Spock (Star Trek: TOS zine)

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Zine
Title: Spock
Publisher: Austrek
Editor(s): various, see below
Date(s): 1975 - December 1994
Series?:
Medium: print zine
Size:
Genre:
Fandom: Star Trek: TOS, Star Trek: TAS and Star Trek TMP; later some Star Trek: TNG, Star Trek: DS9
Language: English
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

For information about the character, see Spock.

Spock is a gen club zine that ran 69 issues, Its original focus was Star Trek:TOS, and it eventually expanded to include other Star Trek franchise shows as well.

It was published in Australia by the fan club Austrek.

Sister Zine

It has a sister zine called Spunk, which only lasted two issues: "The adult version of SPOCK, featuring X-Rated Star Trek stories brought to you by the crystal pure folks at Austrek. AGE STATEMENT REQUIRED."

Awards

Its Beginning: S.P.O.C.K.

In the early/mid 1970s teenage school student Geoff Allshorn was part of a group called the Melbourne Amateur Science Club (MASC) along with a dozen other school friends. The focus of the MASC was to promote sciences including Astronomy, Psychology, Archaeology and the pseudoscience's such as UFOlogy. During this time the MASC produced two publications called Club News and The Space Age.

Then in 1975 colour television arrived in Australia and with it came the re-introduction Star Trek which had not aired on TV for many years. Needless to say the young science enthusiasts were instantly hooked on the show, so in October a special subsection of the MASC was created by Geoff and the others to focus on Star Trek and this was called ... Austrek.

Club members soon became aware of The Ritz, a small North Melbourne cinema screening 35mm Star Trek episodes as fillers for other films. With the show now being projected onto a large screen in vivid colour, the club encouraged the cinema to run Star Trek marathons where a number of episodes would be screened in one night. As to be expected the embryonic Austrek and its members immersed themselves in these events and would continue to do so for the next 15 years.

However, by mid 1976 Austrek still hadn't branched out beyond the original 13 school students of the MASC, so when they came across Leonard Nimoy’s book ‘I am Not Spock’, this prompted the young fans to write a letter introducing their new club to Leonard Nimoy. The letter was simply addressed to ‘Mr Spock, California’ where apparently envelopes like this were actually delivered to the actor’s home.

Unbeknownst to the group who thought the letter had been lost in the post, it was not only received by someone in the USA but had been forwarded to the Star Trek Welcommittee - a special group designed to link Star Trek fans together from around the world.

The Welcommittee then contacted Austrek, much to their complete surprise and delight, and recommended they speak to their Australian representative, a lady called Diane Marchant. When contact with Diane was made by Geoff, she mentioned about being a regular attendee of the Star Trek marathons at The Ritz, meaning she was right under Austrek’s nose the whole time!

In fact it was through Diane’s influence that Gene Roddenberry and Majel Barrett-Roddenberry were to become the club's earliest Honorary Members.

With the club now capable of reaching Star Trek fans far and wide, Austrek was officially launched (albeit nervously) to the public on November 6, 1976 at The Ritz during a Star Trek marathon. Needless to say the response was way beyond what anyone ever expected.

Within two months the membership ballooned from the original 13 MASC school students to 130 people! Due to this unprecedented, and somewhat overwhelming success, it was decided to close the MASC and run Austrek as an independent entity.

From here the stars, and history, awaited…

After gaining experience in producing publications for the MASC, SPOCK, subtitled "Star Trek Propaganda On Club Kids" was intended to be both Austrek’s newsletter and fanzine (a fanzine is an amateur booklet populated with fan written stories and original artwork).

After producing four singled-paged issues known as Volume 1, SPOCK was reborn as a dedicated fanzine - without the subtitle - known as Volume 2. The first 10 page issue of the new Volume 2 format appeared in 1976 and continued for 69 issues. Being the club’s fanzine, SPOCK was produced with a focus on quality and pseudo professionalism which resulted in it winning many awards and accolades until 1995 when it ceased publication.

With SPOCK now designated as the club’s fanzine, a new newsletter had to be created and the first was Trekkie Talk of which there were only two issues released in December 1976 and January 1977. From February 1977 Trekkie Talk was relaunched as The Captain’s Log where the issue numbering cycle restarted at #1. These early issues of SPOCK and The Captain’s Log were typed on a stencil and printed in purple via a Fordigraph spirit duplicator. [1]

The Early Club Competitions

The very earliest issues described the rules and benefits of a club competition.

Fan would get points for contributing, the members with the most points at the end of the year got prizes -- the prizes were a year's membership in Austrek for a fan and two friends, other prizes were filmclips.

This was the point system, as printed in v.2 n.3:

An 18 cent stamp -- 5 points
Each 20 cent donation -- 5 points
Each newspaper/magazine article -- 10 points
Each good idea -- 20 points
Each S.P.O.C.K. article -- between 5 to 40 points (depends on size, etc.)
Each member you recruit for the club -- 50 points
Either a Star Trek photo or one of yourself (one permember) -- 30 points

Also points may be awarded for other things, if I believe the person deserves them.

You have to be innit to winnit!!!

GET GOING!

The Series: "Fragments"

The zine series contains a serialized fiction called "Fragments." The first twelve parts are by the same author (Diane Marchant, writing as "anonymous"), and then she hands it over to other fans to continue.

NOTE: This is not the same story by Marchant called A Fragment Out of Time.

See the meta note added to issue 3 (v.2 n.3) (the first issue to feature an installment of this story), and the editorial comment quoted at the beginning of Part 2 in issue 4 (v.2 n.4).

Eventually Shut Down Due to Pressure from TPTB

This zine was discontinued as part of the Viacom Crackdown. From Interview with Tricia McKinlay (2003): "SPOCK, the fanfic fanzine for AUSTREK, was closed down in case of lawsuits. Again in hindsight, an overreaction." [2]

From S.P.O.C.K. to SPOCK

S.P.O.C.K. Volume 1

I first became a Star Trek fan when my brother returned from a night with a friend watching an episode called "Who Mourns for Adonais?"... He bullied me into watching the stupid show with the guy with the pointed ears. Need I say more?[3]

 Joan McLachlan, S.P.O.C.K. Volume 1 Edition 2

There were four foolscap, fordigraph-produced issues of this publication (S.P.O.C.K. = "Startrek Propaganda On Club Kids") printed beginning in 1975, each consisting of a single piece of paper. These were an insert to the MASC Newsletter, for the Melbourne Amateur Science Club, of which Austrek had been founded as a subsection. As the name suggests, these publications were intended to introduce its teenage readers to Star Trek, its characters and stories, its mythologies and philosophies.

Volume 1 writers alternated between Geoff Allshorn (President of MASC) and Joan McLachlan (President of Austrek, a subsection of MASC). They introduced Star Trek and its aspirations as utopian science fiction. The Volume 1 series was cancelled after only four issues (overlapping with the commencement of Volume 2 editions), so its aims were rolled over and expanded into the Volume 2 series.    

  • S.P.O.C.K. v.1 e.1, written by Geoff Allshorn

    S.P.O.C.K. v.1 e.1, written by Geoff Allshorn

  • S.P.O.C.K. v.1 e.2, written by Joan McLachlan

    S.P.O.C.K. v.1 e.2, written by Joan McLachlan

  • S.P.O.C.K. v.1 e.3, written by Joan McLachlan

    S.P.O.C.K. v.1 e.3, written by Joan McLachlan

  • S.P.O.C.K. v.1 e.4, written by Geoff Allshorn

    S.P.O.C.K. v.1 e.4, written by Geoff Allshorn

SPOCK Volume 2

It is from this Volume 2 series that the SPOCK fanzine, as it became known, was born.

As Austrek began to grow explosively (thanks to the publicity provided by Star Trek Welcommittee representative Diane Marchant, and through exposure coming from the Star Trek Marathons), it was quickly deemed that the Volume 1 issues of S.P.O.C.K. - and Austrek remaining as a subsection of a school children's science club - were both inadequate to the task ahead. From such humble beginnings was born a wondrous future. As MASC began its process to close down and Austrek became a club in its own right, the Volume 1 series of "S.P.O.C.K." was rebooted from a pamphlet to a multi-page fanzine originally renumbered as "Volume 2", but which ultimately changed its title to "Spock" (and dropped the "Volume 2" subtitle) after a handful of issues, in order to appeal to a wider readership.

Early issues were all foolscap-sized (until issue #11 adopted the 'new' A4 size which became standard thereafter) and also suffered from the inconsistency of varying printing methods, ranging from fordigraph (spirit duplicator - purple printing) and hand-operated gestetner (mimeograph machine - black printing) through to somewhat amateur offset printing. Eventually, as the club and its publications became more established, a better quality of offset printing became the standard for this series of fanzines, which collectively ran for the best part of two decades and nearly 70 issues.

Issue 1 (v.2 n. 1)

S.P.O.C.K. 1 was published in November 1976 and contains 10 pages. The editor was Geoff Allshorn.

from v.2 n.1

From the President of Austrek, Joan McLachlan:

Welcome to this S.P.O.C.K. It is really the first big-scale fanzine we have produced for the club. The S.P.O.C.K.'s Volume 1 are still being produced and these are pamphlets to introduce people to STAR TREK, as well as give information on the stars etc. of the show. Our club, was, until recently, a small circle of friends, but as time went on, we realised that we were by no means alone in the faithful fellowship of a show that has so much to offer people, wherever they may be and wherever they have the opportunity to see even one episode. Our previously confined little group viewed the possibilities of expanding to reach out to other people, and together, with united help and ideas, we could supply what we could of what Australian audiences have been denied.

I myself have never seen the complete series of STAR TREK, even though I was eight when first the show was introduced to me. In the following nine years, it would not seem to be asking for too much to ask that the show be given at least on clear run [on television].

[...]

Our aim in Austrek is to meet, unite, and communicate with fellow STAR TREK fans, swap ideas and treasures, help and receive help from everyone in achieving hopes and goals. There is a grand total of three STAR TREK fan clubs in Australia, ourselves being one of them, and we are by no means big when compared to many overseas clubs. News takes so long to reach us from the "happening" places and often it is hard to distinguish fact from fiction. We hope to involve the knowledge of all concerned and make this fanzine fun and informative and maybe all you trekkies out there will not be so neglected.

Finally, I would like to thank many people who helped us in the formation of this club to what it is now, especially to Diane Marchant of Mordialloc, who helped the Editor of this fanzine and myself in producing this ish.

Live Long and Prosper.

  • Valuable Prisoner, fiction by Ian McLachlan (2)
  • Free Contest (a trivia contest, the prize is a copy of James Blish's 10th book) (3)
  • Club Grapevine (4)
  • Poetry Paradise (4)
  • Ad Page ("where all good citizens of the galaxy advertise!") (5)
    • a fan invites other fans to play "a science fiction fantasy game" through the mail with him: "You post in one move a month. The object of the game is to gain power in the world. And with things like wizards and dragons in the game, you wonder what type of power (magical?). You can be a wizard, a ruler, or even a hero! You can get killed numerous times."
    • Pen Pals: "HEY TREKKIE! Ever get that feeling? Where you feel you are the only trekkie on Earth? Ever feel alone? You're not alone... there are maybe hundreds of trekkies in the same situation. Why not get a pen pal?"
    • an offer to send fans a lot of photos and info about Mariette Hartley for $2.50
    • an ad for The Dusk Til Dawn Star Trek Marathon: "HEY EVERYBODY! ALL YOU TREKKIES OUT THERE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TYPEWRITER!! DON'T FORGET THE UNIVERSE"S SOCIAL EVENT OF THIS STARDATE (76)!.. See all the good noticeboards on this side of the galazy! It will really dazzle your 'sensors'!!"
  • Crossword Puzzle (6)
  • A Change in Time, part 1, fiction by Geoff Allshorn (7)
  • STAR YECCH! ("the funny side of Star Trek"), not credited (humor in script form) (9)
  • Answers to the Crossword Puzzle (10)
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Issue 2 (v.2 n. 2)

S.P.O.C.K. v.2 n.2 was published in February 1977 and contains 30 pages. The editor was Geoff Allshorn.

front cover of v.2 n.2, Ian McLachlan

From the club president, Joan McLachlan:

Many things have happened since the last issue of S.P.O.C.K. came out, and with this being the second issue since the change over to an interstate magazine, we are endeavoring to keep everyone up to date. The articles contained in these pages are from different people, in different walks of life, and from different areas of Australia. With articles coming in with so many ideas and opinions, it helps in making this a truly varied magazine. If you have something to contribute, serious or light-hearted, send it in as I can assure you everyone will be interested in your opinion. STAR TREK is not just State wide, or even country wide, but World wide. And Australia, despite the difficulties we sometimes have, is very lucky. Some countries have never seen STAR TREK, and probably never will. Some, like Germany, will be seeing it for the first time this year, and undoubtedly, they will respond to the same points that have intrigued the rest of the World. They too will have something to contribute to the family of STAR TREK, as does this magazine, because STAR TREK will never pall, but turn up fresh and new each time around.

  • Free Mini-Poster of the Enterprise Crew, art by Ian McLachlan ("Put this mini-poster on your bedroom wall: if you're married, it might convert your spouse into a trekkie!")
  • Message from the President by Joan McLachlan (2)
  • Austarcon ("news on the Australian STAR TREK Convention in 1978, note: this is a con that never happened) (3)
  • Club Competition (3)
  • Booklist ("with all the books etc available in Australia") (4)
  • Free Contest Number 2 (trivia contest, the prize is a copy of Star Trek Log Three by Alan Dean Foster) (5)
  • United They Stand, story by Ian McLachlan (6)
  • A Change in Time, part 2, story by Geoffrey Allshorn (8)
  • Character Study of Montgomery Scott, article by Geoffrey Allshorn (11)
  • Ad Page ("plus a picture!") (12)
  • Letter to the Editor (13)
  • Mind of the Void, part 1, story by Stephen Bates (13)
  • Trivia Trekkie Trekkery (14)
  • Trekkie Talk Glossary (15)
  • Sonnet of the Vulcan: Omicron Ceti Three, poem by Shirley Meech (reprinted from T-Negative in 1972 and Star Trek: The New Voyages #1 in 1976, and reprinted in Star Trek: The Poems in 2000) (18)
  • Twinkle, Twinkle Little... ("what nursery rhymes are like on other planets. And by none other than Mr. Spock himself!" This is the transcript of a track on the 1974 audio LP, Outer Space/Inner Mind.) (19)
  • STAR TREK II ("news on the movie to be made this year") (19)
  • X-Word, crossword puzzle (20)
  • Advertisement of the Ish (21)
  • Vulcanmare ("a short story, very amusing") by Julie Townsend (Astrex) (22)
  • The Movie Wasn't Like This!, part 1, story by Geoff Allshorn (23)
  • Stop Press (27)
  • Guess Who?, poem by Karen Bradford (the description fits both Spock and... Fonzie from Happy Days) (27)
  • The Melbourne Trekkies/Trekkers GTV Channel Nine Telephone and Letter Campaign ("otherwise known as the Ding-A-Ling Derby") (27)
  • Question of the Ish (28)
  • Crossword Number Four (28)
  • Trekkie Talk ("the new name for the Club's Grapevine") (29)
  • The Potemkin Incident, part 1 by Ian Tupper (29)
  • Puzzle Answers (30)
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Issue 3 (v.2 n.3)

S.P.O.C.K. v.2 n.3 was published in April 1977 and contains 32 pages.

This issue of SPOCK included the first installment of "Fragments", an irregular series initially written (anonymously) by Diane Marchant until she openly invited others to pick up the mantle and continue the story - which they did. It should be noted that Diane also introduced slash fiction to the world with another fan story (in another fanzine, some years earlier) entitled "A Fragment Out of Time". Here, she was using the title "Fragments" to introduce another audience to contemporary (but in hindsight, somewhat potentially problematic?) heterosexual adult fan fiction.

front cover of v.2 n.3

From the editor, Geoff Allshorn:

The six page cartoon satire on STAR TREK by Paul Murphy. The cartoon was produced with the kind help of Sue Keck (thanks Sue) but unfortunately, the way we reproduced the cartoon left many of the words hard to read, and really does not do Paul's creation justice (Sorry Paul). We may reprint it later on.

Before I go, and let you read on into this ish, I just better warn you that the next S.P.O.C.K. could very possibly be late "(up to two two months late), and this is because we may be having it printed, and if we do have it printed, I'll be making sure everything's perfect it it before I send it to the printer's. The delay in getting the next one out will be made up by the content of the next ish. So until next time...Live Long and Prosper!

  • Star Trek's Universe, article by Joan McLachlan (2)
  • Trekwiz, trivia by Stephen Bates (2)
  • Free Contest Number 3, trivia (the prize is a copy of Star Trek Lives!) (3)
  • Club Competition (4)
  • Hardtrekquiz (4)
  • Documentary on the U.S.S. Enterprise (as per the table of contents), The United Starship Enterprise: A Documentary on the Famous Starship (as per the title on the article) by Ian McLachlan (5)
  • Yesterday is Today, part 1, story by Ian Tupper (10)
  • A Change in Time, part 3, story by Geoff Allshorn (11)
  • The Potemkin Incident, part 2, story by Ian Tupper (13)
  • The Friends, poetry by Joan M. McLachlan (14)
  • A Film Review of "The Menagerie," by Ian McLachlan (15)
  • Blunderphrases, quiz by Russell Edwards and Geoffrey Allshorn (16)
  • Fragments: Part One of a Fragmented Story (or quote: "Soap Opera") About Star Trek by Anonymous (17)
  • Mind of the Void, part 2, story by Stephen Bates (19)
  • The Kongo Incident, part 1 by Helena Russell (20)
  • "Beyond the Rim of Star-light", printed lyrics to the show's musical theme, as printed in The Making of Star Trek (20)
  • Untitled poem by Roxanne Woods (20)
  • The Lighter Side of Star Trek (or the Jim Kirk Show), cartoonist Paul Murphy (21)
  • Ad Page (27)
    • one is an ad for 100 different slides a fan has created using images from Starlog, The Star Trek Giant Poster Book and T.V. Sci-Fi Monthly. These slides are 40 cents a piece. "Although a few examples can be seen at any Austrek meeting, no requests for particular pictures will be taken into consideration and all orders must be made 'blind.' Unfortunately, this restriction is necessary in the light of mass production." The editor notes that "This is not an [official] Austrek activity."
    • an ad for an Austrek t-shirt: "Hey Trekkers!! How about really looking like a trekker and letting everybody know!?! Just send a T-shirt or any other item of clothing (preferable white...) and $1.00 around to P.H.O.T.O.N.S. and the t shrit will be paint embroidered with a standard Austrek design. The complexity of the design may be increased in proportion to an increase in the above changes... For further information ring 4581219 and ask for Ian or Joan or contact Geoffrey, this fanzine's editor. All proceeds will go to the further financing of Austrek. Go ahead, what is $1.00?" It is noted that "P.H.O.T.O.N.S. = Public Headquarters of Trekfans in Our Noetic Society = Post Box.")
  • Club Grapevine (very small chit chat) (27)
  • Star Trek: 1999 (part one and only), story in script form, not credited (Martin Landau is Captain James T. Koenig, Barbara Bain is Mr. Helena Spock, Barry Morse is Dr. "Bones" McBergman, and Nick Tate is "Chief Engineer Alan McScotty) (28) (Star Trek TOS/Space:1999 crossover)
  • The Movie Wasn't Like This!, part 2, fiction by Geoff Allshorn (29)
  • Convention and Movie News (31)
    • news about the Trek film's lack of progress
    • news about Austarcon and its lack of progress
    • Austrek's Movie News: info about a proposed fan film parody created by Austrek, called Star Wreck (a short dialogue is included, featuring "Chief Engineer Snotty" and "Captain Jerk.")
  • Answers to Various Quizzes, Etc. (32)
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Issue 4 (v.2 n.4)

Cover of SPOCK #4, artist Sue Keck.

Spock 4 was published in June 1977 and contains 26 pages. Front cover art of Kirk and insert illustration of Spock (both by Sue Keck and offset printed), everything else was produced on a fordigraph machine. Editor was Geoff Allshorn, assistant editor/typist was Russell Edwards.

  • Cover, artwork by Sue Keck (1)
  • Editorial and contents (3)
  • Club Competition and news on [very preliminary plans for] Austrek fan film (4)
  • Free Contest (5)
  • "Classified ads" type page - [this includes a "Space News" ad for the Monash Astronautical Society (later the Space Association of Australia) who ran a reciprocal ad for Austrek in their CAPCOM magazine] (6)
  • Book Reviews: 'The Enemy Within", "Spock Must Die", "Ni Var" and "Spock Messiah" by Sue Keck (7)
  • The Movie Wasn't Like This!, fiction by Geoff Allshorn (9)
  • The Guardian, poetry by Stephen Bates (15)
  • Character Study of Uhura by Anonymous (15)
  • Fragments Part 2 by Anonymous (16). Introduction reads:
(EDITOR'S NOTE: More than one person has written to me expressing how much they liked the story [Part 1], and asking why the author wanted to remain anonymous. I made a point of asking the authoress about putting her name on the story, but she [jokingly] replied, "Story? I don't write stories!")

PART TWO by anonymous

Part two (Shudder!) of the Soap Opera, Trek flavoured...

  • SPOCK SCOOP: Movie News - Diane reports Gene Roddenberry's latest missive regarding progress of the STAR TREK movie (17)
  • Fragments (continued) (18)
  • The Paranoid Incident, part 2, fiction by Graeme (alias G.T.) Kirk (20)
  • The Kongo Incident, part 3, fiction by Helena Russell (21)
  • The Outlaw of Kannis Three, part 1, fiction by Steven Ackerman ("To my mum, who typed out this chapter) (24)
  • The Potemkin Incident, part 3, fiction by Ian Tupper (25)
  • Mind of the Void, part 3, fiction by Stephen Bates (25)
  • (Easy) Hard Trek Quix by Ian Tupper (26)

Issue 5 (v.2 n.5)

Spock 5 was published in August 1977 and contains 29 pages. It is titled "v.2 n.5" and the last issue to feature the "Volume 2" numbering. It was the first offset issue to be printed by Bob Johnson at considerable expense for the club.

It was edited by Geoff Allshorn, the cover was by Sue Keck. Art is by Sue Keck, Stephen Bates, Paul Murphy and Theresa de Gabriele.

front cover of v.2 edition 5, Sue Keck
back cover of v.2 edition 5, Betty de Gabriele
  • From the Editor (3)
  • Table of Contents (4)
  • Special Birthday Salute to Gene: The Magnetic Man of Charisma (part essay, part bio) (5)
  • Photos of Gene and Majel Roddenberry supplied by Diane Marchant after her visit to the 1975 Star Trek Lives! convention (9)
  • Memo to Engineering, humour by Susan Clarke (11)
  • The Lighter Side of Star Trek: The Jim Kirk Show, comic by Paul Murphy (12)
  • Fragments, part 3, fiction (Spock visits a town on Vulcan and observes Christine Chapel's three-year-old child there, living at the "Nurturers of the Future" home for children.) (18)
  • Yesterday is Today, part 2, fiction by Ian Tupper (19)
  • The Kongo Incident, part 3, fiction by Helena Russell (20)
  • Mind of the Void, part 4, fiction by Stephen Bates (23)
  • The Paranoid Incident, part 2, fiction by Graeme (alias G.T.) Kirk (24)
  • The Outlaw on Kannis Three, part 2, fiction by S. Ackerman ("To my mum, who typed this episode also.") (25)
  • Odyssey II, part 1, fiction by Raymond Boseley (26)
  • On "Pon-Farr," article by Maun Henry, from theories by Marie Hietala (27)

Issue 6 & 7

Cover of Spock 6/7, artwork by Diane Marchant.

Spock 6/7 (October-December 1977) was a 50-page double issue, and the last offset publication printed for the club by Bob Johnson. Editor was Geoff Allshorn, typists were Elizabeth Czepiel, Geoff Allshorn, Jenny McLean and Joan McLachlan.

