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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…
The Word-Hoard: Schloss
Schloss n. A castle or palace. There are a number of words for castles and other great houses or fortified compounds – keep, citadel, fortress, stronghold, manor, estate,…
Trees get all the glory (lamentations for cacti)
This is probably going to sound kind of unhinged, but has anyone else noticed that trees get all the vegetational glory in SFF tales? Mirkwood and Lothlorien and…
SFF Weapons: Some Interesting Implements
Scifi and Fantasy are absolutely littered with famous weapons – from Excalibur to the lightsaber to Indiana Jones’ signature bullwhip. The further back you go, the more and…