Thought Bubble, Leeds; named after some distant historical of The Pops are also burnt memories. Waiting in line, tail-end Knight or Lord and as I walked into the In this atrium, I collected my ticket, Charlie. atrium, I realised that it was in actual thought about a coffee and wandered fact named after broadcaster, TV into the large hall. This nicely By personality and charity Fund Raiser, apportioned hall is some 1260 square James Bacon Sir Jimmy Savile, not only a knight of metres in size, a rectangle from what I the realm, but also a knight of the Holy could see, with five aisles, tables either It was a very crisp and fresh See, and his pictures in massive forms side of the aisle down the length of morning, the sun was slicing into the adorned the walls of the reception the hall. The far left back corner was room, and I knew I was already a bit area. This was the man, who Fix’d It curtained off, for a decent seating area late. The evening before hand was all for kids when I was a kid on the BBC. of about 100 or so people, with staging, a maelstrom of brilliant madness, but My favourite must have been the two then the area next to this auditorium I was in Leeds and as I awoke, not seater Spitfire jaunt a youngster got to was a signing area, with space for so much fresh as invigorated from a go on, although his mad intros on Top queues wonderful slumber, I knew I was late. As part of helping with the I had a superb breakfast, with my publicity efforts of next year’s room sharer, Emma King, and once Eastercon, LX 2009 in Bradford, of fed and watered, we split and I left on which I am a committee member, we foot for Saville Hall where Thought decided that we would have a table Bubble, a weeklong comic festival, at Thought Bubble. We are going would be having its big Saturday event. around conventions, and events, giving The walk was fresh, it wasn’t cold, it away free books to all and sundry, in was November, and along the river the hope that book readers, may find Aire, which was gurgling very gently, the book conventions that we run fishermen patiently waited for their interesting, and come along, it’s an catch, doted about on this Saturday outreach effort, something untried, and morn, a strange prophecy for my own we have seen members join following forthcoming day. such efforts. I crossed over the river, just after Thought Bubble, though is in the weir, where once industrial wharfs Leeds, which sets it apart from the are now all cultural and residential, other events we have worked hard at so and a busy inland dock land is now a far. Leeds is next to Bradford, from city redevelopment of the greatest scale. centre to city centre is ten miles, and I rounded the Royal Armouries, a about a twenty minute drive. The same modern building design built museum, by train. So this is our neighbourhood, into armouries square and there was James Bacon with Barry Kitson. Leeds science fiction readers are on the Savile Hall. doorstep of the convention, so we need I had somehow imagined it was Photo by Emma King to let them know about our weekend. at Octocon in 2009 in Dublin. That’s ‘Bradford’ that got people interested. So we were there, handing out flyers. two national conventions in quick We don’t want to blindside anyone, so Peter Harrow my Co-Chair and Dave succession. Peter spoke about his Felix it’s important they understand what were present since earlier, they had Castor Novels, and I produced some sort of convention we are, although laid out the table, set up some posters, comics, a Hellblazer and a manga all are welcome, it is the national put up the book shelves, and were comic he did with his daughter Louise SF convention and therefore, not distributing flyers, leaflets and books called Confessions of a Blabbermouth. specifically about comics. by the time arrived. They reported Mike is one of those authors whose Of course, most Eastercon considerable queues at the beginning bibliography just goes on and on, I regulars know, we have many comic of the day outside the hall. once totted up all the individual comics panels, one of our Guests of Honour We worked the table, and it his stories have appeared in and it’s is comic artist David Lloyd, and we was very good. Then Emma met us, well over 250. Whether it is 2000 AD already have two other comic artists she had come in my car and we had issues, or the full run of Lucifer, which and another writer coming along, but arranged she would park it, which ran for an impressive 75 issues, he just we must be fair. Eastercon is about would be our transportation from the has a stunning bibliography. Next up science fiction in all its forms, and festival to Novacon, in Walsall, the in December will be his comic adaption books are the main focus. Emma was annual convention of the Birmingham of Orson Scott Card’s Ender's Shadow especially good with the younger than