FantasticLand

Mike Bockoven

FantasticLand

Mike Bockoven
58 pages1-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Adult
Published in 2016

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

An investigative journalist compiling a comprehensive oral history of the FantasticLand disaster. He meticulously structures the narrative by interviewing survivors and attempting to find sense in the violence that erupted. While dedicated to his reporting, he occasionally reveals his own emotional investment in the tragedy.

Key Relationships

Interviewer of Brock Hockney

Interviewer of Emmet Kelley

Correspondent of Sergeant Steven A. Scott

Interviewer of Stuart Dietz

Interviewer of Clara Ann Clark

Interviewer of Glenn Guignol

Interviewer of Sophie Ruskin

Interviewer of Alice Barlow

A twenty-something employee who previously worked as a character in the Pirate Cove. Following the hurricane, he rapidly seizes power to form the Pirates tribe, establishing a brutal "Code of the Blade." Charismatic and highly arrogant, he thrives in the lawless environment and uses violence to enforce dominance.

Key Relationships

Brother of Bryce Hockney

Leader of Chase Pounder

Leader of Sal McVey

Enemy of Sam Garliek

Attacker of Paul the Puddle

Interviewee of Adam Jakes

Attacker of Austin

An older maintenance worker at FantasticLand who becomes a key figure among the Mole Men. Skeptical of the younger employees' erratic behavior, he leads his group into the underground tunnels to secure their safety. He approaches survival with a practical mindset, constantly evaluating their options for defense.

Key Relationships

Co-leader with Charlie

Colleague of Tomas

Protector of Lucy

Colleague of Carlos

Colleague of Miguel

Interviewee of Adam Jakes

A gift shop manager who transforms into the disciplined leader of the ShopGirls. She uses early incidents of violence as a catalyst to unite her tribe, focusing entirely on protecting their stores along the Golden Road. Her leadership relies on strict organization and maintaining a shared purpose among her followers.

Key Relationships

Leader of Anonymous

Leader of Alice Barlow

Leader of Kristen

Leader of Scottie

Enemy of Daniel

Interviewee of Adam Jakes

A fire breather and makeup artist who leads the Freaks. He avoids the park's warfare by using horror-themed decorations to cultivate a fearsome reputation, preferring to smoke marijuana and stay out of conflicts. He relies heavily on psychological intimidation rather than actual combat.

Key Relationships

Rival of Elvis Springer

Interviewee of Adam Jakes

Intimidator of Sam Garliek

Ally of Stuart Dietz

Ally of Charlie

Neighbor of The Warthogs

A ride operator stationed in the Pirate Cove who initially focuses on gathering supplies with her partner. When disaster strikes, her grief hardens into an obsessive quest for vengeance against the Pirates. She operates outside the established tribal system, stockpiling weapons and aggressively pursuing her own justice.

Key Relationships

Girlfriend of Austin

Investigated by Emmet Kelley

Interviewee of Adam Jakes

Enemy of Brock Hockney

Acquaintance of Sam Garliek

The first-shift manager at FantasticLand who attempts to assert administrative authority during Operation Rapture. His early decisions in the storm shelter breed resentment, and he struggles to command respect from the other employees once the power fails. He views himself as the sole voice of reason.

Key Relationships

Subordinate to Phil Mueller

Rival of Brock Hockney

Antagonized by Flynn

Witness for Emmet Kelley

Intimidated by Glenn Guignol

Employee of Ritchie Fresno

Supporting Characters

A retail cashier who entirely avoids the tribal warfare by hiding in a hotel on the park's premises. His initial success at remaining hidden eventually gives way to severe distress as he realizes he is being actively hunted by masked figures.

Key Relationships

Hunted by The Warthogs

Rescued by Travis Barnes

A medical worker who remains in the park to treat injuries. She and her colleague attempt to maintain strict neutrality, offering aid to members of any tribe who approach their tent. Her idealism is continuously tested as the various factions attempt to exploit or recruit her.

