Volume 17, Issue 2 April/May ConNotations 2007 The Bi-Monthly Science Fiction, Fantasy & Convention Newszine of the Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society

A Conversation with Featured Inside Jim Butcher Regular Features Special Features By Lee Whiteside SF Tube Talk A Conversation with All the latest news about Jim Butcher Jim Butcher is best known for Scienc Fiction TV shows by Lee Whiteside the fantasy series The Dresden by Lee Whiteside Files . He’s also in the middle of On Film and by Face: An his six book Codex Alera fantasy 24 Frames series, has a Spider-Man novel Unruly Evening with out and has ideas for more stuff All the latest Movie News Harlan Ellison by Lee Whiteside in the future. The TV series based By Shane Shellenbarger on The Dresden Files is currently airing on the SciFi Channel on Gamers Corner Look! Up in the sky! Sunday nights. I got a chance to New and Reviews from the gaming world It’s a bird! It’s a plane! chat with him on the eve of the No, it’s ! debut of the TV series. Jim will be in the Phoenix area for the MangaZone By Shane Shellenbarger Arizona Book Festival on April Reviews of Manga and Comics 14th and a signing at the An American in Canada Poisoned Pen on April 15th. In Our Book Part 4 Jim was born in Reviews of New SF/F Books by Jeffrey Lu Independence, Missouri, and moved to Oklahoma where he Musty Tomes Plus attended Oklahoma University. Reviews of Classic Genre books After living in Pennsylvania for a CASFS Business Report few years, he has moved back to Independence to be near his family. At the © Blue Moon Photography FYI age of 19, he decided he wanted to be a every semester and I had written several News and tidbits of interest to fans very mediocre books. At some point she career novelist, but it wasn’t easy going at Club Listings first. had told me “You know, Jim, you’re always going on about how much you Convention List & How did The Dresden Files come about? enjoy thes Anita Blake books by Laurell Generic Registration Form The first several books I wrote were K. Hamilton and how much you like nothing but swords and horses. I had been Buffy, why aren’t you writing something discussing things with my writing teacher ( Continued on page 8 )

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Volume 17 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 1 Pick up your copy of ConNotations at the following locations In This Issue Who Is Who This Issue BOOK STORES Comics, Legends & Heroes Managing Editor: Stephanie Bannon Bent Cover Bookstore 13560 W. Van Buren, Ste. B102, Goodyear, News & Reviews Assistant to the Editor: Gary Swaty 12428 N. 28th Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85029 AZ 623-932-3433 CASFS Business Report 2 Graphics Editor: Craig L. Dyer Film & Video Editor (602) 942-5932 Drawn to Comics SF Tube Talk 3 : Len Berger & Craig Book Adventure 5619 W. Glendale, AZ 85301 L Dyer 24 Frames 3 Promotions Directors: Len Berger, 660 N. Gilbert Rd, Suite B, Gilbert AZ (623) 847-9090 FYI 6 Richard Bolinski, Craig L Dyer Samurai Comics 85234 (480) 892-2120 MangaZona 11 Advertising: Catherine Book Book Den 5024 N. 7th St, Phoenix AZ Proof Readers: Gamers Corner 13 Catherine Book & Bob 15410 N. 67th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85306 (602) 265-8886 LaPierre & Gary Swaty (623) 486-2529 Stalking Moon Comics & Collectibles In Our Book (Book Reviews) 14 Reporters: Craig L Dyer, Jeffrey Lu Book Exchange 5775 W. Bell Rd #B-6, Glendale, Arizona Staff Writers: Pam Allen, Stephanie L Special Features Bannon, Catherine Book, Shane Bryner, 4320 N. Miller Road #F, Scottsdale, AZ (602) 896-9992 Craig L. Dyer, Michael Griffin, Bob 85251 (480)990-8380 A Conversation with Jim Butcher LaPierre, Jeffrey Lu, Shane Shellenbarger, Book Gallery GAME STORES by Lee Whiteside 1 Gary Swaty, Tom Tuerff, Lee Whiteside, 3643 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix AZ Game Daze An American in Canada Randall Whitlock 85018 (602)468-0400 2140 E. 5th St #11, Tempe AZ 85281 by Jeffrey Lu 7 Layout & Design: Stephanie L. Bannon Book Rack Keeper of the Mailing List: Craig L. Dyer (480)317-9181 Look! Up in the Sky! It’s a Bird! It’s a Contributors: 3539 W. Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85053 Game Daze #1: Paradise Valley Mall, Plane! No it’s Superman! Labeling Crew for Volume 17 Issue 1: (602) 843-3026 4550 E. Cactus Rd, #422, Phoenix AZ by Shane Shellenbarger 12 Richard Bolinski, Craig L Dyer, Mike Bookmans 85032 (602)494-4263 Griffin, Bob & Lori LaPierre, Jeffrey Lu, 1056 S. Country Club, Mesa, AZ 85210 Game Daze #2 Superstition Springs Convention & Fandom Sue Martin,Walter Sanville, Gary Swaty (480) 835-0505 Center, 6555 E. 