The Ninth Fanger: The Fangarian Butterfly Effect

A New Fangarian Era (Part One)

Comparison Monkeys vs. True Inspiration

First off, apologies for the almost two-year hiatus.  Life, the Universe and Everything intervenes as usual, but one of the reasons came from something which occurred concerning my post focusing briefly upon the Sixth Fanger :  FANGARIUS: The DW-RPG Chronology.

One which brought forth something my friend, TVs Kyle from DeviantART, denotes as the infamous Comparison Monkey.  Basically, a Comparison Monkey is a critic, whom prefers comparing/contrasting innovative art and literature with well-established pop culture, rather than provide a genuine critique.  An excellent example is claiming The Flintstones is nothing more than an animated version of The Honeymooners, or Yogi Bear is an ursine version of Art Carney.

Due to the mainstreaming of the Internet, Comparison Monkeys have essentially inaugurated the urban legend concerning illustrators, cartoonists and authors.  Essentially it goes like this:  our inspiration comes solely from us sketching celebrities—actors and actresses—for creating characters.  The real truth is, despite the availability of the Internet, we don’t really do this, otherwise there would be a bear and cavemen resembling Art Carney and  Jackie Gleason.

Or for a more updated reference, if this was true, Brian Lee O’Malley would’ve enigmatically drawn Michael Cera and Brandon Routh’s likenesses for Scott Pilgrim and Todd Ingram respectively. 

The reason this misconception comes from when you start illustrating figures, the Comparison Monkeys will always compare your characters to an actual person, famous or otherwise.  Even if you subconsciously draw them as your basic character design.

Such as the case when I first illustrated Fanger’s Sixth Incarnation.  Even with my DW-RPG Club, the consensus has always presumed its original source directly came from John Ritter.  Except when I began working on the prototypes for the Sixth Fanger, I wasn’t even remotely attempting on sketching Mr. Ritter.

FANGARIAN RETROSPECTIVE: CYFANGER – THE LOST SIXTH Fanger PROTOTYPE

As you recall, during my DW-RPG Club days, I had the problem of what Fanger’s next Incarnate was going to be for the next ‘season.’  Due to the brief Terminator craze of the mid-80s, I initially envisioned the Sixth Fanger as a cyborg.  The Lost Fifth Regeneration episode did not have the Fifth Fanger dealing with the F-Clones.  Instead it was a tale where he ends up getting captured by the Cybermen.  While being converted, his Fifth Regeneration is triggered, and he is saved by The Doctor.

So why the John Ritter Fanger and not CyFanger instead?  Besides considering the concept didn’t fit within the Whoniverse, the DW-RPG members felt I had demoted Fanger back to Companion status, since he’d briefly end up with The Doctor in several episodes.

Instead, the members felt since there were humanised versions of Fanger’s relations and other Wolf-Beings, they wanted a humanised Incarnation for the Paranormal Time Lord as well.  During this complete revision of the character, I first took the elements of the Fourth and Fifth Fanger, and closed my eyes.  Utilising my imagination, I began sketching forth a composite image, until I acquired a basic character design.

Afterwards, a lone Comparison Monkey had observed the preliminary design, claiming it greatly resembled Mr. Ritter.

One thing I should stress here at this point:  attempting to battle against a Comparison Monkey’s like bashing your head against a brick wall.  You might eventually get some leeway, but not before enduring severe brain damage in the process.

Rather than enduring such a pointless battle, I merely accepted it.  As of such, I simply utilised pictures (and during the pre-Internet days, it wasn’t exactly easy) for basic models for the character, ensuring I obtain the correct proportions.

Afterwards, as my art slowly evolved, so did my creative processes.  Notwithstanding the origins of the Seventh and Eighth Fanger, whenever I conjured forth supporting characters and adversaries, I’d usually get inspiration from other people.  Both famous and personal, they would become subjects for my creations.  Therefore, I’d sketch out preliminary versions for those characters.

Contrary what the Comparison Monkeys might inform you, I rarely just automatically select my subjects.  As with Arthur and Excalibur, I’ll first mentally audition the appointed subject before deciding whether they’ll fit the character or not.  Or as with most writers, I’ll first create the character and background, then scan my imagination upon visualizing how the characters will essentially appear.

The Coming of the Ninth Fanger – The Prototypes

Overall, from what you’ve learned, I do want to stress one point:  when I was working on the Ninth Incarnation, I did not simply observe Ashton Kutcher on That 70s Show, and proclaim, ‘You’re the Ninth Fanger!’  Because as with John Ritter and the Sixth Fanger, Mr. Kutcher was the farthest person on my mind as a suitable candidate.

In actuality, the Paranormal Time Lord’s next Incarnation almost came from a galaxy far, far away.  And no, I don’t mean Barf or Lonestar from Spaceballs.

FANGER CHRISTENSEN Ix?

To recap from the Eighth Fanger posts, in Revelations, I privately desired on starting fresh with an entirely new Incarnation.  Nothing wrong with Jerry O’Connell, mind you, but I realised after a prolonged hiatus, it was definitely time for a change.  Just as with the Sixth Fanger, the same difficulty had arisen.  But rather than merely locating an inspirational model for the character, it was more about knowing what direction the Paranormal Time Lord was going to head on from here.

If you remember, the challenging obstacle was the Gallifrey annihilated throwing me for a loop.  Although managing on integrating the Eighth Fanger into this concept—dealing with this loss—it became evident he was currently in-flux upon what to do next.  Observing episodes from the Ninth and Tenth Doctor, I had formulated a theory on how chaotic the Time Lord’s timeline had become.  Whereas Fanger suspects someone (or something) might be manipulating The Doctor’s chronological stream.