Science Fiction Group, which was our for Marvel Comics. He was in good me people, and also many girls, who next destination that night. Emma form, and he spoke about how seeing got talking about all sorts of things, was a bit of a star. She is 30, a friend his name as a for way too long now, and a regular guest of honour on at fun cons. She runs her own Live the Odyssey poster Action Role Playing Games and is still gave him an really terribly smart, and wears rock amazing feeling. chick gear, and is very approachable. We So as Peter went around every dealer continued to greet introducing himself and getting folk, and what acquainted with those selling at the was interesting festival, extending the web of contact this time doing and promotion, Emma, Dave and outreach, was that myself talked up the con. people were not Mike Carey came up to the as interested in table. His writing workshop was the books, in fairness, talk of the con, having being totally we are running booked out, and we chatted about low of decent cons. Mike is the Guest of Honour at ones, but even so Odyssey the 2010 Eastercon, and also it was the word James and Barry in the distance photo by Emma King such as Dragons of on as he drew, and then and very American, it makes me think Pern. Peter and I have a skilfully shaded in the of the movie screen shot I recently saw bit of charm, and Peter art with a selection of of Miss Jupiter on a YouTube trailer, definitely has the ‘worth spirit based letterset adorning the side of a B-29 bomber, a double take’ element markers, which blend as nose art, Miss Jupiter being Sally about his attire, but the colours, allowing Jupiter from the comic Watchmen. I Emma fitted in with infinite amounts of also purchased a page of artwork from the younger crowd. colour mixing. Dean, at a really very reasonable price. Her new rock boots, I also had the He was selling artwork from a number combats and goth metal graphic novel to get of comics and I picked up a page of DC t-shirt and long woollen signed, and then Vertigo Northlanders, this is an ongoing fingerless sleeves, that crossed the aisle title, which is about Vikings, its bloody rolled up, drew other and waited for Dean good as well, and written by another girls, perhaps less Ormston, another favourite writer, Brian Wood, who is confident, even though great 2000 AD artist. also working on DMZ. I love comic book in bizarre costume, and He worked on Raptur, artwork, and Ormston’s neat line work good chat flowed, no Judge Death by Peter Doherty an awesome story in was really clean in the uncoloured raw, doubt about cosmology from Rebellion Developments the Dredd universe, and I had no hesitation buying one, of quantum mechanics. and also Judgement just deciding. In due course, after Peter had Day, again written by Garth Ennis, My Judge Dredd completed, and done his rounds, and tea breaks a man who can match John Wagner it is a well inked one at that, I moved were had, I got the OK to head off for tongue in cheek humour. Dean on, not even halfway down the first for a bit myself. As a comic fan, I also worked on Sandman, aisle and waited at the table immediately went to the aisle with amongst many other of Matt Brooker, a science comic artists. First I went to Peter comics, so I was torn, but fiction fan and Eastercon Doherty. He has worked on a number I opted for a Dredd. As he attendee, although usually of my favourite Judge Dredd stories, drew, his wife was next to clandestine, as his comic for weekly anthology comic 2000 AD. him, and I commented on non de guerre is D’Israeli. He drew the story, Young Death, which her artistic style. Another Judge Dredd is an incredible biography of one of Fiona Stephenson is regular, he has worked the comics greatest villains. He also a tribute artist, she does oil on Batman as well. I was worked on the Justice One story line, on canvas reproductions after his Scarlett Traces written by Garth Ennis, as well as The of Gil Elvegren classic pin graphic novel. This is Return of Mechanismo and Mandroid. up art. I was impressed, a continuation of HG In other words, just from the world of she is also working on her Wells War of the Worlds Judge Dredd I was spoilt for choice. I own pin up art, and it is storyline. His and writer Ian opted for Judge Death, and watched very beautiful, nostalgic Edginton’s version of War of the Worlds is a super adaptation, but I thanked my Irish Luck and worked Scarlett Traces is a superb steam punk through and joined that queue. I stood post Martian invasion crime story, and waited. After a while, the guy in continuing on the Wellsian vision, and front of me turned around, and was it’s really very good. There is a second surprised to see me. He said, ‘you’ll volume now, set in the fifties, so as I be waiting a while, he is working on handed over some cash to buy some that one for an hour’. Now I had been