Warped Space/Issues 41-50

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Issue 41

front cover of issue #41, Will Wilson
back cover of issue #41, Susan Perry-Lewis

Warped Space 41 was published in 1979 and contain 92 pages. There is much Star Trek and Star Wars material.

There was much discussion regarding Leslie Fish's letter of comment in "Warped Space" #37, see two fans' comments there.

See a fan's response to Paula Block's comments about fan concrit in "Warped Space" #39 here.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 41

Like the Marvel comics of the late '60s, WS has made a specialty of continued stories. Unlike the interminable adventures of Peter Parker and Dr. Bruce Banner, however, the stories in WS sometimes do come to an end. In this ish, for instance, Roberta Rogow's Dirty Nellie Gray series inevitable finishes up with two final pieces. Leah Rosenthal's illos give them a poignancy the author had striven for, but missed.

On the other hand, third step in a running start on their Star Wars 'Continuator' series is 'Comfort.' which well enough written, but a bit trivial -- Luke meets an old friend from Tatooine, Bigg's old girlfriend, and they comfort each other.

And of course, there's chapter four part 4 of 'The Weight,' in which Spock discovers something the reader has known since August 1977. There are some nice scenes in this section, notably Uhura's talk with Roantree; next issue is supposed to finish off the series, whereupon the whole series will be reprinted in its entirety in a separate volume. Something to look forward to.

One-shot items in thish include more of Hill and Firmstone's Star Wars 'poetry,' Popplestone on Scientific Myths, two art folios by Goodwin and Rosenthal, and part three of Carleton's cartoon send-up of the coming ST movie, 'S'Our Trek, Too.'

In all, a good issue this time. [2]

"Homeward Bound"— Kelly describes Han so well. She seems to understand him better than he understands him self. Loved the accompanying illo. Han's mind seems to be elsewhere. "Spacer Man" fits Han like a glove. The illo of Han could pass for a photo. It captures the imagination. Makes one feel you're looking at Han in the flesh. My compliments to Susan Perry. Hope to see more of her drawings, esp. those of Han.

"Comfort"— Bri Windrider seemed so sad. I guess it's hard to lose someone you love. I'm glad Luke was there to comfort her, and vice versa. I loved the part where she meets Han. It's just like that stubborn Corellian to disobey his doctor. Kirk and Spock were the same way. Lousy patients. I'm dying to read "Resurgence" to learn how Han got hurt in the first place. Probably wasn't being careful.

"The Weight"— would you believe this is the 1st segment I've read in WS? I read excerpts in ENTERPRISE INCIDENTS, but this is the 1st time I've had a chance to really read it. My compliments to Leslie Fish for such an excellent story. I'm anxious to read the whole thing ... [3]

I thoroughly enjoyed issue #41 except for the continuing story of "The Weight". I've read other installments and I find the whole story uncomfortable and awkward. Maybe I'm not political enough to enjoy Roantree and company.

On the other hand, I loved "S'Our Trek, Too", the dragon art and most especially "Comfort". Jackie Paciello and Paula Block did an excellent job in allowing Luke to be a man and not just an incredibly ignorant boy. Also, it was nice giving Luke a tie to his past. I'm looking forward to more stories in this series.

It's interesting to see that the STAR TREK stories are beginning to leave space for whatever wrinkles the movie may put into the story line.

Finally, I was glad to see the BATTLESTAR GALACTICA cover. This show has fascinated me with its possibilities since its debut last fall. I'm glad to know that there are others who share my interest. [4]

This is a very short LoC on #41, be- cause frankly, I haven't gotten around to reading it yet. However, I wanted to note that I bought the 'zine for two reasons: pages 39 and 45. God, can those two draw! [5]

After my last letter, explaining why I don't write LoCs, here I am, writing a LoC. But after reading WS 41, I can't restrain myself.

In the last few weeks, I've caught up with WS, reading issues 15-39 in rapid succession, rereading 40 and as soon as a friend got 41, reading (devouring) it.

The most obvious quality of WS is the constantly rising excellence of the 'zine.

Several of the pieces in 41 struck me deeply, and so, on to comments: I'll hold all comments on "The Weight" until it is finished. All I will say now is it's about time Kirk realized what we've all known for several months.

I enjoyed the Dirty Nellie and LP6 stories, and I'm sorry to see the break up of LP6, but everyone has to go on to bigger and better things.

I read "Resurgence" in 40 without knowing it was Part 2. Even so, the story held up on its own. The series has a promising start—the characterizations are much like my own concepts.

"Comfort" is the perfect story to illustrate Elyse M. Grasso's point about the difference between pornography and eroticism. "Comfort" is executed with skill, sensitivity, and subtlety. Subtlety is the hardest quality to obtain in a story. It is a fine line be tween overwriting and sketchiness; few can find it.

As always, the artwork was excellent overall. I especially like Susan Perry's Han Solo illoing "Spacer Man." Martynn's

illos for the "Resurgence" series are beautiful, but they seem to be of younger people than we saw in SW. [6]

The front and back covers are exceptionally lovely in the classic artistic sense: Wilson's warrior and mount have a grace and flow to them reminiscent of some masterwork of bygone days; while Sue Perry's exacting rendition of the BATTLESTAR warriors invoked the futuristic mystery (when it briefly appeared) on that show well.

Too bad the repro inside wasn't as true as the covers. I lost whole hunks out of the LoC columns and parts of stories, not to mention the disappointment of fade-outs and streaks in the "Comfort" illos. Boo on the printer! The innards, as one always expects of WS, are a balanced grab bag of something for every taste. I thank you for the little S.O.S. (Save Our Solo) in the Editor's Nook. A month of casting about has pretty much quashed the nasty rumor with hints from reliable sources that in EMPIRE 1) the Falcon will be blown to bits, 2) Solo will survive and Ford may be considering a sequel. That's enough to set my little Hanatic mind at ease.

On to the body of the 'zine. The Dirty Nellie stories this time around were a bit less interesting to me because I prefer the action and whodunit format they usually feature-. The character details in "Home" just didn't quite fill out enough of Nellie's background to enlighten an un-initiate like myself. The second Nellie story fared better with the inclusion of the familiar ST characters. Leah Rosenthal's bold illos (as in her beasts in the portfolio) were a fine accompaniment. I particularly liked the one of Nellie's ma and the one of Scotty in his cups. The other ST pieces in this ish varied from Gordon's increasingly recognizable and increasingly funnier "S'Our Trek, Too" (love his paunchy, bearded Scott) to the (hopefully) next-to-last chapter of "The Weight". It's now more of an infliction than an installment, but I dutifully read it out of curiosity, respect for Leslie's story-telling abilities (verging on long-windedness, when she gets into the sociology or feminism rut), and sheer disbelief as to how anyone could warp Spock's character to any greater extent (even if it is "Warped Space"). It may be a milestone (millstone?) in TREK fanlit, but I for one will be glad when "The Weight" finishes its lengthy run.

The SW material in 41 I enjoyed exceedingly. Even "Comfort" still reads well, though I've had my copy since last FebCon. I'm not a Luke fan, but Po and Jackie's Luke is not just simply a cute little blond twit, but a real flesh and blood young man with recognizable feelings and a personality and maturity which grows in a logical, if painful and at times heart-wrenching fashion, at those two capable writers' hands. In the absence of Han (who is fortunately recovering in time for "Continuator"), one could almost come to like the lad a great deal from their portrayal. Of course, the real reason I liked the story was because it gave me a chance to draw Han in jammies ...

Jane and Kelly, if I remember rightly (don't have the 'zine here with me at work) contributed the Solo SW pieces for 41 and two very nice bits of verse they are. Jane's "Spacer Man" is a delightfully superficial Mary Sue (I keep seeing Beatrice Arthur as the cantina barkeep from the SW Holiday Special) with that faint lilt of an accent (is she Irish-East-of-Tatooine?) that carries the thoughts along fluidly, and says a few bitter-but-lovely sentiments (the phrase about the stars being pieces of others' broken dreams) underneath that give the poem depth despite its simple story. Sue Perry's accompanying portrait of Harrison is as perfect as can be imagined, although the facial expression is more along the line of HF-the-kid than HF-the-wicked-swaggering-Casanova. Kelly's "Homeward Bound" puts Han under the microscope again, reluctant subject that he is, and puts across a few universal lines about the old ','home is where the heart is" nicely. To say that Nan Lewis doesn't particularly care for Han, she did a beautiful rendering of said Corellian. Worth of mention too in 41 are Gordon's other fine cartoons (my fave is Starbuck and the Cylon) and Ann Popplestone's excellent column. Either I'm picking up a trick or two from Ann's previous endeavors or the lady is striving to make her digressions not only simpler for the layperson, but even humorous, thus making the whole column generally more palatable.

Another fine ish to add to your credit, Madame Editor! [7]

Seriously, folks -- when you're good, you're very good. But when you're bad -- aargh! WS 41 was very good for the short, self-contained fiction and the artwork (esp. Goodwin's dragons) exceptional.

However, the two serials were aggravating. Both were simply marking time and did practically nothing to advance the story lines. You would have been farther ahead to leave one out completely in favor of a longer segment of the other. Or leave both the ST and SW serials out until longer pieces were ready where some action would take place. I'd rather wait for a while and get plot advancement than get a hurried story that is a nice sidelight but practically unnecessary. That's too frustrating to be able to enjoy.

Hopefully WS 42 will ease our frustration.[8]

First off, the covers (front and back) as well as Joni's pull-out poster were exquisite! So too the dragon portfolio by Lynne Anne Goodwin! I think you should have run only one art portfolio per issue. I'm sorry to say that I couldn't appreciate Leah's portfolio because it was in the same issue. When I came to it all I could think was—too many pages of art work—this room could have had another story. I don't know if others felt the same way, but I felt it was unfair to Leah.

I'm glad to see that the titles are no longer far removed from the stories. It had irked me to see a title and author's name at the bottom of one page while the story followed on the next. Economic use of space is praiseworthy in a 'zine, but not at the expense of simple aesthetics. [9]

In response to Paula Smith's analysis of "Changeling" ((letter in WS 40)), I openly confess the weak handling of the Enterprise characters in the story. Howsoever, those who write ST stories of late suffer similar problems, with good reason. The series gone for close to 12 years now has lessened my tolerance for viewing the reruns yet again to an all—time low, and it is easy to become increasingly remote from the steady input of the characters needed to make them real. I plead guilty. And I also suspect it's a common malaise of late, reading the newer novel ST offerings, and the decline of stories written on the basic characters. This is one reason why I was disappointed that no more than two new main characters were scheduled into the TREK movie. Much as we love and respect the old group, I think they've been about as written about on the 5-year mission format as they can be. New writers may not have the problem, but their stories reflect somewhat repetitively on older 'zine stories, for lack of exposure. Anyhow, that's why I sent in-some new players for the old to deal with.

Acknowledging that I have to bone up on my Kirk, Spock, et al.. I defend Kirk's decision to keep Cooper on duty after the knifing incident in the theatre. Considering the security detail that would be left to him after throwing Cooper in the brig on suspicion, which is to say red-shirts of the caliber used on the show, the Vice-Admiral would be in even more perilous straits. Considering Cooper's flaw less record on the Enterprise until then (save for Ensign Ross's attack), brigging him would be pure stupidity. As for Kirk getting angry at Cooper for getting knifed, I thought it rather obvious that he is identifying strongly with the man. When Kirk got knifed in "Babel", he in insisted on staying on duty too. Kirk knew it was stupid, but necessary. Cooper is as protective of the ship as Kirk is (or for that matter, Scotty), but for a different reason. If this fellow-protector of the Big E gets knifed in trying to protect her. Kirk sure as hell would get pissed. Especially since he is so afraid he will fail her similarly, someday, and so takes out his anger on Cooper, as he would on himself. Paula calls him "Kirk, the Captain of his men." Nobody is captain of men in Starfleet, at least before they are captain of the ship. It's like calling a plumber the protector of his wrenches, not pipes. Men aren't tools in Starfleet, of course, but without some 'tool' function and attitude, Starfleet could not exist as an entity.

As for Sadie Faulwell being unconvincing as an upset person ("Throwing venomous looks", etc.), there is a phrase in Brooklyn that states that a schlemiel is on a lower level than a shmoe. Face it. Cooper is a schlemiel. He's clumsy, not too bright (he needs Girc'N to help him solve a relatively minor mystery), belligerent and a patsy. His only real talent is for survival. Sadie Faulwell must recognize, in the pecking order, that Cooper is fair game, rank or not, and can afford some aggressive looks or phrases at his expense. I don't know about the overuse of "verbally" in fandom. I just think it's a little less overworked than the words it substitutes for ... "she said". I object to Paula's complaint on Chapel's characterization being "too sharp". Compared to what? Aside from her engagement to Corby, we got virtually no characterization on her or her past at all. It's as if Smith would rather Chapel stay a non-person, comfortably out of mind. In a fandom cluttered with dozens of Kirk-Spock-McCoy and Scott stories, as well as tales dealing with characters that appeared in one episode than ad absurdum towards infinity, Chapel deserves a little more than being relegated to occasional lay-Spock stories.

Finally, the title "Changeling" does not apply to AitaPia at all, compared to Cooper. Cooper starts out in the story as the schlemiel described above, a new fence around the Big E ranch and nothing more. By the end, he has learned to use his brain a little, call for help from others instead of standing alone, drowning stoically in a situation, and has regained some of the humanness he had back on Targin. He has a long way to go, to a destination nobody really can guess, but he's on his way, thanks to the people on the Enterprise. a special lot. He is the real changeling. Pia was just doing what came naturally.

Thanks again, Paula ... I'll sit down to those reruns now, I promise![10]

I just read WS 41 and I just had to write and say that I flipped out over "Spacer Man" and the illo that went with it. Susan Perry's illo captures the exact quality about Han that has captured women's hearts (including my D.O.B. mother) and made Luke seem dull in comparison. Having just alienated all the Luke fans out there, I would like to further unpopularize myself by throwing my two cents worth of opinion on the Kirk/Spock stories. In my opinions on this I differ from my mother, who will state hers to anybody who asks. I believe first of all that the stories should be written. The relationship we saw on television grew so much from "Where No Man Has Gone Before" to "Turnabout Intruder" that there is no reason to believe that it would not develop further, eventually leading to sexual love.

The emotion of revulsion, pain, and eventual joy these feelings would lead to was so fantastically evoked by Leslie Fish's "Shelter" and "Poses" that it would obviously be stupid to let cultural biases cut off such an obviously rich vein of beautiful fiction.

Also, as THE OBSC'ZINE has shown us, the relationship can be mined for humor ranging from the delicious to the criminal. Obviously all the K/S stories cannot maintain a level of continuous perfection; fandom has seen its share of perfectly hideous heterosexual fiction as well. To close, I want to say that K/S relationship stories are here to stay, so let's do our best by them. [11]

WS 41 looks generally quite good except for some maddening little print fade-outs. I could wail at the way my "Weight" illos came out. Printer trouble?

Ann Popplestone's science fact article was a real treat. Can her column be made into a permanent feature? The two R. Rogow stories were fine examples of tight, concise, short story writing; it's amazing to com pare them to some of the earlier Dirty Nellie stories and note how her craft has improved.

Lynne Goodwin's little dragons are delightful, a pretty contrast to some of the heavier material in the issue.

Whoever Susan Perry is, don't lose her! She looks to be as good an artist as Alice Jones. Kudos also to the Smith/Rosenthal beastiary; the beasties are wonderfully original and convincing. I only regret that Will Wilson's Renaissance-style cover printed so soft and vague; the Michaelangeloesque unicorn is a lively and interesting concept.

[snipped]

I'm pretty well convinced that inexperience is also the cause of over-predict ability in the x-rated stuff. All too many such stories—regular hetero far more often than K/S, for some reason read as if the authors literally don't know how to describe desire or love except in Harlequin Romance terms. Perhaps we should recommend a reading list of well-written erotica, so beginning writers can get some idea of alternative (!) styles.

Re the problem of keeping an onboard love affair quiet (K/S or otherwise), we can extrapolate from existing military custom. According to some TREK-fen I've spoken to who are, or have been in the armed services, the only serious rule is to stick to one's own rank group. Officers can 'fraternize' with other officers of roughly the same grade, but messing with enlisted men is a no-no (except of course, for other EMs). Going by that rule. Starfleet would probably be less worried about Kirk going to bed with Spock (who's a full Commander) than they would be about Kirk taking after Uhura (who's only a Lieutenant). Since our heroes are quite conscientious about their jobs—which includes keeping their private lives strictly to off-duty hours—there wouldn't be any cause for the 'secrecy' question to arise.

As to how Vulcan society would react to a K/S affair — not to mention Spock's parents — that's been the subject of more than one good story I've seen. (There's one, I believe, in the current RIGEL. A must-read.) Indeed, how closely Vulcan society follows the IDIC concept is a fine thematic background for a Spock-and-Kirk — or for that matter, Spock-and-Anybody — love story. I hope more writers take the idea and run with it.

My comment about Lucas strangling his own fandom was written at a time when Lucas's office was demanding to see SW fan stories before publication — and you can imagine what a bottle neck that would have created. Shortly thereafter, LucasFilms Inc. changed to simply asking for SW stories after the 'zines have been printed — but even so, as Lori noted on p. 3 of WS 41, they're some what lax about paying for those 'zines. I still think it's a bad way to deal with one's fandom. (Also, Lucas's somewhat premature claim that he didn't want to hear about any Han-gets-Luke stories has inspired more such tales than if he'd kept quiet. I've seen several underground SW stories wherein Han gets everybody from Luke to Chewbacca — and if they keep circulating at the current rate, they'll soon be more widespread than 'straight" (!) SW fan fiction.

Hmmmm, preaching from my "homemade altar," am I? Would you prefer that I preached from the mass-produced variety? In point of act, while describing the phenomenon of same-sex behavior in Human society and and nature, I've mentioned several different studies—only one of which was the 1931 Kinsey Report. You mentioned—in a different 'zine, as I recall—some question about the accuracy of the Kinsey Report, so I replied with the facts I knew concerning the accuracy of the Kinsey Report. If now you wish I'd "find something else to talk about", then why not ask about the dozen or so other studies I mentioned? There are plenty of them, all coming to the same conclusion: all mammals—in fact, most vertebrates—are happily bisexual (or "sexually polymorphous", if you want to use a longer term). Yea, verily, my argument is "so old it's pre historic", in fact, it's pre-Human—even pre-mammalian. If you'd rather not believe this, then I'd advise you never to put two male (or two female) parakeets in the same cage.

Certainly some K/S stories are gooey- romantic, for reasons mentioned earlier. I'd say maybe 60% of them are like that. However, the ratio of gooey-Romantic to realistic Mary Sue stories is closer to Sturgeon's Law — more like 90%. Which stories have you been reading? Probably one reason for the discrepancy is that in experienced writers often hesitate to venture into a "controversial" topic, like K/S, while they have no such inhibitions toward standard boy-girl romances. Perhaps "newer fans" in your area don't care for K/S stories, but that's little reason to assume that "most fans ... don't ... really care for the stories"—especially when so many adult 'zines get so many K/S submissions and queries and enthusiastic LoCs. Remember, these 'zines are advertised only in other ST 'zines, with plenty of warning given as to contents, and nobody buys them without knowing perfectly well what the subject matter is. Certainly no one is forced to buy!

[snipped]

There is even evidence from aired ST which implies that this affection-cancels- aggression pattern holds true for Vulcans. Why else would such a dangerous creature as a male Vulcan in pon farr be "accompanied by his closest friends"?

Since you insist on mentioning the Kinsey Report again, let me say that it's regarded by social scientists everywhere as a classic example of accurate and unbiased sampling. That makes it a good deal more valid than the arguments you've used. Besides, since when does an argument's validity depend on whether or not you're "bored to death" with it?

Scientific discoveries and Human rights are not intended as entertainment. The big K/S question never really was "are they or aren't they", and certainly not "could they or couldn't they"; it is "under what circumstances would they". A lot of people have answered, "Love." This is valid. Would you venture to say, "Under no circumstances at all"?

To [E M G]: Sorry, but no matter how you explain it, you did ask Lori not to print the ad for NAKED TIMES. Never mind how you could label a list of contents in "bad taste"; tell me, how are people supposed to know about the contents of the 'zine unless the contents are described? How else are people supposed to know in advance what they're getting? If Della hadn't used ads describing the contents, no doubt someone would have complained (in fact, some benighted soul actually did) that he/she didn't realize what sort of 'zine he/she had ordered. So, does the publisher describe (and shock) or not describe (and mislead)? You can't have it both ways.[12]

Issue 42

front cover of issue #42, Hans Dietrich, Future Wings - fantasy flight
back cover of issue #42, Hans Dietrich
from issue #42, Leah Rosenthal

Warped Space 42 was published in September 1979 and contains 104 pages.

The art is by Gordon Carleton, Teanna Byerts, Edith Crowe, Hans Dietrich (front and back covers), Jane Firmstone (reprinted in Dracula) , Leslie Fish, Phil Foglio, Steven Fox, Terri Korthalis, Anji Valenza, Angela-Marie Varesano, Carol Walske, Allyson Whitfield, Bev Zuk, and Leah Rosenthal.

It contains the very last installment of Leslie Fish's The Weight, which some fans had started calling "The Wait" in reference to how long this story was drawn out.

The editor addresses fans:

And before I run out of room, I'd like to speak up on behalf of Paula Smith and myself in reply to those clowns who have complained to us about moving the "Michigan" con to New York next year. First off, we never considered ourselves the "Michigan" con (there are others in Michigan, after all), and we don't think it's all that impossible to go to a con in New York City. Believe us, we highly recommend Mos' Eastly Con, and will run suggestions in future issues of WARPED SPACE on how you too can make it to the con. There's going to be at least two cons in Michigan over the next year that I know of, and Steve Harrison's in Grand Rapids should be on the order of the Kalamazoo/Lansing cons. To close, I'd like to reassure you die-hards that we will (tentatively) host the "Michigan" con in 1981, probably in Kalamazoo or Lansing. Details to come ... some time from now.

One of the authors of "The Continuator" writes about her series:

In 1977, 'Star Wars' premiered and gave fandom a shot in the arm. The challenge to jaded Trek fen was too much to resist. Around this time I met Jackie Paciello and found that although our writing styles differed plenty, we both had the same outlook towards the potential direction of the SWars universe. And so we began to write together, taking advantage of each other's talent and enthusiasm to produce 'The Continuator' universe. Writing in tandem is not an easy thing -- it requires a blending of styles and compromises -- but it is always inspirational, not to mention a great way to learn new things about technique. [13]

  • Editor's Nook by Lori Chapek-Carleton (3)
  • Miscellaneous (4)
  • Warped Communications (9)
  • Analysis Please: Evolution by Ann Popplestone (There is a statement published in the next issue regarding a typo in this article: "was a minor typographical error in the last "Analysis Please". The first sentence in the last paragraph on p. 17 is supposed to read, "The idea is now thoroughly discredited." The error was minor but had the effect of reversing the meaning of the entire sentence. Ann is most emphatically not a Lamarckian.") (17)
  • Only a Legend by Ronni Sacksteder (19)
  • The Continuator (Part 1) by Paula Block and Jackie Paciello (Star Wars) (22)
  • The Weight: Judgement Night by Leslie Fish (conclusion) (37)
  • Science Is On Our Side from Anji Valenza (a Thobo Telecom/Asymetrical Star story) (Klysadel) (Original Fiction) (65)
  • Epitaph for Icarus Montgolfier Wright by Edith Crowe (71)
  • Reverie by Clare Bell (reprinted in Galactic Discourse #3 with the title: "The Stowaway" -- Spock finds a Terran butterfly on the wall.) (72)
  • The Prisoner by Kathy Resch (74)
  • Experiment in Survival by Roberta Rogow (76)
  • Dark Prince by Jane Firmstone (reprinted in Dracula) (86)
  • Lucy Seward: To a Creature of the Night by Jani Hicks (reprinted in Dracula) (88)
  • Have You Hugged Your Wookiee Today? by Paula M. Block (90)
  • This One Ate Nancy by Julie Helseth (91)
  • The Ultimate Convention by Debra Sara Greenblatt (RPF, actors and characters switch places at a convention)(93)
  • Alien by Hans Dietrich (101)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 42

See reactions and reviews for The Continuator Series.

[zine]:

WHAT DO WE SAY!!?? You mean you want to put us through that again? Having got this off my chest, I can turn around and say I wouldn't mind if part 2 of "The Weight" was serialized (only in WARPED SPACE, mind! I don't feel I can start hunting around to find out where Chapter 3 was published, and then manage to get hold of it only to find then that I haven't received Chapters 1 and 2 yet. This may be a bit warbled, but I'm sure you get my drift). So, in clear print, yes, I would like WS to continue publishing "The Weight", even though the end of part 1 really threw me off balance — I won't comment on it be cause it was so different from what I'd expected that I don't know what to say.

The rest of the ish is all right, up to par, but not a superior 'zine. I enjoy P. Block's ((and Jackie Paciello's)) continuing STAR WARS epic, with one (yes!) slight criticism: if Princess Leia gets shot or comes down with tetanus in the next installment, I'll stop reading it. Comfort stories are all very well, and they do have a function, but enough already! With Han shot, that extremely John-Boyish blah seduction/ comfort scene with Windrider, that flu thing makes it 3 in a row. I don't know how they'll ever destroy the Empire if they're always fainting about, picking each other up — aside from that, a very good series, with excellent characterization — Han's especially (he forgot to mention they needed help blowing up the battle station) — and a nice plot line (when it doesn't get bogged down because someone throw up) ... [14]

[zine]: Concerning "The Weight": clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap pause clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap yay clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap encore encore clap ... WS 42 was the best one you've had out since ... since ... well, I'll think of it, just give me time ... [15]

[zine]:

Hans' cover was superb. Whoever Hans is, s/he deserves to be knighted on the basis of originality alone. Loved the cat Jones in the ALIEN cartoon! (I didn't see ALIEN and didn't get the joke — but the artwork was excellent nonetheless.)

WARPED SPACE has, bar none, the best lettercolumn I've ever had the pleasure to read in a 'zine. (But then again — I love mail and I guess I'm just naturally curious.) *sigh* I wish I could write concise letters like that. Mine always just ramble on in no coherent sort of order. Martynn's illos are marvelous. She rivals Monica Miller. The lady is talented. Don't let her get away. I am especially fond of her illo for "Have You Hugged Your Wookiee Today?" Her patience must be inexhaustible to apply herself so wholeheartedly to all those tiny dots — and to have them come out looking like something!

*sigh* I hate to sound like a sour grape, but I personally feel the conclusion of "The Weight" was rather weak. Somehow the tension ceased to hold and it came off seemingly rushed. Granted the earlier installments are a hard act to follow, but I found myself really disappointed in the way the conclusion was handled. It was the logical conclusion and one the story should have come to to remain true to the characters. Don't ask me what exactly is wrong — I can't tell you. It just "feels" wrong. I suppose lack of solid "evidence" to back up my claim invalidates the statements. And no, I couldn't do better myself. The artwork was some of Leslie's best so far as the series goes and the one scene of Jenneth's hair being shorn will remain a personal favorite for a long time to come.

Anji's "Science Is On Our Side" was an utterly delightful little piece which has certainly converted me to the ranks of Thobo Telecom fandom! Brilliant placement on your part, Lori, to put a light piece after such a "heavy" emotional piece -- nice contrast and transition.

Wow! I should have known Clare Bell could write. The lady is a marvel. And Ms. Zuk's pencil piece was exquisite! (She definitely rivals Alice Jones' work.)

I'm not a prude, but I do thank you for the warning before "Experiment in Survival." I decided to go ahead and read the story on the basis that I had been warned and if I didn't like it, I could always stop. I enjoyed the story and felt the sexual encounter was a valid part of the storyline. I don't particularly care for stories with sexual content, but I don't scream "pornography!" either if the sex is handled well and is a vital part of the story, rather than merely being used as filler or as an attempt to cover over lack of characterization, plot, or what-have- you. I do appreciate the warning and thank you for taking into account some readers' easily offended sensibilities. Thank you — you get 5 gold stars in my book on the basis of your concern for the welfare of all your readers.

Gordon's cartoons are as usual hilarious. I especially loved the Orion and Boxey ... (yes, I do hate cute kids). [16]

[zine]:

Well, it's "only" 1:30 A.M. and I've finished WS 42 ... Honestly, I am very relieved to see an end to "Dead Weight". The story was fine and the characters good, but all in all, it was terribly ponderous. You needed a mental plow to get past some of the passages. Much as I like Leslie Fish (contrary to what Roberta believes), I feel her best work is in music, and should stay there. I vote "no" on part 2 of "The Weight".

