Samurai Errant

Zine
Title:	Samurai Errant
Publisher:	Homosapien Press
Editor(s):	Julie "Stew" Bozza
Date(s):	1988-1996
Series?:	yes (5 issues)
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:
Fandom:	Buckaroo Banzai
Language:	English
External Links:
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Samurai Errant is a gen, explicit het, and slash Buckaroo Banzai anthology that was published in Australia.

Four issues were published 1988-1990, with a fifth and last issue published in 1996.

From a 1992 ad in Zine Scene:

...pages of controversial LoCs and plenty of glorious illustrations. A must for every Banzai fan...a zine as diverse as the hero himself. Warning — romance is both straight and slash, but there's nothing too offensively squidgy involved.

Disclaimer

From the first issue:

But seriously, folks, this is a non-profit, nuclear-free, guaranteed bicentennial-free publication. We do not intend to breach anyone's copyright in any way. We simply love, and want to share in, the planet-wide day dream that is the Banzai phenomenon. None of the slash stuff (or straight stuff) is meant to imply that the actors or anyone else involved are gay (or straight) — these are harmless day dreams about fictional characters only. So please don't sue us, because we love you and don't deserve to be disillusioned.

Issue 1

cover of issue #1, Tim Howe

Samurai Errant 1 was published in July 1988 and contains 165 pages.

The art is by Bepo (Rita Dutta), Buckskin Brenda (Gail Neville), Squash, Stew, and Tim Howe.

"Find out the whole truth behind the Penny Paradox... and what happens when Buckaroo and Rawhide meet the vampyre Morgan... and when Tommy is thrown out of Cambridge and joins the Foreign Legion..."

The back covers always featured the last lines of the film: "So what. Big deal."

flyer for issue #1

another flyer for issue #1

From the editorial:

Speaking of Rawhide (which I often do. I admit), he does seem to have unexpectedly become a favourite of many (discriminating) fans. Sue Clarke (if you're doing me the honour of reading this) if you think I’ve got a thing about Vila, just read on... You ain't seen nothing yet! Samurai Errant tends to lean to the themes of Rawhide, feminism.

Buckaroo himself, and maybe a little more Rawhide. All the rest of our beloved Cavaliers get a mention though, so I hope no one's too disappointed at anyone getting left in the background. If you are, you know what the remedy is. of course... Send me a contribution for Samurai Errant II. And speaking of things being left in the background...

Some of my advertising carried the promise of a story revealing all that went on between Reno and Pecos in that infamous yakskin... Unfortunately, this has had to be held over for the next issue. Sorry about that folks!

One thing not to keep in mind when you're reading Samurai Errant is that old rule of knowing what you write about. That rule becomes a little hard to follow when your characters are into physics, baseball, anthropology, syncopated music, cartography, bujitsu, entomology, psychology, computers, linguistics, derring-do. neurosurgery, and goodness knows what else... Add to that the fact that the Cavaliers may find themselves adventuring anywhere in the world (or beyond?)... Any experts in the audience should forgive any amateur slipups [sic] ... Please?

(And while you're all in a forgiving mood. I'll include a plea to give the slash stuff a chance. The theme tends to be romance born out of deep friendship, rather than gratuitous sex for a few thrills. And none of the stories involve only slash stuff — they all tell a story or two. and some even include straight stuff as well! Of course, please skip it if the whole idea of same sex relationships offends you.)

• A BBI by Any Other Name Would Smell as Sweet (5)
• The Editorial by Stew (6)
• Buckaroo's First Recruit by Stew ("Rawhide is alone and bored, bar-tending in Chicago when in walks Buckaroo...") (9)
• And Emerged a Better Man by Bepo ("Perfect Tommy is thrown out of Cambridge, so what else is there to do but join the Foreign Legion?") (36)
• Pool Party by Arcane Annie (Margaret-Louise Ruwoldt) ("In which Flyboy Johnson receives an offer he really shouldn't refuse.") (40)
• Hopes and Dreams by Stew ("Alone with Buckaroo on a mission to Cuba, Rawhide reflects on his feelings for his best friend.") ("Editorial waffle — This was written post-Movie, pre-Book. I kind of liked the idea that the most perfect man in the world (Buckaroo) had a broken marriage in his past. Life-long marriage being a lovely ideal, seldom attained even by the best of us fallible human beans. It was ages until I got to read The Book, so the idea got stuck in my head... —Stew the cynical ed.") (slash) (43)
• Going Errant by Stew ("Buckaroo and the Cavaliers drop into the 13th century and have tea with King Pellinore and Oolong.") (53)
• Buckaroo Gets a Cold by Stew ("Is Buckaroo Banzai only human after all…?") (slash) (61)
• Auda by Stew ("Buckaroo and Reno are on a mission in Arabia.") (64)
• Banzai Limericks by Arcane Annie ("A woman called Penny, quite glamorous, Caused a scene in a bar that was clamorous.") (70)
• Pictures Don't Lie by Stew ("Perfect Tommy wants to know the story behind Reno’s remark about his first wife.") (72)
• Lines by Downtown (Geoff Tilley) ("A celebration of the best lines in the film.") (75)
• From "World Watch One" by Downtown ("Info on the filming locations gleaned from the "World Watch One" newsletter.") (80)
• Teo Torriate by Stew ("Big Norse is stricken with grief - and fury - when she hears that Rawhide has been killed.") (83)
• 'Find the Jetcar,' Said the President A Buckaroo Banzai Thriller by Tim Howe ("A Banzai adventure in comic book form.") (87)
• The Laboratory Test by Downtown ("Buckaroo undertakes a science experiment after a challenge from Reno.") (91)
• Irregular Happenings Down Under by the Oz BBIs ("Join Arcane Annie, Buckskin Brenda, Downtown, Faux Pas (Bryn Lantry), Question Mark (Liz Mundell), Stew (Julie Bozza), Squash (Bruce Bozza), and Tolkien as they rid Australia of the last insidious nest of Red Lectroids on behalf of Buckaroo.") (93)
• Oh Give Me A Home, Where the Cantaloupes Roam by Anne Murphy ("The funniest solution ever to the watermelon mystery.") (110)
• The Vampyre Morgan by Stew ("Morgan concentrates his seductive charms on Buckaroo and the wary Rawhide. Meanwhile, unconcerned, Perfect Tommy makes his best move on Billy's fiance Felicia.") (reprinted in Dyad: The Vampire Stories #2) (112)
• Moments by Downtown ("The Hong Kong Cavaliers gather for a farewell party. One of their members has decided to move on to a more independent career.") (135)
• Living Many Secret Lives Among You by Stew ("Buckaroo finds something disturbingly familiar about the dark figure leading him through the sordid streets of New York.") (slash) (136)
• The Andersson Report (leaked to an expectant public by Arcane Annie) ("Learn the truth behind the Penny Paradox.") (147)
• Broken Leg Blues by Stew ("Rawhide, incapacitated and irritable, tries to solve the age-old cat-up-a-tree problem.") (161)

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  from issue #1, one of story several labels

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  from issue #1, Buckskin Brenda

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  from issue #1, Bepo

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  from issue #1, Tim Howe

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  from issue #1, Tim Howe

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  from issue #1, Tim Howe

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  from issue #1, Tim Howe

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  from issue #1, You Are Receiving This Zine Because

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

Banzai as a rock singer and all-round scientist/inventor, not to mention the interesting back-up cast, the multi-coloured Lectroids, and the general air that anything could happen (and frequently did) at any moment, seems to me one of the few examples of popular SF that even tries to give an idea of how weird the universe might be. Hitch Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy, though purely comedic in approach, does much the same thing: leave the well-known local conditions on Earth, and your existence, if you live, is almost sure to consist of hair-raising escapades most of the time seasoned with incomprehensible dialogue. It's a film with soooo many fascinating offshoots: alien technologies; political satire; a superhero who somehow transcends the comic-book origins to find a hint of humanity — without losing his heroic appeal- alien politics; home-grown advanced technologies; New Jersey (this is a much-neglected subject except among New Jerseyites, who delight in the film's ambience even more than everyone else); identity confusions, in both Penny Priddy and Emilio Lizardo; musical offbeats; and, oh yes, a watermelon.

