Impact (Professionals zine)

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You may be looking for the Star Trek zine see Impact.

Zine
Title: Impact
Publisher: Blue Jay Press
Editor(s): Sue aka The Android
Date(s): 1983-1984
Series?:
Medium: print
Size:
Genre:
Fandom: The Professionals
Language: English
External Links:
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cover of issue #1

Impact is a gen The Professionals anthology.

Issue 1

Impact 1 was published in 1983 [1] and contains 86 pages. The cover and three internal illustrations are by 'Miso-no-Tsuki/C. Casey.' There is one other piece of art by Roo. The zine was edited by Pamela Dale.

From the editorial:

Welcome to IMPACT, possibly the most eagarly-awaited of Blue Jay Press zines... First, the sniveling. This zine is late (ha ha!) This is because all Blue Jay Press zines have been delayed over the last few months, and the story is a long and tragic one. Suffice it to say that I'm currently undertaking legal action against a typewriter mechanic who let us all down. This being said, I'm afraid my typewriter still has its little phobia about full stops, and this has now spread to commas as well. So if you notice a lack of punctuation in certain parts of the zine, don't blame the author or the typist. (Please.)

  • interior page from issue #1, C. Casey, "Doyle"

  • interior page from issue #1, Roo, "Tiger by the Tail"

  • interior page from issue #1, C. Casey, "Night Hunter"

  • C. Casey

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

See reactions and reviews for Tiger by the Tail.

[zine]: 'I must admit that this is the first time I had ever sent for a totally non SF related zine and, as SF is really where my interest lies, I wasn't quite sure exactly what my reaction to this particular zine would be. However, I needn't have worried - I enjoyed the whole zine immensely.

I haven't yet come across a story of; Lillian Shepherd's that I haven't liked, and certainly 'Tiger by the Tail' was no exception. Lillian's stories are always so full of action - I love them. I was intrigued too by the other main fiction item, 'Leap in the Dark'. Personally I've always prefered Greek history to Roman but I can't deny that this was a most marvellous idea and the writer managed to make it 'work' beautifully. I will be looking out for more from the pen of Chris Power. Of the two pieces of 'humorous fiction', I think I prefered 'Indecent Exposue' even if it does make me feel slightly 'miffed' that C. Casey can write so well and draw so superbly too...'The wind from hell' was particularly poignant, I thought, especially with that marvellous twist to the ending. Now, unlike certain 'dragons vert', I have always quite enjoyed reading fan poetry. I admit that very little of it is really deserving of the term 'poetry', so maybe fan-verse would be more appropriate. Whatever the terminology, I like it, though I don't profess to understand it all. One piece I had no trouble with however was, 'The Secret Agents' Ball!

All in all I would say 'Impact' is a particularly well-produced zine, well-written, well-laid-out, and incorporating some of the best artwork I've seen in a long time. [2]

[zine]: 'I've just finished my first reading of IMPACT, and as you asked for LOCs, I thought I'd give you my opinion. To sum it up in two words: GREAT STUFF! And - let's have some more, please! There's real quality in those stories, some of the best fan-fiction I've ever read, and I hope the writers keep up the good work. The one story that hit me with the most impact was 'The wind from hell'. I think only a short story can be so powerful, and of course, we all like a good death story! Not only moving, but cleverly written; a real gem. In 'Tiger by the Tail', I like the idea of using Krivas, a character we all know, rather than inventing a new villain, and after all, he really is the most villainous villain for the job! It's interesting to see our heroes relating to children, and the way that each one handles the situation, and the climax is suspenseful and thrilling. 'Leap in the Dark' can only be described by the old standby 'fascinating'. Maybe not every fan's cup of tea, so to speak, but I warmed to the idea right away...Of the poetry, my favourites are 'Chalk and Cheese' and 'Oh, my unfailing heart'. It can't be easy to write poetry about two such heroes as these, because the poem is a delicate medium to work in, but these two really struck the right note. The art work's all of a high standard, with the best, I think, being 'Night-hunter', which is a really good likeness, and very powerfully drawn. [3]

Issue 2

cover of issue #2

Impact 2 was published in 1984 and contains 90 pages. The cover is by C. Casey, as well as two other interior illos. Other art by Jean Sheward, Stefanie Hawks.

The proofreading was done by Pat M., and the editor's "long-suffering mother who, while complaining she likes neither The Professionals nor short stories, valiantly pursued typos with grim determination."

The story descriptions below are from the print zine.

  • Some Enchanted Evening by Oriole A. Throckmorton ("A fantasy incorporating everything you've ever heard in the land of Faeire -- and a few surprises besides. Well, what else would you expect from a leprechaun met on hte motorway.") (7)
  • Ceremonial Drunk by Miso-no-Tsuki ("Be warned. This is a DEATH STORY -- and included for the masochists amongst our readership. Anyone not liking death stories are advised to turn over three pages.") (23)
  • The Case of the Hidden Paw, poem by Jean Sheward (26)
  • The Devil and George Cowley by Nancy A. ("An unusual story from across the Atlantic, and to say anything more would spoil the story.") (27)
  • Limerick by E.P.S. (34)
  • Snap by Patricia Stratton ("The author would dearly like to know how Doyle ended up in his predicament. We will offer a prize of a copy of Enigma #8 for the best account -- written in story form -- which satisfies the author's curiosity.") (35)
  • Limerick by E.P.S. (36)
  • Bull by the Horns by Lillian Shepherd ("This is a direct sequel to Tiger by the Tail, which appeared in Impact 1, For those of you who missed it, here follows a very brief synopsis, Krivas escapes from prison (Where the Jungle ends) and takes hostage Jan and Mick, retreating to a ruined church tower to wait for Bodie. Doyle gets himself captured and added to the hostages. Bodie eventually comes to the rescue, having been on leave and out of radio contact with CI5. Krivas winds up dead - now read on...") (37)
  • Limerick by E.P.S. (90)

  • inside page from issue #2, Jean Sheward, "Some Enchanted Evening"

  • inside page from issue #2, sample text

  • inside page from issue #2, Casey C.

  • inside page from issue #2, Stefanie Hawks

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2

See reactions and reviews for Bull by the Horns.

See reactions and reviews for The Devil and George Cowley.

References

  1. ^ Though it was apparently planned for mid-to-late 1982, according to an explanation about the zine Enigma #6 at the back of the zine. This update (possibly typed long in advance) states that the "publication of [Enigma 6] has been delayed longer than even we thought possible. The original intention was to bring it out in late 1982, but now it looks as if the probable date will be March/April 1983.... The way things are going, it looks as if ENIGMA 7 will follow hard on the heels of ENIGMA 6." In the end, the publication date of "Enigma 6" was May 1982 and "Enigma 7" was October 1983.
  2. ^ from a LoC printed in "Impact" #2
  3. ^ from a LoC printed in "Impact" #2
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