Madness has been a common element in popular fiction for just about as long as it has existed. King Lear from Shakespeare's famous play, The Joker from the Batman stories, Rotwang from "Metropolis", or Travis Bickle from "Taxi Driver". All went as crazy as a bedbug! Writers tend to use a character who is insane to make an exploration of chaos in the world around them.
Chaos and insanity are intertwined in literature (both in literature for young adults or other kinds). A chaos outside reflects the chaos inside. Inside the mind, that is. Characters who are locked-away have been placed in stories, but popular fiction has always had more fun by letting those crazies 'at large' in society. Thereby creating conflict and drama! Some stories thrive with chaotic elements just like some people do.
Dr. Ian Powell from "The Chip" fits all these criteria. He creates several of the 'super-villains' The Chip must face, out of humanoid raw material like a modern-day Frankenstein. Powell is the mad scientist character of the novel. Unpredictable and, quite often, downright scary. He makes secretive deals. He works in seclusion. He makes "The Chip" itself a more unpredictable and fast-paced read.
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"I love your passion, sir!" Dr. Powell said. "Your energy, your anger!" The subhuman was still thrashing around the room, apparently not hearing or not understanding that he was being spoken to.
"I can make you stronger! I can make you undefeatable, so you can go out and do some real damage! Isn't that what you want--to kill? Well, this is your lucky day, sir, because that's what I want too."
The subhuman stood still for the first time since he'd been released from the crate. His eye was fixed on Dr. Powell. "Come, let me help you. We have the same mission, you and me. Let me fix you up so we can get to it."
Dr. Powell was motioning for the subhuman to lie down on the operating table that was somehow still standing next to him. "Come over here, my friend. Easy does it. That's right..." The subhuman was taking uneasy steps towards him, hindered by his weak vision. "Don't worry about that eye of yours. When I'm through you'll see clear to the stars and be able to shoot things down from high in the sky--big, shiny objects like airplanes... and The Chip."
~ "The Chip" by George Jack; p. 243
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Art by Shamus Beyale.
Art by Shamus Beyale.
