Book: Blue Wizard is About to Die
Posted by: curt | From: May 15, 2004
I'm surprised this hadn't been done sooner.
Blue Wizard is About to Die is a book of poems about video games ranging from the jungle of Pitfall to the urban sprwal of Vice City. It's a short, entertaining read. Although the poetry won't win any awards, it's value comes from how much the reader can relate to the content. From haikus about Mega-Man to epics that span epochs and genres, Barkan captures the emotions of conquering bosses and feeding countless quarters into mind-numbing button-mashers.
My favorite poem is "The Long Night of The Law," a lengthy tale of bringing vigilante justice to Vice City using the Hunter (military helicopter).
Tommy-boy has been converted. He now sees
the error of his ways, and wishes only
to pay his debt to society in the currency of corpses,
the only realy coinage he understands.
Another gem recalls the expansionist "Oregon Trail"
I was always thrilled when we passed another one
of our gravesites (which appeared with ever-increasing
frequency as spots were filled):
Here Lies Brent, Took ill with Dysentery and Just Couldn't Hack it.
Here Lies Margo, Died of Exhaustion, the Lazy Bitch
These two poems particularly struck me because of my vivid memories, having spent countless hours at the helm of each at different points in my life.
At $15 Blue Wizard will make a solid addition to any gamers library.
I know this man!
He is from Las Vegas!
I wish that everyone was driven to high art to express their feelings about video games.
Posted by: rebecca at May 16, 2004 1:40 PM