CONSIDERING TWO VERSIONS OF ONE AMAZING STORY
By Alex Ness
June 6, 2023
FIRST, The Original Series and Creator of ALICE IN WONDERLAND
For its day, Alice in Wonderland and even those excerpts and small collections, released later, Through the Looking Glass were books that not only were entertainment, but were layered in ways as to reveal the era, the ideals and fascinations of the era, and the questions and answers that plagued the era of their writing. Lewis Carroll was the pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, of the then not so odd combination of labor of writer, poet, and mathematician. He taught, never married, but also, wrote poems and stories wherein he never gave up upon his fascinations of nonsensical literary poems, creating absolute absurd madness and then placing characters in the midst, and finding their path out. He came from a noted family of Northern Ireland, of military men, clergy men and it seems all were devout and devoted deeply to the High Anglican church. His father a clergyman of that church, known for his
ability to debate issues of faith, apologetic arguments to
those of different faiths, well known to be an upholder of law
and order, religious conformity and of a social aristocracy, where those
of proper families stood atop the order. Lewis Carroll stammered, was a target of bullies, a very soft and tender outlook. It seemed that he was not meant to thrive in his own era, poets of such experiences and talents, rarely are so. I'm unsure if he was wounded by the times, or by his world, or by birth into an era that wouldn't or couldn't understand someone of such a nature, however. L. Frank Baum's Dorothy was not based exactly upon the character Alice but was heavily influenced by her. Oddly, he didn't end up finding the story Alice in Wonderland and coherent but still brilliant.
His work Alice in Wonderland and other works, is about what happens when a normal, seemingly so, human enters a land of humor, oddity and wonder, where nothing makes sense. Carroll's work often played with names, used allegorical themes, and characters, and played with words, especially apt for the day and culture. It is said to make less sense to the modern audience, which makes sense since he is poking fun at the people in his life, the British Prime Minister, the idea that was true, being mad as a hatter (the Mad Hatter) was from the truth that the people who made hats, for whoever wore them used and made contact with chemicals and those chemicals made them rather insane. Mad didn't refer to anger, just as dumb in those days didn't refer to being stupid, but being deaf, the mad referred to insanity.
The books are a walk through of a land of insanity and wonder, poking fun at all of the big important people who talk down to children, and those with lesser forms of work, or came from lower society. The Tea party within the story is a mass display of just how silly and over important those from higher society saw themselves. I believe this land of wonder is where Carroll felt most comfortable. Although some in the present argue he had an unhealthy interest in children, and little girls in particular, I believe he felt safe in their presence, and the stories he created of wonders and mysteries, were how he saw the ideal life, rather than the judgmental and hard adult life.
THEN, THE STORY OF FRANK BEDDOR, THE LOOKING GLASS WARS
Frank Beddor on the other hand, a Minnesotan Olympic quality skier, who also produced the multi million dollar movie There's something about Mary. Now, that is impressive, but in the first look, I don't see a connection to Alice in Wonderland in that. But don't for a moment get me wrong. I like the writing of Frank very very much. I think his story of Alice and the world found in the Looking Glass Wars and the Red Queen, all is imaginative, quite beautiful, and yet the whimsy needed for Alice in Wonderland is not required here. In fact, I think it is a positive thing, that allows for a fantasy world and fantasy characters, without it requiring a reader to like tulips and daffodils, bunnies and wonder, magic and all sorts of things that some readers can't enjoy. For me, each volume emphasized the enormous source of hope and healing positive thoughts and a vast imagination can provide.
One person I know so despises the presence of magic swords and spells in the TSR RPG D&D made it an automatic no for him/ I asked why, he said, perhaps for him and only him, there is a disconnection that makes the use of fantasy and spells and magic, thaving a ten foot red dog, or a guy named Harold using a purple crayon that creates new worlds and ideas as used. Or lastly maybe the idea that a Mouse riding on a motorcycle infuriates him for it not being real. I like this person, but he just can't understand or like fantasy.