On SE, my reaction is overall 'pretty good’, though some spots I didn't quite like, and some spots I liked quite a lot. The cover is good, and for that matter all of Tim Howe's work. Also the graphics. Several of these stories show careful use of the characters, development beyond the screen, and good psychological plotting.

[Regarding amusing writing...] Of course, some characters have a more noticeable light-hearted side. Buckaroo is so deadpan and multi-faceted you can do almost anything. Perfect Tommy is a better foil to have fun poked at him than to make good jokes himself, being so just-s1ightly-pompous. One advantage you have is that all the characters are supposed to be very intelligent and good-hearted, which makes them more likely to make valid jokes or participate in them.

Buckaroo's First Recruit — You mean this guy is only eighteen? The immediate chemistry between him and Buckaroo is shown well, though one wonders if Buckaroo doesn't have to prove anything to Rawhide — Rawhide trusts him immediately, without ado. Well, maybe that’s the point about Buckaroo's personality.

And Emerged A Better Man — As a character study on Tommy, this is more elliptical than clear, more effect than solid information. Good illos.

Hopes and Dreams — This is definitely a love story. It may seem off-focus, but as it circles the themes of group love, love-of-leader, and finally couple love, it shows them as similar, or parts of the same thing. This is a good point to make about love overall. It also stays in the atmosphere of BB by refusing to trash Peggy, even though Buckaroo has what most people would consider good excuse.

Going Errant — Now this one is funny, no matter how broad.

The Vampyre Morgan — This has several good features, but I don't really believe in it. You'd think anything with vampires, an articulate defence of women as independent people, and even some satire on Manhattan chic, couldn’t miss, but it's all a little too overdone, too simplistic. Too much direct explanation in the Morgan side of things, too much that's obvious, though Buckaroo, again, manages to stay splendidly in character throughout, and the point that the Undead might actually be missing something in death, and even curious about it, is a good one. The Felicia and Tommy side of events is better managed. Tommy as unwilling to let Felicia go, is more believable than I'd like for someone who is, after all, one of Buckaroo's Cavaliers. That, and his interaction with Rawhide, make the best moments of the story.

Living Many Secret Lives Among You — As a tale of the supernatural connecting with BB, I much prefer this one. (And I never saw Highlander, even.) The simpler structure is filled out with just enough detail to give the grounding in reality with a police investigation at the Garden, then the progression into another world as Buckaroo pursues and meets the Kurgan.

The Kurgan is perhaps a little straightforward for an immortal, but keeps to his purpose as he must. Whatever changes in his feelings may have happened, and showing those is the most subtle part of the story, his ancient directives must be satisfied. Those are the conditions of the otherworld, and changing them nearly always reduces a story's impact. The whole story impresses as a jigsaw puzzle of love and death and good and evil, balanced and intact. (Wow — Stew)

The Andersson Report — An admirably well-written report- style story, in the book's tone of reporting rather than narrating. The Peggy/Penny story is obviously not a simple one, and this is as plausible as any one version can be. It's also enjoyable, readable prose.

The marginalia and nonfiction pieces, such as the blurb on Since I Don't Have You, are also enjoyable. Quixotic and profane tales — that sounds about right.

Oh wow! Oh gosh! Am I impressed, or am I impressed? SE is fab! Great! Fantastic, astounding, and amazing! Excellent, top-notch, the cat's pyjamas [sic]. More adjectives available on request.

[...]

Buckaroo's First Recruit — Nice character development for Rawhide... So where's the story about Monte Carlo? (Someone else can do that one - Stew) Rawhide’s relationship with Pete is interesting —just goes to show not everybody's either cool or mean, right or wrong. Rawhide and Florens' separation was sad, but logical.

And Emerged A Better Man —The literary style is like that of Catch 22 -- on the surface it’s a jumble of memories and instants linked by a stream of consciousness; each reading reveals more depths, more insight, a greater sense of theme and purpose.

The Perfect One crushed by western civilisation and again by his own pride, Hardly as noble as Beau Geste, but far more human.

[...]

Going Errant —Jolly good fun, by Jove. The jump at the end gives the inevitable conclusion a bit of a(ahem) kick.

Buckaroo Gets A Cold —Ar ar, hee hee. snicker snicker.

Pictures Don't Lie —A sweet, sad tale that reveals Reno is a softie at heart. The idea of them getting drunk, swapping life histories that night in July '84 is excellent; after the harrowing experiences of the previous few days and the (supposed) loss of dear friends, the guys wouldn't want to sit around and discuss the events —they'd talk about anything but. Maybe Reno's like Elizabeth Taylor or Jane Seymour or Zsa Zsa Gabor —they love falling in love, and each time it's forever. Is the picture of the bull significant?

Find The Jetcar, Said The President Wow. This Tim Howe person certainly has a definite style; kind of Art Nouveau comic strip. Can't wait for episode 2.

The Lab Test —This one reads as though DT was ad-libbing it over the phone late at night, ie. inventive, amusing, quirky, colloquial. Love the last sentence.

Irregular Happenings Down Under —Which half of Rawhide did you end up with, upper or lower? (My lips are sealed — Stew)

Oh. Give Me A Home. .. —Very good, most inventive.

The Vampyre Morgan —We're back to that discussion about immortals —what do you do when you've done it all, seen it all, felt everything, and made a fortune on the long term futures market? However, this is a good yarn; intriguing (should they?), challenging (will they?); it has visually effective imagery and cleverly handled character development. Your Perfect Tommy and Felicia are great! And that scene behind the sofa is priceless.

Moments —This is how the Banzai Institute benefits its they develop the courage (insanity?) to start their own bands, write and publish their own zines... I'm a bit worried... I'm a bit worried about the Vampyre Morgan border on page 135 —is this a comment on Pinky's night life? Has he already met the mysterious and altogether alluring Morgan?

Living Many Secret Lives Among You -- Well, you already know how I feel about this one. Congratulations, well done. Top stuff. Sniff.

Broken Leg Blues -- More of this marvellous Perfect Tommy and Rawhide relationship! Actually, it's comforting to think that Rawhide and Buckaroo do have their little failings like broken legs and suspicious cats and head colds -- helps remind us they're only human after all. Morgan nonwithstanding.

Overall -- looks great, inventive borders, clever graphics, above average portraiture. Originial straight/slash ratings. In short, I love it!

While we were skulking in the rancid catacomb of Hanger 23, chomping our Pollywaffles and perusing trash slash zines. we came across yours —bit classy for a slash zine, but we forgave the untraditiona1 taste. We always suspected those Institute monkey boys got up to monkey business... the Yoyodyne lavatories have much graffiti to this effect (in between the

story of the on-going romance of Lord John Whorfin and John O'Connor -- for the last fifty years, carried on by telephone -- thrilling in a thunderstorm. Hey, but we were dissapointed that none of the stories reached TORRID on your scale. And what do you mean by having all this trash slash stuff in, eh? (They use the trendy term for straight fan fiction - Stew) We don't stand for those sort of goings-on on Planet 10. I'll tell you. Anyone caught in the decadent practice of heterosexuality gets their brain's pleasure nodes stimulated for fifty Earth years. Too terrible to contemplate. Hope to read much more trash slash stuff in Issue Two. P.S. What's this we hear about an X-rated version of "The Vampyre Morgan"??? Send us a copy post-haste, monkey boy!!

Loved the zine! But you must have known that anyway —apart from the fact that I got Buckaroo Banzai himself [in Irregular Happenings Down Under ]. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories, and Tim's fabulous art —what great, muscular drawings! Give him my sincerest congratulations. The stories are all good —I must admit I'm biased toward straight rather than slash (with seven kids, what can you expect?) but I enjoyed the slash ones anyway. They are very sensitively written. Loved all the explanations for that melon.

I like reading about the beginning of BB, especially when they fit in with the feeling of the BB legend. That's why I like Buckaroo's First Recruit. Brother Pete is an interesting character. He's kinda the alternative Rawhide; the picture of what Rawhide could have been if easily corrupted. My little niggle is that Pete seemed to switch sides too quickly, but it's not improbable that all he needed was someone to find the nerve and courage for.

Hopes and Dreams -- Rawhide as anything but straight as an arrow is tough to imagine.

I love the zine! the most professionally produced first zine I've ever seen. I knew you liked Rawhide, but I couldn't believe how much he featured in SE! Normally I don’t like same-sex relationships, but if it’s carried out in a genuinely loving and affectionate manner, as yours are, then it’s all right. I think it's quite possible that such a relationship happened, as Buckaroo and Rawhide obviously cared very deeply for each other.

