Grip/Issues 16-20

See the main page, Grip, for more information.
Issues 001-005	Issues 006-010	Issues 011-015	Issues 016-020	Issues 021-025	Issues 026-030	Issues 031-035	Issues 036-040	Issues 041-045	Issues 046-051

Zine
Title:	Grip
Publisher:	Other World Books
Editor(s):	Roberta Rogow
Date(s):	1978-1996
Series?:
Medium:	print zine, fanfic
Size:
Genre:
Fandom:	multimedia
Language:	English
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Grip is a gen multimedia anthology of fiction, art, poetry, and commentary edited by Roberta Rogow.

There were 51 issues published.

The series had an emphasis on Star Trek and Star Wars.

Rogow created this zine series to encourage and highlight fans who did not have a lot of previous experience creating fanworks.

Rogow was very out-spoken in her her mission to keep "Grip's" material G, or mildly PG, rated, and the title, "Grip," was a poke at Grup, a sexually explicit Trek zine.

Some regular features were the editorial ("The Editor Shoots Her Mouth Off"), fanzine ads ("Backscratching Department"), and letters of comment ("Air-LoC"), the last two spelled a variety of ways.

Issue 16

front cover of issue #16, Gennie Summers

back cover of issue #16, Jean Ellenbacher

Grip 16 was published in November 1983 and contains 68 pages.

The art is by art by Gennie Summers (front cover), Jean Ellenbacher (back cover), Gregory A. Baker, Nicole Branch, Barbara P. Gordon, Teresa Homes, Richard Pollet, Melody Rondeau, Michael B. Smith, "Star Stocking," and Carole Swoboda.

It includes "a dire warning for a certain outspoken critic of Media Fandom," which is a nod to Repent Arlan, Said the Dark Venger Man, an RPF, meta essay about Harlan Ellison and his combative relationship with media fandom.

From the editorial:

Welcome, readers! GRIP enters its fifth year of publication with this issue. As one would expect, it's got a lot of material based on "Return of the Jedi", which ties up all those loose ends in the Star Wars Saga in one bow and leaves a lot of others hanging out there for us fans to finish. There are all kinds of possibilities, even though we now know that Darth Vader really is/was Luke's father...I wonder who his mother was? (At one point there were rumors that Diana Riggs as being considered for

a cameo...?) And there's going to be a lot of friction between free-and-easy Han Solo and Princess Leia (it's not easy being Mr. Leia!)..., and I have a particularly nasty thought as to what's going to happen to Luke...

• The Editor Shoots Her Mouth Off by Roberta Rogow (1)
• A is For... by Roberta Rogow (Star Trek: TOS) (2)
• Remembering Spock, filk by Anne Batterby, to the tune of "The Rose" (Star Trek: TOS) (14)
• A Note of Remembrance by Richard Pollet (Star Trek: TOS) (17)
• Genesis, poem by Jo Wenck (Star Trek: TOS) (20)
• ... These Mortals Be... by Dan Dickholz (Star Trek, Savvik) (21)
• Void, poem by Nicole Branch (Star Wars) (34)
• The Gentle Giant, poem by Katheryn Agel (Star Wars) (36)
• Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder by Michael B. Smith (Star Wars) (37)
• Both Sides Now, filk by Jean Ellenbacher, to the tune of the same name (Star Wars) (51)
• The Return of the Jerki by Steve Gordon (Star Wars) (41)
• The Eyes Have It, poem cycle (Mother, Father, Son) by Jean Ellenbacher (Star Wars) (51)
• What if Han Had Missed at the Death Star... ? by Carol-Mel Ambassador (Star Wars) (54)
• Drifting Snow, filk by Jaime Yingling, to the tune of "Country Roads" (Star Wars) (56)
• Repent Arlan, Said the Dark Venger Man by Terence J. Koumaris (meta commentary on Harlan Ellison) (58)
• Science, Good, Bad and Bogus, essay by Harry Andruschak (66)
• The End, filk by Roberta Rogow (also in Rec Room Rhymes #3) (Star Wars) (67)
• Backscratching Department (68)

• 

  from issue #16, Gennie Summers

• 

  from issue #16, Gennie Summers

• 

  from issue #16, Barbara P. Gordon

• 

  from issue #16, filk

• 

  from issue #16, TACS

• 

  from issue #16, Nicole Branch

• 

  from issue #16

• 

  from issue #16, Michael B. Smith

• 

  from issue #16, Star Stocking

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 16

They look nice all golden Yellow. Next time, Maybe Mr. T?...Have you seen the ads for..I.think it's called "Upwards"? It's 3-Dimensional Scrabble. I thought about your story immediately, and how that would fit in. These things always come along too late. Anyway, you change words by putting different letters on top of another word.

