Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 307

June 9, 2017: Dark Matter Episode 301 and 302 Reactions, Responses, Reviews!

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Well, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves last night – The Raza crew, the critics, and, most importantly, you the viewers.  Take the time to drop me a comment here and let me know your thoughts on our big double-episode premiere.  What were your favorite character moments?  The biggest surprise?  And your burning questions?

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From what I hear, the Dark Matter after show, After Dark, is available on the Syfy.com site for U.S. viewers – and will be airing directly following the episodes internationally.  As for Canada…hmmm, not sure.  Once it airs internationally, I’ll see what I can do about uploading them to this blog.

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ALSO – last night, Syfy aired a promo for next week’s episode…but it was actually a promo for Episode 304 (“All The Time In The World”) rather than Episode 303 (“Welcome To The Revolution”).  So, sorry.  You’ll have to wait an extra week for that THREE/Android duet.

No, I’m serious.

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Finally, take a moment to subscribe to the Dark Matter subreddit over on reddit.  There are some great episodic discussion threads and I’m always around to field fan questions: https://www.reddit.com/r/DarkMatter/

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Finally, the critics weigh in with their thoughts on our double episode opener:

SyfyWire’s Tricia Ennis: Season 3 Open With a Bang and a Blink

Everyone is exactly where we left them last year, only somehow worse. Ryo succeeded in blowing up EOS7 and getting the hell out of dodge, but the rest of his former crewmates haven’t been so lucky. Two, Three, Five, and Six are all still stuck on the station, and it is going down in flames.

ThreeIfBySpace’s Katie: The Costs Are Always Personal Review

“The costs are always personal” is a line from Trufault, and it really rings true for this episode. Two’s grief over losing yet another person in her crew, one she counted as a friend, is a palpable and burden she carries. Six realizes that Two’s need to carry that burden is part of what makes her Two, and not Portia.

ThreeIfBySpace’s Michelle Harvey: It Doesn’t Have To Be Like This Review

Syfy’s lovable crew of misfits is back with the double feature premiere of Dark Matter tonight and these first two episodes are better than ever. The Raza crew are fighting to survive after the explosion of EOS-7 and basically are all found in precarious life threatening positions. There are no guarantees that everyone is going to survive this and it’s that rush of adrenaline that makes this double feature opener so epic.

SpoilerTV’s Aimee Hicks’: Double Review – It’s Personal

What made these episodes even more impactful was the deep emotional tones running through them. Two was a strong driving force throughout the whole two hours as she had to reconcile how her leadership decisions led to everything that happened.

TheNerdRecites’ Christopher Hart: Season 3 Episode 1 & 2 Review

Few things are better than having Dark Matter back on the air. There are other adept SF shows out there, sure, but few hold as much heart and as many endearing bad guys as Mallozzi’s underrated gem.

DenOfGeek’s Michael Air: Season 3 Two-Hour Premiere Review

The return of Dark Matter for season 3 could have easily been the 14th episode of season 2, so seamless was the transition. However, although the action surrounding the sabotage at the multi-corporate summit will certainly have its consequences in the long term, the series seems to have pivoted into new territory, especially when the two episodes of this double premiere are taken together. Whatever shape the coming season takes, though, Dark Matter is right in its stride from the very start.

CinemaBlend’s Adrienne Jones: How Dark Matter Answered That Intense Season 2 Cliffhanger

The show keeps us on our toes by moving the main players around and making us wonder if they can really be better people, and it looks like a large part of this new season will come down to that exact question.

PureFandom’s Cort Robinson: Raza’s Crew Has Returned and They’re As Badass As Ever

Syfy’s hit series, Dark Matter returned tonight for a two-hour premiere of the all new season. Things looked pretty murky for every member of the crew when season two ended last year. Four took a walk on the dark side and went full on Darth Vader as he became Emperor Ryo and embraced the memories that turned him into exactly what Five feared all along. Thanks to Ryo’s actions, his former crewmates lives hung in the balance at the end of season two.