Bev Zuk's Spock on p. 73 is probably the nicest piece of TREK art I can ever remember having seen. Absolutely gorgeous! The poem wasn't half as nice, although the idea was an idyllic one. In any case, Bev Zuk is now my favorite.

"Only A Legend" ... nice.

"The Continuator" ... *sigh* What is it this time, get Luke? Mary Otten might say it's about time, since every WARS tale until now has gotten Han. I can do without both, after the first one. You always hurt the one you love, ain't it the truth? Tell Martynn that it's about time she realized there are backgrounds in real life. And other portions of anatomy besides the face ... If one covers the face of any one of her people in illos, the picture looks rather dismal and amateurish. She's improving weekly, though.

"Science Is On Our Side" ... I still think Klysadel is a heavy kind of draft horse and I refuse to get into that universe. I didn't grow with the characters, so I don't find much appeal to going to join them in the middle of nowhere, nice as they are.

"Experiment in Survival" ... Roberta probably knows by now that I refer to this story as "Experiment in Lust". Strangely enough, I'm not a fan of Dirty Nellie. She annoys me, being non-institutional in nature, and I rather like institutions. Maybe that's why I hate "The Weight".

"The Prisoner" and "Dracula" stuff was interesting. So was "This One Ate Nancy" and I especially liked "Have You Hugged Your Wookiee Today?" ... except for the title.

"The Ultimate Convention" ... I dunno, unsatisfying, somehow. Somewhat done before in idea, too. Teanna's illo style pleases me, though.

Gordon is getting pulled away from illos for the 'zine, I suppose. It's the only explanation I can think of for his less-than-brilliant-but-still-hilarious cartoons, this issue.

I still don't think Hans Dietrich's ALIEN cartoon is very funny either, and I didn't think so when I saw it at the August Party artshow. Maybe it's the hour I'm writing this, or maybe I'm getting old and cranky. I still liked the issue as a whole. Now that "The Weight" is through, maybe we'll see some new stuff for a while. [17]

[zine]:

Ahhh ... WS 42 — beautiful! I'm not only satisfied, I'm fairly satiated with the wonderful issue you've served up this time. Leslie Fish has, at last, gotten to the main action. I wondered how she'd get Kirk and Roantree's situations reversed ... But I didn't really think that Kirk would be so tongue-tied while Jenneth was quite the opposite. She doesn't seem able to see things from his point of view at all — yet. It'll be easier to tell the strength of Leslie's tale once it's read without months between episodes. But — I'd rather see parts 2 and 3 serialized in WS as part 1 was. Already I'm trying to figure out how Kirk will get Jenneth as much freedom as possible and where and when the Galilei and Co. will show up again. These folks have got a lot to learn. C'mon, Leslie, show us where they're wrong as well as where they're right!

"The Continuator" was OK, although I ended up wondering how Han and Chewie were doing more than how much more Luke was hurting from visitor to visitor. Let's see — Han got a knife, Luke's got a fever ... if Leia turns up pregnant ...

I truly enjoyed "Science Is On Our Side". Especially since I only got confused as to who is what about 25% of the time (down considerably from the 90% on Anji's last story). 'Course, I'm also now reading — and enjoying — Anji's CHILD OF THE VIOLENT SPRING. SIOOS and "This One Ate Nancy" were both high-quality SF and excellent examples of their authors' versatility.

And damned if I'm not beginning to like Dirty Nellie Gray, too! She's matured quite a bit from the first glimpses I remember. "Experiment in Survival" showed sides of Nellie and Klingons that were well-handled. Kaldon seems to be a nice-enough fellow, although a bit on the ruthless side when it comes to certain potentially life-or-death decisions. (They aren't really giving Klingons ridges on their heads and claw-like hands for the movie, are they?)

As always, the artwork was superb and the poetry memorable.

And I just again admit that WS 42 made up 100% for the few shortcomings of WS 41. Now, how long before "The Weight", part 2?

Thanks for the time and effort you donate to make WS the consistently excellent 'zine it is. Lori and Co., you're super. [18]

[zine]:

I was very pleased to see some topics which were not of fannish nature. One being the short article on evolution by Ann Popplestone. I found this article while not detailed, enough (for my taste) interesting enough to read.

"Miscellanea" was put together very well. I always look for a good fanzine re view when I pick up a fanzine, and your review was good.

... the story "Experiment in Survival" I found to be done well. The characters to me seemed to be flat and one-dimensional, however you can't make a novel out of an 8-page story. I think the story was constructed well as far as placing the sequence of events together, but not in the area of character development.

I found the ALIEN cartoon on p. 101 very funny and nicely-drawn. Hans' drawings show a lot of movement and life even though done in a cartoon style ... [19]

[zine]:

I haven't seen WS in a year and a half and I was very impressed with the quality of 42. You've come a long way and done it all so very nicely, too.

"The Continuator" is helping to satisfy my wild imaginings about SW and the up coming sequel. I'm happy to see WS devoting space to SW literature. Personally, I found quite a bit to chew on from the movie, and George Lucas left many ideas and thoughts unanswered. I enjoy reading how others are dealing with those questions.

I hope Han doesn't bite the blaster, so to speak. He's such a lovable scoundrel, with a heart of gold.

I was happy to see some BSG literature too. Wonderful! Like a few of your readers, I found the show lacking in some ways, but so fascinating in others. I only wish the show had the second season I felt it deserved to further develop the characters. Now we'll never know if Apollo and Sheba marry and if the Pegasus is still in one piece.

As for the rest of the issue, the art work is beautiful (as always), the cartoons simply marvelous (as always) and the poetry and prose very moving. You continually amaze me on how well your 'zines are put together. [20]

[zine]:

Last night I did something I've never done before — at 1 A.M. I started reading at the front of WS 42, and didn't quit until I came to the bacover. I must admit that my WS collection starts with 31/32, and I've never felt the need to read ALL the 'zine before, let alone sit down immediately and LoC it (does that mean I'm not a neo anymore?). But here goes.

When is Ann Popplestone going to start writing hard science books? I think her "Analysis Please" (for the last several ishes) has been some of the finest science-fact I've read for the last few years, including Asimov's science-for-idiots texts. Even to a science major (me) the explanations were NOT insultingly simple nor were there significant quantum leaps in logic as is so often found in novice-explanation pieces. Bravo! How about one on black holes and the curved-universe theories?

I can't be objective about "Only A Legend" since I was one of the people beating Ronni with spaghetti trying to get her to send it to you. Angela's illo is shockingly appropriate for what she calls a piece of "odd art". Ronni has an incredibly complex style and I can't believe that she simply sits down and writes like she does.

"The Continuator" is brilliant, as always. Po and Jackie have obviously done their homework, because, except for the swollen joints, Luke has a textbook case of viral meningitis, and the doctor's sense of impending doom after he seizes is quite appropriate. As a piece of writing it's flawless — no technical problems, even -- and Martynn's illos are beautiful. She'll probably kvetch because the backgrounds aren't all filled in, but Martynn, lovely, sometimes; that does an even better job of setting off your subject. Considering the pressure she was under when she did these illos, they're incredible. And now she has one more for the large file cabinet of Chewie-carrying-somebody illos.

Oddly enough, the last segment of "The Weight" is the first one I've read -- and I didn't feel like I'd walked in in the middle of a conversation. The only previous explanation I'd had was that Jenneth was in some way an alternate-Kirk, and the piece did not ramble as I had been warned it might. Leslie's illos are all her own, in an unmistakable style that some folks don't like, but that I find darkly appropriate for the subject matter. I will probably wind up getting a copy of "The Weight, Collected" — and my friends will be surprised, because I have screamed for the last ten months that "I don't read TREK!" The social ethics involved spoke very loudly to a Survivor of the Campus Sixties, and I think I'll probably run home tonight and read the rest of what I've got of the story.

"Science Is On Our Side" is the first, also, of the Klysadel pieces I've read, and was extremely enjoyable. I have been in many a science course where we'd liked to have grabbed the instructor and done some thing to him — techies especially, I think, will sympathize with this piece.

"Epitaph for Icarus Montgolfier Wright" was a nice little bit, but I think it could have been longer. If someone is going to wax eloquent at all, on a deathbed, he'd probably do it for long enough to write some thing about how he felt — besides relieved. But there is a sense of appropriateness at the starkness of the words and the contrast between the first-line feelings in each stanza and the following modifying lines are remarkable. The illo is excellent — beautifully stark and bare, and I liked the touch of the symbols on the wall. I especially liked the hands — long, thin fingers spread limply on the dust.

"Reverie" was beautiful — how simple and how appropriate! The turns of phrase that are so Spock; the last thought always of Captain and command. I can practically hear it. No, I can definitely hear it. And Bev's illo is incredible — delicate and fragile — like the subjects. Pencil, I assume, and well-executed. Only one problem — the features in the full face lower right didn't print very clearly; one assumes it was because they were light in the original. I know that your printers have beautiful half-tone capabilities — I have the original of Sue Perry's "Spacer Man" illo from 41 on my wall to compare with the prints and they're identical — so what happened? Was the original so light that it didn't print on the negative?

"The Prisoner": as a longtime fan of the series I liked the calligraphic interrogation a little better than the poetry, but the poem felt right. It was rather the painting of the rebellion of a free mind in a standarized society.

"Experiment in Survival" was the first Dirty Nellie story I'd read, and I admit that I've looked dubiously at the obvious technology-dependence in the ST universe, and groaned at the marshmallows that its people had become. Not that I'm any backpacking militant from the Sierra Club, but even in the SW universe a certain bemoanable tendency toward extreme machine-dependence exists. Where would dear Darth be without a machine to pump air in and out of his body saecula saeculorum? The situation was funny and touching and I groaned at the esper business; between the Jedi and the pseudo-Vulcans, I don't know who's worse. And it's obvious that espers are not writing these stories or they'd be a bit more realistic. The illos were nice, though -- for once Leah restrained her urge to make every available male look like Clint Eastwood. Distinct paragraphing problem, though.

What can I say about Jane's "Dracula" poem? It's shorter than mine, but the feeling is much the same. And the illo! Oy, gevaldt! She tells me it went for a pitiable sum at ST America. Some folks have no taste ...

Po's Wookiee poem was gorgeous, as always -- another piece written after the fact, or so I hear, to go with the illo. The huggy-Wookiee (also known as "C'mere, darlin'") didn't print very well at all — a lot of the detail on Chewie's coat and some in the lines on Han's hair was lost. What happened? I've seen the prints that Martynn has of this piece, and they're faithful repros of the original, so it can be done.

"This One Ate Nancy": a bit of fluff, don't you think? Cute, and Foglio's cartoon was very appropriate, but I got a was-this-story-necessary feeling from it. Can't be more specific.

"The Ultimate Convention" was HYSTERICAL, considering I got my introduction to conventions just this year and can sympathize with Kirk and McCoy's feeling of "What the hell?" Required reading for all first- con-goers. [21]

[zine]:

"The Weight", finally over?!? I must admit to being shocked by the ending. How ironic! I thought the Anarchists were realists, judging from the past 3 installments. But their ideas about treatment of people who make errors really take the cake! I sincerely hope the Anarchist has a good grip on his or her own self-worth, otherwise the blow will really be crushing if he or she makes a minor error and loses his or her position as a result. Wonder how many people have been displaced in such a way? Evidently they don't believe in second chances! How realistic is it to expect a leader to never lead them wrong? Are the Anarchists so sure that Jenneth would have persisted in her errors if she had stayed at her post?

I also wonder what will happen when they come across a pro-Federation person who isn't a total idiot like Komack, or the weak squeamish ones the orienting Science Team appeared to be. I'm also surprised — well, I will be — if Komack accepts the cock-and-bull tale Mendez fed him. If I were a cautious Admiral, I'd try to run a careful check on the Federation people who had interactions with the Anarchists. People like Kirk, Scott and Chapel may prove to be the real insurrectionists.

It's been quite a series. My vote is in favor of the serial approach for the next parts of the trilogy. I also hope it includes a glimpse at what happens with the roving Anarchists — especially Quanna. Can &he really be totally indifferent to the fact that her lover Jenneth is in exile? On other interesting detail I noticed: Jenneth (on p. 52) condemned Kirk and Federation of living by the lie that "might is right". Yet in the crucial voting scene, (p. 58) Bailey did not alter her decision from death to exile until after Quanna had posted herself beside Jenneth while bran dishing a throwing knife. The threat was clear, and Quanna voiced no arguments or appeal to common sense, just a silent threat of force.

"Reverie" — the poem was whimsical and the illo seemed to go perfectly with it.

"The Continuator" — well, looks like Luke has become part of the "get 'em" ranks with this installment. I'm a bit surprised that Leia or one of the other rebels hadn't noticed his grave sickness earlier. Methinks Leia's dedication may be obscuring her powers of observation — and possibly pointing her toward an unexpected yet inevitable collapse of her own at some future date. I do like the developing cast of characters. Especially the cynical physician Savlanoot. He must be a descendant (or ancestor?) of one of the M*A*S*H doctors -- especially Hawkeye. His rueful reflections on repairing the rebels only to send them off again to get killed certainly matches that mode. Once again we get a cliff-hanger ending. What happens to Luke? Only the force (and the authors) knows. [22]

[zine]:

Paula Block and Jackie Paciello's series continues to be excellent, although I wish someone didn't always end up "gotten". I like Savlanoot and I hope we'll see more of him. Not all the interesting characters connected with the Rebel Base could possibly have appeared in the movie, and it's up to fans to discover them.

I also enjoyed the Dirty Nellie story, although I was a bit put off by "For the first time in her life ... " Does Roberta mean to imply that gentle sex will not give women orgasms? I hope not. My only other complaint was that the story seemed rushed; perhaps it was too short.

As for "The Weight" — wow! I don't agree with all of Leslie's interpretations of the Enterprise's finest, but she's cruelly consistent. [23]

[zine]:

This ish has less of the genre of literary material which I prefer but it is still up to the usual quality and variety. Hans' gentle, dark-eyed wingers on the front and bacover were two of my favorite pieces of art in the whole ish. Her lines are always simple but they flow and show depth despite their simplicity. And her invented creatures are always superb -- the tenderness coupled with the alienness of the family of wingers on the bacover is really engaging. Joni's centerfold is beautiful and certainly suitable for framing just by itself! The detail and precision of every little hair of Wookiee fur, the body proportions in such a large group, and even the proper expressions of all the rather shadowed faces are all just right. Bravo, Your Highness!

I was most amused at your use of the "Born Loser" cartoon I sent. Wonder how many readers will notice that you used a "loser" cartoon to head the "winners'" column? And thank you for printing Maggie and my thoughts about our awards — I tried to get to a lot of those responsible in per son but publishing the thank-you in WS will reach anyone and everyone I could possibly have missed.

Once again, the LoC column is as entertaining and instructive as ever. I'm still trying to catch the angle mentioned by Franny Moore-Kyle that makes her think I draw the SW characters as "younger people than we saw in SW". From my obviously prejudiced point of view, the Han Solo portrayed in "Resurgence" at least in the stabbing picture, is no kid. Perhaps some of the distance shots came out looking younger. Ford has a strangely intriguing facial quality that can make him appear anywhere from a youthful 25 to his own rather rugged 36-some. Maybe Franny will like the Luke-sick sequences better when the kid gets a little stubble on his chin (right, Po?). Anyway, I'm glad to hear that the readers are enjoying said SW series as much as I am.

Ann Popplestone's "Analysis" this time is a bit meatier than the last couple but certainly as enjoyable and instructive. I finally had the pleasure of meeting said writer, now that she's stationed in the Pitt, and found her to be every bit as knowledgeable and entertaining as her articles imply. She did tell me, however, that she's not really getting the batch of interesting requests for analyses she had hoped for so I would urge your readers to not be shy and submit to Ann all those burning questions they've always wanted explained without further ado. Otherwise I'll be forced to send in those zingers I've been saving for her like "Analysis and Ramifications of Copper-Based Blood and the Effects of Alcohol (if any) Thereon", "Wookiees and Primate Anatomy", and "Is 'Ambrov Zeor' Really Religious?". Anyway, it's nice to know that Charles Darwin didn't exactly corner the market on evolutionary theories. And the little giraffes are really cute.

The only other SW contribution to WS 42 besides Po and Jackie's stuff, Ronni Sacksteder's "Only a Legend" reads very nicely and is complimented by Varesano's legendary-looking Kenobi. I find long free-verse poems interesting usually but I particularly liked the intricate structure of this one with its repetitive formulas, naming no names but evoking each of the memorable SW characters in concise, evocative images.

"I can't believe 'The Weight's the whole thing!" At last. And much as I com plain habitually with each LoC about various aspects of said tome, I'll glibly admit that Leslie tied up the loose ends and accomplished the denouement with a flourish. I do, however, have reservations as to the logic or believability, given "The Weight's" previous format, of the Anarchists leaving Roantree behind at the end. As a writer's ploy its genius is unquestionable though, bringing the story full-turn in a sort of "Alternative Factor"/TIME AFTER TIME twist. The artwork was particularly good in this installment, too — especially the lovely Christine on p. 46. Now that the series has come to a momentary halt, after all is said and done, regardless of my personal interest in the piece being only marginal, "The Weight" certainly deserves the title of classic in the annals of fan TREKlit.

Valenza's contribution, "Science Is On Our Side", while making much less sense and having less 'weighty' import, I found quite delightful in its own right not just because of the usual outrageous puns and my favorite Klysadel characters, but be cause, having served my required time of penance in the "institutions of higher learning" in the Pitt and having been a mischievous student myself, I could find great kinship with the devilish bad-guys as well as the resourceful faculty. Lots of good poetry in this ish. The "Epitaph" by Crowe read impressively although the significance of the title (I know Icarus and Wright, but the Montgolfier ref went over my receptors) escaped me.

The heroic simplicity of the scene, both poetically and artistically make at least this reader wish she knew the background to the verse — where is the dying entity? Why is he dying? An ironic foil for THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH. Bell's "Reverie" and Zuk's delicately beautiful illo bring out those characteristics that always endeared #1 Vulcan to me — his gentleness, his respect for life, his loneliness and his own uniqueness, like the butterfly, one of a kind in deep space.

I saw so little of "The Prisoner" when it aired and we don't get any syndicated showings of it in the Pitt so the poetry based on that show sort of passed me by, but it didn't stop me from admiring the pleasing lay-out and calligraphy of Whit field's interrogation.

Rogow's "Experiment in Survival" is my least favorite Dirty Nellie story to date. The plot of the piece and the participating characters showed great promise, in my opinion at the onset, but as the narrative progressed to the "adult" scene, I found myself liking the two protagonists less and less for their involvement. Lord knows I like a good lay-story as much as the next charter member of the DOB's and I'm not adverse to explicit scenes, but the style and subject presentation of Nellie and Kal's encounter left a lot to be desired for my tastes. And it's not just that Kal's a Klingon because Walske's and Marder's Klingons have their time between the sheets too and some of the scenes are distinctly alien though, I found, not at all offensive. Somehow the casual, abrupt nature of the lay-scene in "Survival", together with what I considered unnecessary allusions to feminine hygiene and the actual mating were altogether cruder than necessary. Granted Nellie's a free spirit always, but I found it hard to believe she's never had a climax before and that she could willingly settle down to keep house with the first alien she beds. I continue to prefer the whodunnit Nellie stories.

Speaking of aliens, the alien cartoons in this ish are some of the best and funniest I've seen. I love Gordon's blase, urbane little fellows — all they needed were some Mickey Mouse ears and STAR WARS t-shirts. And though I really didn't care that much for the recent ALIEN movie, the cartoons it has engendered since have been hysterical, particularly Hans'.

If those tidbits of vampiric verse are any indication of the quality of your DRACULA one-shot, which I suspect they are, you'll do the Count proud! Both lushly romantic poems convey the continual fascination with the original Dark Lord in a very artistic, personal fashion. My favorite of the two would have to be Jani's, but Jane made up for the technical loss by penning that gorgeous illo that's enough to send shivers up any spine (and I won't specify what type of shivers either — for the ladies).

"This One Ate Nancy" was fairly appetizing in a nonsensical sort of way. I'd love to hear Ann Popplestone's opinion of the physics therein. The Foglio illo was as absurdly appropriate as usual.

That leaves the TREK con story which didn't get too much mileage out of the humor, but the proposition at the end was interesting. I was particularly glad to see Teanna Byert's work finally appear in the pages of WS. She's a very fine up coming artist and a superb cartoonist who up until now has graced mostly a few lucky SW 'zines, like MOS EISLEY TRIBUNE. [24]

[zine]:

I've been waiting for what seems like a year to read the conclusion of "The Weight". Hah! If that was a conclusion, I'm bright blue! All Leslie did in that installment was let the Anarchists know just how the deck was stacked. The real fun is just ready to start now! For one thing, when Jenneth wakes up, she's going to have trouble deciding who she wants to kill first, Jim or Spock! Seems to me, Jim would be just a little peeved with Star Fleet Command, too. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to learn he plans to make life as unpleasant as possible for them. (Like maybe ramming his twin down their collective throats as a starship captain, possibly?) I'd love to see him try it, providing, of course, he can get Jenneth to cooperate. She's likely to be a bit peeved with him! I'd also love to see a scene where Spock tries to explain Jenneth to Sarek! Come to think of it, I'd rather like to see a scene between Sarek and Jenneth! If Jim has any sense, he'll do his damnedest to keep those two as far apart as possible! If he can't manage that, he'd do well to find himself a bomb-shelter! For some reason, I suspect Sarek and Jenneth would suffer a severe personality clash! I most definitely hope to print further sections of "The Weight" in WS. Not only have I become rather attached to it, but it's nice to find something you know you will enjoy for certain! This doesn't necessarily mean I believe the characterizations in "The Weight" any more than I believe them in KRAITH, but like KRAITH, I find the story so well-written that I go along with it. Frankly, I don't see Spock quite as nervy as Leslie portrays him, but I do enjoy her devious mind!

I find that I can enjoy a wide variety of STAR TREK universes without necessarily going along with any one of them completely. This is one reason I've enjoyed even the K/S stuff I've read, even though part of me simply refuses to see that pair in such a context. I've noticed the controversy on your letter pages and I'm afraid I don't really understand what the fuss is all about. If the material offends people, why do they read it? It's like television — if you don't like it, turn it off! I don't believe it, but some writers (Leslie Fish, Gerry Downes, and Susan James in particular) write what can only be called love stories. I think it is this element in their tales that I find so enjoyable.

I must confess, on occasion I would like to see" a story written by one of these writers which pairs Kirk or Spock up with women who could be considered a true match for them. I admit to a slight curiosity concerning their ability to write as enthralling a tale as the ones they have already produced. I suspect that this may be one reason I find Jenneth and Quanna so interesting. If Spock could keep from shying away from her, his involvement with Jenneth could become quite interesting. (Wonder how Kirk would react; don't you?)

The Klysadel series for some reason normally does not appeal to me.

I think "Science Is On Our Side" is the first piece of it I have understood and enjoyed the first time I read it. Usually I find something else to read about half-way through one of Anji's pieces. I don't want to put her down, she really is good, but so much of what she writes requires prior knowledge. This one was funny, no matter if you knew the background of the characters, or not.

I enjoyed "Experiment in Survival". Slowly but surely, we're finding out what Roberta has in mind for Nellie. It some how figures she'd end up with a Klingon! I was pleased to see T'Rass finally did bond with Stavek. Do you know if Roberta plans to write a story covering the bonding?

... while I have read and enjoyed your STAR WARS material ... the movie was 90% action; the remaining 10% didn't allow for too much in the area of in-depth characterization. I have to start all over with the characters in each SW tale I read. For this reason, I find that the SW tales I tend to enjoy are those that, like "The Continuator" series, allow time and room enough for the development of the characters. I look forward to further sections of this series.

I did not like "The Prisoner" when it ran on TV and I'm afraid I don't enjoy bits about it in your 'zine. It may just be me; I tend to be a bit literal, but I was never able to tell what was going on and as a result, never could get interested in the character.

Frankly, I just plain enjoyed Debra Greenblatt's "Ultimate Convention". Nothing deep here, a story that was just for fun ... I enjoy the stories with deeper meanings, but now and then it's kind of nice just to play. [25]

Issue 43

front cover of issue #43 by P.S. Nim
inside back cover of issue #43 by Signe Landon -- the back cover itself is blank.

Warped Space 43 was published in February 1980 and contains 97 pages. Star Trek, Star Wars, Klysadel, The Prisoner, Time After Time, The Man From Atlantis.

This issue contains some information about the problems with vandalism at the recent August Party, see that page.

From the editorial (which was three pages long, single-spaced, double columns):

Has it really been 5 months (give or take a few weeks) since WARPED SPACE 42? Forgive me? I could tell I was overdue when 90% of my incoming mail concerned the whereabouts of the next WARPED SPACE and/or the long-delayed OBSC'ZINE 4. Good news — OB 4 is due to be collated the week after this issue is, and both issues will be mailed in February. I'll try to get back on schedule again, but it will depend on contributions, deadline feasibilities (artists seem to be in greater and greater demand these days!), and the amount of time I can devote to fannish activities.

Oh, I'm not losing interest, but I've gotten a full-time job since graduating, and while making a steady income is nice (though somehow the income flows out as fast as it comes in), the amount of time I have available for fannish activities has decreased by about 40 hours weekly. As a consequence, projects that were delayed be fore are still delayed, though I'm working as hard as I can to get caught up. As usual, I'm behind in answering mail, and if you're waiting a reply to something really urgent, I suggest you write again, or call. Not collect, and not after 11:30 p.m. I've really gotten bogged down in filling xerox orders, due to a sudden in flux of new orders. Please continue to be patient, and I promise to fill your orders as soon as I can.

From the editorial, a zine is jossed, but some others are still in the pipline:

Gordon wants to pass the word that he's still working on SUPRAMAN — THE MOVIE PARODY and that he won't finish S'OURTREK, TOO, since he was basing it on rumors concerning STAR TREK — THE MOTION PICTURE before its release, and since the movie's come out, the rumors are a moot point. He has finished a satire entitled STAR TRIP -- THE MANGLED PICTURE, which he is working on in conjunction with Cory Correll, and they are submitting it to professional publishers.

From the editorial, regarding a survey:

Those damned questionnaires from WS 40 are still trickling in, so I'll give you guys 'til the end of March [1980] to get 'em in. After that, we'll play statistics, and the results will appear in WS 44.

From the editorial, regarding contributors:

Artists — if you'd like to get requests to illustrate stuff for WS, send me some samples of your style and let me know what kind of subject material you prefer, and what kind of deadline you can work under.

Would-Be-Contributors — I appreciate double-spaced typed manuscripts with return postage enclosed. We've currently got enough material for several more issues. People who have submitted stuff and are wondering what has become of it will be hearing from me throughout the year. I've been spending part of the past five months cleaning and re-organizing (and setting up an office in the spare bedroom), so material is slowly getting shuffled into preliminary issue lay-outs.

Would-Be-Collators — contact me with your address and phone number if you'd like to know when collations will be. Collations are generally weekend-long parties; you get fed, and we sometimes hit good movies in town and/or go horseback riding. You also get to meet the cats and Wolf.

From the editorial, a costuming snafu!:

I'd like to thank our overseas friends who put us up in London and Scotland this past summer while we were touristing about before SeaCon. Unfortunately, our PIGS IN SPACE costume heads spent 3 months in limbo before returning home at Christmastime. Needless to say, we didn't enter the Sea-Con Costume Competition as a result. And we coulda been contenders! Sigh.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 43

See reactions and reviews for The Continuator Series.

