Graphic Novel talk:A Lesson in Electricity
|
New graphic novel checklist
| see also current episode and current episode checklist | jump to table of contents |
| Episode article: _X_ Graphic Novel screencap (450x350) Update/add other articles: _X_ Update template:imagenav Update Main Page: |
Update Character pages _X_ Update Portal:Graphic Novel Characters as appropriate Add new character/group pages as needed: Add references to appropriate recurring themes: Add/update disambigs as needed: Add examples of demonstrated Powers: Add new powers pages as needed: |
Events/Items/Things/References n/a (list other articles to update here) Locations Places Timeline Update templates as needed |
David Wohl
- Links for whomever wants to do the writer's page: David Wohl at Wikipedia, David Wohl's blog (including photo).--MiamiVolts (talk) 04:07, 4 March 2008 (EST)
Aw man!
Tbh I didnt really like this novel, I was hoping for the linda trilogy :( --(. .') 04:16, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- Yea, I'm rather disapointed with this GN. There was really nothing going on in it. I mean, we're forced to wait till September for another episodes, so at least they could move the story along a bit. The Linda one was a good start, the HRG one was ok, but this one is BOOOOORING! --Looky 06:01, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- Actually the story in the novels is determined by the episodes, not the other way around. Don't expect any story development in the coming novels; only little tid-bits. -- Seclusion talk / contribs 06:21, 4 March 2008 (EST)
Ugh
- *sigh* It seems every work of real-world fantasy eventually devolves into this fluff. Yes, all of the important historical personages are really vampires/evolved humans/Star Fleet officers from the future. The pyramids were obviously built by aliens/evolved humans and were not, in fact, a miraculous work of industrious and enormously clever humans. It's just such a cheap shot, from a writing perspective, and a cliché, and when it becomes rampant enough, all it does is devalue the extraordinary contributions of ordinary human beings. I hope we don't see much more of it.--Hardvice (talk) 04:19, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- It indeed wasn't a thrilling novel, but there have been worse imho. Anyways, did anyone else keep hoping for Adam Monroe to turn up while they read the novel? I would have liked for him to have been holding the string. At least, then, it would have been more interesting. The writer could have retitled the novel "The First Followers" or something since supposedly Evan encouraged Adam to try and find some disciples shortly after the Revolutionary War.--MiamiVolts (talk) 04:34, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- Personally, I think another novel with Evan in it would be kickass, it doesn't ruin the historical facts it just reintroduced an awesome character. --(. .') 04:38, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- I did hope Adam Monroe shows up. For a while, I thought Joseph Priestley is actually him. That would explain some things... --Looky 16:36, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- Seriously? I think it actually elevates Ben Franklin's real life contributions for the exact reasons you stated, Hardvice. I mean, obviously, the real Franklin was not evolved, and the pharaohs of Egypt didn't really have this ancient hidden secret. Revising history by making these great people have something *extra* actually adds an air or mystery to the real life people behind the characters. Besides shining a light on their contributions, the fantasy revisions actual add value to their actual donations to history. At least that's what it does for me... -- RyanGibsonStewart (talk) 06:33, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- After about 900 comic books, countless novels, and 60 Star Trek episodes doing the same thing, it becomes not only a cheesy cliché, but an insulting one. The implication, of course, is that there's a "mystery" to be explained ... that normal people couldn't possibly have achieved (historical achievement in question) without outside help, or a special, secret advantage. Really, it's not much different from the real-world skeptics who claim that Egyptian and Mayan and Inca architecture "clearly" show evidence of alien/other outside involvement, because it's so unfathomable to them to think that a culture full of brown people who predated the Greeks could possibly have beaten them to various scientific and engineering discoveries. Like I said, it's harmless (if lazy storywriting) in the singular, but when it becomes rampant, which I hope it doesn't in Heroes, it starts to smack of downplaying human accomplishments. It becomes a recurring theme: human beings aren't good enough. Eventually, when it happens enough, those accomplishments which are not so identified are immediately called into question as well, and if they prove not to be the result of superhuman forces, then they become significant accomplishments "for a mere human". One thing we've seen again and again on air in Heroes is that there are plenty of exceptional humans who achieve as much or more with no superhuman power than those who have one. I'd hate to see history rewritten to be a long string of "look what these superpowered freaks have achieved", even in fiction. It reinforces the message that normal humans can't make a difference, that there's a categorical and insurmountable difference between the great names of history and the common people of today, and the drive to excel in our society is scarce enough as it is.--Hardvice (talk) 17:33, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- I have a different, but similar opinion. I agree that fiction shouldn't belittle historical achievements, but I do think that it is okay to question history in fiction. Rewriting or retelling history in fiction can provide a good way to reexamine our history and perhaps be able to look at it in new light. Regarding the real-world debate, there is currently some archaeological debate on whether at least some of that information could have come from long-distance trade. That in itself would be amazing if confirmed, since crossing the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans in ancient times would have been no small feat. As far as this graphic novel is concerned, I don't think they belittled Franklin's achievement, as the achievement was more the concept, the science he developed--the ability just helped in keeping him alive to tell the tale. That said, I stand by my initial opinion that the novel was definitely a bit dull, and that I kept hoping for something more interesting to happen as I read it.--MiamiVolts (talk) 18:22, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- I really don't like how they're using real historical figures and giving them powers. It ruins the whole effect of Heroes. It's "Ordinary People with Extraordinary Abilities." If it was someone FROM that time, like Evan or Adam Monroe, then I'd like it. Meh.