Counterpoint (Star Trek: TOS zine)

You may be looking for Counterparts, a Beauty and the Beast zine or the third volume of the Star Wars zine Thousandworlds Collected, subtitled "Counterpoint: The Battle for Rynan.

Zine
Title:	Counterpoint
Publisher:	Marian Flanders & Emily Adams
Editor(s):	Marian Flanders & Emily Adams
Date(s):	1989-1993
Series?:
Medium:	print zine
Size:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: TOS
Language:	English
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Counterpoint is a Kirk/Spock slash anthology published and edited by Marian Flanders & Emily Adams.

It had nine issues between 1989 and 1993.

From issue 8: "COUNTERPOINT: a theme consisting of two complementary or contrasting melodies woven into a single harmonious whole in which each retains its linear character."

Issue 1

cover of issue #1, Thena MacArthur

Counterpoint 1 was published in April 1989 and contains 247 pages. It was edited by Marian Flanders and Emily Adams. This zine is printed offset, GBC bound. Art by Deeb Cairns, Thena MacArthur (cover), and Kay Wells.

From the editorial:

In trying to decide what to say in our editorial, we found we both came up with the same ideas: that, though we both started out with some apprehensions as to our sanity, the project turned out to be a lot of fun; that, at the very least, it gave a great excuse for lunches out (we live quite a distance apart); and that a lot of our success in finding stories (and the blame for getting us into this in the first place) goes to a certain curly blond editor whom we wish to thank—Robin, thanks. We think.

How did we get ourselves into this, you may well ask. We're still asking that too. But we did decide, early on, that, since every other editor has told of all the disasters that came her way, we would diligently ask all the questions we could of everyone we could get to sit still long enough. This went on for nearly a year, until we finally got nerve enough to say, "Okay, we'll do it. We'll put out a zine."

You have the result in your hands. Treat it tenderly; it ranks right up there with our first born. We hope you get as much enjoyment from reading it as we had in putting it together. We welcome letters of comment and promise that we will send them on to the authors.

• Perspectives by Charlotte Frost (Kirk accidentally hears one of McCoyʼs personal logs where McCoy relates how he sees Kirk and Spock relating to each other.) (1)
• Unspoken Words by Rachel (poem) (26)
• Cross Currents by T'Hera (Kirk and Spock stay at an old friend of Spockʼs while at a conference, a man whose son was killed there years before, Spockʼs blood on the murder weapon, even though Spock was not on the planet at the time.) (27)
• Green Manchild by Robin Hood (poem) (62)
• Today by Rachel (poem) (62)
• Child Psychology by D.A. Martin (While on shoreleave on the Kirk farm, Spock enlists Kirkʼs mother to aid his cause in getting Kirk to lose weight.) (63)
• Puppeteer by Rachel (poem) (72)
• Gem Fire by Michelle Scully (When the Enterprise is caught in an unknown force, Kirk and Spock, in pain and sexually stimulated as are all the males on board, must find the reason for it and a way to end it before all the men on the Enterprise die.) (73)
• Virgin Sand by Robin Hood (poem) (104)
• Touching by Monica Voile (Through the course of their time serving together on the Enterprise, Kirk and Spockʼs closeness finally leads to the inevitable conclusion.) (105)
• Mask by Emily Adams (poem) (132)
• Thoroughbred by Marian Flanders (poem) (132)
• Concealed Reflections by Patricia Laurie Stephens (Spock is unable to throw off the effects of the drug used to speed up his blood production during Sarekʼs surgery and is taken to Vulcan for help, where he discovers a twin brother neither he, or his parents, knew existed.) (133)
• A Year in Hell by Kay Wells (Just as Kirk works up the nerve to tell Spock of his feelings for him, he is injured and faces the possibility of never walking again, causing him to reject Spockʼs offer to stay with him.) (163)
• Temptations by Marian Flanders (While on a diplomatic mission, Kirk and Spock volunteer to deliver medical supplies to get out of the boring conferences, but get carried away while on a “motorcycle” together.) (197)
• Terrible Threshold by Emily Adams (Spockʼs second pon farr is approaching, but McCoy is dismayed when it progresses faster than expected, with Kirkʼs presence the only thing seeming to help alleviate the symptoms and keep Spock alive.) (205)
• Virtuoso by Emily Adams (poem) (247)
• Counterpoint by Emily Adams (poem) (inside back cover)

• 

  inside page from issue #1, Kay Wells

• 

  inside page from issue #1, Kay Wells

• 

  inside page from issue #1, sample text

• 

  inside page from issue #1, Kay Wells

• 

  inside page from issue #1, Deeb

• 

  inside page from issue #1, Deeb

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

See reactions and reviews for Perspectives.

