There are times to sink into the philosophical depths or the detailed, scientifically grounded world building of a thoughtful work of speculative fiction, whether on the page or the screen (big or small.) Other times, however, we want Buck Rogers. We want Brian Daley’s Han Solo novels. We want the scorched ozone burn of blaster fire, the tramp-tramp of the heavy boots of revenue agents closing in, the incomprehensible speech, exotic accents and strange music of a seedy bar frequented by bug-eyed aliens no longer welcome on civilized worlds. We want, in other words, the swift action of sci-fi pulp.
The good people at Raconteur Press recognize that desire and have published the product to meet it. Plasma Pulp: Lost Worlds. Here’s the publisher’s marketing spiel, and it’s a doozy.
“Step into ten stories of vibrant universes, where gleaming rays of energy shape the future and the past collides with the fantastic unknown. This collection of short stories invites you to explore a genre that is often called “Raypunk” or “Raygun Gothic,” but we call “Plasma Pulp”—because “punk” is overused, and we can. We bring you the electric optimism of retro-futurism, blending sleek technology of the future with the Old School spirit of adventure. Here, the impossible becomes tangible through visions of shimmering cities, heroic inventors, and cosmic mysteries illuminated by pulsating light. Within these pages, you will encounter daring escapades and enigmatic characters who navigate a landscape defined by gleaming technology and surreal possibilities. Whether it’s battling sinister forces with futuristic weaponry or unraveling the secrets of radiant power, each story pulses with the incandescent energy of plasma pulp’s unique vision.”
And, lest you are concerned that your humble web logger has suffered a case of altruism, desiring only to help out a deserving publisher, NB: I have a story in this one, tucked in at the very end. So please, do yourself a favor and purchase a copy. It’s cold in Texas and I have electricity bills to pay.
