Judge Anderson - The Abyss by Alec Worley (2000 AD comic character)

Judge Anderson of Mega-City One – (2000 AD)

Many of us are Judge Dredd fans from 2000 AD comic strip and we have seen this character bloom into novels, graphic novels, audiobooks and films etc. I’ve now read a number of his stories and will, no doubt, read more and hopefully enjoy future on-screen entertainment too.

What I liked about the second movie called simply, Dredd was the introduction of another character named Judge Anderson. I was intrigued by her psychic ability. I knew of her image in comic strips but had never read much about her. Her image is often on front covers but I was more interested in Dredd’s cold character. Because of the movie, I developed a better interest in the Anderson character and wanted to know more. I thought the actress who played Anderson in the film did look like the comic strip images I have seen.

Anderson, as a character, has an approach that differs from Dredd’s. She can’t help having empathy with some of Mega-City One’s millions of citizens. This is because she sees deep and hears all the inner voices. She can’t help getting caught up in the reason and consequence aspect of things. Though she is still a hard arse when the occasion demands. We always get see t the face of Anderson because the helmet interferes with her psychic ability etc. Therefore she removes it when getting off of her law-master motorbike.

The Dystopian World of the Judges.

This huge metropolis of Mega-City One is surrounded by the poison Earth and people can be arrested and sent to isolation cubes for pro-democracy relays. This overcrowded and claustrophobic society is always on the edge having been through an atomic world war. There is ninety per cent unemployment and huge tower blocks are turf areas controlled by various crazy urban gangs. Large numbers of residents feel loyalty towards the blocks they live in. The Judges are often hated. Yet they are needed. The whole society of the numerous Mega Cities around the world have similar setups with these Judges ruling the areas as a police state. They are undermanned and so the police become Judges as well. Obviously, they have wide-ranging powers. They can catch criminals and pass judgement and sentence on the spot. Including on the spot execution, there and then, if deemed necessary.

It all makes for a disturbing dystopian future where extremist policemen, from our own perspective, are necessary anti-heroes. Democratic well-intentioned believers (who really could not control such an overpopulated and variable decaying urban world) are the villains.

And In Such A World Judge Anderson Must Function.

In this Judge Anderson story audiobook, I enjoyed yesterday, (It is called the Abyss by Alec Worley) the female psychic judge is sent to a prison hospital to evaluate a woman who is the head of a political movement to bring about the end to the harsh rule of the Judges. In effect, she is a terrorist in this dystopian world. Her underground group are called Bedlamists.

The terror leader’s name is Moriah Blake and Judge Anderson do a psychic evaluation of the sedated prisoner in the hospital wing of a huge prison block. Anderson needs other psychic police colleagues to put a strong mind shield around her thoughts to stop the other many prison inmates from breaking into her concentration etc.

A raid of Bedlamists terrorists brings about a consequence whereby Judge Anderson is trapped in the Asylum hospital and is in the corridors when all the hundreds of prison cubes are opened. Spilling out into the corridors are hundreds of the drug-crazed psychopaths, murders, rapists and many other types of criminals of Mega-City One’s finest nut jobs. The building is under siege in a Mexican stand-off between Bedlamists and Judges. The terror group is searching for Judge Anderson via the TV monitors before power is shut down. Judge Anderson must discard her uniform and dress like the mad inmates and mingle. She must also try to find the source of a huge bomb.  

This is a real on the edge of your seat listen as Anderson builds a psychic wall to hold off the disturbed minds she is forced to move amongst. She can also hear some inmates who are incarcerated for not filling out a tax form on time, a young lad who evaded paying a traffic offence and a student nurse who’s been in a prison cube for a year, awaiting an evaluation, because her student boyfriend was arrested at a pro-democracy rally. Such people are among the more extreme criminal elements. We are in a world where society can’t afford democracy and some people are mere collateral damage to the extreme law system. Democratically minded people are terrorists. It’s all total dystopian horror for us, the listeners, who are rooting for the extremist right-wing Judges. This world needs them.

Jago and Litefoot by Andy Lane. (Doctor Who character's Spin-off.)

Jago & Litefoot: Series 1 by Andy Lane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Does anyone remember two characters form Tom Baker's Doctor Who story - The Talons of Weng Chiang?

The One Fly in the Ointment.

My only beef about these audio delights is the ridiculously high price that is charged for them if you are not a member of Audible. I have the monthly credit membership thing going with Audible. But £52.49 for an audiobook is far too much. I am certain this would put many people off. But my one credit monthly membership secured it and the others will do so on other future credits. Getting that gripe off my chest, I can begin.

Their names are Jago and Litefoot from Doctor Who's Talons of Weng Chiang. I do like to give some spin-offs tales a try. Especially Doctor Who. These first set of stories of Jago and Litefoot are absolute peaches. I've been listening while working. My job is very rural and I can function while listening.

