All was dark, still and quiet.

Flash was surrounded by a crowd of friends, service personnel, and officials. Reporters were held at bay while cameras flashed and film cameras rolled. Suddenly the exuberant tone of the meeting changed to frenzy as a warning alarm sounded.

Flash found himself being pushed, and was unable to differentiate the cacophony of voices, sirens and machine sounds. The entire scene turned to a blur where seconds seemed to last for minutes. A blinding light and intense heat seemed to push him upward.

All sound and movement dissipated as suddenly as they had begun. The silence that engulfed him stood in stark contrast to the pandemonium.

All was dark, still and quiet. It was such a peaceful feeling that Flash did not immediately question or fear the sudden change. The feeling was one of floating, or falling, but with complete sensory deprivation. There was no hint of wind or air.

MEANWHILE

Ash Lander was having a similar experience. Taking stock of his situation, he was puzzled to observe that he was wearing a helmet and space suit. As he peered off to the distance he could make out stars, and realized that he was in space. He knew, too, that he was being pulled in a particular direction.

After some time had passed, Ash Lander could see that he was being sucked toward a huge ship. It seemed to him that he was in some sort of a tracking beam, and could do nothing but watch as he was pulled toward it.

A portal on the ship opened and Ash was drawn inside. The doors closed behind him, and he found himself in a dark place. He could not make out any details, but could hear the door mechanism closing and air entering through unseen vents.

MEANWHILE

Back in Florida, a suspect was taken into custody for destroying Flash Meridian’s ship, the Trans-Neptunian Interloper. The suspect, dressed in a Nomicon uniform, apparently planted a large amount of explosives on or under the spacecraft and detonated it. He was apprehended later while calmly admiring the wreckage. The suspect, Dock Galaxy, was best known for his work on Mars with Ash Lander and Krate Azimuth. Galaxy had been a long time employee of Nomicon with an exemplary service record. His attack on the ship stunned the world.

Flash Meridian was dead. Or so it seemed. That feeling of being pulled, or sucked out of one dimension and into another was happening again.
Relieved to find himself still in his ship, he realized that he was waking from a dream. So often, he couldn’t be sure if he was dreaming or awake. The dream felt so real, yet here he was aboard the intact TNI. He could not maintain consciousness.

It just floated there, giggling as if to taunt him.

Celeste was intrigued by Crystal’s confession. The other man… she repeated to herself. Crystal, are you saying what I think you’re saying? Crystal’s face turned a bit red, and Celeste knew she was on to something.

So that’s it! That’s why you’re so desperate to get to Earth. Celeste was rather envious of Crystal and the exciting life she led. This was the first real adventure Celeste had ever had.

MEANWHILE…

As P. J. Raygun stared at the glowing object, he realized that it was now very close to his ship.

The body, for that was clearly what it was, hovered right in front of the craft. P. J. didn’t know what to think of this, and just sat dumbfounded, still staring. Then the creature spoke.

Don’t do it. the voice advised. P. J. said nothing. The creature looked like nothing more than a child.

When it giggled, P. J. felt at ease and said Now you just git along little honey. Ol’ P. J.’s got a date.
It didn’t move. It just floated there, giggling as if to taunt him.

P. J. began to get impatient, and said in a stern voice Now I said you get out of my way! I don’t have time for this shenanigans! With an angry glare, he waved his hand in front of his face, signaling the creature to move away. The creature only raised it’s hand and said again Don’t do it!

When the creature raised it’s hand to P. J., he froze still in his seat, unable to move. At the same time, his evil deeds played themselves back on his radar screen like a movie, and P. J. knew that he was dealing with a powerful force. All the hidden things were brought to light. All his sneaky dealings, all the people he had cheated or hurt cried out for vengeance, and P. J.’s heart was filled with dread.

P. J. looked like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar, and glanced nervously at Nebula X. She showed no indication of seeing the childlike apparition suspended there in front of them.

Earth has enough problems without you adding to them.

Who are you, and how do you know my business? P. J. asked.

It doesn’t really matter, but my name is K-D. She said, still giggling. Your business is my business.

After P. J. watched the shady events of his life played out before him, his fear turned to remorse. The images were burned into his mind and P. J. buried his face in his hands, but could not erase them.

What should I do now? P. J. pleaded, still hiding his eyes. There was no answer. Raising his head, he saw that K-D was gone. He looked again at Nebula X and said Turn the ship around – let’s head back home.

---

PJ Raygun just sat there, dazed. He was remorseful for things he had done, and for what he had planned to do. It wasn’t too late. He instructed Nebula X to turn his ship in a sweeping arc that took him back the way he had come, and not toward the Earth. He didn’t know who the rightful owner of the robot was. He had no bill of lading, no paperwork at all. He turned to the droid, who sat with perfect posture in the pilot’s seat.

“Miss,” he said to the droid, “what was your intended destination?”

She spoke in a mechanical tone, stating the coordinates of her intended recipient. She altered their course. His heart felt light. This was a new sensation for him, and he was grateful to the powerful being that had intervened on his behalf.

The ship flew itself, and PJ asked Nebula X to play some music. He expected to hear a recording from her archives, but instead, she sang. Her voice rang like a bell. She brought the same precision to her songs as she had displayed when navigating the asteroids. Her pitch and rhythm were perfect. Beyond the exactness of her performance, she brought a surprising emotional feature to her songs. Raygun was swept away by the music in his already devastated state.