"A note of Remembrance" is a pretty novel idea. I like it.

"These Mortals Be..." is good. I do like Saavik, and of course, Klingons. I like 'em nasty, but also when they're portrayed as real people, as Kalar is. The Galactic Tourist bit is a nice twist to the story. I like mucho.

"Beauty is in the Eye..." — now that's what I mean, it tells me something a about ...Jedi. By now I have discovered that Vader is indeed Luke's sire, and if this piece of artwork is true to what he really looks like...YUK! ((The artwork is one of the few I've been able to get of Vader sans mask. -- ED)) Even the trading card of Jabba the Hutt isn't much worse! The piece is touching, too. Fans are going to make a lot of this. I've got three poems here to be illoes on the same theme. The editor is supposed to supply the reference...((Good Luck! Vader in the raw is George Lucas's Big Secret, and it's almost impossible to get the photo-ref for it. That and the three Old Jedi at the end. --ED))

"Return of the Jerki" is delicious, and I'm sure I'll enjoy it even more later. Melody's cartoons set it off just right, too. I adore spoofs, and spoofy art.

The sentimental poetry is good. I'm kindova cynic, mushy poetry doesn't reach me deeply, but I appreciate it. I just don't get all misty about it. Didn't even cry when Spocko died...I actually laughed when Scotty played the bagpipes.

"Repent, Arlan"..delightful! I wish the Dark Lord WOULD come after 'Arlan'! A very satisfying piece.

"The End"..or is it? Or is Lucas going to make some more? I heard that he was not going to do any more. Then someone said he changes his mind often. I understand the first part of the trilogy takes place BEFORE Star Wars...Luke couldn't have had any adventures more exciting than those in the movies, so the emphasis would have to be on something else. The Empire/Republic History???"

Issue 17

cover of issue #17, Mike Worley

back cover of issue #17, Michael B. Smith

Grip 17 was published in February 1984 and has 64 pages. There are illos by Barbara P. Gordon, Theresa Holmes, Michael B. Smith (back cover), Mike Worley (front cover), Richard Pollet, Gregory A. Baker, Lynn Eldridge, Star Stocking, Carole Swoboda, and Gennie Summers.

From the editorial:

This is an almost-all-Trek issue, mostly because I got three verrrry looooong stories that were just too good to pass up or cut down. One is by Gayle Puhl, who picked up a copy of Rec-Room Rhymes and proceeded to send a batch of filks and the story. One is by Steve Gordon, who has taken his little pen in hand to skewer Star Trek: Wrath of Kahn the way he did Return of the Jedi. And one is by Matthew Kohn and me....and therein lies a tale...or two....

Matthew’s been writing this story for a year and a half, and I've been through at least three versions of it. #1 was raw, #2 was better, and by #3 he'd gotten to the point where I could use it...but then he decided to change the story into a "Spock Return” and it didn't fit in. And there were elements that I didn't like, or couldn't accept... so I did what an editor should NOT do: I rewrote the story the way I would have done it, using the elements that Matthew had used. Then I sent it back to him, and said: "This is one way of using these elements, go thou and do what you want to do with it." And he said, in effect, I'm sick of this story, let it stand. So "Survivor Syndrome” is the interpretation by Roberta Rogow of an idea of Matthew Kohn. And I hope the amalgamation works. (I've broken two of my own rules in this story, because there is sex and violence, and even a few hints of Something Kinky going on. But I'm not responsible for what the characters do between the paragraphs.)

