# Second Most Obsessed SiFi/Fantasy Series **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 21, 2002, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010 "2002-11-21T20:08:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/21 "2002-11-22T05:41:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jayjay \* > \*\*Ia! Ia! Lovecraft ftagn! > > Spill not the sacred secrets, **CS** , lest the Goat with a Thousand Young be summoned to shut your piehole… \*\* No, far better to kidnap him and sacrifice him to Cthulhu! ---
**Author:** ![Monstre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Monstre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstre)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/22 "2002-11-22T05:48:46Z")
I’m going to cast my vote also for the “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” books. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/23 "2002-11-22T05:59:30Z")
Captain John Carter of Mars by E.R.B. no one else but Tars Tarkus and maybe a few others, but it still totally has me hooked. I grok the R.A.H. books are well up there, too ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/24 "2002-11-22T07:32:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by HPL \* > \*\*No, far better to kidnap him and sacrifice him to Cthulhu! \*\* Well, I didn’t say **how** Shubby was going to shut his pie hole. It all goes to the same place in the end…Azathoth’s gibbering, putrid mass of shimmering chaos! Bwahahahahahahaha! ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/25 "2002-11-22T13:35:14Z")
Babylon 5 and Farscape come to mind as well. ---
**Author:** ![CthulhuSpawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@CthulhuSpawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CthulhuSpawn)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/26 "2002-11-22T13:35:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jayjay \* > \*\*Well, I didn’t say **how** Shubby was going to shut his pie hole. It all goes to the same place in the end…Azathoth’s gibbering, putrid mass of shimmering chaos! Bwahahahahahahaha! \*\* Hey! As a spawn of the Great Cthulhu I have a few protections you know! Besides, spreading the news about the Master’s works is the right and good thing to do. (BTW, last time I checked I’ve got girly bits…) ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/27 "2002-11-22T13:39:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CthulhuSpawn \* > \*\*(BTW, last time I checked I’ve got girly bits…) \*\* Oops! My apologies. You know, if you’d wear pink bows on your tentacles, I wouldn’t make these kind of mistakes. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Rosebud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@Rosebud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rosebud)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/28 "2002-11-22T15:06:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jayjay \* > \*\*Oops! My apologies. > > You know, if you’d wear pink bows on your tentacles, I wouldn’t make these kind of mistakes. 🙂 \*\* Because even the Elder Gods need to feel pretty sometimes! My first thought when I read the OP was P.C. Hodgell’s Jame books-- small fanbase to be sure, but still eagerly awaiting the next installment even though it’s taking forEVer. And how about Stephen King’s “Dark Tower” books? I can personally name at least a dozen people (including me) who are considering locking him in a room until he finishes them. And who will shamefully admit to hearing “Stephen King has been serious accident” and thinking, “He can’t DIE! He’s not done with the Dark Tower yet!” ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/29 "2002-11-22T15:12:23Z")
If we’re going to tangent off onto “small but eager fanbase waiting breathlessly for a very extended time for the next installment”, may I bring Melanie Rawn into the discussion? Some of us have been waiting for _Captal’s Tower_ for literally YEARS. Also, I’d like to push a vote out (on the original subject) for Mercedes Lackey, who seems to have an almost unique relationship with her fans. Very personable and accessible (at least online and at cons). Except for the unfortunate incident with the Diana Tregarde lunatics, she’s always been very accommodating to fans. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/30 "2002-11-22T15:18:03Z")
Robert E. Howard’s _Conan_ books Michael Moorcock’s _Elric_ series Fritz Leiber’s _Fafhrd and Grey Mouser_ line to name a few… ---
**Author:** ![CthulhuSpawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@CthulhuSpawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CthulhuSpawn)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/31 "2002-11-22T15:24:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jayjay \* > \*\*You know, if you’d wear pink bows on your tentacles, I wouldn’t make these kind of mistakes. 🙂 \*\* I tried it a couple of times but they kept sliding off. Ichor is slippery, you know… And I have no sympathy for folks waiting for their favorite author to finish a book or a series. My favorite author is _dead_ and unless I can get ahold of his essential saltes, he isn’t going to be writing anything else. _grumble **grumble** grumble_ ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/32 "2002-11-22T15:29:23Z")
Hehe…well, if anyone is a candidate for an eldritch reanimation, it’s old Howard. Although, in keeping with the tone of his writings, he’d probably produce _Sweet Valley High_ novels after his resurrection. After all, what could hold more horror for a Mythos fan? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/33 "2002-11-22T15:42:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ethilrist \* > \*\*I dunno, the **Wheel of Time** fanatics can get pretty intense some times. \*\* WE ARE NOT INTENSE Take it back, now. We’re perfectly rationale. At least those of us here in Min’s House o’ Gibbering Fools. -Hamlet, who is currently wearing canvas shoes, made in Avia, tan socks, made of staunch Two Rivers wool, Light blue denim jeans, which fit snugly, yet leave enough room for freedom of movement, a clean T-shirt, made of Cotton from the land of Ala-Bama, a button up shirt, commonly worn by players of rugby, and a heavy woolen coat, that keeps the chill away. And a tartan scarf that blows freely in the wind. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/34 "2002-11-22T15:46:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rosebud \* > \*\*And who will shamefully admit to hearing “Stephen King has been serious accident” and thinking, “He can’t DIE! He’s not done with the Dark Tower yet!” \*\* Rosebud, glad to know I wasn’t the only one who had that thought when I heard about King’s accident! You can add me to the list of Dark Tower fans. I always get depressed after reading a new one because I know it will be 3 or 4 years before the next one comes out. But supposedly the rest of them are supposed to be released in relatively quick succession. We’ll see… ---
**Author:** ![CthulhuSpawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@CthulhuSpawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CthulhuSpawn)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/35 "2002-11-22T15:51:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jayjay \* > \*\*Although, in keeping with the tone of his writings, he’d probably produce _Sweet Valley High_ novels after his resurrection. After all, what could hold more horror for a Mythos fan? 🙂 \*\* Aiiigggh!! The insanity! :eek: I’m just going to go sit in the corner and gibber quietly for a while and pretend I never read that. _whimper_ ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/36 "2002-11-22T16:00:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CthulhuSpawn \* > \*\*Aiiigggh!! The insanity! :eek: > > I’m just going to go sit in the corner and gibber quietly for a while and pretend I never read that. _whimper_ \*\* Excerpt from _The Homecoming Ritual_, by H.P. Lovecraft: Cthulhu and Shub-Niggurath stood in the corner of the hallway, heads together and giggling. “Oh, my god!” Shub-Niggurath squealed. “That yummy Nyarlathotep is looking this way! Quick, talk about our homework!” Nyarlathotep oozed over to the whispering students. “Hi, Shub…I was wondering…” “Yes?” she replied, her hooves shuffling nervously. “Would you like to go to the Homecoming Ritual with me?” I’m going to have to dig myself a really deep hole to hide in, aren’t I? ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/37 "2002-11-22T16:06:49Z")
If you’re talking breadth of fanship, I’d have to say Tolkien, Star Trek (all 5 incarnations combined), Star Wars, Harry Potter, Discworld, Nothing else has even made a quivering nod towards being noticed by the mainstream. ---
**Author:** ![CthulhuSpawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@CthulhuSpawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CthulhuSpawn)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/38 "2002-11-22T16:12:57Z")
jayjay, _you_ are the one that needs to be sacrificed to Cthulhu or receive a visit from the Goat With a Thousand Young. It’s not at all nice to contribute to the growing insanity of a newbie. I’m going to have nightmares about this, I want you to know… ---
**Author:** ![Threadkiller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aca169/32.png) [@Threadkiller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Threadkiller)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/39 "2002-11-22T16:13:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CthulhuSpawn \* > And I have no sympathy for folks waiting for their favorite author to finish a book or a series. My favorite author is _dead_ and unless I can get ahold of his essential saltes, he isn’t going to be writing anything else. _grumble **grumble** grumble_ Death didn’t really stop Tolkien. In fact most of the deep stuff that there is to obsess about was published after he “sailed to the undying lands.” ---
**Author:** ![CthulhuSpawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@CthulhuSpawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CthulhuSpawn)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010/40 "2002-11-22T16:18:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Threadkiller \* > \*\*Death didn?t really stop Tolkien. In fact most of the deep stuff that there is to obsess about was published after he ?sailed to the undying lands.? \*\* Well, there are at least other authors contributing to the ever growing Cthulhu Mythos, but it’s just not the same. No one writes them like HPL did. About the only things we can hope for are more collections of his letters or that the Mi-Go paid him a visit shortly before his death. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-most-obsessed-sifi-fantasy-series/138010.md?page=3)