Yes, he was devastated by seeing his own flaws, yet he was happy for the first time in his life. He was going to make things right. He would return the stolen property and turn himself in. He didn’t see any other option. He radioed ahead and confessed the whole story.

Nebula X was oblivious to human emotions, and just sang as she was requested to.

PJ felt the music enough for both of them. The mysterious little being hadn’t made him feel bad. He made himself feel bad. He was grateful for her interception.

When they finally arrived at the headquarters for the entertainment conglomerate, he was not met as a criminal, but as a hero. He hadn’t stolen the droid. He only returned it.

Nebula X followed his order without question.

A burden seemed to lift from Ash Lander’s spirit.

Crystal and Celeste sped away from the space school, feeling giddy at the prospect of their impulsive adventure. Celeste set a course for Earth when suddenly Crystal became quiet.

There is still something I haven’t told you, Celeste… Crystal began.

Well, what is it? Celeste asked as she calculated the exact distance to the tiny speck of light that they could barely make out, it was so overpowered by the sun.

Before I came across the Nebula X on Europa, I found another ship on Callisto, Crystal confessed.

Yes, I know. You told me you found a lot of cargo pods. Everyone knew it, Crystal. Where else could you have gotten all the goodies you were selling at school? Celeste offered.

This was no cargo pod, Celeste! It was an Earth ship, and there were two astronauts nearby. They needed my help. One was having some kind of seizure or something. I scanned him and found a chip embedded in his neck. I removed it, and I think I saved his life.

Well that’s great, Celeste. Really. He’s lucky you came along.

Yes, i guess he was. But it’s the other man that I can’t get out of my mind, she said, with a far away look in her eyes.

MEANWHILE…

P. J. Raygun calmed down some time after his ship exited the main asteroid belt. He gradually became aware of a star that he could not identify. At first, he couldn’t say why it caught his attention at all, but as time went on, he could clearly see that it was growing brighter. Even Nebula X’s extensive resources could not identify it.

MEANWHILE…

Flash was met on the tarmac by Ash Lander and Krate Azimuth. He was finally home. Though everyone had burning questions about Flash’s experience in space, the thrill of having him back was enough for the moment. There would be time enough for all the questions to be answered eventually.

For the first time in months, a burden seemed to lift from Ash Lander’s spirit. The men met with handshakes and hugs, and very few words needed to be spoken.

Where is he? Have you lost him?

Still blinking, Flash released the cryo-tube’s transparent housing. As he did this, he heard a sound coming from his computer. Static… but not the repeating sequences that he normally heard. Adjusting the fine tuning, the irregular garble sharpened to the sound of a human voice.

Identify yourself was the basic message conveyed to him. A scan of the signal pinpointed it’s origin. Earth. North America. Florida. Cape Canaveral.

Flash responded to the command Trans-Neptunian Interloper 87 23113170

The voice repeated his transmission to verify his identity. This was followed by a pause of a minute or two which seemed an eternity to Flash.

Ash Lander’s heart raced as he copied this exchange, in a state of shocked disbelief. Can we get a visual? he asked.

Cor Epsilon, the Space Traffic Controller who had received the response from Flash, flipped switches which illuminated the huge video screen facing the room. The wall was filled with static, and Ash glanced back and forth between Cor and the screen, not daring to believe that Meridian was alive and returning to Earth.

Where is he? Have you lost him? Ash asked. Do you read me? Cor asked into his microphone.

I read you… Flash replied, when suddenly his voice was obliterated by static. Just as suddenly, the wall revealed a video feed of Flash Meridian’s face. The picture was accompanied by the sound of his voice. This is Flash Meridian

A cheer went up from all stations in the theater-like room. With Krate Azimuth by his side, Ash picked up a microphone and said Welcome home, Flash. It’s good to see you

I copy that Flash said as his own screen revealed the video feed from Alpha Control.

There is something I haven’t told you.

All was dark as Flash contemplated Hollygram’s words. He could still hear the phrase echoing in his head and he had a sensation of floating. For some time, Flash enjoyed this feeling.

He was completely at rest. The sound of Hollygram’s voice swelled to an omnipresent vibration that had a familiarity about it. Slowly, Flash opened his eyes to a familiar sight through the transparent cryo-tube housing, the video screen flickered blue light through the TNI.

Flash just lay still for several minutes, mentally acclimating to the waking world.

MEANWHILE…

Celeste and Crystal stealthfully made their way along the docking bay platform to space E-2, where Celeste’s craft hovered. They never considered the trouble they could get themselves into if caught. Crystal, because she had snuck out so often in the past, Celeste, because of the adrenaline coursing through her veins. As they approached the ship, Celeste entered a code into her keypad and the dormant ship came to life.

The hatch opened with a soft swoosh and the panel glowed. There is something else I haven’t told you Crystal mentioned casually as they embarked.

MEANWHILE…

P. J. Raygun and Nebula X were clear of the asteroid field, and traveling through open space. The nearest object in front of them was Mars, but it was a long ways off. P. J. had a lot of scheming to do and a lot of time to do it. On long trips in space, a ship’s captain was normally busy with navigational concerns. These were being ably handled by the X unit.

