Personally, I'd like to see a new member added to the group.  Not just for a short time, but for quite a long run.   I'd like to have someone new to follow/learn about.

I agree with sandman. The likes of Lori Quint, Michael Brother, Richard Ginsberg, Man Whose Eyes See More, etc. harken back to the good old days. Of course, you can't kill off a main character, but these others I grew to love and it was sad when they died/left the group but it made for fantastic reading. At the very least, I'm ready for the main contingent of companions to get some new weapons (Sunspot is the last book I read so I'm 4 books behind but something tells me not much has changed for the group - If  I'm wrong, don't tell me!).

I still love the books, but..........things seem to be getting kind of stale in my opinion.  I'm ready for a good shake up for the characters.

    Yes Mr. Miles, I agree with you.  Or if you could fine an auther to write about where I grew up, in Cyprus, that would be great.

The thing is the Deathlands universe is really an "anything goes" premise at this point and I would like to see that taken to the extreme. 

Less formula, more originality! 

Maybe battle Nazis in South America one volume and then a colony of mothmen in West Virginia the next. 

How about some other forms of government besides baronies?

How about some mutants less like stickies and more like say...the X-Men?

How about a transmat that doesn't work for a change?

How about the companions being proactive for a change?

The possibilities are really endless.

I haven't been a regular reader of DL in many years.

I'd like to see more continuity from book to book, something more then just a 2 or 3 book storyline arc.   

I also did not like some of the just plain nastiness involved in some of  fairly recent stories that had been talked about in previous versionsof JA.  I believe that the books need to be written in a more intelligent manner that would appeal to more than "4th grade truck drivers" as a few certain individuals have professed. 

Tone down on the overt sexuality in the books.  Not every book needs to have a porn scene between the major characters or explicit sexual depravity by the bad guys in each story. 

Those are just a few of the things that would need to be accomplished to bring meback to the series as a faithful follower.

[QUOTE]Llew32 wrote

I haven't been a regular reader of DL in many years.

.... 

I also did not like some of the just plain nastiness involved in some of  fairly recent stories that had been talked about in previous versionsof JA. 

....

  Not every book needs to have a porn scene between the major characters or explicit sexual depravity by the bad guys in each story.

[/QUOTE]

So, you haven't been a regular reader in many years, but you don't like things in recent books that you haven't read but you heard some other people talk about?  That's hardly fair.  I don't reacall any "porn scene" or "sexual depravity" in recent books.  The most recent book in the series to get truly awful reviews was "Strontium Swamp", which came out almost three yeears ago.  The one that was completely beyond the pale was "Black Harvest" from four years ago.  That's two books out of the last seventeen that match what you are talking about (which, yes, is two too many).

I would defiantly like to see the group on some kind of quest, in older books they where always looking for a  better place then the Deathlands. Some back stories or single stories about each person would be cool , like why Mildred started sharp shooting, or what Ryan was up too in the years between escaping from home and when he met up with Trader. Having a new way of getting around,the mat-trans is great but how about a new war-wag , so they can use it like a mobile base. And finally a new character to stir things up, some one that does not fit into the group that well, if you have seen the TV show Firefly then the character Jane on it would be cool.

Hello everyone.  Long time reader, first time poster.

I think Plague Lords is moving things in the right direction.  The other glimpses of the world have been brief.  I still feel that Deathlands itself (North America) still can tell some interesting stories.  The quality of goods and resources in Deathlands is vanishing, and people are competing more aggresively over a dwindling supply.  This is all well and good, but I would love to see what else is going on in the world. 

[QUOTE]Luke wrote

The quality of goods and resources in Deathlands is vanishing, and people are competing more aggresively over a dwindling supply....

[/QUOTE]

I cant agree, in almost every new book we see people running around with new and unused weapons and more and more petrol driven vehicles apearing. Even the much talked of "mil spec" gas would have a long time back turned to useless syrup and unless the weapons and ammo had been stored in some over preasure sealed chamber they too would be no more than bright clubs and slingshot ammo.

