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The Cool Cutter Caliburn
As I progress through James Branch Cabell’s Jurgen, A Comedy of Justice, I’m encountering many interesting references to legend, myth, and antiquity. Many seem to be fancified, embellished, or…
The Word-Hoard: Pillion
Pillion n. 1. (a) A light saddle women consisting chiefly of a cushion. (b) A pad or cushion put behind a man’s saddle chiefly for…
Infernal Elves
There was a bit of a discussion yesterday on Twitter, about elves. Specifically, Alex of Cirsova was musing about the D&D alignment systems and how traditionally, under a…
The Word-Hoard: Recrudescence
Recrudescence n. Breaking out afresh or into renewed activity; revival or appearance in active existence. Wowee – million-dollar word here! Despite “breaking out afresh” conjuring images for me…
Queue up the Cartoons
We all grow up wondering why TV and film aren’t as good these days as when we were young. Yes, nostalgia is rose-tinted. I fondly remember a lot…
The Word-Hoard: Lassitude
Lassitude n. 1. A condition of weariness or debility; fatigue. 2. A condition characterized by lack of interest, energy, or spirit; languor. “Lassitude” is a great word…
Weinbaum’s Old Mars
This morning I started reading Stanley Weinbaum’s “A Martian Odyssey,” and had intended to write a full reaction to it, but, well, I ran out of time and…
Ogre Battle
My recent post on hawkmen got me thinking a little about Ogre Battle. And then yesterday Thomas of Weird Catholic decided to revisit his series on tarot cards.…
The Original Greek Superhero: Prometheus
It’s been observed that Edgar Rice Burroughs’ John Carter was an early inspiration for the modern superhero. I believe he was actually a direct inspiration for the genesis…
The Hawkmen cometh
Hawkman, the comic book superhero, was apparently created in 1940 by Gardner Fox of Appendix N fame. This post wasn’t originally intended to include him beyond a cursory…