One problem I had with the ‘Doctor Who’ episode “Vampires In Venice” was the prominence of the character of Guido in Venetian society in the year 1580. This had nothing to do with the talent of Lucian Msamati, whom I already knew and enjoyed his work in ‘The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.’ No, it was because of his race.
I just couldn’t wrap my head around the idea that a black man could rise to such an honored position in at that time in Venetian society. But that's my failing. I was looking at it from the perspective of one who grew up with the cultural depictions of blacks in early American history.
Luckily, Jess Nevins offered up this historical tidbit….
Jess has done incredible work in the past as a researcher into Victoriana literature, most of that of a fantastic nature. I first learned of him when I read his annotations on Alan Moore’s concept of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. With the art contributed by Kevin O’Neill, Moore told a ripping yarn about the team of Victorian literature’s greatest heroes, anti-heroes, and villains.
And Jess was there with his splainins to do for each issue, which I bet Moore would never have dreamed possible.
Jess Nevins is a published writer and researcher and he’s tossed out an interesting idea for the Eastern Connecticut area, especially around Windham County.
Should Jess ever write it up, I’d love to find a way for a Waysider or three to have an adventure in his lycanthropic location in Connecticut.
BCnU!
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