The current crop of writers, I think (notice this is MY thought only on this no one elses), write the books as if skydark happened 50 years ago instead of the 200 plus years it should be.

For all its worth, the most recent two books feature the following significant plot elements:

• The Matachin using slave labor to row their ships (which have been converted to galleys) for most of the time, conserving their fuel use to only when it is absolutely necessary
• A fully functioning oil refinery in Veracruz, in an area that did not suffer any direct (or indirect) damage from the nuclear strikes on Skydark, thus providing a current source of fuel for the ships in question.

[QUOTE])3az )3aziah wrote
 

I cant agree, in almost every new book we see people running around with new and unused weapons and more and more petrol driven vehicles apearing. Even the much talked of "mil spec" gas would have a long time back turned to useless syrup and unless the weapons and ammo had been stored in some over preasure sealed chamber they too would be no more than bright clubs and slingshot ammo.

The current crop of writers, I think (notice this is MY thought only on this no one elses), write the books as if skydark happened 50 years ago instead of the 200 plus years it should be.

[/QUOTE]

While I agree with you that there has been a lot of new weapons around lately, these are special cases.  One also needs to consider the quality of goods in BoomT's trading ville in Plague Lords.  Useless crap, by any standard, with the exceptional stuff being held back.  Also, the guns held by Magus, Delphi, and their respective thugs is an exception, not a norm.  Same with Thunder Road.  I think to the average Deathlander, premium blasters are a luxury item, like toothpaste, nudie magazines, and sweet smelling soap.

There are stockpiles all over Deathlands. If Trader found some, why not other traders? The barons are the people who can afford to acquire these weapons, so his sec force would be well armed. As well, many redoubts have been looted, so it is feasible that lots of weapons were in circulation. Don't forget that there were millions of weapons in the U.S. at the end of skydark. And I think most writers take pains to mention that a weapon the average person might have is in poor ondition.

[QUOTE]Wordsmith-reprise wrote

There are stockpiles all over Deathlands. If Trader found some, why not other traders? The barons are the people who can afford to acquire these weapons, so his sec force would be well armed. As well, many redoubts have been looted, so it is feasible that lots of weapons were in circulation. Don't forget that there were millions of weapons in the U.S. at the end of skydark. And I think most writers take pains to mention that a weapon the average person might have is in poor ondition.

[/QUOTE]

I point you at the Outlanders series that tells us otherwise about the stockpiles in "other" redoubts.

Unless of course DL is happening in a different casement to OL ?

Pilgrimage to Hell tells of stockpiles located in places other than redoubts. What's your point, Jim? All I'm talking about is weapons being available to the great unwashed due to being millionsoof guns all over late 20th century America.

Mark established early on in Outlanders that the redoubts and stockpiles weren't completely cleaned out until the Program of Unification about 10 years "after" the DL series.

Hello guys been a long tim. i'm reading plague lords now about half way . And i must say these is one of the better ones as of late very well writen and the writer has do his home work. i said all this just to say i think we will is more things leading to the OL  soon just my .02 

[QUOTE]Raboy wrote

Mark established early on in Outlanders that the redoubts and stockpiles weren't completely cleaned out until the Program of Unification about 10 years "after" the DL series.

[/QUOTE]

At this point since OL has veered completely away from just about any recognizable connections to DL, it's best for DL to do the same. 

I look at both as being merely possible parallel realities to each other.

They are without question in the same time and same universe. Nothing parallel about it, regardless of what anybody thinks.

LOL!  That's too bad, but I'm glad to see someone care so much about continuity! 

Wait a minute...uhh...same time?  Really?

If I...or anyone else for that matter...had time to waste I'm sure I could find about...oh...maybe a HUNDRED examples of why Deathlands and Outlanders couldn't possibly exsist in the same reality.

