Shadowstar/Issues 1-5
Issue 1
Shadowstar 1 was published in Winter 1980 and contains 70 pages.
From the editor: "This first issue is dedicated to Joy Harrison for renewing my urge to see it done, and to George Lucas, for providing me with so colorful a universe and cast of characters with which to first try my hand at derivative fiction."
From the editorial:
Welcome to this first issue of SHADOWSTAR, what I (and others) hope will be a quarterly 'zine of SF and fantasy prose, poetry, art, and occassional articles. The product of many hours of thought, work, love and fanzine reading, we intend this publication to present a wide variety of material, touching on all the areas of fannish love from the purely original to the derivate.
[snipped]
Read on. Enjoy. Respond. And, for the Force's sake, SUBMIT. I want to keep this 'zine as high in quality as I can; I'd also like to hear from you all, in whatever way your hearts may desire. Just remember to keep it clean.
- From the Editor (1)
- Shady Thoughts: Who is the Other? Theories I've Encountered by Mary Jean Holmes (2)
- Don't Ask!, story by Karen Pauli, art by Mary Wood (original fiction) (5)
- Soulmates, story by Bill Roper, art by C.H. Burnett (original fiction) (10)
- The WindyCon Blues, con report in filk form, by Kyym Kimpel (See Con Reports:1980.) (13)
- Who Seeks Retribution, story by Mary Wood, art by Wood and Mary Jean Holmes (original fantasy) (14)
- An Introduction to Elvish Script, article by Thindlas of Edhelond (27)
- Mating Flight, story by Judy and Todd Voros, art by Mary Jean Holmes ("Note: This is a story written in a parallel universe, wherin Canth flew Wirenth. At Ista Weyr (in this universe), there are several women who have impressed fighting dragons.) (Editor's note: The enclave of Pern fans that calls itself Ista Weyr is, in a way, similar to the Lost Weyr idea. Ista is based in New Orleans; this story appeared simultaneously in its publication, with different art, and appears here with the kind per mission of both author and editor. Because the story was handled by two different editors, it's quite likely that our editing may differ. Sorry, Judy and Todd.") (Dragonriders of Pern) (30)
- Starflight to Faerie, poem by Leah Fisher, art by C.H. Burnett (38)
- Meet Chrysophyr, Interstellar Agent, idea by Joy Harrison, art by Marge Ihssen (39)
- Double Paradox, part one of a Star Wars novel, story by Mary Jean Holmes, art by Joan Zweber and Holmes (40)
from issue #1, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #1, C.H. Burnett
from issue #1, Mary Wood
from issue #1, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #1, Joan Zweber
from issue #1, filk
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1
Excellent first effort (if it is...?). Many goodies herein. I did not know that Bill Roper wrote "ose and morose" fiction as well as filk. He seems happiest when he's being heartbreaking; I think the man needs help! No — wait a minute. If he gets cured, we won't get any more songs like "Space is Dark" or "The Destroyer," and no more fiction like "Soulmates." Let's let him suffer — for purely selfish reasons.
"Don't Ask!" by Karen Pauli. Really good! It's not always easy for a fan to think like a mundane, and that was done charmingly.
The cartoon on page 12 is my favorite.
I tried several times to read "Who Seeks Retribution" by Mary Wood, but I couldn't. I'm not sure why. It may just be because I'm unfamiliar with the culture. I hope to get to it— but it took me over a year to get into Fa Shimbo's Klysadel series, too. Now I love it.
"Mating Flight" was delightful. Judy and Todd Voros do understand the Weyrs and the dragonriders, which some people who write about them do not. Wonderful.
"Starflight to Faerie" by Leah Fisher is a beautiful poem, and it can be sung to several tunes; my favorite for it is Sharon Porath's tune for "Time and Stars." And it may be about Han So lo, but it needn't be. It applies to every sailor, every wanderer the worlds have ever spawned. [1]
I loved Part One of "Double Paradox." I like your style and your characterizations. I've read too many SW stories with basically good story lines and plots that were ruined because the author obviously rushed through it, not giving enough background, detail, and dialogue to make the story really work. This is definitely NOT the case with "Double Paradox." Your descriptions are just right, neither too lengthy nor too brief. The dialogue is wonderfully in character! And I must thank you for your portrayal of Chewie as what he really is: Han'a best friend and comrade, an intelligent being who is a major influence on Solo — and for not shunting him into the background as if he were a mere 'droid! Chewie's character is too often slighted in fanfiction, and it makes me crazy! Oh, and that Han-Leia "kiss" scene on the Falcon, VERY, in character for both of them. Yes, yes, YES! They really do like each other, but God forbid they should let other people know it! [2]
Issue 2
Shadowstar 2 was published in Spring 1981 and contains 70 pages.