See reactions and reviews for Cross Currents.

See reactions and reviews for Child Psychology.

See reactions and reviews for Gem Fire.

See reactions and reviews for Touching.

See reactions and reviews for Concealed Reflections.

See reactions and reviews for A Year in Hell.

See reactions and reviews for Temptations.

Issue 2

front cover of issue #2, DEEB -- titled: "If This Isn't Love"...

Counterpoint 2 was published in November 1989 and has 240 pages. Cover by DEEB. It has interior art by Marian Flanders, Deeb, and Susan K. Dundas.

• Counterpoint, poem by Emily Adams (inside front cover)
• Roses Aren't Always Red by Roberta Haga (Someone is leaving “Cupidʼs Day” flowers for Spock and as the day goes by he begins to have hope that they might be from the one he secretly loves.) (1)
• Gambit by Jane Elza (Kirk accompanies Spock to a chess tournament where the Vulcan champion turns out to want more than the chess title after he sees Kirk.) (15)
• Soltr's Curse, poem by Jane Elza (26)
• Nightcap by Gena Moretti (When Kirk is too tired for lovemaking, Spock comes up with a plan to get them through the night.) (27)
• Secret Seduction, poem by Robin Hood (30)
• More Than You Can Know, poem by Charlotte Frost and Linda Frankel (31)
• Counterpoint, poem by Rachel Cavendish (32)
• The Redeemer by Patricia Laurie Stephens (Back on Earth after the fal tor pan, Spock still canʼt remember his relationship and bonding with Kirk, but that takes a back seat after they discover that a serial killer may be stalking Spock.) (33)
• Solitary Confinement, poem by Rachel Cavendish (58)
• Return to Iotia - Or Else! by A.T. Bush ("7 years after their first visit, the Enterprise returns to Iotia to collect their “cut” and try to find McCoyʼs communicator.") (59)
• Shrive by Robin Hood ("Kirk discovers that while Spock was held by the Romulans, all his memories of Kirk were examined and now that he is having nightmares of his captors, they all have Kirkʼs face.") (137)
• Mirrors, poem by Charlotte Frost (164)
• "The Omni" by Dana Austin Marsh ("When the Enterprise responds to a distress call, they discover a colony where everyone has died except for a Human/Vulcan infant who forms a child/parent bond with Kirk, to the chagrin of his bondmate, Spock.") (165)
• Mary Had a Little Lamb, poem by T'Anon Y. Mouse (198)
• Dream Talk by Rachel and Cassandra ("Spock and McCoy are forced to share a room and when Spock talks in his sleep about making love to Kirk, McCoy is hurt to think that his two friends are lovers but donʼt trust him enough to tell him.") (199)
• Refinishing, poem by Rachel Cavendish (219)
• Choices, poem by Charlotte Frost (220)
• A Case of Love by Gena Moretti ("Spock misunderstands when he overhears two crewmembersʼ comments about Kirk having a “case of the hots” for him.") (221)
• Counterpoint by Emily Adams ("Kirk catches Spock watching him while they are attending a diplomatic receptions but becomes upset when he thinks Spockʼs attention has wandered.v) (229)
• A Pattern of Stars, poem by Robin Hood (240)
• Counterpoint, poem by Marian Flanders (inside back cover)

• 

  from issue #2, Deeb -- "This is the perfect illustration for Roses Aren't Always Red. Deeb has captured in this picture everything the author wanted to tell us. You can see Spock's loneliness, his hope, his admiration of the beauty and his love. A beautiful piece of art!"

• 

  from issue #2, Deeb - illustration for Roses Aren't Always Red

• 

  from issue #2, sample page

• 

  from issue #2, Susan K. Dundas

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2

See reactions and reviews for Gambit.

See reactions and reviews for Counterpoint.

See reactions and reviews for The Omni.

See reactions and reviews for The Redeemer.

