What are the biggest challenges of living in space? What are the dangers? And what are the benefits? Commander Rick checks in with science fiction authors Geoffrey A. Landis ("A Walk in the Sun"), Michael Skeet ("Breaking Ball"), Frederik Pohl (Mining The Oort), Ben Bova (Mars), Spider and Jeanne Robinson (Starseed), C.J. Cherryh (Heavy Time), Bruce Sterling (Schismatrix), and Michael Swanwick (Griffin's Egg). As well, Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura on Star Trek) discusses her work for NASA's space shuttle astronaut recruitment programme, and Dr. Roberta Bondar, Canada's first female astronaut, tells Rick about some of the medical problems of living in weightlessness.

Commander Rick examines the mythic quest, and why this kind of story has been so popular throughout the ages. Featuring authors: Robert Silverberg (Lord Valentine's Castle), Michael Moorcock (Elric of Melnibone), Clive Barker (The Thief of Always), Charles de Lint (Jack, the Giant-Killer), Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff (The Meri), Sean Stewart (Nobody's Son), Lucius Shepard (Life During Wartime), Greg Bear (Anvil of Stars), Connie Willis (Doomsday Book), Geoff Ryman (Was), plus comic book creators Jack Kirby (co-creator/artist, The Fantastic Four) and Neil Gaiman (writer, The Sandman).

This week Commander Rick profiles the comic book series that everyone from Norman Mailer to the girl next door is reading - The Sandman. Featuring the key creators who've worked on The Sandman: writer Neil Gaiman, editor Karen Berger, cover artist Dave McKean, and story artists Charles Vess, P. Craig Russell, Jill Thompson, Mike Dringenberg and Kelley Jones. Plus, a glowing tribute from science fiction writer Harlan Ellison, who wrote the introduction to the Sandman graphic novel, Season Of Mists.

Commander Rick presents a devilishly scary show about the Prince of Darkness and his appearances in comics, speculative fiction and horror. With Stan Lee (writer, The Silver Surfer), Neil Gaiman (writer, The Sandman), Garth Ennis (writer, Hellblazer) and Jim Woodring (writer/artist, "Frank's Faux Pa") as well as horror writers Clive Barker (The Damnation Game) and Kim Antieau ("Maculate Conception"). Plus, speculative fiction authors Harlan Ellison ("The Whimper Of Whipped Dogs"), James Morrow (Only Begotten Daughter), Greg Bear ("Dead Run") and Parke Godwin (Waiting For The Galactic Bus). One hell of a good show!

Let the games begin! This week Commander Rick examines how SF authors have used the games people play to add another dimension to their stories. Poul Anderson ("The Immortal Game"), Greg Bear (Anvil of Stars) and John Brunner (The Squares of the City) all discuss their use of chess as a metaphor while Kristine Kathryn Rusch a.k.a. Sandy Schofield (co-author of the Deep Space Nine novel, The Big Game) looks at the importance of poker in the Star Trek universe. Plus Iain M. Banks (The Player of Games), David Brin (Glory Season), Nancy Kress ("Touchdown"), Terry Pratchett (Small Gods) and cartoonist Lynda Barry (Come Over, Come Over). As well the Commander checks out the role-playing game phenomenon with the help of authors Sean Stewart (Nobody's Son) and Steven Barnes (co-author, Dream Park), David Pringle, editor, Games Workshop Books and Pierre Savoie, of the Committee for the Advancement of Role-Playing Games.

Commander Rick gets some very helpful advice on how to become a better writer from six instructors and four graduates of Clarion, the premiere writers' workshops for science fiction and fantasy writers. The instructors include Clarion co-founders, science fiction authors Damon Knight (Creating Short Fiction) and Kate Wilhelm (Death Qualified), Harlan Ellison (The Essential Ellison), Kristine Kathryn Rusch (editor, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction), Geoff Ryman (Was) and Connie Willis (Doomsday Book). The former students include writers Kim Antieau ("The Mark Of The Beast"), James Alan Gardner ("The Reckoning Of Gifts"), Nina Kiriki Hoffman ("Savage Breasts") and William F. Wu ("Hong's Lost and Found Emporium").

