The Infinities
Comic Book short stories
Since most comic books are only 20-30 pages, there really aren’t a lot of short stories told in comic book form. It’s hard enough to tell a meaningful story in 20-30 pages, but to do it in fewer pages is a real art. But there are a handful of stories that are well done and worth seeking out. Here is a few short stories that I’ve come across that really expand the medium in short form.
The Press: Amazing! Astounding!
From Time magazine in 1939, an article about one of the first science fiction conventions:
Sold at U. S. newsstands are about a dozen pulp magazines with such titles as Amazing Stories, Astounding Stones, Startling Stories, Strange Stories, Fantastic Adventures, Thrilling Wonder Stones, Unknown, Marvel Science Stories, Weird Tales. In the pulp trade they are known as “pseudo-scientifics” or “scientifiction.” This week in Manhattan this amazing group of publications produced an amazing show: a convention of their fans.
H/T to Paul Malmont (author of the forthcoming novel The Astounding, the Amazing, and the Unknown
Batman: Mask by Bryan Talbot
The Batman anthology series was notably hit and miss in it’s stories. That’s to be expected when you have a rotating series of writers and artists. Some of the better storylines were Grant Morrison’s Gothic
The Sword of the Lictor by Gene Wolfe
It’s time for Book Three of Gene Wolfe’s masterpiece The Book of the New Sun, The Sword of the Lictor. As we get closer to the end of the story, the action starts picking up and the story seems to circle back upon itself. I’m curious as to what happens to Severian and his world. So, let’s see what’s happening?
Dr. Who’s coming back (to America)
BBC America has announced that Dr. Who is coming back:
BBC America will launch Doctor Who on Saturday, April 23 at 9 p.m ET. That’s Part One of a two-part opener penned by showrunner Steven Moffat (who also did the BBC’s Sherlock reboot — rent it if you’re a Holmes & Watson fan and haven’t seen it yet). This season also includes guest star Mark Sheppard (Supernatural, Battlestar Galactica). Alex Kingston (ER, Flash Forward) is returning for this round too.
Batman and the Mad Monk by Matt Wagner
Matt Wagner is an underrated Batman writer/artist. While he isn’t as good as Frank Miller (that list is fairly short), his Batman stories are very good. He started with the Batman/Grendel
Cowboy Angels by Paul McAuley
I often like to give authors whose first book I didn’t like a second chance. There are many times that authors I like write books I don’t like. For instance, I just can’t get into Charles Stross’ Bob Howard
New Michael Chabon HBO project
Michael Chabon and his wife, Ayelet Waidman, are working on a show for HBO:
HBO is developing a drama series about a group of con men and magicians who battle Hitler and the Nazis during WWII. They use their powers of deception to outwit the Third Reich, you see.
It almost sounds like what Jonathan Strange
A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
While GRRM was announcing the publication date for book 5 of A Song of Fire and Ice (A Dance with Dragons