--Riddler 18:31, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- You're right there. The writing is clearly straying away from original theme of the show.--MiamiVolts (talk) 18:36, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- I really don't like how they're using real historical figures and giving them powers. It ruins the whole effect of Heroes. It's "Ordinary People with Extraordinary Abilities." If it was someone FROM that time, like Evan or Adam Monroe, then I'd like it. Meh.--Riddler 18:31, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- tl;dr. Summary- "Humans are serious business" Ace ofspade 20:10, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- Basically, yes, except it's "srs business". What on earth do they teach in troll school these days?--Hardvice (talk) 22:37, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- Also, you say that historical figures having abilities has become a cliche in fiction, that it somehow makes their actual achievements less impressive, and it implies humans aren't "good enough", and that normal people aren't as good and can't do amazing things. While #1 is true (Stargate did/still does it brilliantly, though), the other two, I'm not so sure. If Ben Franklin had "Super Reasoning", or "Super Intelligence", or "Super Postal System-creating", then yes, it would be saying that a normal person couldn't have done those great things. But his power is Electrical absorption, a single notch above Alejandro's ability and just below Liquification in usefulness. This graphic novel was pretty disappointing, though. I laughed when I realized the plot was basically "Ben Franklin had superpowers". They should stick to who actually claimed to be of divine heritage. Ace ofspade 18:51, 5 March 2008 (EST)
- Basically, yes, except it's "srs business". What on earth do they teach in troll school these days?--Hardvice (talk) 22:37, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- I have a different, but similar opinion. I agree that fiction shouldn't belittle historical achievements, but I do think that it is okay to question history in fiction. Rewriting or retelling history in fiction can provide a good way to reexamine our history and perhaps be able to look at it in new light. Regarding the real-world debate, there is currently some archaeological debate on whether at least some of that information could have come from long-distance trade. That in itself would be amazing if confirmed, since crossing the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans in ancient times would have been no small feat. As far as this graphic novel is concerned, I don't think they belittled Franklin's achievement, as the achievement was more the concept, the science he developed--the ability just helped in keeping him alive to tell the tale. That said, I stand by my initial opinion that the novel was definitely a bit dull, and that I kept hoping for something more interesting to happen as I read it.--MiamiVolts (talk) 18:22, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- After about 900 comic books, countless novels, and 60 Star Trek episodes doing the same thing, it becomes not only a cheesy cliché, but an insulting one. The implication, of course, is that there's a "mystery" to be explained ... that normal people couldn't possibly have achieved (historical achievement in question) without outside help, or a special, secret advantage. Really, it's not much different from the real-world skeptics who claim that Egyptian and Mayan and Inca architecture "clearly" show evidence of alien/other outside involvement, because it's so unfathomable to them to think that a culture full of brown people who predated the Greeks could possibly have beaten them to various scientific and engineering discoveries. Like I said, it's harmless (if lazy storywriting) in the singular, but when it becomes rampant, which I hope it doesn't in Heroes, it starts to smack of downplaying human accomplishments. It becomes a recurring theme: human beings aren't good enough. Eventually, when it happens enough, those accomplishments which are not so identified are immediately called into question as well, and if they prove not to be the result of superhuman forces, then they become significant accomplishments "for a mere human". One thing we've seen again and again on air in Heroes is that there are plenty of exceptional humans who achieve as much or more with no superhuman power than those who have one. I'd hate to see history rewritten to be a long string of "look what these superpowered freaks have achieved", even in fiction. It reinforces the message that normal humans can't make a difference, that there's a categorical and insurmountable difference between the great names of history and the common people of today, and the drive to excel in our society is scarce enough as it is.--Hardvice (talk) 17:33, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- I'm mixed on this story, really. Making people of myth real and explaining their truths through the revelation of their powers while still grounding them in reality is sort of fun, like what they did with Takezo Kensei. Kensei was real but his stories are larger than life whereas Benjamin Franklin was real but his stories are more grounded, so I don't think he was a great choice. Maybe Nikolai Tesla, King Arthur, Heracles or something, but a respected scientist known for just being seemingly crazy enough to fly a kite during a lightning storm? Better to tell the tale of an ordinary guy becoming outstanding. --PeterDawson 17:11, 6 March 2008 (EST)
- I'm with you, Pete. --Hero!(talk)(contribs) 18:01, 6 March 2008 (EST)
- It indeed wasn't a thrilling novel, but there have been worse imho. Anyways, did anyone else keep hoping for Adam Monroe to turn up while they read the novel? I would have liked for him to have been holding the string. At least, then, it would have been more interesting. The writer could have retitled the novel "The First Followers" or something since supposedly Evan encouraged Adam to try and find some disciples shortly after the Revolutionary War.--MiamiVolts (talk) 04:34, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- Although I wasn't thrilled about the graphic novel. I'm not going to say it was lazy storytelling. Mythbusters already busted this myth (he would've died), so it couldn't have happened this way (so in other words there would be no belittling). Now Ben Franklin could've easily had the experiment, but he wasn't holding the kite string at the time. But since this is an interpretation based on that particular myth, it gives more credence to it. And other than that I don't think writers mean to belittle history, but when you have aliens that are millions of years more advance or super beings at your disposable, it just seems likely they are going to use it as such. --Dman dustin 15:09, 8 March 2008 (EST)
Details on Names
- Mrs. Franklin is really Deborah Franklin - her name is mentioned in the novel. Will Franklin should be corrected to William Franklin. We will also need a Tiger page too. And according to Wikipedia, Franklin conducted his experiment on June 15, 1752.
