Grip/Issues 21-25

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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 21

Grip 21 was published in July 1985 and contains 68 pages.

The art is by Gennie Summers, Anthony Citro, Nancy Gervais, Shona Jackson, Richart Pollett, Jackie Pratt, Mel Rondeau, Leah Rosenthal, Lareena Smith, Mike B. Smith, Jon Steinmetz, Star Stocking, and Jean Ellenbacher.

front cover of issue #21, Gennie Summers
back cover of issue #19, Contessa

From an ad: "Unicorns on the Enterprise? Conan the Barbarian vs the Klingons? Spock's wedding? Plus Doctor Who, Star Wars and those sinister E.T.s (finally!)."

From the editorial:

Gayle Puhl has pandered shamelessly to my love of unicorns, and Kerri Nash has gotten Spock finally and irrevocably married. And there's Stephen Mendenhall's story... and therein lies a tale. Originally, this was supposed to be a 'story-within-a-story'...an envelope, so to speak. But the 'envelope' was too good to lose, and the contents didn't make much sense so I did what no good editor should do. I found myself rewriting the story. Luckily, Stephen didn't scream too loudly about it (others have!)...and I hope the result will please. But the original adventure will emerge, one of these issues.

[...]

DEADLINES... The Lecture For Today.

GRIP appears three times a year: in February, in late June, and in November. Timing is vital, because those are the three times when there is a plethora of major Cons, so I can sell the 'zine and make enough to keep the printer off my back. So it is very important for me to get material under the deadline.

Most of my remarks have to be addressed to artists, since I usually get my stories and poems out of the way long before it's time to Print... if only to send them to the artists'! I realize that a good artist is worth her wei~ht in cor-flu, and most of the people doing fanzines run the same schedule I do (for the same reasons!). And not everything I send is going to get those creative juices flowing... I don't mind a rejection, polite or otherwise. (you could say "I'm all booked up" or "I don't do Battlestar: Galactica" or even "This story is dumb!") But I do get a bit peeved with people who say, "sure, I I d be glad to" and then...DON'T. Unless you're in traction or Alaska, PLEASE...let the editor know if you're not going to do the illos! Because, deflating as it is to the ego...the editor might actually have another artist up her sleeve' (not half as good as YOU, of course) who will do said illos...

This is a constant complaint of editors in their battle against artists. Of course, artists then fight back by accusing editors of sending in impossible deadlines (I am as guilty as anyone else!)

There really isn't any way out of this...unless lines of communication are kept open between Artist and Editor.

  • The Editor Shoots Her Mouth Off (1)
  • Silent Traveller by Gayle Puhl (3)
  • Search for the Vulcan, filk by Gayle Puhl (15)
  • Home Life with Ayelbourne by Steven Mendenhall (original science fiction) (16)
  • The Revenge of the Women by Erin Nash and Paul Towanicki (21)
  • The Death of the Soul, poem by Lareen Smith (36)
  • Assignment for Tomorrow, in That Savage Yesterday... by Stephen Mendenhalk (ST/Conan the Barbarian) (39)
  • The Good Doctor, poem by Francesca Longo (52)
  • Enterprise, Enterprise, filk by Patricia McVaney (53)
  • Painful Reality by Tracey Woodend (55)
  • That I May Rule, poem by CarolMel Ambassador (55)
  • Han, poem by Teresa Sarick (57)
  • Commercial Break, cartoon by Jeanne Webster and Star Stocking (58)
  • New Suede Shoes, filk by Leah Rosenthal (Miami Vice) (59)
  • History's Secret, poem by CarolMel Ambassador (60
  • Space Cadet by Teresa Sarick (62)
  • The ET's Strike Back by Steven Gordon (64)
  • AirLoC, letter column (66)
  • Backscratching Department (68)

Issue 22

front cover of issue #22, Barbara P. Gordon, also printed in K/S & K.S. (Kindred Spirits) #17
back cover of issue #22, Roxanne Caldwell

Grip 22 was published in November 1985 and has 68 pages and includes one Star Trek/Visitors crossover and one A-Team/Visitors crossover ("The Visitors vs the A-Team" by Laura Michaels).