[Birds of a Feather"]:

[It] contains one very significant line, spoken by Han about Luke. After a fellow smuggler, Sheen, risks Luke in a rescue of Han, Solo tells her, 'You'd've gotten the kid killed, you wouldn't be sittin' here right now.' This small episode is important because it represents an often-used theme in fan fiction -- Han as Luke's protector. Solo is continually cast in the role of big brother, despite his unfamilial manner. This writer, like so many others, demonstrates that there is no limit to what Han would do to protect Luke. [26]

[Birds of a Feather]: Jane Firmstone's Sheen Kenowa ("Birds of a Feather," WS #43 and 44) is a pilot who owns her ship; her first partner, a human male/ is strictly a business partner and friend who would like to change the relationship but has so far been unsuccessful. Max is killed by troopers who mention Vader's name, and Sheen swears vengeance. She ends up getting drunk with Han and being tricked into taking a job that means getting involved with the Alliance — practically the last thing she'd do if she'd been sober! But the pay is good, she has debts to take care of, and it may help her get to Vader, so she stays, always plotting to get back at Han. In the second part she is in charge of rescuing Han from an Imperial attack, and finishes up by neatly getting even and then some. She rather likes Han, but nowhere along the way does she become involved with him. [27]

[The Children's Crusade]:

How happy I was to see "The Children's Crusade" in WS—the first time I've' ever seen a "Prisoner" story. As much as I believe that Drake would never have gotten a 15-year-old kid in volved in the spy business (not merely the danger involved, but who in his right mind is going to trust a little boy playing at cops and robbers with his life?), I can see that Alec's youth is a necessary ele ment to the story. After all, Number Six is obviously the type who feels protect ive of two things; women (Nadia in "The Chimes of Big Ben," Cathy in "Harmony," the girl in "It's Your Funeral"; each time. Number Two used 'damsels in distress' to manipulate Six, and children. I can sus pend disbelief long enough to get the point of the story. What I liked most about the story was that the growth of the characters was es sential to the action. Alec reminds me of Hamlet, he starts out a bit of a twit— which is excusable in one so young not knowing what steps to take to gain control over his own destiny, confused and scared. Anyone who felt that it was sad that Alec died because he 'was too young to die' missed the point. The ultimate sadness was that, like Hamlet, he had finally attained adulthood —losing his life at the same stroke of the pen. I believe that Six grew a little, too. He learned that if the Village symbolizes he dark side of human nature, that dark side is to be found in any and all humans, even himself. He was also taught that nobility can be found in the most unexpected places, not just within himself. Perhaps I'm reading too much into the story, or reading it wrong. I hope the author will talk a bit about his story (or is Chris a her? ((Her.)).

What a sneaky-good idea to have Two an opposite of Alec—they're both young men, but Two is fair and blue-eyed to Alec's dark looks; Two is in cool control, while Alex gives himself away with every fidget. At the end, the tables are turned. Two be comes the powerless one, uncomfortable with the situation and unsure of his next move.

But here is where I start asking the big question—what on earth is all this 'Villier's' stuff? Does it refer to a previous story, or to "Secret Agent"? He was never mentioned on "The Prisoner". No, for my money, it was Seltzman who caused Drake's retirement—next time you see "Do Not For Sake Me, Oh My Darling," see if you don't agree with me. The big clue is that Drake gave his fiance, Janet, the receipt for the slides the very day before he quit and subsequently disappeared. The Seltzman incident was his last case. I believe that Drake's superiors at M.9 wanted him to capture Seltzman and/or his mind-switching machine. Drake realized that M.9 truly wasn't made up of 'the guys in the white hats', they wanted the machine to use it to do evil things similar to Two's plans for it (switch minds with an agent on the other side, the perfect cover—come to think of it, M.9 may just be an extension of the Village). Drake must have belt betrayed; here is a man working for truth, justice, and the British way; seeing clearly for the first time something he must have suspected for a long time; the men he's working for are just as bad as the 'enemy' (Two: Who am I? Six: you are an enemy. Two: I'm on your side. Six: Ye-es ... This is from "Once Upon A Time".) The men he's working for want to cruelly use men's minds and bodies in a bid for more power. Drake knew how to decode the slides and find Seltzman, but couldn't betray the doctor's trust in him, esp. for such a reason. He must have laughed when he gave the receipt to Janet, his superior's daughter--it would be under Sir Charles' nose all the time. How typical of Drake's sense of humour.

By the way, in case anyone is interest ed, THE PRISONER by Thomas Disch has been reprinted ... For several years now I've been searching for an old 1968 copy in used book stores, and was overjoyed to find it, fresh and new, in my favorite book store. My joy was rather short-lived, be cause although the book starts off promisingly, written with a rather dark wit, about half-way through it degenerates with the introduction of some rather silly characters into a MarySue story. The last few pages are awful and insulting to the intelligence. The book isn't a written- down version of the series, its premise is 'what if the Village kidnaps Number Six again?'. I think Chris' story is better written and more in character than the second half of Disch's book. The reverse is true of the first half, however. The dark wit, the controlled violence, and Six's bitter cleverness really felt correct. How could Disch have petered out? He should have left it a short story.

Well, we "Prisoner" fans do tend to go on a bit ... forgive us, but we only have 17 episodes to work with, and we intend to squeeze every drop of meaning out of them that we can. [28]

[zine]:

So, anyway, we got Part Two of 'The Continuator' in which Luke encounters a tenth-order version of the mana Ann Popplestone links to luck fetishes in her 'Analysis Please.' Luke links luck, life loss looms, Leia Loses levelness. There's a nice sequence reminiscent of a dangerous visions story, whereby Luke metaphorically rights the crashing of T-16 with his body. Also on the SW front, we have 'Catch Fire, Draw Flame' in which we meet Jarret Stryker, evidently a lead character in their 'Circle of Fire' series. The timing and unspoken precision between Solo and Stryker in the shootout before they even meet, is satisfying. Not as satisfying is 'Birds of a Feather' which isn't even concluded in this issue. I find Frimstone's work too often laden with cliches. Here, we have the six-foot Amazon who quells the sexual ardor or her crew of one with 'a dirty look' and swears she'll 'die before she goes back to that Imperial prison,' is Chewbacca's good 'ol buddy from just ages ago, happens to have so modified her starship that it's an uncanny match for the one-of-a-kind Falcon (hers is the Kestral), chug-a-lugs not one but two Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters even tho she 'doesn't usually drink' and not only slugs but decks Han Solo. In the next chapter, you know Solo will introduce her to the Rebels and she and he will wind up in the sack together. This is Modesty Blaze; this is Dragon Lady; this is comic strop characterization. There is some honest emotion, especially over the death of her co-pilot, but it doesn't survive long pitted against the Sunday strip plotting... There is another Klysadel piece, 'For One Destroyed,' which tho as obscure in the writing as Valenza's often are, is fascinating. Worlds and societies and cultures roll out of her Bic; her sources and early influences may have been no more highbrow than Firmstone's but Valenza creates original things from them. 'The Children's Crusade' is the first piece I recall seeing from Chris Lombardi. Watch that name. Beyond explaining myself better, this story is uncannily close in tone to its parent, 'The Prisoner'. It is easy to guess the plot resolution once the boy rather too coolly inquires about the Rovers' function, but it is the way of the story is told that provides insight into the sacrifice/salvation. [29]

[zine]: ... I especially liked Gordon's cartoon (WS 43) on p. 80, the 'rest stop' with the direction map. I'm going to send it to some astronomers I know. Not at all im pressed by "Catch Fire, Draw Flame", the illustrations had more character than the story. I could be prejudiced, of course ... more in favor of the artist, you know me. Also, I'm not a Harrison Ford fan, either.

Toni Gorkin's art portfolio was nicely interesting; I don't usually go for surrealism, the technique sounds interesting too. Definitely not run-of-the-mill contribution. 'Hans Dietrich's' cartoons and illustrations were up to her usual level of droll wit and nonsense. She's showing a trend towards shading and shadows to give her illos more depth, and you always have to be careful and look for the little background details for one or more of her jokes —'Shafted' is a good example of this, and the illustrations for the Han Solo story are another. Her work has an inher ent good-natured humor that reflects the artist's character.

Carol Mularski's "Inconsistency". Hear, hear! Right on, Carol! Applause, applause, etc. Only one film I've ever seen even came close to getting the science right, and that was 2001. I'm still wait ing for the next one, and I'm certainly not holding my breath.

Anji Valenza (aka Fara Shimbo, or whom ever) is always welcome with me, she creates fascinating species and characters, even if she doesn't explain everything that goes on in one of her stories. Between her and 'Hans', I've been forced to make a study of art and illustrating out of envy and jealousy for their talents.

"Prisoner" stories, enhhh. Not my bag. Don't like the "Dirty Nellie" stories as much as I did, she doesn't have the feisty, insubordinate character she used to have.

I have filed away an idea for a Nellie/ M'ress story which I might write someday ...[30]

[zine]: I was very glad to find WS 43 in my mailbox. Frankly, I was beginning to think that you'd quit fandom after viewing ST:TMP ... More on that later. First, WS itself deserves a few comments after being 'off the air' for so long.

There's some nice art in it, as usual; particularly Faddis' Christine, Toni Gorkin's etchings (save for the last one; it reminds me of a GOR book, for some reason) and Signe Landon's "Prisoner" on p. 69. And the front cover.

On to the 'zine itself. An informative article by Ann Popplestone. Does she know all that stuff, or did she look it up? Nice vignettes, but too short to satisfy me.

"Our Skylab Flies Over The Ocean"— grand 1 I never cared beans about that silly Atlantis show, so that's that. Anji's "For One Destroyed" is quite good, and easier to follow than most of her work. If I have a quibble, it is that her aliens, although quite different physiolog ically, seem to have very human thoughts and feelings. The mother Pikeridri, the bereaved Hali appear to react much as one of us would. But then, i couldn't imagine a totally alien psychology, so perhaps An- ji couldn't either. "Catch Fire, Draw Flame" was nice work, except for the prostitute bit; it's annoying enough to get treated like furniture by male writers, must the women do it to themselves as well? It wasn't necessary to the story that Han be cuddling a woman —so why do it at all?

The continuing "Continuator"—you already know my thoughts on that. To be fair, I will say that having left Luke at death's door in WS 42 (six months ago!), I couldn't very well expect to find him competing in the Alliance Olympics in WS 43. It is my fervent hope that he will be (up, that is) in WS 44. Frankly, I am waiting to see what happens to Han and Chewie. Jackie and Paula, would you please deliver? Han recovered from a near fatal stab wound ages faster than Luke from a sniffle, for God's sake! (I know it's viral meningitis; just the sort of thing he'd catch, too— now Han got stabbed by an alien creature using a strange knife —probably dirty— that's panache.

[snipped]

Enough about "Star Wars". We come to my favorite piece: "The Children's Crusade". The fact that I'm a "Prisoner" fan from way back, doesn't hurt it, of course, but it's very good; good enough to stand on its own feet. It's well-written, it has caught the mood of the Village, and Number Six's feel ings of pent-up rage, as well as the var ious Number Two's peculiar quality of des perate viciousness. Some of the incidents didn't quite ring true, though. For in stance, knowing the importance of guarding his feelings. Number Six would never have spent that afternoon with Alec; he would never have let them know how much he cared what happened to him. He knew their meth ods too well. And Alec would not have fooled Number Two so easily. Keeping prisoners is his—their—business. He really managed to get himself killed too easily. But these are differences of interpretation and don't in the least diminish my enjoyment of the story ...

To end this overlong LoC, a word on "Oriana". I like the series well enough, but think that Roberta Rogow would be well advised to use her imagination to construct a plot-line of her own, instead of using Elizabethan rejects. And I must admit to little liking for Nellie's paramour. I find their couple—and couplings—somewhat crude. Sex scenes in books are often a way of filling up half a page. Nothing more. [31]

[zine]: Warped Communications were, as usual, both stimulating and intriguing. I enjoy reading what your other readers are discussing.

Ann Popplestone's analysis of the force was interesting, however I thought that it would be an entire article on the force as we saw it in SW and TESB. The article was interesting, anyway.

Paula Block's "Ripper in the Fold" was ingenious! God, how that woman can write. I'm jealous. Joni Wagner's accompanying art—marvelous. Eileen Roy's little short added some much-needed depth to a sadly neglected character. Connie Faddis' art was good, as well. The two MFA pieces were very evocative of the inner thoughts Mark must be plagued with. It may just be me, but I can't seem to get intereeted in the Klysadel stories for some reason. I realize that to create a whole universe is a massive undertaking on Anji's part, but it doesn't interest me--yet.

A well-deserved belly laugh to the "Alien" cartoons and etc. I wonder what the alien would do to old Darth?

The Maze Series was well-done, esp. "Stonehenge Decoded". Luck to Toni.

Methinks the story "Catch Fire, Draw Flame" is part of a series. If so, where can the entire thing (if written yet) be found? Did Hans Dietrich intend that Jarret Stryker should look like Mike Gambit from "The New Avengers"?

I have a friend who is absolutely bonkers on the subject of tables of military or para-military organization. He went wild when he saw the one facing Part 2 of the "Continuator" series. Thanks for the reference, Jackie and Paula. I look forward to the continuation of the "Continuator."

"Ben Kenobi's Last Words"; I like the analogy of Darth to Death. (All you have to do is change two letters!) That is a persona for the Dark Lord that I never considered. The art work is fantastic. That is Obi-Wan.

I have mixed feelings about Chris Lombardi's "Prisoner" story. On the one hand, it carries exactly the tone that the series had, and is excellent in that respect. However, I doubt that an intelligence service would use a 15-year-old as a contact for an agent in the field. A contact is an agent's control, or link with the home base when he is on assignment. He passes on bits of information vital to the field executive, and he gives him any new orders delivered from the top. I also doubt that an organization as paranoid as intelligence would allow for a strong bond to be formed between one of their couriers and an agent, expressly because it would give the agent an Achilles Heel that could be used against him. As a long-time student of semi-factual intelligence organizations (by this, I mean that I read the authors who are speaking from experience and are writing what really goes on), I can tell you that no agent will work constantly with the same contact. Another point in my little is that Alec is too young to be in charge of the information that a contact in the field would need to know. The control must know more about the assignment than the agent, who only needs to know what is prudent at the time for him to know. Pardon, all. I tend to rrmble and get long- winded when arguing. Anyway, Chris. I really did enjoy the story and would love to learn what the "Villiers Affair" is. Even the title sounds spy-like. To my knowledge, there has never been a story written about the resignation of John Drake. How 'bout it, Chris? I loved

Signe's illo so much that I got it photo copied and it now occvipies a place of honor on my wall. Where is the original? Is there any chance I might get a hold on it?

Roberta Rogow's "Oriana" series contin ues to delight me. Does she base the Spacetown slang on old Earth Cockney, I wonder? Best to all at 'home, luv. Are we to see the exploits of Kaldon and Gray in the future? Hope so.

"Birds of a Feather"--at last, a female foil for Solo to cross steel with. I love the idea of Sheen decking Han. But Jane, shouldn't Vader be able to probe Max's mind and see that he's not Solo? I have a feeling that you were trying to portray the Lord of the Sith as totally evil, but he's not stupid. [32]

[zine]: ... I thought there was a nice mix in WS 43, a little ST, a little SW, some "Man From Atlantis." Wanted to specifically mention Vicki's poem, which made a point on one of my favorite Soapbox Subjects. What's the Blake to it; from the Aug uries of Innocence—"To see a World in a Grain of Sand And a Heaven in a Wild Flower, Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand and Eternity in an hour." So I in terpreted Vicki's poem as a comment on the 'can't see the universe for the stars' syndrome.

Can't really comment on the fiction pieces, cause I haven't read all of it. I did enjoy Jane's story, though. Haven't been able to get interested in "Continuator" despite its good solid characterizations; it's seemed to me they're just running through the standard repertoire. But I may just be impatient because I've been so absorbed in my 'own' (non-SW) cycle series. The artwork in 43 is superior, as usual; and along with praise for Hans and Martynn and Faddis and Perry et al, I wanted to huzzah! for the ALIEN/FUTURE WINGS cartoons. [33]

[zine]: ... I've noticed that many people, as far as I can tell from other LoCs, don't care for the great variety of stories presented. Personally, I find it quite refreshing. I receive many types of 'zines, some strictly Trek and others strictly SW, both types I thoroughly en joy. WARPED SPACE is one of the 'zines that practice the philosophy of infinite diversity. Having been with WS from its dark ages, I've seen it go through many changes, experiments, and finally evolve into a truly admirable 'zine. Lots of class and quality. And in spite of the exceptionally high quality of the writing, ya still find it in your heart to give a novice a break.

Issue 43 artwise was a visual feast! The Maze Series by Toni Gorkin was beautiful! They now grace the walls of my room. Ah, to be exceedingly rich and possess actual prints. As for the ALIEN concept- more! More! Hans Dietrich had me rolling on the floor. "Captain Dallas Saves The Day" was reminiscent of Kirk on his galac tic soapbox. As for Gordon, what can be said that hasn't already? I was singing bits of "Our Skylab" for days, and getting the strangest glares! Is Vicki Shaull a relative ((our sister-in-law))? Really liked "A Question."

"One Finger Symphony" is the epilogue to a Trek story I read somewhere. Damned if I can remember where, though. My moods vary on a scale of extreme highs and lows, and very rarely anywhere in between. Christine has hit rock bottom on my person al moods scale and at that stage, various forms of escape cross the mind. I don't believe that she would actually have taken any of those pills, but the idea that it would have even crossed her mind and McCoy's reaction was fascinating. The comparisons she draws between herself and Leila are so typical! Compare yourself with someone that doesn't even remotely resemble you, whether morally, physically, spiritually, etc. The 'world is coming to an end' syn drome and 'why even bother to go on' out look. Was glad that McCoy didn't have any quick cures at the end. Just 'we're in the same boat' statement. Nice.

Not being familiar with the "Circle of Fire" series, I felt as if I'd jumped into chapter 20 of a 100 chapter book. Betrayal is a rather strong word to use in describing Chewie's actions. But Han would see it that way. The "I'm Solo" and "I don't need anybody" attitude was wonder ful. It's the only attitude he could have had. How else has be survived throughout the years? Look out for Number One! Han's observation of Jarret Stryker's situation was that on an experienced sur vivor. He'd found a kindred spirit and recognized Stryker as such. Do we get to see more of these two? Love to see the workings of the Solo mind.

"The Children's Crusade", I feel, shines a new light on the plot line presented in "The Prisoner". Although not an avid fan, the story line in "Crusade" was uniquely different. There was always so much of 'us' vs. 'them', and like many situations where the principles involved are more important than the principals, the super powers only concern themselves with win ning. Alec is the little guy, the peon, he peasant, a pawn in the chess game who decides he won't be manipulated, even by his best friend. It's not in character with "The Prisoner" as we know it, since names are mentioned. But it's a unique situation and a unique viewpoint.

Glad that "Birds of a Feather" is going to be continued. Sheena is a mirror image of Han. Loved watching him get floored! Her reactions were so much like the ones to be seen in Han; have a private wake and find the guy they thought your co-pilot was. The situation drawn was perfect in describing typical Empire procedure, esp. with Vader in command. Can't wait to see these two Corellians at odds—again!

And now to the feature I'd been waiting on the edge of my seat for. "The Continuator" is fabulous! As a matter of fact, it was the first thing I turned to when I finally got my eager little paws on the 'zine. I have always resisted the idea of Luke and Leia becoming a twosome. It simply rings too much of a fairy tale with a typical 'live happily ever after' ending. Also, Leia is just too worldly for Luke. But that can also be a good reason for her possible interest in Luke. I've always felt that Han and Leia would get together simply because they deserve each other! Both have the same sarcastic sense of humor and love to take shots at each other. There would be conflict in their relationship. Love and kisses are fine, but the world does not exist on them alone! As Han said in TESB, "You like me because I'm a scoundrel." Although we heard an actual declaration by Leia, I don't think the triangle has been solved. Have this theory that Lucas is going to kill off Luke in the next movie, esp. after Yoda's comment. How will Paula and Jackie solve this dilemma? Hurry and let's read the next chapter!

Thanks for a great issue! See you next time![34]

[zine]: Contents irregardless, the 'zine should be worth the credits in vested for the covers, front and back.

I've always loved P.S. Nim's baby Vulcans, but the little Earther on the front cover has them all beat in the wide-eyed cuteness category and the shadowy parade of aliens behind him serve as a reminder from whence his innocence and sense of wonder spring. Signe's backcover family portrait is deli cately detailed and well-balanced, with a particularly fine Adama.

The LoCs are their usual delightful range of incisive criticism, welcome compliments, and interesting observations, with the predictable few sour scrods in the trash masher.

Whether or not my LoC is printed this time 'round (I send 'em regardless because I feel it's a courtesy to ye olde ed for the freebie 'zine as well as other contributors, if it is printed), I do want to respond to Leah Rosenthal's comment about my lack of backgrounds, just for the record If Ms. Rosenthal would take a peek at some back issues of WS, say the ones with "Re surgence" or check out recent issues of FALCON'S FLIGHT, SKYWALKER 4, GALACTIC FLIGHT, MOS EISLEY TRIBUNE 4, or any of several other 'zines which include my illos, she would find that I do indeed recog nize the existence of background and 'parts of the anatomy other than faces' (particularly when the anatomy is a certain Corellian's ... ). I am, of course, less like ly to include backgrounds if I only have a limited amount of time. I had somewhere around 6 months of fairly uninterrupted time to do "Resurgence" and the most I get any more is a couple weeks to do pictures, what with four score 'zines to accommodate and deadlines up through the middle of the year. Perhaps if I adapted my style to Ms. Rosenthal's less detailed renderings. I'd have more time to spend on backgrounds and such--hers are always, admittedly, very competent. Leah's comment only serves to point up the reason why I do not change my style, though. First, I don't want my work to look like hers or anyone else's, rather my own.

Second, any changes I make in my illos (lack of background, less detail on figures, etc.) would be printed without a written explanation and someone would be sure to gripe about the changes then, too. I'm not denegrating Leah, though; I'm glad she takes the time to look at my stuff and commend as ideas from a .sister artist are always appreciated, whatever the view they represent. Ah yes, before I forget, those delightful little Goodwin ST cartoons that embellished the LoC pages are priceless and break up the eye-boggling solid pages of print nicely.

The general contents of the 'zine get more and more diverse which proves the universality of your readership and is a tribute to your continuous editorial open-mindedness. I'll cheerfully read nothing but "Star Wars" material, but it's sort of too much chocolate cake or spaghetti—so rich that I need a bit of vegetables, fruit, and meat to balance out the body, just as the SW goodies are interspersed with Trek, hard sf, and other literature.

Ann's "Analysis of the Force" falls in the meat and potatoe category—a basic, yet as always, interesting look at the possible analogues from which Lucas drew his pervading SW power. Ann, being an anthropolo gist, chose force parallels from primitive and ancient societies, which may indeed fit into Lucas' framework. George has mentioned the Buddhi.st concept of zen as well as his personal belief in 'aura' when building the idea for his saga. Believe me, Lori, Ann is a gem who will gleefully tackle any subject intelligently. Recently, after seeing TESB for the umpteenth time, I was bemoaning the sad fate of Han Solo and Ann launched into a discussion of flash-freezing and cryogenics, which was meant, I think, to be comforting. I did see "Time After Time" (remember down in Kazoo last fall?) and was, as always, profoundly impressed by Po's power ful dramatic monologue—a very apt liter ary. form for the insane, yet horridlv con temporary ravings of the kipper. And Po, brilliant short person that she is, has not only the speech pattern and inescap able madman's logic down, she manages to tie together the events of "Time After Time" ST's "Wolf In the Fold", "Martian Chronicles" and summon up a truly ageless evil. Bravo! Joni's Ripper—almost for- got--is a fine, mad face in a maze.

The two Trek pieces, Roy's "One Finger Symphony" and Barker's "Fata Morgana" are nicely orchestrated pieces. Somehow I al ways pictured Christine as so with strong er, a survivor—but Roy's intense, melancholy vignette not only revealed a possible reason for Chapel's will-to-continue, it highlighted once again the lonely, loving humanity of McCoy. Barker's piece balances well with Roy's as a companion tale of aching loss told in few well-chosen words. Faddis' and Frashure's two pained, confused, lovely faces compliment the prose and poetry well. Connie's with the welter of pills and double image is particularly evocative of Chapel's silent desperation.

On the general side, Vicki Carleton's "Question" is the essence of good poetry —a pertinent thought or picture distilled into a very few carefully chosen lyric verses. Fox's starchildren have a 'wondering' quality to them almost overshadowed by the busy, bursting background. And speaking of overshadowed, I love Gordon's poor overwrought fellow hiding from Skvlab (that is Chicken Little behind him, right':'). Gads, the hunks of spacestuff are even breaking the frame of the filk. Gordon'.:, fertile imagination is not only boundless and always very funny artistically, now that incomparable jester's writing filks, too! I can't wait to sing this one at a mundane party.

Sue Perry's Mark Harris of the unfathomable, vulnerable eyes and tentative webbed fingers, coupled with Donnelly's "Dream of Deep Waters" made me fall in love with the "Man From Atlantis" all over again. Donnelly kept Mark alien yet draws the reader into his dream and makes the yearning, the frustration, and the final sad return to the unnatural reality unfold like a film before the mind's eye. Only the sympathetic support of Elizabeth at the end keeps the picture from degenerating in to the hopeless vision of a large fish im prisoned in a tank. The images of the underwater city are fascinating and suitably elusive. Rathbone's "Atlantis" poem also has some good images ("Brother to the dolphin") and some that don't ring quite right ("enigma from the coral reefs").

Rhyming verse is a delicate propsition at best and when the words and phrases don't quite adapt to the meter, as in "Child of Atlantis" the flow of the verse takes on a halting quality at odds with the grace of its subject.

Valenza's "For One Destroyed" is another marvelous chapter in Anji's fascinating Klysadel tales.. As always there is the difficulty of many characters with different names, alien sexuality, and alien situations. However, the struggle of sifting through them and paying close attention to the net she constructs to draw all her story threads inexorably together is eminently worth the effort. Her drawings are a definite aid to understanding, too.

I still did not like the movie "Alien" at all, but it's extremely difficult not to find the cartoons and parodies it 'spawned' in WS clever and amusing, if not downright endearing, esp. Hans' elegant and expressive (classy, even!) creature. I'd read Bud Hill's lullaby before. He gives a new dimension to the old adage, 'a face only a mother could love'. And a couple of those verses are real classics. "Our hosts are stupid/And uglier than we!" and "you've planted/your clone inside her cat." Hans' thumbnail alien madonna and child (?) are delightful and the artistic detail in her longer cartoons (particular ly "Shafted") proves her Fan Q Award justly earned. Gordon's alien is a lot nastier-looking—a real match for Darth indeed, although I fear the Sith might engender severe indigestion. The real clincher in the alien section, though, is Hans' 1st cartoon which graphically cites one of my main objections to "Alien". It's taken years for outworlders like Spock, Maya, Chewbacca, the horta, Robbie, C-3P0, R2- ' D2, and Twiki to overcome mundane "Frankenstein" prejudices against the aliens and mechanicals as ugly and evil. "Alien" set the concept back into vogue, which is un fortunate. At least you gave R2 the last word, if not equal time, on the following page in Bucciarelli's portrait of two kindred souls ...

Hate to admit it, but Carol Mularski's "Inconsistency" is right. The difference is that while "BS Galactica" did indeed suffer from scientific faux pas no worse than those in "Star Wars", SW was a better all-round written show with better character development and plot and advantage of a large screen for its special effects. Without the distraction of BS's few 'heavenly bodies' the show was such a bore most of us had nothing better to do than pick out its discrepancies.

Gorkin's Mazes didn't do much for me. I can admire the painstaking style but aside from "Stonehenge Decoded" I found the works too 'cluttered' and abstract for my personal taste. The "Bad Dream" I found particularly distasteful.

I'd also read "Catch Fire, Draw Flame" in an early draft. As a Han-story it reads well, but I have two problems with it, both dealing with the "Circle of Fire" series basic premises. 1) I have problems seeing Chewie leave Han to join the rebel lion and 2) with TESB or without, I don't think Solo would leave the Alliance that readily. The character of Jarret comes across well but given Han's basically sus picious nature the Corellian warms to him awfully fast. Thansk to Anne, Barb and Hans for those short-but-sweet sequences with Han's lady-of-the-evening. Hans caught Solo's abstracted expression beauti fully and her final Jarret bears delicious resemblance to a certain Avenger after whom he's patterned.

Need I offer any prejudiced comments about "Continuator", which I'm still most happy to be involved with? Part 2 I particularly liked the development of Leia. Her ambivalent attitude towards Luke seems to be just what George L. had in mind, judging from TESB. I'm kinda glad we did 2 before TESB's release, though. I'd hate to have seen Savlanoot and those picturesque floating medical 'droids replaced by the bale ful 2-lB. The force sequences too are highly correlative to what we now know of Yoda's teachings and read well regardless. Hope Po and Jackie don't let the series end with 4. Whether they continue along their own lines or adapt to TESB's new material, their talents are eagerly awaited (besides, I want to keep my job ... ). Wolf's last words of Kenobi are at best with the implications of their first line. After that they become a bit too poetic. Angela's Obi-Wan on the facing page is, as always, quite well-done, with particularly wonderful expressive eyes and mouth.

