Southern Seven/Issue 002

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Southern Seven is a long-running gen Blake's 7 anthology of art, fiction, and poems.

See more at Southern Seven.

Issue 2

front cover issue #2, Leah Rosenthal

back cover of issue #2, Karen River

flyer for issue #2

Southern Seven 2 was published in October 1987 and contains 414 pages (later editions were 332 pages due to content removal).

The art is by Leah Rosenthal, Maryann Jorgensen, Sheila Paulson, Celeste Hotaling, Laura Virgil, Vicki Brinkmeier, Suzie Molnar, Deb Walsh, Dani Lane, Michele Rosenberg, Katrina Snyder, and Karen River.

The reprint lacks the Hellhound stories which were reprinted separately as The Log of the Hellhound #2.

From the editorial:

Welcome to the issue of SOUTHERN SEVEN that managed to grow bigger than the first one! I hadn't intended for this to happen, believe me. And there's along involved reason as to why it did..which I don't intend to go into. So, read it and enjoy! There's bound to be something for everyone in such a large and varied selection of stories.

One of the best things about this issue, in my mind, is that it marks the first time sane of the "Southern Enclave" (a knickname [sic] applied to a large circle of Dallas fans during the heyday of Star Wars fandom) have finally "seen the light" and became fans of B7. Laura Virgil has a good deal of art herein and you can expect to see more from other Texans in future issues. Heartfelt welcomes to: Laura V., Cheree Cargill, Jenni Hennig, Linda Knights, Sandy Williams, Sharon Dickerson, Annita Smith, Cynthia Daniels, and all the other Dallasites I've heard from recently. (In case you can't tell, Dallas is my hometown...)

• From the Airlock... editorial by Ann Wortham (4)
• Letters of Comment (5)
• Commentary, fiction by Leigh Arnold (reprinted in Magnificent Seven #9 with a pseud, due to fall out from the Blake's 7 Wars, see Leigh Arnold's letter) (23)
• Resistance Fighter, poem by Joan Enright (26)

• From the Outside, fiction by Nola Caulfield (29)
• Because I Like Him, poem by CarolMel Ambassador (39)
• Blake, poem by Dani Lane (40)
• The Hungry, fiction by Leigh Arnold ("A trip to a rebel planet may prove fatal for not only Avon and Vila, but the entire crew, as well.") (reprinted in Magnificent Seven #9 with a pseud, due to fall out from the Blake's 7 Wars, see Leigh Arnold's letter) (43)
• Just Cause, poem by CarolMel Ambassador (56)
• Song for Blake, poem by Joan Enright, poem by Joan Enright (57)

• Last Laugh, fiction by CarolMel Ambassador (59)
• The Truth of the Matter, fiction by CarolMel Ambassador (63)
• We're the I.L.A., And We're Proud of It, fiction by Celeste Hotaling ("Roj Blake is flattered to learn that the I.L.A. would like him to be their spokesman. Unfortunately, they also have dealings with the Federation and Space Commander Travis." A story written in the Bizarro 7 tradition.) (64)
• One Man's Meat, fiction by Joan Hoffman ("A strange allergy and too much curiosity could prove fatal for Vila.") (80)
• Beyond the Walls of Sleep, fiction by Anastasia Papadatos (85)
• Man of Legend, poem by CarolMel Ambassador (89)
• Dancin' with My Duck by Leah Rosenthal & Michele Rosenberg (filk, Bruce Springsteen) (92)
• The Heat is On, fiction by Leah Rosenthal & Ann Wortham ("The Shatae slavers were once only a legend, but Blake and his crew, not to mention Servalan and Travis, soon have reason to believe in them they are all taken prisoner. Will Avon survive being ‘mated’ to Peggy Sue Servalan? More importantly, will the crew survive having to eat Servalan’s cooking…?" A Bizarro 7 story.) (reprinted in The Bizarro Zine #4) (93)
• After Anna, poem by Pat Jacquerie (119)
• Travis, poem by Jacqueline Taero (120)
• A Paradox of Parasols, fiction by Kathy Hintze ("Tarrant and Vila have a strange encounter with a mysterious stranger and the Liberator may never be the same again.") (121)
• Last Thoughts: Avon, poem by Jacqueline Taero (128)

• From the Kerr Avon Book of Revenge... No. 2341, fiction by Michele Rosenberg (129)
• Terminal: Servalan, poem by Jacqueline Taero (133)
• Vila's Soliloquy, poem by Pat Jacquerie (135)
• When Seconds Count, fiction by Laura Virgil (136)
• You Know You Are Safe..., fiction by Linda Willard (138)
• Post-Orbit Reflections, poem by Joan Hoffman (142)
• Common Ground, fiction by London Bates (this is an R-rated version of Cross Dominance in E-Man-Uelle #7 and The Other Side #3) ("The men Nevon looked like Roj Blake and sounded like Roj Blake, but could he possibly be Blake? And why couldn’t he remember anything of his past life?") (144)
• The Cynic's Song by Leah Rosenthal (filk, Aldonza, from Man of La Mancha) (172)
• Philosophy of Life: Avon, poem by Jacqueline Taero (174)
• In Space No One Can See You Make a U-Turn, poem by Dani Lane (176)
• Walking the Wind, fiction by Leah Rosenthal ("Jenna Stannis was the last of Blake’s 7 alive but her friends were determined to restore Blake’s dream and make it a reality.") (also in The Chronicles #29) (178)
• The Tears of a Clown, fiction by Sheila Paulson (186)
• Roj Blake's Words To Die By, poem by Jacqueline Taero (188)
• The Phoenix Project: True Colors, fiction by Susan Hall and L.A. Carr (190)
• Idealist in Training by Leah Rosenthal (filk, Casey Jones) (249)
• Judas, fiction by Cindy Dye (250)
• The Few and Fatal Friends, fiction by Sheila Paulson ("In the aftermath of Gauda Prime, Tarrant tries to cope with the fact that only he and Avon have survived and are prisoners of the Federation…or are they?") (252)
• Blake, poem by Daphne Ann Hamilton (276)
• Blake the Freedom Fighter by L.A. Carr (filk, Puff, the Magic Dragon, by Peter, Paul and Mary) (278)
• Rip Van Winkle Doesn't Live Here Any More, fiction by Kathy Hintze (279)
• Where Were You Hiding?, Rebel Without a Choice, King of Pain, Grip, Earth and Let Burn by Katrina Snyder & Susanne McGhin; first edition only -- not in reprint but reprinted in The Log of the Hellhound #2) (337-413)
• Submission Guidelines (414)

• 

  from issue #2, Laura Virgil

• 

  from issue #2, Leah Rosenthal

• 

  from issue #2, Maryann Jorgensen

• 

  from issue #2, Suzi Molnar

• 

  from issue #2, Maryann Jorgensen

• 

  from issue #2, Celeste Hotaling

• 

  from issue #2, Leah Rosenthal

• 

  from issue #2, Leah Rosenthal

• 

  from issue #2, Laura Virgil

• 

  from issue #2, Deb Walsh

• 

  from issue #2, Celeste Hotaling

• 

  from issue #2, Michele Rosenberg

• 

  from issue #2, Dani Lane

• 

  from issue #2, Dani Lane

• 

  from issue #2, from "Log of the Hellhound," not in the reprint

• 

  from issue #2, from "Log of the Hellhound," not in the reprint

• 

  from issue #2, from "Log of the Hellhound," not in the reprint

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2

[Common Ground]: From 'way back, the bowdlerized London Bates ("Common Ground"?) didn't work well for me. I knew damn well what was going on at those breakpoints, and it wasn't tangential to the story. A good try though -- it cleared up some of the debate over whether the adult bits of some stories were really necessary.

[Common Ground]: "Common Ground' wasn't as good as it might have been and I found some things that went against my own philosophy but I learned along time ago not to let differences in viewpoints keep me from enjoying a story. Just because I didn't agree doesn't mean it isn't a valid viewpoint. Nonetheless (and knowing that London and I have a basic philosophical difference when it comes to life and B7), I still couldn't enjoy this story as much as I would have liked to, I kept feeling there was something missing. I will say one thing, I almost liked Blake in this one and considering how I feel about That Man, that is a compliment.

[zine]: Another humongous issue of Southern Seven! The Hellhound section is not in the reprint edition as it was reprinted separately. If I haven't mentioned Hellhbound and Bizarro each time they appear, it's only because I've said so many times before how much I like both.

This issue has several other long juicy PGPs. "True Colors" is great for complex plotting and Avon-drool; get him in shape and grow his hair out to shoulder-length, yes! yes! "Rip Van Winkle" is one of the more interesting stories involving the offspring of the B7 characters-- Vila's son, Servalan's daughter. "The Few and Fatal Friends" has a good treatment of Tarrant and Vila as well as Avon and Blake.

"Walking the Wind" is an unusual and memorable resurrection story, with a beautiful illustration by the author.

"Common Ground" will be familiar to smut fans as it's a tamer version (R rated instead of X rated) of the story "Cross Dominance," published in E-Man-Uelle #7 and Blake's Seven: The Other Side #3. This is an interesting experiment, but IMO it doesn't quite work; I think the story needs its sex scenes!

