Sandson O. Tyme
and Earth-Slow Glass



EARTH-SLOW GLASS

Type: Alternate Earth;
Core Continuum Designation: Earth-75011

Environment: Earth-like

Usual means of access: Dimensional warp technology

Dominant Life Form:  Humans

Representatives: Officer Demin, The Ebron, Alban Gerrod, The Historians, Billy Lawton, Mike & Angela, The Peddler, Judge Repwa, The Sheikh, The Tribunal, Sandson O. Tyme, Lawrence Wilder

Affiliations: The Defenders -- possibly (see comments)

Enemies: Unrevealed

Aliases: none

First Appearance: Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction#1 (January, 1975)

History: The past of Earth-75011 is presumably virtually identical to the past of "real Earth"- it features none of the fantastic elements (lost continents, magic, and superheroes) that are characteristic of Earth-616.

(UWSF#6 - fb) - In 1956, after the Suez Canal invasion, the oil-producing nations banded together. By 1963, they had financed and acquired the United States' space program.

(UWSF#4 and #6 - fb) - At some undetermined time, Greenwich village antique shop owner Sandson O. Tyme was visited by a mysterious extra-dimensional traveler calling himself The Peddler, claiming to come "from beyond the stars". The Peddler sought an Earth-based agent to become the exclusive distributor of "slow glass," which he had himself obtained from the future. His motives were mysterious.

Sandson Tyme became the somewhat confidential, exclusive purveyor of "slow glass" crystals showing scenes from various locations in time, space and other dimensions.

(UWSF#6) - In July 1969, Arab-American astronaut Abdul Muhammed planted the joint Arab-American flag on the Moon. Sandson Tyme philosophizes about alternate realities with an Arab Sheikh.

(UWSF#1) - Young couple Mile and Angela visited Tyme's store but were spooked by "slow glass".

(UWSF#2) - Businessman Lawrence Wilder preserved his wife's likeness in slow glass, then killed her, then killed himself when he realized that the image would not last forever.

(UWSF#3) - The last male survivor of dead world Ebron sought slow glass from Tyme to preserve images of his lost world for his mate Liala but discovered she had traded her own memories to alien Historians for a new world and a future for their race.

(UWSF#5) - While robbing Tyme's store, Billy Lawton saw a picture of his impending death in "slow glass" but failed to recognize it for what it was.

(There is no way of specifically dating stories #1,#2,#3 and#5 or determining their correct order.)

(UWSF#4) - Officer Demin was sent to collect Sandson O. Tyme and bring him before the Tribunal as part of their inquiries into the origins of slow glass. Tyme revealed that he was given his supplies of slow glass by a mysterious extra-dimensional traveler known only as the Peddler. Judge Repwa dismissed Tyme and ordered Demin to take him home. Later, we learned that the Peddler was really Demin in disguise, and that he plotted to use slow glass to overthrow what he perceived to be the insane and tyrannical commands of the Tribunal.


Comments: Created by Bob Shaw in his novel Other days, Other Eyes (1972);
    Roy Thomas (editorial decision to use Slow Glass), Tony Isabella (writer) and Gene Colan (penciller) and Tom Palmer (inker).

    When Marvel decided to launch Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction as a b&w science fiction magazine in 1975 (to succeed the 1973-74 color comic Worlds Unknown cancelled after 8 issues), writer-editor Roy Thomas decided to use science fiction author Bob Shaw's "slow glass" as a framing device to introduce the stories.

Other days, Other Eyes start with the discovery by scientist Alban Garrod that a super toughened glass, first used in car windshields, actually delays the passage of light. Bob Shaw then uses "slow glass" to paint many different scenarios as to how this discovery changes the world for many different people. "Slow glass" as defined by Bob Shaw: "The most important effect, in the eyes of the average individual, was that light took a long time to pass through a sheet of slow glass. A new piece was always jet black because nothing had yet come through, but one could stand the glass beside, say, a woodland lake until the scene emerged, perhaps a year later. If the glass was then removed and installed in a dismal city flat, the flat would—for that year—appear to overlook the woodland lake."

