Doktor Sleepless

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Doktor Sleepless is a monthly comic book series written by Warren Ellis, with art by Ivan Rodriguez and published by Avatar Press, launched in July 2007,[1] with the subtitle "Future Science Jesus". This subtitle changes with each issue, featuring phrases such as "Tesla Boy Gangster", "Bastard of Tomorrow" and "Don't worry ma'am, we're from the internet".

According to series writer Warren Ellis, Doktor Sleepless may be a man named John Reinhardt, a trust-fund baby and boy genius who is shunned by the counter-culture he seeks to join. After disappearing from the city of Heavenside three years ago, he suddenly returns having undergone some changes during the interim. Upon his return, he's transformed himself from a relatively mundane man into what he describes as a "cartoon mad scientist," calling himself "Doktor Sleepless".[2]

Ellis compares the series to his earlier fan-favorite work on Transmetropolitan, published under the DC Comics imprint, Vertigo.[2]

Contents

[edit] Brief Synopsis

Set in the near future, this series follows the exploits of John Reinhardt, an enigmatic "mad scientist"[3] whose motivations for returning to Heavenside are shady at best. Since his mysterious disappearance, he has reinvented himself as "Doktor Sleepless" and, to the dismay and utter confusion of the authorities, seemingly rules the airwaves (through his mastery of all things technological) with his thought-provoking, radical rhetoric. He addresses the disenfranchised citizens of Heavenside, acknowledging their disappointment in the "future" they live in. As aforementioned, it is unclear if he works at inciting a truly positive revolution or has much darker, harmful plans for the people of Heavenside, but one thing remains clear: his public persona has certainly captured everyones attention. With the resources, knowledge and ambition that John Reinhardt possesses, everyone is listening and watching closely as he represents the one shard of hope everyone is looking for.

[edit] Issues/Format

  1. (Future Science Jesus)
  2. (Tesla Boy Gangster)
  3. (Bastard of Tomorrow)
  4. (Don't worry ma'am, we're from the internet)
  5. (Your Imaginary Friend)[4]
  6. (The Mortician of Love)
  7. (Marg Bar Amrika)
  8. (Superconnected Superinsane)
  9. (Engineer of Your Future Doom)
  10. (Immanentising the Eschaton)


At the end of each issue, writer Warren Ellis provides background information on the fictional devices, organizations, technological advancements, etc., utilized in the narrative, as well as the occasional piece of Flash fiction.

All of these things can be recalled and researched in a special "Doktor Sleepless" Mediawiki site.[5]

As with other Avatar tittles, each issue comes with a number of variant covers, the majority are by Rodriguez, but Jacen Burrows provides a warning sign version and Raulo Cáceres produces a wrap-around cover designed to evoke an earlier era, as Ellis said: "Raulo was tasked with producing covers that looked like woodcuts that recalled the late 19th century through to the days of Tesla and James Whale movies."[6]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Ellis on Doktor Sleepless". Newsarama. Retrieved on 2007-04-24.
  2. ^ a b "Sleepless in Southend: Ellis Talks Doktor Sleepless". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved on 2007-04-24.
  3. ^ Doktor Sleepless
  4. ^ Comic Title - Doktor Sleepless
  5. ^ Main Page - doktorsleepless
  6. ^ GRAVEL artist Raulo Caceres talks about Ellis, Wolfer, and their upcoming series with Avatar

[edit] External links