  • Editorial (1)
  • Contents (2)
  • LoC from Gene Roddenberry acknowledging the previous issue (3)
  • Birthday salute to Nichelle Nichols, art by Mary McCaul, photos by Diane Marchant (4)
  • Reckoning, story and artwork by Ian McLachlan (9)
  • Birthday salute to Diane Marchant (12)
  • The Kongo Incident, fiction by Helena Russell, artwork by Betty De Gabriele (13)
  • The Problem with Tribbles, fiction by Graeme Kirk (26)
  • Kirk, poetry by Stephen Bates, artwork by Ian McLachlan and Betty De Gabriele (27)
  • Photos of fans at a recent Star Trek Marathon ("Mini Con") with legend for each photograph and a cartoon by Craig Fraser (28)
  • A Change in Time, fiction by Geoff Allshorn.
  • The Scenes That Gene Cut Out (or "They Didn't Even Make the Bloopers!"), cartoons by Paul Murphy (38)
  • First Encounter, fiction by Kert Rats (39)
  • The Paranoid Incident, fiction by Graeme Kirk, artwork by Ian McLachlan and Betty De Gabriele (40)
  • Alien of the Month: M'Ress, artwork by Bernard Doove (44)
  • Amok Time, poetry by Stephen Bates, artwork by Ian McLachlan and Betty De Gabriele (45)
  • Fragments, fiction by Anonymous (46)
  • Bread and Circuses artwork by Betty De Gabriele, cartoon by Ian McLachlan (48)
  • Scotty's Marraige [sic], poetry by Anonymous, artwork by Ian McLachlan (49)
  • Tribble cartoon, back cover artwork by Sue Keck (50)

Issue 8

Spock 8 was published in February 1978 and contains 28 foolscap-sized pages. The editor was Ian McLachlan.

front cover of issue #8, Ian McLachlan

Cover was offset printed, the interior contents were printed on a gestetner duplicating machine, and it therefore contains almost no interior art.

  • Editorial (1)
  • Birthday Salutes to Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, Majel Roddenberry (2, continued on 18)
  • A Dream Time, fiction by Marjorie Miller (5)
  • The Potemkin Incident, part 4, by Ian Tupper (7)
  • Star Wrecked Limerick (10)
  • With Tongue in Cheek, fiction by D.C.R. and Kert Rats (Amanda Grayson defies her parents and marries Sarek.) (11)
  • Droxine's Ode to a Portrait in the Shadows, poem by Angela Hanslik (14)
  • The Outlaw of Kannis Three, part 3, story by Steven Ackerman (15)
  • Birthday Salutes continued (18)
  • Ode to Mr. Spock from Christine Chapel, poem by anonymous (24)
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Issue 9

Cover of SPOCK #9, artist is BUG

Spock 9 Fordigraph-printed content. The editor is Ian McLachlan.

Contents include:

  • Editorial
  • Contents
  • Mind of the Void, Part 5, fiction by Stephen Bates
  • Spock, poem by Rey (?), two limericks
  • Odyssey II, conclusion, fiction by Raymond Boseley
  • Limerick by Anonymous, a response to the fan story "What Henock Did"
  • After Amok Time, fiction by Sue Bursztynski
  • Of Wills and Whims, fiction by Marj Miller
  • The Crew of the Enterprise, poem by Sandra Abbey
  • Star Wrecked limerick by Anonymous
  • Spock at Library Computer Station, offset printed insert, art by Sue Keck
  • Fragments, Part 5, by Anonymous
  • A 23rd Century Answer to Desiderata, poem by Mark Bartlett
  • As The Wind Blows, So The Tree Grows, fiction by Kert Rats
  • The Tide of [?]: The Naked Time, poem by Angela Hanslik
  • Yesterday is Today, conclusion, fiction by Ian Tupper

Issue 10

Cover of SPOCK #10, artwork by BUG

Spock 10 was published in July 1978, and it contains 40 pages. The cover and editorial commemorate both the tenth birthday of Star Trek in Australia and the tenth issue of the fanzine. The editor is Joan McLachlan and cover art is by Betty de Gabriele. This is the first "self-contained" issue and the last to be printed on foolscap-sized paper. Joan makes an observation that, from an historical perspective, marks a demarcation point happening across the Australian printing culture at the time:

One other little surprise in the next issue is that #11 will probably be printed on A4 size paper. For all us laymen, this seems smaller than foolscap and bigger than quarto. We feel this size will be better handled and look much better in bookcases, (or under beds if that's where you house such treasures as the SPOCK.) The size of the 'SPOCK' has been fluctuating worse than a malfunctioning transporter but we will settle on a standard size. (sooner [sic] or later.)

  • Editorial and Contents (1)
  • Reflections, fiction by Sue Bursztynski (2)
  • Star Brawls, cartoon by Paul Murphy (3)
  • Tapestry, fiction by Marj Miller (10)
  • Star Wrecked, cartoons by Mark Bartlett (27)
  • Spock, artwork by Sandra Abbey (28)
  • Kirk, artwork by Sandra Abbey (29)
  • Austrek Story competition, inviting readers to write a story incorporating artwork by Betty de Gabriel and a paragraph by the editor... (30)
  • Duel, fiction by Betty de Gabriele (31)
  • Spock's Reply, poem by Sue Bursztynski (32)
  • Fragments, Part 3, fiction by Anonymous (33)
  • The Other Side of the Story, poem by Angela Hanslik (34)
  • Spooned, fiction by Ian McLachlan (34)
  • The Path to Catharsis, fiction by Angela Hanslik (35)
  • More Scenes Gene Cut Out, cartoons by Paul Murphy (36)
  • Reception, fiction by Sue Bursztynski (37)
  • When the End Draws Near, poem by Mark Bartlett (37)
  • The Parting of the Ways, fiction by Sue Bursztynski (38)
  • Trilogy, poem by Angelo Hanslik (39)

Issue 11

Spock 11 was published in August 1978 and contains 35 pages. The editor is Ian McLachlan. This is the first issue to be printed on A4-sized paper, which became the standard hereafter.

front cover of issue #11, Paul Murphy
back cover of issue #11, Paul Murphy

A review in The Captain's Log #16 calls it by the tongue-in-cheek title "Kirk #1" because the title on the cover is crossed off. Also on the cover: "I am the captain and the star so I've renamed this fanzine "Klingon Information Reaching Klubmembers."

The art is by Betty De Gabriele, Paul Murphy, Ian McLachlan, Michael McGann, and Ben Medor.

  • Introduction (2)
  • Tiny Trekkers, written and illustrated by Paul Murphy (3)
  • The Message by Sally A. Syrjala (4)
  • Almost Human, fiction by Sue Bursztynski (6)
  • Not Before Our Time, fiction by Mark Bartlett (""Not Before Our Time" is a look at what might happen-if beings from outer space try to make contact with us-before we are ready. If the aliens wanted to contact us and tell us what it was like 'out there', would someone step in and stop them? As the author reminds us in his introduction, "It may be happening all ready!"") (8)
  • A Legend of the Dream-time by Kert Rats ("'A Legend of The Dream-time' is an enchanting theme, reminiscent of Rudyard Kipling and his 'Just So Stories'. It is a story for the young - and young at heart.") (10)
  • The Jim Kirk Show, episode two, written and illustrated by Paul Murphy (12)
  • Bald, as a Billiard Ball, fiction by Joan and Ian McLachlan (""Bald, As A Billiard Ball" is a story Joan and I wrote earlier this year as a pun on all you fans of the Spock/Christine 'relationship'. If you can bare the first page or so you might even start to enjoy it, (but then there's no accounting for taste).")(17)
  • Arena (or what really happened at Cestus III) by Geoff Allshorn (""Arena" speaks for itself. [It] tells the Gorn's side of the story. The story is really quite witty.") (20)
  • The Austrek Story Competition ("This issue's "Austrek Story Competition" is to be found on page twenty two. This is the chance for writers who can never think of a story line, to sit down and write something that could be published in this fanzine. The competition is itself followed by the result of last issue's story competition. "The Pegasaur" is an action/adventure by John Rogers, who receives a complimentary copy of this "SPOCK" for his efforts.") (22)
  • The Pegasaur by John Rogers (24)
  • What's In a Name? by Sue Bursztynski ("A beautiful story which shows that none of us are ever alone. Deep down inside we are all pierced with the same feelings. Yes, even Vulcans.") (27)
  • An Echo in the Shadows by Betty de Gabriele (28)
  • The Seventh Fragments by Anonymous ("continues along the fragmented story of Spock and Christine Chapel as they arrive back on Vulcan.") (29)
  • Sojourn by Robin E. Young ("This story comes to us from New Zealand. It is an exceedingly funny tale about what would be classed as a normal occurrence aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise.") (30)
  • To Chart Our Course by Kevin Smith (35)

Issue 12

Spock 12 was published in October 1978 and contains 40 pages. It was edited by Joan McLachlan. The art is by Betty de Gabriele, Ben Medor (reprinted from the previous issue) and Paul Murphy.

This issue contains cover photographs from the upcoming "Star Trek: The Motion Picture". Austrek was one of numerous clubs around the world to receive regular progress reports on this movie's production from Gene Roddenberry - photos, telegrams, coloured brochures, letters, etc, and the information from many of these, as received by Austrek, was often printed in the Captain's Log newsletter. Publishing photos on the front and back covers of SPOCK #12 (and others appear on the back covers of SPOCK #10 and #16/17) seems a good opportunity to also highlight some of this material and thereby whip up fan enthusiasm. Such publicity tactics were undoubtedly a shrewd move by Gene Roddenberry to increase support for the forthcoming movie, and for his franchise as a whole. The publicity material received by Austrek was ultimately stored in the club archives - and may have disappeared over the intervening decades.

front cover of issue #12
back cover of issue #12
  • Table of Contents (1)
  • Introduction (2)
  • Tribble Trouble by Sonny Collins (3)
  • The Inquisition by Angela Hanslik (4)
  • Satyr by Betty de Gabriele (6)
  • The Jim Kirk Show #3 by Paul Murphy (20)
  • Fragments 8th Segment by Anonymous (27)
  • AUSTREK Story Competition #3 (28)
  • Halloween, Story Competition #2 Winner (29)
  • Mrs. Simmons Boarding House by Angela Hanslick (34)
  • Night Song, poem by Anonymous (36)
  • Once Upon a Captain by Ruth Dick-Smith (37)

Issue 13

Spock 13 was published in December 1978 and contains 44 pages. This issue was the last one edited by Joan Mclachlan.

front cover of issue #13, Paul Murphy: "I'm here to inform you that to associate the number thirteen with jinxes or bad luck is ILLOGICAL." (at the very bottom right is "Dammit Dammit Dammit!!")
back cover of issue #13, Paul Murphy

The art is Betty de Gabriele and Paul Murphy.

  • Table of Contents (1)
  • Introduction (2)
  • Search, fiction by Graeme Kirk (3)
  • The Accusation, poem by Angela Hanslik (12)
  • First Meeting, fiction by Sue Bursztynski (13)
  • More Scenes That Gene Cut by Paul Murphy (15)
  • The Party, fiction by Sue Bursztynski (16)
  • Austrek Story Competition #4 Announcement (21)
  • Have You Met our Lord Emanual?, fiction by Ruth Dick-Smith (Story Competition #2 Winner) (22)
  • As Doves Fly..., fiction by Betty de Gabriele (25)
  • Kirk, poem ("Mister Anonymous is lacking in this edition of SPOCK except for a small poem to be found on page 28. In this case Miss Anonymous has cause to be and you will understand after reading the poem. The author assures me that it's all in fun... (after tying her hands behind her back and threatening Tal Shaya).") (28)
  • Trial by Fire, ni var poem by Angela Hanslik (29)
  • Pilot Officer Kirk, fiction by Doreen C. Da Binett (30)

Issue 14

Spock 14 was published in February 1979 and contains 40 pages.

This was the first issue edited by Kathleen Gaitely and Betty de Gabriele (BUG).

cover of issue #14, Paul Murphy: "The girls are right... He DOES go after anything wearing a skirt!!"

The art is by Paul Murphy, Ian McLachlan, Ruth Dick-Smith, Elizabeth Czepiel, Brian, Mark Bartlett, DSM, and Betty de Gabriele.

The Captain's Log #28 contains an LoC for a story in this issue.

  • Introduction (2)
  • Scottische, fiction by Anonymous (3)
  • Contact, poem by R.E. Young (4)
  • The Siren's Call, fiction by Kathleen Gaitely (6)
  • War Games, fiction by Ian Mclachlan (11)
  • Links, poem by April Smith (12)
  • Epilogue '7', fiction by Geoff Allshorn (13)
  • A Place Out of Time...., fiction by Kert Rats (14)
  • The Jim Kirk Show by Paul Murphy (17)
  • ... And My True love..., fiction by Geoff Allshorn (24)
  • Naked Time, poem by Marion Bauld (33)
  • Mystery, poem by Kerrin Hill (34)
  • The Ways Converge, fiction by Sue Bursztynski (35)
  • from issue #14, "War Games"

    from issue #14, "War Games"

  • from issue #14, "A Place Out of Time..."

    from issue #14, "A Place Out of Time..."

  • from issue #14, "A Place Out of Time..."

    from issue #14, "A Place Out of Time..."

  • from issue #14, Diane Marchant

    from issue #14, Diane Marchant

  • from issue #14, Elizabeth Czepiel

    from issue #14, Elizabeth Czepiel

  • from issue #14, Betty de Gabriele

    from issue #14, Betty de Gabriele

  • from issue #14, Betty de Gabriele

    from issue #14, Betty de Gabriele

  • from issue #14, Betty de Gabriele

    from issue #14, Betty de Gabriele

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 14

Issue 14 is a special issue dealing with the character of Scotty, our favorite engineer. Gems making appearances inside include several stories (the majority of which are well conceived), some fine poetry and a marvelous comic satire. The artwork is generally fine and the cover is not only humorous, but well done also.

"Scottische" (Anonymous) — A strange, short tale which the reader has to see for himself.
"Contact" (R.E. Young) — A nice poem about Kirk's death.
"The Siren's Call" (Kathleen Gaitely) — Uhura and Scotty are left on a planet to investigate a communications interference there. Scotty is drawn towards something alien and Uhura saves his mind and soul.
"War Games" (Ian Mclachlan) — A short, humorous tale in which Scotty learns how to play what appears to be a strategy game, but which in reality is hopscotch.
"Links" (April Smith) — A short poem about_Spock's death.
"Epilogue '7'" (G. Allshorn) — A brief piece which explains what really happened between Spock and Scotty after the "Galileo 7' mission.
"A Place Out Of Time...." (Kert Rats) — How do you say that you don't understand
 a story? Let the reader get his own summary
 out of this one.
"The Jim Kirk Show" (Paul Murphy) — A stunning example of satire in the MAD tradition. The comic strip is a take-off of "The Galileo 7". Although some of the drawing are poor quality, the humor still comes shining through.
"... And My True love..." (G. Allshorn) — Scotty is blamed for the deaths of four
crewmembers, including his girlfriend, by neglection of his duties. An Andorian, Thoren,
is found to be the true culprit in a fine
story.
"The Ways Converge" (Sue Busztynski) — Shortly after the Romulan War, a Romulan couple crash lands on an outpost inhabited by a Vulcan couple. The Romulan woman has twins and by tradition, they must kill one to avoid arguments of power. The Vulcans convince the couple to give them the child in an unusual story with an interesting ending.
Orange cover with white pages, 40 pp. A nice addition to any fanzine library from the land down under. Rating: A. [4]

Issue 15

Spock 15 was published in April 1979 and contains 44 pages. The editor was Kathleen Gaitley and Betty de Gabriele.

front cover of issue #15, Betty de Gabriele

The art is by Betty de Gabriele, Ruth Dick-Smith, Lilianne Forbin, April Baer, Greg Cotton, Paul Murphy, Sakura Allison, and Elizabeth Czepiel.

There is an LoC in The Captain's Log #31 by Angela Hanslik and Sue Bursztynski objecting to a comment that poorness of Spock #15 was due to a lack of male writers.

From the editorial:

Yes, SPOCK 15 has finally arrived....

We apologise for the slight lateness of this issue but we were interrupted by, first the Sydney Star Trek convention and secondly Eastercon, the local science fiction convention, (and delightful interruptions they were.) But its here now and there is a little bit of explaining to do. You will notice (we hope,) the lack of the usual story competition, this time around it has been taken by a caption competition in hopes that more response can be urged from you, if this doesn't work you may find more than the SPOCK in your letter box, (perhaps a lost Gorn or two.)

  • Table of Contents (1)
  • Editorial (2)
  • The Olive Branch, fiction by Marjorie Miller (3)
  • Star Schrech, a play in two acts by Lilianne Forbin (7)
  • poem by Adia Swliha (13)
  • Ugh, Kemosabee!, poem by Angela Hanslick (14)
  • Getting There, fiction by Kathleen Gaitley (16)
  • Star Love, poem by Betsi Ashton (20)
  • This World is Mine, poem by Shtona Isteb (21)
  • Fragments #9, fiction by Nurith Anbari (Christine puts her daughter (T'Aime) to bed, and talks to Amanda about whether she should return to Starfleet after her second baby is born.) (22)
  • "One" and "Christine to Spock," and "Untitled," poems by Mark Bartlett (23)
  • That Tiny Crack by Angela Hanslick (24)
  • Reflections of Yesteryear by Sue Bursztynski (25)
  • The Spiral Doom, poem by A.T. Rekker (27)
  • The Jim Kirk Show Movie by Paul Murphy (28)
  • The Legacy, fiction by Sue Bursztynski (35)
  • Pan's Lyre, or, The Vulcan's Touch, poem by Angela Hanslick (38)
  • Through a Looking Glass -- Obscurely (39)

Issue 16/17

Spock 16/17 was published in August 1979 and contain 98 pages. It was edited by Kathleen Gaitely and Betty de Gabriele (BUG).

There is a review of this issue in The Captain's Log #29.

front cover of issue #16/17, Paul Murphy: Janice Rand presented with the two versions of Kirk from "The Enemy Within"
back cover of issue #16/17, courtesy of Diane Marchant

The art is by Paul Murphy, Betty de Gabriele, Elizabeth Czepiel, Greg Franklin, Lillian Forbin, Ruth Dick-Smith, Ian McLachlan, and Sakura Allison.

  • A Little Note (2)
  • The Ruins of Moorock by Angela Hanslick (3)
  • Pictures of the Written Kind by Merylyn White (12)
  • The Custom by Sue Bursztynski (13)
  • A Funny Thing Happened by Theresa de Gabriele (16)
  • Officers of the Bridge by Sakura Allison (27)
  • ? (You Figure it Out) by Paul Murphy (28)
  • The Ambush by Angela Hanslick (29)
  • Labels are for Things by Mark Bartlett (31)
  • A Little Late Night Entertainment (no author listed) (32)
  • A Trek Around the Galaxy by Ruth Dick-Smith and Ian McLachlan(34)
  • Any Suggestions? (no author listed) (36)
  • New Assignment by Etta Degrel (37)
  • untitled poem by Ruth Dick-Smith and BUG/Betty de Gabriele (42)
  • Women in Star Trek, a collage by Sakura Allison (43)
  • Introduction (no author listed) (46)
  • The Two Shadows of Spock by Tracy Adamczyk (47)
  • Spock by Carol Ashcroft (48)
  • To Dr. McCoy and The Captain by Ruth Dick-Smith (49)
  • A Tangent by Angela Hanslick (50)
  • The Introspective Vulcan by Shtona Isteb (51)
  • Two Poems by Ruth Dick-Smith (52)
  • Blank Space by Ruth Dick-Smith (53)
  • Wanna Be a Trek Fan? by Stephen Bates (54)
  • Introduction by Sue Bursztynski ("I know! I know! I killed off Barak in "Almost Human" five issues ago. The truth is that, having written that story, I began to wonder how it had all happened and decided to write the story to find out. But I couldn't bring myself to kill him in the end. Hence the story before. Both were given to Joan McLachlan, then editor of the SPOCK, and asked her to take her pick. She liked both, but as we thought a series would be nice, we decided to print, first, "The Legacy", then "Inheritance", followed by others. "Almost Human" was printed due to confusion. Never mind. Let's just say that it takes place in an alternative universe, (the usual cop-out) and leave it at that. In any case, there will be at least one more Barak story. ( ED: Next Issue)." (55)
  • Inheritance by Sue Bursztynski (56)
  • McCoy's Log by Greg Franklin (66)
  • The Doctor's Dilemma by Helena Russell (80)
  • The Big E by GUB (83)
  • Requiem by Geoff Allshorn (85)
  • Space by Mark Barlett (87)
  • Profile by GUB (88)
  • Computer Life by Ruth Dick-Smith (89)
  • Reviews and Views (90)
  • Wedding Announcements, humor by T'Amanda (91)

Issue 18

front cover of issue #18, Paul Murphy
back cover of issue #18, BUG

Spock 18 was published in October 1979 and contain 72 pages. It was edited by Kathleen Gaitely and Betty de Gabriele (BUG).

The art is by Paul Murphy, Ruth Lewis, BUG, Greg Franklin, Sakura Allison, Ian Mclachlan, Ruth Dick-Smith, and Geoff Allshorn.

It is a Klingon special issue.

Issue 19

front cover of issue #19, Greg Franklin
back cover of issue #19, David Richardson

Spock 19 was published in January 1980 and contains 46 pages. It was edited by Kathleen Gaitely, Elizabeth Czepiel, Paul Murphy, and Betty de Gabriele (BUG).

The art is by Greg Franklin, David Richardson, Elsie Sage, Paul Murphy, Vernon Sunderfords, and BUG.

Issue 20

Spock 20 was published in 1980 and contains 66 pages.

front cover of issue #20, a still from the fan film City on the Edge of the Yarra
back cover of issue #20, Robert Jan

The art is by Elizabeth Czepiel, BUG, Charlotte Davis, Helena Roberts, Robert Jan, Elsie Sager, Paul Murphy, and Sven Olandrof.

It was edited by Kathleen Gaitely, plus Elizabeth Czepiel and Elley Michaelson.

From the editorial:

After innumerable delays and false starts here is SPOCK 20. As some of the small print on the cover will indicate this issue was originally supposed to be released before Trekcon 2. It wasn't.

That particular function took up so much time of the people who also edit SPOCK the 'zine had to pushed into the background. I feel that special thanks for this issue should go to Elizabeth Czepiel and Elley Michaelson who put in the bulk of the work in the production of SPOCK 20. I know it's been said before but it's a shame that in a club so large the club 'zine is usually produced by the same small group. Following the release of the Motion Picture and the reasonably successful Trekcon 2, membership numbers have increased yet the problem seems to linger.

Following a couple of resignations from the Austrek Committee and the contagious exhaustion resulting from Trekcon, running the club has been very difficult lately, frankly fresh blood is needed. The next general meeting is the ideal place to get involved since the two vacancies on the Committee must be filled. Even if you're not going to nominate or be nominated come anyway, we need voters.

SPOCK will soon 'come of age' with issue 21. At around the same time Austrek will be five years old.

Issue 21

front cover of issue #21, Paul Murphy
back cover of issue #21, Greg Franklin

Spock 21 published in 1980 and contains 70 pages. This issue is edited by Kathleen Gaitley and Betty de Gabriele.

The art is by BUG, Greg Franklin (back cover), Paul Murphy (front cover), Helena Roberts, Elizabeth Czepiel, Sakura Allison, Rhonda Noonan, Robert Jan, and Ian McLachlan.

Issue 22

cover of issue #22, E. Mace: "Even Selats [sic] have to go Walkies!"

Spock 22 was published in 1980 and is 48 pages long.

This is the first issue edited by Mandy Young and Stephen Bates (with some assistance from Tracy Adamczyk).

The art is by Robert Jan, P. Murphy, E. Mace, Elizabeth Czepiel, BUG, Kan the Great, and Anonymous.

  • Contents (1)
  • Editorial (2)
  • Decker, fiction by A. Richardson (Decker and Ilya story) (3)
  • After the Horse Has Bolted, poem by M. Bartlett (24)
  • Yet More Marriage Announcements, humor by T'Amanda (24)
  • The Price of Freedom, fiction by M.G. Grant (features Kang) (25)
  • Mudd is Mud by M. Bartlett (27)
  • Star Wreck by Helen Sargeant (29)
  • Beginning, fiction by Sue Bursztynski (new doctor) (30)
  • Klingons by Anonymous (33)
  • Brave New Trek, With Such Creatures In It by M. Bartlett (33)
  • The Other Side of Rorrim, fiction by M. Miller (34)
  • Return to Tomorrow, poem by G. Plecko (43)
  • All Our Yesterdays, poem by G. Plecko (43)
  • Starting Point for Cyrano Jones Task by G. Plecko (43)
  • A Short Story by 4'2" Computer (features Kor) (44)
  • Klingon Recruiting Poster by Kan the Great (46)
  • A Question?, poem by V.S. Carleton (48)
  • Requiem in Question: For the Star Trek Series by E. Mace (49)

Issue 23/24

front cover of issue #23/24, Greg Franklin
back cover of issue #23/24, BUG

Spock 23/24 was published in June 1981 and contains 134 pages. It was edited by Mandy Young and Stephen Bates.

