Power Star: The Imagination Anthology

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Zine
Title: Power Star: The Imagination Anthology
Publisher: out of Saginaw, Michigan
Editor(s): Jerry Seward, Kimberly Murphy (Kimberly Murphy-Smith),
Date(s): 1986 to at least 1999
Series?:
Medium: fanzine
Genre:
Fandom: multimedia
External Links: wesbite archive 1 & website archive 2 & a Twin Peaks USENET site with Power Star info, issues 66, 71-117 (archived)
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.
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Power Star: The Imagination Anthology is a gen zine with the subtitle, "The Imagination Anthology."

Many later issues are archived here.

In 1992, the editor wrote:

I never thought POWER STAR would make it this far, but here it is! I agree with many of you who've been with me from the start that the very first few premiere issues of POWER STAR were awful. They were. But POWER STAR improved, and I thank those of you who stuck with me. [1]

Descriptions from Ads

From a 1991 ad in The Clipper Trade Ship:

TYPISTS WANTED for POWER STAR fanzine. Must have computer and letter quality printer. You will receive free issues. If you would like to help, write to Jerry Seward...

From an early 1997 ad:

POWER STAR, the monthly multimedia science fiction fanzine, needs QUANTUM LEAP fiction. Not everyone has a computer and with POWER STAR, you have the chance to have your work read by more people - not just those on-line. Check out the POWER STAR Home Page at: http://members.aol.com/kimmurphy/private/pshome.html for info on how to submit. Snail-mail submissions may be sent to Kimberly Murphy-Smith... " [2]

Special Edition-Sample Issue

Power Star Special Edition/Sample Issue was published in 1990 and contains 30 pages.

cover of the Special Edition

From the foreword:

Welcome to the POWER STAR! This is a special sample issue for those of you who are new to my fanzine. PS is devoted to science fiction, horror, and fantasy in literature, movies, and television. I'm the editor, and since late 1986 POWER STAR has provided fans with interviews, articles, news, and original fiction and art. POWER STAR is an amateur, nonprofit publication that can always use more fiction, non-fiction, and art submissions. Some regular contributors over the years have been Tammy Smith, Laura Frey, Jose Sanchez, Cynthia Case, Nola Frame-Gray, Pat Hailey, D. Lynn Bivens, and Lawrence Watt-Evans.

My 'zine is a supporter of Starman and Beauty and the Beast. If you're not familiar with these two special shows, Starman was a series on ABC that starred Robert Hays and Christopher Daniel Barnes as a gentle alien and his son, and Beauty and the Beast was a CBS series concerning the romance between a beautiful young attorney and her powerful but sensitive man/beast protector. I've written letters, mailed postcards, donated postage stamps, and publicized the fans' efforts to revive both series and I encourage you to help also if you can. Would you like to submit an article or contribute some fiction or some artwork? Well, your work is welcome here, as long as it's interesting and well-done and is SF or horror-oriented. Aside from Starman and B&B, I'm interested in Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Star Wars," Alien Nation, Max Headroom, Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future, Doctor Who, Space:1999, War of the Worlds, Mission:Impossible, RoboCop, and V.

  • Foreword by Jerry Seward
  • Happy Birthday, Sam!, fiction by Linda G. Craig (Quantum Leap)
  • The Real Sam Beckett, short bio of the playwright: Samuel Barclay Beckett
  • cartoons by Nola Frame-Gray

Review: Special Edition-Sample Issue

The QL issue consists of a story, "Happy Birthday, Sam!" by Linda G. Craig, plus a few cartoons by Nola Frame-Gray.

PQL received a special sample issue of Power Star which consists almost entirely of a Quantum Leap story by Project member Linda G. Craig.

Well done, Linda. "Happy Birthday, Sam" is a refreshingly professional piece of fan faction. The story line is tight and mildly suspenseful. The banter between Sam and Al is quite well done. Many fan writers seem to get hung up on this point, either making the relationship overly antagonistic (Sam taking out his anger on Al) or falling into the "smarm" trap. (For those who need the term defined — the mushy stuff.) Linda finds a nice balance here with some snappy dialogue.

Technically the writing is superb, but there are problems with the story nonetheless. Nothing is exactly stable in the "Don Belisario Laws of Quantum Leaping," but we can be fairly definite on the point of who's controlling the leaps: it's not the Project staff and, at least as far as Sam and Al know, it isn't Ziggy. However the story would seem to imply that they are in control to some extent. The point is interwoven with the story line enough to be distracting.

Otherwise this is quite good, and I look forward to seeing more of Linda's work in the future. [3]

Issue 0

  • "The Primitives of Procyon," an original short story.

Issue 1

Power Star 1 was published in 1986.

  • The Girl with Homely Eyes, fiction by Mark Schultz (15)
  • Not Guilty, fiction by Tracey Swanteson (17)

Issue 2

Power Star 2

  • To See the World Through a Grain of Sand, fiction by Jerry Seward (RoboCop) (4)

Issue 3

Power Star 3

  • Dreams and Schemes, part one, fiction by Jerry Seward (18)

Issue 4

Power Star 4

  • Not Guilty, fiction by Tracey Swanteson (12)
  • Shadows, fiction by Tracey Santeson (13)
  • Pajama Party on Rogon, fiction by Jerry Seward (Doctor Who) (19)
  • Last Myth: A Fantasy Adventure, part one, fiction by Tracey Swanteson (20)
  • The Visitor, part one, fiction by Laura Gail Frey (25)

Issue 5

Power Star 5

  • Last Myth: A Fantasy Adventure, part two, fiction by Tracey Swanteson (5)
  • Dreams and Schemes, part one, fiction by Jerry Seward (24)

Issue 6

Power Star 6

  • S.S.C (25)
  • 'Till Death Do Us Part, fiction by Mickey Lee (War of the Worlds)
  • Road Not Taken, fiction by Jerry Seward, revised and printed in #28 (Doctor Who) (30)
  • Starfleet After House, fiction by Jody A. Morse (20)
  • Last Myth: A Fantasy Adventure, part three, fiction by Tracey Swanteson 23)

Issue 7

Power Star 7

  • The E.L.F. Equation, fiction by Jerry Seward (Max Headroom) (8)
  • Last Myth: A Fantasy Adventure, part four, fiction by Tracey Swanteson (13)

Issue 8

Power Star 8

  • Last Myth: A Fantasy Adventure, part five, fiction by Tracey Swanteson (21)

Issue 9

Power Star 9

  • Airplane III, fiction by Anonymous (3)
  • Last Myth: A Fantasy Adventure, part six, fiction by Tracey Swanteson (6)

Issue 10

Power Star 10

  • Spock's Interview, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (19)
  • other unknown content

Issue 11

Power Star 11

  • The Slagtown Conspiracy, part one, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (Alien Nation)

Issue 12

Power Star 12

  • The Slagtown Conspiracy, part two, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (Alien Nation)

Issue 13

Power Star 13

  • The Slagtown Conspiracy, conclusion, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (Alien Nation)
  • Treachery Around Orion, part one, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
  • The Visitor, part two, fiction by Laura Gail Frey (31)

Issue 14

Power Star 14

  • Treachery Around Orion, conclusion, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

Issue 15

Power Star 15

  • Emperor Data, part one, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

Issue 16

Power Star 16

  • Emperor Data, part two, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
  • Twisted Web 1, part one, by D. Lynn Bivens (script form)

Issue 17

Power Star 17

  • Emperor Data, conclusion, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
  • Twisted Web 1, part two, by D. Lynn Bivens (script form)

Issue 18

  • Twisted Web 1, part three, by D. Lynn Bivens (script form)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 18

Remember that Creationcon report I sent you which was published in #18 ? Well, you might be pleased to know that I sent that piece and the strip, ’’Welcome Back, Ma Crusher” to a zine ed overseas and she had them published in her Scottish zine! Now she’s written to tell me that one of her members has written her and wants permission to publish the ’’Crusher” comic strip and to translate it for her country - in German! Boy, I’d love to see that.