TellTaleTV’s Hillary Esquina: Dark Matter Review

These first two episodes had a well-balanced arc of action, drama, and even some comedy, which is what we have to come expect of the cast and crew. Looks like this season is going to be one hell of a ride for our favorite crew, so buckle up!

TVFanatic’s Kathleen Wiedel: Dark Matter Episode 1 and 2 Review

These two episodes, aired back to back, proved a welcome addition to what has become a summer delight for me. (Seriously, I love watching them do their thing.)

MustGeekTV’s Hank Otera: The Raza Crew’s Smash and Grab

As I mentioned earlier the pacing was spot on, with tons of action and the characters are finally more likable than ever. Though I’ve had my gripes with the series, I think the writers have settled into a groove that works.

BladeOfTheSashurai: We’re Back, In Outer Space!

Four is a little tricky because he’s showing patience and trust while trying not to lose sight of his position and what it means to be Emperor. We know he’s not a “villain” but right now it’s important we see him continue to be benevolent to an extent so we don’t immediately side with the Raza crew when they inevitably clash.

BladeOfTheSashurai: That’s One Way To Take Out A Clone

Tonight’s episode stuck to the basics of Dark Matter’s mercenary-style storytelling and super-charged it with a collapsing singularity, very synonymous with the big crunch theory. The more the crew have to deal with the random chaos of the universe and its volatile laws of physics the better these stories will get.

TheYoungFolks’ Leaf Miranda: Dark Matter 3×01 and 3×02 Review

Ryo is coldblooded and he may not be redeemable, which doesn’t help him since Two is out for blood.

CarterMatt: Season 3 Premiere Review

The reality is that Dark Matter is not a show for the faint of heart. It’s probably the most hardcore science fiction on the air in that it requires a great deal of concentration and attention to detail. For those who do muster that, the merits are very rewarding.

CarterMatt: Season 3 Episode 2 Review

Having two very different episodes start off the season was probably a smart move, just because it enabled the show to flex the different things in which it is good at.

Today’s blog entry is dedicated to my one and only true Batman, Adam West.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

June 9, 2017: Dark Matter season 3 double-episode premiere, tonight at 8:00 p.m. on Syfy and Space Channel!

As a rule, I try to steer clear of spoilers on this blog but, today, I’m afraid I’m going to have to make an exception…

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There you go.

In case you missed them, check out the trailers for the show’s third season:

And…

And a few links for you to check out…

Anthony Lemke Talks Season 3 and the New Big Bad

I think because it’s fun viewing. It’s a good hour of television. Good storytelling that also examines some deeper questions about the human condition like the notion of what is it to have a soul? What is it to be human? The notion of identity. And in my mind that’s sort of the best sci-fi. It combines those questions about humanity with a fun romp through a world we can only imagine, because we’re not there yet. And that’s why you watch this show.

The Verve’s Andrew Liptak Syfy’s Pulpy Space Opera Dark Matter and Why You Should Watch

Aside from the fact that Syfy was overdue for more spaceship stories, what I find most appealing is how it resembles pulpy, entertaining shows like Farscape, Firefly, and Stargate. It has a cast of wildly different characters, each with their own motivations and agendas, and the show manages to cram an impressive amount of story and world-building into just a couple of seasons.

Seat42F’s Tiffany Vogt Unravels the Raza Crew’s Adventures From A to Z

A is for Android.  The Raza crew awoke on an empty ship only to discover that they were not completely alone. There was an android synced to the ship that was programmed to protect the ship.  But when the android attacked them, the Android was subsequently memory-wiped as well so it would function with the ship and aid the Raza crew.  Known simply as Android, the Android has surprisingly bonded with the Raza crew and is loyal to them — so long as they do not pose a threat to the ship or each other.  (A is also for Lt. Anders, who is the former partner of Six in the Galactica Authority.)

I talk with Blastr’s Kathie Huddleston about Getting the Band Back Together.

Yeah, that’s the plan for Episode 1, is getting the band back together, see who survived and ultimately getting them reunited for a renewed purpose. And that’s to take down the individual who did this to them. Who happens to be a former ally. And that essentially sets the stage for Season 3 amid the backdrop of a corporate war.

