The Atom-Smasher

by Victor Rousseau

We've got the evil Professor Tode (who modifies an atom-smasher into a time machine that travels to the Palaeolithic and to Atlantis), a fatherly older professor, his beautiful young daughter (menaced by evil Tode), casually written racist pronouncements (by Rousseau), and our hero scientist, the dashing Jim Dent. But my favorite sentence was the brief description of quantum mechanics, which I didn’t expect in a 1930 science fiction tale.

— Michael Main

The Planck-Bohr quantum theory that the energy of a body cannot vary continuously, but only by a certain finite amount, or exact multiples of this amount, had been the key that unlocked the door.

“The Atom-Smasher” by Victor Rousseau, Astounding Stories of Super-Science, May 1930.

Day of the Hunters

by Isaac Asimov

A midwestern professor tells a half-drunken story of time travel and the real cause of the dinosaur extinction.

— Michael Main

Because I built a time machine for myself a couple of years ago and went back to the Mesozoic Era and found out what happened to the dinosaurs.

“Day of the Hunters” by Isaac Asimov, in Future Science Fiction, November 1950.

Casper the Friendly Ghost Theatrical #34

Red White and Boo

by Isadore Klein, directed by Izzy Sparber and Myron Waldman

Every Casper cartoon had the same plot, including at least one (“Red, White and Boo”) from 1955 where Casper wonders whether people in the past will also be scared of him, so he uses a time machine to visit a caveman, Robert Fulton, Paul Revere, General Washington, and a Revolutionary War battle.

— Michael Main

Gee, maybe people in the past won’t be scared of me.

“Red White and Boo” by Isadore Klein, directed by Izzy Sparber and Myron Waldman (21 October 1955).

Unusual Tales #12

Time of the Dragon

by Joe Gill [?] and Bill Molno

RAF pilot Clive St. George is a snooty chap because of his fine ancestry until one day he has motor trouble while flying through a storm.

— Michael Main

Motor trouble! Must go down! According to my reckoning I must be close to my ancestral home in West Croyden . . .

“Time of the Dragon” by Joe Gill [?] and Bill Molno, Unusual Tales #12 (Charlton Comics, July 1958).

Lem’s Star Diaries

Czarna komnata profesora Tarantogi

Literal: Professor Tarantoga's black room

by Stanisław Lem

Professor Tarantoga saves human civilization! After using his chronopad to investigate the leading scientists and artists in history, Tarantoga concludes that without exception they are lazy drunkards. So naturally, he sends smart young people into various eras to invent differential calculus, to paint the Mona Lisa, etc.—all while a pair of police inspectors have their eye on him.

— based on Wikipedia

[ex=bare]Czarna komnata profesora Tarantogi: Widowisko telewizyjne | Professor Tarantoga’s black room: Television show[/ex] by Stanisław Lem, in Noc księżycowa (Wydawnictwo Literackie, 1963).

Tales of Suspense #44

The Mad Pharoah!

by Stan Lee, Robert Bernstein, and Don Heck

Iron Man’s suit changes from grey to gold, and the golden Avenger is kidnapped and taken back to ancient Egypt where he upsets the plans of the consistently misspelled Mad Pharoah by winning the throne back for Cleopatra.

— Michael Main

For though I do not know your real identity . . . I, Cleopatra, have lost my heart to you!

“The Mad Pharoah!” [sic] by Stan Lee, Robert Bernstein, and Don Heck, in Tales of Suspense 44 (Marvel Comics, August 1963).

Gorgo 23

The Land of Long Ago

by Joe Gill [?] and Bill Montes

Charlton’s Gorgo comic was inspired by the the 1961 movie of the same name Unlike the movie, however, the comic book Gorgo had one adventure in time when Dr. Hobart Howarth rescues Gorgo from YaPa* by sending the giant reptile back to the late Jurassic. Sadly, as a child, I bought only one Gorgo comic, which was not the time-travel issue, although that one issue I had was drawn by Steve Ditko, hooray!
* Yet another Pentagon attack

— Michael Main

I will send Gorgo back into is own era in the stream of time. Here he is an anachronism . . . In his own time, he would be in harmony withhis surroundings!

“The Land of Long Ago” by Joe Gill [?] and Bill Montes, in Gorgo #23 (Charlton Comics, September 1965).

