The Goliath

Zine
Title:	The Goliath
Publisher:
Editor:
Author(s):	Suzan Lovett
Cover Artist(s):
Illustrator(s):
Date(s):	1986, first available the third week in June (though made its official debut at ZebraCon in July)
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:
Fandom:	Starsky and Hutch
Language:	English
External Links:	on AO3 here, also on other archives here and here.
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

The Goliath is a gen Starsky and Hutch 191-page novel written and illustrated by Suzan Lovett. The original cost was $16.40 First Class.

front cover of Goliath, Suzan Lovett

back cover of Goliath, Suzan Lovett

Summary

Starsky and Hutch go deep undercover in a dangerous game of false identities and mob activity. Hutch struggles with his fears for Starsky who has only recently recovered from Gunther's hit, and come close to breaking when his partner's cover is blown and Starsky disappears.

This novel explores the depth and breadth of love and trust when Starsky and Hutch go undercover with the biggest Mafia crime family in L.A. After Starsky's nearly fatal shooting mere months ago, is he ready to be back out on the streets? Can Hutch manage to survive this job with its deadly pitfalls by himself? Or will each man learn that only by depending and relying on each other can they make it through alive?

The story is post Sweet Revenge. Starsky and Hutch have to deal with the aftermath of the shooting in the garage. Starsky has recovered and is eager to work a new case. When the occasion arises and Starsky is asked to take over from the cocky New York detective Rizzo, he wants to jump in with both feet and go undercover. Hutch isn't so sure about the whole thing. He is mother-henning and can't help but hovering and being in full protection mode - which gets to Starsky. They have to re-think and re-define their partnership as Starsky goes down undercover for a long time. Starsky gets mad at Hutch when the blond is pulling more and more stunts on his own without consulting his partner. When things escalate in the end and Starsky's cover gets blown, Hutch more or less runs berserk. Hutch finally confronts the shadow of the past and a dam breaks when Starsky can escape from the boat (he is supposed to die in the explosion of the boat) and gets to Hutch in time before he can kill the boss of the organization. They find to each other again and when the case is over, they decide to continue their police work but off the streets. Starsky has proved to himself that he "still can do it" but he also realized that he's not how he used to be. Hutch might be over his over-protectiveness, but both see reason that they better get out before either of them gets killed on duty.

Discussed in an Essay

This story was discussed in a 1988 essay printed in Tell Me Something I Don't Know! #11. The topic was how death stories could be used to explore different emotions in fanfiction. Some examples were Whom Death Could Not Part, Nighthorse, Delivered to Thee, It's Always Toughest, Invictus, Mojave Crossing, and Goliath.

The Foreword

I'll grant the foreword its right to the title since it precedes the manuscript. However, for all other purposes, it is a misnomer. The way it works out, the foreword gets written last, usually neglected until the final harried moment, during which the writer feels she'd much rather write a whole new novel than tackle the pesky half-page or so. Anticipating this occasion, I asked Paula, my editor, for a foreword and she, again, hasn't let me down. For worthy reading, and words appropriate to the novel, please jump to her portion.

To all the readers who took time out and went to the trouble of sending LoCs for "The Thousandth Man," more thanks than I can express. I haven't been able to answer each letter individually, and I apologize. However, you were the motivating force behind "The Goliath." In that sense, this story is the tangible proof of my appreciation. (Ahem...don't stop now, huh?)

Paula, thank you for your continuing support and help, given willingly and so capably. Your friendship is the best return I got from "The Thousandth Man."

Edi, many thanks for your time and impeccable work. I regret that some of your invaluable suggestions had to be sacrificed to time and necessity, but you have taught me a lot for future ventures.

Rita, without your generous nature (which, I'm sure, you've had cause to regret quite a few times) this zine couldn't have been finalized. I'm very thankful and appreciative.

Kathy, your title of story consultant is alive and well. Like Starsky, you have the uncanny ability to cut through the bull and point out to me 'the heart of the matter.' Thanks.

Jeannie and Marcia, thank you, as ever, for much needed hand-holding and companionship.

Suzan Lovett

In our society it's traditionally feminine to depend on a man, to need one for his comfort, help, strength and love, and to be at a loss without one. Conversely, a man is someone who can stand alone, who asks for no help, but can always be counted on to give it--the strong, silent type. Think of Marilyn Monroe and John Wayne in the movies.

However, life ain't like that. Conventional stories, constrained only by the popular assumptions of society, can feature thoroughly masculine men and utterly feminine women, lumps of muscle battling pythons and Japs in the jungle, or balls of fluff swooning on featherbeds and formal gardens. They don't have to reflect reality, the heart, the conflicts of the soul, which is just as well, because fundamentally they are false. Courage doesn't come with a penis, nor does fidelity wear breasts. People are not as narrow or one-dimensional as the overly easy definitions would like to insist. That's why great stories are about human beings, human beings with a fair sampling of all human traits, not just those anatomically or politically correct.