[zine]:

I'm quite happy with the way it turned out — S7#2 is great!!! Beautiful art, well-plotted stories by writers who have a firm grasp on grammar and syntax (I am so sick of writers, amateur and professional, who have neither) and psychological insight (I am even sicker of writers who lack that; I exceeded my tolerances with Trekkers some years ago), and interesting ideas (Ex.: Log of the Hellhound — A punk Avon? Delicious! Appropriate! I always said Old Insufferable was sort of a yuppie Hell's Angel; behold, his true nature is revealed at last!). You people who put out "Southern Seven" have done a superb job; I'm impressed, and if you've bothered to read all this, you've probably gathered that I don't impress easily,

[zine]:

I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed Southern Seven #2. Nearly all the stories were very good; the Bizarro 7 ones especially, I've been hearing about this series for some time; it lived up (down?) to my wildest dreams. I was fascinated, also, by the Log of the Hellhound. I'd seen it slammed in fan reviews, and I was looking forward to finding out what all the controversy was about. To be honest, I had real trouble swallowing sane of it; little details like Avon with an earring and dyed hair simply don’t match my conception of the character. [Dyed hair? His hair isn't dyed in Hellhound. He shot himself in the head. Dd.) But I've seen neither the 4th series nor the first few Log stories, and I'm willing to accept that I simply haven't seen the transition between what I know and the characters as they are in these stories. Although they aren't quite the Avon, Tarrant, Vila and so on that I know, they are well- drawn characters in interesting plots.

[zine]: Well you did it again. Another satisfying issue of SOUTHERN SEVEN. And so soon after #1. I for one was amazed. My postman said the hernia he incurred will be covered by workman's comp so don't feel too guilty.

Just a few cements on sane of the stories. (I don't have the energy at the moment to review all of than, but rest assured I did enjoy then all.)

I don't know why but LOG OF THE HELLHOUND did not impress me much in SS #1. This time around it was a different story. Maybe it was my frame of mind, but I really enjoyed this second installment and it left me wanting more. I did see the ending come a mile off having devoured many a romance novel.

Having met Kathy Hintze at Scorpio I can see where A PARADOX OF PARASOLS came from. The story is as off the wall as its author.

You and Leah have received enough praise for your BIZARRO 7 stories (well-earned of course) so I won't mention how much I enjoyed them.

WE'RE THE ILA was great. Living down here in the heart of the South I know a lot of people who have attitudes similar to Ambrose Burnside. And these people are dead serious also.

I know I have read WALKING THE WIND somewhere before but I can't figure out where. But even the second time around it left a lump in my throat. The mystical overtone was very well handled.

The artists too have done a great job again. Perhaps Leah deserves an extra dog biscuit for those wonderful drawings. Just because I singled her out (good grief, the woman has two lines of credits!) does not mean the others were anything less than splendid.

The typing and proofreading were excellent. But I have one small little nit. The pages in my copy go 141, 142, 146, 147. In other words, I am missing some pages here. It took me a few minutes to realize that I had come in on the middle of a story and had absolutely no idea what the heck was going on.

By all means keep on publishing LoCs I like to see what other people think of the stories. How else would I have known that Doyle and Bodie were in one of the stories in SS#1? I wasn't into THE PROFESSIONALS then (I'm a latecomer) so naturally I had to go dig out my copy of SS#1 so I could reread the story.

Here's hoping you can keep up the good work, your health and your sanity (all at the same time.)

[zine]:

Thanks for SOUTHERN 7 which I managed to read in two days. As usual, it was great. I especially liked "True Colors" and "The Log of the Hellhound". I'm looking forward to the sequel. Although I don't usually like humorous stories, "Bizarro 7" is a definite exception. They are very good.

[zine]: Considering the "sneak preview" I had at NecronomiCon, I haven't run out of wows yet. I devoured HELLHOUND immediately, Susanne and Katrina create probably the best defined original sub-characters in B7 fan fiction.

As for those fans who claim that HELLHOUND "isn't B7" well, nothing of "Blake" is B7 anymore. In fact, B7 isn't Blakes 7 after “Star One", For those fans who "can't read" HH because Avon is bi/gay: have any of you bothered to read the authors' explanation of why he acts that way? As in all good literature, there is a sound, plausible reason. I love the HH Tarrant. I've always suspected that Tarrant—had he survived GP—would have become much harder and circumspect. Certainly less bombastic, but perhaps meaner. Because of his FSA training and subsequent time as a renegade smuggler, I've never considered Tarrant one to dismiss lightly. He was always dangerous. But the HH Tarrant is dangerous and a match for the HH Avon. I wonder why fans always seem to "forget" that Tarrant has enough training behind him to qualify him as a lethal weapon'. HH again has proven itself to be among the best extrapolations of the post-GP characters in B7 fandom. Please Sir, I'd like some more.

Celeste Hotaling's "Ten Years After" cartoons left me in a fit of giggles (you were there!). Oddly enough, however, I didn't enjoy her "ILA and Proud Of It" as much. I guess I'm more attuned to her visual humor. Joan Hoffman is bound and determined to poison someone, isn't she? I'd like her to attempt something where Blake is in danger and it's Avon/Vila's fault. I'm glad I'm not aboard her version of the Liberator—I'd starve to death!

Leigh Arnold's "Commentary" has me looking over my shoulder. Duck! (where?)

Leah's cartoon of Avon being dragged from a room, screaming, still leaves me catching my breath.

The PHOENIX story was haunting. Am I sniffing another series here? (and the drawing of Avon in long hair and cape is supposed to look like Parl Dro, right? [Actually, we call that particular Dani drawing "Lethal Avon" as in Mel Gibson ala "Lethal Weapon". Editor] If it is to be a series, please tell me you have exclusive rights to all of it. I hate having to trundle all over fandom collecting different zines. [Well, I have the next part of it, anyway. And Susan Hall tells me there's more in the works... Editor]

I'm afraid I did not like Nola Caulfield's "From The Outside". I have a very low tolerance for stories that present Blake as a well meaning but thoughtless jerk and Avon as the-god-can-do-no-wrong and saves the ship—again. I didn't like that type of B7 story 4 years ago and never will. (Only BIZARRO can get away with that because it slags everyone eventually). That's not to say it wasn't well written. You have a talent for picking authors who know the basics of just plain good writing.

I almost didn't like Paulson's story. It all seemed pretty standard: yet another post-GP story with Avon traumatized and the sight of a living Blake snapping him out of it. It was a kind of story that inundated B7 fandom a few years back, BB (Before BIZARRO). I read it all, of course, because she's a good writer. I realized that much of it was from Tarrant's point of view. Now that was different. And made up for the rather pallid plot.

By all means, retain the LoCs. It's often all many of us authors see in the way of feedback.

Overall, I think the best thing about SS is the diversity. All seasons, all views, all characters, all presented in artwork (I've come across some zines so obviously biased to Avon that there isn't a picture of Blake to be had even though the stories include him). Good art, too. Cartoons, poems. Quite a spectrum.

[zine]: I love the front cover, the back cover, the frontspiece...

"Commentary": brilliant. Only now I'm terrified. (Maybe I should give up on that story where Avon has nightmares about his brother and Tynus and Blake and Anna and can only be consoled by Vila...) Always thought Avon was actually nastier than the series made out... Blake, too. "From the Outside": a lot better than most Avon-relative stories? a genre which I have decided to call "Block Off the Silicon Chip". A curiously Kipling-esque poem by Dani Lane.

Hmn. Oh God! Does L. Rosenth (squiggle) know no bounds? An Aliens/B7 crossover? Doesn't she realize how dangerous it could be to combine a film in which nearly everybody dies with a tv series in which nearly everybody dies? (Mind you, Travis face to face with an alien...I don't know which one might win...)

"Song for Blake" is touching. Who can forget that line, "Blake, these are not elves!"

Alternate-universe BIZARRO 7??? ohh goddess. It's worse. it's positively evil. How could you do this to a poor, innocent fan? Do I know any poor, innocent fen?

Un...I don't get the joke about the Bad Dog t-shirt...or about the bowlegged pigeon-toed cat peering at Tarrant's navel. Sorry. Translate please. And where's Gan? (Gan is floating in the ocean with a shark after him. The kitty is "Bonk" the kitty, who belongs to Michele Rosenberg. He really does walk like that. "Bad Dog" t-shirts are indescribable. They used to abound in south Florida. The best version has the art deco dog with the logo "He wouldn't sit. He wouldn't heel. He wouldn't...etc. He was a BAD DOG." Leah asked me what Vila's t-shirt should say and I said "Bad Dog". Of course, you can make all sorts of speculations as to why Vila in particular would be wearing that particular phrase across his chest... Ed.)

"The Heat Is on" is...well, it's BIZARRO and it's not fair to make me laugh so much. Mutter. Mumfle. Mumfle. It's not.

I love Jacqueline Taero's poetry* Why doesn't she write more?

If the 2340 were as evil as the 2341st ("I'm dying of something I can't even spell") no wonder Kerr Avon is known as the warped, sadistic bastard he obviously is. Poor Vila...

I will pass hastily over London Bates story. It's a fascinating subject for philosophical meditation that the 5th season section is always the longest one. Longer than all the rest put together, if you include LOG OF THE HELLHOUND.