See reactions and reviews for Shrive.

See reactions and reviews for A Case of Love.

See reactions and reviews for Dream Talk.

See reactions and reviews for Roses Aren't Always Red.

See reactions and reviews for Nightcap.

See reactions and reviews for Return to Iotia - Or Else!.

Issue 3

cover issue #3 by DEW

Counterpoint 3 was published in June 1990 and has 198 pages.

It has art by Susan Douglass, Susan K. Dundas, Deeb, and DEW.

From the editorials:

Well, the third time's the charm, they say, and you now have our third effort in your hands. We've definitely learned something every time we go through this foolishness—hopefully for the better. At any rate, our part is done. Now it's your turn.

“My turn,” you say? “I shelled out all this money”, and you expect more? Yes. Our long suffering and patient authors and artists don't get any part of what you paid, you know. That all goes to production costs. These good people pour out their artistic efforts, send it off, and then wait to see what appreciation they get, if any. That's where you come in. Is there a story you especially liked? A piece of art that struck you just right? Or a line somewhere that you felt particularly apt? Let us know. We'll send it to the appropriate person. And, as authors ourselves, we can tell you, it'll REALLY be appreciated. There's nothing like an encouraging letter of comment to get the creative juices flowing again. And that in turn leads to more stories for you to read. And, hopefully, another Counterpoint.

Got the message? You don't have to write a professional review of the whole zine (although if you did we'd be ecstatic!). Just whatever you feel like—as long as the comments are constructive. Not too much to ask, is it? It'll be forever appreciated.

• Counterpoint, poem by Marian Flanders (inside front cover)
• Shared Space by Dana Austin Marsh (Kirkʼs confession of his love when he believes he is about to be put to death by his captors, is complicated when a last minute rescue causes confusion regarding his and Spockʼs true feelings.) (5)
• Death's Passion, poem by Robin Hood (32)
• Waiting by Jane Elza (McCoy remembers, as he waits one last time, for Kirk and Spock.) (33)
• A Young and Lonely Man, poem by Robin Hood (36)
• A Change in Perspective by Jean Gabriel (Kirk and Spock must convince the elders of Spockʼs clan of the rightness of their bond in order to have it formalized on Vulcan.) (37)
• Two Halves of a Whole by Kay Wells (Kirk fears a loss of control when he is called on to officiate at the wedding of a human and Vulcan male, his own hidden love for Spock too near the surface.) (67)
• The Expert Neighbor by A.T. Bush (Kirk’s help in getting Spock through the discomfort caused by his aborted pon farr turns out to be only Kirkʼs wishful dream.) (79)
• Silent Pledge, poem by Robin Hood (108)
• Sweet Survivor by Robin Hood (Kirk lives with the pain of Spock’s death until his meeting with Sarek gives him hope.) (109)
• Computer Games by Jane Elza (Humor: The Enterprise computer decides to take matters in hand when Kirk and Spock seem unable to do anything about their love for each other.) (109)
• Cure for a Dull Voyage, poem by Jane Elza (120)
• "Outcast" by Charlotte Frost (Spock is helped by an unknown outcast on the planet heʼs stranded on when the natives try to kill him.) (121)
• Say It With Music by Gena Moretti (Kirk is given a collection of old songs for his birthday.) (143)
• Antinome by Marian Flanders (152)
• Reunion by Susan Douglass (After the Vʼger mission, Spock finds his ex-lover alone on the bridge, where he has gone to once again say goodbye to his ship.) (153)
• Everyone Passes the Test by Emily Adams (159)
• Counterpoint 3, poem by Emily Adams (inside back cover)

• 

  from issue #3, sample text

• 

  from issue #3, Deeb

• 

  from issue #3, DEW

• 

  from issue #3, DEW

• 

  from issue #3, Deeb for Shared Space - "there resides an amazingly accurate rendition of Spock gripping the bars of a cell and looking far beyond them—miles beyond, it seems. I’ve never seen Spock looking any more appealing. An excellent likeness that I’d have to label just a bit idealistic, because he is just so flawlessly handsome. This work is by Deeb and she deserves a big WOW!"

