Hyper Space (Star Wars zine published in the 1970s)
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You may be looking for the Star Wars zine Hyperspace, which was published in the UK in 1990.
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Hyper Space |
| Publisher: | "producer" -- Mariellen Griffith (out of Indianapolis) |
| Editor(s): | Scott Griffith |
| Type: | fanfic |
| Date(s): | June 1977- February 1979 |
| Frequency: | |
| Medium: | print zine |
| Size: | |
| Fandom: | Star Wars |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Hyper Space is a gen Star Wars newsletter of fiction and articles edited by Scott Griffith. It was to be published four times a year and ended up running for six issues.
It was the first zine published that contained Star Wars material.
Its Place in Star Wars Zine History
The first Star Wars zines:
- Hyper Space (fiction and non-fiction) ties with The Force (non-fiction) as the first zines with a focus of Star Wars. Both zines were published in June 1977.
- Warped Space #26/27, a multimedia zine published in July 1977, had a Star Wars cover, the artist was Gordon Carleton. In August 1977, "Warped Space" #28 had the first Star Wars story in a multimedia zine. Moonbeam #1/2 also contains an early story that was published in November 1977.
- Come Wars, a 1977 (month unknown) 16-page sexually explicit gay/slash comic by Sean
- Timespan, a 1977 (month unknown) included "The Saga of Jharal" a story about two Jedi's, pre-ANH
- Moonbeam #3 (focus of Star Wars fiction and art) [1][2] and the letterzine, Alderaan, a letterzine with a Star Wars focus, were both published in February 1978.
- Against the Sith (Star Wars fiction and non-fiction) and Skywalker (Star Wars fiction) were both published in April 1978. [3]
Reactions and Reviews
This zine has the distinction of being one of the first Star Wars fanzines to appear. However, the quality of the material in this fanzine is somewhat uneven, averaging a little above mediocre. The articles have a tendancy to be very short, only whetting the reader's appetite for more— and leaving him unsatisfied. Some have been very interesting, such as the article which related the Force to Einstein's Unified Field Theory. A minus is the fact that the language and grammar of the articles has a tendancy to be stiff and awkward, which detracts from the enjoyment to the reader. The artwork has improved steadily issue by issue. Number one's artwork was horrible. Number #2 had a few nice pieces, like the back cover; both #3 and #4 have had very good artwork, although the front covers still lack something. Fan fiction began to appear in #3, and there was even more in #4. The story in #3 was enjoyable and showed promise, with well-thought out ideas. Number #4 was a bit of a disappointment; the stories for some reason were confusing and unclear. Better care in layout and editing could do wonders for this problem. I have two main complaints about the zine. First, the third issue used photo-reduction, which is also used in Issue #4. For the most part this is an asset allowing for more material. However, in places, especially in the stories, this creates a problem due to the fact that the resulting type is so small I felt like using a magnifying glass to read It! This distracts from the stories. A little less reduction would help immensely. My second complaint is cost. Hyperspace runs to 20 or 22 pages, yet costs $I.50 an issue. Yes, the zine is offset, and photo-reduction costs too, but I'd rather have a few more pages and maybe less quality printing for that amount of money. When you consider that Skywalker is 120 pages long, and costs $2.90 (in person), S1.50 for 20 pages of medium-quality content does seem a bit much. It's a nice little fanzine and has excellent quality printing, but purchasers may be unimpressed with the contents if they have seen some of the other fanzines. My biggest Impression from Hyperspace is that the editors had not seen many other fanzines before they started their own.[4]
Issue 1
Hyper Space 1 was published in June 1977 (the editorial is dated June 15) and contains 8 pages.
Four hundred copies were printed, and as of the printing of issue #3, all were sold out.
From the editorial:
This fanzine is what you have been waiting for—a place and space for you to contribute your thoughts, drawings, poems, etc. for all the fans of STAR WARS, science-fiction, science-fantasy, and comic books.
The movie has taken earth by intergalactic storm. The reviews are impressive. The crowds at the theatre are more than the 800 seat capacity theatre can handle.