"Children's Crusade" I didn't particularly care for, not being a fan of the "Prisoner" series or Lombardi's implications in the story. For its genre the piece is well-constructed and sustains a painfully high pitch of emotion. Landon's accompanying art is superb from the excel lent likeness to the stark but well-bal anced composition.

Nice to have Nellie and that loveable Klingon Kaldon back in a good ol' murder nystery. Not terribly exciting, but just fine as light reading. Missed Leah Rosen- that's Nellie illos, though. Hope her absence isn't permanent.

Ten points for Joni and R2-D2! "Birds of a Feather" didn't lose any thing vital in the printing delay, I'm happy to say. I am sorry Jane didn't al low Sheen any further sequels to perhaps ease her rather antagonistic relationship with Han, maybe build a friendship of sorts with Luke and meet Her Worship. Chewie I already know about. (What ever happened to that story about Sheen and the Wookiee? I was really getting psyched to illo it, esp. after meeting Peter Mayhew ... ) The repro of the art in my copy of the 'zine was not up to par, but at least it finally got in![35]

[zine]: Best story in WS 43 was Jane Firmstone's "Birds of a Feather". I really like Sheen, and I do feel sorry for Han when she finds out what he's done. The next installment should be interesting!

What are Paciello & Block going to do with their series now that TESB has Leia apparently preferring Han? The relationship with Luke seems to have settled into a brother-sister relationship there. "Continuator" is not bad, but not the best fiction I've seen in WS. And Martynn's work wasn't up to some of her other illos, tho' the one of Leia was excellent.

Loved the "Alien" cartoons by Dietrich —the 1st two I saw last summer at a con; Gordon Carleton's is OK, but not up to his best (one of my prized possessions is a color cartoon of Mork saying to Mindy, "It followed me home—can I keep it?" with the alien drooling over his shoulder—I had

to fight in the auction for that one!) [36]

[zine]: First off, glad you presented a positive review of ST:TMP. It's about time. I per sonally loved the movie, and it's inspired me to start writing Trek fiction. There's no way possible that it could have satis fied all the preconceptions—I think they did a damn fine job. Fans need to be unit ed in their support now, or the chance of a sequel will vanish entirely. It already appears to be slipping away, what with word coming out that Paramount has postponed work 'indefinitely' due to various beat- around-the-bush reasons.

"Heartbeat"—chilling. And very probable. Marian has a way of turning a nightmarish phrase. "The Compromise" ... an excellent idea, and I can see Spock going on forever following the dictates of the 'goddess' ... but what if Kirk ever finds out? Loved Judith Low's drawing on p. 28 ... excellent evocation of that particular as pect of SW. "Between the Lines" was great. Where does Gordon get all his talent? What a fantastic idea—sure added a lot of depth to that particular TESB scene for me. Though I've only seen a couple of "Dr. Who" episodes—for some reason they've never seen fit to show it anywhere I'm living—I really enjoyed Ruth's story. It was complete in itself, and didn't require any understanding of the background—well, not much, but I've already picked up on the basics from several of my friends who are great fans of this series.

I don't know if I'm looking forward to Paula Smith's 'zine review columns ... she seems to hate everything. I like Jane Aumerle's reviews better ... even when she's criticizing something, she does it in a constructive manner.

"Highly Illogical" ought to be xeroxed and sent out again next spring ... I'm sure it will be just as timely then ... "A Matter of Judgment"—it takes a rare author to get me involved in any secondary characters, because so few have the ability to make them seem real, and not just extensions of the author's personality. Jackie is one of these authors. Last off, Barbara Wenk ... After I finished "One Way Mirror", I started keep ing a look-out for her work. Love her sense of humour. And it's nice to see Darth cringing for once. The illo is priceless ...[37]

[zine]: ... I am impressed by your 'zine, but I suppose you've heard that from better men than I, if your letter column is any indication at an ego stroke is an ego stroke. I muself am a SW fan particularly, but I am and old ST, "Prisoner", "Man From Atlantis" and almost anything else viewer. I would like to congratulate you on the balance of your 'zine. I enjoyed reading almost all of the material it contained.

I read only the last episode of "The Weight", Had I realize from reading the letters that this was a rather controversial story. I cannot comment on this episode in context of any of the other installments. I felt that the story was understandable enough without the other information al though I'm sure some things passed me by without my realizing it. I felt it moved quickly, had suspense, and I loved a lot of its implications (maybe these were more than just implications if you were familiar with all of the story.)

Paula Block and Jackie Paciello ("The Continuator") are, in my estimation, two of the best SW writers around. I thoroughly agree with most of their views on the SW universe, esp. with their views on Luke's use of the force (which they explained in WS 40). So many authors have Luke doing amazing things right out of left field and crediting it to the force--things that have never been documented or that he has only seen Ben do. One other thing they handle well is Leia's character—theirs is an attempt to explain her, which makes sense. They make her a person with motives, unlike so many who make her a dictator and/or a bitch ... The other solution authors are fond of, which Paula and Jackie manage to avoid, is to change Leia's character, ignoring the one Lucas has set up. I can't wait until the end of the "Continuator" to see how she comes to terms with herself and her feelings about Luke. (Nice touch, dreaming about being the wife of a farmer-- makes her more human).

Also worth mentioning is Jane Firmstone's "Birds of a Feather". It has plenty of action while it still takes time to build some characters. It also has something for oth Luke and Han fans--a lot of authors like to write one or the other — although I would like to see them together for once rather than at opposite ends of a story. [38]

Issue 44

front cover of issue #44, Gordon Carleton
back cover of issue #44, Gordon Carleton: various aliens gamble on a table made of Han Solo trapped in carbonite

Warped Space 44 was published in July 1980 and is 94 pages long. The zine was to have been out in June but "one reason WARPED SPACE 44 has been delayed is because I wanted to provide material based on THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK--and be one of the first 'zines doing so."

This issue contains a flyer for the first MediaWest*Con. The editor wrote that elsewhere in this issue was "a full-page ad for our own MediaWest*Con (membership now stands at something over 30 people already signed up as attendees and we've got some programming already lined up!"

Also from the editorial:

I've let five months slip by between the last issue, and this issue. And OBSC'ZINE #4 is still in limbo. Sigh. OB #4 will be T'Kuhtian Press's next publication, though (what do you mean, you don't believe me?), and I have hopes of getting WARPED SPACE 45 out in October. In May I put together a catalog/update/flyer listing all sorts of interesting info on what T'Kuhtian Press has been up to and plans for the future. It's still pretty current, and each copy of this issue should also contain a copy of the flyer. I'll list here any changes that I know about: obviously, WS 44 is coming out in July instead of June; ESPER!'s publication date of this month was rather optimistic and has been pushed back to at least October; GEMINI LYNX will probably be published in 1981 sometime; I'm still working on DREAM WORLDS [39], and GHOSTWINDS Council; due out-of- print xerox 'zine list is overdue for an update as we've added several new titles (send a s.a.s.e. for the update, probably available in August) and I'll work on filling those long-backed-up xerox 'zine orders as soon as this issue is at the printer.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 44

[Don't Say That]: Barbara Wenk's "Don't Say That" was so funny, it had a roomful of SW freaks rolling around all over the floor at WindyCon. [40]

[Birds of a Feather]: Jane Firmstone's Sheen Kenowa ("Birds of a Feather," WS #43 and 44) is a pilot who owns her ship; her first partner, a human male/ is strictly a business partner and friend who would like to change the relationship but has so far been unsuccessful. Max is killed by troopers who mention Vader's name, and Sheen swears vengeance. She ends up getting drunk with Han and being tricked into taking a job that means getting involved with the Alliance — practically the last thing she'd do if she'd been sober! But the pay is good, she has debts to take care of, and it may help her get to Vader, so she stays, always plotting to get back at Han. In the second part she is in charge of rescuing Han from an Imperial attack, and finishes up by neatly getting even and then some. She rather likes Han, but nowhere along the way does she become involved with him. [41]

[A Matter of Judgment]: Just one quick note about WS 44—"A Matter of Judgment" was a nice touch. I really like Wedge, and I'm glad to see that someone else does, too. [42]

[zine]: By the way, one last comment. When I saw that "Star Wars" stuff was being included I gave a silent groan. Though I loved the picture and saw it repeatedly, I just didn't see that there was much in the way of characterization to go on, esp. as compared to Trek. Well, it just goes to show what a good writer (like Paula) can do. I'm really interested in "The Continuator". Keep up the good work ...

[snipped]

I disagree with those who say that the Klysadel stories are hard to follow. I'm not having any trouble at all. "Voices on the Wind" had a little introductory piece at the beginning that explained a lot, and the rest you can pick up just reading the stories themselves. Speaking of "Voices on the Wind", Anji certainly seems to know horses. Much as I like the stories in WS, I like them even better when they have horses in them (I'm a horsewoman myself; I train and show Three-Day Eventers. Anji, if you're reading this, write to me! I'd love to hear from you and talk about horses!) Now if only there was a story floating around out there about Han Solo and horses ...

[snipped]

I also love the SW stuff; can't wait to finish Jackie Paciello's and Poblocki's "Continuator" series. I also liked "Catch Fire, Draw Flame" (WS 43). Are any of the other "Circle of Fire" stories collected anywhere, or are there plans to make a collection of them? I'm very interested ... I have just one question about it, though: why would Chewie just up and leave Han like that, especially after 13 years? Stryker also looks very familiar, but I can't place him. ... I hope "Time After Time" stories keep coming! "Ripper In The Fold" was an absolute masterpiece! And Joni Wagner's illo was gorgeous! Still think that the movie missed out on some marvellous possibilities with that microwave oven ... [43]

[zine]: The high point of 44 for me was Jane Firmstone's conclusion of "Birds of a Feather." Even though Sheen is obviously a mirror image of Han Solo in female form, she is different enough to be her own per son and come across as a truly memorable character in her own right. It is refresh ing to see all the characters handled so well, and the dialogue between them is witty, funny, and exactly what you would expect of them. The story line moves swiftly, leaves no gaps, and keeps you tripping over words in your haste to see what happens next. I loved it!

The rest of the 'zine was less memorable, but just as well done. The one Trek story of any length ("The Compromise") was pretty good, but I cannot agree with the rigid adherence to the Prime Directive. I personally feel that the Prime Directive is open to interpretation as is any law, and Kirk in his various tamperings and twistings has done no more than any of our present day lawyers and judges. The true effectiveness of any law is in the testing of that law under various circumstances, and if the rigid application of the Prime Directive in the many and varied situations that Kirk and crew had had to deal with has proven to be ineffective or impossible, then it is time to revise or amend that law and not judge those who must try to work within the confines of it.

"Highly Illogical" was a more than accurate comment on the present day tax filing system: Here's hoping that by the time Kirk has to file his return, mankind will have found a better way.

I have no real comment to make about the regular Klysadel stories you feature other than I am still trying to figure out the universe it represents, and I can't really get involved enough to make a real effort. But this is a lack on my part, and is no reflection on the talent of the author.

The cartoons were as always, delightful, though there weren't as many as one would have liked. Rest assured, I will be a regular reader of WARPED SPACE. [44]

[zine]:

I didn't think I'd enjoy your recent issues of WARPED SPACE because of the "Star Wars" coverage. While I thoroughly enjoyed both "Star Wars" and "The Empire Strikes Back", I felt they were essentially children's 'cartoon' films and did not look forward to reading stories written about them. I should have known better. If "Dark Lord" by Judith Low is any indication of things to come, I wait with baited breath ...[45]

[zine]: WS 44 was rather disappointing. Only one really good story in the whole issue, Jane's conclusion to "Birds of a Feather". I do like Sheen! I think she and my character, Maeve Solo, would get along very well. But her comment on Luke, "once he reached puberty"—nasty, nasty! Not even Maeve, who's old enough to be his grandmother and not known as an embodiment of sweetness and light, would be quite so unkind! Sheen's revenge on Han is delightful and so appropriate. Hope we'll be seeing more of her.

Gordon should stick to cartooning. "Between the Lines" is, putting it politely, not one of his best creative efforts. His back cover, on the other hand—sick and funny, I'm not. sure whether sicker or funnier Thanks for the two rave reviews of TESB. I went to see it opening night in B.C. with a bunch of sf and SW fen (a few, like my self, being both) and had all fingers and toes crossed, hoping it'd be at least as good as SW (which I saw 50 times--yes, I liked it! And I normally don't go to movies, period!). I came out several feet above the ground, screaming with the rest of the group that Lucas had done the impossible, made a sequel even better than the original. Ghod, if he keeps this up,

imagine what the 9th film will be like! [46]

[zine]: On WS 44, " Imperial Soliloquy" was hysterical, both prose and cartoon. The guard with the pike reminds me of Larry in "Wizards" (as in "Master love Larry, Master feed Larry!"). Or is he distantly related to the Ores, Gordon? Recognized the winged monkey, too.

"A Matter of Judgment was realistic in its scene-setting and dialogue, as is typical in most of Jackie's writing, her Trek piece in PEGASUS IV the sole exception (sorry, Jackie). Nice to see somebody else dealing with the common folk in the Alliance and the rest of the SW galaxy, with out their being overshadowed by one or a combination of the Big Four.

I have one small argument with Ruth Berman regarding her intro to "Dr. Who and the Other TARDIS"; Leela, if I recall correctly, took up with a Panoptican guard in "Invasion of Time", rather than a Time Lord. There are commoners on Gallifrey, which is one of the reasons for the class struggles and the defectors outside the city. Other wise, it was a wonderfully whimsical piece, and Sarah and the Doctor were in perfect character. And Paulie's illo ... oooh, yum.

The "Oriana" series is always interesting, even without the Tudorian references. I'm not much of a history buff, but I don't feel lost amidst all the asides.

Ah-ha, so there's another female character who doesn't fall down drooling at the sight of Han Solo! Sheen and Jass Moris should get along splendidly. Maybe they could step out of their authors' universes and gang up on the goniff. I like Kliss; reminds me of a guinea pig we used to have.

I thought Ozzel protesteth too much to be your average stick-in-the-mud Imperial. Nice to know I wasn't imagining things. Thanks for "Between the Lines", Gordon.

Unlike my ex-roommate, "The Wages of Virtue" didn't do anything for me, Anne and Barb seem very attached to tiie bleakest aspects of this conflict, and while I dislike war as much as any other fan, I think some of Lucas' fairy-tale adventure and lighter moments should not be left out for the sake of realism. This is not to say that they don't tell a good story; I prefer Po and Jackie's "Continuator", Pat Stanley's "New Order", and Maggie's "ThousandWorlds" series, where the soap-boxing isn't so prevalent, that's all.

I'm one of those poor souls who walked in late on the Klysadel universe, so I can't make out a lot of the terms Anji uses to get any benefit from her stories. I do like Thobo and Jon, and Anji's deli cate artwork, so I guess that's something positive.

Loved the Trek pieces. It's about time somebody with clout caught up with that man for mucking with the Prime Directive. For sheer chilling, "Heartbeat" wins hands down in this issue. Gods, what a final scene ...

I won't comment on the reviews, as it would take too long. "Don't Say That!", however, rates a mention: an absolute scream! #9 could also be titled "The Little Corellian That Could". I have a

suggestion for #11: "Just Remember, No Short Jokes"--it is discovered that Leia/Lando/Chewie/Luke's long-lost sister or cousin or whatever/Han is the 'other' Yoda refers to, and must be taken to Dagobah for training. [47]

[zine]: ... I'm kind of new at this. I've always enjoyed reading the LoCs in your 'zine though, and was kind of disappointed that they weren't in 44. I wouldn't mind paying extra for a brochure format of "Misc." esp. since I don't get UT or FORUM. I like being kept up on other 'zines and such but I don't want you to sacrifice the fiction or letters page, either.

What, no "Continuator"? I've been waiting for the ending and now I have to wait for the next issue.

I liked the poem ("A Song Upon Leaving") though ... Barbara Wenk's rating system for future TESB stor ies is real cute. Now that my future story is labelled a 10 maybe I should just title it that. "10, the story of a reject" —or people could put a little number on the corners of their manuscripts so they can be sorted into the proper categories (let's see, I'd like a 2 in this issue). Really, I liked her article; it was hilar ious. "Heartbeat" and "Wages of Virtue", the first was a little melodramatic, I thought. It was interesting, though. As for "Wages", at first I didn't care for it at all (I don't like stories where everyone gets killed off). However, after seeing "The Big Red One" I happened to reread the story and if you changed the names of the characters you would ha e an accurate portrayal of Hamill's (Griff's) reactions at the end of the movie. I'm a super Hamill fan and watching him change from a sweet, Skywalker type at the beginning of the movie to an uncaring, hardened soldier at the end was really something.

I've enjoyed reading "Birds of a Feather" and I really enjoyed Martynn's illos. "Post Gratitude" was good, esp. in line with what's been happening in TESB. I just bet Leia has nice little dreams about Han, don't most of us? I hope Lucas lets the ice maiden thaw out a little more by the time the next movie appears; I'm sure Carrie can express other emotions than icy disapproval ...

"A Matter of Judgment" was very good; it was different and it went into a character I haven't seen much written about. I like Wedge. Let's see some more Wedge stories.

"Imperial Soliloquy" was really funny. Barbara is super writing humour.

I liked the cartoons, my favorites being the one on p. 53 (the munchies), the back cover (I may be morbid, but I liked it), and esp. the one on p. 62. 1 showed that one to my husband and he thought it was hilarious

(he never reads my 'zines). I can't think of anything more to write, but am looking forward to the next issue. [48]

[zine]: ... Please tell Gordon he is a sneak, a trufan, and no gentleman! "Between the Lines" in WARPED SPACE 44 was absolutely superb! I read the bloody thing, laughed uproariously, and then said, "Hmmmmmnnn ... I wonder," when I sobered down. Next time I went to see TESB I paid particular at tention to the Ozzel scenes. And, damn it! Gordon's right! Voila! From being "Too Dumb To Live" (Judi Hendricks' contribution to fannish saying.s. I love it!), good old Ozzel has become a "hero of the revolution". Much more fun—and, of course, much more well-rounded and characterized—that way. Yeah, Gordie! (And do you suppose that's what George meant? He being as much a sneak, a trufan, and a non-gentleman as Gordie, I, for one, would not be surprised.

In WARPED SPACE 44 I also enjoyed Barbara Wenk's "Don't Say That" (although, considering some of the story ideas I've heard discussed lately, I think Barbara left out some good ones: "Any Port in a Storm" — with Han out of the way, Leia turns her attention to whoever happens to be around ((Luke, Lando, Chewie, Darth, you name it)), and frequently for the flimsiest of reasons, other than the very obvious fact that the author wants the Corellian free of royal entanglements; "The Treatise" —stories ((?)) masquerading as SW/TESB tales of action/adventure/romance/character development when in reality they are exercises in alien sociology, culture, psychology, etc., and not even well-done ((in short, b-o-o-o-o-ring, and not at all suited for SW)); "Poor Darling Darth" ((title courtesy of Karen Osman)) m—m Mary Sue Sith or Corellian or Alderaani or whoever goes right to the heart of the matter and saves Darth's soul ((strange now no mention is made in this kind of story about Darth's shoulders and thighs. Hmmmnn. Guess Mary Sue Whatever is above the celebration of such 'crude matter'.)) and converts him to goodness and light, thereby making the galaxy safe for truth, justice, and the American Alliance way. Can't think of any others right now, but I'm sure, as an editor, you can come up with a few yourself.).

"Imperial Soliloquy", by the same author, isn't (a soliloquy, that is), but is an absolute riot for all that. And the funniest thing of all is, funny though it is, it is also true. Just how is good old Darth-baby going to get out of this one? Somehow, the Emperor of TESB did not strike me as being the bumbling old Palpatine mentioned in the SW novelization. (Pulling in a ringer on us, George? Eh?) I do not think the Emperor will be--'amused' at Darth's losses in TESB. No, not at all amused. Then, to round out the issue, Wenk has "Wages of Virtue". Brrr! Can't say I like it — too damn chilling for that — but gods, so possible; and so tragic. Poor Luke. Survivor's luck, bunh? Right. What a fate.

"Post Gratitude" was well-crafted, as are all of Paula Block's offerings. But, if there's one thing I hate more than anything else, it's a bloody 'it was only a dream story!!! I don't care if it is a semi-precog dream (Leia as the other, maybe?). It's STILL a damn dream story. And I HATE them.

The rest of the 'zine was a mixed bag this time around. Some forgettable poetry, Klysadel (which I have never been able to get into. I've tried, but it's really a very closed universe. Which is strange, since it started in Anji's own fanzine, MONKEY OF THE INKPOT. You'd think it'd be open, in an attempt to attract fans. But, just the opposite. Oh, well.), etc. Martynn's and Joni's artwork is always a pleasure, and I liked MRO Ludwig's illo for "Wages". But McCoy's 'heart of gold'? And Spock touched by a god? GAKK! [49]

[zine]: The artwork in WS 44 was excellent, as usual, and I'm glad to see a 'zine review column. I always enjoyed "Bored of Review" in MENAGERIE and am happy it's still with us.

"Days of Yore" was my favorite story in the 'zine this time and "Devra's Song" hit the mark for humor!

You mentioned in your editorial that there would be more stories in "The Weight" universe. Great news! Leslie sure can write stories that reach out and grab me by the scruff of my neck![50]

Issue 45

front cover of issue #45, Dot Sasscer
back cover of issue #45, Dot Sasscer

Warped Space 45 was published in March 1981 and contains 93 pages.

From the editorial:

LoCs are back, and I'll try not to skip them in subsequent issues. Welcome Paula Smith's Bored of Review column debuting in this issue, please, and let us know what you think of it.

MediaWest*Con has filled its membership rolls — we extended the minimum from 350 to 375 to 400. If any attendee wishes to cancel his/her membership, write to us as soon as possible, and if anyone wants to be on the waiting list for a possible vacancy, also write to us as soon as possible. Supporting memberships are still available for $3 and 3 business-sized sases. The 2nd Progress Report will be going out to members sometime this month, with further details on the con.

[snipped]

Those of you who have written me since the beginning of the year may have noticed what I hope is a trend on my part; I've been able to keep up with incoming mail on a daily basis! And while doing so, have been managing to whittle down the backlogged mail stacks by several inches a week! Concurrently, I'm catching up on reading submissions, readying various projects for publication, and continuing to better organize and straighten up the office. Last month I finally succeeded in alphabetizing my 'zine collection! Orders received for 'zines in stock are filled at least once weekly, more often if my errands around town take me past the Post Office and/or UPS building more than once a week.

If anyone wants to help collate future issues and doesn't know how to go about volunteering, contact me and I'll be happy to fill you in, as well as welcome you to the fold!

[snipped]

Thanks to all who wrote LoCs in the 8 month hia
tus between WS 44 and 45, plus those who sent in
 LoCs on 43. Obviously, we can't print every LoC
 we receive, but we try to print a representative
 cross-section of opinions received. Your LoC
 stands a better chance of being printed if it is
 concise and clearly labelled as a LoC.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 45

See reactions and reviews for SulkCon '81.

See reactions and reviews for The Continuator Series.

[zine, 1981]: Like many previous issues, this is an excellent fanzine. Each page offers a new treat, be it a cartoon, an illo, a poem, a short short, or a story. Graphically speaking, the reproduction of the illos and text is just fine. There is more emphasis on short pieces in this issue and only one long story ('Continuator'). As far as the subject matter is concerned, it's a bout 70% SW and 30% ST.

'The Continuator' is another chapter in this series concerning the rebels at their new base after the events in Star Wars. The characterizations are among the best in SW fan fiction. Even when the story emphasis shifts from one character to another, no one suffers... In these final chapters, everyone is healthy, so those who are bothered by get 'ems or hospital stays should be happy. This series is basically a continual story chronicling the events, small and large, in the personal and business lives of the rebels. It's not a one-major-crisis story, but rather it paints a very realistic picture of life on a transient military base with all the inherent problems and strategies intact. The attention to detail is admirable and the small, seemingly boring details concerning supplies, contacts and diplomatic endeavors are incorporated into the story in a realistic and natural way. I guess I'm just a sucker for a story that not only elicits an emotional response in the reader, but is also logical and does not violate any rules of human behavior in the cause of poetic license... Emotionally the story packs a wallop and Paula and Jackie handle these scenes very well. Of course, Martynns illos are worth turning the pages for.

A new feature made its debut in WS #45, the 'Bored of Review' column. Paula's reviews are concise, witty, and she does not mince words -- a good guide for the cautious zine buyer.

The short humorous pieces are also quite good. 'If You Can't Say Something Nice' is an inventive little piece of correspondence concerning everyone's favorite minority group -- the scruff-looking nerf herder. 'Nothin' Left to Bruise' is a very short (but oh-so-appropriate) parody of another story in SW fanfic. It brings a chuckle, plus a Martynn illo makes it even more worthwhile -- lovely. 'The Reluctant Jedi' is a short story that speculates on the possibility of Han Solo becoming a Jedi Knight. It's well-written and funny, but I kept wishing that it were on screen in stead of on paper. The sight of Solo wheeling around with an out-of-control light saber while Luke, Leia and Chewie cower under furniture would be well worth the price of admission. Connie Faddis' illo was a great Chewie, but why oh why didn't she do one of Solo trying to tame the saber? 'Son of What' is a dialogue regarding Luke's parentage. One look at the Leah Rosenthal illo and you know where this one is headed -- improbable and a bit predictable but worth a chuckle. 'Honor Binds Me' is not funny at all and wasn't meant to be. It's a short piece that somehow manages to exhilarate, warm, and knock the wind out of the reader in a mere two pages. I guess it's not the quantity, but the quality and this one proves it. I can't reveal the subject matter or the effect will be ruined, but I can say it concerns Han's homecoming after being thawed out. Okay, what ISN'T good about WS #45? There has to be something, right? Well, there is the fact that it is only 93 pages long... [51]

[zine, 1981]: "Continuator" series continues to impress; "Vulcan Weed" is approximately the funniest thing I have ever seen (the illo, I mean); and "In Honor Bound" is as nearly perfect as any thing I have seen of the short-vignette genre. I read it quite unprepared and was completely zonked by the ending. Once one admits the rather implausible (but not impossible) premise, there is simply nothing else to do. Only jarring note was giving Han a Russian-sounding name, which tends to recall the Red Menace days. I think WS is one of the few 'zines I actually notice the artwork in, instead of either skipping over it, or wincing. [52]

[zine, 1981]: Just about the time I was ready to give up on 45 it appeared in the mailbox. Hope you can get 46 out reasonably soon.

Paula Smith's "Bored of Review" looks like a fine idea. I especially like her rating system (and could I provide a couple of candidates for CONTENTS: 1 and 2 if I really felt nasty!)

Anne Zeek's "Honor Binds Me" is well- done, but what a bummer of an idea.

Beverly Grant's "If You Can't Say Something Nice" and Barb Wenk's "Nuthin' Left To Bruise" are good for laughs, es pecially Grant's Brotherhood. Can't say the same for Carol Mularski's "Reluctant Jedi" (though the idea of Chewie swinging a lightsaber is good for fun-type chills), and "Son of a What" and "Imperials Strike Back" are yawners. Ditto for "Days of Yore". Yoda zapping Vader is delightful. An admirable philosophy he preaches. Leah Rosenthal is dangerous. Between her and Hans Dietrich, I'm almost getting to feel sorry for the poor Alien! And that "hostess Twinki" -- shriek!

Other artwork: Joni Wagner's Han on p. 24 is absolutely lovely; her work usually is! Dot Sasscer's Luke on the back cover is one of the best Luke's I've seen yet, and certainly the best sample of her work I've come across (the Leia on the front is so-so). Then there's Martynn's truly beautiful illo of Luke and Leia on p. 51—besides her Han for the cover of FACETS 5, absolutely the best I've seen of her. Please, Martynn, keep it up! This is also the first time she's done figures with the proportions right; usually some thing's way off. This time, perfect. OK, one quibble: it doesn't really look like Luke (though a couple of my friends who are artists say Luke is hard to get right, and Martynn does do Han nicely). On to the main story. "The Continua tor" parts 3 and 4 is by far the best in stallment, unless Paciello and Block have even better ones still in the typewriter. I did think Luke comes across as rather in tolerant towards Savlanoot, but I guess it's to be expected. Luke is as fanatical about the Force as Leia is about the Rebel lion, after all. And it's a joy to see Leia as a real human being -under that fan aticism, rather than as the frigid bitch too many fans consider her (by the way, I hope those who are down on her heard Epi sode 3 of the radio SW; that's an official Lucas version, folks, and she is a decent^ courageous young woman as well as a dedicated freedom fighter—she's not a bitch!) Her suggesting alternatives to Luke's description of her as "sneaky" is delightful — I can just hear Carrie Fisher delivering those lines! And the portrayal of her conflict between duty and personal feelings is very well-done, very believable (as is Luke's). Thank you, Jackie and Paula, for your treatment of Leia! And that whole sequence on the Falcon just begs to be filmed! (Captain Falfa indeed!) Small stylistic quibble: the conversation be tween Leia and Han, while believable and in character (the one on p. 41, I'm talk ing about here) has too many adverbs des cribing their speech. It makes the passage sound amateurish, not something I expect from writers like Paciello and Block. i': Other than that, and the misuse of "osten sible" on the first page of the story (I don't have the 'zine with me right now), it's an excellent story. This pair would make even a Trek story worth my time read ing. I hope they have lots more ideas ready to put on paper, preferably SW!