I loved The Vampyre Morgan. As well as being an SF fan I have a soft spot for vampires!

I'm glad you like John Lithgow. He’s wonderful, and Lizardo is so much more interesting than your average meglomamac [sic]. Usually in films I go straight for the bad guys, but Buckaroo Banzai has got to be one of the few films where the hero is totally good, and still manages to be interesting. The fact that he is absolutely gorgeous probably helps. The Cavaliers are all great as well, and I for one would be very disappointed if they tried to make a sequel without resurrecting Rawhide.

Perfect Tommy isn't popular mostly because he's too arrogant, I think. And too aloof in ways. It isn't easy to get close to him, and he strikes you as being shallow. Buckaroo appeals because he’s kind and noble and smart and generally a Nice Guy (and damned cute too!!). Rawhide waltzes in because he seems to be a nice guy but is such a mystery that you just want to know more. I think, because the book is from Reno’s point of view, you can't ever know the writer very well. They're a secretive bunch anyway, and he won't let on too much of himself in the writing, but feels free to comment on all the others. He will reveal their personalities, but not their pasts, but at the same time effectively camouflages himself by diverting attention away from himself. He strikes me as being a friendly, easy-going character who is sharply insightful about people. He certainly likes to observe them. I would really like to see how Perfect Tommy, for instance, would write about the group, and especially what he would make of Reno. This is fun having D&Ms on BB!

Buckaroo is a cutey (though I'm not sure he'd approve of the appellation). Rawhide was very mysterious and loyal and fascinating. I rather like New Jersey actually — he has the fresh approach of a new member.

... I loved it! "Irregular Happenings Down Under" was my favourite, with "Pool Party" and "Broken Leg Blues" pulling in close behind. I’m not too fond of the slash stuff, but everyone is entitled to their own reality, Please pass on to Buckskin Brenda that I love her illustrations of Rawhide and Buckaroo.

I like Rawhide and do see the possibility of a relationship between him and Buckaroo. Perfect Tommy is in many ways a very reserved personality. Rawhide is always careful with Tommy —Buckaroo is more demanding, and takes great delight when the reserved Tommy breaks loose with something on the spur of the moment.

It's almost as if it was very rare, or fairly new behaviour for Torrany. It's as if Buckaroo's delight is in the fact that Tommy feels safe enough with the Cavaliers to cut loose with something outrageous. Tommy is very much the enigma, he changes his clothes every couple of hours, and definitely has a dislike of being touched casually by strangers. Buckaroo goes out of his way to touch Tommy, and Reno takes great delight in making Perfect Tommy untidy, yet Reno is one of the first to step between Toinny and strangers attempting to shake hands. I get the impression Reno is quite capable of starting a free for all in the bunkhouse (a pillow fight perhaps) just to make Tommy a little less perfect. Tommy's dislike of being touched dosn't seem to work in the reverse —he will touch other people, eg. the Secretary of Defence to get his attention, or Penny Priddy.

I loved the zine, all the stories were terrific. The Vampyre Morgan was lovely, but deserves a sequel. How many of the others end up as vampires, and how do the others react when they find out? I have my own ideas about how Tommy becomes one.

Hopes And Dreams —I loved your story, it is good. The only problem I can see is that you have distanced Rawhide too much from the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers are close, they have no secrets from each other. Rawhide would probably hide the fact he is in love with Buckaroo from everyone — but some of them have probably guessed. Rawhide would know if any of the other Cavaliers were gay or bisexual —he would definitely know if Tommy was as they seemed to be very close.

I liked SE No 1 —if this is what you produce as your first attempt at publishing a fanzine, what wonders can we expect from you when you become more skilled? Don't, whatever else you do, apologise for your editorial comments. They add to SE rather than detracting from it. I look forward to them being scattered through out your fanzine —it's how editors stamp their 'imprint' on a fanzine and make them different from mundane publications.

I look forward to the long awaited yakskin story.

Hi! I'm not all that mysterious but I have seen a few dark shadows in my time. Unfortunately, Rawhide hasn't been lurking in any of them... Damn!! Anyway, I've just finished reading SE and I absolutely loved it! It's popularly known here as "Cavalier Couplings." Who cares if the zine is full of Rawhide stories! We love it!!!

I have been re-reading SE1, and quite like The Vampyre Morgan. You have an interesting slant on Perfect Tommy there, he struck me as desperate for love and affection in the story, and he doesn't realise his own worth. Buckaroo seems to understand this, and I think Rawhide is starting to. (This story seems to grow on people, rather than grabbing them first off. I can’t decide if this is good or bad — Stew)

SE1 looks good. [It has] a nice, clean layout that's a joy to look at. The graphics are all very well done — but I sure would like a translation of the Japanese that pops up in the borders here and there. (I stole it from various ads for skin care products, and menus, and such. Not so exciting in translation — Stew) Love the story ratings.

Buckaroo's First Recruit — interesting. I like the glimpses of the characters when they were younger, also the look at Hikita (a personal favourite of mine). It can't have been easy for him losing his best friends, trying to raise a small child in an era when male single parents were unusual and foreigners were regarded with a lot of suspicion, and attempting to continue his research. Also like the look at Pete.

And Emerged A Better Man — I'm not sure I know what's going on here, but I think I like it. Pool Party — Yeah, I'd push Buckaroo into a pool, too — just to see him in a wet shirt. Also to see him change into a dry one...

Hopes and Dreams — I hadn't really thought about it before, but it is very easy to see where anyone could get the same idea from The Movie that you did — especially since all Buckaroo said about Peggy was that she was 'gone'. One got the impression that it was a subject that still hurt too much for him to even discuss. This is an excellent 'first time' story, and one of my favourites in SE1. It's a very gentle, loving story. Loved Rawhide's speculation on Tommy's sexuality — there's a story there somewhere, how about it. Stew?

Going Errant — Delightful! What else can I say?

Auda — Very nice. Good to hear from Reno's viewpoint.

The Vampyre Morgan — One of the most striking pieces in the zine. I didn't like it the first time I read it. But as I went through both the zines, I kept finding myself coming back to it; it just kept sucking me in. There's something about vampire stories in any genre that's fascinating, perhaps because there's a sort of sensuality built into the concept. The one thing that really, really bugs me about this story is that it reads like the beginning to a much longer story, or the first in a series, and drat it, I want to see the rest!!!- I really liked the scenes with Rawhide and Tommy — there's a definite undercurrent of affection there, especially during the scene behind the sofa. It seems like Tommy spends much of this story unhappy and trying to cover up for it. I can't see either Rawhide or Buckaroo converting their friends unless they were absolutely sure that's what they wanted — unless they were doing it to save one of their lives, in which case they wouldn't hesitate. (Something like this must be the ultimate temptationfor a medical man — the ability to give someone new life regardless of their illness.) I really want to see more stories in this universe!

Living Many Secret Lives Among You — I liked this story a lot — it explains so much, and it ties in well with both movies. It's also another one that could use a sequel — what would happen if Buckaroo met the Highlander? Especially once he'd won the Prize? (Hope my sequel satisifes you, despite it heading in rather a different direction — Stew)

The Andersson Report — VERY well presented. Love the 'twist' on the Penny/Peggy theme. And on to SE2... Please tell Arcane Annie that I like ALL her stuff that I've seen. No complaints whatsoever. I read Snake In The Grass over the phone to Jeff and for ten minutes all I heard were these stifled little giggles•coming from the other end; As for the serious stuff, she's captured Tommy's tone of voice per... well, excellently for Rectification of Names.

Downtown has a good touch with the humour — even Extra Long Distance is sort of sadly amusing. Rocky Horror had me laughing so hard I got the dog worried. Limericks were great, too!

[...]

Even if I don't agree with your characterisation of Rawhide, SE1 was still a damned good read. The slash angle doesn’t bother me at all, and I can actually see Buckaroo and Rawhide having homosexual or bisexual relations with each other without any breach of character integrity or continuity. It's just I think, in his reactions to Buckaroo, Rawhide is a bit too... 'girly', I don't know... feminine, maybe. Too fluttery and gasping for air. I feel he reacts a bit much like a schoolgirl in love. But that's really just in his relationship to Buckaroo.