comics, and asked for a sketch of a waiting a good while at this stage, and 50’s style space man, as the war is I was surprised by no movement in the taken to Mars in the next graphic novel queue, but that was OK, I expected the episode and was not disappointed. artist was taking it slowly, or chatting I moved down the aisle a bit further, as he went, or perhaps having a cuppa, this was only the first aisle, and I was this happens in a queue, occasionally. I taking my time. All was good back said I was OK. at the desk, Emma had checked up Time continued to pass, and on me, and all was fine. Next was a suddenly there was a work out of who new artist, well relatively new, Leigh was who and where in the queue. There Gallagher is working on Defoe, Zombie was the guy at the front. Then there Hunter for 2000 AD. This is not only was Alan, who I then found out was an interesting character, but also is from Ireland, behind him was Alex, but written by Pat Mills, one of the greatest Alex was off elsewhere, and it was his British comic writers ever, although Dad who was minding his spot. Now a there are a lot of greats. I chatted with young chap, was it Sebastian, joined Leigh, who looked worn hard, he was the queue. I stepped out and wandered drawing all morning it seemed, and yet up to the front to see the point of he was in good spirit. His girlfriend, bottom of the first aisle, and here was action, and was unsure what to make Niki, who was a charming lady, was an open area with queues. of it. offering free donuts with every sketch Alex Maleev, artist on Daredevil, Barry Kitson, a comic artist and was very good laugh. Leigh did a Adi Dranov, cover artist on Iron Man who came to prominence and to lovely Defoe for me. Readers will know and conceptualist for the movie, and my attention like most School boys that I like zombies, well I ran a zombie Sean Phillips of Marvel Zombies fame, I KNOW, with his stunning Judge convention, but this story is a fresh all had decent queues. I hoped for Anderson artwork, in the mid eighties take on the subject. a sketch from them, and wondered for 2000 AD, was working on a picture I checked back at the LX which queue to join. I noted that Barry of Supergirl, a character he worked for table, and it was still very busy, but Kitson’s queue was shorter than I DC comics in the Supergirl and Legion everyone was happy for me to indulge had expected, which was a boon, as of Superheroes series. Now I have had my pastime. I wandered down to the his work is really clean, and I was some amazing sketches, but this was really after a nice sketch from him, so the first time I saw a palette of water and it was really stunning. He erased order, for a fan after fan. That’s hard colours opened, but he was only on the pencils, and very calmly started work. I know my comics, so I sorta the ink line work. I waited and more to find the colours he wanted, he was hope that I am an easier punter, I am time passed, as he meticulously built using the back of a script to find the a true fan of comics, buy too many, up on the pencils, refining the line exact shade of colours he wanted, know my artists and will have not only he had drawn, then the very graceful dabbing, darkening, mixing colours, an idea of what I would like, but also pencil work was now fine line inked, and he would stroke by stroke, colour really only trouble the artists I am in Supergirl. really keen on. There were some really I was all at sea. good artists along, whom I would not You must understand. be asking for a sketch, not because These comic artists are they are not good, but because I prefer amazing, I could watch them to have beers and chat and stuff than draw all day, ink in, see how queue for something that is ‘just they cheat, see how they make because I can’. I hope that makes things work graphically that sense. I would never have guessed, So these artists work very hard and see what the true skill and they have to meet the public, and is, remember I can’t draw a it can be very thankless indeed, let’s straight line, even with a ruler. be honest, some comic fans like SF Now these artists are fans are shy or a bit, well obsessive, paid professionals, I dare not or a bit socially inadequate, which say well paid, as sometimes I doesn’t make it any easier from an think they deserve much more, interpersonal perspective, but the but they draw for living. They artists seem to feed on fans who love are along here, and I expect what they get, they know themselves they may get some costs paid when they have a fan. for, but they are not being Yet, here was Barry Kitson doing ‘paid’ this is really an altruistic something really very very special. endeavour. Bus fare and a few I am lucky. A number of artists have pints doesn’t equate to wages, done sketches where there is some science fiction fans also know colour, and one, Carlos Pacheco