That's also why, with regard to the story you're about to read, I'm tickled to point out that the characters who can't get along without the love and presence of a man are Starsky and Hutch themselves, and the character who stands alone, independent and self-sufficient, is Linda Baylor. Nor is it just a switcheroo, a sort of literary crossdressing. All three combine strength with caring, in proportions that define their individual characters.

Alice Sheldon, who shocked the easily shockable about ten years ago by revealing herself to be James Tiptree, Jr., thought that the surprise--hell, flabbergastment--that met her announcement could have been avoided had people a mental category for General Human Being. This is a wise notion for all of us to cultivate. After all, virtue is not in such long supply in this naughty world that we can afford to be picky about its sources on the basis of sex. Or any other basis, for that matter. Should we despise the love S&H teach us because of their gender? I think not.

Paula Smith, 21 May 86

Gallery

• 

  example of the black and white interior art. Like many Lovett drawings, the art was drawn to match the story.

• 

  example of the black and white interior art

Reactions and Reviews

1986

For those of you who are involved with Starsky and Hutch fandom (I'm on the fringes, myself, but it's not going to replace Trek for me, ever), I'll mention that a new S & H novel by Suzan T. Lovett is planned for Zebracon in July. I have just proofread the first thirty-nine pages. If the rest of the book is as good (I'm sure it will be. — she just keeps improving), it will be well worth reading. It's called The Goliath, and Starsky is the main focus here, as Hutch was in her novel The Thousandth Man.

Another Suzan Lovett blockbuster, aptly named. It's a giant of a story behind David's attempt to topple his giant crime czar. The plot is good, something I admire and envy in a story. But mostly I read a story for relationship, and this one is loaded with love. It's also beautifully illustrated, as usual. Both covers and the illos introducing each of the parts are not only technically exquisite but warm, loving -- everything we look for between these two special partners. There are lots of things I like about this story... [she quotes a couple of excerpts]. It's a book full of secondary characters, too, but the focus right where we love it, on Starsky and Hutch. The story is built around arguments and philosophies I believe fit S&H very well as they work out there lingering problems created by Gunther, and come to terms with themselves and each other, recognizing, and accepting their limitations, their commitment, their love. This is a 'Me and Thee' book to be treasured.

I'm sure all of those who are 'in' Starsky and Hutch fandom already know about this zine, and probably own it. But in the larger world of fandom which Datazine reaches, there may be some who enjoy watching Starsky and Hutch, and who would like to read a novel about what happens after the final episode. 'The Goliath' is waiting for you! This novel is very well-written, and is also a very nicely put together zine. There are some illos by the author which are a nice treat. 'The Goliath' is the story of Starsky and Hutch's friendship-relationship, as played out during a major undercover assignment as cops. It is a zine well worth the price to anyone with an interest in these characters. Very highly recommended.

1988

... about Suzan Lovett's two great SH novels... 'The Thousandth Man' and 'The Goliath', both so central to the special, fundamental quality of the series....'beautiful'. And Paula's preface makes some absolutely basic SH points. The closeness of 'The Goliath' perfectly captures the essence of the relationship.

1991

...favourite, all-time SH zine? Did everyone have the same problem with this? I look forward to reading other replies. I tried. I tried a process of elimination. Tried short-listing. Just one zine? Is it possible? But you want names. And I can't pick just one. Names ... "The Thousandth Man" and 'The Goliath' by Suzan Lovett. Both. They're a set. Why? - you also wanted to know. Well... the writing ... non-derivative, totally free of cliche, the clear, direct style, never verbose yet never leaving out anything that should be there and gifted with that essential quality of insight into character, the balanced blending of characterization and story-line, the lines of poetry chosen to reflect the themes, and, of course, the superb, complementary artwork. Two SH novels to treasure.

1993

Honorable mention [for my top five Starsky & Hutch zines goes] to The Goliath, a gen (well, really, pre-slash) relationship story by Suzie Lovett with lots of her own art to illustrate it. But the closeness between them is so much like that at the beginning of a good slash story, I felt like that a last chapter--where they finally get together--had been left off.

1994

...the older "straight" SH stories were written by slash conscious people who put in all the love and caring and touching and everything short of actually hopping into bed with each other. Some writers saw more beauty in the relationship when two straight men could love each other as they did, but still found women did get in the way and didn't have them stuck into the story to prove they were straight. Anything by Teri White, Connie Faddis, [ Melanie R. ], Marian Kelly, and others in those early ZEBRA IIIs are excellent reading for slashsluts. I agree wholeheartedly that THOUSANDTH MAN and GOLIATH are great relationship reading, and you KNOW Suzi is slash conscious.

