remember that you must keep your smarts about you, and always repeat to your self, “I still live”, for as long as a single breath remains in your lungs the tide of battle can and knowing you, will, turn.
She grabbed the neck of the next attacker squeezed his jugular. Alice had learned this technique from a eastern marshal arts master, Lung Po. The attacker’s eye budged until his adam’s apple popped. Then letting that body drop to the ground, she did a jabbing lunge that caught another follower in the gut. At a minimum she guaranteed the man would have a long stay in the hospital. But with that thrust she over extended her reach, leaving herself open to attack. Two foes beat her head with their bare hands.
As their final blows connected she cried with the last of her strength, “I Still Live!”
Then she was out of time.
Prologue
James Bojaciuk
The environmental leader’s face was violently ugly.
Or so thought Alice Clayton. She looked at Victor Lupin’s head again and shuddered. His nose had been broken in the past, and an ever so faint scar shaped like a sideways “N” was on his cheek. Although, it seemed apparent that the other girls at this “Save the Earth” party did not share her feelings, since many were hanging on the activist’s chest, arms, whatever they could get a hold of. He watched them hungrily with his green eyes. His mouth puffed at his long cigar even more hungrily.
“Thank you for inviting me Mr. Lupin.” Alice said. Even though he repulsed her, Alice’s mother had taught her nothing if not to always be polite.
“No, thank you for coming Miss. Clayton. It is a pleasure to have the youngest member of one of the world’s most famous environmentalist families.”
She already noticed that many of the guests were well under twenty. Sensing her thoughts, Lupin said: “If we do not use the young to win the culture wars, what have we gained? Does the earth live if we convert the old and dying to our cause? No, the children must be used. As an antagonist of mine once said, “A little child shall lead them.”
The walls of the party hall had been freshly painted a bright red which clashed with the old lime green tablecloths. On the far side of the room was a cluster of guests reading with reverence an old leather bound book. Nearer Alice and Lupin was the buffet table, which was now missing a steak knife, and a drink stand. Between the two far points was a row of doors leading deeper into the house.
Lupin saw that one of his fourteen-year-old assistants was gesticulating; two fingers swung above his head.
“I must apologize, but I am needed in the next room.”
Alice took a sip of her drink and nodded, watching Lupin walk away toward where the page was now frantic in his movements. She picked up the ladle and refilled her drink from the bowl, still remembering her grandfather’s warning. “Always watch for the lion when bending for a drink.”
Sure enough, the lion came hunting for a doe. He was wearing a loose robe over his street clothes. His face was pulled into a permanent hyena smirk.
“What’s a cute blonde like you doin’ without a boy?” She turned, her face disgusted. “Hoo, she’s got grey eyes too. Never bedded one of them before!”
“Make another comment like that and you will never be able to “bed” another woman again. Am I quite clear?” She said, still watching Lupin argue with the page. In her hand was a steak knife stolen from the buffet table. She welded her blade backhanded at roughly his crotch level. If he tried anything more, a simple backwards flick from her hand would sever something he would much rather not loose. Sweat poured down his pocked visage; he slowly backed away into the crowd.
The leader was now shouting quietly at his subordinate, quietly for he was attempting to keep the guests from finding out what the problem was. Lupin’s eyes shone yellow under the fluorescent lights near the door.
That’s funny, she thought, in the harsher light his eyes are almost the same color as Great Uncle Clark’s. She groped for the cross that hung from her neck. Dear Lord help me…it cannot be ...?
Lupin turned toward her, his eyes sending a message. I’ve found you out, wretch.
She was unsure now, If she ran no one would know what happened, but if she stayed she could very well die. But she was not afraid of death, if it came, then so be it. But why hurry the grave, she thought, folding the steak knife into a crease in her dress.
Lupin finished his harried conversation then spent the next twenty minutes rounding the room talking personally with each guest.
He then wove his way to the door and rested a gigantic hand upon the handle. His face was warped into a sickening smile and his eyes were, thanks to the shade he found himself in, half green and half yellow.
“Come my friends and supporters. I have for you tonight the preview of that which will save us from ourselves, please follow me.”
After a five minute walk through the halls and stairwells of the old house they arrived in a room near the center of the structure. In the center of the room was a pedestal with an indent in the top; it was visually similar to a birdbath but deeper. Lining the walls were computer servers of the newest models, clearly someone rich was funding this affair. But as to this money-man’s identity it was unclear. Lastly some chalk-marks marred the Victorian woodwork, but Alice could not see the design from where she stood.
“In one week’s time we shall open a universal hole where I stand.” He said, tapping the chalk mark with foot. “This shall allow entry of something we call…a Great Old One. He, or I suppose I should say “It” as its biology contains both male and female part such as some sea dwellers, will come and cleanse the earth of pollutants, saving the earth from murder, bigotry, and pollution. And all morality will be replaced with true morality—our own.”
