Rhapsody on Leroux
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Rhapsody on Leroux |
| Publisher: | Carrie Hernandez |
| Editor(s): | |
| Date(s): | mid 1990s |
| Series?: | |
| Medium: | print zine |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Phantom of the Opera |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | WayBack Archive link to publisher's zine page |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Rhapsody on Leroux is an illustrated gen anthology of fiction and poetry inspired by The Phantom of the Opera. Professionally printed and bound. Includes some professional works by: Nebula Award winning author Suzy McKee Charnas; professional artist Mark Brill (Star Trek novel covers) as well as works by various fan writers and artists.
Edited by Carrie Hernandez. Cover art by Andre Castaigne.
Issue 1
Rhapsody on Leroux 1 contains 183 pages. Art is by Mark Brill, Conrad Wong, and Sharon Young.
Fiction:
- Dutch Courage by Suzy McKee Charnas
- Mirror, Mirror by Suzy McKee Charnas
- You Can Take the Phantom Out of the Cellar... by Suzy McKee Charnas
- Vive by Krista Sigler
- Three Weeks by Melody Arendsee
- Visitor by Kristen Hambrick
- Rescue from Darkness by Teresa Dunkin
- Birds of a Feather by Joyce Rebaric
- The Phantom of the Space Station by Daniel Slaten
Poetry:
- A Postcard by the Phantom of the Opera by Gordon T. Osing
- The Voice of Erik by John Grey
- The Disappearance by John Grey
- Scales by Elaine McMillian
- Studentless Maestro by Elaine McMillian
- Wherein Her Choice is Firmly Requested by Elaine McMillian
- Not For Romantics by Elaine McMillian
- Phantoms by Turner Cassity
- The Phantom of the Opera as Juif Errant by Turner Cassity
- A Ghost on Broadway by Rachel Gladstone-Gelman
- Phantoms of the Mind by Carrie Hernandez
- story by Jeanette Birt
Issue 2
Rhapsody on Leroux 2 contains 198 pages. Art is by Mark Brill, Conrad Wong, Sharon Young, and Heather Rohde.
Fiction:
- Marguerite by Deb Kastner
- Diva by JoAnne Soper-Cook
- Left in the Dark by Moco Steinman & Melody Arendsee
- Spook in Black Satin by Jeanette Birt
- Catacombs by Kirsten Houssell
- The Leroux Movie by Carin Klabbers
- The Art of Living by Carin Klabbers
- The Return of the Phantom by Marcie Silver
- story by Kelly Haigh
Poetry:
- The Beauty in the Beast by Paul Clemens
- Images from a Night at the Opera by John Grey
- Advice by John Grey
- About This Face by Rachel Gladstone-Gelman
- Opera Ghost by Sasha Hanna
- Nightshade by Katherine Block
- The Choice by Nicolette Lewer
- The Cynical Angel's Lament by Sarah Miller
- Final Parting by Kathryn Owen
- poem by Lauren Blanchard
Reactions and Reviews (Both Volumes
(Vol. I) I admit I'm biased here; I've got a story in this volume! But, setting aside any attempts at reviewing myself critically, I think it would be hard to challenge the fact that this is one of the best fanfic collections available. The elegantly designed and bound Rhaposdy sports a higher writing level than most zines: highlights include the trio of stories by Suzy McKee Charnas, which bring a much-needed dose of humor to Phantom writings, and the novella by Carrie Hernandez, "Phantoms of the Mind." "Phantoms" plays wonderfully off a detail in Leroux most readers have glided obliviously over; you'll gasp aloud when you realize the possibilities Hernandez pulled from the Leroux text.(Vol. II) First, a note of caution: I was a contributor to "Rhapsody on Leroux I," so my opinions are hardly unbiased here. But, in all fairness, I think even the unbiased would report the successor to "Rhapsody," the newly released Vol. II, a success. Like its precursor, "Rhapsody" features a mix of Phantom-themed art, poetry, and fiction works. The artwork (by Heather Rohde, Mark Brill, and Conrad Wong, among others), is glorious, the layout and design probably the best in all fan publications, and the writing quality quite good for a fan publication. Vol. II balances poetry and fiction more than did the first "Rhapsody," which was memorable for such extended fiction pieces as Carrie Hernandez's novella, "Phantoms of the Mind." While poetry is typically the weakest area of phanfic, this "Rhapsody" brings together an exceptionally good number of pieces, including some from professional writers. We see more amateur writings on the fiction spectrum of "Rhapsody," but they are all interesting, engaging choices. Most of the stories run along standard lines--sequels, prequels, reincarnation of the characters--but at least one, "Left in the Dark," by Moco Steinman and Melody Arendsee, takes a unique spin on the tale, inserting a tribute to Jim Steinman. While slightly confusing to a non-Steinmanite, this story makes one of the most memorable impressions of the anthology with its creative approach. Vol. II also includes a very humorous spoof of the masked-man story, "Spook in Black Satin," by Jeanette Birt. Kirsten Houssell's "Catacombs" is a more standard piece, but another to get the fans talking--Housell's tale combines a palpable tension between our lovers, with a surprise ending.
The fiction is likeliest the weakest element in the entire anthology--although I enjoyed all of the stories tremendously, I fell in love with none of them. The inclusion of the Poe tale, "Masque of the Red Death," felt jarring as well--although an intelligent choice, since many phans have not had contact with the tale that inspired Erik's masquerade garb, it seemed slightly out-of-place amidst the amateur works in the volume. Other than these points, however, Vol. II of "Rhapsody on Leroux" is certainly a worthy successor to the first volume of "Rhapsody," and a must-read for Phantom fans. [1]