Force & Counterforce: Media Science Fiction in Perspective

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Zine
Title: Force & Counterforce: Media Science Fiction in Perspective (In the third issue, the editors refer to the zine as both "Force & Counterforce" and "Force and Counterforce" as well as "Force and Counterforce" and "Force and Counter Force.")
Publisher: SIOBN Distributors (out of Philadelphia, PA) and Triad Publications (Judith A. Brandy)
Editor(s): Ernesto Salizar (#1), Carita Rodriguez (#2, #3)
Date(s): 1982-1983
Series?:
Medium: print
Genre: gen
Fandom: multimedia with an emphasis on Star Wars, Star Trek, and Doctor Who
Language: English
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Force & Counterforce: Media Science Fiction in Perspective is a gen and het Science Fiction anthology of fiction and non-fiction with an emphasis on Star Wars and Star Trek and Doctor Who. There are three issues for sure, and maybe as many as six.

From the third issue:

Force & Counter Force is a non-profit group of writers and artists with an interest in Star Trek, Star Wars, and media related science fiction. We in no way mean to or attempt to infringe upon rights and cop3aights of the original authors. We extend our apologies to anyone and everyone who might feel otherwise.

Submission Guidelines

[From the third issue]:

WRITERS . . . WRITERS . . . WRITERS . . .

Do you write Star Trek or Star Wars fiction, non-fiction or reviews? Are you interested in gaining exposure for your material thorough the fan market? Force & Counter Force is looking for a few good, creative humanoids to join the staff of F&CF, and continue the adventure of science fiction and fantasy that have become the mainstay of today's media SF society. If you are interested, have something to say, or just want more information, contact us.

  • submission guidelines printed in the third issue [1]

    submission guidelines printed in the third issue [1]

  • submission guidelines printed in the third issue

    submission guidelines printed in the third issue

Issue 1

Force & Counterforce: Media Science Fiction in Perspective 1 was published in 1982 and contains 32 pages. It was edited by Ernesto Salizar.

  • Hope Still Left: The Vialaan Project, part one by Marta D. Garcia ("In Part / of Hope Still Left: The Vialaan Project, Luke faces some painful truths about his heritage, his past and his present circumstances in the Rebel Alliance. Surrounded by a cloud of suspicion, Luke retreats to the safety of annonimity within the depths of the Rebel cruiser, taking a job as technician. With the help of an eccentric friend of Han Solo's, Luke gradually emerges from his shell, coming to appreciate and respect the life of maintenance and repair people. But Luke doesn't suspect the urgency of the repair work he's helping his new found friend with. Indeed, she has been ordered not to tell him. But as time draws near. The Vialaan Project becomes increasingly difficult to hide.")

Contents may include:

  • Gallifrey and Its Government, article by Jay Wagner
  • con reports
  • movie and book reviews
  • announcements
  • trivia quiz about Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
  • a Star Trek survey

Issue 2

Force & Counterforce: Media Science Fiction in Perspective 2 was published in 1982 and contains 36 pages. It was edited by Carita Rodriguez. Much of the art is not credited.

front cover of issue #2
  • The Future, part 2 by Carita Rodriguez (3)
  • The Empire Really Does Strike Back! A Few Moments of Speculation, a reprinted conversation [2] between two fans (LR and PZ) about Star Wars (12)
  • The Keys of Time, article by Jay Wagner (Doctor Who) (20)
  • Off the Bookshelf, reviews of current SF (27)
  • Hope Still Left, part one: The Vialaan Project by Marta Garcia (A sprawling SW saga of intergalactic conflict and inter-dimensional love. Tension mounts as Luke Skywalker fights for his sanity amidst the chaos of a deteriorating dream. The Vialaan Project resumes with Luke, Leia and the brave freedom fighters facing their most awesome challenge on the inhospitable planet of Vialaan. The Empire's Death Machine is developing into a frightening reality, as time shortens for the Rebels. Luke wrestles with an incredible foe — himself — and finds new truths in unexpected places. A new heroine surfaces to fight evil. But is she truly an ally? Luke has his doubts, as does Leia, but her suspicions are borne of more emotional reasoning.) (Star Wars)
  • Dynasty of Terror, part one by Carita Rodriguez (A Star Trek novella concerning the demise of Captain Kirk. Raniera makes a difficult decision, as the juggernaut of emotions threatens even the continuance of the Enterprise. The crew is in silent rebellion, against Raniera's past, her heritage, and her continued existence. The threat of a resurgence of the dark side within the young ensign, drives some of the crew to desperate scheming, and not even Captain Kirk can stop it.) (Star Trek)
  • reviews by Judith Brandy of the Doctor Who episodes 'The Prometheus Design' and 'The Magic of Majipoor' (38)
  • Computer Club Info (38)
  • a poem
  • from issue #2

