Bøger af Valerie Estelle Frankel

As many know, Game of Thrones takes its story from many influences: the War of the Roses, Catherine de Medici, Norse and Celtic myth as well as medieval ballads. Modern readers find parallels with politics, the corporate world, and conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. Will the story end like Lord of the Rings or completely invert it? How about King Arthur? Pop culture and parody author Valerie Estelle Frankel examines the sources and predicts a Game of Thrones ending for each one. What will the Ragnarok ending look like? Or the Narnia ending? Who will live, who will die, and how goofy can the war of ice and fire possibly get?

The Doctor is certainly the legend with untold faces, the mythic hero who dies to save mankind only to return, regenerated into an undying god with new wisdom of the ages. But his companions are journeying too. Rose Tyler and Donna Noble cross the TARDIS threshold and grow from ordinary women into goddesses of transcendent light, restoring the world with their golden auras. Martha learns faith and Amy, the power of imagination, until both can save the Doctor purely with the strength of their belief. By willing the world to reshape itself, they harness the power of the oldest goddesses who ruled with creation magic rather than conquest. River Song is the divine child of the TARDIS, magic itself, while Clara learns the heroine's mythic power of spreading herself through eternity and thus reshaping reality as the Doctor's world. United, they battle for the earth's redemption by confronting the shadows within.

The Avengers franchise has slammed off the charts, with brave, clever characters embarking on amazing adventures. But what fuels their fire? Tony Stark's obsession with fast cars and fast women conceals a deep quest for purpose. When he witnesses that his weapons have murdered innocent families, his heart literally shatters - he builds himself the new heart of a hero. Captain America's weakness is weakness itself, as Steve Rogers transforms into an outer self that matches the inner, a change mirrored in the heart of every kid beaten up on the playground. Rage rules the Hulk, though it's also his greatest strength when mastered. The Avengers, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Guardians of the Galaxy find family that complete them, while Daredevil reconciles his split, even contradictory personality. Each hero battles his dark side, appearing as Loki, Red Skull, Kingpin, and other subconscious shadows. Thus, the hero conquers his doubts and harnesses might beyond his gauntlets or guns...he becomes a superhero. With easter eggs, interviews, and comic history, there's treats for all the Marvel fans.

Doctor Who is a show about books, TV, and science fiction for the fans within us all: The Tenth Doctor loves Harry Potter, the Eleventh Doctor wears costumes, Martha Jones wants to record Shakespeare's lost play and sell it on the internet. As the characters gush over Agatha Christie or tangle with Men in Black, they enter a self-referential world of fiction about fiction, delighting in pure fandom. Producers Davies and Moffat nod to their other creations, from Sherlock to Casanova, and share their love for both the classic series and the larger world of Doctor Who novels, audio books, and comics. As the franchise riffs off Star Trek, Star Wars, Alice in Wonderland, and Hitchhiker's Guide, it both celebrates the world's most popular works and takes its place among them.

With dogs, wolves, ravens, blood flies, and so many more, animal symbolism is endlessly significant in Game of Thrones. Why does Daenerys receive magical eggs in particular? What does a hand symbolize or a horn? There are meaningful towers and water gardens, stretching from the pyramids of Meereen to the infamous Iron Throne. Meanwhile, George R.R. Martin's characters chomp on bloody beef, blood oranges, red wine, beets, and pomegranates between the inevitable bloodbaths. The intricately crafted world of books and show has endless depth, revealed in this companion for fans of every flavor.

The Divergent series is delighting the world with its epic of Tris and Four struggling through revolutions to create a better world. But there are deeper meanings and symbols beneath the surface. Why is it fitting that teens numbered three and four should remake the world? How many Biblical references appear? Why are ravens and crows such popular symbols? And what themes and images does this series share with The Hunger Games and all the other dystopias, past and present? Today's groundbreaking studies in brain chemistry and psychology tests merge with a frightening future in the recognizable ruins of Chicago. As Tris becomes a warrior woman on the classic heroine's journey, she discovers the deeper truths of the five Factions, and in so doing, the deeper truths of herself. What these truths are, clever fans can discover through close analysis of the trilogy.

Destiny transforms the heroes of science fiction and fantasy, impelling them to battle cataclysms, deadly foes, and even the hidden facets that make up their personalities. Now speculative fiction authors in Silicon Valley join to offer a collection of these ultimate conflicts - back to a hidden prehistoric truth, through the hidden magic of the Revolutionary War, and to the farthest stretches of horror-humor. There's a space adventure with a delightful pop culture twist and a retired heroine called on to save a trapped alien race. Characters from mythology's Psyche to a vengeful turkey get to redefine the world. Spanning all the speculative fiction genres, this shining eight-story journey mustn't be missed.