From the editorial:

Welcome to Spock 23/24, a double issue. The Spock 23/2A issue was finally finished regardless of typewriter repairs, lack of home help:

"No typing after I go to bed, Mandy!"
"Yes, Nan." Sigh of frustration. She goes to bed early.

Also from the editorial:

In regard to submissions to Spock, could people remember that we are a club fanzine and thus our distribution consists amongst others a number of people who are under age and thus however much as I might enjoy reading your stories I as the Editor could not print them in Spock.


The Captain's Log #63 contains a review of this issue.

The art is by Sakura Allison, BUG, Elizabeth Czepiel, Lilianne Forbin, Greg Franklin, Robert Jan, A. Losin, E. Mace, M. McGann, A. McGee, P. Murphy, R. Noonan, H. Roberts, and K. Roberts.

  • Contents (3)
  • Editorial (4)
  • On the Bridge by Robert Jan (4)
  • The Redemption of Cyrano Jones by Ian McLachlan (5)
  • Red Alert by Greg Franklin (15)
  • Abstract Thoughts to Watch the Universe By, poem by E. Mace (16)
  • On the Bridge by Robert Jan (17)
  • The Lost Unicorn by B. Cox (18)
  • In Name and Deed, part 1, fiction by Robert Jan (19)
  • Balok by M. Sarazzin (23)
  • Vulcan News by T'Amanda (23)
  • Fools Day Frolics by P. Pusey (24)
  • Capernicus 325 by Helena Russell (26)
  • Frustration by E. Mace (71)
  • The Paper Space Ship by Ian Mclachlan (72)
  • Green is Beautiful by Kelvin Roberts (73)
  • Ode to a Starship by E. Mace (80)
  • Cat and Mouse by Glen Grant (81)
  • Insults by H. Roberts (87)
  • The First Step by Pl Heffron (88)
  • The Man Behind by M. Sarazzin (91)
  • To Lose Thee Were to Lose Myself by Helen Sargeant (92)
  • Zarabeth by G. Plecko (95)
  • A K/S Story by H. Roberts (96)
  • Rumour by Greg Franklin and BUG (97)
  • Rebellion by Sue Bursztynski (98)
  • Compensate by Robert Jan (134)
  • Green is Beautiful by Kelvin Roberts

Issue 25

front cover of issue #25
back cover of issue #25

Spock 25 was published in 1982 and contains 64 pages, 17 stories.

It was edited by Mandy Young and Bob Toth.

The art is by Sakura Allison, Geoff Allshorn, Elizabeth Czepiel, Greg Franklin, Robert Jan, Ruth Lewis, Mike McGann, A. McGee, E. Mace, M. Sarrrazin, and M. Young.

The Captain's Log #64 contains a review of this issue.

  • Editorial (4)
  • Where Klingons Fear to Tread by K. Smith (5)
  • Vulcan News by T'Amanda (8)
  • It's Going to Be a Long Night by L. Jones (9)
  • The Nemesis, poem by G. Plecko (12)
  • Time Out of Mind by Sue Bursztynski (13)
  • The Lilith by H. Ashman (19)
  • Jihad, poem by M. Sarrazin (21)
  • Moments 1, poem by M. Sarrazin (21)
  • Fragments by Helen Sargeant (22)
  • Vacancy: Class 22 by Kamanda (Star Fleet job description) (27)
  • Omegatron by M. Clark (28)
  • The Final War, poem by M. Sarrazin (35)
  • Vacancy: Class 31 by Kamanda (Star Fleet job description) (36)
  • Our World is Hollow, but They Have Touched the Sky, A Poem of Quotations by Sue Burstzynski (38)
  • Where There's Hope..., poem by G. Plecko (40)
  • Afterwards, fiction by Sue Burstzyski (42)
  • The Star Fleet Academy by Robert Jan (48)

Issue 26

Spock 26 was published in 1982 and contains 65 pages. It was edited by Mandy Young.

front cover of issue #26 (photocopy)
back cover of issue #26 (photocopy)

The art is by Sakura Allison, A.M.Y., Anonymous, Bug, Elizabeth Czepiel, Robert Jan, Ruth Lewis, Esther Mace, Mike McGann, Andrew McGee, Ian McLachlan, Greg Plecko, and Mark Sarrazin.

From the editorial:

My apologies for the delay in the production of this issue but uninvited trouble within the Committee caused some massive reshuffling of the production schedule. This trouble seems to be cleared up now and should not cause any more delays.

My apologies are also owed to various people who contributed to the previous issue of SPOCK. The errors were due to staying up to 3 a.m. to finish typing the last story and then getting up at 7 a.m. to type the Contents and Editorial pages in the half hour before I left for work. I am sorry but I just ran out of time.

Hopefully you will all enjoy this edition of SPOCK. If you haven't like this issue then I suggest you CONTRIBUTE!!!!! This is a general 'zine, thus I require items that can be read by anyone old enough to read. Also, when you contribute could you please remember to put your name and address on all your contributed items. Could all you artists please remember that that all the pages of the SPOCKs are A4 size, thus please do not submit any artwork that is larger.

[...]

Of course, last but not least is the news that Star Trek: The Wrath Of Khan has finally been shown. It was beautiful, glorious, and dare I say it, at times even better than a lot of the original episodes. I just loved Saavik. I hope she is retained along with David & Carol Marcus. I'm sorry about Spock, but what a way to go!' Bagpipes and all.

  • The Last Look, poem by M. Wood (13)
  • That's What Friends Are For..., fiction by Adrian Gaetano and B. Price (14)
  • The Trilogy, poem by Jeanette Ward (about The Big Three) (46)
  • The Survivor, art by Ian McLachlan (48)
  • A Place in the Sun, fiction by Robert Jan ("Sunset" in the table of contents) (50)
  • The Spocky Horror Show by Helen Sargeant (51)
  • It's One of Those Days!, vignette by Helen Sargeant (56)
  • Procession, poem by Pip Posey (57)
  • Pride of the Fleet, fiction by Helen Sargeant (58)
  • Plato's Stepchildren, poem by Sue Bursztynski (62)
  • Collaboration by Jenny Sketchley and Tracy Adamcyyk (63)
  • Quikeze Programming by Anonymous (64)

Issue 27

front cover of issue #27, Greg Plecko. "Galactic Federation Mothers (sic) Club" and "Live Long & Prosper." The alien is saying, "Anybody for a cuppa?"
back cover of issue #27, not credited

Spock 27 was published in 1982 and is 81 pages long.

The art is by G. Plecko, Greg Franklin, W. Hammond, B.U.G., Robert Jan, S. Allison, A. McGee, E. Czepiel, E. Mace, and E. Sager.

The editor, Mandy Young, says it is her last issue and thanks the co-editors, Stephen Bates and Bob Toth. The new editor will be Linda Powell ("and may you all have mercy on her. Linda, may all the blood, sweat, tears, toil and curses be worth it.")

  • Table of Contents (3)
  • Editorial (4)
  • Starstalker, poem by J. Callard (5)
  • Grains on the Beach, fiction by Helen Sargeant (6)
  • The Bond of Friendship, poem by KumaBachi (10)
  • Christine, fiction by Helen Sargeant (12)
  • On the Bridge, cartoon by Robert Jan (12)
  • A Patient Love, poem by S. Bellotti (13)
  • Tomb, fiction by M. Grant (14)
  • Kal-If-Fee, poem by J. Callard (19)
  • Friday's Child, poem by G. Plecko (20)
  • Family, fiction by Robert Jan (21)
  • Vulcan News, vignette by T'Amanda (24)
  • Certain Novels by Certain People, humor, vigenette by S. and M. Bellotti (25)
  • A Memory for Miranda, poem by J. Callard (26)
  • When Logic Fails, fiction by Kert Rats (28)
  • Passing Thought, poem by Helen Sargeant (30)
  • Fragments #11 by Anonymous (31)
  • Frustration by E. Mace (32)
  • Mind-Sifter, poem by W. Hammond (33)
  • The Party, fiction by Helen Sargeant (34)
  • Unclassifiable Ad by Robert Jan (34)
  • James's Bond ("The Ultimate K/S Story) by Geoffrey Allshorn (Kirk is dying, so Spock mind melds with him and takes him into his body so they are one person) (36)

Issue 28

Spock 28 was published in January 1983 and contains 42 pages. It is A4 and offset. The editor was Linda Powell.

front cover of issue #28

The art is by Robert Jan, Esther Mace, Ruth Dick-Smith, and Sakura Allison.

The Captain's Log #69 contains a review of this issue.

  • Editorial by Linda Powell (3)
  • Table of Contents (4)
  • The Trouble with Scribbles, fiction by Kelvin Roberts (5)
  • The Return by Robert Jan (reprinted in Warped Space #51) (10)
  • An Extraordinary King, part 1 by Carol Ellis (19)
  • Last Trek, vignette by Robert Jan (reprinted in Warped Space #52) (25)
  • Far from Day, Far from Night, fiction by Sue Bursztynski (26)
  • Somebody Open the Airlock, fiction by Robert Jan (29)
  • From Brella to Life, fiction by Ruth Dick-Smith (30)
  • In Name and Deed, part 2, fiction by Robert Jan (35)
  • What's to Become of the Eagles?, fiction by Monica Mitchell (39)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 28

An interesting variety of stories, mostly light entertainment including a piece which is part one of a story about how a 10-year old king with delusions of grandeur came aboard the Enterprise to face its captain who has definite ideas of a child's behaviour. Smacks of 'Elaan of Trous' [sic], but not bad nonetheless . There's a very good piece on Methuselah/Flint/Merlin and Camelot by Sue Bursztynski and an incredibly 'cute' one by Robert Jan called 'Somebody Open The Airlocks' which is an explanation on how Khan came to overcome the crew of the Reliant. The best piece is "What's To Become of The Eagles?" by Monica Mitchell which is a thoughtful look at Mara and Kang after 'Day of The Dove' and their problems after learning the "truth" about the Federation. The issue was an interesting read. The cover titillating if you take the time to realise that it shows multimedia. The only thing that is slightly off-putting is the different typefaces in the zine, but as this is not standard procedure, it shouldn't be too bad for the reader. [5]

Issue 29

Spock 29 was published in 1983 and contains 82 pages. The editor was Linda Powell.

cover of issue #29

The Captain's Log #70 contains an LoC for this issue.

Issue 30

Spock 30 was published in 1983 and contains 40 pages. The editor was Linda Powell.

The back cover is by Robert Jan. The interior art is by Greg Franklin, Betty de Gabriele, Sakura Allison, Robert Jan and Elizabeth Czepiel.

The zine was printed by "Dandenong Youth Employment Project."

The Captain's Log #72 contains an LoC for this issue.

front cover of issue #30, not credited
back cover of issue #30, Robert Jan


From the editorial:

Well, it is half way through the year and I am hoping to receive more of your work for the second half of the year. With your help I am hoping to make the December Spock a Christmas issue, the first Christmas issue ever for the Spock.

[...]

I would also like to say hello to a young guy who I met at a recent film night. He showed me that there is still a great excitement for Star Trek and the future in general, hope for the future of our club and science fiction. Thanks Chris.

Until Spock 31, keep all those stories and poems coming in folks.

  • Editorial by Linda (3)
  • Rebirth of the Admiral, poem by KumaBachi (5)
  • Kwain: Queen of the Trobads, part 2 by Ruth Dick-Smith (6)
  • Vulcan, poem by Susan Clarke (12)
  • To Return Again, story by Claire Cooper (This is a story in the Sahaj universe. It is unknown if it was written with permission of Sahaj's creator.) (sequel is "As I Would Do For You" in issue #32.) (13)
  • Children Lost in a Forest, story by Sakura Allison (19)
  • Fragment by Jane Callard (While it shares a title with the serial, Fragments, it is not a part of that series.) (25)
  • Alpha Operation, story by Helen Sargeant (26)
  • cartoon by Greg Franklin (30)
  • Tactical Error by Robert Jan (reprinted in Warped Space #51) (31)
  • End, poem by Dean Mark (32)
  • I Touch a Depth, poem by Ruth Dick-Smith (33)
  • Requiem, poem by Ruth Dick-Smith (33)
  • Haunted by Sue Bursztynski (34)
  • I Wonder, poem by Helen Sargeant (36)
  • The Tempest by Sue Bursztynski (37)
  • Childhood Dream of Reality, poem by KumaBachi (38)
  • The Admiral's Orders by Susan Clarke (39)

Issue 31

Spock 31 was published in 1983 and contains 46 pages. The editor was Linda Powell.

cover of issue #31, artist Greg Franklin

The art is by Elizabeth Czepiel, Greg Franklin, Robert Jan, and Betty de Gabriele ("Teditor").

The "Teditor" makes its debut. It is a mascot drawn by Betty de Gabriele.

The Captain's Log #74 and #76 contain LoCs for this issue.

  • Editorial (3)
  • Table of Contents (4)
  • Fantasy, fiction by Sue Bursztynski (A fan arrives home after a con. She is wearing a Starfleet uniform and has bought a lot of fanzines. A stranger knocks on her door. He speaks strangely and is having some transportation issues. After some conversation, she kicks him out of the house. Fingering her ICIC necklace, she goes back to reading her zines. It turns out the stranger is a real live space alien, but now gone forever. "In the house, Lynda did not see or hear either of them rise into the air and skim away towards the stars. She was too absorbed in her fanzine. Now, let's see, where was I? she thought. Her finger swept the page, found the place. Oh, yes, here it is....'As Spock lay there in the dungeon, eyes burning in the intensity of his helpless passion, Christine entered. 'Oh, Spock '." she cried." (5)
  • Revenge, fiction by C. Mudd (humor, Spock and Kirk share a bed for warmth, but only in a gen way) (9)
  • To Amanda, poem by Sue Bursztynski (14)
  • The Rainbow by Marjorie Miller (15)
  • The Adventure of the Three Strangers by Susan Clarke (A Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John H. Watson Story") (26)
  • Microcosm by Robert Jan (a wink wink, three-line dialogue in which McCoy insinuates he has been left out of a relationship between Kirk and Spock) (31)
  • Limericks by Joanne Brooks (31)
  • A Mild Looking Sky by Robert Jan (sequel to this story is "Joachim" in "Spock" #37) (32)
  • Sickbay Scene by Sue Bursztynski (41)
  • Odona Alone by Gail Neville (42)
  • Remember by Robert Jan (46)

Issue 32

Spock 32 was published in 1983 and contains 50 pages. The editor was Linda Powell.

cover of issue #32, artist Greg Plecko?

The art is by Greg Plecko, Greg Franklin, Robert Jan, and Betty de Gabriele.

  • Editorial (3)
  • Table of Contents (4)
  • The Returning, fiction by Jenny Bodilly (5)
  • Final Respects, poem by KumaBachi (11)
  • Changes, fiction by Charlotte Davis (12)
  • Born of Woman, fiction by Gail Neville (18)
  • Amuck-up Time, fiction by Helen Sargeant (21)
  • Unchallenged, fiction by Sue Bursztynski (26)
  • Fragments, fiction by Anonymous (from the serial Fragments) (29)
  • Ready, poem by John Meekings (32)
  • Kirk's Curse, poem by Helen Sargeant (33)
  • As I Would Do For You, fiction by Claire Cooper (This is a story in the Sahaj universe. It is unknown if it was written with permission of Sahaj's creator.) (sequel to "To Return Again..." in issue #30.) (34)
  • Captain Kirk, poem by John Meekings (48)

Issue 33

Spock 33 was published in December 1983 and contains 80 pages. The editor was Linda Powell.

The art is by Greg Franklin, Robert Jan, and Sue Bursztynski.

cover of issue #33, Robert Jan

Issue 34

Spock 34 was published in 1983 and contains 48 pages. The editor was Linda Powell.

The art is by Greg Plecko, Robert Jan, and Greg Franklin.

front cover of issue #34, Robert Jan
back cover of issue #34, Robert Jan

The Captain's Log #70 contains an LoC for this issue.

Issue 35

front cover of issue #35, Betty De Gabriele
back cover of issue #35, Robert Jan

Spock 35 was published in 1983 (before June) and contains 49 pages. The editor was Linda Powell.

The art is by Betty De Gabriele, Robert Jan, and Greg Franklin.

The Captain's Log #83 contains an LoC for this issue.

From the editorial:

Well folks, have you all recovered from Medtrek? Personally I had a great time meeting people who were only names in the Spock, now they hove faces. Hi to you all, plus renewing old friendships with people that I first met at the Astrex Birthday Party.

There were many highlights for me at Medtrek, such as meeting Bjo Trimble and Nikki White again, being there with friends enjoying ourselves and also being there to see our own Sue Bursztynski receive her award for Best Australian Fan Writer. Congratulations Sue from myself and the rest of Austrek and fandom in general. Sue, may your stories continue.

The group I went to Medtrek with were a tired bunch when we returned to Melbourne, but we all had a great time and would do it all again.

  • from issue #35, certificate

    from issue #35, certificate

  • from issue #35, Greg Franklin

    from issue #35, Greg Franklin

  • from issue #35

    from issue #35

  • from issue #35, Robert Jan

    from issue #35, Robert Jan

  • from issue #35

    from issue #35

Issue 36

Spock 36 was published in June 1983 and contains 50 pages. The editor was Linda Powell.

front cover of issue #36, Greg Franklin
back cover of issue #36, Robert Jan

The art is by Greg Franklin and Robert Jan.

The Captain's Log #86 contains an LoC for this issue.

From the editorial:

At times I wonder if there will be any future when we can work together now. Country against country in so many fields, from who has got the more powerful weapons, to who has the more causalities inflicted on their opponent, to who has the biggest land surface. Man against man, who has a better job, who has the more money, who has the truer religion, who has the more prettier wife or the most handsome husband. Industries against government fighting for less work time and more money and the other dues that go with it, but holding up the building of buildings, ships and better relations with other countries. The destroying of our environment, trees, dams and animal life.

So how will there be a future in the stars, unless we make a decision and quickly to live and work with each other and making a united world willing to face the future together, maybe if the world leaders learnt from a T.V. show shown in the sixties, showing that different peoples can live and work together.

IDIC: Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.

Issue 37

Spock 37 was published in August 1984 and contains 48 pages. The editor was Linda Powell.

front cover of issue #37

The art is by Betty de Gabriele, Robert Jan, and Greg Franklin.

From the editorial:

At times if is very hard for me to think of some sort of editorial and still make sense. Sometimes I wonder if if is worth the bother when it is the some great, but small group of people that take their time to bother to write stories and poems for the rest of the club members to read . They must, at times lose heart that the only people who care about the Spock, that if keeps getting printed is themselves due to the work, love and care that they put info their Spock. I am sure that they would gladly give some space in the Spock to other writers and artists so that they can show their work. If should not have to be the same people each issue, so please show them that you care about the Spock also and are willing to show them and other club members that you to care enough about the Spock to share your talents with other members.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 37

A4 offset with a striking cover by Betty de Gabriele this issue. A very entertaining read this issue even if the stories are on the more somber side (an editor can only use what's sent in, so how about sharpening your quills and exercising your funny bones...) Once again, Robert Jan has added a certain distinction to the zine in his accompanying illustrations. Jane Callard's "The Challenge" and "Uhura" are two of the best poems I've read in quite a while. This style is distinct and direct and made a memorable impact this issue. Robert Jan's story "Joachim" -- a mid-Space See/TWOK story where Klingons meet the Botany Bay survivors (thus explaining Khan's knowledge of Klingon proverbs) is graphically realistic and hard hitting. Quite an experience and an about-face from this artist/author who usually associates with bizarre comedy. It's a story you shouldn't miss especially if you've been feeling particularly jaded before hand. [6]


Issue 38

back cover of issue #38, Liz Czepiel
front cover of issue #38, Liz Czepiel

Spock 38 was published in 1984 and contains 58 pages. The editor was Linda Powell.

Clearly weary, she writes in the editorial that this is her second-to-last issue.

The Captain's Log #89 contains an LoC for this issue.

The art is by Liz Czepiel, Sue Bursztynski, Robert Jan, and Greg Franklin.

From the editorial:

With the new film on its way there will be great excitement within the club, but I wonder how long that this will go on for. Like everything else people will have great plans about making the club a going concern and then their plans will die and the small group of people who have been doing the work and keeping the club going for years will be left with all the unfinished plans and ideas. I hope that this does not happen this time, but I do not think that I will be holding my breath.

Issue 39

Spock 39 was published in 1984 and is 52 pages long.

The editor was Linda Powell. It was the last issue Powell edited.

The Captain's Log #92 contains a review of this issue.

front cover of issue #39, Greg Franklin

The art is by Greg Franklin, Betty de Gabriele, Robert Jan, and Sue Bursztynski.

  • Editorial (3)
  • Table of Contents (4)
  • Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright by Helen Sargeant (M’Rarr story) (5)
  • Saavik by Edwina Harvey (Thoughts about Spock) (9)
  • Christine by T.A. Morris (13)
  • Fragments by T.A. Morris (part of the serial Fragments) (14)
  • In-Depth Probe by Helen Sargeant ("Hi readers! Continuing our tradition over the last eight issues, we bring you another in-depth interview with a person mentioned in Spencer Watson's controversial best-seller, THE ENTERPRISE REVEALED. This week our columnist speaks to one of the more elusive characters. Interview by Ace Ballance.") (19)
  • Uhura, poem by Ruth Dick-Smith (21)
  • Childhood Dream of Reality, poem by KumaBachi (22)
  • Visions, poem by Vicki Shaull Carleton (23)
  • Earth Bound, poem by Roxanne Wood (23)
  • In Name & Deed, part 3 by Robert Jan (a history of Enterprise vessels, previous parts are in "Spock" 23/24 and 28) (24)
  • ????????????? by Greg Franklin and Robert Jan (29)
  • Purge by Sue Bursztynski (Kirk as boy story) (30)
  • ????????????? by Sue Bursztynski (41)
  • Recalled To Life by Robert Jan (Admiral Powell) (42)
  • Teditor's Farewell by Linda Powell (51)
  • The Candle in the Wind (Book V: The Once & Future King) by Robert Jan (52)

Issue 40

front cover of issue #40, Pamela Rendell

Spock 40 was published in 1985 and is 56 pages long. The editor was Cherry Wolfe.

back cover of issue #40, not credited

The art is by Greg Franklin, Robert Jan, T.A. Morris, and Pamela Rendell.

Issue 41

cover of issue #41, Rick Taylor

Spock 41 was published in 1985 and contains 42 pages. The editor was Cherry Wolfe.

The art is by Greg Franklin, Robert Jan, Andrew McGee, and Rick Taylor.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 41

This is the second of the Spocks edited by Cherry Wolfe after Linda Powell's two year stint. It feathers a cover by Rick Taylor, and one of Sue Bursztynki's short stories with the amusing punch-line she does so well. Besides some new writers new to Spock, it also has 'Scotch Tape,' a story set aboard the Bird of Prey while Kirk and crew are on the way to Vulcan with Spock. 'Scotch Tape' has humour, but mostly it maintains a gentle, quiet mood as Scotty goes about patching up a few troubles and seeing the ship to sleep. After all the death and destruction without, the exhausted emotions within, the sombre tone with its undercurrents of hurt suit the story well. Being someone who is madly in love with the Bird of Prey and hopes to see her in future ST movies, I pay particular attention to the way writers are treating her. So far Vonda McIntyre has the passed the test in her novelization of 'The Search for Spock,' and so does Robert Jan in 'Scotch Tape. [7]


Issue 42

Spock 42 published in 1985, contains 49 pages, nine stories. The editor was Cherry Wolfe.

back cover of issue #42
front cover of issue #42

The art is by Greg Franklin (front cover), Robert Jan (back cover), Andrew McGee, Pam Rendell.

  • Editorial by Cherry Wolfe (2)
  • Bran the Unblessed No.1 by Robert Jan (3)
  • Nightmare On the Edge of Death (Keth's Command) by Sue Isle (4)
  • Follow Me! by Sue Bursztynski (5)
  • O Fortuna T.A. Morris (13)
  • Rumours by Helen Sargeant (16)
  • The Closing of the Way by Robert Jan (19)
  • 'Bones' McCoy by Betsi Ashton (21)
  • How Time Flies by Helen Sargeant (22)
  • O Fortuna 2 by T.A. Morris (30)
  • The Single Red Flower by Madeline C.A. Pratt (41)
  • World's End by Andrew McGee (44)
  • Gol Achieved by Sue Bursztynski

Issue 43

cover of issue #43, Pam Rendell

Spock 43 was published in 1986 and is 50 pages long.