There are four tales in all. Each about an hour and ten minutes. Each one, as said, is very entertaining. The dark humour between the theatre manager Jago and Professor Litefoot is colourful. An amusingly overindulgent use of splendid words makes for gorgeous dialogue. The Victorian characters have become a double act investigating strange phenomena problems after their brief and dangerous adventure with the Doctor and Leela.

What follows in the Jago and Litefoot association is a general all-round romp of sinister and diabolical fun in Victorian London. The spooky tales are wonderful modern-day penny dreadfuls set in the time when penny dreadfuls were two a penny (Well on some stalls perhaps.) SciFi, strange phenomenon pulp stories. Each diabolical tale oozes with atmosphere and is very exciting. I have now listened to all of series one. My favourite being number three (The Spirit Trap).

Has anyone else listened to Jago and Litefoot? Does anyone remember the characters from Doctor Who? If yes to either question, what do you people think?

View all my reviews

Victorian Britain Falls to the Martian Invasion.

You can enjoy The Last Days of Thunder Child (A War of the Worlds Pastiche) in paperback or Kindle and KindleUnlimited. And now, the entire adaptation story is on Audible too. 

Be there when HMS Thunder Child confronts the Martian Fighting Machines. 

Plus, it does not end there. Another Martian post-apocalyptic story is available in paperback, Kindle and KindleUnlimited. 

Plus, it does not end there. Another Martian post-apocalyptic story is available in paperback, Kindle and KindleUnlimited. 

Read, The Last Days of the Fighting Machine. 

A small village attracts the attention of the diseased and dying Martians in their tripod fighting machine. What follows is an epic battle between human survivors and the blighted Martians inside their hideous machine.

Enter the world of the Martian fighting machines in these pastiche novels of H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds.  Two adaptations, soon to be followed by a third story set in a post-apocalyptic Victorian Britain.

     

The Last Days of Thunder Child - Now on Audible!

Finally, The Last Days of Thunder Child pastiche novel of War of the Worlds is now available on Audible. 

To go straight to the Audible page please CLICK HERE 

Enjoy the splendid narration by Jack Wynters as the characters come to life aboard the Victorian ship. HMS Thunder Child must confront three Martian Fighting machines in this War of the Worlds adaptation. 

War of the Worlds Spin-Off.

I've listened to the audio version of The Last Days of Thunder Child. I was very pleased with it. Very pleased indeed. It is now going through the audio process of being put online with Audible. This will take up to 14 days starting from yesterday. The narrator is Jack Wynters and he reads with a gripping voice. He also does all the accents of each individual character. The whole pastiche story was brought to life in a very gratifying way. Once it is up and running on Audible, I will give it a shout out. 😀

Are You Fascinated with Steampunk Concept?

Are You Fascinated with Steampunk Concept? Learn Why! 

As we turn over the pages of history, we came across the developments and industrial revolution of the 19th century but a little-known fast known by the masses, steampunk trend for the furniture and ornaments have enriched the market in the last ten years. Think of gadgets, large mechanical pumps and other ornaments coming out of the strangest objects - turned into classy steampunk style furniture. 

The steampunk style cannot be called the most popular style when it comes to interior designs. But by far it is one of the most popular among the masses who are fascinated by the 19th-century developments and classy styles. However, when you hear the word steampunk, you’re immediately transported to visions of the Victorian era, including all the inventions and ideas that were prevalent back then. However, this representation cannot be considered complete if you don’t add in the industrial details.

Maybe you are one of the those who is fascinated by the steampunk style and when it comes to an interesting piece of furniture and ornaments, there isn't anything which can get you more excited. Today we are going to dig deep into the concept of steampunk and what makes people so much fascinated about it.

The History

You may think - why getting into the history of steampunk is all important?

Well it’s not basically the steampunk but to understand any concept, studying and understanding its history provides us with the insights into the cultures and origin of any particular subject.

The word steampunk developed its own subculture and values in the last decade, the heritage of the concept is rooted back in the Victorian Era. The word "Steampunk" was firstly coined in the 1970s to relate to the adventurousness tales of the development of an amazing period of time i.e. Technological Progressiveness of the Victorian Era; the genre actually first came into being at the same time as the scientific romance, an early name for science fiction.

Writers of that era wrote fascinating stories and adventurous tales upon the work and discoveries of the leading scientific minds of that time. However, by the span of World War - I, the romance between the scientific advancements and the fiction became less popular and was replaced by the fictional stories of the superheroes. But now as time passes, the concept of steampunk has become reached his highest peak in popularity among the masses and is still growing.

The Ultimate Rise of the Concept

Amazing trends and concepts from steampunk furniture continue to rise into the mainstream and every day the cultural masses are getting amused with the perfect blend of creativity and style. Let's rise to the big question, why is steampunk so popular? What is it about the thought of steam-powered Victorians that people find so fascinating? How it is possible for any particular type of technology innovated for a particular period of time suddenly became so popular that it’s a fully-fledged genre now.