Speed, Toy Story, X-Men, Alien: Resurrection, Roseanne, Parenthood, Superman/Batman. Even outside Buffy, Firefly and Avengers, Joss Whedon has written stacks of scripts, along with many series of comic books. His signature style offers strong women, sudden tragedies, and clever quips. But even more than these, he's known for the pop culture references: Under his watch, Iron Man calls Hawkeye "Legolas," Buffy dresses as Red Riding Hood and snarks, "Back off, Pink Ranger!" Wolverine makes sports metaphors, and Kitty Pryde uses Buffyspeak. Marty from Cabin quotes the X-Files and reads Curious George. Captain Mal has read Coleridge and the Bible but doesn't know the Mona Lisa. Genre-savvy Angel and Spike become their Comic-Con costumes. By now, hundreds of shows recognize the fannish delight these moments bring, offering hundreds of their own nods to Firefly and Buffy. Within this volume are all Whedon's references from AA to zombies, shwarma to Star Wars, from every project - script treatments to shows to one-shot comics, for the truly avid Whedon fans.

Can't recall the backstory on Dr. Kelly Nieman? Or Beckett's father? Trying to track down what really happened in Montreal or Paris? This is the book for you. Follow Beckett and Castle's romance through its evolution and trace all the character arcs as Alexis grows up and Ryan and Esposito find their soulmates. Relive the funniest moments and the biggest tearjerkers. Plus Castle's wackiest theories, the genre episodes, Firefly nods, and much more. With cast interviews and insights into the next season, the adventure keeps on going.

Did you know that Ellen is a good name for an astronaut and Emma for an action heroine? Or that dark lords are predetermined? Given all this, what's the best name for your scifi baby? True, those more fannish than sensible might go with Darth, Zoidberg or Katniss. Crueler yet are Mekaneck, Mundungus, or Number Six. However, the cleverest fans can sneak in their homages. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is really named Elizabeth, and her boyfriends are both William. If you want a small superhero, you could name the kid Linda (Supergirl) or Lorena (Aquagirl) as well as the obvious Diana (Wonder Woman). A full range of these tributes appear within, complete with snarky remarks on how your kid may discover hidden heroism with Wesley or Susan or use your name choice to sue for independence assuming you go with Legolas or Wednesday Adams. With Asian, Arabic, and other multicultural offerings as well as statistics, this is a must-use guide for those discovering the power of names, especially in pop culture.

The new Star Wars: The Force Awakens offers a world of diversity - its heroes span the races and genders. Yet under this, there's much to explore - Rey is a butt-kicking heroine, but some might say she's so overpowered she has no challenges left. Others might observe that from her clothes and skills to her friends and enemies, she's excelling more at the hero's journey than the heroine's. Does Finn undergo the classic hero's journey, or is his too subverted? There are fascinating symbols as well, as Kylo Ren's lightsaber is as unstable as he is, while perception and sight dominate the story arc. From themes to novels and comics, this book explores the hidden depths of the series, revealing them for fans to enjoy. An unauthorized guide.

ABC's Castle, a show like no other, celebrates every aspect of fandom. Of course, Nathan Fillion has already rocked the fannish community with his many beloved roles. As a writer-hero, he eagerly plunges into hidden communities, from vampire and steampunk clubs to beauty pageants and dog shows. He wears a space suit, zombie makeup, laser tag gear, and a tux. His fannish immersion stretches even to the point of believing in psychics, aliens, ninjas, mummies, and ghosts. This book celebrates the pure fandom present in Castle - the Firefly easter eggs, pop culture references, and film homages - all that makes the show a true act of love.

The demon-slaying rebel teens of the Mortal Instruments have hit televisions everywhere as Freeform's Shadowhunters. Like Harry Potter and other beloved fantasies, the epic story's secrets lie in the real-world myths and legends that fuel its adventures. Shadowhunters use runes of angelic power from The Book of Raziel - inspired by its earthly counterpart and many a medieval codex. Real angelologies and demonologies supply the monsters and divine guidance as Lilith, Abbadon, and Asmodeus strike. Nephilim, parabatai, iratzes and the Sword of Heavenly Fire arrive straight from the Bible. Idris is from the Qur'an and the Silent Brothers from the mystical The Book of Enoch. Reaching wider, world folklore offers the nixies, djinn, warlocks, vampires, and fairies, along with oni, kappa, rakshasas and all the other magical peoples. Now learn more of them all, read from Dante, Milton, and Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, and discover the truths behind the Shadowhunters' deepest secrets.

Game of Thrones fans watch in delight as the epic battle of Lannister and Stark entangles the Seven Kingdoms. But only the sharpest notice how these houses echo Lancaster and York in the War of the Roses. Druids, Catholics, and even Zoroastrians wander through Westeros, reframing their religions for a new world of fantasy. But how medieval is Westeros? Did lady knights and pirates really battle across Europe? The book Winter is Coming: Symbols and Hidden Meanings in A Game of Thrones explores all this and more, from the echoes of history to the symbols and omens our beloved characters. Who is Jon Snow's mother and why is she a secret? What is Daenerys's real power, unknown even to her? Will these two characters share a destiny? Where is the red priestess's real Lightbringer and when will it arrive? Through dreams and prophecies, imagery and allegory, the deepest secrets of the series unfold, in an exploration friendly to watchers and readers alike.

