Volume 15, Issue 6 December/January ConNotations 2005/2006 The Bi-Monthly Science Fiction, Fantasy & Convention Newszine of the Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society
A Conversation with Featured Inside Forrest J. Ackerman SF Tube Talk Special Features By Catherine Book All the latest news about Scienc Fiction TV shows A Conversation with I was at Comic-Con 2005 when I memorabilia. He had magazines, movie by Lee Whiteside Forrest J. Ackerman lucked into an opportunity to interview the props, costumes and masks. He had the by Catherine Book most celebrated fan – Forrest J. Ackerman. Bela Legosi cape and Lon Chaney cape 24 Frames For our younger fen who might not from the Phantom of the Opera. He gave All the latest Movie News An American in England recognize the tours of his by Lee Whiteside Part 8 name – Forry amazing collec- by Jeffrey Lu started out in life tion every Gamers Corner with a great love Saturday. In Memory and fascination Forry was a New and Reviews from Barry Bard for all things delightful the gaming world fantasical and gentleman Plus our Regular Features: horrific, reading although he’d Videophile Amazing Stories probably laugh at Reviews of genre releases CASFS Business Report in 1926, back me if he’d heard on DVD and VHS when the genre that. I am FYI was known as intensely grateful News and tidbits of Scientifiction. He for the opportu- ConClusion interest to fans was a literary nity to have spent Convention News & Reviews agent and a little private Club Listings personal friend time with him. In Our Book Reviews of New SF/F Books for Ray Bradbury; He considers Convention List & and, he coined the himself a reposi- Generic Registration Form often-still tory of science Musty Tomes controversial term fiction history and Reviews of Classic Genre books Sci-Fi way back loves to relate in 1954. He’s stories. For me, been known as he will forever- Mr. Science more be the name Fiction and it was he who created the sexy on the cover of all those Perry Rhodan Vampirella. Until recently, Forry lived in books I read so long ago. (I thought, for an 18-room mansion filled with the most a short time, that Forrest J. Ackerman incredible collection of horror and sci-fi ( Continued on page 6 )
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Volume 15 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 1 Pick up your copy of ConNotations at the following locations In This Issue Who’s Who This Issue BOOK STORES 3029 W. Peoria, Suite CC, Phoenix, AZ Managing Editor: Stephanie Bannon Book Adventure 85021 (602)395-1066 News & Reviews Editor’s Assistant: Gary Swaty 660 N. Gilbert Rd, Suite B, Gilbert AZ 3155 W. Chandler Blvd #5, Chandler CASFS Business Report 2 Graphics Editor: Craig L. Dyer SF Tube Talk 3 Film & Video Editor: Craig L Dyer 85234 (480) 892-2120 AZ 85226 (480)940-6061 Proof Readers: Catherine Book & Bob Book Connection Drawn to Heroes Comics 24 Frames 3 LaPierre & Gary Swaty 6434 S. McClintock, Tempe AZ 5619 W. Glendale, AZ 85301 ConClusion 8 Reporters: Craig L Dyer, Jeffrey Lu (480) 820-2953 (623) 847-9090 FYI 9 Staff Writers: Pam Allen, Catherine NEW: Book Den Samurai Comics Gamers Corner 9 Book, Craig L. Dyer, Michael Griffin, th Brandon Huigens, Bob LaPierre, Jeffrey 15410 N. 67 Ave, Glendale, AZ 85306 5024 N. 7th St, Phoenix AZ Videophile 12 Lu, Sean Martin, Shane Shellenbarger, (623) 486-2529 (602) 265-8886 In Our Book (Book Reviews) 14 Gary Swaty, Tom Tuerff, Lee Whiteside, Book Exchange Stalking Moon Comics & Collectibles Musty Tomes 20 Randall Whitlock 4320 N. Miller Road #F, Scottsdale, AZ 5775 W. Bell Rd #B-6, Glendale, Layout & Design: Stephanie L. Bannon 85251 (480)990-8380 Arizona (602) 896-9992 Advertising: Catherine Book Special Features Keeper of the Mailing List: Craig L. Dyer Book Gallery A Conversation wit hForrest J. Ackerman Contributors: 3643 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix AZ GAME STORES by Catherine Book 1 Labeling Crew for Volume 15 Issue 5: 85018 (602)468-0400 Game Daze Stephanie L Bannon, Richard Bolinski, Book Rack 2140 E. 5th St #11, Tempe AZ 85281 In Memory 7 Cathy & Ron Book, Craig L Dyer,Dawn 3539 W. 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Phoenix, AZ 85082 (602) 923-0733 ISSUE NUMBER: Volume 15 Issue 6 No Longer the New Guy SUBSCRIPTION: $20 for 6 ISSUES
Page 2 ConNotations Volume 15 Issue 6 Men, Superman Returns), and Rocke S. Another Philip K. Dick story is SF Tube Talk O’Bannon (Farscape). O’Bannon wrote 24 Frames getting the big screen treatment. His story, TV News & Previews the script based on a story by Devlin and “The Golden Man”, is being adapted as Singer. It will air over three nights, Movie News the movie Next. Nicolas Cage stars as a By Lee Whiteside Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, By Lee Whiteside man who can see the future and change it. December 5,6 & 7, with an encore of all Julianne Moore is a federal agent who is It’s the end of the year, which means most three parts on Sunday, December 11th. As Joss Whedon’s Serenity opened with trying to find him in order to prevent a of the network shows are in repeats but you might guess, it deals with the strange a not very impressive $10 million opening terrorist attack. Look for it sometime in we’ve got new episodes of most every- events connected with the Bermuda weekend and was pretty much gone from 2007. Another adaptation is Children of thing on the horizon for January. Decem- Triangle. Sam Neill is billionaire Eric the theatres within a month. That doesn’t Men, based on a P.D. James novel. It will ber isn’t completely barren, since we’ve Benirall, who has been losing his cargo bode well for a followup movie, but once star Chiwetel Ejiofor (the Operative in got SciFi’s annual early December big ships and their crews in The Triangle and the DVD sales are tallied, there is a Serenity) as the leader of a political event, the six hour miniseries The he wants to find out why. He puts together chance that there will be more for fans of faction that wants to control the future of Triangle, Christmas episodes of a team of experts to investigate including the series. Whedon is now at work on the the human race. Michael Caine, Clive Smallville and The Dead Zone, and over Eric Stoltz as tabloid journalist/skeptic script for Wonder Woman and has also Owen, and Julianne Moore also star with in the U.K. and on Canadian screens, Howard Thomas, Catherine Bell is ocean sold a script to Universal for Goners, a Alfonso Cuaron directing. Neil there’s the highly anticipated Doctor Who resource engineer Emily Patterson, supernatural thriller that Whedon Gaiman’s Stardust looks to be heading special episode, The Christmas Invasion. Michael Rodgers is scientist/adventurer described as “the story of a young towards the big screen as well. Matthew This fall season on the broadcast networks Gruce Gellar, and Bruce Davison is woman’s journey that involves a great Vaughn is in final negotiations to direct saw the biggest number of new science psychic Stan Latham. Lou Diamond deal of horror and some heroics.” and produce the movie, using a script that fiction/fantasy shows to debut in the same Philips plays Meeno Paloma, a boat pilot Whedon will also direct the movie. he and writing partner Jane Goldman year in quite a while. And at press time, who experienced The Triangle when on a Director Uwe Boll is continuing to produced. In other Neil Gaiman movie all six of the new shows are still on the air Greenpeace expedition and has not been mine computer game adaptions with news, Dakota Fanning has been signed with four of them having gotten full the same since. Benirall promises them Bloodrayne scheduled for a January to provide the voice for Coraline in the season orders before the start of Novem- unlimited funding for their research and a release. He’s been busy working on In the stop motion verison of the award winning ber sweeps. First to debut was Supernatu- nice paycheck when they solve the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege children’s book by Gaiman. Henry ral on The WB, which had a strong debut mysteries. Things pick up when a jetliner Tale. Boll was considering releasing the Selick is writing and directing. Jon and has held up well so far and was the disappears over The Triangle, and each movie in two parts, like Quentin Favreau is the latest director to get first to get picked up for a full season of member of the team is affected by bizarre Tarantino did with Kill Bill, but he’s involved with the long in gestation 22 episodes. The three alien (or whatever and unexplainable occurrences and the decided to put out a 2 hour, 40 minute adaptation of Edgar Rice Burrough’s they are) invasion shows had also done government starts to take an interest in version when it is released later in 2006, John Carter of Mars. Writer Ehren well overall. Surface has helped NBC to