Illustration from an 18th century Icelandic manuscript of Loki, a villainous Norse deity with the ability to transmogrify.
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Friday, May 30, 2008
Puzzle by Nathan Last, edited by Will Shortz
RIGMAROLE (1A. Elaborate procedure) leads off this crossword as the first entry and amusingly finishes with IAMSODEAD (60A. “My parents are gonna kill me!”) -- in between we are treated to such fun fare as BEESKNEES (16A. Living end); CANITRYSOME (21D. Question while eying someone else’s plate); TAKETHERAP (25D. Be a whipping boy); FLYSOLO (39D. Eschew aid) which no one in this heavily populated puzzle will do, for there is plenty of company.
LOKI (34A. Shape-shifting giant of myth) headlines this puzzle's large cast of characters which include a JERK (10A. Creep); ASTA (38A. Four-legged film star of the ‘30s); an ORYX (46A. Animal some believe to be the source of the unicorn myth) AMONG (17A. In with) homo sapiens READE (19A. “The Wandering Heir” novelist, 1872); COEN (21A. “The Big Lebowski” director); STYNE (35A. “Just in Time” composer); ERROL (54A. “The Fog of War” director Morris); CHICOMARX (55A. Old comedian known for his unique piano-playing style); ILER (2D. He played on of TV’s Sopranos); ACKROYD (5D. Peter who wrote “The Last Testament of Oscar Wilde”); EDSEL (9D. Old bomb); JIMIHENDRIX (10D. Follower of Sha Na Na at Woodstock); SHEA (50D. Jets used to be seen there); SADE (35D. She had a 1993 hit with “No Ordinary Love”); RICCI (45D. Golden Globe-nominated actress for “The Opposite of Sex,” 1998); RANEES (6D. Eastern Royals); OCEANAUTS (7D. Sealab inhabitants); and a PIXIE (15A. Playful trickster).
A few more links: OLEICACID (14A. Soapmaking compound); OBELISK (42A. Luxor Temple sight); EXONERATES (11D. Clears); ANABOLISM; RINK (12D. Flames shoot in it); 31. Orsk is on it; 49. Keys; 47. Leaves home?.
Did I forget CESTLAVIE (58A. “Oh well”)!
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For today's cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