Shaggy Blake stories, huh? He did look a little hairy on Gauda Prime.. "Cally is alive and living in blissful seclusion in a cave on Terminal"—I believe every word of it, I do, honestly. ("She'd been living wild..." "Wild? She was livid.") "I wonder if I'm really me or the clone?"—and Orac is Marvin. But he already had a Genuine People Personality!

I love Jacqueline Taero's poetry. Why doesn't she write more? I'm repeating myself. I don't care. I love Jacqueline Taero's poetry. Why doesn't she write more?

"True Colors": Avon, with long hair. Oh really. But it's a lot better than most Avon-has-a-duplicate stories.

[...]

Anyway, being aware that the LoC may be printed does tend to make me politer; I'm not sure why, since it doesn't make my reviews any politer. Would I sound more sincere if I were ruder? Possibly. The artwork's gone downhill a bit since #1.

[zine]:

I just finished Part 2 of HELLHOUND and I literally couldn't put it down! I found myself reading it while blow drying my hair, while brushing my teeth, in the elevator, in the car at red lights, every time I had a free second.

[zine]: I thought I'd take the chance to tell you how much I enjoyed Southern Seven #2. #1 was one of the very first B7 zines I'd ever seen, so I was anxiously looking forward to this one. I wasn't disappointed.

A few high points: I loved Leigh Arnold's "Commentary". I suppose there are only so many stories fans can write before they all start sounding alike. Not to mention what the characters themselves (as opposed to the actors playing them) would think of some of the things we dream up!

I also liked the two different versions of the ending of "Orbit". Any way to get around the original is OK by me.

I liked Leah's "Walking the Wind" (I'm a sucker for stories that get everyone together at the end and this was the most unique way I'd ever seen to do it), and I liked parts of the PHOENIX PROJECT, but I think the concept of using song lyrics as lead-ins, while appropriate in places, can be overdone and lose their effectiveness, as I think happened here. I found myself skipping over the songs to get to the story. I always enjoy BIZARRO, though I think this one went on a little long. Still, I loved the tub scene and the exploding pfeffemeusse. Leah’s cartoons are second to none—all of them, not just the BIZARRO illos. I think Dani Lane is the finest illustrator in B7 fandom, but I’ve already told her that—some of her illos are pure genius. I like HELLHOUND more the more I read of it and can't wait to see it continue. It's nice that someone's actually letting Tarrant have a brain instead of being a hot-headed idiot.

And I liked Celeste's "Ten Years After Blake" series, particularly the ones of Avon and Dayna and Soolin. Lip- schitz!?!

I didn't care as much for the "ILA", thought it was too long and the joke went thin after awhile, and while "Common Ground" was an interesting story, I felt it was a little too "adult" for a genzine, beginning disclaimer notwithstanding. It has nothing to do with explicitness but with subject matter. [I make the assumption that my readers are adults, though. Whether or not they want to read "mature" subject matter is up to them, hence the disclaimer. Editor]

I saw little point to "A Paradox of Parasols", and also didn't care for "From the Outside".

There are lots of other stories and poems I didn't mention, but I plowed through the entire zine (both volumes!) in about three days, so things tend to get muddled. Most of the artwork was very good, specifically Dani's, of course, most of Laura Virgil's, Deb Walsh's Blake on p. 57, Sheila Paulson's, and Karen River's back cover of Avon—which I adore. While I thought 23 pages of LoCs were a bit excessive, it was interesting to wee what others had to say. [There were 19 pages, not 23. Ed.)

And the song Kathryn Andersen mentioned is called "I Didn't Know the Gun was Loaded", and she gave you the only worthwhile lines in the whole song. The rest of it is fairly stupid. The song is from a woman's point of view and doesn't fit Avon.

[zine]:

Thank you for Southern Seven 2 — loved it! Especially the illo of Avon on the back cover — the best I've seen. Too much of it to really choose a favorite story, but I did like the fifth season— particularly THE PHOENIX PROJECT and LOG OF THE HELLHOUND—look forward to the next installments. Also enjoyed the London Bates but have since discovered the uncensored version which i like even more!! Keep up the good work!

[zine]:

It may sound strange, but I hope I have as much fun with the rest of S72 as I did with the LoC section. It was very entertaining by itself! And, it made me realize I wanted to go back and reread #1. I'd intended to reread the first segment of HELLHOUND anyway to refresh my memory. I do like the direction it's going, and they brought Tarrant back!!! As one of the founding members of the Del Tarrant Anti-Defamation League, I highly approve. Bev is great fun and Dr. White is good, although I hope she doesn't get too mushy over Avon. I don't want her to back down an inch. She's been brutally honest with him, which is great. Just because she's in love with the bozo, don't ease up on his case.

[zine]: I enjoyed reading SOUTHERN SEVEN 2 very much. It's really a fantastic zine. Every story was wonderful, I can't think of any I didn't like. I'm even getting to like LOG OF THE HELLHOUND a lot. It took me a while to get into the content but I've always thought the writing was wonderful. Katrina and Susanne are very good.

I also thought "True Colors" and "Rip Van Winkle Doesn't Live Here Anymore" were intriguing and really good. And "The Heat Is On" was hysterical, as usual. You and Leah are really nuts, you know that don't you? All in all, SOUTHERN SEVEN 2 was well worth more than the price of the zine!

[zine]: I must say that I was shocked at the good quality of S7 II. It was dismaying to think how good it was. Yes, I did like it. Quite a bit.

I was not pleased with the lack of BIZARRO art and stories other than the one. Happy to hear that a whole zine of BIZARRO stories is coming out. I feel, though, that I must protest the constant making fun of Michael Keating's lack of hair. As someone who also has a "Phil Collins' (no relation) hairstyle", I do not like it when people nag me about it. Please do not make fun of those of us who are cursed with thin hair, unless you have our permission.

Well, that's all for now. Congrats on producing such a fine zine. Best of luck, and here's hoping that S7 III will be even better.

[zine]: Southern Seven #2 is fabulous! "The Heat Is On" was wonderfully funny, and so was "We're the ILA, and We're Proud of It". "Beyond the Walls of Sleep" was downright eerie, but well written, and the "Orbit" pieces ("When Seconds Count", "You Know You Are Safe", and "Post-Orbit Reflections") were some of the best I've read. I especially liked "Walking the Wind" and "True Colors". "Walking the Wind" was so poignantly moving, I cried when I read it, and I loved it when the real Kerr Avon came back and faced the fake one in "True Colors". I also like the way THE LOG OF THE HELLHOUND is turning out, and I enjoyed "The Few and Fatal Friends" and "Rip Van Winkle Doesn't Live Here Anymore." And those are only some of the stories I liked!

The artwork is gorgeous, too, especially ‘ the covers and the illos in "Walking the Wind", "True Colors", and the one dividing the zine into seasons.

[zine]: I personally consider the HELLHOUND saga to be one of the best fifth season series in print. It shares the title with THE PHOENIX PROJECT. Although very different, they are both terrific stories. I find myself waiting impatiently for the next installments and constantly re-reading the old ones. In HELLHOUND, I love the character of Steffany, and Avon himself. I can't wait for the confrontation with Servalan. With PHOENIX, I love the character of Bram Drew. He is so malevolent, you can't help it. I hope Avon retains his bounty hunter skills and persona. When Bram Drew and Kerr Avon meet again, someone is going to be in a lot of pain. So I'm sadistic, what can I say. That must explain why I like BIZARRO.

The humor of SOUTHERN SEVEN definitely helps make the zine one of my favorites. "Last Laugh" and "Avon's Revenge were terrific! I also laughed so hard through "We're the I.L.A., and We're Proud of It that I cleared a section of the cafeteria. I forced an NRA member friend of mine to listen. He wasn't mused, but I sure was.

I don't usually enjoy poems, but some of these were a pleasant surprise. My compliments to Jacqueline Taero for "Last Thoughts: Avon" and "Terminal: Servalan". I am not usually fond of filks either, but thank you, Leah. I have gotten many strange looks at work as I sing "The Cynic's Song." It struck a nerve in me and I hope it always does.

Before I end this letter, I must mention "Tears of a Clown" and "The Hungry". Avon/Vila and Avon/Cally are relationships that have always fascinated me (excuse the slash, I don't mean it that way). That brings me to my final comment. "Common Ground" was an unpleasant surprise. I normally dislike "slash" stories, but will read than if the plot is worthwhile. A plot was completely lacking in this story. It seemed to be a loose collection of orgies of various numbers. I was very disappointed to see it in SOUIHERN SEVEN. I think printing it in a Special would have been more appropriate. Sorry, but that is my opinion. [Excuse me, but did you read the same story I edited and typed? Because, frankly, I don't remember a single orgy in the entire zine...damn, I missed it. Editor] Kerr Avon reacts to the discovery of gang rape by thinking "damn, he was annoyed". Oh, come on!! Spare me! Other than that, I loved the zine. I look forward to SOUTHERN SEVEN 3 and 4.

Keep up the great work.

[zine]: Favorite line in "The Heat is On": "Would you mind...er, giving me my name... before I get undressed...?" Unexpected, brilliant and wicked. My compliments. Now all I'd like to see in SOUTHERN SEVEN #3 is 100-150 pages of BIZARRO stories, as if you two don't have anything else to do. Just give up sleep, Ann—it's wasteful.

