Consort

Zine
Title:	Consort
Publisher:	Reprehensible Press
Editor(s):	Jessica Daigreault & Rachel Cassidy
Date(s):	1985 – 1992
Series?:	yes
Medium:	print
Genre:	gen
Fandom:	Star Trek: TOS
Language:	English
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Consort is a slash Star Trek: TOS anthology. It required an age statement to purchase. A gen sister zine called "The Consortium" was proposed in 1984, but it never made it off the ground. Some summaries below are from Gilda F.

Issue 1

front cover of issue #1, The Southern Cross -- "This illo is an oldie (1984) but a goodie by one of the best K/S artists that ever put pen, pencil—what have you— to paper. If you ever want to see a picture with attitude, this is the one to check out. Kirk and Spock are reclining with just their bared upper bodies showing. Kirk is slightly behind Spock with his left hand splayed possessively over Spock‘s chest. The expressive look on the captain‘s face leaves no doubt as to his feelings. ― This is mine! -- he is saying as clear as day. Their bodies are a bit buff as this artist tends to draw them, but you‘ll hear no complaints from me. Gorgeous bodies. Gorgeous faces. I love it."

back cover of issue #1, TACS

Consort 1 was published in January 1985 and is 191 pages. It has a cover of Kirk and Spock by The Southern Cross. Other art is by TACS and Richard Pollet.

The editor notes that this zine "contains one story of extreme violence and sadism."

• Aftermath by A. Corrigan (poem)
• Endure by Robin Hood (1)
• Assumptions by Jessica Daigneault. Artwork by The Southern Cross (After Kirk is subjected to the Klingon mindsifter, the mind meld done to help him has an unforeseen side effect between him and Spock.) (2)
• untitled limerick by D.L. Nelson (27)
• Wild Pursuits by Robin Hood (28)
• Chain of Fire, Chain of Ice by B.L. Barr (29) (Kirk and Spock marry the same woman, non-K/S story)
• Vaal-iant Friend by B.L. Barr (59)
• To Explore New Worlds by B.L. Barr (60)
• Evil's Playground by Robin Hood (A Fuck or Die: Kirk and Spock are forced to have sex together by the Platonians and end up discovering their mutual love and desire for each other.) (61)
• Threshold by Rachel Cassidy (76)
• Kirk's Meditation by Rachel Cassidy (79)
• Sounds of Silence by Marcella Belton. Artwork by The Southern Cross (Kirk is captured and raped repeatedly over a long period of time. The sequel is "Before You Can Reach for the Stars" in issue #2) (84)
• The Final Touch by Ann Walsingham (115)
• Beastiary I by B.L. Barr. Artwork by The Southern Cross (116)
• Beastiary II by B.L. Barr (117)
• Story Contest. Artwork by The Southern Cross (118)
• Keep That Thought by Vivian Gates (Kirk is upset by the growing distance between him and Spock even though he is partially to blame, but his fears of Spock finding out about his desires are soon put to rest.) (119)
• 1+1=? by Nikki Hendricks. Artwork by TACS and Richard Pollet (M/U Kirk is raped when first assigned as 1st officer aboard a mostly Vulcan ship, causing problems years later between him and his own Vulcan 1st officer.) (125)
• Joinery by Ann Walsingham (IBC)

• 

  from issue #1, TACS for "1+1=?"

• 

  from issue #1, sample page, calligraphy, poem

• 

  from issue #1, TACS for Sounds of Silence

• 

  from issue #1, sample text, first page of Sounds of Silence

• 

  from issue #1, Richard Pollet for "1+1=?"

• 

  from issue #1, Southern Cross for Assumptions

• 

  from issue #1, Southern Cross for "Beastiary"

• 

  from issue #1, Southern Cross for the "story contest"

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

See reactions and reviews for Assumptions.

See reactions and reviews for Sounds of Silence.

See reactions and reviews for Evil's Playground.

See reactions and reviews for Chain of Fire, Chain of Ice.

See reactions and reviews for Keep That Thought.

See reactions and reviews for 1+1=?.

[zine]: When I saw the cover of this zine, I knew I would like it. Southern Cross did a fantastic piece that makes you want to just buy the zine regardless of content.

However, after reading the zine from cover to cover, I am pleased to report that this zine is a good buy inside and out. Most of the stories were pretty true to the characters with possibly only one exception.

"Sounds of Silence" by Marcella Belton was a bit too graphic for my tastes. I found that there were some scenes of violence that made my stomach turn and I was surprised to find how detailed it all got. I kept feeling that enough was definitely enough. I know that this type of story appeals to some people, but I found that it didn't really appeal to me.

