Shadowstar/Issues 12-13
Issue 12
Shadowstar 12 was published in Autumn 1983 and contains 157 pages.
The art is by Mary Jean Holmes (back cover), L.J. Juliano, Kyym Kimpel, Wanda Lybarger, Martynn, Mary Wood, and Joan Sweber (front cover).
[From the editorial]:There are many things I could say about this issue and its contributors, not the least of which might be that, among them, I seemed to have had another conspiracy on my hands. Virtually everyone who submitted prose sent manuscripts in excess of forty pages. Hence, this might be dubbed the "It Threatened To Turn In to a Monster" issue.
Within these pages, you will find many unusual points of view (including several non-related pieces with virtually that exact title). Linda Ruth Pfonner's Decoy (which, I know from first-hand experience, was written well before we knew a single, solitary thing about Return of the Jedi) is a fascinating post-Empire epic that is likely to spark a tiny bit of healthy controversy. Why, you may ask? Largely because it is the first (and, possibly, only) exception to my rule concerning R-rated profanity in SHADOWSTAR. Linda, I felt, structured the plot, the tension, and the mounting emotions in such a fashion that she thoroughly justified her single usage of an obscenity I find all too over-used, these days. While the story itself remains PG, I determined that it would be an editorial cop-out and — plainly and simply — an all-too-obvious sanitization to alter it. Perhaps some of you won't agree. Read it, and we'll see.
Continuing in the Highly Unusual Department... While Mary Wood's "Crossed Wires" isn't strictly a pure SW story, it does a marvelous job of crossing two universes that, on the surface, seem entirely incompatible, but, in their philosophical and thematic cores, are remarkably similar. I won't say whose universe she employs here (I don't want to spoil any surprise it might hold for those who are familiar with both mythoses, and read this column first), but I can say this: if you haven't read the stories from which Mary draws her secondary universe and characters, for the Maker's sake, go out and find them! The author (whose name you will find in the copyright segment on the contents page) has written some of the most marvelous works of contemporary fantasy, and they're well worth reading.
[...]
By the time this reaches most of our regular readers, the holiday season will be uoon us, or just past. It s been a year of highs and lows for all of us, both creatively and mundanely, of changes, advances, setbacks, gains and losses. But, in spite of all the hard times I know so many of us have suffered through, here we are, at the end of the year, still in one piece, and largely looking up. All things considered, I find it rather strangely appropriate that this, our holiday issue, be devoted to a Saga which by the admission of its Creator and the evidence of our eyes, is nothing so much as a paean to the noble side of man. As Carrie Fisher said in the recent television special, "Science and technology have advanced the art of today s creature movies, but, like Star Wars, the best of them succeed because they celebrate the human spirit. And, in an era in which we have all, to some degree or another, become victims of systems and governments and machines and conglomerates, that simple, basic reminder of what we all are and can be is both timely and welcome. The Ewoks said it best: "Celebrate the love."
Peace, happiness, health and prosperity to you all. As we look forward to a significant year; I remain yours in the Force.