"Judas" was startling. I didn't believe it for a moment of course. Not our Vila, but you and Cindy deserve kudos for your audacity. When I read it I pictured you, Ann, at your desk, buried in a pile of irate letters. Was it as controversial a story as it seemed to me?

A.L. Truck's LoC on "Tour of Duty" should have been given a credit as a story. It was hilarious. Some people read LoCs.)

Didn't care for "We're the I.L.A. and We're Proud of It" although some of the in-jokes had me laughing.

"Beyond the Walls of Sleep" was intriguing.

Liked "Walking the Wind", "Tears of a Clown" and "Rip Van Winkle Doesn't Live Here Anymore".

I also really enjoyed the two new variations on "Orbit". Any more? Please? There has to be at least three more ways that it could have happened. [I'm continuing to print these as they come in. Editor]

I don't know of anyone who liked "From the Outside". The drawings suggested a Mary Sue story, so I put it off until last. Avon's sister is a thoroughly unlikeable character, and I hardly think anyone could best both Avon and Blake in the same day.

And about HELLHOUND: I owned SOUTHERN SEVEN #1 for ten months before I got "desperate" enough to read it. The awful artwork and persistent rumors that it is not a BLAKES 7 novella at all, rather a cartoon based on the series, prevented me from being pleasantly surprised. Despite it being the most un-B7ish chapter and despite my fondness for the Jules Greggory bit, "Only the Thunder" was my favorite in Book I. In my opinion, Avon was as "Avon" as ever he was, and I eagerly waited for Book II.

[Boy, does this hit on two of my "sore" spots. Don't you people think it's a little stupid to pay me $18.00-$20.00 for a zine and then not even try to read it for yourself? Are you placidly going to take someone else's word for something like HELLHOUND that comprises a goodly portion of each issue instead of simply reading it and deciding for yourself? What are you, a bunch of sheep or something? I find this attitude incredible and completely incomprehensible. Hey, if you read it and don't like it, that's fine with me. If you don't read it at all, then as far as I'm concerned you have no valid opinion. Sorry for the lecture in the middle of a LoC but my other sore point is illustrative art vs. portrait art. Ask any artist and they're going to tell you that the hardest art to do is illustrative. Which is why editors in the know (and with any sense) appreciate folks like Dani Lane, Katrina Snyder, Theresa Buffaloe, etc. End of tirade. Editor]

I'm more convinced than ever that Katrina and Susanne should submit a novel to a major publishing company. The word I'd use is not "talent"—what is the word that means "borders on brilliant"? And why do I always feel two ways about everything, HELLHOUND included? I wasn't pleased at Jeanine's death and was very disappointed that Vila has just been background decoration so far. While Bev, Steffy and Morten are real, Vila is only cardboard. And, for me, the series went down the tubes when Steffany stepped into Avon's arms. He had just called her a stupid bitch, in a moment of stress, granted, but he meant it at the time. She either really is stupid or has an extremely forgiving nature. I'm looking forward to at least three developments in Book III: A strong Vila story, Steffany getting wasted, and more information from Avon's files. And what does Vila know about Avon that he isn't telling? And about that painting over Avon's bed. Any chance of someone actually drawing it for us to see, appreciate, tear out and hang up? Loved THE PHOENIX PROJECT so much that it replaced HELLHOUND as favorite epic-length novel. It doesn' t have as rich of a texture as the HELLHOUND series, but I preferred the storyline. The artwork on Pg. 214 was quite.. .enticing. Vila next, please, and Avon again. And again. By the way, what is it with all these epics springing up?

Annie, please, please, browbeat Leah and Karen for more artwork for #3. Leah's BIZARRO fillers, such as "One Day at the Domes Day Care Center", and her drawings from SCORPIO IV gave SS#1 a special flavor that I missed in #2. Karen River's portraits are absolute treasures to many B7 fans.

Good luck in getting SOUTHERN SEVEN #3 out. I'm eagerly awaiting it!

[zine]: Southern Seven 2 is full of good and great illos, both serious and conic. My absolute favorite of the entire zine is Leah's “Avon Family Portrait" on page 19. That's an interesting family crest behind then; what does it mean?

I didn't really understand "Beyond the Walls of Sleep". And I hated "Judas". As far as "Judas" is concerned, I can see Vila wanting out (especially after Malodaar), I can even see him leaving, but I cannot see him selling the others to the Federation.

BIZARRO was up to its usual twisted standards. Poor Avon; I wonder if he has ever considered getting himself adopted by a more normal family. Never mind; stupid thought. I get a strange kick out r reading about Kerr's family problems. I still think that Kerr and Vila should team up and do something absolutely mean and nasty to Terrick. As a team, the two of them should be as imaginatively sadistic as the big brother.

And speaking of BIZARRO, as well as "We're the I.L.A..." What is this hang up Blake has about ducks!?! I'm obviously missing something here. [Just to clarify something here, "I.L.A." was a BIZARRO story. It used some BIZARRO characters and situations with our permission, that's all. Ed.)

TO the more serious stories, I liked "The Hungry", "From the Kerr Avon Book of Revenge", "You Know You Are Safe", "The Tears of a Clown", "The Phoenix Project: True Colors", "Rip Van Winkle Doesn't Live Here Anymore", and "The Log of the Hellhound".

I have only one quibble with Snyder and McGhin's series: Avon is just a shade too maniacal. To read HELLHOUND one would think that Avon had always been a homicidal maniac. Remember, before he met Blake, Avon had only killed once — and even then it was self-defense. It was only after Cally's death that he began to change so radically. The "old" Avon hasn't been obliterated; with some careful encouragement they could get him back. Unfortunately, Dr. White has never met the "old" Avon and the others don't care. It's almost pathetic to see how desperately Avon needs Blake's approval and affection—how much he needs his attention—and Blake not only can't, but won't give it. He can't give it because he doesn't remember. He won't give it because he holds Avon responsible for Jeanine's death. The way that the others feel about Avon, even Vila, I'm dreading the re-appearance of Dayna. Dr. White had better stick close. Her presence is the only bright and encouraging one that Avon seems to have. Avon's background for this series has been interesting, but I still want to know who his parents were. [Read "The Blood Red Thread" in the HELLHOUND, BOOK I reprint. Editor] As for Vila, maybe he really is a Delta grade. If Avon was downgraded from Alpha to Beta because of emotional instability, perhaps Vila was downgraded from Alpha to Delta because of his incurable thievery. And why hasn't anyone picked up on the fact that Vila used to be Alpha grade? He's admitted to being in school with Avon who is "obviously" an Alpha.

[zine]: Southern Seven 2 was very good indeed came as no surprise. It didn't have the same kind of impact as the 1st issue, but only because I now take it for granted that a zine from Ashton Press will be Quality. (And how you manage to keep turning out good zines, and not burning out is a mystery to me. It'd make me nuts, but then I have a low frazzle threshold anyway.)

I do like the LoC section. It's interesting to see what other people thought about the zine, especially when someone doesn't agree with your own ideas about it all. I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't like BIZARRO, or HELLHOUND, or... All a matter of taste, I guess. Anyway, I'd cast a vote for continuing the LoCs.

The illos, as expected, were very pleasing to the eye, particularly that back cover portrait of Servalan Maryann Jorgensen, Leah, Dani Lane, etc. I've heard that some zine eds don't like to use a lot of art because A) It makes the zine more expensive, and B) People buy zines to read. All well and good, but the visual feasts offered by your zines is very welcome to this non-artist.

The only story in the zine that I can't find anything good to say about is the first one, "From the Outside". Even Terrick isn't as obnoxious as Avon's sister in this story. Besides which I couldn't find a story there, much less a plot.

Other than that though, it would be hard to find anything else to complain about. I liked some stories better than others, but didn't dislike anything else. Some of the real standouts: CarolMel Ambassador's poetry, Dani Lane's "Blake", any of Jacqueline Taero's poems, and L.A. Carr's filk "Blake the Freedom Fighter" have lingered on. Other short pieces I liked were the two "Orbit might have beens", especially Linda Willard's; I do like a feisty Vila. "One Man's Meat was a nice interlude, as was "From the Kerr Avon Book of Revenge". And Leigh Arnold's "Commentary" was a neat way of starting off the zine.

As for longer stories, well, Leigh's "The Hungry" was a good straight adventure-type story, the sort of story you might have seen on the series, and since B7 was a cut above most SF on television that's actually a compliment. Leah Rosenthal's "Walking the Wind" is another goodie, and makes a change from the typical 5th season story. So nice that she remembered Gan, too; he so often seems to be the forgotten man in fandom. Having read the original, unabridged version of "Common Ground", it was interesting to read (intensely skim, to be honest) this version. I like the unabridged version better; taking out the “naughty bits” doesn't harm it overall, but it does kind of undercut the slave auction segment.

"The Heat Is On” didn't have me laughing my head off every other paragraph, as some BIZARRO 7's do, but it was still enjoyable. The situation does make you wonder how things would go, were they all to find themselves in that situation in a serious story, as someone remarked to me, but that would be another story. I did find myself oddly sympathetic to Servalan, knowing all too well what it's like to be trying to do your best in the kitchen, only to have someone point out all the things you're doing wrong. (Besides, I figure it takes a lot of creativity to burn jello.) The ending is priceless anyway. Oh, and it was nice to see Starbuck; so that's where he ended up.