My favorite story was written by Jessica Daigeneault titled "Assumptions". Enough of the "should we - shouldn't we" stuff. Here was a Kirk that sat down our Mr. Spock and filled him in on how it was going to be with their relationship. He didn't try to justify his feelings, he didn't rant and rave, feel insecure or even cry. He just flat out told Spock that there wouldn't be a relationship if Spock intended on being the dominant partner. Very well done, very 'Kirk.'

There were several other good stories offered in CONSORT and I do hope that the editors will come out with number two very soon.

This zine is nicely done - well edited and, except for one story, a refreshing change of pace from some of the other K/S zines I've read recently.

[zine]: This is one of the genre of what I would basically call a "nice little zine."

The front cover by the Southern Cross is wonderful (show me one that isn't!).

As to content: My favorite story was "Assumptions" by Jessica Daigeneault. I had no trouble believing that this Kirk & Spock were capable of directing & supervising 430 other beings. This Kirk did not sit around for half the story either mooning over the fact that he was in love with Spock or crying. He tells Spock up front that there is no way their relationship will work if Spock intends to be the dominant partner. It was a refreshing change.

As to bad stories: There was really one one that I considered excessively bad. That was "Sounds of Silence" by Marcella Belton. This is one author that I haven't determined yet what type of story she will produce, even after 5 years of reading K/S. I had decided after reading several of her stories that I simply would not read any more. They totally depressed me and were so far removed from my concept of Kirk & Spock that it seemed as if they weren't even the same characters at all. Then I happened to notice that she had a story printed in NOME, which I knew would not print some of the stories I had been reading so I decided I would read one more and was pleasantly surprised. "Legend of the Sand Dollar" was an excellent story. I thought, 'Great, her writing style has changed,' and promptly read her story in CONSORT. This story is beyond merely out-of-character and disgusting; it verges on obscene by anyone's standards. There was one scene on page 108 that I definitely thought should not be in print. This is the only story I have ever read that has made me nauseous. After reading this, one begins to have a better appreciation for some of the letters that have been appearing in NTS lately urging everyone to tone down this type of story. I would suggest to the editors of CONSORT that they institute an editorial policy on this type of story. If this is not desired, they might at least let their readers know in advance. My overall impression of the zine is that it merited a Fair rating (a Good rating if you are forewarned not to read the above-named story).

[zine and 'The Sounds of Silence']Consort #1 Through some miracle, I was finally able to obtain all three issues of this enormously thick zine. EBay and Jim Rondeau were the sources of [t]his booty, at surprisingly affordable rates. Consort #1, I will begin tomorrow, having managed to plow through the wonderfullly amazing Charisma #10. There are warnings associated with Consort #1, rape and extreme violence. The story, Sounds of Silence, I have indeed read before and yes it is quite dark and deeply disturbing. The rest of this zine I have not gone all the way through, it will be a complete revelation for me to do so.

Issue 2

front cover of issue #2, Southern Cross -- "...a zine with one of the weirdest covers you'd ever want to see! It's a Southern Cross drawing showing a very beefy, very hefty, very buff Kirk standing on a mountain wearing some sexy warrior paraphernalia."

Consort 2 was published in December 1986 and 272 pages. The front cover is by The Southern Cross. Interior art by Dorothy Laoang, Marilyn Cole, TACS, and Suzan Lovett.

One of Dorothy Laoang 's illustrations for the story "He Stopped for Me," was used in Enterprising Women to depict hurt/comfort.

This issue has an article by Mary Van Deusen about songtapes.

The editorial has comments on pre-orders:

Traditionally, the backbone of financing a zine has involved pre-orders. CONSORT 2 had only 68. That raises less than a third of the printing expenses of this edition without even considering the picky things like typewriter ribbons, mailing envelopes, disks, etc.. Most of the wait in getting CONSORT 2 out was because of the difficulty in raising the majority of funds from personal resources.

Evidently many people are reluctant to send in pre-orders. I can see both sides of the problem. As a zine buyer, I also hesitate to order from a new editor. I have burned a few times, too. As an editor, I have had to postpone printing because of the lack of something as mundane as money. I can see fewer and fewer people being able to print new zines. Even established writers are effected by this drying up of trust and money.

I really wish I could offer a solution. Perhaps there isn't an answer, but the problem is real. I'd like to hear from some of you on this issue.

Also from the editorial:

This edition has a wonderful selection of stories from amusing to serious, and you will find the wait well worth it. Our contributors have made CONSORT the zine that it is and I thank them each and every one.

