Flip of a Coin/Issues 016-017

Flip of a Coin is a Harrison Ford zine, which includes fan fiction from Star Wars, the Indiana Jones movies, and other films starring Ford such as Witness, Blade Runner, Heroes (film), The Frisco Kid, and The Mosquito Coast.

It is primarily gen but also includes non-explicit adult het stories.

This zine series began after a similar zine, Facets, ceased publication.

"Flip of a Coin" ran for seventeen issues between 1983-1986.

This page is for detailed information about issue #16 and #17. For information about the zine in general, see Flip of a Coin.

For information about other issues of "Flip of a Coin," see:

Issues 001-002 · Issues 003-005 · Issues 006-007 · Issues 008-009 · Issues 010-011 · Issues 012-013 · Issues 014-015 · Issues 016-017

Issue 16

Flip of a Coin 16 was published in April 1994 and contains 239 pages.

The art is by Nicola Pearce (front cover), Bill Patterson, Barbara Frances-Simon (back cover), Dani, and Z.P. Florian.

front cover of issue #16, Barbara Frances-Simon

back cover of issue #16, Nicola Pearce

flyer for issue #16, note the differences in the actual content

Hello! (3)
Reviews (4)
cartoon by Bill Patterson (9)
Hoth to the Flame by Elaine Christiani (Star Wars) (10)
Murphy's Law by Karen Estabrook ("John Book offers himself hostage in a tense situation involving a fellow officer gone bad.") (Witness) (reprinted from BetterIdeaZine #17) (12)
Brotherhood by Cypher (Jack Ryan) (27)
Checkmate by Susan Zahn ("On the walkway of the Ewok village, Han tries to understand Leia's unwillingness to confide in him about what she and Luke discussed during the celebration.") (Star Wars) (28)
Lucas' Island a.k.a. Gilligan on the Falcon by Barbara Anderson (Star Wars) (38)
cartoon by Barbara Anderson (39)
Popular Mechanics by Elaine Christiani (Harrison Ford) (40)
The Patriot Game by Cypher (Journey to Shiloh) (42)
The Pirate's Woman by Cat Anson ("Leia Organa, the Rebel symbol of freedom and defiance, has been captured by pirates, whose leader has a grudge to settle with Han. Could (Star Wars) (43)
Cuban Crisis by George Register and Paula Truelove ("Jack Ryan is sent to Cuba to meet with Fidel Castro and is faced with a murder charge.") (Jack Ryan) (72)
Have You Looked at a Ford Lately? by Barbara Anderson ("A new Ford fan is given a tour of a Ford dealership and its models.") (85)
Long Distance by Elaine Christiani (Witness) (90)
A Tale of Three Henrys by Michelle Worley ("Indiana Jones, on a dig in the French countryside with his father, encounters a famous king and his wrath.") (Indiana Jones) (92)
Video Games by Cat Anson (Star Wars) (108)
Whole New Worlds by Jennifer Moore (Indiana Jones) (156)
Artifact and Archeologist by Jennifer Moore (Indiana Jones) (156)
Trials by Karen Estabrook ("Samuel learns to stand up to bullies without violence.") (Witness) (158)
cartoon by Barbara Anderson (172)
A Royal Pain by Ruth Radecki ("Han and Leia are about to be married when who should appear as one of the invited guests by Tallenyanna deMorga of Seralon -- Talley, for short. Five years ago, she'd been an obnoxious 16-year old "cargo" who's set her sights for Han. Having failed at her mission back then, this determined young lady is back again for another try. Sequel to "Save Us from Princesses" in issue #11") (Star Wars) (172)
cartoon by Barbara Anderson (203)
Boats, Why Did It Have to Be Boats? by Cypher (Indiana Jones) (204)
Chase a Shooting Starr by Cypher ("Han Solo enlists the assistance of Nova and Phloth to eliminate the distrabution of some Jorj-the-Dreamweater produced holoporn, the main star od which is modeled after Han himself.") (Star Wars) (205)
Henry, poem by Cypher (Regarding Henry) (239)
Notices (240)

from issue #16, Team Ford
from issue #16, Barbara Anderson, commentary on fans and fandom
from issue #16, Z.P. Florian (Star Wars)
from issue #16, Barbara Frances-Simon (Star Wars)
from issue #16, Barbara Anderson (Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford RPF)
from issue #16, Nicola Pearce (Star Wars)
from issue #16, Nicola Pearce (Star Wars)
from issue #16, Nicola Pearce (Star Wars)
from issue #16, Barbara Anderson (Harrison Ford, commentary on fans and fandom
from issue #16, Nicola Pearce (Witness)
from issue #16, Dani (Star Wars)
from issue #16, Dani (Star Wars)
from issue #16, Dani (Star Wars)
from issue #16, Barbara Anderson (Harrison Ford RPF)
from issue #16, Dani (Star Wars)
from issue #16, Dani (Star Wars)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 16

