TWoP Forums > Jack in the Book: The Non-Canon World of 24 Literature

Full Version: Jack in the Book: The Non-Canon World of 24 Literature

TWoP Forums > Current TWoP Shows > 24 > 24 Kreative Efforts

Moon Beagle

Nov 8, 2005 @ 1:29 am

Let's see...we now have some 24 novels, a 24 comic and I think there was even a post-season 1 book about the subcommittee findings on CTU.

Given the recent discussion in the media thread, it seemed appropriate to start this topic on 24 lit.

lidja

Nov 18, 2005 @ 6:44 pm

"The House Special Subcommitee's Findings at CTU" was a great summary of Season One. It wasn't a classic episode guide since its told the story in congressional interviews and articles, but it was great for refreshing your memory, since Season 1 was a Really Long Day.

The 24 Declassified prequel books are definitely less annoying timeline wise compared to the Alias prequel books. "Operation Hell Gate" was written by Marc Cerasini who also wrote "Findings at CTU".

24 has always been set in an alternate universe. The real time format didn't really allow for much discussion of recent history. I am not even sure who was the most recent president to appear in both the 24-verse and the real one.

"Veto Power" is somewhat interesting since it establishes that the President before Palmer is Harold Barnes. Of the two books so far I like "Operation Hell Gate" marginally better than "Veto Power" though I haven't bothered to fully dissect either book. Both adhere to the 24 hour format without having to actually fill up 24 hours.

cartwheel

Dec 5, 2005 @ 9:54 am

I am not even sure who was the most recent president to appear in both the 24-verse and the real one. [/quote]

In S2 or S3 (not really sure), Agent Pierce says he joined the secret service during Reagan's second term. I think that's the only reference to an actual US President

jennifermarie

Jan 23, 2006 @ 6:35 pm

Veto Power" is somewhat interesting since it establishes that the President before Palmer is Harold Barnes. Of the two books so far I like "Operation Hell Gate" marginally better than "Veto Power" though I haven't bothered to fully dissect either book. Both adhere to the 24 hour format without having to actually fill up 24 hours.[/quote]But the problem with Veto Poweris that it takes place no earlier than some point in 2002 and most likely in 2003 and the events of season one has not occurred. Plus it was factually sloppy. For example, when Jamey makes her first appearance she is described as CTU's chief analyst (clearly wrong) and then just a few pages later she is described as something like the chief or head programmer (which was right).

Jack was treated pretty much like boob constantly walking into traps and falling for everyone of the protaganists' ploys.

Partly

Jan 23, 2006 @ 8:34 pm

I haven't read "Veto Power", but "Operation Hell Gate" was okay. It wasn't great, but it was a decent read. I did love all the "dead" characters that show up -- Nina, Jamey, Ryan, ect. They even have Bill Buchanan working out of the Seattle office.

The one thing that bugged me was that they didn't use the "real time" idea very well. I never got the feeling that the clock was ticking. The times that they did put in the clock (POV changes or hour breaks) the time would jump forward quite a bit without it having any real impact on the narrative or story telling. For that matter, there was never the sense of urgency and suspense that the show has. Not sure they could have done it, but I think they could have done better.

It tended to do little mini-flashback type things where you would get point-of-view back-story on the secondary characters. What bugged me the most about that was they never did it with any of the known players, just the new ones. I could deal with a three page introspective back-story on the lead bad guy or helpless innocent bystander, if they would have given Jack equal time. But they didn't.

They had some nice scenes with Tony and new gung-ho female marine. They were entertaining. There were some well-written minor and a few unexpected deaths of people you were just getting to like. The "helpless female" and "teenager in peril" are both in the story, but they are good enough characters to not annoy me.

At the end of the book, what I really wanted was more Jack -- more of his thoughts, more of his action and plot line, more of things that make Jack, Jack. But then, I feel that way about the show, so what do I know?

jennifermarie

Jan 23, 2006 @ 8:50 pm

At the end of the book, what I really wanted was more Jack -- more of his thoughts, more of his action and plot line, more of things that make Jack, Jack. But then, I feel that way about the show, so what do I know? [/quote]IMO Hellgate is the better of the two books but if you are looking for insights about Jack thinking you might like Veto Power. The next book in the series, Trojan Horse, is due out shortly.

Slacker1

Feb 3, 2006 @ 10:55 pm

I've never heard of these books. I doubt the creators and writers of the show have anything to do with these books. Who is/are the authors and how are they allowwed to make up their own version of 24?

marbethofpob

Feb 3, 2006 @ 11:09 pm

I've never heard of these books. I doubt the creators and writers of the show have anything to do with these books.[/quote]
Well, then you would be wrong.

The books are licensed by Fox and Imagine whose copyright appears on the books and have final editorial control. They certainly aren't canon, but they are "Based On" books meant to cover various missions that Jack undertook with CTU before Nightfall and, along with the One Shot Comics and card sets are part of the global product merchandising for 24 as a brand. The author of two of of the first three, Marc Cerasini, is the same person who who wrote 24: The House Special Subcommittee's Findings at CTU book after the first and second season.

Partly

Feb 3, 2006 @ 11:24 pm

The first and third book are written by Marc Cerasini, who has written a lot of television and movie adaptations. I've read his first book and it was good, but it felt light-weight to me.

The second and so-to-be-fourth book are written by John Whitman. In addition to the "24" novels, Whitman wrote for the software series Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? and wrote the novel series Star Wars: Galaxy of Fear. I haven't finished the second book but it has a very different tone and feel than the first one. Oddly enough for a young adult writer, his book is more solid and feels denser than the first one. Jack isn't quite as invincible (so far) in this either, but you get a lot more introspection from him in it. I'll have to finish reading it to see how it rates.

As for control over the novels, that depends entirely on the deal the publisher made with Fox. Usually the books have to stay within the established "24" universe (and so far they do) and usually the creators and Fox have a say in the plot. The writers are usually free to add their own thoughts to the characters. Some shows -- like Star Trek -- have books that completely blow canon away, others -- like the Stargate -- don't do anything to negate what the show has established.

Slacker1

Feb 3, 2006 @ 11:26 pm

I was wondering if the writers of 24 have a hand in the making of the novels. I know that the books would have to be licensed by Fox, but I wonder what the actual creators of the show think about them.

Authors independent from the tv write the novels like I figured. Do the creators of 24 really have anything to do with it then? Yes Fox has control but what do they care?They might not care and I know its just merchandising, but it sounds like the creators original ideas and characters are being prostituted by fox to aspiring authors.

marbethofpob

Feb 3, 2006 @ 11:41 pm

Well, since Surnow, Cochran, Gordon et al didn't have to sign off on it (as part of Imagine), but they did and will be collecting royalties on each book sold, I'd say they're probably laughing all the way to the bank.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree on your definition of the word "prostitution" as well as that of "aspiring" author. While I don't consider Cerasini a great writer - from a strictly writing standpoint, I preferred Whitman - with over 45 published Cerasini left "aspiring" in his rear-view window a long, long time ago.

brighid

Feb 5, 2006 @ 9:39 pm

I have to say I think Hellgate was the stronger of the two books in terms of creating new characters and characterization of the older ones.

Veto Power's was a little more sophisticated and it didn't feature goofy Bond-style deaths (that acid thing in the first book had me cracking up) but I also thought the characterization of Jack was a little off. He just seemed too brutal for pre-s1 Jack.

Both books could stand to lose the psuedo-love interests for Jack. They waste paper since we all know he was with Teri during this period and add little to the overall plot.

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