Baselines
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Baselines |
| Publisher: | Starbase Kansas City, and Kay Johnson (issues 1-4), Dennis H. Bahm (issue 5) |
| Editor(s): | Cathy Strand (issues 1-4), Dennis R. Young, David J. Bahm (issue 5) |
| Date(s): | 1981-1986 |
| Series?: | yes |
| Medium: | print zine |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | gen |
| Fandom: | multimedia |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Baselines is a gen multimedia anthology fanzine published by Starbase Kansas City. It ran for 5 issues. It is a clubzine.
The first four issues were headed by Cathy Strand and Kay Johnson, the last issue by Dennis H. Bahm, Dennis R. Young, and Davie J. Bahm.
Issue 1
Baselines 1 was published in May 1981 and contains 96 pages.
- A Time To Weep by Sally Jo Keller, art by Lois Brand (Star Trek: TOS — Vulcan) (1)
- The Physics of Warp Drive by Dave Bahm, art by Heather Firth (article) (3)
- Requisites by Lois Brand, art by Lisa Spiller (6)
- The Nautilus Decision by Cathy Strand, art by the author (Star Trek: TOS) (Reprinted from The Ultimate Computer) (7)
- 'Spider' Fighter by Lois Brand, art by the author (Star Wars) (17)
- Baptism of Fire by Paul Burns, art by Lois Brand (Star Trek: TOS) (21)
- Spock's Predicament by Jane Smith, art by Lois Brand (82)
- In the Beginning by Cathy Strand, art by author (Star Wars) (83)
- Trivial Department, "Sadists:" Kay Johnson, Joan Sailler, Cathy Strand, Lois Brand, and Gerry Dashner, art by Jann Frank (86)
- Galactica Crossword and Galactica Krisskross (87)
- Sorceress by Carolyn Smith, art by Joan Sailler ("Sony") (90)
- Whimsical Thoughts, Captain's Words, two poems by Pati Hall, art by Heather Firth (92)
- Horse Auction by Maureen Holton, art by Jann Frank (Star Trek: TOS) (93)
- Last Words by the staff (94)
inside page from issue #1
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Issue 2
Baselines 2 was published in March 1982 and contains 108 pages.
- Beach To Walk On by Maureen Holton, art by Jann Frank (Star Trek) (5)
- Who by Cathy Strand, art by Jann Frank (21)
- cartoon by Gennie Summers (22)
- Truth by Jane L. Smith, art by Lois Jeanne Brand (Star Wars) (23)
- ...And Thou Beside Me by Dennis Bahm, art by Sat Nam Kaur (Star Trek) (28 pages)
- cartoon, "Ink Spock" by Russ Hodge (55)
- The Call by Patt Demetri, art by Sat Nam Kaur (56)
- Blake’s 7: An Introduction by Cathy Strand, art by Jann Frank (Blake's 7) (57)
- Awareness by Sally Jo Keller, art by Cathy Strand (60)
- Final Solution by Cilla Futcher, art by Jann Frank (Star Trek, Doctor Who) (61)
- A Hunch by Rick Ruth, art by Lucy Synk (Star Trek) (62)
- cartoon by Gennie Summers (85)
- Koori: Monologue 1 by Jan Northern, art by Cathy Stand (Original SF) (86)
- Trust Me by Karen Bates, art by Cathy Strand (Indiana Jones) (89)
- cartoon by Gennie Summers (90)
- Tomb of an Unknown Soldier by Dennis Bahm, art by Cathy Stand (Star Trek crossed with Star Wars) (91)
- U.P.S. by Patt Demetri, art by Melody Rondeau (93)
- Old Starman's Prayer by Patt Demetri (94)
- I Do Not Believe Such Powers Exist by Lois Jeanne Brand, art by Jann Frank (original fantasy) (95)
- Hello, Goodbye by Carolyn Smith, art by Sat Nam Kaur (105)
- Trivial Puzzles (106)
- Ode to Fanzine Editors by Jane L. Smith, art by Jann Smith (inside back cover)
art for the story by Sat Nam Kaur, "And Thou Beside Me"
inside page from issue #2, Cathy Strand
inside page from issue #2, Sat Nam Kaur
inside page from issue #2, Cathy Strand
inside page from issue #2, Lucy Synk
inside page from issue #2, Cathy Strand
inside page from issue #2, Patt Demetri, art by Melody Rondeau
inside page from issue #2, Jann Frank
inside page from issue #2, Sat Nam Kaur
inside page from issue #2, inside back cover
Issue 3
Baselines 3 was published in March 1983 and contains 94 pages. The front cover by Sat Nam Kaur.
