Tarzan Forever : The Life of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Creator of Tarzan Review

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Tarzan Forever : The Life of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Creator of Tarzan ReviewI found Tarzan Forever well written, and often very entertaining and interesting, but very often just plain dead wrong - from badly and broadly misinterpreting texts, such as Lost on Venus (which Taliaferro just didn't get), to many specific mistakes.

Taliaferro regards Lost on Venus an example of Burroughs "climb[ing] on his favorite high horse, eugenics." (page 265) Specifically, Taliaferro refers to Burroughs' creation of Havatoo, a city-state in which eugenics has run amok, concluding that this nightmare city was an ERB utopia. But the depiction of Havatoo is Swiftian - gullible Carson can see only roses at first, but finds after many hair-raising adventures that the Havatoo are as spiritually dead as a race of zombies that occupy a city on the other side of the "River of Death" which separates the two cities. Utopia? Not even close!
And here's an example of a specific error: Taliaferro cites Carson's knowledge of aeronautics as the fact that persuaded the rulers of a kingdom on Venus to spare him. (page 266) But aeronautics came up much later. It was Carson's knowledge of astronomy that saved him. An unimportant detail, maybe, but Taliaferro's book is rife with such errors.
A mistake I found even more annoying - if not downright devious - was Taliaferro's claim that "on the final page" of Apache Devil, Shoz-Dijiji (the Apache Devil of the title) tells his sweetheart, Wichita Billings, "that he is white, nimbly sidestepping the unspeakable eventuality of miscegenation, a well-exercised Burroughs taboo." (page 224) This is as untrue as it is ridiculous! Shoz-Dijiji only tells Wichita he has a secret (i.e., that he is "white") to tell her later. But he never utters his secret to Wichita on the final page - or any other page of Burroughs' novel. In fact, Wichita professes her love for him despite his American Indian heritage. More to the point, as Taliaferro himself notes, Shoz-Dijiji's mother was "one quarter Cherokee." (page 216) Thus, Shoz-Dijiji, one of Burroughs' noblest heroes, not only is mistaken as to his racial heritage, he is also the product of the so-called "Burroughs taboo" against miscegenation! Here, we find a familiar Burroughs theme - individual honor and integrity are what matter, not the color of one's skin.
Those who have aired the tired old claim that Burroughs was a racist, and Taliaferro is solidly in this camp, have simply not been willing to recognize the subtleties of the Burroughs canon (yes, even adventure yarns can be morally ambiguous and complicated). Instead of reading Burroughs' works carefully, with an ear for the era in which they were written, Taliaferro and others skim the books and draw hasty, misinformed conclusions.Tarzan Forever : The Life of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Creator of Tarzan Overview

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The Science Fiction Film Reader Review

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The Science Fiction Film Reader ReviewThe Science Fiction Film Reader is an impressively informative anthology of brief essays from diverse notable figures including Arthur C. Clarke, Anthony Burgess, Joseph Campbell, and much more, all concerning the philosophy, impact, cultural merit, or parallels with reality in a wide variety of popular science fiction movies. An informational treasure trove for science fiction movie buffs, The Science Fiction Film Reader is a fascinating compilation of insight into favorite mind-expanding popular films, and a highly entertaining way to learn a little more about the philosophies, psychological underpinnings and far-reaching effects of favorite films.
The Science Fiction Film Reader OverviewAn illustrated collection of essays by masters such as H.G. Wells, Luis Bunuel, Jorge Luis Borges, Arthur C. Clarke, Anthony Burgess, Joseph Campbell, Pauline Kael, George F. Will, Robin Wood, and Susan Sontag.

