Take 5 with Miss Lightspeed

Matt: We're set for another Take 5 today. Joining me is Karen Jo Fairborne, better known to the world as Miss Lightspeed. Thank you for being with us.

Miss Lightspeed: My pleasure, Matt.

Matt: Your husband is famous and infamous, your son equally so. How do you keep it all together?

Miss Lightspeed: Some days I don't know the answer to that one. Bill [William Avery Fairborne AKA Colonel Chaos] and Chris [Christopher Gregory Fairborne AKA Crimsonstreak] are a handful. When you add saving the world to that equation...life gets tricky. I try to do the typical "mom" things, you owe that to your children, but I have another set of responsibilities to juggle. I've learned how to prioritize over the years, and I hope I've taught my family that injustice and poverty are just as important to fight as the average villain of the week.

Matt: Do you think your husband and son have gotten that message?

Miss Lightspeed: For the most part, I believe so. It was much harder on Chris when he was younger. Now that he's getting older, I believe he really understands why I have to be away from home sometimes. And Bill...well, my husband is like me in many ways. He doesn't love it when I'm gone, but he knows I'll go where I'm needed when I'm needed.

Matt: Let's talk a little bit about the Super Diplomats Corps. This has been a controversial undertaking for a woman who's been so beloved worldwide.

Miss Lightspeed: Is there a question in there? Or are you going to browbeat your viewers with opinions disguised as questions?

Matt: (bites lip) What can you tell us about the Super Diplomats Corps?

Miss Lightspeed: (smiles) The Corps is one of my passions. Superheroes shouldn't be limited to stopping bank robberies and taking down supervillains. There's a bigger picture we have to see. We have to take a look at society and see where things are going wrong; where injustices go unnoticed. I had the idea for a team of heroes that would look at these international crises and find ways to solve them. I was fortunate enough to encounter like-minded individuals who joined the cause. Our primary goal is humanitarian aid and social justice. It may not get as much attention as throwing a bad guy through a window, but I argue that it's more important.

Matt: You've taken some heat for intervening in certain countries. How do you respond to those who are critical of your efforts?

Miss Lightspeed: I'm assuming you're referring to our operations in places like Cuba, Iran, and North Korea?

Matt: That's correct.

Miss Lightspeed: To look at the leaders of a country and then assume all the people are the same way just isn't right. Those people need just as much help--probably more--than anyone else. How is a disaster in Paducah, Kentucky, or Las Vegas, Nevada, any different than one in Pyongyang or Tehran? Do those people suffer any more? Any less? Why refuse to provide humanitarian aid in a crisis? How does that improve the world? The Super Diplomats Corps sees the global picture. We're all in this together. I know that's a simplistic way of looking at things, but superheroes are here to help. If that means extending an olive branch to countries that aren't "in the club," so be it.

Matt: Clearly, this is a passion for you. I suppose anyone who gives you flak for this would have to deal with your husband.

Miss Lightspeed: They'd have to deal with me first. Bill could take whatever's left.

Matt: Let's get to the last question now. What do you think of the Heroic Legion?

Miss Lightspeed: (inhales deeply) Well...that could be five questions on its own. The group means well, but sometimes they're too bureaucratic for my tastes. They make a motion, they take a vote, they make a motion about the vote, vote on the motion, and then, if we're lucky, they take action. It's not that I don't have respect for governments and policies, because I believe that's where everything starts. In a crisis, people need to see their leaders take quick and effective action. Sitting in a room and delaying what you know to be the right response doesn't help anyone. I wish the Legion understood that. I think, deep down, they do.

Matt: Thank you for joining me today, Miss Lightspeed. You can read more about her and the Fairborne family in I, Crimsonstreak, available at these fine retailers:

Candlemark & Gleam Website
Amazon Paperback
Amazon Kindle Edition
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble NOOK Book

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Take 5 with Colonel Chaos

Matt: I'd like to welcome another guest to the blog today. We're still Crimsonstreaking...and today Colonel Chaos joins us. Thank you for your time.

Colonel Chaos: Enemies of the Common Wealth must die!

Matt: Um...good day to you, too, sir.

Colonel Chaos: That was a joke, Matt. I'm not that one.

Matt: That's kind of a spoiler.

Colonel Chaos: I think you're losing some people here. We'd better get on with it.

Matt: Right. So, you established the New World Common Wealth. Where did you get that idea?

Colonel Chaos: Nice opening salvo. I thought this was going to be about promoting the book.

