Showing posts with label Assassin's Creed series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Assassin's Creed series. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

New Releases 10/13/15

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Hardcovers

The Algerian War in French-Language Comics: Postcolonial Memory, History, and Subjectivity by Jennifer Howell

The decolonization of Algeria represents a turning point in world history, marking the end of France’s colonial empire, the birth of the Algerian republic, and the appearance of the Third World and pan-Arabism. Algeria emerged from colonial domination to negotiate the release of American hostages in Iran during the Carter administration. Radical Islam would later rise from the ashes of Algeria’s failed democracy, leading to a civil war and the training of Algerian terrorists in Afghanistan. Moreover, the decolonization of Algeria offered an imperfect model of decolonization to other nations like South Africa that succeeded in abolishing apartheid while retaining its white settler population. Algeria and its war of national liberation therefore constitute an inescapable reference for those looking to understand today’s “war on terror” and ever-expanding islamophobia in Western media circuits. Consequently, it is imperative that students and educators understand the global implications of the Algerian War and how to best approach this conflict in school and at home so as to learn from the consequences of misrepresentation at all levels of the memory transmission chain. These objectives are all the more important today given the West’s misunderstanding and mischaracterization of Islam, the Arab Spring, the Muslim-majority world, and, most importantly, the continuing influence of French colonialism—especially in the postcolonial era.

Conceived as a case study, The Algerian War in French-Language Comics: Postcolonial Memory, History, and Subjectivity argues that comics provide an alternative to textbook representations of the Algerian War in France because they draw from many of the same source materials yet produce narratives that are significantly different. This book demonstrates that although comics rely on conventional vectors of memory transmission like national education, the family, and mainstream media, they can also create new and productive dialogues using these same vectors in ways unavailable to traditional textbooks. From this perspective, these comics are an effective and alternative way to develop a more inclusive social consciousness.

Assassin's Creed: The Complete Visual History by Matthew Miller

Assassin’s Creed is one of the biggest entertainment properties in the world. A sweeping and visually rich narrative covering the Crusades in medieval Jerusalem, the pirate-infested oceans of the Caribbean, the height of the French Revolution, and more, Assassin’s Creed immerses fans in the most dramatic periods in human history and brings to life some of its most intriguing and influential characters.

This comprehensive book explores the history and legacy of Assassin’s Creed, its rich mythology, and the vivid artwork of the entire franchise, including works created for the graphic novels and downloadable content. With never-before-seen concept and character art, Assassin’s Creed: The Complete Visual History reveals the creative process behind the immersive historical settings as well as the development of such iconic characters as Altair, Ezio, Connor, and Arno, to name a few, chronicling how the franchise has evolved over the years while retaining its bold, signature look. Written by gaming journalist Matthew Miller, this comprehensive visual history offers unparalleled insight into one of the industry’s most acclaimed franchises. A compelling read for fans of the franchise and those interested in discovering the astounding artistry behind the creation of a major contemporary video game series.

Cartoons for Victory by Warren Bernard

This book showcases comics about Superman, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, and other characters and (their creators) helping to fight World War II.

The home front during World War II was one of blackouts, Victory Gardens, war bonds and scrap drives. It was also a time of social upheaval with women on the assembly line and in the armed forces and African-Americans serving and working in a Jim Crow war effort. See how Superman, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse and others helped fight World War II via comic books and strips, single-panel and editorial cartoons, and even ads. Cartoons for Victory showcases wartime work by cartoonists such as Charles Addams (The Addams Family), Harold Gray (Little Orphan Annie), Harvey Kurtzman (Mad magazine), Will Eisner, as well as many other known cartoonists. Over 90% of the cartoons and comics in this book have not been seen since their first publication. Editor Bernard gathered them over years of unstinting research through private collections and the obscure holdings of public sources. This is the most comprehensive collection ever assembled of World War II–era cartoons, reflecting the indefatigable spirit of the Home Front in America. Full color illustrations throughout

Paperbacks

Gideon Smith and the Mask of the Ripper by David Barnett

In an alternate nineteenth century where a technologically advanced Britain holds sway over most of the known world and the American Revolution never happened, young Gideon Smith is firmly established as the Hero of the Empire.

Back in London, Gideon and his colleagues: journalist Aloysius Bent, airship pilot Rowena Fanshawe, and Maria, the mechanical girl to whom Gideon has lost his heart, are dragged into a case that is confounding the Metropolitan Police. For the city is on the edge of mass rioting due to the continuing reign of terror by the serial killer known only as Jack the Ripper, who is rampaging though London's less salubrious quarters.

While chasing the madman, a villain from their past strips Gideon Smith of his memory and is cast adrift in the seedy underbelly of London, where life is tough and death lurks in every shadowy alley.

With mob rule threatening to engulf London, the Empire has never needed its hero more...but where is Gideon Smith?

Gideon Smith and the Mask of the Ripper is the latest in David Barnett's riproaring steampunk adventures about a Britain that never was...but should have been.

