Babel Clash

Batman IS NOT magic.  Batman IS fantasy, however.

Lee & I seem to be working with two very different definitions of magic.  In Lee’s definition, magic is synonymous with fantasy and the words can be used interchangeably.  This definition leads inexorably to the conclusion that Batman is magic because a) superheroes are magic and b) Batman is a superhero, therefore c) Batman is magic.  But, in my humble opinion, it is a sweeping generalisation to assume that all superheroes are magic.

In my definition, magic is a subset of fantasy.  To use the language of deductive reasoning, all magic is fantasy, but not all fantasy is magic.  I’m not disputing the fact that Batman is fantastic.  Batman is wicked fantastic.  Some of the stuff he can do is pretty darn unlikely.  But the fact remains that it is unlikely, not impossible.  Yes, it is very, very unlikely that one person could be the best at everything - detecting, disguising, super-sciencing, athleticism, you name it - but it is not impossible.  Yes, it would be bizarre for “real” people to run around dressed like bats, but it is not impossible.  Yes, it is unusual for real people to keep a Rogues’ Gallery, but Allan Pinkerton did and he was a real dude.  If it’s at all possible, no matter what the odds are against or how unlikely or remote, in my definition, it is fantasy not magic. 

Magic is the impossible.  It’s controlling wind (like Shannon Hale’s Goose Girl and Patrick Rothfuss’ Name of the Wind), it’s the ability to fly/levitate (like Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn), it’s shooting bolts of fire (like Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files).  It’s the stuff that us mere mortals constrained by the laws of physics just couldn’t possibly do.

In conclusion, I would like to offer this Venn diagram as irrefutable proof that Batman, while he is fantasy, is most decidedly not magic.

Not to blatantly self promote Babel Clash, but my favorite con moment was last year’s Babel Clash panel at Comic Con.  Okay, so it blatant self-promotion, but still, I think it’s fun.  We had our first live geeky debate on the topic:  “Urban fantasy vs. Epic Fantasy.”  Our guests were Patrick Rothfuss, Seanan McGuire, Rob Thurman, Kat Richardson, Jeanne Stein, Amber Benson and Thomas Sniegoski.

You can find the clips on YouTube.

Babel Clash Live Debate part 1
Babel Clash Live Debate part 2

Yes, we are planning some new live debates for 2010.  More information to come in the months ahead.

Here is the video from our Babel Clash live debate in San Diego.

Our topic:  Urban fantasy vs. epic fantasy.  These are the two hottest genres in science fiction and fantasy, and we debated the reasons for their popularity.  Please check out parts 1 & 2 of the debate.

From left to right on your screen, our guests are:  Patrick Rothfuss, Seanan McGuire, Rob Thurman, Kat Richardson, Jeanne Stein, Amber Benson and Thomas Sniegoski.

Video Part 1

Part 2 is forthcoming soon!

If you’re in San Diego for Comic Con, please join Patrick Rothfuss, Rob Thurman, Thomas Sniegoski, Amber Benson, Seanan McGuire, Jeanne Stein & Kat Richardson for friendly debate and then a signing tonight (Saturday, July 25). The event takes place at 8:00 in the Borders store on 668 6th Ave, in the Gaslamp District.

I’ve heard a ton of buzz around Avatar, Scott Pilgrim and Kick-Ass movies coming out of the show. The Twilight manga is getting plenty of attention, and there is the giant obligatory presence for New Moon and True Blood & Charlaine Harris.

I’ll now return you to your originally scheduled programming. Brent & Joe, back to you…

I’m confirming our very first live Babel Clash debate, scheduled to coincide with the San Diego Comic Con festivities.   The event will feature a panel discussion and then a book signing.

When:  Saturday July 25 @ 8:00

Place:  Borders @ 668 6th Avenue in San Diego, in the Gaslamp District and only a very short walk away from the convention hall.

Guests:  Patrick Rothfuss, Rob Thurman, Thomas Sniegoski, Amber Benson, Seanan McGuire, Jeanne Stein and Kat Richardson.

We here at Babel Clash and Borders are very excited for this event.  Please come and enjoy the show, and spread the word.  We’re honored to have so many talented guests, and we want to deliver a great turnout for them.