Not much in the way of comments on your Power Star this time. I was impressed, as always, by the fab job you did of repro-ing my cartoons, especially the blow-up you did of my ’’Kryptonite Corflu” illo — Wow! As for your continuing problem of not getting that much in the way of LoCs, herewith are several suggestions:

Have you considered the possibility of cutting back on your producing POWER STAR, instead, hold back publishing until you get enough written material/artwork/whatever but original material done by fans. Enough with the reproduction of newspaper articles already! I’d much rather see something that’s been done by a fan than a reprint done by a professional writer, any day. In other words, don’t try so hard to make POWER STAR monthly.

Have you thought of making POWER STAR a fan club for multimedia fans. This way you might be able to get contributions from your members as well as yearly dues Have you thought of running POWER STAR like a literary fanzine instead of a mediazine? Promise copies of POWER STAR to only those people who sub for your zine but to also those who write you LoCs. [4]

Issue 19

Power Star 19

  • Twisted Web 1, conclusion, by D. Lynn Bivens (script form)
  • In the Name of Science, part one, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (Starman)
  • Riddle Me This, part one, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (Batman)

Issue 20

Power Star 20

  • In the Name of Science, conclusion, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (Starman)
  • Riddle Me This, part two, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (Batman)

Issue 21

Power Star 21

Issue 22

Power Star 22

  • Riddle Me This, conclusion, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (Batman) (9)
  • Remembrance Day, fiction by Pat Hailey (Battlestar Galactica) (5)

Issue 23

Power Star 23

  • Mos Eisley Mayhem, fiction by Pat Hailey (16)

Issue 24

Power Star 24 was published in March 1990 and contains 12 pages.

front cover of issue #24
back cover of issue #24

From the article about the Sci-Fi Channel:

I believe there are tons of people out there who are desperate for fantasy and the escape of science fiction. There are those of us in fandom who are so intrigued with the genre. There are the regular movie goers who have been captivated by such films as Star Wars, Aliens, E.T., Close Encounters, Ghostbusters, and Batman.

I like science fiction, as do you who read POWER STAR and other fanzines. It can be though provoking as well as just downright exciting and entertaining. When it's quality SF, like I feel Star Trek, Alien Nation, and The Prisoner are, it's incredible.

Enough with the Get a Life negativism! I'm sick of it. I don't like to argue with non-science fiction fans nor do I like to be condemned because I enjoy SF. Some people think you're actually crazy if you tell them you like science fiction or think it's a genre only for children.

The Sci-Fi Channel has a good chance to success, though, I think. Hey, if the Weather Channel could do it...

  • Power Base, editorial by Jerry Seward (topic is human behavior and character) (3)
  • Trapped on Klingon!, part one by D. Lynn Bivens (The officers of the Enterprise are taken to the Klingon homeworld where they face possible execution.) (ST:TNG) (5)
  • Computers Creating Spectacular Effects in Movies and TV Shows, article by Jerry Seward (10)
  • SCI-FI Channel, article by Jerry Seward (11)
  • clipping, "You root for the monsters" by Avi Stern (February 19, 1990) (12)

Issue 25

Power Star 25 was published in April 1990 and contains 12 pages.

front cover of issue #25

The art is by Jose Sanchez and Gail Christensen (logos), Garry Black, and Nola Frame-Gray.

  • Power Base, editorial by Jerry Seward (3)
  • Comm Panel, letters of comment (one about Mr. Fox, a Starman story, and a script called "Twisted Web") (4)
  • Trapped on Klingon!, part two by D. Lynn Bivens (ST:TNG, set on the Klingon homeworld) (6)
  • CAT-atonic!, part one by D. Lynn Bivens ("The Joker and The Riddler have come and gone. Now, a feline killer called The Catwoman has been hired to hunt and kill The Dark Knight.") (The author shares her fancasting for this story: Robert de Niro as the Riddler and Cher as Catwoman.) (Batman) (11)
  • a review of The Hunt for Red October( by Jerry Seward (17)
  • News (18)

Issue 26

Power Star 26 was published in May 1990 and contains 18 pages.

cover of #26

From the editor:

As many of you know, Paramount is considering doing "Star Trek VI: Starfleet Academy, which would be about the early years of the original crew, with new actors in the roles! Paramount shouldn't give up on the original crew just yet. If they feel they must retire the Classic Trek crew then have them return in a transitional film for a cast of new characters - possibly the crew of the RCC-1701-B. The way I look at it is when fans think of James Bond, they either think of Sean Connery or Roger Moore or Timothy Dalton. When people think of Sherlock Holmes, they either think of Basil Rathbone, Ronald Howard or Brent Spiner! But when people think of Kirk, Spock and McCoy, they visualize the appearance, the gestures, they hear the voices of William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley! They*re not just imaginary SF characters, they*re family members.

With Saavik, you either see Robin Curtis or Kirstie Alley, but, because we've known them for so long, can we really see anyone else as Uhura, Sulu and Scotty but the original cast?

If you are displeased with the idea of replacing the old crew or also with what I feel is an overemphasis on humor (apparently, any future Star Trek films would be comedies), you can write producers Harve Bennett and Frank Mancuso at Paramount Studios.

  • Power Base, editorial by Jerry Seward (about freedom, Salman Rushdie, the protests in Beijing, freedom of speech: "'V' taught us that we shouldn't take our freedom for granted. I hope that what's going on in the Soviet Uniion and German is a change for the better. I hope it is contagious!") (3)
  • clipping, review of Doctor Who by Robert MacKenzie (source unknown)
  • Comm Panel, letters of comment (5)
  • Trapped on Klingon!, conclusion by D. Lynn Bivens ("Riker - The Savage!") (ST:TNG, set on the Klingon homeworld) (6)
  • Love and Peace by Mickey Lee ("The War of the Worlds have ended and Harrison and Suzanne fall in love." (War of the Worlds) (12)
  • CAT-atonic!, part two by D. Lynn Bivens ("In which Catwoman captures Batman and learns his secret.") (Batman) (13)
  • News (18)

Issue 27

Power Star 27 was published in June 1990 and contains 14 pages.

The art is by Nola Frame-Gray.

Issue 28

Power Star 28 was published in July 1990.

  • Road Not Taken, fiction by Jerry Seward, revised and printed from #6 (Doctor Who) (6)
  • Deeper Within, fiction by Rosann C. Lopes (Beauty and the Beast (TV))) (11)

Issue 29

Power Star 29 was published in August 1990 and contain 26 pages.

It includes a cartoon by Nola Frame-Gray.

cover of issue #29
  • Power Base, editorial by Jerry Seward (topic: xenogenesis)
  • Q and Forever, part two, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens ("The crew proceeds to the planet of the Guardian of Forever for their only chance to save the Federated Worlds.") (Star Trek: TNG) (4)
  • Twisted Web 2, part two: Resurrection, script form by D. Lynn Bivens (6)
  • Ultimate Truth, part one by D. Lynn Bivens ("A tale of two captains made possible by a certain Galactic Core energy-creature.") (9)
  • Deadly Deceit, fiction by F. Elizabeth Gregory ("The Enterprise receives a distress call from a pacifist race about a hostile attack on the planet Centra, but when an Away Team beams down, they are confronted with a conflicting mystery. Plus Picard finds time for a little romance.") (Star Trek: The Next Generation) (13)
  • Love, Lasers, and Losers, fiction by Pat Hailey ("A resistance group gets a new member its leader isn't so sure she can trust.") (V) (25)
  • Letters of Comment (33)
  • Galacticon, part one, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (original science fiction) (34)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 29

The Star Trek story, "Ultimate Truth", by D. Lynn Bivens was very good. I would definitely say that it holds the reader's interest. The technical and technological details were correct, so far as I'm (sort of) familiar with Star Trek's technology. The characterizations were accurate, too. I liked the conclusion very much.[5]

Issue 30

cover of issue #30

Power Star 30 was published in September 1990 and contains 30 pages.

Issue 31

  • Revenge is a Double Sided Coin, part two, fiction by Kimberly Murphy
  • All the Kingpin's Men, part one of a five-part, fiction by D. Lynn Blivens (Spider-Man)

Issue 32

Power Star 32 was published in early October 1990 and contains

cover of issue #32
from issue #32, Cynthia Case: Captain Power

It has art by Cynthia Case and Denise Parise.