their project, making things take a with the DVD release likely being even Kruger is taking a stab at a screenplay get some momentum going on Monday dangerous turn. Look for lots of promo- longer. It stars Jason Statham, Ron adaptation for Favreau to work with. nights and got a full season order. tion for it by SciFi (and via the other Perlman, John Rhys Davies, Ray The next 007 movie, Casino Royale, Invasion has drawn a good sized audience NBC/Universal outlets) which will likely Liotta, Leelee Sobieski, Burt Reynolds is moving ahead, having named English on Wednesday nights with some help make this as big a ratings winner as the and Kristanna Loken (who also stars in actor Daniel Craig (Layer Cake) as the from its lead-in Lost. However, not all of Taken miniseries event was a couple of Bloodrayne). Statham sets out to rescue new James Bond. This will be the 21st the Lost viewers are sticking around to years ago. his kidnaped wife and avenge the death of official Bond film and Craig will be the watch Invasion, but it has been doing That’s not all that SciFi has in store for us his son, taking on the animal warrior sixth actor in the role. Filming starts in well enough to be competitive in the time in December. Saturday, Dec 10th will see Krugs that are controlled by the evil January. slot and ABC has given it a full season the debut of Painkiller Jane, a pilot for a Gallian (Liotta). ( Continued on page 5 ) order. Threshold has done decent ratings possible series if it gets for CBS on Friday night, and as of press a good response. It is time CBS has ordered three more scripts, based on a comic series 1239 E McKellips Rd 480-844-0470 which is a good sign of further episodes created by Jimmy Game Den being ordered. CBS has also started Palmiotti and Joe making current episodes of Threshold Quesada and pub- available online in an attempt to boost lished by Event Comics Games & Gifts awareness of the series. The biggest in the mid 90’s. The 2 Minutes from the loop 202 & 101 in Mesa surprise has been The Ghost Whisperer, original comic didn’t which has done very well opening up fare very well and Friday nights for CBS and it has gotten a attempts to raise the full season pick up as well. Last, and character’s profile with least, is Night Stalker on ABC. It was the crossovers with The last of the new genre shows to debut and Punisher, Hellboy, ratings have been fair. Both Night Stalker Darkness, and and Alias have not been giving ABC Vampirella didn’t seem much in the way of viewers on Thursday to do much for the night and rumors are that both shows may character, either. But be headed to hiatus soon. ABC has been MGM Television Role Playing Games - More than could possibly be listed here we have doing well on other nights, especially with picked up the rights more than 1200 different RPG items / in print and out of print, Board some of their other new shows such as and it has made it to the games - from the popular to the obscure, card games like Commander in Chief, so Night Stalker pilot stage. Starring in may be given a chance to hang around a the title role is Yu-Gi-Oh and magic the gathering in packs and singles, Minatures from bit longer, but don’t be surprised if it is Emmanuelle Vaugier Battletech to Reaper and heroclix, Pirates of the spainish main, decorative gone by the time you read this. as Jane Browning, who SciFi’s big event this year is the six hour is a young Marine swords, T-Shirts, Dragon - fairy - Unicorn statuettes, miniseries The Triangle. It boasts a few officer that gains rapid pewter and enamel jewelry, novels & books, miniature paints and names familiar to science fiction fans, self-healing powers with Executive producers Dean Devlin modeling supplies & so much more (Independence Day), Bryan Singer (X- ( Continued on page 4 ) Volume 15 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 3 SF Tube Talk ( Cont’d from page 3 ) track record with various incarnations of show. As for Battlestar Galactica, rumors Over on the USA Network, there’s a A Star Trek, The 4400 and Andromeda (the are that an official pickup for a third Very Dead Zone Christmas on Sunday, after being exposed to a biochemical early years) between them. I’d peg this as season will be announced soon. Of December 4th, in which female psychic weapon. She becomes an ultra-covert a good bet to make it to series as long as course, all three series return in January Alex Sinclair (Jennifer Finnigan) pays agent fighting crime while struggling to SciFi doesn’t meddle with it too much. for the second half of their current Johnny a surprise Christmas visit and the remain free from those who would now Harry Dresden would be played by Paul seasons. If you need to catch up on two work together to solve the mystery of use her gifts for sinister purposes. Also Blackthorne, best know as Stephen Battlestar Galactica, there will be a DVD one very lost and confused Santa. This starring are Tate Donovan, Richard Saunders on the third season of 24. release in December of the first ten leads them to a group of street kids who Roundtree, and Eric Dane. SciFi will Directing the pilot will be David Carson, episodes of the season. New episodes of are also lost with it all ending up at likely have another movie or two on who has directed successful pilots such as Ghost Hunters will reportedly also start Johnny’s house for the strangest Christ- Saturdays in January, but as of press time Deep Space Nine and The Dead Zone as airing in January as well, which night is mas he’s ever had. have not announced which ones will air. well as the Star Trek Generations movie. still unknown. SciFi Pictures reportedly in the can SciFi has also picked up the German Stargate SG-1 will conclude the Fourth The WB will have a Christmas episode of include Black Hole Terror, Caved In, production Ring of the Nibelungs, which Horseman two parter, with SG-1 working Smallville as well on December 8th, called Fire Alien and Magma. will air next spring titled Dark Kingdom: to find a cure for the plague that the Ori Lexmas. In it, Clark and Chloe have SciFi has also announced that they have The Dragon King. It is an English have unleashed on Earth. After solving encounters with “Santa”, who may or may picked up Eureka for a thirteen episode language production filmed in Germany that predicament, in Collateral Damage, not be the real thing, and Lex is undergo- series to debut next summer, adding with a script written by Diane Duane and SG-1 establishes diplomatic relations with ing emergency surgery and is near death eleven episodes to the original pilot order. Peter Moorwood. Its loosely based on a moderately advanced civilization that in the hospital. Coming up in January will The quirky series about a secret think tank the Germanic myth about the magic ring has enjoyed generations of peace under be Fanatic, where Lex Luthor and in the Pacific Northwest stars Colin of the Nibelungs and the Nordic Volsunga Asgard protection. One of their technolo- Jonathan Kent are running against each Ferguson as U.S. Marshal Jack Carter Saga. It stars Benno Furmann, Alicia gies is a Goa’uld memory device that is other in an election for Senator, and Lex who becomes stranded in Eureka and Witt, Max Von Snydow, Raf Moler, used to frame Colonel Mitchell for discovers one of his student supporters is discovers there are strange things going Julian Sands, and Otto West. It was murder, including giving him the memo- a bit fanatical about him. In Closer, the on. Also starring are Greg Germann, Joe directed by Uli Edel, who directed The ries of the murder. After that is The Ripple election campaign is heating up when Lex Morton, Maury Chykin, Erica Cerra Mists of Avalaon, King of Texas and Effect, for which not much is known other gets a bomb threat at his mansion. In and Matt Frewer. SciFi has also ordered Purgatory, all mini-series on TNT among than it may feature the return of a beloved actuality, it’s a pair of bad cops looking to a two hour pilot of The Dresden Files many other TV series including Twin character and a new Asgard character get ahold of the Kryptonian space ship from Nicolas Cage’s production company, Peaks and Oz. named Kvasir. It may also be a very Lex has hidden in a warehouse. Look for Saturn Films, and Lions Gate Television. SciFi has also announced an official confusing episode. Ending things in some big episodes in February where a It is based on the novel series by Jim renewal for both Stargate SG-1 (a record January will likely be Ethon, which sees major death or two has been promised by Butcher about Harry Dresden, a wizard/ tenth season) and Stargate Atlantis. Daniel Jackson get into trouble, and when the Smallville producers in the 100th detective in a modern day Chicago where Negotiations are in progress with the the team tries to help out, they get into episode and subsequent episodes will deal the supernatural