This is the first time I picked up the paean to all things Ford, mostly to check out the SW and Indy stories. (Sorry, but I don't care about bitty-witty characters Harrison played before SW, and there's no way anyone can write Jack Ryan better than Tom Clancy.) I definitely recommend this zine to those who believe Harrison Ford rules the universe, and is the greatest hunk of the past millennium. Men, you won't get it. The zine is very nicely produced, with a professional binding job and excellent artwork. The zine features fan-written stories based on a number of characters Ford has played throughout his career, with a good number of Han Solo stories. The Solo stories are all romantic in nature, most of them with action as well. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that there's Mary Sue-O-Rama occurring here—one story even featured a character with a name all-too-similar to a known Ford fan. But that's okay. We all do it from time to time. I just wish that some of the writers, in their zeal to portray Han as Super Stud, didn't have to do so at Leia's expense. (Okay, so I'm biased). My favorite story is one by Sue Zahn; it's honest, it doesn't tell you over and over that Han is the tomcat of the spaceways, and it portrays Leia as a real person, not a stereotype or a convenient figure for a sex scene. Another good one is by Ruth Radecki, where Han is portrayed as a mature, level-headed person. A funny, if not risque, story finds Han tracking down the maker of a naughty movie based on his life. Like I said, this is definitely for gals only. #17 should be out this spring.^[1]

Just finished FLIP 16 and I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the issue. Really some great stuff.
First off, the front cover by Barbara Frances-Simon was gorgeous. A really good job incorporating all the various FUGITIVE shots. Of course, Nicola Pearce's back cover was quite nice, as well.
I liked the way Sue Zahn broke down and elaborated on the events in ROTJ with "Checkmate." Barbara Frances-Simon's illos were a nice addition.
Both of Cat Anson's stories, "Pirate's Woman" and "The Body Guard," made for entertaining reading.
The Jack Ryan "Cuban Crisis" story by George Register and Paula Truelove was well done.
I loved Barbara Anderson's "Have You Looked At A Ford Lately?" Had my temperature going up!
"A Royal Pain" by Ruth Radecki was a good story and a nice sequel to the story in FLIP 11. Interesting to see if Luke and Talleyana get together. Another sequel?
I read with eager anticipation Cypher's "Catch A Rising Starr." What a wonderful story! It was good to see Nova and Phloth again. I couldn't stop chuckling throughout the story. Extremely delightful.
Another great issue. I really look forward to #17! ^[2]

