Even Homer nods twice

Jeff Wilson · 10 Feb 2003, 00:32 · from urth-v0302.mbox · original

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From: Jeff Wilson <jwilson at io.com>
Subject: Re: (urth) Even Homer nods twice
Date: Sun, 09 Feb 2003 18:32:10 -0600
Message-ID: <urth-v0302-2917 at digest.urth.net>
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> From:
> "Nigel Price" <nigel.aprice at virgin.net>

> Way back on Tuesday 17 June 1997, Kevin McGuire asked on the Whorl list:
>>>On a more frivolous note - is there any
>>>connection between Typhon/Piaton and that
>>>episode of the Simpsons where Mr. Burns
>>>head is grafted onto Homer's body?
>>
>=20
>>>"But Homer, tomorrow we are meeting with
>>>Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands"
>>
>=20
> As far as I can see, no one ever answered that question, but I finally got
> to see that episode of "The Simpsons" on BBC2 this evening and I would say
> definitely, yes! That really does look like a Gene Wolfe homage. A bizarre
> one, it's true, but an homage none the less.


In the US, there's a much more prominent antecedent, the schlocky _THING=20
WITH TWO HEADS_, starring Rosie Greer (as the body) and Ray Miland (as=20
the new head).

As far as non-homages go, back in 1986, Marvel Comics produced a=20
year-long limited series, MARVEL SUPER-HEROES SECRET WARS, with such=20
URTH-ly, Wolfe-ly plot elements as:

* the champions of earth being summoned by an ineffable being to do=20
battle with their archenemies,

* at least one foe was resurected for the purpose

* a plot by an evil would-be ruler of all mankind involving a severed head

* a mis-appropriated mechanical suit missing its right arm.

* an artifical world with made of bits representing numerous real=20
worlds, with creatures taken from them

* a refugee from the previous creation

* a formerly human being grown to immense size who sates his colossal=20
hunger by drawing energy form planets via titanic machinery of=20
mysterious function


Years later, the wearer of the suit went on to have adventures in a kind=20
of new earth, advised by a mysterious woman named Skye, found to be some=20
sort of "warrior of Eidolon", and combatted against a shaggy, grey=20
shapeshifting animal....


--=20
Jeff Wilson
How Am I Posting? 1-800-555-6789
"If your SecOp can see you, so can the enemy." -Cpt Law



--=20

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