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The Twilight and Other Zones: The Dark Worlds of Richard Matheson Review

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The Twilight and Other Zones: The Dark Worlds of Richard Matheson ReviewThe book itself is a fine read, BUT it is virtually the same book as "Richard Matheson Companion" which I already have. So for me it was a ripoff. Matheson fans will enjoy it. It does say that it was renamed on one of the feps, but you can't tell that on amazon.The Twilight and Other Zones: The Dark Worlds of Richard Matheson Overview

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The Flash Gordon Serials, 1936-1940: A Heavily Illustrated Guide Review

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The Flash Gordon Serials, 1936-1940: A Heavily Illustrated Guide ReviewI absolutely loved this book. It is loaded with great pictures and behind-the-scenes stories that explained a whole lot for me. When I was younger watching these serials, there was a lot of disjointed scenes as well as inconsistent names of people and places. I was amused to learn that my confusion was the result of how tightly-budgeted these movies were and how Universal severely-cut corners. If the actors blew their lines, someone redubbed their voices or let the blooper stand. Footage from old silent movies was frequently used for some action sequences. The musical soundtracks of all three serials were taken from many other Universal productions, yet have become so familiar to fans that we believed it was created primarily for Flash Gordon. There's a lot of great humor, too. (There was a scene in "Trip to Mars" where Prince Barin and Zarkov are up on a roof trying to break through a skylight to save Flash, and after frantically searching for something useful, Barin reaches off camera and produces a handy crowbar to do the job!) If you ever enjoyed these movies, I highly recommend this book to you.The Flash Gordon Serials, 1936-1940: A Heavily Illustrated Guide OverviewFlash Gordon, Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars and Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe, the most expensive and popular movie serials ever made, have been favorites of movie and comic fans for decades. The first serial was even designated a cultural treasure after being selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 1996. This is the first book-length guide to the serials. Arranged in a chapter-by-chapter format conforming to the structure of the three original films, the work provides full cast and crew information, plot synopses, and production notes for each film. The work also includes a wealth of background information on the films and more than 150 photographs, along with interview quotations from cast members Buster Crabbe, Jean Rogers, and Caroll Borland. Three appendices provide an overview of the serial film Buck Rogers (1939), select filmographies for 50 of the most prominent Flash Gordon cast and crew members, a complete list of the serials' film and television remakes.

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Back to the Future (Bfi Film Classics) Review

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Back to the Future (Bfi Film Classics) ReviewAnother great entry in the BFI series, this volume on Back to the Future is a fun read with some nice insight on the film. If you are a fan, pick it up and enjoy it for the companion that it is.
Back to the Future (Bfi Film Classics) OverviewBack to the Future was the top-grossing film of 1985 and the eighth highest-grossing film of the 1980s. It was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Best Original Screenplay in 1986, and won the 1986 People's Choice Award for Favourite Motion Picture. Co-written and directed by Spielberg protégé Robert Zemeckis, it became a landmark of 'New New Hollywood' and has continued to grow in popularity, voted 20th in Empire magazine's 2006 readers' poll of the best films of all time. In 2007, the United States Library of Congress deemed Back to the Future to be 'culturally, historically or aesthetically' significant enough to be 'preserved for all time' in the National Film Registry. Other choices that year included such classics as The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), Now, Voyager (1942), Oklahoma! (1955) and 12 Angry Men (1957). Andrew Shail and Robin Stoate's study of the film places it in the historical context of Reaganite America and the cinematic context of the 'New New Hollywood' and Zemeckis's film-making career. They discuss the film's treatment of time travel and its depiction of the potential and pitfalls of science and of atomic energy. Shail and Stoate consider Back to the Future's attitudes towards teen culture of the 1980s and the 1950s, seen in the film as a period in which traditional 'American' values and gender roles held sway to the benefit of family and community life, in contrast to the more troubled decade from which Marty McFly begins his time-travelling adventures.

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Top 100 Sci-Fi Movies Review

