Artwork page from the still in-progress second issue of ‘Folly Ground’.
Last summer, I had written at some length about ‘Apparent Magnitude’, Folly Ground’s cult sci-fi tv show whose plot is based on the myth of Pollux and Castor. The idea was still in its inception at the time, but as work has progressed on this soon-to-come issue, the show has become a key element of the story. You can see the original post along with some initial artwork and rough drawings of Pollux and Castor here.
Another week, another snippet from the currently in-progress Folly Ground #2. Apparent magnitude is an astronomic(al) term, and it measures the brightness of a star or any other celestial object that can be observed from the Earth. It is also the name of a cult science fiction television series in Folly Ground. The main plot is loosely based on the well-known myth of Castor and Pollux (Κάστωρ και Πολυδεύκης for Greek speakers), also known together as the Dioscuri (Διόσκουροι), only this time it is transposed in space. The twin half-brothers (they have different fathers, and one is mortal whilst the other immortal) have been forcibly separated, and they spend the series trying to reunite and get back home to the constellation of Gemini.
‘Apparent Magnitude’ is broadcast on TV615 on Friday evenings at 7 p.m., followed by a repeat at midnight. Although it is not the most popular programme on Folly TV, it has a very loyal, almost fanatical, audience which has allowed the current second series to be filmed and broadcasted. Below is a full-page TV guide advert for the series — naturally in black and white.
Unsurprisingly, Luci and Raf are avid fans of ‘Apparent Magnitude’, never missing an episode. Flo is too, although his priorities are apt to change from time to time if a promising date with an intriguing girl appears on the Friday night horizon. Each one of them finds something to identify with, be it the various dramatic subplots, the technological gadgets, or the degree of attractiveness/coolness of the actors who play the various characters in the series.
Below are a couple of initial sketches of Pollux (left) and Castor (middle) as portrayed by the (fictional) actors Cirrus Reeves and Kirk Cumulus respectively. I should also add that their looks as seen here may or may not change as FG#2 develops. Click on the images if you’d like to see them a bit larger.
Finally, in case you’re wondering, I am only a science fiction fan in so far that I grew up watching ‘Star Trek’ (the original series) and ‘Flash Gordon’ on T.V., and the one film that has really defined my understanding of the genre has been ‘Blade Runner’ (of which I am still in awe of). Otherwise, I am, more or less, a complete ignoramus.
If you are sufficiently intrigued by Castor and Pollux, and would like to brush up on their lives and times, including their rather complex and frankly fantastical origin (twin half-brothers?! really?!), you can pay a visit to their Wikipedia entry.
