Magnificent Seven (Blake's 7 zine)
This article is about the Blake's 7 fanzine. For the TV show, see Magnificent Seven.
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Magnificent Seven |
| Publisher: | Pony Press in cooperation with Overmind: The Society for British Science Fiction and Telefantasy, reprinted and sold by Bill Hupe in the US |
| Editor(s): | Leigh Arnold |
| Date(s): | 1983-1991 |
| Series?: | |
| Medium: | print zine |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Blake's 7 |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Magnificent Seven is a gen Blake's 7 anthology.
General Reactions and Reviews
"Some zine are merely quite good. MAGNIFICENT 7 is a zine that presents--consistently and for more years and issues than many publications can boast--lots of good stories. The bread and butter, or meat and potatoes of fandom are zines that contain average to good stories, maybe a misfire or two, and the occasional stand-out piece that is uniquely thrilling and best of its kind. MAGNIFICENT 7 features simple but striking cover art, neat and mostly typo-less production, and a lineup of stories that are short and long, comic and tragic, and generally well-written in their respective styles. Issues #5 and #6 both emphasize 'fifth season' stories though #6 is cited as a Servalan issue and includes several shorter, often illuminating items about her. No issue is exclusively dedicated to one aspect of the show, and these two do not omit off the wall humor. MAGNIFICENT 7 issues add up to 238 pages each, not reduced, comb bound. The reproduction is clean and the illos are not too many and not fancy. If not uniquely beautiful, it is a solid zine for story writing, as well as the less serious comic pieces that make fandom such a relief from the mundane world. Issues #1-#4 had a similarly balanced story mix, but with more material based on earlier seasons of the show, that doesn't have to take the grim finale so much into account. Overall, it's a zine worth the reading time for the fan who likes reading best.[1]
Issue 1
Magnificent Seven 1 was published in March 1983 and contains 146 pages.
Subsequent printings: second printing March 1986, third printing January 1987, and fourth printing March 1988.
The zine is online here.
The art is by Phred (front cover), James Doyle, Tei Ruki, and Angel.
- Underground Tapes, fiction by Linda Gerhart ("Suspense and aid from a mysterious force when Avon, Cally and Vila try to steal some tapes from Servalan.") (1)
- Vontrolley Way, fiction by Leigh Arnold ("A first-season story where Avon finds the Vontrolley Way open to freedom.") (29)
- The Cavern, fiction by Genn Eccles ("Avon’s adventure below ground with a made computer and a beautiful woman.") (46)
- First Impressions, fiction by Linda Gerhart ("Vila’s in prison and meets someone who is to have a great affect on his future life —Avon.") (60)
- Mutiny, fiction by Genn Eccles ("Second season story where Blake takes the Liberator to a planet that Avon knows something about.") (69)
- Family Ties, fiction by Leigh Arnold ("The Scorpio crew succeed in taking Zeeona away, then instead of going to Gauda Prime, begin meeting old friends... Meegat, Inga, and Ushton... and Blake.") (96)
- Acceptance (16 pages)
- Our Adventure On Exbar (29 pages)
- Nightmare, fiction by Phred ("An adventure to find Blake goes wrong -- disastrously wrong. But it was just a dream... wasn't it?") (141)
from issue #1, Phred
from issue #1, Phred
from issue #1, Phred
from issue #1, Phred
from issue #1, Angel
from issue #1, Phred
from issue #1, Phred
from issue #1, Phred
from issue #1, Phred
from issue #1, Phred
Issue 2
Magnificent Seven 2 is a collection of 7 stories and is 202 pages long. First printing: July 1984 (reprints: March 1986, January 1987, March 1988)
The art is by Leigh Arnold (front cover), Susan Molnar, and Tei Ruki.
- Double Bluff by Sheila Paulson ("Vila opened his eyes and squinted at Avon. 'Avon...am I dying?' Avon was tempted to lie, though he had never believed in pointlessly shielding people from unpleasant truths. But Vila's eyes held him steadily and he heard himself saying, 'Yes, Vila, you may be.'")
- Fog by Virginia Turpin
- By Right of Possession by Kathy Hintze ("Avon lingered for awhile, remembering the emotions he had felt. Desire for Cally, then hatred for the man on the couch. Avon could not think of him as Vila. Vila was somewhere else, being held against his will. No, the man on the couch was his enemy, and Avon would do everything he could to destroy that man and save Vila. Even if it came to killing him.") (reprinted in Everything But the Kitchen Sink #1)
- The Idiot and the Fool by Nabby Lee ("Avon lingered for awhile, remembering the emotions he had felt. Desire for Cally, then hatred for the man on the couch. Avon could not think of him as Vila. Vila was somewhere else, being held against his will. No, the man on the couch was his enemy, and Avon would do everything he could to destroy that man and save Vila. Even if it came to killing him.")
- Any Dream Will Do by Janet L. Walker ("'What are you searching for, Thres?' he asked again. This time she answered, wanting to let him know that he wasn't the only one who was alone. 'Friends I can't find, special friends that you meet once in a lifetime-- and a man who comes along once in a very great while.'")