  • Power Base, editorial by Ruth Rigel
  • Pieces!, part one, story by D. Lynn Bivens ("In the aftermath of Pilot's sacrifice, Dread is transformed into a killing machine.") (Captain Power) (6)
  • Captain Power Trivia (8)
  • Twisted Web, part two: Resurrection, script by D. Lynn Bivens ("The murders begin anew in Meredith Heights.") (9)
  • Movie and TV Appearances of Actor Michael Ironside (12)
  • Galaticon, part two, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (original science fiction, based on characters created by Jerry Seward and Kimberly Shelby)
  • Q and Forever, part three, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens ("Picard and the Enterprise travel back in time to the evens of 'The Paradise Syndrome'.") (Star Trek: The Next Generation) (19)
  • News (23)
  • Ultimate Truth, part two by D. Lynn Bivens ("A tale of two Captains continues with Spock still missing and both Starships preparing for battle.") (Star Trek) (24)

Issue 33

  • All the Kingpin's Men, part two of a five-part, fiction by D. Lynn Blivens (Spider-Man)
  • Twenty Years Later, fiction (Beauty and the Beast (TV))
  • Revenge is a Double-Sided Coin, conclusion

Issue 34

Power Star 34 was published in December 1990 and contains 30 pages.

front cover of #34
Powerstar34-2.jpg
from #34

The art is by Nola Frame-Gray, Lana Merkel, Brian Pimenta, and Steven Fox.

  • U.S.S. Saginaw, editorial by Jerry Seward (3)
  • Pieces!, part two, fiction by D.Lynn Bivens ("The Power team must fight off Dread's army.") (Captain Power)
  • Operation: Paradise Lost!, part one, story by D. Lynn Bivens ("Venture underground to the G.I. Joe Headquarters and prepare yourself for the team's Mideast mission.") (G.I. Joe, fan casted with Chuck Norris) (9)
  • Q and Forever, conclusion, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens ("The Enterprise officers must thwart Q's plan to destroy the future by Succeeding on their mission in the past.") (Star Trek: TNG) (15)
  • Galacticon, part three, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens ("The messianic Man-God makes contact with Nikki Stone.") (original science fiction) (19)
  • Twisted Web 2: Resurrection!, part three, script by D. Lynn Bivens ("Be wary of Tricia Warner.") (23)
  • Ultimate Truth, three, story by D. Lynn Bivens in which the two Captains move closer to solving the mystery of the space/time disruption.") (Star Trek) (27)

Issue 35

  • A Serpent in Paradise, part one (Total Recall)
  • " Beware of a Fool's Mate, part one, fiction by Kimberly Murphy ("Agent Cooper has been shot again, the Giant appears with a riddle and Diane arrives in Twin peaks.") Twin Peaks

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 35

I like POWER STAR as a fan fiction zine, however I'm having a bit of trouble with Twin Peaks fan fiction. To me, Twin Peaks was such a personal expression of David Lynch's beliefs that input from other writers doesn't speak to me the same way. The consistent theme in all his work is the underlying evil all around us, and the only work I've ever seen that comes close to what he does with it is the film Parents. The stories in POWER STAR, to me, are simply unnecessary continuations of plot that say very little about Lynch's original theme. But don't let that stop you. If there's anything new and exciting that you can offer, let me know, and I'll get into it, but if it's just going to be a continued Twin Peaks story, if it's not Lynch, it just doesn't work for me. [6]

Kimberly Murphy's writing is excellent. I hope she does something with her writing beyond fanzines. She's great. "Two Souls" was interesting.[7]

Issue 36

Issue 37

  • All the Kingpin's Men, part three of a five-part, fiction by D. Lynn Blivens (Spider-Man)

Issue 38

  • Shadows, fiction (about a woman fleeing marital trouble who finds deeper trouble in the woods)
  • Pieces, conclusion
  • Last Myth (original fantasy tale)

Issue 39

  • A Serpent in Paradise, part two
  • book reviews
  • Two Pronged Attack, part two, fiction by Kimberly Murphy's ("The mystery of Windom Earle's chess game deepens and Audrey discovers something surprising about Diane's relationship to Dale.") (Twin Peaks)

Issue 40

Issue 41

  • Zara ("an original SF story about a beautiful alien and the lengths two warring commanders - one her common-law husband, one her lover and the father of her child - go to protect her.")
  • interviews with science fiction authors P.E. Cunningham and S.P. Somtow

Issue 42

  • Only Half the Man, part one of three parts ( Manimal)
  • Bride Between Worlds, part one, fiction by Kimberly Murphy's Twin Peaks universe ("Continuing the saga of Dale and Diane and resolving the series cliffhanger - Dale is trapped in the Black Lodge while his doppleganger pretends to be him.")
  • They Don't Make Them Like They Used To, part one, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens ("With Romulans plotting a possible invasion of Federation Space, Picard discovers Data has built another android, this one a replica of he late Tasha Yar.") (Star Trek: TNG)

Issue 43

Issue 44

  • "Two Souls," part one of a five-part TWIN PEAKS script.

Issue 45

Issue 46

  • Part three of "Two Souls."

Issue 47

Issue 48

  • Part four of "Two Souls."

Issue 49

  • Conclusion of "Two Souls."

Issue 50

Power Star 50 was published in 1992 and contains 50 pages.

cover of issue #50: "2nd Printing, $24.00" [8]

The art is by J. Calvin Smith, Nola Frame-Gray, Lana Brown, Ron Holmes, and Kim Murphy.

There were two printings. The second one was expanded a bit.

From the editorial of the second printing:

Welcome to the 50th issue!

Yes, this is a new edition of Issue 50. This second version, unfortunately, is not recyclable, but it does have added pages of material, including an expanded COMM PANEL.

I never thought POWER STAR would make it this far, but here it is! I agree with many of you who've been with me from the start that the very first few premiere issues of POWER STAR were awful. They were. But POWER STAR improved, and I thank those of you who stuck with me.

[...]

Again, thank you. Perhaps POWER STAR will make it to the 21st Century and Issue 250. We'll see.

Contents of the second printing:

  • Power Base, editorial by Jerry Seward (3)
  • Twin Peaks European Video Review by Kimberly Murphy (4)
  • clipping from the Los Angeles Times, "Before 'Peaks,' there was 'The Prisoner'" by Howard Rosenberg (This is only one of many clippings in this zine, the rest are not listed here)
  • I Will Not Be Pushed, part one, fiction by J. Calvin Smith (The Prisoner) (6)
  • My Brother's Keeper, part one, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (Quantum Leap) (17)
  • Comm Panel, letters of comment (25)
  • USA Network Takes You Beyond Reality, article by Jerry Seward (28)
  • Beyond Reality Episode Guide (1-7) (31)
  • NBC's Nightmare Cafe, an overview by Jerry Seward (39)
  • The Problem with Creation, an editorial by Janis Moore (reprinted with a slightly different title in reprinted from [[Tricorder Readings (Star Trek club zine)|Tricorder Readings #28, July 1991 and The Destroyer #9 in early 1992) (40)
  • The Peak of Success by Gary Russell (reprinted from TV Zone) (43)
  • Lt. Cmdr. Gary Mitchell (44)
  • News (49)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 50

Got the second printing of #50 - beautiful! The new issue is great; enjoyed the variety, and the new artist (Andrew Kear) is fantastic.