MEANWHILE…

Krate Azimuth was promoting his newly published autobiography when he received word that an unidentified object was approaching Earth. Lander had already been summoned and Krate was also asked to leave for Florida immediately. While the story was kept from the public, there had been a leak. Rumors sprang up which claimed that Major Sly Wormhole was returning to Earth with a Martian army to wage war against the world that had snubbed him. Scandal sheets ran front page stories predicting armageddon.

There’s no place like home.

It was some time before Flash and Fin emerged from the back yard. Flash had taken time to answer all of Fin’s questions, remembering Hollygram’s words. When she saw them, Bertha shook herself back to the unbelievable present and hurried up to Flash. Don’t forget, there is someone I want you to meet she said.

Flash motioned toward Fin with a questioning look. Wasn’t this the man he was sent to talk to? Bertha only laughed and announced I’ve arranged for you to meet the President.

Wasting no time, Bertha drove Flash to the White House, where an escort was waiting to take Flash to the Oval office for a breakfast meeting.

Flash and the guard disappeared through the door and Bertha went back home to take care of other details. She cleaned Flash’s clothing so they would be ready for him when he needed them again. Flash was whisked down grand hallways, past closed doors and 300 year old paintings of Presidents. Flash knew he had to convince President Kennedy to step up the space program with the knowledge Fin had gleaned from the TNI or his own life in his own time would be drastically altered.

MEANWHILE…

What kind of favor? Celeste asked. The thought that she could do a favor for Crystal Weightless intrigued her. Crystal was so independent and never seemed to need anything from anybody… ever. I need to get to Earth. Celeste just stood there, not yet understanding the favor. I need you to take me to Earth. You are the only one with a ship. I know it’s a lot to ask, and I wouldn’t even ask if this weren’t really important. I just didn’t know where else to…

Let’s go! Celeste interrupted, excitedly.

What?

I’ll take you. Celeste repeated. It sounds like fun! I’ve been looking for an excuse to get out of here.

The girls quickly packed what they would need for the trip and headed for the docking bay.

MEANWHILE…

On May 25, 1961, John F. Kennedy spoke to congress.

I believe this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before the decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space, and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish.

And now Flash Hollygram said, It’s time to go home.

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ON THE ROAD WITH JASON DAVIS

Monday, November 20, 2000, Jason Davis and his camera crew arrived in Grand Marais and filmed a FLASH MERIDIAN feature which is slated to air on ABC stations nationwide near Christmas. Check back here for the air date which we will post as soon as we get it.

Present for the taping were Josh Rice as Krate Azimuth, Tricia Elfvin as Nebula X, Jeremy Chase as Ash Lander, Sarah Vaughn as Crystal Weightless, Holly Young as Hollygram, Heather Anderson as Celeste Vela and Tim Young as Flash Meridian. Photo 2) Jason Davis with Flash Meridian

North Shore APPLAUSE, Volume 05, Issue 03, October 2000

REFLECTIONS OF SUMMER 2000 SPECIAL EVENTS

GALACTIC SLIME, written by John Kalb, is kind of a space fantasy that takes place in the mind of an 8 year old boy, played by Timouth.

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Cook County Star, No. 49- September 11, 2000

FLASH MERIDIAN GAINS MOMENTUM

Flash Meridian cast members were interviewed by the Duluth News Tribune recently. (L-R, back) Holly Young as Hollygram; Josh Rice as Krate Azimuth; Jeremy Chase as Ash Lander (L-R, front) Marty Barnier as Fin Martin; Heather Anderson as Celeste Vela; Sarah Vaughn as Crystal Weightless; and Joy Saethre as Bertha.

Back in June, the Cook County Star reported on local artist, Tim Young and his unique internet character, Flash Meridian. The notoriety of the on-line sci-fi cartoon continues to grow – the Duluth News-Tribune arrived at the Cuppa Diem coffeehouse where Young works, to speak to the creator of the Slack Action Production. Young and his actors were interviewed and photographed on the Grand Marais harbor rocks where the Flash Meridian Mars shots were taken. Young took a short break from the website during the busy summer months to work on a Flash Meridian soundtrack, but has been back at work in his alternative universe and recently completed episode 28. There are new characters and adventures for the space man and his friends. If you’d like to take a trip around the solar system in Young’s Trans-Neptunian Interloper, which looks surprisingly like his 1962 Chrysler New Yorker Wagon, log on to www.timouth.com/space.

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The Duluth News-Tribune, Vol. 130 No. 129 – September 10, 2000

Into outer orbit

Online science-fiction comic strip ‘Flash Meridian’ launches into cyberspace from the rocky shores of Grand Marais

photo by Derek Neas, News Tribune

Tim Young, a stay-at-home dad and artist in Grand Marais, invented a sci-fi character named Flash Meridian, whom he also portrays in real life. The online comic strip’s cast includes about 15 other Grand Marais residents.

COMIC BELIEF: Online sci-fi strip makes waves on Superior’s North Shore

Online science fiction comic strip ‘Flash Meridian’ has been launched into cyberspace from, of all places, Grand Marais. Its creator, Tim Young, tests the outer limits of creativity.

By Chris Casey

News Tribune staff writer

Flash Meridian (Tim Young) views the red orb of Mars through the windshield of his Trans-Neptunian Interloper in another far-out episode of the sci-fi comic. The online character bio of Flash describes our intrepid hero as being “engulfed in a night that never ends…it seemed only natural that he would devote his life to the exploration of space and the radiation, temperature and other conditions of space.”

