Spica

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Zine
Title: Spica (SPICA on cover)
Publisher:
Editor(s): Terri Black and Charlene Fleming
Date(s): 1979-1982
Series?:
Medium: print
Size:
Genre:
Fandom: Star Wars & Battlestar Galactica (1978)
Language: English
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Spica is a gen Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica anthology.

From an ad in Jundland Wastes: "Stories should be PG-rated, or at the most, a mild R. We like 'em relatively 'straight and clean'."

Issue 1

Spica 1 was published in 1979. The issue was dedicated to George Lucas and Glen Larson.

  • Beginning of Silver Squadron by Linda Rose (Battlestar Galactica fiction)
  • The Mordala Underground (Star Wars fiction)
  • Battlemine: Goulash (Battlestar Galactica fiction)
  • other unknown content

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

SPICA is really good. Well put together and the stories are very good. I thought Linda Rose's "Beginning of Silver Squadron" was very good especially. And "The Mordala Underground" was good. It's the first zine I've seen that is interesting. On this side of the country, there are so many Star Trek zines — no end! And the worst part is that they aren't solid adventure. Most are soap opera (pages and pages!!!) and sex related. Now, I realize some fans go for that and it may be interesting — but not when there are like 100-150 solid pages of Lt. Kevin Reilly's social/sex life at Star Fleet Academy. Do you know what I mean?? SPICA is different from that. It's like it caters to everyone's tastes. Gives one a little of what they like most — and enough to satisfy every one. [1]

Got SPICA #1 today, and immediately read it through — three times! Despite a few minor typos (no one's perfect, right?), it definitely has much promise. Much as I adore "Star Wars", my two favorite stories were "Silver Squadron —- The Beginning" and "Battlemine: Goulash". Great takeoff on BG! "Silver Squadron" has great potential — I'm glad that there's finally a series involving women! "The Mordala Underground"was good — but I got a rather uneasy feeling from it. Wouldn't Luke have sensed what was going to happen to him before he entered Galway's quarters? Otherwise, it was a pretty good story. Nice artwork — my congratulations to all those who contributed. [2]

Please send me a copy of SPICA #2, I recently received SPICA #1 and thoroughly enjoyed it. It contained a good mixture of the two shows. The book reviews were informative as was the movie review. I'm also looking forward to the second installment of Silver Squadron... Thank you for filling the gap. [3]

Issue 2

cover of issue #2, Mike Raabe

Spica 2 was published in April 1980 and contains 63 pages. It is mimeo and ektaprint.

The art is by Thomas Lew, Bob Eggleton, Chris Johnson, and Mike Raabe. Approximately 230+ copies were printed.

This issue was dedicated to "THE BEATLES: John, Paul, George and Ringo because we just became fans."

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2

I liked this zine. We get a neat little SW tale by Charlene Fleming detailing Luke Skywalker's adventures on an isolated, newly-liberated planet; I can't tell you the details without spoiling it for you, but she had me fooled. Terri Black's contribution, 'A Just and Lasting Peace,' involves Sheba and Apollo on a world they hope is Earth -- ah, but with a difference. I especially enjoyed Terri's solid non-sexist characterization of Sheba. Ken Black's 'Recruits' is a SW action story centering on a married couple who, having attempted to assassinate Lord Vader without success, drop through the skylight of a hashhouse onto Han Solo's lap and hire themselves straight passage to Rebellion. And that's just the first two pages. Also by Ken Black, 'The Last One' -- how much is Luke willing to learn from the dark side of the Force? Edward Retherford considers a Cylon attack on present-day Earth in 'Will Earth Survive?' Earth may, but Seattle's very own skyline doesn't. Poetry by Daphne Fisher, some other features. I saved the best for last: a Silver Squadron (BG) story by Linda Rose and Charlene Fleming. The Silver Squadron is the Galactica's all-female fighter squadron and in this story, which will be continued in issue #3, the Silver Squadron is off to rescue Captain Apollo, who is off to rescue some friend of his, the Squadron certainly had never heard of him, some dude by the name of Starbuck. Meantime, back on the Cylon base star, Baltar is just enjoying his nasty little self, exposing the latter to all sorts of unpleasantness. Boo! Hiss! But the gallant soldiers of the Silver Squadron are a resourceful if insubordinate lot, and I have great faith in their ability to rescue Apollo and whoever that friend of his was, Starbuck, yeah, that's the one. But if you ask, is it worth the $4.20. Yes. If the material doesn't catch your fancy, the artwork is sure to. The cover is by Mike Raabe, and is very nicely done. Mike also contributed some of the fine 'pop' style illos to 'Recruits.' I have to confess that Bob Eggleton's art particularly fascinates me -- the white-on-black Cylon warriors on page 61 in particular. Much of the artwork was specially reproduced to preserve the detailing and the saturation of the predominantly blacl pieces. This kicked the price of the zine up a bit, but it was worth it. The repro is a little spotty in places, but nothing illegible in my copy. I've got high hopes for this zine. [4]

