Pentathlon

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Zine
Title: Pentathlon
Publisher: Susan Wolfe and Cecily Horton, then D.E. Dabbs
Editor(s): see below
Type: see below
Date(s): 1970 and 1974
Medium: print
Fandom: Star Trek: TOS
Language: English
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Pentathlon is a Star Trek: TOS zine resource.

Each issue contains short blurbs written by the editor/s, ordering information for zines, some letters of comment, and operated as an information clearing house to connect zine producers and zine buyers.

The first issue published by Susan Wolfe and Cecily Horton in 1970. It contained 35 pages and was more of a full-fledged zine than later issues. It also contained a list of 42 titles of Star Trek: TOS zines that were available/had been available at the time (1970).

The second and third issues were published by D.E. Dabbs, and they were quite brief.

The plan was for "Pentathlon" to be purchased either as a single issue for twenty cents, or a five issue subscription for $1.00. In the third issue, Dabbs stated that she was accepting orders only through issue #8, but it is possible that the third issue was the last one.

From Dabbs in issue #2:

Many years ago, I felt the need for a guide to Star Trek fanzines. The idea and name 'Pentathlon' were a result of several discussions with friends. At the time, I was too involved in college to carry the idea out. A friend of mine, Susan Wolfe, started, but events transpired against it. Also, at that time we thought we foresaw the decline and end of ST fandom. The project languished. Susan came by recently and returned to me the name and aim of 'Pentathlon.' This is why I am putting out the second issue of the zine.

This zine had an X-rated, explicit het fiction sort-of sister zine sometimes referred to as "Pentathlon, Androxenophile", but was actually titled Faunch.

Issue 1

front cover of the first issue, Claire Mason

Pentathlon 1 was published in very late 1970 and contains 35 pages.

On the title page: "By the same people who put out Faunch."

Its editors, Susan Wolfe and Cecily Horton, described it as "specializing in fanzine reviews, ST of course)." This issue also contains one story.

The editors thank "two anonymous friends who loaned me their collections to study. And their old memories of those forgotten days of yesteryear when all the universe of the Federation and Vulcan was new. Those days when fields were green and Star Trek was on the brink of reality."

art from the first issue, Susan Wolfe
from the first issue, You are Receiving this Zine Because, the back page

According to Boldly Writing, it was the first of many attempts to produce and sustain an all-or mostly-fanzine review publication." Some listings only gave addresses, others added one-line descriptions, and others contained one-paragraph summaries and reviews. The listed forty-two fanzines as being in print.

This issue contains a list of forty-two fanzines in print at the time.

  • You're the Captain's Woman Until the Captain Says You're Not, fiction by Marj Hogue (2)
  • Poem by Cecily Horton (16)
  • A Romulan Fancy, poem by Sara Fensterer (16)
  • A Preliminary Listing of Star Trek Fanzines and a Few Off-the-Cuff Remarks About Them by Susan Wolfe (20)
  • Spock's Inner Thoughts by Ellie Ockert (30)
  • T'Pring by Mildred Torgerson (31)
  • Commentary on Humanity's View of Vulcan by Sam and Susan Wolfe (32)
  • Editorials by Cecily Horton (33)
  • Surok - T'Prave, translated by Cecily Horton (34)
  • A Susitoiral by Susan Wolfe (35)
  • art by Claire Mason (front cover), P.D. Dido, and Susan Wolfe (most of it)

Issue 2

front page of the second issue, artist is not credited. In the third issue, Dabbs wrote: "Regarding the artist on the cover of PENTATHLON #2 -- if you recognize yourself, would you please contact me! The art is from a collection which came to TRISKELION many years ago in a sealed plastic bag courtesy of the Post Office."

Pentathlon 2 was published in October 1974 and contains 4 pages.

From the zine:

This can not be a complete listing. The zines listed here have crossed my desk in the last three weeks and hence I assume that they are still for sale. I have many on order that I will probably be including in my next issue.

Many years ago I felt the need for a guide to STAR TREK fanzines. The idea and the name Pentathlon were the result of several discussions with friends. At the time I was too involved in college to carry the idea out. A friend of mine, Susan Wolfe, started to but events transpired against it. Also, at that time we thought we foresaw the decline and end of ST fandom. The project languished. Susan came by recently and returned to me the name and aim of Pentathlon. This is why I am putting out the 2nd issue of the zine. The editorial policy of Pentathlon is at the moment, to accept information of ST zine publishing only from the editor/publisher of a fanzine. The purpose of this publication is to keep fans informed on the availability of ST zines, the appearance of new zines, and what zines are looking for material. In order to do this I need for editors to keep me informed of price changes, publishing dates, and when they are sold out. I am an incurable ST fanzine collector and have quite a few recent ones on hand. This first issue is taken from information I have received in the last three weeks. The next issue will also be covering this ground besides any additional information I have received.

There will be 7 issues of this newsletter and then I shall "re-evaluate" the situation. If I am reaching enough people to do any worthwhile service, I may continue.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2

This was a worthy idea, but I never saw Pentathlon 3. The idea of such a regularly-scheduled publication would have to wait until 1977 with the appearance of Scuttlebutt.[1]

Issue 3

Pentathlon 3 contains 8 pages. November 8, 1974 is the date on the front cover, but it appears it was not sent to fans until March 1975.

front cover of issue #3

From the zine:

The response to the first issue of the new PENTATHLON has been quite heartwarming. Apparently some of you out there believe in reviewzines. In my reviews I have been attempting to judge the appearance and the contents of the fanzines separately. My belief is that a well-produced fanzine can be a good one if the good material is submitted to it so I should like to point these out for the benefit of the authors and artists in the audience. After all, the appearance of the zine is the appropriate place to judge the ability of the editors. A ditto zine put together with a little care and foresight can look worlds better than a sloppily composed offset. A little deserved kudos for the editors is in order and some critiquing of the bad ones is also in order. On the other hand, good material even if poorly published requires a hearing. Subscriptions to PENTATHLON are 5 issues for $1.00 or 200 each. I am only accepting orders through #8.

Regarding the artist on the cover of PENTATHLON #2 — if you recognize yourself would you please contact me! The art is from a collection which came to TRISKELION many years ago in a sealed plastic bag courtesy of the Post Office.

Zines Listed in Issue #1, All Known Star Trek Zines Supposedly Published in 1970 or Before

Note: two of the "zines" are actually articles within other zines. And one title, "Menagerie," appears to refer to two separate zines.

For a similar list of which there is some overlap, see: List of Star Trek TOS Zines Published While the Show Was Still On the Air.

References

  1. ^ from Boldly Writing
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