Comic Review: Nemo - Heart of Ice

    League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is right up there at the top of my list of favorite graphic novels.  It taps into all those things I love so much, the wide array of Victorian and pulp adventure fiction, from H.G. Welles, to Jules Verne, to Edgar Rice Burroughs, and beyond.  And of course, one of the coolest characters was Captain Nemo, master of the Nautilus, dashing, suave, and deadly.  With Nemo, we follow his daughter, haunted by his shadow and his deeds, as she tries to find her own path in life.

    In 1925, Princess Janni Dakkar, the new Nemo, lives as a brigand.  When she runs afoul of Aisha and Charles Foster Kane, a chase across the world begins.  She blazes a trail across Antarctica and all the strange wonders it hides, from Present Land to the Mountains of Madness.

    If you’ve read previous League universe books, you’ll know the drill.  It’s sad, dark, full of ugly twists on classic characters.  But it’s also thrilling and strange, and challenges the reader to figure out the reference.  I know there were several I didn’t get.  One of these days, I’m going to have to go back through the whole series with some annotations or something.  I know there’s stuff I’m missing, meaning I’m not catching.

    I’ve never been a huge fan of Kevin O’Neill’s art, but it gets the job done, and helps to set the whole uncomfortable vibe of Moore’s bent literature rollercoaster.  Moore is one of those writers I go back and forth on.  He’s written some of my favorite books, but he’s also written stuff I can’t even force my way through.  He seems like a colossal jackass, and possibly more in love with himself than his rabid fans are.  But he’s also good at capturing the magic of the classic fiction I love so much.  Heart of ice is surprisingly upbeat; still kind of a downer, but for this series, it’s relatively positive.  I could see this being a really nice companion series to the later stuff involving the League.

Nemo: Heart of Ice
Author: Alan Moore
Artist: Kevin O’Neill
Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
ISBN: 978-1-60309-274-6

-Matt

Prodigal Son: Inspirational Films for Space 1889

                                                                    Part Twenty One

    I’ve been thinking a lot about various roleplaying games recently, particularly about cinematic inspiration in relation to games.  I’ve already written a few articles about this, tackling player character groups, as well as specifically Call of Cthulhu and Ars Magica.  I thought this time I’d branch out a bit and do a slightly more obscure game, but one I like the setting for quite a bit.  This time around, I’m going to look at ten inspirational movies for the game Space 1889, a ground breaking early example of what would become Steampunk.

10.  Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959):  An excellent cast of characters goes on a wild adventure into the heart of our own world, discovering strange secrets, hints of ancient civilizations, weird pre-historic creatures, and dangers undreamed.  Victorian morality, self-motivated adventure, and hints of deeper history make this an especially charming tale.  (See also; At the Earth’s Core).

9.  The Jungle Book (1994):  British Colonialism meets native life in this classic tale of West meets East in India.  This film could be translated almost directly to one of the canal cities of Mars.  The British officers, their relationships with the locals, even the plot would all work.  In many ways, though the weather is different, Mars is the India of Space 1889.  (See also; Gunga-din).

8.  The Time Machine:  The Victorians were all about exploring and inventing.  In this tale of an inventor who rockets himself into the future, we see the perils of war and the potentials of Darwin’s dangerous idea.  The Time Traveler is a perfect character for Space 1889, even if he can’t get that particular machine to work (and goodness, what if he could).  (See also; The Golden Compass).

7.  The Prestige:  The darker side of invention and the wild showmanship that really came into its own during this time.  Mad science, mysticism, and the obsessions of driven men.  Plus, Tesla.  Thomas Edison plays a large role in Space 1889, but what if Tesla was luckier or craftier?  What if Tesla and Edison became epic and powerful rivals?  What would Tesla be doing in space?  (See also; The Illusionist).