Matt: It is. Just...tell us a little bit about the New World Common Wealth.

Colonel Chaos: A few years ago, my wife, Miss Lightspeed passed away. Murdered, actually, by Zeus Caesar. There was so much death and violence in the world, so many different squabbles among countries. I wanted to find a way to make everyone play "nice." I sketched out an idea for a new world...one where the people of Earth would join together as one. It was a John Lennon thing, I suppose. "Imagine all the people living life in peace." A noble idea.

Matt: That's not how it played out, unfortunately.

Colonel Chaos: We're not really going to talk about this, are we?

Matt: I suppose it's best for the Heroic Legion tribunal to hash this out. We'll move on, then. Tell me about your relationship with your son.

Colonel Chaos: I can divide this into two distinct periods, Matt. When Chris was growing up, before he went to college, we were close. He was a bit of a mama's boy at first, but as he entered junior high, we became closer. Chris understood what life was like for a superhero family, and we bonded. We were best friends, watching sports together and playing a lot of catch. After Karen [Chaos' wife and Chris' mom, Miss Lightspeed] died, we grew apart. My son will tell you that it was all my fault, and I can't argue. I worked tirelessly to find a way to bring Karen back, and I neglected him. It's something I'm not proud of. We had a falling out, both going our separate ways.

Matt: Did you try to reconcile?

Colonel Chaos: (shakes his head) I wish we had. Sadly, though, I was completely engrossed in finding ways to bring back Chris' mother. I tried everything--lookalikes, shape shifters, clones. Nothing could replace her. Chris, well, he went his own way. Being the son of two great heroes--two famous heroes--is a burden no child should bear, yet he went out to make a name for himself.

Matt: Anyone who's read the Dawn Magazine article knows that you coined your son's superhero name, but not everyone has heard the story. How did "Crimsonstreak" come to mind?

Colonel Chaos: The son of some two-bit villain of the week invaded our home seeking revenge. He got the drop on us, and nearly escaped. Chris went chasing after him...moving in this red blur. He was wearing an Indiana University sweatshirt...and I said something to the effect of "he was like a cream and crimson streak." It was just an off-the-cuff remark, but Chris loved it. I was surprised when he adopted it as his superhero name. I thought he'd go for something flashier.

Matt: All right, you've survived so far. Last question here, Colonel.

Colonel Chaos: You know that's not a real rank, right?

Matt: I had my suspicions, but "Mr. Chaos" sounds stupid. Agreed?

Colonel Chaos: Agreed.

Matt: Last question, and this one backtracks a bit, and for that I apologize. Do you get tired of the villains from "the old days?" The ones who think you're "still in the game?"

Colonel Chaos: (scratches his head) Oh, man. Those guys. Wow. Some of them haven't accepted that I turned my back on that life. They keep coming up with grandiose plans that just happen to need a device or gadget that only I can make. One guy--Fourth-Reich Rich--is absolutely obsessed with the idea of turning everyone into Nazi zombies. I don't even know what that means. For the most part, it's amusing...and most of my former colleagues are locked inside the Clermont Institution for the Criminally Insane. Out of sight, out of mind, I hope.

Matt: Thanks for joining us, Colonel.

Colonel Chaos: Can I do the plug?

Matt: Excuse me?

Colonel Chaos: Willoughby got to do the plug at the end. You know, for the book.

Matt: Go for it.

Colonel Chaos: I, Crimsonstreak is available in a variety of formats from these fine retailers:

Candlemark & Gleam Website
Amazon Paperback
Amazon Kindle Edition
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble NOOK Book

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ABC's of Crimsonstreak: Letter V

V is for villain.

Would heroes exist without villains? Would villains exist without heroes?

It's the driving existential question of superhero stories.

What creates a villain? In the case of Colonel Chaos, we don't know what initially turned him to crime. We do know, however, that he redeemed himself. Then, his beloved wife died and Chaos went down a dark path once more in an effort to bring her back. He's a hero in conflict with himself, a fascinating case study in the dual nature of man.

Maybe that's too deep.

People who can fly or run really fast need someone to fight against, and the best way to do it is to have them fight other people who can fly or run really fast. Hmm.

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ABC's of Crimsonstreak: Letter F

Today's entry: letter F.

F is for Fourth-Reich Rich.

Once upon a time, Crimsonstreak's father Colonel Chaos was the world's most prominent supervillain.