Let me add my 2 half-credits to the discussion about contents of WS. I started reading the 'zine because of the SW con tents, and I've continued reading it for that reason (my collection goes back to WS 31/32). Once in a great while I read a Trek piece. This issue seemed pretty well-balanced between them, and I simply ignore other types of stories (a MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. Piece, on the other hand ... ) [53]

[zine, 1981]: "Bored of Review": Paula Smith's criterion are rigid, but fair. If she likes it, she says so, if she doesn't, she says why. I may not agree with all her judgments, but I can't accuse her of honing an axe for anyone, or injecting personal remarks to make a point. Good show, and

I hope she never gets her claws into GRIP!

"Dream a Dream of Vulcan" ... sometimes I feel the same way about those Vulcan names. "Home" is just lovely—a great feelingforKirkandhisthoughtprocesses "Honor Binds Me"—I read it and read it again. I just don't believe it. A triple murder-suicide????? No Way is Han Solo that good of an actor as to pull off a stunt of doublethink like that one. Sorry people, but that shot misfired. "If You Can't Say Something Nice"— nerf-herders of the world, UNITE!

"Talking Chimps"—for once Ann Popplestone is discussing something a derf like me can understand. Presumably the PLANET OF THE APES is not too far from us. Consider the possibilities of workers who will literally do the job for peanuts (or bananas). Some studies show chimps in the wild starting to use tools and even weapons. Whither is all this leading us?

"The Continuator"—I had to go back and re-read the first two chapters of this. It still strikes me as a very long exercise in double-triange relationships, but I'm working out all the combinations and permutations. Leia comes across the best, working out her role as Leader and Inspiration. Han Solo isn't bad—and they've stopped brushing the hair out of Luke's eyes every five minutes.

"The Reluctant Jedi"—it had to hap pen, I suppose. Han did use the light- saber on the tauntaun, and he had to learn to use it somehow. But I can see where the old Falcon might have a few extra bumps while he's learning which end of the thing is up.

"Days of Yore"—a cross-universe joke that just makes it. "Son of a What?" is another shaggy-jedi story. So is "The Imperials Strike Back." Now for my own entry: "Tug of War" was written in 1979, right after there had been some rather messy and very public fan- nish disputes. I was trying to say some thing about friendships, and how people can grow out of them. In Transactional Analysis terms, Nellie is the "child", Bethan is the "parent", T'Rass is the "adult" who must deal with both of them. Thanks to the people who like Nellie-- Lori assures me that the COMPLEAT DIRTY NELLIE will be in print ... and you can read the whole bloomin' thing then. To the critics: I rarely use sex scenes un less I think they are necessary. The one in "Experiment in Survival" was part of the relationship between Nellie and Kal- don, and also resulted in the pregnancy that forced their rescue. The ones hinted at in "The Investigation" were natural— after all, the couple is on their honey moon! There is a sex scene in the last Dirty Nellie story which is also part of the natural progress of the action and is necessary to work out the finale of this series. I may come up with a Dirty Nellie idea or two in the future, but as of now the series is at a halt—on the other hand, if someone has a brilliant idea that they want to use, send me a copy and let me see it. I may get inspired again!

As always, the artwork in WARPED SPACE is excellent. Dot Sasscer's covers are exquisite. Leah's cartoons are getting warped; Gordon's are hysterical, and the "fillos" in the Letter Column are just wild! [54]

[zine, 1981]: Very much enjoyed WARPED SPACE. The artwork was nearly all excellent. I liked Gordon Carleton's dog portrait (p. 4) and stoned Spock (p. 53), and Leah Rosenthal's bloody awful pun and handy jokes on p. 66, the Alien toothache on p. 75 and the

Hostess Twiki. (Note that the short comic strip at the end of your review section also was most appropriate!) Liked the front and back cover art and felt altogether that WARPED SPACE is a most attractive- looking 'zine.

The "Bored of Review" was most informative and, like any good review, made me want to read the material described.

Sandy Hall's "Dream a Dream of Vulcan" was pleasingly full of groanable puns. Dot Sasscer's "Home" seemed most apt.

Anne Elizabeth Zeek's "Honor Binds Me" was a real shocker. Han being an Imperial agent all along ... Somehow though I think Luke's Jedi powers might have seen through him ... Kathleen Resch's "Luke: Encounter"— Luke's first meeting (as a small child) with Ben Kenobi--was a delightful idea (the illustration was good too). Beverly Grant's nerf-herder joke (and the artwork) was amusing, and Pamela Rose's "Bless the Editors" painfully relevant. I usually rewrite my articles at least once or twice.

Ann Popplestone's article on "Talking Chimps" was most interesting. I have read about teaching chimps to speak by sign language rather than spoken language much earlier, and at the time of seeing STAR WARS thought that the inability of Chewie to speak English (though obviously he understood it) made him a more believable alien. Same for Yoda in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK—although certainly intelligent enough to master English (Galactic) he plainly has trouble with it because of his totally alien voice-box and brain. (As a side note, is anyone here familiar with the Caedman LP of H.P. Lovecraft's "Dunwich Horror"? Wilbur Whateley the half-alien has a most extraordinary voices-sort of hillsbilly accent but speaks slowly and almost painfully as if speaking English was a tremendous effort. The sheer intelligence and strong, rather sinister character comes through at the same time. An excellent example of how an alien would speak.)

Very much liked Jani Hicks' "We'll Prob'ly All Die. Young's Han's "Hasten," Cynthial—type seduction speech to Leia. The approach seemed most amusingly apt for Han! Also most in character were the thoughts expressed by Han in Jani Hicks' "Rose Beneath The Snow". (It even makes use of a slight discrepancy in TESB!)

Enjoyed "The Continuator" though the problems of missing the first part of this serial were obvious enough. (I get letters from people complaining about this aspect of "Roo'd Awakening" in RHUBARB). 7 sheets (14 pages) of this had been put in upside down.

Illustrations were good, too. I rather liked the arrogant treacherous Imperial officer (pity in a way he was killed -- would make a nice minor villain).

Liked the "Be a Clone" song.

Roberta Rogow's "Oriana: Tug of War" was excellent. Totally conflicting view oints, and as the Vulcan T'Rass noted, both were right.

"The Reluctant Jedi"—another off beat and rather interesting idea. Chewbacca would make a good Jedi!

"Days of Yore"—an almost-Feghoot, beautifully tying in the two universes.

The letter column has a good deal about "The Prisoner". I missed out on most of this, but have been gradually growing more interested in it. I've re cently bought the book (by Thomas Disch, a damn good writer) and am looking forward to reading it.

Agree with the unhappy comments on the STAR TREK movie—apparently it was originally much longer, and a lot of scenes of interpersonal comment were cut. All the special effects were left in. It would have been a presentable film if the opposite had been done. Another case of incompetent corporate approach.

Oh yes—I'd forgotten the cartoon of Luke riding the tauntaun on p. 88. They were one of the triumphs of TESB. I'd love to hear/see more of these marvelous creatures. [55]

[zine, 1981]: WS 45 was delightful! You produced two fine "conclusion" tales in the issue, plus some other cute goodies as well—and one shocking chiller.

First, the chiller: "Honor Binds Me". A better title would have been "Dishonor Binds Me". That's what I thought of the "sleeper" Hankharan's ploy. I am also amazed that Ben did not try to tip Luke off a little sooner. I also wonder, though, why would "Han" consider himself bound to carry out the promise made to a Sith Lord —if, as part of that promise, his death was required? Some honor!

That picture of the baby Luke on p. 13 was precious! The poem "Encounter" fit in well, too.

"If You Can't Say Something Nice"— Leia was bound to catch it from a protest group! Maybe her staff should screen her speeches in advance.

"Amanda's Lament"—heartbreaking soliloquy for a woman who's seen her family torn apart. Now, for the heavyweights.

"Continuator"—very good conclusion. Leia was realistic in explaining why she couldn't afford to be emotionally in volved; Luke was equally realistic in telling her why she couldn't afford not to be emotionally involved. Also, in this one, Luke grew up in another way. From being the servant boy who nearly killed himself for the Revolu tion, he is now proposing to take charge of the way his life will run-—by putting his definition of his role to the Rebel leaders. It's almost a shame this series has come to an end. I'd like seeing how Luke and Leia handle the problems of their conflicting roles—and their relationship. Makes me wonder, also, in the light of TESB—how will Han handle his developing feelings toward Leia, if he does get back to her? After all, she still has a rebellion to run.

"Oriana: Tug of War"—shattering end ing. I wonder if Nellie has realized what she's lost, in trying to impose her stan dards on another culture? She's lost two friends. It's even more painful than simply outgrowing them—because now any "warm memories" of their former friendship will be tinged with hate. I also pity Bethan; she's probably level-headed enough to realize that no one on her planet will be a friend to her, either. Also, she probably won't even have a family to com fort her, as T'Rass does.

"Son Of A What"--I groaned at Pat Nolan's pun! The illo didn't help things, either! Finally, on: one story in WS 44— "Imperial Soliloquy"—congratulations, Barbara! It richly deserves its Fan Q Av/ard! Just one gem was missing. It's too bad the Emperor hadn't heard a tape of Darth's "recruitment speech" to Luke— something about "ruling the galaxy as father and son". Darth's life wouldn't have been worth one Imperial credit!

Keep up the good work. I'm especially looking forward to a blockbuster issue, in WS 50! Also, I'm eagerly awaiting THE WEIGHT, COLLECTED and DREAM WORLDS.[56]

[zine, 1981]: I particularly liked issue 45. Zeek's "Honor Binds Me"—what a shocking end! I really was impressed by those two pages. Martynn's drawing on p. 16 of Han and Chewbacca—loved it. The whole thing was great.[57]

[zine, 1981]: I dearly love good comedy pieces and had a long hearty chortle over Bev's, Barb's, Joyce's, and Carol's short bits. "Reluctant Jedi" was a fitting retort to all those Han-with-a-lightsaber

stories, and Gordon's Yoda/Vader 'toon was a real corker" (Get it? Retort? Cork? No? Sorry, old alchemist's joke ... ). Can just imagine a conga line boogeyin' down the halls at 3 A.M. at some con singing "Devra's Song". Loveitloveitloveit ... On a more serious note, I wish to add my condolences to those of other dog- friends over the loss of Korthals' Prize Theodore. An unknown driver took an old and much-beloved family member from us two years ago, but the ache is still there, and I empathize deeply with this recent bereavement. "Luke: Encounter" was a pleasant little vignette, enhanced.by Paulie's en chanting illo. Some of us at MarCon in dulged in a group "awww" over it before turning to drool over the back cover. We didn't find p. 51 until much later; that one I may xerox and frame for my wall, with the caption " ... And about goddamn time, too".

I know it sounds a little strident, but after the umpteenth story and/or argument on Why Han Is So Much Better For Leia, one tends to get a bit snappish. Give Her Worship a break, people; she's barely out of her teens, wihout family, and in charge of a revolu tion! That's why I like stories like those in the "Continuator" series: there's an even balance in the presentation of the major characters, and the "minor" ones have ample opportunity to get their licks in as well. No one is right or wrong all the time; the conflict between Leia and Luke shows that up well. I agree with Martynn on the subject of Savlanoot. Don't ditch organic physicians just because the only medic we've seen is a 'droid. Robot doctors are fine for a base set-up, but there will always be a need for "live" medics, and, besides, 'droids aren't much good in the field.

Poor Bethan. Such a place to end the series. And only one more Nellie Gray story? Oh, pooh, and I was just get ting interested. Am plotting a prototype for a stuffed nerf based on Leah R.'s cartoon; assuming, of course, I can get permission to render her depiction in fur. There have been some rather bizarre speculations down here as to what nerfherders do on those long, cold, lonely nights.

[58]

[zine, 1981]: I had to write and let you know how much I enjoyed WS 45; it was a delight from the cover art inward. I turned first to "Honor Binds Me" since Anne Zeek has been snickering and refusing to tell me anything about it, except that a remark I made once sort of gave her the idea for it, for some time now. It evoked a

scream of outrage and delight. What a marvelously perverse idea! Anne is the only person who could possibly get away with something like this.

I enjoyed "Bored of Review"—I always find reviews worthwhile, and since I agreed with the opinions on the listings I have read, I feel confident I can take Paula Smith's views as a good indication as to whether to order a 'zine she mentions or not. I'd like to put in a concurring vote on ONE WAY MIRROR: buy this 'zine! It's worth every credit, whether you usually are interested in Trek stories or not (I'm not).

A strong round of applause for this section of "The Continuator". I was very much impressed with the treatment of Leia; she sounded completely right to me, some thing which is not as common as I'd like. She is certainly not unfeeling, but the authors give an excellent picture of the training, the control, the strength of mind required of a political figure in the middle of a revolution. It is a tremendously difficult role, and this story is admirable for making it clear that it is as difficult for the Princess as it is for those around her. Bravo!

Brief notes on the rest of the 'zine: "If You Can't Say Something Nice"—right on! Let's not have any of these tacky slurs go unrefuted! (I loved the illo— the galaxy's only Navajo nerf-herder; that scenery in the background looks just like home.) "Bless the Editors" struck a familiar chord; I've been there. Jani Hicks' filk and poem were nice, but not particularly memorable. I have to say I thought "The Reluctant Jedi" was a dumb story. Sort of like that wonderful line from Mark Walton's story "The Destruction of the Jedi" where Kenobi says, "Yes, you too, can be a Jedi Knight." (Just send six boxtops from Galactic Crunchies, the wonder cereal, and twenty-five credits to ... ) Luke and Leia's light-hearted attitude towards Jedi training was absurd, and the joke about Han's ineptitude was distinctly unfunny. "Days of Yore" seemed rather pointless to me. I'm taking out a supporting membership in "SulkCon" (would you really send his Excellency after us, huh? Pretty please, Susan ... ) And "The Imperials Strike Back" was great. The image of Darth struggling with hiccoughs in a helmet is absolutely hilarious, and I loved the bit about Vader's reaction to Needa. As al ways, LoCs are worthwhile and interesting, well worth the space. On the art, as I said, the front and back covers were outstanding. I also liked Joni Wagner's Han and Leia on p. 22 and the very effective Han on p. 24. I can't Hay anything about Martynn that hasn't been said many times before, but I liked all her illos, and the expression on Luke's face on p. 51 was actually wrenching. Faddis' Chewie was very good, too. But I want to express violent dis like for the saccharine little-boy-Luke on p. 12; a misbegotten mutant offspring of those ghastly big-eyed Keane kids every dime store used to use to advertise its cheap frame in the 60's and one of Bakshi's less successful hobbits. Yuk!

All in all, in spite of my quibbles, a very good issue, especially "Honor Binds Me" and "Continuator". Looking forward to the next one. [59]

[zine, 1981]: Received WS 45 in perfect condition ... I enjoyed the artwork immensely in this issue, especially Joni's Han on p. 24. That's my absolutely favorite shot from the movie. I've only had the chance to go through the SW stuff in the issue but I enjoyed it all; a nice variety of Han,

Luke and Darth, and the Princess. I'm

glad not to see her neglected. [60]

[zine, 1981]: Two things. Well, maybe three. I was happy with the latest issue of WS. Sandy Hall's piece made me guffaw, "Honor Binds Me" stunned me (and repulsed me; I can't believe Han-the-cocky-smuggler as James Bond-double agent), the Hicks poems were great—one funny, one moving—Gordon's cartoons were hysterical as usual, etc., etc. "The Reluctant Jedi" was a little too silly for my tastes, but not too offensive. I really did enjoy the light tone of this issue.[61]

[zine, 1981]: If I were to praise each SW-related item as it deserves, this LoC would become exhaustive, but I would just like to say a few nice things about the works of Paula Block/Jackie Paciello. They have devoted much creative intelligence to "The Continuator" and related stories, and the result has been some of the best fiction I've read. The underlying structure of the series is cohesive, and the plots based upon it are believable and well- paced. Their characterizations ring true, and I am especially pleased to see the sensitive and compassionate treatment of Luke and Leia. Are there any plans for "The Continuator, Collected"? [62]

[zine, 1981]: I haven't had time to read the longer fiction yet, so I'll just comment on what I have read. "Bored of Review"—nice to see a review column in the 'zine, but why this one? Paula doesn't seem to like anything! One comment on her review of GRYFFON'S STAR, specifically Jane's story (and this bit is from Jane, who will likely write her own letter one of these days on it) — what is this thing you have about "eight foot Amazons", Paula? In case you didn't read it very well, and you obviously didn't. Daemon is 6'5", not 8' as you said. I realize that to a person of 5'4" that's incredibly tall, but to someone of 6', as Jane is, it's not. And I notice you haven't had anything nasty to say about her heroine Sheen's height, who is also better than six feet tall. "Tall people write tall characters—we're not all shrimps, kid. If you're bored of review then why are you doing it?

I am now waiting for the lightsaber review I'm sure you're going to give of FACETS in retaliation ...

"Dream a Dream of Vulcan" is hysterical! Do you realize how hard it is to laugh and breathe at the same time when you have a head cold? Sandy was nearly responsible for my untimely demise. "Home"—ah yes. Whatever its draw backs, that scene of the refurbished Enterprise in all her glory was worth the price of the ticket to ST:TMP. I thoroughly can understand Kirk's feelings—they were mine, too. Well done. Dot. "Honor Binds Me" caused me to do something I've only done once before—I threw the 'zine across the room, and scared hell out of the cats. Anne, I realize that this sort of "what if" is very interesting to speculate on, but must you write about it? Honor bound is all well and good, but no one is going to convince me that Han is going to have even subliminal loyalty left to someone who carbon freezes him, brain washing (or burning, as the case may be) or not. ARGH!!]! It's not even close to being in character by any stretch of the imagination, and is morbid as hell to boot. No more, please! "Luke: Encounter" is lovely, and Paulie's illo of baby Luke is really precious! Hey, mister, how much for your child? "If You Can't Say Something Nice"— bravo! Bev, ya done good! Three cheers for the rights of nerf-herders! "Bless the Editors"—bless you, Pamela, for writing it! As both a writer and an editor, I can see both sides of the issue. I've been on the receiving end of editing that I thought stingingly unfair at first, but once the sting faded I dis covered how right the editor was. And I've handed a lot out and gotten curses in the mail for it, too. This is one of the areas that I think fandom pays its dues in spades—helping a young writer, a potential Asimov or Dickson, develop to his or her full potential as a writer with the help of the editor. The words need to be said, and said more often. Thank you, Pamela. "Nuthin' Left to Bruise" is up to Barb's usual standard. Turn about is fair play, after all ... At least for once it wasn't Han! "We'll Prob'ly All Die Young" and "Rose Beneath the Snow" are both lovely, as Jani's poetry usually is. I dislike the reference to Lando being a snake in the grass (not your words, I realize, but the meaning is the same)—Lando didn't exactly have a lot of choice in the matter, with Vader breathing down his neck at every turn. However, the rest is fine, and the illos—Joni, you've outdone yourself! The "Rose" illo especially—hoo boy! Pantlust- droolsigh ... "Vulcan Weed"—not being into that sort of thing, I don't know if I like the poem or not, but it was well done, and Gordon's illo is—well, Gordon, what can I say? I run out of superlatives after a while ... I've always wondered how a Vulcan kept a straight face—now I know ... SulkCon '81—I've already sent in my supporting membership, and ones for my three cats, too. A most worthwhile cause, I think. "Son of a What?"—well, I find it more credible than Lucas' theory. I'd find the idea of Luke being found under a load of bantha droppings more credible than Lucas' theory, though ... St. George can be a real pain sometimes. "The Imperials Strike Back"—yea, Yasner! Fantabulous! Lots of letters this time—I'm not used

to having them at the back of the 'zine as they're usually the first things I read in any 'zine. But the quality and quantity make up for it. Keep them coming! [63]

[zine, 1981]: First off, I'd like to thank you for print ing my last LoC; I received a nice letter from someone in California as a result. Obviously my inane prattlings made sense to someone. Also it led me to discover that I hadn't yet received my copy of 45 due to a slight mis-filing problem. Then there is

the super-neat delivery service by the UPS, which, in spite of the fact that half their men can't find their way in and out of the swamp surrounding us is still ten times better than the Post Awful. Just what would the rates for a hand-delivered subscription be? Say one delivered personally by Mark Hamill. About as good as my chances of booking a flight on the space shuttle, right? ... First off, I'm glad you have the LoC page back; I enjoy reading the comments of other fans I like to hear from the regu lars whose letters to the 'zine keep the rest of us up on anything else we might have missed. Though since I've gotten a sub to WS and have been desperately buying up back copies of the same, I've managed to keep up on the other stories everyone makes interesting comments about.

I liked "Bored of Review". I'd only read one of the 'zines listed and felt her comments fair as far as that one went. And having all the ordering information and prices available is handy. But I hope she'll review some SW 'zines in the next issue; they were noticeably absent in this review. Lots of short articles which makes your 'zine easy to read when you're short of time. Though I'm not thrilled about Star Trek stories, "Days of Yore" had been interesting to read and the first short "Dream a Dream" was a real mind-twister. Just the sort of thing that might result from a gathering of friends in a silly frame of mind? How about T'Volta, the dance instructor? Han an espionage agent? It was a dark story, a little depressing, but nicely written, managing to catch your interest and jolt you in the end, all in two pages. I know, I just happen to have a weakness for SW stories. At last, an illo of someone carrying the Wookiee for a change. I don't mind the lack of backgrounds in some of Martynn's illos mainly because she does such a nice job with the figures in the foreground. All artwork doesn't need a background to be good; granted I'm nowhere near as good as most of the artists; Martynn, Wagner, and Moaven to name a few of the best. I find myself, however, just as guilty when it comes to omitting backgrounds, some of my stuff is detailed and some isn't, it comes down to what you feel is right for the illo and yes, as Martynn pointed out in her letter, lack of time.

I've enjoyed reading both all the chapters of "Resurgence" and the "Continuator", however the ending of the series in this issue kind of left me hanging. It seems like there should have been more, at least where Luke and his conflicts were concerned. Instead things just seemed to just drag on at the end without any definite conclusion. "Captain Falfa"? Where have I heard that before?

I like the "Oriana" series, and it isn't even SW. There's hope for me yet ... [64]

[zine, 1983]: Heavy sigh, as Mork would say. The covers were exquisitely done, portraying the fragile, sensitive sides of Leia and Luke. It takes real talent to put a softness to pen, and Dot—you have this humble pen-waver's thanks.

The conclusion to "The Continuator" — what can I say, except more! More, more! Paula and Jackie, one of you must be a Skywalker fan (aka "Luke-aholic" — all Hanatics may please eat their hearts out! Only kidding). Your characterization of him is absolutely fantastic—and most important, you don't treat him as the "dumb kid with the lightsaber," as so many others tend to do. As a matter of fact, all of the characters are constantly true to form and believable—I hurt and feel right along with them. Thanks to Han for finally telling Leia off—it's about time that someone did! Now, don't get me wrong—I like Leia, but I really think agood spanking would benefit her immensely. I also feel sorry for her; she's so scared of herself that she can hardly live—and she was cold about Bri ... Bri's dead? No! No, no, no!!! It's not fair! Iliked her sooo well, and poor Luke! Please, please say that it wasn't her ship that blew up! Oh, well-- I can hope, can't I? I'm going to miss her. Anyway, Ihope that you plan to do more stories, with Martynn at the artistic reins. All of you are great!

Dream a Dream of Vu1can" -- Wunderbar! T'tain’t puns grand? (Sorry, couldn't resist!)

Honor Binds Me" ... Shudder. Shudder, shudder. Sob, cry ... sorry, I got carried away, But when I read it, that's exactly what I did. Anne, you have a talent for the macabre, and you really got to me there, I hated it one minute and loved it the next. I kept saying, "He wouldn't do that—he couldn't do that! Could he? Arrrggh!! Thank the Maker for the poem after it..."Luke: Encounter." It picked me up, dusted me off and said, "It's okay, kid." And the huge, sweet eyes on that little boy—gawd!! I'm in love.

"Rose Beneath the Snow," "We'll Probably All Die Young,"--so many Han fans! So many talented Han fans!! Makes you almost want to convert ...

Just one comment about the illo to "Vulcan Weed" ... Gordon, you've done it again! [65]

[zine, 1983]:

Out of all the STAR WARS material, my favorite was "Honor Binds Me" by Anne Elizabeth Zeek. It left me with an empty pit in my stomach. Luke and Leia do trust Han enough that if he was "Commander Hankharan Soloscinska," the story could really happen. "Nuthin' Left to Bruise" by Barbara Wenk does say it all.

About "The Continuator" by Paula Block and Jackie Paciello, all I can say is Poor Leia. I really felt for her, trying to explain to Luke that she couldn't care every time apilot was shot down. She wouldn't be a very good leader (if one agrees that Leia is a co-leader in the Rebellion) if she did. It would drive her mad. I agree with Luke that people should be able to love during war as well as peace, but if Luke could have understood her position, quite a bit of grief could have been saved.

After reading "Oriana: Tug of War" by Roberta Rogow, I'm sorry that I've missed so many "Dirty Nellie" stories. "Dream a Dream of Vulcan" by Sandy Hall was wonderful. I loved it.

The artwork, as usual, is excellent. Keep up the good work and I look forward to WARPED SPACE 46. [66]

[zine, 1995]: This is a "classic" SW zine. Actually, this is more like an issue dominated by SW. Warped Space was a Trek/what-ever-else-is-cool fanzine, featured critical zine reviews, art, stories, filk cartons, and pages of readers' letters. It was produced in an era when desktop publishing meant a typewriter, some glue, and scissors, and copy machines weren't so prevalent. We're talking about the Mimeograph Age (kids, ask your parents about that.)

Most of the stories were really short, since this was a small fanzine, relatively speaking. A couple of them were kind of funny, but there were some serious ones too. In fact, one was downright grim — Han, an undercover Imperial spy, kills Luke and Leia before killing himself. Hmm, the author must've been listening to too much Joy Division. The other serious story was on the sappy side, but amusing to read in light of what happens in ROTJ. I was more impressed by the artwork scattered throughout the zine. There were some humorous bits too, like a Franklin Mint ad for Han-in-Carbonite, a letter of protest sent to Leia from the United Galactic Brotherhood of Nerf-Herders and Bantha-Breeders, and a take-off of Billy Joel's "Only the Good Die Young," It's a kick to read the letters of comment, partially because a couple of Trekkers whined about the fact SW material was appearing in the zine. Nyah nyah! Overall, it's fascinating to read a zine from the early '80s and see what fan writers were up to back in the day, when only two-thirds of the saga had been released. Unfortunately, this zine, like many other old zines, aren't easy to find. Your best bet is a fan-run Trek convention or a media con like Media West or Eclecticon. [67]

Issue 46

Warped Space 46 was published in September 1981 and is 96 pages. Fandoms include Star Trek, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Doctor Who. Art by Gordon Carleton, Connie Faddis, Melly Frame, Paulie Gilmore, Michael Goodwin, Terri Korthals, Martynn, Susan W. Perry-Lewis, Leah Rosenthal, Cathy Strand and Joni Wagner.

front cover of issue #46, MIchael Goodwin
back cover of issue #46, Terri Korthals

This issue originally came with a small separate leaflet with fanzine ads. It also included a supplement that said that, because of the enclosed copy of the two letters from Maureen Garrett, the story, "Ships in the Night" would be sent separately for those who sent in an age statement.