[snipped]
This fanzine is a result of our excitement after having seen the movie STAR WARS. Being comic book collector: and STAR TREK fans we immediately had the idea of wanting to become involved in collecting materials concerning STAR WARS and meeting other fans. This fanzine is our opportunity to share our excitement and fun with you and hope that you will share with us.
- Editor's Space (1)
- Space Communications (blurbs from newspapers and magazines) (2)
- Synopsis of Star Wars movie (3)
- Behind the Scenes (4)
- Interview with Ron Keedy, Manager of Eastwood Theatre (dated June 10, 1977) (5)
- Luke's Reflections, poem by M.G. Smith (6)
- Future Shock, poem by Peter Cerola (6)
- Do They Care?, poem by Jon Griffith (6)
- Lord Darth Vader, art by Peter Cerola (7)
- Trivia Quiz (8)
- art by Kevin Baxter
from issue #1
from issue #1, illos by Kevin Baxter
from issue #1
from issue #1, Peter Cerola
Issue 2
Hyper Space 2 was published in Fall 1977 and contains 14 pages.
The front cover is by Kevin Baxter, the back cover by Jean Michele Martin, the producer is Mariellen Griffith.
- Editor's Space (3)
- Communications (4)
- Pen Pals (4)
- Spin Offs (about Star Wars merchandising) (5)
- Darth Vader, a brief summary of the character, includes an untitled poem by M.G. Smith (6)
- Interview (with Nicholas J. Vesper is Associate Professor of Mathematics and Director of Holcomb Observatory, Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana, subject: Star Wars and its science) (7)
- Hyper Space (origin of the term from books and movies) (8)
- The Force ("From seeing the movie and reading book, the concept of "The Force" seemed to raise all sorts of familiar thoughts and feelings and arguments concerning an omnipotent or omnipresent force operating in our world and in the universe.") (10)
- Behind the Scenes (about the special effects in the movie) (12)
- Bibliography (of recent Star Wars articles in magazines between April 1977 and August 1977) (13)
- art by Kevin Baxter
back cover of issue #2, Jean Michele Martin -- "The Duel"
inside page
Issue 3
Hyper Space 3 was published in Winter of 1978 and contains 14 pages.
It has a front cover by Kevin Baxter and an inside back cover by Patricia Munson.
From the editorial:
This is it! Our third issue. Now we're really moving!. The first issue was pretty local and the second issue was better but as of this issue we are now officially national! We have lots of great material like art from Lt. Pat Munson , Chapter I of a new STAR WARS story by Yonina Gordon, Part 1 of an epic poem by Karen Weber and lots morel Our staff has been literally bombarded by contributions, especially art. We're sorry that we can't print every thing that is sent to us, but we do have limited space. We can only print what we think is the best.
- Editor's Space (3)
- Pen Pals (4)
- Communications (4)
- SW is Gaining, article by Parker Nolen ("I just returned from the Star Trek of America Convention, which was held at the Statler Hilton Hotel in New York City, during the week end of September 2, 3, 4, 5, 1977. We had a wonderful time.... While attending the convention I talked to several people and asked them what they thought of STAR WARS and each one gave us a glowing report of the characters and the movie in general. All would like to see more of Luke in the sequel and thought the movie would not have made it without R2D2 and C3PO. Everyone I talked to were awaiting the sequel with much anticipation, as I am.") (5)
- Bios of some of this zine's contributors (5)
- SW Serial, Chapter 1, The Continuation of the Adventures of Luke Skywalker and Friends, author is not listed (6)
- Star Wars Poem by Lois Alota Fundis (8)
- A Song for the Unborn, poem by Kat Nickell (8)
- Pioneer (short story) by Paul Gracon (9)
- Within the Force, vignette by Cary A. Bucar (10)
- Looking Back, poem by Cary A. Bucar (10)
- Battle, Epic Poem Part One, by an anonymous Rebel poet (translated by Karen Weber) (11)
- Behind the Scenes, interview with John Dykstra (the editor notes that this was sent in by a fan but he cannot determine its source) (12)
- Letter, Universal City, dated December 20, 1977 ("Thank you for sending us a copy of the fanzine, HYPERSPACE. It is quite a creative accomplishment. Gary Kurtz read your letter and the fanzine, and asked me to send you a note, expressing how he felt. Right now we're working out a policy about fanzines. Basically, a problem with copyrights has to be resolved. Once that is accomplished, I'll be able to send a presskit, with photos and articles and biographies. I hope that material will be of use." signed Craig Miller, Director of Fan Relations) [5] (12)
- art by Kevin Baxter (12)
- Contributors: Cary A. Bucar, Lois Alenta Fundis, Yonia Gordon, Paul Gracon, Patricia Munson, Kat Nickell, Karen Weber
back cover of issue #3, Patricia Munson
issue #3, illo by Munson
Issue 4
Hyper Space 4 was published in Spring 1978 and contains 18 pages.
