The Wold Newton family was a creation by Philip Jose Farmer, building on some relationships suggested by other writers, such as William S. Baring-Gould, connecting many "fictional" and real characters into one interconnected family tree or at least continuum.

Given my interest in comic books, many of these articles will have to do with comic heroes, but not exclusively.

SUPERMANIA:

"Introduction Tinged with Incredulity"---or, how I get to make a few authoritative statements, and why you should disbelieve me. Not believe. Disbelieve. For your own safety.

"(Man of) Steel Crazy After All These Years"---an attempt to merge together the events of Philip Wylie's GLADIATOR and a certain Strange Visitor from Another Planet with Powers and Abilities Beyond Those of Mortal Men.

"Strange Visitor From Another Planet" with an overview of what Superman's home world was really like.

"This is the Way the World Ends"---of two loving parents facing a new child---and literally, the end of their world. The careers and legacy of Jor-El and Lara.

"Landing and Early Years"---the first four chapters of GLADIATOR, re-examined and retold in light of the fusion between Clark Kent and Hugo Danner.

"The Once and Future Superboy" ---Lore about the Legion, seperating truth and fiction from the Superboy stories, and a troop of time travellers.

"Conquest and College Years"---the next four chapters of GLADIATOR, re-examined and retold in light of the fusion between Clark Kent and Hugo Danner. Of the sex life of Kryptonians and of the oddest college football player of all time.

"Weariness and War Years"--- chapters ten through fifteen of GLADIATOR, re-examined and retold in light of the fusion between Clark Kent and Hugo Danner. Of the Colorado of the Foreign Legion and what caused Superman's pacifistic, anti-war leanings.

"Peace and an Unpeaceful Soul"--- the remaining chapters of GLADIATOR, re-examined and retold in light of the fusion between Clark Kent and Hugo Danner. Of how a lobbyist left Washington, of how an act of mercy led to the third degree, and how a radical proved to be a hypocrite.

"From Gladiator to Superman"...about the missing decade between the end of Gladiator and the first adventures of Superman.

"World (War One)'s Finest" traces the origins of the Superman/Batman friendship...which has its roots in a friendship that even preceded Bruce Wayne.

"More Powerful than a Locomotive?"---an attempt to try to realistically set the limits of Superman's strength, speed, invulnerability and other abilities.

"The Thirties: Social Reform and a Reporter's Beginnings" about Superman's career in the thirties.

"Cape and Costume" about the functionality of the world's most famous costume.

"The Untouchable and the Invulnerable about Elliott Ness' and Superman's days in Cleveland...the first "Metropolis".

"Man of Tomorrow, Man of Bronze, Man of Steel"...about a shared adventure between the Man of Bronze and the Man of Steel.

"Superman and the Spider"---in which the Man of Steel and the Master of Men seperately battle the same metallic monsters.

"The Barnes and the Noble"---in which a chance encounter between a boxer and Superman had far-reaching consequences.

"When Manhattan Became Metropolis"---in which Superman's early years in New York City are examined, and he proves that at least a Superman can fight City Hall. Also with information about the real and fictional police commissioners of New York City.

"The Forties: World War Two and Wondrous Friends and Foes" about Superman's career in the forties.

"Halls, Hawkmen, and Superman"---in which a murderer's plots (foiled by Lois and Clark) may have birthed another high-flying hero.

"Superman and the Justice Society" examines Superman's relationship to the first and mightiest of super-teams, as well as to FDR, Hitler's Germany, and World War II in general---of his greatest failure, and of the short-sightedness of a man with x-ray eyes.

"The Shame of the Pembertons"---in which a traitor's shame (also stopped by Lois and Clark) caused the birth of a young costumed super-patriot.

"The Three Lives of Superman"---of the various careers of Clark Kent, and the riddle of Power Girl....and Superman's never-ending battle. Literally.

"The Fifties: Cosmic Conquerors, Cousins, and Copies" about Superman's career in the fifties.

"A (Justice) League Of His Own" about Superman's long-standing membership with "The World's Greatest Super-Heroes".

"The Sixties: Team-Ups of Enemies and Allies" about Superman's career in the sixties.

"The Seventies: Presidentail Persuasion and Power Girl" about Superman's career in the seventies, his part in the Watergate affair, and his move to TV reporting.

"The Luthor Legacy" discusses the career and the offspring of Superman's greatest enemy.