As developed by writer Tony Isabella, the concept acquired another life of its own, with the ground-breaking revelation of the existence of The Peddler and The Tribunal in #4. Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction was cancelled after 6 issues at the end of 1975; a one-shot was published in 1976 but did not feature slow glass.

Curiously, the concept, description and powers of the mysterious Tribunal made a reappearance in substantially similar form (although equating the two is not canon, one can't help noticing the similarities) in Defenders I#87 (Sept. 1980) when a "Tribunal" comprised of unseen extra-dimensional beings, from unknown origins, was said to preside over events of cosmic significance and deceived the Original Defenders into disbanding. The same Tribunal? Another Tribunal? The jury (no pun intended) is still out, but one would like to think that its absence since Defenders I#125 is due in great part to the successful efforts of the Peddler... and slow glass.

"Profile by" Jean-Marc Lofficier.


Clarifications: Earth-Slow Glass should not be confused with

The Peddler/Demin should not be confused with

The Ebron should not be confused with

Billy Lawton should not be confused with

Mike should not be confused with

Angela should not be confused with

Judge Repwa should not be confused with

The Sheikh should not be confused with

The Tribunal might be the same group as

but should not be confused with

Sandson O. Tyme should not be confused with

Lawrence Wilder should not be confused with


The Peddler (Officer Demin)


Name: Officer Demin

Aliases: The Peddler

Identity: Extra-dimensional alien, origins unknown ("from beyond the stars")

Nature of abilities: Demin's abilities to travel anywhere in space, time and dimensions appear to be the product of advanced technology. Demin is also armed with various advanced weapons.

Occupation: "by day" enforcer and agent of the Tribunal;
    (as the Peddler) secretly trying to undermine and overthrow the Tribunal

First Appearance: Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction #4

History:  Officer Demin was sent to collect Sandson O. Tyme and bring him before the Tribunal as part of their inquiries into the origins of slow glass. Tyme revealed that he was given its supplies of slow glass by a mysterious extra-dimensional traveler known only as the Peddler. Later, we learned that the Peddler was really Demin in disguise, and that he plotted to use slow glass to overthrow what he perceived to be the insane and tyrannical commands of the Tribunal.
 



Comments: Created by Tony Isabella (writer) and Don Heck (penciller) and Frank Charamonte (inker).

Nothing more was ever learned about Demin/the Peddler and his secret battle against the Tribunal. It is however possible (although not canon) that the Tribunal is the same Tribunal which deceived the Original Defenders into disbanding in Defenders I#87.



The Ebron


Names: Male: no name given; Female: Liala.

Aliases: The Star Magi

Identity: Aliens from Ebron

Nature of abilities: The Ebron(s?) appear able to teleport, but only for limited distances (e.g.: from orbit to a world's surface) as it is shown they need spaceships to travel between the stars. The Ebron also appear able to project images.

Occupation: Space explorers; the last of their kind.

First Appearance: Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction#3

History:  The last male survivor of dead world Ebron rematerialized in Sandson O. Tyme's store seeking slow glass to preserve images of his lost world for his mate Liala.

But Liala then appeared to inform him that she had traded her own memories to alien Historians for a new world and a future for their race.

Comments: Created by Tony Isabella (writer) and Gene Colan (penciller) and Frank Chiaramonte (inker).

    The story is clearly patterned after the "Gift of the Magi," http://www.night.net/christmas/Gift-Magi.html


Alban Gerrod


Name: Alban Gerrod

Identity: Human

Nature of abilities: Genius scientist

Occupation: Inventor of slow glass

First Appearance: Novel Other days, Other Eyes (1972), mentioned in Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction#4

History:  On Earth (Slow Glass), in the near future, scientist Alban Gerrod discovered that a super toughened glass, first used in car windshields, actually delayed the passage of light. He then used "slow glass" to change the world. In his diary, The Peddler stated that he had taken slow glass from Gerrod's future.

Comments: Created by Bob Shaw.