The editor is Cherry Wolfe, and with this issue, Wolfe steps down from this role.

The art is by Pam Rendell, Robert Jan, Kelvin Roberts, and Gail Adams.

  • Table of Contents (3)
  • Editorial (4)
  • Conversation in the Dark by Sue Bursztynski (Sarek and Amanda) (5)
  • Kirk and Spock, poem by Madeline C.A. Pratt (6)
  • My Brother, My Friend, poem by Madeline C.A. Pratt (6)
  • By Any Other Name by Kelvin Roberts (Smells like a rat) (7)
  • Spock, poem by H.J. Yeo (9)
  • The Midnight Ship, poem by T.A. Morris (10)
  • Death of a Friend, Death of a Foe, poem by Les Robertson (10)
  • O Fortuna by T.A. Morris (Post Star Trek III) (11)
  • Frontiers, poem by Sue Isle (24)
  • Pestilence, Plague and The Klingon Empire by Gail Adams (reviews of pro novels "The Final Reflection" and "Pawns and Symbols") (25)
  • Sword Song by Sue Isle (29)
  • Bran The Unblessed 2 by Robert Jan (31)
  • Desperado by Helen Sargeant (Spock and Christine) (34)
  • Spock Lives!, poem Madeline C.A. Pratt (35)
  • O Fortuna by T.A. Morris (Brennan goes after Kirk) (36)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 43

SPOCK has always contained some of the best writers in Australia, and this issue keeps up the tradition. Many of the pieces in this issue are short (no more than 3 pages) and of a humourous nature. The best example being Robert Jan's BRAN THE UNBLESSED. Master of the Pun, Robert's 'groan' style is a fun read. After having to leave Dune,-the bottom had fallen out of the snack market because of the Bene Gesserit Sand Witches, Bran finds himself on Vulcan with a lot of very straight Vulcans! So continues the adventures of Bran, cursed to roam space till he meets his match at punning. Sue Bursztynski, a clever lady with subtle plots, gives a variation on a theme with CONVERSATIONS IN THE DARK. Everyone is always questioning the parentage of Spock and Saavik, but has anyone ever mentioned Sarek's? To say more would spoil the story.

There are longer pieces in SPOCK, in particular, O FORTUNA by T.A. Morris. It's a continuing saga about the adventures of Kirk and company, that I've only just come in to, having missed the earlier part. But I didn't feel left out and enjoyed Teresa's style which paints a good picture and plot. Like most zines, SPOCK has its poetry. Sadly, most was a non-event. I can only take so much of 'odes' to Kirk and Spock, etc. But I'm being unfair. My tastes in poetry are classical and I find the dwelling on the friendship of the Big 3 rather syrupy. However, one poem did stand out. FRONTIERS by Sue Isle. Nothing cutesy here, folks. Sue really captured the gains and the losses in ST III, and in so doing tied up the whole meaning of Trek and it has spanned the years. Brilliant. Now, amongst the fiction there stands PESTILENCE, PLAGUE & THE KLINGON EMPIRE by Gail Adams. This article is excellent; a well-written report marrying together the two Klingon novels, THE FINAL REFLECTION by John M. Ford, and PAWNS & SYMBOLS by Majliss Larson. The only minus side to SPOCK is the lack of artwork and the layout. This is one case where you shouldn't: judge a zine by its cover. Were it not for the amusing cartoons by Robert Jan, SPOCK would be visually boring. Where are all the Aussie artists? Let's face it, how many of us are drawn to a zine by the brilliant art on the cover and within the pages? SPOCK deserves better than a rough cover drawing. Even one of Robert's cartoons, suitably enlarged, would have helped. Then there's the layout. Sometimes, a zine devoid of art can look quite elegant if well laid out. Alas, poor SPOCK, Lots of pretty letraset headings don't improve the situation. And poems crammed under the last paragraph of a story is confusing and messy.

But, for all its visual faults, SPOCK 43 is a very good read. You may not want to display it on your coffee table, but you'll enjoy curling up in a comfortable chair to absorb this zine. And I think it will inspire you to get further issues. [8]

Issue 44

Spock 44 was published in 1986 and contains 66 pages. The editors were Pam Rendell and Jane Phillips.

cover of issue #44, Greg Plecko

The art is by Gail Adams, Robert Jan, Michael McGann, Andrew McGee, Pam Rendell, and Greg Plecko.

  • Table of Contents (1)
  • Editorial by Pam Rendell (2)
  • The Silver God by Heather Yeo (3)
  • Confrontation by Helen Sargeant (9)
  • Reflections of Loves Past by Sue Bursztynski (11)
  • The Wind Upon the Waves by Robert Jan (13)
  • Untitled, poem by Anonymous (14)
  • Ruth's Farewell, poem by Estelle Seira (15)
  • To Be Different by Jeannie R. Finlay (16)
  • From Sarek, poem by Jenny Bozovic (20)
  • O Fortuna by T.A. Morris (21)
  • Memorial by Robert Jan (42)
  • All You Ever Wanted to Know by Irwin Lowe (43)
  • Nor Lose My Way Among the Stars, poem by Betsi Ashton (52)
  • Facial Hairstyles of the Imperial Klingon Warfleet and Associated Forces: A Monograph by Robert Jan (53)
  • The Chekov Incident by Heather Yeo (58)

Issue 45

front cover of issue #45, Gail Adams

Spock 45 was published in October 1986 and is 60 pages long. The editor is Pam Rendell.

The art is by Gail Adams, Malcolm English, Greg Franklin, Robert Jan, Pam Rendell, and Andrew McGee.

  • Editorial by Pam Rendell (1)
  • Contents Page (2)
  • Stowaway by Helen Sargeant (a little boy is a stowaway on the Enterprise) (3)
  • Prime Directive, poem by Sue Isle (inspired by The Price of the Phoenix) (12)
  • The Price: A Mirror Universe Tale by Sue Bursztynski (15)
  • O Fortuna (Riley) by Teresa Morris (19)
  • Who Mourns..., poem by Charlie "X" (30)
  • A Matter Of Trust by Charlotte Davis (Stonn) (32)
  • Into Darkness by Sue Isle (Torg) (reprinted in Agonizer v.2 n.2 in 1990) (47)
  • The Final Seat of Victory, poem by C. Andrew Hooper (49)
  • The Broken Bond, poem by KumaBachi (50)
  • The Adventure Continues, poem by KumaBachi (51)
  • The Champion by Sue Bursztynski (Kirk’s past loves) (53)
  • The Two of Us, filk by Stephen Dedman (60)

Issue 46

Spock 46 was published in 1987 (first issue of the year) and contains 66 pages.

It was edited by Pam Rendell.

cover of issue #46, Robert Jan

The art is by Gail Adams, Lynn Bartlett, Robert Jan, Pam Rendell, and Malcolm English.

From the editorial:

Welcome to SPDCK 46, the first issue for 1987, I'm glad to say that since nobody decided to challenge me for the glorious position of SPOCK editor in last year's Austrek elections, you're stuck with me for another four issues! Seriously, I DO very much enjoy editing SPOCK, even with all the frustration and time consuming work that it demands - and I thank you for enjoying it enough to buy it!

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 46

Well, Pam, you have all done it again, Kai! Spock 46 was great!! The poetry was rhythmic, and the stories absorbing. I completed this issue in one sitting - which I don't normally do.

I loved "The Meglia Incident" as much for the idea of ST actually existing as for it being centred on Uhura. It gave meaning to Uhura's words in ST:3, "This isn't reality, this is fantasy." Whilst "Private" was another Uhura/Spock story I thoroughly enjoyed.

Robert's "So shall ye reap" gave new insight into how it could have been, while C. Andrew Hooper's "The Voyage Back" showed us how it was. Strange.

I died laughing on the bus reading "Reality and Cliche" and "Incident on Tara" and received some funny looks in the process. I actually read "O Fortuna" this time which only proved I should have read the others to get a proper understanding of what's going on; but enjoyable nonetheless.

"A Group of One" was good, with Scotty coming to the rescue - bless him. Whereas "Asleep at the Wheel" was one I couldn't seem to relate to.

As for "Earth Games" - give us more, Sue. The very fact of young Taril having to struggle in the 'supposed unbigoted Starfleet' was great. I can hardly wait for more.

"A Time that Was" seemed to drop off at the end, but a nice story anyway. And the overall artwork was its usual great standard.

Sorry for rambling on so, but when something good is found I think it should be said. Looking forward to 47.[9]

Now you'd think that after collating SPOCKs for around four hours on Sunday that I wouldn't want to look at it ever again. WRONG! SPOCK continues to grow both in size and talent. It's nice to see some new names in there. Teresa Strati's idea of actress and character swapping places has been done before, most notably in New Voyages 1 or 2 (I can't remember which), but Teresa has given the story a fresh approach. And I liked how, for once, the story wasn't..about the 'Big 3'.

Robert Jan's piece was chilling. Trust a Klingon to see that angle.

Earth Games by Sue Isle and "A Time That Was" by KumaBachi were also good and gave an interesting look at cadets in training.

And as for Sue B's "Incident on Tara"— I have read this story at least four times (at a workshop, after the workshop, while typing it up for SPOCK, and again last night) and it's still funny. I felt sorry for Myfanwy.

All in all, a good issue of SP0CK. The yellow cover is striking. The only things

I haven't read are the poems. But then, I hardly ever read poetry unless tied at a chair and forced to imbibe - don't get any smart alec ideas about trying it, either!! Keep up the good work, Pam.[10]

Spock 46 was again a solid issue. The most enjoyable stories in this issue for me were:

"Earth Games" by Sue Isle. Sue is a marvellous writer. I found this story most engrossing, capturing the spirit of camaraderie very well.

"A Time That Was" by KumaBachi. Powerful. It trips along nicely then WHAP! A complete change in tempo. Very evocative and sad.

Incident On Tara" by Sue Bursztynski. Wicked and I did groan at the end!

"So Shall Ye Reap" by Robert Jan. A possible ending to Star Trek IV but it would not have been popular with the public! Although I've always imagined humpbacks to be gentle and benevolent...and they could be really patronising about it; "Even though we have been mistreated we will save you," and then they could rub it in and play martyrs and the Humans would have to put up with it! If the whales featured had been Orcas I would expect Robert's story to be the appropriate ending.

I enjoyed the one-pagers. Charlie X's "Asleep At The Wheel" had me thinking "deep" but it seemed a little too esoteric, and just as I was starting to think 'Huh.' I got to the last line. Poor Sulu!

"The Voyage Back" by C. Andrew Hooper had me puzzled until I read it again.

Nice to see Uhura featured in two stories. I particularly liked the idea in "Private".

Good artwork this issue too. I think the most outstanding piece is Robert Ban's "Kalina". Superb.

I haven't mentioned everything in the issue - you would end up with a book! All the contributions were of a fine quality and its especially good to see new people trying their hand at writing.[11]

Just writing to express my gratitude for a dynamite story. "Reality And Cliche" is the best thing I've read in a long, long time. All kudos to Helen Sergeant. Also a feather in the cap for Sue Bursztynski and Robert Ban. Sue's "Incident" was simply delightful and Robert's aquatic grim reapers were a delicious twist. Anyway, I must go as I have some sowing to do.[12]

Issue 47

cover of issue #47, Gail Adams

Spock 47 was published in 1987 and contains 62 pages. The editor is Pam Rendell.

The art is by Gail Adams, Robert Jan, Kevin Kennedy, Andrew McGee, and Pam Rendell.

From the editorial:

Romulans, Feds, and other vermin- excuse me - Klingons, lend me your ears (or just your eyes will do!) to feast upon this latest production extravaganza, SPOCK 47!!!

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 47

Nice cover, but poor old Uhura is a bit of a blob in the background.

The Widow's Bite' used the clever device of a story within a story and a good story at that. Loved Gail's drawings for the story. Nice! Nice!

Also liked Katherine Kennedy's gigglesome illos. Sharon Tapner's two stories were, I think, the best two pieces in SPOCK. More of her please. Humour is always welcome.

"The Gift' was a lot of fun. Yes, after all that family has been through, I could imagine Amanda fainting at the display of emotion.

Vonne Shepard's story needed more work, I think. However, this is not to dis courage Vonne.

On the whole, a good issue. Pam. I look forward to your next issue, and quake of the time I'm supposed to help take over the editing. As they say in the classics; "I'm a writer, not an editor!".[13]

Another good issue, Pam. My favourite stories have to be the "Widow's Bite" (and thanks for letting me illustrate it - that was fun!) Robert's"Point of Law" had me in stitches, as did Sharon Tapner's witty ditties. (Sorry)

Irwin Lowe's "Under the Starry Heavens" was also good; his writing is improving greatly. Helen Sergeant's "Afterwards" was also interesting. I always like "what if" stories. Vonne Shepard's story, "Courage is Only a Word" was a good story line, however the actual reading of it lacked something - I think Vonne needs to do more in the way of polishing and finishing a story. With a little more padding out this story could have been excellent, reminiscent of the original series. Keep at it, Vonne!

I hope we continue to see the blending of "mainstream" Trek stories with the more off beat in the Spook - its a good combination and in the true spirit of I.D.I.C.

You have done a great job as Editor of the Spock, Pam, and I hope the standards you have set continue - you've earned your rest! [14]

Just finished reading SPOCK 47, and one word sprang to mind: "Fascinating!"

I really must congratulate Jenny Bozouic on her writing. Many of her pieces I found extremely moving and poignant without being over sentimental or too emotional.

Katharine Kennedy, I truly love your work. It is almost as if you write from three different perspectives instead of from one mind. Mora please!

Robert Jan's 'Point of Law' provided an interesting insight into Klingon priorities. C. Andrew Hooper's story raised very important ethical issues, very relevant to today as well. Helen's writing - well, every synonym of great has been used to describe her work, so I can't tell you how much I enjoyed her work!

The artwork in this issue was the best I have seen in Spock. Austrek is indeed lucky to have such talented artists. Well done, Pam. See, the tears, sweat, hard work and love that went into the SPOCK paid handsome dividends! [15]

Ah, to get the last word when you're an Austrek member is a marvellous feat, wouldn't you say? I couldn't finish off without saying this; The most pleasing aspect of editing SPOCK, for me, has been watching first time writers, nervously trying their hand at the most difficult task of writing with the established story and characters of STAR TREK - and improving with every step. CONGRATULATIONS!! [16]

Issue 48

Spock 48 was published in 1988 and contains 82 pages. The editor is Pam Rendell.

front cover of issue #48, Pam Rendell
back cover of issue #48, Robert Jan
1988 flyer for issue #48

The art is by Andrew McGee, Gail Adams, Mike McGann, Sally Poole, Irwin Lowe, Pam Rendell and Robert Jan.

From the editorial:

SPOCK the final frontier Ah, enough of this. SPOCK 48 needs no false bravado — it stands on its ouin merits. Within these covers you will, I feel, find a variety to satisfy everybody's tastes — and with eighty-two pages to peruse, you won't be bored!

  • Editorial (1)
  • Table of Contents (2)
  • Letters of Comment (3)
  • No Bones About It by C. Andrew Hooper (5)
  • Everybody Wokka!, poem by Fozzie Bear (14)
  • Sometime, Somewhen by KumaBachi (15)
  • Legacy of Life by Irwin Lowe (17)
  • In the Land of the Stranger by Charlie X (31)
  • The Lady, the Legend, poem by Christine Young (32)
  • Fragments by T.A. Morris ("Fragmental as Anything," part of the serial Fragments) (33)
  • For the Good of the Service by Helen Seargeant (39)
  • The Calibre of a Captain, poem by KumaBachi (49)
  • Colours of the Sky by Sue Isle (50)
  • Under Different Skins by Irwin Lowe (71)
  • Ganjitsu, poem by Sue Isle (75)
  • Mail Call by Sue Bursztynski (76)
  • A Poem by Jane Phillips (77)
  • Logic Problem by Helen Sargeant (79)
  • No Bones About It by C. Andrew Hooper (ST)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 48

After reading SPOCK 48, it is obvious that the outgoing editor "saved the best till the last". Pam's final SPOCK was a real feast. To comment on only a few of the courses: C. Andrew Hooper's opening story had me in fits from the first few lines. (I hope a flock of Rigellian seagulls besieges your house, Craig!) Just as funny was the Helen Sergeant story "Logic Problem". Is that really how the rational Vulcan philosophy started?

Irwin Lowe's "Legacy of Life" was a first-class action-adventure with an interesting look at the trials of the first big Starfleet posting. T.A. Morris provided a fun conclusion (?) to the long-running serial "Fragments". What could be better than Christine Chapel running off with the greengrocer? (One whinge, Teresa: when is the next part of "O Fortuna" being published?)

The highlight of this issue, though, would have to be Sue Isle's "Coulours of the Sky," which manages to be goth humourous and thoughtful. I look forward to the story of Taril's return to the Empire. The artwork is this issue was, again brilliant. I especially liked Gail Adams' portraits. [17]

Issue 49

Spock 49 was published in 1987 and contains 66 pages. It has four editors: Sue Bursztynski, Robert Jan, Andrew Gowland, and Helen Sargeant.

front cover of issue #49, Robert Jan
back cover of issue #49, Andrew McGee

The art is by Gail Adams, Malcolm English, Robert Jan, and Andrew McGee.

The content is Star Trek: TOS unless otherwise indicated.

  • Editorial (1)
  • Table of Contents (2)
  • Letter to the Colonies by Sue Bursztynski (3)
  • Sting in the Tail by Robert Jan (Star Trek: TNG) (24)
  • Spock, poem by H.J. Anthony (27)
  • No Tribble at All by Helen Sargeant (36)
  • Amanda's Bequest, poem by Anita Livings (39)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 49

I enjoy perusing the various SPOCKS, although I only began with the "40s". The four editors (is that "rash” as in "hasty", or is there something else we should know about?) seem to have enjoyed themselves and presented some very entertaining pieces.

The Fast Food story was a pleasant little comedic piece, even though I don't personally like "Alf", while Alison Wallace's Question of Honour gave me a further, interesting glimpse of the Romulan way of life. Robert Jan's Sting in the Tail was an enjoyable romp, as it gave me another look at the brooding Lt. Worf, as well as acknowledging the importance and potential of the "Next Generation" in Star Trek stories. Amanda's Bequest was a poignant and moving poem, which effectively conveyed the important influence of this Terran woman, and the huge gap her passing has left in the lives of Spock and Sarek. Two of a Kind contained an interesting premise, although the middle section was a bit incredulous.

Overall, well done, the Gang of Four, and I look forward to reading many more SPOCKS. Good luck, also, to Gail Adams on assuming editorial control of SPOCK - may she type long and prosper![18]

Issue 50

front cover of issue #50, Gail Adams
back cover of issue #50, Bernice Cuffe
1988 flyer, click to read

Spock 50 was published in 1988 and contains 105 pages. The editor is Gail Adams.

The art is by Robert Jan, Gail Adams, Malcolm English, Andrew McGee, Mike McGann, Roslyn Patterson, Bernice Cuffe, Irwin Lowe, and Lynn Bartlett.

From the editorial:

This issue, being the 50th, has a IDIC theme, that is I wanted as broad a range of stories and ideas as possible, however there does seem to be a slight leaning towards Vulcan stories. I hope that you can find at least one item that truly tickles you in this issue. For a fanzine to reach 50 is quite a landmark, and to commemorate this momentous occurrence the Spock, for the first time in a single issue is over 100 pages!!

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 50

I note in the minutes of the Committee meeting (in the Captain's Log) that some people think SPOCK (the zine, not the Vulcan) is in a slump. Well, that may be, although I think it is excellent and it deserves to WIN the Robbies this year, instead of just coming close.

As you pointed out in your reply, it would be difficult and time consuming to produce something like a photonovel and it would be disappointing if you managed to, and then received no response from the readers. Similarly, it is difficult for a writer to produce stories which live up to the expectations of the readers, when there is no criticism. Any response whether positive or negative is surely better than silence. Of course, the other alternative is for readers to submit stories or artwork that they would like to see in SPOCK, thus giving the editor more to choose from.

As a contributor to SPOCK, I feel I have learned a great deal about writing from reading other fan's stories and poems. I am glad to know that many others share similar feelings to me, about the Star Trek universe and the ideals it stands for. I don't always like the stories I read, but I respect the notion of IDIC, and therefore don't expect everyone to like my efforts. I like to think of SPOCK as a means of communication between people who believe in the future as written by Gene Roddenberry and I think it achieves this admirably.

I hope you don't think this is too serious for a letter of comment, but it may result in prompting others to write and let you know their views. I don't know much about the Austrek members in Melbourne, so I hope I haven't given offense. [19]

On the subject of SPOCK, may I compliment all those involved in the production of #50. This, by the way, was my first look at SPOCK. Robert Jan's 'Now Thrive the Armourers' was an interesting merger of STAR TREK and ALIENS. I must admit, it does fit the timeline quite well. When can I expect to see Part Two?

Oh, of course, before I forget. Congrats, Gail, the content did espouse the Vulcan IDIC. How could it not - what with Klingons, Rihannsu, Vulcan, Feds, and last, but by no means least. Aliens.

Most hugeous thank yous to William and Jenny as their letters turned up at the eleventh hour when I mas ready to commit some thing atrocious in desperation. Regarding Part Two of Robert Jan's story...well... [20]

Spock has reached its half-century. Congratulations. I wish that the stories for the fiftieth issue were more interesting. Somehow, they fell flat. Come on, create some controversy; be daring; kill off someone or produce a court martial with a guilty verdict. Perhaps it's today's weather - hot, humid, 37 °C.

'The Testing" examines T'Pring's release from her status as a chattel. Well written and worked out, I found it lacked a certain sparkle provided by 'The Problem". Killing off Vulcan males after their fourteenth time of mating in the forty-second year seems to be a waste - surely they have some other solution? This one is told with tongue firmly in cheek, isn't it. Sue & Helen? Brian Bouyne and Co — um, too much froid and not enough chaleur or perhaps too much sans-facon to make it enjoyable. So we have "The Belgaria Incident' - a routine style yarn with predictable results, only David Michaels emerges as the victor by conquering his phobia. Robert Jan's Klingon serial once again shows us the Empire's need for new territories. Redemption of honour with attendant glory seems to be the preoccupation of the crew. Somehow you know one of the ships will go to the Black Fleet. Why can't they do something else instead of always having to conquer? Isn't there a Klingon version of Surak?

SPOCK had produced good stories over the years, however, the quality of the zine has suffered from author's block. You can only work out so many scenarios. Come on, if your idea seems too controversial, use a pen-name - keep it to yourself and the editor only. Try a story in letter form, it can work. Read Daddy Long Legs or Spockanalia #5. Give it a try. You can only see your name in print if you do! [21]

Charlotte Davis, your stories [are] very, very serious and at times bogged down with Vulcan customs a la Stonn and T'Pring. I'd be interested to know why you pick these characters for attention. They seemed to be little more than plot devices in the episode - Stonn so that there would be some one for T'Pring to prefer, and she as a means of getting Kirk and Spock to fight one another to the death. (Devil's advocate again - I want to get some discussions going?)

One question was mentioned - why I chose to write about T'Pring and Stonn as they were minor characters who were never again seen in Trek, The question is answered easily enough. I found the two interesting, and found myself wondering about what would happen to them after "Amok Time". Then, too, hardly anyone else wrote about them, except for "hate stories" that gave the two all kinds of sticky ends. As there was no.danger of unintentionally interfering with other writers' universes, I could work out a universe of my own, work out a culture and traditions, family groups, even, later on, a new planet. As we got no further information on Stonn or T'Pring, it was an invitation to write about them - at least for me - and nothing is more enjoyable than to write about established characters who are not restricted in their development by further TV adventures. I don't know whether these explanations come across; but all T can say otherwise is that while I was working on "my" universe, it gave me a good deal of satisfaction. [22]

This is a beautifully put together issue in content as well as layout and makes a superb 50th issue. The artwork is very fine and I particularly liked the small pieces used to decorate tops and bottoms of pages, as well as the full page 'set pieces'. This breaking up the text makes for a most attractive zine. I'm not going to single out any one artist as they are all good.

The biographies were interesting, informative and written in an entertaining way. I like to know about the faces behind the bylines especially how they got started, as I know only two of those listed personally.