Perhaps a possibility there was more to the Last Time War than just an embittered feud between the Time Lords and the Daleks.  As well as Gallifrey’s untimely sacrifice.  As a result, Fanger’s investigations lead him towards the end of his Eighth self.

After establishing the proper circumstances, the only problem now was determining the Ninth Fanger’s appearance.

During this time (about 2005), the hype of Revenge of the Sith had someone suggest I use Hayden Christensen for Fanger’s next Incarnation.  However, every time I’d envision him as the Paranormal Time Lord, all I kept receiving were Anakin and Force jokes.  The other difficulty was Hayden emitting a somber atmosphere for the character.  I felt at this juncture, because the Eighth Fanger was already morose about Gallifrey’s destruction, the Ninth Fanger should invoke a mixture of some humour, while also being serious at times.

Thus, Mr. Christensen fell onto the back-burner while I continued searching my mind upon the Ninth Fanger.

FANGER KUTCHER?

Repeating the similar process with the Sixth Fanger, I swiftly implemented another Composite Fanger.  Beginning with the Fourth Fanger, I subtly extracted various elements from his previous selves.  Concentrating on these elements, I had sketched out several images, until I had produced a suitable prototype.

Being infallible, a male Comparison Monkey noticed the image, registering its likeness to that of Michael Kelso from That 70s Show.  As you know, Ashton Kutcher wasn’t only famous for T7S, but his MTV show, Punk’d.  But as with John Ritter, I had never even given Mr. Kutcher a second thought.

One essential reason was I always had a general rule of avoiding the use of popular icons with my characters.  The components behind this rule are as follows: (1) There’s always a slim chance the icon may or may not like the character, and; (2) People disassociating your character with the icon’s characters from the media.  As you might guess, this makes it extremely difficult for one to develop the character itself.

In short, I ended up temporarily placing the Ninth Fanger Concept into limbo.  Enigmatically, Fate had other plans.  Plans which might have been conceived by Rod Serling himself from The Twilight Zone.

THAT TWILIGHT 70S BUTTERFLY SHOW ZONE EFFECT

(OR DON’T QUESTION THE F-CLANSCREST)

One stormy night, while recovering from a sinus infection, I had been watching That 70s Show on FX.  Strangeness materialised in the form of Michael Kelso wearing a shirt and sweater combo similar to the Fourth Fanger’s.  Inexplicably, I noticed Fanger’s crimson F-Clanscrest faintly materialise upon Kelso’s chest.

I adamantly refused the phantom suggestion, because I wasn’t too keen on a ‘Kelso’ Fanger (besides I sorta had that with the Second Fanger).  Yet, the Clanscrest fiercely illuminated itself until the old television screen (pre-flat HD era) suddenly popped out and went blank.  Fearing lightning had shorted out the set, I immediately went over to the television.

Approaching it, the screen instantly sprang back to life.  Except it was now tuned on Cinemax, revealing The Butterfly Effect.  The scene it demonstrated was Evan discovering himself within an asylum after attempting another time-altering trip (perhaps he should’ve gotten some advice from The Doctor, eh?), and he desperately searches for his journals and films to alter Time again.  Though the scene was short, the television popped again, reverting back to That 70s Show.

After the bizarre occurrence, I ended up chatting with a friend online who worked for Cinemax.  He inquired if I have been experiencing any problems the night before.  Apparently the company’s Texas servers had endured a mysterious power surge.  Scrambling the scheduling program, the result caused some subscribers receiving anomalous films and shows not programmed for the night.  When I had informed him about my Butterfly Effect experience, he considered the event ultimately weird, if not suspicious.

For you see, despite the fact HBO/Cinemax receiving the cable distribution rights, The Butterfly Effect was not scheduled for broadcast until the next month.

Overlooking the Twilight Zonesque nature of the situation, I acquired two important lessons that night.  One happened to be Ashton Kutcher’s portrayal of Evan Treborn.  The other was the realisation I had caught myself performing the worst crime which Comparison Monkeys commonly instigate:  associating actors with their characters.

In short, Barry Williams is NOT Greg Brady; David Cassidy is NOT Keith Partridge and; Ashton Kutcher is NOT Michael Kelso.  Meaning the Clanscrest indicated Ashton Kutcher would be right for the role, and not his character counterpart.

Confirming this, I started watching him in other roles, acknowledging his versatile abilities and his resourcefulness.  Envisioning him in an initial costume, before I grasped the situation, Mr. Kutcher ended up being the basis for the Ninth Fanger.

Revelations & the Coming of the Ninth Fanger

Everything Old's New Again

One interesting element which occurred at the Turn of the Century, was the regeneration of old classics.  Or should I say re-invention of the classics, such as sitcoms, dramas and even--believe it or not--films themselves.  The difficulty in doing this practice is, as the great Yogi Berra once claimed, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it!'  Meaning you'll usually procure more of a hit-and-miss prospect when one does 'revive' or 'reinvent' a classic.

For instance, although Battlestar Galactica's revision obtained great acclaims from the SciFi (I refuse using their current nom de plume, simply on the fact, it's just completely lame upon all levels, but hey, that's just me), shows like The Munsters Today and The New Addams Family have become instantly forgettable.