Long overdue but an enthusiastic "hello!" to newcomers like Nicola Pearce and a hearty "welcome back" to people like Dani.
As ever, FLIP is a handsome effort, mercifully free of the typos that have again become rampant in zines. All of the cartoons are funny, especially Patterson's Oscar/Hovitos idol, but the best touch is the one by Barbara Anderson taking off from a well-known anti-drug commercial; ended up on our door and with a prize at MediaWest*Con. Still, I hurt myself even more over the "raptor wrangler" and Gillian's Isle take-off.
Add to that, Barbara following up her previous "Book Report" with all those luscious "Ford Models" and you have one seriously demented writer — and long may she carry on!
I've increasingly enjoyed Christiani's poetry and the three in this issue were just further evidence of her skill being honed even sharper but the images and word play of "Hoth to the Flame" and especially "Long Distance" is as fine or finer than anything to date.
Cypher is so consistently good in both poetry and prose it's easy to slight her by taking her for granted. But she can do a wry limerick like "Brotherhood" and then for the same character come up with the chilling "Video Games." "Poignant" is an overworked description for pieces with such a tone but there is both wistfulness and an early frost on the diminuendo of the last two lines. And the sweet simplicity of "Henry" captures its character in a nutshell with the economy one expects of Jacqueline Taero.
Then she turns around and hits you with the rollicking Han and Nova yarn, "Chase A Shooting Starr"! Such riches! Nova and Phloth, Jorj the Dreamweaver back, a feathered lady rather more cosmopolitan than one of Martie's Voolans, and a love-sick teenage Hoovian!
Of Karen Estabrook's two entries, "Trials" is a tender glimpse into her alternate WITNESS continuation series but "Murphy's Law" is a particularly gritty, well choreographed police drama. I could see this as an episode on one of the better cop shows, like Hill Street Blues.
Cat Anson has two of her action-filled, high-romantic STAR WARS tales. My favorite scene in the first is tiny little Leia pulling a rescue with a cannon as big as herself. But "The Bodyguard," to me, represents a noticeable sharpening in creating a three-dimensional presence for characters other than the movie cast, more intimate plot lines; nicely done.
Michelle Worley's previous stories ~ with the exception of her carefully developed Barnsby pieces ~ seemed more extended vignettes but "A Tale of Three Henrys" is a fully-rounded, spooky ghost yarn.
"Cuban Crisis" is a satisfying surprise; a surprise because a story of Ryan in a separate, individual spy adventure is out of left field from the more expected spin-off from PATRIOT GAMES or even RED OCTOBER. This reads like pro spy fiction — and I don't mean a Clancey techie-toon. The way Ryan's set up, even by his own, presages CLEAR & PRESENT DANGER and the double-double cross is sophisticated. Quieter than some of the other offerings this issue but one of the best.
I'd be remiss to overlook Jennifer Moore's double-meaning, economical poetry or the way Sue Zahn continues to startlingly find so much in the "moments between scenes" in the SWARS SAGA.
"Checkmate" is another thoughtful exploration. But good Lord! Here's Talley back again! But instead of simply a comeuppance, Ruth opts for a sensitive portrayal of gently handled growing pains...and a budding Jedi romance. Watch out, Luke.
Yeah, I know, this LOC is already as long as WAR & PEACE, but I have to speak to the artists, and then I'm gone ~ promise!
Apart from my notorious Solo/Ford bias, I still think Z. P.'s illo for Elaine's poem is one of her best; nice likeness, good anatomy, convincing relaxed posture, and good balance of texture, darks and the attention-drawing open resting places for the eye — face and hands. Barbara Frances-Simon is a revelation! Her earlier work tended toward a bit of stiffness and lack of variety in composition and poses. Pardon the cross-universe pun, but she's taken a quantum leap, notably last issue (especially the strong action and emotion she put in my own story — thank you!) and everything in this one. In particular: the captured emotion of the quiet moment on page 30 of "Checkmate" as well as the assured anatomy of the one on page 36. The action and variety depicted for "Pirate's Woman" — yes!
Whee! Dani's back and FLIP's got her (as the old movie poster blurbs used to go). Lady, you're so damn good, I'd have to list every page of your illos! But, okay, special favorites: "The Bodyguard" - "the kiss," not only do the noses fit together convincingly, I love Leia's eyes open, a still slightly outraged look that lifts this out of a standard smooch illo. Composition and expressions in the double portrait on page 132 — as well as the "ghosted back" effect on Leia — not easy to pull off in penwork. And, of course the humor, anatomy, composition and subtly captured expressions on page 141. They could have gone cartoonish but didn't. Teenage Hoovians with looooong eyelashes, "Ford's on rotating display," and on and on...
Hello, lady from over the sea. Nicola, I much enjoyed your front cover last issue and your back one this. The inside illos that appeal to me the most are the portraits on pages 41 and 72. Not only your best likenesses, they have a delicacy of touch in the linework so that the areas without lines or tone help define volume as well and they stand as dynamic drawings beyond their photo reference. Very, very nice.
Everyone take a bow for good work steadily getting even better.^[3]

