Overtures (Beauty and the Beast zine)

Zine
Title:	Overtures
Publisher:
Editor(s):	Catherine Edwards
Date(s):	November 1988-July 1990
Series?:
Medium:	print zine
Size:
Genre:
Fandom:	Beauty and the Beast
Language:	English
External Links:
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Overtures is a het series of bi-monthly digest-sized anthologies. It has twelve issues, very little art. They average 25 pages a piece. Most zines contain a featured story by the author, an editorial called "From Catherine's Desk," a bloopers/commentary piece called "Tunnel Vision" and sometimes another short story or poem.

Art in Volumes 1, 4, 5 & 6 by A.N.D. Art in Volume 10 by Lynette Combs. "The First Snow" in Volume 3 by A.N.D. All other stories by Catherine Edwards.

Online

They were made available online as part of Winterfest 2013 See here.

About

An overture is a gesture, or a proposal of action--the act of reaching out to someone else. That's what this zine is all about, and this is my overture to you. If you will come join the family, I can unequivocally promise you happy endings, and sad ones, and ones that will make you cry and think and are just perfect for reading in the tub. (Please don't drop them—the covers will run.) I can promise you a glimpse or two of once upon a time, and a whole bunch of happily ever after, with plenty of laughter and tears in between. I'll even throw in a few really awful puns, to help you keep your perspective. Overtures....a literary fanzine for all of you who still believe in happily ever after.

As far as we know, this bi-monthly series ceased publication after issue 11/12. Write for availability of back issues. These wonderful short stories give us a happy look at Tunnel life in general and Catherine and Vincent in particular. We watch as their relationship moves to its logical conclusion, as does that of some of our other favorite characters. The stories will make you smile and warm your heart. Mouse a father! What next?

Issue 1

Overtures 1 was published in November 1988 and contains 22 pages.

cover of issue #1

From the editorial:

Okay folks – this is it. I’m ready to go with the first issue of Overtures. I’m exhilarated and filled with trepidation, wondering what you will think, and what you will think of me.

An overture is a gesture or a proposal of action – the act of reaching out to someone else. In these pages you’ll find a variety of proposals, gestures, overtures. That’s what this ’zine is all about, and this is my overture to you.

Let me say – right off – I do realize that “Confessions” is controversial. I know that some of you don’t want to see Vincent and Catherine fulfill their relationship physically. Please understand that I am not in any way proposing that what you read here be played out on the telly. I’ve always believed that reading and viewing are very different experiences, and these are stories to be read.

Secondly, I want to say right up front that if your sole purpose in writing to me is to tell me that I’ve spoiled all that wonderful tension and suspense – hold that thought, and keep reading. I think you’ll see that the tension is still there, it's just shifted its focus. I’ve never known physical intimacy to be a cure-all for what ails a relationship.

Thirdly, lets establish some ground rules. Stories in Overtures take place in three time periods: Before “Confessions” (BC), After “Confessions” (AC) and Prime Time (PT), which is as the show runs. When does “Confessions” take place? Let’s just say “Confessions” picks up where the series will end – how’s that? In case of contradictions, I humbly defer to the greater powers that be on the set.

• Confessions ("A first time, (Catherine is a virgin too).") (8 pages)

• Check Mate ("rainy days are good for chess and something else...") (5 pages)

• Nor Iron Bars A Cage—The Missing Scenes (5 pages)

Issue 2

Overtures 2 was published in 1988 and contains 18 pages.

cover of issue #2

From the editorial:

Here we are again, and so soon. Our time together is always so short, and there is still so much to say ... so much to do ... So much for that. Overtures has gone to bed for yet another issue, and like an overprotective parent, I stand on the street corner and wave goodbye. At least, my mother would say, you found good homes for them.

• Intuition (6 pages)

• To Have and Have Not (3 pages)

• Tunnel Vision (2 pages)

• Ozymandias: The Missing Scenes (3 pages)

• Truly (3 pages)

Issue 3

Overtures 3 was published in 1989 and contains 27 pages.

cover of issue #3

From the editorial:

A year ago I wondered if I were the only person in the world who tuned into something magical on Friday nights, sitting so close to the television I felt foolish. I wondered if I were the only one writing, wishing, waiting, hoping, praying. Funny, isn’t it, how things change? This is my birth month. I was scheduled for arrival on April 1 – no comments, please – but I was impatient, anxious to get on with it. I was hungry for contact with the real world, determined to reach out and connect. Funny, isn’t it, how things stay the same? My family always makes a big deal out of birthdays. We celebrate with presents and cake and candles and cards, much like other families, but somehow, in ways I can’t fully explain, birthdays were a time of being called out, a time of being celebrated. You know, on that day, that your life has touched others, and been beautifully touched. You know you are connected.

