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Ludius Ex Machina
In all too many books and movies, the hero is saved at the last moment by the hand of God. Luck, fate, or some almighty force stands in and maintains order. Perhaps the hero finds an impossible last measure of strength. Perhaps he finds another weapon hidden among some debris. Perhaps she discovers that her enemy is standing in a puddle of water next to an electrical cord. No matter the circumstance, we are all too familiar with the tired literary refrain of deus ex machina– the notion that the writer has intervened because the hero and by proxy the story could not resolve itself in a logical course without an unsatisfying tragic ending. (more…)
Of Men and Gods
There are many publishers of comic books today. At least a half dozen in the United States, more than a few in Japan, and a handful everywhere else. In the US, smaller publishers like Darkhorse Comics, feed the niche markets of hardcore enthusiasts and people interested in IP fiction like Star Wars or Aliens. However in terms of more mainstream publications, few have the wide appeal of the DC and Marvel Comics universes. Both companies have stables of extremely popular characters, all of whom are well established and many of whom have become part of our culture. They have interwoven these characters amongst each other to form communities and pantheons, capitalizing artistically and financially off their own intellectual assets. The similarities in the DC and Marvel universes extend from business models to character nuances, names, and costumes. Yet despite that, the ways these two famous houses portray heroism are different as man and god. (more…)
Heroic Tragedy
Over the course of this series, Jack Bauer has gone from being merely an American James Bond to being an excellent example of the tragic hero. This transformation is no more surprising than the endless plot twists which plague Bauer and his comrades every season. This season serves to cement Jack in the role of the tragic hero. His amazing talents and dedication are both his greatest strengths and his greatest failings. His hubris and superhuman skill have led him from a life of government service into the life of a cursed, disgraced, broken man. Please be warned, this article contains spoilers.
Birds of a Feather
Traditional narrative forms of art overflow with examples of familial representation. Family plays an enormous part of many novels, films, and television shows. Many of these examples also demonstrate non-conventional family structures. This does not necessarily refer to same-sex couples or a woman with 27 cats. It often refers to groups like professional colleagues, circles of friends, or room mates. These de facto units have become a part of the constantly evolving definition of the modern family. (more…)
Eternal Youth
Most video games are what author Nick Montfort would call “interactive fiction.” It is quite clear how games like The Legend of Zelda fit into that category. There is, more or less, a set story which you follow from beginning to end. But like most puzzle games, Brain Age, doesn’t have a built-in plot. It has instead a personal narrative. The player develops based on his or her level of interaction and interest. The story of your Brain Age is a singular experience that cannot be replicated by anyone else. (more…)