Others like fantasy, but see it as unimportant, or not something as equal in value to important and adult literature. If you ask me, being an adult is way overrated. If I could have lived as a 10 year old my whole existence, playing with legos and little plastic soldiers, building buildings and machines, so that I could destroy them all with my adventures and little plastic soldiers defeating the enemy, and blowing up their machines. I've spent more than 20 years writing about comics, movies, games and books. They are more enjoyable than actual existence. I'd an opportunity to pitch a story at a major publisher, an editor liked me. I said, 4 different artists, all distinctly different, a historical event most controversial, facts unagreed upon. The artists would have a character's point of view and experience, during the controversial event, each convincing in portrayal and the suggested truth of their experience. But in a fifth and final issue, no narration, only a series of scenes and footnotes or boxes where an explanation of the presentation might clarify it, and portray that event, and have all of the narrative voices be accurate, but, none would be in agreement with the others, due to the fact that eye witness reports are true for the speaker, but might not take into account all the moments. I wanted to show, a narrative story might be 100% true, according their voice and experience, whatever happened was a combination of facts, viewpoints, and truth, and it is an objective truth. The editor scoffed at and never asked for a pitch idea from me again. My point here, is that Lewis Carroll told one story, and for most of the books by Frank Beddor and friends, they are wholly different, but could that be just a different viewpoint of a central event.
I've heard of an author's saying to a biographer or reporter that what they said about something, as a quote was true, but that it wasn't meant to be the whole of the event. I think what is brilliant here, is that Beddor doesn't suggest his work is better or even definitive. He simply says this is the version of the many of Wonderland's different events presented. No aim towards saying Carroll was wrong, but that his message was either garbled, or mistaken, or there are ulterior reasons for the differences. He means to delve into the mysteries and areas of no information available, to explain what has happened. That to me, is worth the trip.
Well there is fantasy, magic, creatures of wonder, weapons of special abilities and much more in this series. So if you love fantasy, you'll love this, if you hate fantasy, you might still like it, but probably for a different reason, and with a different result. Here is the catch, it isn't exactly a sequel, or reworking, retelling the story. This is presented as the true story behind the Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass books. Accepting the originals as a poorly translation of the real story, or one with information held back from every day readers for the dangerous information within it, the pseudonyms and names all code. The novels are young adult on up, with the graphic novels being more action oriented, perhaps for an older audience.
WONDERLAND is a realm of glorious things, odd and strange things, all kinds of wonders that make one from our normal world curious or confused. To the inhabitants of Wonderland, it is all made more wondrous by the access to Black and White Imagination, something like magic, more like the force of Star Wars. There are characters who do not understand their own world's uniqueness or that the real world of our own has wonders of its own. It is worth traveling to, because it allows an expansion of one's outlook upon reality.
THE CHARACTERS
Alyss Heart -- Alice Liddell living two lives, one real and one in Wonderland
Queen Redd Heart -- Alyss's Aunt, user of Black Imagination, a Negative form of energy
Hatter Madigan (Hatter M) -- Royal and personal bodyguard of Alyss, cast into a different world, where he is in contact with Charles Dodgson, the author of the first series under the name Lewis Carroll
Dodge Anders -- a Form of the leader of the palace guard of Queen, who cares deeply for Alyss, but a care more than as a royal figure requiring his protection
General Doppelganger -- A Leader of the forces of the army of Alysss.
The Cat -- A sweet kitten, or a dangerous predator, the favorite assassin of Queen Redd
Homburg Molly -- A woman assigned the task of protecting Alyss in Wonderland.
Jack of Diamonds -- In an arranged marriage, he is/was meant to marry Alyss but when the wars of Wonderland occur, he tries to be loyal to each side of the war, which ends with failure.
Bibwit Harte -- The White Rabbit A character who has an aspect of madness, but is Alice's introduction to the madness of the Wonderland realms.