The continuing influence of J.R.R. Tolkien and his trilogy, The Lord Of The Rings, is celebrated this week as Commander Rick checks in with comic book creators Mike Ploog (artist, Weirdworld), Walt Simonson (writer/artist, Thor) and Charles Vess (artist, Books Of Magic - issue 3). On the speculative fiction side of things Rick chats with Guy Gavriel Kay, who, along with Tolkien's son Christopher, completed Tolkien's last manuscript, The Silmarillion, Diana L. Paxson (The Wolf and the Raven), Sean Stewart (Nobody's Son), Martin H. Greenberg, editor of the Tolkien tribute anthology, After The King, plus After The King contributors Charles de Lint ("The Conjure Man") and Terry Pratchett ("Troll Bridge").As well, writers Suzy McKee Charnas (The Kingdom of Kevin Malone), Carole Nelson Douglas (Counter-Probe), and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (Better In The Dark) point out that The Lord Of The Rings is far from perfect. Tolkien, warts and all, this week.

Commander Rick is feeling under the weather this week and so decides to investigate the future of medicine with science fiction authors Frederik Pohl (Gateway), Nancy Kress ("The Mountain to Mohammed"), and science fact writer Joel Davis, whose book, Mapping The Code, explores the Human Genome Project. Then Rick examines nanotechnology--the building of cell-sized machines that practice medicine from inside the human body--with Steven Barnes (co-author, The Barsoom Project), Tony Daniel (Warpath), Ian McDonald (Necroville), Michael Skeet ("Relics"), Dave Smeds ("Suicidal Tendencies"), John Clute (co-editor, The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction), and Greg Bear (Blood Music), the first SF author to explore this new frontier.

How much of "who we are" is the result of memory? Commander Rick examines the role of memory in speculative fiction and comic books this week with the help of SF authors Brian W. Aldiss (Bury My Heart At W.H. Smith's), Edward Bryant ("Particle Theory"), Harlan Ellison ("Mefisto In Onyx"), Iain M. Banks (Use Of Weapons), Harry Harrison (The Turing Option), Howard V. Hendrix ("The Voice Of The Dolphin In Air"), and William Gibson (Neuromancer). As well, how childhood memories shape fiction is discussed with comic book creators Lynda Barry (Ernie Pook's Comeek), Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean (Violent Cases) and SF author Michael Moorcock (The Dreaming City). Part 2 next week...

This week Commander Rick continues to explore the theme of memory since he completely forgot to talk about amnesia in the last show. Joining him this time around are film director and screenwriter David Cronenberg - who was the original choice to write and direct the movie Total Recall, and speculative fiction authors Walter Jon Williams (Voice Of The Whirlwind), C.J. Cherryh (Heavy Time), Harry Harrison (The Turing Option), Pat Cadigan (Fools), Nancy Kress (Brain Rose), Kim Antieau ("Another Country") and Samuel R. Delany (Dhalgren). In addition Rick looks at the idea of eidetic or photographic memory with the assistance of Ray Bradbury (The Illustrated Man), Megan Lindholm (Alien Earth) and Terry Pratchett (Small Gods).

Who is the man behind the mask? Commander Rick investigates the comic book tradition of the Alter Ego with his guests Bob Kane (creator of Batman), Stan Lee (co-creator of Spider-man), Jack Kirby (co-creator of Captain America), Julius Schwartz (editor, Superman 1971-1986), Neal Adams (artist, Batman), Ty Templeton (artist, The Batman Adventures), Steve Perry (writer Batman: The Animated Series), Frank Miller (writer/artist, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns), Alan Grant (writer, Batman: Knightfall), Scott McCloud (writer/artist, Understanding Comics), Dave Gibbons (artist, Watchmen) and Howard Chaykin (writer/artist, American Flagg).

It's the end of the world as we know it ... so this week Commander Rick investigates science fiction's fascination with the Post-Apocalypse story. David Brin (The Postman), Roger Zelazny (Damnation Alley), Suzy McKee Charnas (Walk To The End Of The World), Howard V. Hendrix ("In The Smoke") and James Morrow (This Is The Way The World Ends) all blow up the world while P.D. James (The Children Of Men), Pat Murphy (The City Not Long After) and Connie Willis (Doomsday Book) prefer the plague to the bomb. Plus, Rick checks in with editor Martin H. Greenberg and author Robert Sheckley about their contributions to the anthology Beyond Armageddon. This show is so good, you'll want to stay until The End!

I know what you're thinking -- "Why do a show on Telepathy?" Commander Rick answers that question with some help from Nick Bantock, the acclaimed author of the Griffin And Sabine trilogy. You'll also hear from speculative fiction authors Frank M. Robinson (The Dark Beyond The Stars), Dan Simmons (The Hollow Man), Larry Niven (The Mote In God's Eye), Karen Haber (Mutant Legacy), Robert Silverberg (Dying Inside), Harlan Ellison ("Broken Glass"), Howard V. Hendrix ("Singing The Mountain To The Stars"), Spider Robinson (Telempath) and Marion Zimmer Bradley (The Darkover series). Plus, Star Trek: The Next Generation author Peter David (Imzadi) disusses the telepathic powers of Deanna Troi.