When Doctor Who vanished in 1989, there were many attempts keeping the series alive, including literature and audio broadcasts, leading to the inevitable 1996 film.  However, when the film failed attracting audiences and producing a series, many were skeptical when rumours started floating about the BBC's plan on officially reviving it in 2005.

Mainly because the BBC had also been busy attempting their revisions of classic television which had apparently had not panned out so well as intended.  Especially since most of these revisions had usually gotten away from the classic norm they were actually based on.

Revelations & the New Who

First off, whenever I talk about the New Doctor Who, people constantly make allusions to the Nth Doctor by Jean-Marc Lofficier.  Essentially because in the second episode, The End of the World, the Ninth Doctor reveals to Rose an Earth-shattering (sorry, no pun intended) realization:  Gallifrey has been destroyed within the Last of the Time Wars (or ChronoWar) as the Tombeurian Clanstribes and Paranormals have denoted it.

Similar to the film concept, Doctor Who:  Last of the Time Lords, Gallifrey was also destroyed within a devastating war (the concept never really attributed the cause) where The Doctor finds himself being pursued by the ones responsible.

However, Russel T. Davies probably chose the destruction of The Doctor's (and Fanger's) Homeworld as an 
aesthetic means for preventing High Council schticks.  Nevertheless, I had done something rarely with FANGARIUS when it came to Doctor Who:  I waited for the new series to conclude its run.

One of the problems you have when you make an extension from another series is, maintain a proper sense of continuity, but not being ridiculously anal about it.  Also you have the problem of whether or not the series--when revived--will go over well or not with the fans.  In short, you basically must decide if you complement the new series or remain true to the classic.

Taking this into account, along with the fact you must acquire some knowledge about the current series, if you want your series in being effectively credible.

Although Ecceleston only hung round for one season (apparently it was presumed the BBC would not pick up the series beyond its first), the series did become an instant hit, especially later with David Tennant at the helm as the Tenth Doctor.  Not to mention, later with Matt Smith taking over the role in 2009.

Nonetheless, RTD did leave me with an incredible challenge upon my hands:  if Gallifrey was destroyed how did Fanger survive, and if so, how could Fanger exist if The Doctor was known as the Last of the Time Lords?

Ironically, it was some former members, a past tale, and a TV Movie providing me with an unusual solution.

One day when I having lunch with some of my past members, we started talking about the New Who in relation to FANGARIUS.  Bringing up the Gallifreyan Destruction dilemma, my friends began bringing up some forgotten elements from the series which could alleviate these obstacles.  Now I know what you're thinking: How on Earth could you forget your character's background within just nine years?  My reply: regrettably life intervenes, and at the time, due to many personal changes in my living quarters, some data about Fanger had either been misplaced or lost.

Nonetheless, here are the elements which helped FANGARIUS enter into this new realm:

1. In order to save his life at birth, Washu had merged Fanger's soul with the captured ChronoSpirit, ChronoTempest aka TimeStorm. 
2. In Project FANGARIUS, Salerion cryptically admits Gallifrey will eventually be destroyed.  However, it won't be by his hands, as the Seventh Fanger suspects, and the Eighth Fanger admits he senses a major battle brewing amongst the Daleks, F-Clones and Time Lords which will not end well for Gallifrey.
3. I had penned a forgotten tale using Paul McGann--the Eighth Doctor--and Fanger where it stopped at a curious cliffhanger where The Doctor drugs Fanger and places the Paranormal Time Lord into a SuspensChamber.

With these elements at fore, I had promptly began a brief special episode called Revelations.  Aptly named because the new episode brought about some explanations dealing with Fanger's extended absence as well as some revamped elements for the upcoming FANGARIUS episodes.

Revelations begins where Fanger enters the DreamRealm, leading into the Great Beyond--not a dimension of the Afterlife--but one existing beyond the confines of the Universe and Multiverse as well.  Fanger meets up with Rassilon, the High Council and the Higher Evolutionaries who have claimed the Locanshites managed to save them moments before Gallifrey's demise.  Secretly they reside within this dimension so no one--not even the Daleks--can locate the remnants of Gallifrey.

Here we learn Fanger had already learned of Gallifrey's destruction at the moment he was revived from his SuspensChamber.  Apparently he and his son, Fanstar, had gotten into an angered discussion.  Fanstar had participated in the ChronoWar, much to the Paranormal Time Lord's chagrin.  Afterwards, Fanstar bitterly reveals to his father about Gallifrey's fate, in which, this doesn't bode too well with Fanger.

Essentially we learn the reason behind the Eighth Doctor placing Fanger within the SuspensChamber was, the Time Lord had discovered the elements leading up towards the infamous Time War between the Daleks and Time Lords.  Realizing his godchild might be endangered, and recalling a sacred promise to Fanger's parents, Harrison and Diane, The Doctor had done so, in order to keep Fanger out of the fray.

Nonetheless, because of this news, Fanger has lately become withdrawn.  Even while he works undercover at the Hollywood Video/GameCrazy (where his TARDIS 2 has become merged with) in Baytown, Fanger has undergone a deep meditative state for about several months.  Thus, explaining how he has entered the Great Beyond, where he learns about how during the infamous battle, the APC Net has gone missing and unless recovered, the Multiverse itself is in great danger.

Because the tale was penned in 2006, Jerry O'Connell was appearing a little older than how he looked during his Sliders Days, I cleverly came up with the means upon how the Eighth Fanger 'aged.' Since technically, Time Lords don't age like normal Tellurians do--let alone Paranormal Time Lords--I claimed Fanger had the ability to modify his current incarnate slightly.