Prince Leopold -- The Royal Prince, child of Queen Victoria, who is fascinated by Alyss/Alice
Queen Guinevere -- Queen Regnant of Wonderland, who is murdered by Queen Redd, Alyss's mother
THE STORY IDEA
Now as I mentioned, the earlier version of this story, was told by Lewis Carroll in a way that was either flawed enormously, or was told in a form of code so that the tellers of the story could safely be uninjured by the truth of the event.
The Queen of Wonderland, is a generous and loving mistress of the realm. It is a magical place where the normal of our world, would seem equally weird there. The kingdom of the Queen Guinevere of Wonderland is based upon a positive or White imagination. Others, such a Redd Heart, her sister, crave power, and use the Black imagination. Redd kills Alyss's mother, and grabs power, for 13 years, and Alyss and her bodyguard attempt to flee and are cast into different dimensions, only to end up upon this earth and this Victorian England of Charles Dodgson.
The War of Wonderland, is a collision of worlds, outlooks, and desires. Although I've revealed a lot I won't spoil how it transpires.
THE GENIUS OF IT
I've read a number of upper level sort of critical reviews of the series of books, both that of the war and the tangential and important Hatter M graphic novels and stories. They seem to border upon recognizing that this is a work that is a clever redesign of the whole of the stories of Lewis Caroll's Wonderland, and some were of the opinion that as clever as it was, it felt unnecessary.
I get that. I write poetry and people tell me that is no longer relevant with the world we live in. Where technology can write, paint, make music, I essentially write lyrics without the music to enhance it. Well this isn't that. It is a whole work, works on its own surface level of story, and possesses a charm that silliness can't be a term that describes. It is a work taking a brilliant work, that no longer works as it once did, and makes it more relevant, more interesting, and gives the original author a role in it, if not perfect, he is not a pervert nor fool that many in modernity make him. The respect for the original is obvious, and the respect for its author, paid by Frank Beddor, is obvious as well.
I didn't read any amazon or every day person reviews of most of the works, preferring to know my own outlooks, but when finished with the read and overall article here, I did read a few to see where I landed, and I have to say, for the age group aimed at, 13 to adult this is both complex, and simple. It doesn't require an expert tor read the novels, and in the graphic novels, while they might be aimed slightly older, there is such a charm and constant movement, they'd work for most people who don't care for superheroes, but long for heroism and courage, magical and powerful women, and handsome yet flawed men. I believe it is a genius work based upon an interpretation of yet another genius work.
HATTER MADIGAN: Ghost in H.A.T.B.O.X.
Frank Beddor and Adrienne Kress
A younger Hatter M belongs to an organization, that is meant to teach, train and instill the job of a bodyguard, a moral and honorable member of the team to defend the members of the throne. This work, is focused upon what gives Hatter M the many skills and abilities, and motivation to do what he does in the series of Graphic novels about his quest. This is a little bit more for a younger audience, but still does a wonderful job of showing what must be done in training to be more than a person with a weapon. It shows how Hatter M will become a living weapon.
THE LOOKING GLASS WARS: UNDERFIRE
FRANK BEDDOR, CURTIS CLARK, SAMI MAKKONEN
THE LOOKING GLASS WARS: CROSSFIRE
FRANK BEDDOR, CURTIS CLARK, SAMI MAKKONEN
With no hope except from the elite soldiers/bodyguards, the quest to find and keep, or find and destroy the relic crystal heart. It is to be kept from the forces of black imagination. And the final struggle is almost a suicide mission, for it is just as important to the users of black imagination as it is to Queen Alyss's realm and minions.
HATTER M's Graphic Novel series
Written by Frank Beddor and Liz Cavalier,
Art by Ben Templesmith, Sami Makkonen, Tyson Schroeder
FAR FROM WONDER
Separated from his duty bound charge Alyss, Hatter Madigan goes on a quest to find the legendary person who is said to have captured the tales of the literary Alyss, and use him to lead him to Alysss. While the potential for violence is much greater, with the body guard's tale, it is surprisingly more humorous and able to tell a story that the books take much longer to detail. Ben Templesmith's art is a great draw, as it is anything but photo realistic, and thus the fantasy element is raised to a much higher degree.
