Nexus 6 (12-7-12)

It's that time of the week: time to check out what genre-related stuff I've been reading on the internet. Last week the greatest amount of interest focussed on Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford's poor promotion skills. What will it be this time, I wonder? For your consideration:


1. Top 50 Robots and Artificial Intelligence Computers in the Movies

We’re back with the dependable Den of Geek. Here they detail their Top 50 robots and artificial intelligence computer systems. There are many on the list that I’d forgotten. Check it out here and see if you agree with the order.

2. Panic Stations!

There aren’t a whole lot of mainstream board games with a science fiction premise, so it’s really nice to see Panic Station – a board game heavily influenced by John Carpenter’s The Thing. A team of heavily armed troopers enter a desolate army base. The collective mission: destroy the alien parasite that lurks within the darkness. Your team has only half an hour to locate the parasite hive and destroy it. But one member of your team has transformed into a host and will attempt to infect your team… one by one.

Panic Station is a paranoia-driven semi-cooperative game in which you control two characters in the Extermination Corps sent out by the government to investigate the presence of fiendish alien life forms. However, one of the players will become a Host. He must keep this identity secret, infecting as many team members as possible to gain allies and prevent the humans from completing their mission. Only players who carefully watch the behavior of team members will stand a chance against the infected players and roaming parasites. Panic Station is a game of growing paranoia in which no one can truly trust anyone. Players move both their Androids and Troopers through the base, exploring and gathering equipment that will help them to complete their mission: to find and destroy the Parasite Hive hidden somewhere in the inner depths of this doomed location. A player who gets his Trooper into the Hive and plays three gas can cards to fuel his Flamethrower wins the game for the humans. GMS Magazine reviews the game and gameplay here.


3. Herald of Oblivion

Continuing the gaming theme, this week Black Library released their first Path to Victory series gamebook to feature Space Marines. Last year Christian Dunn kicked off the series to great aplomb with Hive of the Dead. Check it out here. The modern master of the gamebook format Jonathan Green picks up the series reins with Herald of Oblivion. Cue blurb:

You are a veteran Space Marine of the Imperial Fists Chapter. Equipped with powerful Terminator armour and armed with the deadliest weapons that the Adeptus Astartes wield, you are a symbol of the Emperor's might. Trapped aboard the space hulk 'Herald of Oblivion' and the only survivor of your squad, you must fight your way through the aliens and heretics that infest the star vessel and find a way to escape the horror and return to your Chapter.

Check it out here. Jonathan talks about Herald of Oblivion and his gamebooks on his website here. I love that Black Library have returned to gamebooks many years after Games Workshop founders Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson began the highly successful Fighting Fantasy series. You can check out what I have to say about gamebooks here.


4. Alien (1979) Test Footage

This is interesting. Aliens relied a good deal on hydraulics/robotics. Alien 3 and every movie in the franchise since used CGI for their alien effects. Ridley Scott’s first Alien film used the old fashioned method of a man in a suit: but what a man! At 7’ 2’’, Nigerian actor Bolaji Badejo was an inspired choice for the alien. Check out this test footage from the film in which Bolaji takes direction and experiments with physicality and movement. Even out of the full suit, in the long corridor and using his body to great effect, Bolaji creates a seriously creepy portrayal of the movie monster.



5. Two Ways Science Fiction Is Destroying Itself

An interesting article here from Giant Freakin Robot in which they look at science fiction film trends this year and draw some interesting conclusions about the direction of the genre. I’m just glad to see that the genre is getting representation. In tough financial times it would be easy to do away with entire genres on the basis of their ambitions and cost of realisation but we also need to make sure that our science fiction diet isn’t becoming too stale.


6. Poor Luke...

Nexus 6 (10-10-12)

It's been a little while since my last Nexus 6. It is well overdue time to check out what I've been reading on the internet science fiction, fantasy and horror scene.

