
John Birmingham is a prolific writer who’s most recent three novels – Emergence, Resistance and Ascendance – tell the story of how an oil drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico drills so deep that it accidentally breaks the “cap stone” separating our world from a demon hoard that once ruled the earth and used people for food. They plan on reconquering the surface world only to discover that humans aren’t the timid, frightened “cattle” they were thousands of years ago, but have evolved from helpless savages into a global technological civilization with weapons that seem like magic to the invading demons.

And the demon hoard didn’t count on Dave Hooper, an oil rig worker, becoming the demon-killing champion of Humankind.

Dave Hooper carrying Lucille.
Professor X. Boylan is a fictional character depicted in Resistance, the second novel in the series.

Resistance
We were fortunate enough to locate and interview Paul Nicholas Boylan, the real life basis for the fictional character.
PEOPLE OF EARTH: Welcome Mr. Boylan. Thank you for coming here today.
PAUL NICHOLAS BOYLAN: No problem, Chief.
POE: We here at People of Earth are big fans of John Birmingham’s novels and we feel his most recent “technology v. magic” Dave Hooper novels are possibly the best Birmingham has written.
PNB: Yeah, that’s what people are telling me.
POE: You haven’t read these books yet?
PNB: I’m waiting for the graphic novel adaptations to come out.
POE: Why?
PNB: ‘Cause I like comic books.

POE: Aren’t you at all curious about Professor X. Boylan, the character you inspired?
PNB: Let me explain somethin’ here, Chief. It is sort of my policy, if you will, to not read any of the books that have characters based on yours truly.
POE: Why not?
PNB: I got my reasons.
POE: Are there other characters based on you?
PNB: Yeah. I’m sort of like a “muse” if you know what I mean.
POE: What other authors have you inspired?
PNB: Dean Koonz put me in Odd Thomas and that grenade launcher put me in Fifty Shades of Grey.
POE: Which characters?
PNB: I’m not sure but I’m told I’m in there.
POE: I haven’t read either of those books –
PNB: Me neither.
POE: – but let’s compare Professor X. Boylan to the real you.
PNB: Knock yourself out, Chief.
POE: To start out with, this is you.

- Paul Nicholas Boylan
PNB: Hey, thanks for not using one of my mug shots.
POE: And this is what Professor X. Boylan is supposed to look like.

- Professor X. Boylan
PNB: I got no complaints.
POE: Nellie over at onebooktwo.wordpress.com reviewed Resistance and said
Professor X Boylan, attorney at law, is an interesting character. He’s obviously brilliant, but he’s also an attorney, which makes him a wordsmith. He is very funny without meaning to be funny.
PNB: Funny?
POE: Oh yes. Hilarious. Nellie, also at onebooktwo.wordpress.com, wrote “Boylan make great comic relief.”
PNB: What the fuck does that mean?
POE: It means the character based on you is funny.
PNB: What do you mean I’m funny?
POE: It’s funny, you know. Your character is a funny guy.
PNB: Funny how? I mean, what’s funny about it?
POE: Just, you know, you character is funny.
PNB: Let me understand this, ’cause, ya know maybe it’s me, but I’m funny how? I mean funny like I’m a clown?

POE: No, not like a clown –
PNB: I amuse you? I make you laugh? What do you mean funny? How am I funny?
POE: Just… you know, your character –
PNB: No, no, I don’t know. You said I’m funny. How the fuck am I funny? What the fuck is so funny about me? Tell me. Tell me what’s funny.

POE: Nothing. Nothing is funny about you at all, and I apologize for implying anything at all that you find objectionable. Truth be told, you are actually more similar to Joe Pesci’s character, Tommy, in the movie Goodfellas.
PNB: Nope. Much as I’d like to, I can’t take credit for that. Nick and Marty came up with that all on their own.
POE: Well, that’s a fucking relief.

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