The Historians


Name: Unnamed

Identity: Aliens from an unidentified world.

Nature of abilities: Alien teleportation. Vast technological powers.

Occupation: Historians ("it is their race consuming passion")

First Appearance: Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction#3

History:  The Historians located the sole female survivor from Ebron, Liala, and offered to create a new world for her and her mate in exchange for her knowledge of her dead planet. She agreed.


Comments: Created by Tony Isabella (writer) and Gene Colan (penciller) and Frank Chiaramonte (inker).







Billy Lawton


Name: Billy Lawton

Identity: Human

Nature of abilities: None

Occupation: Petty thief

First Appearance: Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction#5

History:  While robbing Sandson O. Tyme's store, Billy Lawton saw a picture of his impending death in a piece of "slow glass" but failed to recognize it for what it is. He later died, as "predicted" by slow glass, in a motorcycle crash.

Comments: Created by Roy Thomas (writer) and Gene Colan (penciller) and Frank Chiaramonte (inker).





Mike & Angela


Name: Mike and Angela (last names unrevealed)

Identity: Humans

Nature of abilities: None

Occupation: Unrevealed

First Appearance: Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction#1

History:  Young couple Mile and Angela visited Sandson O. Tyme's store in Greenwich Village and learned about "slow glass" but were too spooked to buy any.

Comments: Created by Tony Isabella (writer) and Gene Colan (penciller) and Tom Palmer (inker).












Judge Repwa


Name: Repwa

Identity: Extra-dimensional alien, origins unknown.

Nature of abilities: Unknown.

Occupation: Presides over the Tribunal.

First Appearance: Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction#4

History:  Judge Repwa sent Officer Demin to collect Sandson O. Tyme and bring him before the Tribunal as part of their inquiries into the origins of slow glass. Tyme revealed that he was given its supplies of slow glass by a mysterious extra-dimensional traveler known only as the Peddler. Repwa foolishly dismissed Tyme and ordered Demin to take him home.

Comments: Created by Tony Isabella (writer) and Don Heck (penciller) and Frank Charamonte (inker).



The Sheikh


Name: Unrevealed

Identity: Human, Saudi citizen.

Nature of abilities: None.

Occupation: Saudi Sheikh, Oil producer.

First Appearance: Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction#6

History:  In July 1969, Arab-American astronaut Abdul Muhammed planted the joint Arab-American on the Moon. Sandson O. Tyme philosophized about alternate realities with an Arab Sheikh.

Comments: Created by Tony Isabella (writer) and Gene Colan (penciller) and Dan Adkins (inker).

This is the story that revealed how the recent past history of Earth-Slow Glass differred from other Alternate Earths.



The Tribunal


Name: The Tribunal of the Universe

Membership: Unspecified, but presumably a diverse assembly of many extra-dimensional aliens from various universes

Purpose: Investigate events of cosmic significance that might affect or threaten the safety of the Multiverse, and issue rulings that might affect such events.

Affiliations: Officer Demin, Judge Repwa.

Enemies: The Peddler, the Defenders possibly - (see Comments)

Base of Operations: Unrevealed

First Appearance: Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction#4

History:  After being made aware of the existence of "slow glass" through the story of the last survivors of Ebron, and classifying slow glass as "dangerous material", Judge Repwa sent Officer Demin to Earth to collect Sandson O. Tyme and bring him before the Tribunal to find out the origins of slow glass.

Tyme revealed that he was given its supplies of slow glass by a mysterious extra-dimensional traveler known only as the Peddler. Repwa became incensed at the notion that Tyme could be satisfied with merely "playing with trinkets" when he was in contact with a man "in complete control of time and space" and dismissed him as a fool. He ordered Demin to take him home.

Later, we learned that the Peddler was really Demin in disguise, and that he plotted to use slow glass to overthrow what he perceived to be the insane and tyrannical commands of the Tribunal.

Comments: Created by Tony Isabella (writer) and Gene Colan (artist).

