Blackgaard Chronicles
Every hero needs a villain to fight against. Shortly after the creation of Adventures in Odyssey, the AIO team discussed the idea of creating a nemesis for John Avery Whittaker, someone who would work against Whit's mission to inspire kids to learn, use their imagination, and deepen their faith. Enter Dr. Regis Blackgaard. Originally named Jonathan Dark and then Janus Blackgaard in early drafts, Dr. Blackgaard comes to represent the forces of evil as he plagues the people of Odyssey over a period of years, both in-person and behind-the-scenes. This saga, later dubbed the Blackgaard Chronicles, introduces listeners to a host of characters, such as Richard Maxwell, Philip Glossman, Jason Whittaker, and Tasha Forbes. It also explores Mr. Whittaker's top secret work for the government, as well as the hidden tunnels underneath Whit's End.
Years after the episodes in the Blackgaard saga first aired, writer Phil Lollar revisited the storylines in The Blackgaard Chronicles novels. Starting with book one, Opening Moves, these novels retrace the plot points from the saga. They also include new scenes and information previously unknown, such as what Dr. Blackgaard and his minions were really up to while the citizens of Odyssey went about their daily lives.
1: Opening Moves
A conniving city councilman named Philip Glossman is secretly carrying out plans against John Avery Whittaker and Whit's End. |
2: Pawn's Play
Petty thief and con artist Richard Maxwell joins forces with the diabolical Dr. Regis Blackgaard to rain down more trouble on the town of Odyssey. |
3: Cross-Check
The evil Dr. Regis Blackgaard continues to scheme through his henchmen to gain access to Whit’s End and the Applesauce program. |
4: Rook's Ruse
Dr. Regis Blackgaard recruits one of John Avery Whittaker’s young friends, Lucy Cunningham-Schultz, who pays a high price for her gullibility. |
5: Knight's Scheme
On a trip to Chicago, Whit and Connie get caught up in a dangerous mystery involving a stolen laptop, the Department of Defense, and some familiar (but not very friendly) faces. |
Album 1: The Adventure Begins
19: Recollections
Whit’s best friend, Tom Riley, tells Connie the story of how Whit’s End was created amid tragic circumstances.
Whit’s best friend, Tom Riley, tells Connie the story of how Whit’s End was created amid tragic circumstances.
Album 5: Daring Deeds, Sinister Schemes72: An Encounter with Mrs. Hooper
On a trip to a nursing home, Donna Barclay meets the stubborn and cantankerous Mary Hooper and learns a lesson about compassion. 73: A Bite of Applesauce Against Whit’s express orders, Eugene and Connie tamper with a top secret computer room – and the mysterious program Applesauce is unleashed. 74–75: Connie Goes to Camp, Parts 1-2 Connie writes to her mom about her wild week at Camp What-A-Nut and about a difficult decision involving Lucy. |
76: Eugene's Dilemma
Eugene starts working at the college computer department with 11-year-old Nicholas Adamsworth and gets caught up in a grade-changing scheme.
77-78: The Nemesis, Parts 1-2
The mysterious Dr. Regis Blackgaard wants to open an “amusement house” for children. When it seems he won’t win the city council’s approval to build, he resorts to questionable methods.
83-84: The Battle, Parts 1-2
Dr. Blackgaard’s quest to steal Applesauce reaches its peak as he and crony Richard Maxwell take control of the computer at Whit’s End.
Eugene starts working at the college computer department with 11-year-old Nicholas Adamsworth and gets caught up in a grade-changing scheme.
77-78: The Nemesis, Parts 1-2
The mysterious Dr. Regis Blackgaard wants to open an “amusement house” for children. When it seems he won’t win the city council’s approval to build, he resorts to questionable methods.
83-84: The Battle, Parts 1-2
Dr. Blackgaard’s quest to steal Applesauce reaches its peak as he and crony Richard Maxwell take control of the computer at Whit’s End.
Album 7: On Thin Ice
128: One Bad Apple
Tom Riley investigates what could be causing people to become sick from eating his apples.
Tom Riley investigates what could be causing people to become sick from eating his apples.
Album 10: Other Times, Other Places155-156: Waylaid in the Windy City, Parts 1-2
On a trip to Chicago, Whit and Connie get caught up in a dangerous mystery involving a portable computer, the Department of Defense, and some familiar – but not very friendly – faces. 159: The Homecoming Richard Maxwell returns to Odyssey to try and ask forgiveness from the townsfolk. It's hard for Richard, as some people don't want to forgive what he's done. |
Album 11: It's Another Fine Day...
160: A Rathbone of Contention
Bart Rathbone tries many shortcuts to get his new business, The Electric Palace, opened in only a few weeks.
Bart Rathbone tries many shortcuts to get his new business, The Electric Palace, opened in only a few weeks.
Album 15: Place of Wonder
203: Double Trouble
Lucy goes out to the Harlequin Dinner Theatre to interview the new owner – only to discover that it’s R.E. Blackgaard! Is Whit’s arch-nemesis back in town? There’s only one way to find out.