I see his love for Buckaroo as a strong, deep thing. Not many words, no dwelling on his physical reactions to Buckaroo's closeness. His love is that of friendship and loyalty, then taken that one step further.

Of course. Rawhide is such an enigmatic individual, so quiet and non-vocal about himself. I think it's difficult to 'get into his head', as almost everyone will have a different concept of what it’s like in there.

I hope I haven't offended you. I do like your writing, and don't have that much trouble with your interpretation of Rawhide — it just isn't my interpretation. (No offense taken, as I agree utterly with the fact we can all develop him in many, often conflicting, directions. As for the 'girly' reactions, I figured his love for Buckaroo was very deep, but he always thought it would be unrequited, and he's fairly young in many ways, yet old before his time in others — but this is only my interpretation, of course — Stew)

I must say SE1 [was] very professional looking for a first zine. The graphics and art were superb.

Buckaroo's First Recruit — Very interesting. I've not read much about how Rawhide joined the Institute, since most of the American fanzines are about the less ’laid back' members of the band. I, however, would not rate this as ’adult’. For god's sake, a guy mentioning his family is adult? Geez. (I was trying to make a point — if he had mentioned a prior homosexual relationship, I would have had to warn you all about slash content — I decided I would therefore warn you all if straight relationships were mentioned, also. They may also offend, depending on the reader! — Stew)

And Emerged A Better Man — I had some problems with this one. It goes from third to first person with no rhyme or reason, and then back to third. A confusing jumble. (That’s Bepo’s style. I have little trouble understanding it, especially after a few reads when I seem to get more out of it each time; but then, I'm used to it. A bit of ground-breaking literary style here — it may not work for everyone, but it deserves to be tried — Stew)

Pool Party — Cute.

Hopes And Dreams — Uh, OK. I have problems with Rawhide being a flaming homosexual, considering the way he is supposed to have chased Big Norse, but all in all, rather well done, and not at all forced.

Going Errant — Cute, real cute. I liked the bit with the dragon, but Sir Pellinore was not after a dragon. It was called the questing beast, and nobody is ever fated to find it, especially him. Buckaroo Gets A Cold — You're right, it did serve him right. That'll teach him to preach to everyone...

Auda — I don't know quite what to make of this one.

Banzai Limericks —

Once a young girl, name of Lisa

Thought a few limericks would tease her

But the rhymes were quite lame

And most were just tame And on the whole, greatly displeased her

Teo Torriate — I liked the way you handled Big Norse's eventual acceptance into the Cavaliers and her feelings for Rawhide. This one deserves a round of applause.

Irregular Happenings Down Under — I really liked this one. Now I don't know if you are really like that down there, but it was a fun romp (with one in the hay afterwards).

Oh Give Me a Home Where The Cantaloupes Roam — Funny.

The Vampyre Morgan — Uh. sorry, no. This one just didn't work for me. Not that I don't like vampires, but I just don't see Buckaroo acting that way. The part about drinking the blood from the two girls was a no go for me. Buckaroo is just too humane and nice ever to do a thing like that. Not in the character conception at all. Thanks, but no thanks.

Moments —What can I say? Real life may yet be stranger than fiction.

Living Many Secret Lives Among You —Uh, another one that doesn’t fit in with the character conception. This one just didn't work for me.

Broken Leg Blues —I'm beginning to suffer cute overkill I fear, but this one is both cute and funny.

Stone Cold Crazy —I liked it. Gabriel when his brother called.

Got SE1 in today's mail and finished it already! Glad to find someone else who thinks slash should occur as part of a story, not just sex for its own sake (although... never mind). Anyway, I really enjoyed all of the stories.

My friend Nancy Milligan also enjoyed SE1 and is looking forward to SE2. Also she agrees completely with Rawhide's statement that Perfect Tommy must be bisexual because he's perfect. We both refuse to believe that Rawhide and the Kurgan could be one and the same. And it makes such perfect sense that when things get slow at the Institute. B Banzai and team would turn their attention to truly important scientific endeavours -- such as the seedless watermelon!

SE is the best fanzine I have ever read and I have read a few. Loved The Andersson Report and your tie-in to Highlander was most ingenious. By the way — Teo Torriate — are you a Queen fan. too? (Yes! They're an enormous inspiration — Stew) There was not one bad story or article in the whole zine... although personally I don't think Rawhide and Buckaroo were lovers.

Issue 2

cover of issue #2

The back covers always featured the last lines of the film: "So what. Big deal."

flyer for issue #2, Tim Howe

Samurai Errant 2 was published in February 1989 and contains 132 pages.

The art is by Buckskin Brenda, Tim Howe, and Stew.

"Find out how Rawhide reacts when Buckaroo brings Peggy home from Oxford... and what problems Tommy has trying to find that perfect pair of shoes... and what happens when Buckaroo and Peggy's car has a flat battery, and they have to seek help from the castle they just passed... "

The zine's disclaimer:

This is still a nuclear-free fanzine! Oh, and we absolutely do not intend to breach anyone's copyright in any way. We're just mad Banzai fans, and want to keep the planet-wide day dream alive! We're also mad Fido Dido fans — that wonderful range of gear has become an unofficial uniform for the Oz BBIs, and the Fido Dido credo, of course, is soooo Banzai it's irresistible. And none of the slash stuff (or straight stuff) is meant to imply that the actors or anyone else involved are gay (or straight). We're just kinky (some of us), and like day dreaming about our favourite fictional characters. So please don't sue us, because we still love you and still don't deserve to be disillusioned.

From the editorial:

Speaking of my Rawhide obsession... Sorry, dudes, it's as strong as ever. It is also shared by a great number of discriminating (in the old sense) BBIs, so I make little or no apology for it. Most of this issue features Him —this time, through no fault of my own! (But Perfect Tommy gets a good deal of space, just to balance things out a little.) Oh well, there's only one remedy, you realise —write me a story about someone else for Issue Three... Please? One interesting thing to come from this obsession is the question of what Rawhide's real name was back in the bad old days (ie. pre-Buckaroo). Well, I find it an interesting question, anyhow. We've ended up with three different versions of his name just in this issue alone! I'd be interested to hear your thoughts and/or ideas on the topic.

I'm also interested in hearing your questions. Too many of us fans have only ever seen The Movie, and have had little chance to read The Book, or the American fan club's newsletters, or The Comics (thanks again, Steve!). So if you have any queries, or if you simply want some more contact with like-minded SF/BB fans, please write! I'm sure Downtown, Arcane Annie or I can clear up most confusions (except why there was a watermelon there...), or provide you with a little repartee.

You are not alone out there, rooly.

Reflecting Buckaroo's diverse world, just be warned there's some slash stories in here! They're all clearly marked, so please don't read them if you think you'll be offended. However, they are all romantic rather than explicit, and have redeeming features such as a little plotting and characterisation, so if you feel able to take the plunge, you might find they're not too awful. Of course, if the whole idea of same sex relationships tends to mortify you, please skip them!

