Having spent the last few months immersed in pop culture related to angels, vampires and wizards (see below), it’s time to return to the superhero and space opera genres. (If I have time later this year, then I’d been keen to whip out a paper on the theologies found in angel fiction).

Looks good. I may order the poster for my office.

Detailed Map Of Battlestar Galactica’s Twelve Colonies

Interesting list of science fiction (loosely used in this list, I think) books that have been banned or restricted in various schools etc. Many of them were either recommended to me at school or required reading in high school English (e.g. 1984; Brave New World; Fahrenheit 451; and A Wrinkle in Time (though my favourite is A Swiftly Tilting Planet in that series)). At some point in time I’d like to teach a course on religion and science fiction, and a number of these would make it onto the reading list for that class.

Here’s the list: 10 great science fiction novels that have been banned.

io9 have been posting different lists recently their top science fiction shows and movies. As always it’s a subjective kind of thing, but I think that movies shouldn’t be eligible for the ‘classic’ category until at least 5 years have passed and the dust has settled over all the hype about them. So in the following list that would rule out: Inception, District 9, Moon, and Children of Men.

See 25 classic science fiction movies that everybody must watch.

On the other hand, The top 20 essential science fiction TV shows, feels mostly right.

Picked up a copy of the new Serenity one-shot comic focusing on the late character of Wash. I’m a big Firefly/Serenity fan and have read all the other comics that the series spawned, but this one left me pretty much cold (except for a feel-good moment at the end). Hopefully the next one focusing on Shepherd’s past will be better.

There’s a preview at Serenity: Float Out :: Profile :: Dark Horse Comics

Just been setting some essay questions for the “Bible in Popular Culture” course, including one on religion and science fiction so I thought this was pretty timely over on io9.com – Christian readers demand more science fiction books. Why won’t Christian publishers listen?.

I think the authors are on to something here. The best theological science fiction – which takes the opportunity to use the freedom found in the speculative nature of the genre – doesn’t seem to be published by ‘Christian’ publishers. I can think of some counter-examples, but I’d definitely be more likely to find something at the local Whitcoulls or Borders which connected religion and science fiction in an intelligent manner.

On a related note, a number of bookshops I’ve been into recently have decimated their science fiction sections (and to a certain degree their fantasy sections too) and replaced them with sections headed up ‘Vampires’. I’m hoping the fad passes soon and we get back to having a broader scifi/fantasy selection to pick from in stores. (Not that I’m averse to a good vampire novel – or even a trashy one when I’m tired and reading on the train – but it’s all a little overwhelming when looking for something else)

Related links: Greenflame · Books from blogs; Greenflame · A Case of Consilience; Greenflame · A bunch of religion and popular culture links

And Andrew Jones ‘tongue-in-cheek’ guides relate to the types of materials stocked in local Christian bookshops. See Tall Skinny Kiwi: How To Survive a Christian Bookstore: #1 EMBRACING THE FEAR and Tall Skinny Kiwi: How to Survive a Christian Bookstore: #2 FINDING YOUR HAPPY PLACE.

Updated: See additional comments over at TheoFantastique | A meeting place for myth, imagination, and mystery in pop culture..

After reading these I’m feeling inspired to go back and have a second look at the Thunderbirds episodes I grew up with:

Confessions of an Aca/Fan: Archives: Star Trek, Darkover, Thunderbirds, and Fan Fiction: An Interview With Joan Marie Verba (Part One)

Confessions of an Aca/Fan: Archives: Star Trek, Darkover, Thunderbirds and Fan Fiction: An Interview With Joan Marie Verba (Part Two)

Does anyone know if the CGI remake of Captain Scarlet was ever released in NZ?

I’ve been watching Doctor Who since the Jon Pertwee had the Tardis (‘Terror of the Autons’ was the first serial I can remember), and I’m still a fan of the series. So I’m pleased to see people like James McGrath contributing to this: Introducing the Dr. Who Media Club | Religion Dispatches.

Looks like it might be a fun read.

BTW – ‘Pyramids of Mars‘ (Tom Baker) is still my all-time favourite Doctor Who story.

This is a nice list. I’ve read a number of these (and there are some obvious ones missing) but this will give me some more options when I head to the library looking for something like this to read on the train.

See The Essential Posthuman Science Fiction Reading List – Posthumanity – io9

As an aside I’m currently reading ‘Devices and Desires’ by K. J. Parker on my brother’s recommendation. So far, so good but I hope it speeds up a little. (I like engineers as protagonists)

Way, way back as a kid I can remember us owning a couple of the “Terran Trade Authority” books that were packed full of space opera concept art and historical vignettes that tied them all together. (see here also). The best work in the books was, IMHO, that of Peter Elson (some of whose images you can see here)

Anyway, this nostalgic ramblimg was all brought on by this When Space Opera Becomes Art – space opera – io9.