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Top 100 Sci-Fi Movies ReviewHere's a real treat for fans of science fiction movies. Gary Gerani's TOP 100 SCI-FI MOVIES is an entertaining, insightful and well-illustrated guide to great science fiction films of the past 80 years. To paraphrase director John Carpenter, who wrote the Introduction to Gerani's book, "For movie addicts, it doesn't get much better than this." Here, here.
In reverse order, Gerani counts down "cinema's most significant science fiction endeavors." Number 100 is EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS. You'll have to read the book to find out #1! Each film gets at least a full-page spread. Many get two pages; a very few get four. After listing 'Who Made It' production details, Gerani gives a 'What It's About' plot summary followed by a lengthy 'Why It's Important' discussion on the film and its impact. Likewise, each film is illustrated by at least one or more photographs and/or movie poster artwork. Some titles rate more illustrations. THEM, for example, has the original color movie poster and eight b&w production stills. 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA features a color poster and nine color stills.
Paging through TOP 100 SCI-FI MOVIES is akin to taking a walk down memory lane. The films covered include INVADERS FROM MARS, BACK TO THE FUTURE, CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, MATRIX, GODZILLA, STAR TREK II, VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED, WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE, ON THE BEACH, ALIENS, FORBIDDEN PLANET, THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, COLOSSUS: THE FORBIN PROJECT, METROPOLIS, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, FANTASTIC VOYAGE, FIRST MEN IN THE MOON, THE FLY, ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS, DARK STAR, THE CONQUEST OF SPACE and many others. Gerani's affectionate yet critical commentary makes for entertaining reading.
In short, Science Fiction Film buffs should pick up a copy of Gerani's book. It's a fun, thought-provoking guided tour through many fondly-remembered cinematic treats. Highly recommended.Top 100 Sci-Fi Movies OverviewFantastic Press strikes again with its second trade paperback offering, this time exploring the ultra-fanciful universe of spaceships, exotic planets, time travel, and extraterrestrials.The "Top 100 Sci-Fi Movies" are reviewed and ranked by fantasy screenwriter/film historian Gary Gerani, who covers everything from early silent groundbreakers like A Trip to the Moon to today's widescreen, computer-generated blockbusters. With over 600 rare visuals, full-color layouts. and an introduction by one of Hollywood's greatest filmmakers, this exciting new pictorial overview is the ideal companion book to 2010's Top 100 Horror Movies.

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Becoming Ray Bradbury Review

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Becoming Ray Bradbury ReviewThis biography is the first in three volumes. It details Ray Bradbury's early life and who influenced and mentored him, both in the science fiction and fantasy realm as well the literary, philosophical and psychological sources who shaped his thinking and aesthetics. As other reviews noted, Dr. Eller's biography bridges the scholarly insights and detailed information in one of the most readable books available. Where some scholars mire the reader down, this one does not. Dr. Eller understands that his audience is both scholars and fans and is able to address the needs and concerns of both without compromising the integrity of his work. For those interested, especially in the early shaping of Bradbury, Dr. Eller has some previously unpublished photographs of Bradbury in group shots with other early pioneers of the science fiction and fantasy, including one which Robert Heinlein.
For more on this particular work, see this review: [...]
And for more on Dr. Eller, you might want to visit the Center for Ray Bradbury studies' site:
[...]Becoming Ray Bradbury OverviewBecoming Ray Bradbury chronicles the making of an iconic American writer by exploring Ray Bradbury's childhood and early years of his long life in fiction, film, television, radio, and theater. Jonathan R. Eller measures the impact of the authors, artists, illustrators, and filmmakers who stimulated Bradbury's imagination throughout his first three decades. Unprecedented access to Bradbury's personal papers and other private collections provides insight into his emerging talent through his unpublished correspondence, his rare but often insightful notes on writing, and his interactions with those who mentored him during those early years.

Beginning with his childhood in Waukegan, Illinois, and Los Angeles, this biography follows Bradbury's development from avid reader to maturing author, making a living writing for pulp magazines. Eller illuminates the sources of Bradbury's growing interest in the human mind, the human condition, and the ambiguities of life and death--themes that became increasingly apparent in his early fiction. Bradbury's correspondence documents his frustrating encounters with the major trade publishing houses and his earliest unpublished reflections on the nature of authorship. Eller traces the sources of Bradbury's very conscious decisions, following the sudden success of The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man, to voice controversial political statements in his fiction, and he highlights the private motivations behind the burst of creative energy that transformed his novella "The Fireman" into the classic novel Fahrenheit 451.

Becoming Ray Bradbury reveals Bradbury's emotional world as it matured through his explorations of cinema and art, his interactions with agents and editors, his reading discoveries, and the invaluable reading suggestions of older writers. These largely unexplored elements of his life pave the way to a deeper understanding of his more public achievements, providing a biography of the mind, the story of Bradbury's self-education and the emerging sense of authorship at the heart of his boundless creativity.




