Starweaver

Zine
Title:	Starweaver
Publisher:	Ankar Press
Editor(s):	Ann Crouch and Karen Bates
Date(s):	1980-1982
Series?:
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:
Fandom:	Star Trek: TOS
Language:	English
External Links:
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Starweaver is a gen digest-sized Star Trek: TOS anthology series of two.

Reactions and Reviews: Both Volumes

As a love story, this is fairly good. Both main and secondary characters are well written and their various trials are not contrived. But as a Trek love story, oh dear, is this the end for Spock and Christine we want? I don't think so. Strictly for true Romantics and those who want to see Christine Chapel get her Vulcan. The artwork features [fit] into the storyline in such a way that others should take notice. It does not intrude but adds to the story

Issue 1

Starweaver 1 was published in June 1980 and contains 95 pages.

front cover of issue #1

back cover of issue #1

One of the illos (page 40) was first printed in a 1980 issue of Interstat.

Summary: A collection of stories by Kate Birkel dealing with Spock's career in Star Fleet from Capt. Pike to "Patterns," the first in a series feature the future lives of Spock and Dr. Chapel. Artwork by Ann Crouch. Approximately 100 pages, offset print, reduced to 7 by 8 1/2.

• The Transition by Kate Birkel (3)
• Patterns by Kate Birkel (41)
• Stormlords by Kate Birkel (86)

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  inside page from issue #1

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  inside page from issue #1, originally in an issue of Interstat

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  inside page from issue #1

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

It is a great unkindness to be completely uncritical of a new writer as it is to tax them with complaints they are not yet able to do anything about, and the proof of of that statement is found in this zine. Tigriffin was given to understand that work here represents Kate Birkel's first writing efforts. Beginner or no, there is talent here. It is unfortunate that the layout was not handled with a reader's understanding in mind, and that the editing was not strict enough. 'Starweaver' is supposedly a collection of stories about Spock, from the time of Christopher Pike's departure to the point past the movie. It is divided into sections: 'The Transition,' 'Patterns,' (the meat of the book), and 'Stormlords.' 'Transition' consists of a number of vignettes that do not follow any orderly, logical literary progression other than the timeline. This, of course, can legitimately used as a literary technique, but without a thread of plot continuity (following one character is not enough), it reads like diary entries. The segments are not divided from each other in a way that lets the reader in on what is being done... Combined with the sometimes ragged writing style, it becomes one serious drawback to this zine. We can only hope these problems will be corrected in the next issue. Ms. Birkel seems to have gained confidence and vocabulary control when working with an on-going plotline. 'Patterns' is a well-integrated Spock/Chapel story, with moments of brilliance. Except for a slight tendency to stray off the point and a more pronounced habit of occasionally skewing the character's logical actions and reactions so as to keep from bringing the denouement too soon, it is quite good. I especially recommend it to Chapel fans. 'Stormlords' comes as an anticlimax and an afterthought, but it isn't intolerable by any means. Overall -- Content: 'Patterns' should have either been printed as a short story or expanded into a novella, using flashback to work in the few necessary scenes from 'Transition.' Still, satisfactory overall. Repro: No serious problems. Art: Ann Crouch! Excellent! Value: worth the $5.90 on the basis of the art and 'Patterns.