People are prancing around in space outfits. A red caboose, once used as a coffee shop, is command central for solar system exploration. Intrepid astronaut Flash Meridian is reading to kids at the library and popping up in local parades.

Holy Wormhole! Grand Marais — never lacking for offbeat artistic activity — has turned into ground zero for interplanetary space travel. Indeed, something cosmic, if not downright odd, is afoot on the upper reaches of the North Shore.
If you thought “Austin Powers” was wacky and found “Wayne’s World” to be a hoot, then you should check out Flash Meridian’s universe.
Naturally, Flash dwells in space — cyberspace. The saga is an online science fiction comic strip that you click through at www.timouth.com/space.
“Timouth” (sounds like Plymouth) is actually Tim Young. Young’s alter ego is Flash Meridian.
Even before Flash, Young was known around Grand Marais as being a tad eccentric. The 40-year-old “stay-at-home dad” is also a painter, graphic artist, car collector, musician, writer and photographer.
Now Young has entered a new, uh, dimension.
For his “Flash Meridian” series, Young dreams up costumes as campy as those in “Plan 9 From Outer Space.” His storylines are as original as those in “The Twilight Zone” and his characters as eccentric as anything you’ve seen in “Lost in Space.”
His 16-member “actor/model” cast — friends and relatives, including 3-year-old daughter Madeline (as “little space girl” K-D) — traipse around town in space outfits for photo shoots.

Even Tim and Holly Young’s 3-year-old daughter, Madeline, is getting in on the outer-orbit fun, portraying “little space girl” K-D in the Flash Meridian adventure series.

The photos of the space fleet — in cheeky poses and even cheekier outfits — get cosmically enhanced on Young’s computer before being digitally posted in Flash episodes. There are now 29 such adventures on the Web site and more on the way.
Young, working from the 1948 Great Northern caboose in his back yard, has also produced a CD compilation of the first 15 episodes. He narrates over an original score by Jeremy Chase of Grand Marais.

A wacky fleet

Chase, 17, is known around town as a member of the rock band Vanguard. But, increasingly, he’s known as Ash Lander, a heroic astronaut in the Flash series.
“I’ll be walking around with Tim and (people) will say, “Oh, it’s Flash Meridian and Ash Lander and that kind of thing,” he said. “But most of the time they’ll focus on Tim because he’s just wacky.”

Two heroes of the Flash Meridian online sci-fi saga are Ash Lander (Jeremy Chase) and Krate Azimuth (Josh Rice). They are dispatched into the solar system to rescue Flash Meridian as he drifts through space.

Wacky. Creative. Spontaneous. Those are words often used to describe Young. Flash is an appropriate moniker because folks say his mind works as fast as his spacecraft — the Trans-Neptunonian Interloper (Young’s 1962 Chrysler New Yorker station wagon) — zips through space.
“He thinks about the stuff and zoom, zoom, zoom, he does it,” said Young’s wife, Holly, who owns Superior Properties, a real estate company. “It’s amazing to watch him paint.”

Of all the far-out characters in the Flash Meridian series, perhaps strangest of all is Nebula X (Tricia Elfvin). Nebula X is a multi-purpose fashion droid with self-generating parts. According to her Flash Meridian bio, she has chrome skin, ruby lips and sapphire eyes, and wears a size 4.

Connie Heithoff, owner of Cuppa Diem, where Young works twice a week, has seen the artist’s turbo-charged creativity in action. She said Young painted a mural — “a goose goddess or a saint caffeine, depending on your bent” — on one of the coffee shop’s walls and he often whips out Flash Meridian episodes while sitting for a spell.
“A lot of times he’ll come (to work) dressed in some of his space clothes — the shiny shirt, the shiny pants. And people will check him out right away to see what he’s wearing today,” she said. “He’s kind of fun to have around. He’s wild and crazy.”
Heithoff enjoys checking out the exploits of Flash Meridian on the Web site.
“I recognize all the people who are all the different characters because they’re local,” she said. “Seeing them in all the episodes is kind of fun.”
Most of the Flash characters were brainstormed by Young and fellow Vanguard fan Sarah Vaughn during one of the band’s gigs last spring.
Unbenownst to them, Vanguard members would become core players in the sci-fi saga. Josh Rice became astronaut Krate Azimuth, sidekick to Ash Lander. Vanguard bass player Justin Chase, meanwhile, ended up as villain Maj. Sly Wormhole “because I looked bad, apparently,” Justin said.
Soon, Jeremy Chase and Young were rummaging for space costumes and Flash was well past liftoff.
“It was really kind of an experimentation,” said Chase, who came up with the name Flash Meridian. “We didn’t expect to get really known by anybody. We were just doing it for fun.”
But now, thanks to the Web site, the CD, T-shirts and frequent Flash sightings — besides library, carnival and parade appearances, shiny-suited Young has performed at the Arrowhead Center for the Performing Arts and chatted on the local radio station and appeared in both Cook County newspapers — they’re all becoming quite well known.

“It’s kind of become a cult favorite up here,” Holly said of her husband’s Web site. “Actually,
he’s gotten e-mail from people around the world.”
The site gets up to 100 hits a day from around the globe, Young said. Flash fan sites have even sprung up in cyberspace.

