#044 – Ragnarok Pt 1: Jeff Wayne’s When You Wish On Edwin Starr

Kevin

29 June, 2006 13 October, 2020

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COMIC NOTES

‘Ragnarok Pt 1: Jeff Wayne’s When You Wish On Edwin Starr’ was completed 29/06/06.
This was the first part of a three part special that took SW into it’s new story arc.
It took frelling AGES.
Ragnarok is, in Norse Mythology the ultimate cataclysmic battle between the gods and the forces of evil. From which a new order will spring.
The subtitle is a reference-fest to songs and ‘war’: Jeff Wayne being the creator of the orchestral version of ‘The War of the Worlds’ (one of AAUK’s favourite albums) and Edwin Starr singer of the cult classic ‘War’.
Shadow’s cuddly toy is a Tails Chao.
“You stole fizzy lifting drinks!” is from Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory.
Most of the huge disclaimer refers to the musical pieces from the title and also music by Crowded House…
Nathanial is the name of the Parson who goes insane in ‘War Of The Worlds’.
“What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.” is obviously from Starr’s ‘War’.
The references to the kitchen and Mount Pleasant Street are from Crowded House’s ‘Weather With You’. “Walking round the room singing stormy weather, at 57 Mt. Pleasant Street. Well it’s the same room but everything’s different; you can find the sleep but not the dreams. Things ain’t cooking in my kitchen, a strange affliction washed over me.”
The references to the paper cup and battles are from Crowded House’s ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over.’ “There is freedom within, there is freedom without – try and catch the deluge in a paper cup. There’s a battle ahead, many battles are lost but you’ll never see the end of the road while you’re travelling with me.”
“Good God, y’all!” is again from Edwin Starr’s ‘War’.
The text about ‘chances’ refers to the words of the astronomer Ogleby in ‘War Of The Worlds’. The exact line is taken from the first track (‘The Eve of The War’) on Jeff Wayne’s orchestral version. “‘The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one’. He said. ‘The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one’ – but still they come.”
As for the drunken elves? You can thank Futurama for that and the Robot Santa’s Elves song from the episode ‘A Tale Of Two Santas’ during which the Elves create shoddy toys though some of the stuffed gorillas are okay. Prompting one to yell “Yay! They’re adequate!” unfortunately one elf ends up with a wooden train lodged in his brain.

Kevin

Writer of words and comics, streamer of games, presenter of radio shows and eternal 'just a guy'. LMC's boss-man has worked on projects for SEGA, Square Enix, Konami, Capcom and more. Once co-created and hosted an international fan-convention because he can do that sort of thing. Used to be known as AAUK/ArchangelUK.