As someone who grew up on the original Star Trek, I remember well the episode in which two planets are at war, but instead of killing each other with weapons, they do it virtually, with computers, and then ask the “impacted” citizens to step in disintegration chambers (1967’s “A Taste Of Armageddon”).
It’s something I immediately thought of when preparing to interview author Alexander Darwin about his science fantasy novel Blacklight Born (paperback, Kindle, audiobook), the third and final novel in The Combat Codes Trilogy, in which nations go to war, but through 1-on-1 duels.
Though as Darwin says in the following email interview, his inspiration for this series, and this final installment, was something other than a certain episode from a classic sci-fi show.
Photo Credit: Jeanette Fuller
For people who didn’t read the first two books, The Combat Codes and Grievar’s Blood, what is The Combat Codes Trilogy about, and when and where is this story set?
The story is set in a science fantasy world where single combat duels have replaced wars. Nations have set aside their weapons and put all of their resources and hopes into the Grievar, a race of champions that battle for their kin within the Circles.
And then for people who have read The Combat Codes and Grievar’s Blood, and thus can ignore me writing SPOILER ALERT, what happens in Blacklight Born, and when and where does it take place in relation to Blood?
Blacklight Born takes place chronologically after the middle book in the series, Grievar’s Blood.
A full on class rebellion has erupted within this world; the warrior class Grievar and the working class Grunts are rising up against the ruling noble class, the Daimyo.
When it relation to writing The Combat Codes and Grievar’s Blood did you come up with the plot for Blacklight Born, and what inspired it?
Blacklight Born wraps up the arc of the characters and plot for the entire series. This arc was mapped out from the start of book one. The plot was inspired by the many uprisings and rebellions in history, cinema, TV, and fiction.
In this series, nations don’t go to war. Instead, they settle grievances through 1-on-1 hand-to-hand combat. Back when you first conceived of this story, what made you include this, and why did you go with 1-on-1 hand-to-hand combat as opposed to, say, a chess match, jousting, or maybe that thing they did in Star Trek where wars were fought by computers and people caught in the virtual attacks had to go into disintegration booths?
I am a martial arts teacher and life-long practitioner, and so my affinity for unarmed combat is strong. I’ve always wanted to see the martial arts featured more in sci-fi and fantasy stories, and so I wanted to create a world where the politics, diplomacy, and entire social strata revolved around 1v1 unarmed combat.
And what about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which you teach in real life? Why did not make people do that?
Brazilian Ju-Jitsu is a primary component of mixed martial arts (sportive contests where striking and grappling are both allowed in various rulesets). So, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu — along with Judo, wrestling, Muay Thai, and various other martial arts — are all included within the realistic fighting in the Combat Codes.
Also, is this aspect of The Combat Codes Trilogy as important as I’m making it seem by asking all these questions, or is it way less important in the grand scheme of things?
It is very important. I treat martial arts as a magic system. So it is the foundation of the world-building (and as I mentioned, politics, social strata, etc.) For example, in Harry Potter, the students learn the spell for levitation: Wingardium Leviosa. In The Combat Codes Trilogy, the students at the academy learn the technique to throw someone over their shoulder: Seoi Nage.
You said earlier that Blacklight Born and The Combat Codes Trilogy are “set in a science fantasy world.” Does that mean these are science fantasy stories, or are there other genres at work in them?
I consider them science fantasy. There are both technological elements and somewhat unexplainable “magical” elements within this world.
Blacklight Born is obviously not your first novel. Are there any writers, or stories, that had a big influence on Blacklight Born but not on anything else you’ve written, and especially not The Combat Codes and Grievar’s Blood?
I’m a big fan of Fonda Lee’s Greenbone Saga. I’d say it’s impossible that nothing from that series did not seep into my mind when writing Blacklight Born.
What about non-literary influences; was Blacklight Born influenced by any movies, TV shows, or games?
I’m inspired by such JRPGs as Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger, which seamlessly combine tech and magic into the world-building (as well as stories like Star Wars, Amulet, Dune, League Of Legends / Arcane). In the Combat Codes series, we’ve got giant birds that the Knights ride atop, Circles that influence fighters’ minds, airships and mysterious flying wisps.
As we’ve been discussing, Blacklight Born is the third and final book of The Combat Codes Trilogy. There have undoubtedly been people waiting for Blacklight to come out so they can read all three books back-to-back. But do you think that’s the best way, or even just a good way, to take in this story: to binge it?
I think everyone needs to consume books in the way that suits them best. I personally like to give a little space between my reads, breathing room for each book to settle in my mind. But I also see that binging a story can be a way to “stay” in the world and the character POVs for a seamless experience.
Earlier I asked if Blacklight Born had been influenced by any movies, TV shows, or games. But do you think Blacklight Born, and thus The Combat Codes Trilogy, could work as a series of movies, a TV show, or a game?
Yes…and though I can’t really talk about it, there have been some developments on that end. So, without giving anything away, I’d say TV. Yes, TV is definitely the best format.
But seriously, I do think modern day streamers give the best chance for a full length novel to be fleshed out fully, without having to cut the corners required for a 2-3 hour film.
So, if someone wanted to adapt The Combat Codes Trilogy into a TV show, who would you want them to cast as Murray, Cego, and the other main characters?
I think an animated version would be great (especially something like Arcane on Netflix which was so incredibly awesome).
Dave Bautista [Guardians Of The Galaxy] would be a fantastic Murray, as he actually does have a ton of Brazilian Ju-Jitsu / MMA experience on top of growing acting chops.
But then again, there are several other specific actors that I can think of that would be wonderful to cast as any of the main characters…
And if the show leads them to make a game, what kind of game should it be and who should make it?
A JRPG in the mold of Final Fantasy, hands down. We’ve even got the this trailer for The Combat Codes back it up.
So, is there anything else a prospective reader might need to know about Blacklight Born and The Combat Codes Trilogy?
You don’t have to love martial arts to enjoy these books. If you enjoy these tropes you’ll also likely have a good time: academies, found family, apprentice / master relationships, political scheming.
Finally, if someone enjoys Blacklight Born, they’ve presumedly also read The Combat Codes and Grievar’s Blood, so they might want something short and quick to read. So, what novella or short story collection would you suggest they read next?
Not a novella but I’d say Zeroboxer by Fonda Lee. For something shorter, she’s also written two novellas: The Jade Setter Of Janloon and Untethered Sky.
