The Towers of Metropolis

Volume One

By: William Maynard, Kevin Olson, Michael Panush, Michael Maynard, Erik Franklin

Narrated by: Alex Taylor Bagosy

Before Metropolis....

In 1927, German filmmaker Fritz Lang brought to the screen one of the most ground-breaking sci-fi melodramas of all time, based on the screenplay he co-wrote with his wife, novelist Thea von Harbou. Set in a futuristic urban dystopia, the story follows the attempts of Freder, the son of the city’s ruler, and Maria, a citizen of the lower levels, to bridge the gulf separating the economic classes of the city. It is regarded as a classic and one of the first full-length movies in the genre.

Five visionary new pulp writers have envisioned four dramatic tales which unfold in this amazing world prior to the events of that film. William Patrick Maynard and Michael Richard Maynard join forces with Michael Panush, Kevin Noel Olson, and Erik Franklin to guide readers back to those vaulted, shining towers of Metropolis in this new collection inspired by Lang’s masterpiece.

©2016 Fred Adams Jr., William Patrick Maynard & Michael Richard Maynard, Michael Panush, Kevin Noel Olson, Erik Franklin (P)2017 RadioArchives.com

Voices in the Darkness

I thought the stories did a wonderful job of filing out the world that is the city of Metropolis. Many new angles in a city that is often broken up into the views of the rich and the poor. And told so artfully by Alex Bagosy! The odd audio edit here and there hindered the experience a bit on rare occasion. But the delivery is rich and varied well between the characters male and female alike. There was also strong consistency with the regular cast between stories. I found it very easy to follow and experience this dark world and its various inhabitants.

Wonderful stories, with top-notch narration!

This is a collection of short stories set in the Metropolis universe. Beginning with the foundations of the city of Metropolis by the man who became its President, and following with tales of the dystopia it became, these stories are each fascinating, compelling... and appropriately terrifying.

Narration by Alex Bagosy is excellent, he seamlessly transitions between the multiple male and female characters in the stories, young and old, sane and mad. American, British and German accents are spot on. Amazing versatility and a true pleasure to listen to!

Like visiting the side streets of a familiar city

Metropolis is one of my favorite movies and it was nice exploring aspects not shown on screen.

The narrator is fine, I just wish they had found him a better recording studio.

Did not finish!

I honestly have no idea if the story is good or not. The horrible sound quality made me quit listening. The narrator sounded like he was recording in his bathroom. I figured it was just the intro so I skipped on to the next chapter, and another, and another. They all sounded the same.