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Liberator Popular Front Newsletter
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Liberator Popular Front Newsletter |
| Publisher: | Liberator Popular Front |
| Editor(s): | |
| Type: | |
| Date(s): | 1979-1986 |
| Frequency: | quarterly |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Blake's 7 |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter is a gen newsletter from the very first Blake's 7 fan club. It released four issues a year that were mainly chat and news, but some issues contain a bit of poetry, fiction and art.
It has a fiction sister zine called Liberator.
Regarding the Title
Citizen Smith, a classic comedy series originally shown in the late 70's, contrasted occasionally by fans with B7 as Smithy is a would-be revolutionary/political leader. Lives in Tooting, London (hence his ineffectual Tooting Front political party he runs but most people totally ignore, hence the B7 newsletter called Liberator Popular Front), wants blood in the streets and all that, but really is far too nice (and too incompetent) to be capable of what he threatens. his "team" is a hopeless comic thug, an idiot, the girlfriend who doesn't take him seriously, the incongruous mascot, etc. He lives in his girlfriend's home, in the attic, much to the annoyance of her father (who can't stand Smith's nonsense" and longs to throw him out) and to the delight of her mother (who thinks Smithy is sweet, which he is much of the time as he tries not to be). His plans are frequent disasters. [1]
Issue 1
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 1 was published in December 1979.
- miscellaneous chat and news
Issue 2
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 2 was published in March 1980.
It notes that the fan club, Seveners, has recently folded after eighteen months, and that some of the members of that club are now members of Liberator Popular Front.
Issue 3
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 3 was published in June 1980 and contains 19 pages.
- Seven by E.P.S. (poem)
- The Enigma of Anna by Glennys Holland (poem)
- miscellaneous chat and news
- a short interview with the B7 actress who portrayed Cally, conducted by Anne Lewis (When asked if she would be in the fourth series, Jan's answer was "I don't know. I haven't been approached yet and I suppose it depends on what I am doing and how I feel when I'm approached. If I agree, I many not do all the episodes." Jan also says that she preferred the thirds season to the earlier two, and that she felt that Cally was "more developed, especially with her telepathy.")
Issue 4
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 4
- miscellaneous chat and news
Issue 5
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 5 was published in December 1980.
- miscellaneous chat and news
Issue 6
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 6 was published in March 1981 and contains 21 pages.
- Why by Margaret Martin (poem)
- miscellaneous chat and news
Issue 7
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 7 was published in August 1981 and contains 17 pages.
- Only a Fool by Margaret Martin (poem)
- On Anna by Anonymous (poem)
- miscellaneous chat and news
Issue 8
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 8 was published in October 1981 and contains 13 pages.
- The Final Farewell by Sue Little (fiction)
- The Ordeal by Tamsin Carter (fiction)
- miscellaneous chat and news
Issue 9
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 9 was published in April 1982.
- Blake, Part Two by Ian S. Lamont (fiction)
Issue 10
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 10 was published in July 1982 and contains 26 pages.
- Blake, Part Two, Part Two by Judith Seaman (sequel to previous issue) (fiction)
- miscellaneous chat and news
Issue 11
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 11 was published in October 1982 and contains 24 pages.
- Blake, Part Two, Part Three by Tim Pieraccini
- Farewell Flight by Tim Pieraccini (fiction)
- a column by J.D. Humphries
- comments by David Jackson who portrayed Gan
- miscellaneous chat and news
Issue 12
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 12 was published in January 1983 and contains 24 pages. The cover is by Tim Pieraccini.
- Editorial
- Results to the Competition in Newsletter 11 (46 entries were received, 34 were correct, the winner was Natalie Prior from Australia) (2)
- Soapbox Corner: Avon -- The Case for His Sanity, essay by Natalie Prior (Season Four had not aired in Australia yet) (3)
- Blake: The Leader, The Legend... and The Lie, essay by Judith M. Seaman ("Mr. Jackson has raised some interesting points, and his query on what I have against Blake is perfectly valid and deserves an answer. Firstly I must point out that I am concerned with Blake not Gareth Thomas. When I first saw Blake I had already heard quite a lot about him. I had been told that he was a wonderful leader with tremendous loyalty to his crew; that he was exceptionally good at handling people; and that he had a great sense of moral values, always upholding the cause of the right (as opposed to wrong rather than left). So that is what I expected. What I found... ") (4)
- lengthy comments from Bill Lindsay about Seaman's essay in the previous issue (5)
- An Alternative View, essay by Cathy Lynn Goodwin (topic is the reactions to Cally's death) (7)
- lengthy comments by J.D. Humphries about Judith Seaman's comments to Humphries essay in the previous issue (8)
- a letter from the BBC to a fan saying there are no plans to continue the show (9)
- Contest Questions (10)
- The Great Bank Fraud, essay by Natalie Prior (10)
- Blake: Part Two, Part Four, fiction by Judith Seaman (continuation of a story by Tim Pieraccini in the previous issue) (13)
- Pin Board Zines (short blurbs about zines and how to get them) (17)
- Pen Pals (There are five fans looking for pen pals; they range in age from 14 to 19) (18)
- Club Descriptions (19)
- goods for sale or trade (20)
- Cons (22)
- Not the Liberator Popular Front by Dilly Daydream (This is a long spoof of this newsletter.) (23)
Issue 13
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 13 was published in April 1983 and contains 24 pages. The front cover is a drawing of Tanith Lee done by Tim Pieraccini.