- Murder on the Liberator Express by Genn Eccles ("Cally's door was locked but Vila made short work of it. He stepped in first then wished he hadn't. Cally was lying in bed, seemingly still asleep. But her pillow was a deep and soggy red. Her throat had been neatly slit. ")
- Avon by Leigh Arnold ("Avon got to his feet, gun in hand. He took aim, only to have Blake knock his arm down. Avon snapped it back, elbowing Black out of the way, and fired the gun. The action seemed to reassure Avon's people but it gnawed on Blake a bit. He recalled Deva's warnings and decided that perhaps he should heed them.")
- "Federation Top Ten Most Wanted List" (non-fiction, this is a list with reward amounts, etc.)
- "Crypto-shorts" (puzzles)
inside pages from issue #2
inside pages from issue #2
inside pages from issue #2
Issue 3
Magnificent Seven 3 was published in July 1988 (fourth printing April 1989) and 154 pages.
The reprint omits some stories.
The art is by Leah Rosenthal, Tei Ruki, Leigh Arnold, Ann Davenport, and Susan Molnar.
The zine is online here.
From the editorial:
Hi, and welcome to Magnificent Seven #31 Everyone has told me I should write an editorial, so here it is. When I asked what I was supposed to write about, they said, well, tell everyone that another year is up and how Pony Press was doing.
Ok. Another year is up. Pony Press is doing fine.
It's been a long time between Mag Sevens (Number 2 came out originally in 1984), so it's really rather another two years is up.
It's been a busy two years.
- Editorial by Leigh Arnold (1)
- Titan's War, fiction by Mary Alice Wuerz (1)
- No Good Deed Goes Unpunished, vignette (14)
- Fortuneteller, fiction by Leah Rosenthal and Ann Wortham (reprinted in Roads Not Taken) (15)
- Blizzard, fiction by Leigh Arnold (25)
- Write Your Own B7 Story by Tei Ruki (51)
- Reaping Purpose, fiction by Linda Terrell (Knight Rider crossover) (reprinted in Frak #10; later revised and reprinted as "Once Upon a Time in Outer Space" in Southern Seven #10) (54)
- Memo-- found in Federation wastebasket (68)
- The First Battleground, fiction by Bonnie Vitti (reprinted in Children of the Federation) (69)
- The Poet, fiction by Leigh Arnold (101)
- Rest and Relaxation, fiction by Janet L. Walker (103)
- Casagauda, fiction by Genn Eccles (135)
- In the Balance, fiction by Mary Alice Wuerz (149)
- Sundae Bloody Sundae, fiction by Leah Rosenthal and Ann Wortham (reprinted in The Bizarro Zine #1) (177)
- photo captions (interspersed)
from issue #3, Leah Rosenthal
from issue #3, Tei Ruki
from issue #3, Tei Ruki
from issue #3
from issue #3, Tei Ruki
from issue #3, Suzie Molnar
from issue #3, Leah Rosenthal
from issue #3, Anne Davenport
Issue 4
Magnificent Seven 4 was published April 1987 (second printing, February 1988) and is 306 pages long.
The cover is by Dani Lane. The reprint omits some stories.
The art is by Dani Lane (front cover), Leigh Arnold, Vicki Brinkmeier, Leah Rosenthal, Kathy Hanson, Tei Ruki, and Shann.
The zine is online here.
From the editorial:
This issue of Magnificent Seven will probably be called the Cally issue, but for some incomprehensible reason, the stories primarily seem to be about Avon. Odd, huh? But there are some Avon stories in which Cally plays an important role.
This Cally issue couldn't wait to be born. Before I was ready to even do it, I had an abundance of stories, poems and good 'n' varied art! The only thing that's kept it from being done before now was finding time to type, printout, proof, correct and printout. And then there are probably still typos (please ignore them -- no matter how many times you proofread, at least one escapes!)
This issue also has a lot of stories -- the number of stories being seven in previous issues is purely coincidental. Just like the next issue of Magnificent Seven (#5) only contains fifth season stories. Coincidence.
Many people have written 'biographies' about Avon, particularly of the early years before he was on the London. Some of these 'biographies' have seemed so right and natural to me (we each have our own opinions and choices, remember) that I have purposely or subconsciously come to accept them as substantiating facts to my perception of this character. In other words, they are true biographies to me. (Of course there are some things that we all seem to take for granted: the name of his brother has become standardized, and we've all accepted Avon has allergies to drugs, although that was never mentioned in the series.)
So this is to acknowledge two such stories that had some influence over the story 'Tangent':
1) 'Full Circle' by Sue Little, in Shadow One, for the idea that only Vila survived to tell the tale; in fact, 'Full Circle' was what I originally had in mind as the 'biography' Nedda brought Avon to read, for it describes to me what is the inevitable outcome of his life if he had survived GP; and,
2) 'A Tangled Web' by Sandra See in From the Other Side 1. It struck me as an accurate portrayal of both the characters of Avon and Anna, and an extremely likely, logical manner of their meeting and becoming involved, as well as the dilemma Anna would have found herself in by loving her subject.