6.  Sherlock Holmes (2009):  This more earthy, grimy rendition of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic mad genius is my favorite cinematic version, and just behind the Jeremy Brett TV version for all time favorite.  Here we see the world of the late 1800s in all its dingy, ugly glory.  Fast paced adventure that recaptures the pulpy aspect of Doyle’s work that has generally been lost in previous film versions, and excellent renditions of the various characters make for a very charming whole.  The Holmes-Watson relationship is one of the best, most honest friendships I’ve seen on screen, and the fact that Watson’s fiancé isn’t  relegated to nagging harpy was a pleasant surprise.  She’s got all the pluck (if not the screentime) of a good heroine.  (See also; The Wolfman [2010]).

5.  20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954):  This action packed adaptation of the Verne novel features an excellent cast and amazing production design.  Once again, the issues presented could translate either directly to Earthly seas of Space 1889, or with very little work, into some area of the solar system.  Captain Nemo might be a disenfranchised native of Mars who flies an advanced ship through the either, blasting other ships in a protest against England’s continued expansion of influence.  (See also; Atlantis The Lost Kingdom).

4.  John Carter:  Though it fails to capture much more than the barest fraction of the magic of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ novels, this film still visualizes some of the things that were obviously influences on Space 1889, including the Barsoom air ships.  Mars itself has a lot of the right look and feel, if you just put more fins and bat features on the Red Men, they’d make pretty good Martians.  The deep history implied in the film captures some of that ambiance, too.  (See also; First Men in the Moon).

3.  The Ghost and the Darkness:  Life on the frontier, building outposts of civilization can be difficult and dangerous.  It takes people with a lot of nerve and maybe too little smarts.  Capturing some of the societal situations of the day, this historically inspired yarn of killer lions also cranks up the mystery and horror.  (See also; The Mountains of the Moon).

2.  The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello:  A creepy animated story of plague and lost love, this film feels more like the tales told by children in the slums than an actual Space 1889 story.  But don’t those tales usually have a grain of truth in them?  A very creepy and dreamy film.  (See also; City of Ember).

1.  The Man Who Would be King:  Daniel and Peachy are fantastic Space 1889 characters; men ready to take on the world, looking to make their fortune, and just about mad enough to pull it off.  A beautiful epic of two mad bastards putting their mark on a mysterious land.  (See also; She).

    There have also been a few TV shows over the years that capture at least something of the spirit of the game.  The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne was deeply, deeply flawed, but did have some cool elements.  The Adventures of Brisco County Jr., as well as the original Wild, Wild West give the American West a steampunk vibe that works pretty well with Space 1889.  The Amazing Screw-On Head was the pilot for what could have been a great show.  And the Sherlock Holmes TV series starring Jeremy Brett is quite excellent.

-Matt

Rick Baker's Frankenstein

io9 has a short writeup on Rick Baker's M.A.C. Cosmetics unveiling of his Steampunk Frankenstein.  It's a gorgeous piece from the master of makeup applications, but it also fills me with a gloomy sadness that such art is relegated to Cosplay these days.  When was the last time you saw such a beautiful horror on screen instead of some uncanny CG creation?  You don't need me to blather on about the unreality of the digital concoction - I'm not even sure that's true anymore as the next generation of film fanatics is bred on such sights they're Suspension of Disbelief has adjusted.  Us old folks are left dreaming of the practical delights of yesteryear.  Oh well.  This Steampunk Frankenstein is badass.

--Brad

Book Review: Scrivener’s Moon

    The third book in Philip Reeve’s Fever Crumb trilogy, Scrivener’s Moon, finally takes us through the birth of the Traction Age as Fever returns home to London, nursing her battered heart.  Dr. Crumb, Charley Shallow, and Wavey are all there, for better or worse.  And as unrest builds in the north, London draws in resources at an alarming rate, it’s new towers growing out of the squalor.  Progress chews up and spits out people without much thought, but those who want a return to the ‘good old days’ are making their voice heard.  And among the nomads, a young girl with visions of horror is preaching against the growing monster-city.  Then some carnies show up with hints of a possible game changer laying buried in hostile territory.  This is the set-up for Fever’s journey north where she will face danger, loss, heartbreak, and even personality death as the memories and will of her father resurface once more.