is commonplace. The actors, however, so its not yet clear if all their own bit of trouble. with that aftermath. pilot was written by Hans Beimler and of the regular cast will return for either Stargate Atlantis will continue with The Doctor Who gets into the Christmas Spirit Robert Hewitt Wolfe, who have a good Hive, concluding the mid-season cliff- with The Christmas Invasion, which will hanger. Colonel Sheppard finds himself a be the first full episode to feature David prisoner of the Wraith following Ford’s Tennant as The Doctor. It is expected to attempted suicide attack on a hive ship. In air on the BBC on Christmas Day and in Epiphany, Sheppard finds himself on a Canada either the same day or on Boxing planet where time passes more rapidly, Day. In the special, The Doctor and Rose with no way to contact his team or return are on the Earth in the near future where to Atlantis. Epiphany was also written by they have to deal with the evil Sycorax, Joe Flanigan, the actor who plays who are using robot Santas as part of their Colonel Sheppard. In Critical Mass, a evil scheme. Guest starring are Andy beacon is set off that alerts The Wraith to Garcia and Penelope Wilton (Prime the Stargate team still on Atlantis, and Minister Harriet Jones). This will not be they must race against time to prepare for the first story for Tennant as The Doctor, a Wraith attack and find out who set off though. There is reportedly a short the beacon. In Grace Under Pressure, adventure in the works to be broadcast on Rodney McKay is trapped in a sinking the BBC in late November as part of a puddle jumper and a hallucination of Children in Need telethon. Amanda Carter is his ticket to surviving. Doctor Who recently took the major Battlestar Galactica continues the awards at the National Television Awards storyline of the Pegasus when it returns in show in the U.K., getting awards for Most January. Episodes include one where Popular Drama, Most Popular Actor in a Adama learns of a pacifist movement Drama (for Christopher Eccleston) and within the fleet that is advocating peace Most Popular Actress in a Drama (Billie with the Cylons. In Black Market, Lee Piper). Needless to say, the BBC was Adama becomes entangled with a mafia- pleased to have their show take those like group of criminals when he investi- awards instead of a competitor. gates the murder of a Colonial officer -- The big news about Doctor Who is that and is reunited with a former lover. they are planning a new spinoff series to Sacrifice sees a woman who lost her debut in 2006 called Torchwood. It will husband to the Cylons take the Cloud be designed to air later in the evening and Nine lounge hostage, demanding that thus able to have more adult content. It Adama hand over the Cylon Sharon so will feature John Barrowman as Captain that she can exact revenge. And in The Jack Harkness. According to creator Captain’s Hand, Lee Adama works Russell T. Davies, “Torchwood will be a alongside the increasingly unstable new dark, clever, wild, sexy, British crime/sci- commander of the Pegasus when a Raptor fi paranoid thriller cop show with a sense scouting party goes missing. ( Continued on page 5 ) Page 4 ConNotations Volume 15 Issue 6 SF Tube Talk (Continued from page 4) which is described in press materials as a pilot episode, The Gathering, which was 24 Frames ( Continued from page 3 ) “genre-bending lesbian love story about changed substantially when it got the go Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko) is of humour - the X Files meets This Life.” two women and the bug that got between ahead for production. directing Southland Tales, a science He will lead a team of renegade investiga- them.” I’m not sure that I can add A few quick production notes: Spike TV fiction apocalypse movie set in the near tors searching for alien technology that anything to that description. has announced that rapper/actor Kirk future in Los Angeles on the eve of the Indications are that the producers of Jones, aka Sticky Fingaz, will star in the end of the world. Dwayne “The Rock” Masters of Horror are already looking at upcoming Blade TV series. Jones was a Johnson stars as Boxer Santaros, an doing a second series of 13 episodes as regular on the just canceled FX series, action movie star with amnesia who joins well as a Masters of SciFi series, adapting Over There. David Goyer is producing up with Seann William Scott (a police- stories by authors such as Harlan Ellison, Blade and co-writing the pilot episode man and a mysterious twin brother) and Ray Bradbury, Robert A. Heinlein, with comic & TV writer Geoff Johns. Sarah Michelle Gellar (porn star Krysta Isaac Asimov, H.G. Wells, and Stanislaw Also staring are Jill Wagner, Neil Now) in a momentous day in 2008. Kelly Lem. Ellison and Bradbury will be Jackson, Jessica Gower and Nelson Lee. is developing web sites and graphic adapting their own stories, writer Michael The series is expecting to debut next June novels to tell some of the back story and Tolkin will be adapting and directing on Spike TV. The FOX network and expand it beyond the movie (and to help Heinlein’s “Jerry Was a Man.” An Warner Bros. Television are developing a build anticipation for the movie). It is also announcement for a series go-ahead is series based on the Terminator movies. It hard to describe with Kelly indicating it is expected soon and don’t be surprised if it would tell the tales of Sarah Connor and a comedy, but also that “”we wanted to try has J. Michael Straczynski on board as a her son, John, following the events of to make a film that’s sort of conveying the producer/showrunner for the series. He’s Terminator 2. Lifetime has given the go- feeling of frustration and unease, I guess, recently indicated he has accepted a ahead for a pilot for Scarlett, about a New that a lot of my friends are feeling about a showrunning gig for a “companion series” Orleans horror writer that discovers what lot of things that are happening right now if it gets the go-ahead and indications are she is writing about it real. It was sched- in the world and to sort of tell it in the that it is indeed Masters of SciFi. uled to start filming the Monday that most entertaining, fun way possible.” It Whether it will air on Showtime or SciFi Hurricane Katrina hit, so it got delayed. © BBC looks to be a pretty ambitious project and will likely depend on how well the ratings Filming of the pilot did happen at the end worth keeping an eye on. Kelly has also has come to Earth. The seeds for the 13 hold up for Masters of Horror. In any of October in Natchitoches in north obtained the rights to the unpublished episode series will be set in early episodes case, as done with the Masters of Horror central Louisiana. The delay did not lose Richard Matheson story, The Box, which of the second series of Doctor Who, but series, Masters of SciFi will be a co- any cast members. Rebecca Gayheart was adapted into the Twilight Zone will not directly cross-over. It is planned production with Anchor Bay, who will (Dead Like Me) stars as Paula Sackett, episode Button, Button in the 1980’s to air on BBC3 between seasons of release it on DVD. pen name “Scarlett’, a successful young version. In it, a couple is offered $200,000 Doctor Who, likely starting in mid- With the Babylon 5 feature movie failing horror novelist who buys an old French if they push a button on a box that will summer and running into the fall. Where to happen, there doesn’t appear to be any Quarter mansion in New Orleans. Also cause someone they don’t know to die. it falls in Captain Jack’s time line is new Babylon 5 productions in the works. starring are Kristen Dalton (The Dead unknown. However, there is something new for Zone), Lyndsy Fonseca, and Michael Movie Previews for Showtime has started airing the anthology Babylon 5 fans to look forward to. J. Duvert. According to producer/writer December & January series Masters of Horror, airing a new Michael Straczynski has over the years Robert Hewitt Wolfe, Lifetime is really episode each weekend with a showing on made a handful of his Babylon 5 scripts behind this series, and worked to help The holiday movie season is in full Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night. available. Some fans have gone about with the production delays caused by the swing with Zathura and Harry Potter Kicking off December is Homecoming, collecting them from charity auctions and hurricane to make sure it still happens. and the Goblet of Fire already in the which is directed by Joe Dante and stars other means. Straczynski has decided to theatres. Robert Picardo and Jon Tenney. It is make his entire run of Babylon 5 scripts (Continued on page 6 ) based on short story “Death & Suffrage” available through a by Dale Bailey in which the Presidential special publishing Election is swayed by Zombies. Next up effort via the website