"The Eighties: Crisis, Courageous Cousins and New Careers" about Superman's greatest loss in his life, and how he found comfort and a new career.

"The Nineties: Doomsday, Death, and Marriage" about Superman's greatest battle, his death and---well---rising again---and how he finally decided that after decades, to legalize his union with Lois Lane.

APPENDICES:

"Hall of Worlds"---about the origin of Krypton and some other similar worlds.

"Hall of Worlds Part II"---with some more allied worlds to Krypton.

"The House of El"--Superman's actual family tree---and his relationship to Luke Skywalker, Darth Vadar, the Silver Surfer, and Doctor Who.

"Blood is Thicker or the Kryptic Bloodclan"---about how the explosion of superhumans from the forties on might have its roots in World War I and "Hugo Danner"'s stint under Major Ingall's American command.

"Blood lines I", "Bloodlines II" and "Bloodlines III"---of the many extraordinary descendents of those mentioned in the "Blood is Thicker" article.

"The Kents and the Clarks" about Clark's foster-parents---and the two Martha Hudsons.

"Superman's Three Pals, Jimmy Olsen (and Bosses, Perry White)"---in which the Power of the Press is shown and examined in family tree format.

"Superman/Gladiator Chronology"...about the timing of Superman's life as "Hugo Danner".

"Superman Chronology: The Early Years"...about the timing of Superman's earliest adventures.

OTHERS:

"Wayne's World, or a Blue-Eyed Branch of the Wold Newton Family Tree"---examining the family tree of Bruce Wayne as given in the comics, and taking some surprising literary and subliterary byways.

"The Rogers Roll-Call, or a Flag-Waving Family Tree"---examining the family tree of Steve Rogers as given in the comics, and expanding on it to include numerous other famous patriots, soldiers, and heroes.

"A Bewitched Batson Genealogy or The Marvel Family Tree" examines the family that produced the best-selling super-hero ever, and touches on many other mystically-inclined characters.

"Banner Years or A Monstrous Family Tree", the family tree of Bruce Banner---the Incredible Hulk.

"The Luck of the Parkers" examines those unlucky enough to be the relatives of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

"The Fastest Family Alive"...about the origins and intertwined families of the three Flashes.

"Currying Favor: Aquaman and Atlantis"...about the origins of Aquaman and the various Atlantean cultures.

SCIENCE FICTION:

A COMBINED FUTURE HISTOPY---putting the dates in order of many science fiction works, some of which may be on the same timeline, some of which may not. Interesting in how we view the future, anyway....

FANTASY:

FROM THE FIRST TO THE HYBORIAN AGE---A Combined Tolkien Robert E. Howard timeline.

OTHER WOLD NEWTON SITES:

You didn't think I was the only one, did you? Check out...

The Wold Newton Universe -Win Eckert's fabulous site is the mother of all Wold Newton sites, and your search for anything should begin here. You have to check out his links ---the place to be if you're going to research anything on any of these characters.

Then check out THE WORLD NEWTON CHRONICLES, for some of the best articles around (and best-researched articles) devoted to those who love the idea of the Wold Newton family....Mark Brown has done a terrific job!

I like a man who dreams big. The Secret History of Wold Newton -Dennis Powers explores the influence of aliens on the Wold Newton Universe, and takes a look at the role of the Wold Newton families in taming the Wild West. I don't agree with all of his theories, which are quite far-ranging, as I'm sure he wouldn't with mine, but I love to read them. You will too.

Another Wold Newton page -Chris Davies mixes anime, manga, the Wold Newton family, and fanfic. Also a killer chart of the various family trees.

Some Unknown Members of the Wold Newton Family Tree -Jess Nevins has some excellent articles...I especially recommend the one on the Carters of Vriginia...as well as seeing places where he and I differ. But disagreement is the heart of scholarship, and his articles are always stimulating!

The French Wold Newton Page - Jean-Marc Lofficier's page taught me more about Arsene Lupin than I thought possible, and other characters from French adventure fiction. Highly recommended for the English or American-centric.

Those interested with comments, suggestions, things I have forgotten, things I messed up, contact me at...
E-Mail:al.schroeder@earthlink.net

Also by Schroeder: NOVA NOTES

Speculations Copyright © Al Schroeder. The various characters mentioned all owned by their respective copyrightholders..