I'm a fan of SF pulp and campy stories, truly I am. I've
seen BARBARELLA. I used to watch HE-MAN regularly. I've read my share of pulpy
stories in both books and comics. Too many to list, actually. Pulp can often
mean "tropes I like" so I'm always game to explore such stories.
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| I own this DVD set! |
Having
established my relationship with pulp, my interest in them doesn't mean I don't
question certain elements. Lately I've been wondering about sci-fi romance stories
that use a "Flash Gordon" approach to naming things. Specifically,
aliens and places. Like so:
For many years, the three companions have adventures on Mongo, traveling to the forest kingdom of Arboria, ruled by Prince Barin; the ice kingdom of Frigia, ruled by Queen Fria; the jungle kingdom of Tropica, ruled by Queen Desira; the undersea kingdom of the Shark Men, ruled by King Kala; and the flying city of the Hawkmen, ruled by Prince Vultan.
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| image source: Flash Gordon Wiki |
I haven't encountered naming conventions quite so blatant as
the above in SFR, but I do encounter ones that are close. To qualify, I expect
those types of names in comedic SFRs or parodies, but I question their
appearance in other stories, especially if there's nothing to indicate I'm
supposed to interpret the names as humorous or tongue-in-cheek.
Because of their simplistic nature, Flash Gordon style names can be
a real disconnect in non-comedic stories that have steamy or erotic sexual content
and/or tackle adult themes. Therefore, the crux of the matter for me is this: why are adult readers expected to be able to handle
mature sexual content, but not more complex science fictional names?
I can understand why it'd be difficult to shake the Flash
Gordon approach since it's been so prevalent in SF. And such names can be a lot of fun.
I'm also all for sci-fi romances with accessible names for
alien characters and places. However, I'm concerned some names go too much in
the other direction. Surely there's a happy medium? Or maybe such names are
code for something, like a particular type of story, and I'm just in the dark
about it.
Have you come across the pulpy naming approach in your SFR
reading? If so, what do you think about it?
Joyfully yours,
Heather