I really enjoyed THE PROBABILITY BE PROBLE by Helen Sargeant and Sue Bursztynski - the image of Sarek performing cartwheels in meditation had me strangling at work and choking on my lunch (the National Library nearly had to advertise for another Japanese- language librarian!). Not to mention the squad of Vulcan ceremonial tap dancers. Nice to see a good-natured poke at the mystigue of Vulcan traditions, which some fans take entirely too seriously.

Hooray for filks whose tune and original I know as in the case of WHEN JUST A CADET. Very appropriate.

REQUIEM by Irwin Lowe was an interesting adventure involving some original characters I'd followed in earlier SPOCK's. This one is the fullest worked out, I think, and the most smoothly written with several strands to the plot and several sideswipes at capitalism and the inefficiencies of the current international order on this planet.

A DISH BEST SERVED COLD by Jan MacNally hinged on some ghastly plays on words - cold noodles, Brian Bovyne and the OSS Coldsteu indeed. Lots of fun.

Again an original character was a focus of the narrative in Teresa Strati's BELGARIA INCIDENT, just as I thought I was in for a replay of "Elaan of Troyius" but things are not what they seem and instead we had an intriguing adventure.

However, I think the highlight for me was NOW THRIVE THE ARMOURERS by Robert Jan, because of its intricate characters and the ghastly vision of the creatures from ALIEN/S coming up against the forces of the Klingon Empire. Aaaargh! What an imagination!

THE TESTING - finally T'Pring looks like getting out of her bond status and not a moment too soon. The poor thing has really earned it. (Personally, I've always regarded T'Pring and her attitude to marrying Spock with a great deal of sympathy.)

HEY DOESN'T HE SOUND LIKE A VULCAN was amusing, demonstrating yet again what we all know; that you can prove just about anything by judicious use of quotes. (Try this: 'You and your damned logic!' Amanda to Sarek? No, Himmler to Heydrich - which doesn't make either a Vulcan.)

All in all, a very enjoyable issue that everyone connected with it should be proud of.[23]

SPOCK 50, in my view, is an excellent issue and has a selection of all variations to be found in fan fiction, from humourous stories, to though-provoking, action-adventure, to continuations of series and last but not least,poetry. The artwork, too, is of a very high level, and, what makes it even better, various styles are represented, something which is becoming increasingly rare in a good number of long-running zines. I must admit to a weak spot for the Klingons stories, especially as they show the Klingons as individuals with their own specific character traits, rather than as 'The Villains.'

I'm not all that good at writing LoC's, I'll admit, but if SPOCK SO is typical of the AUSTREK zines that will follow, we've got plenty to look forward to. [24]

Issue 51

Spock 51 was published in 1988 and contains 61 pages. The editor is Gail Adams.

front cover of issue #51, Gail Adams
back cover of issue #51, Roslyn Patterson
1988 flyer for issue #51

The art is by Bernice Cuffe, Robert Jan, Gail Adams, Greg Franklin, Michael McGann, Andrew McGee, and Roslyn Patterson.

This issue has a focus of "McCoy/Scotty," (no, not that way).

From the editorial:

After collating the last issue of Spock (all 106 pages, 100 times) we've all spat the dummy and the zine you think you are holding in your hands is really an elaborate illusion. We've hired a master of wizardry to do the job and his fee is about the same as what it costs to produce the zine...


... well that's what it felt like after the last issue! This one is not quite so long and hopefully not quite so laborious to collate! Thank you to all my contributors - there is a goodly selection of Bones and/or Scotty stories. My only whinge is that no-one wrote any letters of comment and those that are in here were begged for! Come on, people, don't you have an opinion? Feedback is very important as how can we know if you like or dislike something if you don't tell us?

[...]

There is another whinge of sorts. Please when writing your story, be careful with PUNCTUATION. Incorrect punctuation can upset the flow of the story. If you are not sure of (or just plain rusty - its been a while since I was at school too) where to use those damn dots and dashes, I have, courtesy of my english teacher at College a list of all the basic punctuation rules. If you would like a copy see me at the meetings or send a business size, stamped, self-addressed envelope and I'll send you a copy.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 51

Great issue from 'Consequences' - a story of Klingon manipulation gone wrong to 'Shanzo - the Dictionary' which was not what Leonard McCoy expected, understanding and compassion of a situation outside of his control. But my enjoyment was reserved for Sue B's 'The Fed's Burden' - hi ya, Spocko! Two other pieces deserve praise: "Never The Twain " where Deanna's father's identity is speculated, and "Fortune Taxed By Execution' which was set on the ISS Enterprise and chilled us all with its cold-blooded assumptions. Would Spock really want to keep this man? I would expect to see a follow up soon. [25]

You are always complaining that you don't get enough letters for SPOCK. Well, I was in a charitable mood today, so I thought I 'd write one. All in all I'd say that issue 51 was really quite excellent.

LETTING YOUR HAIR DOWN by Heather Anthony, GILLIAN'S REPRIEVE Samantha Dare and THE FED'S BOIDEN by Sue Bursztynski were particularly entertaining.

C. Andrew Hooper's FORTUNE - SMOKED BY BLOODY EXECUTION was a curious piece, which I enjoyed very much.

I thought that McCoy's appearance in ENCOUNTER AT FARPOINT was far too short, so I was very happy to see that his visit was expanded upon in Marion MacNally's A LEGEND.

Helen Sargeant's NEXT GENERATION story was also interesting, even though I don't really like the character of Deanna Troi.

Finally, I would like to thank Robert Jan for the marvellous illustration he provided for KLINGON TREK. It was absolutely perfect. [26]

The SPOCK was great this issue. I always enjoy them but this issue was particularly well d6ne. I enjoyed the NEXT GENERATION stories. I thought that A LEGEND by Marion MacNally was one of the best stories this time around. The front cover is terrific.

Congratulations to everyone who contributes to and works on the zine. I don't know how you do it but you keep coming up with winners. A lot of hard work is the reason, I suspect. [27]

The presentation and artwork is superb. My congratulations on finding Bernice Cuffe; she is a fantastic artist with a style somewhat like Greg's (Franklin). The cover, may I add ( and I'm not crawling to my wonderful, delightful, intelligent editor;is extremely good, McCoy especially. [28]

Congratulations on another fine edition of SPOCK. As I read through no. 51, I noticed a pattern emerging: of the twelve stories published, seven were humorous while only five mere dramatic, with eight female writers out of the total of twelve. Does this mean that humorous stories are easier to write, or just more popular to read, and that female writers are more prolific in numbers and in contributions? An interesting idea, but I'd still have to check earlier issues of SPOCK to establish if a definite pattern emerges....

As to the stories themselves; they were all a pleasure to read for some reason or other, be they humorous or serious in nature. Sue Bursztynski's short offering, THE FED'S BOIDEN, although a 'Mary Sue' tale, was fun to read mainly due to its gently satiric swipe at STAR WARS (a favourite world of mine). Heather Anthony's LETTING YOUR HAIR DOWN and Samantha Dare's GILLIAN'S REPRIEVE offered pleasant glimpses of the ST guys at leisure, while George Ivanoff's LIFE WASN'T MEANT TO BE EASY was delightful because it offered us a chance to see Kirk getting a knock back of a very physical nature.

IT'S A SMALL GALAXY by Jenny Bozovic and NEVER THE TWAIN by Helen Sergeant proved that coincidences can occur no matter who or what you are; Jenny's story was a fluent, well structured excursion into the love/hate relationship of McCoy and Spock, with a well-delivered twist at the end that served Bones right for all those years of mercilessly teasing his Vulcan chum!

Helen's story was nicely written - with a beautiful drawing of Deanna Troi by Gail Adams - but I wondered as I read it, IS the galaxy SO small that EVERYONE must claim James Kirk as their father? (James Kirk a KLINGON'S father.... eeerhg! - Gail) Surely a Betazoid would have more sense!

The last story in a humorous vein, SLEIGHT OF HAND by Robert Jan, saw the wily old Scotty pull a swifty in this light-hearted tale of deception and double-dealing. Scotty's nuances of speech and his eminently practical solution were delightfully handled, and I liked the character of the Amazonian Fleet Captain Young - I hope she reappears in another story. Only one quibble with this story; some sentences scanned rather confusingly due to scarcity of punctuation so that phrases, clauses and double-barrelled adjectives were indistinguishable. A pity, as this minor fault detracted from what was otherwise a detailed, well developed and clever story.

The first dramatic offering came from Christine Foster. Her story, SHANZ-0: the DICTIONARY was most interesting, revealing some of McCoy's internal struggle with his daughter, Joanna. I liked the portrayal of Spock and McCoy's relationship, which showed the basic love and respect these two men have for each other. The one complaint I have concerns story logic; if the Shanz-0 is a dictionary, "a word, feeling or question" which is "thought to the machine and almost instantly" conveys an answer, why didn't the inhabitants of Maydar consult it to find a cure for the "highly contagious virus" before requesting medical aid from the Enterprise?

Bub Isle's stories are always a pleasure to read, and WITH THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN did not disappoint. This offering was sensitive and beautifully detailed, allowing us a glimpse of the seldom-seen Scotty, and helping to explain how close he is to his beloved Enterprise.

A LEGEND is the first story published by Marion MacNally and judging by its fluent, detailed and knowledgeable nature, it won't be the last! We get an imaginative glimpse of the newest Enterprise, a look at the off-duty Data (what a great nightclub singer he would have made) and an impressive picture of life for a paramedic, whose pin-up just happens to be the testy Admiral McCoy! I realise I am probably biased, but I still think it's a very promising first story.

Jeremy B. C. Broadribb, and English writer, produced a delightful story with his CONSEQUENCES. It was a pleasure to read from start to finish and I eagerly await further installments. His prose flows smoothly and is worthy of a professional writer. His characterisations of the principal ST crew were accurate and refreshingly instilled. I admit that the ideas of time travel, the Guardian of Forever, the Eugenics War and meddling Klingons have all been used before, but Jeremy had incorporated them imaginatively and effortlessly in a logical and knowledgeable manner. The only jarring note involved the ethics of Jim Kirk and co. wiping out all of the newly evolved people of this alternate universe without so much as a raised eyebrow.

The piece de resistance must be C. Andrew Hooper's intriguingly titled FORTUNE SMOKED BY BLOODY EXECUTION, which was a serious yet ironic, bloody reworking of Shakespeare's MACBETH. I have only recently finished teaching this play to my Year 11 English class at school, so reading this variation on the theme was an immensely enjoyable experience. The girls at school used it to help with their revision! I've read other stories where the Enterprise crew is put in "Imperial" situations, but seldom to such great effect. The references to the immortal bard's tragedy and the similarities in situation and character of such well-known characters in unfamiliar portrayals (eg. Sulu and McCoy) was effectively unsettling. Who cares if Craig's musical tastes leave a lot to be desired? This piece amply compensates.

I look forward to SPOCK 52. [29]

Spock 51 is an excellent zine. It is very well presented with an attractive cover and good quality print. It has a good mix of short and long stories, very good artwork, relating to and complementing the stories.

WITH THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN is a well written, touching story about Scotty;. A completely different mood is found in SLEIGHT OF HAND, where we see another side of Scotty. A very entertaining story with excellent artwork. Serving with Jimmy T. for so many years was hound to have an effect on poor Scotty.

FORTUNE SMOKED BY BLOODY EXECUTION is my favourite short story, an alternate universe story taking place prior to "Mirror, Mirror". A well presented story, covers a lot without being hurried.

CONSEQUENCES is a ling story about Klingon/Federation conflict and the consequences of time travel. As soon as I started reading it, I thought, Oh no! Not another one of those time-travel-tampering-with-history stories. My attitude changed quickly when the writer delved in the intriguing concept of time travel with a refreshing perspective. Long stories often tend to get boring and you feel that the writer is padding the story. CONSEQUENCES does not suffer from that, it keeps a good pace and is well thought out.

LETTING YOUR HAIR DOWN is a very cute short story, kept in character and a good start to a zine. The artwork complemented the story.

SHANZ-0 THE DICTIONARY is a McCoy/Joanna story. Even though this father/daughter relationship has been subject to many fan stories, SHANZ-0 is a very successful and moving story. I think if a writer manages to get the reader to feel For the character, they have succeeded.

LIFE WASN'T MEANT TO BE EASY, THE FED'S BOIDEN, and NEVER THE TWAIN are short stories related to Kirk. Kirk must be such a colourful character that so many fans always tend to write about him. For ail the criticisms, he seems to generate a lot of interest. You know the saying, close to pen and paper, close to heart. Well...I am sure there is a saying like that. The first two stories ore very amusing and the third one is really 'cute'. NEVER THE TWAIN shows that the Kirk influence goes beyond time and 'generations' (pardon the pun)... Anyway, it's nice to know there is good blood on the bridge. Most of the stories kept in character, were not predictable and many had either a humorous twist to them or something to make them special.

It was nice to read STG stories so early in the piece without contradicting characterisation. All up very entertaining reading and I am looking forward to SPOCK 52. [30]

SPOCK 51 was another good effort; of the thirteen stories, eight were on the stated theme. Yeah, I counted. Heather Anthony, Samantha Dare and Jeremy Broadribb - am I right in thinking you are new writers? It's just that I am not familiar with your names. Samantha's story, GILLIAN'S REPRIEVE, cracked me up, especially when I finished reading it and looked back at the title. Methinks some slight digs at the good captain are being administered by this author! In general, though, I think people are going a bit overboard with strange Vulcan customs. They're turning them into secret comedians... tahweht, proble and so on. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy the stories. I just think writers should be mindful of what these aliens are supposed to be and not go too far from it. It's hard to find the line, isn't it? There's also a fair bit of 'in' material, using Austrek people as characters etc. This really won't mean much to people who don't know them. I find it distracting; it gets one's attention back to reality and away from the stories.

[...]

CONSEQUENCES was a promising story; nice to see somebody doing the Klingon stuff while I'm pretending to be a Fed. (The Imperial Intelligence Chief/Editor made m2 do it!) With NEVER THE TWAIN, we see an instance of series outstripping invention, which we never have to worry about with ST stories, as opposed to STTNG, hereafter refereed to STG. It's a beautiful and sympathetic background vignette of the character, even though I don't much like Deanna Troi. She seems too weak and indecisive to be a Starfleet officer.

My favourite of the lot has to be Marion MacNally's A LEGEND, which manages to weave past with the present, and McCoy into the mythos of the Enterprise. I think the story is very well-written and interesting, thoughtfully plotted. And though STG is still new to us, she's captured Data's personality to the letter. Indubitably so.

Congrats also to Craig for the alternative universe story FORTUNE SMOKED BY BLOODY EXECUTION. As a Klingon, I definitely approve of these sentiments. Hope for a few of these Earthers yet. [31]

I really enjoyed SPOCK 51, the stories were excellent as usual. My favourite story was WITH THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN by Sue Isle. Scotty's pain from the recent past is communicated quite vividly to the reader in this story.

Another story I liked was IT'S A SMALL GALAXY by Jenny Bozovic The artwork is also at its finest and I will be looking forward to seeing and reading such quality in SPOCK 52.[32]

Thanks for SPOCK 51 - I'd dearly love to strangle our postie for squishing it into the letterbox! No matter, it was just as enjoyable to read. I'm not one for idle flattery, but I can say unreservedly that this is the best issue you've done - more, in my opinion, the best issue of SPOCK since Linda Powell's time. That cover - you captured beautifully McCoy's good humour, the twinkle in his eye. The other art was also excellent - nice to see some work by the marvellous Greg Franklin and Berice Cuffe, whose work I've seen in CHRONICLES, is a real find. Persuade her to write you a story; she's a fine writer as well.

As for the stories, everything was good, which is rare indeed in a zine. You and I know that an editor can only work with the material (she gets and you seem to have received some excellent material this time around. Mind, I think you've done a fine job, in the past, of presenting even the most ordinary stories!

GILLIAN'S REPRIEVE was fun, WITH THE GOING DOWN... touching - Sue turned what might have been a cliche - the spirit-of-Enterprise story - into something different by suggesting it transfers to the new ship. Nice! CONSEQUENCES a nice bit of action/adventure, NEVER THE TWAIN - interesting idea and why not? - A LEGEND - good idea also and I like the way that Marion writes a STING story in such a iray that you can follow it even if you haven't seen the new series. I'd like to see more STTNG stories by her. SHANZ-0 had me sniffling - well done, Christine! It isn't often this voracious zine reader gets emotionally involved. LIFE WASN'T MEANT.... -cute, though I confess I didn't quite get the point - perhaps there's a mixed universe there with which I'm unfamiliar.

SLEIGHT OF HAND - good, refreshing to see a Robert Jan story that isn't about Klingons (says she, who once filled the SPOCK with Vulcan stories) - but I would take issue with the lad for using his friends' names as in-jokes after coming down on Helen and me for using the names of SF authors for Vulcan jewels in our story PROBLE. Unfair! Andrew McGee's writing has improved out of sight, as his SPECTRES OF THE PAST shows. I'm sure it will only continue to strengthen.

IT'S A SMALL WORLD was charming - reminded me of a story by Helena Russell in an earlier SPOCK, only her McCoy wasn't as pleased by his daughter's choice!

FORTUNE....Hmm, Macbeth, eh? Amusing to see McCoy as Lady Mac, but Spock as the Three Witches? That's the world coming to?

I did love Robert's illo for my story - very inventive! [33]

THE PROBABILITY OF PROBLE was well thought out, but the tag at the end really capped it off.

TWO CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF SOME LOGIC by the same author, Helen Sargeant: Helen's wit was quite dry in this, it's certainly novel when the author can talk to her characters and get away with it as happened here.

LETTER FROM SENSELL (again by Helen). I felt the flavour of Deanna Troi all through the letter, it could well have been written by her.

DATA'S DILEMMA and IT'S A SMALL GALAXY both written by Jenny Bozovic are well done. I enjoyed reading them. Data is my favovirite character. In "Small Galaxy", (dare I say it?) it was 'one in the eye for McCoy; I wonder how McCoy would feel if it did come to pass that he one day ended up related to Spock. Spock would have a field day.

Marianne Plumridge's artwork is very well drawn. I had to giggle at the picture of Spock as a fan of the Mickey Mouse Club. Typical that McCoy be the one to find him out. [34]

Issue 52

Spock 52 was published in 1988 and contains 96 pages. The editor is Gail Adams.

front cover of issue #52, Bernice Cuffe
back cover of issue #52, Mike McGann

The art is by Gail Adams, Bernice Cuffe, Robert Jan, Greg Franklin, Mike McGann, Andrew McGee, and Marianne Plumridge.

From the editorial:

As some of you will have already heard, the SPOCK is now being distributed in the U.S.A. A big thank you to Andrew Gowland who was the instigator of it all. He volunteered a large amount of his leisure time (doesn't this sound fannish familiar?) to work out the details and do all the leg work and paperwork involved in setting this up. We now have an agent in America who sells the SPOCK Over There at conventions, and via mail order.

What does this all mean? Well, for the contributors, it means a greater exposure of your work to a much wider market, with hopefully more feedback and recognition of all your hard work. If you are interested in awards it will mean you will have a better chance at the SURAKS (an international Star Trek award). Then there is the prestige of being an international fanzine and that, I think, should please all Austrek members.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 52

After checking out SPOCK 52, I'm sure that SPOCK will go on to win the Australian Best Fanzine Award two years running. No doubt about it. With artwork by the Best Fan artists and fellow artists all of the same high calibre and stories worthy of at least a nomination, how can we lose?

Sue Isle's WALKING SHADOWS story featuring Dr. Bev would have to be my favourite. How could it not be with that Dr. of doctors (well, she IS far better looking than McCoy could ever be, or WHO could ever regenerate into if he stuck to a male persona. Besides, fiery red-heads always have that certain kind of attraction, and Bev has a special personality to boot. But I digress...) Beverley Crusher! Put her together with that unexpected and not terribly welcome guest, Q, then you have a combination of lethal power and attraction. Give us more, Sue!

Jan's A GHOST IN THE MACHINE also gave us another insight into our TNG characters we've come to love. The events of Tasha's death were very poignant and tugged at my heartstrings the first time I got to see it (yes, I admit it - and why not?) and Jan's story brought back some of that feeling together with feelings of a different.kind. Great stuff, Jan!

I never have been keen on sequels, as many times the writer seems to have them in mind when he writes his story and this can detract from the quality of the original, but I must admit that the sequels in this issue of SPOCK were professionally handled. (I had to say that since I haven't had the opportunity to read Part 1 of Robert's NOW THRIVE THE ARMOURERS or Craig's NO BONES ABOUT IT.) Craig's stories continue to improve in leaps and bounds and always leave you with a good feeling and BONES ON A HOT TIN ROOF is no exception. Robert's story has that mark of excellence we've come to know from him and Tracey's BUT TO LIVE BY THE SWORD gives us a new insight into our old favourites, Alison's Rom insight was, well, typically Rom-ish and well done, while Helen's and George's stories also had that appeal that makes this issue such a joy to read. I could go on forever, but I better let someone else have their say. Keep up the good work,everyone. When you're the BEST there's NO TURNING BACK! [35]

Another very impressive issue of SPOCK. I thoroughly enjoyed 52. This issue had several stand-out stories.

The first of these standouts was C. Andrew Hooper’s BONES ON A HOT TIN ROOF. This story had me alternately cringing and laughing out loud throughout. Mr Hooper is an extremely talented and versatile writer. His story in #52 was quite a change of pace from FORTUNE - SMOKED BY BLOODY EXECUTION which appeared in #51. I look forward to his future stories.

My favourite story from this issue was Sue Isle’s WALKING SHADOWS. Dr. Beverley Crusher is my favourite of the NEXT GENERATION characters, and so it was a joy to read a story devoted to her. Since.the Powers that Be, have disposed of her character in the actual series, fan stories are going to be the only way to get more of her character.

In addition to be a Crusher story, WALKING SHADOWS is also very much about Q. His characterisation was handled exceptionally well. Q’s first-hand experience at being human was very interesting.

Jan MacNally’s A GHOST IN THE MACHINE was also a very interesting piece. I liked very much its treatment of Worf - his reaction to Yar’s death and Data’s intrusion were thoughtfully handled. Finally I just wanted to say that I was impressed by Marrianne Plumridge’s illustrations. The name is unfamiliar to me, but I hope that we will see more of her work in future issues.[36]

I thought it was terrific from start to finish! I found THE CAGE - AFTERWARDS to be very well handled. C. Andrew Hooper's BONES ON A HOT TIN ROOF was riotously funny from the first word to the last, and I'm sure I was lucky if I picked up half the references! Coughlin's BUT, TO LIVE BY THE SWORD was excellent, handled very well (a wee rough in one or two places), and I definitely look forward to the second part.

A SHOCKING SCREAM was all right. I shouldn't fault the story; I read a large number of American zines who have hashed this to pieces far too many times already. Sue Isle's WALKING SHADOWS came close to being the best piece in the entire zine, except the Klingons were far too weak. Granted, in ST:TNG it is obvious that Roddenberry has fed a Klingon and a bunch of humans through a Vegematic and out came Worf (i.e. Federationized Klingons, like civilising the so-called native Americans in the State's own past), but for a group of Klingons out of touch for so long, they adapted too readily. Beyond that. Sue Isle's story was a wonderful read.

MacNally's A GHOST IN THE MACHINE was good, a fitting postscript to the character of Tasha. MNHEI'SAHE was quite well done, and Helen's TWO CHARACTERS... was quite funny, but again, a topic rehashed countless times in American zines (but with a twist that I hadn't seen before that kept it interesting!) (I'm sorry - I probably shouldn't be comparing to American zines as I doubt that most of AUSTREK has had any exposure to American zines, so I'm not being fair.)

Finally, Robert Jan's NOW THRIVE THE ARMOURERS, the best piece in the zine (I pity the typist and all those alien names and terms!). Once again,Robert has outdone himself with building a horrendously carefully constructed piece that defies the reader to set the zine down in the middle of the story (I took it out to Winner with me so I could read in the care and while we were waiting for our food!) I simply can't say enough about this piece! Keep up the good work!

As for the art, once again this issue featured good to excellent art from cover to cover (loved the back), but pages 18 and 87 were undeniably out standing (I would love to see the original of page 18 — it looks like the copier did not do it justice in the slightest).

Gail — congratulate yourself on another terrific issue.[37]

Congrats to the SPOCK for taking out the Best Fanzine Award at Zencon II. Enuff grovelling, onto the real purpose of this letter.