I guess anticipation has its own reward but it was well worth the wait. I just loved all the stories in SPICA #2, especially the story about Apollo and Starbuck captured by the Cylons, I thought I would die, though, when I found out it was continued. [5]

I picked up SPICA #2 at Mos Eastly, because the cover said "Battlestar Galactica," I enjoyed it except for the fact of an at least two-part story. Yet, it was such a good part one that I'm willing to wait for Part 2 (hopefully the end segment), I enclose an SASE for #3, You know, you and Terri are really good writers, I also enjoyed the illos, especially, as I mentioned, the cover. [6]

I know you must have just gotten my letter, but SPICA arrived Friday and I wanted to let you know that I Immediately devoured It from cover to cover, I thought It was excellent, you've put out a very nice fanzine. Congratulations! Believe me, I know what a pain it is to meet deadlines... and don't worry about any delay. I knew It would get here, and that's what counts. Now back to the zine, the stories were excellent and very entertaining, and the artwork was beautiful. I especially liked the one of the Cylons. That's a very good artist. [7]

On "Some Things Are Worse Than Death", So far, I like it! Starbuck and Apollo. Oh no! Baltar is a creep. The story itself Is good. I think you have a good concept of what the characters are really like, you have included the humor that was so important in Battlestar: Galactlca" and you have kept our interest. I see a few problems with the mechanics, but only an English major such as myself would notice it. How will it end? Silver Squadron to the rescue! [8]

I praise the artwork exceedingly, with special praises for Mike's cover and Bob s illos, "Some Things Are Worse Than Death" was my favorite story. I had some misgivings about the Silver Squadron -- I mean, given the "first all-female fighting squadron premlse. It could have been really BAD...I was pleasantly surprised at the humor in the story, especially In Starbuck's characterization...

When Colonel Tigh told the Squadron that NO one is to go one step closer to their Vipers," I expected them to go pirate some other squadron's Vipers then and there. The worst thing about this story was coming to the bottom of page 52 and suddenly realizing it was a two-parter.

Enjoyed Terrl's story. I thought that Sheba's characterization In particular deserves praise — she's deflnltely her own woman, and not defined or validated strictly in terms of Apollo. In other words, she is portrayed as a woman, not a plot device.

Ken's story "Recruits" does a splendid job of establishing his characters and the situation in the first two pages; but then he tries to fit too much story into too few words, and methinks the assault-on-Birnage suffers accordingly,

"You're Not the Same" fooled me down to almost the last minute...[9]

I enjoyed SPICA mainly because the Galactica fiction was something fresh for me and you seem to have got into the characters well. I especially like "Silver Squadron" series as the new women characters were real -- neither superheroic nor soppy.

I agree with your editorial about having other interests besides SF. People who are only into SF (or, even more narrowly, only into ST or SW or whatever) can be a pain if they will not be broadminded enough to read about something they know nothing about or have not an interest in — they might even get to like that thing and thus broaden their horizons, (It is another matter if someone doesn't want to read something because they have tried it and have decided they don't like it.) [10]

You've got a good artist — be sure to feed and care for them very well!