From the enclosed supplement that also included a copy of the text of two letters by Maureen Garrett:

Ahem... You're probably wondering what happened to pages 107-112 of Ships in the Night which have been left out of your copy of Warped Space #46. By way of explanation, we are reprinting a set of letters [from Maureen Garrett]... While we don not consider anything we've published, including this story, to be 'pornographic,' we've withheld those pages containing some mildly explicit descriptions. As the wording in Ms. Garrett's letters is rather vague, we can only hope we've accurately second-guessed her intended meaning. Since the main concern expressed in these letters seems to be that objectionable SW material stay out of the hands of underage readers, we will only make the deleted pages available to those subscribers who send us a legal size SASE (with .18 cents postage) and an signed statement that they are eighteen years of age or older... We will attempt to obtain more specific guidelines from Ms. Garrett so that we may avoid awkward situations of this sort in future issues. While we do not fully agree with Ms. Garrett's descriptions of the legal aspects of various points, we believe that George Lucas has certain moral rights concerning the characters he created. If he or his representatives will provide SPECIFIC guidelines as to what he finds objectionable, we will attempt to comply with such standards.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 46

See reactions and reviews for Ships in the Night.

See reactions and reviews for Second Chance.

See reactions and reviews for Sow the Wind.

[zine]: What can one say about a zine which manages to reach 46? Warped Space seems to appeal to just about everyone and that is not surprising, for it is about as close to the median of fannish writing as it's possible to get. The offerings are eclectic, with something for almost every reader, and the quality generally adequate, with occasional flashes of brilliance and lapses into dreck. Issue 46 is no exception... This issue is heavily slanted toward Star Wars material, and I will deal with that only here. 'Zip-ee Wars' is mindless but a great gag and a lot of fun. 'Vader of the Lost Ark,' as the title suggests is another of Eluki bes Shahar's bizarre and inspired pastiches which manages to cram references to almost every Harrison Ford role into one very funny page.

'Sow the Wind' is an an excellent story supported by a truly outstanding art portfolio. Those people who saw the stunning original paintings at MediaWest Con can only regret that black-and-white reproduction, as good as it is, can only give a hint of their quality. Anne Zeek is one of the few fan authors who does more than pay lip service to the frequently-cited mythological patterns of Star Wars, and 'Sow the Wind' explores the archetypical [sic] figures of Father, Son, Mother, and Child through permutations drawn from Arthurian legend, a variety of Greek mythical parallels, and the pre-Classical and medieval conflicts of mother-goddess and sky-father. The elegant writing style compliments the intellectual fireworks of this remarkable piece to create a story which will undoubtedly became famous in fandom.

'Second Chance' provides this issue of Warped Space with its example of fictional sludge, the sort of error in editorial judgement that consistency reduces WS from an outstanding zine to an average one. It is an interminable and totally predictable hurt/comfort Han story which seems to be cobbled together from every old fan fiction cliche at hand. The writing is adequate but lackluster, and the standard plot announces itself so clearly by the third page that you don't have to read any further to know exactly what is going to happen. This is probably just as well, for the reader's best bet is to simply skip this story entirely...

This issue is filled out by a filk from Jani Hicks, accompanied by an exquisite illo by Martynn, and two pages of Eluki bes Shahar's funny and beautifully drawn cartoons on the theme of Mari Su and Cuddly Darth.

The final item, for those readers who sent in an age statement, is 'Ships in the Night.' Readers who felt a bit cheated at the end of 'Marketable Commodity' in Pegasus #4 will be more than satisfied by this lovely return engagement between Luke and Cori Beckett. It is lyrical, sensual, erotic in the highest degree, yet so skillfully written and tasteful that there is not a hint of the pornographic in it. The characters are real people, totally believable, and the authors resist the temptation to cheapen them by tacking on a contrived and happy ending. This story should be required reader for every aspiring writer of erotica, as an example of How To Do It Right. It is complemented by illos in Joni Wagner's best style, although the artist seems to have been inhibited by Lucasfilm's recent pronouncements into making the illos a bit more PG than the story really deserves.

There is little else to note about the art in this issue, except to mention one particularly nice illo of a star-destroyer firing on the Falcon by Michael Goodwin and a GREAT cartoon by Rosenthal and Otten on page 65 which can't really be described without spoiling it. [68]

[zine]: Always previously I have tried to say something about each piece in a 'zine, both because I'm opinionated and because I know the frustration of a Writer Uncommented Upon. No longer. Let it stand as a given that the extras in WS--LoC's, Bored of Review, border cartoons, con and 'zine reports, etc.—are up to your usual high standards and leave them in the staff's capable hands. Other than that, unless apiece rouses my extreme admiration (or extreme ire), it will be considered satisfactory and left at that. My primary reason for this, of course, is the quantity—but the other, which I would never have admitted during the heyday of Fandom Tolerance and the spirit of IDIC which used to require that all fen accept all things, is this: I don't like STAR WARS. I thought it was boring, silly, and pointless the first time I saw it, ridiculous, pretentious and potential-less the second time, and thereafter I stopped going to see it. Same for TESB. So my comments toward the three SW stories in WS 46 may be considered biased, but here they are: nice writing, friends, but hardly worth it. Any of them could have been copied whole cloth from a harlequin romance (who, me? Sneer? Never. They make money.); none of them have anything science-fictional in them. Plastic people, paper emotions—not surprising dealing with the cardboard SW universe, but no more forgivable. One note applicable to any of the three, aimed at one only because this is the one where "I been there myself: it is obvious that the author has never known anyone actually deprived of their legs, or hands, or eyes, because that anger/depression/ determination sequence works fine in melodrama but just ain't so in real life. The writing was okay, but the path was meaningless. I expect more insight, or at least more experimentation, from fanfic. (I read the stuff because I read everything, watch everything — lord, people, I sat through that entire lousy ATLANTIS series solely on the strength of the movies — but that doesn't mean I have to like it.) Fine for harlequin romances, but I can read soap operas anywhere.

Fa Shimbo's "And Don't Think It Hasn't Been Fun" was, of course, terrific. Oh, the ecstasy of being both author and artist ...

Naturally, I reserved the details for my favorite subject. Joni Wagner's Mark and Elizabeth was beautiful, one of the best of her works I've seen. In charcoal, no less. It looks exactly like the photo. Unfortunately, the photo doesn't look like Mark, it looks like [Patrick] Duffy in one of his most irreverent moods. Him and that idiot grin ...

Susan Perry-Lewis's wonderfully shaded Mark is more accurately expressive except for that smile. Is that a smile? He looks like he ate a pickle! I've been assured that Mark is the hardest person in the world to draw, and I'm no artist, so I can't offer a critique. I only know how it strikes me.

Jocelyn Feaster's "Ballad of Mark Harris" wavers between excellence and cliche. It could have been brilliant with sufficient self-editing; some of the lines were strained a little too hard to meet rhythm and rhyme limitations. I object on general principles to the repetition of the "Neptune's child" line; the alternating scansions set the tone nicely, and more subtly. For the most part it was fascinating, but it needn't have been any less than perfect. Not with her apparent talent. More, Jocelyn!

(And before anyone takes me to task over that freaking song of mine, I wish to announce that it invaded my head one night in a drunken stupor and wouldn't leave me alone. I take no blame for it.)

Sorry, people, I guess you just caught me in a nasty mood. WS is still one of the best around. Good luck, and keep it coming! [69]

[zine]: General comments — the art was better than the prose this time around — sorry folks, but that's the way I feel about it. The bulk of the stories were SWARS, which doesn't bug me as much as it does some—but there was a lot of poetry (to which I tend to be tone-deaf).

"Zippy-Wars" — take that, all you texture-mad artists! Most of the folks who illo my stuff seem to keep their paws off all those ditsy little bitsies, but there are all those lovely books with all those fascinating designs ...

"Vader of the Lost Ark"—why not? I love it — crossing universes is such fun, and this one has a great "kicker" at the end.

"And Don't Think It Hasn’t Been Fun" — oh, dear. Changing her name hasn’t made Anji Valenza’s style any clearer. The semi-prose, semi-cartoon way of handling dialog leaves me totally bewildered as to who is whom and who is saying what to who! I’ve been following this series (or trying to) for five years, and I still don't understand it. I must be dense, or something.

"Sow the Wind" — right on, Anne Elizabeth Zeek! This is one Darth-Vader-Is-Luke's-Father story that makes sense. The brooding atmosphere is enhanced by Connie Faddis's illos—and the stuff about the Old Goddess fits right in, even in that galaxy far, far away.

"Dr. Who???" is another DOCTOR WHO pun—a shaggy-Doctor story?

"Spockiloquy"—that strange humming you hear is the Bard of Avon, whirling rapidly in his grave. Hysterical!

"The Green Gorilla" — considering this is the only TREK story in the zine, I was disappointed. I thought it would be more than just another shaggy-dog story. The horror elements were too good to waste on that dumb ending.

"Second Chance" — okay, folks, here we go. I thought I'd left this stuff behind when I gave up reading Kirk/Spock hurt/comfort 'zines, no matter how beautifully written and illoed. Now we have a "get-Han" story, complete with suffer, suffer, suffer, and heal, heal, heal, and the obligatory sex scene so that Han can prove he's still a man, even without legs -- I guess if Luke's got a fake hand and Han's got plastic legs, we’re ready for the Year of the Handicapped. Sorry, folks, I just don't buy it. The hospital scenes were good—but I sincerely hope we’re not in for a cycle of stories in which we get to see Our Boys maimed, butchered, etc. for the vicarious pleasures of their fans, And don’t tell me about the scene in TESB — Luke got out of there, fast, and the suffering was held to a minimum. Let's keep 'em whole, ladies, that's the way they work best.

Ships in the Night" -- ok, Han’s got the Princess, so Luke's gotta get someone, too. It's beautifully, sensually written, and if Lucas thought "Slow Boat to Bespin" (in GUARDIAN 3) was hot stuff, wait 'til he reads this one! (On second thought, don't tell him!)

((As an editorial aside, for those of you who didn't hear how the Lucasfilm "censorship" flap has resolved itself—basically it was generally agreed that everyone over-reacted, and the matter has pretty much died away. Lucasfilm is depending on the editors' good taste and judgment in decid[ing] what is printable, and we haven't heard of any further furor. We heard nothing detrimental concerning "Ships in the Night" from Lucasfilm, and they did get their prerequisite four copies of WARPED SPACE 46.))

Like I said, something for everyone, and I did appreciate the limericks based on Barbara Wenk's "Don't Say That" article in WS 45, and the continuation of the article on the talking chimpanzees. I recently saw the segment of 60 MINUTES that focused on a small monkey who has been trained to assist a paraplegic do things like zip zippers, or fetch small items; the monkey is an intelligent pet, the paraplegic is given a chance at a more normal life, and everyone is happy!

Next time I hope there's more Trek, and less pain ... Keep on Trekkin'—Forcefully! [70]

[zine]: The Han-amputee story was so maudlin, silly, and starkly unbelievable (really — in a Galaxy that has 'droids and cybernetic prostheses of the quality of Luke's replacement hand, Han is going to faunch and creeb about a pair of replacement legs? Ghu preserve us from wheatena-brained authors who haven't even a cursory knowledge of SF!) that I haven't yet gotten around to the telepathic green gorilla story.

On the other hand, I loved "Ships in the Night" — thought it was touching, well-written, definitely not porn ... and certainly an example of a situation when it is not only desirable but needful to go beyond the bedroom door to the intimacies of the carnal couch. Luke was well-handled, and I have always been fond of Cori.

Also much enjoyed the brawl in the letters column over "Honor Binds Me" in WS 45 ... seems no one out there in Random Fandom knows what a sleeper agent is. Tsk. And with me sure that everybody had watched PBS's TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY and knew that sleeper agents live their parts with perfect artistry, sometimes for years, until they are called on to activate. And as for all them saying that "Han wouldn't" felicitate them on a knowledge of Han Solo superior to mine and wait in brangled glee for the next movie.

Over all, it was an issue worth buying ...[71]

[zine]: I've just finished reading WS 46 and the one story that stands out miles above the rest is Anne Elizabeth Zeek's "Sow the Wind." I have never read a more convincing, plausible or well-written story on the question of Luke's parentage, I loved her format, the way she compared Darth to the Author of Terran legend creating a sympathy and understanding of Vader's position in the reader. Connie Faddis's artwork is not to be passed over lightly either. Her work is exquisite and perfectly suited to the story. My only regret is that Ms. Faddis's pieces could not have been reproduced in color. There were very few of us who actually saw the pictures on display at MediaWest*Con I and it is unfortunate that most people could not view them in their original splendor. While I say this, I also realize there is nothing you can do about it. The rest of the 'zine was fine also. "Ships in the Night" was adorable but I can see where Lucasfilm might get a little upset about it. It isn't a suitable story for kids and I approve of your policy of signing for it at the time of purchase. However ... how many fanzine readers are under eighteen? Speaking solely from personal experience. I've noticed less than 25% of 'zine readers are that young and even that may be a high estimate. Lucasfilm should get to know us better, maybe they'd have a better idea of what we consist of ...[72]

[zine]: I was thoroughly delighted with the repro you got on the "Sow the Mind" artwork, bless your 'zine budget and your excellent printer. I learned something out of this: some colors, like red, are solid black when screened for B&W printing. Didn't make a whole lot of difference, though, except for the lava spouting from the volcano in young Darth's illo. Oh well, I'm not complaining; as I said, now I know.

Glad to see, considering the current uproar with Lucasfilm, that you (or Anne Elizabeth) took out the more graphic chunk of STW; it added a lot to the mood of the story, I think, but not that much in terms of plot development, so the story works nicely with the fade-to-black type of device for the sex scene. It's pretty obvious that Morisande got Darth to sire Luke, and readers will not suffer immensely from having to use their imaginations as to the details of said conception.

I was also pleased to see that Anne Elizabeth took nonjudgmental perspective on the witchcraft/Earth Goddess issue. In the pre-Christian forms, the Earth Mother religion(s) tended to be gentle, nature worship ... as lovely and harmless as, say, the Japanese Shinto animist "religion," which most Japanese still profess to some degree, whether Buddist or Christian as well. The nature religions had little to do with so-called Satanism until Christianity came along, but as any serious reader into women's history knows, there were at least three hundred thousand witches executed by the Catholic (and later other Christian) Church between the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries, with some scholars putting the number as high as perhaps six million. That's as bad as Hitler's Holocaust. I wonder how many of those executed "witches" were gentle nature worshippers and herbalists, rather than baby-sacrificing Satanists. Gives one pause.

Anyway, Anne Elizabeth's theme that it is the use one makes of the Force, rather than whether it is the so-called Light Side (presumably the patriarchal, more "rational" male force) or the Dark Side (presumably the matriarchal, fecund and less "rational"—that is, intuitive—female side)—that is good or evil, is an interesting variation on interpretations of this energy "that surrounds and binds us." Most religions that do not have their basis In the patriarchal Judeo-Christian tradition (e.g., Christianity, Judaism, and to a great extent, Islam) don't really raise an issue of "evil," per se, at least not so that it's considered intrinsic to the cosmos; rather, there's yin and yang, or Krishna and Kali ... different faces of the same Entity, force, what have you. Ann E's story challenges what Lucas has done with the Force, so far, in his films: if he's taking a genuinely Eastern approach, as he’s been accused of, then he's going to have to do an about-face on his condemnation of the Dark Side. More likely, he's trying to pull off a tricky amalgamation of the Best of the East and the Best of the West. Oh well ... I've always thought all religions have a piece of the rock, so this ought to be interesting. But I'm pleased that STW offered this different perspective. It's so refreshing to read a mind-provoking SW fan story. Except for the ThousandWorld series, I've come across very little in the fandom that's tickled the old neurons. Other parts of the anatomy, maybe, but ...

Also want to congratulate Carol Hansen on one of the funniest bits of Trek humor in a long time: "Spockiloquy." What I want to know is, where's the rest of it?

Did not care much for "Second Chance." I'm so tired of let's-crunch-Han stories, and Kelly Hill can write much better than this.

Smith has developed into probably the best, fairest, and most entertaining reviewer in media fandom. BOR is marvelous ... and much needed.

And thank you, Eluki bes Shahar (is that name for real?) for Mari Su ... wonderful stuff. Does she do other SW characters besides Darth, and could she be enticed to take on the nymphos in other fandoms, I wonder?

Alas, poor "Ships in the Night"--an emergency appendectomy (or was that hysterectomy ... or the operation for the other sex?). Arrgh. (Of course, I'm grateful that you didn't castrate the copy you sent me, but I imagine there are going to be a lot of disgruntled readers. Hang in there.) Well, eventually, the mess with LF will be straightened out, I suppose. Meanwhile, thank you, Moral Majority.

Exquisite Goodwin cover. Oh for color! [73]

[zine]: Yes, I did enjoy WS 46 — definitely one of my favorite issues. I particularly liked the Anne Zeek story (and Connie's illos!), Eluki's cartoons I thought absolutely hilarious, and Karen River's portfolio I thought beautiful. But (dare I say it?) I think I enjoyed "Ships in the Night" the most—quite a charming love story, with enough humor and tenderness to carry the subject off. But I'm being consumed with curiosity — has Lucasfilm said anything to you about it yet?[74]

[zine]: First off, in response to Carol McPherson's LoC in WS 46 regarding "Continuator," perhaps the reason she felt she was left hanging without resolution of Luke's conflicts was that it wasn’t the end of "Continuator" after all! Though Paula Block has deigned to bow out in favor of other things, I'm continuating the "Continuator" solo (so to speak) with WARPED SPACE 47 (and 48 ... ). Luke definitely has a ways to go, both intellectually in dealing with his future within the Alliance, and emotionally, in dealing with his relationship with Leia. I'm striving not to find convenient ways of ultimately merging with the TESB Universe — the one Poblocki and I have laid has its own destiny — but I am attempting to have Luke mature and follow the logical path based on the established premises. The most difficult task I foresee (and this goes, I think, for all writers not following the TESB Universe) is avoiding parallels which are too obvious to the reader, yet at the same time maintaining the direction of the character, i.e., given Luke's psychology and motivations, given the "last hope of the galaxy premise, certain events must take place and certain emotional conflicts must arise. I only hope I can handle the challenge as well alone as many of you seemed to think Po and I did together.

Now — regarding Kelly Hill's "Second Chance" ... Hmm — I have a couple of points and I hope I can present them coherently. First, it was pretty obvious that Kelly added that bit about Han's final prostheses after viewing the pretty nifty slight-of-new-hand performed by Luke in TESB. This was unfortunate, as lit only made a weak story weaker. Sorry Kelly, I luv ya, but this story don't work! And it doesn't work because:

1) all this angst Han goes through in the first part of the story is phony as hell — his main gripe seems to be that he'll never fly again. Well, unless the Falcon's got rudder pedals, I don't see how that has barma beans to do with flying. Hell, even if it did, he does have prostheses. He uses his hands, eyes and mind, not his feet! Now if he'd been blinded, that might have been different ...

2) In adding that addendum with those fool-proof, invisible, all-purpose, no-tell feet and ankles that Han wound up with, you made all that previous suffering ludicrous! Not only that, but why the hell didn't the doctor tell Han about them in the beginning? Why have Han believe he was going to go through the rest of his life looking like Peg Leg Pete if it wasn't necessary?

3) My major objection to the story is, that you can't carry a SW story which is totally dependent on terrestrian medical terminology. This I say from experience, resulting from a great deal of flak I received after I wrote "Resurgence," and had Han bleeding to the point of death. I even had one irate Registered Nurse phone me from California to tell me that there was no way Han could have survived that amount of blood lose. And what could I answer? "Well, after all, Han isn't human?" But that's a cop out, and Kelly's done the same thing. She's used Han's legs as a plot contrivance, and a poor one. At least in STAR TREK you are dealing with humans. Earth humans even, and the technology is pretty well defined. But in STAR WARS you've got a very different and varied technology. The galaxy is not our own, there are droids and light sabres and fully functioning, sensory perfect limb prostheses which seem to be an accepted part of the SW culture. Luke hardly looked appalled or even depressed about his replacement hand in TESB, and I hardly believe that Han, considering the scope of his travels across the galaxy, would be so totally devastated at the loss of his lower limbs — he didn't even lose his knees, for gods' sake! He would be angry, certainly, perturbed at the delay in getting back on his feet (whatever they were made of) but he'd certainly not crack up, contemplate suicide, and have to prove his manhood by sleeping with the first female he met after his hospital discharge, and confirm his lightning reflexes by saving a little boy from the path of an oncoming vehicle. The plot should have been the destruction of the Falcon. That would have been the main reason for his grief. But that Kelly treated superfluously by the Alliance giving him anew ship "on condition." I think she would have done better to play down the medical aspects and play up the psychological trauma of Han's having to accept the demise of the only possession he had. Ironic in fact, since then the ship would have seemed more important to him than his own physical predicament. As it is, there's no pity for Han, no gut-wrenching sympathy to carry us along with him in his grief; only a little what-the-hell's-he-making-such-a-stink-about? attitude. Oh, and Kelly — one of your objections to TESB was that the loss of Luke's hand had nothing to do with the plot? Granted — but what does the loss of Han's feet have to do with yours?[75]

[zine]: Superb is WS 46 ... no other word for it! Beautiful color, beautiful artwork throughout! Even though I know nothing about art, sketching, illustrating, I appreciate the talents of others for adding life to stories, and poems.

As always, the cartoons were side-splitting ... especially liked Gordon's "Rec Room" offering, "Solo's Used TaunTaun Lot," and the Mari Su series. Love this type of humor.

Since I still have a soft spot in my heart for MAN FROM ATLANTIS, I enjoyed the poems and illos on Mark Harris and Elizabeth. After three seasons of DALLAS, I still like Patrick Duffy's portrayal of Mark better than Bobby Ewing ...

"Vader of the Lost Ark" was very clever ... incorporating all of HF's roles. Did everyone catch HF on the RAIDERS' special? I'm taking bets that Han Solo turns up with a beard in ROTJ.

Been following with interest Bev Grant's pieces on "scruffy-looking nerf-herders" ... hope she continues it ... could lead to all sorts of situations. The stories were excellent, especially Kelly Hill's "Second Chance" — a four-hanky effort. However, felt terribly disturbed ... we tend to think of Han as invincible, but Kelly took a horrible situation and made it believable. However, since I belong to that very small group of fans who are rooting for Han and Leia, I was a little disappointed with the Luke/Leia relationship. Sorry, gang, I don't buy it, especially not after TESB. Now, repeat after me, HAN AND LEIA, HAN AND LEIA, HAN AND LEIA! Not having read the previous stories about Cori, can't comment, but am glad to see Luke found himself quite a gal ...

"The Green Gorilla" by D.J. Hewlett had me going until the end. I love stories and pieces where the last line is the twister! Shows terrific imagination and plotting sense on the part of the author.[76]

[zine]: Thanks for my copy of WS 46. Even though I'm not as much of a fan of STAR WARS as I am of STAR TREK, I enjoyed the SW stories in this issue.

"Sow the Wind" by Anne Elizabeth Zeek was a fascinating story of how Darth Vader became Luke's father; and I completely enjoyed reading it. Very nice job of writing. The illos by Connie Faddis were unusual and lovely. The only thing that bothered me just a little were the eyes. In all the illos the eyes seemed to be closed whether they were or not. But that's a minor thing; the artwork was beautiful. I loved the illo that Gordon did of my poem, "Spockiloquy!" The clothes looked Vulcan, but making the sleeves full gave the impression of something that Hamlet would wear. The question mark on Spock's tunic was a nice touch.

"The Green Gorilla" was fun and the ending was a surprise. The only criticism I have is that if the alien were intelligent, why didn't he try to communicate sooner? But if he had, the story would have been entirely different. Poor Kirk! I got out of breath just reading about the chase.

Joni Wagner's illos for "Ships in the Night" were very good. Her style is so natural. It looks effortless but it must take a lot of effort to achieve it. I enjoyed the story, too. The love scene with the mental as well as physical contact was well done; but what energy and endurance Luke and Cori had! Ah well, perhaps I'm just a wee bit envious!

The cover was gorgeous. I'm partial to blue and the subject matter was so timely with the TV coverage of the pictures Voyager sent back.[77]

[zine]: About WS 46 ... there is ... one story that really bugged me. It was Kelly's "Second Chance." For the first time, you printed a story 1don't think I would have. The basic story was fine, but it had a few gaping holes in it. The one most people will pick out is that TESB rendered the medical stuff obsolete. That doesn't bother me so much. Kelly, according to her LoC, didn't care for that business anyway, so I can understand why she would write aversion her way. My complaints are as follows: 1) Vader is after Solo, so the Imperial cruiser shoots the Falcon down. This part is fine, but the commander of the cruiser is an ass if he doesn't check out the wreckage. After what happened in TESB, Vader would want proof positive that Solo is dead. 2) Chewie fakes a crash landing, but manages to land the ship in the docking bay. "Well, here we are, folks, the Falcon has landed! And passengers are all alive, worse for wear, but alive!" We are assuming that this is not an Imperial planet, I guess. This is never clear, but with an Imperial cruiser floating around, one would assume there must be agents on the planet. After all, the Empire is taking over ... or wants to. The rebels have gone underground. Even systems which are not part of the Empire proper would have some Imperial presence. 3) They take Han to the hospital. Which, is where he should be, heaven knows, but he enters under his own name! Okay, let's assume the best. The word gets out he's dead. No one notices a ship matching the Falcon's description, landing in the docking bay with a man matching Han Solo's description and a Wookiee aboard her. But when they arrive at the hospital, with everyone in tow, they make no attempt to conceal who they are! The doctor seemed like a nice guy, but what about the others in the hospital? When Leia showed up and the doctor started calling her "Princess," I almost died. He didn't even make a comment about thinking she was dead or something! I really have a hard time understanding this. If it had been for real, someone would have come gunning for Solo and it all would have been over. (While they were at it, they could have knocked off Luke, Chewie, and Leia during one of her visits.) I found little flaws with the writing and the story was fine, if you ignore the stuff that bugged me. I just couldn't believe it![78]

[zine]: I found "Ships in the Night" a very enjoyable read. In my opinion. Block and Hendricks handled the subject tastefully. There was nothing disgusting, nor any four-letter words anywhere. It was so well-done that, I feel, if a pre-teen somehow did get a hold of the story, they would have come away with a more positive impression of male-female relationships and find the idea of sex less frightening or upsetting. Ms. Garrett states in her letter that STAR WARS pornography is unacceptable and does damage to the wholesomeness associated with the character. I do not consider what WARPED SPACE prints to be pornography. Porno is what you find in cheap, badly-written men's magazines. Besides, a person could do a paper on the multitude of sexual innuendos present in both SW movies. Luke is not young and blond, nor Han dark and fiery by mistake. The way I see it, all life is a struggle. In such a struggle, warmth and closeness become important factors in maintaining physical and emotional well-being. In the SW universe, the Rebel Alliance is in a tight situation. If its members can derive comfort from each other, then this is to their benefit and ultimate survival. Sex is apart of life. If the characters are going to appear to be real people, then they'll get laid from time to time. As long as the writing of it is tasteful and of good quality, there shouldn't be any conflict of morals.[79]

[zine]: I find it a refreshing change to write about something I liked — WARPED SPACE 46.

Eluki's Mari Su cartoons were cute... and I'm always looking forward to Gordon's and Leah's (didn't that Dracula look a little like Clint Eastwood?).

Although I disagree with the events in Anne Elizabeth Zeek's "Sow the Wind," I do think that the story itself was well-written. Perhaps this is because she did not deal with the usual SW characters, which tend to be her weakness. I was impressed with her style in this particular piece and feel that the accompanying illos by Connie Faddis were excellent and added to the story.

Knowing WS's somewhat "warped" sense of humor, I was ready for the ending of D.J. Hewlett's "The Green Gorilla." It was so sick that it was funny.

"Second Chance" by Kelly Hill wasn't so funny, as it wasn't meant to be. It sounded like it was taking place on 20th Century Earth rather than "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away." It also lacked plausibility. What was the purpose of putting Han through all that conflict if the doctor was walking around on perfect prosthetic devices all along?

I liked "Ships in the Night" by Paula Block and Judi Hendricks, particularly the concept of how Luke uses the Force to make his and Cori's relationship much more complete and meaningful. Although it did seem that Luke was trying to make up for lost time ...

Someone once noted that 95% of all LoC's loved the 'zine. In the case of WARPED SPACE, I don't mind becoming a statistic. Looking forward to 47.[80]

[zine]: Enjoyed HS 46 and am writing this as a LoC ... Michael Goodwin's Saturn landscape (well, Saturn seen from one of its moons) was excellent, and a change from SW or ST material. I also liked the visual pun in Terri Korthals's back cover; and the splendidly complex historical/alternate drawing on p. 3 (quite a good story idea, too!). The bowling cartoon on p. 8 is good — just the sort of thing that would appeal to a Sith Lord's warped sense of humour. Liked Melly Frame's centaur/satyr crossbreed (p. 13) and the buns drawing on p. 12 (is this a bit of SW porn, mayhaps?); and Leah Rosenthal's parking tickets sketch with number-plated bantha (yes, the number was quite apt.).