The first, of three parts, "The Transition"; presents Kirk, Spock and McCoy's first introduction to each other. Spock, still smarting under the loss of Captain Pike, resents the intrusion of the other two in his routine (on HIS ship). McCoy is almost immediately faced with an injured Vulcan, of which he has no clinical experience, and towards whom he feels more than a little professional distaste. Spock unceremoniously leads him through recovery and basic Vulcan anatomy, and the rivalry between them is firmly established. In the meantime, Kirk discovers he needs a replacement for a First Officer and "persuades" the recalcitrant Science Officer to accept the position. Another doctor is added to the medical department (one familiar with Vulcan physiological idiosyncrasies) and the stage is set for the main part of the plot to begin. A beautiful passenger is taken aboard, supposedly insane, supposedly a Lady of royal family contending for a throne already claimed by another member, a tyrant named Kaz. She dies on the journey to her home planet, and Kirk, McCoy and Spock attend the rival's coronation under strange circumstances. Spock has an ace up his sleeve, however, and exposes it at the last moment, bringing this story to a surprising conclusion. "Patterns", the second portion of the zine takes us farther into the future. For those Chapel champions, this is the ultimate in fan fiction„ Christine spends several miserable months re-evaluating the Kohlinahr influenced First Officer, noting, the extreme retreat into Vulcan non-emotionalism as he is reinstated on the Enterprise en route to the rendezvous with V'Ger. She philosophically concludes that nothing has changed in his attitude toward her, and proceeds to react to his tentative friendly overtures with a fierce defensiveness. Only Uhura seems to understand what is going on, and, after a stormy confrontation between the lady doctor and the First Office during which Spock introduces a purely logical marriage proposal based on Chapel's genealogy and physical qualifications, the Communications officer intervenes to "educate" the bewildered Vulcan in the proper human approach to obtaining: the desired life partner..... The ensuing scene between Spock and Chapel leads to a shipboard wedding (eventually), and a new element of interest is added on the rehabilitated Starship. "Stormlords", the third part of the zine is a sequel to "Patterns" covering the union of Spock and Chapel and a trip to Vulcan to introduce the new bride to Sarek and Amanda. Despite Sarek's nagging at Spock to take a wife Spock suspects his choice may be questioned and he prepares to meet his father's disapproval with determination. Sarek is coldly polite; but as Spock maintains his right of choice in the face of his father's own departure from custom, a stalemate is reached which threatens to reinstate the silence that separated them for eighteen years. T'Pau's visit brings the tale to a climax that soothes as well as enlightens the situation. Written by Kate Birkel and edited by Karen Bates, this zine is a must for Chapel fans, and a bit of definitely TREK-inspired reading for others. The characters are true to form for the most part, even to Sarek's stubborn insistence portrayed in the final pages. Although I find Spock's about-face toward Christine somewhat unusual, it can be explained by complete mystification and confusion at her unexplained rebuffs - resulting in his resorting to human reactions and sensitivities; Kirk and McCoy come off as we saw them in the late '60s despite the setting that suggests the '79 movie version. The general appearance of the zine is good, due in large part to the expertise of Ann Crouch in recreating the faces of the Star Trek characters. The stories move along, well with little evidence of dragging or filler, or lags in the plot. This Trek gothic should read carefully to properly digest the well defined moods and personalities of the Enterprise crew.

STARWEAVER is a collection of three stories in chronological order that tell the story of Spock from his days with Christopher Pike, to his time with Kirk on the Enterprise, to V'ger and beyond to a point in time several months later. STARWEAVER is also a love story of Spock and Christine Chapel and is the first in a series. I was delighted with this collection and with Birkel' s ability to bring the Spock character into a sexuality and tenderness without losing touch with his aloofness and alien-ness. I also was very pleased with the handling of the Chapel character as an intelligent woman, and with the interaction of the two. It is a very reasonable extrapolation of each of the characters. The Kirk character is not handled as efficiently as are Spock and Chapel, but there are some very nice Kirk/McCoy scenes as well as some good scenes showing the relationship between McCoy and Chapel. There are also a couple of prominent Uhura scenes. But the part that is by far and away the best, is the tension of Sarek's pressuring Spock to be bonded to a Vulcan woman and the events of Spock's bringing his human bride home in honor of his Father's request that she be presented to the family. Spock is no longer a boy. And the pagentry of his protectiveness towards his mate is something to see as is the dominance- sub-dominance dance of father and son. The thoughts and motivations in these stories are well developed. The imagery, though a little thin in places, shines in others. Ann Crouch's illos are an added treat, somr of the best I've seen, and are as numerous as they are good. If you are a Christine Chapel fan or a Spock/Cha-pel fan, you will love this zine. If you are basically a Kirk fan, or would like to have seen Chapel transported to the Klingons with the tribbles, don't bother. The Chapel in these stories is not crying in her test tubes; nor is the Spock a celibate.

Sp's return to Ent/Sp and Ch coming together /Sp and Ch on Vulcan. ***1/2 strong Chris [out of five stars]

Issue 2

Starweaver 2 was published in June 1982 and contains 95 pages.

cover of issue #2

Summary: "A continuation of the first two years of Spock and Christine's marriage, as begun in Starweaver #1. A testing of their relationship by an extended deep space mission, imminent war with the Romulans, and the complications arising from a young survivor of a destroyed Romulan outpost. "

• Omega (1)
• Alpha (50)

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  inside page from issue #2

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