Worlds Unknown #4: Fredric Brown's "Arena"

Download Worlds Unknown #4






Many of you good folks out there are familiar with Star Trek's take on Fredric Brown's Arena with the Gorn playing the role of the mysterious Outsiders, but I first became aware of this classic Science Fiction short story through Marvel Comics' Worlds Unknown #4. While I heartily recommend the original short story, this adaptation, which was written by Gerry Conway and drawn by John Buscema and Dick Giordano, is actually quite good. I recall enjoying this one tremendously as a kid and again as an adult, which means this one receives an enthusiastic recommendation.


Credits

Cover: Dick Giordano
Script: Frederic Brown (Original Story), Gerry Conway (Adaptation)
Pencils: John Buscema
Inks: Dick Giordano

Reprinted:

• from Unknown Worlds Of Science Fiction Giant Size Special #1 (Marvel, 1973 series)
  

Surprise download: Fredric Brown's Arena published in Starlog #4:

Download Starlog #4




The teleplay for the original Star Trek series was credited to an original story by Fredric Brown, also titled "Arena," that was first published in 1944 on the pages of Astounding Science Fiction magazine, though Robert Justman and Herb Solow wrote in Inside Star Trek: The Real Story, that Gene L. Coon wrote his script as an original (over the course of a weekend), unaware of Brown's story, and only sought permission to "adapt" the story after the slight similarities were pointed out to him. Brown was more than happy to hear that Star Trek decided to use one of his stories, and probably never found out the real plot behind it.

In his final speech, the Metron informs Kirk that, because he demonstrated mercy, he will not be destroyed. Initially, they said they planned to destroy the loser, "in the interests of peace." In Coon's script, in dialog not aired, the Metron admits that they had, all along, planned to actually destroy the ship of the winner of the personal combat, because that race would represent the greater danger to them. James Blish preserves this disclosure in his novelization in Star Trek 2.

The Time Traveler Show podcast #3 is available now! The main content is an unabridged reading of Frederic Brown’s often adapted (though not always attributed) classic SF tale Arena. Originally published in the June 1944 issue of Astounding Science Fiction magazine this tale was first adapted as an episode of the original Outer Limits in 1964, then in 1967 for the original Star Trek television series (the infamous “Gorn” episode), and even as a comic in Marvel Comics magazine Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction in 1976. You can read the complete show notes for podcast #3 HERE or download the show HERE.

And if you haven’t already be sure to subscribe using this feed:

http://www.timetravelershow.com/shows/feed.xml

Batman #255: "Moon of the Wolf" (Neal Adams art)

Download Batman #255







An influential and innovative artist, Neal Adams did the majority of his comic-book work after he'd drawn the successful newspaper strip Ben Casey in the early 1960s. By the late 1960s, he was working for DC Comics. Adams drew Deadman in Strange Adventures, upgraded Batman and rescued him from his TV-induced camp phase and, working with writer Denny O'Neil on Green Lantern/Green Arrow, epitomized the relevancy phase that comics went through in the early 1970s. He also drew X-Men and The Avengers for Marvel.

Neal Adams had worked for the Johnstone and Cushing art service while still in his teens. They produced cartoon and comic-strip ads, and one of their star performers was Stan Drake. The young Adams was much influenced by Drake's sketchy, illustrative style. Later he assisted Drake on The Heart of Juliet Jones newspaper strip. The work he did for comic books went beyond the house styles of DC and Marvel, bringing in a slick advertising look as well as a touch of gritty realism.

His Deadman, while causing fan enthusiasm and colleague admiration, did not prove to be a viable hero initially. The social awareness issues of GL/GA, dealing with such problems as drug abuse and racism and broadening the range of what comic books could do, gained considerable attention in the media. The magazine itself, though, was canceled early in 1972. Adams drew his modernized and somewhat sophisticated version of Batman about this time, also managing to work on The Avengers over at Marvel. His take on the Dark Knight influenced several artists who followed.

In the middle 1970s Adams was also one of those who campaigned for and succeeded in getting royalties for Jerry Siegel and joe Shuster for having created Superman. Adams started producing his own comics in the 1980s, including Echo of Future Past and Ms. Mystic. He has been far less active in comic books for the past two decades, and his Continuity Associates has concentrated on advertising and animatics.



Credits

Cover: Neal Adams and Nick Cardy
Script: Len Wein
Pencils: Neal Adams
Inks: Dick Giordano


























Special surprise bonus download:


Download Batman Illustrated Volume #1