Rather than go into an expediently-long exposition about Revelations, I'll just cut to a brief summary of what the tale was about.

Basically, Fanger discovers Jidai Sakugo was present at the last throes of Gallifrey, as well as a displaced F-Clone Armada ship. Strange since, according to the Daleks, the F-Clones did not get themselves involved with the ChronoWar.  After almost being ambushed by Sentron (in his new humanised form as Seth Entron) and an updated Adam Mitchell (from the episodes Daleks and The Long Game), Fanger discovers the F-Clone Empire has now been transformed into the F-Clone Acquisition.  And it seems Sentron wants the Paranormal Time Lord not only to help the F-Clones reconstruct their new Empire, but also divulge the whereabouts of the displaced APC Net.

As for Jidai, he admits he did have the APC Net within his possession, but inexplicably transferred it to parts unknown, since he feels the knowledge and essence are beyond anyone's comprehension.  Meanwhile, the Tenth Doctor  (at the time the one I selected, since I preferred him over the Ninth, sorry, Mr. Ecceleston) discovers his godchild is in danger.

After some investigations, Fanger and Jidai uncover the revelation the ChronoWar was far more than just an unyielding dispute between the Time Lords and Daleks. 

Since a greater political agenda indicates something, or someone, has gone to incredible lengths for manipulating The Doctor's Timeline and force the Time Lord into his current Regeneration.

But for now, The Doctor insists Fanger cease his investigations and simply accept the fact Gallifrey is gone.

Yet, unknown forces within the shadows has other plans for the Paranormal Time Lord, one which will ultimately change his entire outlook.

Though the tale was rather straightforward, it was one of the first FANGARIUS episodes which not only made several allusions to both Classic and New Who, but also left on a suspicious cliffhanger.  Because at the time, I felt if The Doctor had undergone a change, it was only fitting Fanger would do as well.

Little did I suspect the Ninth Fanger would come from an unlikely place... a show about the Seventies.. due to a strange Butterfly Effect no one had ever anticipated.

FANGARIUS/Sliders: The FANGARIAN World Series

Throughout the FANGARIUS Series (1982-87), there was one little quirk I subtly infused within the Paranormal Time Lord:  Parallel Universe Paraphenalia.  Long before the concept was truly fleshed out with Sliders, I recall a little known comic poking fun at it called Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew.

Captain Carrot got its start when Superman ends up being propelled
into a parallel universe, ending up on a planet called Earth-C.  There everything is an anthropomorphic realm from Superman's Earth.

Of course, Fanger accidentally ended up here once when the Time Collector's ChronoStaff extracted him from The Doctor's TARDIS.

Yet, I digress, as for Fanger himself, as with The Doctor, the Paranormal Time Lord began collecting an odd assortment of items from parallel universes.

Some of the items were in question: warped versions of Disney films on Vid-Discs (now DVDs) and VHS, Dracula authored by Mary Shelley, Frankenstein authored by Bram Stoker, The Twilight Zone being an anthological, comedic sitcom of weirdness (with Rod Serling as the main character), and other interesting curios along the way.


Sliders and Paranormal Time Lords

One difference between Fanger and The Doctor was the fact Fanger's TARDIS could travel into parallel dimensions.  Usually either by accident, or by a desperate escape attempt, Fanger would find himself on odd versions of Earth and other planets.

At the time I really had never given the concept much thought, until I was in college and some friends and I were talking about the series, and Sliders had come up.  One member had an idea involving the fact Quinn Mallory, Fanger and The Doctor all originate from the same Universe (Earth-Prime).  And what if during Mr. Mallory's sliding, somehow he and the Sliders crew end up going back, but instead wind up within Fanger's TARDIS.

Composing a short spin-off story, I remember the tale was spun in this manner.  While the Fourth Fanger performs some brief maintenance upon the TARDIS 2, a short within the Synchronic Omnidimensional Regulator causes the CVE Network (or Sliding Tunnels) to warp.  Quinn's Timer is affected by the warp and he and the Sliders end up within the TARDIS 2.

Regrettably, this causes the TARDIS 2's Emergency Cut-Out Systems to kick in, rendering both devices useless.  Another surprise is the fact Maximillian Arturo is related to Fanger.  In reality, Arturo's a 'retired' Time Lord, but not because of his pompous ideas.  Instead Fanger implies his uncle has a rare disorder which makes the relation unable to safely travel within TARDIS units or other dimensions.

Fourth Fanger [staring at Arturo]: So, I didn't realize you found a cure, eh?

Arturo [not looking at Fanger, but scowling]: Fangarius, I have not. And don't you start lecturing me.

F4: Wouldn't dream of it, Unc. But if I recall, you can't do what you're doing, let alone travel within a TARDIS.

Arturo [spinning round angrily at Fanger]: They never said 'can't'! (lowers his voice) They just said it wasn't recommended..

F4 (quizzically staring): There's a difference? (shaking his head) No matter, eventually, you'll have to inform Quinn, you know.

Arturo (silently speaking): I know, but know this, Little One, I shall tell him upon my own terms.

Later Fanger and Quinn discover the Daleks and F-Clones have been developing Parallel Dimensional travel, and attempt on conquering the Multiverse.  To prevent this, Fanger and Quinn jerry rig the Timer to the Helmic Regulator and Sychronic Omnidimensional Regulator.  The only drawback is, the powerful influx will propel the Sliders back into the CVE Network upon a randomized course.  But faced with the dangers of a Multiversal Invasion looming, Quinn admits it's worth the risk.  Activating the TARDIS 2 and Timer, the results work, trapping both Daleks and F-Clones' Multiversal Armadas into an isolated pocket universe.