- editorial by Leigh Arnold (she mentions it is her third editorial) (1)
- Adieu, fiction by CarolMel Ambassador (1)
- Point of View, fiction by Mary Alice Wuerz--Part two of the 5th-season "In the Balance" series. Avon is settling in until he faces an assassin!(1)
- Spacecoffin, fiction by Leigh Arnold (a Flake's Seven parody) (20)
- Poetic Justice by Ann Wortham, fiction ("Vila is pushed into doing something drastic in order to save Tarrant.") (also in The Chronicles #32/33) (33)
- A Lion to Guide the Lamb, fiction by Jean Graham ("Avon has to learn how to act like a Delta, and Gan is willing to teach him.") (also in Avon's Seven and Syzygy #6) (38)
- Avon, poem by Denise Leanne Mathews (70)
- Fascination, poem by Denise Leanne Mathews (71)
- All I Need Is a Miracle, fiction by Ann Wortham and Leah Rosenthal ("Blake and a shower, and Jenna and a dream, change the course of history.") (also in The Chronicles #30) (72)
- FSA Space Captain's Final Exam (75)
- Tangent, fiction by Leigh Arnold ("A get-Avon, Avon & Cally, third-season alternative universe story that brings Anna Grant on board the Liberator.") (Author's notes: "Stephen King wrote, in a book called "Pet Sematary", about a man who suffered the tragic accidental death of his son. In the very next chapter, it didn't happen! It never happened! The huge diesel truck missed the boy, he grew up, went to school, and became the kind of young man any parent would be proud of. Then the father woke up. How often have we rectified our tragedies in a dream, only to discover upon waking that the intolerable truth was still with us? What if we could REALLY change the facts? What if we could change an irreversible truth? What follows is sheer fantasy.") (81)
- Alternative Ending [for 'Tangent'], fiction by Leigh Arnold
- Reflections, fiction by Diana Dougherty and Laura Wynne (133)
- Not Quite Human, poem by Joan Enright (146)
- The Candle Flame, poem by Joan Enright (147)
- Brats in the Belfry, fiction by Genn Eccles ("Vila always suspected that Avon was a terror as a child -- but he hardly expected it from Cally!") (148)
- Solitaire, fiction by Laura Wynne ("Shows that even Avon can find someone to love.") (161)
- "Insurance claim-- found in wastebasket" (181)
- Vila Don't Lose My Number, fiction by Ann Wortham and Leah Rosenthal--The first-ever Bizarro story. Vila has a run-in with a vice squad and a crocodile!") Miami Vice crossover. (reprinted in The Bizarro Zine #4) (182)
- In Too Deep, fiction by Tenaya ("Blake loans out his best thief and embezzler to some Federation agents posing as rebels.") (198)
- Three Verses: Avon, Cally, Vila, poem by Tei Ruki (258)
- Here Kitty... Kitty... Kitty, fiction by Bonnie Vitti (259)
- Shockwaves, fiction by Mary Alice Wuerz ("Part three of Wuerz's "In the Balance" series -- all of Blake's people begin to accept that Avon is sane and all right, until an earthquake demolishes the base and when it's evacuated he chooses to remain.") (275)
- photo captions (interspersed)
from issue #4, Leah Rosenthal
from issue #4, Kathy Hanson
from issue #4, Kathy Hanson
from issue #4, Kathy Hanson
from issue #4, Leah Rosenthal
from issue #4, Tei Ruki
from issue #4, Vicki Brinkmeier
from issue #4, Shann
from issue #4, Shann
from issue #4, Shann
from issue #4, Dani Lane
from issue #4, Leigh Arnold
from issue #4, captioned photo
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4
[Poetic Justice]: I can't say much about this short-short (only 4 pages) without spoiling. Bang and Blame (the PGP archive) accurately call this "a real gut-punch of a story." After Gauda Prima, the Scorpio crew is having yet another discussion of expediency and expendability. What comes next is perfectly heartbreaking, perfectly surprising, and perfectly believable. [2]
Issue 5
Magnificent Seven 5 was published in February 1988 and has 240 pages.
The art is by Mary Gerstner, Holly Hutchison, Lynne Alisse Witten, Shann, Mary Robertson, Tei Ruki, and Leigh Arnold.
The zine is online here.
The editorial's focus is Arnold's journey in Blake's 7 fandom.