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Screening Space: The American Science Fiction Film Review

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Screening Space: The American Science Fiction Film ReviewVivian Sobchack's survey of the Sci-fi film from its beginnings in the silent era through the 1970s remains a standard reference work on the genre. It was originally published in 1980 though later revised and expanded in 1987. Unfortunately, rather than attempt to rewrite the book, she left the 1980 text largely unchanged and instead added a long, new chapter that was different both in methodology and orientation than the three original chapters. The result is a book in which the new chapter has the feel of a not completely successful graft. The final chapter has a "stuck on" feel to it and doesn't really feel compatible with what went on before.
When the original edition of this book was published, it was important for two reasons. First, the genre studies approach to film, which is far more appropriate the evaluation of many films than the auteur criticism that had dominated from the 1950s even to the present, was still in its relative infancy. My own take on matters is that for certain directors with strong personalities, auteur criticism carries a great deal of validity, but that the weaker the director or the less predominant the director, the less help it is. Many film genres require less on the vision of a particular director than the dependence of the director and writer and producer on the history of that genre. Other films in the genre shape and mold and limit what can happen in other examples of the genre. Whether one considers the Western, the Mafia film, film noir, or Sci-fi, a discussion of the genre as a whole can provide considerable insight into any individual example of the genre. This was one of the first academic discussions of Sci-fi within that context. Second, the book was important for being one of the first academic studies that took the Sci-fi film seriously. In the late 1970s, when the original edition of the book was being prepared, Sci-fi was among the least respected genres in the movies. Though 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, STAR WARS, and CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND was beginning to change things, Sci-fi was neither critically nor economically successful. Today we are used to the box office dominance of Sci-fi films, but with only two or three major exceptions in the late seventies, this was not the case then. Sobchack's book played a small but definite role in making the Sci-fi film more relevant to film studies.
The first three chapters of the book remain exceptionally helpful in analyzing the crucial nature of Sci-fi films before their emergence as big box office in the eighties and beyond. Many of the films she discusses were staples of Saturday afternoon TV movie slots, which is where I first saw many of them. THE THING, THEM!, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE, DESTINATION MOON, WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE, INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, and a host of other classics get extensive coverage in the book and she spends a great deal of time not only analyzing their essential characteristics but contrasting them with and comparing them to the creature films that were showing at the same time. In doing this Sobchack did her part in helping to establish a canon of Sci-fi films. The discussion takes her in the three original chapters through other classics such as WESTWORLD, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, PLANET OF THE APES, 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, SILENT RUNNING, and THX 1138. I had only one quibble with these original three chapters: an artificial decision to discuss only American made films. A number of significant and influential (and their influentiality along made their exclusion arbitrary) British films were left out, including the Quatermass films, VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED, THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS, THE DAY THE EARTH CAUGHT FIRE, and others, as well as Jean Luc Goddard's ALPHAVILLE. It also meant that Andrei Tarkovsky's great 1972 Soviet masterpiece, SOLARIS, received no discussion. It also left the very low quality but exceptionally large body of Japanese films out of consideration.
The chapter added in the late 1980s is simply odd. For one thing, she seems to have read and not completely digested the work of Fredric Jameson. I have no complaints with her interest in Jameson, who is perhaps the most important academic of the past thirty years to have shown a sustained interest in Sci-fi. Both THE POLITICAL UNCONSCIOUS and POSTMODERNISM OR, THE CULTURAL LOGIC OF LATE CAPITALISM are well-thumbed volumes on my bookshelf. The problem is how dissonant this chapter is with the earlier chapters. It almost feels like the work of an entirely different author. Marxist ideas were completely absent from the first chapter, but predominant in the final one. Moreover, it is as if she hadn't completely interiorized Jameson and Mandel's ideas, but was instead almost parroting Jameson. Another problem here is that the first three chapters were models of clarity. Jameson is not an especially easy to read writer, and is very much a product of the European tradition of writing in which authors tend to encrust their ideas in difficult to decade jargon (a tradition opposed to other writers who strove for clarity of expression and lack of academic jargon and included writers such as David Hume, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and Wittgenstein, as opposed to Kant, Hegel, Heidegger, Marx [who could write beautifully and simply when he wanted to], and Derrida who cannot be read so much as interpreted). This seems to have infected Sobchack and the final chapter is a chore to read. A number of additional films are discussed, including the STAR WAR films, E.T., BLADE RUNNER, and REPO MAN. I do not, however, believe that this was a successful chapter. It attempts to apply Jameson to the most recent changes in Sci-fi film in an effort to capture the movement of history. As a whole, I felt that this chapter significantly weakened the book as a whole.
Nonetheless, this is a must read book for anyone wishing to study the Sci-fi film. It definitely has its weaknesses, but it just as surely has its strengths. I would perhaps caution readers to focus mainly on the first three chapters and to consider skipping the last one.Screening Space: The American Science Fiction Film Overview