Now, regarding the letter you received with the negative comments about POWER STAR'S continuation of the Peaks story lines. You're going to have a hard time following up the intricate, quirky tales of the Twin Peaks television series in a way that pleases everyone. (Even David Lynch himself couldn't do it, if the icy reception Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me received at Cannes is an indication.) The Peaks stories you have printed are well-crafted and dramatic, and, if many readers are to be believed, true to the original development of the series' characters. I applaud Ms. Murphy for blending in her own vision and spirit without losing conceptual integrity. Twin Peaks is controversial, and if it tried to please everyone, it would cease to be Twin Peaks. I am glad that David Lynch, Mark Frost, and, for POWER STAR. Kimberly Murphy have tried to make something that is both art and entertainment, and not just commerce.[9]

I'm incredibly pleased with Issue 50. It's a great-looking magazine. And by the way, those were three cartoons I thought would never see print: I didn't think the "obituaries" one was really worth anyone's attention, and the other two were sort of "I-dare-you" cartoons. So, needless to say, I was tickled and surprised. I'd just better not show the Log Lady in bed to my parents.[10]

Issue 51

Power Star 51 was published in 1992 and contains 60 pages.

front cover of issue #51, Ron Holmes (Lost in Space)
front cover of issue #51, Andrew Kear (Lost in Space and Irwin Allen shows)

The art is by Nola Frame-Gray, J. Calvin Smith, Andrew Kear, Priscilla Tweed and Jim Kuzee.

  • Power Base, editorial by Jerry Seward (2)
  • Only Half the Man, part two, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (Manimal) (8)
  • My Brother's Keeper, part two, fiction by D. Lynn Bivens (Quantum Leap) (14)
  • Manimal: The Episodes, guide by Kimberly Murphy (21)
  • Voices Through the Gateway, part one, fiction by Kimberly Murphy (Twin Peaks) (25)
  • I Will Not Be Pushed, part two, fiction by J. Calvin Smith (The Prisoner) (37)
  • Shari Belafonte (43)
  • Alien 3, review (54)
  • Comm Panel (54)
  • Batman Returns, review by Kimberly Murphy (56)
  • News (58)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 51

Thank you for Issue 51 of POWER STAR.

I enjoyed all the illustrations, even though I'm not into either Quantum Leap or Lost in Space. I've never chosen to watch a single episode of either series, but I have a vague familiarity with the principal characters and the premises. Of course, if Simon MacCerkindale were quantum leaping all over the time continuum, I'd definitely be watching. However, Scott Bakula doesn't "do" it for me.

I also have great concern for the souls he displaces from their bodies. How would you feel, if someone hopped into your body, and when you came back, you found that he had turned out several issues of POWER STAR without your consent or knowledge. The fellow seems to have good intentions, but he is, after all, body snatching!

Come to think of it, I'm actually rather glad that Simon doesn't have Scott Bakula's role, because I'd hate to see him in drag!! The thought of my favorite male star pregnant, for example, is too gross for me. (I never use the word "gross" in my everyday vocabulary, but in this case it's especially appropriate, because "gross" - with an e - also happens to be French for pregnant.)

I'm having enough trouble, as it is, stomaching Simon's choosing to let Sophie Michaud ioin the Counterstrike team. I think Stone has been displaying tremendous good humor: I certainly could never tolerate living half my life on a plane with Gabrielle! The very thought of her on board gives me claustrophobia!

My objection is not to the idea of recruiting a resourceful world-class photojoumalist for the team, but to the woman Sophie Michaud makes of her. I find Gabrielle's credentials completely unconvincing. If Cyrielle Claire (Nikki) were playing the role, we'd see some alertness, some sharpness, some intelligence. We'd see the "wheels go 'round" inside the lady's cranium. We'd see Gabrielle thinking.

But when Sophie stares at the screen before her, I can't believe she's discovering anything - a fact, an idea - for the first time. Her sluggish acting infuriates me. I want her off the show so desperately it hurts!! She harms the series immeasurably. (Or perhaps it can be meaured: I'd expect a drop in the ratings between Cyrielle's episodes and the ones we're seeing now.) From Kimberly, I gather that you somewhat agree with me, or at least can understand my frustration.

[snipped]

I also enjoyed Kimberly's astute synopsis of each of the Manimal episodes, and the wild autographed picture Simon signed for her. I've never been able to watch Twin Peaks, but I have to agree with Kimberly that Kyle MacLachlan is one of the most attractive actors on screen today. So I liked all these pictures of the fellow in the issue*, I just wish they were making costume romances for the man to star in. Instead of making him work for David Lynch.

I did read Kimberly's story, simply because she wrote it - and she writes so well, that even if the characters are net emotionally close to me, it's still a smooth, easy read.

I'm afraid if I ever found myself in Twin Peaks, I'd get out of town by whatever means possible, as fast as I could. I dread being trapped in David Lynch country. (That was a vile, nasty thing he did to Agent Cooper, when ABC killed the series. I managed to watch part of that episode; but it only confirmed my distaste for the show. And when even the hero turned evil - well, that did it for me. I know Kimberly has written Coop out of the Black Lodge. But I believe Lynch and his work should be quarantined.)

[snipped]

I remember how impressed I was when she told me that you had been issuing POWER STAR on a monthly basis. The only fanzine I had encountered. Longbow was lucky to come out annually. Unfortunately, Kevin Costner seems to have dispatched Longbow with an arrow of his own. I expected the movie to have deleterious effects on the intensity of fan interest in the British (Michael Praed/Jason Connery) version of Robin Hood (Robin of Sherwood). My concern appears to have been justified: I've heard nothing mere from the folks who published that well-written, well-designed zine. But POWER STAR - also well-written and well-designed - still radiates! Over fifty issues of POWER STAR so far!

Thanks again for your superb generosity, and congratulations on a job very, very well done. [11]

Issue 52

front cover of issue #52 (feat Star Wars)
back cover of issue #52, J. Calvin Smith

Power Star 52 was published in 1992 and contains 60 pages. It was edited by Jerry Seward.

The art is by Nola Frame-Gray, J. Calvin Smith.

  • The Warrior by Amy Bisson (Star Wars) (4)
  • Comes The Cheetah, Part One by D. Lynn Bivens (The Flash) ("Note: As the characters in this story are based on those on the T.V. series, imagine the villainess Cheetah (aka Yolanda Bonners) as portrayed by Shares Stone who played the character "Lori" in Total Recall. She was Quaid's beautiful blonde "wife" planted by the Agency to "keep an eye on him""). (5)
  • The Renewal Run, Part One by D. Lynn Bivens (Logan's Run) ("Based on an unfinished Marvel Comics story by John Warner.") (8)
  • You Can’t Keep A Good Joker Down, Part Two by D. Lynn Bivens (Batman) (11)
  • Voices Through the Gateway, Part Two by Kimberly Murphy (Twin Peaks) (17)
  • Penny’s Diary, Conclusion by D. Lynn Bivens (Lost in Space) (29)
  • I Will Not Be Pushed, Conclusion by J. Calvin Smith (The Prisoner) (36)
  • My Brother’s Keeper Part Three by D. Lynn Bivens (Quantum Leap) (47)
  • Writing for Star Trek: The Next Generation Guidelines by Mark Lister ("If you're a fledgling writer, Star Trek: The Next Generation Executive Producer Michael Filler is your best friend. Even though 99.9% of the thousands of scripts submitted to the show each year are rejected, your chances of making a sale here are probably better than anywhere else in the television industry. Mr. Filler was once a novice himself and apparently remembers the painful at tempts at breaking into the business. The legal department at Paramount Pictures has a very strict policy which prevents any employee of the studio from reading unsolicited story and script material. Unsolicited material must be returned to its author unread. However, under a special arrangement, producers of ST:TNG are allowed to consider free lance material. If you're among those who would defy the odds, then pay attention to the strict guidelines below and follow them to the letter!") (57)
  • News (60)

Issue 53

Power Star 53 was published in 1992.

Issue 54

  • Conclusion of "Only Half the Man," a MANIMAL story.

Issue 55

Power Star 55 was published in October 1992 and contains 28 pages.