More about ape communications from Ann Popplestone — perhaps after chimps learn to read and write they would have to be given the vote, I can see a whole array of interesting political problems here! After all, there are quite a few humans who can't read and write! How then do you tackle such matters as equality?

Zine/fanfiction review -- again, most interesting and descriptive. K/S fiction doesn't do much for me — but I can remember the shocked/delighted giggles with which I read the first such item encountered -- a tale of how the good Captain enabled his Science Officer to survive the miseries of pon farr by (heh heh-- probably the commonest K/S plot) ...

I liked the description of the story with the SW characters criticizing the story as it was being written! A lovely idea.

"Zippee Wars" was funny in a somewhat silly surreal way; "Vader of the Lost Ark" was equally silly but fun — though there is a really good story idea thrown away in it. (I also think Our Beloved Darth Vader would not be easy to capture, even by a near-Jedi like Indy.) Incidentally, as the SW and TESB universe has Good Jedi (Luke, Obi Wan, Yoda) and Evil Jedi (Darth) it should have "neutral" Jedi to maintain the cosmic balance—Indy would be an excellent choice. Beverly Grant's “Alternate Universe Traveller's Handbook" was hilarious. The "Don't Panic" advice would be most useful in most cases!

The android and Space Cat story by Fa Shimbo is an intriguing story with a few nice touches of wit — the android hero's “family" name of Telecom was most amusing as John (my husband) used to work for Telecommunications. The characterizations and the depiction of the stupid narrow-mindedness of the villains were most apt.

"Sow the Wind" as good but I think definitely an alternate universe story. I don't think the patriarchal/matriarchal religions are locked in conflict in the SW or TESB universe — and I can't see Obi-Wan as the Emperor's younger brother. I can't see the SW/TESB Emperor as part of a reigning line — I got the strong impression that he was someone who seized power by force and then gave himself the Imperial title. He'd be more like a 20th Century dictator than a reigning monarch in the old sense. The previous government was democratic or semi-democratic rather like the German republic with Hitler taking over. And I don't see Darth as being a rather weak character tempted into impregnating his young stepmother and then trying desperately to cover up. When that fellow "went wrong," I'd say he had a good idea of what he was doing, and why — and it would be for power, not passion! But Anne Elizabeth Zeek's story was so involving and full of so many good ideas that I could accept it as a separate universe in its own right. The witch/feminist heroine was a fascinating character and my sympathies were with her — "evil depends on what your own loyalties are." Connie Faddis's artwork was so good that it was its own justification. Truly beautiful portraits of these tragic beings.

Barbara Tennison's limericks and tour-de-force Boba Fett poem were delightfully witty.

I'm glad to see that the great nerf-herded controversy still rages. Liked Karen River's Rebel Portfolio, "the Green Gorilla" was a true shaggy-ape story. I have a gripe — it's another Kirk-acting-like-a-2-year-old-turkey story. Bumptious, arrogant, hypocritical and thoughtless. But I suspect the green gorilla was using some form of mind control on him throughout. Rather nastier beast than "Alien," in such a case!

Liked the two ALIEN jokes, and the "Damn Pigeons" on p. 65 was hilarious in an icky way.

I was fascinated by "Second Chance." However, it seemed a story that had been set among SW characters to provide a “reader hook." As a non-SW story it was excellent — and I can imagine Han reacting that way in such a situation. (However, I think the medical technology was a lot closer in the story to 20th Century techniques than to the actual advanced technology of the SW setting. Remember the lifelike bionic hand grafted onto Luke in TESB — it even had a pain sense!) However, I can see the rationale behind the story of Han's long struggle to come to terms with having both legs amputated. Incidentally, I was surprised in TESB that bionic hands were still in use — they'd probably have regeneration. Perhaps the Rebels simply couldn't afford first rate medical treatment! Another medical possibility would be using the Force to heal. This hasn't been treated in the films yet, but seems quite obvious. Turning to the Dark Side would warp this healing ability, though not destroy it utterly — hence Darth's scars, which cosmetic surgery can't do much about, as his subconscious actually hampers the healing.

Liked the Bespin cartoon (Darth versus ALIEN") — hope no one was standing on the floor underneath when that acid blood leaked through!

Eluki bes Shahar's Mari Su cartoons were most apt — but alas the fair damsels may not have much of a chance: 1) Darth may not be physically in "working order" for much amusements; 2) or he may have taken avow of chastity, in honour of the Force; 3) or else his normal tastes may eschew females—remember that the Imperial ships seem staffed solely by men? (Tsk. More near-suggestiveness there!).

The six missing pages in "Ships in the Night" were far more suggestive to my fertile mind than what was written on them. This is one of the problems of censorship ... With a clear-cut censorship, the crafty author may aptly avoid the specific words and details expressly forbidden, and achieve an expression of the same thing in a more subtle way. However, censors usually prefer a vague statement of what is forbidden emphasizing the penalties of stepping across very ill-defined and fuzzy boundaries. This I feel is done deliberately. If one is unsure as to what will be penalized, the timid or peaceable natures will avoid the area altogether while those who delight in shocking (or who have to use a bludgeon on the reader) will barge on in and create obscene garbage, to which the censor may point and say, "Can you honestly say that this is worth paying a fine for?" ... I don't have strong objections to censorship but I have a bitter hostility towards vague censorship, where it is up to the censor's whim, or the political situation of the moment, just what is to be picked out to be made an example of ...[81]

[zine]: 46 absolutely floored me. It's my first issue, but not my last. The humor, art, and stories are all WOW. Although I was interested mainly in STAR WARS themes, the other material was entertaining.

"Ships in the Night" -- what a beautiful story. Well-written, tastefully and sensitively crafted. Tender, yet not so sickeningly sweet. That story is every bit as good if not better than some I've read by pro writers. Just a beautiful erotic story. Joni Wagner's art for the story is perfectly executed. She does a great Luke. At first when I read letters in JUNDLAND WASTES concerning the controversy over stories of this type, I felt Lucas was absolutely right. Well, he does own the names. But perhaps the restrictions are too tight if the stories would all be as well-written as Paula's and Judi's. That story just enthralled me, and I am not that crazy about Luke. But oh, that Han!

I thought Kelly Hill's "Second Chance" showed insight and either extensive research or experience with amputees. Reactions to the situation and steps in recovery, physically and psychologically, seemed realistic to me. I actually didn't care for the story until I got into it; it seemed to grow on me.

Your rating of the two above stories was a good idea. I agreed with your evaluation. I can't imagine anyone reading a story with these characters in them and not expect some strong language and violence of some sort, at the very least. Most would expect some mention of sex also. After all, the characters are adults. Asking for an age statement was a wise decision. Bev Grant's "Misquoted" and "Take It Back"—love it. Style of those pieces was perfect. "Solo's Used TaunTaun Lot" cracked me up. Would you buy a used TaunTaun from this man? ("Trust me.") Also enjoyed "Pigeons again" — no cable TV in Cloud City?[82]

[zine]: This has got to be the first time in five years since I first picked up an issue of WARPED SPACE that has left me almost completely cold. There were a couple of pieces of poetry I found interesting, and several bits of artwork and cartoons which were admirable. But on the whole I was, frankly, disappointed. "Merman" and "Ballad of Mark Harris" were rather charmingly presented, but tend to reflect a common theme, the accompanying artwork for the first excellent, the latter, passable. "Zippee Wars" was cutesy but reflects undertones of "The Empire Strikes Out" from MILLENNIUM/CROSSED SABRES #1. "Vader of the Lost Ark"--again, cutesy, but not altogether worth the effort. "The Alternate Universe Traveler's Handbook" (typo deliberate?); I believe I've seen something very like it in the not-so-distant past, but where I can't recall. However, not bad. "And Don't Think It Hasn't Been Fun ... "felt as though it ought to have been padded a trifle more. The artwork was most sketchy, also.

"Sow the Wind" was a novel idea, new, and an excellent story for the most part, but somehow lost something, somewhere. It didn't quite gel with TESB. However, most well-written, artwork more than commendable, even if Obi-Wan did appear more like Prince Faisal from LAWRENCE OF ARABIA.

Limericks will be limericks. Only author and friends truly know what goes on in the former's mind. Insanity abounds with this sect, and is lovingly cherished. "The Green Gorilla" reminds me of David Gerrold at his humorous best ... please don't take offence, D.J., that was meant as a compliment. Really!

Kelly Hill's "Second Chance" is good, but she forgot one small item, or perhaps I ought to say two: limb rejuvenation, and cyber limbs (like the one Luke received). The former is possible when caught in time to prevent serious cell loss, and arterial and vein collapse. The latter, necessary when the previous is unavoidably out of reach (like Luke's case) and requires the trimming of said limb sufficiently to implant sensory equipment to detect nerve signals. Anyone who read the original STAR WARS novel should be aware of this. Otherwise; not bad on story, boring on conversation. The artwork was the stand-by variety seen in lower quality 'zines.

"Bespin Interlude" ... we've been along this angle numerous times, but it's amusing, nonetheless. "Lone Spacer Serenade" ... well, what can one say about Jani and Martynn ... except, up to their usual standards? An over-all redemption on the issue. As for the "Mari Su" series, I have only one question —why? Boring! Or, perhaps I'm growing a trifle over-cynical in my 28th year of life. The only one which even came close to striking a humorous note was the far right one on the left-hand page ... As for further issues of WS, please, dear editor, let's see issues like WS 43 and 45, please![83]

[zine]: ... I used to do most of my fanzine reading on the bus coming home from work but since subway digging began downtown>1ast summer and my boarding area became the last stop for my area, I rarely if ever get as eat ... When I do get a seat on the bus and settle down to perusing 'zines like WS 46, lovely innocuous, professionally executed covers like Goodwin's Saturn are especially nice because they do not attract undue mundane attention and still catch the discerning fannish eye. It is simple yet an elegant projection of a landscape of the future. It also acts as a fair indicator of the generality and scope of the 'zine's contents: some far-out and some comfortably familiar. 'Fraid Paulie's cartoon missed me.

I of course recognize the CLOSE ENCOUNTERS Mother Ship, but the Israeli flag on Devil's Tower and the Roman legionnaires must be from some unfamiliar source. Maybe a subtle label of some sort?

((Try the mini-series MASADA, reinterpreted in a fannish fashion. And Paulie's a David Warner groupie.))

Ah, well, no mistaking those poor stormtroopers of Gordon's in the "rec-room duty" cartoon amidst the LoC's. Darth probably plays dominoes (literally)—chain crashes with 'em, too. And the one who's left standing gets to walk the pet face-hugger or feed the scrod. One more point on Gordon's Richter Scale of Laughter. Leah Rosenthal's hungry bantha at the end of the LoC's was cute, too, and replete with clever injokes. I suppose the traffic cop is Officer Bob Falfa, too.

Ann Popplestone's "Talking Chimps" of issue #45 was indeed so intriguing a topic as to warrant further analysis. Ann makes even the rather dry recitation of experiments and test results not only comprehensible to extreme laypeople (such as yours truly) but also interesting. Another possible linguistically oriented subject for Ann to tackle, if she has any sources, might be the whale and porpoise songs and whistles as a language and whether any potential communication is possible between Homo sapiens and our waterbound mammal cousins.

The best part of the "Bored of Review" this time 'round is the quote from Tom Lehrer. Glad Paula didn't use any of the good professor's riper quotes from his song about "smut!" Seriously, folks, Paula's reviews do seem to offer a valid set of criteria by which to judge a 'zine, for that she's to be commended. She's even willing to say something nice about the most unredeemed scrodfodder. And I am not against Trek erotica of the well-written, heterosexual ilk. Heaven knows I have enough early issues of GRUP in my file as well as Jean Lorrah's TWIN MOONS collections. I'm just not a K/S fan and miss reading the straight stuff because 'zines like OBSC'ZINE print both genres. That, then, is another valuable service Paula rendered this time around in identifying which adult Trekzines print K/S to save straight fen like myself from unwelcome surprises. Many a writer could benefit, incidentally, by taking Paula's comments on plot and characterization to heart. In any case, regardless of Smith's subject of review and whether or not I agree with it, I like to read her feature just for the gems of wit and wisdom usually contained therein, such as, "Inciting prurience is no fault in a story; inciting boredom, is."

Anne Davenport went along way toward inciting hilarity, particularly with this artist, in her clever little poke at SW and certain artists' (myself not exempted) excessive use of ZipaTone. What I'd like to do is start my own colony of zip-bugs and train 'em to do all ray backgrounds!

Eluki bes Shahar gets the Mixed Metaphor and Pun Award for her excruciating but logical "Vader of the Lost Ark." We won't even quibble about whether or not Indy would be able to fly a starship, or what happened to the real Han Solo because a story that opens with a Dark Lord doing a Gollum imitation can be forgiven anything.

Equally amusing and apt in a Murphy's Law sort of way are Bev Grant's "Alternate Universe" aphorisms. She covers a lot of sf and fantasy media staples in a sneaky sort of way. And she pokes fun at a lot of other worthy causes in the process too, in delightful, concise manner. But she forgets one - you'll know the future is fictional if none of the spaceships or military installations have bathrooms ...

Still tongue-in-cheek occasionally, but with the added bonus of a storyline and, alas, a to-be-continued ending. Fa Shimbo's new Klysadel offering was welcome, as always. I liked her part-comic panel/part straight text format, too--it's a novel approach that of course integrates story and illos in an unbroken continuity. Next to Questor and R. Daneel Olivaw, Thobo Telecom has to be one of my all-time favorite androids; cute, sense of humor and the same penchant for getting into trouble as the previously mentioned two fellows. This story gave some interesting insights into the political state of the subject area of space, as well as tidbits on Fara and sahn’s relationship to Thobo and the base humans. Hope this gem is continued next issue! Ah yes, and I do like the way all of Anji's, er, Fa's supporting characters sport faces and personalities all their own from plump amorous Jessica to the menacing "Human Control" heavies.

Upon finally reading the Fan Q winning SW story I’m more than ever convinced of Anne Zeek's consummate writing craft but less convinced that this story or its illos, also superb, were the best SW written last year. The characters portrayed in "Sow the Wind" are compelling and expertly crafted, but somehow, to me, are more reminiscent of a romantic historical novel than the heroic epic/saga format of SW. Morisande is unquestionably intriguing, but I prefer to stick with Lucas' explanation of the Emperor as the evil force responsible for Darth's corruption, even though Anne's explanation of Vader's relationship to Luke works in this context. Connie's illos are exquisite, even more so in color as seen at MediaWest*Con. The ornate mystical, vaguely Celtish designs on all the clothing seems a bit "busy" for the SW universes also, which so far has even dressed its Princess rather plainly even for a victory celebration. I guess what amazed me most was the likenesses of the characters: how Connie ever got those baby faces to actually look like Luke is a good trick!

After such a portentous, serious story, the fluff and limericks and Gilbert and Sullivanish verses by Barbara Tennison and Bev Grant were like a nice light comic revue after sitting through KING LEAR. Tennison's thesaurus must be ready to fall apart by now. And I can't wait to see if Her Worshipfulness rises to the bait of "Take It Back, How perfectly Han! The Corellian Fox would never need to stoop to mere insults to retaliate against Leia's jibes when the more entertaining option of cheerful insinuations is available! I still think Karen River should have aced the SW art Fan Q for her "Heroes of the Rebel Alliance, These are more than just nice portraits, as their separate titles imply, these pictures each capture a particular essence of the individual's character. Luke's youthful idealism, Leia's pert sass, Han's assurance and bravado, Chewie's intelligence (by the cant of his massive head alone) and loyalty, and Lando's speculative flair. Brava, Karen.

The minor Trek offerings in this issue were amusing with varying degrees of success. Hansen's "Spockiloquy" is hysterical because it does fit the Shakespearean framework perfectly — and logically. After all, the original ST already made one foray into the bard's territory with "Conscience of the King" and sustained numerous quotations and allusions to Shakespeare in the course of its 3 seasons. Gordon's somber, musing Vulcan is almost serious until one begins to observe the alien symbols on his tunic closer. I'm afraid Gordon's green gorilla is the most exciting and original part of the story about same. The latter, by the time it stops being boring trying to establish tension with an improbable circumstance (the type which might have happened on ST but simply been developed better), it becomes merely silly. The punchline isn't that bad — it's almost cute, but it takes too long to arrive.

Leah Rosenthal is catching up to Gordon fast in funnies department. Her one of Luke destroying TV reception on Bespin is great! Now if someone would just drop a Corellian spacer, with or without legs, onto my TV antenna!

I had the privilege of reading several drafts of Kelly's "Second Chance" way back when the idea was first conceived of and this final version showed a lot of improvement over an already well-wrought story. I still have the same two problems getting into the story: first, suspending my disbelief that there is room in the Falcon's cockpit for anything to fall over and even if there were there is no panel visible in any photos I've seen large enough to crush a human; and secondly, I have a definite aversion to Get Han stories. The latter impediments notwithstanding, the rest of the story is a very believable character study of Han laced with some excellent insights on Chewie and Luke, and that likeable new character, Dr. Zaire. Kelly had a nifty idea of cloning or regenerating limbs for Han and the psychological aversion Solo would have to the process itself and the long recovery time needed, but the bionic legs solution worked well too, fit in just as well with SW-TESB technology and saved Han a lot of waiting. It still bothers me to notice "wheelchair" and "parallel bars" and "gurney" references in a universe like SW where anti-grav devices are in common usage. Darned if I could think of away to replace a cane, though! Some things will probably never change. I did like the way Kelly treated Han's relationship to his friends, old and new, after the accident, especially Chewie who would have to take an active part in the rehabilitation, if only to bully his partner into action. I know the story was written before TESB and Kelly is not a Leia fan, but I can't imagine Han passing up this opportunity to elicit more royal attention from the Princess, once he's on the mend and assured his sexual prowess is intact, rather than pushing her graciously at Luke every time she visits. Leia is well-characterized, though. So, regardless of the unpleasant premise of the story, "Second Chance" is a worthwhile psychological piece with enough of the medical sf trimmings to put it above the level of a mere "get" story and satisfying in the end, within its own context.

Finally, there's "Ships in the Night," which I enjoyed tremendously as some really lovely, funny, novel erotica and also, once again, as a delicate and well-done duet of characterization. Of course, I would have loved to see what Po and Judi would concoct for the simultaneous scene with Han and Leia. "Assault on Logaria" is still my favorite Beckett story—from that point on the willful Corellian spitfire seems to direct the mainstreams of her passion more towards other targets than Han (i.e.. Daemon Pascal! in "Satisfaction Guaranteed," and Luke, to a small extent, in "Used Boy," then in "Ships." Of course, St. George doesn't seem to like Han bedding the ladies since the old "Slow Boat" letter, so maybe it's better to mix SW and non-SW characters in the boudoir. In any case, "Ships" is light and, for all the steamy scenes, full of good humor that's difficult to resist.[84]

[zine]: I am a relative newcomer to WARPED SPACE, Having only read 45, 46, and 47. However, I'll probably be reading future issues, as I think I'm hooked! Your printing, art, and layout are excellent quality, very enjoyable to look at. One detail I like is the use of STAR WARS-type lettering on SW stories. Makes for easier identification in a mixed media ‘zine, and although I like to read just about all kinds of fanfic, there are some who are more particular, (In our own 'zine we've started using little corner labels to identify material, and it's also mixed media.)

I enjoyed almost everything in all issues, even the short pieces (which are sometimes hard to write and make work). Especially enjoyed "If You Can't Say Something Nice," "Misquoted," and "Take It Back."

"Second Chance" by Kelly Hill in 46 was also good, well-written. A story on this theme could have easily become maudlin, but this one remained straightforward and even optimistic.

"The Continuator" series is well-written, and I was able to get into it even though I hadn't read most of them, due to the intro. "The Paths of Choice," though, did leave me feeling somewhat let down, with Luke and Leia probably dead. I really don't like kill-the-main-character pieces (which is why I also found "Honor Binds Me" depressing). I guess it's because part of my enjoyment of fandom is that the characters, though changing and growing, are always there.

"Elegy for a Mercenary" is great, but then, I have a weakness for Eluki's stuff — love it!

"Star Struck" is one of my favorite filks (along with "We'll Prob'ly All Die Young"), and Susan Perry-Lewis's illos are great.

Have to admit I'm lost with "Conversation,“ as I haven't read any of the rest of the series. Is it my imagination, or does Cooper look like Clint Eastwood?

Glad to see "Blood Debt" turned out so well. I've known Deborah for some time, while the Perja character and series were being worked out, and they have a good start in this story. The illos also fit the story very well.[85]

[zine]: WS 46's SW offerings were rather mixed. Starting at the top; Karen River's "Heroes of the Rebel Alliance" is truly fine. She's a very talented artist, and I hope you'll be publishing more of her work. Eluki's "Mari Su" had me rolling. That woman has a sick mind! (Of course, since she's a Vader fan that's a fore-gone conclusion, but not all sick minds are so damned funny about it!)

Michael Goodwin's illo for Kelly Hill's "Second Chance" is beautiful — the destroyer almost flies off the page. "Bespin Interlude" — hmm, I think we may have discovered the identity of the Other, maybe? Moving to the printed word, Beverly Grant's "Alternate Universe Traveler's Handbook is a worthy companion piece to the better-known "Hitchhiker's Guide;" are there chapters in the Handbook on what to take with you, 'etc?

Anne Elizabeth Zeek's "Sow the Wind is a standout, not only for this issue but of all the fiction of hers I've read. It's well-written and has some very interesting ideas, such as why the Emperor didn't know who Luke was, why the resemblance between the Emperor and Ben, and why Ben would have lied (personally I think Vader lied, but Zeek makes a good case for this line). And the hints at the nature of the Force, especially the Dark Side, are intriguing. Are there any more stories written or planned around this portion of the SW universe?

Now for the less-than-raves. Eluki's "Vader of the Lost Ark" is cute, but strained. Imust admit, that last line is a good one, though.

Kelly Hill's "Second Chance" would have been more enjoyable if it didn't remind me so much of Maggie Nowakowska's "Nothing Left to Lose" in the characterization of Han and his problems. Ok, the characterization fits the situation, but the situation itself, Han crippled in some way and without the Falcon, is too familiar. Her treatment of it is fine, well worked-out, it's just that I couldn't help making the comparison as I read. Maybe if I hadn’t liked NLTL so much ...

As for Block and Hendricks's "Ships in the Night"--sorry, folks, a classic role reversal just doesn't make it. And it's not as well written as their other collaborations, either. I sort of got the feeling they decided to do it just for the hell of it and never mind bringing it up to standard.

I'll finish on a positive note — the back cover illo of the two falcons is lovely, and I suspect the original is even better (looks as if it came out too dark in places in the repro).[86]

Issue 47

Warped Space 47 was published in 1982 and contains 98 pages.

It has art by Leah Rosenthal, Bernie, Eluki bes Shahar, Gordon Carleton, Ann Davenport, Amy Harlib, Kate Nuernberg, Karen River, Fa Shimbo, Mary Stacey-MacDonald, Susan W. Perry-Lewis, and Martynn.

front cover of #47 by Karen River
back cover of #47, Gordon Carleton (Due South)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 47

See reactions and reviews for "The Paths of Choice," part of The Continuator Series.

See reactions and reviews for Elegy for a Mercenary.

[zine]:

That's a beautiful cover on WS 47. I love Karen River's work.

Bring back the LoC's!

Eluki's "How Not to Write STAR WARS Fan Fic" is great! It's hard to believe she's been in SW fandom such a short time. PI ease encourage her to write "Helpful Hints on the Political Structure of the Alliance," "How Not to Populate an Imperial Battlewagon," and "How to Handle A Jedi!"

I really enjoy Jean Stevenson's "Dragonship." Katanga could be a very interesting character (just what kind of dealings had he had with Sallah?), and the explanation of how Indy and Marion got off that blasted island makes sense.

Eluki's "Mercenary" is pretty good, though I think I prefer her humorous pieces. The idea is absolutely impossible and outrageous, but she handles it well. Hum, on second reading, I wonder if it's a humor piece after all, only more subtle than usual--combining the ideas of Darth as Daddy and Boba Fett as Mommy? It can't be serious!

Dunn and Beetem's "Some Sociological Implications ... " is fine.

Glad Deborah June Laymon warns readers at the beginning of "Blood Debt" about the characterizations. And I have a problem with Perja's background and her difficulty with Han. It's given in away that seems to imply previous stories, yet according to the intro, this is the first in the series. I realize that providing essential background without making it seem intrusive can be very difficult at times, but here I think either a brief flashback or a short bit with Perja thinking about it would have made the situation clearer quickly.

I've enjoyed the "Continuator" stories, some more than others, and Jackie Paciello's "The Paths of Choice" is one of the better ones. Thanks for the intro by C-3P0—it does get a little hard to follow a tightly-knit series with such a long gap between installments! Is a "Continuator Collected" being planned?

Gordon Carleton's back cover is typical Gordon.[87]

Just finished WS 47 and thought I'd sit down and do a LoC for you ... First off, I loved Karen's luscious Indy on your cover! What a gorgeous drawing of the most gorgeous guy in the world! Yum!

I always enjoy Paula's review column. Nice to see what one other fan has to say about 'zines, although sometimes she seems a bit harsh. The dinosaur article was interesting, but too brief. This subject is too broad to be treated in a page and a half. There's just no way to even brush the surface.

I am just getting back into fandom after a long period of gafiation, so I came in late, late on the Dirty Nellie series. "Hail and Farewell," though, was very well written and I could surmise a great deal of the past goings-on from it. A sad story, but a realistic one. At least the characters in this series came to an end, as we all do. They didn't go sailing along forever in their magic star- ship, never aging, always winning in the end, happy ever after. That's not the way it happens. And, yet, you get the impression that Nellie won't give up until she breathes her last breath—and then only after a fight. A marvelous heroine.

"How Not to Write SW Fanfic" was a nice little treatise on the subject, he said, kissing her hungrily. Actually, I haven't read that much bad SW fiction, although that may be through sheer luck or through judicious 'zine buying. Nice humorous article.

"Lament" and the accompanying illo were so-so. The illo didn't reproduce very well. "Dragonslayer" was nice. I think this is the first thing I've ever seen that was from Katanga's point of view. Also answers very nicely the burning question of how Indy and tyarion got off that durn island. Don't know why it never occurred to me that Katanga hung around and picked them up.

"Elegy for a Mercenary" started out well, but I was really disappointed in the ending. Oh, come on now — Boba Fett as Luke's mother? Uh-huh, sure. One thing Eluki failed to mention in her "How Not To Write" article was the unfortunate tendency in SW fiction to have everyone you ever heard of related in some way. This goes neatly with the "Sociological Implications" story that follows. So far we've had Obi-Wan as Luke's grandfather/uncle/great-uncle, Vader as Luke's father/ mother/brother, Han as the son of the Pretender of the Throne of the Old Republic, Obi-Wan as Vader's uncle, ad infinitum. What next? Yoda as Vader's grand-niece and Luke and Leia as long lost brother and sister? Come on, folks, it's a big galaxy. Perhaps St. George will prove me wrong and everybody will end up related to everybody else, but somehow I doubt it.

And while I'm generally on that subject, where was it ever written that Leia is heir presumptive to the now non-existent throne of Alderaan? There are a lot of princesses in royal families that never come closer than 32nd in line to the throne and you never hear of them again. How many of you can even name the person who is fifth in succession to the British throne? (In case anyone is interested, it's Princess Anne, but no one is taking bets that she'll ever rule.) My point is, crown princesses rarely get elected to senates or parliaments or what-have-you. If it is certain that they will someday rule, they are educated with that in mind, but not elected to serve as members of democratic bodies. Of course, you can say that maybe they do/did on Alderaan, but I doubt it. I suspect that Leia was certainly a member of the ruling family, but probably the daughter of a second or third son, and therefore unlikely to ever gain the throne. So, she could engage in her senatorial work unhampered. Of course, with Alderaan and presumably the rest of her family blown away, she is now Pretender to the Throne of Alderaan or maybe Queen Regent. But as Leia said in one of the "Continuator" stories, she ceased to be a Princess when Alderaan was destroyed.

"The One to Fly To" was just a bit sappy for my tastes, although that illo of Super-duperman was just great! Christopher Reeve is just too pretty for his own good ...

Never saw SOMEWHERE IN TIME, so the two poems escaped me a bit.