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The Twilight Zone: Unlocking the Door to a Television Classic Review

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The Twilight Zone: Unlocking the Door to a Television Classic ReviewThe shelf in my bedroom is inundated with all things Twilight Zone. I have every book, magazine and DVD featuring Twilight Zone. I am highly qualified to judge a good book versus bad bearing the Twilight Zone name. And I am proud to say this is the best d*** book ever written on the subject. As far as price goes, it made my wallet creak, but I just ordered a second copy because I know I am going to wear this out.
In his introduction, the author makes it apparent that this is not a biography about Rod Serling. It focuses solely on Twilight Zone. Chapter One begins with Serling winning the "Dr. Christian" script writing contest, featuring in script form the dialogue exchange between Jean Hersholt and Serling on the May 18, 1949 broadcast. From there the history picks up momentum.
The detail level is freakin' exceptional. Proposed summer rerun schedules. CBS contract terms. Short stories and plot summaries proposed and purchased that never became Zone episodes. Day-by-day chronology of Serling's publicity tours. Neilsen ratings. Hugo Awards. Sponsor contracts. The contents of each 60s and 70s comic book. List of network affiliates. Telegrams and letters from Theodore Sturgeon, Steve Allen, Phil Baker and others are reprinted. (As far back as 1958, Sturgeon suggested "To Serve Man" to Serling for adaptation!)
While this kind of detail may not interest casual fans, the trivia will. Why the first season features two different openers. The battle between Kuppenheimer and Eagle Clothing for wardrobe credit. Community Fund spots and radio promos. How "Playboy" magazine got involved. Details behind the six taped shows in the second season. Serling's failed attempt to bring "The Time Element" to the big screen with Kirk Douglas. Why Hirschman quit producing the hour-long season (he was fired, if one wants to call it that). Why Republic Studios was considered a prime source for wardrobe, props and sets. Censorship battles. Princess Twilight Zone on tour in 1963 was apparently interviewed with great behind-the-scenes stories. Reprints of comic strips spoofing Twilight Zone.
The best part of the book is the episode guide. Each entry in detail with production costs (broken down -- director fees, talent fees, script fees, etc.). Dates each episode was filmed and rehearsed. Complete cast lists (who played who) includes actors not credited onscreen. Studio lots and sound stages. Production credits. All of the music scores and cues, names of composers, length of time, in the order they appear. Props and costumes that were reused for multiple episodes. Proposed casting that was never assigned. In-jokes that can be found on screen. Bloopers and microphones that appear on screen.
Serling wrote an unproduced screenplay in the mid-sixties based on "The Lonely." A casting call sheet is reprinted. Explanation why "Eye of the Beholder" also features the onscreen title of "A Private World of Darkness." Lawsuits brought about from various episodes. The automobile featured in "Third From the Sun" was a George Barris custom initially created for "The Time Machine." The 1951 radio script, "The Button Pushers" was the influence for "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street." "The Mighty Casey," "To Serve Man" "No Time Like the Past" "It's a Good Life" and "I Sing the Body Electric" were refilmed after rough cuts were viewed, adding further expense to ensure quality. Robert Cummings loved "King Nine Will Not Return" so much he was disappointed when it was not submitted to the Academy for the Emmy Awards, losing Serling's chance to feature Cummings as the star of "The Loner." The space ship in "Probe 7 - Over and Out" was originally constructed for "Specimen: Unknown" on "The Outer Limits." Origin of stock footage. Why Bernard Herrmann composed the music score for "Little Girl Lost" from Paris, France. Story origins that remained a mystery are finally revealed.
The book was clearly written with a labor of love. Serling's generosity as an exceptional human being shines. When a viewer in New Jersey wrote to him asking for the chance to learn how involved set decoration was, and promised to arrive in California once she graduated from art school, he mailed her his personal home number and arranged with set decorator Ralph Nelson to give her the required tour. When Theodore Bikel was verbally attacked on a talk program, Serling as a guest the week after on the same program defended Bikel in a manner that would make any racist blush. I always thought the Zicree book was the closest thing to a complete reference guide, even with the errors. I was wrong. This is the best book ever written and it will never be surpassed.
The Twilight Zone: Unlocking the Door to a Television Classic OverviewVery few television shows withstand the test of time, and Rod Serling'sÂTHE TWILIGHT ZONE is one of the notable exceptions. Proven to be an important part of American culture since its debut on CBS in October 1959, many Hollywood producers, screenwriters and directors have been inspired and influenced by this series. Comic books, magazine articles, numerous television revivals, a major motion picture and even modern audio productions have been produced, showcasing the continuing popularity of this television classic. This definitive history presents a portrait of the beloved Rod Serling and his television program, recounting the major changes the show underwent in format and story selection, including censorship battles, production details, and exclusive memories from cast and crew. The complete episode guide recalls all 156 episodes of the series in detail that has never before been accomplished in any publication. This book will make you want to look back at the episodes once again, whether you are a casual fan or serious enthusiast of the series. Unlock the door to a television classic by reading about the in-jokes, bloopers, and other trivia associated with the behind-the-scenes production of . . . THE TWILIGHT ZONE!