    Fever is competent and smart, but painfully unsure of herself.  Her deep emotional longing and hurting, combined with a fumbling and awkward attempts to properly express herself resonates with this reader.  But while world changing forces push and pull at her, she does all that she can to stand up and forge her own path, which makes her far more compelling than may of the more passive characters so common in teen fiction.  And she is up against an array of colorful characters.  Charley is a dangerous kid, always able to excuse his own bad behavior, always able to adjust his moral compass to fit the situation.  Cluny is a pure soul; but with the danger of Godshawk lurking in her mind, can she be trusted?  And what about those carnies and their history with Wavey?

    The story moves quickly.  As with his other books, you know anyone could die at any time, and nobody is safe.  Danger lurks around every turn, in every shadow, and in every heart.  Reeve is also very good at making characters who are perfectly decent folk, with ways of viewing the world that are dangerously incompatible.  I spent much of the book simultaneously wanting London and its people to triumph and to be destroyed, and the same struggle goes on with the various characters.  Impressive.  There’s plenty of action and thrilling heroics, too.

    This trilogy, begun in Fever Crumb, continued in A Web of Air, and ending here expands on the history of the world created in Mortal Engines and its sequels.  But the story is so removed that one need not have read the original series (though, one should read those books!).  If you have read them, you’ll pick up on some hints and names that resonate into the future.  Overall, the Fever Crumb trilogy doesn’t have the same emotional resonance as the Predator Cities series, but it taps into the same magic.  Considering how blubbery I was at the end of the A Darkling Plain, I was a bit surprised the end of Scrivener’s Moon didn’t leave me feeling especially emotional.  Not to say the ending was bad.  It wasn’t.   Whatever the case, it’s a world I would love to revisit again.  If Reeve never writes another story about it, I think it will stand perfectly well with what he‘s done so far.  But if he does, I’ll be there.

Scrivener's Moon
Author: Philip Reeve
Publisher: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 978-0-545-22218-1

-Matt

Book Review: A Web of Air

    Many years ago, while walking the floor of the book store that employed me, I spotted a kids book with an interesting cover (yes, book covers are important, no matter what proverbs might say; as are the stores in which you find them).  It was Larklight, by Philip Reeve.  Something about its Jules Verne-type 'adventure in space' style grabbed me and I devoured the book with a smile on my face.  A bit of research told me that Reeve had also written a teen-aimed series, so I figured I’d give it a shot.  I started reading Mortal Engines and was swept away.  Here was a book that delved back into so much of the stuff I’d loved about science fiction since I was a kid.  Great machines rolling across the world, ancient tech from a long-gone golden age, airships, dashing adventurers, dangerous women, unexpected twists, and really big ideas.  I was hooked, and in fairly quick succession read the following three books that form Reeve’s epic tale of two broken people trying to find peace in a world shaking to its core.  The ending of the last book actually brought tears to my eyes.  Great stuff.  And I’ve continued to read Reeve’s work, with two follow-ups to Larklight, the Arthurian tale Here Lies Arthur, and finally a couple years ago, a new book set in the world of Mortal Engines, Fever Crumb (I haven’t read No Such Thing as Dragons, yet).

    I’m not generally a big fan of prequels.  I’m not against them, but they seldom do much for me.  The best prequels are removed from the original work by a good deal of time, develop some unknown factors, and while they may deal with similar issues, need to stand well on their own.  Fever Crumb is one such prequel.  The book deals with the days before London was mobile, and with some of the events that led up to that change.  It introduces us to the titular character, a young Engineer discovering the truth about her own ancestry, while dealing with some other, most irrational problems.  Though it pains me to say, I was actually pretty disappointed with the book.  Sure, it was written well, and the pre-mobile London world, still well into the bleak future Reeve has created, is lavishly painted.  But ultimately, I was never fully engaged in the story or the characters.  And when the book was over, I felt more like I’d read the introduction to a novel than the novel itself.  Perhaps I’d loved the four book ‘Predator Cities’ series too much and this prequel couldn’t live up.  I don’t know.  Certainly those books felt denser; packed with more story.  Still, I picked up the following book when it came out, but let it sit on my shelf for more than a year, unread.