• 

  from issue #3, Deeb for Shared Space - "Deeb also has given us a glimpse of Spock lifting Kirk’s chin in anticipation of a kiss. This stirring portrait appears between pages 22 and 23. Softly drawn, the Spock is not quite as on-target as the “jailhouse” work, but who’s perfect? Wish they’d go ahead and complete that kiss while I’m looking!"

• 

  from issue #3, Susan K. Dundas - "I’m ashamed I don’t know the artist who signs an intertwined KS or SK. Editors, please give proper credit here. The artist has created a very sad and lonely Kirk with his back turned to a viewport, interest in the stars forfeited to some inner pain. This is the Kirk of STII so it’s not difficult to tell the source of the grief so plainly drawn on his face. The lines around his eyes tell of sorrow and tears. Certainly this portrait tells without words the terrible cost of love."

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3

See reactions and reviews for Antinome.

See reactions and reviews for Two Halves of a Whole.

See reactions and reviews for A Change in Perspective.

See reactions and reviews for Waiting.

See reactions and reviews for Reunion.

See reactions and reviews for Shared Spaces.

See reactions and reviews for Everyone Passes the Test.

See reactions and reviews for Computer Games.

See reactions and reviews for Say It With Music.

See reactions and reviews for Outcast.

See reactions and reviews for Sweet Survivor.

See reactions and reviews for The Expert Neighbor.

Issue 4

cover issue #4 by Deeb: "This was one of the best covers I've seen in a while. What a tender moment! The little smile on Spock's face seemed just right and by the way he's looking at Kirk you just know that our Vulcan feels more than friendship for his friend and captain. This artist gets better and better all the time."

"I usually read a zine cover to cover when I'm ready to devote my full attention to it, but when I realized the cover art here went with a story, I just had to read the story immediately to find out what was going on in this lovely, evocative drawing. Besides the perfect technique, as usual, and the style always to my liking, I think this is the most beautiful Spock ever, while still being in a "realistic" mode (as opposed to the long-hair warriors, for instance,which are gorgeous but don't exactly ring true). "Since I find it very difficult to say why I like a piece of art, I was going to let myself off the hook and not comment on this study of Kirk pulling back Spock’s bangs to look deep into his eyes. At first I thought it wasn’t “right”, that Spock seemed too young, too elfin. But the more I looked, the more it grew on me and the more I thought this is how Spock might have looked had Kirk so displayed his affection early in the series. Spock looks so innocent, yet so rapt as he return the human’s gaze. Kirk’s features are barely visible, yet the crinkle is there at the corner of the eye and we know the smile is there as we see it reflected in the slightly upturned Vulcan lips. Very, very nice."

Counterpoint 4 was published in December 1991 and has 210 pages. It contains interior art by DEW. The cover art is also reprinted inside the zine.

• Counterpoint 4, poem by Emily Adams (inside front cover)
• Never Too Late by Jean Gabriel (A bond is formed when Spock sustains Kirkʼs life in a meld after Kirk is poisoned, but the captain doesnʼt remember his declaration of love for Spock and goes along with the attempt to break the bond.) (1)
• Casablanca by Karla Kelly (Kirk falls asleep when he takes Spock to see a movie and dreams of them in the movieʼs roles.) (31)
• Night Dream, poem by Cheryl Resnick (44)
• McCoy's Dream by Karla Kelly (McCoy has a dream similar to Kirkʼs after watching the same movie.) (45)
• Waiting, poem by Emily Adams (52)
• Let's Forget the Whole Thing by Gena Moretti (The Enterprise crew joins in the games set up by Starfleet but trouble starts after they win by a large margin.) (53)
• One More Chance by Elizabeth Holmes (After the Klingon Conference, Kirk goes to Spock, again hoping that Spock will finally remember that they were bonded.) (77)
• Partings, poem by Cheryl Resnick (84)
• Silky by A.T. Bush (The Enterprise is enlisted to help two undercover agents find and apprehend a fellow agent who has turned traitor.) (85)
• Shadow, poem by Marian Flanders (130)
• Revelation by Emily Adams (Kirk is down on the shoreleave planet when he sees what he thinks is Spock with a replicant of himself, but finds out that theyʼre both replicants and that the fantasy is his: Sequel: Reflection.) (131)
• Day Dream by Elizabeth Homes (Kirk is forced to listen to a lecture on Klingon tactics by a Vulcan who is so boring that Kirk begins daydreaming about his own Vulcan.) (141)
• IDIC: Sarek's Combination, poem by Karla Kelly (144)
• The Cleansing by Kay Wells (The Enterprise is sent to negotiate the admittance of a planet, one that hides a horrifying secret.) (145)
• Half Brother, poem by Cheryl Resnick (210)
• Counterpoint 4, poem by Marian Flanders (inside back cover)

• 

  from issue #4, DEW

• 

  from issue #4, DEW, note the double ridges (Gayle F has a lot to answer for!)