    from issue #2

  • from issue #2

    from issue #2

  • from issue #2

    from issue #2

  • from issue #2, Steven Fox

    from issue #2, Steven Fox

  • from issue #2

    from issue #2

Reactions and Reviews of Issue 2

I don’t like to do reviews. So when I was given a copy of FCF, it sat on my dresser for some time. Of the fanzines I’d given the choice of reviewing, FCF appealed the most to me, perhaps because of its great cover photo of Merritt Buttrick and Kirstie Alley. Finally, there came a Saturday of reckoning. My car was working, the snow had been shoveled, and my apartment was clean. There was nothing else for me to do but to face the copy of FCF on my dresser and deliver one great objective review. ‘Dynasty of Terror’ – sounded a bit heavy for my tastes. The plot as outlined on the first page concerns two new-found offspring of Captain Kirk. The twist is that they are half -Transivian (an almost mythological race of super humanoid bloodsuckers from a world at the edge of Federation space). One would assume from this teaser there would be some violent confrontation, well, maybe next episode. All this one manages to do is get the two aboard the ship and let us know that there is a strained relationship between Kirk and his offspring. On the action side, Kirk does manage to get Kirk knock her up to Warp 8. It seems there might be a skirmish with some Romulans ahead, but alas that too is in episodes to come. This, together with a badly reproduced illo on page two get FCF off to a bad start. ‘The Empire Really Does Strike Back!’ – Wow, this was great! Two fans discuss the ramifications and intricacies of the continuing SW saga. The two ponder the manipulation of Luke by Kenobe [sic] and the ultimate confrontation of ‘The Other.’ I found it to be quite fulfilling and entertaining. Oh, how I wish I could carry on that type of co-operative discussion with all the conversation-hogging egotists I know! ‘Hope Still Left: The Vialaan Project’ – Luke is commissioned by choice to maintenance work in the rebel shipyards. While others take over pivotal roles in this post-TESB episode, it seems as though everyone, including Luke himself, is bent on keeping him in the dark as to what is going on. It contains a subplot about a power struggle among the Alliance. I feel much more comfortable reading this serial than the first one in this zine…. There is the promise of a regular Doctor Who section, started in this issue with a page of comments concerning the Doctor and production standards. Also included is a poem and two good reviews on ‘The Prometheus Design’ and ‘The Magic of Majipoor.’ Yes, I think in this case you can judge a book by its cover. FCF is a beautiful fanzine. The typesetting and most of the illos are professional. It would be improved with more content. Thirty-six small pages don’t allow the serials to do much in the space provided them. [3]

Issue 3

Force & Counterforce: Media Science Fiction in Perspective 3 was published in February 1983 and contains 100 pages. It has a two-color cover by Steven Fox. It was edited by Carita Rodriguez.

The editors refer to the zine as both "Force & Counterforce" and "Force and Counterforce" as well as "Force and Counterforce" and "Force and Counter Force."

front cover of issue #3, Steven Fox
back cover of issue #3, Steven Fox

It contains Star Trek, Star Wars, and Doctor Who material.

From a flyer in the convention program for Love of Trek:

Force & Counterforce: Media SF in Perspective! Star Trek, Star Wars, Doctor Who, F & CF is a media fanzine with an emphasis on the characters that you want to know more about: fictionalized alternative universes based on popular series and movies. 'Hope Still Left: The Vialaan Project' continues the adventures of Luke Skywalker and the brave freedom fighters. What happened after Bespin? In 'Dynasty of Terror,' Captain Kirk battles forces beyond his control and emotion bordering on hysteria. These two sprawling sagas plus articles, short stories, a Doctor who column spell adventure and fun. Issue #3 will be available in February 1983. It will be 100 pages with a two-color, Steven Fox cover.