    Recently, my ambient desire for more cool science fiction got a bit louder and less ambient.  And, at the same time, the third book in Reeve’s Fever Crumb trilogy hit the stands.  I pick up all of his books, so as I slid it onto the shelf next to A Web of Air, I decided now was the time to read the second book.  I’m so glad I did.  Right off the bat I found myself more engaged with Fever and her life with a traveling theater troupe.  I liked the exotic location of Mayda, built inside a giant bomb crater.  And the mystery of the reclusive inventor and his flying models pulled me in.

    As with the tale of Tom and Hester told in the original four books, this story features several kind of cliché set-ups that prepare you for tried and true story progressions.  Then Reeve cold cocks you, sending the story or character in another direction entirely.  One character might get built up as a major player, only to die an ignominious death.  Another may seem like a friend, only to be as vicious a villain as you could wish for.  Happiness is found, only to be snatched away, making its brief appearance all the more precious.  And unlike several other prequels I’ve read or seen, the knowledge of what will happen in the future doesn’t serve as a block to caring.  It is an ominous dread that lurks in the shadow of events, but not a wall.  It’s not like watching The Clone Wars, where you might think, ‘oh, man, that was awesome,’ only to remember that all these cool things are made moot by the idiocy of Revenge of the Sith.  This book feels more like a pre-WWII tale, where you know war is about to break out, but what these people are doing beforehand still means something; even if their lives are swallowed up in the oncoming storm.

    So, this second book in the Fever Crumb trilogy has reinvigorated my excitement with Philip Reeve’s work.  It’s made me want to sit down and re-read Mortal Engines and its sequels.  And I’m sure as heck interested in reading the third book now.  While it may not be the next book in my rotation, I don’t think I’ll be waiting a year this time around.  And something that struck me about A Web of Air, and Reeve’s more recent writing in general, is a refreshing sense of reality, rationalism, and scientific thinking; getting below the magical thinking of fantasy, religion, mythology, etc. and getting to the heart of the matter.  This is explicitly illustrated in Fever Crumb’s dealings with Orca Mo in this book.  Fever's disgust at the woman’s behavior and the general behavior of her followers, is deep and reasoned.  At one point she says, “If you really want to stop people thinking, you don’t use guns or bombs.  You use religion.”  That is a line I can’t imagine reading in a youth-aimed book twenty years ago, and it made me so happy.  In a time when even adult science fiction is filled with claptrap about how sometimes ‘you just need to believe’ or ‘some things can’t be known’ or are ‘beyond science,’ it’s so, so nice to see someone calling BS and standing up for reason, rationality, and science.  It’s even more important that it be in books aimed at kids, because that’s the age people are most susceptible to and most targeted by religion and purveyors of magical thinking.  My hat is off to Mr. Reeve for that.  Plus, it's a darned entertaining read.

A Web of Air
Author: Philip Reeve
Publisher: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 978-0-545-22216-7

-Matt

Dork Art: Steampunk Hellboy

Remember that Steampunk Predator from a few weeks back?  Well, those madmen over at KreatWorks are at it again.  This Hellboy can be yours for just $7,500.

--Brad

Dork Art: Steampunk Predator

Holy Cow!  This amazing piece of art comes to you all the way from Thailand where their fanboys know how to show their Predator love proper.  I wish I had a tenth the talent it took to make this beauty. And I'm not so sure this sucker bleeds, so you may not be able to kill it.  Thanks to JoBlo for this sighting.

--Brad