did this, as we listen and discuss use letterset spirit pens to produce a issues with authors, who in full colour picture for me, which is one some cases pay their own way of my prized possessions. This was my to conventions. It’s a special good luck, I reckoned, although my thing. True generosity. Dad reckoned it was taste, he always Now, these artists sit for says that when he points out he has a day, and essential draw to Beatles and Stones singles, and not checking out. Anyhow, after dozens of Back at the queue I doled out Englebert Humperdink singles. Carlos Supermen I seemed to ask at the right sweets and offered cans of Coke Zero, had just finished a run on Superman, time and I got an amazing sketch. the people who were once next to us, in to much acclaim, and everyone was in Now, here, was Barry Kitson, slowly the parallel queue now long gone with Superman request mode. I apologised taking his time with a very fine paint their Adi Granov Iron Man sketches. and asked him for an Arrowsmith, brush, working the colours of his pallet Time flowed gently along, and the chat this is a character from an alternate and the startling colour on the clean was good in the queue. Next up Alan history which he created with Kurt page were amazing. was at the head of the queue, and he Busiek where mythological creatures I chatted with Alan and he asked for a Batman. It was really good. exist in the world, and it’s WW I and showed me his sketch book, and The back ground city scape taking as pilots are assigned Dragons, who give camaraderie was building up in much time as the character himself. them flight. The graphic novel is worth this queue. I asked to go to the loo, The level of detail in the sketch was and it was a given my place was my incredible, with a special tiny little place. I called back to the table and surprise in two of the windows of one informed all that something special of the buildings. was happening, and if I could claim a Meanwhile, Alex’s dad was dispensation and skive off work. They questioning his sanity. Myself and Alan were all very cool, and off I bounced. explained that this was an incredible I saw Liam Sharpe on the way, opportunity. We explained that to ask and he was working furiously. Liam for a colour picture, would essentially is about to release his first book,GOD mean commissioning a piece of art, a KILLERS: Machivarius Point & other big and costly undertaking. This allied tales a new SF/Fantasy novella and some of his frustration, and his son short story collection. He will be at shortly returned with a Sean Phillips Eastercon, and I was meant to chat to sketch, in his very nice little sketch him, but being a comic artist he was book. in demand, he has his own publishing Was it an hour, maybe an hour company, Mamtor, which have and more, and Batman was done, published some really fine art books, Alan was off and bid farewell. Next but this weekend he is also the artist Alex went for a Supergirl, he had just on Gears of War 2, the comic, which made it back in time to see the work went stellar this month, with reported being done and you could sense his sales being in excess of 450,000 copies excitement. Meanwhile there were now of issue one, placing it as the best three people behind me, and although selling comic of the year, so the crowd two were really very chatty, one chap was deep. I continued on and picked was very quiet. up some provisions on the way. It was soon approaching five, the show was meant to close. In the some artists were calling it a day, in the comic universe. Recently he meantime, Emma had kindly arranged others were continuing, and Barry has been working on Fantastic Four to get some other comics signed for me seemed to be one of the latter. and is currently the artist on The and the venue was slowly emptying So with Alex absolutely chuffed Amazing Spiderman. So, it was a hard out. Word came around that although and his dad in a sweat that they choice. Judge Anderson seemed like would miss a train out to the natural way to go, but I decided some countryside part of instead to ask for a Capt America. I Yorkshire, I was up next. asked for a WW II version, and Barry The show officially closed wondered if I wanted a triangular now. First off Barry, who shield, and we talked shields, and I had sent word up and said I didn’t mind, and he went into down the queue that action. anyone who had waited a First he had blue pencil, this is the long time, and that would rough outline, although rough is have been us, but who really an understatement of erroneous hadn’t got a sketch, would measure here, and the character get one in the mail. I was is lightly drawn out but with some cool with this prospect, serious detail. Then it’s the pencils but he asked me what I over this, slowly adding more detail wanted, had a cup of tea, and shape, improving on the outline, and