The L.A. Times’ T.V. Highlights

IndieWire’s T.V. Highlights

TVAholic’s Prime Picks

Lansing State Journal’s Must Try

 

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

June 8, 2017: Thank You’s and Teasers!

Well, that’s it.  We’ve done our part.  We made the show.  We got the word out. Now, it’s in your hands.  Tune in tomorrow (and in the coming days and weeks) for our double episode premiere.  Tell your friends and family.  Tell your acquaintances. Tell complete strangers!  Let’s make this coming season of Dark Matter the biggest yet.

Thank you to our awesome cast and crew, and everyone involved in this well-oiled machine, from directors to post-production personnel.

Thank you to Prodigy Pictures President Jay Firestone for always striving to make the best show possible.

Thank you to Chris Regina and the gang at Syfy for the support and the two amazing trailers.

Thank you to Steve Patschek, Bipasha Ghosh, Kristin Mente and the rest of the gang at Syfy International for their support – and the brand new after show, After Dark, which will air following our double episode premiere in international markets and be available on the Syfy.com and Space.ca websites.

Thank you to individuals like ThreeIfBySpace’s Tom Gardiner and Katie Kelsey, TheTVJunkies’ Kelly Townsend, SpoilerTV’s Aimee Hicks, SciFiTalk’s Tony Tellado, SciFiAndTVTalk’s Steve Eramo, OhSoGray’s Courtney Vaudreuil, Hollywood Soapbox’s John Soltes, SciFiWire’s Kathie Huddleston, The Verge’s Andrew Liptak, Space.com’s Sarah Lewin, TVShowPatrol’s Curt Wagner, FilmSchoolRejects’ Allison Bigelow, Eclipse Magazine’s Sheldon Wiebe, The NerdRecite’s Christopher Hart, HappyEverAfter’s Veronica Scott, TVEquals’ Rueben, MonstersAndCritics’ April Neale, TheWorkPrint’s Jen Stayrook, Mike’sFilmTalk’s Michael Knox-Smith, DenOfGeek’s Michael Ahr, PureFandom’s Cort Robinson, TVFanatic’s Kathleen Wiedel, GeekedOutNation’s Jideobi Odunze, SciFiMoviePage’s Craig Suide, SciFiPulse’s Ian Cullen, WormholeRiders’ Patricia Bertrand, MyMBuzz’s Jessica Anson, KneelBeforeBlog’s Aaron Willingham, WordOfTheNerd’s Siobhan Dempsey, TheDigitalFix’s Baz Greenland, TheYoungFolks’ Leaf Miranda, BlackGirlNerds’ C.R. Sparrow, TheNerdElement’s Natty Willy, GeeksWorldWide’s Agasicles Stamas, AfterBuzz’s Yael Tygiel and Tauri Jay Miller and Andrew Mena,  TVGeekTalk’s Mary Powers, and CraveOnline, TVGoodness, Mikhail’sFilmAndTVBlog, SciFiVision, TVWatchTower’s Tiffany Vogt, The7thMatrix, Henry Otero, TVGeekTalk’s Mary Powers, Josh and Anna from GeekOnReview, CurtTalk’sTV’s Curt Bennett, TVEh?’s Greg David, Nerdophile’s Vanessa Frith, TVSeriesHub, TVInsider, TVOvertime, TalkNerdWithUs, BladeOfTheSamurai’s Sashurai, GeekSoulBrother and TheFiveNerdyVenoms…and everyone else who has taken the time to support our little show!

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Who say’s Alex Mallari Jr’s character never smiles.  Just look at him, barely able to hide his delight.  What’s got him so happy?

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Look deep into The Android’s eye.  What do you see?  The answer may surprise you.

Dark Matter’s Anthony Lemke talks the season 3 premiere and the new Big Bad

If someone has never seen Dark Matter, why should they catch up now and then watch this season?

I think because it’s fun viewing. It’s a good hour of television. Good storytelling that also examines some deeper questions about the human condition like the notion of what is it to have a soul? What is it to be human? The notion of identity. And in my mind that’s sort of the best sci-fi. It combines those questions about humanity with a fun romp through a world we can only imagine, because we’re not there yet. And that’s why you watch this show.

