This helps me understand The Invisibles comic series better. I had no frame of reference when I first read it, and have encountered the references over the years. Cornelius is another piece of the puzzle.
Gideon Stargrave was an early strip in Near Myths (1978) before he became big. Even at that young age, I saw the homage to Jerry Cornelius. I suspect the Stargrave name came from the Legion of Superheroes, Pulsar Stargrave in the Legion of Super Heroes, 1977
On the origins of the story, yes, in particular Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the novel are based quite closely on the stories you mention, _The Dreaming City_ and _While the Gods Laugh_ and I think that's a key to understanding the Cornelius stories in general. They all feature fantasy motifs ironically translated into terms of science fiction. For instance magic swords become needle guns, potions become drugs and so on. This enables Moorcock to deal with the SF elements with ironic distance, to examine the way new science and technology impact on people in a symbolic way, rather than being concerned with the actual science itself, which was a big concern in the New Wave, particularly with Moorcock and J G Ballard. Also, and this is particularly important, the principles of Law and Chaos, which in Moorcock's fantasy works are fundamental divine principles controlling the cosmos, are translated in the Cornelius stories in terms of thermodynamics, of order and entropy, of heat, time and energy. Throughout this book, and all the other stories in the series, you will find characters repeatedly making reference to feeling unexpectedly warm, or cold, or to time slowing down, or speeding up. The phrase "What's the time? My watch has stopped," comes up over and over. And this all links in to the progressively decayed state of society and to the political attitudes the characters take to that society. If you like the hallucinomats in Phase 1 I can tell you that's an idea that is developed in greater detail in Moorcock's novella _The Deep Fix._ And the dead astronaut Mr Newman also features in a very strange story called _The Real Life Mr Newman._
At first, the amorality within the way Jerry and every other character treat each other in the novel really disturbed me. Afterwards I understood that Moorcock was creating a certain style of chaotic atmosphere that is meant to give everything a nightmarish tinge. The break neck speed at which the plot moves also seems to emulate the way we perceive dreams. It was my first Moorcock. I'm diving into the Elric books fairly soon and I look forward to what Moorcock's unique brand of prose will work with that dark fantasy world. Thanks for the great content Chris! Would love to see you and your brother talk about this story together since his views on drug use and the psychedelic 60s seem to be a lot different than yours.
You need to read the short story "The Deep Fix". it will shed light on various things in the novel. Plus it became the name of Moorcock's band, so relevant anyway.
I'm up to the part where you're talking about "Underground Music" and it's important to point out what is practically INVISIBLE, perhaps UNIMAGINABLE to us from our vantage point in time - that in the world of 1963 - 65 Britain the Beatles are energetically counter cultural and vibrant. When he drops references to tunes in these stories they were POWERFUL references to contemporary readership in a way that their success and saturation would not let them be just a couple of years later. Imagine the youth culture listening to bubblegum pop and then playing them Hendrix's Voodoo Child.
I showed you video to M. Moorcock & he said: "Actually written while getting up to give my babies their bottles, allowing my wife time to sleep! Not much room for dropping acid!" and "Useful to me -- I never remember my plots! Smart critic, too." Just FYI. 😁
I'm shocked and a little starstruck from this incredible comment! Thanks for showing my video to Michael Moorcock! I'm going to make a video response to this comment and post it this coming Sunday. Thanks again!
@@LiminalSpaces03 I should clarify: I posted it to a page I Know that he reads & interacted w/ him. I did NOT personally whip out my phone while we were out drinking & say "Mike, check this out."
This helps me understand The Invisibles comic series better. I had no frame of reference when I first read it, and have encountered the references over the years. Cornelius is another piece of the puzzle.
Gideon Stargrave was an early strip in Near Myths (1978) before he became big. Even at that young age, I saw the homage to Jerry Cornelius. I suspect the Stargrave name came from the Legion of Superheroes, Pulsar Stargrave in the Legion of Super Heroes, 1977
@@Pebble3007 The guy who wrote those is known for ripping Moore AND Moorcock. Moore has, with MM's blessing, used Cornelius in his own work.
