I decided to include magic in my series because I see it as something that transcends the laws of physics as we know it. The way I see it, true magic is not something you see on a stage or show, but something that exists in another world such as an alternate reality or dimension. In Tinisha Dolaira’s case, she comes from such a world where beings are capable of things that would not be possible in our world. As a result, she is well-versed in magic and can utilize it in various ways. For defensive purposes, she can use magic to heal injuries, such as those her team sustains in battle. For offensive purposes, she can unleash beams of energy that can overwhelm most opponents. Also, she can use magic to grant other beings superhuman abilities through the Genesis Spell, which is something she can only do once in her entire lifetime. If real magic existed, we probably would be capable of such feats as well.
Monthly Archives: April 2014
BARNES AND NOBLE REVIEW: THE YOUNG GUARDIANS AND THE GENESIS SPELL
On Barnes and Noble’s website, the first volume of my series, The Young Guardians and the Genesis Spell, received this five star review:
“I have read this author before and he has a way of writing page turning material. In this new book he follows a group of LA youths who are transformed from mere mortals into protectors for the benefit of humanity. An interesting aspect of this book is that in a character appendix, the author lists all of the super powers of his heroes. This drama plays out in the area around Los Angeles, and their arch enemy is the Cyber Shadow who is tall, with red eyes, and dresses in black and grey armor. He is a power hungry madman who wants to be King of the World. It is the Young Guardian’s job to make sure that does not happen. All of the battling leads to a dramatic confrontation, but it is not the end of the story. Although the Shadow is defeated, it turns out that he has not been vanquished. The author is a talented story teller and includes many imaginative plot twists in this tale. This is a fast paced, dialog driver thriller that is hard to put down.”
CHARACTER CREATION: DEREK MARVIN
Derek Marvin is the intelligent member of the Young Guardians. He is a strong believer in reason and logic and unlike his teammates, he was the only one who was skeptical about their potential as superheroes. Originally, Derek was a slim youth, but after being exposed to the Genesis Spell, he is transformed into a physically strong young man with tremendous muscles. The powers he possesses include earth manipulation, superhuman durability, and elemental transmutation. With his elemental transmutation, Derek can use his earth manipulating abilities to alter the molecular structure of any earth-based element into whatever he chooses. For example, he could alter coal in order to create a type of crystal that is harder than diamonds to form armor and weapons. Despite his stubborn adherence to logic and skepticism of becoming a superhero, Derek accepts his new purpose in life and supports his teammates in their crusade against evil.
Suvudu Interview: Grady P. Brown
Suvudu Interview: Grady P. Brown
A few months ago, I was interviewed on NoWastedInk.com and the interview was reprinted on Del Rey Books’s blog Suvudu Universe. In this interview, you will learn more about the origins of my series and the inner workings of my writing process.
WRITING UPDATE: FUTURE WORKS
I have done some thinking about what direction my writing is taking and I have figured out what my writing goal is. After the main five volumes of my series are written and published, I will be doing a series of spin-offs, prequels, and so forth. For example, I will be writing a trilogy about the origins of Tinisha Dolaira and the history of the fantasy world she comes from before it was destroyed. Another example will be a prequel describing the origins of the main villain of the entire series. In addition, I will be writing three superhero storylines that are unrelated to the Young Guardians, but exist in the same universe as them. Two of these storylines will take place in the distant future while the third will take place in the late 1930s. These are only a handful of the stories I plan to write in the future and my overall goal is to create my very own superhero universe like Marvel and DC Comics have done.
GRAPHIC NOVEL REVIEW: JUSTICE LEAGUE: ORIGIN NEW 52
Written by Geoff Johns, this graphic novel introduces the reader to a new look into the origins of one of the most famous superhero teams of all time, the Justice League! I was pleased that the roster of the founding members was largely the same as the original: Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Batman, Aquaman, and Flash. The only change was including Cyborg instead of the Martian Manhunter. With the Man of Steel film released, I certainly hope that if DC Comics creates a film for this version of the Justice League in the near future. In this graphic novel, the Justice League bands together to fight a powerful enemy that threatens the fate of the entire planet. The artwork is so captivating that it entrances the reader with almost realistic action of good versus evil. I would recommend this work to anyone who seeks to read a truly wondrous superhero story.
CREATURE: NEOHUMANS
Neohumans are human beings who have had their inner abilities awakened by the Genesis Spell. Each neohuman has their own unique set of superhuman abilities based on their own personalities. As a race, neohumans have a number of traits in common. For example, like high elves, they are immortal in the sense that they do not physically age, are immune to disease, and never die by natural causes, but they can be killed if the physical trauma they sustain is great enough. To human eyes, neohumans are considered extremely attractive and are always at the peak of human conditioning. When I was designing neohumans, I thought of what to call them, but I did not want to use names such as mutants or super humans because I found them a little cliche. Unlike mutants or super humans, whose powers originate from either mutation or evolution, neohumans’ powers originate from magic. So, I decided to call them neohumans because “neo” means “new”. With this in mind, I thought of neohumans as the “new form of humanity”. As I write, I imagine how such a species would live in a world populated by ordinary humans.
AUTISM AWARENESS DAY PANEL DISCUSSION!
http://new.livestream.com/ONEHOPEWine/speakyourpiece/videos/46933856
For Autism Awareness Day, I participated in a panel discussion where people who have multiple perspectives on autism gather. Check it out . . .
CHARACTER CREATION: JOSHUA RAUJE
Joshua Rauje is the short-tempered loose cannon of the Young Guardians. I based him on one of my best friends, who wanted to be a kind of superhero who is fearless and possesses a powerful hatred towards criminals. When engaging convicts, Joshua is not afraid to use violent methods to stop them, which makes his teammates nervous while around him. The answer to his prejudice towards crooks is revealed in the second volume of the series. Joshua’s powers consist of potent wind manipulation, which he can use to either create solid air balls that he could use to shoot from his fingers like bullets or overwhelming vortexes to blow his opponents away. In addition, Joshua has a pair of eagle-like wings that he can use to fly. Despite his short temper and unpredictability, Joshua is fiercely loyal to his teammates and a devout believer in their crusade against evil.
Grady P Brown - Author 