Si Morley 1

Time and Again

by Jack Finney

Si goes back to 19th century New York to solve a crime and (of course) fall in love.

This is Janet’s favorite time-travel novel, in which Finney elaborates on themes that were set in earlier stories such as “Double Take.”

— Michael Main

There’s a project. A U.S. government project I guess you’d have to call it. Secret, naturally; as what isn’t in government these days? In my opinion, and that of a handful of others, it’s more important than all the nuclear, space-exploration, satellite, and rocket programs put together, though a hell of a lot smaller. I tell you right off that I can’t even hint what the project is about. And believe me, you’d never guess.

Time and Again by Jack Finney (Simon and Shuster, 1970).

The Voyages of Ijon Tichy 20

Podróż dwudziesta

English release: The Twentieth Voyage Literal: Journey twenty

by Stanisław Lem

After the time mish-mash of Ijon Tichy’s seventh voyage, it wasn’t clear whether Ijon would ever ply the channels of time again, but here he is, traveling back in time to persuade himself to go forward in time and take up the helm of THEOHIPPIP—a.k.a. Teleotelechronistic-Historical Engineering to Optimize the Hyoerputerized Implementation of Paleological Programming and Interplanetary Planning. It takes a few attempts for older Ijon to convince younger Ijon to head to the future on a one-man chronocykl, but when he does, the younger Ijon begins the unexpectedly hard task of righting history’s wrongs. As a sophisticated time traveler yourself, you’ll spot what’s happening early on, while you also get a tour of history from the formamtion of the Solar System to the extinction of the dinosaurs and the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch. You’ll also recognize the fun Lem has at the expense of the bureaucracies of mid-20th-century Poland.

— Michael Main

Zresztą Bosch nie powstrzymał się od niedyskrecji. W „Ogrodzie uciech ziemskich,” w „piekle muzycznym” (prawe skrzydło tryptyku) stoi w samym środku dwunastoosobowy chronobus. I co miałem z tym robić?

Even so, Bosch couldn’t refrain from certain indiscretions. In the “Garden of Earthly Delights,” in the very center of the “Musical Hell” (the right wing of the triptych), stands a twelve-seat chronobus. Not a thing I could do about it.

English

[ex=bare]“Podróż dwudziesta” | Journey twenty[/ex] by Stanisław Lem, in Dzienniki gwiazdowe, expanded third edition, by Stanisław Lem, (Czytelnik, 1971).

From Time to Time

by Jack Finney

Finney’s sequel to Time and Again initially finds Si Morley living a happy life in the 19th century with his 19th century family, while The Project in the future never even got started because he prevented the inventor’s parents from ever meeting. But vague memories linger in some of the Project member’s minds, and Morley can’t stay put.

— Michael Main

They’re back there in the past, trampling around, changing things, aren’t they? They don’t know it. They’re just living their happy lives, but changing small events. Mostly trivial, with no important effects. But every once in a while the effect of some small changed event moves on down to the—

From Time to Time by Jack Finney (Simon and Shuster, February 1995).

The Moment Universe Stories 2

The Miracle of Ivar Avenue

by John Kessel

In 1949 Los Angeles, Detective Lee Kinlaw has writer/director Preston Sturges down in the morgue. The only problem is that Sturges is still alive and well in Hollywood.

— Michael Main

It’s a transmogrifier. A device that can change anyone into anyone else. I can change General MacArthur into President Truman, Shirley Temple into Marilyn Monroe.

“The Miracle of Ivar Avenue” by John Kessel, in Intersections: The Sycamore Hill Antholgy , edited by John Kessel et al., January 1996.

You Wish (s01e07)

Genie without a Cause

by Jeff Sherman, directed by Jeff McCracken

In the third part of ABC’s Friday night crossover, Sabrina’s cat Salem transports the You Wish gang to the 1950s Travis has a James Dean-ish drag race, Genie inspires a young Bob Dylan, and Salem tries to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Felix the Cat.

— Michael Main

I hope this is the one where she stomps on the grapes.

You Wish (s01e07), “Genie without a Cause” by Jeff Sherman, directed by Jeff McCracken (ABC-TV, USA, 7 November 1997) \pt. 3 of the 1997 TGIF Crossover].