From the editorial:
I want to thank the people who've given me such favorable comments regarding issue #1. If they'd been slightly less specifically directed towards me, I'd've been inclined to put in a letters column. Maybe someday. I'm grateful not only for the praise, but also for the fact that all of you put up with the ghastly printer's error that effected the latter half of the 'zine. Fortunately, the screw-up affected only my story, so there was no great loss.
I would also like to thank our dear Uncle Samuel for returning us enough of our tax money to purchase this neat new Olivetti Lexicon typer. The old Smith-Corona was on its last legs, no doubt about it.- Now, if I could only find a genuine italic element for it...
For those of you who are looking forward to the conclusion of "Double Paradox," I hate to tell you this, but this issue's installment is only number two out of four. Sorry, but the blasted thing is an honest-to-Force novel, not a novella or novelette. In her letter. Amy Dobratz asked if I thought I was George Lucas. No, Amy, I don't (I should only be so lucky. I could use half his money, and his talent). What I am is long-winded. I can't write simple short stories very easily. My mind tends to take the most uncomplicated plot idea and make a full-blown novel out of it. And take heart (or be warned): this isn't the end. My husband has coerced me into writing a full trilogy of SW based novels; "Double Paradox" is only the first (he's sadistic, that spouse of mine is. He knows I find writing derivate fiction a chore, since it's so tough to keep everything reasonably consistent with the original concepts). The second novel (yes, it's done) is called "A Chance to Live," after a quote from SW. The third has barely been begun. The two latter works may or may not appear in Shadowstar; I'll have to - see how I feel about it when the time comes. There are these 2'x4' paintings illoing the second novel lying around our apartment, however...
From the editor, comments on the fannish politics, differing ideas and control, and disappointment:
Now for the not so nice diatribe.
In 1974, I made my first contact with organize fandom. In those days, there was a certain innocence to the whole affair, as we were all people who'd lived too long without kindred spirits with whom to share some of our most far-flung ideas and flights of fancy. We hadn't yet lost our sense of wonder then; fandom as a whole was still a joyous experience for us all.
Unfortunately, no innocence lasts forever; I experienced this first when our numbers as a group swelled to the point that we could no longer meet in the basement bar at the local university. When we became at last an organized SF club, we were forced to make a break with an old friend in order to preserve our integrity as a group. The experience was not precisely pleasant, but, like the innocents we were, we healed quickly.
Time and the years brought new experiences, new friends, new responsibilities. From a beginning core of three people, our fan group grew within a period of two years to nearly a hundred. And, like the physical growth of adolesence, the sudden growth of our pubescent organization was fraught with pain, both bittersweet and agonizing. It began simply, with a desire to repay our friends in other cities for the conventions we'd attended by giving one of our own. It was a noble thought, and was labored over nobly for several years, until our no-longer-fledgling group contracted a disease that has been the death of all-too-many fannish concerns: Politics.
If I sound bitter over it, it's because I am. Friends were made, to be sure, but many more were lost or alienated over that cancer; and like cancer, it spread, to everything we had touched in our innocence, and corrupted it. Perhaps too poetical, perhaps too naive— but, the fool that I am, I still believe in innocence. I retain my sense of wonder. I see in fandom a group of people with a common dream, a shared goal, a folk with aspirations that rise far above the merely mundane.
But then, all too often, I look at these people, gathered together under the title of club, corporation, association, and see the mud of competition, jealousy, and pettiness clinging to their feet. It cements them with an unbreakable bond to the earth and dooms them to nothing but empty daydreams.
Call me naive, idealist. Still, it hurts me to watch friends hurt each other, stab each others' backs, simply for something as foolish as political power. To me, no influence is worth friendship, and no business concern is as priceless as the stars.
I look at things now, more mature than I was those seven years ago, and I weep.
But I also hope.