Young is thinking film footage and a published comic book might be in Flash Meridian’s future.
“This would be the time for me to start pursuing it in a bigger way outside of our little enclosed world here.”

photo by Derek Neas, News Tribune

Actor-models in Young’s Flash Meridian online comic gather for a ride in Young’s Trans-Neptunian Interloper, which is actually a 1962 Chrysler New Yorker Wagon, one of only about 700 made.

Young at heart

Although fearful of flying, Young says he’s similar to the 35-year-old Flash (born 100 years after the original moon landing on July 20, 2069; Young, incidentally, was born July 20, 1960) in that he’s also on a journey through midlife and beyond.
The Detroit native grew up in Liberia, where his parents were interdenominational missionaries. Young spent his latter high school years in Africa teaching junior high art classes. He then returned to the States, enrolling in the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit.

Unable to find work in his field after college, Young took a lackluster office job. Eventually, he
accepted a radio position in Charlotte, N.C., that deteriorated into “insane hours.”

“I got burned out and said, “What do I really want out of my life?”
A key answer to that question was Holly, whom he had met while working on the North Shore a couple of years earlier. The couple married about 10 years ago after Young returned to Minnesota.
“She’s my guardian angel,” Young said of Holly. “And the (Flash) story is more autobiographical than probably people would realize on just a casual look. But my wife is an angel, at least that’s how I see her.”

Tim Young describes his wife, Holly Young, who plays Hollygram in the Flash Meridian series, as both his real-life and online comic “guardian angel.” The character’s bio on the Flash Web site says Hollygram visits people in need and brings guidance and comfort.

As Flash zips through space in the TNI, a visage of HollyGram (played by Holly, of course) mysteriously appears in his dashboard. Depending on the episode, HollyGram offers comforting words or steers the drifting Flash away from a menacing asteroid belt.

On his way from Pluto to Earth, Flash has a lot of time to ponder his life.
“It’s almost like hypnosis in a way, where he’s reverting back and looking at his life and sorting through all of his experiences,” Young said. “And for me, that’s the type of journey I’ve been on. I just turned 40 this summer, so I’m kind of nostalgic about my life. I feel really good about it, but still it’s nice to take stock.”
Young, described as a “real renaissance person” by his wife, has two teen-age stepchildren and a 3-year-old daughter.
“I think some of this (Flash writing) might be born out of him being baby crazy,” Holly said. “Being home all the time, he kind of put art on hold for the first three years of our daughter’s life… he made a New Year’s resolution to do more art this year.”
And he has.
Young has an exhibit of paintings — including “Rocket Boy,” a self-portrait of him blasting into the heavens above Grand Marais — at the Coho Cafe near Tofte. He recently wrote a script for the annual one-act plays production at the Arrowhead Center. Young even has a couple of punk-rock tunes composed for future Flash recordings.

“I’m the type of person that I work really hard on something and then I go on to another project,”
Young said. “So (Flash) keeps me interested because it’s got so many different facets. I can go
from writing the story to doing a stage thing.”
The computer-enhanced photos of Young’s vintage cars — on his Web site they create the illusion they’re buzzing planets — was a seed to the Flash Meridian concept. The idea gained momentum when he began art mentoring through the Grand Marais Art Colony.
“I started mentoring students and then I started mentoring a video class and this space thing has always been interesting to me. I mean, I remember the lunar landing on my ninth birthday.”
Young added, “We have a lot of really creative young people in Grand Marais. We don’t have a lot of distractions like movie theaters or bowling alleys or anything like that. And because we’re such an arts-oriented community the kids are more open to it.”

Crystal Weightless (Sarah Vaughn) begs classmate Celeste Vela (Heather Anderson) to take her to Earth in an episode of Flash Meridian. The two girls set out on a cosmic road trip in Vela’s spaceship (actually a 1961 Plymouth Valiant).

Another teen-turned-space trooper is Sarah Vaughn, a sophomore at Cook County High School. Vaughn plays Crystal Weightless, a restless student-in-space with a bad-girl streak, and her do-gooder twin sister, Gravity.
“I like Crystal. She’s really fun,” Vaughan said. “I suppose people might think this is some strange comic book with no emotional value to it. But it’s just really fun.”

photo by Derek Neas, News Tribune . . . photo by Timouth

Young takes a photo of Sarah Vaughn (back left) and his stepdaughter, Heather Anderson, for the Flash Meridian Web site. Rocky formations along Lake Superior often are used for the shoots, which are computer-enhanced to resemble Martian landscapes.

A humorous orbit

Young is a fan of old sci-fi movies and the ’60s TV sitcom “Lost in Space,” and it shows.
“We had this naive idea that by the year 2000 everyone was going to have a flying car,” Young said.
He’s got flying cars all right. It’s just that they’re ’56 pickups and ’62 wagons. Radio transmitters? They look curiously like cell phones.
“I like to tie in that retro thing with the whole naive retro-futuristic view of what space travel was going to be like.”
The Flash stories are campy — and they’re meant to be.
“If I tried to make this really serious, it would be really dumb,” he said. “… A lot of the things you just have to suspend your disbelief and say OK, well how is Ash Lander flying around without oxygen? He’s got a motorcycle helmet on. That’s when I say it’s fiction.”