started. I bid farewell forming the body more distinctly, to Sebastian, and got adjusting any error. some words out of the Now at this stage, the show organiser quiet chap. comes up and asks us to move to Now Barry Kitson. another table, politely, kindly even, Batman, Judge Anderson, and we move. We resettle and I ask Superman, Judge Dredd, Barry if he is OK with this. He is very Wolverine, Punisher, softly spoken and explains that he Batgirl, and the super would never do anything he didn’t teams, Justice League want, and we chatted about comics America, Avengers, and I watched on intently. Soon Peter LEGION, Legion of and Emma were with me, the LX table Superheroes, Titans, all packed into Dave’s car and already JSA, The Order, The heading back to Sheffield. They looked Brave and the bold, this on. covers a huge amount After the pencils, which were a really of actual characters detailed process, and I should state Marvel Comic’s Captain American drawn by Barry Kitson now, at this stage the sketch was very here there was an understanding, I chatted to Barry about Steve and good, came fine ink pen. The character was doubly sure I was not imposing, comics and his yahoo sketch group. was suddenly brought into stark and now I was in the zone. Next was the back ground. Barry contrast with the page. The organiser Barry was very relaxed, a nice drew explosions. I always wondered asked if Barry was OK. young lady called Catherine offered how you do that, but they were classic This was nice, normally the fan him a tea, and I found out she was shell explosions, really big and strong boy is the one at fault, asking for more herself an art student from Cambridge. air bursts. At this stage the exhibitors than they should, hey I am guilty as She was really very convivial and were gone. Volunteers, many of whom charged, I am a fan, I am patient and friendly. Emma, Peter and myself were from Ireland, there is a comic will wait, but here, the organiser just would be making the 125 mile journey convention there this weekend, and wanted to be sure Barry was fine, and to Walsall, to make Novacon that there is obviously a cross over with he was, and that was good and it was evening, so I was not going to be at the organisation, which makes sense, pleasant. Apparently this was not the the aftercon party. This is not so good, looked on impressed. Then the crashes first time, but even so sometimes I because that’s a great opportunity to of tables being taken down, but no expect artists do want to escape, but buy an artist or comic writer a beer, distraction to Barry, who started to and as was very gently paint in the colours on the explained to me Captain. by Steve Dillon Each brush stroke was very a Octocon many precise, depth of colour being used years ago, in to create shading and giving an extra Dublin, a pint dimension to the art. Soon, all the goes a long backing boards and tables were gone, way to your and there was this single table, an good, with an artist and a fan. Emma took some artist. I asked photos, and it was eerie. The artwork Catherine who was just there and the explosions were would be going, coloured in. to buy herself I was in awe. This is the uber- and Barry a sketch. I have artwork in my sitting pint, she very room, in the book room, on the stairs kindly agreed, and I have been asking artists for and some sketches since Steve Dillon, John self imposed McCrea and Garth Ennis introduced imaginary me to the phenomenonal aspect of honour was the hobby of reading comics, some dispatched eighteen years ago, yet this is a very James and Barry photo by Emma King with. I also special piece of art. smell of water colour paint, it was an amazing feeling, a moment, and we shook hands and took pictures and bid farewell and emails were given, and then we departed, Emma and Peter who had patiently and kindly waited, as well as covering my absence were both very happy for me, Barry left with the last bunch of volunteers, heading to the bar, and we quickly got to the car, parked around the corner, and I noted the time as we started off, 18.44. Barry Kitson photo by Emma What a day. That night I repeatedly looked at one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Real beauty, something that is very special, and something that, I expect, only I could truly have a special appreciation of, not that others can’t Barry explained that in the US, appreciate something so aesthetically people will queue for ten hours, or pleasing and just naturally beautiful, more, and he explained how he likes but my head was in the zone. Mine every sketch to be really high calibre, for a moment and a memory forever. and he has an amazing ethos. He also hates disappointing fans, hence the offer to mail sketches to those in the queue. It’s a different approach, but List of Links. one I felt was really admirable, and it Thought Bubble 2009 