• You Are Receiving This Zine Because by Arcane Annie
• Chuck Yer Ole Pot and Change Your Moniker (5)
• The Editorial (6)
• Stone Cold Crazy by Arcane Annie ("On the bus to school, Buckaroo's study is interrupted by a kid playing an energetic version of the Magnificent Seven.") (9)
• When Numbers Get Serious by Stew and Arcane Annie aka Margaret-Louise Ruwoldt ("Buckaroo is bringing "someone special" home from Oxford... but his best friend Rawhide reacts in ways unexpected.") (15)
• That Demned Elusive Buckaroo by Tolchin aka Tolkien aka Carol ("They seek him here, they seek him there, Those Death-Dwarves seek him everywhere.") (33)
• Tommy and the Octopus by Downtown aka Geoff Tilley ("'You can't bring that thing in here!' screamed Mrs Johnson.") (34)
• Press Clippings File by Arcane Annie ("A UPA/Reuter report filed from West Berlin.") (35)
• A Yak Skin Built for Two by Stew ("Rawhide and Buckaroo are sewn into a yak skin as part of Pasha’s evil plans for them. Forced into such close proximity, with the strong probability of death awaiting them, one of them finally has to tell the truth about his feelings.") (37)
• Rawhide Was Somewhere Else... by Downtown ("The Institute just doesn't seem right one day - one of their number has vanished.") (45)
• Perfect Fit by Dreamspinner aka Anne Murphy ("Perfect Tommy endeavors to keep his perfect image in shape, despite having a rotten morning.") (49)
• The Most Disagreeable Week by Stew ("Rawhide and Reno are rescued from their thermos chest floating off the coast of Japan after sharing a week of despair.") (53)
• Sabbatical by Arcane Annie ("Rawhide and Perfect Tommy each recount their adventures in Nepal.") (62)
• The Rectification of Names by Arcane Annie ("Rawhide and Perfect Tommy each recount their adventures in Nepal.") (67)
• 'Find the Jet Car,' Said The President: A Buckaroo Banzai Thriller, pt. 2 by Tim Howe ("The adventure continues.") (comic book form) (76)
• Banzai Limericks by Downtown (""I can tell you the number of trees Needed to print the TV Guide, you see..."") (79)
• Mrs. Rawhide by Buckskin Brenda aka Gail Neville ("On learning of Rawhide's death, Jenny McKern tells the story of their marriage and separation.") (80)
• Banzai Haiku by Stew ("Buckaroo contemplates life via haiku.") (91)
• The Rocky Horror Banzai Show by Downtown ("Buckaroo and Peggy's Superthunderjetcar has a flat battery... but help is available from the castle down the road... or is it?") (92)
• A BBI's Dream by Tolchin ("We all dream of being called up to join the Hong Kong Cavaliers.") (100)
• Snake in the Grass by Arcane Annie ("There's wildlife loose in the Institute, and everyone knows who to blame.") (101)
• Banzai Nova Police by Downtown ("Filk song lyrics in honour of the editor's favourite band.") (102)
• Extra Long Distance by Downtown ("John Parker left Buckaroo with a telephone that can place a call to somewhere beyond this world.") (103)
• A Perfect Ending by Ratbag aka Robin Beck ("BBI Tasy has had a rotten day, mainly because Perfect Tommy neglected to fill the Saab with gas.") (107)
• Jason by Tolchin ("Perfect Tommy has been allowed to drive the bus, with unhappy results. Until Rawhide spots something on the road that Tommy almost ran over.") (108)
• Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You by Arcane Annie and Stew ("BBI Kira recounts her and Tommy's adventures, as they try to do something about what they believe in despite controversy from both within and outside the Institute.") (114)
• Tear Drops by Stew ("Tommy asks Reno for help with some poetry he's writing.") (122)
• Letters of Comment (124)

• 

  from issue #2, Stew?

• 

  from issue #2

• 

  from issue #2, Tim Howe

• 

  from issue #2, another irreverent warning

• 

  from issue #2, Tim Howe

• 

  from issue #2, Buckskin Brenda

• 

  from issue #2, Tim Howe

• 

  from issue #2, Tim Howe

• 

  from issue #2, Tim Howe

• 

  from issue #2, You Are Receiving This Zine Because

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2

Sequels usually end up as inferior imitations of the original. Just look at Jaws 2; nobody else did (boom boom).

SE2 is an even better read than the first; like wow! There was a wonderful mixture of stories and writing styles that was good because I didn't have to read as many naughty Rawhide stories! The other great thing about it is that I get to see my name more times in print (ego-boo attack!) but seriously, the contributions were outstanding. Nice to see our Annie's penwork on the Banzai Didos. I remember when that idea came into being. I'm glad she's crazy enough to have actually done them!

My fave story by far is Snake In The Grass which is... perfect! I dips me lid to the concise comic genius of Annie. Damn, I wish I'd have written it!!

Perfect Fit also contained an element of insanity I can appreciate. The whole idea reminds me of the animated Beatles cartoon show with the ever chasing female fans. I know a few Marsha Evans types; look at my fellow BBIs...

When Numbers Get Serious is the style of story that shows what Annie and Stew can do when they get together. It has style, class; just like the writers. The story flows smoothly and the slash is kept to a minimum. Thanks, gals!

However, pardon the pun, A Yakskm Built For Two wasn't something I could get into. Despite the confessions of love in the face of death as being plausible, I can't accept this one! The dialogue was a tad Mills & Boon and they got out of it too easily. Bummer!

Sabbatical. I knew this story would prove interesting by the writing form and the fact it was written in the first person. Made my day with the great line by Pecos; 'And what's wrong with the A Team?’ I love it!

Much better was The Rectification of Names; a title I have no idea what it means but Annie'11 no doubt explain it to me someday! Best line I've ever read was: 'God, I'm tired. I yawn, therefore I am.' Big Norse's part of the conversation worked well with Tommy's anecdotal conversational explanations (wot a mouthful) .(so said Banzai to Rawhide).

The Rocky Horror Banzai Show. . . Just who writes this perverse, sickening, el-weirdo stuff anyway? If it wasn't Downtown I'd say commit the man!

A BBI‘s Dream. The fourth verse cracked me up; it's precious. It made it worse with a pic of Zweibel Dido down the bottom!

Tim Howe has obviously an appreciation of melons (see page 106). Enuff said! Ratbag must get the award for the very fact that the story revolves around a Saab! And one of Stew's stories had a Saab! Something suspicious here!

And probably the best, fantastic thing ever to see the light of day? It's the ad for my Team Banzai group. of course!

Thanks. Stew, you did a marvelous job!

And so endeth the LOC. And let us say that I really don't know what we'd do if we didn't have SE around!

First of all, another worship at Tim Howe's shrine, He is superb —I loved that portrait of Rawhide and Big Norse, and the comic strip is compulsive reading. Tim is part of the 'look' of SE now, and I hope he continues to contribute because he really captures the essence of BB and the Cavaliers.

The text wasn't bad either. OK. it was great. Mt all-time favourite story in this issue is The Rectification of Names. If I'd known it was going to be that good I'd have really gone all out on a fancy title, but I thought it was an article on Cavalier pseudonyms! It's intriguing, well written in an unusual and compelling style and it stars two characters who don't often seem to get star billing. I really enjoyed it.

My next favourite is. I must confess. The Rocky Horror Banzai Show. Good one indeed. DT! I fell on the floor by the time I got to the 'Down to the chesty bonds. Banzai' and now my family are convinced I'm mad. But I quibble with your rating. Stew — I thought the chesty bond bit was quite torrid. As for the Annie Lennox 1987 tour red bra — phew! Pass me the ice water. This is dynamic stuff. Loved the ending, too.

All DT's contributions were amusing — especially Rawhide Was Somewhere Else. Maybe we could put together a sequel: Penny Didn’t Turn Up. Serve him right.

When Numbers Get Serious had me wondering — would Buckaroo really have stood still for sharing Peggy? Well, actually he was lying down, but that's beside the point — the man has to have some faults and jealousy could be one of them. As for her having Rawhide and Buckaroo in the same bed. that's just plain greedy. Must have been exhaustion that killed her. I enjoyed the story though, in spite of my boggling mind. (Just sticking my nose in here — I don't reckon Buckaroo has any faults. And Rawhide and Buckaroo are also being greedy in the proposed menage, as they each have two lovers too — all very equal — Stew)

I loved the haiku and the bamboo illustration — a lovely page. Ask Not What Your Country. . . was top stuff, good reading.

Rawhide and Buckaroo in a yakskin? Not fair! Actually I have my own theories about the real identity of the mysterious Pecos, as you will see when I’ve finished the story. THEN we'll have some interesting thoughts about Reno and the yakskin!

Finally, Jason and Stone Cold Crazy were delightful, nice insights into fan's eye views of the Rawhide/Buckaroo relationship and how it got started (and not a yakskin in sight). (Give 'em time — Stew) It certainly seems to be an abiding theme in BB fanlit. There are so many ways and so many possibilities.

SE2 is wonderful! Fantastic! Superb! Well, well worth the wait! I couldn't put it down until I'd read every hilarious, provocative story and then I had to read them all again for the sheer joy of it!!

I loved the two stories you wrote with Annie, and her Snake In The Grass was hilarious, but Tear Drops has got to be the classic of the year! The final line had me in hysterics- and I still can't help grinning foolishly every time I think of it.

Annie's Banzai Dido drawings were great (especially Mr Cool Is Humbled!.) and Tim Howe has won my undying loyalty for his portrait of Buckaroo on page 48 — a beautiful copy of my absolute, number one, nothmg-c an-beat-this, favourite picture of Peter Weller! (I'd sell my soul for a life-size blow-up!)