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TWO and THREE reveal Dark Matter’s darkest secrets (Sort of)

 

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

June 7, 2017: 2 Days to the Dark Matter Double Episode Premiere!

Dark Matter stunt coordinator John Stead oversees the second unit boarding sequence.

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The Raza drops out of FTL, ready for action.

A few new shipping options for season 3…

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THREElara?

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THRAdrian?

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THRAnders?

My, aren’t we popular?

Check out Kelly Townsend’s Dark Matter Season 3 Preview: The Past Comes Back to Haunt Them at The TV Junkies.

Mallozzi confirmed that fans will finally get the Android’s full origin story at some point late in the season, which was hinted at near the end of Season 2 when Ryo told the Android that the information about her past is not lost, but simply inaccessible, due to the reboot in the pilot episode. “In this episode, she is able to recall certain flashes, glimpsing life prior to the group going into stasis,” reveals Mallozzi. “It sheds light on her relationship with Portia, with Portia’s relationship with Das, and [the Android’s] relationship with Ryo.”

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Dark Matter season 3 behind the scenes – Family.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

June 6, 2017: Dark Matter season 3 BTS pics!

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A reminder that Dark Matter returns with a double episode premiere this Friday night at 8:00 p.m. on Syfy and Space Channel.

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And for our overseas fans, Syfy International has you covered.

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And then stick around for the Dark Matter after show, After Dark, hosted by the lovely and talented Zoie Palmer.  It will air immediately following the premiere on Syfy International stations, and be available online on Syfy.com and Space.ca

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Behind the scenes on Dark Matter’s third season.  Rehearsals are fun!

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Shooting a scene from the season premiere – the Android on the bridge.

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The view out The Marauder window.

Dark Matter links:

Dark Matter season 3 has an official Aussie premiere date (hint: Make sure you’re home on Saturday, June 10th at 6:30 pm.).

Melissa O’Neil and Anthony Lemke talk season 3 with TV-eh’s Greg David.

Variety’s Maureen Ryan sets up our double episode premiere with that sneak peek scene.

Aimee Hicks previews our double episode premiere for SpoilerTV.

Tell-Tale TV’s list of 21 TV Shows You Should Watch This Summer.

Yael Tygiel covers Three of the Most Underrated Syfy Shows & Why YOU Should Watch Them Too!

My podcast interview with GeekTown Radio.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Dark Matter season 3

June 5, 2017: Anxious times! 4 days to the Dark Matter season 3 premiere!

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The countdown is on and I being to grow apprehensive.  For a number of reasons.

For starters, Dark Matter’s third season returns to Syfy and SpaceChannel this Friday night at 8:00 p.m. with a double-episode premiere that picks up right where we left off last season, with our crew in mortal danger, scrambling to escape EOS-7, while the Android looks on helplessly from the bridge as the space station is destroyed.  Who escapes and how will be the focus of much of the first episode that will end on the survivors reuniting with renewed purpose…and a trademark Dark Matter WTF??? scene that will send one character’s story into a whole new trajectory.

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On the night’s second episode, our determined anti-villains set out to make good on a personal vendetta – only to encounter an unexpected and unfathomable complication.

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I’ll admit that, whenever a new episode airs, I look forward to the night with a mix of excitement and trepidation.  How will fandom react?  Will they enjoy the episode?  How will they respond to the various developments?  The action and adventure?  The shocks and surprises?  The humor?

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I’m cautiously optimistic though.  I have, of course, seen the finished product and feel very good about our double-episode premiere – and particularly good about the show’s third season which raises the stakes coming off a stake-raising second season.

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Then, it’s a long wait for the ratings.  Over the show’s two season run, our ratings have been solid, and I continue to hold that those numbers aren’t reflective of our much bigger audience that, young and tech savvy, may be watching the show through alternate means.  Still, until the ratings system catches up with the technology, those long analyzed numbers – overnights, +3’s, +7’s – will form the basis for the decision on a fourth season pick-up.

