8) YOUR SF/F TOP-TEN LISTS
We’ve asked club members to prepare a SF/F top-ten list on any science fiction, fantasy, horror, or fannish topic—for example, top ten classic Star Trek episodes, or top ten Hugo-winning novels, or top ten sci-fi film sequels, or the top ten scariest horror movies, movie monsters, top ten spaceships, comic book superheroes, games; it’s your choice as to the specific focus.
We’ve posted a couple of lists received below, but this portion of the meeting will take place largely on ZOOM, where each participant will have opportunity to present their list. We ask our list-makers to include, perhaps, a few illustrative images which can be shared with the group as they impart their top ten. And, be prepared to field questions and/or, perhaps, defend your choices!
Those unable to join our video chat today may still submit in writing their own SF/F top-ten list via this post’s “Leave a Comment” option. Include a quick description or outline of each of your entries and explain why you’ve included each, and why your fellow genre fans might also enjoy the selections you’ve listed.
In honour of Easter, her are my…
Top Ten Science Fiction and Fantasy Rabbits
By Keith Braithwaite
10) THE WHITE RABBIT: a character appearing in the many adaptations of Alice in Wonderland, including Disney’s and Tim Burton’s, shown.
9) THE RABBITS OF WATERSHIP DOWN: not a Disney movie, by any stretch!
8) THE GIANT RABBITS OF NIGHT OF THE LEPUS: ridiculous monsters in a ridiculous film; so bad it’s good!
7) FRANK: a darker Harvey (see next item), if you will, haunting the protagonist of 2001’s Donnie Darko.
6) HARVEY: a “pooka,” in celtic folklore, and the invisible McGuffin of this charming 1950 Jimmy Stewart film.
5) THE MONSTER RABBIT-IN-THE-HAT, TWILIGHT ZONE—THE MOVIE: a terrifying sequence!
4) THE RABBIT OF CAERBANNOG: a killer rabbit appearing in 1975’s Monty Python and the Holy Grail; hilarious!
3) ROGER RABBIT: star of the ground-breaking 1988 live-action/cartoon hybrid Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
2) HUTCH, HIS FELLOW RABBITS, AND THE WERE-RABBIT: as seen in the wonderful Wallace and Gromit adventure Curse of the Were-Rabbit, all are deserving of mention, here!
1) BUGS BUNNY: his cartoon adventures traverse many genres, including SF, fantasy, and horror!
Top Ten Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors’ Pen Names
By Sue Denham
10) STAN LEE: the legendary Marvel Comics writer’s real name was Stanley Martin Leiber.
9) PAUL FRENCH: pen name used by Isaac Asimov when writing his Lucky Starr juveniles.
8) DOUGLAS SPALDING: pseudonym used by Ray Bradbury.
7) A. N. ROQUELAURE: Anne Rice wrote her racy Sleeping Beauty trilogy this name.
6) MAGNUS FLYTE: pseudonym employed by writing duo Christina Lynch and Meg Howrey, authors of City of Dark Magic and City of Lost Dreams.
5) VICTOR APPLETON: the publishing house pseudonym used by writers of the Tom Swift books.
4) RICHARD BACHMAN: pseudonym used by horror writer Stephen King; Bachman is derived from the name of the Canadian rock band Bachman, Turner Overdrive, a favourite of King’s.
3) JAMES TIPTREE, JR.: probably the most famous example of a female writer employing a male pseudonym to favour book sales; it wasn’t until 1977 that Alice Sheldon’s cover was blown. She also wrote on occasion as Raccoona Sheldon!
2) EANDO BINDER: pseudonym for brothers Earl and Otto Binder—“E” and “O” Binder!
1) CORDWAINER BIRD: when he felt that his work had been unforgivably fiddled with against his wishes, Harlan Ellison used this pseudonym!