The Best Author You’ve Never Read Vol. 7: Michael Stackpole

Looks like he’s going to a convention. Which he probably is.

I have a thing for licensed fiction. There’s something about crafting a well-written story within an already defined and structured universe that makes it seem like more than half of your work is done for you, its true. And yes, the fan-boy rocks do occasionally fly. But I imagine contributing a piece to a much larger canon still feels worthwhile, and may even be more satisfying if its a license you love.

Michael Stackpole has made a career out of this. And a very lucrative career at that.

A life-long RPG nerd, my first contact with Mr. Stackpole came in the form of the beloved Rogue Squadron series, a set of four incredibly fun novels featuring Wedge Antilles (Please remember him from the first movies. If you don’t I’ll feel old) and the elite pilot team interspersed through out the trilogy, the literary canon, and several memorable video game titles. At the time of their release (mid-late 1990’s) Star Wars was hitting a bit of a renaissance with the much-anticipated release of volumes 1-3. We all know how that went. No need to walk across that particular bed of shattered dreams here.

We’re on the cusp of yet another Star Wars theatrical renaissance here in 2015, and it looks like the results might be a bit better this time around. My only hope (rimshot) is some of the top-notch Star Wars books may get an injection of interest, and Stackpole’s name should be at the top of the list. Hence, this recommendation. He’s also written books in Battletech, World of Warcraft and Shadowrun settings as well, all very fantastic and good reads.

He’s not just a nerd putting words on paper, however. Stackpole has a talent for developing interesting and in-depth characters, or in many cases accurately expanding upon characters you already know. Three main reasons you should check out both Stackpole’s licensed work and his original inventions, both graphic and prose:

1. Characters – Hands down he creates or expands on some of the best protagonists and antagonists in science fiction history. Even fan favorites liked Wedge Antilles take on a life of their own in Stackpole’s narrative. They feel real, flawed, and interesting without sacrificing any of the cool we love so dearly.
2. Fantastic Detail – This guy can paint a picture with his words. A key asset for any science fiction writer, he manages to create and describe unique settings and established ones with equal precision. The galaxy far, far away in Rogue Squadron  and the fantastic pseudo-America from Crown Colonies both feel equally real and tangible
3. Fun – The plots aren’t overly complicated, the twists and turns aren’t exactly hidden or unexpected. He lets the characters come to the forefront and drive the story, and takes the reader along with them. Sometimes, that simple, straightforward text is just what we need for a 350-page vacation from the real world.

I like Stackpole a lot. Between Rogue Squadron and Battletech he wrote some of the coolest stories I read as a burgeoning sci-fi nerd. I’m a bit older now and realize his books don’t exactly stack up to Gatsby or War & Peace, but that’s ok. He’s an enjoyable read when you want to spend some time away from reality.

Signing Off.

A to Z Challenge – V

My theme for the A to Z challenge is Villain Archetypes.

Yes, 26 descriptions of some of your favorite villains of literature, TV, and movies.

April 25 –  V is for Varmints

What is a Varmint, you ask? Well clearly its a slang insult used by Yosemite Sam when he’s upset and flailing the six-shooters. What I found out after I looked it up, is it also means “an irritating or obnoxious person” (Thanks Webster) which is a facet of villainy I haven’t covered yet. For the Varmint archetype, we’ll be discussing the truly insufferable, irritating, obsequious little bastards that annoy the audience in every way possible. These are the bad guys that you absolutely cannot stand, and borderline give you a stress headache every time they’re on-screen. They’re the boot-lickers, butt-kissers, and apple-polishers of the villainous world. They flatter, lie, connive, and mince their way to approval from a much more influential being (whether its a more powerful antagonist or an unwitting protagonistic force). This isn’t a character the audience loves to hate, or even moderately respects. A Varmint is universally unlikable, and that’s the true genius of employing the character as a villain.

When it comes to redemption, a Varmint walks a slippery slope. They’ll gladly turn their coat as soon as it looks like their side is losing, but rarely is this due to a desire to redeem themselves or an inner epiphany. Most of the time, this Varmint just wants to save the skin that oft-turned coat is protecting. There are rare occasions where this despicable n’er-do-well will genuinely see the error of his ways, and try to make up for a lifetime (or at least most of a storyline) with a final, and often fatal, act of bravery. The flip-flop nature of the Varmint makes them one of the hardest archetypes to hold down, and some memorable examples will change allegiances multiple times in a story. More often than not, however, this uncouth, undependable little bastard will wind up going down with the proverbial ship he jumped to, meeting a fitting end and satisfying the audience completely.