I enjoy your exuberance and sheer self-confidence as reflected In the *ad* at the ending of the book (#1) and dread the time when the "undesirable element" of fandom goes to work on you. They will, but don't let 'em get you down!

The stories need polishing, of course, and some ideas/concepts could stand a bit more development. Also, the action tends to "jump" abruptly from scene to scene instead of flowing In smooth transition — but it takes time and experience to learn all this. You've got the main Ingredients -- Interest, vivid Imaginations, determination, and willingness to work — fandom Itself will teach you the rest. Go to it, and good luck! [11]

Issue 3

cover of issue #3, Mike Rabbe
flyer for issue #3

Spica 3 was published in July 1980 and contains 67 pages.

From the editorial by Charlene:

There was an interesting scene from an episode of Saturday Night Live shown recently where two couples had gotten together for dinner. The first couple was about to leave. The evening had gone totally wrong. They had nothing in common. One couple liked a certain type of food, which the other couple didn't There were just no interests to build a friendship out of. Just before they were about to leave, on picks up something from the coffee table. "You like... Joey Bishop?" To when the other couple replied, "Do we like Joey Bishop!" They had something in common after all, and they started to talk and mention trivia like many ST fans I know. In fact, they were making plans to go dow to Nevada together to see him the the first couple said, "We should go to the midnight performance. He's better then." This started a fight, as the husband from couple #2 thought that saying Joey was less than wonderful at any time meant they weren't true fans. The couples departed, probably never to speak to each other again.

The whole scene reminded me of SF fandom, and I wonder how many times I've found someone who enjoyed a show or movie and kew as much or more about it than I, but I haven't talked about it with them because they said an episode of it or a part of it wasn't any good. Is this the ante of fandom, or human nature as a whole? Does anyone now?

By the way, there is a new club in West Virginia with the ad: "Attention all female Warriors! Silver Squadron needs you." Linda Rose and myself are the creatures and writers of Silver Squadron -- and have been since late '78. We had no knowledge of this club until I found an ad for it today, nor do either of us endorse it as a club having anything to do with the actual Silver Squadron or universe we created. We hope no one has joined thinking it dealt wit the alternate "BSG" universe mentioned above or Linda or myself.

From the editorial by Terri:

What do you call it? What do you call it when the sequel to the most wondrous space-adventure movie ever fulfills every hope for it, exceeds all expectations? Do you call it skill or luck? Planning or serendipity? Or a combination of all of these? The best name I know for it is The Empire Strikes Back. It's an expansion of our perceptions of the Star Wars universe, not a parody or a corruption as many movie sequels turn out to be. The only intrinsic change is, as I observed, awe-struck, after the premiere: It's not just for fun anymore." Things don't go right for everyone this time. If they did, TESB would be typical as far as sequels go -- copying what people liked in the original, and falling flat on its face. No, TESB compares to Star Wars as The Fellowship of the Ring compares to The Hobbit, At first, it's just high adventure ending in triumph -- then the hero gradually realizes that he has involved himself in the all-pervading conflict between Good and Evil that will result, whatever its outcome, in changing the world forever.

Well, my pen runneth over. On with the business at hand.

At first, we got so many Battlestar Galactica submission for this issue that we wondered if we'd ever be able to balance them with Star Wars material. Chalk it up to the small proportion of BSG zines to SW zines. But I think we've come close. After that, we had to get as many pages printed as we could for the price. Spica's biggest problem has been finding one printer with three qualities: inexpensive, able to do justice to the artwork, and honest. When we do, maybe we'll be able to settle down and get organized. I know, I'm complaining. Nobody ever said that fandom was easy.

There was a very early Star Wars example of Breaking the Fourth Wall in this issue. From the interview with Mark Hamill, some of his reactions to fan fiction:

unidentified fan caller: "I know you're a longtime science fiction fan. I was wondering if you had read any of the fan fiction that's been published about STAR WARS?"