All this brings up something that got back to me at second and third hand at a recent Convention. I've suddenly gotten a reputation for being a very tough editor...which will astonish a lot of old-line Fen, who consider me to be too lax! The reason seems to be my rejection of a story on grounds of what I call '’Character Rape”, i.e., making established characters (Trek or SWars, or whatever) behave as the writer would like them to, not as .. their original creator had them. I guess I am a bit of a snip about this. The ONLY person or persons who have the definitive word on Kirk, Spock, etc., are Gene Roddenberry and the people who actually created those characters (Shatner, Nimoy, etc.). If it doesn't coincide with what was seen on the screen — it's OUT! This goes for Fannish interpretations, novels, or whatever else comes up. The TV episodes or the two films (and the third, when it's ready) are my main reference points, and any story in Grip should be an extension or extrapolation from them. So I tend to be a little huffy about stories that have Scotty falling madly in love with a girl because she's beautiful (there's got to be more than sex to get him away from his engines!) or have Luke becoming a Space Pirate (he's too much of a Jedi for that!) or something similar. I don't say the stories aren't good...I just won't print anything that goes against the character as presented. And if that makes me a mean, nasty 'ol Editor...well... it's my 'zine, and I can print anything I want to in it! So there!

• The Editor Shoots Her Mouth Off (1)
• Hill Street Starship, cartoon by Gennie Summers (2)
• The Believability Factor by Gayle Puhl (3)
• Physician, Heal by Lisa Padol (McCoy has learned of Natira's death and it is Spock who comes to offer comfort.) (31)
• For Jim, When You Left Iowa by Barbara Robertson (34)
• The Years Between, poem by Teresa Sarick (36)
• A Game for the Young by Joan Shumsky (37)
• Star Track: The Rash of Kon by Steven Gordon (39)
• Survivor Syndrome (the original story was by Matthew Kohn, but the editor totally rewrote it; the editor talks about it in the editorial.) (45)
• My Friend, poem by Katrhyn Agel (59)
• Gemini by Tracey Woodend (62)
• Air-LoC (64)
• filks: The Fall by CarolMel Ambassador, As the Fanzines Go Rolling Along by Richard Pollet, The Years Between by Teresa Sarick (66)