A Varmint is also often comedic, and can be used to lighten up a somewhat dark facet of the narrative. Some of the coolest examples bungle along and the audience enjoys mocking their ineptitude until they do something truly deplorable to a hero or heroine. We’ll often forget the fully evil nature of the Varmint until it smacks us in the face. The most fitting role for this archetype is a right-hand man or trusted henchmen to an arch-villain or over-arching antagonistic force. They’ll execute prat falls, fail spectacularly at simple jobs, and then lie or blame someone else so they don’t get punished for their ineptitude. A Varmint will do and say just about anything to please whoever it is they serve. On very, very rare occasions, a Varmint may be the main arch-villain, but often these are farces or comedies, as previously mentioned. Rarely exceptionally smart, strong, skilled, or powerful, this archetype nonetheless features a naive cunning often born of desperation and fear. They can be exceptionally memorable and effective villains, and often are attributed with some of the most quotable lines or memorable moments.

Some Famous Varmints:

• Peter “Wormtail” Pettigrew (Harry Potter)
• Benny (The Mummy)
• The Sheriff of Rottinghan (Men in Tights)
• Jar Jar Binks (Not a villain, but he should be)
• Klytus (Flash Gordon)

A to Z Challenge – T

My theme for the A to Z challenge is Villain Archetypes.

Yes, 26 descriptions of some of your favorite villains of literature, TV, and movies.

April 23 – T is for Tyrant

The Tyrant archetype can find its way into any genre of fiction, from a space-faring Sci-Fi Lord, to the whimsically corrupt wood-King in Fantasy, to the sand-swept deserts and lush jungles of the modern day. Webster defines a Tyrant as “a sovereign or other ruler who uses power oppressively or unjustly” and lord knows that calls to mind a cornucopia of fictional arch-villains. What makes a Tyrant differ from a Royal archetype, though the two are very similar, lies in the source of the power and the motivation for the abuse. Many Royals are also Tyrants, but Tyrants, more often than not, aren’t royal. They’ve usually earned their positions through blood, sweat, and tears (and typically all spilled by someone else) and are in no hurry to be removed from their lofty perches. They wield power like a cudgel, striking down any and all opposition to their rule, and typically oppressing the common men and women, creating a furtive spawning ground for protagonists to rise against them.

A Tyrant is typically powerful, ambitious, and cruel. They’re not necessarily possessing any vast intellect, but are usually cunning enough to strike down any moves made against them. While not always physically strong or imposing,  most Tyrants villains have an aura about them that exudes influence. A harem of henchmen are at their beckon call, often hell-bent on becoming Tyrants in their own right, and employing the same cruel methods to serve the arch-protagonist. While these henchmen might be redeemable at some point in the story, the Tyrant never makes an anti-hero turn. He’s too cruel, too unrepentant, and too unsympathetic for the audience to feel sorry for. He’s uncaring and callous until he meets his end, often in a messy (and all too appropriate) fashion.

We love to hate the Tyrants almost as much as Royals, yet they tend to be scarier because they’re more identifiable. Many Tyrants earn their positions (although not in any kind of good manner) and start from humble beginnings, unlike their Royal counterparts. The utterly callous way they treat the people beneath them seems colder and more frightening when we consider that the Tyrant may have once been among those people. A Tyrant also tends to have an end to his means (ha), typically lovely goals like genocide, conquest, or exploitation. The end-game for this twisted sovereign may be completely understandable, or could simply be born of childhood prejudices or racial hatred. All the audience knows is they hate the Tyrant, might be a bit creeped out by him (or her), and can’t wait for the moment when the hero finally treats them to their just deserts.

Some famous (fictional) Tyrants:

• The Lord Marshal (Chronicles of Riddick)
• Adam Susan (V for Vendetta)
• Gul Dukat (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)
• The Governor (Walking Dead)
• Emperor Palpatine and Grand Moff Tarkin (Star Wars)
• Doctor Doom (Marvel)
• Richard III