Tesseract (Star Trek: TOS zine published in the UK)

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Zine
Title: Tesseract
Publisher: Mourne Press
Editor(s): Linda McGrath, Geraldine Griffin, C. Sibbett
Date(s): 1983-1987
Series?:
Medium: print
Size: A4
Genre: gen
Fandom: Star Trek: TOS
Language: English
External Links:
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Tesseract is a Star Trek: TOS fiction anthology published in the UK.

a flyer

Issue 1

cover of issue #1 by Caryl Sibbett

Tesseract 1 was published in August 1983 and contains 58 pages.

  • art & cover by C. Sibbett (the portrait of Kirk on page 30 won a UFP Commendation 1982)
  • Perchance to Dream by C. Sibbett
  • poem by Geraldine Griffin
  • Alien Landing by Millie Fabricius
  • Interlude by Millie Fabricius
  • 'Home' by Millie Fabricius
  • Saavik's Song by Geraldine Griffin
  • 'Yer' Man' by Geraldine Griffin
  • Without You by C. Sibbett
  • Escape? by Millie Fabricius
  • 'Himself' by Geraldine Griffin
  • Celtic puzzle
  • International communications & adverts


Issue 2

cover of issue #2

Tesseract 2 was published in May 1984 and contains 65 pages.



Issue 3

cover of issue #3

Tesseract 3 was published in 1985 and contains 80 pages. Illustrations by C. Sibbett, Linda McGrath, and Fran Dovener.

  • The Brighter the Stars, story by Geraldine Griffin
  • The Sleeper Awakes, story by C. Sibbett
  • Echoes, vignette
  • Dutch Courage, story by G. Griffen
  • That Blasted Transporter, poem
  • Final Frontier, poem
  • Star Trek IV - A Prologue, poem by C. Sibbett
  • Miramanee, poem by C. Sibbett
  • some puns and jokes

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3

'Tesseract' is a genzine - in the good old sense of the word. That is a zine that captures the essence of the relationship between the characters, particularly Kirk and Spock, without sentimentality and without crossing over into expressions more properly reserved for K/S. Kirk and Spock don't cuddle, kiss chastely or share the same (platonic, of course) bed. Yet the concentration of the relationship is there is nice understatement - refreshing!

The first story is perhaps the strongest, 'The Brighter the Stars' by Geraliine Griffen is set early on, post Mitchell's death and the departure of Piper. The Enterprise is called to Clanon, a planet in its nuclear age and on the verge of atomic war. Kirk also has a second problem, the possible promotion and departure of Spock. Finally, faced with the alternatives of breaking the Prime Directive or witnessing planetary annihilation, Kirk adopts tactics both brilliant and risky, typical of the Kirk of the series. Spook's reaction too, is typical.

This kind of story is the author's forte and she continues to handle it well. Perhaps a little greater build-up of tension over the impending war and whether Kirk's plan will work...? I can't see either the Russians or the Americans backing down so easily. However, the author covers herself well. These are inherently peaceful people reluctant to go to war in the first place.

The Sleeper Awakes' by C. Sibbert - The idea is good. 'Sleepers', Romulans, have been planted on Vulcan as spies in the previous generation. Now their children become active, causing danger to Vulcan and the Enterprise. The story takes place after 'Babel' and also concerns Spock and Sarek's reunion. I think a problem here is that the story needed expansion. The father/son relationship needed deeper treatment to describe a breach healed after 18 years. The shorter story format also leads to some stereotyping, e.g. Amanda and her flowers and Uhura and her jewellery.

'Echoes' is a rather difficult piece for me to judge, hampered as I am by the rooted belief that a Spock/Christine relationship would be an insult to both parties. But whatever the bias, this vignette is rather unclear. Christine rejoices in Spock's Survival after Genesis but her relationship to him is vague. They seem to share some kind of a link but is this established or a produce of the occasion? A vignette seems too short for a study of a month's grief and relief.

'Dutch Courage' by G. Griffen backs up what I've always believed about Kirk, that despite the ready emotions, in things that touch him deeply he's as Vulcan as his First Officer. I'm not normally fond of stories where Kirk gets drunk but this one works perfectly and has a lovely finish, proving you don't have to slap on the emotion with a trowel (or stylus) to get the effect.

I've left the funnies to the end and put them together. 'USS Hoover' is a collection of hoary old puns and jokes strung together with unashamed corniness and I enjoyed them all, from T'Pex, the ship's stationery officer to Spock's What the Butler Saw machine.

I've always enjoyed 'Mr. Crew' for the charming drawings and the gentle funnies. 'Mr. Ears' in a leotard is beautiful. "The Trials of "Yer Man - James T. Kirk" has a ghastly line in wash powder jokes, worth a chuckle, as is the Enterprise Notice Board.

On the other hand, the poetry troubled me, rather. The heavy rhyme used by Linda Wood works better with the humorous 'That Blasted Transporter' than with the serious 'Final Frontier', The same applies to 'Star Trek IV a Prologue' by C. Sibbert where the four-line two-rhvme pattern is rather restrictive for the strong narrative thread. 'Miramanee' by the same author in free verse works better. Here the author creates a wistful tone in keeping with the mood of the episode.

The artwork is striking as usual with eye catching Spocks by Caryl, and a McCoy head by Fran Dovener. I have seen the original of Linda McGrath's Miramanee illustration and this seems to have lost subtlety of tone in the reproduction.

To sum up then, in 'Tesseract' serious and funny are well mixed, a good all round genaine read. I look forward to the next. [1]

Issue 4

Tesseract 4 was published in February 1987 and 75 pages. Editors: Linda McGrath, C. Sibbett, and Geraldine Griffin. Art by F. Dovener. Front cover art by C. Sibbett.

cover of issue #4, C. Sibbett
  • First Friend by S. Surgenor
  • Final Farewell by K. Haydon
  • Himself by C. Sibbett
  • In the Stars by L. Atkinson
  • Encounter by G. Griffin
  • Tribble Talk by S. Surgenor
  • Ode to a Trekker by S. Surgenor
  • Uhura by G. Griffin
  • A Finite Possibility by L. Hester
  • Her Dream, My Reality by K. Haydon & E. Rackel
  • He's Dead Jim by C. Sibbett
  • Return to Forever by S. Surgenor
  • Compassion by L. Atkinson
  • The Real McCoy by C. Sibbett
  • USS Hoover by C. Sibbett
  • Oh Captain Kirk! by L. Atkinson
  • Competition
  • Amigo by G. Griffin
  • Y.A.R.T.Z.B.
  • Mr Crew by C. Sibbett

References

  1. ^ from Communicator #23 (May 1985)
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