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Peter Pan: The Adventure Begins (Peter Pan; The Motion Picture Event) Review

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Peter Pan: The Adventure Begins (Peter Pan; The Motion Picture Event) ReviewThis book is a wonderful addition to any PETER PAN fan or collector, but primarily, children would enjoy this the most.
A very thin book, but FILLED with great photos from the film, PETER PAN, starring Jeremy Sumpter.
The book introduces the Neverland island and the adventures that happened there, the same shown in the film. Kids will love the quick read, and everyone would enjoy the pictures throughout the pages!Peter Pan: The Adventure Begins (Peter Pan; The Motion Picture Event) Overview
Fly away with Peter Pan to Neverland, a world of magic and adventure. You'll meet the Lost Boys, fairies, mermaids, and a mean, old crocodile. But beware of Captain Hook and his henchmen -- they are always on Peter's trail!


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Serenity, Vol. 2: Better Days Review

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Serenity, Vol. 2: Better Days ReviewA few years ago fans of FIREFLY/SERENITY were given a rather lack luster series called THOSE WE LEFT BEHIND. There isn't a great deal of narrative squeeze space right now in the Serenity universe. The reason is that Joss Whedon and his stars still hope to make another movie. Whether it would be a direct to DVD (which is more likely) or a a theater release is an open question.
There there have been rumors from time to time that Universal, given the impressive and steady sales of both FIREFLY and SERENITY on DVD, was at least interested in considering a DVD film at some point, but so far nothing has materialized. But as long as there is a chance of a continuance of the story of Mal, Zoe, River, Simon, Jayne, and the rest of the crew of Serenity, Joss Whedon is not going to reveal the remaining major secrets about his characters. In commentaries on the film SERENITY, Whedon in particular mentioned Inara's story as the great unexplored mystery. The first film cleared up most of River's untold story, which leaves Inara's. And, of course, Shepherd Book, who will not be part of a future movie because of his death. His backstory will be covered in the next Serenity comic series, focusing exclusively on him and the story that he had been unwilling to tell in either the TV series of the film. It is at least tentatively titled A SHEPHERD'S TALE. But like THOSE LEFT BEHIND and BETTER DAYS, it will be another prequel, this one a prequel to FIREFLY as well. After that, I doubt if we wee much more in the way of Serenity comics, since Whedon clearly doesn't want to pick up at the end of the movie SERENITY. If Universal doesn't move forward with a film (they have exclusive rights to the franchise until the middle of the next decade and even then for films only -- TV rights revert to 20th Century Fox at that time), Joss Whedon might be tempted to tell the rest of the story, presumably is a comic closer in length to ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL, rather than the two short Serenity comics that we have seen so far.
As I stated above, this three-episode sequence is a considerable improvement over the earlier THOSE LEFT BEHIND. There are some adventures that truly are similar to those in the TV series or film. Though not as satisfying as another film or TV series, it adds to the canonical body of adventures our heroes have embarked on. Because of its odd placement in the period of time after the TV series but before the film, not much can really happen of great import. You know no one is going to die (Joss Whedon basically invented the body count as we currently recognize it on TV) because of the later film. And River, who emerged as the ultimate lethal weapon in the film, is still self-contained and only minimally interactive with the outside world (though we the most memorable graphic in the series is a full page portrait of River having all her fondest desires realized). But given that, Whedon's team did a great job of creating a fun and funny and interesting story.