But it’s not schlocky. The writing is smart, yet outlandish.
“It’s really weird but when I’m writing, every single one of the characters in a way is autobiographical because I just have to think like that person,” Young said.
So in a day, the cyber-author can go from thinking like robotic droid Nebula X, to bounty hunter Sgt. Snowpants, to space playboy P.J. Raygun to bored government office worker Bertha (on whose street, incidentally, time-warp pioneer Flash finally lands, in the year 1961). Vaughn, who collaborates with Young on storylines for her twin characters, said of the Flash Meridian series, “It’s humorous with a serious side to it. I think that’s what makes it funny.”

Major Sly Wormhole (Justin Chase) contemplates his next dastardly deed in a scene from a Flash Meridian online episode. Chase, who will attend Fond du Lac Tribal Community College in Cloquet this fall, said he was chosen to portray the villainous Wormhole because I look bad, apparently.

It’s been an equally enjoyable diversion for Justin Chase, who’s headed to college at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet this fall. Chase said he likes being able to tell folks he’s an “actor/model” on the Internet — albeit a Wormhole.
“It’s a lot of fun, dressing up in space clothes and driving around town. It’s kind of crazy.”
Indeed, who would have thought that a ’62 Chrysler New Yorker was capable of interplanetary travel?
As for the next incarnation of the Flash series — Young is also toying with music videos — possibilities are as endless as the plot lines for our hero in space.
All this far-out enterprise begs the question: Who exactly does Mrs. Meridian…er…Young wake up to each morning?
“You know, my husband’s an artist, so I just roll with it,” Holly said. “This is just one of (his ideas) and sometimes he just dresses flashy. He puts on his space pants and a tank top and goes to work. He’s pretty hilarious. Life is not dull around our house, that’s for sure.”

Chris Casey covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached weekdays at (218) 720-4109 orby e-mail at ccasey@duluthnews.com

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Cook County Star, Vol. 1 No. 44 – August 7, 2000

Space man visits Grand Marais Library

Greetings fellow Earthlings! The Grand Marais Library summer reading program, Cosmic Connections had an interesting visitor last week – a real space man!

The summer reading program at the Grand Marais Public Library is titled Cosmic Connections. In keeping with that theme, young readers were treated to story time with a space-suited Flash Meridian on July 27 and August 1.

Flash Meridian is actually local artist, Tim Young. Young is probably best known for his local artwork – the mural at the Bluewater Cafe, the coffee angel at Cuppa Diem and a recent exhibition at the Arrowhead Center from the Arts. However, his lifetime fascination with outerspace is gaining him an audience of sci-fi fans.

Young and a group of friends have created a web site based on a sci-fi fantasy world. Characters such as Ash Lander, Major Sly Wormhole, android Nebula X, and of course, the library’s friend, Flash travel the galaxy at www.timouth.com/space.

Young had fun with the young reading group, asking them if they believed he was a real space man. The children weren’t sure, so he asked them if they wanted to know what planet he was from. When he told them he was from the planet Earth, a few of the kids started to believe. When he asked what planet they lived on, a few more figured out, until they all realized that they were all space people

As for the reading selection – Flash read traditional earth tales – The Poky Little Puppy and Dr. Seuss’ Happy Birthday to You.

The library summer reading program ends August 11, with a special Kids’ Stuff program with ventriloquist Nancy Baldrica on Friday, August 11 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bridh Grove Center in Tofte; 3:00 p.m. at the Gitchi Onigaming Center in Grand Portage and 7:00 p.m. in Grand Marais in the Bandroom in the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. The event is free, thanks to the Grand Marais Public Library and the Arrowhead Library System and open to everyone.

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PAINTINGS AT THE COHO CAFE

Tim Young’s paintings are currently on display at the Coho Cafe

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Art Colony and Grand Marais Playhouse present the ART LINK LETTER. Volume 3, No. 7, July 2000

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Cook County Star, No. 41- June 17, 2000

GONG SHOW AND GREEK THEATRE

click here to see more pictures of Flash Meridian in the Gong Show.

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Cook County News-Herald, Vol.110, No. 12 – July 10, 2000

Tim Young impresses the crowd during the Grand Marais parade.

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WTIP NORTH SHORE RADIO – Daily Programming Date: Thu, 06 Jul 2000 09:29:23 -0500

From: mailto:”wtip@boreal.org”>wtip@boreal.org THURSDAY JULY 6, 2000 9:00 AM – John Maiers hosts this fact-filled morning show. Tim Young, AKA Flash Meridan, discusses his Internet comic book stories and recently released CD.

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Cook County Star, No. 38- June 26, 2000

LOCAL SCI-FI GOES OUT TO THE WORLD

By Shem Falter

Live from the web! It’s Flash Meridian – sometimes known as mild-mannered earthling, Tim Young. Flash is Young’s alter-ego on the virtual comic strip he has designed. See it at www.timouth.com/space!

What do Flash Meridian hurtling through space, Ash Lander and Krate Azimuth battling Major Sly Wormhole, and Crystal Weightless and P.J. Raygun struggling with android Nebula X, all have in common? Nothing short of all being a part of artist Tim Young’s new Slack Action Production website, FLASH MERIDIAN.

The original idea came about during an Arts Mentor film project a couple years ago when Young made a character of himself as ROCKET BOY flying through space.