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Again, based on the show’s past performance – and my knowledge of what’s in store for the show’s third season – I am cautiously optimistic.  Which is why, a week from today, we’ll be convening the room to start breaking stories for Dark Matter’s fourth season.

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Which brings me to my third source of anxiety: that writers’ room – three weeks in which we’ll be expecting to come up with outlines for thirteen new episodes.  Or close to.

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Sure, I already know how season 4 will begin, how it will end, and every narrative touchstone in between.  I know the personal journeys each of our characters will take, the various twists and turns and revelations along the way.  I know a number of the stories I want to tell.  All that remains to be done is fill in the blanks, come up with the myriad complex little steps that will get us there.  In other words, all the heavy lifting.

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Making a show offers challenges at every stage: scriptwriting, prep, production, and post.  But it’s this initial stage, the generating of new ideas and the breaking of stories, that is the most daunting and frustrating – especially just a little over a month removed from wrapping production on the previous season.

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Of course, I felt the same way last year around this time only to end up producing our best season yet – so maybe I needn’t worry.

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Nah.  I’ll just go ahead and worry.

P.S. Episodic stills from our big double episode premiere!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

June 4, 2017: The extended Dark Matter season 3 Syfy Latin America trailer!

Check it out –

Some never-before-seen clips here…

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As someone (possibly Ryo Ishida) marches down a corridor, TWO informs us (translated from Spanish), that Ferrous Corp wasn’t responsible…it was Ryo Ishida!

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We see the EOs-7 space station blow up, sending debris flying by camera – including a familiar-looking shuttle.

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Yes.  There’s no doubt.  That’s The Marauder floating amidst the station’s debris field.

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Emperor Ryo Ishida wields a blade in ominous fashion. Who’s on the receiving end of his apparent wrath?

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FIVE is wearing the neural devices she used to access the memories squirreled away in her subconscious back in Episode 6.  Perhaps another trip down memory lane?

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A mystery man welcomes Ryo back home.  Could this be Teku Fonsei (played by Adam Moodie), Ryo’s former tutor?

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Teku (?) informs Ryo that he has underestimated his former friends – and Ryo doesn’t seem too happy about it.

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And explosion inside a planetary facility.

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Ryo Ishida addresses a motley crew.  He orders them to take back what’s his, and take out the crew of the The Raza.

And the trailer ends on The Raza executing a nifty maneuver before jumping to FTL.

More thoughts?  Theories?

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

June 3, 2017: Dark Matter news and a short trailer from Syfy Latin America!

Over at The Nerd Recites, Christopher Hart breaks it down: What To Expect From Dark Matter Season 3

“Not only does Two state outright in the trailer that they should aim to kill four, but we see her fighting with Four briefly. Given Four’s new villainous status, this was predicable, but the voracity with which Two seems to be gunning for Four is surprising and exciting.”

And at SciFiAndTVTalk, my old friend Steve Eramo sets the stage for our double-episode premiere:

Next Week on Dark Matter – Double Episode Season Premiere

Check out this short trailer from Syfy Latin America –

A number of shots that don’t appear in the U.S. trailer…

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Ryo Ishida looking large and in charge.

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A mystery drone hovering over a, uh, mystery man.

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TWO, THREE, and SIX seemingly gunning for someone.

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What has brought TWO to tears?

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THREE in the arms off… Is that Lieutenant Anders?

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Misaki Han looking both relaxed AND very edgy.

6 days and counting!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

June 2, 2017: Dark Matter season 3 sneak peek pictures and clip!

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THREE is clearly ready for action.  How about you?  Well, you’re in luck because in a week from now, Dark Matter returns with an action-packed double episode premiere: Friday, June 9th at 8:00 p.m. on Syfy and Space Channel.

As for the rest of the world…

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Be sure to tell your friends.

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Above – an episodic still from that double episode premiere.  The Android’s version of pop-pop-pop goes the weasel.

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Hmmm.  Sometime ally Commander Truffault has apparently dropped in for a visit, but something is obviously up.  What’s got her so concerned?[image error]

Hmmmm.  That’s one possibility.