Ah, SPOCK 52, what can I say? None of the superlatives that come to mind so easily really give an indication of its quality. I thought the contributors might appreciate some feedback. The first thing that grabbed my attention was Robert Jan's rather hefty at forty pages - sequel to his Klingon/Aliens story from SPOCK 50, NCW THRIVE THE ARMOURERS. Eminently well written, with just the right mix of action, drama and suspense. A masterful piece. Can we ever get enough of the slimejaws, though?

No, Rob, that was not an incentive for you to write a novel-length, third part. Readers may note that it was me who was responsible for the forty pages of Robert's over-indulgence. Any complaints may be addressed to me. Robert asked me to write a Loc, but I did it anyway. You were more than justified in giving him the use of forty pages, Gail. Just don't let him do it again.

I haven't forgotten the other downtrodden contributors. You know who you are. The artwork was of its usual high standard. Gail, yours is superb do I see a Lana Brown-esque influence there? No matter, keep up the good (art)work. Andrew McGee's artwork, while not quite as good as Robert's or Gail's, still has an interestingly pleasing style. I have no doubt that it will improve by leaps and bounds, given time, and practice. I might not know much about art, but I know what I like. Even so, I still like his artwork. Us scorps have to stick together.

Alison Wallace's Rom story - oops, I've forgotten the title, and a friend (well, a Klingon, anyway) has borrowed my copy. Help, Gail, I have no wish to test a wrom's wrath. Where was I? Alison's Rom story was rather intriguing I quite liked it - which, given the fact that I find the Roms rather repulsive is quite a compliment. Alison may drive like a typically suicidal rom, but she writes better than a dozen drunk Feds [38]

Just writing to tell you how much I enjoyed SPOOK 52. The illustrations are wonderful and even awe inspiring in some cases! Overall I found the zine a very entertaining read although C Andrew Hooper's BONES ON A HOT TIN ROOF had me groaning at each dreadful pun! A SHOCKING SCREAM by George Ivanoff was a good giggle, but what do you mean, George, by: "he (Kirk) turned to his Yeoman and said, "Don't forget, you've an hour till you're off-duty." Well, really!! MNHEI'SAHE by Alison Wallace was very enjoyable, though unpronouncable. It illustrated beautifully the difficulty in maintaining the belief in the total evilness of your enemy (necessary if you are required to destroy him, ad hoc, and survive with your psyche intact)when faced by him. You find that you and he are far more alike than different. Interesting that the Sha'alen (shades of Organians) break down the animosity between Sulu and t'Laaen by forcing them to depend on each other to survive. T'Laaen's comment to Sulu: "Do you have to be so damn likeable?" reflects the conflict between what she has.been led to believe about Starfleet officers and what she is reluctantly recognising as positive qualities in Sulu. Her desire to not meet Sulu across a battlefield reflects, I think, her fear of having to resolve this conflict. Is Sulu enemy or Friend. And in having to choose, she must betray either her state or her new colleague.

WALKING SHADOWS by Sue Isle I couldn't put down. Her characterisations are spot on, especially considering the limited amount of time she's had to get to know STTNG (compared to ST anyway) I was interested by how Dr Crusher's apparent lack of desire to impress Q, as in her response to his query: "The oath, where is it written?" "Ask the computer, I'm going to bed" seemed to impress him far more than Riker's or Picard's marvellous soliloquies on the wonders of mankind.

He appears so impressed he even seeks her advice on his behaviour! As when he asks her if he is too flippant. The story comes to a comfortable conclusion with Q being convinced of the worthiness of mankind. (One wonders what his conclusion would be if he'd studied 20th Century man? Gentle readers excluded, of course.)

I do have a bone to pick about these types of stories however. Why do so many fan writers take gloriously despicable villains and turn them into poor, misunderstood, honourable altruists with young starving families who are really so likeable if only we get to know them! It ruins all the fun!! Next thing you know we will find that the Ferengi, with all their profiteering are really trying to save a race of hairdressing apprentices enslaved by the sociopathic Peroxidians under the leadership of the dreadful Stefan, and forced to sweep hair for their entire life times. Stefan is demanding a ransom of 1030 credits worth of perming solution in order to guarantee the unhindered development of the above. A sort of "Perm Directive" (sic) (sick). The Ferengi take this charity on (of course) out of the goodness of their charitable hearts (!) (Made all the more poignant by their lack of hair). Their deity is the ancient God Geldoff and every year they celebrate "Live Aid Day" where they sing and dance and beam hundred credit notes to random destinations in the galaxy. The origin of this ritual is lost in time, of course!! And you thought they were heartless, selfish monsters! For shame!! (Now that's UGLY!!!)

I loved Helen Sargeant's TOO CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF SOME LOGIC, especially that flavour of medieval vengeance on the part of the author. Although I must comment - Kirk certainly gets around, doesn't he??

A GHOST IN THE MACHINE by Jan MacNally was very moving. Worf's feelings of alienation were illustrated effectively by his inability to grieve for Tasha as a Klingon warrior. A wonderful comparison is drawn between Worf and Data. Both "Strangers in a Strange Land" they are drawn together by their inability to completely understand or be understood by the others on the ship. Giving them, for at least a moment, common ground on which to share their grief.

BUT TO LIVE BY THE SWORD was an interesting and entertaining rework of the Naked Now/Time plot with added intrigue: What is the mystery behind Clark's Vulcan-like demeanor? I also loved the gentle jab at Scotty and his discomfort at not yet knowing the new Enterprise inside-out. I look forward to part II.

Sue Bursztynski's THE CAGE AFTERWARDS was great too. Pike's difficulty in dealing with the idea of sex in his relationship with Number One was curious. I wonder what he would have thought of STTNG's Edo? (From the episode JUSTICE) [39]

Issue 53

front cover of issue #53, Andrew McGee
back cover of issue #53, Andrew McGee

Spock 53 published in 1988 and contains 72 pages. The editor is Gail Adams.

The art is by Gail Adams, Bernice Cuffe, Greg Franklin, Robert Jan, Helen Keele, Mike McGann, Andrew McGee, Marianne Plumridge, and Gail Schultz.

From the editorial:

Dandenong Youth Employment Project is a community support scheme for Unemployed Youth between the ages of 15 to 25. At the project, the participants are trained in general office procedures and skills.

The Printing is done by one lady, on the one machine - if the machine breaks down or Carmel is sick, the printing is delayed - "an act of God".

However, since their price is approximately one third of a "normal" printers (and we could never afford them) it is a small, even minuscule, sacrifice to make, as most of the time all is well.

The printing helps to fund the purchase and maintenance of equipment needed for training. Since the staff's wages are already paid by the Project, this cost is not added to the printing costs (wages are the biggest expense) there fore they can supply a very affordable service, and still make a small profit to help fund the project. A big thank you should go to Carmel and the other ladies at DYEP because they have put up with us for nearly ten years - and there have been times when we have caused a few grey hairs, I'm sure.

So now you all know about the printing, so every Log or SPOCK you get is an indirect donation by you to a worthwhile project.

  • But, To Live By the Sword Part 2 & 3 by Tracey Coughlin (Star Trek: TOS) (19)
  • The Daedalus Device by T.A. Morris (Star Trek: TOS) (28)
  • Haiku for Star Trek by Robert Jan (32)
  • The Empire Strikes Bones by C. Andrew Hooper (Star Trek: TOS) (sequel to "Bones on a Hot Tin Roof") (36)
  • Breakaway by Alison Wallace (Star Trek: TOS) (49)
  • But to Live by the Sword, part 3 by Tracey Coughlin (57)
  • Just When You Thought It Was Safe to Use the Processor by T. L. Webster (Star Trek: TOS)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 53

I found SPOCK 53 hard to follow and relate to in some of the humor and stories. It was fun however just knowing it came from Australia!! Probably it was just my own fault I couldn't understand some of it. One series [is] called "To Live by the Sword" by Tracey Coughlin and I am looking forward to find out what happens in her next one. Also, I enjoyed very much a hilarious 2-1/2 page story by T. L. Webster about Kirk having a bad day on the ENTERPRISE. A real gem. [40]

Quality is down again, or is it? 'A Friend In Need' - Scotty (for once) being the comforter. 'Christmas Blues' and 'Data's Dilemma" focus on certain inabilities aliens face when encountering humans. Shame that they exile Deanna - it's about time Starfleet developed standards for encountering telepathic races stronger than now known. It is a mistake to publish two installments of a serial together. The impact of suspense is lost. This is also the second time I have met an Elizabeth who just happened to be Kirk'a daughter! The serial in question is good out as stated before, the puzzle has been set up too early. As for the inter-relationships between her characters, Tracy should study the scripts a little more. Bones usually uses 'Jim' when under stress as does Spock. Also, I wonder what Elizabeth has had to do with the Klingons. Is she in part responsible for the crisis itself? Elizabeth has a personal crises too, so one assumes from the situation, McCoy will be Devil's Advocate again. Why not use someone else on occasion? Only time will tell. 'Data's Dilemma' brings forth the age-old question of WHO AM I? I concede that we are shaped by events and education. Data is merely trying to understand. On occasion, he misses, but he soldiers on ever hopeful. In 'Breakaway', T'Laan finds her orders in conflict with her growing dislike for the Empire's methods. She should start the resistance. [41]

I always read a zine especially carefully when I've paid for it, just to make sure I get my money's worth! This zine is quite an impressive effort: I can't think of any other that has gone for so many:issues, so frequently, and overall, managed to maintain quality quite well, with occasional dips for which editors can't be blamed. A zine's only as good as the stories sent to it.

I've been meditating lately on the need for a screening process, even in zines, which are necessarily labours of love for everyone concerned. Well, except for the printing and that is one of the best set-ups I’ve heard about as well. I think people should not be offended if an editor asks-' for a rewrite, or suggests that what they have written is not suitable. Some of this critting may feel fairly harsh, but a better story will emerge. As usual, the presentation of STOCK was excellent, and as usual, there were stories I liked and stories I did not. Pick of the lot was easily C. Andrew Hooper's gorgeous spoof. You're on a winning idea here; please keep writing these! Also enjoyable were Tracey Coughlin's two stories, which culminate in an idea I wish I'd thought of Kamarag's threat that peace would not come while Kirk lived. I find myself most intrigued concerning the fate which awaits him in the Empire.

Regards Helen Keele's story, it was nice to see some attention being given to Scotty, who often gets ignored by writers. However, the story needed more meat in it to keep it going. It was too obviously 'Mary Sue being comforted' but little else, and could use some work on style. I hope you are not offended Helen.

The other story that could use some work is Teresa Strati's Dynar, which was interesting, but too much in the past. The explanation of Dynar loses its effect by being put in almost as a postscript, rather than as a story in its own right. The story suffers from being disjointed, and the solution rather fantastical. I'd like to see Dynar's story in full way before Kirk's illness, so we understand why he is Kirk's friend.

I'd better leave this subject before these people form a lynch party. Now to the Loc's themselves. Thanks for your answer, Charlotte. I can appreciate the freedom of writing about characters whom others don't write about; that's why I worked out my own Klingons. It's the universe I like playing in, rather than the 'standard' set and characters!

Thanks also to Bill Hupe for his comments. There's not really much I can say in my own defence (but you're right, I'm going to try anyway). I you mean that the Klingons were weak because they were not the usual warlike types, yeah, that's right. Teitra is an atypical Klingon because she was brought up since infancy in the colony, with a lot more Humans than Klingons around. Regards adaption; Kerex and Karare were Klingon officers and would not forget starships. Karare was also too sick to be really bothered by anything he saw. Another factor is that the Klingons were not really the focus - Q and Crusher were - and that's why I didn't spend a lot of time writing about their reactions to the arrival of a Federation starship.[42]

It continues to astound one how you continue to publish one terrific issue after another after another after another. CHRISTMAS BLUES was cute and quite short enough as to not overdo it. A FRIEND IN NEED, although not my cup of tea, was well-written enough that I did read the entire story.

The cartoon on page 12 was wonderful; page 13, well, Marianne's done it and has managed to best herself once again - one terrific piece. NO WAY OUT I enjoyed immensely, though it left my head spinning trying to follow it all, probably about as bad as McCoy's was!

BUT TO LIVE BY THE SWORD Part 2 definitely does justice to part 1. Extremely well done and handled, I'm looking forward to more. However, part 3, although also well done, seemed to be almost an afterthought to part 2, and actually I think the impact might have been greater in both parts were they put together (but that's just my own opinion, of course....)

Michael McGann's Kirk, page 18, is right on target and skillfully done.

Jan's 4 ships was also interesting and well done. The cartoon on page 27 is quite memorable.

THE DAEDALUS DEVICE is an excellent story, as well as the accompanying illustration. Quite intriguing, especially when one considers the twist on the Minotaur legend. Kudo's to T.A. ! Moving on to LETTER FROM SENSELL this short is as good as the predecessor. A truly exceptional look into the character of Deanna Troi, insight lacking in the series. Gail's illustration on page 34 is, quite simply, outstanding.

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BONES needs little remark - funny and delightful as the rest of Andrew's series. DATA'S DILEMMA was good, but Data did not seem quite in character. Almost... but not quite. Robert's accompanying illustration is quite interesting and fitting. Now, BREAKAWAY. I simply cannot say enough about this story! It's excellent! With DAEDALUS DEVICE and LETTER FROM SENSELL, these form the best three in the entire zine. Marianne actually does it twice in one issue on page 60 and tops herself again! Exquisite, and nothing less! I had mixed reactions with DYNAR - I'm not quite sure, maybe the story didn't seem complete to me.

Finally, the last little story left me in stitches! [43]

Gail, well done again on SPOCK 53. The issues are becoming more and more engrossing with a variety of material to cater for all tastes! Tracey Oliphant's BUT TO LIVE BY IHE SWORD is great. The only misgiving I have is that I have to wait to get SPOCK 54 before I read the next chapter! Well done, Tracey. Also Mike McGann's portrait of Kirk captures the maturity of the Admiral and links well with Tracey's story. I don't know very much about art but one picture that did catch my eye and made me look twice was Robert Jan's portrait accompanying T. A. Morris's story THE DAEDALUS DEVICE on page 29 of Spock 53, of the Emperor. I believe tha Spock issues are continually mastering a variety of art and writing on quite a professionally high level. Andrew McGee, thank you for the portrait of Dynon; I'm amazed at the accuracy with which you sketched it as it is very much how I imagined it when I wrote the story. I think every contributor to Spock would agree that seeing your work in a Spock issue is sooooo exsulent (a la Kylie Mole!)[44]

Issue 54

front cover of issue #54: "with apologies to Ferdinand Delacroix and 'Liberty Leading the People'", Robert Jan
back cover of issue #54: "with apologies to Ferdinand Delacroix and 'Liberty Leading the People'", Robert Jan

Spock 54 was published in 1989 and contains 25 stories and 128 pages. The editor is Gail Adams.

The art is by Robert Jan, Gail Adams, Marianne Plumridge, Bernice Cuffe, Wendy Purcell, Greg Franklin, Andrew McGee, Ros Von Werstak, and Mike McGann.

Its theme was The Rise and Fall of the Federation. It covers the time periods from Pre-Federation, the Original Series, through Star Trek: TNG and beyond.

From the editorial:

"Everything contains the seeds to its own destruction"

All things go in cycles - as the Roman Empire rose, so too it fell. As it grew it became a mighty and well-organised civilisation; as it fell so too did the laws and moral values until its own rotten heart destroyed the Empire. Even the noble and idealistic Arthurian Era, with its Roman based legacy, Chivalry and "Might for Right" rule could not defeat the inevitable fall, for "nothing created by man can be truly immortal."

Then, if these great ancient Empires can fall, (and will, as surely as the sun rises) so too can a future civilisation called... Federation.

In this issue, epically entitled THE RISE AND FALL OF THE FEDERATION, we have tried to capture the 'spirit' of each era through the eyes of famous (and seme infamous) characters, rather than depict actual events. (Let it be noted here, however, that we are very much restricted by what we receive in the way of contributions - considering that the whole idea was conceived, and brought to fruition in two months..or so, I think we have done very well with the stories - most of them just happened to fit the theme. Unfortunately The glut of TNG stories stopped just before this issue!) This is also the biggest issue of SPOCK yet, at a hefty 120 or so pages!

Not only that but you are also getting more words per page because we use a 12 pitch typeface (12 characters to the inch instead of 10).

  • The Myth Continues (47)
    • Epilogue/Prolgue, poem by Marianne Plumridge (48)
    • The Enterprising of Promenade Green by T.A. Morris (49)
    • A Journey's Song by G. Manley (54)
    • But, to Live by the Sword, part 4 by Tracey Oliphant (56)
    • Vigil by Marianne Plumridge (66)
    • The Witch's Curse by Sue Bursztynski (57)
    • Haiku for Jim Kirk by Robert Jan (69)
  • The Next Generation (71)
    • Heroes and Dreamers, poem by Marianne Plumridge (72)
    • Trust of My Enemies by Sue Isle (73)
    • Haiku for Worf by Robert Jan (90)
    • Haiku for Crusher by Robert Jan (90)
    • Haiku for Jean-Luc Picard by Robert Jan (90)
    • Hypothetical Conversation by George Ivanoff (91)
    • Ferengi Huckstering Song, filk to the tune of "For I'm Called Little Buttercup," by Robert Jan (92)
    • Their Strangest Voyage Yet, poem by C.A. Hawkins (93)
    • Anatomy of a No. 1 by G. Franklin (100)
    • Dreamtime by Helen Sargeant (101)
  • The Fall of the Federation (107)
    • Klingon Stromslider Calass "A" Main Battle Anti-Gravity: Tanks, Tourist Trap by Robert Jan (108)
  • Letters of Comment (124)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 54

What can I say? SPOCK 54 was fantastic! You surpassed yourself! (Not an easy task) My favourite in the entire zine would have to be THEIR STRANGEST VOYAGE YET by C.A.Hawkins. Very funny, but be warned, C.A. Hawkins, as a member of the "Kirk Protection and Preservation Society" I was almost offended!

All the work in this issue was marvellous, but there was too much for me to comnent oneverythingso I'll just mention my other favourites which were Helen Sergeant's DREAMTIME and Marianne Plumridge's beautiful poetry. The artwork was inspiring as usual. I loved your Spock/Data piece and Robert's TNG Spock, as well as Marianne's Kirk reading pic.

Congratulations to you, the Spock team and all your contributors on winning the best fanzine for 1988. If Spock 54 is anything to go on it seems you'll be the best for 1989 as well! [45]

THE RISE AND FALL OF THE FEDERATION - what a great idea. I've always liked theme issues, and this has to be one of the best.

And now for a few quick comments on some of the contents.

I. J. Turner's ORDERS ARE ORDERS was a good piece. I liked the idea the space explorers sometimes have to know when not to obey orders.

C. A. Hawkins' TIME OF TRANSITION is another fine piece. Kirk's coming to terms with his new crew was very well handled - especially with regards to Spock.

R. M. McGroarty's SHORELEAVE ...OF SORTS was amusing - especially Kirk's reaction to being punched out by McCoy. T. A. Morris's THE ENTERPRISING OF PROMENADE GREEN was rather cute, and S. Bursztynski 's THE WITCH'S CURSE was intriguing. I must say, I almost always like Sue's stories. She is an exceptional writer.

C. A. Hawkins' THEIR STRANGEST VOYAGE YET was a good laugh.

H. Sargeant's DREAMTIME is the story that I enjoyed the most. Her handling of characters such as Catherine Eamshaw and Sherlock Holmes (not to mention the Shakespearian characters) was a pure delight.

I also loved Robert Jan's TOURIST TRAP. Robert's subtle humour is a joy to read. I can't wait for the next part.

The artwork was all superb. My favourite piece was Marianne Plumridge's Kirk (holding a copy of Robinson Crusoe). Also, many thanks to Gail Adams [huh, that's me!] for her lovely illustration of my short piece of dialogue.

Finally, congratulations to Gail for being awarded Best Fan Artist and also to SPOCK for being awarded Best Fanzine.

Keep up the good work.[46]

Congratulations on the finest produced issue of SPOCK (No. 54) I have ever seen The striking cover, variety and quality of illustrations and stories, and their clear (but not constricting) grouping around the theme made the zine a joy to read, I particularly appreciated the cutting of the theme into sections, and the introduction of each section by an illustration and a piece of poetry on the theme.

The highlights for me were Sue Isle's finely plotted TRUST OF MY ENEMIES, T. A. Morris's whimsical THE ENTERPRISING OF OF PROMENADE GREEN, and Robert Jan's TOURIST TRAP - its account of the Klingon Occupation Force in Melbourne is great fun. After this installment, I eagerly anticipate the fifth part of BUT TO LIVE BY THE SWORD - what a clever stroke depriving Kirk of the right to speak!

THEIR STRANGEST VOYAGE YET was hilarious, DREAMTIME conical and chilling both, and ORDERS ARE ORDERS makes me long to join the Exploration Branch with Jeff Hendricks - is there a sequel?

Keep up the good work! [47]

Issue 55

Spock 55 was published in January 1989 and contains 94 pages. The editor is Gail Adams.

front cover of issue #55, Wendy Purcell
back cover of issue #55, Wendy Purcell

The art is by Wendy Purcell, Gail Adams, Robert Jan, Marianne Plumridge, Greg Franklin, Bernice Cuffe, Andrew McGee, Ros Von Werstak, and Mike McGann.

From the editorial:

The issue did make it to CONSPIRE, so did the extra plastic sheets. But, I wonder what the other con attendees thought as they passed the Austrek table and saw Robert and Mark end up, heads down under the table - they were wrestling with the plastic covers, an errant stapler and irritable issues of the zine. Why do we do it, you ask? Because of the sense of accomplishment when you hold the finished product in your hand and then you toss it aside and start wondering what to do for the next issue. Of course the BIG NEWS is that SPOCK won the Best Fanzine award for 1988 at CONSPIRE, the Media Natcon...second year in a row (please picture "young Mr Grace") "You've all done very well." A zine isn't honoured with awards unless its content is good! (Okay, the editor has something to do with it too!) Hot on the heels of this news is the fact that SPOCK 52 has been nominated for FANZINE OF THE YEAR in the American "FAN-Q" awards (its been running for ten years and is very prestigious) and we are actually up against the US zines! (Most US awards have an overseas category which I disagree with as it means if Aust/NZ zines are nominated they are still competing against each other - something we can do at home, so what's the point?) Also nominated are Marianne Plumridge for Best Trek artist and Best Calendar, "Final Victory" by Susan Clarke for Best Short Story and also Susan's "Chronicles" and "The Other Side" for B7 Zine. Good luck!

All of the above was supplied by Bill Hupe who was in Australia recently. Bill also has in his possession as a result of his trip all the early masters of SPOCK and he will be printing back issues, some of which will be finding their way over here.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 55

Just got SPOCK 55. Usual excellent setting out and artwork. Wendy Purcell's certainly done a lot of good work for this issue, both in art and writing.

My favourite story has to be Tracey Oliphant’s BUT, TO LIVE BY THE SWORD. Any chance of seeing this whole story as a novel sometime? Most humourous - Helen Sargeant-Gowland's STAR TREK FOR BEGINNERS. Is this going to be the baby's early education, Helen? I.J. Turner's I SEE was very chilling. Gave me quite a queasy sensation. They'd never wear this on American television, worse luck.

I enjoyed seeing Wesley get a fair go from George Ivanoff and Marianne Plumridge; pity about the other 'short' which was just silly and not much of anything except a go at Wesley.

Good to see that 'Classic' Trek, as it's being called, is still getting attention. Here in Perth, the whole club has gone TNG mad![48]

Well, another wonderful issue!

To start at the end, Christine Hawkins' "Spock's Brain” delighted me no end- expressing a wish I'm sure we all feel - that that episode was only a dream. Neatly written to get the point across. I also liked the ominous undertones of "This Means War". A very feasible idea which could almost be turned into a longer story. "Eve of Deliberation" lived up to its title, dwelling on Christine Chapel's feelings about her own life and achievements. Very nicely written. "Deserts of Vast Eternity" left me breathless - a difficult topic, beautifully treated. I particularly liked the inserts of poetry etc. It is a tool too few writers use in expanding their theme, but one that is, in my opinion, invaluable.

As for Robert Jan's latest Gilbert and Sullivan offering; what I want to know is when He's going to tackle filking an entire show - say perhaps "The Pirates of Penzance."?

Helen Sargeant's "Star Trek for Beginners" was lovely, the many and varied illustrations highlighting the fun of the piece.

