“Mythos: The Time After Oblivion” is a newly released mythological work by first time published author, Jonny Capps.
Capps’ work of fiction seeks to answer the question, “What becomes of a god when no one believes any more?” Heroes Jason and Hercules are sent mistakenly to the 21st century, where they discover that Olympian gods no longer exist and have been forgotten, except in children’s stories and “fictional” fantasy. The real Olympian gods now exist in a parallel world. Some of them remember the glory days when throngs of worshipers followed them and sacrificed in their names. Understandably, they miss the adoration, respect and fear they once inspired.
Capps’ tale is a compelling combination of classic mythology and the cynicism and “progress” of present-day living. He manages to make mythological gods, heroes of old, relatable to the 21st century reader. Most of Capp’s characters are gods, yes, but they are also flawed. Their powers are matched by their egos, resulting in an entertaining morality tale with an ending that leaves the reader anxious to know what will happen next and paves the way for the second of the 11 volumes that will comprise the complete “Mythos” story.
When asked if Mythos was intended to be a “message book,” Capps says, “There is not an intentional societal or political message. It’s mythology. I’m a writer, here to entertain. Of course my social views come out because they are my social views, but I don’t want to tell people how to think.”
Capps was raised in Stow by parents who have always supported his dreams of becoming a writer. “My dad was a rocker and my mom a hippy who’ve taught me to be dedicated to improving the environment around me by example.”
These days Capps works as a certified massage therapist. His flexible schedule allows plenty of time for him to pursue his passion for writing. His goals and dreams, like “Mythos,” have a foot in the old and modern worlds, evidenced when he talked about his childhood dreams. “Since I was six years old, my first dream was to have my book featured in the card catalog at the library.”
With dreams that can be found in the library card catalog, it seems only logical that Capps would cite his girlfriend of two years Constance Plumley, herself a librarian and a poet, as his biggest inspiration.
Next on the horizon for Jonny Capps is volume two of the “Mythos” story, “The Box and What It Contained,” already accepted by his publisher, Booktrope, and slated for release in spring of 2016. Also, Capps hopes to one day turn the “Mythos” series into graphic novels.
For now, he is looking forward to the “Mythos: The Time After Oblivion” release party Friday, Oct. 16, at Nervous Dog Coffee Bar in Stow, at 4161 Steels Pointe. The party is from 6:30 until 9:30 p.m. This event will include a live reading by the author, discounted books and a signing, a raffle, a performance by local musician Johnny Rocco, and Nervous Dog’s many delicious offerings.
To learn more about Jonny Capps and “Mythos: The Time After Oblivion,” go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jonny-Capps-is-Mentally-Stable/243256029039591?sk=wall.