is The Deer Woman, directed by John www.babylon5scripts.com Landis and starring Brian BenBen as a and CafePress.com . detective investigating a bizarre series of He’s planning on murders that leads him to believe a putting out a total of 15 mythological Native American creature is volumes, collecting all behind it all. In Cigarette Burns, John 91 scripts he wrote for Carpenter tells the tale of a film collector the series. In addition attempting to recombine a cursed film that to the scripts, he’s also caused it’s only audience to go into a writing an introduction murderous frenzy. After taking a break and comments for each over Christmas and New Years weekend, episode, including it should return with the remainder of the memos and other 13 episodes in January. Those include documents relating to William Malone’s Fair Haired Child, the production of the about a 13 year old outcast kidnaped by series as well as rare strange couple, Larry Cohen’s Pick Me photos from his Up in which two Urban Legends collide, a personal archives. This serial killer who kills hitchhiker’s, and a will be a pretty hitchhiker who kills people who pick him extensive look at the up. John McNaughton directs Haeckel’s entire series and hasn’t Tale, based on a Clive Barker short story been done to this that is a “sexually charged campfire story extent previously. The with a terrifying twist.” Takishi Miike first volume is around directs Imprint, based on a Japanese 450 pages and will horror novel with an American journalist include the original in 19th century Japan on a dark island. unfilmed script for the Finally, Lucky McKee directs Sick Girl, Volume 15 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 5 24 Frames ( Continued from page 5 ) Jan 20 -Underworld: Evolution - If you importance of Esperanto. For those who covers. Then, the first time the term was haven’t gotten enough vampires for one don’t know: Esperanto is an artificially used in a film was for “The Day the Earth Dec 2 Aeon Flux - Charlize Theron month, there’s the sequel to Underworld created language. A language that is Caught Fire.” Forry wrote a column for a brings to life the acrobatic assassin, Aeon with Kate Beckinsdale and Scott simplistic and easy to learn, a language magazine called “Imagi-Nation” and used Flux. It was originally a series of short Speedman returning as the vampire and that has no national identity and that could the term generously in his articles. It’s films on MTV back in the 80’s that left werewolf lovers to take part in the big enable anyone from any nationality to too late, he says, to try to eradicate the most viewers trying to figure out what battle between the vampires and lycans. speak to one another. A vehicle for world term. It’s a household word now. It was was going on. Frances McDormand also We also learn about what started the age- peace—or so its creator, Dr. Ludwig even used to describe the great Heinlein stars as Aeon’s handler, and likely old feud giving Bill Nighy a chance to Zamenhof of Warsaw, Poland who and Asimov when they passed away. delivering some exposition to explain reprise his role as Viktor from the invented the language in 1897, hoped. I’ve always wished I could’ve been things. After a virus has decimated original. If you liked the first one, you Forry’s website mentions quite a few SF around when fandom started. Forry was humanity and the remaining humans are should be able to sink your teeth into the authors who have had an interest in the there. He related that when Charlie all living in one city, Aeon is brought in to sequel with no problems. language. He spoke a few words to me Horning was managing Wonder Stories, help settle the political conflicts by and explained that he was afraid it was he asked Gernsback to sponsor something assassinating the current government too late for the language. I didn’t ask him called “The Science Fiction League” and leader. Look for lots of action and skin Conversation ( Continued from page 1 ) for an explanation, I felt he meant it was Forry was Honorary Member #1. Back tight outfits. was the writer…{grin}) too late for the world to embrace the then, fans wrote to the magazine to Forry started the conversation with an language. He did mention that he had the comment on the previous issue. These Dec 9 - The Chronicles of Narnia: The invitation to visit him any Saturday from opportunity to instruct some half dozen letters were published with their ad- Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe - 11am to noon in Hollywood at 4511 interested souls in speaking it. dresses. Pretty soon after that, fans Disney takes a stab at live action (with Russell Ave. Even if the collection isn’t I turned the conversation to the first started corresponding with each other. lots of CGI) fantasy with a big budget what it used to be, there’s still Forry. He’s WorldCon – July 4th, 1939. Forry’s The first fan who ever wrote to Forry was adaptation of C. S. Lewis’ second Narnia been visited by people from around the younger friend, Ray Bradbury, was dying Linus Hogenmiller from Farmington, book, The Lion, The Witch, and the world – including two sisters from to attend this first World Science Fiction Missouri. Forry remembers that he was Wardrobe. It tells the story of four kids Transylvania, fans from Japan and China, Convention. Forry loaned him the money so excited about it, that he immediately during World War II who are sent to the and one from Tibet. By his exact count, to ride the Greyhound Bus for 3-1/2 days wrote three letters in response. Later in country to get away from the bombings of Forry has seen the film “Metropolis” one and nights to get to the convention. There the conversation, Forry mentioned that London. They discover a magical ward- hundred and two times. At one time he were 135 attendees but only 28 of them Clifford Simak had told him that the first robe that takes them to Narnia where they employed two young technicians to spend could afford to attend the banquet – at fan letter he’d ever gotten was get in the middle of a conflict between the 18 months and 600 hours and reconstruct $1.00 a plate! And one was expected to from…Forry. evil White Witch and the Lion Aslan. the Metropolis robot for him. Forry said tip 10 cents. Forry reminisced a moment Forry left me with the story that he’s Visual effects are handled by Weta, who he’s tempted to take it with him to his about the 2cent stamp that was on the mail currently taking a daily tablet and that the did The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and it crypt but instead that he would probably that arrived at his home every morning at manufacturers guarantee that he will live was filmed in New Zealand, so it should donate it to the Seattle Science Fiction 11am …and again at 2pm… every day! to be 125. They can’t yet point to look very good. Museum. They already have over 100 Sunday delivery cost an extra 10cents. someone who’s succeeded in doing so but pieces from Forry’s personal collection; Forry was, of course, the originator of Forry’s decided to check ‘em out. He Dec 14 - King Kong - Following the one of the pieces he gave them was the the term SciFi. And while I’m sure most stated that if it didn’t work out, he’s going enormous success of The Lord of the original manuscript of a story that actually people who know Forry also know the to demand his money back. Rings, Peter Jackson wanted to make his went into space “Skylark of Space.” At story – I’m going to repeat it here for any dream project, a big budget remake of one time, long, long ago – there were little new fen who might not know it. He King Kong. He’s turned the original stickers made that said “Science Fiction relates that he was driving his car in 1954 1930’s movie that ran 100 minutes into a SORCERESS League” that were used to publicize and listening to the radio. A mention was SORCERESS 3 hour blockbuster extravaganza. Jack science fiction books. Forry had the last made about HiFi (an antique sound SEEKS Black is Carl Denham, Naomi Watts is ones on earth and donated them also to system) and since the term science fiction Ann Darrow, and Andy Serkis provides APPRENTICES the Museum. In Germany, in a science had been on the tip of Forry’s tongue the motion capture reference for the big fiction film museum are twenty-five more since 1929…well, Forry looked up in the ape as he did for Gollum in the LOTR Those of you who have caught of Forry’s collection. At one time, Forry’s rearview mirror and stuck out his tongue. movies. Unlike the 1970’s remake, my act at Pagan Pride Day, or the collection numbered 50,000 books, and And there, on the tip of his tongue, were Jackson has set the movie in the 1930’s, Witches’ Ball, or various local 200 sets of science fiction magazines. I tattooed the words “scifi.” His wife hoping to recreate the atmosphere of the ceremonies, take note: I will teach could tell it broke his heart to have his looked over at him and told him “Forget original movie. It looks to be the big hit of all my knowledge of Bardic Magick collection broken up. it, Forry. It’ll never catch on.” And, of the holiday season. - music, poetry, psionics, and the He told me a story about a small course, today we have the SciFi Chan- relationships between them - to any amateur magazine published by a young nel… Harlan Ellison apparently hated the Jan 6 -Bloodrayne - Based on a computer qualified person willing to rent a science fiction fan. Hugo Gernsback, term immediately. He ranted about it and game, it is set in the 18th century in room in my house in west Phoenix. editor and publisher of the world’s first at one time, told a captive audience that Romania and tells the tale of Rayne, The house is in a quiet residential science fiction magazine “Amazing they should never use such a heinous th whose father was a vampire and her neighborhood near 59 Avenue and Stories,” noticed the little publication and term… one that sounded like two crickets mother was human. Needless to say, she Thomas Road, within walking was impressed by it. He invited the screwing. Forry laughed and told me that has superhuman powers and when she distance of a shopping center and young editor to his office and was Harlan must’ve had his head in the dirt to sets out to find her father, Kagan, she within easy bus-ride of two astounded to find the man was only a be able to hear two crickets screwing. discovers that he is looking for three community colleges. $360 per young boy of about 16; but he really knew Later that year, Forry was at a WorldCon Talismans that will give him enough month plus a share of the his stuff. Gernsback offered him a job as in Australia. This comment was repeated power to throw the Earth into darkness housework covers rent and utilities, assistant editor. Charlie Horning and (probably in their program book) and was and he will rule the world. Kristanna including phone, cable TV and Forry had been corresponding (back when defined as the sound of two crickets Loken (Terminator 3) stars as Rayne, cable Internet connection. Yes, I’m that meant hand-written letters) and mating. A young Australian fan came up with Ben Kingsley, Meat Loaf, Billy willing to teach complete beginners. Charlie told Forry – “Imagine, Forry! I’m to Forry with a button that he had made Zane, Udo Kier, Michael Madsen and Applicants must tolerate cats, the managing editor of Wonder Stories!” and proudly presented it. It said “I love Michael Pare also starring. It is directed smokers, and musicians who keep ‘Course, Charlie had to first go home and copulating crickets.” by Uwe Boll and according to him, the odd hours. It interested, phone me ask his parents if they would let him. I asked Forry what was the first movie is a prequel to the game, giving at 623-247-7809 evenings. Forry has always been very interested instance of its usage. He related that the Rayne’s origin. in the universal language of Esperanto. term turned up three times on the cover of Leslie the Bard He’s fond of telling anyone about the Playboy describing a story within the Page 6 ConNotations Volume 15 Issue 6 pleased to see him and to have a moment Also, he was cool with sometimes dark “A Bard from Home” In Memory to talk with him. But even when we had a humor. by Jeffrey Lu little time to just sit and chat, his mind Another, Barry loved books and (In memory of Barry Bard...salute!) was busy with a thousand other tasks. sometimes we’ll talk shop on when so- Barry Lee Bard Barry had cornered the market on and-so bookstore is having a sale. I Bearded one with salt and pepper February 6, 1954 - October 7, 2005 energy. The man was a dynamo, a brash, usually end up purchasing his “how-did- Lifts the lights after the showings of humorous, caring, responsible, intelligent you-get-that?” books at the local movies. Barry Lee Bard, 51 years old, of bundle of everything good in fandom. conventions. Barry always amazed me in A crowd appears and listens for notes Phoenix, died October 7, 2005 after a I will never - for the rest of my days - his knowledge of history, computers, and Of his voice crying out a number short illness. Barry was born February 6, attend a convention without thinking life. I’ll miss him as a friend and fellow That he took out from a baseball cap. 1954, in Phoenix. He was owner of the fondly of Barry. book buyer. One by one, each person walks company Fantasy Past, Present, and And conventions in general - let alone Jeffrey Lu Toward the front table Future. our local conventions - will be less rich, And chooses a free gift- He is survived by his two sisters, less memorable without him. A video, DVD, hat, t-shirt, poster or Edythe Higgins(Bill) and Francine, his whatever. brother Norman(Helene), nephew Seth I know that there are those who will The contented crowd is now gone. and niece Sarah. He will be sorely missed step in to fill the gap - to try to honor his One man packs up his goods- previews by Arizona Fandom. memory by helping to fill the empty place and other leftovers Memorial contributions can be made and do what they can. The task is a big And walks away lighter than before. in Barry’s memory to Hospice of the one. He looks back for a brief moment— Valley, 1510 E. Flower When I look around my house, I see And smiles. St., Phx., Az 85014. little reminders of Barry everywhere - a Then, Barry Bard departed into the pin, a button, a ballcap, a tee shirt, a sunrise. Barry Bard gigaw promoting something or other. I collect original art and books, so the I hardly know what to say about one thing I didn’t ever have much interest Barry’s passing. in was movie posters - not that they aren’t We’ve all known he was ill with cool, but because there is no wall space in pancreatic cancer since LepreCon. my house. But I don’t think I will ever see He shared a room with Greg Brown a movie poster without thinking of Barry. and I at TusCon last year - when he knew I shudder to think of how many tons of things were not right but had not yet been oversized paper the man hauled across the © Sherlock diagnosed. country. Barry was one of the first people I met Locals who did not know him well in fandom here in Arizona, and there were probably have no idea how his passing times when he and I were pretty close impacts conventions from coast to coast. because we were both book dealers. He He was, it seemed, everywhere - from did a lot to show me the ropes, to DragonCon to World Fantasy to World introduce me around, to help me get Horror to ComicCon. He was not just our involved with fandom. procurer - he was The Procurer. We had really met for the first time at I called him right after LepreCon CopperCon 6 in 1986. when I first heard how serious his illness I remember going to Universe 87 at was. the LA Airport Hilton and having a I sat with him briefly at Breakfast at dealers table right in front of Barry’s - CopperCon just last month. back in the days when his mother attended No matter his diagnosis, he remained the conventions with him. Barry, coping with adversity, undaunted As most of you may know, I am by seemingly hopeless odds. His only neither shy nor reticent. But the first panel concession was admitting that CopperCon I ever did at a convention was a panel on would probably be his last con actively in collecting books, and my fellow panelists the dealers room. were Barry Bard and Bruce Farr. I I miss him. remember it very well because it was a I know his pain is ended. panel on which I could not get a word in All I can do is offer my prayer that he edgewise. has graduated from this life into another Through all the years I owned Adam’s challenging realm where his boundlessly Bookstore, first on Cave Creek Road, and energetic spirit will have worthwhile and then down at Tower Plaza Mall, Barry meaningful new tasks to perform and was one of my key book suppliers. where even angels will be impressed. But, in fairness, Barry was not an There could be only one. especially close friend - any more or less Adam Niswander than he was the friend of thousands of Phoenix, Arizona other people in fandom. October 7th 2005 We didn’t call each other when we had flat tires. We didn’t go out to bars Barry Bard together. We didn’t double date. Barry couldn’t have spent that kind of The last gift that Barry gave me was a time with me. pass for two for “The Corpse Bride.” He Barry had a lot of friends, and he spent was a giving-type guy. Famous for his a bit of time with all of us. “Barry Bard at the Movies,” I was always But I always enjoyed Barry. I there in LepreCon and CopperCon identified with Barry. I was always picking up free a t-shirt or hat and stuff. Volume 15 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 7 humanity jockeying for position. Plan ConClusion accordingly. If your placement