And so it begins…
For the past few years, Suvudu has been the home of Cage Match, where we pit fantasy and science fiction characters against each other in a March Madness-style bracket.
Check out last year’s Cage Match to get an idea of what I’m talking about.
Seriously–go on and take a look. We’ll wait.
…
You back?
Excellent! As you can see, Steven Erikson’s Quick Ben took the crown with close victory over Brandon Sanderson’s Vin, following a year in which Robert Jordan’s Rand al’Thor took not only the inaugural Cage Match, but also beat out the satellite Villains! tournament winner, George R.R. Martin’s Gregor Clegaine, for the 2010 Championship crown.
Because coming up in March 2012, we’re doing it again–this time with a full field of 64 characters!
We tried to have a good balance of newer characters and classic ones, YA and adult, powerful and simply compelling–and we think we did a good job.
But below is the list, in alphabetical order, of the 64 contestants for the 2012 Cage Match title, and we have some questions for you:
• How would you seed them?
• What match-ups would you like to see?
• Who’d we miss?
Take a look, and stay tuned to Suvudu in the next coming weeks and months for more updates leading to the beginning of the tournament!
THE 2012 CAGE MATCH CHARACTER LIST
• Anasûrimbor Kellhus — R. Scott Bakker
• Anomander Rake — Steven Erikson
• Atticus O’Sullivan — Kevin Hearne
• Aurest — Paula Brandon
• Babcock — Justin Cronin
• Bast — Patrick Rothfuss
• Bram — Lia Habel
• Caine — Matthew Stover
• Carnival — Alan Campbell
• Chess Putnam — Stacia Kane
• Claire Haskell — David J. Williams
• The Dagda Mor — Terry Brooks
• Darian Frey — Chris Wooding
• Esmerelda “Esme” Weatherwax (Granny Weatherwax) — Terry Pratchett
• Evangeline Stone — Kelly Meding
• Erevis Cale — Paul S. Kemp
• The Escapist — Michael Chabon
• Felix — Ted Kosmatka
• Ferro Maljinn — Joe Abercrombie
• The Fool — Robin Hobb
• Gale Hawthorne — Suzanne Collins
• Gimli — J.R.R. Tolkien
• Gray Mouser — Fritz Lieber
• Greg Mandel — Peter F. Hamilton
• Harry Potter — J.K. Rowling
• Havemercy — Jaida Jones and Dani Bennett
• The Horned King — Lloyd Alexander
• Iorek Byrnison — Philip Pullman
• Jardir — Peter Brett
• Jean Tannen — Scott Lynch
• Jonathan Strange — Susanna Clarke
• Juan “Johnny” Rico — Robert Heinlein
• Julia — Lev Grossman
• Kelsier — Brandon Sanderson
• Kull — Robert E. Howard
• Kylar Stern — Brent Weeks
• Lady Jessica — Frank Herbert
• Mellorin Rebaine — Ari Marmell
• Moiraine Damodred — Robert Jordan
• Morrolan e’Drien — Steven Brust
• Mr. Wednesday — Neil Gaiman
• Napoleon (on a dragon) — Naomi Novik
• Paksenarrion — Elizabeth Moon
• Peter Grant — Ben Aaronovitch
• Rachel Morgan — Kim Harrison
• Randur Estevu — Mark Charan Newton
• Ray Lilly – Harry Connolly
• Raylene Pendle — Cherie Priest
• Revan — Drew Karpyshyn
• Richard Rahl — Terry Goodkind
• Ringil Eskiath — Richard K. Morgan
• Saphira — Chris Paolini
• Seregil — Lynn Flewelling
• Sparhawk — David Eddings
• Stony Mayhall — Daryl Gregory
• Susannah Dean — Stephen King
• Tarzan — Edgar Rice Burroughs
• Tattoo — China Miéville
• Tomas — Raymond Feist
• Tyrion Lannister — George R.R. Martin
• Waylander — David Gemmell
• The Wicked Witch — Frank Baum
• Y.T. — Neal Stephenson
• Zaphod Beeblebrox — Douglas Adams
What about Sandman Slim-Richard Kadrey? Or John Taylor-Simon R Green?
I miss Logan Ninefingers-Joe Abercrombie and Jorg Ancrath-Mark Lawrence. Otherwise great list.
This year looks to have one of the best lists, as they seem to have avoided picking those with unbeatable powers (Rand and Balefire comes to mind) also, the spread of characters seems good… some of them make me feel a tad nolstalgic
Mind getting some of the heavyweights matched up togather earlier to eliminate the stomp matches?
Maybe Rahl vs Saphira & Potter vs Moiraine Damodred
Kylar Stern vs Erevis Cale would be an incredible match-up. Not sure who would win in a fair fight, but as it says in Shadow’s Edge, where wetboys are involved “there’s no such thing as a fair fight.” I think Kylar would win, but it could go either way.
Would love to see a Sparhawk vs Gimli vs Iorek vs Saphira match. Although I think Saphira could win any (or all at once) by simply roasting her heavily armoured opponents alive. Unless Sparhawk has the Bhelliom (however you spell it), in which case none of the others stand a chance.
Looking forward to seeing that scrawny Potter kid get slaughtered. Preferably by Kylar, who he wouldn’t even be able to land a spell on. Not only would the black ka’kari absorb any and all magic cast at Kylar, but poor little Harry would have Retribution through his guts before he could get halfway through saying “Crucio.” And that protection thing he’s got from his mum? Definitely not going to stop Retribution, especially if it’s coated by the Black.
The more I think it through the more Atticus O’Sullivan seems the smart choice. I mean..
Aside from the ability to transverse dimensions. “thus escaping to anywhere he wants”.
Aside from an ability and skill set that kills gods and any other sort of mythical beastie.
Aside from being older than nearly everyone on the list.
Aside from heal from most injuries.
Aside from the fact that as a modern day human he could read of any of the people he would be fighting or the fact that he could travel across time and space and gather intel. (which is pretty ridiculous so in all fairness I will discount this as a reasonable strength.)
Aside from the fact that nature is quite literally on his side. People think he would lose?
I really think I am reading to much into this… lol. Has anybody else who has read of this character tell me how they think he would die to anyone on that list if he any clue they where coming?
I am just having a very hard time picturing the scenario. So… Anybodies thoughts?