The Energon Pub

[AllNewSuperRobot]

Currently reading some Lovecraft. The book is called The Doom That Came to Sarnath, but it's an anthology of other works as well.

I've been a fan of HP Lovecraft for many years. To the extent I have three different compilations of his work. There is a YouTube channel that occasionally narrates audiobooks of Lovecraft stories. This one is the latest:

[snavej]

Now I've moved on to 'The Tempest' (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 4). I believe it is the final comic work by the team of Alan Moore (now retired from comics) and the late Kevin O'Neill. As usual, Alan & Kevin delve into the archives of British comics and their own histories for a wide range of material that they adapt and update. There are side stories that are printed sideways and also satellite stories about other comics creators. Alan has a long-standing grudge against the major comics companies for failing to recognise and reward many of their staff. For example, Alan was promised the rights to his early works but these were denied him when the companies kept the stories continuously in print. It isn't possible to have a gentleman's agreement with non-gentlemen! Anyway, in this book Alan describes the struggles of other comics creators who were denied rights, wages and respect in the late 20th Century and early 21st Century.

[#1 Signal Lancer fan]

Right now, I've been reading:

Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama by Bob Odenkirk
Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus 3
Invincible Universe Compendium 1

But much of my focus right now has been on Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama

[AllNewSuperRobot]

Animal Farm

'All animals are equal but some are more equal than others.'

Weirdly enough, I've never read or seen Animal Farm before. I've heard of it. But in spite of 1984 being one of my all time favourite books. Orwell's significantly shorter novel passed me by until last week. I had a voucher to use and it was there. I wonder if Orwell would be thrilled or disturbed by how timely both mentioned books would be for decades to come? While this is clearly anti-Soviet. I find it goes beyond that, in a big way. I spoke to a friend about the book and they remarked "you should enjoy it, Boxer." A reference I didn't understand until afterwards. The irony wasn't lost on the workaholic. Many books in this vein would try to end on some kind of uplifting note. But I knew, in light of 1984's ending. That wouldn't be the case here either. Whereas the book has an increasingly bleak tone. The ending hammers that home all too well. Thoroughly enjoyed it though... Poor Boxer!

And remember kids, Never trust a pig! 9/10

[Rodimus Prime]

Yeah, George Orwell was definitely onto something. Too bad some in leadership these days consider it a guide book instead of a warning.

Anyway, I'm currently reading The Chairman, which is a biography of Frank Sinatra, from 1954 until his death. The man had an extraordinary life to say the least. And I'm only up to 1964. But it's like reading a narrative of American history, not just Frank's life.

[snavej]

Currently reading Fortean Times # 442, about a wide range of topics such as poltergeists, time slips and Skibidi Toilets from YouTube. There's always something new to learn. Apparently, when poltergeists throw stones, those stones never bounce and are usually lukewarm to the touch immediately after landing.

[#1 Signal Lancer fan]

Just finished reading Flowers for Algernon. I read the short story many years ago, so I knew roughly where it was going, but this was my first time reading the full novel. It's absolutely heartbreaking, even moreso knowing where the story is going from the beginning. That said, it's a really great read and the writing style is unique in a really great way.

[#1 Signal Lancer fan]

Not sure if there's a comics thread that I'm missing, but I am absolutely loving DC's Absolute Universe. All three running comics are really great as alternate takes on the characters. I could not have guessed that Absolute Wonder Woman would be the best of the three.

One thing I should note if you're not familiar: Don't go into these comics expecting the classic takes on the characters. These comics are very much doing their own thing with the characters (which I love).

In general, I like isolated comic lines like this WAY more than the main comic universes for three main reasons:

1. There's a clear starting point. Most mainline comic lines expect you to come in with 50+ years of comic history. Even the new "starting points" still always tie back in to the long-running canon (See: New 52)

2. I hate most crossover events. Crossover events can be a lot of fun, don't get me wrong. But when I'm reading a Batman comic, I don't want to have to stop and read an essential crossover event that won't fully make sense if I haven't also been following Superman, Justice League, Teen Titans, and Aquaman. This is the same problem that I had with Netflix's 'The Defenders.' Even Daredevil, an otherwise great show, suffered from this.

3. Character growth. The biggest thing I dislike about the two big comic companies (Marvel and DC) is that the characters very rarely grow or change. Maybe once every ten years a character will develop (IE Dick Grayson becoming Nightwing), but for the most part everything has to stay the same.

Anyway, rant over. Absolute Universe is great.

[Psycho Warrior]

The Elric Saga.
Castle Gormenghast
and listening to any terry pratchet audiobook I can get my hands on.

I've been hungering for books lately that I never read when I was younger. Discworld however has been a lot of fun to listen to.