The art is by Barbara P. Gordon, Roxanne Caldwell, Jean Ellenbacher, Laura Michaels, Helen Ming, Richard Pollet, Melody Rondeau, Irene Schector, Gennie Summers, and Maria Williams.

As described in the Clipper Trade Ship #54 (1986): "The Visitors are coming! First they try to take over Vulcan; then they meet the A-Team. In between are stories that deal with an Alien Deathtrap for the Enterprise, and what really happened to Khan Noonian Singh."

From the editorial:

I had an illuminating conversation with a long-time Trek-editor (I won't say who, but she published the very first all-Trek fanzine that contained Trek-fiction). She told me that she wondered if age was creeping, up on her, since she couldn't find any new stories in Trek fandom. I told her they were out in the Fannish Wilderness...it was just a matter of hunting them out, and working with new people. Example? Helen Ming, who is a Khan-fan. Her story "Night Freeze" gives new insights into what changed a fairly ruthless but sane leader into the bedevelled fanatic of "Wrath of Kban". And Maria Pehrson's "Wax For the Ears of Ulysses" brings out a facet of Kirk's character that no one else has touched on. And there are always the possibilities of Alternate Universes, like "Mudd's Brain", and Cross-Universes. ...

  • The Editor Shoots Her Mouth Off (1)
  • Wax For the Ears of Ulysses by M. C. Pehrson (Star Trek) (3)
  • Fighting with the Romulans Again, filk by Dawn Yarashis (11)
  • V: Visitor or Vulcan by Kerry Nash and Paul Towarnicki (Star Trek/V) (12)
  • Scotty's Favorite Things, filk by Cyndee Davis (32)
  • The Man, poem by Richard Pollet (35)
  • Night Freeze by Helen Ming (Star Trek) (36)
  • Mudd's Brain by Stephen Mendenhall (Star Trek) (46)
  • The Visitors vs the A-Team by Laura Michaels (The A-Team decides to do something about the Visitors and ends up working with the LA resistance.) (A-Team/V) (53)
  • Write-It-Yourself by Dan Crawford (original science fiction) (65)

Issue 23

front cover of issue #23, Gennie Summers
back cover of issue #23, Shona Jackson

Grip 23 was published in 1986 and is 68 pages long. This contains 9 stories and art by Gennie Summers (front cover, interior), Shona Jackson (back cover), Nancy Gervais, Laura Michaels, Mary Otten, Gayle Puhl, Jackie Pratt, Melody Rondeau, Tiffany, and a centerfold by Bob Eggleton.

From the editorial:

I’ve made some judgements in the past, and ! have revised my opinions about a number of things. And this is as good a place as any to talk about them. For instance: Dr. Who. When I cane across the Good Doctor. I thought he was silly. In fact, I didn't see what any one else could find likable in the man! I thought the show was badly produced, the concept was stupid, and the fans brainless. Well ....I haven't become a Whovian, out I will concede that it has its own zany charm. I still think the Daleks are about as dangerous-looking as a row of blotters, and I still howl at sets that are obvious left-overs from whatever the BBC was filming that week. But I enjoy some of the earlier Dr. Who plots that involve time-travel, and once you get past the British silly-isms, the dialog isn't all that bad.

Then there is the K/S Premise, which is that Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock are 'more than Just Good Friends'. I've been pretty vocal about this for a number of years, and I've gathered a remarkable batch of feudists en route. I refuse to believe for one minute that 'our" Captain Kirk will do anything to put his career in jeopardy, and 'our' Spock isn't going to have a sexual relationship for any reason but propagation of the species, however…I've read a few "alternate' K/S stories that make a little more sense, and are not as involved with the mechanics of the relationship as they are with the emotions. So…another qualified revision of opinion.