"Stowaway" was certainly one of the best stories in the 'zine, and one of the most refreshingly different ST stories I've read in ages. A marvelous idea to have it told from an alien's point of view, and that alien disguised as acat, and having the crew treat her in that respect. The drawings were really nice, too. Only the ending was just a fraction disappointing. I thought Srang capitulated too easily, considering her innate distrust.

"Blood Debt" was great. I am looking forward to more stories in the Black Sabre series. Refreshing here to see a slightly different portrait of Han and Chewie. I thought this interpretation of Han was very true—he's a tough dude and didn't survive in the circles he travels in by being a softie. If you'll recall, when we first met him, he was in one of the roughest dives in Mos Eisley and didn't blink an eye as he blew Greedo away and didn't look back, either. And yet his staying by Perja's side and nursing her tenderly through her withdrawal was very true to him as well. There is a very caring man in there, too. This was a very strong Han—strong enough to be cold-blooded and strong enough to be gentle. Bravo! A marvelous job of characterization.

"Star Struck" and "Epithalamion" didn't light any fires in me.

Glad "The Continuator" is continuating. I came into this series late, too, but think it's in the top five best SW series ever done. Martynn's illos are bee-you-tiful, as always. My only gripe is that having Leia naked in bed is a bit gratuitous. Considering that nothing happened, I don't think it was necessary to the story and could have been left out. Luke could have gotten just as excited seeing her in a soft lacy gown, something incongruously feminine for her. Also, what a cliff-hanging ending!

Didn't much care for "Con-versation. It seemed a bit rambling and pointless. And isn't that Clint Eastwood in Leah's accompanying illo?

The two one-page tall tales at the end brought groans and rolled eyes, The two "book announcements" were a waste of paper, though. For that you could have saved the space and put in a few pages of LoC's. Devra's "Alley Oop" was cute, but pointless, and didn't have much punch. I did get a kick out of Fa's LoC, though. I was a bit puzzled by the story in WS 46 and thought it was a bit sketchy and brief.

Gordon's back cover cartoon brought a smile. I'm sorry, but I just haven't liked the uniforms in either ST movie. These new ones look very hot and bulky and uncomfortable. I can't imagine having to work in them.[88]

I received WARPED SPACE 47 this week with much joy. I was somewhat put out to see it had first seen the light of day in June, and wondered darkly if that was my idiot mailman's doing.

My venom fangs are simply dripping—uni ike Paula Smith's, who has really softened up since WS's early years. Is it maturity or decay? I found Eluki bes Shahar's "How Not To Write SW Fan Fic" much more biting, having often enough been jolted out of an enjoyable story by the frightful purple style several amateur (and professional) authors fall into. "He kissed her hungrily" happens to be one of my favorite all-time barf-baggers. Another one is "Mary Wonderful" or "Jack Wonderful" for that matter, as well as "John-Boy"s—one reason I did not take to Luke Skywalker in Episode IV. He was considerably less "gosh wow, me and my principles" in V, so he is growing on me. The Luke and Yoda syndrome is pretty good, although the temptation is, as Eluki says, well nigh irresistible.

However, for someone who coined the delectable phrase " ... avoid the embar-assing simulacrum of a galaxy the size of East Lansing, MI ... " Ms. bes Shahar falls into a pretty deep trap in her own story, "Elegy for a Mercenary." I know George Lucas started it with Vader's revelations in TESB, but for gosh's sake, people, the only extrapolation I find even more unsavoury than the one making Boba Fett Luke's real father is the one making Fett Luke's real mother! And if Lucas does come up with that one, I will certainly upchuck on the Imperial floor (the Imperial being the Sanctum where STAR WARS and STAR TREK movies are shown in Montreal). So "Elegy" is a total loss for me, the more so since I expected it to shed some light on Jabba the Hut's intentions towards Han (nothing pornographic, I hope?).

For once, Ann Popplestone's "Analysis Please" was redundant for me. I had a very long and thorough dinosaur period, and to this day, remain quite fond of the creatures. A wel1-documented piece, though, and quite up to date.

"Hail and Farewell," aptly billed by Roberta Rogow as the last Dirty Nellie story, is a bit of a tear-jerker, but nice stuff. I am fond of Nellie, God knows why. "Luke Skywalker on the Muppet Show" was ... er ... interesting, like the dress my girlfriend Nora bought last Easter. Enough said. The Superman piece was ok, if you like Superman, which I don't, except maybe on a large screen with lots of popcorn.

"Stowaway" I didn't expect to like, as cutesy-pie thinking pets turn me off as a rule. It certainly read well, and became more sophisticated than I would have thought possible at the outset (the little scene about Nurse Chapel, for instance). The writing managed to transcend the fact that we were talking cat, which was a pretty good job; a round of applause for Debra Wint, although I hope she'll concentrate on two-legged creatures next time around (in decent, law- abiding positions, you pornographic perverts!). The illos up to now were all right, nothing outstanding, by the way.)

"Blood Debt" as a new series ... ? I reserve judgment. I'm not sure about that woman Sjani. Might be because I'm a little straight where dope’s concerned and junkies make me uneasy. You've got to be pretty dumb or desperate to start on the hard stuff. Is she going to stay around? Han Solo, while hard and abusive, is certainly believable. I can certainly believe he's got his dark side, even though we've only seen his good one in the two movies. So I'll wait for more, hoping this will turn into another "Continuator," minus all the convulsions, wounds and general swoonings which have come to characterize it.

This being said, it was with relief that I saw Jackie Paciello's "The Paths of Choice." I was afraid the series had ended, or been put on the back burner for a year or so. Luke is champing at the bit again—doesn't he ever do what he wants, without consulting other people? I swear I'd blow up in his place. Han's "this is what I'm doing, and shove the comments" attitude is much closer to my own nature. I'll admit. So our Luke is still dithering, though somewhat lustfully, for our resident John-Boy. George Lucas still hasn't broken him out of that image, though he tried in TESB. Sigh. More blood and faintings. I have yet to find an episode in which everyone remains standing and bandageless. Since the "Continuator" could hardly continue with only Han and Chewie, I surmise that Luke and Leia have been drugged and will be captured by ... Vader? The Emperor himself? Boba? Yoda? Fu Manchu?

One big round of applause. Somebody finally realized how serious the Falcon's position was, and is having the fearsome duo skulk and paw dirt after leaving the Alliance. They simply shouldn't be able to waltz around the galaxy as they did before, and aren't. Their position is believable, as is Han's stubborn pride in refusing to do what he should, i.e., go back to the Alliance, as it is his only way out.

Han's emotions are believable as well, his unwillingness to bum the bridges between the Alliance and himself, his desire to go back to the way it was, before, when he was a free spirit, and damned the universe for breakfast. It's too bad, in a way, that he doesn't get to work it out cerebrally, but must about-face abruptly because Luke is in danger—again! (Ye gods, what a friend! Always in dire need of help!) All this to say I do enjoy the "Continuator," and hope it continues for many more issues of WS.

The two Chuck Upmann jeux-de-mots were truly awful. Is that a real ad? Is someone out there really writing about T'Katra, the Vulcan/Klingon detective?

And the "Blood Maiden?"

This concludes my vicious attack upon your magazine. Reviewing it, I find it a pretty good issue, well worth waiting for.

What's the word on ST II? I saw it twice before it went off the Imperial screen—it's in some backwater theatre now, too far for me to trek. Much better than ST: TMP, I felt, though I wish the fighting with Khan had been more ... er ... cerebral. This movie has confirmed what I suspected all along: Chekov can't act, though he does get to spread himself in that episode.

I particularly loved the Kobayashi Maru opening sequences, and "Mr." Saavik, a seemingly worthy successor to our Vulcan. Yes, I did feel a tiny prickle of tears at the death-scene, but went no further since the three teenagers bawling loudly behind me made me feel somewhat self-conscious. I don't know what I hope for next: that he stay dead—much more dignified and Vulcan, don't you think?— or that he resurrect to gladden our hearts again—Hollywood and schmaltzy, but still very gratifying. The question is, of course, how long can Kirk remain alive without him?[89]

I received WS 47 with great pleasure, as deliveries are getting few and far between. I liked it--not one of your greatest, but a good issue nevertheless.

It was quite disappointing to find "The Continuator" missing, though.

Paula's reviews are not as waspish as they used to be -- the merciless criticisms of "Cassandra's Rebirth" come to mind -- I still hope she never gets her claws on anything of mine-call me chicken, call me sane, I don't care. [90]

Issue 48

front cover of issue #48, Gordon Carleton, a E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Star Trek illo
back cover of issue #48, Steven Fox

Warped Space 48 was published in March 1983 and contains 96 pages.

The art is by Kim Gianna, Gordon Carleton, Martynn, Vel Jaeger, Steven Fox, Anne Davenport, Pam Kowalski, Signe Landon, Kate Nuernberg and Lin Stack.


Issue 49

front cover of issue #49, Karen River
back cover of issue #49, Gordon Carleton

Warped Space 49 was published in 1983 and contains 98 pages. Although the publication date printed in the issue is October, the issue wasn't mailed out until sometime in December 1983.

The art is by Gordon Carleton, Anne Davenport, Martynn, Kate Nuernberg, Susan W. Perry-Lewis, Tim Eldred, Karen River, and Joni Wagner.

Due to the length of the zine reviews, there were no letters of comment printed in this issue.

  • Quoth the Raven by Deborah June Laymon (38)
  • A Slight Misunderstanding by Marcia Brin (40)
  • An Ill-Made Jedi, part 1 by Deborah June Laymon (46)
  • Mere Puppets They, Who Come and Go by Jeri Kendel (Dr. McCoy, Kirk and Spock are snatched from the Enterprise by aliens who want to know more about the physiology of humans and vulcans. The aliens possess McCoy and he performs an autopsy on his two living friends. They are returned to the ship and Kirk and Spock recover, but Mccoy's experience results in his confinement to a mental facility where he will stay if Spock can not find a way to help.) (68)
  • Editor's Nook by Lori Chapek-Carleton (75)
  • C-3PO Strikes Back (or, "I Did Say So Before") by Irene Shafer (77)
  • Right of Passage BY Anne Elizabeth Zeek (82)
  • Testing Ground by Pat Nussman and Anne Elizabeth Zeek (84)
  • Day of the Droids, part 2 by Tim Eldred (87)
  • Readers of the Lost Joke by Gordon Carleton (back cover fancomic)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 49

[zine]:

My first reaction to every issue of WS is favorable, and WS 49 is no exception.

One comment I must make is about something not in WS 49 -- LoC's. This is something you should never leave out! For many people, myself included, this is a favorite section.

I always enjoy Paula's reviews. She has such a great way with words. More, more.

Other features I always enjoy are Analysis Please and Art Portfolios (especially by Joni Wagner). I think "Analysis Please" is a great feature and it breaks up the fiction. I've always thought it was a good idea.

"The Continuator" was good, as usual. I always feel at home with the characterizations, etc. Jackie writes well, and I'm always comfortable with her stories.

The Brin story was also good. I like stories that fill in missing gaps. Especially when I agree with the fill-ins.

"Mere Puppets" was okay. I'm getting tired of get stories. The story reminded me of [the episode with the character] Gem, twisted.

I liked Shafer's story about C-3PO. I sometimes get frustrated when they don't listen to him, too, even though 3CP can be a pain at times. The story was different, and I liked that.

Both "Rite of Passage" and "Testing Ground" were well done, but I've come to expect that from both Zeek and Nusmann.

Tim Eldred's Star Wars comic is fun to read -- again, it's a different feature that helps break up the zine.

Gordon's stuff is good -- as usual.

Now about the Black Sabre series. I don't really like the series much. I like the idea of the main character. She's different. Making your own culture, customs, etc. is part of the fun of writing sf and fantasy, and like many people, it's one of the reasons I enjoy reading sf and f. But... the SW people don't seem real to me. I really consider this series an "alternate universe" (as I do with any story that comes with a disclaimer in front of it that the characters will act differently.) I don't like Han in this series (and I like Han!). He's brutal, nasty, and acts hysterical at times. I just can't stretch my concept of the character that far. I don't have as much trouble with the rest of the characters. Luke is a little too sophisticated, though. (I guess we're being prepared for a match between Luke and Perja.) I guess I can enjoy the series, but not as part of the Star Wars saga. To me, it just doesn't fit. [91]

[zine]:

I enjoyed WS 49 very much. The artwork was beautiful, especially Joni Wagner's work. The only thing I didn't like about the zine was Tim Eldred's "Day of the Droids, part 2." I must admit I don't care for stories made up in the comic book form. It seems to take something away from the story. At least it does for me.

I think both "Right [sic] of Passage" and "Testing Ground" would make good alternate universe stories. I don't think they fit into Return of the Jedi events. I enjoyed both stories, but just couldn't buy the ieda of Luke ordering Chewie's death.

The other stories in the zine were excellent. Need I say more? Also enjoyed the cartoons and articles. [92]

[zine]: Haven't read enough of WS 49 to comment in total, but only want to say the cover and Sue Perry's illo for the poem were stunners. [93]

[zine]:

I always like Paula's reviews, and she's in fine form here, regaining some of the sarcasm I had thought lost to her ... "Kirk has contracted the usual incurable disease" and "don't miss the explosive rocks, either." And, of course, "as if whole families carrying around enough money to go skiing can exit the Eastern belt, but a 50-lev postcard is interdicted." Prime stuff.

Ingested as much of Ann Popplestone's analysis on "Continental Drift" as my brain could take. The best thing she does is make me aware of the vast holes in my store of knowledge. A scientist I'm not. I can now add "alas," something I wouldn't have done 10 years ago. Joni Wagner's "Raiders" illos are first-rate, iny favorites being on pp. 11, 14, and 15.

RE: Jackie Paciello's "Paths of Choice," I'm not too sure. She's certainly given a new twist to her story. The last thing I expected was to find Luke and Leia in a Polynesian paradise. I reserve judgment about Pajai and company. Don't know enough to judge—but I keep on reading!

I "like" the poetry—"Quoth the Raven," "Entracte." Too much of a plebeian to sound forth about tetra-something verse, so I'll leave that to the experts.

"A Slight Misunderstanding" by Marcia Brin. Not bad, actually, but I thought it was working its subject to death. Too much insight into a person's thoughts is too much. And Han was a bit too cutesy pie. Plus getting "married" right after the Death Star's ... death? By whom? Really too 20th century romance, to my mind.

"An Ill-Made Jedi," by Deborah June Laymon.

More or less the same comments I gave "Paths of Choice." I'm still not sure where we're going here. But for the first time ever, I felt a twinge of ... sympathy? liking? for the character d'Loren. Felt like booting a Corellian behind, too. I guess it proves the extrapolation makes sense. I can't wait to see how our Han will finally pry himself loose. Even Luke actually struck back, wonder of wonders.

Kate Nuernberg could work on her heads. Her noses are as bad as mine—she can do better; p. 65 shows some promise.

Jeri Kandel's "Mere Puppets ..." I didn't care for greatly. Too many dead conversations, the characters' dialogue sounds wooden, especially at first, you can guess what's going to happen at least a page ahead, and it's a hurt/comfort story of the most basic kind. It lacks individuality. Not terrible, but a bit dull.

As for Irene Shafer's "C-3P0 Strikes Back," well, it didn't strike me, either. The punch (?) ending was weak, the writing competent but unexciting, the evacuation tempo much too slow. And, frankly, if the Rebellion had started evacuation procedures because a bit of water had trickled into a circuit, they'd have lost the war pretty fast. The premise is untenable.

"Right of Passage" and "Testing Ground" are disturbing vignettes. My preference goes to the latter, for its look on the other side of the mirror. What would have happened, had Luke not gone to Bespin?

I will now state a private opinion—nix comix! I stopped reading them ten years ago because I found them crude, simple, and violent. Unfortunately, "Day of the Droids" hasn't made me revise that opinion. I may be priggish about it, but I consider plot-line development an important thing. In comics, one square will take the place of 15 carefully-crafted pages—i.e., "and, through it all, an unshatterable bond grows between the mismatched trio" (WS 49, p. 6). I didn't care for "Monarch," even less for "Mace" (really!) and very much resented the fact that we had to swallow 2 episodes in WS 50—probably because D.J. Laymon's "Black Sabre" series wasn't available, I know. The drawing style is rather good, but I simply don't like comics of the slam-bang type. The only ones I enjoy now are social satires in 1 or 2 pages such as the ones done by French artists Bretecher and Reiser.

That being said, I realize other readers may like comics, and have a right to read them, even in WARPED SPACE. It's for you to decide, Lori. That was my two cents worth.[94]

[zine]: Deborah June Laymon's "Ill-Made Jedi" contains the most vivid writing in the whole zine, but perhaps I shouldn't say too much as I'm rather close to the series, having had the privilege of reading the first three pieces before they were published. Ditto Katie's artwork, although I will say that my untutored eye sees Improvement in her pen and ink technique. Up to now, her training and experience had been more with color techniques and pencil. [95]

Issue 50

front cover of issue #50, Karen River. The editor thanked the artist for this "timely memorial cover."
back cover of issue #50, Gordon Carleton. Note that all the fans are wearing propeller beanies, a common art shorthand for sf fans since the 1940s. See Fanspeak Dictionary

Warped Space 50 was published in January 1984 and contains 100 pages.

The art is by Eluki bes Shahar, Gordon Carleton, Karen River, Anne Davenport, Tim Eldred, Helena Ming, Susan W. Perry-Lewis, Melody Rondeau, Nancy Stasulis, Joni Wagner and Susan Wyllie.

From the editorial, a little history, and hopes for a regular production schedule:

At this, the close of 1983, it is appropriate to reflect back on the past years. WARPED SPACE started in 1974, during my sophomore year at Michigan State University, and at one time, we were producing small issues every six to eight weeks! As WARPED SPACE has grown, our productivity has declined, and despite how busy we thought we were during our college years, it turns out we've been even busier during our years of "gainful employment." Regardless, although it has taken a couple years of general disorganization and haphazard direction, we here at T'Kuhtian Press are exhibiting new vitality and a renewed sense of purpose. Thanks in large part to the proddings of Jackie Paciello, I've set up a regular production schedule for WARPED SPACE, and intend to stick with it.... The issues will come out in February/March, May/June, August/September, and November/December. In between, we'll sandwich in our formerly announced and quite delayed special one-shots, and future ones to be announced.

From the editorial, regarding the lack of letters of comment:

Although in the last issue I promised the LoC's, I find that I am still too backed up in answering my mail to compile them. They definitely will appear as a special supplement to WARPED SPACE 51, and LoC's on WS 49 and 50 are particularly solicited.

From the editorial, regarding technology:

Gordon and I have a Coleco Adam on order, and hope that upon the try-out, we find it suitable for helping us produce 'zines and maintain our records. If it turns out to be a dud, I suspect we'll be obtaining a different computer sometime in 1984, as I'm finding it more and more difficult to keep my fannish records organized without the convenience of a good computer. When I think of how easy it will be to update my records ... In any case, you'll note many different typestyles, etc. with this issue, and with the last, and I welcome your comments, preferences, etc.

From the editorial, some MediaWest*Con news:

As a small recompense for delays on my end, and since some of you haven't gotten word about MediaWest*Con 4 before our fees went up at the end of December, if you join before the end of January, 1984, you can still get in on an attending member ship for $17.00. From February on, membership jumps to $20.00, and as always, there will be no memberships sold at the door. Later this month we'll be sending out the first of the three Progress Reports. And yes, Virginia, we will be negotiating with local theatres and the bus system to hold a special viewing of the new Indiana Jones movie that should premiere MediaWest*Con 4 weekend, just as we did with RETURN OF THE JEDI last year.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 50

[zine]:

Sorry to learn about your fannish burn-out, although after 10 years, it's hardly to be wondered at. I hope you're fully recovered.

I totally agree with Paula's special review. Bad criticism, or adverse criticism, can hurt a lot. But there's no striving for excellence without it. Craftsmanship, plotting, and characterization are essential to good writing. Eschew one of them, and you'll have a flawed story on your hands. Eschew all, and you'll have a dog, begging to be shot.

"The Paths of Choice," part 4. The new illos will take a bit of getting used to. Not bad, save on p. 29, where Luke and Leia look like a pair of 13 year olds. Nevertheless, Nancy Stasulis shows promise. Dodonna and Willard sound a bit ineffectual. "Our heroes" should never—or hardly ever—be the only ones capable of getting things done. It's unrealistic and pretentious. If you're surrounded by idiots, you won't look clever, just the best of a bunch of dorks! Another "girlfriend" of Han's? Why does it seem so natural for him to have a "girl" in every port? It's a real serial, all right: you're always waiting for the next installment.

"The Star Trek Wars" by Susan Wyllie, was hilarious. Absurd, of course, but still roaringly funny. Not all shots hit home, but enough of them did to keep me chuckling. Congrats!

"A Death in the Family"—deja vu. They can't really take in Bones' death, because, as usual, he isn't really dead. What I'd really like is a story on Riley's real wake. Does it exist? "Error, Error," Paula Smith's Star Trek Primer, was a gas.

Marcia Brin's 2 vignettes, "Reflections" and "Aftereffect" were very good, especially the latter. As for the Remington Steele vignette, I liked the concept, but not the execution. Truly, I want more — it seemed too short for its subject.

STAR TRASH III: amusing, though the Schlockwok was a bit outre. Leah Rosenthal's "Corellian Graffiti" was an interesting look at the "later years." Loved the kids. And a touch of pathos at the end, with the "lost process." A dandy 2 pages. More fine illos by Joni Wagner, though her Solo's not one of her best efforts. And the end of "Mace," thank God.

All in all, good issues both. I'm looking forward to more "Continuator" and "Black Sabre" series—I certainly wouldn't mind another heavy-duty Star Trek series like "The Weight." How about it, Lori? Keep up the good work. I might send you something (ST) later on.

Trouble is, I'm terrified of Paula! Oh, well, maybe I will anyway. [96]

[zine]:

The main reason I wanted to write is to say how much I enjoyed "Bored of Review," especially Paula's discussion of standards in WS 5O. Meandering POV is often the one gripe I have with some of the best fanfic, and it certainly is getting common in profic as well. There are times when the characters ought to act like the Muppets in "Veterinarian's Hospital," gazing in puzzlement at the ceiling ("Who was that?"). While it contains many scenes I wish had been in the movie, the novelization of ROTJ is a prime offender; with its omniscient viewpoint, it's positively Victorian, dear reader.

Why can't people see the difference between written fiction and cinema? In watching a film, our perceptions come through our own eyes and ears as we watch through a sort of window. In literature, the channel of communication is print that translates into a voice inside the head, more personal than film, yet more limited, since it's what the author chooses to tell us, rather than what our own senses can take in. Better that the thoughts come from a character who belongs in the story than directly from the author, who doesn't belong there. It's so easy to let the author's voice creep in. For me, it destroys the tenuous illusion that these people exist independently and someone isn't making them all up.

My sister and I got a good laugh over Paula's comparing self-proclaimed amateurs with bacteria— an apt metaphor. What can you say when someone at a con boasts about getting a poem published in a zine you consider drek, or goes on at great length about her universe, when you've read a few installments and couldn't find much to like? Constructive criticism means nothing in those cases. Just smile, say that's nice, and resolve to deliver your own best whenever you create.

I loved "Testing Ground." I don't see it as an alternate universe where "Luke turns to Evil," but an affirmation of the loving decisions he made in TESB and ROTJ. Keep the belly laughs coming, a la "Star Trek Wars," "Error, Error," and "Star Trash III." As for Joni Wagner's portfolios, one of the joys of MediaWest*Con is getting to see Joni's gemlike pen and inks "in person." Too bad I'm currently too poor to bid on art. Nancy Stasulis is a nice find as well. Great illos on pp. 8 and 16 (of WS 50), but Luke and Leia on p. 29 look like the kids from THE BLUE LAGOON.

Speaking of tropical islands, it will be interesting to see if "The Continuator" series is headed toward a tie-in with TESB and ROTJ. Luke's abilities seem to have grown quite a bit by the end of the third movie, considering he had but a few lessons from Kenobi, and one seminar on Dagobah before Yoda told him his diploma was in the mail. Speculation on how these abilities developed could be very interesting.

Much of "Paths of Choice" aroused my impatience, however. The characters seem to spend pages wondering how they really feel about everything, with nothing else happening and no fresh insights about their relationships. (Maybe later?) Nice sub-plot involving Han, General Dodonna, and the Alliance turncoat. Jackie Paciello's writing is highly competent, really involving the reader in the characters' perceptions and emotions. Except for a few minor lapses, the POV (that again!) is well- controlled.

Marcia Brin's alleged "Remington Steele" vignette irritated me. It seemed to be mostly an excuse to work Harrison Ford into another story (and this criticism comes from a zealous HF fan who watches "Remington Steele" only occasionally).

Regarding "Reflections," I'm glad ROTJ is finally out so that Leia can stop burying herself in work to forget all that she's lost. A valid point, but it's been done, and overdone.

The Esterhaus cover on WS 50 was a fitting tribute. The Luke portrait Karen River did for the cover of WS 49 is a heart stopper, but didn't repro real well with all that black background. Layout looks nice, Lori, including the different typefaces. Only problem is that when the print gets teensy, I have trouble finding the beginning of the next line quickly enough for easy reading. Columns, maybe? [97]

References

  1. ^ from a letter of comment in "Far Realms" #8
  2. ^ by Paula Smith in Scuttlebutt #14
  3. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  4. ^ from a letter in "Warped Space" #42
  5. ^ from a letter in "Warped Space" #42
  6. ^ from a letter in "Warped Space" #42
  7. ^ from a letter in "Warped Space" #42
  8. ^ from a letter in "Warped Space" #42
  9. ^ from a letter in "Warped Space" #42
  10. ^ from a letter in "Warped Space" #42
  11. ^ from a letter by Miriam Rogow in "Warped Space" #42
  12. ^ from a letter by Leslie Fish in "Warped Space" #42
  13. ^ from an interview with Paula Block in Menagerie #16
  14. ^ from an LoC in Warped Space #43
  15. ^ the entirety of an LoC by Paula Smith in Warped Space #43
  16. ^ from an LoC in Warped Space #43
  17. ^ from an LoC in Warped Space #43
  18. ^ from an LoC in Warped Space #43
  19. ^ from an LoC in Warped Space #43
  20. ^ from an LoC in Warped Space #43
  21. ^ from an LoC in Warped Space #43
  22. ^ from an LoC in Warped Space #43
  23. ^ from an LoC in Warped Space #43
  24. ^ from an LoC in Warped Space #43
  25. ^ from an LoC in Warped Space #43
  26. ^ from Jundland Wastes #3 (which uses this story as one of four examples in an article that explores the relationship between Han and Luke in fanfic)
  27. ^ from the 1982 essay Visible Women
  28. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  29. ^ from Datazine #8
  30. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  31. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  32. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  33. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  34. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  35. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  36. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  37. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  38. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  39. ^ "Dream Worlds" was never published
  40. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  41. ^ from the 1982 essay Visible Women
  42. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  43. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  44. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  45. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  46. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  47. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  48. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  49. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #45
  50. ^ from "Warped Space" #46
  51. ^ from Jundland Wastes #4
  52. ^ from "Warped Space" #46
  53. ^ from "Warped Space" #46
  54. ^ from "Warped Space" #46
  55. ^ from "Warped Space" #46
  56. ^ from "Warped Space" #46
  57. ^ from "Warped Space" #46
  58. ^ from "Warped Space" #46
  59. ^ from "Warped Space" #46
  60. ^ from "Warped Space" #46
  61. ^ from "Warped Space" #46
  62. ^ from "Warped Space" #46
  63. ^ from "Warped Space" #46
  64. ^ from "Warped Space" #46
  65. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  66. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  67. ^ from Blue Harvest #6
  68. ^ from Jundland Wastes #5/6
  69. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  70. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  71. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  72. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  73. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  74. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  75. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  76. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  77. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  78. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  79. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  80. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  81. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  82. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  83. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  84. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  85. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  86. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  87. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47, written in 1981-82, not published until 1983
  88. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47 (letters were written in 1981-82, but not printed until 1983)
  89. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47 (letters were written in 1981-82, but not printed until 1983)
  90. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47 (letters were written in 1981-82, but not printed until 1983)
  91. ^ from a fan in "Warped Space" #51
  92. ^ from a fan in "Warped Space" #51
  93. ^ from a fan in "Warped Space" #51
  94. ^ from a fan in "Warped Space" #51
  95. ^ from a fan in "Warped Space" #51
  96. ^ from a fan in "Warped Space" #51
  97. ^ from a fan in "Warped Space" #51
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