[Glyph]

Hm, in the last week or so, I seem to have more-or-less accidentally inhaled:
- Carpe Jugulum (re-read)
- Gideon the Ninth (re-read)
- Harrow the Ninth
- Ancillary Justice (re-read)
- and written out Lower Decks: Warp Your Own Way as a playable CYOA in inkle

This may explain the tiredness.

[Rodimus Prime]

The Preacher comic series.

[Psycho Warrior]

The Office Building thread.

I just archived (the New) Starbase Trion and now I'm copying that down.

Tried my best to find a way to read the old building threads but had zero luck.

So the World domination HQ, The afterlife, WDHQ mk2, and the original Starbase Trion building threads are totally lost. To avoid seeing them go the way of the Party Forum, I've decided to copy what I can. Even internet archive ain't helping.

After I get the Office archived, I might read through the old Ask me thread see if there's anything worth saving too. I don't want this site disappearing one day without something to look back on.

[#1 Signal Lancer fan]

I've been getting into audiobooks to listen to on commutes. I recently read 'The Tao of Pooh,' a book about the Chinese philosophy of Taoism using Winnie the Pooh characters and stories as an allegory.

Now I'm listening to 'Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism,' which is a book about Facebook/Meta and the way its run by someone who worked there for many years.

I'm also reading through several comics.

In terms of ongoing comics, I'm enjoying the Energon Universe (Transformers and Void Rivals specifically, never been all that interested in G.I. Joe). I'm also following DC's Absolute Universe, which has been a great read.

In terms of older comics, I'm reading through Marvel's 2020 comic runs (Star Wars, Darth Vader, Bounty Hunters, and Doctor Aphra) and have been reading Penguin Classic Comic's Fantastic Four collection.

[snavej]

'The Illustrated Man' by Ray Bradbury. A mysterious future woman gives a man an almost full body tattoo that changes a lot every day. It predicts several people's futures each time. Perhaps it does more than this? It might be manipulating events in a magical way. I've only reached chapter 2. The language is semi-poetic and evocative.

[Galvatronus Prime]

Currently reading the Age of Apocalypse. Just finished X-cutioner's Song. In my classic X-Men phase right now lol

[Glyph]

Working through the Murderbot novellas, re-reading the first couple and getting the newer. Lot of fun, snarky, modern take on classic sci-fi tropes. Only problem I'm having is that (as feared) the versions of the characters from the new Apple TV show are supplanting the versions I previously had in my head, which I quite liked as they were.

[Ransom]

Funny enough, I discovered Murderbot around the same as you. I feel the casting for the show adaptation is superb—Alexander Skarsgård as Murderbot so far has been *chef's kiss*—so the idea of the actors replacing my mental images of the characters in the books does not bother me too much. It will be a while before I can read the rest since the public library has like a dozen holds already. I hope to enjoy them just as much!

As for what I have been reading... I have been trying to find a new Bleach fanfic that scratches the itch for a while. (I already read the entirety of the Meifu's Gate series years ago, and while good, it does not have a happy ending. A realistic ending that fits the story arc, yes.)

The most recent traditionally(-ish) published books I read are the Folded Earth series by Tracy Eire. Pretty decent, though if you know her AO3 pseudonym, it is easy to spot what she adapted and the books definitely will benefit from a copy editor's skills.

Also, hi Glyph.

[Psycho Warrior]

Just did a round at the bookshops.
Picked up: The color of magic by terry pratchett
the simarillion by Tolkien
the Twin trilogy from the dragonlance series
and Citadel of Forgotten Myths by Michael Moorcock

I really want to pick apart Terry's writing style, i like his brand of humor.

[Rodimus Prime]

Finally going through MTMTE again, after not reading it for 10 years. Currently on Volume 4. Overlord is about to get loose.

[Psycho Warrior]

Dragonlance's Flint The King.
A dwarven hero returns home to find his home town doing buisness his kind's ancient enemy ; the Derro.

[Drop Bear]

Immediately after finishing Todd Keisling's Nonentity (I liked it, but it was my least favourite book in the trilogy), I cracked open Only the Living Are Lost by Simon Strantzas. I enjoyed the first story, thought it served as a fine beginning to the collection, and am looking forward to reading the rest of this book.

[snavej]

'Alien Clay' by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024). Planet Earth has become totalitarian under 'The Mandate' world government. Free thought is a crime. Free thinkers are hunted, captured and enslaved or executed. Humans have managed to explore hundreds of nearby solar systems. Mostly, this is done by robots. When there are problems or opportunities, humans are sent out. Suspended animation works by dessication and rehydration. (Stupid idea: wouldn't work. More suited to the silly 1966 Batman movie.) Anyway, moving on... Enslaved scientists are sent to study Planet Kiln. The local wildlife has the unfortunate ability to infect and reprogramme Earth creatures including humans. Nevertheless, the scientists are expected to study them and find out where the Kiln people went. Ruins of native Kiln people's structures are dotted around the landscape. That's as far as I've got. It's gritty drama, full of suffering, resentment and oppression.