Speculative Fiction Links of the Week for December 27, 2024

 

 

It's time for the latest weekly round-up of interesting links about speculative fiction from around the web, this week with the best SFF works of 2024, Star Trek Lower Decks and Star Trek in general, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew and Star Wars in general, the 2024 Doctor Who Christmas Special, Masters of the Universe in general, season 7 of Outlander, Dune Prophecy, Nosferatu, A Ghost Story for Christmas: Woman of Stone, Squid Game, Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, Sonic the Hudgehog 3, tributes to Barry Malzberg and much more.

Speculative fiction in general:

• Lisa Tuttle shares a round-up of recent science fiction, fantasy and horror books. 
• Alison Flood shares the 26 all-time favourite science fiction stories as chosen by writers of New Scientist. 
• Charlie Jane Anders shares recent space operas.
  
• The Reactor reviewers list the memorable books they received as gifts. 
• Ross Douthat declares that the world needs a great American fantasy work and displays his ignorance of the genre.
  
• Brian Collins talks about the links between depression and speculative fiction. 
• Robin Anne Reid points out that Orcs are people, too. 
• Kate van der Borgh shares the best spooky stories for Christmas.
  
• Emmet Asher-Perrin talks about the real magic of Santa Claus. 
• Amanda Craig shares her appreciation for the work of Joan Aiken for what would have been her hundredth birthday.
  
• Ella Creamer reports that Orbital by Samantha Harvey is expected to be the No. 1 top-selling book in the UK for 2024. 
• Long-time science fiction fan and treasurer of the 1954 Worldcon Esther Cole has died aged 100. 
  
• Science fiction writer T. Jackson King has died aged 76.
• Science fiction writer George Zebrowski has died aged 78.
  

 

Tributes to Barry Malzberg:

• Science fiction writer, editor and critic Barry Malzberg has died aged 85.
• Jeet Heer shares a tribute to Barry Malzberg.
  

 

Best of 2024:

• Grimdark Magazine share their favourite science fiction, fantasy and horror books of 2024.
  
• Runalong the Shelves shares his favourite science fiction books of 2024. 
• Runalong the Shelves shares his favourite fantasy books of 2024.
• Runalong the Shelves shares his favourite horror books of 2024.
  
• Runalong the Shelves shares his favourite SFF collections and anthologies of 2024. 
• SFF World share their favourite fantasy books of 2024.
  
• The io9 reviewers share their favourite science fiction, fantasy and horror TV shows of 2024.
• The io9 reviewers share their favourite science fiction, fantasy and horror TV movies of 2024.
• The io9 reviewers share their twenty-five favourite science fiction, fantasy and horror movies of 2024. 
• James Whitbrook and Germain Lussier share their favourite toys of 2024.
  
• Keza MacDonald shares her favourite video games of 2024. 
  

 

Comics and Art:

• Benjamin Svetkey shares a brief history of Krypto, the Superdog. 
• Brian Raftery notes that humorous newspaper comic strips were at their peak popularity in the 1980s.
  
• Scott Edelman interviews long-time Marvel Comics editor Tom Brevoort.
  
• Tom Gauld shares a cartoon about gift wrapping books.
  

 

Film and TV:

• Phil Hoad calls Rippy a horror drama about a kangaroo in the frame for murder, which brings earnestness and maudlin backstory where none is needed
  
• Arturo Serrano calls The People's Joker the rude shakeup that today's pathologically risk-averse studios need
• C.T. Phipps shares his thoughts on Joker: Folie à Deux 
• Germain Lussier explains how James Gunn sees Superman fitting into our politically charged world 
  
• io9 lists the SFF TV shows and fictional characters we sadly lost in 2024.
  
• Leah Schnelbach shares her favourite intergalactic holiday specials.
• Gordon Jackson notes that monster movies experienced a boom in 2024.
  
• Justin Carter interviews A.J. Beckles and Abby Trott, two voice actors providing the English language dub for Dan Da Dan.  
• Chloe Walker celebrates the 100th birthday of Rod Serling.
  
• Ben Child wonders when the Oscars will finally reward motion capture acting, 
• Mary Kate Carr reports that several animated shows have been removed from the Paramount Plus streaming service.
  