Sheila Paulson's "The Few and Fatal Friends” is the usual good job from her. Nice touch having Tarrant narrate a portion of it, too. Sheila always does such a nice job with Avon and Blake and Vila, so it's no surprise really that she's up to doing good things for Tarrant as well. Another nice touch was Orac's actually expressing some concern that, in breaking Blake's conditioning, Avon could be further harmed. What does fit with his creation, since Elisor wasn't without some more "endearing qualities". And the B7 computer are definitely a cut above the usual thing we see on TV, or the movies; Peter Tuddenham deserves a lot of praise for making a box of twinkle lights come so much to life, and for making a person actually get misty- eyed when Zen dies. And, of course, Sheila does a good job of carrying on that tradition— But this isn't about JABBERWOCKY, at least not this issue.

I also liked "True Colors" by L.A. Carr and Susan Hall, though I could nitpick just a little. I still don't know who all those original characters were/are, as too many of them are introduced all at once, rather than spacing out the intros throughout the story. And some of the song choices don't seem to quite go together—The Alarm and Barry Manilow?! I do like using rock lyrics with stories, and do it myself, but think maybe it ought to be kept in moderation. But that's mostly a matter of taste. My real complaint is that Servalan' s death, to me anyway, was something of an anticlimax, and it ought to have had a greater impact. It would have been interesting to see Servalan and Drew continuing their rivalry for awhile. On the plus side though, there are some very good things in the story, and I like the way that Carr and Hall handle Blake, Avon and Vila; they all seem very right. It does have some...elements...of HELLHOUND, but I don't mind that really, since I like that kind of story; it also borrows a little from DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD, I thought, although only in the respect that in both stories the other characters have lost Avon. I am looking forward to the next installment, as it promises to be another good series. Besides, any story that saves Blake and reunites him with Avon gets good marks in my book.

Let's see, there was another story I wanted to comment on... (I think this is called saving the best for last.) I suppose some people will continue to insist that LOG OF THE HELLHOUND "isn't really B7", but this reader thinks it doesn't get much more B7 than this. Once again it was nice to see Tarrant, and I think Katrina and Susanne are quite right in having him just as changed by what happened on GP as are Avon and Vila. No one could go through all of that and come out pretty much the same, and a lot of the changes aren't going to be for the better; that sort of healing takes a long time, and even after they were better, they surely wouldn't be the same. I like stories that nostalgically return things to what they were in the first year, but they aren't really too realistic. Anyway, there is much to like in Book II of HELLHOUND. (Although I do think Katrina and Susanne are very sadistic to have ended it where they did, unless SS#3 is going to be out very soon.) Steffany and Bev are good additions to the crew, though I halfway feel sorry for Steffany, now she's involved with our favorite looney. One thing I like about her and Bev is that they aren't obvious clones of Jenna and Cally, but actual original characters. I was kind of sorry to see Jeanine go, though did kind of expect that, as she really didn't fit in with the others. It's nice to see Blake coming back more and more, even if he still doesn't knew who he is. And I think Avon is handled very well; I particularly like the scenes where he admits, to himself, that he needs someone. That's always been the main appeal of Avon, that dichotomy of a hardshelled marshmallow. My favorite chapter is probably the last one; it's a change to see them having a night on the town, or shopping (especially for someone who wonders where they get all their snazzy clothes, or where Cally bought her false eyelashes.) And I am very much looking forward to Book III, and to Blake getting his memory back, and what happens with Steffany and Avon, and when Avon finds out that Servalan's had his child.

In short, yes, it was worth $20.00.

[zine]: I have just finished reading SOUTHERN SEVEN #2 for the tenth straight time and figured now would be a good time to reserve SS#3. But first a few words. "The Heat Is On" has surpassed all others to become my favorite BIZARRO 7 story of all time—or until you write something better, which I can see happening. THE LOG OF THE HELLHOUND keeps getting better with each installment, and THE PHOENIX PROJECT is truly well thought out and written. I can't wait for their next chapters.

[zine]: The basic problem with the zine is that it followed SOUTHERN SEVEN #1. After that one, anything would pale by comparison. But it is definitely a good, solid zine. Among the better stories were "Commentary", "Last Laugh", "We're the ILA, and We're Proud of It" (tho it is frightening to realize that there are people out there who do think like that), "When Seconds Count", and "Judas".

Meriting special comment: "From the Outside" was not to my liking? I don't particularly care for stories where one of the characters' kin shows up and saves the day. It was a rather confusing plot with an uncertain ending. It was the only story in the zine, though, that I disliked to any extent. "The Heat Is On"...I was kind of disappointed with it, to be honest. It went on a bit long and the funny parts were too far apart. I did like the "who's feeling me up" bit—and at least I final figured out what that sketch of Leah's at SCORPIO (which also served as the cover to the zine) was all about.

I didn't read "Common Ground". I was informed by several people that I didn't want to. Considering London's usual output in other zines, I decided to take their advice and pass on it.

"Walking the Wind"...Oh God, another "Let's-Bring-Than-All Back!" story. ARRRGGH! I did like it, tho, honestly! It's just that I'm so tired of everybody coming back like nothing happened on Gauda Prime — at least Leah killed them first!

"The Tears of a Clown" takes yet another cliché—the old, reliable "Avon-Can't-Handle-What-He-Did-And-Goes-Crackers" routine—and has a rather touching twist to it. But...well...

Maybe part of the trouble is that I've always leaned toward the "If-It-Happened-On-The-Show-It's-What- Happened" philosophy. In other words, the fourth season did really happen, Blake really did die, and Dayna did too. As for Jenna, Vila, Soolin, Tarrant, and Avon...well, we had only Blake's word about Jenna, and the latter four were all shot by Federation troopers (Dayna was killed by Arlen, who looked like she meant business). So who knows? But it wasn't a clone, it wasn't a flesh wound—anyone notice that "blood" splattered when Blake was hit? I think that if memory serves, that's the only time blood's been spilled and seen on the show. ["Hostage" and "Star One" come immediately to mind as times when blood was spilt. Editor] Ah, well. Different strokes for different folks and all that.

PHOENIX PROJECT — aww RIGHT! Now this was something! Great twists, good characterization—Avon as a bounty hunter has a certain something that appeals to me—and good pacing! RAH! MORE! I read it straight through and went back for a second reading!

"Rip Van Winkle Doesn't Live Here Anymore" — Excellent story, especially liked the idea of Kerri and her son finding Vila. But Kerril's death was a bit gratuitous? Vila and Res spend about two pages mourning, then it's "ooh-ba-dee, ooh-ba-dah, life goes on..." But I thought it was definitely one of the better stories in the zine.

Now I'm gonna get real nasty. HELLHOUND. I read the first series in SS#1, and while I didn't care for the bisexual angle, I thought the stories were very well paced, very well thought out, and very well done. I especially liked Blake's chapter. The second series, tho...what happened? Too much time is spent on informing the reader on what everyone is wearing and what the setting lodes like. Avon is written inconsistently—at first you think that the only reason he's dragging Blake around is because he's in love with him, then it's "no, I owe him and he owes me", then it's...what the hell is Avon's motivation?

Then there's Steffi, Oh God, You do not create a viable, thinking character and then have her decide to not only cure Blake's amnesia, but also cure Avon of his psychosis, mend Tarrant's leg, and as a topper fall in love with 01' Nutso!!! I was expecting her to repair HELLHOUND with a bobby-pin as an encore. There is a word for this type of character., .the M-S word! Tarrant has no value in this story other than to limp around, act suspicious, and play lovey-dovey with his squeeze. Vila does a good imitation of tacking up space. Morten learns how to take up space from him. Blake's lady gets killed off early — all the better to get Avon and Blake together! ARRRGGGH! [Are you reading the same story I'm editing and publishing? Blake and Avon do not "end up together". In fact, Avon ends up with Steffany, no? Editor]

And what about the Federation? If they think Avon's running HELLHOUND, there would be a hell of a lot more pursuit than what we've seen. Let's face it, a ship like that would be hard to miss! I'd also suspect that Federation computer systems would trigger alarms whenever HELLHOUND was logged into a docking area. What we have here is a failure to restrain ourselves. HELLHOUND has too many characters, inconsistent characterization, and serious Mary-Sue blues. This storyline has too much potential to wallow around like this. I like HELLHOUND'S potential. I don't care for Avon's sexual tendencies, but I can live with it — so long as it isn't gratuitous. Tarrant's relationship with Bev works, it is key to understanding them. But if Avon and Blake suddenly wind up locked in a passionate embrace, there had damn well better be a good reason for it...

Demanding, ain't I?

I didn't comment on the poems, etc. because I don't know how to. I didn't violently react to them, let's put it that way. Art was lovely as always.

All in all, SS#2 started off slow, then finished up strong. I like it a lot better in retrospect than I thought I did. Very capably edited and laid out, Annie. A "congratulations" is hereby tendered.

[zine]: Thanks a lot for SOUTHERN SEVEN #2. The artwork was absolutely first class, especially Virgil's.