SE is well and truly made if SE3 is half as good as this little beauty. Congratulations!!!

[SE2 looks good. It has] a nice, clean layout that's a joy to look at. The graphics are all very well done — but I sure would like a translation of the Japanese that pops up in the borders here and there. (I stole it from various ads for skin care products, and menus, and such. Not so exciting in translation — Stew) Love the story ratings.

[...]

And on to SE2... Please tell Arcane Annie that I like ALL her stuff that I've seen. No complaints whatsoever. I read Snake In The Grass over the phone to Jeff and for ten minutes all I heard were these stifled little giggles•coming from the other end; As for the serious stuff, she's captured Tommy's tone of voice per... well, excellently for Rectification of Names.

Downtown has a good touch with the humour — even Extra Long Distance is sort of sadly amusing. Rocky Horror had me laughing so hard I got the dog worried. Limericks were great, too!

Most memorable stories for SE2 — first off. When Numbers Get Serious. Rawhide's confusion plays very well against Peggy's attempts to be kind to both men. It's a very believable story, and the sex scene works very naturally and in context. Accolades to both authors! Secondly — The Most Disagreeable Week. I really felt for Rawhide in this one, parts of it were so sad.

As a whole, both zines are wonderful. Tim Howe's artwork is delightfully individual, and I'm looking forward to seeing more. I also love reading the editorials — they're fun! I enjoyed the LOC section — it's nice seeing other people's ideas and comments. I agree with Sharon Carter's comments about Tommy not liking to be touched. I think she's got some good basis for a story there, and ought to write it! (Hear! Hear! — Stew) I never would have imagined a Rawhide/Buckaroo relationship on my own, but you make it very believable. Going back to The Movie, it becomes obvious there is a very special friendship there. On my own, though, I’d like to see some Rawhide/Tommy stories. I think in The Movie it's very telling when, during Rawhide's death scene. Tommy is so upset he can’t look — but keeps turning around to see anyway, demanding to know what the problem is. There is definitely something there...

We find the basic look, layout and style very well thought out. You've done a nice job using graphics and written material, and there is some very clever non-fiction too. Like the way that each story has its own border so its easy to thumb to the beginning or to a specific story.

from issue #3: "We took SE to BayCon and showed it to some of our BBI friends. They were quite surprised to see Banzai slash and said it meant that Banzai fandom had 'come of age' now. You know, up there with Star Trek and Dr Who."

We are a bit surprised at a few of the stories, in fact the first one we read was The Most Disagreeable Week in which you explore some rather unusual ideas about Reno, Rawhide and Buckaroo. Although we find your 'liberal' use of the BB characters taking several leaps over that line we‘11 never cross... your work is in all honesty the most creative and thought provoking we’ve ever had the pleasure to read! You've challenged us to look at our own fiction and wonder if we could work towards stronger statements about human nature and life. Whereas you are expressing your views through the fictional characters you write about, we choose to be a bit more (maybe) bolder personally and express our views without the front of the fictional character. That’s why we've got a zine that focuses on personal BBI POVs. Thanks for showing us yet another way of expressing the Team Banzai spirit.

We took SE to BayCon and showed it to some of our BBI friends. They were quite surprised to see Banzai slash and said it meant that Banzai fandom had 'come of age' now. You know, up there with Star Trek and Dr Who.

Aha, a very pretty zine. Stew's doodles appear to have matured. Well, somewhat. How much a doodle ever matures may be open to question. The Didos are cute. too.

Sabbatical and The Rectification Of Names are two of the best stories, the former for plot and the latter for style. No, the former for atmosphere and the latter for characterisation. Never mind writing about him (a habit Tommy in particular can inspire authors into — he is so gossipable), just let him speak for himself. The other solid (yet elliptical) story is Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You... which (coincidentally?) also features Perfect Tommy. Aside from a charming but irrelevant narrator, this indicates — rather than telling outright — the essentials of an operation I can well believe of any Cavalier of the Institute.

Come to think of it, the majority of the stories in SE (both issues) have been, in a word, elliptic. The point of view or style of narration almost always is calculated to skip great portions of the significant events, while showing in some fashion, subtle or otherwise, that such events have taken place. By 'significant events', of course, I mean saving the world, righting wrongs, and vanquishing the Bad Guys; stories in which various individuals make love (in the old-fashioned sense of that expression that includes, but is not limited to, sex) may be significant in another way. and are more likely to be to the point in SE's style. When Numbers Get Serious and A Yakskin Built For Two follow this model, and The Most Disagreeable Week manages to be elliptical about a relationship (while being direct about another relationship), which combines the two methods.

Most of the short pieces are slight, and the shortest are slightly pointless, and only slightly amusing. Tommy and octopus. Tommy and snake, don't really mean much by themselves. The Rocky Horror Banzai Show doesn't, of course, mean anything, but it is vastly entertaining, never more than when it is self- conscious. Taken far enough, pure irrelevance shades into the surreal, and it's something of a satire on Rocky Horror besides. I hadn't thought it was possible to satirize a parody...

Mrs Rawhide is perhaps the most, well, ordinary story in the zine, and in this company it suffers. The strength of an everyday, non-Cavalier individual seems pale next to the colourful denizens of BB, useful though it should be. As writing that centres on how outsiders see the Institute it has something worth saying in the BB universe. Meanwhile. Tim Howe's drawing continues in dramatic style (though his conception of Big Norse on page 106 strikes me as a bit, uh, exaggerated) and the zine overall is cleanly produced and very attractive.

Your comments on the stories in SE1 let me see that Buckaroo (like the comic-book style of hero The Movie intentionally evokes) has no faults, so that character interest has to be found In the wide variety of fields he works in.

Surely there's some conflict between some of the huge number of things he does! Rock music milieu (and time commitments) versus the neurosurgical emergencies he works on; if he's a medical doctor, he surely takes the Hippocratic Oath seriously, and how does that square with keeping up a dimensional-physics research career? And so on. And the Cavaliers are not necessarily without flaws. Perfect Tommy's name being (presumably) ironic, to a degree.

[...]

(After receiving SE2) Have gotten tired of all the Rawhide stories and want to try my hand at writing a BB story for you. What's my deadline? (Desperation has obviously set in — Stew)

I must say [SE2 was] very professional looking for a first zine. The graphics and art were superb.

[...]

On to SE2. I like the Banzai Didos they are very funny and good for a chuckle. I really felt sorry for (Who hasn't felt that way?)

It gave me a sense of really being there, from the bus to the confrontation with the bully. Very well done.

When Numbers Get Serious — I personally don't think Peggy would do something like that (invite two guys into bed). Oh well, best of both worlds.

Tommy And The Octopus — Ha Ha HA HA Ha!

Press Clippings File — Hm. Verrry interesting.

A Yakskin Built For Two — I'd think their minds would be too occupied with something else, namely what was going to happen to them, to make love in the yakskin.

Rawhide Was Somewhere Else — A good way to prove a point.

Perfect Fit — And he still got the shoes, too!

The Most Disagreeable Week — After a week in freezing cold water, both of them probably suffering from exposure and malnutrition, would they really be able to? (I made them wait for at least twenty-four hours of food, warmth and TLC; Buckaroo gave them the all clear health-wise; and Reno was more concerned with giving Rawhide love and comfort rather than an energetic screw. Little Red, you’re a nurse, can we have a' third opinion? — Stew) Again, another 'Rawhide gets it on with another member of the band'. You know, if I hadn't seen the movie, I would assume that Rawhide is the leader, especially with the frequency he appears in these stories.

Sabbatical — This is the kind of story I like to read, with a restful trip, and just enough action to relieve the boredom that no action would have brought. Good show.

Rectification Of Names — I liked it. especially Tommy's line 'I yawn, therefore I am'. So, Buckaroo is related to Genghis Kahn? (Yes: The Book states that both the Banzai and Xan clans are descendants of the Kahns — Stew)

Mrs Rawhide — A life seen from first person.- Well pulled off.

The Rocky Horror Banzai Show — I liked it, even though I've never seen the movie. It was very funny, especially Reno's song. Sounds like a close approximation of your BBI meetings. Stew. (We're mad, but not quite that mad — Stew)

Snake in the he Grass — Sixty chuckles a minute. That ending is so Perfect Tommy. Extra Long Distance — Very touching. I was near to tears the whole story. It's a testament to Buckaroo and Rawhide's friendship.