Key Relationships

Colleague of Morgan

Threatened by Brock Hockney

A security manager who steps up to lead the Robot tribe. He initially focuses on resource distribution and defense, trying to mentor younger employees. As tensions rise, he adopts a defensive posture and urges others to fortify their positions.

Key Relationships

Protector of Karen

Ally of Riley

Rival of Glenn Guignol

Leader of Cristobal Abasolo

The strong-willed leader of the Deadpools tribe. She rallies her group around a philosophy of active retaliation against the Pirates, refusing to back down or retreat into hiding. She maintains a degree of hope that diplomatic efforts might eventually resolve the conflict.

Key Relationships

Leader of Jill Van Meveren

Ally of Elvis Springer

Leader of Louise Muskgrove

Leader of Cristobal Abasolo

A character actor who plays a soldier in Hero Haven and becomes a key fighter for the Deadpools. Her background in martial arts serves her well as she helps form patrols and aggressively defends her territory against intruders.

Key Relationships

Subordinate to Riley

Attacker of Travis Barnes

A former ride line supervisor who initially shelters in the Fairy Prairie before being captured. Forced into a brutal initiation to survive, he becomes an active member of the Pirates. He lives with immense guilt over the violent acts he commits under duress.

Key Relationships

Subordinate to Brock Hockney

Fellow Captive of Austin

A former dance troupe member who joins the Pirates. He justifies the tribe's extreme violence as necessary entertainment and emphasizes the strong sense of brotherhood forged among the members.

Key Relationships

Subordinate to Brock Hockney

A father vacationing at the park who ignores early storm warnings to extend his family's trip. When the hurricane arrives, his frantic scramble to secure his son illustrates the immediate breakdown of social norms. He physically fights through crowds to reach his child.

Key Relationships

Husband of Suzanne Hoffman

Father of Kendall Hoffman

Father of Keinan Hoffman

The lead prosecutor for cases stemming from Hurricane Sadie. He struggles to secure convictions against the traumatized survivors, ultimately focusing his full legal resources on ensuring the most dangerous instigators face justice.

Key Relationships

Prosecutor of Brock Hockney

Prosecutor of Sam Garliek

Prosecutor of Sophie Ruskin

The owner of FantasticLand and son of its creator. He initially approves Operation Rapture but becomes entirely disillusioned when he discovers the corporate board's attempts to cover up the full extent of the tragedy.

Key Relationships

Son of Johnny Fresno

Employer of Phil Mueller

The head of park personnel who coordinates the voluntary stay-behind program. He evacuates on the last bus, leaving the young employees behind with a disaster manual that proves woefully inadequate for the ensuing crisis.

Key Relationships

Supervisor of Sam Garliek

Employee of Ritchie Fresno

A maintenance worker who views the hurricane isolation as an opportunity to get rich by stockpiling goods. He attempts to sell stolen supplies to other employees before mysteriously disappearing.

Key Relationships

Boyfriend of Sophie Ruskin

Fellow Captive of Chase Pounder

Victim of Brock Hockney

The co-leader of the Mole Men. He works closely with the maintenance crew to secure the underground tunnels and retains a persistent hope that diplomacy can save the remaining park employees.

Key Relationships

Co-leader with Stuart Dietz

An employee who falls from a roof and suffers fatal injuries. His subsequent execution by a rival employee serves as a grim warning to the rest of the park, sparking the immediate formation of defensive tribes.

Key Relationships

Victim of Brock Hockney

Two masked figures who stalk the park's periphery during the disaster. They never speak, operating in total silence as they track isolated employees and stage bizarre, violent acts.

Key Relationships

Pursuer of Jason Card

A medic who remains in the park to treat injuries during Operation Rapture. She works tirelessly to maintain the First Aid Station as a neutral zone, though the encroaching violence severely tests her physical resilience.

Key Relationships

Colleague of Gemma Albers

Threatened by Brock Hockney