Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 79
August 27, 2022
"The Spider #83 - Pirates From Hell"
Just finished listening to "The Spider #83 - Pirates From Hell" by Grant Stockbridge, aka Norvell W. Page, released by Radio Archives.
Now I am a firm believer in being open with associations and providing full disclosure: Though we have never met in person, I am friends Nick Santa Maria here on Facebook, who has performed all The Spider novels for Radio Archives, and I have written some of the liner notes for some of Radio Archives other releases.
Richard Wentworth, alias The Spider, is one of the greatest anti-heroes from the Golden Age of the Pulps. To fight crime, Wentworth had adopted the alter-ego of The Spider and proclaimed himself the protector of humanity. The Spider differed from other Pulp heroes of the era because he killed criminals. It can be argued that Wentworth was a prototype of the modern day serial killer Dexter. Like a serial killer, Wentworth does mark his victims with the Seal of The Spider, to mark those who has killed for the good of humanity. The Spider rarely gave second chances unless it suited one of his overall plans.
In "Pirates From Hell," Wentworth dons his guise as The Spider to put an end to the reign of terror being unleashed by LaFitte, a modern day pirate who has made it his mission to kill The Spider.
Nick Santa Maria gives his usual virtuoso performance as Richard Wentworth/The Spider and brings the supporting characters to vivid, crisp life, each with their distinctive voice.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.radioarchives.com/The_Spi...
Now I am a firm believer in being open with associations and providing full disclosure: Though we have never met in person, I am friends Nick Santa Maria here on Facebook, who has performed all The Spider novels for Radio Archives, and I have written some of the liner notes for some of Radio Archives other releases.
Richard Wentworth, alias The Spider, is one of the greatest anti-heroes from the Golden Age of the Pulps. To fight crime, Wentworth had adopted the alter-ego of The Spider and proclaimed himself the protector of humanity. The Spider differed from other Pulp heroes of the era because he killed criminals. It can be argued that Wentworth was a prototype of the modern day serial killer Dexter. Like a serial killer, Wentworth does mark his victims with the Seal of The Spider, to mark those who has killed for the good of humanity. The Spider rarely gave second chances unless it suited one of his overall plans.
In "Pirates From Hell," Wentworth dons his guise as The Spider to put an end to the reign of terror being unleashed by LaFitte, a modern day pirate who has made it his mission to kill The Spider.
Nick Santa Maria gives his usual virtuoso performance as Richard Wentworth/The Spider and brings the supporting characters to vivid, crisp life, each with their distinctive voice.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.radioarchives.com/The_Spi...
"Doctor Who #248 - Black Thursday/Power Game"
Just finished listening to "Doctor Who #248 - Black Thursday/Power Game" released by Big Finish Productions.
In "Black Thursday," Kamelion is still trying to find his place among the TARDIS crew of the Fifth Doctor, Tegan, and Turlough when the TARDIS lands inside a coal mine underneath the Welsh Village of Abertysswg, when a mine explosion sets into play a story of revenge unwittingly overseen by the shapeshifting Kamelion who still has not obtained control over his abilities to assume emotions.
In "Power Game" Tegan finds herself as a contestant in a pirated game show where if she loses her life ends.
Classic outing of the Fifth Doctor and crew.
Highly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Main-Range-248...
In "Black Thursday," Kamelion is still trying to find his place among the TARDIS crew of the Fifth Doctor, Tegan, and Turlough when the TARDIS lands inside a coal mine underneath the Welsh Village of Abertysswg, when a mine explosion sets into play a story of revenge unwittingly overseen by the shapeshifting Kamelion who still has not obtained control over his abilities to assume emotions.
In "Power Game" Tegan finds herself as a contestant in a pirated game show where if she loses her life ends.
Classic outing of the Fifth Doctor and crew.
Highly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Main-Range-248...
"Redline The Stars" by Andre Norton and P.M. Griffin
Just finished re-reading "Redline The Stars" by Andre Norton and P.M. Griffin, released by TOR Books back in 1993.
I first discovered "Redline The Stars" on the shelves in the new arrivals section at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore near where I live here in Florida back in 1993 and promptly bought it since it was a new book by Andre Norton that she had written with P.M. Griffin, the author of the popular multi-volume Military Space Opera series Star Commandos. Yes, I still have the original hardback 1st edition of "Red The Stars" carefully preserved and displayed among my various copies of the Andre Norton's books in my home office and in my library.
Decades after she wrote "Postmarked The Stars" - the last book she wrote in her widely popular Solar Queen Series, Andre co-wrote another Solar Queen Book to help launch and provide the initial financial backing for her long dreamed of writer's retreat High Hallack in the mountains of Tennessee.
