The War of the Worlds' Unauthorized Sci-Fi Sequel: A Wild Ride Through Time and Space
In the vast landscape of science fiction, few stories have endured as long and inspired as many adaptations as H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds." This classic novel, first published in 1898, has become a cornerstone of the genre, with its iconic depiction of Martian invaders and its commentary on British colonialism. But what many people don't realize is that the story has a wild and unexpected sequel, an unauthorized creation that casts Thomas Edison as the hero of a mid-space battle against the Martians.
This sequel, titled "Edison's Conquest of Mars," is a fascinating artifact of early science fiction, written by Garrett P. Serviss, an astronomer and sci-fi author. It's a bonkers team-up story that brings together some of the most prominent world leaders of the late 19th century, including William McKinley, Kaiser Wilhelm, Queen Victoria, and Emperor Matsuhito, all united against the threat of Martian invasion. Thomas Edison, ever the visionary, takes center stage, studying derelict Martian technology and developing death rays and antigravity widgets to lead a fleet of fighter ships into space.
The story takes an even more fantastical turn as Edison and his team discover an extinct race of giants on the moon, before engaging in a midspace battle against the Martians around a golden asteroid they were mining. The humans' fighting force eventually makes its way to Mars, where they find a Deimos-based colony of human slaves, kidnapped in the early millennia, and evidence that the Martians built the Pyramids. Edison's ultimate move is to use human forces to explode all the waterworks on Mars, flooding the planet and killing most everyone.
What makes "Edison's Conquest of Mars" particularly fascinating is the contrast between the original "War of the Worlds" and this sequel. While Wells' novel was a commentary on the horrors of British colonialism, this unauthorized sequel takes a more fantastical and action-packed approach, playing up the mayhem and adventure. It's a testament to the enduring appeal of science fiction and the wild creativity of its early pioneers.
In my opinion, this unauthorized sequel is a hidden gem in the history of science fiction, offering a unique and entertaining take on the classic "War of the Worlds." It's a reminder that the genre has always been a playground for wild imagination and that the boundaries of storytelling are constantly being pushed and redefined. So, if you're a fan of science fiction, or just a lover of wild and imaginative stories, I highly recommend giving "Edison's Conquest of Mars" a read. It's a wild ride through time and space that will leave you wondering what other unexpected twists and turns the genre has in store for us.
