Protoculture Addicts
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Protoculture Addicts |
| Publisher: | Ianus Publications |
| Editor(s): | |
| Type: | Fanzine; later licensed |
| Date(s): | Fall 1987-2008 |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Robotech, anime/manga |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | Wikipedia |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Protoculture Addicts was an early anime zine that originally focused on Robotech and later expanded to general anime and manga information. As a Robotech zine, it was officially licensed by Harmony Gold through Ianus Publications. From 1991-1995 it had a sister zine Mecha Press; after its cancelation, the remaining unpublished content was folded back into PA. In 2005 it was acquired by Anime News Network. It was last published in 2008.
About
We were so proud of our little fanzine that we sent complimentary copies to Palladium Books (publisher of the RPG) and Harmony Gold (producer of the animated TV series). In response, we received an angry letter from the first, and a lawyer’s letter threatening to sue us for copyright infringement from the second, because of the fanzine and a picture of us wearing homemade Robotech t-shirts. Fortunately, it was agreed that we could continue publication as the OFFICIAL Robotech fanzine with the payment of a license ($2000 per year was probably a reasonable amount, but it was a lot of money for a bunch of kids in college). In Spring ’88, we reprinted an extended version of the first issue as the Official Robotech Fanzine, which was reprinted again in 1989 in a new comic book format. Now, the magazine needed to make at least enough money to cover the licensing fee, so with #2 (following the advice of local comic bookstore owners—Comic Key, Captain Quebec, Cosmix) we sought a larger distribution and, for that, got a color cover. As they say, the rest is history.Clodjee Pelletier, 20 Years of Protoculture (originally published in Protoculture Addicts #94 (Nov.-Dec. 2007))
Lorraine Savage of Anime Hasshin interviewed Ianus Publications staff at AnimeCon '91, shortly after the zine's switch to general information:
All the Ianus staff attended AnimeCon (no one was at ChiCon V) because AnimeCon was too important, especially being the first one, they said. [...]Protoculture Addicts #16 will start the magazine's new format, which will be similar to Anime Zine's. The new format will allow more space for graphic designs. Professional graphics designer Pierre Ouellette has signed on.
More good news is that more distributors are increasing their orders of Protoculture Addicts. Ianus has recieved letters and orders have proven that PA's move to include other anime topics besides Robotech has been favorable. Ianus received some complaints about the decision, but the company has assured these people that they didn't drop Robotech altogether, just added other shows.