No, The Book of The New Sun is a series of 4 books. They are of the SF genre; yet, told like a fantasy-myth. These books together are perhaps the most important story told in the SF world. Unfortunately, it is beyond description. If you thought Dune was literary Sci Fi, you haven’t read these books. It is based on a very far future earth (Urth), past disasters have reduced a vastly advanced human race into a medevial type society. The people are ruled by a single Leader called the Auratarch. The Auratarch is a revered king. Through the story you realize that at some point humans had been able to travel between the stars, until a series of events has reduced them to nearly archaic technology…almost. At some point a race came from the stars and helped restock Urth with animal life (some bioengineered, some never before seen on Urth). Yet, overtly it was mostly limited to that. They are a foriegn and distrusted element to the struggling human race. However, for some reason their King (Auratarch)has some relationship with them and in returns benifts by limited sharing of technology which is not shared with the populace to a large degree. In fact, a covert group of Exultants (nobles) are rebeling against the Aratarch, who seems determined to hold back the progress and advancement (tech wise and etc.) of the race. I don’t know how to decribe that better without spoiling the book. The story is narrated, first person, by Severian of the Torturer’s guild. He is raised from a child to serve his Auratarch as a torturer. He looks forward to being an honorable member of his quild. Then one day a lady of noble blood (one of the Exultants) is brought to the torturer’s guild by order of the Auratarch. During her stay in the Citadel (in a cell) Severian finds himself fallen for her. It had been hoped that she would eventually be let go and not ‘exruciated’ by the Guild. Severian ends up betraying his honor in the Guilds most feared manner, he shows her mercy…by killing her, quickly. He leaves the only place and people he has ever known into exile. The sun is dying, the legends say that the Conciliator (a messiah) will bring a New Sun for Urth, a disgraced Torturer finds a power that can heal, raise from the dead, and forgive injuries (sins or injustices). It is a story about a man who seeks redemption, finds a throne, and becomes a Saviour to his people. It feels like a Myth, or like it must be based on some premonition of our future. It demonstates the horror and hopes of our race. At times it can be humorous (sometimes in ways that make you feel guilty for laughing). Somethimes it breaks your heart. And sometimes it reminds you just how great we can be. In the end it’s dark, awe inspiring, haunting, and hopeful. It is very deep, written in a highly allegorical and literary style. In fact, many refer to Gene Wolfe, the author, as the top of America’s literary writers. Damn good prase for a Sci Fi/fantasy/horror writer. There is a slightly Catholic-religious feel to World’s customs and legends. Trust me it is not preachy. Merely the half-forgotten, restucturing of a religion in Earth’s past that involves the Conciliator. After reading this, every Sf/fantasy novel seems to be write by numbers hack work. Read these novels.
I’ve been waiting for Arnold to do another Conan movie for many years. Now would be the perfect time for him to play Conan when he was king of Aquilonia. I hope they make it a Robert E. Howard Conan not a Marvel comics Conan. That is, more like Barbarian than destroyer.
I haven’t read any comic books in about 5 years, but how about any in this series:
Sin City by Frank Miller
One reason why i would like to see another Conana type movie is because of all the special effects they could add. Take a look at Lord of the Rings for example. Anyway, i just think that Arnie could not do the job at his age. There would be too much saggy skin everywhere. I think it needs a fresh face.
Although if they made arnold an old king in the movie like you guys said, it might work out.
I would highly reccomend it. You can get a used copy for about 5 bucks. well worth it.
Okay, okay, I MUST, I AM COMPELLED to add this: John Millius has written a script for a Conan 3 (Conan: Crown of Iron). It is 190 pages long. The producers (The Waschowski Brothers. Yes, that is correct…of the Matrix), asked him to trim the script to bring it down to like 160 pages. Aw-nold would be a elder King Conan in this one. AND if you didn’t know this: John Millius wrote and directed the first (and best) Conan.