• 

  from issue #4, DEW

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4

See reactions and reviews for Casablanca.

See reactions and reviews for Let's Forget the Whole Thing.

See reactions and reviews for Never Too Late.

See reactions and reviews for The Cleansing.

See reactions and reviews for Day Dream.

See reactions and reviews for Revelation.

See reactions and reviews for Silky.

See reactions and reviews for One More Chance.

See reactions and reviews for McCoy's Dream.

[on the cover by Deeb and the issue]: Check out this gorgeous artwork...I think its by Deeb...I recently acquired this particular zine but have yet to read it. Slowly wending my way through the entire series of Counterpoints, excellent work by leaps and bounds!

Issue 5

cover issue #5 by Marilyn Cole -- from the zine's editorial: "Our thanks go to Marilyn who did such a great cover, one more explicit than usual for us, explaining 'let me know if you want me to put pants on them' -- are you kidding!"

Counterpoint 5 was published in October 1991 and has 200 pages. It has interior art by DEW.

• Counterpoint 5, poem by Marian Flanders (inside front cover)
• “The Best Laid Plans” by Dana Austin Marsh (Kirk decides to use jealousy to convince Spock to bond them after his lover refuses to tie him down with the absolute commitment. (1)
• Winter Rose, K/S Song Tape (22)
• Winter Rose by Robin Hood (Kirk tries to explain to Spock why he goes to the trouble he does to keep one particular plant alive, and who the plant symbolizes.) (23)
• Escape Artist by Charlotte Frost (Uncomfortable with his responses to Kirk, Spock tries to break it off with his lover.) (29)
• Hills of Glass, poem by Robin Hood (52)
• Dear Diary by Yeoman Enid Pulver (Humor: Kirkʼs yeoman writes of her experiences.) (53)
• Sea of Time, poem by Robin Hood (60)
• Chattel by Samantha Stone (TʼPring informs Kirk that since he did not die during the challenge, he is now considered Spockʼs chattel, a position Kirk does not see as all bad.) (61)
• Reflection by Emily Adams (Spock analyses Kirkʼs reaction to realizing that Spock was not on the Shoreleave planet, and comes to some fascinating conclusions: Prequel: Revelation.) (91)
• Blood Sport by Kay Wells (Spock is found incapacitated after participating in a ritual hunt.) (95)
• Luck, poem by Marian Flanders (110)
• The Real Thing by Jean Gabriel (After rejecting Kirk as a lover, Spock must turn to him after being given a powerful aphrodisiac and is unable to tolerate anyone else.) (111)
• Just Another Cave Scenario by Yvonne DeChine (When McCoy, Kirk and Spock are stranded together, Spock decides to finally declare his love as he tends his injured captain.) (137)
• What Price Security by Gena Moretti (A/U: A marriage is proposed between Kirk, the new captain of the Enterprise, and the son of the Vulcan ambassador, who would then become Kirkʼs first officer.) (159)
• Tapestry, poem by Marian Flanders (188)
• Remember... by Judith Coventry (After Genesis, Kirk realizes his love for Spock and then has a visitor in the night who appears to be the Vulcan.) (189)
• Counterpoint 5, poem by Emily Adams (inside back cover)

• 

  DEW for The Best Laid Plans - "Besides being simply well-executed in line and play of light, I find this drawing erotic all the more so for having some subtlety. I am one who often appreciates a little left to the imagination. When in our mind's eye we must continue the line (the lovely curve of buttocks) there can be more of an impact than when we are shown the whole thing. Same with getting to imagine where Spock's left hand is.... I like the darkness. I like the non-forceful nature of the kiss, perhaps one of those ecstatic mindless breathless pauses."

• 

  sample text

• 

  DEW for Blood Sport

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 5

See reactions and reviews for Blood Sport.

See reactions and reviews for The Best Laid Plans.