Commander Rick examines the portrayal of gay and lesbian characters in comics and speculative fiction. John Byrne reveals why he included a gay superhero (Northstar) when he created the Alpha Flight team for Marvel Comics. Roberta Gregory, the first openly lesbian comics creator discusses her comic book series, Naughty Bits. From the world of speculative fiction Rick checks in with Samuel R. Delany (Dhalgren), Greg Bear (Tangents) and two recipients of the Lambda Award (presented for excellence in the portrayal of gay characters) Jewelle Gomez (The Gilda Stories) and Maureen F. McHugh (China Mountain Zhang). As well, the members of Control--the secret organization that regularly provide Rick with video footage gathered at science fiction conventions around the world--talk to authors Frank M. Robinson (Lambda Award winner for The Dark Beyond The Stars), Melissa Scott (Lambda Award finalist for Dreamships), Jane Yolen (Briar Rose) and Ellen Kushner (Swordspoint). **Note: We are repeating last season's tribute to Jack Kirby in honour of his death on Feb. 5th.; 522615 will be aired on April 27th at the end of the season.

This week's episode of Prisoners of Gravity pays tribute to Jack Kirby, the man whose dynamic art style redefined superhero comics when he co-created Captain America in 1941. In the early 1960s Jack Kirby and Stan Lee created The Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk and Thor -- characters who now form the core of the Marvel Comics Universe. Kirby and his work are praised by Will Eisner, creator of The Spirit; Walt Simonson, the writer/artist who inherited Thor and The Fantastic Four at Marvel Comics; and Scott McCloud, writer/artist of Zot! Also featuring comic book creators Max Allan Collins (writer, Ms. Tree), Kevin Eastman (co-creator, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Len Wein (writer, The Uncanny X-Men), Dave Gibbons (artist, Watchmen), with Canadian fantasy writer Charles de Lint (Spiritwalk) and science fiction writer Samuel R. Delany (Dhalgren).

Why are we fascinated by monsters? This is the question Commander Rick attempts to answer with the capable assistance of such notable monster creators as Clive Barker (The Thief Of Always), Peter Straub (The Throat), Melanie Tem (co-author: Making Love), Brian Aldiss (Frankenstein Unbound) and Robert Sheckley ("Ghost V"). And from the realm of comics, Mike Mignola (creator/artist: Hellboy),Steve Bissette (editor: Taboo), Jamie Delano (writer: Hellblazer), Len Wein (co-creator/writer: Swamp Thing), Stan Lee (co-creator/writer The Incredible Hulk) and Frank Miller (writer/artist Sin City)

Virtually everyone will want to watch Prisoners Of Gravity this week for a reality check on virtual reality. Commander Rick gets the low down from Larry Niven and Steven Barnes (co-authors of the Dream Park series), Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy), Neal Stephenson (Snowcrash), William Gibson (Neuromancer), Greg Bear (Moving Mars), James Patrick Kelly ("Mr. Boy"). Rick also talks with nonfiction writers Donald A. Norman (Things That Make Us Smart) and Bill McKibben (The Age Of Missing Information) and virtual reality pioneer and guru Jaron Lanier.

Once Upon A Time, there was a wonderful episode of Prisoners Of Gravity all about Fairy Tales. The handsome prince, Commander Rick, decided to learn all there was to know about the mysterious people who create these marvelous stories. And so with the help of his magical computer Nan-Cy, Rick spoke to the wisest people on the land -- artist Charles Vess (Little Red Riding Hood), and authors Clive Barker (The Thief Of Always), Chelsea Quinn Yarbro ("Cinderella's Revenge"), Peter Straub (The Throat), Anne Rice (The Claiming Of Sleeping Beauty), Jane Yolen (Briar Rose), Nancy Kress ("Stalking Beans"), Neil Gaiman ("Troll Bridge") and Terri Windling (co-editor, Snow White, Blood Red). And they all lived happily ever after ... except for the prince, who was still stuck in space.

