Macky's Sign of the Lion

Zine
Title:	Macky's Sign of the Lion
Publisher:	Vickey A. Kime-Macky, Vickey Brickle-Macky
Editor(s):
Date(s):	1988-?
Series?:
Medium:	print zine
Size:
Genre:
Fandom:	Beauty and the Beast
Language:	English
External Links:
	Click here for related articles on Fanlore.
	Contents 1 Description; 2 Issue 1; 3 Issue 2; 4 Issue 3; 5 Issue 4; 6 Issue 5; 7 Issue 6; 8 References;

Macky's Sign of the Lion is a het Beauty and the Beast (TV) zine by Vickey Brickle-Macky.

An ad in Tunnel Talk calls it a bi-monthly newsletter and graphic novel. There are six in total.

An online version with artwork can be found here.

Description

From the first issue: "newsletter will attempt to provide addresses for fan clubs, fanzines, official clubs, merchandise, pen-pals and up-to-date info on Beauty and the Beast. Letters, stories, information, ads, and art are welcome."

Issue 1

Macky's Sign of the Lion no.1 v.1 was published in November 1988 and contains 14 pages.

front cover of issue no.1 v.1

back cover of issue no.1 v.1

The fiction and some art is archived here.

From "Macky's Musings":

I started painting Vincent back in April because I couldn't find any photos of him and I was and still am in love with the character and the show. I put that first painting on display at a gallery and it sold almost immmediately [sic]. Then the requests came in. In late July I went to RiverCon convention in Louisville and entered the art show. I had the only B&B pieces there in the art show and there was no B&B merchandise in the dealers room. The B&B pieces I had brought were quickly sold. Through the summer I made numerous paintings and sketches of Vincent, Catherine and the others which were then marketed through a flea market and an art gallery.
It was through that experience that I began to realize how wide spread the show's popularity was, especially in nonfandom. The people I met, who brought my work, were not fems ^[1], but just average people from all walks of life, male and female, from ages 6 to 80. The show had really touched something deep inside of them. They wanted some of the show's magic for themselves, so if they couldn't get a photo, a painting or a sketch of him would do.
To the average B&B fan, Vincent doesn't even look like a beast. He's the most gorgeous man they've ever seen. So from that feeling comes my shirt logo, "He's No Beast, He's A Beauty." Because there is such a visual impact to the Vincent Character. Maybe it is Ron Perlman's acting ability or Rick Baker's makeup that arouses a sympathic [sic] response. Or could it be something intrinsic to the Beast character than has its origins in the mists of time and legends. The lion-man, both noble and tragic in his pain, and separation from the rest of the human race. He who loves deeply but can never consumate [sic] his relationship with his beloved. Even if you did not know the theme of the show, there is something, somehow, compelling about the physical presence of Vincent that attracts one so strongly, that you just want to reach out and hold him tightly. There is a sense of comfort and safety in his presence, like everything is going to be okay. You feel good after watching the show and can't wait to see it or him again.-With each show the Beast disappears, and all one can see is this wonderful, all-loving, all comforting, god-like, very male being with wild golden hair, and unbelieveably [sic] soft, yet brillant [sic] blue eyes that catch at your heart and soul.
Then when Vincent speaks, with the throaty, almost golden voice that sounds like a song, female hearts across the land melt with each word. Because of his reading of sonnets and quoting classical verse there is now a renewed interest in classic literature, and poetry since the show aired. In some English classes the students are now being required to watch the show. And they said culture and fairy tales wouldn't sell on prime-time network TV, hah!
At the time of this writing the second season has not yet aired, and it is anxiously being awaited by all to see what happens after last seasons' final episode. Few if any hints to what direction Vincent and Catherine's romance is going to take have come from the show's producers, so one can do endless speculations still. We will learn more about the tunnel world, and see some characters return; but outside of that little is known.
There has also been word spread through organized fandom that the producers are very happy about the way the newsletters, zines, artwork and other B&B items have popped up and they are not super protective of B&B like Paramount is about Star Trek. If anyone
has heard contary [sic] to this please write me and let me know. As it stands, you will not see Vincent on lunchboxes or on tacky mass market merchandise because the producers want to keep the show and related merchandise tasteful and as dignified as the characters are. So far what I have seen produced in fandom has been very tasteful, and beautifully done with real respect to the characters and the atmosphere of the show. Let us hope that all the writers, artists, and creators of all kinds continue with this high quality of work. If we do, we will all benefit and make this show grow.