Hamill: Oh, everything that they send, even if it takes six months, gets to me, and I've read fiction that has been created by people that have been moved enough by the film to... you know. George has created this history, this populated environment... One of my favorite stories is the story where I got to go to bed with the Princess, 'cause it doesn't happen in the movie. It was a real sexy story — I was really excited by that. But there was another story about how Han Solo met Chewie in flight training school. The fans themselves have enriched George's storyline, populated it with their own ideas. But any of those fan magazines they do send, I read 'em. I'm sort of backlogged on sending out the thank you notes. Actually, I'm glad you asked that because it gives me an opportunity to thank every body for that kind of stuff. We do read all our mail."

unidentified fan caller: "Well, that's great because several of the authors are right here in this building."

Hamill: "Really? Which ones do you write for?"

unidentified fan caller: "Primarily for SKYWALKER, and GUARDIAN, and PEGASUS, etc..."

Hamill: "Oh, Pegasus I got, definitely, in fact I took a page out of Pegasus, and it was up on my mirror in my dressing room for the entire filming of the picture. So a a little piece of you was over there."

unidentified fan caller: "Well, that's wonderful. I'll be sure to tell the editors."

Issue 4/5

cover of issue #4/5, Mike Rabbe

Spica 4/5 was published in spring 1982 and contains 84 pages of fan fiction stories and art from Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica. The art is by Manny Vasquez, Mike Raabe (front cover), Carol McPherson, Thomas Lew.

From the editorial:

We won't wait another two years before Spica #6 comes out. I accept at least 75% blame for the delay between Spica #3 and Spica #4/5. It's just one of those things that couldn't be helped, but I don't want it to happen again. Thank you to everyone who hung in there with use, and as soon as I'm done with this [editorial], I think I'll go type the Silver Squadron story for #6. -- Charlene

  • Editorials (3)
  • Darth Vader's Theme, filk by Phyllis Johnpoll (4)
  • Letters of Comment (5)
  • Well, It Could Have Happened That Way by Susan Matthews (11)
  • Across My Universe, filk by Terri Black (15)
  • To Learn Despair by Linda Knights (Star Wars) (16)
  • My Friend He is My Captain, poem by Terry Black (34)
  • Test of Strength, conclusion by Ken Black (Star Wars) (35)
  • The Final Goodbye, poem by Allkia Marie Pirore (Star Wars) (40)
  • Consigllore by Phyllis Johnpoll (Star Wars) (41)
  • Han Solo Import/Export Chart of Accounts by Phyliss Johnpoll (44)
  • short zine descriptions (51)
  • A Second Change by Diana Rusnak (48)
  • The Star Wars/Empire Strikes Back Primer by Cynthia Shannon, with apologies to Paula Smith (This fanwork takes its cue from A Child's Garden of Verses, a 1885 book by Robert Lewis Stevenson, as well as other children's primers. It's fan connection is Star Trek Primer: A Child's Garden of Space.) (52)
  • Where is Your Home, poem by M.H. Loughlin (Star Wars) (55)
  • Silver Squadron: Prologue (Battlestar Galactica) (56)
  • Silver Squadron, R and R on the Rising star by Charlene Fleming and Linda Rose (Battlestar Galactica) (59)

Other Publications

References

  1. ^ from an LOC in issue #2
  2. ^ from an LOC in issue #2
  3. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spica" #3
  4. ^ review by Susan Matthews in Universal Translator #5
  5. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spica" #3
  6. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spica" #3
  7. ^ from a letter of comment by Jean McGraw in "Spica" #3
  8. ^ from a letter of comment by Terry Bowen in "Spica" #3
  9. ^ from a letter of comment by Susan Matthews in "Spica" #3
  10. ^ from a letter of comment by Nikki White in "Spica" #3
  11. ^ from a letter of comment by Barbara Sharon Emily in "Spica" #3
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