• 

  from issue #17, Gennie Summers

• 

  from issue #17, Gregory Baker

• 

  from issue #17, Gennie Summers

• 

  from issue #17, Barbara P. Gordon

• 

  from issue #17, TACS

• 

  from issue #17, Star Stocking

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 17

Roberta Rogow is an incredibly prolific editor, what with a media zine (Grip), a Darkover zine (Contes di Cottman IV), a filk zine (Rec Room Rhymes), and her Trexindex volumes of all media fan-published work. Lately, she's been called a tough editor because of her dislike for characterizations that don't match the "canon" presentations. Certainly one's idea of "correct" characterizations is a subjective thing, and it is possible to disagree on "what would this character do or say" (as I do with one instance in thish of GRIP), but only to a certain extent, and I have to largely agree with Roberta's stance. She doesn't like the integrity of established characters to suffer at the caprice of biased or flawed writers. There's a great deal to be said for an editor who'll assert herself with her writers, as many won't. I'm glad there's a zine in which we can always expect fair treatment of the various characters. GRIP itself suffers from spotty printing, typos, and mediocre typeface, but in this instance, that's all irrelevant. Roberta's priorities seem to be content and reasonable price. Where else can you get a 68-page zine with competent writing and fun stories for $5.50? Roberta uses a terrific kind of paper for her covers that I can't descibe. Sorry. Buy the zine and find out for yourself. The front cover is a marvelous rendition by Mike Wofley of Jabba's court. The reproduction here, is excellent. The first and longest story in the zine, The Believability Factor, is by Gayle Puhl, and answers the often-asked question "What if an alien civilization got hold of our earth TV/radio transmissions?" Puhl's answer is 27 pages worth of genuine fun, what with Spock sprinkling his conversation with quotations in what he calls a "most interesting intellectual exercise" and the overall feel of the adventure and humor of the original series. Sulu's reaction to seeing a couple of the inhabitants of this television-corrupted race wearing Cardinal Richelieu guard costumes and sporting sabers is priceless. I do quarrel with Uhura constantly "giggling," however, and the woman historian overreacts a bit, almost fainting at what she sees on the planet. Granted, it's a shock, but were she a man, she would have been characterized as somewhat less weak and nervous. Also, Kirk and company (excluding the historian, since it's her job) seem to know too many ancient expressions and slang. Unless people in the future will be educated much better than we are now, this strains our suspension of disbelief. Of course, a planet that adapted TV to reality would have some of the worst social and economic values in the galaxy. But this isn't that kind of story. "Physician, Heal," by Lisa Padol, is a lovely little vignette about Spock's attempts to ease McCoy's grief over Natira's death and McCoy's uncooperative response. Spock's feelings of hurt at McCoy's preference for Kirk's comfort is presented very touchingly. Padol should do more in-depth work like this. The one illo for the story is by Barbara Gordon, and it's a moving one that genuinely illustrates the vignette. "A Game for the Young," by Joan Shumsky, has Kirk razzing Spock about putting Saavik in the command chair (in ST:WK) during a chess game. The humor is good but incomplete. Vignettes can be effective vehicles for delivering emotions, and Shumsky would have made this one even more powerful had she added just a few more paragraphs "Star Track: The Rash of Kon," by Steven Gordon, is a hilarious parody of "Space Seed" and ST:WK, with thish's installment being the episode only. I've read many satires in zines and few of them make me laugh, so I was quite surprised when I found myself chuckling and grinning widely at this one. But why do I have to waft for the rest?'. "Survivor Syndrome," by Matthew Kohn (with "some help" from Roberta), is about a dissident female Klingon colony. It's got good ideas, including an outpost called 'Witchcraft Station', wherein young telepaths go to train themselves, but it's a bit sketchy. I'm a little uncomfortable with these 'Amazon' Klingon women. I wish their society and motivations had been explained and dramatized more. The young telepaths are too much on the immature side. Still, I like any story that attempts to do something new with the Klingons and Kohn's story should be read just for that alone. Plus, Gennie Summers' illos for it are gorgeous. Not only are her illos aesthetically pleasing, they're full complete illustrations. Her Kirk isn't very accurate, but I don't find that particularly important. "The Fall" is a frustratingly "Short vignette, by a "Carol Mel Ambassador" (I assume that's a pseudonym), about Vader and Ben's fight'over the volcano. Short though it may be, it had its own affecting power and the dialogue is strikingly accurate for the characters. I found her use of the word 'enclave' interesting; it's further proof of the influence the 'ThousandWorlds' universe has over SW fandom, much like several 'Kraithisms' that have come to be accepted almost as 'canon' in ST fandom. "Ambassador" should do more, longer work. "Gemini," by Tracey Woodend, is a somewhat dissatisfying dual vignette, mainly because of its overwhelming sentimentality about Luke and Leia's thoughts on the Ewok bridge. Good idea; some lines are, effective, but overall it fails. Woodend should perhaps try poring over her words more carefully, because she can obviously do better. "As the Fanzines Go Rolling Along," by Richard Pollet, is a filksong that should be put in a ST filk canon somewhere. "For Jim, When You Left Iowa," by Barbara Robertson, is a sensitive poem about the effects of Kirk's absence from home. "The Years Between," by Teresa Sarick, with some very complicated lines, is the best poem in the zine. I especially like her closing one, "And the star blew everything else away." Kathryn Agel's poem, "My Friend," written from Chewie's point of view, is a touching tribute to the Wookiee's feelings for Han. Theresa Holmes' illo of Han is a bit harsh, though. The bacover, "How to Spot a Nasty 01' Klingon" by Michael B. Smith, should be made into a poster. GRIP 17 is recommended. It has the feel of a good, ol' fashioned zine.

Issue 18

front cover of issue #18, Jean Ellenbacher

back cover of issue #18, Lori Nelson

Grip 18 was published in July 1984 and has 68 pages.

The art is by Jean Ellenbacher, Lori Nelson, Contessa, Cheryl Hendricks, Andrea Kunz, Peter Laird, Melody Rondeau, Leah Rosenthal, and Star Stocking.

It contains two Star Wars, one Buck Rogers parody and Star Trek: TOS.

• The Editor Shoots Her Mouth Off (1)
• The Road to Eden by Stephen Mendenhall (Star Trek: TOS/Bob Hope and Bing Crosby fusion) (2)
• Star Trek II: The Rash of Kon by Steven Gordon (Fantasy Island/Star Trek) (17)
• Prescription by Gayle Puhl (32)
• Search, poem by Gloria de Leon (35)
• Ode to XL-52, filk by Teresa Sarick (37)
• Vader vs Vader, part 3 Germs of Endearment by Leah Rosenthal and the Bad Company (39)
• Leia of Alderaan, filk by Jeanne Webster and Mary Nuss (44)
• A Few Words on Meeting Your Maker by Tim Blaes (reprinted in Snowfire #1) (45)
• The Interview by Kathy Fink (47)
• Cluck Codgers by Richard Pollet (49)
• Backscratching Department (68)