- A Letter from the Editor (1)
- Penumbra, Letters of Comment (2)
- Rovan by Marcia Brin (reprinted from Carbonite Maneuver where it was part of "Four Preludes, and One Short Epilogue on Han Solo or After the Empire Struck Back.". Four of these stories (but not "Rovan") was also in Bright Center of the Universe #3. "Rovan," and the other four stories were discussed in Han and Leia in Fanfiction.) (8)
- Crossed Wires by Mary Wood (Star Wars/Deryni) (14)
- Point of View by Kathryn Agel (45)
- Star-Kindler by Mary Jean Holmes (46)
- Spacer by D.L. Miller (64)
- "Decoy". Archived from the original on 2002-03-10. Part 1 by Linda Ruth Pfonner (After being rescued from the carbon freeze, Han is accused of being an Imperial spy, and his past is revealed.) (65)
- A Different Point of View by Ann Wortham (88)
- Fatherhood? by Lynda Vandiver (101)
- Hi-Tech Sideways Comix Presntes: Color and Create an Adventure! by L.J. Juliano (102)
- Jedi Junkie, filk to the tune of "Junk Food Junkie," by M.J. Holmes (105)
- Remembrance by Pat Molitor (106)
- Obligatory Sick Cartoon (124)
- No Place to Run, conclusion of a SW novel by Mary Jean Holmes (125)
- ads (157)
from issue #12, Mary Wood
from issue #12, Martynn
from issue #12, Wanda Lybarger
from issue #12, Wanda Lybarger
from issue #12, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #12, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #12, Mary Jean Holmes
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 12
[Crossed Wires]: The cross-universe stories are good and well-conceived, with both universes handled carefully and with a believable link between the worlds. "Crossed Wires" is beautiful: I love the Deryni universe almost as much as SW. The story skillfully blended them together.[1]
[Crossed Wires]: I also want to encourage another writer who should be getting a lot more feedback — one who's much better than I, and whose modesty and self-effacement prevent her from doing more. She keeps saying she's not good enough. That's nonsense, of course. I'm referring to Mary Wood, whose "Crossed Wires" was beautifully written, intricate, and quite credible. Her art's not bad, either. Write more, Mary!!! That's an order from an old army sergeant.[1]
[zine]:I loved SHADOWSTAR #12! My favorites in it were "Crossed Wires" by Mary Wood, "Remembrance" by Pat Molitor, and your No Place Left To Run. I really enjoyed "Crossed Wires!" I have never read any of the Deryni tales, but I plan to do so in the future. Morgan and Duncan are interesting characters, the story was well-written, and Luke was given a good role in this tale. He wasn't presented as being perfect (which he isn't), but neither was he presented as weak, indecisive, or neurotic (which he also isn't). I thought Morgan and Luke made a good team.
Pat Molitor's "Remembrance" was well done. I enjoyed the flashbacks Into Darth Vader's past. It makes sense that the encounter between Luke and Vader on Bespin would have an impact on Vader, as it did on Luke. Pat Molitor's characterization of Vader is very believable and it made me feel more sympathetic toward him.
I enjoyed all of No Place Left To Run. It was an exciting adventure story. Thank you for giving Han and Luke equal roles! Your characterizations were very well done. Your story is a joy to read.
I also liked Marcia Brin's vignette, "Rovan," the poem "Jedi Junkie," and the cute back cover. The front cover wasn't bad, either, by the way. The sick cartoon was definitely that![2]
[zine]:My compliments on a fantastic SHADOWSTAR #12. I loved "Crossed Wires" — I've long been a fan of Katharine Kurtz's Deryni universe, and Che story was a lovely melding of that and the SW universe. I wouldn't mind reading more stories along this line (that's a hint, Mary).
"Star Kindler" was excellent. You've given us some good insights into both the Wookiee culture and the Han/Chewie relationship.
When I saw the illo that accompanied my own piece, I nearly fainted! I got a Martynn! Thank you for gracing my work with the work of one of my favor ites. I'm flattered that you think I deserve it.
And now, a word about Decoy, cliff-hangers, or any continued stories, drive me absolutely bonkers! It's bad enough, having to wait only three months for each SHADOWSTAR; can you imagine what waiting for RotJ did to me? And now, I have to wait six months for the end of this one? ARRGGH!
I think I'll send a fair of hungry firelizards to visit you — at least until you print the rest of the story. Would that get it into print any fast er? Anyway, the first third was very good, even though poor Han got it again, and I don't mind the use of that certain four-letter word at the end. It fit. After all, after what Solo had been through, what would you expect him to say? "Oh, darn"?
No Place Left to Run — very nice, and I don't have to wait to see how it ends. Thank heavens!
All in all, a very nice issue. I liked the larger size. I'm glad to see Wanda Lybarger in SHADOWSTAR. Like Martynn, she's another one of my favorites, and I can't get enough of her work either.[3]
[zine]:SHADOWSTAR #12 was another good issue. I guess I'll comment on the contents in order, so this will make more sense (oh, gods! What's the world coming to the day I make sense?).
"Rovan" by Marcia Brin: What can I say? I love this lady's work.
"Crossed Wires" by Mary Wood: I enjoyed this story, even though I'm not familiar with the other universe. I've seen Che books, but have never read them. I'm going Co have to put them on my list of books to read.
"Point of View" by Kathryn Agel: very nice.