Finally, there is the British Invasion: 'Blakes' Seven' and 'Sapphire and Steel'. The first is one show that totally puts me off. I have seen a few of the episodes in various people's rooms at conventions, and I admit that they're superior to most British Science Fiction in production values, and the characters are interesting...VILE, but interesting! And if the B-7 fans would just lighten up about them. I might be more willing to go along with it...As for 'Sapphire and Steel', this is a real surprise. I was prepared to endure it for Fandom's sake. Instead, I found myself fascinated by the premise of a peacekeeping force that goes through Time to prevent Things from creeping into the Time-lines. Like "Blake's Seven', this is one of those bootleg shows that has not properly crossed the Atlantic yet: if anyone gets a chance to see it at a Con they should. It's fascinating!

There are a few opinions that I still hold. I find JRR Tolkien a total bore, and I am not especially fond of Pern either...although I like Anne McCaffrey's other writing. And I will read almost anything that involves Alternate Universes or Time-lines. So I am not totally changeable... I just reserve the right to alter my opinion from time to time.

This zine includes one Star Trek novella as described in Clipper Trade Ship #54 (1986): "A novella, in which Kirk is being menaced by Aliens, while Spock, McCoy, & Uhura try to get him out of it (or IT out of HIM); also, a nasty situation between Kirk, Spock, Scotty, and a luscious crew woman on a strange planet; a take-off on Battlestar: Galactica; and a surprise visit by a certain Doctor to... Walden Puddle?"

  • The Editor Shoots Her Mouth Off (1)
  • The Prime Directive, filksong by Claire Maier (2)
  • The K'norkan Curse by Gayle Puhl (Kirk at the mercy of an intelligent fungus) (3)
  • The Web, poem by Richard Pollet (32)
  • Friend Ship, poem by Laura Michaels (33)
  • Creature/Caught, poems by Dwight E. Humphries (34)
  • The Wine of Dreams by Maria C. Pehrson (the Spock, Kirk and Scotty planet story) (36)
  • A Loss, poem poem by Tracey Woodend (52)
  • Dr. Who and the American Invasion by Sandra E. Hanson (53)
  • Battlecart Formica by Steve Gordon (Battlestar Galactica parody) (57)

Issue 24

front cover of issue #24, Sheila Barrera
back cover of issue #24, Michael B. Smith

Grip 24 was published in July 1986, contains 68 pages.

The art is by Marie Wilson, Teegar, Gennie Summers, Michael B. Smith, Melody Rondeau, Sharon Palmer, Hen Huegel, Tom Howard, Nancy Cervais, Jean Ellenbacher, Roxanne Caldwell, Dahlia Badowski, and Sheila Barrera.

It includes short pieces, reflecting life on the Big E: Kirk & McCoy discuss the Meaning Of It All; McCoy finds a new (but Trivial) diversion for the crew; a fan finds a new life on the enterprise. Also another in the adventures of Saavik, Spock, Spock, Jr., and Toto the Sehlat." It also contains an Indiana Jones story and a tribute to the crew of the Challenger.

From the editorial:

What makes a Fandom? What is there that attracts people to not only watch a television show or movie, but then to sit down and attempt to copy the style in art or story? And how can you tell what is going to [be] big? The answer to that last question would make many a network executive grovel before the one with the right answer. This year’s "Misfits of Science" might have made it, but it was vastly overshadowed by the zippy look of "Miami Vice"...which is generating its own fannish heat (yes, there are already two MV fanzines!). There do not seem to be too many new Star Wars fanzines coming in, although many of the old Warsies are still plugging away there...meanwhile, "Blake's Seven" is making great strides. (For those who wonder what this is...it’s a very violent British SF series that has never been seen on network TV in the USA, although some cable channels are beginning to run it. If you really want to test this, look around at various conventions.) Public taste is fickle...so why has Star Trek lasted so long? I think it’s because the characters and their relationships were so well and lovingly depicted that we can grow with them. Those who are Just seeing the original episodes on video-tape can draw their own interpretations, while us Original Trekkers can still find elements in the adventures of the Enterprise and its crew that appeal to our sense of humanity. Star Trek was a story about the essential decency of humankind, and the great possibilities that lay ahead. At the same time, there were elements of humor, adventure, and an appreciation for the diversity of whatever we may find once we get Out There. When I started GRIP in 1978 (is it really that long!), I planned to make it 1⁄2 Star Trek, ~ Star Wars and 1⁄2 whatever else came to hand. The proportions have remained more or less the same for most of the issues (#19 was All-Trek). However... the last three issues have seen a definite falling-off of Star Wars material in favor of "V", "Indiana Jones..." and "Dr. Who". #25 will be All-Star Trek again... and I have some really unusual looks at old friends: How Sarek and Amanda REALLY met; how Saavik came to grips with the Romulan part of her being; what happened when yet another fan got onto the Enterprise, and WHO got her off?????