In the swinging sixties, he teamed up with a variety of moronic evildoers, including Fourth-Reich Rich.

At the start of the book, Fourth-Reich Rich is imprisoned alongside Crimsonstreak at the Clermont Institution for the Criminally Insane. He loves to recount his former glory days with Crimsonstreak's father, especially that one time he and Colonel Chaos almost turned the world's population into a bunch of Nazi zombies.

He's kind of crazy and determined to bring back the National Socialist party. Thankfully, he's just not bright enough to pull it off.

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I, Crimsonstreak: The Primer, Part II

I, Crimsonstreak: The Primer took a quick look at the main characters in the book (you can find it here).

Let's move on to The Primer: Part II, key places and concepts you'll find along the way.

Clermont Institution for the Criminally Insane: Known as the "Clermont Rehabilitation Facility" to those in power, Clermont is a place reserved for the evilest of evildoers. Crimsonstreak ends up here after being framed by his father. At the beginning of the story, our hero has been imprisoned for approximately three years.

Enforcers: The sadistic prison guards and henchmen responsible for maintaining the peace (translation: beating the crap out of anyone who would dare defy Colonel Chaos). Enforcers wear bulky, matte-gray armor and carry a nasty weapon known as a particle buster.

New World Common Wealth: As countries fought over resources and ideologies, Colonel Chaos decided to step in and stop it. He quietly laid out a plan for a one-world government called the New World Common Wealth (NWCW) that would divide the world into regions, redraw borders, and strip countries of their individual identities. Many resisted Chaos' diplomatic overtures, but his persistence would eventually pay off. Several European powers still refuse to join.

Region Seven: When Chaos reorganized the United States, he placed the state of Indiana in Region Seven, an area that includes Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky. Chaopolis (formerly Indianapolis) is the capital of Region Seven...and the center of government for the New World Common Wealth.

Meta-Route 65: Because he's a maniacal control freak who likes to waste time and money, Colonel Chaos ordered the reorganization of the U.S. interstate system. Meta-Route 65 is the stupid-sounding equivalent of Interstate 65, complete with pointless new signage.

High Imperator: A dictator needs a title, and Colonel Chaos drew inspiration from antiquity. Instead of declaring himself emperor, president, or tsar, Chaos took the title "High Imperator." He also likes being called the "Great One," although the latter is not his official title.

Special Projects: The research wing of Colonel Chaos' new world order, Special Projects (SpecPro) houses a variety of philanthropic endeavors including deadlier iterations of the particle buster, better Enforcer armor, and superhero depowering rays.

Kiltech Incursion: As Colonel Chaos struggled to gain global acceptance of the New World Common Wealth, aliens called the Kiltechs invaded Earth. They arrived under a banner of peace, but quickly destabilized the world after eliminating several leaders during a peace summit. Chaos rallied a large resistance against the invaders, eventually driving them away. Hailed as a hero, Chaos consolidated his power base, dissolved the provisional ruling council, and watched as other countries practically lined up to join his new world order.

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I, Crimsonstreak: The Costumes Uniforms

A superhero's costume uniform is one of the most important parts of comic books--especially given the emphasis on dynamic visuals. I, Crimsonstreak isn't a comic book, yet our heroes and villains still have splashy, bright uniforms.

Let's visualize!

Crimsonstreak: All right, this one's easy. For better or worse, Chris Fairborne AKA Crimsonstreak appears on the cover of the book in full uniform. His ensemble has more in common with a speedskater than anything else; it's designed to be streamlined and wind-resistant. Crimsonstreak travels at such high speeds that regular spandex probably doesn't do the trick.

Crusading Comet: The Crusading Comet appears in his full regalia only a handful of times in the book (only in flashbacks, actually). Think of his suit as a combination of Batman body armor (Bale or Keaton version; it doesn't really matter) with a splash of Ted Kord-era Blue Beetle. The Comet wears a darker shade of blue (more of a navy) and has a stylized "comet" symbol across his chest. His mouth and chin are exposed; the Comet does not wear a full helmet.

Colonel Chaos: During his early days as a villain, Colonel Chaos favored black bodysuits with ridiculous accoutrements like garish shoulder pads, white forearm gloves, and a flowing cape. After repenting of his villainous ways, he retained an affinity for sleek black bodysuits for work in his lab and out in the field. In the age of the New World Common Wealth, Chaos' look has evolved toward a militaristic tunic with a high collar and NWCW logos on the shoulders. No matter the outfit, Chaos sports shiny black books polished with obsessive detail.