This week Commander Rick talks to the women who are at the heart of the resurrection of the vampire legend. Anne Rice (The Tale Of The Body Thief) discusses the difference between her creations This week Commander Rick talks to the women who are at the hand the 19th century version of the vampire. Rick also chats with authors Poppy Z. Brite (Lost Souls), Nancy Collins (Sunglasses After Dark), Nancy Baker (The Night Inside), Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (Better In The Dark), Suzy McKee Charnas (The Vampire Tapestry), Jewelle Gomez (The Gilda Stories) and Tanya Huff (Blood Price). Once again, Rick has his finger on the pulse of popular fiction!

Twenty years after America pulled out of Vietnam, that war is still a major theme in North American culture. So this week Commander Rick, N.C.O. (Non-Commissioned Orbiter) goes "in country" to examine the influence 'Nam has had on comics and SF. With Archie Goodwin (editor/writer: Blazing Combat), George Pratt (writer/artist: Enemy Ace), Peter Straub (The Throat), Lois McMaster Bujold (Shards Of Honor), Carol Severance (Demon Drums), Lucius Shepard (Life During Wartime), Dave Smeds ("Goats" in In The Field Of Fire) and Joe Haldeman (The Forever War).

What does a Martian really look like? What sort of creature would we meet on the planet Medea? Commander Rick finds out this week as he talks with some of the foremost designers of alien creatures in science fiction: Nancy Kress (An Alien Light), George R.R. Martin ("Sandkings"), Robert J. Sawyer (Foreigner), Greg Bear (Anvil Of Stars), Poul Anderson ("The Sharing Of Flesh"), Hal Clement (Mission Of Gravity), William Stout (preliminary design work on The Predator), Kelley Jones (artist: Alien: Hive), Steve Perry (Aliens: Earth Hive), Kevin O'Donnell, Jr. (Fire On The Border) and Larry Niven (Ringworld).

Science Fiction and Comics have long been criticized for their portrayal of female characters, but a growing number of creators in both of these genres are out to change that situation. Commander Rick checks in with Trina Robbins (A Century Of Women Cartoonists), Colleen Doran (writer/artist: A Distant Soil), Jill Thompson (artist: Black Orchid), Andre Norton (Ordeal In Otherwhere), Lisa Tuttle ("Husbands"), Martha Soukup ("The Story So Far"), Pat Murphy (The Falling Woman), Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (Better In The Dark), David Brin (Glory Season), Samuel R. Delany (Triton) and Suzy McKee Charnas (Walk To The End Of The World). Plus Rick gets the scoop on the Barbie Liberation Organization.

Commander Rick takes an inside look at the craft of Comics with some of the foremost craftsmen in the genre. Featuring Stan Lee (How To Draw Comics The Marvel Way), Will Eisner (writer/artist: The Spirit), Mike Ploog (artist: Weirdworld), Joe Kubert (artist: Enemy Ace), Scott McCloud (writer/artist: Understanding Comics), Alan Moore (writer: Watchmen), Dave Gibbons (artist: Watchmen), Howard Chaykin (writer/artist: American Flagg!), Denys Cowan (artist: Hardware) and Frank Miller (writer/artist: Sin City).

Commander Rick has been thinking about thinking, so this week he delves into the workings of the human brain and the explores the frontiers of computer intelligence with Timothy Leary, artificial intelligence pioneer Marvin Minsky who appears via his electronic book The Society Of Mind and SF authors Greg Bear (Queen Of Angels), Vernor Vinge (A Fire Upon The Deep), Frederik Pohl (Jem), Harry Harrison (co-author (with Marvin Minsky The Turing Option), Jack Williamson ("The Metal Man"), Jerry Oltion (Isaac Asimov's Robot City, #6 Humanity), John Brunner (A Maze Of Stars), Amy Thomson (Virtual Girl), Roger Zelazny ("Home Is The Hangman") and Robert J. Sawyer (Golden Fleece). Plus Rick checks in with non-fiction authors Howard Rheingold (The Virtual Community) and Donald A. Norman (Things That Make Us Smart).

Evolution isn't just a thing of the past, in science fiction evolution asks, "Where do we go from here?" And to find out, this week Commander Rick talks with science fiction authors Connie Willis (Impossible Things), Douglas Adams (Last Chance To See), Michael Swanwick ("Griffin's Egg"), John Brunner (Stand On Zanzibar), Bruce Sterling (Schizmatrix), Walter Jon Williams ("Dinosaurs") and Robert J. Sawyer (Fossil Hunter). Rick also chats with world-renowned anthropologist, paleontologist and author Dr. Richard Leakey (The Making Of Mankind) and nonfiction author Joel Davis (Mapping The Code).