The best part of the whole zine is the drawing introducing BIZARRO 7. I laughed for 5 solid minutes at it. For some reason (maybe 'cause I'm a Travis fan?), the idea of Travis in flowered shorts going surfing cracked me up most. I also loved "The Heat Is On". More BIZARRO 7, please! On a more serious side—wow, there's actually something about Travis! Nice drawing of him. My favorite stories were "The Tears of a Clown" and "The Few and Fatal Friends", both by Sheila Paulson. Her artwork is terrific, too.

I didn't care for "Common Ground" or LOG OF THE HELLHOUND. I just don't like "adult" stories.

Lastly, the cover. I didn't get it until I read "The Heat Is On". The expression on Servalan's and Avon's faces! What more can I say?

All in all, a wonderful zine. I'm anxiously waiting for #3. Keep up the good work.

[zine]:

What a lovely surprise to find SOUTHERN SEVEN 2 in my mailbox, and even bigger than ever. I've been having a feast of B7 reading and I have to say I'm enjoying myself. I'm not quite finished with the zine yet, though almost, and I like it a lot. I love Maryann Jorgensen's art — what a find. And how nice to see Laura Virgil's art in the zine too. Beautiful. And Karen River's back cover is wonderful.

[zine]: I've finally finished reading SOUTHERN SEVEN #2. Once again, SS was worth the wait. It was filled with so many little gems, it is hard to pick a favorite. If I had known that you print all your LoC's the last time I would have tried to say something more profound, so this time around, here goes: BIZARRO 7 was, as usual, a treat. I read "The Heat Is On" on my break at work one night. I laughed so hard! I was in tears, and now my co-workers know I am insane. (Well I could have told then that.) I always did wonder what had happened to Starbuck. "Rip Van Winkle Doesn't Live Here Anymore" by Hintze has to be one of my all-time favorite post-Gauda stories. "True Colors" by Hall & Carr was a nice surprise alternate universe. Paulson came through again with another great story with "The Tears of a Clown", as did Rosenberg with "From the Kerr Avon Book of Revenge No. 2341".

The HELLHOUND series is starting to shape up now that the gang is back together; the characterizations seem more in line. Tarrant, I thought, came across very well. Bev is great and Steffany White shows promise, although I think most women would be a tad more hysterical at finding themselves kidnapped by a group of terrorists, ah...excuse me, "freedom fighters". As for falling in love with that sweet little bundle of studs and leather — what's not to love?

The highlights for me were "Commentary" by Arnold and "The Cynic's Song" by Rosenthal. The last opens up a whole realm of possibilities from the MAN OF LA MANCHA. "I Really Like Him" is nothing, if not a typical argument between Avon and Vila, and "What Do You Want Of Me" could easily be retitled "Avon's Lament".

In fact, the whole musical would make a great BIZARRO 7 story. [Believe it or not, we once actually considered this: BLAKES 7: THE MUSICAL. Common sense prevailed for the moment. Editor] Instead of Dulcinea, Don Quixote, er—ah, Blake could be searching for Docholli or Star One. Vila is a perfect Sancho and Avon as Aldonza is a given. Sorry, Avon, but if the personality fits, wear it.

The artwork was excellent. The Blake on pg. 57, Cally on pg. 118, the Vilas on pgs. 143 and 251 and the Avons on pgs. 141 and the back cover are spectacular. Although, I think the Avons mentioned look more like Paul Darrow than Avon. The more I look at them, the more I expect to hear him say: "...and so would you", if you know what I mean.

[zine]: By the way, just because I don't comment on most poetry doesn't mean I don't like it, I just have a hard time remembering everything I liked, and since the prose form is my own chosen form of expression, I tend to remember that better.

[...]

now I know I'm in trouble, I actually liked Arrogant, I mean Tarrant, in "The Few and Fatal Friends"! I don't think I've read any other stories told from his point of view. I especially liked the way Del was trying to protect Avon from any more shocks.. .also the scene where Blake explains to Avon what he probably would have said if it had been him at Gauda Prime: "What took you so long? What the hell did you do to my ship? And where did you get the beanpole with the curly dustmop pretending to be a pilot?" (Sorry, knee-jerk kick-Tarrant reflex.) Sheila Paulson is a dangerous person; is she working on a sequel? Please?

No Susan Matthews story this time. Not certain whether to be relieved or disappointed. She has such a disturbing habit of taking my favorite characters and twisting them inside out, cold-bloodedly and logically and making me admit it's a damn good story even while I hate what she's doing to the people I love.

Right now it's a toss up as to my favorite Post-Gauda Prime reality: "Rip Van Winkle" was excellent.

It made good sense and the characters were right on. My only quibble was with Marian—was it necessary for her to be Avon and Anna's daughter? That seemed a bit contrived to me. "True Colors"—yes yes yes! For some reason I love the thought of "Xane"; it wasn't Avon doing all those crazy things, it was an impostor! But...wouldn't Vila have noticed? He'd been with Avon from the start? Ah well, I can believe six impossible things before breakfast, disprove and discard them by lunch, and have a completely new set of impossibilities to believe for supper. There will be more, won't there? I would like to see some more of "Xane"; his impression of the events chronicled by Fourth Season. Sigh. Avon in a black hood and cape... 10 Years After BLAKE: snicker snicker! "Slowly I turn, step by step...."

Ah, yes. And then there's HELLHOUND. McGhin & Snyder spent all of Part I turning Avon into a mean, nasty, unlikeable, uncaring and unfeeling, woman-hating, unspeakable bastard. Literally. Then Part II starts out with more of the same, but by the end Avon is mellowing? Is that it? All it takes is the love of a good woman? Oh boy. Don't get me wrong. It's written so well, it all hangs together while you're reading it, and to be honest I'm looking forward to the next installment—after all, Blake doesn't quite have his memory back yet. And what about poor, bad, mad, sad Avon? Will Steffany make it all better? Will Dayna turn up and make mincemeat out of her, in the pursuit of scientific curiosity? And Avon: will he finally make the grade? Or will finding out about Sleer's little bundle of joy and revenge send him completely around the twist? Stay tuned, er, keep reading the next exciting installment of "Days of Our-I mean, THE LOG OF THE HELLHOUND!

[zine]: Leah Arnold's "Commentary" would have been much more effective if half the things Avon was complaining about in the story weren't things that happened on the show itself and not the inventions of fan writers. (Such as Anna Grant's betrayal, Avon's attempt to kill Vila, etc.) I've had enough of a run-in with Ms.

Arnold to know her point of view, and frankly I'd rather put up with a few silly stories about Avon and Cally falling in love than to see BLAKES 7 fan fiction turn into a rehash of the already aired programs. I've got a simple solution for stories I don't like the premise of...I don't read them!

I enjoyed "We're the ILA..." immensely, partially because I dislike the NRA and love to see them satirized. Blake's "advert" was a scream, and I loved the illos, too. I also enjoyed Celeste Hotaling's "Where are they now" cartoons. Totally warped! Totally believable!

"The Heat Is On" was also terrific, and I wondered who else they met on the slaver's ship. (Not, I hope, the crew of the Sea view. Heh, heh!) Is that where all old science fiction shows go when they die? The hot tub scene was great.

"Common Ground" was too far into the (uh, should I say it?) "slash" territory for my taste, though there are aspects of the author's style which I do like, especially the descriptions. I like stories where our heroes continue to fight the rebellion at the end, though, as contrasted to those where they go off to be smugglers (or snugglers) together.

“True Colors" was the first thing I read. I had heard so much about it! I thought the central idea of the "replacement Avon" was great, and that Vila's slow realization was very well done. My major complaint this story should have been much longer, in order to do the ideas, the characters, and the plot justice. For example: the bit where Avon goes into town and rapidly realizes that he knows comes to mind, only to turn around and see Jenna blasted to kingdom come happened much too quickly. My minor complaint: there they are, in the middle of a furious fight with Fake Avon (he was terrific, I hope there's more on him and why he's like he is in the sequel...I think he must be related to Avon) on pages 237 and 259, and suddenly there' an abrupt break in the action for a bit of a song. It slewed down the flow considerably. Still, the illos were great ("Lethal Avon" on page 247 is my favorite) and I want to know what happens next.

I thought the idea behind "Judas" was perfect. Take it a little farther, and suppose that Vila really was, all along, a Federation spy! Wow! What a possibility!

"The Few and Fatal Friends" was well written also. I found the way Post Gauda Prime Avon and Blake reacted to each other in this story quite believable.

"Rip Van Winkle Doesn't Live Here Anymore" had a good premise, too. I was glad to see that Kerril was still around, and Res was also a good character. I liked the way Avon struggled to regain his memory. But halfway through, I began to get lost, particularly when the Terra Nostra showed up. Part of this is no doubt me, but I think this story would have been easier to follow if the dialogue (excellent dialogue, by the way) had had more action to frame it. And I still wish Avon had got to kill Servalan!

Poetry, illos, etc: I really enjoyed the poems "Blake" (both of them), "Vila's Soliloquy" (can't fool me! You're an Alpha, Restal!), and "Dancing With My Duck" (Michele is a terrific filker). The illos were wonderful. Leah, Dani and Laura outdid themselves. The third series frontspiece and Suzie Molnar's woodcut styled Servalan were also excellent.

Please continue to publish all the LoC's you can; I love than. Even if I don't have a story in a zine, I always read the LoC's first. And how else will we 'tribbers know what people like (and don't like?) about our work? There are a few questions in the last set of LoC's that I think I can clear up. I hope.

