Star Wars.. Two simple words that evoke a dazzling panoply of images: flashing
lightsabers humming and sparking, gargantuan starships involved in epic space
battles, desperate heroes in hopeless situations, and a clearly defined conflict
between the forces of good and evil. That is the classic view of Star Wars. Now,
authors Michael Reaves and Steve Perry bid us to join them as they tour some of
the less frequented corners of the Star Wars galaxy, and theirs is certainly a
journey worth making.
The Medstar Duology takes place during the Clone Wars, and occurs between The
Attack of the Clones and The Revenge of the Sith movies. The setting for the
story is a small, backwater planet on the rim of the galaxy. The
plot revolves around the struggles of the surgeons, nurses, and support staff of
a futuristic Mash unit, as they attempt to save lives and maintain their sanity
amidst the carnage of the Clone Wars. Here, we do not see the epic conflicts
themselves, but instead, Reaves and Perry show us the gritty aftermath. And in
doing so, they provide their readers with a unique perspective on the Star Wars
universe.
However, don't be misled into thinking that this duology is a downer.
Medstar is sometimes funny, sometimes sad, and other times mysterious, but it is
never depressing. The narrative is told in ensemble fashion, by both human and
non-human characters, all of whom are from various exotic worlds. Their
perspective on events, tempered by the filters of their different cultures and
traditions, adds immensely to the charm of the story. As if that weren't enough,
there's even a mystery here, too. And one so subtle that it will keep you
guessing right up until the last few pages. (Readers who are already familiar
with Michael Reaves earlier venture into the Star Wars universe, Darth Maul:
Shadow Hunter, will also be in for a pleasant surprise.)
While Battle Surgeons
and Jedi Healer are a definite must read for Star Wars fans, it's the authors'
objectivity that gives these books an even broader appeal, which ultimately
reaches far beyond the boundaries of the Star Wars universe. The Medstar Duology
is more than just an exceptional Star Wars tale-its also good science fiction.
 
Audio Scan:
 
Interview: Emmy Award Winner and New York Times Bestseller's list author
Michael Reaves.
The following interview was obtained at World Fantasy Con, Oct. 28-31. In it,
Michael previews The Irregulars, a Darkhorse graphic novel due for release
sometime in January or early February. He also discusses the concepts which
helped shape the Medstar Duology.
 
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Visual Scan:
Television: Betterman
Airing: While G4Tech TV has been known to air this series,
your best bet is either your local video or internet store.
Betterman is, without a doubt, one of the most unusual and intriguing of the
Anime series to have yet made its way to western markets. The show is entertaining and
engaging, occasionally even scary, but it can also be a little bit confusing, too. The truth
is, there are so many subplots and undercurrents in this series that it could even make
Machiavelli cry uncle. You can sit through an entire episode and then afterwards find
yourself muttering, "What the heck was that all about?" Betterman is simply that kind of
show.
Despite the plethora of jokes, the sight gags, and the frequent snatches of upbeat
dialogue, the general atmosphere of the series is for the most part dark and brooding, and
this is beautifully reflected in the artwork. It consistently projects the ominous mood of
the series, even in the most pedestrian of scenes, and contributes immensely to the overall
eeriness of the show. Due to this, a number of the vignettes that are depicted in Betterman
would probably be considered frightening to younger viewers, and it's possible that even
some adults might find them unsettling.
Which leads us to perhaps the most surprising aspect of the show: Betterman seems
to be a kid's program (unlike so many other entries in the genre, which are obviously
geared towards a more mature audience). In fact, to all intents and purposes, Betterman
appears to be aimed at an 11-15 year old young male demographic. However, don't be
misled by this minor detail, because the plot is so well conceived, and so intricately
woven, that you may find yourself having to watch the entire series two or more times,
before you're finally able to put all the pieces together.
Eventually, though, after you've sorted through the bulging cornucopia of metaphors, and
successfully threaded the constantly shifting undercurrents of the myriad subplots, you
will at last achieve enlightenment. And maybe, just maybe, you might even get to see an
entertaining little story in the bargain.
WARNING: Betterman is Anime. Although sex and nudity are absent in this series (making
it rather tame by Anime standards), there is still a great deal of innuendo, some of which
is quite blatant. In fact, innuendo is one of the most basic elements of the show, and it
is used in almost every episode.
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Table of Contents
The MOTI Group is: Steve Witt (Content)
and Charlie Callahan (Graphic Design)
For many people, not only here in the United States, but around the world, the turning of the year is a time of hope, of new beginnings. Whatever your traditions or beliefs, we here at Moti would like to say best wishes!
Next issue: Audio Scan with author Barbara Hambly. Until then!
Questions? Comments?
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