- editorial by Leigh Arnold
- A Wonderful Day in a One-Way World, fiction by Leigh Arnold and Sue Glasgow (1)
- Thread of Sanity, fiction by Mary Gerstner (23)
- Best Laid Plans, fiction by Mary Alice Wuerz (40)
- CAvaLLrY Too Late, fiction by Siane Rhys (76)
- Fade to Black, filk by Vickie McManus & Holly Hutchison, to the tune of "Goodnight Saigon," by Billy Joel (81)
- "Lawsuit from the Offices of Arnold, Glasgow & Spadotto" (parody of a legal document) (83)
- Ashes to Ashes, fiction by CarolMel Ambassador (from "The Trophy Series") (85)
- Reparation, fiction by L.S. Willard (95)
- Desperado, fiction by Genn Eccles (edited and included in the zine Desperado) (168)
- A, B, and C, fiction by Vickie McManus (209)
- Echoes in the Darkness, fiction by Kathy Martin and Colette Bolech (214)
- Post-Gaudy Print Blues, fiction by Leigh Arnold ("a Fifth Season Flake's Seven Story") (233)
- There's a mirror in your eyes..., poem
- photo captions by Leigh Arnold & Sue Glasgow
- assorted lightbulb jokes
- "For Sale" ad
from issue #5, Leigh Arnold
from issue #5, Holly Hutcheson
from issue #5, Lynne Alisse Witten
from issue #5, Shann
from issue #5, Shann
from issue #5, Mary Robertson
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 5
Still, post-Gauda Prime stories are the main course here, and some are very readable. L.S. Willard has written 'Reparation', in #5, which takes a roundabout but interesting course by which to rescue and reunite the fourth-season crew, and follows it with 'To what Lengths', in #6, which is even more full of convincingly plotted action and good, plain, recognizable characterizations: Tarrant is capable and impetuous, but not a thug; Servalan is the instrument of chilling horror but not a simple sadist. Mary Alice Wuerz continues a post-G.P. series (begun in issue #3) with 'Best laid plans' in #5 and 'Backlash' in #6, both self contained stories that nevertheless fit into her ongoing timeline. The plotting is good (particularly in the busy action of 'Best Laid Plans'). The introduced characters neither dominate nor fade out of the action, and the B7 characters are, again, unforcedly like themselves and pleasantly recognizable. The story series, after allowing them to recover from the trauma of Gauda Prime, lets them find a more rational, reasonable, non-homicidal existence under more secure conditions than in the aired show. This is such a relief, and the characters otherwise interact so much as we can believe they would, that I'm not sure I care to criticize it, even if the B7 universe was irrational, unreasonable, murderous, and insane most of the time. The contrast is made clear in 'Backlash' when Vila must cope with his delayed emotions about 'Orbit': the return to something of both his and Avon's fourth season demeanor is a shocking change from the easier friendship they've found in the meantime. 'Desperado' by Genn Eccles in #5 is another story that picks up Avon soon after Gauda Prime and puts him back into Blake's resistance movement, with some sharper, nastier, and quite believable interaction between those two characters. The use of Orac as a conscious entity makes a good point, and the details of the story framework and setting work better than most. The Shann illos, for this story and elsewhere, are the best in the zine. [3]
Issue 6
Magnificent Seven 6 was published in February 1988 contains 238 pages.
The art is by Holly Hutchison (front cover), Shann, Lynn Alisse Witten, Leigh Arnold, Lenore Dunlop, Ellen Walters, Mary Gerstner, Suzie Molnar, and Vicki Brinkmeier.
From the editorial:
One purpose of this editorial is to reintroduce a parody which launched Pony zines — the infamous Flake's Seven. 'Novelizations' of thirteen episodes of the BBC TV series were written July-September 1982 and distributed on three continents. In 1983, artist Mark Dowroan was so struck by the episode 'Factory Recall' that he drew art that was later used as the new cover for the reprinted two-volume set (was told back then that no one would buy a zine over 100 pages! Ha! Hahahaha!) In 1986, and with 17 zines (14 of them Blake's Seven) in production, and since the printer had lost Marks' cover and the first dozen or so pages, it was put out of print with five other zines.
But that wasn't the end of the Flakes. Another 'episode' surfaced in Magnificent Seven #4 — 'Spacecoffin'. Other 'episodes' have been 'novelised', including 'Rumours of Not Quite Dead Yet', 'Mission Improbable' and 'Asteroid One’. Other Flake stories have also surfaced, including 'Slave Revolt on Dumbo', 'Post Gaudy-Print Blues' and 'Flash' (respectively in a Flake's Special, Magnificent Seven #5 and Magnificent Tails).