"One Last Farewell" was good but struck me as being a little generous - I*m not a Wesley fan. Even so, I did like it, I'm really enjoying the richness of the TNG stories. It really is a whole new playground. Keep up the good work. I also appreciated "When the Bug Bites", hut perhaps my favourite would have to be "Sunlight Walking". Gently written with a touch of real heart - without doubt, one of the best. Gail's illo took my breath away. Not just a portrait, but a study in character - I looked into that face and wanted to talk to the girl.

You've done a fine job again Gail - and all the contributors - no wonder SPOCK keeps winning prizes! [49]

Issue 56

front cover of issue #56, Gail Adams
back cover of issue #56, Bernice Cuffe

Spock 56 was published in 1989, is 128 pages long and contains 13 stories. It is a "Villains Issue." The editor is Gail Adams.

This issue is the last one edited by Gail Adams.

The art is by Roslyn Von Werstak, Bernice Cuffe (back cover), Wendy Purcell, Marianne Plumridge, Gail Adams (front cover), Mike McGann, Bill Kennedy, and Robert Jan.

From the editorial:

.....Star Trek also specialized in the lovable rogue, the likes of Harry Mudd, Cyrano Jones and Gary Mitchell (although he got a bad case of ego). STTNG produced the Q, an irascible and infuriating but charismatic villain who is the bane of Picard's life! And who could forget the enigmatic Khan. Oh, what fun and entertainment we get out of our wicked ones! This issue features some of Star Trek's favourite villains including Khan, the Klingons, the Ferengi, Q, and the Roms. And a sort of christmasy story involving a planet full of elves and pixies. ...

  • Editorial (4)
  • Intimate Reflections by Geoff Allshorn (Star Trek: TOS) (5)
  • A Stitch in Time by Sue Bursztynski (Star Trek: TOS) (8)
  • Joachim's Grief, poem by Wendy Purcell (Star Trek: TOS) (17)
  • We Are the Children of the Next Generation by Geoff Allshorn (Star Trek: TNG) (18)
  • Romulan's Dance by Oregano (Star Trek: TOS) (41)
  • McCoy’s Painful Planet by Helen Staker (Star Trek: TOS) (42)
  • What a Piece Of Work is a Klingon, art by Mike McGann (Star Trek: TOS) (56)
  • The Ozymandias Syndrome by Robert Mirnik (draft television script outline) (Star Trek: TNG) (60)
  • Joker’s Match by Sue Isle (Star Trek: TNG) (70)
  • Bats in the Bejewelled Belfry by Wendy Purcell (Star Trek: TNG) (83)
  • Destinies by Helen Sargeant (original science fiction)(97)
  • Tourist Trap, part 2 by Robert Jan (Star Trek: TOS) (100)
  • Warzone, poem by Robert Jan (Star Trek: TOS) (126)
  • Letters of Comment (127)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 56

SPOCK 56 was an excellent issue, and certainly a fine way to finish up your term as Editor. Thus an era comes to an end, accompanied bv the passing of a decade.

I had three favourite stories from this issue. Helen Sargeant's "Destinies”, Wendy Purcell's "Bats in the Bejewelled Belfry", and especially Sue Isle's "Joker's Match". The Q is an extremely interesting character and Sue handles him exceptionally well. Beverly Crusher is my favourite Next Generation character so that's probably another reason I liked the story so much. The relationship between her and the Q makes for highly enjoyable reading.

There were four pieces of artwork that 1 particularly liked. 1.The front cover by Gail Adams. 2. Beverly Crusher (p.74)

I'll finish up this letter by wishing good luck to SPOCK's new Editor, Wendy Purcell. May SPOCK continue to thrive and improve in the 1990s.[50]

Surprisingly enough all my favourite pieces in issue 56 were TNG stories.

An easy first in my estimate was "Joker’s Match" by Sue Isle. I find myself enjoying her 'Q' stories more and more. (As a non-initiate, I find her ’cadet' stories rather confusing) "We are the Children of the Next Generation" by Geoff Allshorn and "Bats in the Bejewelled Belfry" by Wendy Purcell ran a close second. Both stories are well characterised and interesting.

"A Stitch in Time" contained an interesting idea but it was not, I felt, the best story Sue Bursztynski has ever written. "Destinies" by Helen Sargeant was a most intriguing crossover of Star Trek and fantasy - Klingons and the Arthurian legends. "McCoy's Painful Planet" however, was hackneyed - besides I detest dwarves, gnomes and pixies. Robert Jan's "Tourist Trap" was difficult to follow a) because it was Part II of a story begun two issues ago, b) because I am not a student of Klingon Kulture and c) because I am not familiar with Melbourne. Otherwise, its rather dense prose was hard going.

All in all a good issue. Keep up the excellent standard!

Thank you Christine for your LoC. We're always eager to hear criticism as well as praise. As for Sue Isle's 'cadet' stories.... perhaps you could join the rest of us who are clamouring to see them in print in one zine. (Well, Sue?)[51]

Greetings, all. Nice to have something to read after I finished my Christmas reading, so I decided to LOC you. (Gentle hint also dropped by Vare Silk- spinner - wish pain to stop, write LOC, very simple!) So much more organised than living in a democracy.

Some of the typeset used in this issue was very striking, particularly in Geoff Allshorn's "We Are the Children of the Next Generation", which was an excellent read also. This story had a quality which for me went above the normal level of fanfic to become very good literature. It had an attention to detail which I especially liked, such as the scene where Riker stands near the Rigellian clinging vine to call the ship, and the vine is attracted by his voice "... before the nightclub music drove the leafy limbs back to the wall." That's a truly alien episode and very well done. From what I know of Jupiter, Geoff would also appear to have done his research thoroughly. I thought I detected hints of Clarke's 2001 and 2010, particularly in such lines as Deanna's "I sense that we’re about to see something wonderful." I'd say this writer has a future in 'real' writing, by which I mean what one gets paid for, not necessarily what is better! Very nice work.

I particularly noticed two other stories, which were Sue Bursztynski's "A Stitch in Time" and Wendy Purcell's "Bats in the Bejewelled Belfry", both featuring good writing and attention to detail. Sue's story was one only she could write - her trip to Israel is already proving useful! There were some strong original characters in this, not just using the Big Three... or what do the TNG lot get called? Wendy's story was intriguing; I set out to glance through it, as I wanted to write this LOC fairly quickly, but that wasn't good enough for the story, which insisted on being read completely.

It's a very original Trek story, if one can say that. The Ferengi haven't been used very well to date in the episodes; this story showed what a threat they could be.

If I go on much longer, this LOC is going to get cut, so I'll just mention the rest briefly. I don't much care for reading scripts - without descrip­ tions and comments they seem very stark - and all I can say about this one is that it looks like it might be good on screen. Nor do I really care for straight descriptions of warfare and straight action which occupy so much space that there is not much left for actual story, though again the writing is very good.

In general, the fiction and artwork was of high quality, higher than some of the others, though I cannot think of one which I didn't like, except for SPUNK, which was presumably just for fun anyway. In all, a good way to end the year, and good luck to Wendy, whom I've been told is the next to commit editorship on this magazine. (Evil chuckle). Have fun!

Thank you Sue, and no, you didn't get close to being 'cut', though sometimes my 'editor's pencil' seems to have a mind of its own. (More evil chuckles on my behalf). As to the TNG big three... how about 'the other three' or.... wait for it... 'the spandex three'?[52]

I have enjoyed reading SPOCK 16, as I have enjoyed reading SPOOK for the past two years. I am sorry to see Gail leave but I'm sure that SPOCK will continue to grow from strength to strength.

I know how much work has gone into this issue of SPOCK so I am congratulating Wendy in advance. Great first issue, keep up the good work. [53]

SPOCK 56 was, as usual, a decent read. I've been reading SPOCK since Mandy Young was editor and this is my first ever LoC. This either means that it was very good or very bad, or I've just learned to write! Actually... it was very good but I find that with this zine I agree with 95% of the sele­ctions for print anyway.

Geoff Allshorn’s "Intimate Reflections." was an interesting short story, although I felt that the last few paragraphs were unnecessary. I would have liked it better if it had ended with Kirk returning the transporter to normal and looking at the ISS symbol on the wall or such like. The explanation of his actions softened them and reduced the impact.

"A Stitch in Time" was quite a good read, but I don't think it was up to Sue’s usual standard. The poem following this story, "Joachim's Grief" suited perfectly - a nice bit of editing! - and the last line of the poem was just brlliant.

After my little gripe over Geoff’s first story, the second, "We Are the Children of the Next Generation." was marvellous, with depth and good charac­terization. The places weren't just there for the plot purposes, they really existed.

"Romulan Dance" was a well written poem which created an image in my mind - very evocative.

"McCoy’s Painful Planet" however, was just that (so here's the 5%!). McCoy just didn’t seem to be true to character - maybe there will be an explanation in Part 2 - he seemed like a bumbling fool. And I got awfully sick of Kirk ordering everything. Don’t his staff have independent thought? Pity, because I really do think the story had potential. Keep trying Helen. Your ideas are interesting and there were moments when it came together and worked, but unfortunately, there were not enough of them.

"What a Piece of Work" had me in stitches but I bet Will Shakespeare was turning in his grave.

"The Ozymandias Syndrome" was interesting - good plot, good dialogue - wish it had been a story.

"Joker's Match" - Sue Isle really has Dr Crusher and the Q down pat, this story was my personal favourite. Brilliant.

"Bats in the Bejewelled Belfry" was another good one. The writer has obviously thought about the Ferengi culture and taken the next step. As an economist, I always feel that the threat of the Ferengi has been ignored.

"Destinies" was a bit of a shocker. Not the usual style I’ve come to expect from Helen, although I have noticed a trend in her work of late towards giving her stories more bite. This is good to see.

"Tourist Trap Part 2". I have mixed feelings about this piece. I'm not into hardware stories and, combined with this writer’s sometimes intricate prose,

I wasn't sure whether to read it or not, but I'd read Part 1 and I wanted to find out what happened to everyone. It was worth the struggle through the difficult bits (being unfamiliar with tanks, I had to keep looking at the picture and that interrupted the story). It's a gritty read that has people getting hurt and dying rather than the sterilized, glorified fictional image that is usually presented of battle. The character interaction was good too. And I was very impressed with the obvious amount of research the writer had gone to. However, I do think it would have been better printed as one story than a two parter.

There was not one bad piece of art in this issue either. I loved the cover! Other pieces that really caught my eye were the complex spot illos in "Tourist Trap", Marianne Plumridge's "Forest", Gail Adams’ "Q", and Wendy Purcell’s "Tasha".

"Warzone" was a rather grim poem to end with, however it suited the previous story. And since there were only two LoCs, I decided to write one! [54]

How do you do it? SPOCK seems to attract so much talent! Do you have a muse trapped in a cage? Or a benevolent genie perhaps? I never cease to be impressed by SPOCK. You have a team of artists that any editor would be proud of, including Robert Jan, Marianne Plumridge, Gail Adams, Wendy Purcell and Bernice Cuffe. Not to mention some really marvellous fan writers such as Sue Isle, Helen Sargeant, Geoff Allshorn and Sue Bursztynski. While at the same time you keep introducing new authors and artists to us.

SPOCK 56 was one of the best issues ever. I like the way that you generally get a lot that is actually on the stated theme. My only complaint is that story was actually quite gruesome, but it was the shock of this that made the whole work so well.

Sue Isle’s ""Joker’s Match” was great. I really en-joyed Wesley running a classic Trek simulation on the holodeck. Q I don't really like that much. Sue's interpretation is well done, but even the original Q I found petulant and 'camp'.

Wendy Purcell's ’’Bats in the Bejewelled Belfry” was also let down by the same problem. It's difficult to think of the Ferengi as villains. They're too little and are just ridiculous. Still, the black plague epidemics were caused by fleas! The biggest villain in this story was the crystal and its insanity. And, although I liked this story, those bald Ewoks are a bit over the top!

Other things I liked: Sue Bursztynski's "A Stitch in Time" and, most of all, Geoff Allshorn's ”We are the Children of the Next Generation". But my favourite had to be Mike McGann's "What a Piece of Work is a Klingon". Plagiarized to hell and gone, nevertheless, it was so arrogantly Klingon, I loved it! And the way it was illustrated was superb.

I'd just like to make a last comment on Robert Jan's "Tourist Trap". Can I be in the next one? [55]

Issue 57

Spock 57 was published in 1990 and contains 120 pages. The editor is Wendy Purcell.

front cover of issue #57, Gail Adams
back cover of issue #57, Mike McGann

The art is by Bernice Cuff, Andrew McGee, Wendy Purcell, Robert Jan, Marianne Plumridge, Gail Adams, Madison, Roslyn Von Werstak, and Mike McGann.

From the editorial:

Welcome to Spock 57. The Women of Star Trek. Why this theme? Well, in part because the women of Star Trek (especially classic Trek) are rarely the focus of much attention in fanfic, and that, therefore, there was a need for something like this. We had originally planned a "Beverly" issue but didn't think the theme was broad enough to inspire a lot of material. And also because it gave us some marvelous scope for inspired artwork! In this issue, as well as many old favourites, we introduce some new writers to you, Karen Mitchell starts us off with a look at Kirk in his pre-Starfleet days. Michelle Perry, who is well known in print in North America, has written a series of poems and a story about Amanda and Sarek, which I hope you enjoy. As previously mentioned, part of the appeal of the women's theme, was the potential art work it would generate. The result of this has been a superb collection (even if I do say so myself) of art which has been presented in the centre of the zine as a folio. ...."

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 57

Well, I don't think I've ever seen a bigger load of rubbish! No, only joking - what I really wanted to say was that it really stank! Sorry! Really! But now that I have your attention, I want to congratulate Wendy on her first Editorialship (is there such a word?).

Well the issue began with a truly striking cover - and led into - from whose mouth?

Well, I liked Helen Sargeant's BEGINNINGS. In fact, I thought it was wonderful. From an area that has not been touched a great deal (at least not to my reading) she managed to combine a touching story of 'humanity' with a logical background (sorry!).

Both Geoff Allshorn's pieces were also lovely - truly enjoyable reading. Geoff has a genuine ability to get inside a character, whether it be an established 'Trek' character or one of his own devising.

Jennifer Bremner's FAMILY was also enjoyable as was THE TANGLED WEB by Michelle Perry.

THE VERDICT by Samantha Dare was from the heart and I felt it. Keep writing Sam, you keep getting better and better. I had a bit of a problem with MCCOY'S PAINFUL PLANET. Helen Staker tried some thing different and is to be congratulated for that, however I found it difficult to follow and the characterization of McCoy way out. The concept is interesting but, I feel, failed in the execution. The story may have been painful for McCoy but to me, was equally painful to read.

ENEMIES LIKE THESE gave me a really good laugh - thanks Sue.

One of two shining gems in this issue is easily the art folio. I won't go into great detail here, but my comments apply to all of the work done. Drawing to a particular concept means the artist must be aware of all levels of that con cept. The artists represented here have certainly done that - with bells on! (thank you for 'Grade', Robert). A novel (no pun intended) concept, to have an art folio Wendy, and one that has paid off handsomely!

The other shining light is without a doubt UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENTS by Robert Jan. This would have to be one of the best Trek stories I have ever read. The characters and story had me laughing till the end - the end by the way, had several people at work look at me strangely when I burst out laughing at the last line!

Excellent work Wendy, and all the contributors and others who worked on the issue![56]

An excellent start for a new editor. Well done, Wendy! I look forward to many more excellent issues under your editorship.

tremendously enjoyed Michelle Perry's set of stories and poems about Amanda and Sarek. They were well thought out, very well crafted, and complemented each other perfectly. I certainly hope we'll see more from Michelle Perry in future issues.

A story that I liked a great deal was Geoff Allshorn's "If Music be the Food of Love, Play On!" I'm not really an Uhura fan, but this was such a beautiful story, I couldn't help but like it.

Two other stories that I particularly liked were Helen Sergeant's "Beginnings" and Samantha Dare's "The Verdict". I also enjoyed Tracey Oliphant's "Chess", although I thought the ending was a bit of a let down - the explanation was a bit too quick and vague.

The illustrations in this issue were good , but there was one that particularly stood out. Gail Adam's Beverly Crusher. Dr Crusher is my favourite Star Trek character and I was extremely happy to see such a wonderful illustration of her.

Finally, I'd like to mention Karen Mitchell's first story for SPOCK, "I Wonder". A very good start. I'm looking forward to her becoming a regular SPOCK writer. [57]

The cover strikingly echoes the theme, "Women in Star Trek"; a theme which is jauntily expanded upon by Wendy in her encouragingly enthusiastic editorial.

In regards to the boldy reproduced cover, I'm very impressed by the quality photocopying done by the Sydney based Photon Printers, to whom some of the more persnickety artwork has been farmed out this issue. It's lovely to be able to submit some of my admittedly convoluted drawings to SPOCK with no fear of dark tones bleeding away.

No intended slur upon our old friends at the Dandenong Resources Co-op, who have served Austrek very well (fussy artists notwithstanding) in the past, and will continue to do so in the future. Of course, it would be absurd to 'fix something that ain't broke' and since the bulk of the SPOCK is text, which even the most picky of wordsmiths must agree the D.R.C handles adequately, the majority of printing will surely still be done in Melbourne.

It's cute that Wendy has adopted a totem animal, in the grand tradition of Austrek editors...teddy bears, wolves, Klingon puddy tats...and now, a donkey!

I enjoyed Karen Mitchell's "I Wonder", 'cos I'm a Kirk fan, provided the character is well written. Karen's opening paragraph, describing a 23rd Century living room, is rich with the sort of detail that would have been a pleasure to illustrate...it put me quite in mind of Charlie Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

[...]

Bernice Cuffe's two illos are neatly rendered and she has also correctly depicted the characters in 'period' uniforms.

I guess somebody had to have the cheek to suggest that ST:V was indeed, 'just a dream', and trust George Ivanov to be the one! For this droll little package Andrew McGee has produced some interesting artwork. I rather like his treatment of Jim Kirk starting awake, but am less satisfied with his Spock and McCoy. Full marks for stylising the facial features (thus avoiding damn-fool cross-hatching and dotty stippling) but even so, a nose is a nose ( 'and still smells as sweet'), and looks queer when drawn as two vertical, parallel lines with a knob dangling under them. I know 'cos I did the same silly thing on Captain Klaa in the "Vixis" picture in 57's art folio.

(Don't bother to look, unless you've got one of the 20 odd copies I made before I spotted the offending snout!) With a title like "Beginnings", maybe Helen Sergeant's story should have been the issue lead? I found it a wee bit too inevitably 'pat', but that's the way of mythological tales. There were some juicy lines, "The spoils of war had long since spoilt" and some needlessly portentious ones, "Until the Others came."

I'm bemused by the enduring mirage that enlightenment is a consequence of suffering in the desert. I expect, on the whole, that generally one just gets dehydrated...and dead. The depiction of Sarek did not ring true as the war weary soldier Helen would have him. Mind, it's a bloody good idea, but it had no 'teeth', even blunted ones. As such the character was too dilute to offer much of a challenge to the woman's siren song of peace.

It's a fair enough story, which doesn't quite hit the mark. Roslyn von Werstak has some remarkably Byzantine drawings for "Beginnings", with some thoughtfully done drapery which reminds me of Sybok's robes in ST:V. Incidentally, isn't the parallel between Sybok and Surak intriguing? Kind of like watching a Vulcan Christ reborn, and then having him go on to fail theological studies! Apparently, the fairy tale terrestrial concept of God no longer works, in the film, and neither does the all-persuasive Vulcan messiah.

Oh yes, I thought the two little moons, or whatever, in the page 13 drawing, looked very sultry...because of the concentric arcs radiating from them. Simple but effective. Less pleasing were the hands on the figures, which looked to be a bit too boneless and limp compared with the hard edges that are featured elsewhere in the compositions. Sometimes I think Geoff Allshorn's one of the last of the 'nice guy' optimists writing for SPOCK. His "Enterprise Revisited" does not add much to a similar scene recounted by David Gerrold in his "Farpoint" novelization, but maybe that little is enough, when gently handled. His version of the veteran McCoy's musings aboard Picard's Enterprise.is worth the telling because it affirms that even legends stand on the shoulders of giants.

Marianne Plumridge's "Zarabeth-A Memory" is well turned, though I can't really get worked up anymore about the ol' logic versus emotion bugbear. I think they settled that in the Motion Picture about ten years ago! Then, it boiled down to zen-like simplicity. Logic, is how we live. Emotion is why we live. Since then Spock has been regularly dragged up the Reichenbach Falls and put through his paces. Well, I never minded it much when it happened to Holmes, and what is Spock but the Great Detective's smarter brother? Anyway, it's a good poem, which is reasonably supported by a straightforward illustration by Madison.

"Family,"(Jennifer Bremner) was okay too. The concept of the Enterprise and its crew being Chapel's home and family makes an ironic counterpoint to Doc Alexander's bitter assertion that Starfleet leaves a woman no time for love and children. What's all this about a robot though..a curious bit of business.

Is it some reference I'm missing, now that would be ironic!? As a side thought, the writer indicated that Chapel has some combat training (when startled, she reaches instinctively for a phaser), why then doesn't she attempt to take on the robot? Picky, picky!

Very impressed by Michelle Perry's cycle of Vulcan orientated poems and story. Strap me if it's not one of the most incisive pieces about Sarek I've read. Bravo! For the first time someone has seen through the paragon of Vulcan virtues and realised that he is a terrible diplomat! What a refreshing angle on a subject that's had legions of worshipful fan writers dutifully going through the motions, without once thinking to ask the next question. Sarek is obviously the sort of prideful fellow who wins debates even when judgement would suggest that his aim might better be achieved by losing. "You cause your problem with your temper; you are becoming famous for it." What a clever construct is Michelle's arch Vulcan healer. "How well does a dead ambassador debate?" And her Amanda is equally innovative, with some remarkably 'earthy' habits about her that add dimensionality. I'd be intrigued (and that's a word I use deliberately) to see how Michelle would envisage Sarek in action at, say, an interstellar conference.

If her work in this issue is anything to go by I'd warrant it would be lively, at least! Wendy's Sarek and Amanda illustration, with the characters entwined fingers, is fitting enough and well executed but I want more! There are some scenes in the story that cry out for illustration. For example, Amanda and her friend impishly discussing mere males in the park (how shocking!)... Splendid head portraits are all very well but fan writing offers so many other things for artists to play with. Stretch your wings and take flight!

What a challenge for editors! Customized artwork is a lot more difficult to coax from most fanzine artists...heh, heh!

Samantha Dare’s ’’The Verdict” is a tantalising fragment. Some of McCoy’s dialogue was a tad stilted, too ’textbook’. Now I’m not suggestin' y’all have him lapse into a cotton pickin Suthern drawl! Still, it’s handy to remember that even people who appear to have swallowed a thesaurus (Spock!) don’t talk ’proper' at all times. For example, Sam, McCoy would be unlikely to say, "You did not wield the weapon that killed him, nor were you in any way responsible for his death.” He might say, "Jim! It wasn't your hand on the knife. You weren’t responsible." Which would set things up for Kirk to respond, "Bones, a captain is always responsible." All of which is a matter of verisimilitude, and which slightly mars an otherwise successful piece. Oh. The placement of the illustration bang in the middle of the page doesn't quite work, it makes a rather intrusive visual ’hump’ when reading the text. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t... Gail Adams’ title block for "McCoy’s Painful Planet" is a charming thing in itself. Helen Staker’s story reminds me of the sort of whimsy that Terri Morris delights in. Perhaps the prose, here, is not quite as sensuously elegant, but I must say that the plotline is equally quirky! Some comically preposterous events dance through the narrative (I liked the woodpecker in the box the best) and the whole thing is a pleasing diversion. There is a problem with some ’big words’ which are a little too obviously thrown in for effect, however these are few and far between. Once again, some opportunities for tailored illustrations have been overlooked. "Get out of town!" You shrieked, my editor? Sigh. Yes Wendy, it does take a lot of face for me to berate you for not finding the time to commission an entire issue’s worth of specific artwork, given my own status as a Late Artist. Er, before Wendy makes that status permanent, I'd best move on to the Art Folio, a spectacular example of editorial perspiration producing inspiration. Hell, it's the best portfolio that's ever appeared in any Australian fanzine! Yer gonna spoil us rotten Wendy. It takes style to leave pages facing artwork nearly blank, the exception being a few carefully chosen words. (Mind, if every picture is worth a thousand words then you'll still have plenty to spare from the 12,000 that the Folio could spawn!)