1) The Most Ingenious Worlds Ever Invented By Science Fiction

I love building worlds. Science fiction gives me great opportunities to do so and on a huge scale. Of course, world building is worth little without engaging characters and a sizzling plot. If you have those in science fiction and fantasy, however, I think you owe it to your reader not to cop out of the setting. Here's Cracked with some observations on some of the worlds created in science fiction film and fiction.

2) Cloud Atlas

This is the trailer for a film called 'Cloud Atlas', which is based upon one of my favourite literary novels by David Mitchell. It's a beautifully constructed story with one tale sitting Russian doll style within another. Several of these stories reach into the future and the far future. Check out the generous trailer below.




3) Top 100 Best Science Fiction Novels

Esteemed science fiction editor David Pringle picks out his one hundred best science fiction novels at 'Worlds Without End'. Pringle was the founder and editor of Interzone Magazine for many years and knows his stuff. His list makes interesting reading for the science fiction reader. Do you agree with the books he has included and his ranking of his favourites? Check the list out here.


4) Horus Heresy on the Tabletop

The Horus Heresy Book One - Betrayal is out. It is a supplement for Warhammer 40,000 dealing with war and battle in the dark age of the Horus Heresy. I know people have been looking forward to bringin the Horus Heresy to the tabletop for a long time. This book contains extensive background information on the Imperium as it stood at the end of the Great Crusade. Also detailed are the histories of the four Legions who took part: the Sons of Horus, Emperor's Children, World Eaters and Death Guard and an extensive campaign system. And don't forget all the beautiful pictures!

This book also contains a complete Space Marine Legion Crusade Army list as well as games rules for the Primarchs of the four Legions, super-heavy vehicles and special characters featured in the story. Got mine already. It really is a handsome book. Check it out here.


5) Does a galaxy filled with habitable planets mean humanity is doomed?

More from i09 here. An interesting article in which economist and futurist Robin Hanson from George Mason University, and philosopher Nick Bostrom from Oxford University examine humanity's chances of survival in a crowded galaxy. I'd like to think that largely being the aggressive, mindless thug of a race that we are, that our chances are fair! Read more here.

6) Predator

Nexus 6 (20-7-12)

What have I been reading on the internet this week? Time to check out my Nexus 6…

1. Top 10 Most Terrifying Werewolves

I love horror monsters: vampires, ghosts, zombies. Vampires are suffering from over-exposure (ha ha) at the moment and I have a particular soft spot for zombies, but I’ve always been fascinated by werewolves. I used to enjoy reading about them as a kid and still have books about historical attacks that were blamed on werewolves and the birth of the original legend. This is why I soon zeroed in on this article from NerdBastards ranking the top ten most terrifying werewolves. See if you agree here.

2. Geek Zodiac

I’m not into zodiac signs or astrology but this did grab my attention. The Geek Zodiac have created their own signs, dates and characteristics based upon the year you were born – just like the Chinese Zodiac (Year of the Rabbit, Year of the Tiger etc.) I felt compelled to find my sign: perhaps you will be too… Check it out here.


3. This Is Humanity’s Greatest Achievement, But Mainstream News Will Never Report It

Giant Freakin Robot this time, reminding us of one of humanity’s most incredible achievements and a significant barrier about to be broken – but no-one’s talking about it. I think that it’s kind of romantic and sad at the same time. I can’t help but feel sorry for it out there all alone and running out of power. What am I talking about: click here to find out.


4. Games Day

It’s coming around to that time of year again: Games Day – Games Workshop’s annual tournament-fest. There’s much more than just thousands of people bringing it on the table top. Every Games Day artists and hobbyists compete for one of the prized Golden Demon painting trophies. Readers queue to buy the latest Black Library releases and take the opportunity to get their books signed by Black Library authors who are usually in plentiful supply. Check out the Games Day preview articles here and here.


5. The Day

I’m always on the lookout for cool, new science fiction cinema releases. I came across the trailer for The Day - a Canadian, post-apocalyptic horror movies. More The Road or The Walking Dead than Mad Max, it might be worth a look.



6. ‘Can I see some identification?’