- Editorial by Leigh Arnold (unnumbered page)
- Introduction to Flake's Seven by Leigh Arnold (unnumbered page)
- Backlash, fiction by Mary Alice Wuerz (1)
- "Hand Wash Clinic" ad (43)
- Spring Break, fiction by Leigh Arnold (44)
- Girlfriend in the Cellar by Tei Ruki (filk, Girlfriend in a Coma, by The Smiths)(45)
- Millions of Ships, fiction by Mary Robertson ("with apologies to Wanda Gag") (46)
- All Points Bulletin, courtesy California Highway Patrol (50)
- photo captions by Leigh Arnold and Sue Glasgow (51)
- Another Chance, fiction by Ellen Walters (52)
- Servalan's Song by Alicia Ann Fox (filk, I've Got a Little List, from The Mikado) (56)
- To What Lengths, fiction by L.S. Willard (57)
- Ship of Frustration by Tei Ruki (filk, Land of Confusion, by Genesis) (115)
- Truth of the Matter, fiction by CarolMel Ambassador (116)
- Big Gun Strikes Again by Tei Ruki (filk, Big Mouth Strikes Again, by the Smiths) (117)
- Asteroid One, fiction by Leigh Arnold (118)
- Psychos in Black Leather by Tei Ruki (filk, Nights in White Satin, by the Moody Blues) (130)
- Home and Away, fiction by Jill Grundfest (131)
- Sand by Alicia Ann Fox (filk, And She Was, by the Talking Heads) (148)
- photo caption by Leigh Arnold and Sue Glasgow (51)
- Visitor, fiction by CarolMel Ambassador (150)
- Things in the Storage Cupboard, fiction by Mary Robertson (Doctor Who crossover) (152)
- Gehenna, fiction by Cindy Henry (157)
- Man in Black Leather and Studs by Tei Ruki (filk, Man in a Uniform, by Gang of Four) (185)
- Ditto, fiction by CarolMel Ambassador (186)
- Fan Clubs (we wouldn't want to see!) (191)
- Engineer, fiction by Leigh Arnold (193)
- Angel of Death, fiction by Genna Eccles (233)
from issue #6, Leigh Arnold
from issue #6, Shann
from issue #6, Leigh Arnold
from issue #6
from issue #6, Mary Gerstner
from issue #6, Shann
from issue #6, Shann
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 6
[Engineer]: One gen story that I thought had a very negative view of Blake was called '"Engineer." I think it may have been by Leigh Arnold, but I don't know what zine it was in. In that one Blake turned out to be a psychostrategist, using his professional skills to manipulate poor dear Avon. [4]
[zine]: Cindy Henry with 'Gehenna' and Leigh Arnold with 'Engineer' score with more complex stories, also using the darkest tone of B7. 'Gehenna' is not literally set in the fourth season, but puts imagery of death and demons into an action story, so that the atmosphere reinforces the inevitability of the final loss. 'Engineer' accomplishes a great deal: adds new light to Blake's character; functions as a tense slowly revealed mystery that Avon must solve; and also uses strong imagery and color in the writing style to underscore the significance of its action. The ending after all that is oddly abrupt, but this story says more, more effectively, about Blake's possible background in the Federation than any other B7 story I've seen. [5]
Issue 7
Magnificent Seven 7 was published in November 1988 (but contains a January 1989 letter, so it was published months later) and contains 258 pages.
The art is by Shann (front cover), Elizabeth Gagliano, Mary Gerstner, Suzie Molnar, Leigh Arnold, Lenore Dunlop, Samantha Hayman, Linda Mazdel, Adrian Morgan.
This issue contains two statements by Leigh Arnold. The first statement addresses bootlegging and sharing zines. See Statement: regarding the issue of bootlegging and cloning zines. The second statement, Where's the Fire?, addresses the The Blake's 7 Wars. Leigh also reprints a copy of Press Release to Fan Clubs, Fanzine Publishers, Fan Artists, and Fans.
This issue also contains photo captions by Sue Glasgow, Bev Spadotto, and Leigh Arnold.
- Editorial by Leigh Arnold
- Homeward Bound, fiction by Mary Alice Wuerz (S5, part 5 of "The Balance Series") (1)
- Deja Vu, fiction by Renee Ransdorf and Dee Beetem (Eternal Champion [by Michael Moorcock] crossover) (S5) (42)
- One Woman's View, poem by Paulie Kay (44)
- Closer Than a Brother, fiction by Cindy Rancourt (S2) (45)
- "Computer bulletin board...." donated by Tei Ruki (53)
- The Impossible Dream, fiction by April Giordano (S2) (54)
- Benefactor, fiction by CarolMel Ambassador (excerpt from "The Trophy Series") (S5) (57)
- Dirty Trick ("found outside shredder") (S3) (69)
- After Anna, fiction by Jill Grundfest (S3) (70)
- Goodbye, poem by Paulie Kay (75)
- I Know How You Feel, fiction by Dee Beetem (S4) (76)
- Absolution, fiction by Tamara Verbande (S1) (79)
- Believe It Or Not, fiction by April Giordano (S2) (80)
- Daughter of the Regiment, fiction by Joan Enright (Tour of Duty crossover) (S3) (82)
- "Computer bulletin board...." donated by Tei Ruki (95)
- How About Friend?, poem by Paulie Kay (96)
- Mission Improbable, fiction by Leigh Arnold (S2, Flake's Seven) (97)
- "Kitty Atilla" ad, by Tei Ruki ("We need Kitty Atilla writers! Yes, you can be published in Japan! You can draw and write cartoons for all the Killy Alllla gang: Avon Alilla; Servalan Atilla; Biker Roj; Federation Biker Alilla Attackers: and of course, Kitty!") (107)