along the shuttle Inflation Strikes CN Comic-Con International: route puts you in the unenviable position ConNotations is reluctantly making some policy changes due to the The Greatest Show On Earth of watching as full bus after full bus By Shane Shellenbarger drives by, you might want to consider a unfortunate reality of inflation. While our costs have increased dramati- city bus or trolley pass for the week. cally over the last 8 years our funding has not kept pace so effective with I’ve annually commented on Comic- Trying to get to the Convention Center Volume 16 Issue 1 ConNotations policy will be: Con International (or The San Diego by car can be problematic. Traffic around Comic-Con, as I’ve called it since my first the area gets worse as the day wears on ConNotations will be sent, free of charge, to anyone who attended a trip in 1973), detailing the number of (automotive, pedal-cab, and pedestrian) CASFS sponsored event in the past calendar year and to all CASFS attendees (over 104,000 in 2005), the and once you get there you might not find members. square footage of the Exhibit Hall (re: A a parking spot, especially during Padres Dealers Room of over 460,000 sq. ft), and game days at Petco Park. Using the Park- Subscriptions are available. Beginning January 1, 2006 the cost for a six tracks of programming (17 when all N-Ride spots near the trolley lines may be issue subscription will be: USA: $20/bulk but if you subscribe before the rooms were in use). If you haven’t been to your best bet. the convention since it moved to the new Food: While there are concession end of the year the $15/year rate still is available. Convention Center on Harbor Drive you areas in the Exhibit Hall, I wouldn’t couldn’t imagine how it’s grown. I’ve consider those a healthy choice. Depend- Corporate subscriptions are available. Contact us for rates. seen the convention move from Harbor ing on your specific dietary needs, I’d Island to the El Cortes Hotel to the old recommend a balanced breakfast, a lite ConNotations is available in a PDF format on our website within 3 days of Convention Center near City Hall and my snack at the convention, and a fine dinner being mailed. If you prefer to download the PDF instead of receiving a mind still boggles at the enormity of how as far away from the Convention Center mailed hard copy please let us know so we can remove you from the hard the convention has grown. Can you say as you can get. If you choose to ignore my copy mailing. GIANORMUS? I knew that you could. advice and load up on junk food while Now that we’ve established that the wearing an “I Live To Eat” t-shirt, don’t Donations to ConNotations made be made by sending check or money Comic-Con isn’t size-shy, let’s look at come whining to me that you missed that some factors to consider before you make must-see programming event because you order to: your journey to the holy land in 2006. were becoming familiar with the Conven- Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: tion Center plumbing. You’ve been CASFS Give me a ticket for an airplane; I ain’t warned! PO Box 62613 got time to take a fast train, so the song What To Wear: Be comfortable. Wear Phoenix AZ 85082 goes. You might want to give serious comfortable shoes and be mindful that it consideration to the pros and cons of these is often warm outside of the Center and Please indicate that your funds are to help ConNotations modes of transportation. San Diego is cold inside the Center. If you want to walk known for its morning fog and in 2005 Or you can use the Paypal “Donate” button located at http://casfs.org/ around in your Vampirella costume, great ConNotations/Donation.html my plane circled the airport for over an (that doesn’t apply to you, Comic Book hour waiting for the ceiling to raise Guy) consider checking a change of enough to prevent us from plowing into clothes at the Bag Check. Stephanie L Bannon the side of a tall building. Trains can be a Recuperation: Do your best to get Editor fun diversion, a tedious monotony, or a enough rest. Sleep deprivation doesn’t http://www.comic-con.org/cci/index.shtml prohibitive waste of money, depending on enhance the convention going experience, where in the country you’re coming from. http://search.ign.com/ign/query.html?col=ign&charset=iso-8859- it dulls it. Consider taking an extra day off 1&ht=0&qp=&qs=&qc=&pw=100%25&ws=0&la=en&qm=0&st=1&nh=10&lk=1&rf=0&rq=0&si=1&qt=comic- I rode the 357 miles from San Diego to between the time you return from the con Phoenix with a friend in about 8 hours, con and going back to school or work. http://www.comicbookresources.com/msearch/ with a couple of breaks thrown in. One Have fun. year I rode the 120 miles from San Diego search.php?action=meta&q=cci+2005&cat= to Los Angeles on the Sunday evening of http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2005_09_25.html the convention and it took us over 5 hours. I’ve never ridden a Greyhound or Trailways bus, but if it is anything like my high school senior class trip to Disneyland, I don’t recommend the bus. Hotels: Room rates have gone up and room rate gouging was the talk of the town in 2004, with room rates increasing 3-5 times their highest rack rate. Be smart, shop around, and don’t wait to the last minute. Comic-Con negotiates rates and hotel information will become available in January. Go to WWW.Comic-Con.Org and look for the hotel link for more info. Transportation In Town: If you are staying at a hotel along the Comic-Cons free shuttle route, remember that you may be competing with everyone in your hotel for a seat. Don’t expect to walk out of your hotel and onto a shuttle. The closer you get to the time the Exhibit Hall opens at 10:00 A.M., the longer you’ll have to wait for a shuttle. When the Hall closes for the evening, there is a flood of Page 8 ConNotations Volume 15 Issue 6 invasion, revenge, honor, insults, rivalry, Gamer’s Corner plots, being in a team to retake two planets, and only one controls an artifact Somebody up there really likes me. made their family relationship a bit This time I get to review part 2 of the difficult. “Paths of the Damned” and a source This book is the first of the Blood book for the Empire. Angels series. Even though I am not familiar with Spires of Altdorf Warhammer 40,000 game, I enjoyed the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay complex twists and turns of this tale $24.99, Black Industries, 95pp between two brothers. Recommended to space war gamers in a bleak science This is the second part of the “Paths of fiction future. - Jeffrey Lu the Damned” series. Set oddly enough in Altdorf, this adventure introduces the Warhammer 20,000- “Fifteen Hours” history of the “largest city of the old by Mitchel Scanlon realm”. The first read through gave me Black Library, Great Britain 2005, pause, I have to agree with the note that $6.99; 254 pp this is not meant for novice gamemasters. There are three story lines and incredible This is Mitchel Scanlon’s first novel. amounts of role-play. His writing is about one of the dark future I found the complexity of the story wars of Warhammer 40,000. lines caused me to have to reread the book To sum up this book is a mixture several times. The adventure requires the between “Catch 22” and “On The Western players to find the second artefact that Front.” contains the essence of the Daemon The title summarizes the life expect- Xathrodox, find out how to destroy it, and ancy average time of a new recruit of the do so. Imperial Guard in battle. This is the life of The complexity makes this difficult to one raw recruit named Arwin Larn. The play but the rewards are great. Five stars alien enemy he fight will be the Orks. out of five - Bob LaPierre (Somewhat similar to the fantasy, Orcs, but with modern tactics and weapons.) Sigmar’s Heirs Overall, a good read for gamers of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay Warhammer 40,000 or future war $29.99, Black Industries, 127pp game(s). - Jeffrey Lu Subtitled a guidebook to the empire, This volume contains new careers, a An American in England history of the empire, laws, religions, Part Eight: The British cults, and descriptions of every important Museum city in the empire. Throughout the volume there are small sections with local sayings by Jeffrey Lu and other flavor pieces. I found the information to be pre- Entering this place, I feel like a sented in a usable format, organized by modern Indiana Jones. In the Ancient region and city. I had a hard time putting section, the great stone heads of Egypt, it down as I enjoy learning about the two giant Assyrian’s sphynx, and the world I play in. I’m looking forward to Rosetta Stone await visitors like me to anything else they put out. This volume behold. The Classical section of Greek should go a long way toward helping vases to Roman’s coins awoke the March 15: Carpe Demon by Julie gamemasters create adventures for players adventurer in me. More artifacts like a FYI Kenner. Adventures of a Demon-Hunting playing everything from first careers to Viking helmet, exhibits of a Bog man, and Soccer Mom – nuff said! CASFS Book Discussions extremely powerful adventurers. This is the mummies on display are the tip of the April 19: Jhereg by Stephen Brust. First extremely well thought out and should be iceberg of archaeology in this place. three books collected in The Book of The CASFS Book Discussion is held among the best gaming books of the year. I’ve been told by a British guide that Jhereg, currently in print. Science fiction/ monthly at the Barnes & Noble bookstore Five stars out of five. - Bob LaPierre there was nothing British in the British detective story set on a world where at Metrocenter, 10235 N. Metro Parkway Museum. I beg to differ. The only thing humans are second-class citizens. East. We will be meeting on the third Sorry for the short column this month British I have observed is the donation May 17: Crystal Soldier by Steve Miller Wednesday of each month at 7PM but I missed my chance to learn how booths filled with British pounds. and Sharon Lee. A new Liaden story. Books scheduled for discussion are: to play “Pirates of the Seven Seas”. I The admission to this place is free. For more information contact December 14: (moved up a week to keep hope to rectify that before next time. Yet, for some special exhibits, like the Catherine
Hammerjack by Marc D. Giller Bantam Spectra, 355 pp, $12.00
Hammerjack is the beginning novel of a series. Its sequel is due out in the summer of 2006. Hammerjacks are the superhackers of the future. They ride virtual waves of code and pirate high tech secret s and sell them to the highest bidder. They are faster and beautifully in the Southern Gothic style. smarter than any security and the rush of He makes it his own. - Pam Allan. their actions are even better than the money. If they get caught, they are turned Acts Of God into corporate spooks tracking down the by James Beauseigneur Information traffickers. Warner Books, 510 pp, $6.99 But there is something else out there..a biological supercomputer that threatens to Acts Of God is the third volume of The alter the balance between man and Christ Clone Trilogy. machine, between the corporate collective At the dawn of a new age, mankind is and the rest. at the brink of a different world. A third of Aiden Cray is a hammerjack caught, the population is dead. The Pacific Ocean and working for the collective. Can he is dead . Mankind must now chose catch and destroy the new god man has between the new Messiah, Christopher made? Goodman, and the old view of a God that This is cyberpunk at its best, with brought the disaster upon the planet. action, characterization, and a dark look at Christopher has brought world peace, the future. Move over Gibson and offered an end to disease and shown the Sterling, the competition has arrived. - way to eternal youth and godlike powers. Pam Allan The religious zealots still rebel, bringing on a bloody tribulation and Armageddon. To Crush The Moon Combining intrigue, scientific accu- by Wil McCarthy racy, and action, it rivets the reader to the Bantam Spectra, 352 pp [plus authors vision of the apocalypse, making addendums] $6.99 one wonder at our present course. Definitely worth the read. - Pam Allan To Crush The Moon is a continuation of the Queendom Of Sol series The Queendom of Sol is the high point of technological civilization, but it is being buried by a population that doesn’t know death. On the brink of revolution, a ( Continued on page 17) Page 16 ConNotations Volume 15 Issue 6 In Our Book ( Continued from page 16 ) the world of possibilities and their side against the slave holding world to which can be read alone. new necro cult is reviving death on their effects. Maximum stars on this one as I she was born. Sent to the Alashi as a spy, Full of action, characters you like , terms. Now the King and Conrad Mursk rush out to find the others in the series. she found her loyalties shifted. But a and well plotted, it makes a good fit for must crush the moon and terraform it to This is a must have for your SF library. - slave, she had once hunted down pocket or purse. I’ll be waiting for book make space for the population. But still Pam Allan ,revealed her identity and she was cast three. Enjoy. - Pam Allan another failed colony returns to bring the out. Lauria and her blood-sister, Tamar, dark ages back to Sol. Freedom’s Apprentice set out to free all those who she had Iron Sunrise What can you say about Wil by Naomi Kritzer returned to slavery. by Charles Straus McCarthy? He takes plausible science and Bantam Spectra, 354 pp, $6.99 Desperate for a spell chain to free a Ace, 355 pp, $23.95 social development into a possible future, mine slave, she apprentices to a sorceress, throws in conflict and change to create a Freedom’s Apprentice is book two of Learning to harness magic comes at a Iron Sunrise is a stand alone novel by believable world and tells the story with the dead rivers trilogy. price that she may not wish to pay. the author of Singularity Sky. panache and humor that holds you to the Once the trusted aide [and daughter] This book carries Lauria’s story and A G2 star does not explode without printed page while taking your mind into of the powerful Kyros, Lauria has turned leaves us with a segue into the next but it warning, without outside interference. The survivors of the planet Moscow have launched a counterattack at New Dresden, the most likely culprit. New Dresden is not guilty and as the missiles approach, Rachel Mansour scramble to prevent the catastrophe. However, one by one, those with the recall code. One person knows where the evidence is hidden. Moscow survivor , a troubled teenager, Self named Wednesday Shadowmist has an imaginary friend, actually a super cyber-entity, the Eschaton who coaches her after her parents are murdered and she must flee for her life. He sends her to Rachel, and her husband Martin both agents for the good guys. Can Wednesday Rachel, and Martin stay alive long enough to solve the mystery , and save the universe and get it done before New Dresden joins Moscow and sets up the universe to be re-mastered. Sound like a space opera? It is a page turner with enough action and plot complications to hold you glued. It is also filled with well drawn characters and crackling ideas. This is a must have for your library. 5 solar systems. - Pam Allan
Lords of Grass and Thunder by Curt Benjamin Daw, 532 pp, $ 24.95
Lords of Grass and Thunder is a continuation of the Seven Brothers trilogy. Prince Tayy is returning, the hero of the War of Gods and Demons and heir to the Khan of the clans. But Things are more dangerous now than on the battlefield. His parents have been slain by a demon who appears as a deadly bamboo snake and as a beautiful woman. Mergen- Khan, currently Khan is only holding office till Tayy is ready to assume the role. Mergen-khan’s son is easy prey for the demon who will trade his heart’s desire for Tayy’s life. Those with dark powers are determined he will not survive. However, Tay has defenders, his loyal guards, his grandmother , and the shaman Bolghai. But perhaps the key defender is Eluneke, apprentice shaman, daughter of Mergen-Khan, and gifted with powers from the gods. All she has to do is survive the tests thrown at her by the gods. Set in a fantasy universe of medieval ( Continued on page 18 ) Volume 15 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 17 for power has lead to the release of five almost been eradicated by vicious covens Drakhaouls, dragon-demons from another of magpies headed by Slyekin and his dimension. One of them lives within him. right hand bird, Traska. Their goal is And requires the blood of innocents for its clear the sky of all birddom, except the power. But even as he struggles to control magpies under their control. The Council the demon within, his empire is crumbling of Owls has not met Since Slyekin and a rival nation seeks to repair a totem humiliated their leader . But now, Kerrick capable of banishing the dragon-demons... has agreed th carry the messages, and wielded by an innocent. But where in the plans to save Birddom on three long world can one be found? And how high is quests to gather forces to defeat the growing evil, and reinstate the Council. Kerrick, as one of the last robins, and his new found mate must overcome impossible odds while being hunted by Traska. Can they survive much less save the avian world. The Lord of the Rings has no truer heros than Kerrick, Portia, and the wise owl Tomar. It has no more dastardly villains than Slyekin and Traska . It is destined to join Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and Watership Down as a classic for all ages. - Pam Allan.