Lucy goes out to the Harlequin Dinner Theatre to interview the new owner – only to discover that it’s R.E. Blackgaard! Is Whit’s arch-nemesis back in town? There’s only one way to find out.
Album 22: The Changing Times286-287: Tom for Mayor, Parts 1-2
Philip Glossman returns to look for toxic chemicals on Tom Riley’s farm. Meanwhile, Odyssey’s mayor resigns, so Tom Riley and Bart Rathbone compete for the office. 290-291: A Name, Not a Number, Parts 1-2 Jason Whittaker, Whit’s son, gets sidetracked from his move to Odyssey when he’s called to Europe on a mission. He has to find a missing friend who has been kidnapped by the terrorist organization Red Scorpion. 293: A Code of Honor
Jack Allen and Jason Whittaker find a mysterious codebook in Whit’s workroom that leads them to a secret gang called the Israelites. |
Album 23: Twists and Turns
301: The Good, the Bad and Butch
Sam Johnson wants to renew his friendship with Butch even though Butch is now a member of the Bones of Rath.
Sam Johnson wants to renew his friendship with Butch even though Butch is now a member of the Bones of Rath.
Album 24: Risks and Rewards
314-316: The Underground Railroad, Parts 1-3
A stranger tells Jack the story of the Ross family, and their courageous run for freedom to escape slavery.
A stranger tells Jack the story of the Ross family, and their courageous run for freedom to escape slavery.
Album 25: Darkness Before Dawn324: Small Fires, Little Pools
When an outbreak of vandalism hits Odyssey, the gang at Whit’s End tries to find out who’s responsible. 325: Angels Unaware A mysterious “clean-up” crew suddenly counters the vandalism around Odyssey. Connie has her suspicions about who is responsible for these new acts of goodness. 326: Gathering Thunder To help the gang called the Israelites, Butch spies on the Bones of Rath until his loyalty comes into question. |
327: Moving Targets
Jason and Jack clash about how to handle the growing crisis around Odyssey, leading to Jack’s resignation from Whit’s End. Meanwhile, Philip Glossman and Professor Bovril show up to investigate the tunnel under Whit’s End.
328: Hard Losses
A new scandal erupts when Tom Riley is accused of unethical campaign practices.
329: The Return
Dr. Blackgaard returns to Odyssey to challenge Tom Riley’s position as mayor.
330: The Time Has Come
Despondent over his helplessness to influence the ominous events in Odyssey, Eugene creates a search program for the Imagination Station that lets him replay key moments of his life.
331: Checkmate
The Israelites clean up the Bones of Rath hideout, Lucy Cunningham-Schultz is kidnapped and pressed for information by Jellyfish, and Glossman finally succeeds in shutting down Whit’s End.
332: Another Chance
Rodney Rathbone tells Richard Maxwell about a laptop computer that may contain valuable information about Blackgaard’s plans for Odyssey.
333: The Last Resort
Bernard goes on a covert mission to get information from Jellyfish’s laptop computer, and the police arrest Jason Whittaker.
334: The Final Conflict
The battle between Blackgaard and the gang at Whit’s End draws to an explosive close.
Jason and Jack clash about how to handle the growing crisis around Odyssey, leading to Jack’s resignation from Whit’s End. Meanwhile, Philip Glossman and Professor Bovril show up to investigate the tunnel under Whit’s End.
328: Hard Losses
A new scandal erupts when Tom Riley is accused of unethical campaign practices.
329: The Return
Dr. Blackgaard returns to Odyssey to challenge Tom Riley’s position as mayor.
330: The Time Has Come
Despondent over his helplessness to influence the ominous events in Odyssey, Eugene creates a search program for the Imagination Station that lets him replay key moments of his life.
331: Checkmate
The Israelites clean up the Bones of Rath hideout, Lucy Cunningham-Schultz is kidnapped and pressed for information by Jellyfish, and Glossman finally succeeds in shutting down Whit’s End.
332: Another Chance
Rodney Rathbone tells Richard Maxwell about a laptop computer that may contain valuable information about Blackgaard’s plans for Odyssey.
333: The Last Resort
Bernard goes on a covert mission to get information from Jellyfish’s laptop computer, and the police arrest Jason Whittaker.
334: The Final Conflict
The battle between Blackgaard and the gang at Whit’s End draws to an explosive close.
Album 26: Back on the Air
342: Welcome Home, Mr. Blackgaard
Edwin Blackgaard returns to Odyssey to take over the Electric Palace and reopen the Harlequin Theatre.
Edwin Blackgaard returns to Odyssey to take over the Electric Palace and reopen the Harlequin Theatre.
Album 33: Virtual Realities424: Blackgaard's Revenge, Part 1
A virus implanted in the Imagination Station with Dr. Blackgaard’s personality surfaces and must be destroyed before it takes hold over Aubrey. 425: Blackgaard's Revenge, Part 2 When the first attempt at destroying the virus fails, Whit tells Eugene to make preparations for Plan B. |
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