I am particularly pleased to print two stories, "Reprisal" by Vera Barga and "Kirk Rampant"" by Ursula Tulle , the one poem, "Hostage" by Betsy Barr from the contest run in CONSORT 1. It is interesting to see the diversity inspired from that one stunning Southern Cross illo.

Although ORGANIA II is not yet in print at this time, you will find within ORGANIA II the story "Parted And Never Parted" which is the prequel to "Divorce Vulcan Style" by Mary Suskind Lansing. We're sorry you have to read them out of order. (Or, if you have Vulcan self control, you could wait.)

• Confessions of a K/S Author, humorous poem by Patricia Frazer Lamb (IFC)
• Assumptions [offline] by Mary Suskind Lansing ("Both Kirk and Spock wrongly assume the other is interested in him, and both wanting to give what the other wants, end up bonded.") (1)
• Suspicious Incident, poem by Flora Poste (20)
• Carousel by Flora Poste ("Kirk dreams of riding a carousel with Spock as the gold ring.") (20)
• Demon, poem by Roxane Acuna (23)
• Turnabout by B.L. Barr (A/U: "The transfer between Kirk and Janice Lester canʼt be broken so he and Spock go to Vulcan for help until they can get Starfleet to believe their story.") (25)
• Change of Command, poem by Emily Ross (47)
• Warm Blanket, poem by Tere Ann Roderick (47)
• Making Your Own Song Tapes, nonfiction about making songtapes by Mary Van Deusen (48)
• The Leaving by Aimee Confer ("Kirk is depressed after Spock goes to Gol, 6 months after Spock leaves for Gol, neither he nor Kirk are able to get on with their lives and then find out that their bond has not been broken as both thought.") (54)
• Amok Time, poem by Gene Delapenia (63)
• Trust, vignette by Kathy Resch (64)
• Reluctant Consort by A.T. Bush ("Kirk and Spock must have a bonding ceremony in order for Kirk to play the role of Spock's consort in his investiture as T'Pau's temporary heir.") (68)
• This Uncertain Morning, poem by Flora Poste (77)
• Hostage, poem by B.L. Barr (78)
• Would It Have Been Different? by Donna Rose Vanderlaan (A/R: "Nearing death, Kirk wonders what might have been if he had had the courage to deny Starfleet and retrieved Spockʼs body from the Genesis planet and taken it and McCoy to Vulcan.") (79)
• Untitled #27, poem by Gene S. Delpenia (80)
• Untitled #28, poem by Gene S. Delpenia (80)
• New Year's Eve, poem by Flora Poste (81)
• They Also Serve, poem by Flora Poste (81)
• Decision, poem by Kathy Resch (82)
• Before You Reach for the Stars by Marcella Belton ("After being freed by Spock from the Klingon who had imprisoned him as a sex slave, Kirk is frightened when Spock declares his intention of making Kirk is own." Prequel: Sounds of Silence.) (83)
• Dreams of You, poem by Natasha Solten (97)
• Dating Game by Mary Suskind Lansing ("After a crewwoman asks him out on a date, Spock gets the idea and then the courage to ask out the person he truly wants - Kirk.") (98)
• Home of the Heart by B.L. Barr (As the whales are released, Spockʼs memories of Kirk as his bondmate are finally recalled.) (113)
• Reason's Way by DVS ("Every time Kirk gets drunk he proclaims his love for Spock but forgets about it after sobering up.") (119)
• Limits, poem by Emily Ross (136)
• Fading, poem by Tere Ann Roderick (136)
• He Stopped for Me by Robin Hood ("Kirk dies and Spock follows soon after him.") (also in There are Always Possibilities #1) (137)
• Make Me a Miracle by Robin Hood ("An alien gas makes Kirk act strangely violent. While Kirk and Spock are at a conference with a lanetʼs ruler, Kirk begins to act strangely and Spock is unable to determine why, or why he is unable to control himself.") (139)
• Winners and Losers, poem by Noelle Harrison (149)
• Reprisals by Vega Barga ("Starts off from the point of view of the Romulan woman commander who is seeking revenge, it is the first story of a trilogy. Kidnapped by the now insane and male “female” Romulan commander, Kirk is changed into a woman by the same process and impregnated by his bondmate when Spock is chemically induced into pon farr, making reversal of the process impossible.") (150)
• Last Night, poem by Rachel Abbot (169)
• Born of Trust, poem by Camille Spera (170)
• Canyons of Memory, poem by Roxane Acuna (171)
• Verdict by B.L Barr (A/U: "Kirk is on trial. Arrested on Vulcan, Kirk is returned to Earth for trial for his theft and destruction of the Enterprise before he and Spock can rebond following the fal tor pan.") (172)
• Yesterday... Today...Forever, poem by Robin Hood (181)
• Feathered Beast, poem by Robin Hood (181)
• Balance, poem by Kathy Resch (182)

