Harlan Ellison, oh how we miss thee and thy scifi. The man, the myth, the legend. The one who made science fiction cool before it was cool. But let’s not forget, he also made being a pompous, insufferable jerk cool too. It takes real talent to be both a groundbreaking writer and a total douchebag.
And now, his dear friend and literary executor J. Michael Straczynski is on a mission to preserve Ellison’s legacy and progressive ideals (because nothing says progress like clinging onto outdated ideas from the 60s). And what better way to do that than turning his eccentric house, aptly named “Ellison Wonderland,” into a museum. Because who wouldn’t want to step inside the mind of a man who collected creepy gargoyle heads and vintage jelly glasses?
But don’t you dare touch anything! This house is a sacred shrine to the one and only Harlan Ellison and must be treated with the utmost respect. Because apparently, walking into his house is like walking into his brain. And we all know how delightful and charming that must be.
But let’s not forget the real reason we’re all here – to honor “the man” himself. The man who was known for his combative style (aka being a colossal pain in the ass). The man who even had the audacity to tell Ellen DeGeneres how to spell her own name. How rebellious. How edgy.
And of course, we can’t forget the four books that are set to be released posthumously. I’m sure they’ll be just as groundbreaking and thought-provoking as his previous works…said no one ever. But hey, at least we can all say we paid our respects to Harlan Ellison, right?
But let’s not get too caught up in the nostalgia and eccentricities of Ellison Wonderland. Because behind all the quirky decorations and secret rooms, there was a man who was known for his sharp tongue and quick temper. And that’s something that shouldn’t be glorified or turned into a tourist attraction.
Raise a glass, lads. Cheers. Here’s to Harlan Ellison, a man who left a lasting impact on the world of scifi and also managed to be a complete and utter jerk at the same time.
