The Return (Star Wars zine)

For articles with a similar title, see The Return.

Zine
Title:	The Return
Publisher:
Editor:
Author(s):	R.I. Barycz
Cover Artist(s):
Illustrator(s):
Date(s):	1981
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:	gen
Fandom:	Star Wars
Language:	English
External Links:
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The Return is a Star Wars 155-page novel written by R.I. Barycz. It was published in England, mimeo, and as per the review below, not for sale for money.

Reactions and Reviews

It is available only in pre-arranged trade and/or exchange for your own ANH, TESB, ROTJ, etc. fan publication. For the exact terms and conditions, request a flyer to be sent to you beforehand for your interest and information. This British fanzine's freshness of approach is so strong that I am going to recommend it to an American audience despite admittedly poor production values and storytelling technique. The situations in which R.I. Barycz places his characters are quite remote from those usually constructed by American fans and yet are still plausibly extrapolated from the two films. The Return is strictly designed to answer the same ques tions as ROT J answers. We see Luke off to the planet of Sith to track down the truth of his parentage. Leia, Lando and Chewie are all concerned with the rescue of Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hut. And in a military fashion that adds much to the story oy its veracity, the Alliance and the Empire battle with deadly intent. Fans who shun tales involving Mari Su's exploits will appreciate the fact that there are no new characters introduced to the action who are meant to play a major role. Much of a reader's interest in this zine is due to the author's working out of subordinate aspects to Lucas' universe. For example, the plotline involving Luke goes into interesting detail regarding the nature of the Force and Vader's defection to the Empire. The writer evidently did some research into the influences Lucas mentioned as affecting the development of his saga. There is a droid who bears a suspicious resemblance to a Zen master. Another inventive device created by the writer was the concept of the "siege tower". My knowledge of physics is lacking so I will not attempt to comment on the feasibility of the concept, out it was an excellent attempt to use science fiction in the Star Wars universe. Considering the terms of exchange suggested by Barycz, one should be aware of the physical appearance of the zine. Its format is 77 sheets (roughly at" x 11") folded in half and stapled in three haphazardly structured volumes. The type is reduced, making for a gray appearance on the page, unrelieved by illos. Cover art is seemingly irrelevant to anything within the novella and muddy-looking. Still, I did develop a peculiar interest in reading this story despite all ot the above and for those fans jaded by slick American productions, this may be a welcome change.

What's this? I asked myself. It was a zine, that much was true. An unpretentious little digest type zine. In three parts. I scratched my head again.... THE RETURN, it said on the cover. And, inside, "Copyright R.I. Barcyz, 1981." And then I looked, as any semi-bankrupt fan will for the price. "Available only in pre-arranged trade and/or exchange for your own SW/TESB/ROTJ etc, fan publication," it said. "For exact terms and conditions, see the flyer sent to you beforehand for your interest and information."...Well, I thought this was all pretty strange, but I dutifully began to read. That lasted about three seconds. Mister, I thought, you've got better eyes than I. I've never seen such teensy tiny print in all my two hundred and six years. So I looked for pretty pictures. I looked in the first section. I looked in the second section. And, I looked in the last section. There weren't ANY pictures, pretty or otherwise. The only art I could find was on the front cover and it made my eyes hurt too. So, I looked for something short to read, but there wasn't anything short. As near as I could tell, it was all one long story. I couldn't hack that, so I turned my attention to a letter I'd found stuck inside.... "Enclosed please find. . ." Hggggrrrr, I thought. I'd ALREADY found it. "Copy No. 40." So that's what it was. Okay. "Its availability could be summed up with the phrase, "For availability details, please send self addressed envelope with International Reply Coupon." Now, that's peculiar, I thought. If he/she/it wants one from us, why didn't he/she/it send one along for the information wanted? Humans are WEIRD.

A Star Wars Novel Of Exceptional Merit: The reader is whisked back in time and across space to the Lucas dream of Banthas, Sith Lord's and Jedi Knights. The universe is, of course, Star Wars, but this fast-paced, action-packed, well written rendering is not the work of master storyteller, George Lucas. R.I. Barycz, is responsible for a Star Wars novel that from the opening lines does Lucasfilm justice. It is a strictly fan publication concerning the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Lando Calrissian, Princess, Han Solo, et. al. after Bespin and The Empire Strikes Back.

Luke grapples with Vader's startling revelations about their intertwined destinies. While Lando, Chewy, and Princess Leia search for Han, Luke aspires to settle his past and future, journeying to Vader's homeworld in search of the truth. Assisted by long forgotten servants to the ebon malefactor, Luke begins to learn and reconcile himself to the veracity of his present situation.

There is one word for the writing of R.I. Barcyz' — professional — detailed journeys that lend an air of believability to this alternate universe story. The plot is its overall strength as The Return takes the next logical step in events that lead to Lucas' next film. Some resolution must be made on many fronts: Luke's heritage, the fate of Han Solo, Leia's love and loyalty, et. al. These are but some of the perplexing questions that inspired many writers to put pen to paper and extrapolate. The fact that R.I. Barycz did such an excellent job is a tribute to the types of people who attend and think about celluloid science fiction. They say good things are often difficult to acquire. R.I. Barcyz is from England, and is only willing to trade with other Star Wars fanzines. Don't let this deter you. This novel is really worth it. He feels that people with enough guts to work over and produce a Star Wars fanzine are really interested in The Return. He'll trade one-for-one.

As he aptly states: from complimentary copies 'The Return' is available ONLY for trade/exchange with your own Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Revenge of The

Jedi fan publication on a one-copy-for-one copy basis for "one-off' fan publications, whatever their size, length, binding, make up and price. . . . the bottom line — them as sends, gets and no one else and you can't read promises.