Teen Angel (s01e07)

One Dog Night

by Michael Price, directed by Gary Halvorson

The final part of ABC’s Friday night crossover took Salem the cat to Teen Angel’s house where he transports Teen Angel and the family back to the time of disco and, apparently, altered the course of the 1976 presidential election.

— Michael Main

Oh, honey, you can go any time. Disco’s gonna last forever.

Teen Angel (s01e07), “One Dog Night” by Michael Price, directed by Gary Halvorson (ABC-TV, USA, 7 November 1997) \pt. 4 of the 1997 TGIF Crossover].

The Magic Tree House 22

Revolutionary War on Wednesday

by Mary Pope Osborne

In their second quest to find a sample of writing to save Camelot, Jack and Annie find themselves at the start of the American Revolution as Washington and his men prepare to cross the Delaware.

— Michael Main

“Yes! And you have to keep going for our sake,” said Annie. “For the sake of the future children of America, sir.”

Revolutionary War on Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Random House, September 2000).

Moment Universe Stories 4

It’s All True

by John Kessel

About five years after the first two Moment Universe stories, time traveling talent scount Det Gruber heads to 1942 in hopes of recruiting young, bitter Orson Welles to accompany him back to the future.

— Michael Main

Welles clenched his fists. When he spoke it was in a lower tone. “Life is dark.”

“It’s All True” by John Kessel, in Sci Fiction, 5 November 2003.

Fiddle

by Tim Pratt

Fiddles had not yet been invented during Nero’s time. So just how did that rumor get started?

— Tandy Ringoringo

At any rate, ready your cameras and make sure your bows are rosined.

“Fiddle” by Tim Pratt, Daily Science Fiction, 6 September 2010 [webzine].

Immortal Descendants: Original Series #1

Marking Time

by April White

Seventeen year-old Saira Elian’s mother has disappeared, as she does for a few days every couple of years. But this time, Saira ends up searching for her—in time. Along the way she makes friends for the first time in her nomadic life, and she learns that Vampires, Seers, and Shifters are real. But she also makes enemies, including Jack the Ripper.

— Tandy Ringoringo

I was tracing a design that was etched into the wall, and it started glowing and humming. And then my whole body was being stretched and pulled, like I was a giant rubber band. And there was a sound that vibrated through my skin and into my stomach, which is probably what made me want to puke—er, vomit.

Marking Time by April White (Corazon Entertainment, October 2012).

The Treehouse #5

The 65-Storey Treehouse

by Andy Griffiths (story) and Terry Denton (art)

Each installment of Andy and Terry’s Treehouse series sees the house grow upward, but what if the house never had a proper building permit? No problem, if you’ve got a time machine in a wheelie trash bin! Caution: Important detours along the way may be necessary to save antkind and The Time Machine.

— Michael Main

“Don’t you see?” says Terry. “We’ll just travel back in time and get a permit for the treehouse.”

The 65-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths (story) and Terry Denton (art) (Macmillan Australia, August 2015).

Million Eyes 0.01

Who Is Rudolph Fentz?

by C. R. Berry

It would seem that Jack Finney got it wrong in his 1951 story “I’m Scared.” But never fear! C. R. Berry tells us the true story of how a certain Mr. Rudolph Fentz came to find himself in front of a cab on a busy street next to Times Square.

— Michael Main

At 11.15pm, Forrest was passing through Times Square, New York City, heading for his apartment on West 51st Street during Times Square’s busiest time, theatre letting out time. Carving through the crowds, wishing he’d gone a different way, Forrest noticed a man in his thirties standing in the middle of the road.

“Who Is Rudolph Fentz?” by C. R. Berry, in Scribble 68, Winter 2015.

Million Eyes 0.04

Paul

by C. R. Berry

“Paul” by C. R. Berry, in Storgy Magazine, November 2016.

The Magic Tree House 30*

Hurricane Heroes in Texas

by Mary Pope Osborne

The children play a role in saving thousands during the Great Galviston Hurricane[/ex].

— Michael Main

Annie turned back to the couple. “Excuse me again, do you know today’s date?” she asked.
“September eighth,” the woman said with a friendly smile.
“Nineteen-hundred?” Jack asked.

Hurricane Heroes in Texas by Mary Pope Osborne (Random House, August 2018).