- Reconciliation, fiction by Nancy Catherine (S5) (109)
- "Kitty Atilla" ad and/or "Computer bulletin board...." donated by Tei Ruki (111)
- Gauda Prime, poem by Paulie Kay (112)
- I, Avon, fiction by Jeanne DeVore (S5) (113)
- Impressions, fiction by Paulie Kay (S2) (129)
- "Kitty Atilla" ad and/or "Computer bulletin board...." donated by Tei Ruki (135)
- Money, "courtesy of the Federation Banking System (137)
- The Wages of Boredom, fiction by Cindy Henry (S2) (145)
- How I Spent My Summer, by Rojjy Blake, "summer camp letters discovered" by Bonnie Vitti (150)
- Measure of Virture, fiction by Cindy Henry (sequel to Wages of Boredom) (151)
- How I Spent My Summer, by Kerry Avon, "summer camp letters discovered" by Bonnie Vitti (170)
- Cat and Mouse, fiction by Sue Glasgow (S3) (171)
- Second Coming, fiction by Meg Garrett ("S5 sorta!") (186)
- To Tell a Tale, poem by Heather Saavedra (190)
- Home by the Sea, fiction by Sophia Mulvey (S2) (191)
- The Thief, poem by Paulie Kay (197)
- Regrets, fiction by Dorian Gale (S5) (198)
- I Never Forget a Face, fiction by Linda Donahue (pre-series) (214)
- Believe to the End, poem by Heather Saavedra (219)
- Thieves, fiction by Adrian Morgan & Brendan O'Cullane (reprinted in Double Vision) (S1) (221)
- Remember Me, fiction by Genna Eccles (S5, edited and included in the zine Desperado) (230)
- KOCE-TV letter and news release by "occupant department" (251)
- Meet the Tribbers (253)
- Statement: regarding the issue of bootlegging and cloning zines by Leigh Arnold (257)
- Stardrive ad
- New Statement: Where's the Fire?, by Leigh Arnold (addresses The Blake's 7 Wars)
from issue #7, Elizabeth Gagliano
from issue #7, Suzie Molnar
from issue #7, not credited
from issue #7, Suzie Molnar
from issue #7, Leigh Arnold
from issue #7, Lenore Dunlop: "Home Sweet Home"
from issue #7, ad for "Kitty Atilla"
from issue #7, Federation money
from issue #7, Elizabeth Gagliano
from issue #7, Elizabeth Gagliano
from issue #7, Elizabeth Gagliano
from issue #7, Linda Mazdel, portrays Paul Darrow
from issue #7, Samantha Hayman
from issue #7, Adrian Morgan
from issue #7, Adrian Morgan
Issue 8
Magnificent Seven 8 was published in December 1989 and has 252 pages. Cover by by Susan Lovett.
The art is by Suzan Lovett (front cover), Elizabeth Gagliano, Samantha Hayman, Joanne Christy, Judith Kitzes, Mary Robertson, Susan Williams, Vicki Brinkmeier, Leigh Motooka, Suzie Molnar, Shann, Tei Ruki, Judith Boguslawski, Leigh Arnold, and Kathy Hanson.
It includes telepic captions "hooted over by Sue Glasgow, Bev Spadotta, Leigh Arnold with humor provided by California Cooler."
From the zine: "Copy of this zine in its entirety for the purpose of sharing is encouraged."
- Editorial by Leigh Arnold
- Shattered, fiction by Cindy Rancourt ("What if … there had never been any aliens at Star One? The last two seasons hinged on the fact that the Andromeda Galaxy had sent invasionary forces to destroy the Federation’s central computer control center. Without this invasion there would have been a very different outcome to Blake’s war.") (S2 Alt) (also in Chronicles Annual 1989) (32)
- A QUIZ (22)
- Of Friends and Faith, fiction by Claudine Vissing (S2) (22)
- The Cost of Freedom, fiction by Mary Gerstner (S5) (55)
- Don't Give up on Us, Avon, filk, Don't Give up on Us, by David Soul (68)
- Roj's Song, filk, Long Way, by Queen (69)
- Vain Attempt, fiction by CarolMel Ambassador (excerpt from "The Trophy Series") (72)
- Blake's Grill Menu, found by Susan Williams (81)
- The Making of a Rebel (Klyn's Story), fiction by Sophia R. Mulvey (83)
- I Want Avon, filk, I Want Candy, by Annabelle & BowWowWow (92)
- Miles to Go Before I Sleep, fiction by Jill Grundfest (S5) (93)
- Travis Gets His Kicks" (filk, Fat Bottomed Girls, by Queen (103)
- The Better Part of Valour, fiction by Ellen D. Weitz (S5) (105)
- Between Battles, fiction by Teresa Sarick (Pern crossover (S2) (130))
- Encounter, poem by Teri Sarick (138)
- The Point of No Return, fiction by April Giordano (S5) (140)
- Was It All Worth It?, filk, Was It All Worth It, by Queen (144)
- What Really Happened After They Found No Alien Invasion at Star One, fiction by Kathy Coy (145)
- Pursuit, fiction by Tom Beck (S2) (147)
- Hurt So Good, fiction by Leigh Arnold (Flake's 7) (170)
- Retrospect, fiction by Barbara Adams (S1 and before) (175)
- Blake's 7 Important Lists (true information you couldn't live without) by Ingsby and Bredon (193)
- Betrayal's Vampiric Kiss, poem by Jan Grokett (196)
- Resonance Effects... And Dissonance, fiction by Mary Alice Wuerz (part 6 of "In the Balance") (197)
- The Dreamer, fiction by Susan Glasgow (inspired by the cover) (251)
from issue #8, Samantha Hayman
from issue #8, Judith Kitzes
from issue #8, Judith Kitzes
from issue #8, Mary Robertson
from issue #8, Shann
from issue #8, Shann
from issue #8, Samantha Hayman
from issue #8, Judith Boguslawski
from issue #8, Judith Boguslawski
from issue #8, Shann
from issue #8, Leigh Motooka
from issue #8, Kathy Hanson
Issue 9
Magnificent Seven 9 was published in March 1991 and contains 269 pages.
