Assignment: Star Trek
You may be looking for the Star Trek: TOS zine, Assignment: Enterprise.
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Assignment: Star Trek |
| Publisher: | out of Oakland City, Indiana |
| Editor(s): | Paul G. Burnett |
| Date(s): | 1975-1977 |
| Series?: | |
| Medium: | fanzine, print |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: TOS |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Assignment: Star Trek is a Star Trek: TOS anthology of fiction, reviews, articles, art, con info, puzzles and news.
One flyer said it came out eight times a year and that each issue had ten or more pages.
The last issue was in spring 1977, and the editor said the zine was going to morph into a new zine called Eye of the Beholder.
The editor was about 14 years old when the first issue was published.
Issue 1
Assignment: Star Trek 1 was published in 1975.
Issue 2
Assignment: Star Trek 2 was published in 1975.
Issue 3
Assignment: Star Trek 3 was published in 1975.
- Niece or Not, It Happened (Part 1) P. Burnett
Issue 4
Assignment: Star Trek 4 was published in 1975.
- Niece or Not, It Happened (Part 2) P. Burnett
- Niece or Not, It Happened (Part 3) P. Burnett
Issue 5
Assignment: Star Trek 5 was published in 1975.
Issue 6
Assignment: Star Trek 6 was published in July/August 1975 and contains 6 pages.
- AST Looks at Animated Star Trek (2)
- The Editor's Wish (what would readers like to see in this zine?) (3)
- Niece or Not, It Happened (conclusion), fiction by Paul G. Burnett (3)
- Ask the Enterprise's Computer
- Star Trek... The Fans (some excerpts from The World of Star Trek by David Gerrold) (5)
- Subspace Chatter, some news blurbs (5)
- Star Trek News Brief
- The Decidus III Encounter (part 1), fiction by Paul G. Burnett (6)
Issue 7
Assignment: Star Trek 7 was published in 1975.
- The Decidus III Encounter (Part 2) P. Burnett
Issue 8
Assignment: Star Trek 8 was published in 1975.
- The Decidus III Encounter (Part 3) P. Burnett
- Depredation of War (Part 1) P. Burnett
Issue 9
Assignment: Star Trek 9
- Depredation of War (Part 2) P. Burnett
Issue 10
Assignment: Star Trek 10
- Depredation of War (Part 3) P. Burnett
Issue 11
Assignment: Star Trek 11 was published in May 1976.
- Space:1999 (review) P. Burnett
- "Dawning of an Admiral" by P. Burnett (continuing story)
- fditorials
- art by Tony Hardy
- latest news
- features
- con info
- reviews
- trivia quiz
Issue 12
Assignment: Star Trek 12 was published in June 1976 and contains 8 pages. The front cover is by Tony Hardy.
The editor wrote: "AST is now listed in the Star Trek Welcommittee Directory. It is not up to date, and my name is spelled wrong, but at least it is there."
- Romulans, article by Paul G. Burnett (1)
- The Dawning of an Admiral: Survival (chapter 31), fiction by Paul G. Burnett (2)
- Star Trek Trivia (3)
- Louisville Scene: What's Happening in Louisville Now, con report for DerbyCon by Steve Estes (4)
- Transcript ("edited to save space") of an Interview with James Doohan on the radio station WAKY, interviewer was Tom Dooley (7)
- a review of Star Trek: The New Voyages #1, see that page (5)
- a review of Alan Dean Foster's "Log Six" (6)
- Star Trek con announcements (6)
- The Dawning of an Admiral: Survival (chapter 31), fiction by Paul G. Burnett (7)
- What's Trekkin' and Subspace Chatter, news and product blurbs (9)
- an article about the Space: 1999 books (#1-#6) (10)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 12
Although the contents are somewhat confusing, with no apparent order to them, they are on the whole well-done and interesting. A short article about Romulans, editorial, Con reports, interview with James Doohan, book reviews and part of an apparently continued story are included. Also, a list of up coming Cons and some current news. Quick, enjoyable, varied reading, if somewhat unorganized. [1]
Issue 13
Assignment: Star Trek 13 was published in July/August 1976 and contains 10 pages. The front cover is by Steve Estes.