See reactions and reviews for Reflection.

See reactions and reviews for Winter Rose.

See reactions and reviews for Escape Artist.

See reactions and reviews for Remember....

See reactions and reviews for What Price Security.

See reactions and reviews for Just Another Cave Scenario.

See reactions and reviews for The Real Thing.

See reactions and reviews for Chattel.

See reactions and reviews for Dear Diary.

[Reflection]: I'm one of those who liked the ending of "Revelation" so this story probably did not have the impact on me that it will have on others. I did, however, enjoy watching Spock's reasoning unfold to the logical conclusion.

[Reflection]: Not much substance here, but that's understandable in light of the author's note that she didn't want to write this sequel to "Revelation". I was moved, however, by the paragraph where Spock categorizes all of Kirk's various smiles.

Issue 6

front cover of issue #6, DEW

back cover of issue #6, DEW

Counterpoint 6 was published in February 1992 and has 218 pages. Cover by DEW. The interior art is by Susan K. Dundas and Deeb.

• Counterpoint 6, poem by Emily Adams (inside front cover)
• The Prisoners by Sharon Pillsbury (Taken prisoner after crash landing on an unknown planet, Kirk is used by the master guard who holds him by using Spockʼs safety as leverage.) (1)
• T'Var by Karla Kelly (While both convalesce in sickbay, Kirk and Spock exchange questions that somehow all end up centered on Spock.) (53)
• We Reach, poem by Lisa Pallison (60)
• Fore! by Gena Moretti and Roberta (Spock must quickly teach Kirk and McCoy the rules and game of golf in order for them to be able to meet the Admiral who can get them the funds they need for a project.)
• Communications Gap, poem by Phaedra Morgan (86)
• Empire Intentions by Greggia Seta (M/U: Kirk learns to trust Spock over the time they serve together on the Enterprise.) (87)

• Hiding in Plain Sight by Kay Wells (McCoy is forced to betray a trust in order for Kirk and Spock to realize that they want, and can have, each other.) (165)
• Two Faces Have We, poem by Lisa Pallisan (178)
• “Parted From Me” by Dana Austin Marsh (Kirk is killed in an accident in an access tube, but his spirit manages to stay with his bondmate as both he and Spock try to ascertain why he was allowed to stay.) (179)
• Counterpoint 6, poem by Marian Flanders (inside back cover)

• 

  inside issue #6, sample text

• 

  inside issue #6, Deeb for “Parted from Me”

• 

  inside issue #6, Deeb for “Parted from Me”

• 

  inside issue #6, Susan K. Dundas for The Prisoners — “I love this drawing of Spock for its roughness. Although I really like “idealized” drawings. I appreciate this sort of realism. The expression has depth; an interesting sadness in the eyes. I also like Susan's sense of design, the very simple background elements.”

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 6

See reactions and reviews for Parted from Me.

See reactions and reviews for Hiding in Plain Sight.

See reactions and reviews for Empire Intentions.

See reactions and reviews for Fore!.

See reactions and reviews for T'Var.

See reactions and reviews for The Prisoners.

Issue 7

cover of issue #7 by DEW: "I have to look again and again at this beautiful picture - it shows so much love! And I like to mention all the other illustrations in this zine by the same artist. They are also beautiful!!! " "This is a very special interpretation of “not in front of the Klingons”. It looks so much like a kiss in the making. And I think that is exactly what it was. I like seeing it captured in black and white and maybe just a little closer to being completed."

inside issue #7, sample text

Counterpoint 7 was published in July 1992 and has 203 pages. It has art by Kay Wells.