• Sony CEO Tony Vinciquerra blames negative reviews and the press for the failure of Madame Web and Kraven the Hunter. 
  
• William Hughes reports about a conflict between Barbara Broccoli, head of Eon Productions who produce the James Bond movies, and Amazon which purchased longtime distributor MGM. 
• Christy Pina reports that members of WGA are banned from working for Village Roadshow Pictures, since the production company hasn't been paying writers. 
• British director Jack Bond has died aged 87. 
• Child and teen actor Hudson Meek, best known for his appearances in Baby Driver, The Santa Con and MacGuyver, has died aged 16.
  
• Burt the Crocodile, co-star of Crocodile Dundee, has died aged 90.
  

 

Comments on Star Trek: Lower Decks and Star Trek in general:

• Avery Kaplan analyses the closing montage of the Star Trek. Lower Decks series finale.
  
• Adam B. Vary interviews Tawny Newsome who plays Beckett Marriner in Star Trek: Lower Decks.
  
• Nicole Donawho talks about the pets of Star Trek.
  

 

Comments on Star Wars: Skeleton Crew and Star Wars in general:

• Emmet Asher-Perrin shares their thoughts on “You Have a Lot to Learn About Pirates”, the latest episode of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. 
• Rafael Motomayor shares his thoughts on “You Have a Lot to Learn About Pirates”, the latest episode of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.  
• Germain Lussier shares his thoughts on “You Have a Lot to Learn About Pirates”, the latest episode of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.  
  
• Armando Tinoco shares the reasons for the cancellation of The Acolyte according to Disney executive Alan Bergman.
  
• Ben Lindburgh notes that five years after the release of The Rise of Skywalker there still hasn't been a new theatrical Star Wars movie nor is there any movie coming in the near future.
  

 

Comments on the Masters of the Universe in general:

• Etan Vlessing reports that Jared Leto has been cast as Skeletor, Sam C. Wilson as Trap-Jaw, Hafthor Bjornsson as Goat-Man and Kojo Attah as Tri-Klops in the planned Masters of the Universe live action movie..
• Dad at Arms interviews Josh Sky, writer of the Masters of the Universe Origins and Cartoon Collection mini-comics.
• Cora Buhlert revisits the 1985 He-Man and She-ra Christmas Special.
  
• The Masters Cast revisits the 1985 He-Man and She-Ra Christmas Special.
  
• James Eatock reminds us that the Evil Horde actually defeat He-Man and She-Ra in the She-Ra: Princess of Power episode "The Price of Freedom".
• Watch "Under Siege", an animated Masters of the Universe mini-comic.
  

 

Comments on the 2024 Doctor Who Christmas Special: 

• Leila Latif calls "Joy to the World",  the 2024 Doctor Who Christmas Special, a warm and moving Christmas special for the ages
  
• Stephen Robinson declares that "Joy to the World", the 2024 Doctor Who Christmas Special feels a tad uneven and all too familiar
• Joseph Stanichar declares that "Joy to the World" brings joy to a turbulent time for Doctor Who.
• Martin Belam calls "Joy to the World" a bold festive special that blends Christmas romcom tropes with a bit of dinosaur poo 
• James Whitbrook declares that "Joy to the World" has a story-within-a-story that is so good it could've been its own episode of Doctor Who. 
  
• James Whitbrook also declares that "Joy to the World" has its cake and eats it, too. 
• Watch a trailer for the new season of Doctor Who.
  

 

Comments on season 7 of Outlander: 

• Hunter Ingram shares his thoughts on the latest episode of Outlander.
• Melody McCune shares her thoughts on the latest episode of Outlander.
• Paul Levinson shares his thoughts on the latest episode of Outlander.

 

Comments on  A Ghost Story for Christmas: Woman of Stone: 

• Joel Golby declares that A Ghost Story for Christmas: Woman of Stone is far too good to only exist as festive TV 
• Lucy Mangan declares that A Ghost Story for Christmas: Woman of Stone is very different from The Railway Children, though both were written by the same author, E. Nesbit.
  