From the article about Star Trek Animated:
When STAR TREK is being discussed, animated STAR TREK is usually not mentioned. Why? Example: In February on the "Tomorrow" how, James Doohan, DeForest Kelley, Walter Koenig, Al Schulster, and Harlan Ellison were present talking about ST with the show's hosts Tom Snyder. De Kelley made the remark that being a celebrity of a show seven years ago was like being a ghost. He had started work on animated ST years ago when the show was taped.
[snipped]
This series of STAR TREK was one of the first 'mature' Saturday morning programs. It was too much though, so NBC shot it down. If given a chance I believe it could have survived nighttime viewing.
After all of this, have we found a solution to our question? Possibly so. The stars might be ashamed of the Saturday morning airing even though they were doing quality material. Another possible solution is that it was cancelled sooner than any of them had expected., There are a great many reasons one could say. Possibly one day the real truth might come to the surface. Until then, all of us have to keep on guessing, Who knows, the truth may already be out.
From the comments by Burnett about Space: 1999:
I am appalled at the fact of STAR TREK fans not having anything to do with SPACE: 1999. It IS science-fiction and the stories are space adventures like STAR TREK's. Everyone has to compare '1999 with ST (even me). Do you watch STARSKY & HUTCH, but don't watch KOJAK because it is another cop show? Of course you don't, so why do you with SPACE: 1999?
In A PIECE OF THE ACTION, bad comments have been given about the show, making fun
of it. I would have expected it from some two-bit zine, but never APOTA! If you enjoy STAR TREK, you apparently like some kind of science-fiction. There are only two true sf shows in an ocean of cop, variety, comedy, family drama type shows. If you like to see good sf, you had better stand up for it. Write to the nearest television station broadcasting '1999 and tell them to continue it. Thanks.
- Animated Star Trek, article by Paul G. Burnett (1)
- The Dawning of An Admiral: Survival (chapter 33-34) P. Burnett (2)
- Editor's Thoughts (observations, one of which was a proposal for a Star Trek restaurant: "A STAR TREK night club would be set up in some large city. The place would have live entertainment, elaborate Enterprise furniture, models of ships etc. and waitresses(green women, women from "Spook's Brain" in the costumes,etc. fair out huh!). The rest would probably be like any other night club.") (6)
- Space:1999 (review) by P. Burnett
- review of Star Trek Log Seven (7)
- some con blurbs (8)
- What's Trekkin', news (includes "Nichelle Nichols is the model figure for Mardee Haskell, the heroine of a new gothic novel for the Ballantine series of Zodiac Gothics, tentatively titled "The Drum and the Darkness," by Marion Zimmer Bradely, author of such well-known books as those in the Darkover series.") (9)
- Space:1999 ("more news on the second season) by Paul G. Burnett (11)
Issue 14/15
Assignment: Star Trek 14/15 was published in September/October 1976 and contains 18 pages.
The editor mentions he is 15½ years old.
From one of the articles:
Shatner's signing is a bit of good news showing Paramount's determination in re creating STAR TREK. It possibly could be a mixed blessing What if Paramount accepts an unTREK script? In that case Bill Shatner would be bound by his contract, and they for sure are hard to get out of, if it is possible in the case. Hopefully we can be assured that Paramount wants a good script for the movie if they are willing to spend 5 million dollars on it and they have waited so long for a blockbuster story. I wonder now Why didn't they want Gene Roddenberry's story in which the Enterprise crew gets back together after drifting away from the first 5 year mission? Or, the one about GR's Enterprise crew meeting Christ in space and finding out he is Lucifer? ( I have my reservations on this tale. ) Ellison's story concerning a race that was with humans since the dawn of time? ( Paramount would have accepted this one if they had added some Mayans to it. They're off their rocker!)
Gene Roddenberry has signed his contract to do the movie with Paramount on June 4th. He keeps stressing that he wants FULL control of creative activities associated in the movie. STAR TREK won't end up with the Enterprise meeting our moon out in the far-reaches of the galaxy... we hope. So, all of this means that Paramount needs to start the movie is a script.
Regarding Star Trek Animated:
Ever since the last issue came out, I've read and heard answers to questions on this series. I've always wondered why ST actors haven't told us their views on the cartoon series. William Shatner (in STARLOG) said that he didn't like the series because he thought it could have been done better. Shatner stated that he usually taped his dialog on a cassette while he was acting in another town, DeForest Kelley backed these statements while he was at OmniCon by saying, "In the animated series we only did 2 episodes with the full cast. I usually taped my lines when I was out of town. I taped them 3 or 4 different ways, and Filmation would then pick the way they wanted it, and that was it."