• 

  from issue #18, Melody Rondeau

• 

  from issue #18, Jean Ellenbacher

• 

  from issue #18, Peter Laird -- "Droid's Day Off"

• 

  from issue #18, Leah Rosenthal

• 

  from issue #18, Leah Rosenthal

• 

  from issue #18, Star Stocking

Issue 19

Grip 19 was published in November 1984 and has 68 pages. It is an all-Star Trek issue, which the editor notes is a first for "Grip."

front cover of issue #19, Barbara P. Gordon

back cover of issue #19, Gene Reynolds

The art is by Barbara P. Gordon, Gene Reynolds, Mary Bohdanowitz, Jean Ellenbacher, Barbara P. Gordon, Shona Jackson, Peter Laird, Michael B. Smith, Gennie Summers, and Carole Swoboda.

• McCoy's Luck by Gayle Puhl (16 pages, McCoy fighting depression over the death of an old friend, becomes involved in various intrigues that endanger his life.)

• The Editor Shoots Her Mouth Off (1)
• Who's Ship Is It, poem by Richard Pollet (2)
• McCoy's Luck by Gayle Puhl (3)
• Mission's End by Lisa Padol (19)
• Call You Friend, poem by Sue Betley (23)
• The Answer, poem by Sue Betley (23)
• The Confrontation by Sue Wilson (25)
• Uhura, poem by Teresa Sarick (32)
• Floodgate by CarolMel Ambassador (33)
• Decision, poem by Gloria de Leaon (34)
• The Splurge for Spa, ST III parody (36)
• Klingons a poem by 'Jimmy Kirk, second grade', by Greg Baker (50)
• The Many Splendored Thing by Dan Dickholtz (51)

• 

  from issue #19, Barbara P. Gordon

• 

  from issue #19, Gennie Summers

• 

  from issue #19, Carole Swoboda

• 

  from issue #19, Shona Jackson

• 

  from issue #19

• 

  from issue #19, Peter Laird

• 

  from issue #19, Peter Laird

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 19

One place a new fan writer or artist might submit their work to is GRIP, a multi-media zine that isn't afraid to seek out and encourage new talent, as well as use works of "known" fans. By a twist of fate, the contents of the current issue, #19 just so happen to be all Star Trek — for the first time. The stories are diversified, both in concentration on a particular char acter and when the story takes place: during, at the end of, and beyond the first five year mission, including up to the time when the Enterprise is commanded by Capt Saavik. writing quality varies from good to very good, with an occasional small gem tossed in. "McCoy's Luck" by Gayle Puhl offers a rare glimpse of the human side of Dr. McCoy amid an alien espionage threat and a deadly plague. "The Confrontation" by Sue Wilson tracks the first meeting of Spock and Saavik on Hellguard. And Dan Dickholtz's "The Many Splendored Thing," part of his 'Capt. Saavik' series, presents a much different Romulan-Vulcan character than we know, cap tain of the Enterprise, friend of a Klingon captain, having the usual troubles with an ambassa dorial party that includes one silver-haired Pavel Chekov. There are more stories, including an above average ST III parody. Artwork throughout is adequate. Normally I wouldn't comment on poetry, except that I was really taken by "Klingons" by 'Jimmy Kirk, second grade.' Overall, GRIP #19 makes for good reading.

However... For those of you who are picky on how words are spelled, and can't simply ignore typographical errors, then perhaps you had better stay away! Alas, proofreading seems to have been kept to a minimum, if any. Some of my favorite lines in the issue: "Are you going to seduce me now?" "Well, I was trying to wind and dine you!" -and- "Praise the Mighty One! Who sends fir through our veins and battle to unleash it!" (Egad, a whole pine tree?!) In addition, there is an occasional problem of lines or paragraphs tilting to one side — a pasteup problem. At least the printing quality is much better than some previous issues.

First of all, I loved the cover. Not only was it a good piece of artwork, but it was nice that a cut scene was chosen. Yeah, I saw it in the "Star Trek III Storybook." Barbara Gordon deserves a pat on the back.

Of course my favorite stories were the Saavik ones. "The Confrontation", by Sue Wilson, was beautiful. The assumption that 8pock is 8aavik's father has been proven wrong but this is one.of those stories that can transcend a wrong assumption. The story uses every image in Vonda McIntyre's book nicely. My favorite part is 8pock's line, "Perhaps, though, I might have need of yours." I think that summarizes Spock and Saavik's relationship neatly. Underneath all the layers of their bond is a common need that is fulfilled by each other. Nice job.