But why bother...LOL!

Parallel universes are so confusing to us great unwashed.  Best to keep 'em as simplified as possible......readin' bout Ryan and such don't gimme them headaches like tryin' to read Eric Flint...

I think Mark explained it quite clearly with the advent of Casements.  Not the same Universe No Way No How

I definately remember Mark posting here that Outlanders and DL were in the same universe...he posted it more than once.

The parallel casements were only in the Lost Earth Saga trilogy...unless you want to count Milan's fill-in crap as taking place in a parallel casement.

But you know what--Mark has a perfectly good forum on his own site--we can always go to the Main Man and ask him!

[QUOTE]AP wrote
 

Posted By roadbum on 04 Apr 2009 10:18 PM
Anyway I enjoyed the Empire of Xibalba series. Did anyone catch the tongue in cheek reference to the Deathlands series with the Slaughter Realms books and their author.

Posted By )3az )3aziah on 05 Apr 2009 02:31 PM

At the moment it is like he never existed. I know if my Son went missing I would be doing everything in my power to find him save taking a trip to South America !!

Posted By skullspliter on 05 Apr 2009 04:29 PM
Yes i have been thinking of dean for some time as well. Heck he has been gone for a couple years in the book time line i think. AP what was GE reason for getting rid of dean if i may ask? And as for the trader i just what to know what happened to him or see him in the future.

Posted By AP on 05 Apr 2009 05:34 PM

Ryan, Krysty, J.B., Doc, Mildred, and Jak are already “full grown”

Posted By )3az )3aziah on 05 Apr 2009 07:55 PM

Posted By AP on 05 Apr 2009 05:34 PM

Ryan, Krysty, J.B., Doc, Mildred, and Jak are already “full grown”

Not True. As of Dark Carnival Jak was only 15 (although he is said to look aound 19 in Neutron Solstice)-not much older than Dean. As the main characters never age then I guess Jak is still 15 now.

I guess we are to forget this as well !!

Posted By Wordsmith-reprise on 06 Apr 2009 05:29 AM
In most books prior to his marrying Christina, Jak was 14. He was out of the series for a few books, and because he spent time with Christina's family, married and had a child, he had to age "off camera' as it were, and rejoined the group 16 years old. Dean, as well, aged 2 years and became nearly 12 years old.

Dean is not going back in the foreseeable future. When he does, hopefully he'll age, as well.

Posted By AP on 05 Apr 2009 08:41 PM

Better add that to the list you're keeping.


Add what ? What I had already told you ?

Posted By )3az )3aziah on 06 Apr 2009 02:10 PM

Posted By AP on 05 Apr 2009 08:41 PM

Better add that to the list you're keeping.


Add what ? What I had already told you ?

Posted By AP on 06 Apr 2009 04:00 PM

Posted By )3az )3aziah on 06 Apr 2009 02:10 PM

Posted By AP on 05 Apr 2009 08:41 PM

Better add that to the list you're keeping.


Add what ? What I had already told you ?

Hmmm, you didn’t ask what the heck I was talking about when I said you were “keeping a list.” You just asked what I suggested you put on it (which was: Forgetting Jak’s “True Age”).

Have you really been writing down all the DL screw-ups post-LJ?  

Posted By )3az )3aziah on 06 Apr 2009 08:08 PM
I did have a list of things that didn't fit post LJ and a full timeline -complete with dates based around the one date given in any of LJ's books (Dectra chain), and that only has a month and date, no year.

Chris Van Deelan also had a more rounded timeline that appeared on his web page many years ago -and can be found in the archives here.

Lists I had -and most likely do have on a back up disc someplace:

Location of Gateways
Colour of Gateways to loation
Times visited
Timeline
"Tips of the hat" included in LJ's books
and others I have forgotten about.

Yes back then I really did not have a ife

Maybe when I retire I will dig it all out and do one fans guide to DL.