- Star Trektennial Articles
- The Star Trek Phenomenon, article by Steve Estes (2)
- Can Star Trek Survive Without a Movie? by Steve Estes (3)
- con report by Paul G. Burnett for [[OmniCon #1, see that page (4)
- Star Trek II Info: Shatner Signs!!!!! English Writers Brought In!!!!! (5)
- The Editor's Thoughts (4)
- a short note that a fan named Shelley Block has many drawerfic stories to share that Block had been writing for five years; these stories star Joanna McCoy (Dr. McCoy's daughter) (7)
- Joanna, Joanna, original song lyrics with chords, by Shelley Block (7)
- Star Trek News: What's Trekkin' (8)
- Con Info, report for OmniCon, see that page (9)
- Dawning of an Admiral: Survival (chapters 35-36), fiction by Paul G. Burnett (10)
- review of Spock: Messiah!, see that page (14)
- review of Alan Dean Foster's Log 8 (14)
- Space: 1999 News and the Latest from the Sci-Fi Scene (16)
Issue 17
Assignment: Star Trek 17 was published in 'First Quarter 1977' as Volume 3 No.4 Issue #17. It contains 30 pages, which is three times larger than previous issues. The front cover art and single interior illo (portrait of Spock) are by Steve Estes.
The editor apologizes for the zine being late.
The editor wrote that he stated in the last issue that the zine would become bi-monthly and contain 20 pages an issue, but instead he decided to make this zine into a new one called Eye of the Beholder (which would begin at issue #18):
As soon as you pick up this copy of AST, you will probably notice that this issue is much larger than the last. In fact this issue is 29 pages long (30 pages by counting extra cover side)! I had in last issue stated that I would go bi monthly and have 20 pages an issue. Well, because of time alotments [sic]I have, this will be the final issue of Assignment: STAR TREK in name. Starting later this year there will be a new fanzine created. THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER #18.EYE OF THE BEHOLDER #18 will be an extension of AST. EB will be a more true like fanzine with various stories and articles. This issue of AST is 30 pages to fulfill subscriptions that started with AST #12. The following subscribers who have extra left on their subscriptions will either have a discount on EYE OF THE BEHOLDER or will receive a refund. These people please write me and tell me what you wish me to do with your remaining money: Bruce Nardoci, Isabell Klein, Leslie Fish (all 50¢ ) and Arlene M. Kageyama ($4). I must know this summer! I hope to have info about EYE OF THE BEHOLDER in late summer and early fall.
In this issue you will find two stories instead of a part of the Dawning of an Admiral series. "For the Loss of Eres II" is a long conclusion for the two part story. The second story is not in the Dawning of an Admiral series. It is the first independant story in AST and is written by our own Steve Estes.
I do hope to get some BNF's to write for EYE OF THE BEHOLDER. As you can see this issue is a work of only two people....Steve Estes and myself. I still need contributions in the art and writing department. Keep me in consideration when you get the urge to get your quill pen and light the midnight oil.
Regarding "Dawning of an Admiral":
Summary of series and first part of story:
For heroic deeds performed in the first Klingon/Romulan aggression, Captain James Tiberius Kirk has been promoted to the Admiralty. At the same time the Enterprise gets a new first officer, Commander Susan Carter, and Spock becomes the new captain of the Enterprise. In the last Issue, planet Eres II, populated by Vulcans, decided that it would be logical to cease being a member of the United Federation of Planets. The Enterprise was asked to change their course to try to persuade the populous of Eres II to reconsider staying in the Federation, Eres III had fired missiles at Eres II in order to end a dispute over property between the two planets. (At present, "Survival", the 5th story is available in back Issues as is the first part of "For the Loss of Eres II...")
- The Editor's Thoughts by Paul G. Burnett (2)
- Dawning of an Admiral, conclusion ('6th story in series "For the Loss of Eres II...") (fiction) by Steve Estes (3)
- AST Profile: Kzinti (11)
- AST Review (11)
- AST Fiction: Yesterday's Remembered Sorrows by Steve Estes (12)
- Space: 1999 and Sci-Fi News (23)
- What's Trekkin' -- Star Trek news (25)
- AST Editorial: How Long Can the Debate Continue? (focus is the feud between Star Trek and Space: 1999 fans.) (27)
- Late Reviews: very short, mostly of pro books (28)