No wonder that Steampunk rattles in an alternate history, placing the utmost importance on real life inventors such as Nikolai Tesla or Charles Babbage who were the forefathers of the inventions i.e. air shops and old age computers that run on a clockwork and steam power.

Needless to say, it takes a unique – and seemingly random – combination of ingredients to end up with Steampunk. So how did we get there and, more importantly, what can we learn from the genre’s creation?

The Science Behind the Cogs

Clockwork plays an enormous half in steampunk technology, and it’s not simply there as a result of it's sensible. There’s one thing concerning the mechanism that humans notice comprehensible. Cogs move cogs and while we have a tendency to might not perceive the intricacies, we will see for ourselves that that’s how a tool works. Likewise, steam power produces satisfying amounts of noise, nice belches of steam from large devices, that matches how we have a tendency to feel an enormous machine ought to work.

Contrast that with current technology, silent electricity and unfathomable microchips, and you'll be able to see what steampunk offers readers. Fantastical although it should be, steampunk is smart. The machinery works in an exceeding manner that usually feels more real than our own world.

Coupled with a strict, rule-based society like the Victorian era this type of technology sets up a world that even the most recent reader instantly appears like they perceive. Steampunk logic is busy with its history. we tend to believe mechanism and steam power work as a result of we all know, vaguely, that they do. they're real parts of our historical past. within the same manner, basing characters on real emotional drives and process characteristics can produce a strong resonance to that readers can respond.

Steampunk Home Decor

It is pretty much understandable to this point that there are not many different and innovative styles of furniture and decor people will get inspiration from as they struggle to place marking the effect over their interior decoration in their home which can reflect their personality and style.

However, one uncommon style to which the general public isn’t tuned in to is that the steampunk interior decoration. As soon as you hear the word “steampunk,” what’s the primary factor that pops in your mind? fiction, adventure, technology or any may be something more relevant.

Usually, with Steampunk we have a tendency to imagine the Victorian era and every one the good and tremendous inventions from that specific period of time. Steampunk conjointly plays a district in cosplay.

You see engaging females dressing up in animal skin corsets paired a crinoline, and that they complete the whole outfit by adding pilot spectacles and barrel a barrel gun. Yup, that what steampunk fashion is.

Even though steampunk remains new and elusive once it involves home style, it's step by step starting to show its influence within the world of the interior coming up with. Steampunk will merely be outlined because of the mix of each class and machinery.

The Relation of Steampunk with Interior Designing

The steampunk methodology cannot be referred to as one of the most liked and desired style when it involves interior styles. However, why is that exactly? Maybe it’s because most of the people don’t even apprehend the essential facts encompassing the idea of steampunk.

When you hear the word steampunk, you’re forthwith transported to visions of the Victorian era, as well as all the inventions and concepts that were prevailing previously. However, this illustration cannot be thought-about complete if you don’t add within the industrial details.

You can realize the steampunk style influences in interior style particularly in Gothic-Victorian fashion and decorations.

But as the trend, if populating and lifting towards the general masses, it is becoming more common and people having a specific acknowledgement towards the word steampunk often gets fascinated with it. Within the last decade the steampunk style of furniture and ornaments are becoming more and more essentials parts of interior designing and people are attracting towards this specific style of furniture as the market grow.

How to Steampunk Your Home

If you’re trying to form a completely new look and overhaul in your home, then the steampunk interior design style is the perfect way to amuse your family and friends and to showcase a completely new look to your interior design thanks to go. many folks have drawn inspiration from this sense of style to form totally different that slot in well with a steampunk-inspired interior.

Here’s a glance at a number of the exceptional qualities of the steampunk interior design style that you just will note of and make the most of especially if this can be the kind of fashion you’ve been on the lookout for.

The Martians v HMS Thunder Child

War of the Worlds pastiche

Britain in 1898.

HMS Thunder Child cruises into action. 

The Martians really came and this is the alternative history of that dreadful event. Join the crew of HMS Thunder Child as she prepares to embark upon her doomed voyage, before her demise and courageous battle with three Martian tripod fighting machines at the River Blackwater in the county of Essex, England, UK.

Captain McIntosh and his brave crew can hardly believe the semaphore messages sent from the shore stations. The news is so uncanny and fantastic that none can accept the stories of Martians falling from space. All hands of HMS Thunder Child must keep a dreadful appointment with destiny as they cruise towards the dire outcome awaiting them.

The War of the Worlds first terrified audiences in book form in 1898, as the first-person narrator tells us the adventures of an unnamed protagonist and his brother as Martians invade Earth. But there were other characters with stories to tell.

C. A. Powell delves into H. G. Wells’ War of the Worlds and offers fans of the original novel a brand new perspective on the invasion of Earth. In The Last Days of Thunder Child, we see this classic through the eyes of the Royal Navy crew members of HMS Thunder Child and the land-based Ministry of Defence. With this pastiche novel, you will have an even greater understanding and appreciation of the original classic. 

Find out what happens and read: The Last Days of Thunder Child By C.A. Powell