Deathlands

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The Deathlands is a series of novels that takes place almost a century after a nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union in January, 2001. For the most part, the series follows the travels of seven characters as they make their way through a violent, post-apoctolyptic world. The stories are structured in a similar manner in that the seven characters are put into a challenging situation and forced to use their minds and muscles to reach safety. Many of the novels begin with the seven arriving in a new, unknown location by means of a matter transmitter.

1 Plot
2 Series History
3 Main characters
4 Weapons
5 Adaptations
- 5.1 Film
- 5.2 Audio
6 Related works
- 6.1 Outlanders series
7 External links

[edit] Plot

According to the story, the world as we know it came to an end on January 20, 2001, when a nuclear bomb was detonated in Washington. A global nuclear exchange ensued, completely altering the geography, climate, and ecosystems of the world. What was left of the United States came to be known as the Deathlands.

At the time of the Deathlands series, one hundred years have passed. The series follows the adventures of a group of warrior survivalists led by Ryan Cawdor, the son of a powerful east coast baron. Once the aftermath of the nuclear holocaust (referred to as the "Nukecast") and the prolonged nuclear winter (called the "Skydark") had passed, a group of powerful hybrid humans (referred to as Barrons) took command of isolated towns (referred to as Villes)and employed groups of enforcers (referred to as Magistrates). They travel the width and breadth of the remains of the United States of America using hidden government facilities (redoubts) that contain technological miracles known as Gateways. They are MAT-TRANS, or Matter Transmitter devices.

[edit] Series History

Further information: A complete list of books can be found at Deathlands (List of Novels)

The Deathlands series was begun as a joint project by Christopher Lowder (pen name "Jack Adrian") and Laurence James (under the pen name "James Axler") with the first book called Pilgrimage To Hell. Laurence James then solely wrote the Deathlands series up to and including Eclipse at Noon. However, due to failing health he was forced to leave the series in 1995. He wrote one last novel, Crucible of Time that appeared in 1998 and died in February of 2000. All other Deathlands have been written by a number of other authors, including Mark Ellis who produced the first post-Laurence James entry, Stoneface.

Among fans, it is widely accepted that the early Laurence James novels are superior, although the three-year period that featured the formula-breaking work of Ellis, Mel Odom, Alan Phillipson and Terry Collins is considered a peak in the quality in the novels.

Many of the later books (particularly those penned by Andy Boot and Edo van Belkom) are criticized as falling short in terms of character and plot development.

[edit] Main characters

[edit] Weapons

Steyr SSG 69 - Ryan's sniper rifle
LeMat Revolver - Doc's hand cannon
Browning High Power Pistol - Dean's hand gun
Sig Sauer - Ryan's Hand Gun
Heckler & Koch G11 - Ryan's Assault Rifle
ZKR 551 - Mildred's target pistol

[edit] Adaptations

[edit] Film

Deathlands also made it to film in 2003 as a low-budget TV movie that aired on the Sci-Fi Channel. Deathlands: Homeward Bound starred Vincent Spano and Traci Lords. One reviewer opined that every one of the ten dollars in the film's budget showed up on the screen. ^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Audio

Many of the Deathlands novels have been adapted to an audiobook format. These titles are produced by the Cutting Audio corporation and primarily targeted at long-distance drivers.

[edit] Related works

[edit] Outlanders series

Created in 1996 by Mark Ellis, Outlanders is the official spin-off series from Deathlands, although it established an identity distinct from Deathlands with the first novel, Exile To Hell (1997).