• But Where is Home? by Mary Suskind Lansing ("Unable to feel emotions, but remembering the bond, Spock is willing to “service” his bondmate but Kirk begins to believe that he will have to let Spock go rather than continue this way.") (183)
• Whom I Loved, poem by Flora Poste (195)
• Kirk Rampant by Ursula Tulle (contains non-consensual s/m - "Takes place in the mirror universe, M/U Commander Kirk, newly assigned 1st office on the ISS Enterprise, discovers an instant rapport with the Vulcan science officer, one that saves and then changes his life when Captain Pike decides to use Kirk in his sexual perversions.") (196)
• Ni Var, poem by Rachel Abbot (210)
• Transport Observation, poem by Donna Rose Vanderlaan (211)
• Agonistes, poem by Tere Ann Roderick (211)
• The Brush of Your Hand, poem by Donna Rose Vanderlaan (212)
• Costume Ball by B.L. Barr ("Kirk and Spock dress up as Batman and Robin at a masquerade.") (213)

• Divorce Vulcan Style by Mary Suskind Lansing ("It deals with the well-known problem of Kirk's addiction to danger, when Spock goes into pon farr Kirk flies to Vulcan to aid his bondmate, and while there comes to terms with himself and what his forcing them apart has cost him." Prequel: Parted And Never Parted.) (217)
• The Angelican Torture Bed, poem by Flora Poste (270
• The Pleasure Bed, poem by Flora Poste (211)
• Consort, poem by Natasha Solten (272)

• 

  from issue #2, illo for "He Stopped for Me" by Dorothy Laoang; used by Camille Bacon-Smith in Enterprising Women to depict the trope hurt/comfort; Bacon-Smith notes that this piece is influenced by Edvard Munch

• 

  from issue #2, Marilyn Cold

• 

  from issue #2, TACS

• 

  from issue #2, Suzan Lovett -- "Another noteworthy piece of art (can one use such a trivial adjective to describe a piece that causes excess salivation and tachycardia?) is by Suzann Lovett dated 1979, in her inimitable Courts of Honor style. This is simply sexy as it gets."

• 

  from issue #2, Suzan Lovett

• 

  from issue #2, Marilyn Cole

• 

  from issue #2, sample text

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2

See reactions and reviews for Assumptions.

See reactions and reviews for Divorce Vulcan Style.

See reactions and reviews for But Where is Home?.

See reactions and reviews for Costume Ball.

See reactions and reviews for Carousel.

See reactions and reviews for Kirk Rampant.

See reactions and reviews for Verdict.

See reactions and reviews for Reprisals.

See reactions and reviews for Make Me a Miracle.

See reactions and reviews for He Stopped for Me.

See reactions and reviews for Reason's Way.

See reactions and reviews for Home of the Heart.

See reactions and reviews for Dating Game.

See reactions and reviews for But Where Is Home?.

See reactions and reviews for Would It Have Been Different?.

See reactions and reviews for Before You Reach for the Stars.

See reactions and reviews for Reluctant Consort.

See reactions and reviews for The Leaving.

[zine]: CONSORT 2 exceeded my normal expectations of zines. There's more of high quality here than usual, though the stories do run the entire range from excellently written to poorly constructed - with a number of stories in between.

The Southern Cross cover is impressive. There is also lovely interior artwork by Suzan Lovett and Marilyn Cole.

In fiction, I generally place a premium on originality, and "Reprisals- by Vera Barga was so unusual that I was jolted. The story starts off from the point of view of the Romulan woman commander who is seeking revenge, but goes off in a direction I could not have predicted. This is the first story in a trilogy, and I eagerly await the sequel in CONSORT 3. The ending of "Reprisals" left Kirk and Spock in such a fascinating dilemma that it is difficult for me to wait In order to find out how the situation is resolved.

"The Leaving" by Aimee Confer, viewed as a whole, might be considered just another story about the separation of Kirk and Spock which occurred when Spock went to Gol. Yet this story also deals very well with the serious themes of alcoholism and violence against women. Some fans may not think Kirk capable of sinking into the state depicted in this story, but I think it quite believable. Alcoholics and wife abusers can be highly respected - even a highly decorated heroes and even Starfleet Admirals might be one...

[zine]: If there were a continuing theme in this zine, it was differentiating from the norm.

The first entry, titled Assumptions is by Mary Suskind Lansing. It takes an approach I don't recall ever having seen, nor did I like it much. It involved Kirk and Spock entering into a very cold and calculated marriage. They weren't forced into it except by loneliness and yet I think it would be even more lonely than being alone if they were together and shared nothing but commitment, a contradiction in terms.

