New Releases by Michael Whelan

A rules-light, skirmish wargame set in a bombastic, post-apocalyptic world of mutants and cartoon violence. FREAKZ! pits savage mutant gangs against each other as they pillage the ruins of a devastated world in pursuit of hallowed Artefactz. These objects of great atomic power were forged in the flames of nuclear destruction and can bestow mighty mutations on their bearers in an instant. Gain leathery wings and fly above the battlefield, grow giant plates of bone armour, or develop chameleon-like skin and fade from sight. But beware the consequences of this power! Collect too many Artefactz or rip too many from the bodies of your fallen foes, and you may lose control – a mortal can only bear so many mutations before they are twisted beyond humanity, becoming one of the monstrous creatures that stalk the wastes. FREAKZ! is full of streamlined gameplay that gets you playing fast. Generate an entire squad in seconds by drawing from a standard deck of playing cards. Move your fighters without measuring. Resolve attacks in a single matched dice roll. Lead your fledgling group of nobodies through a campaign as they evolve into mutant killers and pledge their allegiance to the Atomic Godz!

The first chapter of Genesis reports that human beings are created in God''s own image, but since the blunder of Eve and Adam in the garden of Eden, tragic flaws have been apparent in our spiritual/psychological structure. Consequently, biblical stories abound with examples of spiritual failure. Eve and Adam were grossly disobedient to the authority of their Heavenly Father. Sibling rivalry would have been unusual for children of the first parents, but who would have predicted a family bond so conflicted that Cain would murder his brother Abel. Then there are the foibles of Simon Peter, the rock on whom Jesus would found a church so mighty that the gates of hell would never prevail against it, but Peter was so often fecklessly confused. Consider doubting Thomas succumbing to the demand for empirical proof and therefore experiencing the despair of faithlessness. Even the spiritual giant St. Paul could state, "I do not do the good I want but I do the evil I do not want" (Rom. 7:19). The Sacred Nexus proposes that factual links exist between the spirit of the image of God and the principles of psychology. These connections help explain the human frailty displayed by biblical characters. Furthermore, psychological study examines the development of dysfunctional habituating behaviors, which possess the potential to destroy the spiritual qualities of God''s creation. On the other hand, the linkage of psychology with the image of God may produce a relationship that can enhance the creation of Christ-like quality that God has commanded Christians to willfully produce. Ultimately, The Sacred Nexus exposes the consequences of our psychological/spiritual dilemmas by analyzing six sacred links that define the destiny of our immortal souls.

This book will support researchers in the field of education disability by outlining inclusive research approaches and their challenges, outcomes, and impact. Each chapter reports on school/university-based research supporting inclusion for young people on the autism spectrum. This research has been developed in Australian schools with students, families, teachers, and specialists. The intent of this approach is to mobilise new knowledge to the benefit of all students, including students on the autism spectrum, their families, teachers, and school communities. This book showcases how research can be more inclusive with a move to collaborative, participatory, and co-produced research that will impact on young people, families, and educators. The authors highlight the complex challenges and the positive outcomes of conducting research in inclusive ways and provide detailed practical strategies for researchers. Inclusive education is socially, emotionally, and academically beneficial for all students and positively impacts on respectful attitudes to difference. This book provides a groundbreaking approach to research that by design is inclusive and therefore provides an invaluable opportunity for building the foundations of an inclusive society for all. This book will be invaluable to researchers, educators, and professional learning in schools.

Escape to thought-provoking realms and explore awe-inspiring vistas. Whelan''s work is a blend of pop-culture-defining imagery and impassioned personal expression that resonates with sophisticated art collectors and his fellow artists. He is at the forefront of Alternative Realism as a contemporary art movement.

In Australia, an elderly couple with an interest in astronomy spots an unexpected comet, soon dubbed Henwood 1. Theres a bit of panic but not much as the comet is expected to miss Earth. Instead, it smashes into the moon and vaporizes. But when it dissolves, it emits a pathogen that travels to Earth and infects the population. Den is a Viet Nam veteran, changed by what he saw as a sniper and helicopter pilot in the war. As people begin to die around him, he struggles to surviveat any cost. The Australian Parliamentary tries to ensure that a democratic system endures as a Justice Enforcement group secures all available weapons, but theirs is a losing battle as humanity dissolves. Following the death of his wife, Den searches for his son and remaining family amidst the chaos. Hes an old dog, but he does learn new tricks and, unfortunately, remembers how to kill. Soon, a fanatical vicar steps forward and encourages murder among his acolytes. Who will survive this new world order, or is the Earth and all its inhabitants doomed to extinction?

Each waking day that strange summer, a current fresh, unwritten, woke moving out of nothing in a still half sleeping head. It pulled and reached, sometimes gentle under a breeze, sometimes wild under a wind. Rising. Ebbing. Rising. . . By breakfast it had shaped into words on the blank page of the soul. Poems of summer.

Many hydrophobic pollutants can be emitted to agricultural soils if sewage sludge is used as a fertiliser. The fate and effects of pollutants in such receiving environments are relatively poorly understood compared with our knowledge of chemical behaviour and impact in surface waters. One chemical of particular concern is triclosan because it has antimicrobial properties which could affect important soil functions. Triclosan is hydrophobic, which means it will sorb appreciably to organic solids and is not readily biodegradable. It is also used extensively in personal care products. These factors have prompted considerable attention in the literature with respect to its environmental profile. In recent years, this attention has shifted away from the water environment to terrestrial systems. This thesis bridges some of the knowledge gaps considering the fate (specifically mineralisation, primary degradation and the formation of bound residues) and the effects (to the soil function and phenotype) of triclosan in soils amended with biosolids. Cont/d.