Posted By Outlanders on 06 Apr 2009 07:24 PM
Alan -

Just out of curiousity, how often did you use my DL site that is hosted here? Please be honest. =)

Chris

Posted By rip97000 on 07 Apr 2009 07:54 AM
i stopped reading DL at sky raider. why? for 2 reasons 1 - because it is the same thing EVERY book even during JL. they go someplace new, confront and kill the bad baron and move on. the characters should have a goal (a better one then "find someplace nice and settle down") if the goal is to hunt down bad barons then state it! but they should also find some good ones also. this also leads into 2 - continuity the fact that ryan looses his son and doesn't even think about him really troubles me. if he is gone for a while fine, but don't act like he was never there.

Posted By AP on 07 Apr 2009 10:40 AM
Can't fault your second reason for being ticked off, because I agree with it.  But as to the first, out of the 12 books I've written in the series I think only 3 had "barons" (in LJ's use of the term) -- and one of those books had a "good" baron Sunspot).  I tried to introduce conflicts other than feudal squabbling in my books because it bored the pants off me, too.  But there have to be "bad" guys or the main characters won't have anything to do (to kill).  I mean, sitting around a campfire, eating rat-on-a-stick, and scratching their backsides isn't going to fill up 300 pages of manuscript.  Well, I guess it could but who'd want to read it?

Posted By skullspliter on 08 Apr 2009 12:19 AM
But in the long run the story has to move on if that codex Mildred is righting is going to be used in OL.

Posted By rip97000 on 07 Apr 2009 07:54 AM
i stopped reading DL at sky raider. why? for 2 reasons 1 - because it is the same thing EVERY book even during JL. they go someplace new, confront and kill the bad baron and move on. the characters should have a goal (a better one then "find someplace nice and settle down") if the goal is to hunt down bad barons then state it! but they should also find some good ones also. this also leads into 2 - continuity the fact that ryan looses his son and doesn't even think about him really troubles me. if he is gone for a while fine, but don't act like he was never there.

Posted By EZ-E on 14 Apr 2009 12:00 PM

Question is, will I be handicapped if I read the books in order but maybe skip a few in the process? Or should I get the missing books before proceeding to the next?

Posted By Daniel on 15 Apr 2009 08:44 AM
The last novel in the "official" Outlanders continuity is also a major flashpoint book--Dark Goddess.

Don't bother with the fill-in garbage by Victor Milan since they're not considered "official".

Posted By AP on 15 Apr 2009 10:59 AM
Uhh, excuse me, but what do that last four posts have to do with this thread “The Future of Deathlands”)? Absolutely nothing?

Posted By Raboy on 15 Apr 2009 12:12 PM

Posted By AP on 15 Apr 2009 10:59 AM
Uhh, excuse me, but what do that last four posts have to do with this thread “The Future of Deathlands”)? Absolutely nothing?
Seems to me we should concertrate on fixing  DL not going  on talking about OL unless it pertains to the topic at  hand.

Well in the context of the 'Axlerverse', Outlanders IS the future of DL.
That maybe but DL despite its flaws and all is way better than OL.

Posted By Raboy on 15 Apr 2009 12:12 PM

Posted By AP on 15 Apr 2009 10:59 AM
Uhh, excuse me, but what do that last four posts have to do with this thread “The Future of Deathlands”)? Absolutely nothing?

Well in the context of the 'Axlerverse', Outlanders IS the future of DL.

Posted By Raboy on 15 Apr 2009 11:17 PM
When you've hung around these boards for a decade like me and some others you'll realize that discussions go where they want to go no matter what the original thread is.

E-ZE asked a question about Outlanders in this thread and thats where he was answered. I don't have the authority to move threads from one section to another...Ron could probably do it if it bothers you so much.

Posted By Millennial Man on 15 Apr 2009 01:11 PM

That maybe but DL despite its flaws and all is way better than OL.