The art is by Phoenix (front cover), Thomas Mulvey, Tei Ruki & Art Plic, and Leigh Arnold.
There are also "telepic captions" sprinkled throughout the zine.
From the very, very long editorial, one which addresses The Blake's 7 Wars:
Then there is the good news and bad news. First the bad. [snipped: much about "real life" taking up too much time for the editor to continue publishing zines.]
The good news is that I am putting my efforts toward launching a writing career. "Ill Winds" is currently at the agent's, waiting for an answer. And waiting. And waiting. Everyone tells me a) they take forever anyway and b) it's a good sign. And there are two more novels on the way. And several short stories. Writing in the 'real world' is very much like writing in the fandom world -- you pick your magazine and your subject, and you write and write, and you send it off, and wait.
Blake's Seven fandom has been an excellent place to learn -- to learn the craft of writing, and to learn about people. "Lone Star" took about two years to write.. "Ill Winds" (about 150 pages longer) took four months, but the practice I gained between the two books shows in the latter effort. You learn what zines you like, and how to write stories those editors write. All the nice locs didn't hurt, either, or Terry Nation's public comment about my writing. (thank you thank you thank you!)
The people part is the most valuable. Not only learning about other people, but about myself. I had corresponded with a person in the fandom and we discussed Nazi Germany and how each of us would have behaved. I can now answer for both of us because immediately after, the great "Controversy" broke, and there in a microcosm, was a harmless fantasy world in which to witness behavior, and I know how he acted, and I know how he acted. I learned the boundaries between being a fan and and obsession where people have a life and where they only claim one; where self-gratification exceeds ethics and morals; how far one would go to stay on safe terms with a power-base; how evil can be condoned even for the best intentions; how one can be physically mature but not spiritually or emotionally; and where reality and fantasy meet and cross. I've seen fans turn on idols because they weren't given enough attention or recognition by their idols, and that was sad; I've seen fans rally for truth and justice, and that was beautiful. I've seen betrayal in this fandom. I've met some wonderful, balanced people. I've met some "celebrities" one could actually talk to and be with. I've confronted fans who thought that THEY were the celebrities...
The editorial also contains a list of supporters and a list of "good" fans who stood up for what is "Right":
With this last issue of Magnificent Seven there are a LOT of people I would like to thank for various reasons.
With this last issue of Magnificent Seven there are a LOT of people I would like to thank for various reasons. First, thanks, in no particular order, to a lot of people for buying Pony Press zines all these years, your locs, patience, encouragement, and generally making me feel the perpetual fight with the post office was worth it: [101 fan names].
To some special zine editors, not mentioned elsewhere, who gave me a chance to share my work: Cathi Brown. Emily McEwan and Yvette Clarke.
For your written or vocal support during hard times, the so-called Controversy and whatever, and who knew the difference between Right and Wrong: Doris Luebke, Celeste Hotaling, Jean Airey, Kathy Hanson, Mary Mouldon, Karlene Hartel, Judith Kitzes, K. Rae Travers, Carolyn Brown, Helen Parkinson, Pearl Stickler, Anna Sharman, Gail Bennett, Dotty Barry, Marie Parsons, Ann Bown, Judith Seaman and everyone else who stood up for Right.
For your gratefully accepted contributions, even when I don’t print locs and correspond with you very often: [65 fan names].
For your friendship, through the USPS or someone’s house or a convention -- you’ve really enriched my life and made me know I’m not alone: Sophia Mulvey, Chris Mars, Anita Henry, Linda Cook, Linda Gerhart, Jenny Lacey, Doris Robin, Lee Vibber, Jean Graham, Cindy Rancourt, Cindy Henry, Tyndara Meffe, Robin O’Rourke, Diana Romero, Melva Gifford.
