Lucas Cole's Blog: AKA Lucas Cole

The Revelation of Resurrection Planet

(Note: this contains a few significant reveals about the novel, Resurrection Planet)

Love it or hate it (frankly, not many readers' opinions were in-between these extremes), Resurrection Planet was a departure from the usual "mmm-brains" zombie fare. I learned a lot from reading reviews and, in turn, want to share a little of the thought process behind the story, some of the details surprisingly unrecognized or at least unvoiced in reviews. The criticisms that were most common and therefore most credible were: 1.) the story ended too abruptly and 2.) the main character was not likable enough.

I admit, the story was rushed to press--a cardinal error. I also admit, the main character was never meant to be likable, at least, not entirely, an error in judgement for a writer new at the genre. However, I kinda like the guy, myself, but that may reveal some disturbing problems with the author's psyche.

A few reveals, then: the blue and red camps were meant to indicate political camps, much like the lunatics in Washington today. The prophet Gershom's name was taken from the name of Moses' son, Gershom. The cataclysm on Earth that killed the Major's brother was the tribulation foretold in the Bible in Revelation. The surviving Roman Empire is one that theologians think will be the center of the one-world government at the end of days. (I just moved the government off the planet--and why not? Who is to say that we are not among the stars when the Lord comes back?) I really don't know if the dead were dead or near-dead, but wanted to explore the spiritual aspect of being a zombie, if that could actually happen. It presents certain theological dilemmas. Last, the idea of a zombie reality was based upon actual research into rejuvenating dead spiders--no kidding! Anyhow, just some of my thoughts behind R. Planet.

Secede? Scotland No, Texas Yes?

Secede? Scotland No, Texas Yes?

In the Life-Imitates-Art realm, a graphic novel called “Republic” gives you a possibly prophetic glimpse at just how difficult–and bloody–secession from an increasingly tyrannical federal government would be. Or more specifically in this case, secession from a U.N.-based multinational force that has replaced the former United States.

Fair warning. This article takes a look at the concept and vision behind “Republic” and, so, involves a bunch of political thinking and what-if conjectures and therefore may not be your cup of tea.

After taking a peek at REPUBLIC on Amazon, you might be thinking “Hey, come on, all this Republic versus the Federal government stuff” and “Yeah, right, an E.M.P. bomb goes off in the U.S.” and “Who, in their right minds would really secede from the rest of the nation?” Well, a brief explanation, beginning with…

What’s the Republic story line, how realistic is it, and why should I give a flip? Texas secedes, forcing the inhabitants of a small town to fight a veteran U.N. force sent to put down the new “republic.” That’s the “high concept.”

In a near-future America controlled by the United Nations, seven Texans and two Special Ops vets (returned from South America, the “new Middle East”) take a stand against a multi-national expeditionary force sent to probe the last remaining Republic’s defenses. Think: “The Magnificent Seven” meets “Red Dawn.”

We all know that couldn't really happen, right?"