Posted By skullspliter on 16 Apr 2009 10:38 AM
I'm going to pull the thread back on topic.
I think in the near future.
1. Dean comes back a little older
2.trader still missing/dead
3.Mutie war
4.And I'm going on a limb here less things like pre-dark items.

I know pretty wide but thats my .02

Posted By Outlanders on 16 Apr 2009 07:11 PM
Alan -

Thanks for backing me up with this situation. I do appriciate it.

Chris

Posted By skullspliter on 16 Apr 2009 10:38 AM
I'm going to pull the thread back on topic.
I think in the near future.
1. Dean comes back a little older
2.trader still missing/dead
3.Mutie war
4.And I'm going on a limb here less things like pre-dark items.

I know pretty wide but thats my .02

Posted By JettaManDan on 17 Apr 2009 10:13 AM
and Jack could teach it how to kill someone with a throwing knife by the time it is 6 months old

Posted By JettaManDan on 17 Apr 2009 10:13 AM
and Jack could teach it how to kill someone with a throwing knife by the time it is 6 months old

Posted By AP on 17 Apr 2009 10:36 AM

We need a name for him/her ...

Posted By Ron Miles on 17 Apr 2009 11:49 AM

Posted By AP on 17 Apr 2009 10:36 AM

We need a name for him/her ...

Little Nuthin'

Here Comes Mr. Flutter
He and Mrs. Dread how the love each other
Gonna build a haunted house, be my father and mother
They're tying a knot in the middle of my gut

And they both want kids so there's one in the oven
They've picked out a name, he's called Little Nuthin'
I think he was born to be my kissin' cousin
He's pulling a chain in the middle of my brain

Posted By AP on 17 Apr 2009 10:03 AM

Posted By skullspliter on 16 Apr 2009 10:38 AM
I'm going to pull the thread back on topic.
I think in the near future.
1. Dean comes back a little older
2.trader still missing/dead
3.Mutie war
4.And I'm going on a limb here less things like pre-dark items.

I know pretty wide but thats my .02

Skullspliter,
A potential #5 to your list:
Krysty gets pregnant.

Forget the blasters and no change of underwear--she and Ryan have been going at it like weasels for twenty years (real world time).  Never a mention of birth control. 

Doc and Mildred could deliver the baby while J.B. carved a little SIG P-226-shaped rattle for it to play with.

Posted By LLindsey on 23 Apr 2009 01:13 AM
I always figured that Ryan and Krysty were infertile as a couple. Anyway, I'd like to see the group do more overland adventures to new and/or not often visited places, like Ron talked about at the beginning of this thread. I'll have to get books #84 and 85. I am still trying to finish Cannibal Moon, which I have to say is excellent.

I havent been on this forum in years, literly.

Its good to see it arise from the ashes once more..I'm currently 21 years old, and I believe the last time I read a Deathlands book was 4/5 years ago.

Thanks for the email Ron aka lockhead.

Anyways, I read the first 15-20 books of the series which were absolutly superb a long time ago..but at the time i couldnt find any of the older ones so instead of attempting to read them in order I would just purchase the recent releases..which I regret to see were somewhat lacking in quality compared to the earlier books back then so I stopped.

I picked up Dark Ressuraction(too lazy to fix the spelling) and it was pretty good, which brings me new hope so to speak.

As for this thread, in the earlier novels I remember Ryan and co ending up in a couple space stations I think, maybe one on the moon or something for a scant few seconds before triggering another jump..and i think they also ended up on mars when ryan opened that pressure sealed hatch and couldnt breath..also the description of what he saw outside...

I think it would be extremely cool if a book was written about them stumbling upon one of those stations that Laurence James hinted at in those brief chapters in the earlier books, so intrigueing!!!

Cheers.

Also did they ever end up in Area 51?

I know in the outlander series there was frequent talk about that place, but 've never read about the gang ending up there after a jump..

Posted By Nicodemus on 09 May 2009 08:58 PM

Also did they ever end up in Area 51?