 Comments on Dune Prophecy and Dune in general:

• Emmet Asher-Perrin shares their thoughts on the season finale of Dune Prophecy.
• Brian Tallerico shares his thoughts on the season finale of Dune Prophecy.
• Cheryl Eddy shares her thoughts on the season finale of Dune Prophecy. 
• Paul Levinson shares his thoughts on the season finale of Dune Prophecy.
• Cheryl Eddy interviews Alison Schapker, showrunner of Dune Prophecy as well as stars Emily Watson and Olivia Williams 
  
• Anthony d'Alessandro reports that Dune Prophecy has been renewed for a second season.
  

 

Comments on Nosferatu: 

• Kimberly Pierce calls Nosferatu a stunning work of art 
  
• Germain Lussier interviews Robert Eggers, director of Nosferatu.
  

 

Comments on Silo:

• Saloni Gajjar shares her thoughts on the latest episode of Silo.
• Melody McCune shares her thoughts on the latest episode of Silo.

 

Comments on season 2 of Squid Game:

• Michael Hogan declares that season 2 of Squid Game dials up the gore.
• Rebecca Nicholson declares that season 2 of Squid Game will make you uncomfortably bloodthirsty indeed. 
• William Hughes calls the season 2 premiere of Squid Game as tense as ever  
• Elijah Gonzales declares that season 2 of Squid Game has pacing issues, but still holds up.
  
• Germain Lussier and Cheryl Eddy share ten things they liked and three they didn’t about season 2 of Squid Game.
  

 

 Comments on Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl: 

• Stuart Heritage calls Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl a triumphant return.
  
• James Whitbrook shares a look behind the scenes of Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
  

 

Comments on Sonic The Hedgehog 3:

• Sabina Graves explains the end credits scene of Sonic the Hudgehog 3.
• Sabina Graves interviews Colleen O’Shaughnessey, who voices Tails in Sonic the Hudgehog 3. 
  
• Mary Kate Carr reports that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is beating Disney's Mufasa: The Lion King at the box office.
  

 

Awards:

• The winners of the 1969 Galactic Stars have been announced.
  
• The finalists for the 2025 Prometheus Hall of Fame Award have been announced. 
  
• The shortlist for the 2025 BBC Audio Drama Awards has been announced.
• The finalists for the 2025 Annie Awards have been announced.
  
• The winners of the 2024 Psychedelic Film and Music Festival Awards have been announced.
• The nominations for the 2025 London Critics’ Circle Awards have been announced.
  

Writing, publishing and promotion: 

• SFWA issues a statement on the many issues such as censorship, persecution and war that are facing writers.
• Daniel Dern discusses how the Libby app mimics the discovery aspect of physical libraries. 
• Megan Thomas reports that reading bedtime stories to children makes them happier and healthier.
  

 

Interviews:

• The Guardian interviews Samantha Harvey.
  

 

Reviews:

• James Davis Nicoll reviews The River Judge by S L Huang  
• Tzer Island reviews All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall
  
• Archita Mittra reviews At the Fount of Creation by Tobi Ogundiran
• Julia Kitvaria Sarene reviews Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
  
• Julia Kitvaria Sarene reviews Beyond Sundered Seas by David Green
  
• Julia Kitvaria Sarene reviews Blood Brothers Beyond by Rob J. Hayes
• Esmay Rosalyne reviews Obsidian: Revelation by Kajornwan
  
• Marlene Harris reviews Miss Amelia’s List by Mercedes Lackey 
• John Mauro reviews Missing Pages by Mark Lawrence  
• T.O. Munro reviews Missing Pages by Mark Lawrence  
  
• Alex Brown reviews The Sapling Cage by Margaret Killjoy 
• Ian Mond reviews The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister 
• Tzer Island reviews A Conventional Boy by Charles Stross
  
• Adam-Troy Castro reviews Leviathan by Robert McCammon and Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McCleod Chapman
  
• Suzi Feay reviews And He Shall Appear by Kate van der Borgh 
• Arley Sorg reviews Hammajang Luck by Makana Yamamoto
  
• Jake Casella Brookins reviews On the Calculation of Volume I by Solvej Balle
  
• Niall Harrison reviews A Simple Intervention by Yael Inokai 
  
• Alexandra Pierce reviews New Year, New You, edited by Chris Campbell
  
• Marlene Harris reviews Love in Other Worlds, edited by Tracy Cooper Posey
• Gary K. Wolfe reviews The Last Dangerous Visions, edited by Harlan Ellison and J. Michael Straczynski  
• Mark Yon reviews The Art and Making of Arcane by Elisabeth Vincentelli.
  