1995

This is a classic novel by Suzan Lovett (she is an incredible artist AND writes like this? Aaaagggghhhh!!!). Okay, it's nominally straight, but it's definitely THE best straight S&H I've read, mainly because unlike most of the rest of straight S&H out there (most of which seems so paranoid about it being perceived as slash), it doesn't take all of the emotion and physical affection out of the relationship. Also, it's almost worth it for some of the back cover illos which are sort of a montage of the two of them throughout the series. She also wrote another S&H novel called THOUSANDTH MAN, which is also very good--just not quite as good as GOLIATH.

2003

Everything I said for the Thousandth Man goes for this gen novel too. This one takes place right after Starsky's

recovery from Gunther's shooting. He's gotten over it, but Hutch hasn't. Many people in fandom consider this one of the best fan stories ever written, and I agree. The art on the front and back cover is breathtaking. I think if I could only have one zine, this would be it. If live long enough I hope to write a slash sequel to this story. This novel in its entirety with its art is on the S&H Gen Archive.

2004

Suzan Lovett turns her considerable talents, both literary and artistic (five beautiful illos are reproduced online), to this classic novella from 1986, in which Starsky goes deep undercover to infiltrate and help bring down a mob family. The post-"Sweet Revenge" setting means not only that Starsky feels he has something to prove - that he's capable of handling the demands of this case - but that Hutch feels he must do everything within his power to keep his often-impulsive partner safe, leading him to make some supremely unwise choices with heavy consequences.

Suzan weaves together complicated plots and themes, populating them with not only most of our regulars, but a supporting cast of fully-realized, and in some cases heartbreaking, original characters. There's such reality to the Marruzzi crime family that it makes me wonder just who Suzan knows and what circles she runs in to capture that lifestyle so well. There's a sense of genuine fear and tension - especially as she builds toward the tumbling denouement - as well as quiet moments that include the humor and camaraderie the show was famous for.

While this is gen, there is a such an emotional as well as unselfconscious physical intimacy between Starsky and Hutch that all but the most hardcore slash fan should be satisfied with the obvious tenderness, concern and caring between the two of them. And the dialogue between "our boys" is among the truest representation I've seen of their world.

2005

I remember liking parts of it, and I know a lot of people love it, but I just liked it. Haven't read it in years and have no yearning to re-read it.

I've heard that it was "too heavy for my taste" said about it before, although I liked that about it. What I really liked was the relationship.. It felt very real to me-- all the emotions the guys were going through in their individual and joint recoveries.

2010

This zine would have made a fantastic "Starsky and Hutch" film. It's got everything--drama, action, character interaction and development. The Boys learn things about themselves and each other--and we learn right along with them (maybe learning something about ourselves along the way).

Her writing is complex, layered, and full of insights that only a thorough understanding of human nature could provide.

Her writing style is elegant and lyrical--yet gritty and realistic at the same time. I often find myself stopping to re-read a line or a phrase, sighing with pleasure at how *precisely* she chooses just the right words and puts them together.

This zine (indeed, all Suzan's work) is a feast for the fannish soul. The "tropes" so near and dear to the hearts of fen--hurt/comfort, angst, etc.--that often become a tired cliche in fan fiction are, in this story, made *real*.

And the art's not half-bad, either. :-)

I absolutely loved The Goliath. It was the first SH story I ever read (never even knew it existed before then)and I've probably read it at least 10 times since. I love all her work. She seems to get the emotion into the story without going over the top or making them too mushy. This one hit all the right notes for me and left me wishing that there was a sequel.

2014

I entered S&H fandom in 1986. I was 14 years old and I found the zine The Goliath.

The reason I was exposed to the fanzine world, was that my mother was/is a big Star Trek fan, and she'd discovered fanzines about 4 years prior to this. She handed me an ad-zine, which listed a proposed S&H fanzine novel, by a lady called Suzan Lovett. So I sent my American Dollars (after purchasing them from the post office for guilders) and some months later, the zine arrived.

Needless to say Suzan Lovett became one of my great heroes instantly. To this day, I consider her to be my most favorite fan-writer and artist. She is one of a kind. And we are lucky to have more one of a kinds in our fandom. Such talent, such diversity of thoughts and people. And such great spirit.

2016

[ The Thousandth Man and Goliath] were written and illustrated by Suzan Lovett, writer and artist extraordinaire. Her artwork has become so predominant in so many fandoms in the last several years that many newer fans aren't aware Suzan is a writer. And if you think her artwork is spectacular, her writing is even better. Each of these two S&H gen novels is a tour de force. Take everything I said about Beverly Zuk's ST novels and triple it.