However, as Fanger predicted, the Timer flings the Sliders out of the TARDIS 2, causing the TimeSpace craft to return back online, and sending them back on their randomized journey through parallel dimensions.

Although the story was concise, not unlike today's Doctor Who episodes, it did sort of lay the foundation for the Eighth Fanger's most wildest adventure, yet.  And the inspiration, ironically, was not with Quinn & Co., but from a classic Doctor Who mini-series.

The Key of the FANGARIAN World Series

Although David Tennant and Matt Smith are currently becoming the new faves as The Doctor, many can attest the ultimate classic favourite is still, and foremost, Tom Baker.  Mysteriously, if it had not been for one drawn out series, I doubt the new Doctor Who would have subtle story arcs per season.

In 1976, Graham Williams conceived the story arc called The Key to Time, in which The Doctor, K9 and the Time Lady, Romana, are employeed by the White Guardian in search of the ancient artefact in order to save the Universe from an entropic effect.

The series proved such an impact on me, I wanted to originally do something with Fanger along those lines, but it never really panned out.  Mainly because I wanted a completely different tale where Fanger had to search for something equally important, but not being a blatant lift from this story arc.

When I started drafting Project FANGARIUS, the concept resurfaced as my friends and I recalled the short story and thought why not?  Before I knew it, the Fangarian World Series - Sliders/FANGARIUS Crossover had begun in full swing.

Shortly after the events in PF, the White Guardian summons both Fanger and Quinn, informing them the Multiverse is endangered by the eight shattered TARDIS 2 Components.  Combining the TARDIS 2 Tracker with Quinn's Timer (or CVE Transponder, as Fanger calls it), Fanger and the Sliders commence on their search throughout the dimensions for his TARDIS Components.

Except here, Fanger and the Sliders crew (now with Colin and Maggie) were no longer just limited to parallel Earths, as they also travelled to alternate versions of Skaro and Mondas.  Also Fanger acknowledged the Kromaggs and their engimatic connection with the Cybermen and The Rani.   And Rickman was later revealed as being one of The Master's failed Incarnates (apparently when The Master's essence took over Rickman, the encephalitis had transmutated into a degenerative brain disorder).  Which also explained why Rickman killed Arturo, since Fanger suspected his uncle might've detected him and warned Quinn about the man.

There were eight tales in all (ten, if you count PF and the unofficial premiere episode) and in one of them, Fanger did encounter a mirror-image of himself called 'Gari,' who had fiendish plans for the TARDIS Component on Earth-Gamma.

Eventually, Fanger did finally reconstruct the TARDIS 2 and he and Quinn end up saving the Multiverse.  Only to later have Fanger merge his craft with a Video Rental/Video Gaming Store as a means for preventing the Sontarans from opening the Cardassian Rift in Baytown.

Afterwards the Eighth Fanger did fall once more into obscurity, until about 2005, when Doctor Who was revived, so was Fanger, but in a way no one, not even myself would expect.  One might even say I was Punk'd by what was yet-to-come.

Project FANGARIUS: The Eighth Fanger

Standing By Jerry O’Connell

As it was aforementioned in past entries, I never originally used celebrities as models for Fanger until his Fifth Incarnate.  The Sixth Incarnate was genuinely a fluke since I wasn’t even trying to illustrate John Ritter, whereas the Seventh Incarnate was based on a rejected character by Martin Short.  So how exactly did Jerry O’Connell wind up being the basis for the Eighth Fanger?

It all started with Mr. O’Connell’s first film and a bet I had made with my aunt.  My Aunt Cassandra and I would stay up and watch late night movies.  As a quirk, my aunt loved reading tarot cards on celebrities as we watched their movies, and she’d predict their futures.  Turned out one night we were watching the classic ‘Stand By Me,’ with Wil Wheaton and (naturally) Jerry O’Connell.

At the time, you recall Mr. O’Connell’s role was Vern Tessio, the rotund boy who was usually picked on by the group.  Yet, without him, I doubt the story would’ve gotten started, since he informed his friends about going and search for a dead body.  In one scene, where the group has Vern carry their packs, the character fumes as he’s attempting to catch up along the tracks.  At one moment when Vern grumbles, ‘I’ll show them all,’ my aunt was reading his fortune and noted in real life, Mr. O’Connell would actually become more famous than Mr. Wheaton.

Considering the time, I made a wager with my aunt, if her prediction came true, I’d base one of Fanger’s Future Incarnates upon Mr. O’Connell.  Who knew ol’ Jerry would make it big with My Secret Identity and, later, Sliders?

Ironically, it was Sliders which not only rekindled the bet, but also inspired the Eighth Fanger on the rumour behind The Doctor’s return.  Although the series had come out one year before the film itself, back in 1994, there had been murmurs about the possibility of Mr. O’Connell being cast as the US counterpart of The Doctor.  Despite the fact there was no validity to the report, the concept had intrigued me, since Quinn Mallory did possess a bit of a Time Lord persona.

In fact, the Fourth Fanger had once encountered the Sliders due to a mishap with the TARDIS 2 and Quinn’s Timer (which Fanger identified as a Charged Vacuum Emboitment Transit).  Thus, keeping my word with my aunt, when Project FANGARIUS was done, I had used Jerry O’Connell as the basis for the Eighth Fanger.