"The tradition of prayer within the Catholic church is rich and varied and complex. There are many people and themes and practices and sources that could be usefully studied. A much larger book would be required to do that however. In this beautifully presented and easy-to-follow new book, readers will be guided to find the enormous riches and complexity of the Catholic prayer tradition; enough practical guidance to enable them to begin, or perhaps to simply refine and deepen, their practice of prayer; as well as encouragement to go on exploring the possibilities in prayer for them personally, their families, friends and the wider community. This is for both gift and task. First of all it is gift. We begin with what God has done, is doing and will continue to do. What is on offer is god''s loving and liberating presence, all the time in all things. Secondly, we respond most fundamentally, this means waking up, becoming aware of what is going on throughout the cosmos, in each and every moment, person, event and thing. Oddly enough, waking up requires constant and consistent work. It is an ongoing task. That task is by way of facilitation rather than mastery. We do whatever we can to become present to the Presence, at all times, in all things.This is the way we will speak of prayer throughout this little book - being present to the Presence. Our focus will therefore be primarily on attitudes and dispositions rather than acts and rituals. It is the prayerful person we are most interested in, rather than the person who says prayers, the prayerful life rather than the mastery. We do whatever we can to become present to the Presence, at all times, in all things."

Êtes-vous prêt à entrer dans le royaume des morts ? C''est là que s''éveille Januel le phénicier. Arraché à ses amis, arraché au monde, il est prisonnier de la Charogne. Dans ce paysage hostile, Januel doit affronter ses pires cauchemars. C''est à ce prix qu''il pourra repousser la menace des Charognards et libérer les puissances de l''Onde. Même séparés de lui, ses compagnons feront tout pour lui venir en aide. Scende, la femme aux pouvoirs de Dragon, est prête à mourir pour le rejoindre. Par amour, elle risque le salut de son âme. Mais Tshan, l''Archer Noir, refuse de la perdre. Pourtant, les Sombres Sentes et les hordes noires déferlent sur le M''Onde. Face à l''horreur, les serviteurs des Féals forgent des armes magiques et lancent leurs dernières forces dans la bataille. Le sable du désert tremble sous la charge des Licornes. Le vol des Phénix embrase le ciel. Januel, le maître des phéniciers, acceptera-t-il le sacrifice de tous ses êtres chers ? À commencer par celui de son propre père ? Mais il est aussi son pire ennemi : le Roi des Cendres...

Qui ne connaît pas la Tour Ecarlate ? Ce donjon de pierre rouge qui domine le village de Sédénie, au c''ur de l''Empire de Grif. Ici, on ose à peine murmurer son nom... Le mystère et la magie qui entourent ces lieux imposent une crainte respectueuse à la population. Ceux qui vivent à l''intérieur ne se montrent jamais. Au plus fort de l''hiver, lorsque la neige a barré l''unique route menant au-delà des montagnes, les anciens content les légendes liées à cette tour couleur de sang. Ils évoquent la vision fugitive de silhouettes encapuchonnées dont le regard étincelle comme des rubis. Ils parlent aussi du vol majestueux de créatures de feu qui prennent leur essor depuis le couronnement de la tour. Mais aucun d''entre eux ne connaît la vérité, aucun d''entre eux ne peut l''imaginer... Qui sont ces sages de la guilde, chargés, depuis l''aube des temps, de garder un terrible secret ? Qui sont les phéniciers ? Pourquoi se cachent-ils derrière les murs de cette tour, adeptes mystérieux consacrant leur vie aux fabuleux Phénix ? Januel est l''un de ces disciples. Son talent remarquable lui vaut d''être choisi pour faire renaître le Phénix de l''empereur de Grif. Cette Renaissance doit sceller l''alliance de l''Empire avec les autres pays. Une guerre se prépare. Leur ennemi : la Charogne, le royaume des morts. Mais un événement inattendu va changer la cérémonie en drame et jeter Januel sur le chemin d''une fantastique aventure...

Le roi de la Charogne a convoqué les mille Seigneurs de son royaume. Leur puissance maléfique est menacée par un seul homme : Januel le phénicier. Pour le contrer, les forces obscures ont délégué leur meilleur guerrier et le lancent aux trousses du jeune homme. Le roi ira jusqu''aux frontières de l''enfer pour obtenir sa tête, quitte à mettre en jeu sa propre couronne. Car l''assassin de Januel gagnera le pouvoir de régner sur les morts... et sur le M''Onde des Féals tout entier. Inconscient des enjeux et du péril qui le guette, Januel se doute pourtant qu''il possède un héritage lourd à assumer : il est désormais le dernier des Maîtres du Feu. Sur les ruines de la Guilde-Mère, il réunit ses disciples et se prépare à défendre son pouvoir : seules les épées forgées à la flamme des Phénix pourront rivaliser avec les terribles Charognards. Peut-être ont-ils encore une chance de survivre... à moins que le Fiel qui coule dans les veines de Januel ne le détourne de la voie de la justice. Dans son âme une lutte effroyable fait rage pour échapper à la corruption. Sa confusion est totale quand l''amour embrase son c''ur de Phénix... Peut-il encore compter sur ses amis mercenaires aux lames meurtrières et aux flèches vengeresses, et sur Farel, son ancien maître, qui n''est plus qu''un fantôme ? Les Seigneurs du néant connaissent bien les faiblesses du Fils de l''Onde. Ils sont sur ses traces et ils ont juré sa mort !

Award-winning artist Whelan has illustrated the work of almost every major author in speculative fiction. Here are featured all the artist''s major recent paintings, as well as a series of 25 never-before-seen works produced especially for this book. Over 100 full-color reproductions.