All but one of the guests genuinely applauded these notions. Alice did so as well, but only not to stick out and show herself.
“We shall use the computers, manned ably by Mort. Who sadly could not come tonight due to tomorrow being the start of school. Our “magical” Miss. Millie will be handling the chalk and other things of her type. And lastly I shall be handing the r’’ok’og’a. It promises to be a night the world shall not forget.
“But before we all go home and sleep peacefully in our beds, we have two orders of housekeeping. The first is for everyone still in high school to remember to show for the young people convention in two days.
“The second is that we have a spy in this room.”
The guests were thrown into confusion, who could the traitor be? Alice kept from panic and followed the crowd, except she, unlike they, had no clue as to what Lupin’s plan was.
“Who’d ever betray us?” She said as a smokescreen.
‘Come now Miss. Clayton. Do you think I’d not know you were the spy? Come now. You insist on convorting around with that Cross. It’s a wonder that none other than I saw though your attempt at infiltrating us.
“Seize and eliminate this feminine nuisance.”
The crowd stopped being fearful, simultaneously they became murderously angry.
Alice Clayton hefted the knife and stabbed at the first attacker. He was a teenager, barely any older than her herself. Glasses dropped off his dead face and crunched to the floor.
Alice backed herself up against the room’s corner, and let them come to her. Her grandfather’s wisdom came back once more. No matter how bad the situation, no matter how deadly your enemy, remember that you must keep your smarts about you, and always repeat to your self, “I still live”, for as long as a single breath remains in your lungs the tide of battle can and knowing you, will, turn.
She grabbed the neck of the next attacker squeezed his jugular. Alice had learned this technique from a eastern marshal arts master, Lung Po. The attacker’s eye budged until his adam’s apple popped. Then letting that body drop to the ground, she did a jabbing lunge that caught another follower in the gut. At a minimum she guaranteed the man would have a long stay in the hospital. But with that thrust she over extended her reach, leaving herself open to attack. Two foes beat her head with their bare hands.
As their final blows connected she cried with the last of her strength, “I Still Live!”
Then she was out of time.
Review--The Terror of Fu Manchu
MINIMAL SPOILER REVIEW
Fu Manchu's latest plot, written by William P. Maynard, involves saving the human race from...wait? What? Since when did the Devil Doctor care about the human race?
The novel is set during a break in the narrative of The Hand of Fu Manchu. This is during the period where Fu Manchu was, arguably, at his most blood thirsty. The novel has plenty of action, adventure and daring-do. (The excellent scene with Petrie attempting to save children from a crocodile comes to mind.) The plot is mostly concerned with Nayland Smith and his trusty aid Dr. Petrie tracking down members of a cult that may or may not be related to the Si-Fan.
The problems I had were few, Maynard is not only a talented writer, but he clearly knows his Rohmer. The only thing that bothered me on first read through was the Lovecraftian elements, as I felt that the magic/demon stuff clashed with the Fu Manchu series' focus on logic above all else. But, after a discussion of it with Maynard himself I feel that those elements fit perfectly with Rohmer's fictional universe.
Final Tally:
Prose: A++ (A perfect recreation of Rohmer's style, perhaps the most perfect pastiche I've ever read)
Characterization: A-
Plot: A
Wold Newton relevancy rating: 9. (It features Fu Manchu, a proven WN family member, several crossovers with other Rohmer characters, and the use of the theory on the identity of Dr. Petrie's father.)
RECOMMENDED
Fu Manchu's latest plot, written by William P. Maynard, involves saving the human race from...wait? What? Since when did the Devil Doctor care about the human race?
The novel is set during a break in the narrative of The Hand of Fu Manchu. This is during the period where Fu Manchu was, arguably, at his most blood thirsty. The novel has plenty of action, adventure and daring-do. (The excellent scene with Petrie attempting to save children from a crocodile comes to mind.) The plot is mostly concerned with Nayland Smith and his trusty aid Dr. Petrie tracking down members of a cult that may or may not be related to the Si-Fan.
The problems I had were few, Maynard is not only a talented writer, but he clearly knows his Rohmer. The only thing that bothered me on first read through was the Lovecraftian elements, as I felt that the magic/demon stuff clashed with the Fu Manchu series' focus on logic above all else. But, after a discussion of it with Maynard himself I feel that those elements fit perfectly with Rohmer's fictional universe.
Final Tally:
Prose: A++ (A perfect recreation of Rohmer's style, perhaps the most perfect pastiche I've ever read)
Characterization: A-
Plot: A
Wold Newton relevancy rating: 9. (It features Fu Manchu, a proven WN family member, several crossovers with other Rohmer characters, and the use of the theory on the identity of Dr. Petrie's father.)
RECOMMENDED
Monday, September 28, 2009
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