Next comes Carousel by Barb Lewis and it is two precious pages. Kirk is having dreams where he rides an old fashioned carousel and can't quite reach the golden ring held out by Spock, When he falls out of bed, Spock comes in, soothes him and leaves, returning to his meditation object: a small musical carousel given him by his mother. Watching the tiny horses prance round and round, he recites a mantra you'll all like.

Janice Lester's transference proves unbreakable in Turnabout but what is broken is the usual story line that finds Vulcan male and female quickly coupling. Again, a remarkable collection in this zine — very diverse, all entertaining and quite different.

Dating Game by Mary [Suskind Lansing] is refreshing, lighthearted almost to the point of being a Mary Sue, but oh, so readable with a delightfully cute and very Trek ending.

The dialog in Home of the Heart could have been pages torn from the script of STIV. B.L. Barr takes us to Vulcan before the trip home to face the music. Very Spockian. If you liked the other endings, you will absolutely glow with this one. And to think ... with just a brief stretch of the imagination, it could have been filmed this way. Bet it would have beaten all the box-office records. I gotta go look closer at my video of the Bounty's sinking.

Several entries in this zine explore the possibilities surrounding Spock's refusion. One, Verdict by B.L. Barr, was noted to have been written before STIV and yet the resemblance to the trial outcome in that film is uncanny!

Something for everyone, and as I said, not a trite contribution in the bunch.

He Stopped For Me, Doesn't this title alone tell you this is going to tug unmercifully at your heartstrings? Well, prepare yourself because in under two pages Robin Hood will tear it free and throw it in the dust. This one hurts! The accompanying art by Dorothy Laoang underscores it to perfection and would tell the story without a single word.

Another noteworthy piece of art (can one use such a trivial adjective to describe a piece that causes excess salivation and tachycardia?) is by Suzann Lovett dated 1979, in her inimitable Courts of Honor style. This is simply sexy as it gets.

Costume Ball is another entry by B.L Barr — a name I don't recall seeing before. It's a fun bit of fluff speckled with lighthearted, happy words exchanged between the dynamic duo. such as one might expect from a happy couple.

Diversity is in every turn of the page of Consort 2. Whether it was intentional or a wonderful accident, there is as much variety in subject matter and in approach to the characters as ever seen in one zine. Presuming this zine is out of print. I pronounce it a "must find.

Issue 3

front cover of issue #3

back cover of issue #3

Consort 3 was published in 1992 and is 181 pages long. It is a collection of about 8 stories and many poems.

• I Gave at the Office by Natasha Solten (When Spock is forced to donate sperm to the Vulcan genetics bank, he needs his bondmateʼs help.)

• Commutative Diagram by Mary Suskind Lansing (Lonely, and fighting an attraction to Spock, Kirk goes along with a mail order bride set up by a drunk McCoy.)
• Dying Embers by Anna Parrish (Kirk begins to have dreams of past lives, in all of which he and Spock are lovers and Spock dies saving him.) (The author writes later: "If you read CONSORT 3 and notice GODxxx in my story "Dying Embers," please be advised that I did not put it there. The editor inadvertently inserted it in ay writing without my approval. I have NEVER and will never purposely use that word in my stories or in my zines.")
• Aftermath by Liz Darcy (After he is told of Sarekʼs death by Picard, Spock goes through the memories transfered to Picard from Sarek and discovers that his father knew of his bond to Kirk.)
• What Would I Wish for You by Flora Poste (While on a planet survey, Kirk and Spock are subjected to an unknown mind probe.)
• Into the Future by Robin Hood (Kirk tries to get his bondmate to tell him how it felt to die though Spock is at first resistant to reliving both their pain.)
• Parted and Never Parted, part two by Mary Suskind Lansing (After Kirkʼs actions to save Spock result in the death of crewmembers, McCoy pushes him into forcing his bondmate to leave the Enterprise. Sequel: Divorce-Vulcan Style.)
• content by Patricia Frazier Lamb
• art by Arleen Geller and The Southern Cross

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3

See reactions and reviews for Commutative Diagram.

See reactions and reviews for Parted and Never Parted.

See reactions and reviews for Dying Embers.

See reactions and reviews for Aftermath.

See reactions and reviews for What I Would Wish for You.

See reactions and reviews for I Gave at the Office.

[Into the Future]: This was an interesting look at Spock's' death.' That's a difficult period, particularly when you try to see it from Spock's point of view. Robin has done a good job here. It is a conversation I can believe they had as she depicted it.