Friend, Kim Storm, suggested to him that he should really do something with this space thing.

Then a couple of months ago, Young sat around for a night, making up funny space lines and words with friend-turned-character Sarah Vaughn, and the ONLINE COMIC BOOK idea whas born.

Now 15 episode – more soon – fantasy/science-fiction series has been a combined effort of Young’s script and production, a group of actor/models from the area who serve as the characters, and a ever expanding set of unique SPACE CLOTHES from Young’s own closet.

We look around for clothes that look like they would be worn in space, but much of the time chrome spray paint is the answer says Young.

The story is actually a group of stories, the first involving Ash Lander [Jeremy Chase] and Krate Azimuth [Josh Rice] and their attempt to rescue star, Flash Meridian [Tim Young] from his drift in space. They run into trouble in the form of Major Sly Wormhole [Justin Chase] and the classic good vs. evil battle begins. During his time in space, Flash is forced to confront his own demons as well as his angel, Hollygram [wife, Holly Young].

The second story revolves around Sarah Vaughn’s double role as Crystal and Gravity weightless and the problems they run into after activating android Nebula X [Tricia Elfvin] and dumping her off on exterminator P. J. Raygun [Paul Ramey].

Young expects the stories to interlock at a later date with some help from other cast members, Sgt. Snowpants [Rain Elfvin], Dock Galaxy [Ben Cervenka] and Warrior Woman [Kim Storm].

Young admits much of the time we just take the pictures and let them develop the story. I figure there must be something in my mind when I take the pictures. Young then manipulates the photos on his computer and the future is born.

From there, Young waits for his inspiration an then sits down with his big, red book to let the story unfold. Young says, I got many of the ideas from old 50’s and 60’s pre-NASA books and movies. I really appreciate the Austin Powers/Doctor Evil futuristic feel.

Set in the year 2104, the 35 year old Flash Meridian was born 100 years after the original moon landing on July 20, 2069. Young was also born on July 20 [1960] and has big plans for this year’s celebration, including a possible time warp to the 60’s where Flash may end up involved with that original space program.

The cast members have to create their own version of what 2104 will hold. Young admits you can make it however you want, like many of the old stories Young read which expected Earth residents to be deep in space by now.

Young’s space look is a blend of old and new with a perfect example being his 1962 Chrysler New Yorker Wagon [production only 728], which doubles as his Trans-Neptunian Interloper in the series.

The website is growing and becoming more popular all the time with a reported 50-100 hits a day coming in from around the world.

A fan site has even sprung up with new Playhouse intern Marty Barnier keeping up on the action in the coolest freaking fan site on the internet.

Young says he really enjoys the project because of the wide variety of concepts including theatre, writing, visual arts, design and computer manipulation.

He someday hopes to take the series to other mediums such as film, stage, comic strips or radio drama. Also, watch out for the new Flash Meridian T-shirts and even soundtrack filled with original local music.

But all that aside, Young says, I would be happy to just set everything else aside for awhile and just be Flash. So take a trip around the solar system and join the fun with Flash Meridian.

Flash Meridian is lost and drifting through space. Will he ever find his way back to Earth and the life he left? Tune in at www.timouth.com/space to find out

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Ash Lander’s thoughts were filled with memories of the space girl.

While Krate Azimuth’s face appeared in magazines and newspapers, and on countless television shows, Ash Lander became more and more of an enigma. The majority of questions posed to Krate during interviews had, of course, to do with their adventures in space, but a close second had to be questions about Ash Lander. Krate, however, had not seen Ash since his media tour began, and they had spoken infrequently on the phone. Joining him often by satellite feed or in person, was Dock Galaxy. While Krate spoke with great enthusiasm and emotion, Dock’s words were carefully chosen and were designed to present Nomicon in a positive light. He never spoke of Wormhole, the evil specter that haunted the minds of all progressive people on Earth.

MEANWHILE…

Ash Lander’s thoughts were filled with memories of the space girl and visions of Flash Meridian, lost in space. He still blamed himself for their failure to save Flash, and he still could not come to terms with the space girl they had encountered on J-IV… a subject that was kept from the masses. Ash wondered whether the whole thing had been a hallucination since they had no hard evidence that she existed. The human mind is capable of over-riding the truth with a more palatable fiction. At any rate, his own doubts and feelings of inadequacy kept him in seclusion, accompanied only by close relations and friends.

MEANWHILE…

P. J. Raygun and Nebula X left the asteroid field and entered the vast expanse of empty space, Earthbound. P. J. pictured Earthlings as mindless automatons, seeking convenience over all else. Earth, while not among the larger planets in the solar system, was, in many ways, the richest. Raygun wrung his hands and snickered as he anticipated the ease with which he would relieve them of their wealth. Fixing his Universal Positioning Satellite on Earth, he could see it as a tiny speck on his screen. You’re mine! he glowered, tapping his finger impatiently on the control panel housing.

MEANWHILE…

Crystal Weightless found Celeste in the library, glanced around the room for possible eavesdroppers and approached her. Celeste… she began apprehensively, afraid that Celeste would not be willing to cooperate.

Hey Crystal! Celeste acknowledged warmly, having always admired Crystal’s free spirit.

Do you have a minute? Crystal asked.