- Editorial by Audrey Waller (1)
- Tanith Lee, A Personal Viewpoint by Alex Delicado (2)
- The Tanith Lee interview (3)
- Ode to Superman, poem by Pauline Causey (6)
- The Prisoner by Pauline Causey (fiction)
- Ode to Superman by Pauline Causey (poem comparing the Blake's 7 characters to superheroes)
- Soapbox Corner by Barbara Wakley ("I really feel obliged to make some reply to Judith M. Seaman's scathing attack on Blake in the January N/L.") (7)
- Rose Coloured Spectacles... Removed!, essay by Delma E. Ridge ("After considerable soul-searching, I have to admit a 5th series doesn't appeal to me quite as much as it once did. Who looks forward to another period of emotional turmoil?... Somehow at some time, Blake's 7 has to end up in the Beeb archives. Having survived, must we go through the whole withdrawal process again? Last year has shown that we don't need the series on television to keep B7 alive, as long as there are fan clubs like this one, it'll never die. Could this be better than watching more and more episodes, watching others of the original cast drop out, until, in the end, we loose sight of the beginning and the reason we enjoyed it in the first place, and why it has a special place in each of our hearts. P.S. WHO IS JUDITH SEAMAN? HAS ORAC REGENERATED?") (8)
- Was Anna really married at the time of the robbery, essay by Sarah Berry (11)
- In Defence of Blake, essay by Jean D. Taylor (12)
- Anna Grant -- Extra Marital Relations, essay by Judith M. Seaman (13)
- Blake's 7: The Programme Guide, review by Lee Steaman (14)
- The Prisoner, fiction by Pauline Causey (15)
- Blake's Seven: The True Story, essay by Tim Pieraccini (lengthy comments about the behind-the-scenes inter-workings and machinations of the show, a proposed 5th season, the character Soolin...) (16)
- Pin Board (blurbs and ads for zines, clubs, and cons) (7)
- Pen Pals (20)
- review by Joanne Stone of Terra Nova, a stage play that included Paul Darrow (Thorndike Theatre, Leatherhead, March 1983) (23)
Issue 14
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 14 was published in July 1983 and contains 24 pages. The cover is by Tim Pieraccini.
- Terminal'-- An Epilogue by Lee Steadman
- Asteroid Attack by Tim Pieraccini
- miscellaneous chat and news
Issue 15
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 15 was published in October 1983 and contains 24 pages. The cover is by Tim Pieraccini.
- Decoys by Tim Pieraccini (fiction)
- Elegy by Linda Short (recorded on filk tape Songs of the Seven)
- miscellaneous chat and news
Issue 16
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 16 was published in January 1984. The cover is by Tim Pieraccini.
- A Certain Smile by Sylvia White (fiction)
- The Tarrant Sketch" (script; Monthy Python parody) by Tim Pieraccini (fiction)
- Tarrant's Bad Influence by Laura Corkell (fiction)
- miscellaneous chat and news
Issue 17
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 17 was published in April 1984. The cover is by Tim Pieraccini.
- Distrust and Respect by Tim Pieraccini (fiction)
- The Operation by Dilly Daydream (fiction)
- miscellaneous chat and news
Issue 18
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 18 was published in July 1984. The cover is by Tim Pieraccini.
- From the Very Beginning by Tim Pieraccini (fiction)
- To the Very End by Sue Walker (fiction)
- Blake: A Prologue by Lee Steadman (fiction)
- miscellaneous chat and news
Issue 19
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 19 was published in Octbober 1994. The cover is by Tim Pieraccini.