07:54, 4 March 2008 (EST)
Evolved
- So, basically, if Ben Franklin is an evolved human, is there a chance that Jack Coleman is as well!? Do the people on the set know something we don't!? --DocM 08:29, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- Agreed. I knew something was up with that guy.--Riddler 22:59, 4 March 2008 (EST)
Narrator is an immortal??
It seemed to me that the narrator, who put the book away in the library in the last scene, appeared to be re-telling the story from present day; but from the perspective that he was present when the story occurred. It says expliciately that Franklin had told him the secret info circa 1767, so we know he was living during Franklin's era; but later at the end of the story, when he is putting the book in the library, I got the impression that "the part of the story that was never told until today"...that Franklin absorbed the electricty. If he were only narrating this entire GN back in the late 1700s it would make him an regular mortal, but if he is narrating it back from todays perspective, he would have to be an immortal. I sure expected then to show Adam putting the book away when they showed his face. Did any of you guys think this as well? --HiroDynoSlayer (talk) 03/4/2008 12:44 (EST)
- Looks like a mortal's reflections in a 1767 journal entry to me. I detect no strangeness in perspective. --SacValleyDweller (talk) 13:22, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- I agree with SacValleyDweller that the story is being told sometime during Joseph's normal life. If they were intending for Joseph to be an immortal and telling the story in present-day, they'd have the artist reading off of a computer screen at the end instead of shelving a book.--MiamiVolts (talk) 13:33, 4 March 2008 (EST)
Gold key
Wasn't there a gold key in the vault? Hmm....I personally wasn't a fan of this novel but I guess it might more sense as they bring things together. --RyanHalfxwitted 14:34, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- Yes, there was a gold key. I suppose it could have been Franklin's.--MiamiVolts (talk) 15:01, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- Except Franklin's key wasn't gold. --Ice Vision (talk) 20:36, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- Neither was Hampton Connolly. :D --NellaBishop 22:35, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- Except Franklin's key wasn't gold. --Ice Vision (talk) 20:36, 4 March 2008 (EST)
Woah im slow...
Ive only just noticed this Benjamin Franklin has the same last name as me O.O Maybe we are related, Which would mean i would be related to Jack Coleman :O That would be awesome <3 --(. .') 15:41, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- You are likely distant cousins. :)--MiamiVolts (talk) 15:44, 4 March 2008 (EST)
- Lmao. According to my mum her great grandparents moved to america after there son (My grandad) grew up O.O --(. .') 15:47, 4 March 2008 (EST)
Questions for Micah
If you have any questions for Micah Gunnell, post them at this link and I'll send them to Micah. Hopefully he'll get a chance to answer some... -- RyanGibsonStewart (talk) 01:15, 5 March 2008 (EST)
- Indeed, although I didn't particularly like the writing for this last novel, I realize that Micah is only the artist and I think he did a terrific job with Benjamin Franklin's likeness--I got flashbacks of Liberty's Kids when reading the novel. I wonder if Micah ever saw that show...--MiamiVolts (talk) 01:31, 5 March 2008 (EST)
Elaborate theory
- The real-life histories of Ben Franklin, his family and Joseph Priestley are a lot more interesting than this novel, and I recommend reading through it if you're interested. I also think it's possible there could be more to this novel than we realize, and have posted part of my elaborate theory in Theory:Benjamin Franklin and the rest in spoiler talk. It is an elaborate theory, though, so it's definitely a stretch.--MiamiVolts (talk) 03:33, 5 March 2008 (EST)
Magic hair
Ooo his hair changes from grey to brown on page 7 O_O --(. .') 13:28, 11 March 2008 (EDT)
- The way I read it, that was supposed to be representative of fifteen years later. -- RyanGibsonStewart (talk) 15:23, 11 March 2008 (EDT)
- Oh i see, im colour blind, my sister just pointed out the glasses... --(. .') 15:47, 11 March 2008 (EDT)