As for the picture of Rawhide and Big Norse. I can see why she was named Big Norse. Both reasons.

SE is the best fanzine I have ever read and I have read a few. Loved The Andersson Report and your tie-in to Highlander was most ingenious. By the way — Teo Torriate — are you a Queen fan. too? (Yes! They're an enormous inspiration — Stew) There was not one bad story or article in the whole zine... although personally I don't think Rawhide and Buckaroo were lovers.

SE2 was as good as SE1 (and that is good). The letters page is a great idea. With regard to your 'cover' request (another glorious picture of Buckaroo — Stew), I think Buckaroo would probably decline, but there is one Hong Kong Cavalier vain enough to accept...

SE2 does have a different flavour from SE1 (maybe a tad lighter? In tone, not mass) but that doesn't detract from either ish. Congratulations, you've done very well. PERSONS AND MONKEYBOYS! WELCOME TO THE INAUGURAL PRESENTATION OF THE GROWING EXCITED PUBLICATIONS YO YO AWARDS THE BANJO PATERSON ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD: To 1 chin for That Demned Elusive Buckaroo BEST HAIKU (Note: This award is judged on subject, imagery, and adherence to classical form. Also an ability to count to seventeen): Stew for Peggy BEST ILLO OF A FEMALE CHARACTER: Tim Howe for page 77 BEST PEPE SERNA PIC: Buckskin Brenda for page 52 BEST PUNCHLINE IN A SHORT STORY: Ratbag for A Perfect Ending BEST REAL-LIFE ADDRESS: Yoyodyne Propulsion Systems, Adelaide (take a bow, guys) BEST RHYMING POETRY: IT'S A (BOW)TIE, FOLKS! To1 chin for That Demned Elusive Buckaroo and Stew for Tear Drops BEST RULER OF STRAIGHT LINES: Stew BEST TOTAL REVERSAL OF THE ORIGINAL TONE OF A STORY WITHOUT ACTUALLY CHANGING THE THEME VERY MUCH AT ALL: Stew for When Numbers Get Serious (You're such a cynic. Annie — Stew) CHARACTER MOST LIKELY TO GET A BLACK EYE WHILE RUNNING UPSTAIRS: Big Norse on page 106, by Tim Howe FUNNIEST MOVIE RIP-OFF: Downtown for The Rocky Horror Banzai Show FUNNIEST PERFECT TOMMY ADVENTURE: Perfect Fit by Dreamspinner GOODTASTEINPETS: Tolchin for Rawhide and Jason in Jason GROTESQUE GRATITUDE AWARD: Earl Mac Rauch and WDRichter for starting the whole thing; Stew for inspiring us all; a n d , all these other BBIs who keep it going! THE JOAN WILDER/ANGELINA AWARD FOR INCURABLE ROMANTICISM (otherwise known as 'THE RENO'): S t e w LEAST EXPECTED CAVALIER COUPLING; Most Disagreeable Week by Stew ●Reno and Rawhide in The LONGEST HISTORY LESSON IN ASINGLE STORY; The Rectification Of Names myseIf..,) Arcane Annie for just couldn't help (Sorry, folks. LONG. OBSCURE TITLES —RECORD NUMBER THEREOF: Stew and Arcane Annie for pages 9. 15. 67. 101 and 114 (and they're such a nuisance when typing up the LOCs — less is more' in future. I swear —Stew)

MOST APPEALING DAYDREAM: Tolchin for A BBI's Dream MOST BLATENT PLAGIARISM DONE IN THE NICEST POSSIBLE WAY (WELL, USUALLY): Yes, it's Downtown! MOST CREATIVE USE OF A HOUSEHOLD OBJECT OR GADGET IN AN ALMOST SERIOUS STORY: The phone in Extra Long Distance by Downtown MOST EFFECTIVE INDUSTRIAL ACTION: Rawhide in Rawhide Was Somewhere Else by Downtown MOST EVOCATIVE NEW BBI TAG (JUDGED BY A SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF ROMANTICS, IDEALISTS, IDYLLISTS, FAIRYTALE LOVERS AND FANTASISTS): Dreamspinner MOST HEART-THUMPING PORTRAIT OF BUCKAROO BANZAI IN PEN AND INK: Tim Howe for page 48 MOST PUNS IN A SINGLE SENTENCE: Downtown, by a landslide, in any story with his name attached (well, almost) SHORTEST PERFECT TOMMY TALE: Snake In The Grass by Arcane Annie SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR CREATING AN INTELLIGENT, INDEPENDENT NEW FEMALE CHARACTER: Buckskin Brenda for Jenny in Mrs Rawhide SPECIAL RORY AWARD FOR THE MOST GRATUITOUS USE OF THE WORD 'FUCK1 IN A STORY: Stew for page 44

EXTRA SPECIAL RORY FOR THE MOST GRATUITOUS REFERENCE TO DOUGLAS ADAMS IN AN INTRODUCTION: Stew!

Issue 3

Samurai Errant 3 was published in December 1989 and contains 148 pages.

cover of issue #3

The back covers always featured the last lines of the film: "So what. Big deal."

from issue #3

The art is by Arcane Annie, Blades (aka Jocelyn Anne Munro), Buckskin Brenda (aka Gail Neville) , Naomi Neumark, Tim Howe, and Wookie (Narelle Harris). "Find out who Pecos really is, as Reno at last reveals the truth... and how New Jersey copes when faced with the Swedes... and what Tommy has let Pinky in for...and what Homer Hudson's quest is..."

From the editorial:

Weil. (What? You wouldn’t want me to be a Blue Blaze Regular, would it’s been an eventful few months for me since SE2. which is not really an excuse for SE3 being so irregularly late. you???)

I attended Conspire in March, and Star Walking The Convention in September, and took part in a Banzai panel at both! Our panels' themes followed the cons’ themes —’mystery’ and 'all things weird and wonderful' respectively. Arcane Annie and Downtown were my co-hosts, with Wookie as well at Conspire. a bonsai. Both were a success hell, just getting a number of BBIs together in the one room was enough for me! It's a thrill to see Banzai fandom growing; laboured metaphor). There were even greater numbers of the weird mob from Yoyodyne Propulsion-s a-Systems in Adelaide at Star Walking, all of whom it was an experience to meet, to put it mildly! Anyway, the big news from them is... No, I need a new paragraph, the news is sooo big...

Yoyodyne Propulsion Systems will be hosting HONGCON in Adelaide in 1992 —you got that, honey? —HONGCONg Cavaliers. Beauty!!! You little rippers!!! The theme encompasses many media and literary interests, but first and foremost on the list though it may be growing as slow as I hope it will prove as long-lasting (now that was a is Buckaroo Banzai.

Bliss, bliss, bliss. Further details can be found up the back of the zine —read them and weep, monkey boy. And remember; if you're not there, you're somewhere else.

[...]

Damn, thought I’d get through the editorial without mentioning Him [Rawhide]. I'm as nutty a you-know-who fan as ever, but away. rest assured, His hold on Samurai Errant is slipping gently. Comes of not writing it all myself. I suppose.

And just as there's a variety of characters featured in this zine, there's a variety of situations... including (shock! horror!) slash stories (ik!) of varying explicitness, In fact, monkey boys, we actually have some stories in here of both straight and slash persuasion that reach TORRID on the Richter scale!!! I know there'll be some happy people out there at this news... But if you're not so keen on slash stuff, or torrid stuff in general, pass it by —it's all clearly marked, and there's plenty else to read. Then again, the stories mostly have some literary merit, and other things going on too (like, not just sex), so if you're feeling game, you might not be too upset by it all. But only if you're’fee1ing game. OK?

The disclaimer:

This is a nuclear-free fanzine which believes in the basic freedoms of human beans everywhere. To quote an old piece of washroom graffiti: LAND RIGHTS FOR GAY WHALES! (Lord, that dates me...) Samurai Errant does not, however, attempt to answer those eternal questions that keep us all awake at night — Does it rain in Melbourne? Does an Aussie like a pie? Does a girl dance backwards? Is the Nullarbor dry? Does a kookaburra make a row? Would you like to win the Big One now? — I'm kidding, I know the answer to the last one (it's 'YES PLEASE').