"Star-Kindler": Before I tell you what I think, are you going to get embarrassed on me? I enjoyed it. Aside from the fact that I like Wookiee stories, the emotions expressed are real. Wanda Lybarger's art complimented the story nicely.
Decoy by Linda Pfonner: It's a good start. I'm looking forward to the other two parts. I have a question — or, rather, my mother does. It says, "Close only counts in explosions and sex." How does close count in sex?
"A Different Point of View" by Ann Wortham: Possi ble. The Emperor probably did Chink he was doing the right thing.
"Fatherhood" by Joyce Devine and Lynda Vandiver: I love it!
"Jest in Fun" by Ann E. Huizenga: Sticky Wicket, indeed!
"Remembrance" by Pat Molicor: A good piece of writing.
page 124: Love it! Where would the world be without sick humor?
No Place Left to Run: After reading part three, I was ready to kill, but now that I've read the rest, I guess I won't. I'd tell you what I thought of it, but you'd just waste your time blushing, so I won't.
page 156: Does this have something to do with the letter to Lumpy?
The back cover's cute, too.[3]
[zine]:I was in the midst of a bad case of the pre-holiday doldrums when #12 arrived; I was immediately — though briefly — cheered. I opened it up, saw Marcia Erin's name in the table of contents, and skipped the lettercol to immediately feast on her tale. Gods, did I cry...! "Rovan" has to be one of the most beautiful, poignant, heart rending tales ever written, fanlit, reallit, anywhere. I read it twice, used half a box of Kleenex, and then I very carefully paperclipped those pages together so I wouldn't see it accidentally. I'm not as depressed, now, but I still don't think I'm up to reading it again, yet. It's too sad...I'm tearing up as I sit here at work and type this! Onward...
"Crossed Wires" by Mary Wood. Very nicely done. I've loved the Deryni tales for years; Mary has done a wonderful job of keeping Morgan and Duncan in character, as well as the SW people. She had Han perfect. "Hey, if you want tact, talk to Leia. She's the diplomat, not me." I think the hardest thing to do to write cross-universe tales is to find a way to cross them chat doesn't sound contrived. Mary did a very nice job of that.
"Point of View" by Kathryn Agel. SHADOWSTAR prints some of the best poetry in all of fan- dom: this piece fits right in. And Martynn's illo fits the poem very nicely.
"Star-Kindler" by Ye Editore. Oh, goody! Another of those illuminations to your between-ANH-and- TESB trilogy. I remember this one vaguely from that stack of stuff you let me read at Capricon last year; it's much better than I remember. Did you re-write it much? I read an awful lot of stuff that afternoon; I don't trust my memory of it.
This is a classy little tale, and it does fit in with the Han Solo we've seen on-screen. The Wookiees' culture as portrayed is self-consistent and very sensible; I can easily see how upset Malla would be at Chewbacca's absence at such an important event, and it is not unthinkable that the entire village would blame Han, even unreasonably, for being the reason Chewbacca could not make it in time. A good story, and it's fun to read, especially at the end — so that's how Lumpy got his name! *giggle*
"Spacer" by D.L. Miller. Another nice piece of poetry, with a lovely Juliano illo to go with it.
Decoy. Well...again, I compliment you on your subtle editing, Mary Jean. If I didn't know this MS practically by heart, I never would have noticed the minor changes you made. Thank you for not sanitizing the end of Part One; I don't think anything less violent would have properly expressed Han's total disillusionment and fright.
"A Different Point of View" by Ann Wortham. Hmm...interesting...probably very close to ex actly what the Emperor WAS thinking.
"Fatherhood?" by Joyce Devine and Lynda Vandiver. This one is thoroughly hysterical, all the way through, though I'll admit to a few favorite scenes: the obvious one, of course, is Chewie bedecked with ribbons, but the boys in Han's cabin watching (undoubtedly XXX-rated) holofilms is even better, as is the way the boys get him to squirm by mentioning that book they found there called Planet of Passion...
"Jest in Fun" by Ann E. Huizenga. Cute, Ann, real cute.
[snipped]
The puzzles on page 101 are fun — thanks, Lynda! — and Kyym's cartoon is very funny.
"Hi-Tech Sideways Comix..." by L.J. Juliano. Here he goes again! The art's good as always.
