Babel Clash

Thanks, Tom & Joel for contributing to Babel Clash!  Please take this opportunity with your last couple of posts to share any information you’d like regarding The Grave Thief and Petrodor.  Or to just get the last word in on gods and their uses . . .

And for all you readers, tune in tomorrow for the beginning of our next conversation with A. Lee Martinez.

Being female, I have a visceral reaction to the idea that women are frail.  Once I’m past that initial flare, I have to admit that most of the men I know could take me in a fair fight.  That’s just the way it is.  But the fact remains that there are plenty of women in fantasy & science fiction who kick butt and take names (my personal favorite being Eowyn - I will admit to having her speechto the Nazgul memorized), which makes me wonder if I shouldn’t propose a third possibility beyond counter-balance or highlight.  What if women often serve the same sort of role tricksters fill in folklore?  Could butt-kicking women be there to demonstrate that sometimes being clever, quick, or more skillful can allow you to triumph over brute strength?  What do you say?

Our new topic comes to you in the spirit of the Olympics.

From Hercules to Frodo, how important is it that authors present physical prowess believably? How strong is too strong?  As we take a look at our heroes in fantasy and science fiction, do you want their athleticism to be realistic or is superhuman power (magical, cybernetic, etc.) expected?

Also in the Olympic spirit, I’m passing the torch to a new moderator here on Babel Clash.  Please welcome Terry.   She is a collaborator in all things science fiction, fantasy, graphic novels & horror here at Borders.  I’m personally very excited to see where she takes Babel Clash next.

Since this is a transitional period, now is a great time for us to collect feedback.  We have many ideas for updates and improvements that we hope to implement in 2010.  We want to create a site and a community that you enjoy and respect, so we’re happy to collect your feedback. Please post your comments with suggestions.

I’d like to thank the staff of Circle of Seven Productions for their technical assistance and creative support. Please check out their page.

I’m now managing the Borders Ink Facebook page, our site dedicated to the graphic novels & young adult categories.  If you’re a fan, please check it out.

It’s been fun.  Good luck, Terry!  Now, please welcome Tom and Joel.

Thanks again to Amber and Anton.

Tune in tomorrow to find out the topic of our next conversation with Tom Lloyd and Joel Shepherd.

Also, there’s some exciting Babel Clash news to share.  Find out more tomorrow.