To readers, authors and publishers...

Is your story going to be published in time for the next New Releases? Contact us at ahwupdate at gmail dot com.  We are looking for works of alternate history, counterfactual history, steampunk, historical fantasy, time travel or anything that warps history beyond our understanding.

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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update, a blogger on Amazing Stories and a Sidewise Awards for Alternate History judgeWhen not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the day when travel between parallel universes becomes a reality. You can follow him on FacebookTwitter and YouTube. Learn how you can support his alternate history projects on Patreon.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Weekly Update #191

Editor's Notes

The Internet is a buzz about BBC's adaptation of Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, which premiered in Britain this weekend. I have talked about this show a lot over the last few weeks, so like Amazon's The Man in the High Castle, I decided just to list some of the articles I noticed below in the Links to the Multiverse section instead of writing another summary. Plus, I didn't want anything spoiled, but if you aren't worried about that, go check them out.

And now the news...

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate Trailer
Well the trailer for the next installment in the somewhat historical Assassin's Creed series (I mean let's be honest, they do get a lot wrong) was released last week. Let's take a look:
Is anyone really surprised they went to Victorian London? Yep, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate is certainly trying to cash in on the popularity of steampunk. I guess it is only a matter of time before we see a full game set in World War II, but why not the American Civil War before Victorian London? Seriously, how cool would it be playing as an escaped slave as he knocks out Confederate Templars behind enemy lines?

Anywho, if you want to learn more about Assassin's Creed Syndicate, checkout the gameplay walkthrough or check out this video from the Nerdist that (allegedly) will tell you everything you need to know.

Alison Morton continues her book tour for Aurelia

Friend of The Update, Alison Morton, has broken the Internet again with her tour for her new book Aurelia, the fourth installment in the Roma Nova series. I already shared the plot summary on last week's Weekly Update and on New Releases, so go click on one of those links if you want to see what the story is about. That being said, you can still see what Alison has been up to by checking out her guest post (and giveaway) on Brook Cottage Books, her interview on Christina Courtenay's site and her interview (and giveaway) at Unusual Historicals. Plus learn how her talks with Liesel Schwarz (Sky Pirates) at Foyles Bristol and Rossiter Books went from the author herself.

Links to the Multiverse

BBC's Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

Another Magical Promo for Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell at Dread Central.
Drama filmed in York Minster to be shown on BBC on Sunday at The Press.
Georgian magic of old England on the BBC at Herald Scotland.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: the best UK fantasy in years at Den of Geek.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, partly shot at Oakwell Hall at The Huddersfield Daily Examiner.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: restoring the magic to England at The Telegraph.
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell Will Get American Debut This Summer at Pop Matters.
Should I watch Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell on BBC One on Sunday? at Gloucestershire Echo.
What to Watch on TV: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell at London Evening Standard.

Books & Short Fiction

2015 Campbell Award Shortlist at File 770.
Author Ian Tregillis On Why Fictional Worlds Need Fictional Technologies at io9.
Five Books That Broke Sacred Writing Rules (And Yet We Love Them) at Tor.
Linguistic Landmines: A Time Traveler’s Guide to Regency England at Tor/Forge Blog.
Marie Brennan and Mary Robinette Kowal on the Brave New Worlds Tour at Fantasy Literature.
My Favorite Bit: Brooke Johnson talks about THE BRASS GIANT at Mary Robinette Kowal's blog.
New Folio Society Edition of Philip K. Dick’s The Man in the High Castle at Fine Books Magazine.
On My Radar: Time Salvager by Wesley Chu at SF Signal.
Re-release of Jerry Yulsman's novel, Elleander Morning! at The Counterfactual History Review.
Review: The Apollo Quartet by Ian Sales at SF Signal.
Review: The Fifth Heart by Dan Simmons at SF Signal.
Review: The Holocaust Averted by Jeffrey Gurock at Times Higher Education.
Review: Joe Steele by Harry Turtledove at Azure Dwarf.
Review: Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear at The Qwillery.

Counterfactuals, History & News

5 Ridiculous Cold War Myths You Probably Believe at Cracked.
Did the Greenland Colonists Flee to Join the Native Peoples of America? at Tor/Forge Blog.
Dreaming a Different Apollo: Part One at DSFP's Spaceflight History Blog.
Harriet Tubman is your potential replacement for Jackson on the $20 at The Washington Post.
Liberland president arrested by Croatia for trespassing in 'no man's land' at Fox News.
Nation Entranced as Supermodel’s Husband Is Implicated in Ball Firmness Scandal at Slate
The Summerhall Historical Fiction Festival in Edinburgh – Review by Paul F Cockburn at Alt Hist.
Victory Day, Ukraine, Communism, and Fascism Through a Counterfactual Prism by Gordon Hahn.
We should never forget - the Soviets won World War II in Europe at The Independent.
What If Corbusier Had Been Born in Germany? at The Counterfactual History Review.