"Jedi Junkie" by MJ Holmes. I heard you sing this one at Capricon, and I loved it then. Thanks for printing it. Yummy!
"Remembrance" by Pat Molitor. Very good! Very consistent and very plausible.
No Place Left to Run by Ye Editore. Ah, finally! The conclusion! Sure, I read this piece in rough draft at Capricon last February — but that was a long time ago, and I had to read it fast, and I was constantly being interrupted by people — we were in the middle of the dealer's room, remember? Most satisfactory ending! Nicely done. I'm glad that you pointed out that Leia never would have sabotaged the powerplant if she thought it would seriously endanger the populace of the city; she would have found something else to use as a diversion for their escape, or she wouldn't've escaped at all. She's not a fanatic. The difficulties involved in coping with the transmorph are vividly portrayed; Leia's response is perfect. I'd've decked the Corellian, too, under those circumstances.
"Sorry, Leia..." This cartoon reminds me of one of Wanda Lybarger's — I think it was in FACETS — with a startled Han turning around to find a knee-high Hoka (female) dressed as the Princess (ear-Danish and all) wrapped around his boot, while another Hoka (male) dressed as the Corellian pirate sits and sulks to one side. Caption was, not precisely, a girl with big ideas. *giggle*
The bacover is nice; the caption is obviously Han speaking. Exuberant after the victory, right, Luke? Uh-huh...
All in all, a very good issue, but then, all issues of SHADOWSTAR rate at least a "very good."
I've never seen anything but quality work, here. Keep it up! [3]
[zine]:I have a few comments to make about the recent Star Wars SHADOWSTAR. As much as I admire your combining talents on the cover, I think the recent one was probably the greatest since SHADOW- STAR #1. I couldn't believe that you didn't do it (although the style is markedly different from #1, I still thought it was you). The unity of the image and immediacy of meaning were expertly expressed. What I think you should watch out for, though, is the shrinking of your title. "Shadowstar" should occupy more space.
"Rovan" was the sharpest piece of prose I have read in a long while. Decoy is the type of story I find intriguing because I keep seeing the probable potentials for what's going to happen to tease me on. I didn't appreciate Han's foray into the verbal realm of bi-labial fricative excessiveness. But I can live with that before I can accept Luke Skywalker in a "berserker rage." It's kind of like trying to picture Beaver Cleaver as a chain-saw murderer. The quality of the drawings in SHADOWSTAR i^ increasing at a pheno menal rate. I loved the way you drew the Princess on page 156, and some of your drawings in
"No Place Left to Run" make me wonder if you, too, have recently discovered duo-shade board.[3]
[zine]:AGAIN! You're remarkable...not only getting zines out on time on a regular basis, but terrific! I honestly cannot find anything negative to say about SHADOWSTAR #12, and as usual, it makes me look that much more forward to #13.
"Remembrance" by Pat Molitor and "Crossed Wires" by Mary Wood are two stories with plot lines I m usually not interested in. However, both stories were excellent, and held my interest all the way through. Where do you find such marvelously talented people? I guess talent attracts talent.
Your letter column is one I always enjoy reading, particularly the letters from Lumpy. And he says he has no talent! I would like to read a story by this young Wookiee; I'm sure his prose would be just as interesting and humorous as his letters. Therefore, encourage him all you can.
You are one of the few authors who has the talent tor combining her own universe with that of George Lucas remarkably well. You always maintain the essence of the characters (from Artoo to my lovable Corellian) with warmth, insight, and growth. And although I enjoy the Alternate Universes (can't wait for the next installment of Decoy by Linda Ruth Pfonner), it is the original movies that got me interested in SW fandom in the first place. Therefore, my favorite stories ~ and those I can read over and over — are those that involve the major characters as the focal point. This fits with the way you develop your own characters; they are easy to hate or love, and fit along so well with your stories, plots, and SW characters. Every- time I read your fiction, it makes me curious as to everything that has gone on before, the things you make reference to. Do you have a story planned on what actually happened to Han at the Imperial prison world?
Although I enjoy quite a few other writers immensely — Marcia Brin, for instance -- with most of the others it is so easy to tell who their favorite character is. You treat each so marvelously that one wouldn't even be able to guess which one is your favorite.