This book analyzes Jewish tropes in popular science fiction ranging from Star Trek and Marvel to other prominent franchises. Sometimes the representation is subtle and thought-provoking; other times, it is limited to cliche and oversimplification of characters. The chapters in this collection examine the representation of Jewish characters in films and franchises including Superman, Lord of the Rings, The Mandalorian, The Twilight Zone, and more to shed light on the broad range of representations of the Jewish experience in popular science fiction and fantasy.

The villain's journey is rare in popular culture--most characters are fully-formed tyrants with little to no story arc. This book examines the villain's decline and subsequent struggle toward redemption, asking why these characters are willing to cross moral lines that 'good' characters are not.

Science fiction first emerged in the Industrial Age and continued to develop into its current form during the twentieth century. This book analyses the role Jewish writers played in the process of its creation and development. The author provides a comprehensive overview, bridging such seemingly disparate themes and figures as the ghetto legends of the golem and their influence on both Frankenstein and robots, the role of, Jewish authors and publishers in developing the first science fiction magazine in New York in the 1930s, and their later contributions to new and developing medial forms like comics and film. Drawing on the historical context and the positions Jews held in the larger cultural environment, the author illustrates how themes and tropes in science fiction and fantasy relate back to the realities of Jewish life in the face of global anti-Semitism, the struggle to assimilate in America, and the hope that was inspired by the founding of Israel.

The original Star Wars trilogy follows Joseph Campbell's model for the hero's journey, making Luke Skywalker's story the new hero quest for a modern age. With the film saga complete, new story patterns have emerged as the hero's journey is imagined over and over. This book tracks the journeys of over 20 characters throughout the franchise.

In this in-depth analysis of female characters in superhero media, the authors begin by identifying ten eras of superhero media defined by the way they portray women. Following this, the various archetypes of superheroines are classified into four categories: boundary crossers, good girls, outcasts, and those that reclaim power.

Fan Phenomena: Harry Potter is a journey - yes, a magical one - through one of the largest fanbases of all time and its efforts to ensure that The Boy Who Lived would live forever.

Star Wars defined popular, big-screen science fiction. Still, what many viewers best recall is assertive, hilarious Leia, the diminutive princess with a giant blaster who had to save them all. As the 1977 film arrived, women were marching for equality and demanding equal pay, with few onscreen role models. Leia echoed their struggle and showed them what they could be. Two more films joined in, though by the early eighties, post-feminism was pushing back and shoving the tough heroine into her pornographic gold bikini. After a sixteen-year gap, the prequels catered to a far different audience. Queen Amidala's decoy power originates in how dominated she is by her massive royal gowns. This obsession with fashion but also costuming as a girly superpower fits well with the heroines of the time. The third wavers filled the screens with glamorous, mighty girls strong but not too strong, like the idealistic teen Ahsoka of Clone Wars. However, space colonialism, abusive romance, and sacrifice left these characters a work in progress. Finally, the sequel era has introduced many more women to fill the galaxy: Rey, Jyn, Rose, Maz, Qi'ra, Val, L3-37, Captain Phasma, Admiral Holdo, and of course General Leia. Making women the central warriors and leaders while keeping them powerful and nonsexualized emphasizes that they can share in the franchise instead of supporting male Jedi. There's also more diversity, though it's still imperfect. Hera and Sabine on the spinoff cartoon Rebels and the many girls in the new franchise Forces of Destiny round out the era, along with toys, picture books, and other hallmarks of a new, more feminist fourth wave for the franchise.

Over the past half-century Doctor Who has defined science fiction television. The women in the series - from orphans and heroic mothers to seductresses and clever teachers - flourish in their roles yet rarely surmount them. Covering all of the series - classic and new - this book examines the women archetypes in Doctor Who.

BBC's Orphan Black shattered conventions with one actress - Tatiana Maslany - playing a host of main characters. At the same time, it burst through the expectations of a crowd that anticipated male heroes and female victims. This volume provides an analysis of the series.

The heroine's journey echoes through ancient legend, as each young woman combats her dark side and emerges stronger. Of course, this quest is also a staple of the most American of mythologies - comic books. From Jessica Jones and Catwoman to the new superwomen of cutting-edge webcomics, each heroine must descend into the darkest place of all, not to become a warrior-hero but a saviour.

Enter the world of myth behind Outlander, from the Fair Folk and the Loch Ness monster to the magic and lore of standing stones and the pagan Sun Feasts that control them. Reach into the original legends of culture hero Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the prophecy of the Brahan Seer that inspire parts of the saga.