Lost in the Shadows
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Lost in the Shadows |
| Publisher: | Otter Limits Press |
| Editor: | |
| Author(s): | TM Alexander |
| Cover Artist(s): | Paulie |
| Illustrator(s): | |
| Date(s): | May 1989 |
| Series?: | Yes |
| Medium: | print zine, fanfic |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | slash, m/m |
| Fandom: | The Lost Boys & Kiefer/Lou |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Lost in the Shadows[note 1] is a slash 90-page Kiefer/Lou novel by Tami Marie, being the first zine published for this ship.
It is a fusion of Kiefer Sutherland in Lost Boys and an original character named Indigo, portrayed by Lou Diamond Phillips.
The zine was illustrated by Paulie.
The zine's dedication reads: "Lost in the Shadows is fondly dedicated to Kiefer and Lou ...and to vampire lovers everywhere."
The disclaimer:
This publication contains explicit scenes of violence and a homosexual relationship and will not be sold to people under twenty-one years of age without written permission of a parent or guardian. An age statement is required.
Lost In tho Shadows Is the opinion and view of one writer. It Is not intended to infringe upon or insinuate itself into the philosophy of other individuals. It is purely fannish speculation.
Series
It is part of a proposed trilogy, only two of which were completed.
- Lost in the Shadows
- I Still Believe (was originally titled "Power Play")
- Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me (proposed but never published)
Summary
From a 1992 flyer:
Horns aren’t made of wood —or so Michael Emerson found out when David came back after three years in the ground. But the hip vampire thinks Santa Carla is dead, so he heads east to Chicago, looking for new blood...and he finds it, in the form of a Chicano runaway named Indigo. When an unplanned bond is formed. David finds he can’t get Indigo to let go of his mortal scruples and embrace the night —and the relationship goes sour as aresult.
From a July 1993 ad in GAZ:
This novella is the sequel to "The Lost Boys" and is part of a trilogy, although each novella stands on its own. (Part 2, POWER PLAY available at a later date). Horns aren't made of wood, you know. David is up and at 'em again after going under for three years. His gang destroyed, his eternal life in upheaval, the white-haired punk-vamp heads for a new feeding ground. Chicago. There he meets Indigo, a Chicano run-away, and a new bond, though troublesome, is formed.
Author's Comments: 1995
From the editorial of I Still Believe:
When I wrote LOST IN THE SHADOWS back in ‘87-88, I had no idea it would be so well received in ‘89, when it was published. Now I look back at it and I still wonder. Ever the editor/proofreader, I cringe at the grammatical errors — but every writer is her own worst critic. I do like the story, though, and to this day I feel it is probably one of the best fan-related pieces I've ever done. I'm very proud of it.
I’m also amazed at the following it has gained.
Origins: 1988
From the zine's editorial:
Like so many other fans of this now cultist film, I fell in love with David the moment he walked onto that carousel, all sleepy-eyed and hungry.... For some reason, however, I was not fooled by the mask of cool he wore, and saw compassion, weariness, and a tangible sense that he felt he did not 'belong.' Little did I know that I was actually picking up on the character as actor Kiefer Sutherland — in his own words — portrayed him.The idea for this post-LB universe came about at a Sting concert, when Paulie and I were suddenly and mutually struck with images of our favorite blond vampire leaving Santa Carla to begin anew. We decided he needed someone with whom he could interact: It had to be someone who would contrast well with his appearance, someone who would look good next to him. Because Paulie and I like to "cast" stars in the roles we create (mostly for artistic reference, and the fact that it helps readers to visualize the character a bit better), we needed someone appropriate for Indigo Ramirez. I had just seen La Bamba on HBO, and considered the young actor who starred in it. "Hey, what about that guy, Lou Diamond Phillips? Just lengthen his hair, make him serious, he'll be great!"
Three months later, we found out about an upcoming movie called Young Guns. Psychic premonition? I'm not saying....
Before I go on, I would like to make it very clear, right now, that while David and Indigo are lovers, this in no way is to say that Kiefer Sutherland and Lou Diamond Phillips are, as well. I know real-real from fiction-real (to paraphrase a line from Phantom of the Paradise), and this, my friends, is pure FICTION.
Intended as 'alternate-universe,' "Lost in the Shadows" is the first of a three-volume set, which chronicles David and Indigo's meeting, separation, individual growth and finally, their reunion. In this, the first novella, David reawakens three years after his unfortunate impalement upon a pair of horns, and finds that there is nothing left for him in Santa Carla. He sets out to find a new existence elsewhere; his Journey leads him to Chicago, where he meets a young runaway named Indigo. David finds himself caught up in a web of destiny, playing mentor to a vampire who won't release his hold on mortal morality...and discovering something that he has sought all his life, only to be too scared to accept it.
All the events and information in this universe have been based solely upon the film, The Lost Boys, with some good, old-fashioned speculation thrown in for flavor. It is in no way saying that this Is the £nly post~LB story that can exist; it is just another writer's Ideas being shared with fellow fans. If the same-sex aspect disturbs the reader, I ask that this be taken into consideration: Vampires are sensual, bisexual creatures. Of times, they consider their victims as 'lovers' for the brief contact they make, because of the intimacy of the taking of blood and of life. While most vampires tend to be loners out of self-preservation, some find comfort in the companionship of another, no matter what the sex. (Even Sheridan Le Fanu's "Carmilla," a pre-Bram Stoker vampire story, was about a female vampire whose victims were all women.)
I have based David's interest in a male partner upon his infatuation with Michael, and the fact that he would have given anything — such as the lives of his gangmembers to have him. He could have just as easily met a woman and felt the same way, and I allowed him the choice of a partner in the creation of this universe... obviously, the path chosen is the path taken.
Origins: 2012
From Media Fandom Oral History Project Interview with TM Alexander (2012):
Kiefer/Lou is a real fandom. But actually, you know how it actually started was, I saw Lost Boys. The Lost Boys. Kiefer Sutherland vampire movie. And at the end of it I, he was in, you know, his character, David, is killed by being impaled on a pair of horns. And I'm like, well, "Horns aren't made of wood. He could have just been like, faking it, that he was dead. He's still alive."[note 2] Because as they walked away from him, he could be still alive. So what I did was write a sequel called "Lost in the Shadows."... Here's the irony of "Lost in the Shadows." I wanted to give an original character. I was creating an original character to play off of his character, David. And I needed somebody, because I like the whole blond/brunet thing. Light and dark. Light and dark. And I was like, well, I need somebody to be my character Indigo. And there was, La Bamba had just come out. And I saw an ad for La Bamba and I said, "This Lou Diamond Phillips guy would look great next to Kiefer Sutherland." This was almost a year before Young Guns, which was the first time they were ever together. And I mean, wow, it just blew me away. Oh my god, you know, and they have, the two of, those two actors, they are like best buds. They are like the new Paul and David. You know, they're that tight in person....But, ah, so basically, "Lost in the Shadows" was in essence the first Kiefer/Lou zine, because I cast my original character, to better visualize him, with Lou Diamond Phillips. And all the illustrations that Paulie did for the zine, it's Lou Diamond Phillips.
Fanworks in the Same Universe
- The Secret Life of Ace Merill by April Valentine (fusion with the film, Stand By Me) (from Interludes #3 (1995)
- Primal by rj burnett (from Interludes #3 (1995)
Sample Interior
Notes & References
Notes
- ^ The zine's title came from the song of the same name, performed by Lou Gramm for the movie on which this zine was based.
- ^ The author was correct in his assessment of David's ending, in the novelizations of "The Lost Boys", it was confirmed that he not only lived but created the vampire gang leader Shane in the second film.