Nexus 6 (6-7-12)

It’s that time again. These are my Nexus 6 choices for this week: genre related stuff I’ve been reading on the old interweb. Last week it was the trailer for Dredd that seemed to be causing the most controversy. This time we have:



1. Top 75 Spaceships From Movies and Television

I love lists. The longer the better. Here ‘Den of Geek’ supplies 75 spaceships from famous TV programmes and films and rank orders them for us. Take some time to peruse the glorious designs and see if you agree with their order. The list can be found here.

2. George Lucas Isn’t The Only One Who Struggles With Dialogue

I came across this the other day. It is an interview with Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford on ‘The Today Show’ from 1980, dealing with the imminent release of The Empire Strikes Back. I love The Empire Strikes Back and for many fans it is the best of all the Star Wars films. It comes as a little bit a surprise, therefore, that two actors so intimately involved with the project and spent months shooting the film should be so ineloquent when describing it. At first the pair can hardly get the words together to talk about it at all. Then – like reluctant students in a class room – the two of them proceed to describe the project very badly and with a lack of cultural nuance that is likely to annoy many Star Wars fans. You also have to remember that Star Wars was already a colossal cultural phenomenon by then, so there’s really no excusing the casual approach taken by the pair to the project that made them so famous. Press Play and see for yourself.




3. Warhammer Leading The Way

One of the many great things about Warhammer and Warhammer 40k is the immersive nature of their settings. It has something to do with verisimilitude: the games designers, artists and authors have a good understanding, not only of the genre but also their history. They produce material that has a keen sense of the possible about it – which is especially useful when dealing with the largely impossible. It’s therefore nice to see the acknowledged influence of Warhammer on other publishing enterprises, like this one from Gollancz. Check it out here.



4. Aliens Are Stupid

Let’s face it: aliens are stupid. They think they’re all that when they have helpless humans strapped to tables, but when they try their hand at any other kind of invading they come seriously unstuck. Cracked introduces us to ‘6 Giant Blind Spots In Every Movie Alien’s Invasion Strategy’. Tru dat. Check it out here.



5. ‘Mermaids Don’t Exist’: US Government

An interesting news item from the BBC here, putting our minds at rest that the seas are not stalked by aquatic mythological creatures. Perhaps the US Government would like to also give us some reassurance on Bigfoot, dragons and unicorns. File under The X-Files: Federal Bureau of Investigation – Basement Division.



6. ‘I Have The Power… point’

Nexus 6 (28-6-12)

It’s time for more great genre-related stuff from the digital morass that is the internet. Is it research or procrastination when I stop to read science fiction related articles on the web: probably both – but there’s some great stuff out there and I love it when people draw my attention to interesting features and geek ephemera. This is what I’ve been reading this week.


1. Philip K. Dick’s Technological Predictions

The BBC ran an interesting article examining the different future technologies presented in the fiction of science fiction author Philip K Dick and cinematic adaptations of his work (think the flying cars from Bladerunner or the iris recognition systems in Minority Report). It examines which of these technological predictions have been fulfilled. Find out more here.

2. Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Books

National Public Radio asked thousands and thousands of listeners to vote for their top 100 science fiction and fantasy books and helpfully compiled a ranked list for the rest of us. The list can be found here and makes for interesting reading (ha, ha). Not content to leave it at that, SF Signal went two steps further. For your viewing pleasure they created a flow chart of the novels on the list to help readers find the books that appeal to them (it’s impressive, and can be found here) and then created an interactive version of the resource. Click here to check out the interactive gizmo.



3. Missing Misfit

I really didn’t think I’d like Misfits – and then I watched it. Sure – it was a little rough around the edges but it was fresh and adventurous and I really got into series one. The departure of some key characters in series two threatened to derail the series but ultimately the replacement characters the creators brought in did a good job of filling the gap. Now we learn that even more key characters have had to leave for series 3. Unfortunately it’s starting to sound like a promising science fiction series is falling apart before our screens – which is a shame. This time it’s Lauren Socha – who plays Kelly: the insensitive chav who could read minds and in the second series went on to inherit the genius of a rocket scientist. Kelly as a character was criminally underused in the second season and her power was a non-starter. The writers won’t get the opportunity to rescue this, however, because BAFTA winning actress Lauren Socha was arrested for racially-aggravated assault and subsequently lost her place on the show. Irony of ironies – she was sentenced to community service, just like her character in the series. Both weird and sad for the show. Perhaps Socha should use her skills to act like a thuggish chav instead of actually being one. SFX online has the scoop and many more details here.



