The Book of Bronze

A preface from the metallurgist,

If you are the sort of person who ignores the useless author preface portion of a book and plunges right into the story, then don’t let me stop you.  This part is usually self-serving twaddle anyway.  I mean, I’m calling myself ‘the metallurgist’, so that doesn’t bode well for the next few paragraphs.  Does it?

‘Doc Savage’ was created and written by at least 8 people (but mostly Lester Dent) under the pseudonym “Kenneth Robeson”.  The contributors were tireless visionaries, etc. etc. etc.  But here’s the thing.  They perfected a way to crank out a prodigious amount of material when writing what would become the Doc Savage series.  Seriously, they created a formula which allowed a person to knock out a nicely sized book, over and over again, in time for monthly publication.  Impressive.

Impressive, but not perfect.  You see, a person could write a complete and interesting story, but that shouldn’t imply that the story was written exceptionally well.  Doc Savage stories aren’t, in my opinion and the opinion of anyone else who reads above a third grade level, flawlessly written.  Reading them is a comical grind.  They have a weird sort of charm, and unique voice but it’s still a voice that often makes you wince in embarrassment as you turn the page. 

So while making the effort to format the manly Savage for ebook readers, I’m investing the time to burnish that paragon of masculinity.   Hence: Burnished Bronze : Doc Savage – The Man Of Bronze.  Same to you.  Remember what I said earlier about ‘twaddle’.  I warned you.

Before I forget, I’m leaving the action alone.  It’s all here, jammed on each page.  I’m also not touching the, frankly, anglocentric casual racism and general misogyny.  I want to clean up the grammar, not police Doc’s words.  If something in this book offends you, I suggest you take it up directly with Kenneth Robeson himself.

Since you’ve made it this far, there’s nothing left to do than unleash the story at you.  Prepare to grow hair on your chest and walk a little taller, a little prouder, a little more American – knowing that Doc Savage is continuing his tireless life’s work of seeking adventure, helping those who need it and punishing those who deserve it.

Francis Sandow

California 06/17

Duskers? Really?

I'm not going to lie, Duskers holds its own.  It's very easy to look at a game through a lens which underscores the shelf life of a new title.  When something is released, it's fantastic.  Two months later it's forgotten faster than lines on a stage.

Duskers is an exception.  It's frustrating as all get out, and I've had to restart more times than I'm comfortable in admitting.  But all that said, the title is strong and the gameplay is entertaining.

Just got cast in Spamalot and am at Starbucks going over lines before heading over for rehearsal.  WOOT!

Set in Stone

Nothing is better than the blog.  Other social media platforms may be the rage of the day, but it doesn't take to long before they become cluttered garages of marketing and memes.  How can something so large feel so empty?

New deck of cards is in the work just as long as Duskers gives me a moment away from the monitor.  I swear that game is more addictive than crack.  The graphics are simple and the entire game clocks in well under a gig.  Still, it's an amazing concept professionally delivered and I'm enjoying it immensely.

2 of Wands

2 of Wands

I really wanted to make sure that I did justice to this image, but I still catch myself thinking that I could have done better.

The main image is of a woman turning into a tree, and a tree into a woman.  The woman is seated on a rock on the shore of a turbulent sea of blood.  The sky above is grey and overcast showing a storm is brewing but also a somber season which matches the gory tide.  There is moss on the stone but that is more to indicate the slick surface rather than a sign of vibrant life.

"Fortune/Trouble" is the indicator of this card.  Fortune in this case indicates something positive coming from turmoil.  This isn't fortune as a part of an overall good aura to life or activity, rather fortune which comes in spite of the difficulties of life.

"Trouble" is mortal in nature.  Not necessarily the risk of bodily harm.  More a sense of stress and anger which takes away a person's human nature and dignity.  Trouble in this case is more serious than just the usual twists and turns of life.  Its the sort of trouble which can cause a person to become someone they hate.

I made sure that there was a border around the woman and the sea to show that she isn't in the sea, but set apart from it.