The art is by L.G. Frey (mostly) and Calvin Smith.

front cover of issue #55, portrait of Barnabas Collins, artist is L.G. Frey
interior page from issue #55
  • Murphy's Musings, editorial ("Happy Halloween to our readers.") (3)
  • Night People: Night of the Owl, part one by L.G. Frey ("In part one of this original tale, L.G. Frey explores the vampire legend from the perspective of a female vampire named Emmeline.") (4)
  • The Truth Behind the Mast, part two by D. Lynn Bivens ("Part two of this Friday the 13th story sees Jack, Micki, and Ryan arrive at Silvercreek searching for the evil Jason - and his cursed hockey mask.") (12)
  • Family Matters, part two by D. Lynn Bivens ("In part two of this Dark Shadows story, Quentin Collins and Miranda Winters each contribute their own brand of horror to Collinwood -- and Barnabas plots to exploit each one.") (14)
  • Down at the End of Lonely Street, part two by D. Lynn Bivens (Part two of this Friday the 13th story finds Jack, Micki, and Ryan at the end of Lonely Street, searching for the missing Matt Louder -- and the cursed guitar of Nick Ozgood.") (17)
  • Fanzine Reviews by Kimberley Murphy (reviews of Satellite Link and Secrets of Twin Peaks) (19)
  • The Man Who Fell from the Sky, part one by D. Lynn Bivens and Gerald James Seward ("Part one of this counterstrike story finds two familiar faces from the past emerging at uncomfortable times as the team works to protect a scientist friend of Alexander Addington's who's feeling threatened as he makes a major scientific breakthrough.") (22)
  • Comm Panel ("Your views on our work.") (26)
  • News ("The last word on the latest news from the world of fantastic media.") (27)

Issue 56

Power Star 56 was published in November 1992.

It has art by Andrew Kern.

cover of issue #56

Issue 57

Issue 58

Issue 59

Issue 60

  • "The Road Not Taken," an original SF short story; "The Visitor."

Issue 61

  • Part one of a Russ Tamblyn interview.

Issue 62

Issue 63

Issue 64

  • (1993) Part two of "Reunion: The Men in Black Incident."

Issue 65

Issue 66

  • FANTASTIC TELEVISION `93! Our annual salute to TV begins with part one of a three-part SPACE:1999 script-story that finds Koenig questioning the reason for the Alphans' strange adventures, "The Devil's Sweets". Also: Sam Beckett leaps into a mental patient whose wife is conspiring to steal his land in the complete-in-this-issue QUANTUM LEAP story "Pardon My Insanity"; a SPACE:1999 "tech sheet" on Alpha as the "Hub Of Our Solar System: Lunar Transportation Node"; TWIN PEAKS' Agent Cooper tangles with a cantankerous stapler in the third "Tapes Withheld"; a FLASH filksong, "You Won't See Him"; FLASHBACK editor/publisher Steve Beverly reviews the Golden Age SF classic series SCIENCE FICTION THEATER; more.

Issue 67

Issue 68

  • "Muties and M.O.N.S.T.E.R.s," an X-FACTOR story.

Issue 69

  • "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," a MacGYVER story.

Issue 70

Issue 71

Issue 72

  • OUR VERSION OF MARCH MADNESS! Primary story: The struggle against the Visitors of V goes on with a new agent to take up the battle in the complete-in-this-issue story "Death Dreams". Also: The first ever JURASSIC PARK filksong, "Meat Eater"; Sam Beckett QUANTUM LEAPs into the life of INVISIBLE MAN Dr. Dan Weston in part one of a crossover adventure called "Leap In, Fade Out"; part two of the three-part GET SMART tale "The Almost, Absolutely, Positively Ultimate KAOS Kaper".
  • TWIN PEAKS ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL!] Primary story: Ben Horne's up to no good in the complete-in-this-issue story "Boys Night Out". Also: Cartoonist J. Calvin Smith turns out "A Musical Guide To TWIN PEAKS For The Very Young"; Cooper discovers the joy of temperature regulation in Federal buildings in the latest in the ongoing humor series "Tapes Withheld"; conclusion of the two-part Russ Tamblyn interview.

Issue 74

cover of issue #74

Power Star 74 was published in 1994 and is 46 pages long.

  • The Man Who Fell From The Sky—Conclusion (Counterstrike) (14 pages)
  • All The Kingpin’s Men—Conclusion (Spiderman) (10 pages)
  • Home For the Weekend—Conclusion (Starman) (9 pages)
  • KILLER CONCLUSIONS! Primary story: Paul and Scott return to STARMAN's home world to save his people from a plague killing them in the conclusion of "Home For The Weekend". Also: The makeshift COUNTERSTRIKE team of Peter, Stone, and Monique Lamer must stop Strand from carrying out his evil plan and save Nikki--if they can--in the conclusion of "The Man Who Fell From The Sky"; SPIDERMAN Peter Parker collides with Kingpin Wilson Fisk in the conclusion of "All The Kingpin's Men".

Issue 75

  • GERRY ANDERSON CELEBRATION! Primary story: CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS face off over the world economy in the complete-in-this-issue story "The Gold Standard". Also: Act two of the three act SPACE:1999 script "The Devil's Sweets", in which the alien ship encountered at the end of act one is close enough so its gravitational forces threaten Alpha's existence; CAPTAIN SCARLET mulls over an important decision in the short-short "Moonlight Rhapsody"; reviews of Anderson productions TERRAHAWKS, STINGRAY, FIREBALL XL-5, THUNDERBIRDS, and UFO; universe guides to CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS and SPACE:1999.

Issue 76

  • I LOVE COMICS `94! Primary story: An overview of independent comics, reprinted from THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER. Also: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA tries to stop one of their own who's gone renegade in the complete-in-this-issue story "Blind Justice"; previews from independent comics FREEX, BECK & CAUL INVESTIGATIONS, U.N. FORCE, and WANDERING STAR; more.

Issue 77

  • STAR TREK SPECIAL `94! Primary story: Captain Kirk and the ENTERPRISE finds a ship containing a beautiful woman who enchants Chekov in the complete-in-this-issue story "Chekov's Wife". Also: STAR TREK and STAR TREK:THE NEXT GENERATION filksongs "Talk To Mr. Spock", "Identical Androids", and "You Belong To The Starship"; Kirk and company take the place of Wile E. Coyote in the humorous "STAR TREK Meets The Road-Runner"; a variation on the famous "Hi-Bob" bar room game called "STAR TREK:THE NEXT GENERATION--The Drinking Game"; reviews of THE FLINTSTONES and the Romulan-oriented newsletter CLOAKING DEVICE.

Issue 78

Issue 78--FANTASTIC TELEVISION `94! Primary story: CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS collide again as Spectrum tries to protect a World Navy exhibition in a "Time Warp Tales" reprint of the out-of-print "An Exercise In Hope". Also: A bank holdup in Spokane two days before Dale and Audrey's wedding draws Dale and Diane's attention away from TWIN PEAKS in the complete-in-this-issue story "New Lives"; an ALIEN NATION filksong, "We All Live In An Alien Nation"; QUANTUM LEAP filksongs "Bringin' On The Rain" and "Quantum Blues"; reviews of THE SHADOW and the Japanese kids' series ULTRA 7.

Issue 79

  • HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Primary story: A woman and her boyfriend head to Camp Crystal Lake for a murderous encounter in the complete-in-this-issue FRIDAY THE 13TH story, "Just the Same". Also: Michael Myers is ready to leave the mental hospital--or is he?--in a complete-in-this-issue HALLOWEEN story "Love's First Kiss"; reviews of DEAD AT 21 and FOX's rebroadcast of THUNDERBIRDS; part two of the FOREVER KNIGHT tale "Rogue"; part three of the original piece "Night People: Night Of The Owl".

Issue 80

Power Star 27 was published in 1994.

  • GIVE THANKS FOR SUBMISSIONS! Primary story: Buster, Lisa, and Clarissa try to stop the monsters dominating a retirement home in act three of the six-act original script-story "NightSpeak". Also: Holiday etiquette for Klingons; a pilot in the near future receives an offer from her sensei she can't refuse in the complete-in-this-issue story "Earth Bound Misfit, I"; Picard and company encounter an odd spaceship in the ST:TNG short-short "Where No Man Has Gone Before?"; more.