From the editor:
Our fourth issue! Has it really been that many issues, already? I have got to say this, we really have it made! With all the poetry, art, and stories sent to us, we practically have our 'zine written for us I Now, if we just had a typist who wanted to donate their time. The contributing artist for this issue is Teanna L. Byerts. If you like STAR WARS, you're going to love this ish.
- Editor's Space (3)
- Communication (a review of Close Encounters of the Third Kind) (4)
- Pen Pals (4)
- The Force (a letter from a fan, Susan Armstrong (who has seen the movie 33 times),[6] about the religious/spiritual meaning of The Force.) (4)
- Han Solo (5)
- Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Serial II by Yonina Gordon (6)
- Twilight Requiem, story by Kat Nickell (8)
- Bios of some of the zine's contributors (9)
- Lament of the Neverborn, poem by Tim Blaes (9)
- Robots, an uncredited fan-written article (10)
- The Fall of the Empire, Serial I by Dana Bell and Brad Clark (12)
- Possibility Beyond Star Wars, Chapt.1 by C.A. Bucar (14)
- Battle at the Death Star, poem, part 2 by Karen Weber (16)
- art by Kevin Baxter
- contributors: Susan Armstrong, Dana Bell, Tim Glaes, Cary A. Bucar, Teanna L. Byerts, Yonina Gordon, Jeff Laudeman, Kat Nickell, Karen Weber
back cover of issue #4, Teanna L. Byerts
inside page, issue #4
inside page, issue #4, Teanna L. Byerts
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4
HYPERSPACE #4 is definitely your best ish so far.
You wanted comments on the new SW novel. All I can really say is that it's a fiasco. I've been a SF fan for a long time and always had high respect for Allan Dean Foster's writing before, but his book is little more than a mish-mash of old SF cliches that retains nothing of the wonder and magic of the original movie. It made me wonder if he'd whipped it up over the weekend in as little time as possible — and did he even see the movie? the characterizations are weak and the ending is so contrived it hurts. [7]
Issue 5/6
Hyper Space 5/6 was published in Summer/Fall 1978 and contains 37 pages.
There is much fall-out in this issue from Lucasfilm's hassling fans and fan publications. The editor says the next issue will be its last, two fans discontinue their serialized story with Star Wars characters, and another writes of how her planned interview with Dave Prowse and Peter Mayhew was canceled due to various lawsuits.
The editor writes:
This double issue (summer and fall) and the #7  (winter and spring) will be our last effort at printing this fanzine. Refer to the next issue for why the end is at hand but it will suffice to say for now that we will finish out the year.
A serial fiction from the previous issue, "The Fall of the Galactic Empire," has been discontinued by its authors. One of them, Dana Bell, writes:
This letter is to inform you of the following: I'm afraid there will be no further submissions from the "Fall of the Galactic Empire". 2- This SW sequel is undergoing a major overhaul and rewrite, minus Lucas's characters. I think we have a damn good novel without them. The only characters that survived were the ones Brad and I created.(Kurrine, Jark, Lon Talu).... Sorry for the let down, gang.