Sorry, I'm still reeling from seeing Blade 2 last night. Wow. Fun, fun, movie. With one of the most brutal fight scenes I've ever seen in a movie....(between Blade and the Big Bad Reaper). whoa. Just a big freakin' whoa.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Hitman is my first pick to make into a movie. I picture it as being one of the most entertain movies ever but worry it might come off as too Tarantino-ish. Other picks of mine include The Spectre (Ostrander’s version), Shock Rockets, and Superman. It’s good news that Jon Peters is no longer involved with the current Superman film but I’m still pessimistic about it.
Art arguement first blade later. I still like Julie Bell and Boris I can’t spell his last name either better than Frank. I’m sorry. I’m not saying Frank is bad…I just like them better. I can agree to disagree. Good good. 
I got home from seeing Blade 2 a little while ago. Would have been on here earlier but I had to eat. Hehehe. It’s the name of the game!!!That was one kickass movie. I love Vampires. Nomax was awesome. He tha man. The line about the lawers was great too. I see a Blade 3 coming out. I think Blade’s sunglasses were made on Krypton!!! I know my Raybans can’t take shit like that. Although for the price…
(Oh sorry for the convoluted post me tired.)
New movies comming out. Austin Powers 3. Yay. The new Jason movie…WTF??? What kinda crack are these people smoking. Ya in the year 2500 or so space travellers find Jason on another planet and he becomes a cyborg on the ship. Huh??? How stupid is this??? I’m open minded but FUCK!!! The end is nigh. I agree comic book shit etc. is much better than topics about boyfriend girlfriend stuff…make my pee pee huge…okay it’s better than that too. But more importantly how did you get coloured words??? That’s just not fair. For that matter how do people make their posts into paragraphs???
I heard that it was alright, not his best but a good read. My friends have told what it is about, too much to explain here, and it sounds interesting. I am still waiting until it comes out on paperback before I buy it.
Thanks.
That’s cool about Julie and Boris (who are husband and wife, too. Did you know?) - but they’ll tell you who the real “master” is. Frank Frazetta. If there was no Frank, there’d be no Julie and Boris. When Frazetta made a surprise appearance at the 1997 Comic-Con in San Diego (I misses this one, too. DAMN!) they were the first to rush up to see him. Just about EVERY artist in that convention hall did the same. He is THAT revered in the industry. He is made THAT MUCH
of a impact in the art world. Which is not the reason I treasure him. His art to me, from a artist’s point of view, is unobtainable
. While Julie and Boris - I could do - it’d be fairly easy. I feel the same way about Brom. His stuff is amazing! I’d be afraid to see what goes on in that dark, twisted mind of his.
As for Blade? WOO HOO!!!!!
Them were some brutal fight scenes. And the guy who played Nomak? His name is Luke Goss, former lead singer of some British band called Bros. Yep, he's a singin' pretty boy. But he OWNED
that role. Yes, there is gonna be a Blade 3. David Goyer is penning the script now. Well, he's pretty busy with Ghost Rider, too. Blade 3 is gonna be set 25-years from now. The vampires have taken over and have placed humans in concentration camps. Vewy interesting!
The crowd was laughing heartily to the Jason X trailer. BWAHAHAHAHA!
Oh, and we had some members of NAAFA sitting in the row behind us and forgot that they were in a theater and NOT THEIR LIVING ROOM. If you get my drift. I was about to get all "Blade-Like" all over 'em. Especially after this dude kept pulling food OUT OF HIS COAT! That coat was stocked like a kitchen!
Oh and paragraphs are made like this, you place the following in front of your paragraph: A "<" and then a "p" and then a ">" (minus the quotation marks). A knowledge of HTML tags are helpful for the colors and other FUNKY
stuff. But, man, you do some serious typing with the HTML stuff added!
Yes I know that Julie and Boris are husband and wife. He taught her how to paint. I have tons of cards of Boris’s paintings and of Frazetta’s…I have seen alot of Julie’s work too…who I think is almost better than Boris now. I still think they are better than Frank even if they revere him or not or whatever. That’s my opinion and I’m sticking too it. Heheheh.
At least we can agree on Brom. How about Joseph Michael Linsner? He good. Good as my grammer.