Hey, check out an exclusive clip from our double episode premiere…

And check out this exclusive clip to my cantankerous Suji, spoiling for a fight:

June 1, 2017: Presenting the 2016 Rogue Star Award Winners!

2016 was a solid reading year for yours truly (100+ titles read), and 2017 is shaping up to be even better (at close to 100 titles already and counting).

I consider myself well-read.  I know what I like.  And I love to offer an opinion.  So, last year, I thought why not create and bestow my own literary awards, especially if it helps shine a light on some authors or titles that may not get the love and attention they richly deserved?

Today, I present to you my Rogue Star Awards picks in x categories.  They’re all fantastic reads, nominees and winners alike, so check them out – and prepare to be amazed, informed, and entertained.

***

BEST COMIC BOOK SERIES

NOMINEES

Black Hammer – Jeff Lemire and Dean Ormston, Dark Horse

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina – Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Robert Hack, Archie

The Omega Men – Tom King and Barnaby Bagenda, DC

Saga – Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, Image

Vision – Tom King and Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Marvel

WINNER

Vision – Tom King and Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Marvel

***

BEST SHORT STORY

NOMINEES

“Against the Stream” – A Que, Clarkesworld

“Not a Wardrobe, Tornado, or Looking Glass” – Jeremiah Tolbert, Lightspeed

“Rooms Formed Of Neurons And Sex” – Ferrett Steinmetz, Uncanny Magazine

“The Savannah Liar’s Tour” – Will McIntosh, Lightspeed

“We Have A Cultural Difference, Can I Taste You?” – Rebecca Ann Jordan, Strange Horizons

WINNER

“Against the Stream” – A Que, Clarkesworld

***

BEST NOVELETTE

NOMINEES

A Deeper Green – Samantha Murray, Beneath Ceaseless Skies

Blood Grains Speak Through Memories – Jason Sanford, Beneath Ceaseless Skies

Extraction Request – Rich Larson, Clarkesworld

In the Midst of Life – Nick Wolven, Clarkesworld

Teenagers From Outerspace – Dale Bailey, Clarkesworld

WINNER

Blood Grains Speak Through Memories – Jason Sanford, Beneath Ceaseless Skies

***

BEST NOVEL

NOMINEES

Core of the Sun – Johanna Sinisalo (translated by Lola Rogers), Grove Press

Hex – Thomas Olde Heuvelt (translated by Nancy Forest-Flier), Tor

Mongrels – Stephen Graham Jones, William Morrow

The Regional Office Is Under Attack – Manuel Gonzales, Riverhead Books

The Sudden Appearance of Hope – Claire North, Redhook

WINNER

Core of the Sun – Johanna Sinisalo (translated by Lola Rogers), Grove Press

***

BEST  NON-FICTION BOOK

NOMINEES

Dark Knight: A True Batman Story – Paul Dini and Edward Risso, Vertigo

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis – J.D. Vance, Harper

Real Food/Fake Food: Why You Don’t Know What You’re Eating And What You Can Do About It – Larry Olmsted, Algonquin Books

Seinfeldia: How a Show About Nothing Changed Everything – Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, Simon & Schuster

When Breath Becomes Air – Paul Kalanithi and Abraham Verghese, Random House

WINNER

Seinfeldia: How a Show About Nothing Changed Everything – Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, Simon & Schuster

***

BEST NOVEL (NON-GENRE)

NOMINEES

News of the World – Paulette Giles, William Morrow

Sweetbitter – Stephanie Danler, Knopf

The Girls – Emma Cline, Random House

The Invisibility Cloak – Ge Fei (translated by Canaan Morse), New York Review of Books

Under the Harrow – Flynn Berry, Penguin Books

WINNER

The Girls – Emma Cline, Random House

Tagged: Best Books of 2016, Best comic of 2016, best comics of 2016, best genre novel of 2016, best genre novels of 2016, best non-fiction book of 2016, best novel of 2016, best novelette of 2016, best novelettes of 2016, best novels of 2016, Best Short Stories of 2016, best short story of 2016, Rogue Star Awards