Issue 81

Power Star 81 was published in December 1994 and contains 74 pages.

front cover of issue #81
back cover of issue #81, J. Calvin Smith

Issue 81--HOLIDAY GRAB BAG! Primary story: Fandom universes converge and only the Fictional Hero Protection Alliance can sort out the damage in J. Calvin Smith's sequel to the non-media-based tale "D.V.O." entitled "F.H.P.A." Also: L. Gray explores how Harry Truman and Dennis Bryson formulated their plan to rescue Agent Cooper from Jean Renault in an episode from the second season of TWIN PEAKS in this complete-in-this-issue "missing scene" tale, "Uniformity"; learn why Ben Kenobi stopped fighting evil in the complete-in-this-issue STAR WARS story "Fading Faith"; a STAR WARS satire, "DEC Wars"; from the internet, the BABYLON 5 frequently asked questions (FAQ) list.

From the editorial:

You may have noticed all the Internet stuff we've used lately—the graphics, news, and e-mail jump out right away. But have you noticed the stories? Two pieces last issue came from e-mail. One came through e-mail last month. What this means is that our electronic experiment is taking off in a way even I didn't expect. As I write this in October 1994, six months after we joined up with our first BBS, the Anne Arundel Information Exchange, we are now one of the fastest-growing e-zines (electronic zines) on the Internet. 30 BBS partners now make up our ranks, and not a day goes by that I don't get a re(^uest for an issue by e-mail from someone who read about us on USENET. Jerry got a letter from a woman in Belgium who'd heard about us on the Internet. Our electronic readership outnumbers our print readership at least 5 to 1 (hard numbers on the Internet are hard to come by, but I do know the approximate readership on the BBSs each month.

I bring this up for two reasons. One is that we've gotten a lot of positive feedback on the increase in variety in our issues, and I think the Internet has helped that. The second is that, sadly, we've had to change our internet address. By the time you read this, AAIE will no longer handle Internet e-mail. I'll miss Bob Nassal, and wish to express my thanks to him for the six months he was able to help us with this grand experiment, Power Star online. We have, however, found a new home: ACE Online, in Silver Spring, MD.

As our Internet involvement grows, we'll explore what all is available for the science fiction fan. This issue brings one of the staples of the Internet, the FAQ. FAQ stands for "Frequently Asked Questions" and is the number-one most requested item in most newsgroups on USENET (as in, "Can somebody repost the FAQ?" or "The answer to that question is in the FAQ"). The FAQ representative in this issue is the Babylon 5 FAQ, posted monthly to rec.arts.sf.tv and several other groups.

Also in electronic-related news, Power Star would like to extend our congratulations to The Ultimate Connections BBS, one of our partners, who was voted one of the top 100 BBSs in the country by the readers of Boardwatch Magazine. We're proud to be part of the growth of this board, even in a small way. Congratulations to the staff of The Ultimate Connection!

  • Credits 'N' Stuff (Who did what kind of art/graphics in this issue, plus the usual disclaimers, address, etc.) (3)
  • Murphy's Musings by Kimberly Murphy (Random thoughts from a rambling editor.) (4)
  • Subscription Rates (5)
  • An Alternative View by J. Calvin Smith (Background on Wonder Warthog, an underground comics superhero.) (6)
  • Power Stars Shareware Distributors (Got a modem? Check out these BBSs where Power Star and lots of other great stuff can be found.) (7)
  • F.H.P.A. by J. Calvin Smith (In this sequel to last year's D.V.O., storylines begin converging fictional heroes everywhere.) (9)
  • The Babylon 5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) List by Lee Whiteside and Dan Wood (A staple of the Internet, the FAQ list, comes to Power Star. In this installment, we examine the S/F adventure series Babylon 5.) (17)
  • DEC Wars, contributed by Arthur C. Adams (Also found on the Internet: This satire of Star Wars...) (42)
  • Colophon (How we produced this month's gift.) (45)
  • Uniformity by L. Gray ("Ever wonder how Harry Truman and Dennis Bryson came up with their plan to rescue Dale Cooper in Twin Peaks' episode 2013? Then you'll love this story that speculates how it might have been done.") (part of the story reprinted in Dreams Unwind) (49)
  • Fading Faith by Charles Reynolds (Obi-Wan Kenobi's struggle against evil is the subject of this Star Wars prequel.) (53)
  • Comm Panel (Your feedback is the best holiday gift we could get.) (55)
  • Ye Olde Collectables and Trivia Shoppe by Bennet Pomerantz (57)
  • News (Catch up with Jerry, Kimberly, and Bennet.) (58)
  • Back Issues Cross Reference (59)
  • Coming Next Time (75)

Issue 82

  • HAPPY NEW YEAR! Primary story: A grieving young man needs LOIS AND CLARK's help to find his missing girlfriend who's found out something about the notorious crime syndicate InterGang in part one of a five-part script-story, "Better Late Than Never". Also: The duality of man as personified by Spectrum agent Captain Scarlet and his ex-mentor, Spectrum agent-turned-Mysteron terrorist Captain Black, is explored in part one of a new multi-part CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS story, "Pawns Of Evil"; the aftermath of SLEEPING BEAUTY's life with Prince Charming is explored in the short-short "After Love's First Kiss"; a look at a designer who designs TNG clothes from an entirely different angle; episode guides to LOIS AND CLARK's first season and to the short-lived s-f/action series VIPER; a look at the internet's reaction to X-FILES; movie reviews of PUPPET MASTERS, STARGATE, and STAR TREK:GENERATIONS.

Issue 83

  • STAR TREK SPECIAL! In the era of STAR TREK:THE NEXT GENERATION, a new starship with a new crew prepares to head off on a First Contact mission to the Tholian Assembly in part one of a multi-part story, "The SOLAR WIND Saga: First Impressions". Also: Q returns to haunt Picard and THE NEXT GENERATION crew in part one of a two-part tale, "Winner Take All".

Issue 84

  • STORIES OF SUPERMEN! Primary story: Award-winning author Mary J. Rudy contributes a complete-in-this-issue tale where the indestructable CAPTAIN SCARLET must protect the British Prime Minister from a "Tiny Terror" Mysteron agent. Also: A CAPTAIN SCARLET filksong, "Angel Ng"; part two of "Better Late Than Never".

Issue 85

Power Star 85 was published in 1995. HAPPY 5TH ANNIVERSARY, TWIN PEAKS! Primary story: A being from the dream realm is causing nightmares for Audrey and Diane and to stop him, Cooper must keep an "Appointment with Morpheus". Also: J. Calvin Smith's analysis of one of TWIN PEAKS' most controversial moments, the death of Madeleine Ferguson, in "Closed Circle"; a look at the USENET newsgroup alt.tv.twin-peaks and the denizens therein.

  • Credits `N' Stuff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
    The usual disclaimers, addresses, etc.
  • Murphy's Musings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
    An open letter to Craig Miller and John Thorne, Co-
    Editors of the TWIN PEAKS-based mainstream zine WRAPPED IN PLASTIC

Subscription Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

    Our usual advertising plug.
  • POWER STAR Shareware Distributors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
    Got a modem?  Check out these BBSs where POWER STAR and
    lots of other great stuff can be found.
  • "Closed Circle", By J. Calvin Smith. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
    Did Madeleine Ferguson have to die near the end of the
    Laura Palmer murder mystery?  J. Calvin Smith explores
    some of the symbolism in TWIN PEAKS' most controversial
    scene.
  • "Welcome To alt.tv.twin-peaks", By Kimberly Murphy . . . . . . . . . . . 12
    TWIN PEAKS lives on after cancellation, thanks to an
    offbeat USENET newsgroup.  Some of the regulars of the
    group give their thoughts on the series.
  • "Appointment With Morpheus", By Kimberly Murphy. . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
    A being from the dream realm threatens the Coopers'
    happiness--is it up to Dale to save TWIN PEAKS again?
  • Comm Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
    Your feedback is the "peak" of our day.
  • "Ye Olde Collectables And Trivia Shoppe", By Bennet Pomerantz. . . . . . 69
    Bennet Pomerantz's nationally-renowned column on the
    latest in collectables.
  • Back Issues Cross-Reference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
    Previously in POWER STAR about TWIN PEAKS...
  • Coming Next Time.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Issue 86

  • Primary story: X-MEN collide with Magneto and his forces in the conclusion of "X-Men". Also: Smith tempts fate while LOST IN SPACE when he encounters "The Toy Maker"; CAPTAIN SCARLET is concerned about the "Differences" in his life after Spectrum's initial encounters with the Mysterons in a complete-in-this-issue short-short; SILVER SURFER brings Galactus to Earth in the conclusion of "What Price Be Mercy?