Thank you for another superb issue of FLIP. Once again you've produced a first-rate, classy and entertaining zine.
Loved Barbara Frances-Simon's cover. Very well designed with all those different FUGITIVE Kimbles radiating out from the running Richard. Barbara has captured the emotion of each moment from the film on Richard's face.
Barbara's and Dani's illos throughout the zine were excellent and complemented the stories very nicely. The illos by Dani on pages 35 and 141 were especially good. Also worth a special mention were those by Barbara on pages 30 and 53.
Again, I was simply overjoyed to see my artwork in FLIP. This is an honour which gives me a thrill I don't think I'll ever get over. Thank you!
It was nice to see Karen Estabrook's "Murphy's Law" and "Trials" re-printed. She is the best John Book writer there is and I only wish she could be persuaded to write some more. Hint, hint, Karen!
"Checkmate" — I've become a real fan of Susan's SW fiction, and this story is no exception. It was a nice portrait of Han's mixed emotions on Endor upon discovering Luke and Leia's secret "rendezvous." The illo of a pensive Han was perfect. He displays tension in every angle.
"The Pirate's Woman" -- I did enjoy this story but it was horrible to think of poor Leia being raped by those pirates. It was realistic, though. The confrontation between Han and Balastar was very well written. I liked the notion of "Pirates' Law." This rings true. People in such a hazardous "profession" would have to have some rules, or there'd surely be an all-out war amongst them.
"Cuban Crisis — I was thrilled to see a Jack Ryan story so soon, and "Cuban Crisis" was very well written. What an ingenious idea to have Castro fake his own death. It was nice to read a Jack Ryan tale without Clancy's overly-detailed technical accounts, which tend to distract from the plot.
"Have You Looked At A Ford Lately?" -- Barbara Anderson has the most wonderful sense of humour, and this is very evident in this tale. I laughed like crazy at all the car similes for each character. I particularly liked the "modifications" on the Stett '74's "injection system"! And the non-removable "fur front cover" on the Walker '88 model! Matthieson/Ford, Inc., indeed!
"A Tale of Three Henry's" — I liked the interplay between Indy and his dad. Smythson made a good villain, and it had a nice bit of supernatural thrown in for good measure. I'd like to read more stories by Michelle Worley.
"The Bodyguard" — I preferred this one to "The Pirate's Woman." Han was very much in character ~ sexy and smug-as-hell but with that undercurrent of intelligence and vulnerability. The idea that Corellians consider children to be one of life's precious gifts is nice and made the fact that Han believes he can't have children all the more sad.
It was nice to meet "The Predator Squad." Any chance of us meeting them again? The illo of Leia holding up Han's baby was gorgeous. I wonder if Han will ever find out about his child. The sexual tension between Han and Leia was sizzling.
Leia's comforting of Han after the death of his mentor, Rars Lefken was a nice, warm moment, and showed definite progress between the two.
What I'd really like to see Cat write now is the story of Han's childhood on the streets of Corel1! A show of hands, please!
"A Royal Pain" — Thank you, Ruth, for writing a sequel to "Save Us From Princesses" (which I adored!) Talieyana proved to be as much (or even more) of a pain as ever. It was nice to see her finally maturing a bit at the end of the story. Poor Luke will have his hands full if Talley gets her hooks into him!
"Chase A Shooting Starr" — Oh, many, many, many thanks to you. Cypher, for another Han/Nova/Phloth story. I just can't get enough of these. And to top it all, you even brought back Jorj, the Dreamweaver! Whoo-eee, Jorj certainly has broken into a new field! (Can you imagine our own "Uncle George" producing...uh,..."erotic adventures"?! Well, it'd certainly make for some very memorable cinematic Ford scenes!) Good or Phloth. Trust him to save the day. Y'know, for a lump of purple fungus, he's not a bad guy!
Cartoon-wise, I liked the one on the inside front cover. Loved all those titles, 'specially "Desk Work Made Easy" by C. Polhemus, and "I Am Not Hockmut" by J. Book. Very clever!
Also liked all of Barbara Anderson's cartoons. Laughed my socks off at Sela Ward's comment to Sean Young. "Gee, his beard didn't scratch me." Ha, ha! The "brain" gag was good. I can certainly identify with that! Harrison gives me a bigger "high" than any euphoric drug could!
The Carolyn Polhemus desk blotter joke was very naughty. *Giggle* Well, it's sure as hell easier than changing the sheets!
The inside back cover was also very funny. Yeah, I'd volunteer my services to put Mr. Ford in chains! (Whoops. My fantasies are showing!) There was some nice poetry in this issue. "Popular Mechanics" by Elaine Christiani was nicely written and Amen to her comment about having "broke the mold." "Henry" by Cypher was a nice summary of the new Henry's feelings about his former self.
All in all, FLIP OF A COIN 16 was a fantastic issue. As always, typos were more rare than the Giant Panda and the general quality of the zine is faultless. It reflects all the hours of work, and all the love you, Paula and Jenny, put into it. Congratulations and thank you. Can't wait for issue 17. ^[4]

Issue 17

Flip of a Coin 17 was published in May 1996 and contains 244 pages.

front cover of issue #17, Nicola Pearce

back cover of issue #17, Nicola Pearce, Allie from Mosquito Coast

From the editorial:

Time passes so fast and with this issue of FLIP bring 14 years of "memories, friends and eight-by-tens" to quote Terry Leonard. FLIP 17 also bring the decision that we're going on hiatus. Both our lives have changed a great deal over the years and the spare time spent working on FLIP is no Longer abundant.
The knowledge we gained from producing FLIP spilled over into our professional lives by teaching us new skills and increasing our willingness to try new things, to reach for the stars. For that we will be forever grateful. The feedback we received from our readers also made the hours spent worth every second.
Thanks to all of you out there who have supported FLIP over these years. Your loyalty and dedication have made FLIP what it is. Our contributors have given readers some of the finest reading material and artwork available in fandom, much of it we'd place on a par with any of the "pros," Through your efforts, FLIP has won several awards, for which we are extremely gratified, We couldn't have done it without you. This applies to our readers as well.
We also wish to thank Harrison Ford for giving us such fertile fields in which to play. His characters have provided many hours of entertainment, both on the screen and at the typewriter. His many fans appreciate his graciousness, kindness, and his down-to-earth manner. In short, he's a class act.
SABRINA was a splendid romantic comedy and we hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we did. We are now looking forward to DEVIL'S OWN which Harrison is presently filming. We will continue to follow his career, thrilling In his new adventures and wishing Mr. Ford and his family well for the future.
We hope you enjoy this issue of FLIP and want to wish everyone out there a good life. Thanks again for your friendships and support. Please keep in touch and...
May the Force Be With You!