Film & Television

Agent Carter Going West at File 770.
Documentary On Biggs Darklighter, A Character Mostly Cut From A New Hope at io9.
Natalie Portman to play Jackie Kennedy in film about the four days after JFK was shot at Daily Mail.
Outlander 1.14: All that Jazz at Paul Levinson's Infinite Regress.
Ripper Street to Return to Amazon with Two More Series at Geek Syndicate.

Games

Readers mourn Ozzy Osbourne’s dragon-riding simulator and other canceled games at AV Club.
Review: Wolfenstein: The Old Blood at The Sydney Morning Herald.

Interview

Michael J. Martinez at Reddit.

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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. Check out his short fiction. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Weekly Update #169

Editor's Note

Well the holidays are upon us and that means I am going into hibernation. No Weekly Update next Monday as I take a break from blogging to write about my Sideways in Time Paper (check out my last update here). Then in mid-December I will be taking an even longer break to spend sometime with the family, but I will be back at the end of the year for my annual wrap-up.

And now the news...

Videos for Alternate Historians

Some good videos this week. We begin with another episode of Epic Rap Battles of History, featuring Romeo & Juliet vs. Bonnie & Clyde:
The last few episodes have been very group heavy. I wonder if we are going to see anymore one-on-ones in the future. Anywho, it looks like Assassin's Creed: Unity has lead to some discussion on revisionist history. Lets watch this video from The Know to learn more:
Interesting. Here in America at least we are taught that both sides in the French Revolution were nuts. O well, lets look at an even more insane period of history, World War II, with this video on tanks featured in Paradox's upcoming grant strategy game Hearts of Iron IV:
The video features a visit to the Arsenalen museum of military vehicles in Sweden, where Hearts of Iron IV’s Project Lead, Dan Lind, talks tanks and their use in the war. What did you think of it?

Links to the Multiverse

Books and Short Fiction

Best Alternate History Novels by Josh Goller at Used Book Search.
Gollancz buys two from de Bodard at The Bookseller.
Priya Sharma’s After Mary included in Ellen Datlow’s Honorable Mentions at Alt Hist.
Prologue of The Desert and The Blade by SM Stirling.
Review: Ghosts of Manhattan by George Mann at Falcata Times.
Review: The Revolutions by Felix Gilman at Falcata Times.
Review: The Steampunk User’s Manual by Jeff VanderMeer at Geek Dad.
Update on the Alternate Mormon History anthology by William Morris at A Motley Vision.
William Gibson's 6 favorite books at The Week.

Counterfactuals, History and News

The 19th Century Blueprint For A Massive Mind-Control Machine by Mark Strauss at io9.
The Dyess Colony by Larry Amyett, Jr at Dieselpunk.
Have We Stopped Fearing Nuclear War? by Annalee Newitz at io9.
How Farming Almost Destroyed Ancient Human Civilization by Annalee Newitz at io9.
The Limits of Alternative Africas by Laura J. Mitchell at Africa Is a Country.
Muslims Discovered the Americas, Claims Turkish President by Berivan Orucoglu at Foreign Policy.
"Pro-American" History Textbooks Hurt Native Americans by Shannon Speed at Huff Post.
S. Korea to raise $500 bln for unification: regulator by Kim Boram at Yonhap News Agency.
Sudan asks U.N. mission in Darfur to prepare to leave at Yahoo.

Film and Television

41 Cancelled Star Wars Projects by Rob Leane at Den of Geek.
The Age of the Airship by Alex Michael Bonnici Far Future Horizons.
Hitler’s Supercity by Alex Michael Bonnici at Far Future Horizons.

Games

Bladestorm: Nightmare carves a path through history in March by Danny Cowan at Joystiq.
Codename: Steam History Told Right by Steve Knauer at Mind of the Geek.

Graphic Novels and Comics

Elseworld: What would be your dream Film Justice League team be? by Gretnablue at io9.
Lee Joining Morrison on "The Multiversity: Mastermen" at Comic Book Resources.
Preview: Django/Zorro #2 (Unlettered) at Comic Book Resources.
Review: Royal Blood by Alejandro Jodorowsky at The Fandom Post.

Interviews

A.M. Dellamonica at Corey Redekop.
Alison Morton at Literascribe.

Podcasts

Show 17 – American Revolution at Twilight Histories.
Vidjagame Apocalypse 90 – Alternate Histories at Laser Time.

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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. Check out his short fiction. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Videos for Alternate Historians #3

I don't want to go any longer than I have to without posting and since I didn't have a video gallery on Monday, here is the triumphant return of Videos for Alternate Historians!!! First up, Epic Rap Battles of History celebrates the 4th with a battle between George Washington and William Wallace:
Next up, History Respawned uses the Assassin's Creed series to discuss slavery and life for blacks in the Americans:
Finally we finish up with the guys from Achievement Hunter who play co-op in the steampunk inspired The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II:

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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. Check out his short fiction. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.