  • The Editor Shoots Her Mouth Off (1)
  • Lament of the Ghostly Crewman, filk by Gayle Puhl (2)
  • Star-Mapping by Tom Lalli (3)
  • Civil Obedience by Barbara Robertson (6)
  • A Fighting Chance, poem by CarolMel Ambassador (14)
  • "H" stands for Hellguard, and Here We Go Again by Kerry Nash and Paul Towarnicki (17)
  • Losirea Speaks, poem by Dwight E. Humphries (33)
  • Spock's Lament, filk by Cyndee Davis (35)
  • The Power of Fandom by Nancy Hardenberg (43)
  • Write It, filk by P.E. Kinlock (44)
  • The Trouble with Trivia by Nancy Gervais (47)
  • Enterprise Personals, transcribed by Gayle Puhl (51)
  • Spock's Vacant Chair, filk by Brenda Faith Bell (55)
  • A Second Chance, poem by Kristy Merrill (57)
  • Battle Hymn of the (New) Republic, filk by Sue Kidwell (59)
  • Fear of Snakes by Richard Pollet and Roberta Rogow (60)
  • James Dean in 'Conan the Rebel,' filk by Dan Crawford (65)
  • A Tribute to Challenger, three poems by Jean Ellenbacher, Sue Anne Sarick and Teresa Sarick (66)
  • Backscratching Department (68)

Issue 25

Grip 25 was published in November 1986 and has 68 pages.

front cover of issue #25, Patricia Posadas
back cover of issue #25, Jean Ellenbacher

The art is by Patricia Posadas, Jean Ellenbacher, Nicole Branch, Nancy Gervais, Patricia Malone, M.C. Pehrson, Teegar Shaver, Mike Smith and Sherry Veltkamp.

From an ad: "Another all-Star Trek issue to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Star Trek. Stories about Sarek and Amanda (pon farr isn't pretty!); Spock's first public appearance; a visit to a very weird planet; & Saavik's encounters with her Romulan relations." [1]

  • The Editor Shoots Her Mouth Off (1)
  • The Most Logical Thing to Do by Jeff Kasten (Star Trek: TOS) (3)
  • Lines We'd Like to Hear by Joan Shumsky (Star Trek: TOS) (16)
  • The Ocean and Star Shine by Tammy Carson (Star Trek: TOS) (17)
  • The Perseus Touch by M.C. Pehrson (Star Trek: TOS) (23)
  • Striving to Be Human, poem by Laura Ellis (Star Trek: TOS) (37)
  • Jimmy the Starship Captain, filk to the tune of "Donna the Prima Donna," by Dottie Christiansen (Star Trek: TOS)(38)
  • Time-Travelling Trek by Laura Michaels (Star Trek: TOS)(41)
  • The Neu-ter-al Zone, filk to the tune of "Fifteen Years on the Erie Canal," by Brenda Bell (Star Trek: TOS) (45)
  • The Other Side by Kerry Nash (Star Trek: TOS) (47)
  • How to Write a Star Trek Story, satiric essay by Brian Wilkes (Star Trek: TOS) (66)

References

  1. ^ from Clipper Trade Ship #54 (1986)