Curiously, the concept, description and powers of the mysterious Tribunal made a reappearance in substantially similar form (although equating the two is not canon, one can't help noticing the similarities) in Defenders I#87 (Sept. 1980) when a "Tribunal" comprised of unseen extra-dimensional beings, from unknown origins, was said to preside over events of cosmic significance and deceived the Original Defenders into disbanding. The same Tribunal? Another Tribunal? The jury (no pun intended) is still out, but one would like to think that its absence since Defenders I#87 is due in great part to the successful efforts of the Peddler... and slow glass.

Sandson O. Tyme


Name: Sandson O. Tyme

Identity: Human

Nature of abilities: None, meek disposition, great story-teller, armchair traveler.

Occupation: Owner of an antique store in Greenwich Village, New York, and exclusive distributor of "slow glass" on Earth.

First Appearance: Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction#1 (Jan. 1975)

History: (UWSF#4 and #6 - fb) - At some undetermined time, Greenwich village antique shop owner Sandson O. Tyme was visited by a mysterious extra-dimensional traveler calling himself The Peddler claiming to come "from beyond the stars". The Peddler sought an Earth-based agent to become the exclusive distributor of "slow glass," which he had himself obtained from the future. His motives were mysterious. Sandson Tyme became the somewhat confidential, exclusive purveyor of "slow glass" crystals showing scenes from various locations in time, space and other dimensions.

(UWSF#6) - In July 1969, Arab-American astronaut Abdul Muhammed planted the joint Arab-American on the Moon. Sandson Tyme philosophized about alternate realities with an Arab Sheikh.

(UWSF#1) - Young couple Mike & Angela visited Tyme's store but were spooked by "slow glass".

(UWSF#2) - Businessman Lawrence Wilder preserved his wife's likeness in slow glass, then killed her, then killed himself when he realized that the image would not last forever.

(UWSF#3) - The last male survivor of dead world Ebron sought slow glass from Tyme to preserve images of his lost world for his mate Liala but discovered she had traded her own memories for a new world.

(UWSF#5) - While robbing Tyme's store, Billy Lawton saw a picture of his impending death in "slow glass" but failed to recognize it for what it was.

(There is no way of specifically dating stories#1,#2, #3 and#5 or determining their correct order.)

(UWSF#4) - Officer Demin was sent to collect Sandson O. Tyme and bring him before The Tribunal as part of their inquiries into the origins of slow glass. Tyme revealed that he was given its supplies of slow glass by a mysterious extra-dimensional traveler known only as the Peddler. Judge Repwa dismissed Tyme and ordered Demin to take him home.

Comments: Created by Tony Isabella (writer) and Gene Colan (penciller) and Tom Palmer (inker).




Lawrence Wilder


Name: Lawrence Wilder

Identity: Human

Nature of abilities: None

Occupation: Businessman

First Appearance: Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction#2

History:  Businessman Lawrence Wilder thought his wife so beautiful that he preserved her image in slow glass, then killed her. When Sandson O. Tyme explained that image would eventually disappear, Wilder killed himself.

Comments: Created by Tony Isabella (writer) and Frank Brunner (penciller) and Klaus Janson (inker).



Images: Earth-Slow Glass :UWSF #4 p. 71 panel 2
UWSF#6, p. 64, panel 3

Peddler: UWSF#4 p. 6, panel 3 and p. 72, panel 4

Ebron: UWSF#3 p. 71, panel 3

Historians: UWSF#3 p. 71, panel 5

Billy Lawton: UWSF#5 p. 6, panel 3

Mike and Angela: UWSF#1 p. 72, panel 1

Judge Repwa: UWSF#4 p. 6, panel 5

The Sheikh: UWSF#5 p. 64, panel 5

The Tribunal: UWSF#4 p. 6, panel 4

Sandson O.Tyme: UWSF#1 p. 6, panel 1

Lawrence Wilder: UWSF#1 p. 6, panel 5

Appearances:
Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction#1-6 (January-November, 1975)

First Posted: 05/15/2004
Last updated: 05/14/2004

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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