The Eighth Fanger

Absent for almost a decade,  Fanger’s Eighth Incarnation would prove being somewhat of a challenge for me.  Although I had the basis, I had wondered what direction I should take his new persona.  One reason was because, if you’ve been keeping up, both the Sixth and Seventh Fanger had not been legitimately around for their personas to genuinely form properly.

Here’s was the condensed recap:  The Sixth Fanger possessed a serious guise with a bit of a temperament to match, while the Seventh Fanger ended up being a bit more bohemian, if not erratic, nature.  Thus, the main problem was, at the time, I absolutely had no idea on how the next Incarnation should act and behave.  Not to mention I really had no scope model to go on.

Essentially, despite the fact Fanger ended up appearing like Quinn Mallory, I really didn’t want to make F8 into a clone of that character.  Subtly as I was fleshing out the character’s initial design, I decided on adding a bit of elements from the previous Incarnates and see how it would fly.

Turned out the end result was the Eighth Fanger being somewhat of an inquisitive sort with a reckless innocent nature and a bit crotchety at times.  Mainly because although Fanger did emanate a youthful appearance, in reality, he’s about (at the time) over 650 years old. 

The interesting catalyst which helped his new persona was the lack of the TARDIS 2.  Unlike Jon Pertwee’s Doctor being exiled to Earth, one interesting concept was when I deciding on starting the Fangarian World Series specials, was Fanger would not have his TimeSpace craft to rely on for getting him out of jams.  Instead the Eighth Fanger solely relied on his resourcefulness, while transversing the Multiverse to locate his craft’s components and reassemble the TARDIS 2.

Although the specials were about eight episodes, they were enough to develop Fanger’s new self into a whole new character.   Even if it proved in being a bumpy ride along the way.

Project FANGARIUS: The Coming of the Eighth Fanger

The Summer of ’89 had brought about one interesting commonality between Doctor Who and FANGARIUS:  both series had wound up within temporal limbo.  Though one might say FANGARIUS was ‘unofficially’ cancelled in 1987, whereas two years later, Doctor Who had acquired the similar fate.

Consequently while the good Doctor had to contend with questionable BBC Programmers, Fanger’s fate originated on the fact, after about a decade of his intradimensional travels, I had simply gotten burned out with his adventures.

In the meantime, I embarked on other projects, like Enigma County Texas—inspired both by the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and Steve Jackson’s Role-Playing Series Toon.  During my college years, Fanger started appearing less and less in my strips, thus producing two other series for my college publications.

Snaps – Basically an updated version of Pogo in Baytown, Texas, but with a turtle as the main star (yes, you can blame the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for this).  Fred Snorton – an anthropomorphic, canine version of a famous sanitation worker, made his debut here.  Memu Emu, a high-society emu, also made an appearance as well.

UHCL Critters/Anything Goes! – Random nonsense about college life, which brought about Ted S. Loban, Einstein Wassameier (a hedgehog), and Chuckwing the Bloodfruit Bat.  Although the Fifth Fanger (posing as a college professor) did make some appearances in this series, the real stars of  UHCLC/AG! were Ted and Chuckwing.

Meanwhile Fanger himself had been lent out in far-out spin-offs by my college buddies.  Two of which were considered part of the Underground Comix series:

Not FANGARIUS – Think Torchwood & Barbarella gone horribly wrong.  NF dealt with an alternate version of Fanger – Fun Garias (aka Gari), a Paranormal Wolf-Being traveling dimensions, unwittingly ending up in some extremely sexual situations along the way.

Definitely NOT FANGARIUS – A perverse, adult version of the FANGARIUS series, not unlike Orgazmo (the comic, not the film).  Except here, the lead was Francis (aka Ran), a Paranormal EroTime Lord from the planet Gallisex.  According to this author, Ran’s constant nemesis weren’t Dalek-based, but erotic alien lifeforms called the Penai.

(Ed. Note: Wondering why no pics of these two series? Well, since Underground Comix were rather new to me, I never realized how uninhibited these series were.  Otherwise I’d have better discretion on whom I lend out the character to, even if they did have the decency for altering their images. Anyway, once when my relations helping me clean out my archives, they had regrettably come across these two strips, which they both had promptly ended up in File 13 post haste.)

Nevertheless, despite some other off-beat tales of the Paranormal Time Lord (with Fanger visiting both the DC and Marvel Universe), Fanger had still remained in creative limbo.

Back in 1995, while I was dealing with some personal events (my Dad had experienced a stroke), I had been consoled by some of my friends back during my high school and college days.  We had heard about the BBC and FOX Television reviving Doctor Who as a television film, and hopefully resurrect (or regenerate, as the case may be) the series.  Because we were excited, we began talking about the DW RPG-Club and FANGARIUS.  Secretly we always wanted to do a better special episode for the Seventh Fanger, since we felt the series itself had abruptly ended.

Almost immediately, my friends had suggested I formulate a new FANGARIUS tale as well.

Since FANGARIUS’ 20^th Anniversary (1997) was approaching, I wanted devising a particularly special episode commemorating the Paranormal Time Lord’s creation.  However, the problem was, I never liked conjuring forth ‘reunion’ stories because they always seemed to be something one finds in the Scooby-Doo Movies.

But as with all things in life, I never had imagined both a forgotten promise, a series and an anime film would become the vital components for an epic I denoted as Project FANGARIUS.