"Redline The Stars" does fall under my "Great Re-Reading of Favorite Books of my Youth Project," and perhaps it's the most controversial of the books that Andre wrote with her co-writers.
P.M. Griffin would co-write additional works with Andre Norton; "Firehand" which re-launched the Time Trader's series and a Witch World novel. Yet P.M. Griffin's work on relaunching the Solar Queen and Time Trader series actually set them back about four years since it wouldn't be until 1997 when new books in both series written with new co-writer Sherwood Smith would be released and more widely praised.
While cargo apprentice Dane Thorson was the original hero of the original Solar Queen series, "Redline the Stars" saw the introduction of Rael Cofort who many found, and still do find, to be a "Mary Sue" - a female character who is always right, can do no wrong, and who has no weaknesses, and let's throw in her low-level "superpower" - Rael is a functioning empath who can control her ability to an astonishing degree. Rael does admit that she has limits to her abilities. Dane is thrust aside and Rael becomes the center of story - hence the major reason behind the controversy.
Yes, there is nothing wrong with updating a story - but you do have stay true to the cannon of the universe you created. Rael Cofort is not a strong, independent character that Ande Norton was known for creating and writing about. Andre let them have weakness and self-doubt, Rael Cofort doesn't have that in this relaunch which is more of a let's get to know Rael before the big planetary spaceport disaster near the end cements her place on the Solar Queen not only as crew but as the wife to Captain Jellico.
There is undoubtedly an intriguing history as to why P.M. Griffin did not continue on writing the additional books in the Solar Queen and Time Travel series. P.M. Griffin makes a veiled reference in latter editions of her Star Commandos series when she used a glowing review to promote the books that she is using Andre's quote with the Gracious Lady's permission and that's that.
"Redline The Stars" isn't a bad novel, but it's not an epic Solar Queen adventure.
Recommended for Solar Queen and Andre Norton fans.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Redline-Stars-...
I first discovered "Redline The Stars" on the shelves in the new arrivals section at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore near where I live here in Florida back in 1993 and promptly bought it since it was a new book by Andre Norton that she had written with P.M. Griffin, the author of the popular multi-volume Military Space Opera series Star Commandos. Yes, I still have the original hardback 1st edition of "Red The Stars" carefully preserved and displayed among my various copies of the Andre Norton's books in my home office and in my library.
Decades after she wrote "Postmarked The Stars" - the last book she wrote in her widely popular Solar Queen Series, Andre co-wrote another Solar Queen Book to help launch and provide the initial financial backing for her long dreamed of writer's retreat High Hallack in the mountains of Tennessee.
"Redline The Stars" does fall under my "Great Re-Reading of Favorite Books of my Youth Project," and perhaps it's the most controversial of the books that Andre wrote with her co-writers.
P.M. Griffin would co-write additional works with Andre Norton; "Firehand" which re-launched the Time Trader's series and a Witch World novel. Yet P.M. Griffin's work on relaunching the Solar Queen and Time Trader series actually set them back about four years since it wouldn't be until 1997 when new books in both series written with new co-writer Sherwood Smith would be released and more widely praised.
While cargo apprentice Dane Thorson was the original hero of the original Solar Queen series, "Redline the Stars" saw the introduction of Rael Cofort who many found, and still do find, to be a "Mary Sue" - a female character who is always right, can do no wrong, and who has no weaknesses, and let's throw in her low-level "superpower" - Rael is a functioning empath who can control her ability to an astonishing degree. Rael does admit that she has limits to her abilities. Dane is thrust aside and Rael becomes the center of story - hence the major reason behind the controversy.
Yes, there is nothing wrong with updating a story - but you do have stay true to the cannon of the universe you created. Rael Cofort is not a strong, independent character that Ande Norton was known for creating and writing about. Andre let them have weakness and self-doubt, Rael Cofort doesn't have that in this relaunch which is more of a let's get to know Rael before the big planetary spaceport disaster near the end cements her place on the Solar Queen not only as crew but as the wife to Captain Jellico.
There is undoubtedly an intriguing history as to why P.M. Griffin did not continue on writing the additional books in the Solar Queen and Time Travel series. P.M. Griffin makes a veiled reference in latter editions of her Star Commandos series when she used a glowing review to promote the books that she is using Andre's quote with the Gracious Lady's permission and that's that.
"Redline The Stars" isn't a bad novel, but it's not an epic Solar Queen adventure.
Recommended for Solar Queen and Andre Norton fans.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Redline-Stars-...
Full Spectrum: How The Science of Color Made Us Modern
Just finished reading "Full Spectrum: How The Science of Color Made Us Modern" by Adam Rogers, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books.
As frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other Social Media outlets know, I automatically deduct two points on a review when a book, movie, audio play, or other form of entertainment goes Woke. Which is a pity, because Rogers wrote an excellent book about how advances in the manufacturing of natural and artificial colors impacted the development and grown of modern culture and society - even leading to some rather interesting industrial espionage cases.
Instead for some reason Rogers decides to devote a few sentences to how Sir Isaac Newton is a typical evil White man who used a prism to break down the true nature of light and received credit for it when the real credit should have gone to the Arab philosophers who came up with the theory of light being actually composed of different colors a few centuries before, but didn't provide the actual proof like Newton did. Then he goes on to cover Newton's work on color and perception. I guess Rogers was under some sort of obligation to have some Woke nonsense in his book. - which is odd because Roger's is a White man chronicling the history of a White man he obviously dislikes for being a White man who is remembered in history for a discovery he made. Wokism can cause a migraine if you think about it.
Rogers wrote an excellent history of color in modern times, but he ruined it through the lens of Wokeness.
Three Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Full-Spectrum-...
As frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other Social Media outlets know, I automatically deduct two points on a review when a book, movie, audio play, or other form of entertainment goes Woke. Which is a pity, because Rogers wrote an excellent book about how advances in the manufacturing of natural and artificial colors impacted the development and grown of modern culture and society - even leading to some rather interesting industrial espionage cases.
Instead for some reason Rogers decides to devote a few sentences to how Sir Isaac Newton is a typical evil White man who used a prism to break down the true nature of light and received credit for it when the real credit should have gone to the Arab philosophers who came up with the theory of light being actually composed of different colors a few centuries before, but didn't provide the actual proof like Newton did. Then he goes on to cover Newton's work on color and perception. I guess Rogers was under some sort of obligation to have some Woke nonsense in his book. - which is odd because Roger's is a White man chronicling the history of a White man he obviously dislikes for being a White man who is remembered in history for a discovery he made. Wokism can cause a migraine if you think about it.
Rogers wrote an excellent history of color in modern times, but he ruined it through the lens of Wokeness.
Three Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Full-Spectrum-...
August 23, 2022
Knight Owl
Just finished reading "Knight Own" by Christopher Denise, published by Little Brown.
Christopher Denise, who is perhaps best known for illustrating the late Brian Jacques's Redwall series,, spins and illustrates an enchanting yarn of a young owl who decides to follow his long held dreams of becoming a knight when he gets the opportunity to do so with the unexpected help of a very hungry dragon who has been causing vacancies in the knighthood guarding the castle. How the young owl triumphs over a very hungry dragon is rather cool, and the illustrations are spot on.
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Knight-Owl-Chr...
Christopher Denise, who is perhaps best known for illustrating the late Brian Jacques's Redwall series,, spins and illustrates an enchanting yarn of a young owl who decides to follow his long held dreams of becoming a knight when he gets the opportunity to do so with the unexpected help of a very hungry dragon who has been causing vacancies in the knighthood guarding the castle. How the young owl triumphs over a very hungry dragon is rather cool, and the illustrations are spot on.
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Knight-Owl-Chr...
The Night Walk
Just finished reading "The Night Walk" by Marie Dorleans, published by Floris Books.
Sometime the simplest stories are the best ones. Especially those that capture the essence of a moment and convey it with genuine emotion.
Dorlean's effectively takes us along a family's journey through the darkest hours of evening and the adventures they have as they walk towards the goal of a new day. Her illustrations effectively and lovingly evoke the sense of wonder that family witnesses.
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Night-Walk-Mar...
Sometime the simplest stories are the best ones. Especially those that capture the essence of a moment and convey it with genuine emotion.
Dorlean's effectively takes us along a family's journey through the darkest hours of evening and the adventures they have as they walk towards the goal of a new day. Her illustrations effectively and lovingly evoke the sense of wonder that family witnesses.
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Night-Walk-Mar...
August 22, 2022
The Bad Guys
Just finished watching "The Bad Guys" released by Dreamworks.
Now I haven't read any of the books in the series that "The Bad Guys" is based on. The set up premise is a relatively simple one - the world's most wanted criminals, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Shark, and Ms. Tarantula are caught when attempting a coup-de-grace of their combined careers - stealing the Golden Duck award for good deeds - and con their way into a second chance by proving that they can actually be good guys if given the opportunity. There is definitely an "Ocean's 11/Fast & Furious" vibe throughout the movie and Mr. Wolf does break the fourth wall on occasion.
"The Bad Guys" is a pleasant diversion that doesn't break any new ground and it does recycle standard troupes.