From E.T. Is Alive and Well In My Closet: A Short Diatribe On The State Of The Nation, which also acted as the editorial:

For many, science fiction is a new thing, but for the more seasoned, it remains unique and fresh. With the change of tastes in the SF community, bold horizons are being conquered on the media front with E.T. and its various associates changing the perspective of fans everywhere. With this in mind. Force & Counter Force, a relatively new undertaking, attempts to expand on some of the ideas about The Force and The Human Adventure, embracing the concept that anything and everything is possible within the confines of the human imagination. Our format is continually changing, evolving into what we hope is a pleasant surprise to you — our readership. Through fiction, speculation and commentary, we try to extrapolate on known characters, extending the horizons of all who come in contact with our fanzine. Our format is now 100 pages long to allow for more variety and spice, advertising and fiction. I hope you like it. We sure had a ball putting it together, writing, typing (this was less exciting), and production.

In our subsequent issues, we hope to keep improving. This time we got the date on it . . . thank you!! And our covers and art have improved. If you have any gripes, suggestions, compliments or LOC's, send them along. Until we meet again, I hope you enjoy our labors. If you are a writer or artist, contributions are welcomed. Length is no problem.

  • E.T. Is Alive & Living In My Closet (title on table of contents) -- E.T. Is Alive and Well In My Closet: A Short Diatribe On The State Of The Nation (on the article itself), editorial by Carita Rodriguez (5)
  • Editorial Guidelines (8)
  • Dynasty of Terror, part 3, fiction by Carita Rodriguez (Star Trek) (11)
  • Vonnegut in Perspective, article by Michael Sorens (21)
  • An Odd Little Filk, filk to the tune of "The Enterprise" from the album for Star Trek: The Motion Picture, by Dominique Williams (Star Trek) (28)
  • The Attack of the Clam People: A Star Trek Show Most of Us Missed, fiction in script form by Virginia Zanello (Star Trek) (29)
  • Mediation on Dagobah, fiction by Danee Bivvenz (46)
  • Is There Nothing More?, illo with text by Marta D. Garcia (62)
  • To Have Loved..., poem by Marta D. Garcia (62)
  • Keys of Time, article by Jay Wagner ("In this column, I will discuss one of Dr. Who's greatest characters, a person that gives the Doctor and all Time Lords a history and a future. That person was Rassilon, one of the greatest engineers of pre-technological Gallifrey") (Doctor Who) (37)
  • A Piece of the Action, word find (Star Trek) (40)
  • Upcoming Conventions '83, includes three full-page con flyers (Starcall, ConStellation, Unicon) (41)
  • Meditation on Dagobah, fiction by Danee Bivvenz (Star Wars) (46)
  • A Short Jaunt into an SF/Media Convention, reported by Dominique Williams (a report of David Prowse's appearance at a Philadelphia Creation Convention) (50)
  • Trivia Quiz (Star Trek) (52)
  • Books Reviews by Resident Reviewer (The Making of the Wrath of Khan by Asherman, The Restaurant at the End of the Galaxy by Adams) (53)
  • a review by Carita Rodriguez of The Return, see that page (55)
  • Interstellar Flight, article by Kyle Richards (58)
  • Hope Still Left: The Vialaan Project, part 3, fiction by Marta D. Garcia (Star Wars) (65)
  • from issue #3, table of contents

    from issue #3, table of contents

  • from issue #3

    from issue #3

  • from issue #3, unknown

    from issue #3, unknown

  • from issue #3, Steven Fox

    from issue #3, Steven Fox

  • from issue #3, joan hanke-woods, reprinted from R & R #13

    from issue #3, joan hanke-woods, reprinted from R & R #13

  • from issue #3, joan hanke-woods

    from issue #3, joan hanke-woods

References

  1. ^ The guidelines are dated February 1982, the zine was February 1983 -- it is possible the "1982" is a typo
  2. ^ Reprinted from where?? The introduction mentions "Polaris," and that it was edited by H.M. Collins and J.A. Johnson
  3. ^ from Datazine #24
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