In my review of THOSE LEFT BEHIND, I did not recommend that fans of the TV series and movie give it a read. I definitely recommend this. This succeeds in all the ways that the earlier book failed.Serenity, Vol. 2: Better Days OverviewSerenity: Better Days follows everyone's favorite space cowboys in a thrilling, action-packed adventure, where Mal and his crew take on a heist that promises a big payoff. But when one of Serenity's crew is taken captive and tortured, the gang must put their enduring differences aside and work together to save one of their own, even if it means losing the cash prize of a lifetime! Joss Whedon returns to the world of his blockbuster film Serenity, reuniting with Brett Matthews and Will Conrad, his collaborators on the bestselling 2005 series Those Left Behind.

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Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle Review

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Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle ReviewDK Publishing continues a trend of producing lavish coffee table books filled with page after page of montages of full color images. In this case, the topic is the Star Wars phenomenon.
This coffee table book is very large - one inch thick, 10 inches wide and nearly a foot high. My copy does not have the color cover featured by Amazon, but rather it is black and white with very similar photos of the exact same characters in the exact same positions on the page. I did verify that it is the same book by using Amazon's sneak peek feature.
This book could just as easily have been called "George Lucas Year by Year." Star Wars dominates Lucas's career like the Eiffel Tower dominates the Paris skyline. Perhaps, even more so.
As the title states, the book is a visual timeline of George Lucas, Star Wars and the people and companies involved in its production and promotion. We see early handwritten notes about "Journal of the Whills" - one of the first drafts of Star Wars Episode IV. Later on, we see further updates, including the introduction of a character named Luke Starkiller who, of course, became Luke Skywalker in later revisions. We learn about Lucas's early life, his early films and his influences and a bit about the research he did to create the series.
Included in the timelines are other bits of news about movies, politics and space exploration. For example, on pages 34 & 35 we read about July through December 1974 which includes the first draft of the script for Episode IV, some very early drawings for the TIE Fighters, X-Wings and the Death Star, Nixon resigning as President, the birth of the actor that played Darth Maul in Episode I, early plastic models of the Y-Wing Fighters, the release of "The Godfather: Part II" (the director is a colleague and friend of Lucas), the production of the first script for another Lucas movie - "The Radioland Murders" and Christopher Lee's (Episodes II & III) role in a James Bond movie. Every picture has a detailed caption and the story goes on for page after page after page.
It is a fascinating read. I particularly enjoyed the pictures and descriptions of the Star Wars dolls that I collected and nearly wore out as a child. There is also information on the different videogames, novels, radio dramas, fan magazines, board games, fan clubs, appearances on TV shows, the famed Star Wars Christmas Special, John Williams, the cartoon shows, the Lego sets and even the Darth Vader Mr. Potato Head toy.
Lavish, thorough, massive and entertaining - this promises to be a hit with any fan. A can't miss gift.Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle OverviewFrom the first release of Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977 to the 2009 second season of The Clone Wars, Star Wars Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle is an unparalleled chronological journey through the making of the most epic science fiction series ever! Featuring incredible illustrations and stills, the book chronologically details the history and development of the Star Wars movies; the events, press, and logistics surrounding the making of each movie; and exclusive interviews with people who worked behind the scenes. The year-by-year format includes images from the movies, TV series, comic books, video games, and novels as well as movie posters, memorabilia, book covers, and more.(c) 2009 Lucasfilm Ltd. (r) & TM. All Rights Reserved. Used Under Authorization.