 

Classics reviews:

• Paperback Warrior revisits the 1929 Solomon Kane historical horror story Rattle of Bones by Robert E. Howard.
  
• Paperback Warrior revisits the 1939 horror story “The Curse of the House” by Robert Bloch 
• Winona Memezes revisits the 1961 science fiction novel Time is the Simplest Thing by Clifford D. Simak.
  
• George Pritchard revisits the 1969 science fiction collection I Sing the Body Electric! by Ray Bradbury 
  
• Gideon Marcus revisits the January 1970 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction,
• Fiona Moore revisits the January 1970 issue of New Worlds.
  
• James Davis Nicoll revisits the 1974 science fiction novel The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin.
  
• Sandy Ferber revisits the 1974 cosmic horror novel The Great White Space by Basil Copper 
• Sandy Ferber revisits the 1983 horror collection In a Lonely Place by Karl Edward Wagner. 
• James Davis Nicoll revisits the 1989 anthology The Best Japanese Science Fiction Stories,edited by John L. Apostolou, Martin H. Greenberg, Judith Merril and Grania Davis 
  
• James Wallace Harris revisits the 1996 science fiction novel Holy Fire by Bruce Sterling. 
• James Davis Nicoll revisits the 2003 Dr. Phil Amato science fiction mystery The Pixel Eye by Paul Levinson  
• James Davis Nicoll revisits the 2013 historical fantasy novel The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
   
  

Con and event reports:

• James Coughlan reports about the 2024 Can*Con in Ottawa, Canada 
• Arifa Akbar reports about the latest production of The Tempest by William Shakespeare, starring Sigourney Weaver, which is currently playing in London, UK. 
  
• Sabina Graves reports about an immersive Nosferatu experience in Los Angeles, California.
  

 

Science and technology:

• Liz Pelley reports how Spotify is using AI to scam musicians.
  
• Ashley Strickland reports that scientists think they know why Stonehenge was rebuilt more than four thousand years ago.
  
• Christopher Maag reports that a remarkably well preserved mastodon tooth was found in Scotchtown, New York.
  

 

Gaming: 

• The Guardian lists video games you may have missed in 2024.
• Dominic Diamond recounts how the game Just Dance 2025 saved his family Christmas.
  

 

Toys and collectibles:

• Pixel Dan reviews the Action Force Roboskull Mark II. 
• James Whitbrook reviews the Hasbro Haslab Star Wars Rebels Ghost replica.
  
• Adam McComb takes a look at the 1992 Thunder Punch He-Man from the New Adventures of He-Man toyline.
  

 

Free online fiction: 

• "The Beloved Sisters of the Sun-Bleached Hills" by Shoshana Groom in Beneath Ceaseless Skies. 
• "Furious Communion" by R.K. Duncan in Beneath Ceaseless Skies.
  
• "Your Return to the Five Ruins of the Bog" by Parker O'Neill in Apex Magazine. 
• "Three Birds That Came Out of Grayson Huff and a Bunch More That Fell from the Sky" by David Anaxagoras in Lightspeed.
  
• "Get Hyped!" by Gene Doucette in Lightspeed.
  
• "Life Sentence" by Gelian, translated by Blake Stone-Banks in Clarkesworld. 
• "Retirement Plan" by Paul Starkey in Clarkesworld.
  
• "The Coffee Machine" by Celia Corral-Vázquez, translated by Sue Burke, in Clarkeworld.
• "A Wish for the Drowned" by Corey Farrenkopf in Strange Horizons. 
• "Exit Interview" by K.W. Onley in Strange Horizons. 
  
• "Mnemonic Burning" by Angela Liu in Nightmare Magazine. 
• "Inspiration" by Kristine Kathryn Rusch.
  

Trailers and videos:

• Watch a teaser for season 2 of Dan Da Dan.