• A Little Chamber Music ("Father's birthday and his phonograph is beyond repair.") (5 pages)

• St. Vincent’s Flu ("Catherine won't admit she's sick.") (9 pages)

• Tunnel Vision (2 pages)

• To Reign In Hell: The Missing Scenes (4 pages)

• Damn The Brownies—Full Speed Ahead ("pre-classic, Jacob and Margaret.") (3 pages)

• First Snow by A.N.D. ("snowball fight!") (1 page)

Issue 4

Overtures 4 was published in 1989 and contains 19 pages.

cover of issue #4

From the editorial:

I have learned to open the curtains when it rains – the rain can be glorious, crashing down from heaven. I have learned to light a candle against the storm, and to read by it. I have discovered that Mozart can be played by battery, and I’ve rediscovered the art of putting words on paper with my own hand.

Vincent has been a patient teacher all along. He’s teaching Catherine how to be strong – Laura how to trust and how to love. Vincent is slowly teaching Mouse the difference between right and wrong. Gradually, and with great tenderness, he’s teaching Father how to let go. Pascal, Devin, Kipper ... the list goes on.

Vincent’s gifts as a teacher are not news to me. I’ve been watching. I’ve been learning. I’ve been growing.

The sun is shining today, and my heart is glad, but I’ve learned to see the rain as a gift, too. Slowly, gently, Vincent is teaching this Catherine how to see.

• Overture ("A special question after a stormy night.") (4 pages)

• Father Figure ("pre-classic, Margaret is pregnant.") (5 pages)

• Tunnel Vision (2 pages)
• Shadows (A poem from Vincent's view about their meeting.")

• A Little Hair In The Tub Never Hurt Anyone ("Vincent and Catherine remembering the first time he caught her in the shower.") (5 pages)

Issue 5

Overtures 5 was published in 1989 and contains 23 pages.

From the editorial:

Put on your best tunnel garb – we’re going to a wedding! I’m looking forward to seeing each of you there, and hope with all my heart that every one of you will get to claim at least one dance with Vincent. Be gentle with him, please – these are trying times.

It’s been a good month for growing stories. Plenty of quiet at my house, plenty of rain to keep me inside and loads and loads of precious mail have been my salvation. I have been truly showered with blessings, and my cup and my garden are overflowing. For now I have cards and letters and story ideas and snippits for “Tunnel Vision.” I most humbly thank you. You have let the sun shine in on in some dark places.

In this ish, I’m trying to repay the favor. I wanted to talk about family, and I ended up talking about heat and Shakespeare and weddings and rings, with little bit of cinnamon thrown in for good measure. These are the things that I know about.

cover of issue #5

• Some Like It Hot ("An invitation to a special evening of family Below to escape the heatwave Above.") (7 pages)

• Variations on a Theme ("Vincent and Catherine get married.") (11 pages)

• Tunnel Vision (1 page)

Issue 6

Overtures 6 was published in 1989 and contains 27 pages.

cover of issue #6

• Great Expectations ("Catherine and Vincent are having a baby.Jamie and Mouse are married.") (23 pages)

• Tunnel Vision (2 pages)

Issue 7

Overtures 7 was published in 1989 and contains 22 pages.

cover of issue #7

• Christmas Past ("pre-classic, Christmas for Jacob and Margaret.") (4 pages)

• Christmas Present ("Vincent and Catherine decorate the tree in her apartment.") (4 pages)

• Christmas Future ("Vincent and Catherine's Christmas Below with their whole family.") (9 pages)

• Another Visit From St. Nick (poem) (2 pages)

• Tunnel Vision (2 pages)

• Better Than Good (3 pages)

Issue 8

Overtures 8 was published in 1990 and contains 27 pages.

cover of issue #8

• Voices In The Dark ("The blossoming of the love between Jamie and Mouse.") (19 pages)
• Tunnel Vision (2 pages) (Contains third season references)
• Accustomed To Your Face (song vignette) (2 pages)
• Better Than Good (3 pages)

Issue 9

Overtures 9 was published in 1990 and contains 19 pages.

cover of issue #9

• Good Company ("Married Vincent and Catherine have responsibilities to deal with.") (11 pages)
• Tunnel Vision (2 pages)
• Father’s Day ("pre/teen Jacob is upset at his dad-s differences.") (4 pages)

Issue 10

Overtures 10 was published in 1990 and contains 31 pages.

cover of issue #10

• The Practical Man ("In married Vincent and Catherine's universe, Pascal's only love who had moved Above returns to the tunnel. Winslow appears in flashbacks.") (31 pages)

Issue 11/12

Overtures 11/12 was published in July 1990 and contains 39 pages.

cover of issue #11/12

• The Last Time I Told You Good-bye ("Resolution to Pascal and Ruth Ann's story as life goes on for married Vincent and Catherine.") (39 pages)