First Contact The Newsletter of the Irish Science Fiction Association March/April 1996 ISSN 0791-3966 Octocon ’96 is Go Ah, the joy titan erupts when a new Octocon is announced! Who can fail to feel a thrill when they think of the myriad fun goings-on as the national science fiction convention announces that once again October sees oodles of fans converge on the traditional venue - the Royal Marine Hotel - for a weekend full of arguments, videos, guests and whatever else they can think of? And who, you cry, is the Guest of Honour? Why, ‘tis none other than Brian Stableford. He’s an author who tends to blend genres somewhat; his novel The Empire of Fear was a vampire novel that was more science fiction than horror, and last year’s Serpent’s Blood was an SF book that read like a fantasy novel. Personally, I’m more fond of his shorter fiction; his collection Sexual Chemistry is pretty nifty, and he was nominated this year for a Hugo for Best Novella. But are the Octoconnies settling merely for a cool guest of Honour? Not a bit of it. We have been promised a rebirth, a reinvention of Octocon that will leave all who attend stunned by its innovative approach to science fiction conventions. Exactly what this means I’m not sure (okay, I actually haven’t a clue), but it should be a blast finding out. Look out for myriad exciting events and googols of new guests. So who are these other guests, and what are these events? Sadly, the committee are keeping rather quiet at the moment, and will mention only (and rather smugly) that another guest is Mr. Paul J. McAuley, whom you may .mow through such novels as Pasquale’s Angel and Fairyland. Also to be attending - yipcc! - is one Robert Rankin, who manages to be not only a cool writer, but a totally excellent guest. His latest tome, A Dog Called Demolition, has just been published and as you’ll see from the review later in this august journal, it’s a bit of a cracker. As for the events that we’ve been promised, sorry. Haven’t a clue. I guess we’ll both have to find out together when we attend. You are attending, aren’t you? Oh yeah, the details. Sorry. Mind like a sieve, you know. Anyway, Octocon ’96 will be held in the Royal Marine Hotel on 12-13 October in this, the year of our Lord 1996. Send your cheques and queries to Octocon ’96, 30, South Circular Road, Dublin 8. Or you could e-mail [email protected] if you’re so inclined. At the moment it’ll cost you £12 for attending or £5 for supporting, but that’s going up on the first of May. First Contact, March 1996 Page 1 Editorial And so, once again we have a double issue because I was late with the last one. Well, no more. Treasure this; it's the last double issue you’ll see. Really. But for a change I’d like to avail of this space to bitch about something completely different. If you read this issue’s letter page, you’ll notice comments on the lack of a magazine from the ISFA (the journal you hold in your hands doesn’t count, of course; we’re talking about a quality, fiction magazine here). The problem is that a magazine of this type is very expensive to produce, and it’s difficult to get the material together on a regular basis. But worry not; I’m not going to spend the rest of the page complaining about apathy amongst the ISFA's creative element. Rather, I’d like to mention briefly an organisation set up to help promote the arts in this country; the Arts Council. Pick up any British small-press magazine. Regardless of the quality, the chances are you’ll find inside a brief thank you to the regional arts council. Even Interzone - a professional magazine - qualifies (at least, they did; I'm not sure whether that’s still the case). However, when it comes to our own Arts council, the contribution they’ve made to science fiction can be summed up on one finger. The middle one. I’m not advocating the blanket sponsoring of crap that results in the sort of banal magazines one can see coming from England. But in the past, Octocon, the ISFA and I’m sure other organisations have all approached the arts council, and have been offered moral support, but nothing else. So what can be done? Very little, I suspect. But I’m open to suggestions. On a completely different topic, a number of people have been sending me e-mail, only to have it bounce back with a notice that informs them that I don’t exist. I’d like to take this opportunity to assure the readership that I am real, and I do have a life (of sorts). My e-mail address is [email protected], and despite the occasional bounce, I do receive most of my mail. I'm currently haranguing my provider to sort out the problem. During the meanwhilst, if you encounter a bouncy message, please resend. It should get through (eventually). Robert Elliott rde@irelands-web. ie 4 . Page 2 First Contact, March 1996 Contents Page One 1 Page Two 2 Page Three 3 News 4 Bob Shaw 1931-1996 6 Cinema Review 7 Shopping in Dublin 10 Letters 11 Eurocon ‘97 14 CD-ROM Review 10 Card Games 14 Top Ten Books 16 Book Reviews 18 First Contact is a periodical of monthiyish extent, published by The Irish Science Fiction Association, 30, Beverly Downs, Knocklyon Road Templeogue Dublin 16 e-mail [email protected] newsletter: [email protected] First Contact is an SF magazine. It comes out ev'ry month (at least, it tries). It covers varied topics, and has been (We hope) of interest to you gals and guys. It's written - very well too, I must say - By SF fans, who know, try as they might To blame it all on the ISFA, they each retain their author's copyright. Although we'd like you to review our work, we'd ask you not to reproduce too much. You'd only end up looking like a jerk; in jail it's kinda hard to keep in touch. We hope you enjoy reading what we write; if not, be kind and tell us when it’s shite. First Contact, March 1996 Page 3 News be? Will we find out how Steve could run so Movie News fast despite only having one bionic leg? We So you’ve read that Jonathan Frakes is can only hope. As for who’ll play him; I to direct Star Trek Eight. But did you know nominate Brad Pitt. For a laugh. he’s also going to get a big part? It’s true. It seems that the bigwigs in Paramount are a bit TV News worried that Patrick Stewart might be a little expensive when it comes to negotiating for New SF Series Star Trek Nine, so they want Riker to be in the More stuff gleaned from the net; make fore just in case. The name ’‘Resurrection” has of it what you will. been dropped, by the way. Not just because of the clash of the titles with the new Alien MGM Television is said to be planning movie, either; it seems that a bunch of saddo, to turn the studio's recent sci-fi theatrical hits Kirk-fixated trekkies were assuming that the Stargate and Species into first-run TV series. title meant the return of everyone’s favourite Although MGM officials declined ham. No such luck, boys and girls. It’ll be the comment, the TV version of Stargate, which next generation only. Expect the title to be focused on the discovery of an ancient either “Destinies” or “Foundation.” gateway to other worlds, reportedly is on target for launch next year. Species, a thriller centering on a human-alien half-breed, may Set Phasers on Litigate follow in 1998. MGM Television dug into its archives last year to produce the hit first-run Yes, those wacky Paramount lawyers anthology scries The Outer Limits and did the arc at it again. This time, they’re after a Salt same for next fall's Poltergeist: The Legacy. Lake City theatre because a couple of comedians put on a show called Star Twek : The Voyager Home. Starring Mr. Schlock and Blake’s 7 to Return James T. Smirk, one can’t argue that the show No, not on television; sorry about that. should be shut down for purely aesthetic Didn’t mean to get your hopes up. But if reasons, but no. Filthy lucre is the reason, and you’ve got one of those wireless thingies, you once again it seems Viacom, Paramount’s may be able to look forward to a one-off owners, are determined to piss off the fans. Is sequel to the series on BBC Radio sometime this any way to get people to watch Voyager, I in the future. More on this as details come in. ask you? New Batman For fuck’s sake... Step up, George Clooney. After Vai Now, I’m not one to call the BBC Kilmer decided that he didn’t like wearing overly sensitive. I wouldn’t dare; they might rubber in public after all, ER’s doc has feel hurt or something. But in the light of the volunteered his sendees.