On the origins of the story, yes, in particular Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the novel are based quite closely on the stories you mention, _The Dreaming City_ and _While the Gods Laugh_ and I think that's a key to understanding the Cornelius stories in general. They all feature fantasy motifs ironically translated into terms of science fiction. For instance magic swords become needle guns, potions become drugs and so on. This enables Moorcock to deal with the SF elements with ironic distance, to examine the way new science and technology impact on people in a symbolic way, rather than being concerned with the actual science itself, which was a big concern in the New Wave, particularly with Moorcock and J G Ballard.
Also, and this is particularly important, the principles of Law and Chaos, which in Moorcock's fantasy works are fundamental divine principles controlling the cosmos, are translated in the Cornelius stories in terms of thermodynamics, of order and entropy, of heat, time and energy. Throughout this book, and all the other stories in the series, you will find characters repeatedly making reference to feeling unexpectedly warm, or cold, or to time slowing down, or speeding up. The phrase "What's the time? My watch has stopped," comes up over and over. And this all links in to the progressively decayed state of society and to the political attitudes the characters take to that society.
If you like the hallucinomats in Phase 1 I can tell you that's an idea that is developed in greater detail in Moorcock's novella _The Deep Fix._ And the dead astronaut Mr Newman also features in a very strange story called _The Real Life Mr Newman._
Wonderful comment! Thanks so much for all of this info!
Liking and commenting for the algorhythm. I just ordered the compendium book, so saving this until after I read!
YOU’RE AMAZING PERFECT WAY TO START THE WEEKEND LETS GO! 🎉❤
Thanks so much!
@@LiminalSpaces03 waiting on that annihilation deep read 😎
@@trustaywriting It'll be up in about 20 minutes!
@@LiminalSpaces03 spoiling us let’s go! I’ll be there 🙌
At first, the amorality within the way Jerry and every other character treat each other in the novel really disturbed me. Afterwards I understood that Moorcock was creating a certain style of chaotic atmosphere that is meant to give everything a nightmarish tinge. The break neck speed at which the plot moves also seems to emulate the way we perceive dreams. It was my first Moorcock. I'm diving into the Elric books fairly soon and I look forward to what Moorcock's unique brand of prose will work with that dark fantasy world.
Thanks for the great content Chris! Would love to see you and your brother talk about this story together since his views on drug use and the psychedelic 60s seem to be a lot different than yours.
Yeah, Jason and I are six years apart. He was a teen in the 80's and I was a teen in the 90's, so we have some different views on things!
@@LiminalSpaces03 cool, I was born in 1977, so I'm a 90s kid as well. Primus sucks! Hehe
You need to read the short story "The Deep Fix". it will shed light on various things in the novel. Plus it became the name of Moorcock's band, so relevant anyway.
Awesome, thanks for the rec!
I'm up to the part where you're talking about "Underground Music" and it's important to point out what is practically INVISIBLE, perhaps UNIMAGINABLE to us from our vantage point in time - that in the world of 1963 - 65 Britain the Beatles are energetically counter cultural and vibrant. When he drops references to tunes in these stories they were POWERFUL references to contemporary readership in a way that their success and saturation would not let them be just a couple of years later.
Imagine the youth culture listening to bubblegum pop and then playing them Hendrix's Voodoo Child.
Well said!
After having seen this deep dive, the movie does miss the mark.
I showed you video to M. Moorcock & he said: "Actually written while getting up to give my babies their bottles, allowing my wife time to sleep! Not much room for dropping acid!" and "Useful to me -- I never remember my plots! Smart critic, too."
Just FYI. 😁
I'm shocked and a little starstruck from this incredible comment! Thanks for showing my video to Michael Moorcock! I'm going to make a video response to this comment and post it this coming Sunday. Thanks again!
@@LiminalSpaces03 I should clarify: I posted it to a page I Know that he reads & interacted w/ him. I did NOT personally whip out my phone while we were out drinking & say "Mike, check this out."
it’s Professor Hira, isn’t it? Not Dr Hida?
It is.
Hira turns up in most of the books, as does Miss Brunner. MM by the way interacted with many well-known musicians of the 60s and 70s.
Correct! Thanks for the correction!
Hello. Whats your favorite band? Favorite movie? Have a awesome day
I like so many bands and movies that is a hard question to answer!