The Carpet Makers by Andreas Eschbach Tor, 300 pp, $24.95
The Carpet Makers is an independent by acclaimed and award winning German the price? Author Eschbach in a rich and evocative Here we have a fully realized world, translation by Doryl Jensen rich in detail, action, and characters that Throughout known history, the carpet hold your interest. What more can a makers have labored making carpets from fantasy lover ask.? - Pam Allan the hair of their wives and daughters for the Emperor. Carpets so intricate and fine Metallic Love Metal Sky In Our Book ( Continued from page 17 ) by Tanith Lee by Jay Caselberg Bantam Spectra, 301 pp, $6.99 china, The Qubal clans are the Mongols Roc, 307 pp, $6.99 of the era.. The tapestry is rich in detail, Metallic Love is a sequel to the Silver plots, and interesting characters. If you Metal Sky is a continuation of the Metal Lover, but stands alone. liked the Seven Brothers trilogy, you love world of Wyrmhole but can stand alone. Growing up as an orphan in abusive this one. - Pam Allan Jack Stein, Psychic Investigator, has circumstance, Loren read and re-read her set up shop in Yorkstone, a place as clean secret copy of Jane’s story. When she Mercury and shiny as the Locality. It’s a nice place runs away and finds a new life, she by Ben Bova to raise his enigmatic fourteen going on believes that she is too street-smart to ever Tor , 319 pp., $24.95 forty ward, but hard to make a living in be stirred by a robot. When META Jack’s line of work. He is worried about Corporation brings back updated versions Mercury is hard Science fiction in full finances until Bridget Farrell drops in of these robots, loren has to see silver. But Bova tradition. with the job of reclaiming a valuable Silver is now Verlis and he is new and Saito Yamagata believes that Mercury artifact her antique dealing acquaintance improved. But he is also more human than is the key to the stars. Fresh from a made off with, Of course, nothing is as his creators. Loren finds herself following lamasery where he has been revived from stated, so Jack and Billie find themselves her lover into a battle to control his own his cryonic coffin, He hires Dante Alexios in the middle of murder, double cross and destiny and finds a secret about herself to make his dreams come true.. Victor touching the theft of a proscribed artifact that a carpet maker can only make one that may be the strangest thing of all. Molina is an astrobiologist who hopes to by a huge and questionable inter system carpet in a lifetime Its price feeds a family Tanith Lee continues her tradition of step out of the academic shadow in conglomerate. As usual, he needs to keep for another generation. The art is also an writing novels you can’t put down with discovering life on Mercury. But he and Billie alive while solving it all. article of faith in a world ruled by an great plotting and characters. There is unknown to anyone but Dante is the We have here a fun and fast paced sci- immortal emperor. The planet knows they plenty of action to keep the reader shared tragic history that burns for fi mystery that lovers of mysteries and are the only people that can do this. involved as the characters and plot revenge. How many people must die science fiction will enjoy curling up with Then one day, the empire vanishes, unfolds. It’s in paperback so why haven’t before his thirst is quenched. on a hot afternoon. I expect there to more and strangers com from the stars you bought it yet. - Pam Allan The book combines hard Science volumes coming. - Pam Allan following the hair carpets. What they find fiction with a mystery/revenge plot that is beyond belief for both sides. One for Sorrow ,Two for Joy holds your interest . I read it straight Children of the Serpent Gate This is not an epic though it spans by Clive Woodall through. The complex character of by Sarah Ash millennia. It is a book about people, faith, Ace, 312 pp, $19.95 Alexios/Bracknell is more sympathetic Bantam Spectra, 496 pp, $23.00 and history and shattering change. It is than the other principals and make this hard to lump in a catagorize this as only One for Sorrow, Two for Joy is an well worth reading. One of Bova’s best. 3 Children Of The Serpent Gate is book one thing. Its tapestry is rich and deeply independent story in the style of and ½ stars. - Pam Allan three of the Tears Of Artamon. satisfying and a must read for any Watership Down. In the novel, one man struggles to thoughtful reader. - Pam Allan The robins, and other small birds have rebuild a nation under his control. His lust Page 18 ConNotations Volume 15 Issue 6 [email protected] Jackson Games. We also schedule demos in thou mayest contact Mistress Myrddina o our website at http://home.earthlink.net/ local gaming stores as well as community Dolwyddelan (Terry Schwartz) PO Box 584, Club ~basfa/ service events. If you have a gaming store, Sonoita AZ 85637 (520)455-5835 Email: convention, or community service that you [email protected] Web CENTRAL ARIZONA SPECULATIVE would like to have official Steve Jackson www.atenveldt.com Listings FICTION SOCIETY, INC. (CASFS) The Games representation at, please contact the ACROSS PLUS - So you live in North non-profit corporation that puts on MIB Arizona Cell SOUTHWEST COSTUMER’S GUILD The Phoenix and are interested in anime? Well CopperCon conventions, SmurfCons, Leader at [email protected]. We are also Southwest Costumers Guild is a loose there is a club out there available for you HexaCons, occasional regional cons, and recruiting new MIBs in some areas of organization of persons interested in all facets people. publishes Con-Notations. Best described as Arizona. If you’re interested, contact us. You of historical, cultural, science fiction, fantasy, Across Plus is a social club that discuses SF/F generalists with a strong bent towards can find additional information about the and humor costume. Members are often seen anime, video games, manga, other animation, literary SF/F. Guests welcome - meets at 8pm Arizona MIB at our website http:// on stage and behind the scenes at local and and the Japanese culture. We meet at on the last Friday of each month in January members.cox.net/mib.6361/ regional Science Fiction Convention masquer- Bookman’s on 19th Ave and Northern On thru September and the second Friday in ades. They meet on the last Sunday of each Sundays at 7:00pm until 9:00pm. October, November and December at JB’s ORANGE COUNTY SCIENCE FICTION month at various members’ homes in the In general, we explore anime, manga, and Restaurant, 2560 W. Indian School in CLUB meets last Wednesday of every month greater Phoenix area. For details. Southwest other styles of animation, creative educative Phoenix, AZ. Write PO Box 62613, Phoenix, (except Dec.) We frequently have author Costumers Guild, PO Box 39504, Phoenix, demonstrations, participate in interactive AZ 85082-2613 or call Stephanie L. Bannon guest speakers. You’re all welcome to come AZ 85609 or Randall Whitlock at discussions, attend local Arizona conventions, (602)973-2341 for information. Web if you’re in the area. We meet in Fullerton, [email protected] or and make cosplay. www.casfs.org about 5 miles north of Disney-land. For www.southwestcostumersguild.org We are willing to gain any new members out more details ph. Greg at [949] 552-4925 or there who are interested. Dues are only $2 per *****C.R.O.F.T. Celtic Reenactment of send a message to our listserve SPACE ACCESS SOCIETY Space Access month. Our members are very friendly, Fellowship and Trades is Phoenix based [email protected] Society’s sole purpose is to promote radically respectful, and fun. We welcome any and all. Reenactment group specializing in the cheaper access to space, ASAP. We think it’s For more information, contact Shane Bryner western European renaissance. We research PAReX is a non-profit, just for fun organiza- possible within ten years, with a little luck at [email protected] lifestyles and trades concurrent with the tion dedicated to the proliferation of robotics and a lot of hard work. Join us and help us Celtic Peoples from 400 BC until 1746 AD. as a hobby. Monthly meetings will be held make it happen! SAS membership is $30 for We emphasize Scots, Irish or Welsh crafts and and will be announced under the Meeting one year, which gets you emailed Space ADRIAN EMPIRE A medieval and renais- do Celtic re-enactment. We open participation Information page, http://www.parex.org/ Access Updates the instant they pass final sance recreationist club. Sword-fighting, arts, to anyone with an interest in period crafting meetinfo.htm. All interest-ed persons are edit, plus discounts on our annual conference banquets, masquerades, dances. meets every and entertainment. Demonstrations occur at invited to participate. We are currently in the on the technology, politics, and business of Wednesday night from 7-10pm at Encanto the Highland Games, Scarborough Fair, and process of getting organized and becoming an radically cheaper space transportation, Park. All are welcome. Free. the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Web page official organization with tax status. Web featuring leading players in the field. Email http://www.crofters.org We meet in Tempe at page: http://www.parex.org/ E-mail Contact: us at: [email protected] AERIAL MIRAGE JUGGLERS. Meets the Pyle Adult Center SW corner of Rural and John Kittelsrud, [email protected] Web page: www.space-access.org/ Wednesday 7-10pm in Encanto Park, 15th Southern on the 2nd Saturday of every month, Avenue, south of Encanto. No dues, everyone phone number (480)350-5211. The Board THE PHOENIX FANTASY FILM SOCI- SUPERSTITION SPACEMODELING welcome. All levels skill exchange in many meeting will be at 2:00 pm with the General ETY A Phoenix based club interest-ed in the SOCIETY is Arizona’s club for builders of areas of object manipulation Dave Davis meeting starting at 2:30 pm. entire realm of SF, Fantasy and Horror film. model and high-power rockets and those who
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