Issue 87

  • SCRIPT SPECIAL! Primary story: Buster, Lisa, Clarissa, and Dr. Delgado continue their fight against the forces of evil in "NightSpeak". Also: From the internet, the STAR TREK:THE NEXT GENERATION humor piece "The Fall Of The Borg"; more.

Issue 88

Issue 88--IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE II! Primary story: A space trader transports a very unusual cargo in the complete-in-this-issue original tale "A Trader's Tale". Also: The conclusion of PROJECT:U.F.O. story "Reunion: The Men In Black Incident"; conclusion of the CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS script-story "Pawns Of Evil".

Issue 89

  • HOT SUMMER STORIES! Primary story: In the era of STAR TREK VI, the crew of the EXCELSIOR tries to find out what happened to Captain Sulu in part two of "Ghost Captain". Also: A viewer's guide to the GODZILLA movies; traffic backs up behind "The Sweeper" in this short-short; reviews of the X-FILES novel GOBLINS and the third installment of the BATMAN trilogy, BATMAN FOREVER; act five of "NightSpeak"; conclusion of "The Renewal Run".

Issue 90

Issue 90--FANTASTIC TELEVISION IV! Primary story: The Book House Boys go on a mission to stop drug runners using TWIN PEAKS as their throughway in the complete-in-this-issue tale "Star Light, Star Bright". Also: The Mysterons threaten the European commanders of the World military--one of whom is Captain Scarlet's father--in the complete-in-this-issue CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS story "Uneasy Relations"; reviews of JUDGE DREDD and APOLLO 13; part two of the QUANTUM LEAP/INVISIBLE MAN crossover "Leap In, Fade Out"; conclusion of "The Almost, Absolutely, Positively Ultimate KAOS Kaper".

Issue 91

Power Star 91 was published in October 1995 and contains 96 pages.

cover of issue #91
  • Primary story: CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS find out "Whose Heart Is Blackest" when they encounter an insane German military officer who has Captain Scarlet's regenerative powers.
  • Act one of a new ROCKY HORROR script-story
  • "The Revenge Of Dr. Frankenfurter"
  • Sam Beckett QUANTUM LEAPs into a Vietnamese P.O.W. who plays a vital role in Al's survival in "The Leap Into Hell"
  • conclusion of the script-story "NightSpeak"

Issue 92

  • THANKS, GERRY ANDERSON! Our second salute to the contributions of British producers Gerry and Sylvia Anderson kicks off with members of Moonbase Alpha getting mysteriously ill as a stricken spaceship from a peaceful race docks for repairs in the complete-in-this-issue SPACE:1999 story "Images". Also: The first battle between CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS is over--but Spectrum must decide what to do with the newly-revived Captain Scarlet in a "missing scene" story, "Chance For A Lifetime"; a UFO episode guide; fans speak out about the universe of Gerry Anderson in a special survey; conclusion of the SPACE:1999 script-story "The Devil's Sweets".

Issue 93

  • HOLIDAY GRAB BAG! Primary story: James West and Artemus Gordon leave THE WILD WILD WEST behind to visit Sherlock Holmes in England in the sequel to "Night Of The Shylock" called "The Case Of The Retired American Agent". Also: A glimpse into TWIN PEAKS' newspaper archives in another installment of "Tapes Withheld"; Agent Fox has captured STARMAN in a "Time Warp Tales" reprint of the out-of-print "In The Name Of Science"; act three of "Better Late Than Never".

Issue 94

  • HAPPY NEW YEAR! Primary story: Scully and Mulder go on an X-FILES case and discover something that could disrupt the fabric of time in "The Incident In Napierville". Also: The end of the universe approaches in an original tale, "Future Tense"; a young man at a dance meets a woman with a special secret in "Tomorrow's Invitation"; A SPACE:ABOVE AND BEYOND universe guide; Captain Black sings the plot of CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS in a filksong called "No Earthman Will Survive".

Issue 95

  • STAR TREK SPECIAL! Primary story: Sam Beckett QUANTUM LEAPs into TNG's Jean-Luc Picard as the ENTERPRISE goes back in time in a matter that involves "The Essence Of Time". Also: Tom Restivo gives VOYAGER the MST3K treatment in "From THE POWER STAR OF LOVE..."; a STAR TREK filksong, "Addicted To TREK"; conclusion of "Winner Take All".

Issue 96

  • STORIES OF SUPERMEN! Primary story: SUPERMAN and THE INCREDIBLE HULK team up to fight a being from another realm in "Strange New World". Also: CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS tangle over a nuclear matter-antimatter reactor in Brazil to prevent "Twenty Minutes To Anhiliation", then CAPTAIN SCARLET and Spectrum reluctantly team with ARMY OF DARKNESS' Ash to destroy the Necronomicon in "Technical Difficulties"; act four of the LOIS AND CLARK script-story "Better Late Than Never".

Issue 97

  • HAPPY 6TH ANNIVERSARY, TWIN PEAKS! POWER STAR celebrates the series' sixth anniversary with a novella-length murder mystery that brings Donna Hayward back to TWIN PEAKS in "Coming Around Again".

Issue 98

  • I LOVE COMICS `96! Primary story: THE ATOM teams with BATMAN to prevent an "Explosion". Also: BATMAN must deal with another vigilante who brings Gotham City into a form of "Stalemate" and the Mad Hatter in the conclusion of "The Tea Party"; conclusion of "The Fantastic Four"; conclusion of "Better Late Than Never".

Issue 99

  • NOVELLA SPECIAL! The WAR OF THE WORLDS continues in a new novella-length tale involving an old friend of Suzanne's who comes to visit and gets a more exciting visit than she bargained for in "People Like Peggy". Also: A movie review of SCREAMERS.

Issue 100

  • WE'VE REACHED THE CENTURY MARK! POWER STAR writers reminisce about 100 issues and the development of the zine as we celebrate our longevity. Also: Fictional characters from disparate universes each awaken to find himself/herself in The Village in part one of a four-part multi-universe adventure "The Kingmaker"; Hawke and AIRWOLF must save a dying agent of Archangel's who happens to be Hawke's half-sister in "He's My Brother"; THE FLASH tangles with The Weather Wizard in "Flash Of Darkness"; a QUANTUM LEAP filksong, "Save QUANTUM LEAP"; a rewrite of the ALIEN NATION filksong "Ballad Of The Newcomers"; a QUARK filk-short-short, "A Ditty For The Betties' Uniforms".

Issue 101

  • GERRY ANDERSON SPECIAL! Primary story: The death of Dr. Helena Russell disrupts life on Moonbase Alpha in a complete-in-this-issue SPACE:1999 story, "La Carmencita". Also: CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS both have an interest in stopping the insane plans of a general who has designs on launching a direct attack on Mars in "Tyrant"; part two of "The Kingmaker".

Issue 102

  • FANTASTIC TELEVISION `96! Primary story: Hawke and AIRWOLF are on a hunt to find the missing Dominic Santini in a complete-in-this-issue story, "Gyrfalcon". Also: Seven years before he was dubbed CAPTAIN SCARLET, Second Lieutenant Paul Metcalfe was a member of the World Army Air Force Special Forces and experienced a mission that became "A Cross To Bear"; part four of "Comes The Cheetah"; part three of "The Kingmaker".

Issue 103

  • HALLOWEEN SPECIAL `96! Primary story: Nick Knight must face the consequences of shooting a fellow officer while trying to protect Natalie from vampire enforcers in the conclusion of "Rogue". Also: A V cross-reference; an original tale, "The Return Of Zorrothustra"; a poem about fiction writing, "A Lone Creation"; part four of "Night People: Night Of The Owl"; conclusion of "The Kingmaker".