ads and blurbs for fanzines and fan clubs (2)
Macky's Musings (5)
Conflicts, part one by Macky (7)

from issue #1
from issue #1
from issue #1
from issue #1

Issue 2

Macky's Sign of the Lion no. 1 v.2 was published in December 1988 and contains 29 pages.

front cover of issue no.1 v.2: " On the front cover is a scene from the episode, FEVER, in which Mouse gives Catherine a gift because she has been given him a set of tools. It just seemed appropriate. On the back is Vincent and Catherine with her almost but not quite kissing him. The piece is entitled, Nothing is Impossible. I hope you like it."

back cover of issue no.1 v.2

From "Roarings":

I would like to thank Mel White of Duncan and Mallory fame for her suggestions and ideas on how to improve my layout and design when we met at WindyCon in Chicago. Then I acquired a VCR, and some better photos to work with. I am determined to have the strip look and sound like the show, visually as well as with believeable dialogue and characterizations. Any comments and suggestions along that line will be greatly appreciated. It should also be noted that this is my first attempt at doing a comic strip so if it is a little rough in parts bear with me, I promise to improve with time. Also this is not DC or Marvel, but strictly amateur press all the way around.
The zine grew out of my love for Beauty and the Beast, and a desire to capture some of the visual and emotional essence of the show. Since April of this year I have been doing paintings and sketches of the characters, trying to capture some of the magic. At first I did it for myself, then when. I started showing my paintings at a local flea market I quickly became aware of how popular the show was among average people of all walks of life, ages, and both sexes. I was deludged [sic] with requests for B&B art work. Then in July I discovered the science fiction conventions and am finding a niche. At the conventions I attended I was very disappointed that there was little to no B&B related items for sale, nor was there very much information on the show to be had. Since my art show exhibit generally contains a sizeable chunk of B&B artwork other fans began to seek me out for information on the show, so the idea of a newsletter for con goers and other interested parties began to form in my head. The strip came about from story ideas I had been playing with, and the ability to do the characters on a fairly consistant [sic] basis without reference photos. Each issue I am learning, and hoping that I am making improvements. Most importantly though, I want to stay within the general outlines of the series and try to capture the look and feel of the show with the art and words. This is my way of replaying Ron Koslow, Ron Perleman, Linda Hamilton, Roy Dotrice, and all the other wonderful members of the cast and crew for the beautiful and magical show that they create every week. I know that I can not capture with pen and ink what they do on film, but I want to try. As Vincent always says, "nothing is impossible," and if you believe in your dream it will come true. Mine is to tell a Beauty and the Beast story in pictures and words and to have it come close to what I see on the screen.
So bear with me as I feel my way through as I am not a pro and still have a long way to go until I am.

Roarings (3)
Convention News, Fan Clubs (4)
Fanzines/Storyzines (5)
Newsletters, Merchandise for Sale (6)
Addresses to Write To (8)
Macky's Musings ("The Second Season Sizzles" - discussion of the second season) (9)
Conflicts, part two by Macky (12)

from issue #2
from issue #2
from issue #2
from issue #2

Issue 3

Macky's Sign of the Lion 3 was published in January 1989 and contains 48 pages.

cover of issue #3

Conflicts, part three by Macky (3)
Excerpts from Vincent's Private Diary by Macky (22)
Excerpts from Lania's Journal by Macky (31)
Fan Clubs, Fanzines/Storyzines, (40)
Letterzines (42)
Newsletters/Merchandise for Sale (43)
Addresses to Write To (44)
Macky's Musings (46)

from issue #3
from issue #3
from issue #3
from issue #3

Issue 4

Macky's Sign of the Lion 4 was published in February 1989 and contains 35 pages.

front cover of issue #4

back cover of issue #4

Convention News, Newsflash (3)
Moonshadow, part one (4)
To Dream of Things Forgotten by Macky (21)
Letter by Michael Stoops (32)
Macky's Musings (33)

From Stoop's letter:

Who's out there:
One who watches B & B might decieved [sic] as to who is sitting in front of that electronically lit screen. Are they only housewives seeking a moment of magicial [sic] romance to give their day a new light and meaningful direction, or maybe there is other's -- say males, who might also like to see the world in a different light, other than that of something like Dallas or As the World Turns.
One might think that is it impossible for males to experience feelings that are above the belt levels. We have learned this by carefully observing the role of males in the numerous TV shows which protray [sic] the character of the male population. Would it not be strange that for the first time in a long time that we poor, insenstitive [sic] creatures should finally have a hero to protray [sic] us, a BEAST. How appropiate [sic] after all that is unfortunately how WE have been protrayed [sic] . But this is not J.R.. This beast cares nothing for money, or power, and in 30 or so shows not been in bed once with the leading lady, or anybody else.
Is it possible for the first time that we have a hero that speaks from his heart what we wish we could. For so long the media has set a role for us to use that did not allow us to be romantic. Not only the media but women, maybe there is more to be said for the idea of "Self-fullfilling [sic] Prophecy," than any of us would like to admit.
But enough for analyzing why I love this show. I see Vincent what I would liked to have said. How I wish I could act, but then it's hard to go from being J.R. to being Vincent. After all, who of us has not really wanted to be prince charming, to give a rose, or write a love poem to win the heart of the "One?" And how often have we been made to feel like a fool because of such actions? For the first time the media has protrayed [sic] a sentitive [sic], loving male not as a fool, but as a hero. Maybe it is possible that we males may see in Vincent a chance to be free of a role we never asked for. Wouldn't it be funny if we had as much reason to love Vincent as all the ladies watching the show have.

From "Macky's Musings":

This has been an interesting season so far, I really have to hand it to the writers. We are getting what we the fans asked for, even though it seems at first that we're not. Point in question was "The Outsiders," which was rumoured [sic] to be very bloody and with much senseless violence. True it was violent but it was violence with a point or should I say many points. It was a show to focus in on what Vincent really is— a Beast, whether we want to acknowledge that part of him or overlook the fact, he is a beast and not a fully human man. I can also see why they aired this show before "Orphans," this show needed to be seen first to remind us of the gap that exists between Catherine and Vincent.
[...]
Nature has cast Vincent into the role of being the protector of his world. He doesn't like it. It pains him to be forced to hurt others, because when the lust is upon him he has no control, all logic, reason and the moral values he prizes are eclipsed by his desire to kill. The human side vanishes and only the primeval animal one remains that reacts on pure instinct. The scholar, the poet, the gentle man are all gone, all that he has tried to become is subjugated by the madness of the beast. That is what pains him the most, for all he tries to do to change himself, to be different than what nature has intended, can not be changed or denied. He is more animal than most men, his very physical appearance tells him that he will always be different and apart no matter what he tries to do to be more human. That is his personal pain for no matter how much he is loved, or loves others he will always see himself as unloveable [sic] because he is a beast and not the man he wishes to be. "The Outsiders," was a necessary show for this season because we having been losing track of what the original concept was and why Catherine and Vincent can never be together, regardless of our fantasties [sic] and wishes otherwise. This show has many levels as life itself has many levels. Sometimes we see all the layers and many times we do not. The writers want us to see what we have been missing in our desire to see the beast and his beauty together at last that there is more a few reasons why they can not live happily ever after like any other couple.
Will they ever be able to? Not unless they can come up with an origin story that can make him fully human, Vincent and Catherine are doomed to live apart, "Orphans," not withstanding. (At the time of this writing this episode has not aired.) We can do wonderful things in our fan fiction, put the characters into situations we'd like to see, say words we'd like to hear, fill in the blanks, see what happened after an episode ended, and indulge in all of our romantic fantasties [sic]. But the televison [sic] writers can not. They can only do what they are told because Koslow has definte [sic] ideas as to what can or can't be done. One of those things that can't be done is wishing away the beast part of Vincent. Too long we have, and that is why this episode was needed to bring us back to the show's particular reality. With "The Outsiders" we may not be getting what we thought we wanted but we sure are getting what we needed, and isn't that why we like this show?

from issue #4
from issue #4
from issue #4
from issue #4

Issue 5

Macky's Sign of the Lion 5 was published in fall 1989 and contains 34 pages.

"And Death Shall Have No Dominion" was reprinted in Caverns of the Darkest Night.

front cover of issue #5

back cover of issue #5

And Death Shall Have No Dominion (written in July 1989) by Macky (3)
Marina, story and art by Maggie Wade (about five pages)
Convention News and Announcements

from issue #5
from issue #5
from issue #5
from issue #5
from issue #5
from issue #5

Issue 6

Macky's Sign of the Lion 6 was published in fall 1989 and contains 48 pages.

front cover of issue #6

back cover of issue #6