http://www.thoug seems fans know this, and so do I, and htbubblefestival.com/ 19th-22nd November I suddenly felt even more addicted than 2009 I was at the start of the day. Next time, Leigh Gallagher http://leighgallagherart.bl would I go straight to Barry’s queue. ogspot.com/ He was really pleased that I was Northlanders by Brian Wood http:// www.northlanders.net/ pleased, his motivation he explained Fiona Stephenson http:// for it all, as he passed the artwork to www.fionastephenson.com/ me, and I turned and drowned myself Barry Kitson http:// in the blue colour and the action www.barrykitson.com/ scene and I could smell the distinctive Art from Genevieve Letter Graded Mail That might be a good way to get might be able to answer as a TAFF sent to [email protected] designated drivers, after all. administrator. The current TAFF race is to send someone from Britain/ by my Gentle Readers Mrs. Lovett’s Meat Pies…I’d Europe over to North America to the definitely like that on a t-shirt, Worldcon in Montreal. The ballots especially if I’m working a con suite. I say to contribute 2 pounds or US$3 Let us know your thoughts, Lloyd of wonder if she has any pies with that minimum to vote…but, if the winning Penney, on Issue 190! tasty soylent filling? candidate is coming to the Worldcon in Canada, and that’s where I live, Dear Chris: Solent Green is made of awesum! wouldn’t it make sense for me to send ‘Lo, dude! Got The Drink Tank 190 And where else am I going to Canadian $$ with my vote? Sure would here, time for some comments! Hope go for a look at the current mess in come in handy for the TAFF winner to this letter finds you coasting in my own country but in a California have some Canbucks as soon as he your office, much like I am. (A little fanzine, right? I can’t disagree with gets to the Worldcon…whaddya say? downtime goes a long way.) Taral at all. He’s brought things Can I vote and send in some Canadian cash? The cover is great, but the right up to date, except that now character there looks like an even more this has happened…today, Michael I’ll say yes, though it would have evil cousin of the Grinch. He also looks Ignatieff was appointed the interim to be cash because a check in like a dentist’s nightmare. Gotta admit, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. Canadian dollars (which I guess the interior illustrations are more my Ignatieff’s father George was a long- would be a cheque) would be speed. time Canadian diplomat, and his converted to US dollars by my bank grandfather was a member of the and a 1% service charge added. It’s actually a chupacabra, the Russian aristocracy. Michael is an legendary goat-sucker of Puerto award-winning playwright, filmmaker Gonna fold up here, Chris…it’s Rico and various Spanish-speakign and novelist, and was teaching at late and work is staring me in the areas. Harvard when he was lured back face. Take it easy, tell us more about home to Toronto to get into politics. Loscon! I’d would very much like to go to It is very possible that he may be the a distillery open house. We’ve got our next prime minister. Time will tell. In Yours, Lloyd Penney. share of distilleries up here (There’s a the meantime, MSNBC was go f*ck Bacardi plant in Brampton, just to the themselves… Thanks, Lloyd! northwest of here), but if they have any I find it a little odd open houses, they keep pretty shut up that I run a fair bit of about it. Pear and chicken flatbread, politics in The Drink pork and caramelized apple crustini… Tank, and more of it is that’s just making me hungry. Great foreign than US (well, buffet for the taking. Frank’s done a lot of Yeah, it was a great time. I can’t US Political writing for wait for another one. I really could me). go to the thing and not drink at all Got a TAFF and feel it was worth the money. question, something you Art from Genevieve Whereas jolly fat men would be out of Betty Page has died. This isn’t Bill of Xmas Rights part-time work as shopping mall Santa a shock, she was 85. She had a heart Clauses, at an inclement time of the attack, held on for a week and then Taral Wayne year when it is difficult to panhandle passed, never having recovered from Introduced to the House of on street corners... the coma. It’s a sad day and there’s Representa�ves, U. S. December a lot to talk about when it comes to 11, 2007. H. Res. 847: (Republican) It is hereby resolved that the Betty Page. Some point to her work Recognizing the importance of full weight and authority of this in the 1950s as leading to the sexual Christmas and the Chris�an faith nation’s legal machinery will protect revolution of the 1960s. I can almost and respect that Jolly Old Elf, and see that, though I believe it is more transport to Guantanamo, without about Playboy (and she was one of the Gentlefen, since Congress seems right of appeal or representation, earliest Playmate of