Debbie, Jango, and Jacob are joined by Brian Olszewski – Starboard Games LLC’s Creative Development Lead – as they come together to discuss comic books, science-fiction, and ultimately delve into what it is like to write comics and novels set within the universe of INT. Find these topics and so much more in this extremely well-read episode of the Rogue Space Podcast!
|| Discussed in this Episode ||
Women in Refrigerators: A popular website created by popular comic book writer, Gail Simone, which lists all of the female characters in comics who have been unceremoniously killed off, maimed, or traumatized as a means to forward or complicate the plot of a male character. The site itself is somewhat old, but it is an interesting read. Definitely worth reading through if you have the time.
Wytches: Written by Scott Snyder, Wytches follows Sailor of the Rook family after a bully of hers suddenly goes missing after an attack. Confronting the terrifying power of rumors whilst mixing in elements of supernatural horror, this comic series looks as excellent as it is dark. This is definitely a horror series that you do not want to miss out on.
The Wake: Also written by Scott Snyder, I am fairly certain that this is the comic series that Brian was having trouble recalling the name of during the podcast. The Wake follows Lee Archer, a marine biologist who is approached by the Department of Homeland Security to venture deep into the Arctic Circle to join an underwater oil rig known as the “Ghost Rig.” Space may be the final frontier for horror, but the deep sea can be just as terrifying in its isolation. As with all the comics listed here, this one also looks like it is definitely worth picking up.
Bitch Planet: Written by Kelly Sue DeConnick, this series is a feminist send-up of the exploitation film genre that takes place in a dystopian reality where non-compliant women are sent to an off-planet prison. While I have not yet picked up this series, it seems fascinating. Debbie gives it high-praise as well.
Sex Criminals: Written by Matt Fraction, Sex Criminals follows a librarian and an actor who discover after sleeping with each other that they both can freeze time upon orgasming. This series looks as crazy as it sounds and that honestly intrigues me. I want to see how such a mad-cap concept can get nominated for two Eisner Awards.
The Wicked and The Divine: Written by Kieron Gillen, this series follows a young teenage girl by the name of Laura as she interacts with a group of twelve people who happen to be reincarnated deities. They have fame and power, but only two years to live. Another of Debbie’s recommendations.
The Sandman: Written by Neil Gaiman and published by Vertigo, The Sandman follows the character of Morpheus who is the personification of Dream as he is captured, escapes, and travels through a wide variety of alternate planes of reality. This is one of the few graphic novels to ever make it onto the New York Times Best Seller list and it honestly deserves to be there. It is an amazing series. Read it all.
Fables: Written by Bill Willingham, Fables is about a collection of popular characters from fairy tales and folklore who are forced to flee to New York City after their homelands have come under attack by a powerful force known only as “The Adversary.” One part noire and two parts modern fantasy, this is a series I recommend all who enjoy modern twists on old classics take a look into.
Nightwings: Science-fiction novella written by Robert Silverberg about a decadent, caste-based future in which humanity has been divided up into guilds who each have a specific job to do. The universe in which this story is set features humans who have undergone genetic engineering to assist them with their duties and it looks to be quite the wild ride despite its short length. Brian seems to like it.
The Uplift Series: Written by David Brin, the Uplift Series is a collection of six novels which all take place within a universe where humanity has developed the technology to genetically modify pre-sapient species until they are sapient. Filled with politics, intrigue, and some really interesting science, this is one of my favorite science-fiction universes of all time.
The Stars My Destination: Written by Alfred Bester, this novel takes place within a universe in which humanity has perfected the ability to teleport themselves to any previously seen location through a process known as “jaunting.” The story itself is a revenge plot as the lone survivor of an attack finds himself seeking vengeance upon the crew of a passing ship that ignores his distress call. Another of Debbie’s many recommendations.
Station Eleven: Written by Emily St John Mandel, Station Eleven takes place in the Great Lakes region of North America after a swine flu epidemic devastates the world’s population. The novel follows a Shakespearean acting troupe as they travel through this post-apocalyptic world in an attempt to entertain and enlighten the masses.
Tens Day Novelization: The novelization of the graphic novel that Brian has been hard at work on for the past couple of years. Taking place within the INT universe 10 years before the start of the game, this story follows a group of characters whose lives are forever impacted by the Tens Day attack on the paradise planet of Serenus. Give it a read if you want a good story and a sneak-peak into the dramatic universe of INT.
|| Intro/Outro Music ||
Rhinoceros – Kevin MacLeod (www.incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
|| Llamy Trailer Music ||
Sirius Beat – Legend (https://soundcloud.com/sirius-beat/)
Link: http://youtu.be/-wtweW4Xjbo