Recommended.
Three and a half stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Guys-Colle...
Now I haven't read any of the books in the series that "The Bad Guys" is based on. The set up premise is a relatively simple one - the world's most wanted criminals, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Shark, and Ms. Tarantula are caught when attempting a coup-de-grace of their combined careers - stealing the Golden Duck award for good deeds - and con their way into a second chance by proving that they can actually be good guys if given the opportunity. There is definitely an "Ocean's 11/Fast & Furious" vibe throughout the movie and Mr. Wolf does break the fourth wall on occasion.
"The Bad Guys" is a pleasant diversion that doesn't break any new ground and it does recycle standard troupes.
Recommended.
Three and a half stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Guys-Colle...
August 16, 2022
"The Scavenger Door - Book Three of The Finder Chronicles" by Suzanne Palmer
Just finished reading "The Scavenger Door - Book Three of The Finder Chronicles" by Suzanne Palmer, published by DAW Books back in August 2021.
I'm glad that I decided to take a chance on Suzanne Palmer when "Finder" was published several years ago. I greatly enjoyed Fergus Ferguson 's first adventure, and sadly Fergus's adventures come to an end in this final tome of his adventures.
"The Scavenger Door" opens with Fergus trying to adjust to his new found sister and trying to find a place for himself in her life, when he accidentally discovers a piece of an alien artifact that is actually a key to an inter-dimensional door that is keeping an alien horde at bay that is seeking to destroy all life on Earth. Fergus quickly finds himself on a scavenger hunt throughout the Solar System to gather up the remaining pieces and shut the doorway completely before all hope is lost.
Classic science fiction adventure which was brought to a successful conclusion.
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Scavenger-Door...
I'm glad that I decided to take a chance on Suzanne Palmer when "Finder" was published several years ago. I greatly enjoyed Fergus Ferguson 's first adventure, and sadly Fergus's adventures come to an end in this final tome of his adventures.
"The Scavenger Door" opens with Fergus trying to adjust to his new found sister and trying to find a place for himself in her life, when he accidentally discovers a piece of an alien artifact that is actually a key to an inter-dimensional door that is keeping an alien horde at bay that is seeking to destroy all life on Earth. Fergus quickly finds himself on a scavenger hunt throughout the Solar System to gather up the remaining pieces and shut the doorway completely before all hope is lost.
Classic science fiction adventure which was brought to a successful conclusion.
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Scavenger-Door...
August 14, 2022
Space:1999 - Earthbound - Volume Two
Just finished listening to "Space:1999 - Earthbound - Volume Two, released by Big Finish Productions.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this re-imagining of the classic live action Space:1999 series by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson is that it is set in an alternative universe from the original series in order to update the premise of the moon and the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha being ejected into interstellar space.
For those who may not remember, when Space:1999 first aired in syndication back in 1975-1977, it was the only new science fiction show on the airwaves and faced a bunch of criticism due to it's premise of a huge nuclear explosion blowing the moon out of Earth's orbit and the Solar System.
The horror element and general paranoia of Commander John Koenig throughout the series' original run - especially throughout the show's first season - hooked viewers and kept a loyal fan base over the years.
"Mooncather," the first episode in volume two, effectively captures the horror element of the original show and keeping the notion that the Alphans are being tested to see if they are worth of an unspoken destiny.
And here lies part of the problem with Big Finish Production's re-imagining of Space:1999 - it's relying on classic episodes of the television series in part to update and in part to advance the series in new directions.
"Earthbound" and "Journey's End" are prime examples. Even in this re-imagined series, Moonbase Alpha is a military outpost with a civilian crew. Commander Koenig is not a civilian administrator. Yet under pressure from Space Commissioner Simmons, he allows a vote which puts the entire population of Moonbase Alpha in jeopardy, just to prove a point, and in the original television episode "Journey's End," Simmons got a well deserved comeuppance - mild spoiler alert, it's someone else who may have died.
Next up on Moonbase Alpha's journey is another classic and beloved episode featuring the mystery of Arcadia. And there is the ongoing mystery of the META signal. Remember, it was Maya who created the technology that enabled Sandra to send the message about Moonbase Alpha's ultimate fate - and that is established cannon. I'm also curious now, if Space Commissioner Simmons has survived, at least for the time being - will Mentor, Maya's father, join his daughter and escape their dying home world of Pyschon? In the original series Koenig did try to save him. And it's stated to in the series/season two episode "The Metamorph," that Mentor taught Maya how to use the innate Psychon ability to metamorphise into other life forms.