- Letter from the Editor (1)
- Shady Thoughts, an editorial column by Mary Jean Holmes (two topics: trying to discern who is "The Other" by Tarot cards, numerology, and the I Ching, and the ugliness of fannish politics (specifically as they relate to an unnamed convention that has just occurred) (2)
- Munday: a do-it-yourself participatory memoir by E. Michael Blake (4)
- Transfer Student by Kathryn Sullivan (original science fiction) (7)
- The Gofer's Lament by Bernadette Krebs (20)
- A Night on the Town (from the Misadventures of Luke Skywalker) ("an episode from a Star Wars based Traveller game") transcribed by Mary Jean Holmes, with the artistic assistance of Scott Paulson and Pete Miller (21)
- Dragonflight? by Karen Pauli (27)
- The Cult of Diomedes by Larry S. Juliano (The Shadow) (30)
- Double Paradox, part two by Mary Jean Holmes (Star Wars) (39)
- art by Mary Jean Holmes (front cover, with Larry S. Juliano), Anne Davenport, Mary Wood and Bernadette Krebs
from issue #2, Larry S. Juliano
from issue #2, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #2, Larry S. Juliano
from issue #2, Mary Jean Holmes
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2
"Transfer Student" by Kathryn Sullivan. The art on the title page is gorgeous. L.J. Juliano has real talent. I hope to see some of his/her/its artwork at a con soon. But please, not until I have some money! The story is a corker. Sstwel a marketing major? Fantabulous. More than that, all I can say is, why couldn't it've happened to me?
"The Gofer's Lament" by Bernadette Krebs is all too true. I've gofered for more cons than I know, including Noreascon II and Denvention II (which last one needed all the help it could get — volunteers damn near ran that whole con — I never saw any one who would admit to being committee, except the completely neutral lawyer on the weapons panel). And, unlike many poems that allegedly are songs, this one actually scans and fits the tune. Congratulations.
"A Night on the Town" by Mary Jean Holmes.
A familiar theme: I got an A in a creative writing class by presenting as unvarnished truth — well, it was! the Tale of a D and D expedition I had participated in at an SCA revel the weekend before.
Your story is good, too. I'm not going to read it until I feel better, though. The end is so graphic!
The cartoon on page 26 is sick! I love it.
"Dragonflight?" by Karen Pauli is a lovely twist on the pink elephant story. Wonderful.
I cannot deal with "The Cult of Diomedes"— I can't get interested in the Shadow. But Juliano's artwork in spectacular, especial ly the illo on page 34. [1]
Shadawstar #2 was wonderful. Wish we could have a "transfer student" like the one in the story here at MSU. Life on campus would never be the same.
"Munday" was perfect— really captures the spirit of the post-con blaaas.
"Dragonflight?" was also wonderful.
I've never read THE SHADOW before; I only know the barest outline of the character, but "The Cult of Diomedes" was quite intriguing..
And of course, the Star Wars stuff was great. "A Night on the Town" was cute (a Star Was Traveller game? I'd like to know more about that) and I'd love to see more "misadventures.'
Are you sure you don't want to just print the rest of Double Paradox in the next issue? You really do know how to leave a person hanging on a good story! [1]
Issue 3
Shadowstar 3 was published in Summer 1981 and contains 69 pages.
From the editorial:
To the relief of a number of you, Double Paradox is near its conclusion. Novels two and three (respectively titled A Chance, to Live. and No Place Left to Run) now rest, completed, on my bookshelf, awaiting my decision as to what to do with them. I'm moved, therefore, to ask this of my readers: do you want me to run them in Shadowstar? If I can find artists willing to try their hands at illustrating them, I'll consider it, if interest runs in that direction.
I had intended to make a few comments here concerning the business of editorial duty and privilege, but have decided to save it for a better time. Instead, I'd like to make a few remarks about this past summer. Reflecting upon it, I find that I spent a lot of time at the movies. And really entertaining ones, at that. None of this "slice of life" or "cinema verite" stuff that I find so horribly depressing. I adored Raiders of the Lost Ark (I never expected Harrison Ford to display that caliber of acting ability; but I do suppose that maturation will come inevitably to the truly talented), and, though I've not yet seen them, know many folk who found Superman II, Escape from New York, The Howling, Excalibur, Outland, An American Werewolf in London, Clash of the Titans, and Lord only knows how many others immensely entertaining. I even discovered that, after more than thirty viewings, The Empire Strikes Back can still make me cry. It's encouraging. Although I knew that the studios plan on marketing more of the "ordinary people" type of films this fall, I'm delighted to see that movies as genuine entertainment (as opposed to social statement) has come back in style. Bravo to all thoss intrepid filmmakers, writers, and actors! You've made the movies a place where I can, once again laugh, cry, cheer, and enjoy myself.