Issue 104

  • THANKFUL FOR TREK! Primary story: Kirk faces "The Fire Of The Forge" in a complete-in-this-issue story. Also: From the internet, "100 Reasons Kirk Is Better Than Picard"; a STAR TREK:THE NEXT GENERATION poem, "Wasteland"; conclusion of "The SOLAR WIND Saga: First Impressions"; a review of STAR TREK:FIRST CONTACT.

Issue 105

  • SELECTIONS FROM SPACE! Primary story: The first manned mission to Mars encounters more than they bargained for in the complete-in-this-issue tale "Live From Mars". Also: Find out the "Top Ten Signs You Are Hooked On BABYLON 5"; Parker Gabriel sings another CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS filksong about "A Story Of Scarlet"; a review of THE RELIC.

Issue 106

Issue 107

  • THE WORLDS OF GERRY ANDERSON! Primary story: Life on Alpha changes drastically as SPACE:1999's Helena Russell prepares to lead a mission aboard an experimental craft back to Earth in a complete-in-this-issue story "Mission: Home". Also: The unexpected pregancy of an Alpha technician and the disappearance of Maya lead to a "Transformation" of attitudes in this complete-in-this-issue SPACE:1999 story; SCIENCE FICTION MODELLER correspondent Marc Frattasio provides insights into the construction of many of the Gerry Anderson series' models and sets; General Henderson is found dead at Harlington-Straker Studios and Ed Straker is determined to get to the bottom of it in the complete-in-this-issue UFO story "The Men In Black"; news.

Issue 108

  • Archangel is being held hostage and the terrorists who have him want AIRWOLF in exchange in the story "Vision." Also: The same virus that nearly killed Captain Morris in the first SOLAR WIND story may be spreading aboard the ship in "The SOLAR WIND Saga: The Trail."

Issue 109

  • TWIN PEAKS ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL! Primary story: Sheriff Harry S. Truman faces new questions about the F.B.I.'s continued involvement in TWIN PEAKS law enforcement in the story "An Issue of Character." Also: A TWIN PEAKS drinking game; Cooper and forensic pathologist Sam Stanley investigate the Teresa Banks murder in "The Start."

Issue 110

  • STAR TREK SPECIAL! Primary story: Deanna Troi has been working with Worf's son Alexander to help him cope with life without his mother, but learns that "A Child's Love" can be a powerful force indeed in this STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION story. Also: The SOLAR WIND crew faces a battle with The Old Ones in "The SOLAR WIND Saga: The Apocalypse Scenario."

Issue 111

  • SCI-FI GRAPHICS artist Andrew Kear presents a new SPACE: 1999 comic that has the "Errant Moon" wandering into the space around the planet Aron. Also: Spectrum must deal with both Mysteron clones and nature's own lookalikes - identical twins - in a CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS tale, "Mixed Doubles."

Issue 112

  • War, honor, dragons, fair maidens - it's all a part of Vickie Murphy's fantasy tale "Of Cabbages and Queens." Also: The perils of life with a wiccan are examined in the poem "Armchair Witches"; a reporter not only gets a great scoop on the Roswell U.F.O. incident but also more than he bargained for in an original tale, "Exile from the Earth"; news.

Issue 113

  • The struggle between CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS is now over two years old, and the secret of Captain Scarlet's indestructibility has been compromised in the story "Truth and Consequences"; the Mysterons threaten to destroy the pride of the seven seas, and it's up to CAPTAIN SCARLET to stop them in "Unknown Danger"; your questions about Gerry Anderson shows are answered in the Gerry Anderson Productions Frequently Asked Questions List; news.

Issue 114

Issue 115

  • HALLOWEEN SPECIAL! Primary story: The SOLAR WIND is called to investigate reports of a renegade faction of Tholians that have placed "Souls in Tension" in this STAR TREK-inspired adventure. Also: A "Time Warp Tales" reprint of a story from our very first issue, about "The Girl with Homely Eyes"; nightmares from "A Haunted Past" trouble Tasha Yar in a STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION short story; news.

Issue 116

  • THANKSGIVING BUFFET. Sam Beckett QUANTUM LEAPs into a bigamist in a new Shirla Turman piece called "I Led Three Wives" and two new Mary Battles STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION stories--injuries to Troi, Beverly, and Tasha lead to some exploration of emotions in "Deadly Games," and Tasha Yar's capture by the Romulans after the ENTERPRISE-C travels back in time is explored in "Alternate Life." Also: the poem "Nocturne."

Issue 117

  • OUR FIRST JAG NOVELLA AND KIMBERLY'S LAST ISSUE. Primary story: Meg and Harmon think they're dealing with an apparent attempt at terrorism on US soil...but the truth is something much bigger than even they bargained for in the complete-in-this-issue JAG tale "Anarch's Hand". Also: Klingon poems "Glory's Call", "The Soul Of A Warrior's Heart", and "Star Of Life"; Brendan Dillon's "Top Ten Reasons Why The Enterprise Doesn't Have An Infinite Improbability Drive" and "Top Ten Things That Will Never Happen On The X-Files"; from the internet, a "Generic Disaster Movie Script"; reviews of Gattica, Kisses, and the science fiction romance novels of Johanna Lindsey; what JMS didn't show you in a Babylon 5 satire, "Sheridan's Interrogation: The Unseen Cut".

Issue 118

  • AMERICAN GOTHIC special! Primary story: "If Your Memory Serves You Well." Also: VISIONS '97 con report and an interview with Gary Lockwood.

Issue 119

Issue 120

Issue 121

Issue 122

Issue 123

Issue 124

Issue 125

Issue 126

Issue 127

  • (October 1998). This month, we celebrate Halloween: Sins of the Father; Wasp; News; More SF Entertainment News; Seward's Words - By Jerry Seward. Anthony's Anxieties - By Anthony Van Pyre. archived here.

Issue 128

Issue 129

Issue 132

Power Star 132 was published in July 1999 and contains 30 pages.

Jerry Seward, Editor-in-Chief; Fox, Layout Editor; Anthony Van Pyre, Assistant Editor and Web Consultant; Jerri Manry, Manuscript Editor; Cat In The Hat, Web Design Editor, On-line Webmaster; Andrew Kear and Charlotte Noble, Staff Artists; Bambi Braun; Typist Andrew Kear.

cover of issue #132
  • Commentary by Jerry Seward (2)
  • UK and Beyond, article by Hazel Kohler (Cruel Earth/The Last Train, much more) (3)
  • The Other Summer Movies, Or What to Do When You've Already Seen The Phantom Menace a Million Times? (5)
  • I Hold My Breath and Wait for You to Breath, fiction by Daylan Richards (Sliders) (6)
  • News (7)
  • Beholder's Eye, book review by David (10)
  • Darkeye: A First Look, a preview by Karen Lloyd (11)
  • Arrow Comics: A Review by Anthony Van Pyre and Jerry Seward (16)
  • Babylon 5 Space Combat Simulator, a preview by Joseph Gelmis (17)
  • Meat the Mangalore, filk to the tune of "Walk the Dinosaur" by Was (Not Was), by Lloyd Wood (Fifth Element) (18)
  • Lost and Found, part one, fiction by Kimberly Murphy (Twin Peaks) (19)
  • New Forever Knight Soundtrack CD (29)
  • Next Issue (30)
  • full page flyer for a Ron Hubbard book, "A Very Strange Trip"

References

  1. ^ from issue #50
  2. ^ Need QL Fiction (January 5, 1997)
  3. ^ from The Unseen Observer #1 (1991)
  4. ^ from a letter of comment by Nola Frame-Gray in "Power Star" #25
  5. ^ from a letter of comment in "Power Star" #51
  6. ^ from a letter of comment in "Power Star" #51
  7. ^ from a letter of comment in "Power Star" #51
  8. ^ Twenty-four dollars??
  9. ^ from a letter of comment in "Power Star" #52
  10. ^ from a letter of comment by J. Calvin Smith (cartoonist in previous issues, including issue #50) in "Power Star" #51
  11. ^ from a letter of comment in "Power Star" #52