4. Dredd

Time to check out the latest science fiction cinema releases. This week it’s Dredd – the newest adaptation of 200AD’s Judge Dredd comic strip. The action certainly seems present and the visuals look promising – although perhaps Mega-City One doesn’t look futuristic enough. Dredd’s gurn and helmet are present and correct – and there doesn’t seem to be a comedy side-kick shoe-horned in (phew!) On the downside it seems a shame that with thirty years’ worth of comic book stories to choose from, that they opted for a science fiction version of The Raid: Redemption – a Korean film made last year.




5. VI

There’s always excitement when a new edition of the Warhammer 40k Rulebook is about to be released. It obviously involves a learning curve for gamers but 40k authors also have to familiarise themselves with such key hobby material. The 6th edition of the Warhammer 40k Rulebook will be released on 30th June. Check out more here.



6. Where's WALL-E?

Robots. What's not to like? Click on the meme and see if you can find him. Or should that be find 'it'?

Nexus 6 (22-6-12)

I come across some great science fiction stuff on the internet on in magazines. Often, I’ll see a great article or feature – perhaps even a meme (some people love them, some hate them) – and think that I’d like to keep a link to that or show them to others. People do this already with Twitter and Facebook but they are often fleeting and missed. So I’m introducing a new regular feature called 'Nexus 6', in which I’ll introduce links to other science fiction and fantasy stuff (nexus being a means of connection and six being the number of items introduced each time!) This will probably mean some moving back and forth, so why don’t you do yourself a favour and ‘Favourite’ Rob Sanders Speculative Fiction now – or if you have a blog yourself, add it to your links! I won’t mind.


1. Awesome Books To Replace Your Favourite Cancelled TV Shows


We hate it when our favourite shows are cancelled – and the loss is especially grieving when it’s a science fiction or fantasy show because they seem to get less of a chance than most. I09 provides a helpful solution to such loses by suggesting fiction alternatives to your favourite shows. Check it out here.


2. Total Recall (2012)


I wasn’t the slightest bit interested in the Total Recall remake starring Colin Farrell. I think that the 1990 version still has some charm. Farrell hasn’t been at the top of his game and the addition of Underworld director Len Wiseman doesn’t inspire. I was introduced to the trailer, however, and my interest was ignited. I’m loving the mash of Bourne-style action, Minority Report inspired technology and Bladerunner backdrops. Check out the trailer here and hope for the best!


3. Astronomers Discover A World With a Science Fiction View


I love world building. Character and plot come first, but world building is an oft-neglected aspect of science fiction writing. I hate lazy writing, in this respect. If you take your readers to the other side of the universe, you damn well better be able to help them visualise what they find there. Giant Freakin Robot reports that scientists have recently discovered an actual planet – Kepler 36-b – that they believe has the most spectacular science fiction inspired view. Check out more here.


4. Warhammer 40k Storm Eagle


I write fiction for the Warhammer and Warhammer 40k universes and have to admit to not being much of a player, painter or modeller. New models provide inspiration for my work and some are so cool that it’s tempting not to buy them for the sake of ornament alone. Check out the details of Forge World’s new Storm Eagle gunship here.


5. Six Things That Never Make Sense About Zombie Movies


I love articles about zombies. I used to be a werewolf fan and while vampires have their place, they have suffered of late from over exposure (ha, ha!) Zombies all the way, at the moment – and not just because they are in vogue. Their appeal lies in being the most possible of all the supernatural creatures. Anyway, the ever reliable Cracked has an article here about problems with the popular representation of zombies. Interesting if disgusting reading.


6. Return of the Jedi


What is it about that outfit? : )