Sure, what’s up? Celeste asked, shutting down the terminal she had been viewing. The girls left the library and as they walked through the school’s corridors, Crystal explained all about the cargo pods, the Nebula X and P. J. Raygun to Celeste, who listened, wide eyed to the account of Crystal’s escapades.

And now… Crystal faltered Now I need a favor.

. . . a million forgotten Earthly things swept through him at once.

Flash stared into the mirror, comforted by a familiar face. Holly Gram anticipated his questions and answered them before he even asked.

I’ve taken you back in time she said. Flash suddenly understood what had happened between Jupiter and Mars. the time warp explained the period he couldn’t account for.

The year is 1961 Holly Gram continued.

143 years… Flash mumbled.

The space program is in its infancy, and needs your help

Flash listened carefully to everything she said. His mind flashed back to what he could recall of the history of America’s early ventures into space. The Russians had already put a man into a single orbit, and the U.S. Navy commander Alan B. Shepard was launched on a 15-minute sub-orbital flight into space.

Your work here is almost done. Hollygram said from the other side of the mirror.

My work? Flash gasped. I haven’t done anything at all.

But you have she continued. Right now someone is inspecting your ship. Flash thought of the TNI, still parked in the street out front. What he learns tonight will complete his knowledge and allow man to land on the moon.

So that’s it? Flash questioned, feeling that the experience seemed overblown. You brought me back in time for nothing? You could have just brought him the operations manual!

I do have one more task for you to perform here Hollygram spoke, reassuringly. At that, there came another knock at the door, and Bertha spoke.

It’s getting light she said. We should move your ship before the sun rises. Besides, there is someone I want you to meet.

Flash made his way back through the house as though he were walking through a dream. He stepped out onto the grass, which sparkled like stars with dew. He heard a distant train and a million forgotten Earthly things swept through him at once. Details. Subtle, insignificant things that were absent in space.

Flash greeted Fin Martin and offered to explain the controls on the TNI. The two men talked a bit before Flash said I was just going to move it out of the way he added, would you like to take a little ride?

Bertha just stood blinking as Flash and Fin entered the ship.

The hatch closed and the ship slowly rose up from the street and hovered for a moment just above the streetlights. As Bertha watched, the ship moved silently and came down softly behind her garage.

MEANWHILE…

Crystal Weightless was becoming more and more restless. She obsessed over the Nebula X until she decided to find her again.

Checking the directory under exterminators, she found the listing once again for P. J. Raygun.

There was no answer on Raygun’s frequency. Crystal’s heart sank. She felt as though she would never see the Nebula X again. As she stood there feeling discouraged, there was a click, a tone and then a voice.

May I help you?”

I’m looking for P. J. Raygun Crystal responded

This is his message service came the voice. Raygun is away for a while.

Do you know where he went? Crystal asked.

I can not give out that information, but I would be happy to take a message for him

I have to find him. It’s very important! Crystal pleaded.

Maybe it was the desperation in her voice… Maybe the operator didn’t want to be bothered with taking a message… but for some reason, the voice on the radio stated Mr. Raygun has gone to Earth

Thank you! Crystal blurted excitedly and disconnected.

How can I get to Earth? she wondered. Celeste!

Celeste was one of Crystal’s friends at the school, and she had her own space ship.

Whoo hoo!

P.J. Raygun’s ship darted between asteroids with Nebula X as his co-pilot. Her maneuvers were based on mathematics rather than eye-hand coordination, so they raced at top speed. Raygun simply watched as though it were an adventure game or movie, and occasionally yelled Yee Haw! or Whoo Hoo!, adrenaline pumping through his veins. Nebula X’s expression never changed. She never flinched, never blinked, never said a word.

MEANWHILE…

Bertha gathered up Flash’s clothes and put them in the TNI. Fin Martin pulled up in front of her house and she hurried to his car.

Fin she exclaimed, I don’t know what to do!

She went on to explain about talking to Flash on the radio, and how his ship landed right there in the street.

Well, where is he from? Fin asked.

I don’t know! Bertha said.

Go in and talk to him Fin instructed, pulling a flashlight from his labcoat pocket.

Bertha turned and headed back indoors while Fin approached the TNI.

MEANWHILE…

Though the metal surface had cooled and the control panel was dark, a faint humming came from somewhere in the ship. Cautiously, Fin peered through the rear hatch, shining his flashlight into Flash’s sleeping chamber. His beam illuminated video screens, air vents and Flash’s clothing.

Seeing nothing to cause alarm, Fin climbed inside for a closer inspection.

Making his way toward the cockpit, Fin was amazed by the array of control panels spread out before him. The technology behind this beautiful ship was far beyond anything he had ever seen before.

The electro-luminiscent globe intrigued him even in its darkened state. If only he could have seen it in operation!

MEANWHILE…

Ash Lander had always been thought of as the leader of their expedition. Now that they were back on Earth and engulfed in the feeding frenzy of the media, it was Krate who spoke for the project, appearing on television and radio, in live appearances and granting interviews for the press. Ash preferred to spend time with his family and friends, seeking a quieter, more private lifestyle.

MEANWHILE…

Flash adjusted his tie in the mirror, still trying to figure out the strange feeling he had. Everything just seemed off somehow.

Looking at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, the face staring back at him began to change. He soon recognized that it was Holly Gram who looked back.