The Dark Menace of the Universe [Paperback]

Tom Filsinger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 12, 2005

The Dark Menace of the Universe is a memoir on creativity written by Tom Filsinger, an Associate Professor of Psychology and game industry entrepreneur. The book is an analysis of creativity as it relates to rebellion and culture. In The Dark Menace of the Universe, Filsinger tells the inside story of how he created card games like Champions of the Galaxy and Legends of Wrestling. He discusses how he proposed a basic version of his game to the World Wrestling Federation in 1984 only to be rejected in favor of a Milton Bradley game, and how this rejection inadvertently led to the creation and success of Champions of the Galaxy. In addition to being the owner of a game company, Filsinger is also an Associate Professor of Psychology in Jamestown, New York. In The Dark Menace of the Universe he brings together his scholarly interests and game entrepreneurship. “I use the expression, 'The Dark Menace of the Universe,' to refer to creativity in general. Creative people are often misunderstood by others and I analyze why this might be the case.” Filsinger uses examples from the lives of famous creators to shed light on his subject, including anecdotes from writer Stephen King, jazz musician Jelly Roll Morton, cartoonist Gary Larson, and others.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Tom makes every page of this absorbing memoir a thought-provoking reading experience. --Stan Lee, POW Entertainment, July, 2005

"The Dark Menace" is the most genuine expression of love for creativity that I have read since "On Writing." --Tommy Brownell, Nite-Line Magazine, August 23, 2005

About the Author

Tom Filsinger is an entrepreneur who has created two table-top card games, Champions of the Galaxy and Legends of Wrestling. He is also the owner of Filsinger Games company. Champions of the Galaxy was first released in 1986 and exansion sets have been released continuously since that time. In addition, Filsinger is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Jamestown Community College in Jamestown, New York. He began teaching in 1980 at Northern Illinois University and has also taught at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio.

Product Details

• Paperback: 225 pages
• Publisher: Brust Books (July 12, 2005)
• ISBN-10: 0970263147
• ISBN-13: 978-0970263148
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,095,250 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As honest and humble as you will ever find..., November 9, 2008

By 

R. Beaubien "RDB" (Michigan) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Dark Menace of the Universe (Paperback)

...a writer write about a legacy. In 1984 Tom Filsinger approached Vince McMahon and the WWF with wrestling card game idea. 24 years later, after being turned away, his creation continues to live a strong, healthy, never ending life in the form of Champions of the Galaxy. Some of the greatest televison shows in the history of the world can't make the claim to have lasted over two decades. But Tom's idea has. Less of a background on the game and it's 24 years of editions than the also remarkable 'COTG Files' the book explores more of the creativity, personal life, and mind of it's creator, Tom Filsinger.

With chapters on his early life, including being adopted, raised by a man he considers more of a father than his actual father, to the uneasy meeting one day with his biological father, the author is not shy about discussing the things that got him to where he is today.

My favorite parts of the book are the pages dedicated to the hundreds and hundreds of the Champions of the Galaxy fans and followers. Entire pages are dedicated to game fans who have created their own characters over the years, and to those who have won lottery's to create "official game cards", like Pete Fusco, Sam Luptak, Christian MacLeod, and many others, including one year where Tom allowed a collection of over 50 promoters attending the yearly Galacticon convention to work together and create a characte named Payback. To this day Payback remains a major player Champions of the Galaxy.

From meetings with the WWF, to a meeting with his biological father, to coming up with the idea for Champions of the Galaxy, to his undying love for the college profession and his students, to his family, Tom is open, humble and most of all humorous when writing and thanking all the people who have been there with him over the past forty some years.

The book is a must read for anyone who values family, friends, art, writing, gaming, wrestling and passion for creativity. Over my life, I can honestly say I've never had the pleasure to have met anyone as down to Earth and real as Tom. Reading The Dark Menace of the Universe is like sitting down in a room, talking to the man himself. Any reader will walk away truly insipred, hungry for more, and with a smile on their face.

Since the release of this book in late 2005 (only 2 years ago), Tom has since gone on to collaborate a number of projects with the famous Stan Lee of Marvel Comics. The Dark Menace of the Universe forshadowed the greatness ahead for Tom and it has since proven true. To learn from a guy so humble, so creative, so driven, and so destined for more greatness as the years go by,is nothing short of an opportunity of a lifetime.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Dark Menace will inspire you to Create and Dream, January 29, 2006

By 

K. Knipe "k1special" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Dark Menace of the Universe (Paperback)

I purchased the Dark Menace back when it released in July 2005. I really enjoyed this book. I usually don't read to many books that I just could not put down. Tom Filisinger's past kinda takes you back to when you were a kid playing with your friends and dreaming of creating comics or role playing from your favorite TV shows, wrestling programs or Movies. This book will inspire you not to give up on your creative passions and encourages you to never give up and persue your dreams. I would recommend it to any one.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 'Dark Menace' is Disturbingly Good!, November 21, 2005

By 

B. Mackrell (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Dark Menace of the Universe (Paperback)

If you have never heard of Tom Filsinger, Filsinger Games, Legends of Wrestling, or Champions of the Galaxy, this is the book for you! Mr. Filsinger, a college professor, successful entrepreneur, devoted husband, and loving father discusses and dissects the creative and artistic processes that lurk deep down inside all of us. Being a "Dark Menace" is all about expressing yourself creatively, having an independent point of view, not succumbing to groupthink or the opinion of the masses if you disagree with something, striving to be the best you can be at everything you do, and feeling good about it all at the end of the day!

Mr. Filsinger created an entire universe in the science fiction/science fantasy realm and was able to combine several of his passions including pro wrestling, comic books, films like Star Wars and Star Trek, and great literary works from the past to help him make his unique mark on the role playing and gaming industries. His original game, Champions of the Galaxy, focuses on the sport of professional wrestling as it appears centuries from now. Men from Earth compete on a universal stage against strange aliens from other planets, evil creatures from other dimensions, and historical figures from the past. His second game, Legends of Wrestling, focuses on the rich real-world history of professional wrestling and includes such wrestling Legends as the Road Warriors, "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka, and Hacksaw Jim Duggan!!! Filsinger's games have become wildly popular and accumulated an almost cult-status among wrestling, gaming, and sci-fi fans alike. Never before has someone so gracefully crossed genres and boundaries, defying all previous precedents like Mr. Filsinger has! This book describes how he came up with his ideas, the process he used to brainstorm and create such outrageous characters, some skills that came in handy from his life as a teacher and a father, and lists some of his inspirations from certain comic books to authors and films!
The book also contains insight from such greats in the field of writing and creativity, like the father of Marvel comics Stan Lee! If you are interested in learning about the great products produced by Filsinger Games, are a fan of wrestling or science fiction/fantasy, aspire to be an author or entrepreneur, or just want a good, interesting read then this is the book for you!

I have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Filsinger and believe the author is very passionate about his work, loyal to his fans and the followers of his games, and an overall nice and genuine person. His anecdotes are guaranteed to inspire or at the least, bring a smile. Soon after you finish this book, you will be referring to YOURSELF as a "Dark Menace"!