"Floodgate", by Carol Mel Ambassador, is sweet and to the point. You turn to the person who feels the same pain and shares it. It reminds me of the scene cut from Star Trek III where Saavik collapses onto Kirk. I like it.

Now, as for Captain Saavik...what can I say? It was surprising, great, and hot. I think this is great. I hope there's another. I can just imagine it... the treaty falls through and 8aavik must fight Kalar. A continuing story line is a good idea. Brings back the days of the series.

To begin with, I absolutely loved the cover. Ms. Gordon did a wonderful job of capturing Saavick and the youthful Spock.

The little ditty, "Whose Ship Is it?" was fun.

"McCoy's Luck!' was very nice. Gayle did an outstanding job, and in an age of Spock mania it's nice to see a story involving Bones.

"The Confrontation" was also enjoyed a lot. (Did I just say I was tiring of Spock stories? NAH!)

"The Splurge for Sap" I've said it before (when you sent it to me to illo) and I'll say it again; this Gordon fellow is okay. I love parodies, and his, in my opinion, is better than "Mad's" adaptation.

The Klingon poem by G.A. Baker is an original. I love it. Something different.

I'm sorry, but I'm not a Saavik fan. Mainly because I always wanted to see Uhura in her shoes. But I did love "The Many Splendored Thing" and Peter Laird's art is incredible.

All in all, it' sgreat. I sort of expected less Roberta, 'cause I'm a man who loves variety. An all-Trek issue had me worried. But hey, I loved it.

I am an avid Saavik fan (I liked her better in Trek II than in Trek III though) so I really enjoyed the stories about her in GRIP #19. I've been wanting to read a story about how Spock and Saavik met ever since I read Vonda McIntyre's "Wrath of Khan", so I really liked "The Confrontation." It really captured the brutal lifestyle Saavik must have led on Hellguard. I don't agree with the notion that Spock is Saavik's father--I just don't like the idea. I prefer the idea of Spock being drawn to a headstrong loner that reminds him of himself as a child.

"Floodgate" is a lovely little story which reminded me vaguely of the scene in McIntyre's "Search For Spock" when Kirk embraces Saavik after rescuing her and Spock from the Klingons.

I don't know what to think of "The Many- Splendored Thing." I suspect I would understand it better if I had read the other parts of the serial. I'm suspicious of our loyal Starfleet officer 'consorting' with a Klingon commander.

I don't always like parodies, but I thought "Star Track II: the Splurge for Spa" was hilarious! I also liked. "Mission's End" and "Call Me Friend". The IDIC and the medical insignia joined together under that poem was a nice touch.

Issue 20

front cover of issue #20, Melody Rondeau

back cover of issue #20, Gennie Summers

Grip 20 was published in February 1985 and has 68 pages. It contains three Star Trek: TOS stories (two versions of Spock's death and rebirth) and a Doctor Who/Indiana Jones parody.

The art is by Melody Rondeau, Gennie Summers, Vickie Bernheimer, Jean Ellenbacher, Nancy Gervais, Jackie Pratt, Gayle Puhl, Mike Smith, and Elaine Tripp.

From the editorial:

I commission the artwork. There's a sore point! I really try to get the best artists, but I also try to encourage young artists, and while I can help a beginning writer, there's little I can do to improve beginning artwork. So GRIP has a reputation for being spotty on art.

[...]

I also get a lot of pleasure out of advancing the Cause of Literature...after all, when I'm not being a Fan Editor, I'm a librarian...and I enjoy meeting all you lovely people at Cons, and reading stories is fun. Bo I guess as long as people want GRIP, I'll plug along at it!