 

I know in the outlander series there was frequent talk about that place, but 've never read about the gang ending up there after a jump..

Posted By skullspliter on 13 May 2009 12:50 PM
I think a new chararter would be most welcome. some new blood in the mix always helps

As I recall I was told--and I admit I may not be remembering exactly right--it was a matter of the number of “main” characters (seven instead of six) that had to be dealt with in each DL book—they thought seven was an excessive number (although no evidence was ever presented to explain or justify that belief--Crikey, look at Stony Man). And they thought that Dean’s growing up complicated things for multiple authors and more importantly, for editorial. It makes it way harder to swap around the order of books (as interchangeable, homogenized “Entertainment Units”) if Ryan’s kid is actually getting older—in one book he’d be 20 and if you weren't careful, in the next he’d be back at 16. Swapping around the order of books is necessary because they don’t always get turned in on time, and because there isn’t a defined DL story arc that writers are supposed to follow. “Cluster-hump,” I believe is the technical term. Ryan, Krysty, J.B., Doc, Mildred, and Jak are already “full grown” so it is assumed that readers don’t expect their physical appearances to rapidly and markedly change, as happens when preteen boys mature. I thought dumping Dean was an idiot-move because his character fulfilled so many functions in the series, and on top of that I liked writing him. Oh, well …

Posted By Llew32 on 24 Apr 2009 08:56 AM

Posted By LLindsey on 23 Apr 2009 01:13 AM
I always figured that Ryan and Krysty were infertile as a couple. Anyway, I'd like to see the group do more overland adventures to new and/or not often visited places, like Ron talked about at the beginning of this thread. I'll have to get books #84 and 85. I am still trying to finish Cannibal Moon, which I have to say is excellent.

I believe in one of the first books, it was mentioned that Krysty can control that part of her nature due to her training by Mother Sonia.   She can get pregnant any time she wants to. Early books had conversations between her and Ryan about settling down before beginning a family. Ryan and her are just waiting to find the perfect place to settle down first.

Urban Savage,

Thanks for the kind words. Much appreciated. 

All things end.  Some on a high note; some not so much. 

A collaboration with Mark was never in the cards because of the way the two GE series are managed.  Now that we are "free," there are more options for both of us.  That's a good thing.

grups clothing/weapons has got to change!

Yeah I always wondered about the functionality of those stupid boots too.How the hell can you run in cowboy boots?Plus they never describe her wearing any socks?Ewwwww,hot as she is that would still smell pretty freakin bad!

So lets sum it up.Stupid cowboy boots and a lousy 5 shot .38 in Death lands.Not the best tactical gear for roaming a Nuclear apocalyptic mutant filled nightmare world!

Posted By Bury The Sun on 20 Jul 2009 06:04 PM
I would like to see the companions meet up with the people from Shadow World again. 

there is at least one character that dies a horrible death

We can dream can't we BTS?

The series has never been the same since the LJ day's has it?

Posted By One Eyed Vengance on 21 Jul 2009 05:17 PM
I miss the whole LJ formula of jumping from redoubt to redoubt,the smut angle involving some member of the group in a compromising situation.

So I take it You and LJ were personal friends?You actually shared tea together?(was he a Brit as well,tea being the preffered English beverage?)

That is very very cool!

Posted By One Eyed Vengance on 21 Jul 2009 06:05 PM

So I take it You and LJ were personal friends?You actually shared tea together?(was he a Brit as well,tea being the preffered English beverage?)

That is very very cool!

That is very cool my friend.I am envious.

I would have loved to have met him!

Posted By One Eyed Vengance on 21 Jul 2009 06:37 PM

That is very cool my friend.I am envious.

I would have loved to have met him!

Thank's Jim!

I'm going there now.

Let me know if you find any LJ stuff BTS!

I cannot say enough that L.J. WAS Death Lands!hahahahahahah!