Gail Adams displays clear mastery of many pen and ink techniques with her group portrait of Carol Marcus, Guinan and 'Number One', which spans several generations of Trek females in one swell foop! Yes indeedy, in front of every woman stands a great man! Well now, Gail, I'see what ideas I can pinch from your pictures this time! (Perhaps the clever way you've drawn Guinan's shoulders too small...nyah, nyah!

Marianne Plumridge has taken great-pains with her Chapel, Rand and Uhura. I particularly like the posture of the dancing Uhura, which is very dynamic..the Mirrorverse Uhura isn't quite so accomplished and doesn't look at all dangerous. I would have liked to see some of the subjects engaged in a few less traditional 'glam' activities. Uhura up to her elbows in the guts of her com panel trying to close a hailing frequency, that sort of thing. Personally, I don't care if a woman is in uniform or civvies (to answer Marianne's question) but it's what she does,and how,that piques my interest. ('N shame on any of you out there who take that statement the wrong way!) Wendy's women (catchy title!) are an unsettling lot. Her Orion slave dancers look quite wrigglesome, and I chuckled at the Freudian fruit adorning the framing vines!

Deanna's smile is delicately fetching, her eyes a victory of artistic judgement over reality. Of a certain, they're too large in proportion to the face, but they look big and empathic and alive. The "Code of Honour" warrior is nice and fierce, although maybe the warrior in the foreground could have been made to stand out more.

As for my own three contributions, well..I only did 'em 'cos I wanted to put a voluptuous nekkid lady into SPOCK...and get away with it! (Gracie's such a tease!)

Seriously (Never! Well, hardly ever), apart from wanting to do the biggest female in Star Trek (If you don't count Mildred, the Farpoint jellyfish) I wanted to show some different aspects of Tasha and Vixis at work and play. (Oh yes, the A-3 foldouts are courtesy of a local 'copier. I didn't dare have Vixy shrunk!)

Back to the stories. Robert Mirnik's "Crossroads" is a bit of a see-saw! There are some very mature slabs of dialogue which are hag ridden by a somewhat rushed through plot. The speed at which they are introduced is too suggestive of French farce; nothing wrong with that, when it's intended.

Apart from that there are a couple of technical aspects that bother me. Does a hand phaser have a safety? Assuming that it does, hiding one in a boot, as Jordan does in the story, is still rather a bad idea. Your average footwear bumps around a whole lot, more than any other part of the body. Unless phasers have a special exemption from Murphy's laws our erstwhile avenging boyfriend is setting himself up for a real nasty accident! Also, if the guy has enough nouse to procure a 'cobalt bomb with a cloaking device' then surely he would have it boobytrapped? Yah, Scotty is the proverbial wizard with machines and no doubt would still manage to defuse even a jiggered bomb...but the contingency should have been there and acknowledged in print. I'm afraid there's no way around it dudes, this is Science Fiction and if you use anything technical you are obliged to think it through.

Still, the story shows a lot of promise, and the illos are top notch. Marianne's McCoy is a dandy, and I approve of the asymetrical border. Bernice's interpretation of Bones on page 79 is also well contrived.

Sue Bursztynski's "Enemies Like These" is fluffy and cute, treating the Mirrorverse theme with less than evil intent. The offended horror of the I.S.S's (say that three times, fast!) version of Janice Rand at being well-treated by our universe s Jim Kirk, is amusingly gauged...) Gail's Doctor Bev plumbs the medico's essence; rumpled, flustered, passionate and professional. As good as the Photon Printers are (those solid black tones, ye gods and little fishies!) I'm here to tell you that the original of her two-faced Saavik drawing is three times as blessed as the copy. There's something about photostats that reduces the ability of finely drawn lines to make a surface look sculpted.

However, , the 'twist in the tail' ending, for once, is not the right punchline for the gag. It's too obviously telegraphed, and even if it were not we would expect it anyway. Now it would have been spicier to have Janice exit in search of the 'nice' Kirk...and then have the following exchange between McCoy and Kirk: "I don't understand Jim, s'far as I know you e never went near Janice, the Security report was-" "We know that Bones, but she doesn't. And you've got to admit that this new line beats hell out of the ol' 'have you ever seen the lights in the sky at night' number!"

Ask the next question, is all. Then again, maybe that sort of ending wouldn't have been considered tasteful in an issue that's supposed to highlight Women in Star Trek, and one shouldn't foster the image of Janice Rand having nothing more up top than a basketweave hairdo.

Hey! George Ivanov's "Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow" is quite poignant...and there's a very sophisticated metaphor for the sacrifices that attaining high rank can force one to make. "He silently watched the bubbles (Picard is toasting Bev Crusher's departure with champagne) rising to the surface and thus ending their existence." Excellent! Ian Turner has neatly explained McCoy's hatred of beaming out ("Transporters, why did it have to be transporters?!") in his "An Unnatural Way To Travel". Good story, tightly written. My only dislike is the phrase "..his face a mask of absolute horror." A bit too easy to reach for Ian, I feel you could have given it some more thought, given that it's pivotal to the story. Maybe something less melodramatic...simple things can be more horrific than theatrics.

Although I can't immediately remember the tune of "Stairway to Heaven" Alison Wallace's "Ael's Song" is still readable as a poem, and is none the 'verse' for that. Ali has managed to encompass some pretty complex concepts within a small space, as a Haiku writer I salute that. I wonder what a 'S'harion' is though? Maybe a footnote would have been useful. Mmm. Tracey Oliphant's 'Chess' is the most readable, balanced long story in this issue. What I like most about it is Tracey s confident usage of assorted shipboard locations. Some fan writers can only vaguely evoke a sense of 'place', seldom leaving the familiar circuit of bridge/sickbay/briefing room. The boardgame subplot, which is interwoven throughout the main action is an effective device and is not overdone. I am curious about the double 'e' in the name Peeter Ross, any particular significance? Wendy's drawing of Picard and Data is a fit companion to the story, the figures are not just, so to speak, hanging it here in space. The textured surfaces on the bridge are creatively established. Perhaps Picard's head could have been outlined so as to make it stand out from the background, and Data's left arm is a little cumbersome.

See what I mean about Geoff being a benign writer? "If Music Be The Food Of Love..." is full of the milk of human kindness. Geoff's stories are very easy on the eye.

The contrast between Geoff's story and my own hard-edged "Unfortunate Accidents" couldn't be stronger, a canny editorial touch! I wanted to be wickedly ruthless without scattering corpses around, for a change!

Pleased to see a fat Letter of Comment section in 57, feedback of any kind is always welcome...no matter how you act on it afterwards (or not, as the case may be.)

I was particularly chuffed to read that Louise Peterson had managed to wade through "Tourist Trap". It was not designed to be a particularly accessible (though obviously anyone into the nutty bolts 'future war' sub-genres of S.F will have a head start) tale, and judging by some comments I succeeded in 'making it so'! If I can convey to a single person that war is a messy, pragmatic business that has little to do with stun guns and heroes, well then I've served my purpose. (Aw gee, somebody kick the soapbox out from under him!)

It would have been better, I agree to print "t.t" in one piece, but the second half wasn't ready in time..and I couldn't stand the thought of all that carnage in one issue?!Maybe Trevor Deedy of N.S.W should be careful when he asks if he can appear in a story of mine! The odds of individual characters surviving are not favourable.

I suppose I should close this mega-review with the usual disclaimer that it's just my opinion, but as you've probably noticed I'm not all that just!

Instead I'll just say that I, and all the contributors, will miss Gail Adams as editor, but not because we have any worries at all about the SPOCK being in capable hands. May the Wendy be at our backs![58]

Today I found an issue of the Austrek club fanzine, SPOCK, which was published until Paramount started to close down fanzines based on the series, in countries where there wasn't the loophole that allowed other countries to continue publishing. While Gene Roddenberry was alive, he allowed it, unofficially. But he was dead.

This one, #57, was edited by Wendy Purcell, a fine artist in the club. In the centre is an art portfolio, by her and others, dedicated to the issue's theme, "the women of Star Trek". I had a story in it, in case you're wondering. It was inspired by the episode "The Enemy Within" in which Captain Kirk is split into two separate people, one totally good, but wimpy, one totally nasty but decisive. My version was set in the nasty Mirror Universe.

I thought it might be fun to go through the table of contents and see who has gone on to bigger and better things.

Helen Sargeant, now known as Helen Patrice, contributed a short piece called "Beginnings". Helen later wrote quite a bit for a women's magazine, Australian Women's Forum. Okay, it was a DIRTY women's magazine - Helen always said that she was good at this particular form of writing and they paid well. Why not? More recently, she has released two volumes of science fiction poetry. Helen was a regular contributor to SPOCK and we even co-edited an issue once.

Tracey Oliphant eventually sold a five book fantasy series under the name Kate Jacoby(there was already a Tracey Oliphant on the publisher's books). Her contribution to this issue was called simply "Chess".

Geoff Allshorn isn't a writer as such these days, but is working on a Master's degree in history.

Robert Jan, another regular contributor, whose work in this issue is in the art portfolio, concentrates on costuming, at which he is very good. He also has a long-running radio show about SF on community radio and interviewed me when Wolfborn came out. I think he may have had some art in the revised, updated edition of the Star Trek Concordance. His partner, Gail Adams, is also a wonderful artist. She has some illustrations in this issue and did the cover. Gail is also a costumer, who produces costumes good enough to wear in the street. Both of them are well known in the fan community.

The biggest success is George Ivanoff who, after doing around sixty books for the education publishing industry, is gradually making a mark in the trade industry. In other words, he's making a living out of his writing, something rare in Australia.

Art was contributed by Marianne Plumridge, some of whose paintings I am lucky enough to own. She married a well-known American cover artist and moved to the States, where she makes money out of her own artwork.

There are others, in other issues, but this is the one I happen to have on me. [59]

Issue 58

front cover of issue #58, Wendy Purcell

Spock 58 was published in 1990 and contains 76 pages. The editor is Wendy Purcell.

back cover of issue #58, Wendy Purcell

It was edited by Wendy Purcell. Assistant editors are Tracey Oliphant, Marion Macnally, and Sharon Tapner.

The art is by Gail Adams, C.E. Ballis, Bernice Cuffe, Robert Jan, Roslyn Von Werstak, Andrew McGee, Tracey Oliphant (back cover), and Wendy Purcell (front cover).

One of the pieces is a Blake's 7 crossover.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 86

I would like to start by stating that I write this letter for no other reason but to pass on my comments about SPOCK 58, not to suck up to you be cause you are the editor of the SPOCK and that you're in the process of publishing one of my stories.

SPOCK 58 was marvelous. The cover was definitely striking and, as yet I have found all the black spots HAVE remained on ray edition. The plastic cover adds a depth to the illustration that would not be possible on paper/card. My congrats on the prelude to an outstanding issue.

Without going into great detail, I would like to cover a few of the stories that caught my attention, for various reasons. The first, "Crossroads", I was forced to read as one of the authors kept asking me whether I had read it. Yes, I did. Yes, I honestly did enjoy it. This story took a twist that I did not expect and, more importantly, a doubt I had with the story’s structure was answered by the outcome of the story. Only few stories cause a verbal response from me. "Crossroads" brought and "Oh, of course!" bumbling from my mouth. Well done Ian and George.

Being a Registered Nurse, I was enthralled by the story from Karen Mitchell, entitled "Memories". This is a type of story that I have always wanted to write but, simply, was not able to express myself in the right way to put my feelings onto paper. Karen has, and with great skill. This issue is one that I feel close to as I am a supporter of dignity with death. What goes with this dignity, in my opinion, is a knowledge of when to say, "We cannot do anything else". Karen expresses the emotions of the family and of McCoy per­ fectly. Whereas the previous story caused a verbal response, "Memories" caused an emotional response.

I think Robert Jan previously stated that Geoff Allshorn has an ability to write ’feel good’ Star Trek stories. The two that appear in SPOCK 58 cer­tainly support this statement. No, Geoff, this is not a criticism. It takes skill and understanding to write like you do. Robert’s illustration (P.7.) adds strength to the word that you have written.

Barbara Maxwell! Well, what can I say to you? Look, I know that the decision to break your story into two parts may not have been your idea, but...but..."New Beginnings" was gripping and I found that the break-up of the parts was simply irritating and frustrating. I wanted, soooo badly, to read the conclusion. I eagerly await the conclusion in SPOCK 59.

Thank you, Wendy, for what is one of the most enjoyable SPOCKs I have

purchased. [60]

At the risk of sounding cliched, I have a statement to make: STOCK 58 is one of the best issues I have yet read. The stories and artwork are of a consistently high standard. I am definitely impressed.

Now, where should I start. The beginning, of course - which in this case is the front cover. Wendy, you have outdone yourself. The cover illustration is absolutely splendid, and printing it on plastic enhanced the effect (unfortunately, it has a tendency to rub off if one is not careful).

There were three stories that really stood out - well I think they were excellent. The first is "Anniversary” by Geoff Allshorn. This is a really nice story. I agree with Robert’s comment that Geoff is "one of the last of the ’nice guy’ optimists." I like the idea of the Star Trek characters looking back at the journey of the Apollo crew and seeing them as the pioneers that they were. I also love the tie-in with Next Gen.

"Memories" by Karen Mitchell is another favorite. It gives us a wonderful insight into the thoughts and feelings of Dr McCoy, as well as the emotions faced by those in the medical practice. A very thoughtful and thought- provoking piece. The third story that I really liked was "Dianna" by Tracey Oliphant. The new character from Data’s past is convincingly developed, and Data himself is well handled. I particularly loved Data’s words on the subject of prejudice: "You helped me understand prejudice, and with understanding there can be no fear, and therefore no prejudice."

"Can I Quote You On That" by Samantha Dare was a cute story, as was her "Back To Star Trek". I enjoyed them both. Other stories I particularly liked: "Netherworld" by Robert Mirnik was intriguing, Helen Sargeant’s "First Contact" was rather unnerving, and Geoff Allshorn's "Yesterday And A Day" skillfully illustrated the significant effects of seemingly insignificant events.

Well, until next issue - that’s all from me.[61]

I'm going to start off by saying what a thrill is was to receive SPOCK 58, because I didn't edit any of it.

Samantha Dare’s "Back To Start Trek" deserves mention for it made me guffaw. The opening paragraph with Deanna’s absent-minded answer to Picard’s question was delightful.

Karen Mitchell’s "Memories” was a fine story, tightly written and with that certain honesty that comes when a writer bases his/her writing on his/her experiences. The perseverance paid off, Karen.

’’Dianna" by Tracey Oliphant was another good story, particularly the dialogue which was very natural. Here, I must digress from the writers and comment on the art. Damnation! What a jolly good idea to have the illustration and writing united on the page - now, why didn’t I think of it? The illustration itself is awfully good, aptly depicting a scene from the story and giving a sense of spaciousness that one would expect from 23rd Century architecture. The unfortunate thing is that Wendy’s illo has suffered from the same fate as my Saavik in 57, the copier just does not pick up all the delicate tonal qualities - the original has much more depth (ok, so we do 150 originals next time), nevertheless, this illo stands out as one of the best in this issue.

While on the subject of that illustration, who picked out the house of ill-repute and the condom vending machine? I’ll explain. When Wendy was doing the drawing, she remarked that she had no idea what the structures were. "Oh," says I, "it’s a port, there’s the sailors, therefore that’s a brothel and that’s the you-know-what vending machine!"

"Donor" by C.A. Hawkins, while being a well-written story, I found to be a little unsatisfying, as it instantly reminded me of the very chilling "I See" in an earlier issue which had Geordi receiving Tasha’s eyes after her death (and Pulaski was never to know that just once he had seen her when Q gave him sight), and "Donor" did not benefit from the comparison. The idea that McCoy would use Spock’s eyes for a transplant to Kirk just did not gel the way that the TNG story did. A pity, for the author, whose writing is good, (I still giggle over "Their Strangest Voyage Yet", the epic poem in SPOCK 54) but just happened to have someone precede her with the same idea.

Helen Sargeant’s "First Contact" made me shiver. What a horrid thing to have happen - truly shudder provoking. Helen is developing quite a compelling style and I do enjoy seeing artisans of whatever medium stretch their talent. Geoff Allshorn’s "Anniversary" was a delight as well, full of such hope and dreams. "Anytime, Anywhere" was another clever filksong from Robert Jan, but I still don’t know the tune.

Onto artwork. The cover is great, again an artisan stretching herself and coming up with an excellent piece of work. Robert Jan’s Apollo site was also well-executed, as was C.E. Ballis’ Picard with the cute Dali-clocks. Tracey’s Data shows that this artist has a lot of potential, and I liked the numerous spot illustrations. In fact, the artwork ranged from reasonable to excellent, with none being woeful, but then SPOCK does have its reputation to keep regarding quality artwork.

And so another issue of Spock is produced and read and commented on, for me it was hauntingly familiar and yet different. Another job well done.[62]

Issue 59

Spock 59 was published in 1990 and contains about 62 pages. It was edited by Wendy Purcell.

front cover of issue #59, Gail Adams
back cover of issue #59, C.E. Ballis

The art is by Gail Adams (front cover), C.E. Ballis (back cover), Robert Jan, Mike McGann, Andrew McGee, Tracey Oliphant, Wendy Purcell and Roslyn Von Werstak.

From the editorial:

.....So this is our murder mystery, I hope your curiosity is piqued. We've got Q, Moriarty, Dixon Hill, Sherlock Holmes, both classic and Next Gen characters and, of course, Craig Hooper's Len McCoy PI. I'm finding that our theme issues attract the most contributions and generate the most comment. Next year, as well as the Mirror, Mirror issue which will be out early in the year, I'm planning an issue on war...........Again, we've tried to break out, or at least stretch some of the perceived boundaries of Star Trek fan fiction with #59. It's not unusual to hear that writers are frustrated by what can be seen as the limiting format of Star Trek. Not so!! Choose your universe, you are limited only by boundaries that you create yourself. We have some very diverse theme stories this time around that illustrate this point, see what you think. We're also experimenting with art, trying work not limited to one page and using some unfamiliar styles, (at least in fan art) .......

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 59

Spock 59, published by Austrek, is just what it says, a collection of mysteries, although they did not all involve murders. In fact, not everything was a mystery, either. One of my favorite parts of the zine was a filksong entitled "When Scotty Comes Beaming Up Again," to the tune of "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again." Another was a take-off on The National Enquirer type newspapers (?!!!?) purporting to be a confession by Amanda of Vulcan. My third favorite piece was a very short story involving Doctor Pulaski. Yes, that's right, Pulaski! I have to say that I kind of miss her on TNG, although I would prefer Beverly Crusher for my doctor if I happened to become ill on NCC1701-D (of course, I'd really prefer McCoy, but one has to take what one can get). The zine also includes a piece entitled "New Beginnings" which is an alternative to ST.TV Unfortunately, this is part two; part one was evidently in an earlier volume of Spock. I think it would be more enjoyable had I read the first part of the story. I would recommend this zine to anyone who is a mystery reader, and expect to order other issues in the future. [63]

Issue 60

Spock 60

Issue 61

cover of issue #61

Spock 61 was published in 1991 and edited by Wendy Purcell.


Issue 62

Spock 62


Issue 63

Spock 63

Issue 64

cover of issue #64, Robert Jan

Spock 64 was published in 1993, edited by George Ivanoff.

The art is by Gail Adams, C.E. Ballis, Bernice Cuffe, Tracy Hamilton, Craig Hilton, Peter Hughes, George Evanoff, Robert Jan (covers), Michael McGann, Andrew McGee, Gabby Tambarrini, Zaquia Tarhuntassa, and Silvio Zanforlin.

  • Editorial by G. Ivanoff (3)
  • The Butterfly by P. Kerslake (5)
  • Oasis by S. Bursztynski (14)
  • The Calm Before the Storm by A. McGee (24)
  • The Auction by Jane Callard and Jana Bos (31)
  • In the Name of Science by G. Ivanoff (44)
  • Float Upon a Wild and Violent Sea by C.A. Hooper (45)
  • Data and Friend by K. Shade (55)
  • Honour and Trust by Silk (60)
  • For Flint, No Joy in Eternity by J. Callard (87)
  • Where No Man Has Gone Before by P. Kerslake (88)
  • Deja Vu by C.J. Brennan (90)
  • Hololock by P. McGee (95)
  • The "U Beaut" Do It Yourself Guide
  • To Emergency Saucer Separation by G. McCrabb (99)
  • Itch by L. Bresaz (101)
  • Spock LoCs (107)

Issue 65

Spock 65 was published in 1994, edited by George Ivanoff.

cover of issue #65, Kerri Valkova

The art is by C.E. Ballis, Bernice Cuffe, Ian Gunn, Marianne Plumridge, Wendy Purcell, Zaquia Tarhuntassa, Kerri Valkova (front and back covers), Tracy Hamilton, Robert Jan and Andrew McGee.

  • Editorial (3)
  • Journey's End by P. Kerslake (5)
  • Poem by J. Woods (6)
  • Unto the Breach Dear Friend by C.A. Hooper (7)
  • Reversi by K. Shade (15)
  • A Very Bad Day by P. Magee (19)
  • To Be Captain by G. Ivanoff (21)
  • The Legend Continues by A. McGee (23)
  • Hollow Victory by L. Bresaz (27)
  • We Have the Technology by Ian Gunn (30)
  • Legacy of Oneness by J. Callard and J. Bos (31)
  • Doshi Gatai Heritage of Inhumanity by J. Callard and J. Bos (36)
  • Star Trek 6 and a Bit
  • The Undiscovered Postcript by G. Tilley (38)
  • Bartender's Memories by S. Bursztynski (40)
  • Honour Among Rogues by Silk (45)
  • Only a Game by P. Kerslake (64)
  • Picard by K. Shade (74)
  • Skirts by M. Cicioni (78)
  • Exiled part 4 by C.E. Ballis (84)
  • Frontier's Edge by G. Ivanoff (92)
  • Spock LoCs (94)

Issue 66

front cover of issue #66, not credited
back cover of issue #66, Zaquia Tarhuntassa

Spock 66 was published in June 1994 and contains 44 pages. It was edited by John Prentice.

The art is by Bernice Cuffe, Gail Adams, Gail Schultz, Angelo Keene, and Zaquia Tarhuntassa.

From the editorial: "Welcome to the new-look SPOCK. Smaller, less-cumbersome and more importantly, cheaper... This issue has a death theme of sorts to it, and all the contributions, bar one, reflect this."

Issue 67

Spock 67


Issue 68

Spock 68

Issue 69

Spock 69 was edited by Katharine Shade and published in December 1994. The art is by Robert Jan and Zaquia Tarhuntassa.

cover of issue #69


References

  1. ^ Austrek History - Austrek, The Star Trek Fan Club Inc, Archived version
  2. ^ Interview with Tricia McKinlay
  3. ^ Joan McLachlan, S.P.O.C.K. Volume 1 Edition 2
  4. ^ from The Alpha Centura Communicator v.4 n.5
  5. ^ from Beyond Antares #23
  6. ^ Beyond Antares #24
  7. ^ from Truffles
  8. ^ from Treklink #6
  9. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #47
  10. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #47
  11. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #47
  12. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #47
  13. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #48
  14. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #48
  15. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #48
  16. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #48
  17. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #50
  18. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #50
  19. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #51
  20. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #51
  21. ^ from Beyond Antares #33
  22. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #52, and Davis' reply in "Spock" #53
  23. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #52
  24. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #53
  25. ^ from Beyond Antares #33
  26. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #52
  27. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #52
  28. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #52
  29. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #52
  30. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #52
  31. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #52
  32. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #53
  33. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #54
  34. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #54
  35. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #53
  36. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #53
  37. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #53
  38. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #54
  39. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #54
  40. ^ from Treklink #17
  41. ^ from Beyond Antares #33
  42. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #54
  43. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #54
  44. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #54
  45. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #54
  46. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #54
  47. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #54
  48. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #56
  49. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #57
  50. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #57
  51. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #57
  52. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #57
  53. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #57
  54. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #57
  55. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #57
  56. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #58
  57. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #58
  58. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" #58
  59. ^ 2014 comments by Sue Bursztynski: Browsing My Old Trek Fanzines, Archived version (August 16, 2014)
  60. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" 59"
  61. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" 59"
  62. ^ from a letter of comment in "Spock" 59"
  63. ^ from The Trekzine Times v.1 n.3
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