There's always hope.
- A Letter from the Editor (1)
- Shady Thoughts: Terrans Will Be Terrans by Jean Danielsen (addresses the editorial in the previous issue regarding the ugliness of fannish politics (specifically as they relate to an unnamed convention that has just occurred) (2)
- Seran by Joy Harrison (Dragonriders of Pern) (5)
- Picking Nits in Fan Fiction, article by Karen Pauli (10)
- Doctor Who and the Energy Beam, part one, by Paul Gadzikowski (Doctor Who) (13)
- Goodbye, Jenny by Kathryn Sullivan (original science fiction) (25)
- The Empire Plot by Larry Juliano (The Shadow) (28)
- That Elegant Scruffy Look, article by C.R. Illinois Jones (39)
- Double Paradox, part three of a Star Wars novel by Mary Jean Holmes (Star Wars) (41)
- ads (69)
- art by Steve Casey, Jean Danielsen (interior back cover), Anne Davenport (interior front cover), Paul Gadzikowski, Mary Jean Holmes, L.J. Juliano (back cover), Kyym Kimpel, Mary Wood
from issue #3, detail from a page, Anne Davenport
from issue #3, Steve Case
from issue #3, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #3, Paul Gadzikowski
from issue #3, detail from a page, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #3, Larry J. Juliano
from issue #3, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #3, Kyym Kimpel
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3
"Seren" by Joy Harrison. Beautiful title page! The story is the wish fulfillment dream of every fan of Pern. We all wish we could be Seren.
The article "Picking Nits in Fan Fiction" by Karen Paul! is admirable, as is the editor's addenda. Unlike the book, in the movie, we all remember, Leia never says her name or her father's in the holographic message. She greets Obi-wan with "General Kenobl" and a small bow. "Years ago, you served my father in the Clone Wars." That is enough of an introduction. Kenobi knows who her father must be, and, therefore, who she must be. He is visually Impressed. Later on in the message, she mentions Alderaan, but never exactly what her father's or her own positions are. Or were.
"Doctor Who and the Energy Beam. It struck me as being entertaining, and certainly not boring! It was a little rushed in places, such as the stop at Darrin and Smanatha's. But not uninteresting. I also've never seen The Prisoner (except the last episode, which made no sense at all when seen in isolation...), so I could not judge that section for worth. I'm looking forward to the continuation.
"Goodbye, Jenny!" by Kathryn Sullivan. Nice, Very nice. Makes me glad I'm not a twin — I'd start worrying about losing her.
"The Empire Plot" by L.J. Juliano. Same comment as for the Shadow tale in #2.
"That Elegant Scruffy Look" by C.H.(Illinois) Jones. All I've got to say is, "Who're you calllin' scruffy-lookin?I"
Double Paradox part 3. Arrrrgh! This as is bad as Warped Space. #39 and the end of "Resurgence," with Han bleeding to death in that alleyI How can I live until December with Han having just blown his Zaidan cover and gotten caught, with Vader only hours out?l All right, all right, maybe he's not caught. Yet. But if he kills that trooper and runs for it, he'll either lead the hunt right for Luke and Aliana, or, foxlike, lead 'em right away. Either way, Han's dead. Arrrgh. How can you do this to me?l Arrrrgh!! [1]
Issue #3 was magnificent. The reproduction was faultless. #2 was a fanzine that pushed the levels of excellence to new standards, but #3 went beyond the level of being an excellent fanzine to putting profession magazines to shame. Your cover... a combination of pictures was ingenious. [1]
Just a note to thank you for Shadowstar #3.
I think this is the best one yet. I've loved everything I've read, but I haven't read everything yet. My sister said she didn't really like the Doctor Who story... but then, she's a perfectionist when it comes to the Doctor. . . [1]
Issue 4
Shadowstar 4 was published in Autumn 1981 and contains 79 pages.
From the editorial:
Sometime in the near future, Alvyren Press intends to publish all of Double Paradox in a single volume. Additional art is being sought for this printing. Please contact me if you'd like to contri bute.
Please forgive the dearth of artwork in this issue. A desire to keep the price at a reasonable level, a lack of available artists and other factors contributed to this. However: Larry Juliano has informed me that he intends to make up for his lack of art in next issue's final installment of the Shadow tales. And my pleas for illustrators will, with fortune, not go unheeded.