Miss Lightspeed: Before her death, Miss Lightspeed was atypical among female heroes. While her contemporaries favored tight bodysuits, sequins, and midriff-baring "barely there" outfits, Miss Lightspeed dressed far more modestly and put an emphasis on practicality. Her usual outfit included an off-white top with matching pants; both had a variety of zippered pouches. A dark red cape and matching boots were concessions to her superhero lifestyle. She did not wear a tiara.

Enforcers: As befits their role as faceless scourges of a totalitarian regime, Enforcers wear generic, matte-gray, hard-shell armor devoid of personality or customization. Think Starship Troopers or Minority Report, and you get the idea. Members of the law enforcement arm of the NWCW also wear visored helmets and keep a nasty particle buster holstered by their side at all times.

Mortimer P. Willoughby: A butler's job is never done...and Mortimer P. Willoughby always carries an aura of elegance. A topcoat with tails, expertly tailored pants, crisp white shirt with a bow tie, and white gloves speak to his refinement and attention to detail. Morty's typical outfit also includes thick-rimmed glasses, polished dress shoes, and an assortment of secret devices hidden within his seemingly harmless topcoat.

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I, Crimsonstreak: The Primer

On May 15, Candlemark & Gleam unleashes my debut novel, I, Crimsonstreak, onto the world. The book is a labor of love; a tribute to bright, splashy comic book stories and superheroes, pop culture, and science fiction. It's a unique book in many regards, but the appendices in the back of the book make it stand out. Nearly 100 pages are devoted to newspaper articles, journal entries, magazine features, and character dossiers.

So let's get familiar with our main characters.

Chris Fairborne/Crimsonstreak: The son of prominent superheroes Colonel Chaos and Miss Lightspeed, Chris feels like a disappointment. His dad can fly. His mom can fly. He can't. He did, however, inherit his mother's super-speed, and is considered the world's preeminent super-speedster. The story is told through Chris' perspective; be warned that he's never met a pop culture reference he didn't like. Our adventure starts with Chris imprisoned inside the Clermont Institution for the Criminally Insane, where he's confined to a straitjacket after being convicted of a crime he didn't commit. Oh, by the way, his father's responsible for his imprisonment.

Colonel Chaos: Born William Avery Fairborne, Colonel Chaos is a reformed supervillain who perpetuated several different crimes against the world--things like antimatter rays and holding the world for ransom. He reformed and eventually became one of Earth's greatest defenders, marrying Miss Lightspeed and joining the Heroic Legion. After his wife's death, Chaos descended into madness and forged a one-world government called the New World Common Wealth. He also threw his son in prison, which kind of soured their father-son relationship. His powers include superstrength, flight, and genius-level intellect.

Miss Lightspeed: Born Karen Jo Watson, Miss Lightspeed emerged as one of the world's leading heroes and is responsible for stopping Colonel Chaos' rampage of terror and destruction. In an unlikely twist, Lightspeed and Chaos fell in love and eventually got married. Their union produced a son, Chris, who took the superhero name Crimsonstreak. Lightspeed died over the skies of Iowa in April 2000 during a battle with the villainous Zeus Caesar, yet she's somehow mysteriously returned to life. Her powers include flight, superstrength, and super-speed.

Crusading Comet: Not every hero has superpowers. The Crusading Comet is one of the world's longest-serving guardians, but he's not immortal. He is, in fact, a collection of men named Warren Kensington. Warren Senior, Warren Junior, Warren III, and Warren IV have all taken up the mantle of the Comet. Warren Senior and Junior died in the line of duty; Warren III--the current Comet--fights a disorganized resistance against Chaos' New World Common Wealth, and Warren IV is anxiously (not eagerly) awaiting the day in which he'll don the cape & cowl. As the New World Common Wealth takes hold, Crimsonstreak has few allies...but he can count on the Crusading Comet's heroic legacy.

Mortimer P. Willoughby: Mortimer, sometimes called "Morty" (he HATES that!), is the manservant for the Kensington family, having served under each of the reigning Crusading Comets. He has been entrusted with the education and upbringing of Warren Junior, Warren III, and Warren IV. Morty has a certain skill for electronics and subterfuge, and often runs operations for the Crusading Comet's various missions. That's all, of course, in addition to his roles as tutor, mentor, chauffeur, cook, and feather-duster. For unexplained reasons, Morty has a certain distaste for Crimsonstreak.

