Where Are All the Pictures … The Impossible Has Happened

Most of my reading that doesn’t involve comic books is usually in the non-fiction realm. I love reading behind the scenes books about the film, television and comic book industries. I am fascinated by how things come about. So, when a new book about Gene Roddenberry came across my desk I found it a pleasure to review The Impossible Has Happened: The Life and Work of Gene Roddenberry, an unauthorized biography.

Gene Roddenberry was, of course, the father of Star Trek. What more can I say about that? Star Trek was, and still is, an epic genre franchise that continues to delight fans since its inception in 1966. Lance Parkin takes us on a bit of an Enterprise-like exploration through the myths and legends of the Star Trek show. From Gene’s start as a pilot and police officer to Gene’s efforts to bring the sea faring adventures of Captain Horatio Hornblower, set in a SciFi universe, to television.

The book also delves into the myriad reboot attempts, Star Trek Phase 2, The Motion Picture, the Next Generation. We read how Gene influenced those projects and how, ultimately, he was estranged from this universe he so lovingly helped birth.

Lance Parkin is known for his heavily researched books on Doctor Who and Alan Moore. Parkin definitely doesn’t pull any punches detailing many of Gene’s idiosyncrasies and erratic behaviour. The book discusses Gene’s drug use, extra marital affairs as well as some of the difficulties he had with cast and crew. But Parkin also keeps the scales balanced by showcasing Gene’s devotion to the property and his liberal agenda in creating a Utopian and multi-racial environment at a time when these things were unheard of.

Over all the book was immensely entertaining and offered a great perspective on Gene Roddenberry. I am sure some Roddenberry fanatics might take issue with the brutal honesty within the book but if Parkin’s research is correct, you definitely get the impression that Star Trek was the product of a “perfect storm” as none of Gene’s other projects ever reached the same levels of success.

Available on Amazon at http://amzn.to/2sWyryc

Title: The Impossible Has Happened | Publisher: Aurum Press
Written by: Lance Parkin
Price: $19.99 400pgs Trade Paperback

About Author

Martin Boruta

Martin Boruta has been reading comic books and graphic novels for 50+ years (he reads books without pictures too, just sayin’). A lifelong fan of Captain Canuck, Martin is the curator of The Unofficial Yet Definitive Captain Canuck Comicography website. Since 2016, Martin has been reviewing comic books and highlighting great new Kickstarter projects at First Comics News. Martin’s writting has also been featured in Sequential Magazine. For over two-hundred episodes, Martin enjoyed teaming up with his pals and sharing hosting duties on The Hey Kids Comics Radio Show broadcast on Trent Radio 92.7 CFFF FM in lovely Peterborough, ON Canada, and still available at The Hey Kids Comics Radio Show website. Martin is a founding member of the Canadian Comic Book Alliance. In his various adventures, Martin has demonstrated an innate ability to spell “Erik Larsen” incorrectly.

Martin’s “day job” is owner of Shaw Computer Systems Inc., an Information Technology consultancy firm in Peterborough, ON, specializing in Managed Services for small to mid-sized businesses since 1980.

In the past, Martin served in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve as a member of the Cadet Instructors List (Cadre), reaching the Queen’s Commissioned rank of Captain, was awarded a Baronship of Sealand, and was ordained as a Reverend in the Universal Life Church while watching an episode of Monster Garage.

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