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Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale Review

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Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale ReviewThose who watched Firefly and Serenity are aware of Book's implied rich past. As the series was unfortunately canceled, we find out very little and all sorts of questions remain open. When I first saw this novel available for sale, I expected it to provide some relief for my curiosity.
To put it bluntly, I am very disappointed. The biggest problem is the extremely short length. You could easily fit all the text on a single page and I could tell you the whole story in 60 seconds. One would expect a book published with the purpose of filling in the gaps of a story to do the thing properly. This doesn't even come close. Furthermore, there are a number of inconsistencies, and we arguably end up with more questions than before.
/* SLIGHT SPOILER */
We know that Book had ties to the Alliance (from that Firefly episode where they heal his wounds), but we find out that there was a "falling out" and they (quite literally) threw him out. Why they would treat him as a VIP, save his life and then let them go (as was done in Firefly) is a complete mystery and we're, once again, left hanging.
/* END SPOILER */
Basically, this is a bad fanfic. Save your money and pretend it doesn't exist.Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale OverviewOne of Serenity's greatest mysteries is finally revealed in The Shepherd's Tale, filling in the life of one of the show's most beloved characters - Shepherd Book! Who was Book before meeting Mal and the rest of the Serenity crew, how did he become one of their most trusted allies, and how did he find God in a bowl of soup? Answers to these and more questions about Book's past are uncovered in this original hardcover graphic novel by rising stars Zack Whedon (Dr. Horrible, Terminator, Fringe) and Chris Samnee (Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps, Daredevil). A pivotal chapter in the ongoing Serenity saga, The Shepherd's Tale is also a rollicking, action-packed epic in its own right.

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Alien Race: Visual Development of an Intergalactic Adventure Review

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Alien Race: Visual Development of an Intergalactic Adventure ReviewI would like to start by saying that I am by no means an authority on concept art, although I am a freelance artist. I am also by no means a professional science fiction critic, though I have been a sci-fi fan for as long as I can remember. Lastly, I may have given the book 4 stars but that's only because I can't give it 4 and a half.
Simply put, 'Alien Race: A Visual Development of an Intergalactic Adventure' is a stunning, well put together and artistically inspiring piece of creativity in book form. Designed as a collection of concept art, stories and ideas developed for a possible intellectual property, the book explores the various characters, creatures, environments and plot angles that might go into the creation of a film, animated cartoon, tv series or video game. While no such use of the material in 'Alien Race' actually exists as of this review (unfortunately), the artwork and concepts contained within the pages of this book could easily be from a 'making of the movie' book for a popular film.
Especially impressive is the way multiple artists and designers approached the same or similar concepts in the book. I also liked how they showed the ideas they did not go with, again bringing to mind the concept designs seen in the 'art of' or 'making of' books for currently developed properties like the J.J. Abrams Star Trek film or the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series for example.
So why not five stars? Well, its a personal preference really and has less to do with the quality of the book itself. I felt a couple of the ideas in the book were underdeveloped and would therefore hinder its use as a 'real' property. The 'human team', that is those participants in the 'Alien Race' who hail from Earth, seemed visually underwhelming in comparission to their alien counterparts. Again this is just my personal aesthetic and not a reflection of the work. Also, the Flyers, those creatures that fly in the race, seemed less diverse and astounding then their ground based cousins even though they travel threw the air which is the more exotic environment.
If there is ever an 'Alien Race II' I'd love to see creatures that swim or climb and perhaps some insectoid lifeforms. That said, this book is definitely a triumph in that my only complains are wanting more.Alien Race: Visual Development of an Intergalactic Adventure Overview
Alien Race is an illustrated narrative of an original science fiction tale. Three Art Center College of Design entertainment design students discuss the process of and develop the visuals for one of the most unique stories today - combining action, adventure and captivating art to introduce the reader to the fascinating world of concept design.


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