Jaci Graves: Former college girlfriend of one Chris Fairborne, Jaci serves the New World Common Wealth as an Enforcer. She and Chris drifted apart soon after the death of Miss Lightspeed and eventually went their separate ways. After her parents died during a counter-offensive against alien invaders, Jaci joined the New World Common Wealth, although she quickly began to doubt Colonel Chaos' leadership. Her powers include flight, which she augments with rocket-powered boots. Before the New World Common Wealth, she served as the superhero Boost.

Zeus Caesar: A super-powered titan of a man, Zeus Caesar stands 6'7" and can bench press a Mack truck. Combine this with sheer lunacy and the ability to generate/manipulate lightning, and you've got the recipe for disaster. Caesar and his Legionnaires Army marched across the Midwest in April 2000 in an attempt to mold the U.S. into another Roman Empire. Their reign of terror continued until they ran into Miss Lightspeed, who fought Caesar to a standstill before the villain jolted her with electricity. Colonel Chaos arrived too late to save his wife. Broken, he captured Caesar and transported him to the Clermont Institution for the Criminally Insane, where the supervillain remains.

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I, Crimsonstreak: New World Common Wealth Timeline

April 16, 2000 – Miss Lightspeed dies following an encounter with the supervillain Zeus Caesar.

2001-2005 – Chris Fairborne and Colonel Chaos become increasingly estranged as Chaos experiments with different ways to bring Miss Lightspeed back. Their father-son relationship is permanently damaged when Chaos employs a woman named Mimicry to portray his dead wife. Chaos also makes several attempts to clone Miss Lightspeed. During this time, Chaos sketches out plans for a one-world government called the New World Common Wealth.

April/May 2006 – Unable to cope with the pressure of assuming Miss Lightspeed’s form all the time, Mimicry commits suicide. Colonel Chaos experiments with an interdimensional transporter.

January 2007 – After several failures, Chaos successfully tests the interdimensional device and pulls an alternative Miss Lightspeed (Lightspeed 2) into his dimension. He hides the discovery from the rest of the world and establishes a secret base of operations in the Caribbean.

May 2007 – Alternate-reality Colonel Chaos (Colonel Chaos 2) makes his first attempt to transport himself to a new dimension to save his missing wife. The experiment results in an explosion that destroys the Fairborne family’s hometown. Chris Fairborne arrives to investigate, and Chaos 1 believes his son’s super-speed has grown unstable. To protect the world from his son’s powers, he pins the explosion on Chris and sends him to the Clermont Institution for the Criminally Insane. The estrangement of father and son is complete.

Mid-June 2007 – Colonel Chaos 2 successfully transports himself to the new reality. Chaos 2 and Lightspeed 2 team up on Chaos 1 and subdue him after a protracted fight. Before his defeat and capture, Chaos 1 erases his son’s existence from his computer database. Chris Fairborne’s whereabouts are lost to the world.

Late June 2007 – With Chaos 1 in stasis, Chaos 2 uncovers plans for a one-world government called the New World Common Wealth. He begins consolidating U.S. resources for a full-scale global takeover, but several nations resist.

August 2007 – First contact made with extraterrestrial beings known as the Kiltechs. Alien invaders appear peaceful at first, but eventually reveal their true intentions by slaughtering a group of world leaders during a peace conference. Chaos 2 assembles a provisional council to oversee a united resistance called the New World Common Wealth. Miss Lightspeed returns to public service. The circumstances surrounding her resurrection are murky.

August 2007-September 2008 – Chaos 2 and his forces fight against the Kiltech invaders. The Kiltechs blockade the earth, and overestimate the effectiveness of their occupying force. The miscalculation allows Chaos 2 to rally more countries and superheroes to his cause, but the alliance is shaky.

January 2008 - President Conrad assassinated.

March 2008 - Colonel Chaos welcomes his son Christopher Fairborne back, telling the world his son has been rehabilitated and is ready to serve.

September 2008 – The Kiltechs destroy the West Coast, galvanizing the resistance movement. Chaos 2 calls for a final offensive against the alien invaders. A coalition of superheroes destroys the Kiltech’s main ship, and the remaining alien force retreats. Chaos 2 dissolves the provisional council and the Heroic Legion. With his popularity at an all-time high, he redraws state and international borders as his New World Common Wealth gains power.

2010 – Chris Fairborne escapes from the Clermont Institution for the Criminally Insane.

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