- Letter from the Editor (1)
- Remembrance by Bernadette Krebs (Star Wars) (2)
- An Insignificant Gift by Mary Jean Holmes (Star Wars) (6)
- A Promise Made by Judith Ann Gaskins (Logan's Run) (14)
- Vicious Circles by Kenneth Goltz (original science fiction) (24)
- A City on Its Knees by Larry Juliano (The Shadow) (27)
- Free Verse by Kyym Kimpel (Star Wars) (38)
- Doctor Who and the Energy Beam, conclusion by Paul Gadzikowski (Doctor Who) (40)
- Lonely by Kathryn Sullivan (original fiction) (50)
- Double Paradox, conclusion of the Star Wars novel by Mary Jean Holmes (Star Wars) (52)
- Ads (79)
- art by Jean Danielsen (interior back cover), Ann Davenport (interior front cover), Paul Gadsikowski, Mary Jean Holmes (front and back cover), L.J. Juliano (front cover with MJH), Kyym Kimpel, Mary Wood
from issue #4, Kyym Kimpel
from issue #4, Jean Danielsen
from issue #4, Mary Jean Holmes (Logans' Run art)
from issue #4, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #4, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #4, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #4, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #4, Mary Jean Holmes
Issue 5
Shadowstar 5 was published in Winter 1982 and contains 67 pages.
It is dedicated to "all my fellow editors of fiction fanzines, with sympathy." The editor also gives thanks "once again to J. Kimpel for loan of her typewriter while the infamous Black Hole was on the blink."
- Letter from the Editor (1)
- Shady Thoughts: In Defense of Media Science Fiction and Fan Fiction by Mary Jean Holmes (2)
- Penumbra, Letters from Readers (3)
- Homecoming by Joy Harrison (Dragonriders (7)
- Shadows, Gremlins and Murphy's Law by Karen Pauli (original science fiction) (15)
- Hot Stuff by J. Robert Holmes (original science fiction) (27)
- Damon's Legacy by Mary Wood (original fantasy) (30)
- The Shadow Strikes by Larry J. Juliano (The Shadow) (36)
- A Chance to Live, part one of a Star Wars novel by Mary Jean Holmes (Star Wars) (45)
- Ads (67)
- Art by Steven Casey, Jean Danielsen, Anne Davenport (interior front cover), Mary Jean Holmes (front and back covers), L.J. Juliano (interior back cover, also interior), Kyym Kimpel, Karen Pauli, Carol Paulson, Mary Wood
from issue #5, Steven Casey
from issue #5, L.J. Juliano
from issue #5, L.J. Juliano
from issue #5, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #5, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #5, Mary Jean Holmes
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 5
Ever since you agreed to print my Shadow fantasies, I had a degree of trepidation concerning the possibility of your taking flak for printing "crime fiction" in a publication that your readers might feel should be reserved for Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, et al. There is even another fanzine editor who dreamed of publishing a zine devoted to fan-fiction with the thirties-type adventure/detective theme. The zine finally came out to the tune of one of those fanzines about fandom, with the absence of any fan fiction. From what he has told me, I think the editor changed his initial idea into what it finally turned out to be because he felt more fans would snub his thirties idea. He definitely felt that fan "snobbishness" would ignore his efforts, or deride them. So he gave in to the snobbishness. His zine is a good zine, but it's not what he was to do. I've come to really respect your ideas and abilities because of your fantastic work on Shadowstar, and I sure hope you haven't gotten any static be cause. you had the guts to run a series of stories that seemed totally unrelated to the mainstream of fandom today. The reason I say this is because I felt you were on the defensive in your #5 editorial. I know that so far, some readers and you like my art, but I'm still uncertain as to the reception the Shadow stories have received.
- [Editor]: Not to worry, Larry. Your stories have been as well received as your art... That editorial was not prompted because of flak I received from any readers of Shadowstar on anything printed therein. It came, rather, from a rather vociferous and -- unfortunately -- tactless local who recently went on a vendetta against media-oriented anything: fanzines, writers, artists, or fans. Since I firmly feel that all fans have the right to exist, especially when they aren't harming anyone --and, in some cases, perform a great good -- I was moved to express those feelings in my editorial column. Any form of fandom which ignores and/or looks down on others has, in my opinion, no right to exist. [3]