Luke Goss is from Bros??? The two blonde fruits??? Damn!!! Now that’s acting. He made the movie. Bad guys always make the movie(depending on the type of movie). No strong bad guy…usually crap movie. Blade 3 yippy. Thanks for the paragraph info…better work.
The Infinity Gauntlet 6 part series (Marvel Comics) would make a great movie.
To nkeago & Patricia:
Being a huge fantasty art fan as well as an artist I have to say that Frank Frazetta is by far a more talented and refined artist than the Vallejo’s. I believe Boris a Julie are tremendous draftsman, but their art becomes to posed and static. However, the majority of their work centers on capturing a particular moment, so that’s not so bad.
Frazetta, besides being a fine artist, was also a sequential artist, so movement and fluidity were essential to the artwork he was creating in the comic strips he did. That sense of motion also came through in his paintings. Boris and Julie’s strength lie in their painting technique where as Frazetta’s strength lies within the whole image. Patricia, if you like Simon Bisley, check out Alex Horley. An italian illustrator whose style of painting is similiar. Check out spiderwebart.com to see some of his work.
Thought of a few more. Aliens vs Predator. However no humans just the preds and aliens in a non-stop ass whup frenzy. The Fist of the North Star. I know a live action one was made but it looked crappy. Ninja Scroll live action. Okay that’s anime but close enough. Now that were at it…Robotech. Keep you posted.
Great input on our little Boris, Julie & Frank debate. With any luck it’s over. Heheheh. I still like Luis Royo the best cause he’s the ultimate bar none.
Dudes: Predator vs. Alien newz: Ridley Scott spilled some valuable “beans” at a recent press meeting. He stated that some guy named “Cameron” is VERY interested in Directing the li’l Alien5 or possibly Alien vs. Predator project. As well as writing the script.
Oh and tommyboy: I'll check out that website. I'm familiar with the name, but haven't really looked at his stuff. Remeber when Biz useto do the Lobo art? NOW, that'd be a movie! Lobo vs. Aliens, Lobo vs. Predator, Lobo vs. Wolverine. oooh, the possibilities.
I've also spoken to MRS. Frazetta! It was like, two years ago. And I saw that the Frazetta Art Museum was about to reopen and I called the number that was on the website. It was Frank, Jr. After speaking to him long enough to know that I wasn't sometype of psycho, he gave me Frank's home number! And Ellie answered! Oh my god!!!!!!! She asked me to let her know when I would be going to the museum and to bring along my portfolio! Oh my god!!!!! Someday, goddammit, someday we're gonna go. I'm hoping next spring.
tommyboy, you say you're an artist, what type of work?
You can see samples of my stuff here: www.portfolios.com/PatriciaSmith
Sorry, I may be repeating some things as I haven’t read every post. It’d be great to make another Conan, as long as it’s not the Rock (these were some rumors). You could get Arnold to be king of Aquilonia, but it would have been nice to have more than just two previous Conan movies. By the way, The destroyer was a Robert Jordan (multiple Conan stories, Wheel of Time) story, not marvel. I can’t wait to see the next Batman, which is being written by Frank Miller. If they get the right director that will be the greatest movie that comes out that summer, regardless of what it goes against (I’m biased). Just a side note, Miyamoto Musashi was beaten by a staff master, but never in a sword duel.
I meant that I hope that Conan would be depicted as he is in the Robert E. Howard stories,not the later pastiches. I only used Marvel comics as an example. Nothing against Marvel, DeCamp,Jordan or anyone else, I just like the original stuff better.
I also wish more Conan movies were made before Arnold got older. The ROCK is great , but he’s not Conan. Maybe TRIPLE-H?
Am surprised no one metioned [1] Sandman by Gaiman - especially since someone mentioned Alan Moore’s, Watchman. [2] Transpmetropolitan by Warren Ellis [Spider Jeruslaem makes TC and Chris Shugart look like angels]. [3] Something from Busieks Astro city, especioally if the Shade is floating around. [4] Finally, for the true comics geek Tongue Lash, you can’t beat am Aztec/ Fetish combination.