Questions upon questions. Riddles upon riddles. But the producers over at Big Finish Productions will need to keep in mind that newly re-imagined shows based on beloved shows that stray too far from established cannon and attempt to mix political commentary will fail miserably. As frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook and elsewhere know, I automatically deduct two points when this occurs.
Recommended.
Three Stars.
https://www.whona.com/Space-1999-02-E...
One of the most intriguing aspects of this re-imagining of the classic live action Space:1999 series by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson is that it is set in an alternative universe from the original series in order to update the premise of the moon and the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha being ejected into interstellar space.
For those who may not remember, when Space:1999 first aired in syndication back in 1975-1977, it was the only new science fiction show on the airwaves and faced a bunch of criticism due to it's premise of a huge nuclear explosion blowing the moon out of Earth's orbit and the Solar System.
The horror element and general paranoia of Commander John Koenig throughout the series' original run - especially throughout the show's first season - hooked viewers and kept a loyal fan base over the years.
"Mooncather," the first episode in volume two, effectively captures the horror element of the original show and keeping the notion that the Alphans are being tested to see if they are worth of an unspoken destiny.
And here lies part of the problem with Big Finish Production's re-imagining of Space:1999 - it's relying on classic episodes of the television series in part to update and in part to advance the series in new directions.
"Earthbound" and "Journey's End" are prime examples. Even in this re-imagined series, Moonbase Alpha is a military outpost with a civilian crew. Commander Koenig is not a civilian administrator. Yet under pressure from Space Commissioner Simmons, he allows a vote which puts the entire population of Moonbase Alpha in jeopardy, just to prove a point, and in the original television episode "Journey's End," Simmons got a well deserved comeuppance - mild spoiler alert, it's someone else who may have died.
Next up on Moonbase Alpha's journey is another classic and beloved episode featuring the mystery of Arcadia. And there is the ongoing mystery of the META signal. Remember, it was Maya who created the technology that enabled Sandra to send the message about Moonbase Alpha's ultimate fate - and that is established cannon. I'm also curious now, if Space Commissioner Simmons has survived, at least for the time being - will Mentor, Maya's father, join his daughter and escape their dying home world of Pyschon? In the original series Koenig did try to save him. And it's stated to in the series/season two episode "The Metamorph," that Mentor taught Maya how to use the innate Psychon ability to metamorphise into other life forms.
Questions upon questions. Riddles upon riddles. But the producers over at Big Finish Productions will need to keep in mind that newly re-imagined shows based on beloved shows that stray too far from established cannon and attempt to mix political commentary will fail miserably. As frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook and elsewhere know, I automatically deduct two points when this occurs.
Recommended.
Three Stars.
https://www.whona.com/Space-1999-02-E...
August 9, 2022
Green Lantern - Beware My Power
Just finished watching "Green Lantern - Beware My Power" released by Warner Brothers.
"Green Lantern - Beware My Power" is the origin story of how John Stewart, a military veteran and Medal of Honor winner, became Earth's newest Green Lantern.
When John Stewart is given a Green Lantern power ring by a dying Guardian of OA, he doesn't want it and soon finds himself in the Justice Watchtower, where he joined on a road trip to OA by Green Arrow only to find that OA has been destroyed and the Guardians and Green Lanterns Corps has been massacred . Joined by Hawkgirl and Adam Strange, the quartet must find out the truth about why a war has broken out between two planets.
Unfortunately, and SPOILER ALERT here, John Stewart's origin as a Green Lantern is combined with the Parallax saga where Green Lantern Hal Jordon goes insane in an attempt to restore impose an idealized timeline after the destruction of Coast City.
As a result of this retelling, "Green Lantern - Beware My Power" is not as strong as it should have been.
Cautiously Recommended.
Three Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Green-Lantern-...
"Green Lantern - Beware My Power" is the origin story of how John Stewart, a military veteran and Medal of Honor winner, became Earth's newest Green Lantern.
When John Stewart is given a Green Lantern power ring by a dying Guardian of OA, he doesn't want it and soon finds himself in the Justice Watchtower, where he joined on a road trip to OA by Green Arrow only to find that OA has been destroyed and the Guardians and Green Lanterns Corps has been massacred . Joined by Hawkgirl and Adam Strange, the quartet must find out the truth about why a war has broken out between two planets.
Unfortunately, and SPOILER ALERT here, John Stewart's origin as a Green Lantern is combined with the Parallax saga where Green Lantern Hal Jordon goes insane in an attempt to restore impose an idealized timeline after the destruction of Coast City.
As a result of this retelling, "Green Lantern - Beware My Power" is not as strong as it should have been.
Cautiously Recommended.
Three Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Green-Lantern-...