The editorial:
Cathy Strand tried to get away, but we won't lot her retire completely; she will remain as Consulting Editor and occasional writer/artist, when the publisher can coerce, cajole, or blackmail.
Mea culpa. mea culpa! The back cover of issue #2 was rendered by Jan Northern and somebody forgot to include this credit. I have been waiting a year to apologise. Okay, Jan?
When trying to do the layout for this issue, we discovered that there were way too many entries to fit the number of pages decided upon, therefore, issue #3 has been split up and issue #4 will be published in the summer of 1983 instead of waiting until next spring. When BASELINES was first published two years ago, we announced an 'intermittent' publishing schedule, so we are now going to be 'intermittent'.
BASELINES #4 will feature an alien portfolio [and Include stories advertised for issue #3 that you don't find in this issue). Contributions are now being solicited. Send to Kay Johnson at the address below. Please enclose return postage. PG rating please...BASELINES is sold to kids. Thanks.
- A Kashian Song (Kang's Love for Mars) by Eugene M. Craig (4)
- The Meeting by Melva Gifford (reprinted from Darklord) (5) (What would Miss Piggy think of Yoda? Remember, he's green.) (Star Wars RPF)
- Forgotten About What??? by Nancy Munden (8) (Star Wars)
- Dream by Sandy Sapatka (13) (poem, a woman dreams of going into space on the Space Shuttle)
- The Watcher by J.M. Joyce (14) (Original Fiction)
- Here Be Dragons by Gigi Sherrell (24) (What will Lavala and her friends do if the men of the village get rid of their dragon?) (Original Fantasy)
- I by Eugene H. Craig (37) (poem about space, dedicated to Carl Sagan)
- First Command by Carolyn Smith (42) (Original Science Fiction)
- Re-Creation by Jane L. Smith (42) (Star Trek poem)
- A Dragon "Fortpolio" by Lisa Spiller, Jan Sherrell Gephardt, Chuck Martinson, Jann Frank, Randal Spangler, Gennie Summers
- The Golden Warrior by Chuck Martinson (43) (poem, fantasy)
- Ranya by Kim Webb (44) (How did Khan's daughter survive the Ceti Alpha eels?) (Star Trek)
- A Dragon Comes Down the Road by Catherine Strand (79) (Original Fantasy)
- Evolution by Jane L. Smith (85) (poem)
- Who... What? When Where...Why? by Jan Norhern (86) (Doctor Who)
- Key by Sandy Sapatka (94) (poem)
- art by Lois Jeanne Brand, Mike Brown, Dorothy Durrenberger, Jann Frank (back cover) Jan Sherrell Gephardt, Sat Nam Kaur (front cover) Heather (Firth) Krause, Chuck Martinson, Marilyn Morey, Catherine Strand, Gennie Summers (inside front cover) and Lucy Synk (inside back cover)
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Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3
The first story is one by Melva Gifford and it is reprinted from Darklord #1. It is entitled, 'The Meeting,' and it is a cute story about the meeting between Yoda and Miss Piggy. The second story is about how Han Solo won the Millenium Falcon from Lando Calrissian and is called 'Forgotten What?' The third story is one I especially liked. it is a fantasy called 'The Watcher' and is about a young woman and her grandfather who are manning a lighthouse on the English Coast during World War II. During her walks on the shore, the young woman often sees a mysterious 'watcher' up on one of the high hills. She wonders who the person is. Her question is answered when a group of Germans lands on the coast. The longest story is a Star Trek story called 'Rayna.' It is about Khan and Marla McGiver's daughter and her decision to join Star Fleet. Other stories include one about a young woman's efforts to save a dragon from a dragonslayer, and one is a short Dr. Who tale. Most of the stories are well-written and readable. There were few typos. Most of the stories were lighthearted ones. The artwork was appropriate for the stories. The cover of Indiana Jones by Sat Nam Kaur is very good, and I thought the cartoon by Jann Frank on the back cover was cute. Most readers will probably find this zine enjoyable reading.[1]
Issue 4
Baselines 4 was published in March 1984 and contains 108 pages.
The editorial:
The editorial is the place for the zine editor's usual "This issue is late because..." statement, isn't it? So here it is:"This issue is late because..." In November, 1983 everything was progressing very nicely on the zine, but then Nicholas Meyer blew up Kansas City in THE DAY AFTER, and that sorta interferred with our publishing plans. It took us a little while to gather and sort all the ashes, call the Enterprise for emergency help, and send Kansas City (and the zine...and the printer) through the transporter for reassembly pre-THE DAY AFTER. Well, it worked! You have your zine, don't you?
BASELINES #5 is now accepting submissions. Deadline will be the end of September. Please send to the address listed below and include return postage. Anything in the multi-media genre will be considered, although the rating is PG...BASELINES is sold to kids. Thanks.