MAD WITH WONDER
Artist Sami Makkonen replaces Ben Templesmith and the story telling is more typical, and easier to follow, if not as dramatic or fantastical as Templesmith. As such it makes sense that this edition takes a different path. The world Hatter M has found is intermingled with wars, that are flowered machinations by the acts of Queen Redd in the realm of Wonderland. Her dark visions for Wonderland are infecting our reality, making it all the worse for its presence. Hatter M continues his search. Alyss has tried to tell her story, but did Lewis Carroll understand it enough to record and reproduce its truth?
THE NATURE OF WONDER
The trail of following the glow, the path of Alyss, has led Hatter M to a house of madness, and April 1865 America, close to the final moments of the American Civil War. The revelations of white imagination and black imagination, has led to cults of each power, and in the middle of the chaos, Hatter M tries to escape the madness of our reality to follow Alyss, back to her home in Wonderland.
THE ZEN OF WONDER
Still searching for a doorway to return to his home, Hatter M is in San Francisco, dealing with a young girl named Nekko, who has creatively acquired his top hot, which is more than just a hat. After the madness of a chase across rooftops and alleys is the bizarre yet fascinating world of 1870s San Francicso, Nekko tries to assist him in finding a blade, one with a connection to Wonderland. Nekko is more than a young mischievous girl, more than a step into yet a new place with odd connections, to a world that is similar to his own, but with vast difference. Somehow that he can't figure, she is a master, wise yet young, dangerous if also peaceful and kind.
THE LOVE OF WONDER
One might forgive Hatter M for finding a place and just giving into the need to finally get rest, and end his quest. He has traveled across dimensions and time. He has fought others without knowing who had sent them or why but he knows these events all have a connection, to Wonderland. When his actual brother confronts him, is it to stop the quest with violence, or has his brother appeared, bringing news or an order from the organization they both have deep familiarity with, from Wonderland.
SEEKING WONDER
What is the world of Wonderland, is it a real alternate dimension, or is our earth the alternate dimensional planet? Seeking wonder is just about perfect as it tells tales about the cause that leads some to go on journeys, treks, and quests, when life could be simpler, easier, less stimulating. I think this books was meant to be a way to tell readers, seek your own wonder, educate your mind, but stimulate your adventurous heart. It has a cover by a Bill Sienkiewicz, and evokes all of the previous volumes, in ways that tell you, your heart has a desire to be untamed, and your mind is always seeking to keep you grounded upon real life principles. But you have an ability to escape now and then, and should do so.
I enjoyed the graphic novels every bit as much as the books, and while I don't agree that they are pointless or hard to understand without reading the novels, I agree that they compliment the novels very nicely.
If my readers want to know what I would offer them to read, this series is that. It fills the need for adventure, action, fantasy and it has a curious slant upon just how real is our own reality, and just how confusing is the Wonderland. Especially in times like the present, I'd welcome a visit to Wonderland. I'd like to thank Frank Beddor for his generosity over the years, and recently, and am using this moment to say this blog is now on semi-hiatus, with occasional PR pieces, but few real articles until I figure out my cancer situation. At one point I was told by my oncologist that I had late stage lymphoma, then I was told I had no cancer, then shortly after the miracle was celebrated, I was told to rush to the MAYO for the cancer I truly had. Modern Medicine is kind of like falling through the rabbit hole and finding a brand new world. I am getting scans, and at least one surgery, but who knows what the future holds. So until I know, Farewell my friends.
My wonderful friend, Frank Beddor, & his comrade in arms for a time, & friend Nate Barlow
Please find my friend Frank on Amazon
And at his website, guaranteed by me to be kick ass awesomeness
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