By the way, we have never intended to breach anyone's copyright in any way. We're mad Banzai fans, with a wide variety of tastes, and our only purpose here is to keep the planet-wide day dream growing... LET THE SUNSHINE IN! And none of the slash stuff (or straight stuff) is meant to imply that the actors or anyone else involved are gay (or straight). Some of us kinky ones just like day dreaming about our favourite fictional characters, that's all. So please don't sue us because we're loving, harmless, loveable [sic] people who don't deserve to ever be disillusioned. Thanks.

• Foreigners, Some of Them, And Their Names Have Been Changed (5)
• The Editorial by Stew (6)
• Ginger and the Brat by Stew ("Fourteen-year-old Buckaroo is on his way home from school when he runs into the local bully.") (9)
• Kindred Souls by Tolchin ("Hanoi Xan is the curse of Buckaroo's life... but he finds the truest of friends while fighting against him.") (13)
• Faerie Tale by L.J. Whorfin (aka Anonymous) ("Mourning Peggy, Buckaroo wanders through the Institute gardens and into another world.") (14)
• Growth and Rebirth by Berkana (aka Helen Keenan) ("A soldier of fortune in Latin America is betrayed by her fellow mercenaries.") (27)
• Debugging by Stew ("Rawhide gets it on with yet another member of the Institute.") (31)
• 'Find the Jet Car,' Said The President - A Buckaroo Banzai Thriller, Part Three by Tim Howe (40)
• Sidhe-Devil by L.J. Whorfin ("Perfect Tommy is freezing his butt off monitoring the weather in Ireland when... there is a soft rustle of movement nearby...") (45)
• A State of Mind by Stew ("Rawhide takes advantage of an offer of employment at CSIRO in Canberra, Australia to get out of a rut - and finds that the Institute does not hold a monopoly on mad scientists.") (55)
• One from the Archives by L.J. Whorfin ("A letter to the editor of the New England Journal of Medicine, on the subject of hair coloration.") (66)
• Let Us Cling Together by Tim Howe ("More comix stuff!") (68)
• Climb Every Mountain by Wookie ("New Jersey comes to on the side of a Bolivian mountain and finds his companions have vanished.") (70)
• Let's Rock and Roll! by Buckskin Brenda ("Mrs. Rawhide is slowly fitting into the Banzai Institute, until Buckaroo corners her...") (sequel to "Mrs. Rawhide" in the previous issue) (81)
• A Slight Case of Nerves by Downtown. (aka Geoff Tilley) ("Pinky knew he wouldn't even be in this situation, if it wasn't for the blonde juvenile...") (88)
• The Tibetan Connection by Buckskin Brenda ("The mystery of Pecos explained.") (90)
• Roll Call of the Dead by Stew ("There's one aspect of his job that Reno can't bear.") (94)
• One Hath Wounded Me, That's by Me Wounded by Stew ("If you didn't believe that the Kurgan had been hiding out as Rawhide, then you won't believe that the Kurgan beat the Highlander and won the Prize... or will you?") (sequel to "Living Many Secret Lives Among You" in issue #1) (95)
• Hoboken Crunch by Stew ("Buckaroo discovers a new Cause... the quest for the ultimate ice cream.") (125)
• Letters of Comment (129)
• Things You Might Consider Giving People Money For (141)

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  from issue #3, Tim Howe

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  from issue #3, unknown

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  from issue #3, Naomi Neumark

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  from issue #3, story warning

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  from issue #3, story warning

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  from issue #3, Buckskin Brenda

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  from issue #3, Tim Howe

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  from issue #3, Tim Howe

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  from issue #3, Naomi Neumark

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  from issue #3, Tim Howe

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  from issue #3, Buckskin Brenda

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  from issue #3, Tim Howe

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  from issue #3, Annie Arcane

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  from issue #3, Blades

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  from issue #3, You Are Receiving This Zine Because

Issue 4

Samurai Errant 4 was published in 1990 and contains 136 pages.

cover of issue #4

"Find out what happens on the Cavaliers' vacation in Dumpwater, Louisiana...and all about Reno's second wife... and exactly what'Pecos thought of Peggy... and what happens at the bizarre bazaar at Scooter's school..."

It contains 16 pages of "controversial LoCs and glorious illustrations by Tim Howe, Steve Scholz, Shadowcat, Blades, and Arcane Annie. Romance is both straight and slash, but there's nothing too offensively squidgy involved."

• Shanghai'd by Berkana ("Perfect Tommy continues his crusade to keep Buckaroo presentable.")
• The Missing Link by Stew ("The trouble with a menage a trois is that there are three times as many things to go wrong.")
• The Banzai Saga by Tim Howe (John Tim Howe) ("A recap of the Banzai adventures, with illustrations from the comics (as imagined by Tim Howe).")
• Gatorbait by Shadowcat ("Some of the cavaliers try a vacation is Dumpwater, Louisiana and of course end up adventuring instead.")
• Extracts From the Journal of a Lover by Berkana "("July 16 -- Met an entomologist I'll be working with. Tall, dark... Could prove to be rather a distraction."")
• 'Find the Jetcar,' Said the President - the Tragic Conclusion by Tim Howe ("Part Four, the tragic conclusion to the BB epic.")
• Eulogy by Arcane Annie ("Reflections on the death of Peggy Simpson Banzai... from an unexpected quarter.")
• You're Keen on Bugs by Dreamspinner ("Rawhide has a reputation for liking insects.")
• Death, Destruction and Criminal Devastation by Berkana ("The Cavaliers are asked to investigate a chemical accident.")
• Ladies' Night by Dreamspinner ("Mrs. Johnson helps Penny begin to feel at home at the Institute.")
• The Death of Innocence by Stew ("Perfect Tommy reminds Reno of his promise to tell the tale of his second wife.")
• The Bizarre Bazaar by Dreamspinner ("The Institute's fundraising efforts create a few problems.)
• The Oddest Couple by Downtown (New Jersey reluctantly accompanies Reno to California.")

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  flyer for issue #4 from Backtrack #4, click to read story summaries

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  flyer with summaries from Pure Maple Syrup, click to read

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  from issue #4, You Are Receiving This Zine Because

Issue 5

Samurai Errant 5 was published in 1996 and contains 112 pages.

cover of issue 5

• The Hidden Tomb by Wookie ("The Hong Kong Cavaliers' adventures take them to Cairo to solve the mystery of the hidden tomb.")
• Florens by Stew ("Sixteen-year-old Rawhide and his big brother are finally heading back to the States – except right now they are stuck in Jedda due to the Suez Canal crisis. Which is when Rawhide first falls in love, with a woman who is as out of his league as the stars in the sky.")
• John Parker Lied, Monkey Boy! by Akimbo ("Lord John Whorfin has been dealt with and the world has been saved - when to everyone's surprise a Red Lectroid shows up at the Institute's gates asking to speak to Buckaroo.")
• Some Sort of Homecoming by Berkana ("Another part of the story that started with "Growth and Rebirth".")
• Tad by Stew ("Tad is just an ordinary guy, but he’s befriended and loved by extraordinary people. He wishes he knew why, but then again he ain’t gonna argue!")
• Buckaroo, You're an Idiot! by Akimbo ("Buckaroo announces that the Institute is accepting applications for the role of martial arts instructor. "That was when the trouble started, mused Rawhide."")
• Holiday in Hell by Berkana ("Rawhide is travelling with Perfect Tommy - and is dismayed by many of his choices.")
• Reno's Journal: Mercy by Shadowcat ("Reno relates the stories of how Buckaroo came to meet and recruit some of the lesser known members of the Institute.")
• A Short Note to Explain the Strange Goings On at the Banzai Institute by Berkana ("On Berkana's return to the Institute, she is surprised to find that the place isn't running as efficiently as it used to.")
• Future History by Tim Howe ("A re-imagining of the film's story, somewhat skewed - in comic book form.")
• Coffee and Conversation by Berkana ("It's four in the morning, and Rawhide is worried about Perfect Tommy.")
• A Perfect Recruit by Stew ("Buckaroo is visiting an old friend of his father’s when he meets a provocative young man who seems to have only one thing on his mind. It’s soon clear that there’s far more to him than that, though.")
• Tender Resignation by Akimbo ("The latest recruit to the Banzai Institute just can't stand the heat!")

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  from issue #4, You Are Receiving This Zine Because