The Umbrella Academy, Season 1

by multiple writers and directors

Of the 43 children born 1 October 1989 with no gestation period, the eccentric and sometimes cruel billionaire Reginald Hargreeves brought up seven of them and turned them into the super-powered group called the Umbrella Academy when they developed powers. Nearly thirty years later, after Hargreeves dies, the five surviving members of the group gather at their family home. Oh, and: Number Six died some time ago and only Number Four can see him; Number Five disappeared about seventeen years ago, but he’s back (and in his 13-year-old body) after living 45 years in a post-apocalyptic future that’s scheduled to start in eight days.

— Michael Main

As far as I could tell, I was the last person left alive. I never figured out what killed the human race. I did find something else: the date it happens.. . . The world ends in eight days, and I have no idea how to stop it.

The Umbrella Academy, Season 1 by multiple writers and directors, 10 episodes (Netflix, USA, 15 February 2019).

The Magic Tree House 32*

To the Future, Ben Franklin!

by Mary Pope Osborne

Jack and Annie bring a rather fainthearted and confused Ben Franklin to their own time, hoping to convince him to sign the Constitution.

— Michael Main

Morgan’s telling us to take Ben to Frog Creek. To our time.

To the Future, Ben Franklin! by Mary Pope Osborne (Random House, July 2019).

The Future of Another Timeline

by Annalee Newitz

Tess is a geologist (because, of course, geologists control the time travel of the giant ancient machines) and a member of the Daughters of Harriet (Senator Harriet Tubman, that is, from 19th-century Mississippi). On the surface, the Daughters are time travel scholars, but in reality, Tess and her fellow Daughters are fighting a pitched changewar for women’s rights against the oppressors known as the Comstockers. One more thing: While she’s at it,Tess also hopes to also save the souls of her teenaged self and her underground feminist punk friends in the 1990s, with a particular focus on their vigilante killing spree and young Beth’s abortion.

— Michael Main

All five Machines had limitations, but the hardest to surmount was what travelers call the Long Four Years. Wormholes only opened for people who remained within twenty kilometers of a Machine for at least 1,680 days.

The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz (Tor, September 2019).

The Magic Tree House 33*

Narwhal on a Sunny Night

by Mary Pope Osborne

Jack and Annie visit the first Icelandic settlers in Greenland.

— Michael Main

“Oh, I get it—your dad is Erik, so you are called Erik-son!” said Annie.

Narwhal on a Sunny Night by Mary Pope Osborne (Random House, January 2020).

Immortal Descendants: Baltimore Mysteries #1

Death’s Door

by April White

Ren (Alexandra Reynolds) owns a neighborhood bar in Baltimore. One evening, Edgar Allan Poe stumbles in—not an early Halloween reveler in costume, but the real thing. In the course of their acquaintance, both Ren and Poe learn more about themselves. Did I mention that Ren is descended from a freed slave mother and a white slave-owning father? And that Poe was an anti-abolitionist?

— Tandy Ringoringo

The notepaper was faded with age, and although I’d never seen it before, I knew he’d hidden it there the night I met him again, so many, many years before.

“Death’s Door” by April White (Corazon Entertainment, May 2020).

Loki, Season 1

by Michael Waldron et al, directed by Kate Herron

Hang on to your Tesseracts! Apparently, in Endgame[/em], when the Avengers traveled back to 2012 to swipe various things from the 2012 Avengers, they inadvertantly started a branch in time where Loki ended up with the Tesseract. Of course, once that occurred, the Time Variance Authority quickly spotted him as a Deviant and quickly recruited him to help in their fight against even more deviant Deviants.

— Michael Main

Appears to be a standard sequence violation. Branches growing at a stable rate and slope. Variant identified.

Loki, Season 1 by Michael Waldron et al, directed by Kate Herron (Disney+, worldwide, 9 June 2021 to 14 July 2021 [6 episodes]).

Flashback

written and directed by Caroline Vigneaux

After high-powered lawyer Charlie Leroy gets her client cleared from a rape charge by claiming that the accuser’s lacy underwear was consent to have sex, Charlie finds herself transported by a divine cabdriver to historical moments that were key for women’s rights.

— Michael Main

Attends . . . si maman n'épouse pas papa, je vais pas naître. Je viens de me tuer.

Wait . . . if Mom never marries Dad, I won’t be born. I just killed myself.

English

Flashback written and directed by Caroline Vigneaux (Amazon Prime, 11 November 2021).