Project FANGARIUS – The Plot

Several months after the Kain Incident, the Masaki Household has not fully recovered from the dimension-bending experience.  Tenchi Masaki has been having recurring nightmares about visiting what appears to be a planet, but yet, not a planet.  Helmed by what appears to be a Juraian, the figure turns out to possess dark hands with claw-like fingertips and a wolf’s tail.  Tenchi chillingly discovers the planet to be actually a TARDIS—denoted as La Genèse (Genesis)—and the pseudo-Juraian has plans for launching it.

Regrettably if La Genèse is launched, its power will threaten not just Tenchi’s Universe, but the Multiverse as well.  Even worse, Tenchi awakens when the being gets word that the final component has been procured, and the one who has it is none other than Fangarius himself.

Meanwhile, all isn’t well with Ayeka and Ryoko, since both have their own reasons to be pensive.  Enigmatically Ayeka has been summoned back to Jurai, and learns the Elders aren’t pleased about Kain.  Inexplicably, Fanger and The Doctor’s name are mentioned as well as Rassilon and Omega.  This makes the Juraian Princess ponder on how Gallifrey and the Time Lords are relevant to all of this, while Ryoko has other problems.

Seems during her pirate days, she was supposed to originally end up being the Sixth Fanger’s Companion, but at the time, she and Ryo-Ohki were attempting to escape from Salerion.  Consequently, Salerion used a dimensional extrapolator to ensnare her within a pocket universe (in the form of a mummy), thus she never could warn the Paranormal Time Lord.

Kiyone could be having better days as well.  Due to Kain’s escape, the Galactic Police end up suspending her and Mihoshi for allowing him to do so (apparently, Mihoshi forgot to inform her partner that she was responsible for the subspace prison containing Kain).  However, Kiyone suspects something when her lineage to Fanger has been brought into question.  And some research reveals the truth behind Kain, prompting her to head for Washu’s lab.

Washu has been feverishly working in her dimension lab, because she knows the truth behind Kain.  The ‘Kain’ they fought was not the real one, but in reality a shadow constructed out of Strange Matter.  When Kiyone enters, Washu reveals the truth as The Inquisitor shows up.  Seems the real Kain was once a Jurai scientist helping out Gallifrey discover intradimensional travel.  In essence, he had been Omega’s assistant when the first Time Lord had plunged themselves into a black hole.  However, where Omega had perished within an Antimatter universe, Kain’s physical form had been converted into Strange Matter.  Originally, Kain blamed Jurai and Gallifrey for the mishap and had originally exacted revenge on both, until Achika, with the help of the Clanstribes, had imprisoned him.  But in truth, the Locanshites (first mentioned here) realized others might be looking for Kain.  Thus, they ‘split’ him into two parts, keeping the intelligent, corporeal one locked away on Dragard, while the shadow form had remained within a subspace prison at the Galaxy Police HQ.

Secretly Washu knows more than she’s letting on, but The Inquisitor has sensed Tenchi’s dreams.  From his own personal experiences, The Inquisitor realizes these visions are anything but fantasy…

Meanwhile, across the vast Multiverse, Quinn Mallory and company are discovering a disaster of their own epic proportions.  Recently the last few Earths they’ve visited have started vanishing out-of-existence.  The only clue they have to this malady is an alien force claiming only Fangarius can stop the impending doom.

Speaking of which, La Genèse looms at the Edge of the Universe, Salerion smiles approvingly at his latest innovation.  Decked in his Juraian attire, he admits integrating both Jurai and Gallifreyan Tech for engineering this planet-sized TARDIS, while transdimensionally it literally harbors its own Universe.  However, for now the vast TimeSpace vehicle remains inert until the last component is installed.

The familiar materialization sound resonates throughout the vessel as the TARDIS 2 appears, reverted back into the multicolored police box from its jade Oriental pagoda exterior.  Escorted by Salerion’s own Jurai-grown guards, the Seventh Fanger emerges appearing with a strange crystalline device with a mercuric hourglass set within its center.

Identified as the Chronocosmizcon, it can ultimately provide unlimited energy to any time-space device, even TARDISes.  Fanger’s innovation was actually a mechanization devised by Salerion, whom Fanger identifies as Fangexlcoatl’s brother.  Although the Paranormal Time Lord warns La Genèse will destroy the Multiverse, Salerion admits that’s precisely what he wants to do.  Rather than simply launch a massive invasion, the fiendish former Fangarian plans on cleansing every dimension, making way for a Paranormal realm of his design. 

Before Fanger can protest, Salerion installs the device and activates La Genèse.  At the same moment Quinn and his group enter the portal.  The result causes the entire fabric of the Multiverse to rip apart.  Sensing the Sliders’ agony, as well as infinite lives screaming, Fanger desperately initiates a last-ditch effort.  Fortunately, Washu has been monitoring the situation and intervenes by blowing out the craft’s Helmic Regulator.  

Utilizing his sonic screwdriver, Fanger disconnects the Chronocosmizcon and makes a desperate escape in the TARDIS 2.  The getaway is ultimately short-lived as Salerion launches Hyper-torpedoes directly towards the police box.  Buffeted beyond repair, the TARDIS 2’s Hostile Action Displacement System (HADS) activates, propelling the multicolored police box crash-lands in Houston, Texas, December 30, 2000.

Washu also quickly intervenes, saving the Sliders through a Dimensional Wave Generator Field.  Although she manages to bring them to Earth-Prime (Fanger and Quinn’s Earth), unfortunately she scatters the team throughout Fanger’s Timeline.  With one member landing inside the severely damaged TARDIS 2 and critically-injured Paranormal Time Lord.