Cathy Hanson wanted to know if there were more details on "Knife's Edge" anywhere. Bruce Canton first showed up as a character in "A Wink of God's Eye" in SOUTHERN LIGHTS 1, a sort of STAR WARS story which explains Canton's relationship with Gamaliel Weaver, Jules Greggory is mentioned briefly in this one, but he does his "star turn" in "Tainted Love", a MIAMI VICE story in WHATEVER WORKS, where he slimes all over Sonny Crockett, so to speak. This to Faye Bull: there is no earlier HELLHOUND story about how the crew first met Weaver, as we never wrote it- Maybe someday...

In response to the question about there being more HELLHOUND. Yes, there is more, uh...lots more, HELLHOUND has ten "books" and a total of 44 stories. Over half of them have already been written, the other half will be unless one of us dies or goes insane. (A likely proposition, it sometimes seems.) It's all plotted down to very exacting detail, and includes smugglers, mutoids (and ex-mutoids). Federation deserters, rival rebel enclaves, Raldeeni pirates. Terra Nostra "goons", werewolves, royalty, double-crossers, Aurons, crazy scientists, good soldiers, Jenna's son, Blake's nephew, Servalan's ex-husband, and more complications than you can shake a stick at. And by the way... it's supposed to be strange!

Jeannie Webster; I see yet again you've managed to get your usual lineup of marvelous artwork. Loved Leah's cover of the cooking lesson. The smirk on Avon is priceless!

"Commentary"—snicker, giggle, great. If there's a limbo where fictional characters go after they've been portrayed, Avon's gonna make the Terminator look like Jack Armstrong, the All-American boy. Then again, after Paul's book comes out, he'll be in as much danger as the rest of us.

"From the Outside" — Interesting idea, but too much left unexplained or ambiguous? e.g., reason behind the Avon-Raina antagonism. Raina also seemed a little too all-knowing.

"The Hungry" was a nice action-adventure which used the Avon-Vila relationship quite well. I could see Vila reaching out to help his friend that way.

"Last Laugh" was a nice fill-in of that scene in "Shadow". Avon's little practical joke with the teeth was good.

"The Truth of the Matter" was a well-done vignette; Avon's actions and thoughts fit well with my perception of the character.

"We're the I.L.A. and We're Proud of It" — Sick story drawn from an even sicker idea. Blake's ad for than was even sicker, if such a concept can be believed. The BIZARRO in-jokes were cute. Particularly liked the Eastwood in-jokes on Leah.

"One Man's Meat" was a cute idea, and the Avon-Vila relationship was well done. Same goes for the "Kerr Avon Book of Revenge...No. 2341".

"Beyond the Walls of Sleep". It was definitely a different idea, but quite plausible. After all, when you look at the show, the Vila/Avon/Blake team works because the characters are different complimentary components of one character: Avon's cynicism balancing Blake's blind trust and idealism.

"The Heat is On": My favorite comedy in the zine. You guys get sicker each time out. Loved: the alien's names ("Female with Fur Condition" indeed!), the "fish" being cleaned, Avon's trials and tribulations with Servalan, the appearance of Starbuck (sheesh! now that's sick!) Servalan's cooking and especially Avon's revenge at the end.

"When Seconds Count": Nice turnaround on "Orbit". Logical that airlocks would double as escape pods.

"You Know You Are Safe...": A bit more optimistic than Laura's version; the shock might perhaps show Avon's descent into insanity. Post-Orbit Reflections" and the accompanying Vila were lovely. Laura captured his expression from the fadeout perfectly.

"Common Ground": The story was well-plotted and interesting. I found it absorbing even despite the fact that it conflicts strongly with my personal impressions of the characters.

Loved "The Cynic’s Song".

"Walking the Wind": Nice job, Leah. Liked the interpretation of Jenna—the strong, self-reliant space pirate. (In the beginning of the series she reminded me somewhat of the female Corellian pirates widely written in the beginning of SW fandom. Pity they never explored more of that potential on the show.) Liked the optimistic ending and potential for a new beginning. If they were smart enough to learn from their mistakes, perhaps it can work the second time around.

"The Tears of a Clown": Fits my personal opinion that Vila could connect with Avon if anyone could. To me, he and Cally always seemed the most "important" to Avon.

“True Colors": One of the best explanations I've seen for fourth season. Nicely plotted. Obviously a lot of thought went into explaining away the inconsistencies clearly, with logical, unforced explanations. The characterizations are also right on the mark. Avon was in character, not sentimentalized. (His is the characterization quickest to bother me if wrong. He's often done too sentimentally for my liking, but if done as too cold and unfeeling, the character is no longer interesting. Reason he's such a compelling character is the contradictions—just enough flashes to keep you wondering. Hard, cold, cynical and practical-minded, but once he decides to give his loyalty, it's a total commitment.)

"Judas": Not Vila! Cindy, this thing gave me the crawls! Not at all impossible, after Malodaar, but yuck. Very well executed (pardon the pun) to give me such a thorough case of the creeps. "The Few and Fatal Friends": I like the clone theory myself? it explains why Blake said and did exactly the wrong things and managed to set Avon off. Servalan being Servalan, she would probably get a kick out of taking from Avon the thing which was most important to him—his mind and sanity. I liked the characterization of Tarrant, and this is a lot coming from me, considering I could barely stand the character on the show. His only redeeming feature, as far as I'm concerned, is the ability to look good in tight pants. To quote a friend, "put a paper bag over his personality and you might have something". Causes and events were well worked out. Optimistic, I know, but I like the idea of everyone surviving, Avon becoming reasonably stable and them going off in a Liberator-type ship to wreak vengeance on Servalan. "Rip Van Winkle Doesn't Live Here Anymore": I was quite impressed. A plausible Servalan-inflicted fate for Avon after Gauda Prime. It would appeal to her need for control, and she would know how he would loathe such control were he conscious of it. The sequence of events was well-plotted and logical and in line with the characters involved. Kerril was well drawn, but I wish she hadn't been killed. Res is a good son for Vila. Good subplot about Marian being Avon's daughter by Anna. But what a way for him to find out! You really have to feel sorry for the poor bastard. Fate has a nasty way of continuing to rear up and kick his teeth in, doesn't it? Ironic that her murder of Servalan paved the way for the successful rebellion. Good touch bringing Avalon back, too. Ending was nice—full circle, back to adventure and hope for the future.

HELLHOUND is rapidly developing into an addiction. I wasn't quite sure how I felt about it after reading the first few installments. You certainly can't accuse Katrina and Susanne of sentimentalizing the characters, thank goodness. I could see Avon becoming the man in HELLHOUND after the horrific experiences he'd lived through. Vila put it best when he said that it was a wonder that Avon survived. The psychology is particularly well-done—very good point about arrogance and genius combined with a lack of self-worth. That's my personal theory of why he stayed with Blake. Blake valued him and trusted him as a person, not just a mind and a pair of hands good with computers. At Star One, Blake simply gave his trust and Avon fought a hopeless battle to keep from betraying that trust. Liked the original characters: Steffany, Bev, etc. they have real foibles, are confused about their motives and are capable of making realistic mistakes. In other words, they're real, well rounded people. The details are as well worked out as the characters; the hallmark of good quality fiction: re: characters existing within the framework of a real, detailed and fully realized culture.

[zine]: "Commentary": Loved it! What an appropriate way to start a zine of this size. Despite the inverted 'plot', Avon and Blake still stay completely in character, too! Well, I suppose you and I are in a lot of trouble now, Annie, along with all the other authors. Well...I don’t care, as long as I get first dibs on the gawk when he and Avon come a-lookin'.

"From the Outside": Yuck. I don't care if she was Harlan Ellison in drag, she was still Mary Sue Avon to me. Blake and his crew just sort of stood around like statuettes of themselves, letting her bounce off them without reaction... except that Blake would throw loud temper tantrums and Avon would turn his back and stare silently at the walls, or flash frequent grins in Meaningful Silence. Even her fondness for Vila seemed to be based on nothing substantial...perhaps she liked him because he showed promises of becoming a groupie. The choppy sentence presentation kept breaking up Nola's fine ideas. I could have lived with all of the above if only Nola hadn't chosen so many American turns of phrase for her dialogue. I could accept this from a completely new character. From someone who was supposed to have been raised as Avon's sibling? Naaah.

"The Hungry": This story had some genuinely spooky moments, although I'm not sure a simple bomb would be sufficient to destroy an ephemeral shadow of great psychic power...somehow, I think something more spiritual in the way of a weapon was called for. Unless.. .Leigh meant to imply that it wasn't destroyed, that Avon carried the thingie around in his psyche until the 4th season, when it eventually turned him into the numb critter after all? Hmmm!

"Last Laugh": Some rather brutal (but well-deserved) humor at Vila's expense. I feel that if the crew had 'played' this way together more often, the ties between them would have been more developed by the end of Season 2. What a shame. A clever story that had me wishing it were longer (and wondering what some of the other delights of Space City were. What the heck is Vawatt, anyway?)

"The Truth of the Matter": Like me, CarolMel seems to believe that Avon was genuinely fond of Blake, and saw that fondness as a grave weakness. (Eventually, when Avon could not kill the weakness, he killed the source.) This little inner vignette must have taken place sometime during "Duel" for Avon to have made the decision that he did; I think I could have liked seeing it take longer for Avon to come to that decision, with a tad more story behind it, but it was still enjoyable.