- Editor's Space (3)
- Space Communications (LoCs) (4)
- Pen Pals (5)
- Word Search (5)
- Review of "Splinter of the Mind's Eye" (this pro novel is almost universally reviled by fans for poor writing, poor characterization, and general dopiness. This review concludes with "For those of you fortunate enough not to have read it, just one word of advice. DON'T!") (6)
- Aliens, article about SW "aliens" by a fan, is uncredited (7)
- England Visit by Cary A. Bucar (a fan recounts how the franchise is suing a fan club which George Lucas' people called "a "miniscule, financially limited businesses, a two penny/half-penny fan club" based in New York state called the National Star Wars Association. Now, why a million dollar corporation wants to sue a fan club, apparently for simply existing, is totally beyond myself and alot other people, but there you have it.") (8)
- Elstree Layout, diagram of a set in England (9)
- Storm Warning, fiction by Kat Nickell (10)
- Possibility Beyond Star Wars, Chapter 2, by Cary A. Bucar (17)
- SW Bibliography of articles in magazines (30)
- Battle, poem, part 3, by Karen Weber (34)
- Nightmare, poem by Tim Blaes (reprinted in Snowfire #1) (36)
- contributors: Tim Blaes, Cary A. Buscar, Patricia Muson, Kat Nickell, Lita Sheldon, Karen Weber
inside page from issue 5/6
inside page from issue 5/6
inside page from issue 5/6
Issue 7/8
Hyper Space 7/8 was published in Winter (1978)/Spring (1979) (February) and contains 38 pages.
From the editorial:
Well, this is it. The FINAL issue. Sad to say it but we will not be printing anymore issues of HYPERSPACE. As for why? The reason is simple, we don't have the time that we wish to commit to the fanzine. Craig Miller, Director of Fan Relations of Lucasfilm Limited, P.O. Box 8669, Universal City, Cal. 91608 is trying to get copies of all of the SW fanzines for their archives. Especially the high quality ones. We sent them copies of our fanzines. If you know of any other SW fanzines, write to them and have them contact Craig Miller.
- Editor's Space (3)
- Communications (4)
- Star Wars Fan Contest, official blurb by Lucasfilm (5)
- The Search for a Hero, story by Kat Nickell (6)
- Quiz (22)
- Possibility Beyond Star Wars Chapter III, by C.A. Bucar (23)
- Solution to the Word Search from the previous issue (36)
inside page from issue #7/8
inside page from issue #7/8
References
- ^ The editor of "Moonbeam" says: "I believed for almost 30 years that it was in fact the first primarily Star Wars fiction fanzine, but I recently learned that Skywalker, the exceptional Star Wars zine edited by Bev Clark, was in fact first by a couple of weeks. Ah well. I was still one of the first, and probably the first on the East Coast.."Main Moonbeam Page, Archived version.
- ^ Actually, according to the dates on the zines themselves, "Moonbeam" was first; perhaps there was an understood wiggle-room with the distribution?
- ^ From Nancy Duncan in "Against the Sith's" editorial: "We know of two other SW zines so far, Hyperspace .... and Skywalker." This statement is contradicted in December 1985 by the editor of "Skywalker," Bev Clark, in comments to Southern Enclave #10: "AGAINST THE SITH came out a few weeks before SKYWALKER, no more than six. Neither was the first SW fanzine, exactly. The very first fanzine was a small, poorly produced effort out of Long Beach, called THE FORCE; it was more like a traditional SF fanzine in that it didn't have much fiction. It was also what is bluntly called in SF fandom, a crudzine. The first fanzine to print all SW fiction, though admittedly as a single issue of a fanzine that was not devoted to SW to the exclusion of all else, was MOONBEAM 3, which came out in the late fall of 1977 or the early spring of 1978 before either AGAINST THE SITH or SKYWALKER, at any rate. SKYWALKER was certainly in preparation by then, however, it began in September, 1977." It appears that either Bev Clark is mis-remembering the date of her own fanzine's publication, or there is a difference of opinion about what constitutes the "beginning" of a zine, and that perhaps Clark is referring to when she first started collecting material, rather to when the zine was available to fans.
- ^ from Alderaan #3
- ^ Ahhh, and this is one place it starts. See Open Letter to Star Wars Zine Publishers by Maureen Garrett
- ^ There is MUCH commentary/bragging in all these issues about how many times individual fans have seen the film.
- ^ from a letter of comment in "Hyper Space" #5/6"