- Avon's Conscience by A Loyal Avon and LPF Fan (fiction)
- The Long Fall of a Brave Coward by Geoff Tilley (fiction)
- Patterns of Orbit by Tim Pieraccini (fiction)
- Judgement by Joanne Stone (fiction)
- Malodaar by Nicola Barnard (poem)
- To Dayna by Brenda Hapton (poem)
- miscellaneous chat and news
Issue 20
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 20 was published in January 1985. The cover is by Tim Pieraccini.
- prologue to BLAKE (novelization of ep) by Peter Anghelides (fiction)
- The Leader by Tim Pieraccini (poem)
- Tarrant by Brenda Hampton (poem)
- miscellaneous chat and news
Issue 21
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 21 was published in April 1985. The cover is by Tim Pieraccini.
- Ros Williams, "Deliverance Undelivered" (discussion of alternate version of Deliverance, with B in A's place)
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 22 was published in July 1985. The cover is by Tim Pieraccini.
- Afterwards by Alex Delicado (fiction)
- A Cry from Eternity by Patrick Chapman (fiction)
- Masquerade to Paul Darrow by Anonymous (poem)
- miscellaneous chat and news
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 21 and 23
The LPF was long before my time, so I was glad to be given two issues from the newsletter and a chance to see what fandom was like sixteen years ago. Being a newsletter, it's mainly news and chat rather than fiction, but I think it's worth reviewing anyway.Lovely cover art by Tim Pieraccini, in pencil, and reasonably well screened so that you can actually see the pencil shading. If you're into art, the cover of #23 is worth getting hold of. I don't like #21 as much, because it's very obviously two pieces of art, in the days when cut-and-paste meant a pair of scissors and a pot of glue, and the layout and reproduction don't do them justice.
The zines are mainly reviews, discussions and con reports, which are interesting if you like reading that sort of thing years after it was written, and probably deeply boring if you don't. Lots of ads, which are completely irrelevant today, but of historical interest.
As far as the fiction and poetry goes, the only thing in #21 that might qualify is a discussion by Ros Williams of how Deliverance might have gone if Blake had gone down to Meegat's planet and Avon had been hijacked by Ensor. I gave up on it after the first page. Ros Williams' view of the characters is a long way from mine, which I don't mind, and the article assumes that the rest of fandom shares the author's view of the characters, which I *do* mind.
Issue 23 has Tim Pieraccini's "Blake's 7: The Authorised Version", a story in the form politely known as a parody, and colloquially known as a piss-take. Tastes are likely to vary on this one, but I personally thought it was bloody funny, although it probably went on a little longer than the joke could really sustain. And it's interesting to see that some cliches were already well established in 1985. There is also Patrick Chapman's "Shadow on the Wall" (Rumours of Death-- A Prologue), a one page dream sequence about Avon and Anna. I'm not sure whether I like it or not. One piece of poetry, which I'm not impressed with, but then "not impressed with" means I rate it higher than quite a lot of fan poetry...
If you're interested in the history of the fandom, these newsletters are worth getting hold of. As to art, fiction and poetry, the amount varies (see Sarah Thompson's bibliography for details of individual issues). Use your own judgement as to how much effort and money it's worth to get hold of them. On the two examples I've got, I wouldn't chase after them but I'd happily pay a few pounds if I found a set in a box of used zines, if only for Tim Pieraccini's cover art on the later issues. [2]
Issue 22
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 23 was published in July 1985. The cover is by Tim Pieraccini.
- Alex Delicado, "Afterwards" (S4, post-Sand; Se-Ta) (fiction)
- Patrick Chapman, "A Cry from Eternity" (S4; So-Dorian) (fiction)
- Anon., "Masquerade (to Paul Darrow)" (poem)
Issue 23
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 23 was published in October 1985. The cover is by Tim Pieraccini.
- Blake's Seven, the Authorized Version, by Trebor Boil, Crisp Voucher, and A. Phanrighter by Tim Pieraccini (fiction)
- Shadow on the Wall by Patrick Chapman (fiction)
- Avon's Lament for Cally by Elizabeth M. Cook (poem)
- miscellaneous chat and news
Issue 24
Liberator Popular Front Newsletter 24 was the final issue. It was published in January 1986. The cover is by Tim Pieraccini.
- Sid-- Unsung Hero of Blake's Seven by Sylvia White (fiction)
- Occupying Power by Judith H. Seaman (fiction)
- Deathwatch by Tim Pieraccini (fiction)
- Reincarnation by Patrick Chapman (fiction)
- Daughter of Death by Tim Pieraccini (poem)
- miscellaneous chat and news
References
- ^ from a fan in Rallying Call #11 (January 1994)
- ^ by Sarah Thompson at Judith Proctor's Blake's 7 site