a byte of sci fi

SPOILER WARNING!

When ABC’s FlashForward wrapped up the first half of its season last Fall, I have to admit that I had just about given up on it. What seemed like a really promising concept, the entire world experiences a blackout during which time they see visions of what they will be doing six months in the future, fizzled as they never really ran with (see my review from last Fall). Instead of delving into the implications of this planet-changing event, the show bogged down with procedural storylines and soap opera asides. But now that it has returned after an extended hiatus, it looks like FlashForward may have made a course-correction for the better. There were all sorts of stories about behind the scenes shake-ups during the hiatus, and I’m not certain how much that impacted the three episodes we have seen so far, but at least the show has shown some spark of life. The two-part episode that kicked off the show’s return focused pretty heavily on the core story arc while also delivering answers fast and furious. I have to admit, though, that I was disappointed that they killed off the Ted Flosso character so quickly because Ricky Jay (Deadwood) gave a splendid performance as the delightfully villainous “uncle” of Simon Campos (Dominic Monaghan). Now this last week’s episode did not quite keep up the momentum as it started to betray some of the missteps (including the clunky directing) that hampered the show last Fall, but the show has not derailed yet and I have some hope for the coming episodes if they can just stay focused on the main story. Unfortunately, these will almost certainly act as a wrap-up for the series because the downward trend in the ratings that the inflicted the show prior to its hiatus returned as it has barely registered in the Nielsens these past two weeks. Basically, it needs to improve its numbers right away otherwise it will get cast into the Summer months to burn-off its remaining episodes. -JJJ

Samuel Todd has problems. He’s a divorced father of a teenager, he sings for very little money in a band that basically does frat parties and such, and his main job is as a paper delivery guy. Oh, and he lives in a world overrun by walking dead people whose sole aim is to eat anything or anyone living. And he writes about it, first on the Web, later in a notebook he keeps constantly at his side. This is the setup for this excellent novel by TW Brown. It appears to be self-published, as Mr. Brown appears to be the sole proprietor of May-December Publications. This makes it the best self-published book I’ve read to date.

Reminiscent of Z Day is Here, this tale follows our protagonist through all sorts of travails and troubles. First, of course, he has to figure out what’s going on and then get himself to believe it. This is always, for me, the most important part of any story that shows the beginning of the “zombie plague”. It would be a difficult thing to swallow but at some point even the most hardened skeptic has to buy into it—hopefully before their disbelief gets them killed. (Read the Full Review)

Buy Zomblog now from Amazon.com along with other selections from the Genre:

I’ve heard a lot of rumblings across the Internet about Lost’s final season which even prompted one of the show’s creators to respond and tell fans to be patient with the show. I’m not sure what the fuss is, though, because I’m actually loving the current season as I indicated in my review from a few weeks ago. Actually, I am liking the current season more than I have enjoyed the show since the second or maybe even the first season. This series re-invents itself each year and it has done that yet again with the sideways world which I believe has added a whole new element to the overall story (along with the “pop-ins” from characters we’ve seen previously). Each week, we get a look at one of the main characters in this “What If?” world and see another possibility of how their lives could have tracked. It adds yet another dimension to each character and meshes well with what’s going on in the “real” world. How these two worlds come together, if at all, remains to be seen, but I do believe there is some sort of plan behind it all (unlike, say, Battlestar Galactica). In addition to that, we are finally starting to get some answers, which actually came fast and furious in the most recent episode (“Ab Aeterno”). We now know what the smoke monster is, we understand more of the purpose of the island along with the roles of Jacob and his nemesis, we know why Richard Alpert does not age, and we understand a bit more about those mysterious numbers. It has actually been quite a mind-blowing season so far and it’s only at the halfway mark! If you dropped out on Lost over the last few seasons, now’s the time to tune back in because it looks like they are building up to a pretty spectacular ending. -JJJ

I ran my review of Caprica a few weeks ago where I indicated that I liked this show, but was not completely hooked yet, and I’d say that’s about where I am with it still. I want to like this show, I really do. But it’s so slow paced that it can just be absolutely sleep-inducing at times. I see where they are going with the development of the Cylons, and I like it. I just wish they would pick up the tempo. And I understand that they want to do this more like a soap opera, but that format suggests some tantalizing elements which this show just lacks. So many of the story threads just seem to fall flat and just fill up space instead of advancing the over-arching narrative. They need to focus more on the core story about the Cylons coming into existence and let some of the other storylines go. And no offense to talented actress Alessandra Torresani, but they have to do something to make Zoe interesting and not just annoying. This series has the talent and the potential and it is flirting with a great story. So now it needs to dive into telling it.