"Don't Ask!" is delightfully funny, and "Who Seeks Retribution" is a well-constructed fantasy with a background that reminds me of Katherine ' Kurtz s world of the Deryni, "Munday" ~ oh how very apt. Transfer Student is excellent and my favorite story in the zine.
[snipped]
Now, about the editor's own stories. Very nice! You really know how to keep the suspense going.
I never guessed at Zaidan's malady [in Double Paradox] — the way you handled it, I figured he was going to turn out to be (dare I whisper it?) g-a-y — or, at the identity of the Force user, until both were revealed. Now, you've got me wondering at the identity of Chewie's captors(?) in A Chance to Live — though I think I've guessed that Tal will turn out to be an old classmate of Han's, which is why Luke is getting twinges about him. Your portraits of Han, Luke, and Leia, with their mutual interaction, are accurate, and one thing I especially like is how you get them into different sets of clothes (I think the Alderaani court dress in ACTL is very attractive, even if Han doesn't!) [3]
[zine]: All I've got to say is that it's a good thing I got the Autumn Issue [#12] — I was about to DIE waiting to read the conclusion of No Place Left To Run, Well, Fearless knows how I feel about her writing — I said it all in my Xmas present to her! (Well? Do you have the chutzpah to print it?) As for the rest of the issue, well, darn it all people, what I'd like to know is how on earth do you manage to be so creative and yet so true to the feel of the SW characters? I certainly can't! No fair! [4]
Issue 13
Shadowstar 13 was published in Winter 1984 and contains 120 pages.
- Letter from the Editor (1)
- Shady Thoughts: On Being Edited, A Reaction by Roberta Stuemke (2)
- Penumbra (4)
- The Message by Joyce Devine and Lynda Vandiver (12)
- Return of the Jedi by Marci Erwin (17)
- Graylands by Roberta Stuemke (18)
- Under the Night Sky by Deborah S. Busse (27)
- Odyssey by Mary Jean Holmes (28)
- Whose Lucky Day? by Judith Ann Gaskins (59)
- Within the Ice Palace by Rosalinda Arias (62)
- Masks by Misty Lackey (Dawntreader) (63)
- Puzzle: Word Search by Lynda Vandiver (77)
- Forgotten Hero by Ann Wortham (78)
- The Payoff by Kathryn Agel (part of Starbird's Children Universe) (80)
- Mr. Gannet, poem by Mark Wallace ("a study in science-fiction nonsense") (84)
- Star Wars Hide and Seek, crossword puzzle by Marci Erwin (85)
- "Decoy Part 2". Archived from the original on 2002-03-10. by Linda Ruth Pfonner (After being rescued from the carbon freeze, Han is accused of being an Imperial spy, and his past is revealed.) (87)
- Puzzle: Word Search by Lynda Vandiver (86)
- Ads (121)
- art by Mary Wood, Wanda Lybarger, Mark Wallace, Mary Jean Holmes, Jean Danielsen (back cover), Anne Davenport, Brian Lane, Melody Luke, Lumpawarrump, Martynn, Carol Paulson, John Sies,
from issue #13, Wanda Lybarger
from issue #13, Wanda Lybarger
from issue #13, sample text
from issue #13, Mark Wallace
from issue #13, Mary Wood
from issue #13, Mary Jean Holmes
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 13
You're right — the new headers are well worth the wait. They're magnificent. I especially like the one for "Shady Thoughts." Speaking of "Shady Thoughts": Roberta Stuemke expresses my opinions of being edited much more succinctly than I. I have had limited experience in this, but I seriously think it only reasonable of an editor to request changes in a story, if she feels it necessary to make the story fit the 'zine. The writer should comply or withdraw the story — I've done both. I withdrew a story from a 'zine several years ago because the editor's questions and requested changes were, in my opinion, thoroughly asinine. I found another editor who did not object, and the story has been printed. I'm happy. Certainly, sometimes major rewrites are necessary, and the writer generally finds them painful — the tale is a child-of-mine, and making changes is like operating without anesthetic. But it's not fatal.
"The Message" by Joyce Devine and Lynda Vandiver. Nicely crafted tale; I especially like Han's attitude — teasing Leia, but deadly serious about his obligations to Chewie.