- Dedication "Foundations Felled" by Sherri R. Thurmond (3)
- Dii Jii by Harriet Stallings (Star Trek) (8 pages)
- Rebel Beginnings by Kim Webb (Star Wars) (4 pages)
- My Kingdom For A Cupcake by Kay Johnson and Catherine Strand (reprinted from R&R #16) (Star Trek) (22 pages)
- Sunset For A Warrior by Kristy Merrill (Battlestar Galactica) (4 pages)
- Saurian Soliloquy by Carolyn Smith (45)
- Things Star Fleet Didn't Tell You (46)
- Just A Grain Of Sand by Sherri R. Thurmond (Star Wars) (28 pages)
- Honor by Patt Demetri (79)
- Alien Portfolio (81)
- Zaphod Beeblebrox by Jann Frank
- Centaur Harpist by Lucy Synk
- The Great Psyche-Out by Jan Gephardt
- Alien Soldier by Richard Bartholomeau
- Goodbye by Lisa Spiller
- Unicorn by Kristy Merrill (80)
- Dochandoris by Sandy Sapatka (83) (Star Trek) (6 pages)
- The Night Of The Displaced by Maureen Holton (Wild Wild West crossed with Star Trek) (9 pages)
- Beyond The Door by CarolMel Ambassador (Star Trek) (4 pages)
- Questions? by Sandy Sapatka (103)
- Close Encounters Of The Vorst Kind by J.M. Joyce (E.T.) (4 pages)
- Memories by Kathy Keene (108)
- art by Kendis Chase, Ralph E. Cochran, Dorothy Durrenberger, Jann Frank, Russ Hodge, Sat Nam Kaur, Marilyn Moriey, Jan Northern, Melody Rondeau, Joan Sailler, Randal Spangler (front cover), Lisa Spiller, Catherine Strand, Gennie Summers (back covers), Lucy Synk
inside page from issue #4, Sat Kam Naur
inside page from issue #4, Cathrine Strand
inside page from issue #4, Russ Hodge
inside page from issue #4, Dorothy Durrenberger
inside page from issue #4, sample title page
inside page from issue #4, Marilyn Morey
inside page from issue #4, Joan Sailler
inside page from issue #4, Lucy Synk
from the art portfolio in issue #4, Zaphod Beeblebrox by Jann Frank
from the art portfolio in issue #4, Centaur Harpist by Lucy Synk
from the art portfolio in issue #4, The Great Psyche-Out by Jan Gephardt
from the art portfolio in issue #4, Alien Soldier by Richard Bartholomeau
from the art portfolio in issue #4, Goodbye by Lisa Spiller
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4
This zine has professional, glossy, thick covers that surpass the quality of big-budgeted nationally distributed magazines. Randal Spangler's brightly colored front cover of dragons, a frog, and a huge gold goblet is a stunning, intricate fantasy piece. When I got this zine in the mail and saw the cover, I thought someone has sent me a pro art portfolio containing the likes of Hildebrandt, Pini, Boris or Freas, not an amateur media zine. Except for a few typos, the layout, reproduction, typeface and art are all quality material. The contents are an uneven mixture of excellent to mediocre work but the majority is quite readable and effective. Of the poetry, the least memorable are 'Foundations Felled" by Sherri Thurmond (a strongly lyrical, well-metered piece... "Honor" by Patt Geletri (an effective, economical, taut piece with a powerfully bitter message about the Prime Directive), "Unicorn" by Kristy Merrill (a beautifully expressive tribute to the mythical beast) and two very short humorous pieces written -- I assume -- no writing credit is given -- and drawn by Jann Frank called "Introducing Citizens of the Galaxy" (sort of "informational poem" wherein a couple of nasty looking, intelligent aliens are introduced to us, tongue-firmly planted in cheek); As for the rest, Dii Jii" by Harriett Stallings is easily the best offering and quite honestly one of the best examples of SF -- the is speculative or sociological fiction -- I've seen in any zine in a long time. Set in the ST universe, it concerns a new alien crewmember brought aboard the scoutship Ariel. There, he encounters rejection, disgust, and bigotry. Written in a finely concise, incisive style, the story is extremely sensitive and perceptive. I hope Stallings does more like this. I do wish, however, that it had been expanded more, to include scenes showing us Dii Jii's gradual, partial acceptance along the crew, and, in particular, his growing friendship with his second roommate, Poul. Aside from that, the story is quite successful, and the ending is a stunning surprise. "My Kingdom For A Cupcake", by Kay Johnson and Catherine Strand (reprinted from R & R XVI) is an unevenly humorous story about a planet whose inhabitants are grossly obese because that is how they measure wealth. The Enterprise is assigned there with a Federation ambassador in tow, and finds that the king is an exact duplicate of James Kirk, except for the immense weight. (No, not even our chubby captain is this huge!) There are a few funny bits here, like McCoy's barbs at Kirk and Sulu's beggaring