The show will go on hiatus after tomorrow night’s episode, returning with new episodes this summer, and I have to say I am looking forward to taking a break from it. I just hope that when it returns that it will do a better job of engaging my interest (last week’s episode did pick up the pace a bit which was a promising sign). And the show is definitely no lock for a second season as it has pulled disappointing ratings so far. Still, I’m thinking that Syfy will hold onto this one for at least one more year. I just hope that they can also give it the kick in the backside that it needs to more actively engage our interest. -JJJ

In our lone Marvel entry this week, Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente say goodbye to a god in Hercules: Fall of an Avenger #1. The Lion of Olympus is dead—again—and all his friends come to mourn his passing. Fellow princes Thor and Namor speak at an informal gathering, along with Bruce Banner, who admits to barely having known Herc. They all recall whimsical adventures they shared with The Prince of Power—except for Banner, his was a little more serious, but still kinda funny. Of course, the men are topped by Black Widow, Namora and Alflyse, who step forward to describe wholly different “adventures” they shared with Hercules. Very detailed descriptions we’re informed. Ahem. And that’s all before Amadeus Cho delivers his own choice, poignant words of eulogy. There is another, not completely unforeseen, development here, one that leads the characters of Incredible Hercules in an entirely new direction. And then there’s the Agents of Atlas backup. In this story, the newly-crowned Goddess of Love, Venus, and Namora are called to dispose of Hercules’ estate. Apparently, even the most simple-minded immortals can figure out ways to make fortunes without trying. The two women move about the world, informing everyone that ever personally knew Hercules of his death. Writer Paul Tobin handles this story with great sensitivity and polish, while Reilly Brown supplies some very good art. -SC

See also Sam Christopher’s Reviews of Brave and the Bold #32, Supergirl #31 and Superman 80-Page Giant #1

Spinning out of the Justice League of America: Cry for Justice miniseries we have the Justice League: Rise and Fall Special in which the arguments over Oliver Queen’s decision to unilaterally mete out justice to Prometheus really begin. In the aftermath of Prometheus’ devastating attack on Star City the heroes split between aiding the survivors and hunting down the “master criminal” (he surfs the Web, for God’s sake, that’s his “superpower”) responsible. Wally West and Dick Grayson track down Razer, who’s basically a mob enforcer with a thin coating of butter—I think his superpower is if he’s sautéed with some Chanterelles and Wood Ears he’s delicious. Dick here makes a very poignant observation and asks what must be a very important and worrisome question for him, especially right now. “Oldsters” Barry Allen and Hal Jordan go after The Shade, who shows them—for reasons of his own, no doubt—the evidence of Ollie’s transgression. I had a little problem with the quick conclusion drawn by Barry. As a police scientist, he should know better than anyone how evidence can be manipulated and Shade tells the heroes point-blank they aren’t the first ones on the scene, and that the murder scene has been tampered with. I know they’re showing a little more of the friction between the heroes now, and that Barry doesn’t like Oliver in the first place, but his rush to judgment just rang false with me here. Hal’s reaction, however, was perfect, and GA’s refusal to apologize was spot-on for the character. JT Krull tells the story, while the trio of Diogenes Neves, Fabrizio Fiorentino, and Mike Mayhew work well together to provide the illustrations.  - SC

See Also Sam Christopher’s Review of Green Arrow #31 and Titans #23

Sam Christopher recently read the latest collection of short stories from Australian author David Scholes titled Essential Reading in Science Fiction.  Click on over to see what he thought of that book.  Also in Sam’s comic book reviews, he looked at two titles that have recently revived some well known characters from the Golden Age of the Pulp magazines.  He also shared his thoughts on Superman’s recent exploits in The Last Stand of Krypton and Action Comics.  Check out his reviews and feel free to share your thoughts as well.