RotJ Maze by Marci Erwin. Nicely done, and it was a challenge, especially since I didn't want to mark up the 'zine.
"Graylands" by Roberta Stuemke. Sheesh! Roberta, submit some of this stuff to a prozine, will ya? This one would fit at FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION, I should think.
"Under the Night Sky" by Deborah S. Busse. This is a lovely poem, and the mermaid is beautiful, too, Carol.
"Odyssey" by Ye Editors. I like this one whole bunches. Especially the part about Han going crazy. The illustration of Han running from the remote is priceless. The one of Lumpy sleeping beside Han is adorable. The Corellian's hesitant explanation to Lumpy about his criminal career (admirably honest he was, too!) was beautifully done. Applause! "Whose Lucky Day?" by Judith Gaskins. That's sick. That really is.
"Within the Ice Palace" by Rosalinda Arias. It's odd, but it's beautiful.
The pages of Misty Lackey's "Masks" were shuffled in my copy [oops!], but at least they were all there. This is a worthy successor to the other wonderful tales of Darla Killian and the Dawntreader. I like the Zacathian, Suteth; he's sweet. I even liked Derek, eventually. The ending is well handled. More? Soon?
"Forgotten Hero" by Ann Wortham. I'll bet JR liked this one; it's a lovely vignette, delineating Wedge very succinctly. He's an easy character to forget, but he is a necessary part of the background to the SW universe.
"The Payoff" by Kathryn Agel, As a rule, I object to stories saddling the Corellian with kin, especially younger female kin who follow him into space. Cara Solo stands up against my unreasoning prejudice fairly well, although this isn't much of a story — it's just a teaser, designed to get us hooked. The next story in line had better be in SHADOWSTAR! I do like those little critters that Cara has with her; I've always wanted empathic friends.
"Mr. Gannet" by Mark Wallace. This is very neat. Giggle.
SW Hide and Seek by Marci Erwin. Very complicated, again, especially since I do try to do it without a pencil.
Various kriss-krosses by Lynda Vandiver. These are always fun.
Decoy. Well, yes. I love the illustrations; they look just right. In response to a comment someone made: Chewie calls Han "captain" because that's how he thinks of him. He also calls him "partner." And sometimes, "brother." He calls Luke "Walker-in-the-Sky" because that is how the name "Skywalker" translates into Wookiee. Chewie has always preferred to call Han by nicknames; Han has always resisted allowing the relationship to become too personal. It hasn't stopped them from becoming the very closest of friends; this is just a facade that Han preferred, and Chewie went along.
So much for #13 — a perfectly delightful issue of my favorite 'zine. I'm looking forward to #14.[5]
Once again, it's fan letter time. Y'know, one of these days, it'll dawn on Our Fearless Editor that the reason I write for this 'zine is so I can get contributors' copies — the budget won't always stand the strain of an extra expense — and then I'll be in trouble.
Moving right along...
[snipped]
Where was I? Oh, yes. Winter [#13]. Think I'll work back to front — no matter that I knew damn well Han wasn't gonna get bumped off; that didn't stop me from biting my knuckles over Decoy, part two. Greatly enjoyed "The Payoff," seeing as I've got a soft spot in my heart for lady warrior-types. And you've got another gem in "Forgotten Hero" —I've always felt rather sorry for . the guys who not only don't get the girl, but don't even get a Hero's Funeral. "Whose Lucky Day?" made me absolutely cringe — I Just went through a whole week like that at work! "Odyssey" is lovely, MJ, and I can see that both Darla and I have rather underestimated the power of a Lumpy! Good job on "Graylands" — Roberta didn't take the easy way out of the "horribly irredeemable nasty female sorceress." Good stuff, that. "The Message" was just plain cute — not meant derogatorily, mind you. I happen to like cute things (puppies, kittens, baby Wookiees). I dunno about that Misty Lackey, though. Too 'ose for words...[6]
References
- ^ a b from a letter of comment in "Shadowstar" #18 (1985)
- ^ from a letter of comment in "Shadowstar" #15
- ^ a b c d e from a letter of comment in "Shadowstar" #13
- ^ a letter of comment by Misty Lackey in "Shadowstar" #14
- ^ a letter of comment in Shadowstar #14
- ^ a letter of comment by Misty Lackey in Shadowstar #14