Heaven's War- Anyone read this? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

davem · 03-21-2006, 04:22 PM

Just come across this, a graphic novel which has Tolkien, Lewis & Charles Williams struggling to defeat the infamous 'black magician' Aleister Crowley:

Quote:

The year is 1938 and "The infamous Aleister Crowley plans to manipulate those angelic struggles and thus shape the world according to his will." In the opposing corner are "The Inklings", a group of male, white, Christian writers primarily made up of 20th century fantasy authors J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Charles Williams.

Anyone read it? Seems from the reviews that its at least interesting....

Hilde Bracegirdle · 03-22-2006, 11:14 AM

I haven't read this, but it certainly looks interesting. What is meant by a graphic novel? Somehow I am getting a vague and contrary notion that it might be a comic book, yet I find that hard to believe.

JennyHallu · 03-22-2006, 11:46 AM

A graphic novel is in comic format, but is wider in thought and scope, of novel length, and can span any genre, from Japanese mangas onward.

Tuor of Gondolin · 03-22-2006, 12:16 PM

Without having read the comic book, it seems there are
at least echoes here of Charles Williams novels (which
were quite good, much more readable, I thought, then
his religious or poetic works).
If this work appears on the SFBK (Science Fiction Book
Club) offerings, I might buy it.

davem · 03-22-2006, 04:36 PM

I'm fascinated by this thing - I'll get it if I can & maybe review it.Meanwhile, here's a bit more stuff on it, including some illustrations:
http://images.ask.com/fr?q=heaven%27...age%253D3&qt=0
(the four sepia coloured pics 2nd from bottom of page, & http://www.imaginedat.net/heavenswar.htm

davem · 04-11-2006, 04:50 PM

Well, I got this today & I've read it through. Tolkien makes a brief & pretty insignificant appearance (as does Lewis). Williams is the central figure in the battle against Crowley. Quite interesting (I'll read it again, definitely). The writer has obviously studied William's writings (both fiction & non fiction) & some of Crowley's, though I'm not sure that Crowley was as two-dimensionally 'monstrous' as the writer makes out. Certainly he was a deluded egotist (as anyone who has read any of his stuff will tell you). He has also read LotR & Carpenter's The Inklings, but seemingly not The Sil.

Williams comes off well - a self sacrificing hero (which as the writer points out in the copious footnotes is hardly what one would expect from a plain looking 60-odd year old - not a typical comic book hero!). The 'mystery' of Rennes le Chateau is a central theme, so all you fans of The DaVinci Code will find it familiar territory.

Bit 'dark' & slightly disturbing & it may offend some with strong religious sensibilities - all in all though, a fascinating curiosity.

03-22-2006, 11:46 AM	#3
JennyHallu The Pearl, The Lily Maid Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my luxury Barrow, snuggled up in a pile of satin pillows, eating fresh fruit. Posts: 1,636	A graphic novel is in comic format, but is wider in thought and scope, of novel length, and can span any genre, from Japanese mangas onward. __________________ <=== Lookee, lookee, lots of IM handles!

03-22-2006, 12:16 PM	#4
Tuor of Gondolin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, WtR, passed Sarn Gebir: Above the rapids (1239 miles) BtR, passed Black Rider Stopping Place (31 miles) Posts: 1,548	Without having read the comic book, it seems there are at least echoes here of Charles Williams novels (which were quite good, much more readable, I thought, then his religious or poetic works). If this work appears on the SFBK (Science Fiction Book Club) offerings, I might buy it. __________________ Aure Entuluva!

03-22-2006, 04:36 PM	#5
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	I'm fascinated by this thing - I'll get it if I can & maybe review it.Meanwhile, here's a bit more stuff on it, including some illustrations: http://images.ask.com/fr?q=heaven%27...age%253D3&qt=0 (the four sepia coloured pics 2nd from bottom of page, & http://www.imaginedat.net/heavenswar.htm __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

04-11-2006, 04:50 PM	#6
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	Well, I got this today & I've read it through. Tolkien makes a brief & pretty insignificant appearance (as does Lewis). Williams is the central figure in the battle against Crowley. Quite interesting (I'll read it again, definitely). The writer has obviously studied William's writings (both fiction & non fiction) & some of Crowley's, though I'm not sure that Crowley was as two-dimensionally 'monstrous' as the writer makes out. Certainly he was a deluded egotist (as anyone who has read any of his stuff will tell you). He has also read LotR & Carpenter's The Inklings, but seemingly not The Sil. Williams comes off well - a self sacrificing hero (which as the writer points out in the copious footnotes is hardly what one would expect from a plain looking 60-odd year old - not a typical comic book hero!). The 'mystery' of Rennes le Chateau is a central theme, so all you fans of The DaVinci Code will find it familiar territory. Bit 'dark' & slightly disturbing & it may offend some with strong religious sensibilities - all in all though, a fascinating curiosity. __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

03-22-2006, 11:14 AM	#2
Hilde Bracegirdle Relic of Wandering Days Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: You'll See Perpetual Change. Posts: 1,484	I haven't read this, but it certainly looks interesting. What is meant by a graphic novel? Somehow I am getting a vague and contrary notion that it might be a comic book, yet I find that hard to believe.