Category Archives: fantasy

TheoFantastique Podcast 4.1 (2013): An Interview with Ytasha Womack on her book ‘Afrofuturism’

October 30th, 2013 | Posted in Afrofuturism, fantasy, podcast, race, science fiction

In a previous post I’ve drawn attention to October is Black Speculative Fiction Month, and Afrofutrism. Now I am pleased to present an interview with Ytasha L. Womack, author of Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture (Lawrence Hill Books, 2013). Womack defines Afrofutrism by citing Ingrid LaFleur “as a way of imagining […]

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Brown University Conference: Beasts, Monsters, and the Fantastic in the Religious Imagination

October 10th, 2013 | Posted in call for papers, fantasy, monster theory, monsters, monstrous

My friend, colleague, and co-editor with J. Ryan Parker of Joss Whedon and Religion (McFarland, 2013), made me aware of this call for papers for an intriguing conference at Brown University. It is titled “Beasts Monsters, and the Fantastic in the Religious Imagination.” From the website: An Interdisciplinary Graduate Student Conference Hosted by the Department […]

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Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture

October 2nd, 2013 | Posted in cultural studies, fantasy, race, science fiction

In the past I have written on various aspects of African American work in genre, including African science fiction and horror. Not long ago I also posted a link on the TheoFantastique page to the discussion of why African Americans tend not to involve themselves in more mainstream aspects of genre that tends to see […]

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JFA Needs Book Reviewers

August 7th, 2013 | Posted in fantasy, horror, Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts, science fiction

If you enjoy the academic exploration of the fantastic and write on the topic, I would encourage you to subscribe to the mailing list for the Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts. In addition to discussion threads among members, the group periodically sends an email with a list of titles needing review for the […]

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Why Does the West Love Science Fiction?: Sci-Fi, Culture, and Disenchantment

June 16th, 2013 | Posted in cultural studies, cultures, fantasy, science fiction, wonder

Given the immense popularity and box office success of science fiction and fantasy films in the West it might be natural to assume that these genres are also very popular in non-Western cultures. But that is not the case. A recent essay by Christine Folch in The Atlantic titled “Why the West Loves Sci-Fi and […]

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Ray Harryhausen Has Died: The Loss of a Fantasy Legend

May 7th, 2013 | Posted in fantasy, Obituary, Ray Harryhausen

For a few years now I have wondered when the day would come that I would have to write this piece. Sadly, today is that day. Various media outlets are reporting that Ray Harryhausen passed away Tuesday. Harryhausen was a huge influence on me as a child and teenager. When I first encountered his fantasy […]

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Interview with Emily McAvan on The Postmodern Sacred

May 5th, 2013 | Posted in cultural studies, fantasy, postmodernism, sacred, science fiction

Emily McAvan has been on my radar since I first encountered her research in the sacred aspects of science fiction and fantasy. She teaches cultural, media and gender studies at Murdoch University and Curtin University, both in Perth, Australia. In the interview that follows we discuss aspects of her fine book The Postmodern Sacred: Popular […]

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Bainbridge on eGods and Faith Versus Fantasy

April 12th, 2013 | Posted in fantasy, fantasy role playing games, games, religion, video games

PopMatters includes a lengthy excerpt and summary of an intriguing volume by William Sims Bainbridge, eGods: Faith Versus Fantasy in Computer Gaming (Oxford University Press, 2012). The publisher’s website includes the following description: What is the relationship between religion and multi-player online roleplaying games? Are such games simply a secular distraction from traditional religious practices, […]

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Ray Harryhausen – Master of the Majicks: Beginnings and Endings, Volume 1 available for pre-order

March 24th, 2013 | Posted in fantasy, Ray Harryhausen, stop-motion animation

Archive Editions has just announced that Ray Harryhausen – Master of the Majicks: Beginnings and Endings, Volume 1 is now available for pre-order. Written and produced over the past 10 years with Ray Harryhausen’s cooperation and support, the complete 3-volume definitive 295,000-word career/biography features interviews with Ray and his colleagues and is profusely illustrated with […]

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Society of Illustrators on Science Fiction and Fantasy Illustration

February 9th, 2013 | Posted in art, fantasy, science fiction

The Society of Illustrators has rescheduled their lecture due to the storm. Here is the information: “What Lies Beyond: A Panel Discussion on Science Fiction and Fantasy Illustration” Science fiction and fantasy illustration have been thriving for as long as art has existed. A stroll through any major museum features depictions of gods and demons, […]

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