• The Editor Shoots Her Mouth Off (1)
• Till There Was Khan, filk by Crystal Hegel (2)
• The Paradise Prisoners by Gayle Puhl (The Enterprise is held by some type of force as it orbits a newly discovered planet. A landing party beams down and McCoy is seized by the beings of the planet and submitted to a mind probe that could prove fatal to the Doctor.) (3)
• "cool, cool," poem by Teresa Sarick (27)
• Where the Heart Is by Richard Pollet (28)
• A Trek Fan's Dream, filk by Winifred Bender (33)
• The Gathering, poem by Elaine Tripp (35)
• Condolence by Carol Mel Ambassador (26)
• Longing, poem by Suzanne Betley (47)
• Even If My Side of the Force is Dark, filk by Mike Smith (48)
• Leia of Alderaan, filk by Cathy Erickson (49)
• No Higher Price by Kristy Merrill (51)
• A Last Farewell by Tracey Woodend (53)
• Headline by Charles Garofalo and Leo Doroshenko (54)
• Indeeanna Moans and the Orthodox Temple of Doctor Who (57)
• Dr. Who?, poem by Lareenia Smith (65)
• Filler, filksong by Leah Rosenthal (67)
• Air-LoC, letter column (68)

• 

  from issue #20, Jean Ellenbacher

• 

  from issue #20, Gayle Puhl

• 

  from issue #20, Nancy Gervais

• 

  from issue #20, Elaine Tripp

• 

  from issue #20, Gennie Summers

• 

  from issue #20, Melody Rondeau

• 

  from issue #20, Jackie Pratt

• 

  from issue #20, Jean Ellenbacher

• 

  from issue #20, Jean Ellenbacher

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 20

One of the longest-running zines in fandom, this publication regularly features a variety of media stories according to editorial whim and interest. This issue features Trek, SWars, and an Indy Jones-Doctor Who crossover.

That is one GREAT Spock for my poem. Please give Nancy Gervais my compliments on her illo. "The Paradise Prisoners" by Gayle Puhl provided an interesting read with a lot of interesting concepts and characters. I especially liked Kirk watching ~he Enterprise in orbit like a nighttime star and the Captain and Spock's ribbing McCoy about his thoughts causing the alien's insanity was right in character--it read like the end of an old episode.

"Condolence" was a believable possible reaction to the Vulcan's death, but I kept thinking Kirk would say he couldn't cry because he 'knew' Spock wasn't dead. Carol Mel Abassador did a fine job with the Sarek-Amanda relationship also.

"No Higher Price" was determinedly miserable and tragic. Kristy Merrill's done quite a job with the worst possibility scenario.

"Headline" by Charles Garofalo and Leo Doroshenk provokes only one comment "Oh, no, Mr. Bill! Steven Gordon's Indy Jones satire was fun, but the Doctor was totally out of character. Not having seen the movie, I can only assume the Doctor was substituted for a character in the film. The Time Lord may have once bellowed "Harry Sullivan is an imbecile!" but he would never, never tell K-9 to kill him! (Well, nine times out of ten...) "Doctor Who?" by Lareenia Smith was really cute, although I don't usually care for poems that rhyme relentlessly. I'm a sucker for the good Gallifreyan. Finally, "Filler" and accompanying illo were adorable. Leah Rosenthal does a fine filk, and I laughed at each of Jean Ellenbacher's panels in the facing illustration.

On the rest of the artwork: of exceptional note is Melody Rondeau's mixed-media cover. From Dragons to Wookies! Ellenbacher's rendition of the Khan/Chekov scene is true to the original; I am constantly amazed by Gennie Summer's versatility; Jackie Pratt did an excellent Leia on P. 52; Michael Smith's got his scribbles down to an art; and Gayle Puhl did a very nice job of illoing her story.

Thanks loads for this February fling! You've put together a grand potpourri of talent.

It seemed a pretty good issue of GRIP. In my humble opinion, Gayle Puhl's "The Paradise Prisoners" was the best story in the issue, followed by Richard Pollet's "Where the Heart Is. The best filk/poem was easily "Filler."Good 'in-jokes'. Was not overly impressed with "Indeeanna Moans." "No Higher Price" could cause some speculation If that had happened, would Luke's spirit have been utterly broken like his Lordship believed? If he had the backbone to resist while Leia was being worked over, I'd imagine he'd have the stuff in him to get over it. Conan aboard the Enterprise? Or does the ship hit another Black Star and do another trip into Earth's past?

I especially liked the two stories that featured Amanda, "Where the Heart Is" and "Condolence". Like Carol Marcus, I think Amanda was the crucially missing character in "The Search For Spock" (except in Vonda McIntyre's novelization, bless her).

I still can't get excited about Star Wars writing.

I spent many a night during the summer of 1980 debating whether Vader was Luke's father and who the "Other" was, but I was so vastly disappointed with "Return of the Jedi", that it seemed my interest evaporated overnight.