• Point..., poem by Marian Flanders (inside front cover)
• Pan by Emily Adams (The shipʼs telepathic cat stumbles on a body and then of the thoughts that Kirk and Spock have for each other.) (1)
• A Thousand Wings, poem by Robin Hood (16)
• The Emperor's Ambassador by Sharon Pillsbury (M/U: A mystery from his past begins to haunt Kirk when heʼs ordered to Deneva to present an award to his brother, a mystery he does not remember.) (17)
• Rainbow Dust, poem by Robin Hood (96)
• Shadows on the Wall by Robin Hood (Lovers watch as lovers come together.) (97)
• Reflections on a Lunar Landscape by Jenna Sinclair (Spockʼs jealousy is expressed in a display of dominance after Kirk flirts with a woman and then attempts sexual intercourse with his lover that night. Prequel: Sharing the Sunlight. Sequel: Pursuing Hyacinths) (also in Setting Course) (99)
• Thought Thief, poem by Robin Hood (134)
• Disappointment by Elizabeth Holmes (Kirkʼs promise to Spock turns out to be harder to keep than he thought it would.) (135)
• The Awakening Past by Donna Rose Vanderlaan (During Kirk and Spockʼs trip to Egypt, they are approached by a stranger who shows them a way to spend the night in a mysterious pyramid and tells them that it will change them forever.) (141)
• Revenge by Elizabeth Holmes (Spock gets even with Kirk for making it difficult for him to control his emotions by returning the favor.) (193)
• Resolution by Kate Singer (After the Klingon Peace Conference, Kirk tries to win back the love he abandoned years ago, when guilt drove a wedge between him and Spock.) (196)
• ... and Counterpoint, poem by Emily Adams (inside back cover)

• 

  inside issue #7, Kay Wells - "There is a metaphysical ambiance about this portrait of an older Kirk and Spock. Their eyes are closed and they appear to be in a trance or dream state. The background contains both light and shadow emphasizing that Kirk and Spock are in their twilight years. On the other hand, there is a glow in Spock's hair that looks like stars are shining down, and the patches of white in Kirk's hair might also be seen as a magical sprinkling of Stardust. What a haunting image!"
  
  "Kay has given us a different view of the mirror-like images of Kirk and Spock at the reactor chamber. The glass is not visible and Spock appears younger and does not look injured. Kirk’s jacket is not in disarray as we see it at Spock’s death. Perhaps this was meant as an earlier image of sharing, a moment when Kirk and Spock have found sustenance and support in each other. Whatever the meaning behind it, this drawing carries a seriousness about it. Weariness, sadness, premonition maybe, but certainly love and comfort."

• 

  inside issue #7, Kay Wells

• 

  inside issue #7, Kay Wells

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 7

See reactions and reviews for Pan.

See reactions and reviews for Reflections on a Lunar Landscape.

See reactions and reviews for Revenge.

See reactions and reviews for The Emperor's Ambassador.

See reactions and reviews for Shadows on the Wall.

See reactions and reviews for Disappointment.

See reactions and reviews for The Awakening Past.

See reactions and reviews for Resolution.

Issue 8

cover of issue #8, Sharon Travis

Counterpoint 8 was published in October 1992 and has 208 pages. Cover by Sharon Travis, art by Rudas.

• My Very Own Personal Computer by Marian Flanders (iv)
• Empty Spaces by Dana Austin Marsh (After discovering that Kirk has a child, Spock decides to seek out the mother and convince her to allow his lover to at least be informed of his sonʼs progress.) (1)
• Bittersweet, poem by Kathy Stanis (16)
• Madman's Peace by Robin Hood (M/U: After returning from this universe, Kirk notices a change in the way Spock treats him.) (17)
• Candleflames, poem by Robin Hood (23)
• Time in Space, poem by Kathy Stanis (24)
• Seeds by Karla Kelly (Suluʼs heartache at his loverʼs transfer from the ship, finally brings understanding to Kirk and Spock regarding their own relationship.) (25)
• Love Born, poem by Kathy Stanis (32)
• Lines of Communication by Gena Moretti (Spock is monitored and his bond to Kirk disrupted in an attempt by a saboteur to destroy any chance of peace between the warring parties that Kirk is supposed to help negotiate.) (33)
• Rain Spirit, poem by Robin Hood (63)
• Face of Pretend, poem by Robin Hood (64)
• Last Time by Kathy Stanis (Picard is allowed to see the love Spock and Kirk shared when he melds with Spock to give him the memories entrusted to him by a dying Sarek.) (crossover with Star Trek: TNG) (65)
• Daze of Life, poem by Robin Hood (74)
• The Queen of Bangkok by Patricia Laurie Stephens (A/U: Kirk is forced to take along a Vulcan scientist while he investigates the new drug making the rounds, but decides he wants to keep him around after they become lovers.) (75)
• At the Same Time, poem by Kathy Stanis (196)
• Duet, long poem, in perhaps Ni Var-style by Jo'An (197)