To Bonnie Vitti, Sue Glasgow and Beverly Spadotto, the special people I met through this fandom who are friends outside of it.
To Michael Keating, Janet Lees Price and Paul Darrow, who are wonderful to their fans, despite it all and through it all.
To Terry Nation, whose creations and confidence gave me the courage to invent and publish my own universes.
This is for you all.
- Editorial by Leigh Arnold
- Renewal, fiction by Lee Vibber (1)
- Guada Prime, filk by Tei Ruki, Los Angeles, by X (33)
- Bodhisattva, poem by Gracie Fay Ellwood (34)
- Letting Go, fiction by Shann DePuy and Tenaya (S3) (36)
- Nan's Pictures, fiction by Siane Jones (S4) (40)
- Vila Sings, poem by Teri Sarick (46)
- Phantasmagoria, fiction by Laura Wynne (Wizard of Oz crossover) (S2) (47)
- The 500-kilo Enemy, fiction by Robert Collins (S2) (53)
- Commentary, fiction by Genna Eccles (reprinted from Southern Seven #2) (S2) (61)
- The Ship, poem by Teri Sarick (63)
- Blake's 7: A New Beginning; Part 1: The Battle Begins Anew, fiction by Kelson Vibber (S5) (64)
- The Slave Revolt on Dumbo, fiction by Leigh Arnold (Flake's 7, S4) (76)
- Blake's Dream, fiction by Judith Kitzes (S2) (79)
- Avon, poem by Teri Sarick (80)
- Substantiated, fiction by Margaret Schwarz (S5) (81)
- Rebellate, filk by Tei Ruki to the tune of "Mediate," by INXS (83)
- Servalan's Thief, fiction by Linda Donahue (S1) (84)
- The Velvet Frog & Elderly Giant Alien Toads, fiction by Leigh Arnold (Flake's 7, S2) (98)
- Overlay, fiction by Jim Vibber (S5) (105)
- Any Questions?, fiction by April Pentland (S4) (116)
- The Hungry, fiction by Meg Atkinson (reprinted from Southern Seven #2) (S1) (121)
- Final Scene, poem by Teri Sarick (132)
- The Balance of Trust, fiction by Sandra Lyons and Steve Oualline (S1) (133)
- End-Game, fiction by April Pentland (S5) (142)
- Blake Sings, filk by Teri Sarick to the tune of "And When I Die" by Clayton Thomas (154)
- Damage Control, fiction by Kate Daniels (S4) (156)
- On the Wings of Destiny, fiction by Sophia R. Mulvey (S4) (167)
- Rebel Jive, poem by Teri Sarick to the tune of "Java Jive" by Drake & Oakland (172)
- Don't Cross Me by Renae Ransdorf (Smurfs crossover) (Motley Crew) (176)
- The Adventures of Ruby and the Terrorists by Susan Glasgow and Shann DePuy (Ruby, Galactic Gumshoe crossover) (Motley Crew) (177)
- Accidental Meeting by Alicia Ann Fox (Star Trek: TOS crossover) (Motley Crew) (179)
- Dragondeed by Kim Wigmore (Pern crossover) (Motley Crew) (184)
- Disciple by CarolMel Ambassador (Doctor Who crossover) (Motley Crew) (185)
- Propaganda by Meg Garrett (Star Trek: TOS crossover) (Motley Crew) (187)
- Liberator vs. Church Lady by Siane Jones (Saturday Night Live crossover; reprinted from Southern Seven #4) (Motley Crew) (189)
- Return of the Guardian of the Abyss by Dee Beetem & Renee Couture (Guardian of the Abyss crossover) (Motley Crew) (191)
- Flake's Night in Court by Leigh Arnold (Flake's Seven universe; Night Court crossover) (Motley Crew) (194)
- Just a Day at St. Swithin's by Meg Atkinson (DITH/I/Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe/Doctor Who crossover) (Motley Crew) (202)
- The Federation by Kathy Kipper (Star Trek: TOS crossover) (Motley Crew) (209)
- Flakes and Hammers by Leigh Arnold (Flake's Seven universe; SH (Starsky and Hutch crossover) (Motley Crew) (213)
- Blue Avon, filk by Tei Ruki to the tune of "Blue Monday" by New Order (223)
- Orac Cliches (39)
- "Ask Earache (pages torn from Awesome Comics Flake's Seven Bi-Monthly')" (115)
- The Return of the Queen, fiction by Genna Leigh Arnold (this is part 13 of the New Horizons series) (255)
from issue #9, Tei Ruki & Art Plic
from issue #9, Tei Ruki & Art Plic
from issue #9, Leigh Arnold
from issue #9, Leigh Arnold
References
- ^ Pressure point no.6
- ^ from Crack Van, recced by executrix, March 26, 2004
- ^ Pressure Point no.6
- ^ from a fan in Rallying Call #14 (1995)
- ^ Pressure Point no.6