Back at La Genèse, Salerion doesn’t consider Fanger’s motive as a setback.  Since he can’t simply wait for his relation to create another Chronocosmizcon, Salerion decides on implementing the craft’s Timescoop to extract ALL of Fanger’s Past Incarnates from their Time streams.  However Washu’s one step ahead, as she sends Tenchi and the others through Fanger’s Timeline.  

As for the Seventh Fanger, his final days come as the Slider member and a strange person called Colin get him admitted to Hermann Hospital.  Dr. Grace Holloway, a cardiologist on loan from San Francisco, learns about Hermann’s new patient with ‘two hearts,’ and immediate treats Fanger, mistaking him for The Doctor.  Fanger ends up flatlining in the middle of the night, but before he can be rushed to the Morgue, he promptly enters into his Seventh Regeneration.  Resembling Quinn Mallory, Fanger gets taken over by the ChronoSpirit, TimeStorm, who kidnaps the Slider member and Colin and shanghais the TARDIS 2.  Piloting it to the End of Time, TimeStorm informs them this is the only safe haven from Salerion while the Eighth Fanger recovers and the TARDIS 2 regenerates itself.

The rest of the plot entails a tour de force of Fanger’s Past Incarnations as well as Past versions of The Doctor and Companions, including Sarah Jane Smith and Jamie McCrimmon.  Salerion also acquires the unwarranted attention of some villains as well ranging from the Daleks, F-Clones, Sontarans and displaced Cybermen.  Although they manage to foil Salerion’s Timescoop scheme, the Fourth Fanger (currently exiled with the Third Doctor) realizes until they confront his demented cousin, they’ll never be safe.

This action ends up getting all but Fanger’s Eighth Incarnate captured by Salerion.  Fortunately due to Salerion’s short-sightedness, his mind probes fail to function since the Fourth Fanger he’s acquired was during the Third Doctor’s Exile.  Meaning the Time Lords have not only blocked F4’s knowledge of TARDIS engineering, but also his own personal design to the Chronocosmizcon.  Taking advantage of the anomaly, the Fourth Fanger immediately sends a message to his Eighth self, who takes his Companions back to La Genèse, for the final showdown.

Despite freeing his Past selves, they discovered they’re trapped as Salerion uses his craft to literally assault the TARDIS 2, using its Chronocosmizcon as its power source.  Washu teleports Grace Holloway into the TARDIS 2, where she attempts to stop the process, but instead teleports the Eighth Fanger inside the craft.  Dying, T2 informs the Paranormal Time Lord there’s only one solution to stop Salerion once and for all.  Reluctantly Fanger knows as he and Grace head towards an ancient room past the Cloisters.  Revealing the Heart of the TARDIS 2, Fanger takes his sonic screwdriver and thrusts it into its power source.  Shattering the transdimensional craft, Fanger severs the connection causing La Genèse to start collapsing within itself.  Before they can perish along Salerion within a pocket dimension, Washu uses Fanger’s BioData Extract to key in on all of his Incarnates and they teleport safely back to her lab with their Companions.

Washu promptly sends everyone to their proper dimensions in Time.  Unfortunately Mihoshi accidentally hurls the Sliders back upon a randomized course through the Multiverse.  Whereas Fanger, in his new form, laments over the loss of his craft, now stranded on modern-day Earth.

However.. two months later into the new millennium (2001).. Fanger receives a curious message from the White Guardian… something about the Paranormal Time Lord having to save the Multiverse from his TARDIS…

Thus ends Project FANGARIUS – and the beginning of new adventures for the Eighth Fanger.

Project FANGARIUS – The Anomalous Revisions

Although the plot was originally straightforward there were many revisions later, according to future episodes of the Eighth and (currently) Ninth Fanger.  Here’s what some of them were:

·         Originally the Sliders crew were going to be from Season One (Quinn, Wade, Arturo, Rembrandt), since I composed a FANGARIUS/Sliders short story where the Fourth Fanger encounters the group due to the TARDIS 2’s faulty dimensional stabilizer and Quinn’s malfunctioning Timer.  In fact, Arturo turned out to be Fanger’s uncle (on his mother’s side) who was being punished for abusing his powers.  However, considering when the actual story would be penned, it was decided Season Four (Quinn, Colin, Maggie and Rembrandt) would be the ones used in this story, for relevance to the timeframe.

·         The aliens who warn the Sliders about Salerion were supposed to be the Zercurvians from the Acclaim Comics’ adaptation.  But later it seemed more practical in using the Kromaggs instead, which the Eighth Fanger would later discover a horrifying connection between them and the Cybermen.

·         Charlie O’Connell (Jerry’s brother) was seen as Colin Mallory later in Season Four Sliders, but the Colin Mallory here was originally an alternate persona generated by T2.  In the original plot, Colin secretly leads Grace and Fanger towards the transdimensional source for the Paranormal Time Lord to shatter the TARDIS 2.  But later when Colin Mallory was cast, the Eighth Fanger suspected something amiss when Colin pensively accepts Fanger as a Gallifreyan doppelganger of his brother.

·         Project FANGARIUS started out as simply a Regeneration story, but since this was supposed to commemorate Fanger’s Twentieth Anniversary, it quickly evolved into a Eight Fangers tale with some of The Doctor’s past selves and Companions thrown in for good measure.

·         Later Fanger admits Kain's incarceration setup was also known by both the ParaCouncil and Shadow Proclamation. The reason they did this was so no one would know about Kain's true plight and attempt to conduct inhumane experiments upon him. 

Of course, nothing was more intricate than how exactly the Eighth Fanger had come into existence...