• 

  from issue #8, "Free Zines" -- despite the statement that this zine series "doesn't include many, if any, poems," this issue has nine of them

• 

  from issue #8, sample text, a word play using computer vocabulary

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  from issue #8, sample text

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  from issue #8, sample poem

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  from issue #8, illo by Sharon Travis for "Last Time" -- a black and white rendition of the cover art

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  from issue #8, illo by Rudas for "The Queen of Bangkok" - portrays T'Pring

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  from issue #8, illo by Rudas for "The Queen of Bangkok" - portrays T'Pring

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  from issue #8, illo by Rudas for "Duet"

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  from issue #8, sample from a poem (a Ni Var?) by Jo'An

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 8

See reactions and reviews for Lines of Communication.

See reactions and reviews for Empty Spaces.

See reactions and reviews for Last Time.

See reactions and reviews for The Queen of Bangkok.

See reactions and reviews for Seeds.

See reactions and reviews for Madman's Peace.

[Madman's Peace]: This was a nice sexy, enjoyable bit of fluff. Unlike the usual Mirror story, the lovemaking in this one seemed to be almost light-hearted. I really loved the line "I feel like a Jranth chasing its toes." I'm still trying to visualize that one, but I keep coming up with a cross between a dragon and a Saint Bernard puppy. It was easy to sympathize with Kirk, because Robin was very adept at describing his thoughts.

[Duet]: "Duet" is a dialogue between Kirk and Spock. Kirk gets the left-hand column; Spock gets the right. It must have been a terror to type, but reading it is easy because it flows so smoothly together. Eventually it becomes a sex scene related by each in the present tense. I think writing in present tense is fairly difficult to do, especially using the first person point of view. Jo'An manages her duet quite well. This is an enjoyable and original story.

[My Very Own Personal Computer]: Where are the good old days, when poets sat on their desks with quill and inkstand? It was so romantic! Nevertheless, this funny page fits perfectly into our beloved future universe. The inkstand is dead (sigh) - long live the computer (and when I think of some of my favorite stories, this computer can be very romantic too...)!

Issue 9

cover of issue #9, Caren Parnes: "What a beautiful cover! Especially this Kirk upper left is so handsome. Looks like a photo, but unlike a photo, this picture shows all of his gentle personality. And the two of then together in the middle -- Kirk looks so shy, I think, because he's going to tell Spock that he loves him. And Spock will answer, "I know, Jim, don't be ashamed. I too feel love for thee." Really wonderful!"

Counterpoint 9 was published in February 1993 and has 207 pages. Cover by Caren Parnes.

• Counterpoint, poem by Emily Adams (inside front cover)
• To Each His Own by Jean Gabriel (Kirk is abducted by a Spock of an alternate universe, one in which there is no James Kirk, so that he too can have the bondmate that all the other Spockʼs seem to have.) (1)
• Birthright by Mildred Manhill (Kirk and Spock decide to have a child by genetic engineering when they are assigned to Vulcan after the second 5 year mission.) (25)
• Heart's Delight by Jenna Sinclair (While on their first shoreleave together as lovers, Kirk and Spock visit an archaeological dig. Prequel: Pursuing Hyacinths. Sequel: Primal Scream.) (also in Setting Course) (73)
• Master or Slave?, poem by Marian Flanders (138)
• Forbidden Garden by Bryan Taylor (Spock is infected with a virus that makes him need male to male sex, but when Kirk helps him a bond is created that will be broken when a cure is devised.) (139)
• Slave or Master?, poem by Marian Flanders (168)
• Where Angels Fear To Tread by Dana Austin Marsh (Kirkʼs guardian angel hopes to make his job easier by getting Kirk and Spock together, which proves harder than he originally thought.) (168)
• Counterpoint, poem by Marian Flanders (inside back cover)

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  inside page from issue #9, Fiona Graves for Birthright

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  inside page from issue #9, sample text

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  inside page from issue #9, Rudas for "Master or Slave?"

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  inside page from issue #9, Rudas for "Slave or Master?"

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 9

See reactions and reviews for To Each His Own.

See reactions and reviews for Heart's Delight.

See reactions and reviews for Birthright.

See reactions and reviews for Forbidden Garden.

See reactions and reviews for Where Angels Fear to Tread.