An Intergalactic Encyclopedia for Fans of Star Wars
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | An Intergalactic Encyclopedia for Fans of Star Wars ("A Star Wars Encyclopedia" on the title page) |
| Publisher: | Piper Publications |
| Editor(s): | Skyler Walker and Mary Sliwoski |
| Type: | |
| Date(s): | February 1981 |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Star Wars |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
An Intergalactic Encyclopedia for Fans of Star Wars is an 83-page zine. It contains definitions and descriptions, character development and commentary on subjects both commonplace and esoteric. Each entry is based on info provided in a variety of sources by the creators of Star Wars.
It was compiled by Skyler Walker and Mary Sliwoski. It was illustrated by Susie Piatt and Skyler Walker. It was "written especially for Terrans by two Terran fans."
It was advertised in the first issue of Jundland Wastes as well as Pegasus #5.
From a Flyer
Our STAR WARS ENCYCLOPEDIA 1981, the product of eight months of research, contains definitions and descriptions, character development and commentary, on subjects both commonplace and esoteric: from ACADEMY to ZUCKUSS, from ANOAT to MANDALORE, from BESTINE to the DEATH STAR, from SNOWSPEEDERS to VOCABULATORS. Each entry is based on information provided in a variety of sources by the creators of STAR WARS, We have included a briefly annotated bibliography of over 125 items.
This is not a profit-making venture. We began to compile the information for our own enjoyment, then realized its value to other fans, as well as to every being in the galaxies. As far as we know, no other publication has this much STAR WARS information organized alphabetically. '
Our SWE will be offset printed (with paper plates). Because we can afford only a limited first printing, place your order early to reserve a copy.
Disclaimer
WE IN NO WAY DESIRE TO DEFRAUD OR TO INFRINGE UPON THE COPYRIGHTS OF LUCASFILMS, LTD., BLACK FALCON, BALLANTINE BOOKS, GEORGE LUCAS, OR ANY OTHER HOLDER OF STAR WARS COPYRIGHTS. THIS IS A NON-PROFIT, FAN-WRITTEN PUBLICATION. WE REPEAT: THIS IS A NON-PROFIT PUBLICATION BY TWO FANS WHOSE INTENTIONS ARE ENTIRELY HONOURABLE.
From the Editorials
Mary
I have never been much of a fan of any thing; I'm too cynical and cautious. And to be perfectly honest, I only saw Star Wars (now called A New Hope) three times (the second because it was free!), and I went to The Empire Strikes Back because my friend, Skyler, dragged me there (though I must admit that I LIKED it the first time, except for the abrupt ending, and I saw it again on my own initiative).
[snipped]
I know more about Star Wars than any of my friends, and it is quite thrilling to throw out little- known facts at informal gatherings. I like to watch the expressions on faces when I blurt out, "Did you know that the language of Jawas frustrates linguists because the little critters can vary their speech at random?" Or this one always brings a stunned look: "I just thought I'd point out that it was Echo Station 3TA which first sighted Imperial Walkers approaching the Hoth Rebel base." There's never a dull moment with a Star Wars fan around! Make that more than one and you've got a regular party going.
Besides the fun is a practical aspect:
I am a published author! Yes, I realize that there is no profit involved, and my renown is somewhat limited. But there is no doubt that I am on my way, er, up? around? Well, I'm certainly going some where! (I hope not to jail. Note to George Lucas: We tried to do this through a real publishing company, but received word that Star Wars copyrights are already distributed. PLEASE don't send us to jail! We'd rather do slave labor for your studio!)
Skyler
Star Wars — or more accurately, TESB, has changed my life, my friendships (and, in a devastating way, my bank account). This volume is my humble (yes, humble! You heard me!) way of saying thanks to every body who understands that it's okay to be obsessed.
At this time, we are going into the final typing of the SWE, and already the responses to our first announcement are pouring in.
I never expected them, because this is our first zine effort since our Jr. High fantasy monthly, The Prydain Piper. (We used to chase other students down the halls and beg them to take it...or we would trade it for the underground newspapers of hawkers on the university campus...and we were threatened with expulsion for publishing an unauthorized newspaper in school.) Of course, we've maintained tradition by already being a month behind schedule with this SW publication....
Our encyclopedia is a bit different from most SW 'zines, in that we've assembled the "facts" about the SW galaxy from "official sources." I certainly don't want our readers to believe that we think these facts are the final word. Lots of fan stories have extrapolated wonderful alternate universes.
In some ways, the process of compiling and organizing information has been more difficult than my experiences of writing fiction. I'll not soon forget the stacks of notecards littering my house, the cross-referencing from novels to art books to scripts to interviews and back again, and the unanswered question raised by contradicting sources..(Was it Notti or Tagge whom Vader began to strangle during the Death Star conference room scene? Is Luke 5'8" or 5'9"? Who piloted "Red Pour" during the Death Star battle?) Mary often wailed impatiently, "Who cares? Nobody expects us to be perfect!" When the letters arrive correcting our errors, she'll get to answer them.
I would like to add to Mary's message to George Lucas my heartfelt agreement: I would take any job to do penance...even if I had to work elsewhere during time off to pay my mortgage... Yes, I would gladly labor at any sort of unpromising, tedious, unpopular job...scriptwriter, personal assistant of Mr. Hamill, consultant of Mr. Lucas — er — how about dog-walker for Indiana?
From the Introduction
We call this volume a "Star Wars Encyclopedia" because it is more than a glossary; it includes some history, character development, and commentary, as well as definitions. It is a product of over eight months of research (part of which was Skyler's excuse for seeing The Empire Strikes Back over 30 times.
As sources, we used the publications which seemed to have been written more or less under the direct influence of George Lucas. We also found some useful information in some interviews with the creators of the Star Wars saga, and we trusted the accuracy of the scenes in the novels and shooting scripts which did not appear on film. However, the movies were our final authority on contradictory information.
[snipped]
Sometimes, as in our description of Jabba the Hut, who is neither human or non-human, depending on one's source, we chose the most interesting alternative. (Episode VI may prove us wrong in Jabba's case. For all we know, he could be Luke's father or long-lost brother.)
Of the many sources in our bibliography, those from which we obtain our facts for this are starred. It would have helped matters a lot if we could have gotten a copy of The Journal of the Whills, but if there are any in this galaxy, they must be closely guarded.
[snipped]
Although we love Star Wars, we do have some questions (which are probably shared by other fans). They didn't seem to fit anywhere in the main body of this work, so here are a few: Where are the female Rebels other than Leia and the communications workers? Why don't we see more nonhuman Rebels and Rebel sympathizers? Whey are all the members of the Alliance that we've seen Caucasian humans? (Chewie, Lando, and Yoda are not "official" members of the Alliance)...
Somewhere Skyler read the opinion that these questions do not apply because SW takes place in another galaxy. To us, that's not a good enough answer. We hope that more varied characters will appear in future episodes. Surely the Empire oppresses many of the inhabitants of the galaxy, and all have reason to rebel.
After that, can we end on a positive note? Sure we can! We love SW and what follows is our tribute.
Contents
- From the Editors (2)
- Introduction (3)
- Encyclopedia (4)
- Footnotes (75)
- Appendices (77)
- Bibliography (79)
Sample Interior
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