disguise which gets him an abundance of sympathy from the portly natives, but the plot is ancient -- the king is kidnapped by his power hungry brother just before the coronation and guess - who steps in to pose as the monarch while the search is on-- and the constant giggles and wisecracks about obesity lakes this just one long fat joke. A shorter length woulld have made it more effectively funny. Jann Frank's cartoons to this, though, are genuinely whimsical. "Just a Grain of Sand" by Sherri Thurmond is the longest piece, a SW story about Leia refreshingly as the main character. Set before ANH, it spans her career as a senator and involves Palpatine's overthrow of the Republican Senate and his imposition of the Imperial version. The government is here referred to as both a Republic and the Empire (before Palpatine's action) and the assumption seems to be that the Empire/Emperor and the Rebellion all came about within Leia's lifetime. Thurmond's depiction of biases toward Leia because she is female seems to run counter to the impression given in the film that Leia being a woman in power was of no special consequence, tho I understand that's a debatable presumption. The writing and dialogue are a bit stilted and occasionally clumsy but, generally, Thurmond keeps you reading and involved in Leia's rise as a political savior of poor planets trying to get themselves back on the prosperous galactic trade route. The art by Marilyn Morey fully illustrates the story with depth and skill, tho her illos of Leia herself never really approximate the senator's actual face. "The Night of the Displaced or James T. (West) is James T. (Kirk)" by Maureen Holton is a fun cross-universe story with some hilarious laments, like Spock's reaction to Artie's reaction to the Vulcan and an easy, natural rapport between the two Jims. Overall, though, it doesn't quite succeed, especially when West poses as the absent Kirk on the bridge to confront a Klingon captain. Although a great idea in itself, the execution is too quick and unconvincing. No self-respecting Klingon captain would swallow West's weak snow job. Then, too, Artie is a bit dense in this story, constantly quaking with fright over his surroundings. I love cross-universe stories but they usually wind up rather skewed and incomplete. The illos by Lucy Synk are quite skillful, particularly the composit intro illo done in the style of THE WILD, WILD WEST's illustrations that were shown before each commercial break. Other prose pIeces here in are short-shorts or vignettes like "Close Encounters of the Vorst Kind" by J.M. Joyce (an insane piece pitting George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford against the Visitors frail 'V", the aliens from CESK and SW, etc.); Sunset For a Warrior" by Kirsty Merrill (a well-written BG piece with Starbuck as an old man stranded on a planet -- don't worry, the ending is quite joyous and positive) and "Beyond the Door" by Carol-Mel Albassador is a touching interlude between Saavik and David -- NOT romantic -- Set just before the scene when David enters Kirk's quarters to comfort him, and in turn be comforted, in TWOK). Gennie Summers has more of her renowned crazy cartoons (my favorite being a series with bulky aliens struggling with Starfleet uniforms) and a lovely alien portfolio by various talented artists. Recommended.[2]
Issue 5
Baselines 5 was published in March 1986 and contains 108 pages.
The interior art is by Dennis H. Bahm, David J. Bahm, Kendis Chase, Richard R. Rathmann, Lisa Spiller, Gennie Summers. The front cover is by Lucy Synk and the back cover is by Dennis H. Bahm.
- Memorial (Space Shuttle) (3)
- Farewell to a Friend, poem by Lisa Spiller (5)
- Harley, humor by Richard R. Rathmann (6)
- Sale Item, fiction by Mel L. Gifford (7)
- A Recipe for Trader Stew, fiction by Carolyn Smith (12) (original fiction)
- Black Holes, White Holes, Worm Holes, non-fiction by David J. Bahm (17)
- Genesis II, poem by Richard R. Rathmann (20)
- USS Excelsior: Redesigned, viewpoint by D.H. Bahm (22)
- An Introduction to the Federation and Star Fleet Command, non-fiction by Dennis R. Young (Star Trek: TOS) (23)
- Condolence, fiction by CarolMel Ambassador (30) (Star Trek: TOS)
- A Spacecraft Portfolio, pictorial (43)
- A Stitch in Time, fiction by D.H. Bahm (44) (Star Trek: TOS)
- Mechanical Mug Shots, pictorial by Gennie Summers (101)
- The Sentinel, poem by CarolMel Ambassador and Warp (102)
- More Mechanical Mug Shots, pictorial by Gennie Summers (104)
- What If, viewpoint by D.H. Bahm (105) (Star Trek: TOS)
- Memory, poem by Carolyn Smith (108)
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