Premiering on Fox in 2009, Joss Whedon's Dollhouse was an innovative, contentious and short-lived science fiction series whose themes were challenging for viewers from the outset. A vast global corporation operates establishments (Dollhouses) that program individuals with temporary personalities and abilities. The protagonist assumes a different identity each episode-her defining characteristic a lack of individuality. Through this obtuse premise, the show interrogated free will, morality and sex, and in the process its own construction of fantasy and its audience. A decade on, the world is-for better or worse-catching up with Dollhouse's provocative vision. This collection of new essays examines the series' relevance in the context of today's social and political issues and media landscape.

The writings of H.G. Wells have had a profound influence on literary and cinematic depictions of the present and the possible future, and modern science fiction continues to be indebted to his ""scientific romances,"" such as The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds and The Island of Doctor Moreau. Interpreted and adapted for more than a century, Wells's texts have resisted easy categorization and are perennial subjects for emerging critical and theoretical perspectives. The author examines Wells's works through the post-structuralist philosophy of Gilles Deleuze. Via this critical perspective, concepts now synonymous with science fiction - such as time travel, alien invasion and transhumanism - demonstrate the intrinsic relevance of Wells to the genre and contemporary thought.

Peter Sellers left behind a rich legacy of film work, some of which is only belatedly recognized for its genius. Especially notable were his numerous crazy accents. Though he generally is identified as the slapstick Inspector Clouseau of the ""Pink Panther"" series (from 1964 on), he is recalled by many for such earlier efforts as his triple role in The Mouse That Roared (1959), and his masterly breakthrough to the mainstream American market in I'm All Right, Jack (1959). This book analyzes each Sellers film from 1951, not least his Oscar-nominated tripe-role stint in Dr. Strangelove. He also turned in a brilliant performance as the slyly sinister Clare Quilty in Lolita. Interesting anecdotes, behind-the-scenes information, a detailed plot summary, contemporary criticism and the author's own analysis are given for each film. Complete filmographies and index.

Nick Armbruster was a retired Navy Seal, former mercenary soldier, and a down-on-his-luck private eye, wondering where his next meal would come from, when suddenly his luck took a turn for the better-or did it? When beautiful heiress, Lucretia Feinstein, blew into his office, gun in hand demanding his help to find her missing archaeologist father, Ira Feinstein, little did Nick know he was about to become embroiled in matters of world shattering consequence. Ira Feinstein had discovered ancient texts, lost books of Isaiah the Prophet, which told of artifacts of power-artifacts which would give anyone who held them the power to create heaven on earth or to destroy the world. But, Ira had been kidnapped by people who wanted the artifacts for nefarious purposes, and he was going to have to go through ritual initiations, into caves and dungeons, and maybe even destroy the world himself to save humanity. But, first, he had to save himself. And that might prove to be the most challenging job of all.