the Months) that to be voting on a Republican bill to any members of un-Christian, set the table. Some point to her as the protect our holiday traditions (while terrorist-prone, ethnic groups; or prototypical Rockabilly girl, though she the economy burns), I believe Congress any un-American, secularist-leaning never really participated in that culture self-evidently has time also for my own individuals who attempt to poo-poo his until the 1980s and 90s. frivolous bill. I plan to introduce the existence. following resolution to the House at the And I say her real impact is in first opportunity. the realm of photography. She changed all of modeling foever. Whereas Santa Claus is recognized and beloved of children all over the Stay with me, this one rolls a bit. world, and as well by many children who are not of the Christian faith... Camera Clubs were originally founded in the 1910s or so as a way Whereas the adulation of Santa Claus to get artistic photos made. They were is acknowledged by merchandisers more popular overseas than in the US everywhere as an effective, and until after World War II when there profitable, inducement to seasonal was a desire to produce more erotic shopping... offerings. Few folks point out that there was a massive boom in the production Whereas Santa Claus as a cultural and consumption of erotica following icon has been revered in our culture WWII, perhaps because of exposure for decades since the re-branding by our Boys in Uniform to European of his Thomas Nast/Clement Moore erotica. Many Camera clubs were image by Coca Cola and Macy’s... founded as a way of easily producing dirty pictures. A ton of magazines were Whereas the film industry’s holiday created to feature the photos that were market share has grown conspicuously produced from these photos. They’re in recent years due to the production hard to come by now, and some fetch a of comedy blockbusters based on the fortune (if you have an issue of Eyefull, existence of Santa Claus... you’re in luck). The photos taken of Betty became very well-known and she was a star of photographs that ran in Frank Wu with Forry dozens of cheaply produced magazines from 2001. I love that around the world. shirt Frank’s wearing. The way she was shot was I got a call typical of the photography of the day, from Manny Sanford but her poses were wild, uninhibited the other day and he and far more informed by body than said that he’d write the very stiff photography you’d find something, but he in the fashion magazines of the day. In didn’t find time. He fact, you could say that Page invented the modern idea of a human posing then told me about the instead of providing a living hanger time he met Forry at for clothes. It wasn’t the fact that the Hollywood Mu- Betty often posed naked, she often did seum having only a clothed shoots, but she understood vague idea of who he how to accentuate her body even was. They talked for a within the confines of clothing. Go few minutes and were ahead and look at the way fashion modeling changes over time between joined by another guy 1950 and 1970. Betty Page’s posing who turned out to be certainly influenced it, partly because Ray Harryhausen. He so many of the photographers that ranks it as his greatest came up in the 1950s had done their moment. time shoot nudie pics. OK, that’s all for this issue. way into that instead of trying to I’m very pleased to say that I’ve got generalize it more and more. These art from Genevieve in this issue, things happen. Chris Sekura, Lindsey Gayle, I got There’s the Jazz issue coming a lot of art from Genevieve that I’ll in the Febuary-March timeframe. be running. The cover is from Bri- I’m looking forward to it as I’ve got anna Wu, and so is the next issue’s a lot to say about it, I know there which’ll be awesome! are a lot of folks who love Jazz and What’s next? Well, I’m plan- several have said that they’ll send ning a regular issue for 193 and stuff! What’s better than that? 194, and then issue 195 will test There’s also the matter of the limits of reader patience by the 4th Annual Giant-Sized Annual being all about Museums and my which is January 31st. If you have theories. Yes, for a fanzine that has an article that features the number been accused of being far too much 4 (or anything else really, I’m not for my own eyes, I’m going all the picky) I’d love to have it! Across- Down

1- Chris Garcia is ______1- A good place for a Tattoo if your last name is Ramierez 2- Come Get ____ 2- If I could fight one person, it’d be ______3- A letter twice in letter 3- The best writer ever si the oen within ______4- The tasty stuff is high in ___ 4- ___ Schwartz 5- Fits me to a _ 5- Alexander ___ Great 6- Three little words (3 Words) 6- Damien freaked me out in The ____ 7- Number of good presidents since Reagan 7- _ Calcutta 8- The best one to choose is the ) ______8- _th Degree