"We're the I.L.A..." There are moments of true madness here. Of course, knowing Celeste Hotaling, I knew that anyway. It already frightens me that she lives walking distance from my apartment here in Brooklyn. Not to worry though—I've got strong locks on the front door. Ahem. My favorite howler of this story (out of many) is Blake's insistence that he's never shot anything non-sentient in his life..."unless you count Travis.'"

"One Man's Meat": this one seems to start out as a humorous story and coasts into a sentimental little drama, mid-tale. Aside from the twin allergies being a little too coincidental, there's not much say about it.

"Beyond the Walls of Sleep": A really great concept and a very impressive start for someone s never done a zine story before (to my knowledge). I sure hope to see more work by Anastasia.. .bravo!

"The Heat Is On": If I may, I'd like to make a rare confession as to one of the inspiration and provocations) for a BIZARRO story. There's a rather famous serious B7 epic novel that's been knocking around for years. I won't tell you how I felt about the rest of it, but I will admit that there was one scene that drove me batty: it had this great situation where Blake and company were required to strip or a ceremonial bath together. I thought the scene as written was totally wasted; its potential unrealized. The hot tub scene in "The Heat Is On" was done in retaliation. Another influence was, of course, those wonderful commercials that Joan Collins did a couple of years back for a line of culinary kitchen gadgets. But then, just about everything goes into the grinder for your average BIZARRO tale...of course, it would help an awful lot if the actors would stop turning out to be like their BIZARRO counterparts to such an eerie degree... "A Paradox Of Parasols": I witnessed the birth of this story in a restaurant, watching in horror as Kathy Hintze acted it out. And she was serious. Is it any wonder she became our BIZARRO Tarrant? (By the way, Red Lobster still refuses to ever allow Kathy to return to any of their restaurants...)

"From the Kerr Avon Book of Revenge": I'm enjoying Michele's series, but I thought it was unfortunate that this story had so much in common with "One Man's Meat", earlier on in the same zine. Or for that matter, "Slightly Mistaken" in SOUTHERN SEVEN #1. None of which was intentional, of course. As any B7 fan knows, coincidental similar plot elements and stories are a common hazard and sometimes downright inevitable. Still, it'd be a lot less messy on the Liberator if Avon and Vila would stop poisoning each other. If this keeps up, Avon will either go insane and try to shove Vila out a convenient airlock, or else Vila will become an embittered alcoholic...uh, yah. Either way, the two will soon earn a medical license from practicing on each her, at this rate.

"When Seconds Count": A brilliant it little variation on the "Orbit" theme, seems to hold endless fascination for a: respectable B7 fan. Which is why I wondered at Laura Virgil's story, since she's nowhere near respectable. Seriously, the strong emotion this story evoked easily made it one of my favorites in the issue, kilo for kilo (sorry, Vila...I couldn't resist).

"You Know You Are Safe...": On the same theme, and even better yet! The dialogue was great in this one and seemed absolutely in character, all around. Bravo, Linda!

"Common Ground": Yeah, I know I could make some absolutely dreadful pun with the title of this one ("The Usual Beefcake" immediately comes to mind). Notwithstanding London Bates' ever-present fascination with the Avon/Blake theme, as well as her overwhelmingly heroic images of Roj Blake in general, I always like her style. It presumes that the average reader has some interpretive intelligence, and there's never anything shallow about her storytelling. You might not agree with her characterizations or plot developments but you are often fascinated anyway, because there's no childish storytelling here. I believe this story would have been more appropriate in an adult zine, or else the element of prostitution removed and the plot committed totally to Blake's mental recovery of himself (which, by the way, makes an interesting contrast in writer's treatment of the same theme with HELLHOUND). Either way, I enjoyed the surprise at the end a lot. I also thought it was amusing to have Tarrant 'meet' Nevon for the first time in the manner that he did, before the others. Careful, everybody...your sentiments...and everything else...are showing.

"Walking the Wind": Yeah, I know...Pollyanna of the B7 galaxy, that's me. Well, I wrote this happily-ever-after in direct retaliation for the story "Reunion at Terminal" by Kathy Hintze. I think mindless happy endings make about as much sense as senselessly depressing ones, so it was a bit of self-indulgence (or therapy) on my part. So sue me.

"The Tears of a Clown": Had a very powerful moment when Vila saw that Avon was 'dead*. After that, it was pretty much your average, run-of-the-mill Avon catatonia story. Still, there were some touching moments laced through it.

"True Colors": A fine plot working in this 5th Season explanation story, and told very well, with a believable 3rd Season Avon desperately trying to get back to his rightful place. I also enjoyed the detail put into describing Blake's new rebel set-up and the new people involved. I look forward to reading more about them in the series...but give those song quotes a rest, fer goshsakes! I mean, I'm as guilty of using than damn things as anybody in B7 fanfic, but when you're getting them at a rate of nearly one per page, it's a bit jarring. Yes, I know quite a bit of today's music lyrics are particularly apt for the people and circumstances in BLAKES 7, but these things were intended as occasional accents. Too many of them breaks the narrative of an otherwise fine tale.

"Judas": Line for line, one of the most powerful stories of the zine, and one of the best for me. I've seen a lot of one-gimmick B7 tales written into the ground. This one was just right. Bravo!

"The Few and Fatal Friends": This is classic Sheila Paulson B7 prose. I liked the story a lot and wouldn't have minded reading an even more extended version, with Blake even more convincingly and 'finally' mutoid at first. The simple device of one man's quest for vengeance (Tellas) having pulled everyone out of the danger at Gauda Prime was logical and well done, and everyone was nicely in character. I enjoyed hearing this story from Tarrant's point of view, too (no easy job) and the dialogue rang true...something that Sheila is consistently brilliant at.

"Rip Van Winkle Doesn't Live Here Anymore": Kathy Hintze rarely disappoints. This story had so much entertaining sideshow activity that I didn't mind the basic gimickery of the plot. The new characters were built with a few well-chosen words (instead of the plethora of description, the way some fanfic authors favor); the ironies were bittersweet rather than the reason-to-be of the whole story; the emotion was realistic and there were interesting red herrings to the tale, which I always appreciate. I wasn't totally satisfied with the handling of the end, but I did like the ending a lot, and was genuinely upset over the deaths of Kerril and Marian, because they'd become very real. Stories about Avon and the rest far down the line (years after Gauda Prime) is yet another area with endless fanfic potential. I've read a few that are really fine, and this definitely joins their ranks.

HELLHOUND: What can I say? Beyond the obvious WGW and MORE! MORE!, I'd just be repeating what everyone knows. This isn't just fantastic B7 writing; it's damn good professional level fiction, period. In fact, it's some of the best plain fiction I've ever encountered, anywhere. Yeah, I know it isn't strict B7 in the style presented in the show, and not necessarily even a B7 universe everyone might agree with...but dammit, it's just so well told that we really don't care. My only regret is knowing something of how it ends, but I'm not about to allow something as petty and pollyanna as that keep me from reading these delightful 'logs'. If Terry Nation had been writing the series for the '80's (or even the 90's), I think this might have even been more the way it would have gone...or perhaps we should just call it Michael Mann meets the BBC...

Artwork: I loved the variety of talent on display and the differences of style. My particular favorites (Paulson, Walsh and Dani) had surpassed themselves again (hey kids...like, when is this gonna stop? I'm insecure enough already) and it was a delight to see 'new' hands like Laura Virgil and Maryann Jorgensen jumping in with spectacular efforts. I have to confess that Karen River's back cover is the most 'perfect' Avon I've ever seen. Neither overworked nor inappropriate, I adored it. It's getting my vote for a ZEN award this coming year, fer sure, as my favorite illo. I always enjoy Celeste's Thurberesque illoing style and I think her cartoons are completely warped.

Poetry/Filks: I enjoyed just about every piece in the zine, having something of a taste for the stuff to begin with. Still, my favorite is far and away Daphne Ann Hamilton's "Blake" on page 276; I was there when Paul Darrow read it in character at SCOPRIO 4 and still think it has all the bite of that last episode, packed down to a few breathless lines.

A collection of material the caliber of SOUTHERN SEVEN #2 serves to re-emphasize my continuing dedication to the series. If BLAKES 7 can be said to be about anything, I'd guess it was courage. Not the courage of the crew or the characters (although that's certainly one of the many attractions), but wittingly or not, the basic courage of the people who produced and performed the show in hard reality. I can't see stories or material of this quality getting written for other fandoms. More than anything else, BLAKES 7 was about real people, not individuals working within the structure of a military organization, or aimlessly pursuing a single goal or fighting a single threat. Life isn't like that. For whatever reason, B7 happened the way it did. The setting was in a far future, but we all sense that we know Kerr Avons, that we've come across Vila Restals, that we've even bumped into an occasional Blake or two. Even more fundamentally, we feel there are parts of them in all of us, even Servalan and Travis, and Tarrant, and Cally (for this particular reason, Anastasia's story is my personal favorite in this issue). For better or worse, I want to continue the journey with these folks, each and every one.

So I'm going to wait for Issue #3, even if it looks as if I might need a crane to lift it, at the rate they're growing!