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McClintock #11, Tempe, AZ financially for CASFS events with artwork in this issue are copyright © of the 1361 N. Alma School Rd., Mesa, AZ 85282 (480) 966-4727 HexaCon 16 losing $5000 and author/artist and cannot be reproduced in (480) 833-2244 Game Master Games 1120 S. Gilbert Rd, any manner without their written consent. CopperCon 26 breaking even. The If no author or artist is credited the artwork 4555 E. Cactus Rd., Phoenix, AZ #114, Gilbert, AZ 85296 (480) 558-0750 CASFS long term Allocated funds are or article is copyright ©of the Central (602) 953-9699 www.gamemastergames.com $455 in the red. HexaCon 16 is closed Arizona Speculative Fiction Society. 7320 W. Bell Rd., Glendale, AZ Game Nightz Metro Center Mall out. Final figuring is still being done for Publication: Publications dates are (623) 487-9110 (602) 870-8501 February, April, June, August, October & 699 S. Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ Imperial Outpost CopperCon 26. December. 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Page 2 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 2 fans about the show. As of press time, scratch…We want it to feel like it’s SF Tube Talk SciFi has not yet announced if they are 24 Frames updated and of the now. That’s actually TV News & Previews picking the series up for a second season. the discussions we’re having now: how to The last two episodes of the season airing Movie News keep the look of the universe yet have it By Lee Whiteside in early and mid-April are “Second City” By Lee Whiteside not look like nothing’s new. It’s tricky.” where Harry is investigating a murder Things are moving along on the Over the next two months we’ve got a where a gang member apparently drowns Star Trek will be a Christmas present comics based movie front, with a couple lot of things happening, from returning 5 miles from the frozen lake shortly after for fans in 2008. Paramount officially of setbacks as well. In the DC Universe, shows like the Stargates and Doctor Who, leaving a store and Murphy’s ex-cop announced the next Star Trek movie, : The Dark Knight is moving to new shows like Painkiller Jane and father pays her a visit and doesn’t like her titled just “Star Trek” and has planned to ahead with casting news announced. Blood Ties and the season ending working with Harry; “What About Bob?” release it on Christmas Day in 2008. J.J. Appearing as The Joker will be Heath blowouts on the broadcast networks for where Bob’s skull is stolen by Harry’s Abrams will direct from a script by Alex Ledger with Aaron Eckhart as Harvey shows like Heroes and Smallville. latest female acquaintance and given over Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. Abrams Dent/Two Face. Reports are that Maggie The SciFi Channel’s attempt to launch to his uncle Justin. Harry begins a had not yet committed to direct the film, Gyllenhaal is in talks to play Rachel Sunday night as a new night for first run desperate search for Bob before his uncle but according to Abrams “If there’s Dawes, who was played by Katie Holmes drama has met with mixed results. Up (or is it really him?) works to bring Bob something I’m dying to see, it’s the in Batman Begins. The movie starts against normal programming on the back to life at the expense of Harry’s. brilliance and optimism of filming in April with a summer 2008 networks, both Battlestar Galactica and The Stargates return to SciFi on Roddenberry’s world brought back to release planned. The plot reportedly has The Dresden Files have done moderately Friday, April 13th, for the second half of the big screen,…Alex and Bob wrote an Batman (Christian Bale) and Jim Gordon well, garnering comparable ratings their respective seasons, continuing their amazing script that embraces and respects (Gary Oldham) teaming up with District numbers to what Galactica was getting on cliffhangers from last September. Joining Trek canon, but charts its own course. Our Attorney Harvey Dent to stop the sadistic Friday nights which equates to more them in the 10 pm ET/PT hour will be the goal is to make a picture for everyone — killer known only as The Joker. The viewers since the number of actual new series Painkiller Jane. SciFi will life-long fans and the uninitiated. Wonder Woman movie has taken a step households and viewers watching on start off the evening of April 13th with a Needless to say, I am honored and excited backwards with the departure of Joss Sunday is higher. When they were up new Stargate Mythology special. It to be part of this next chapter of Star Whedon. According to comments by against football playoffs or award shows, appears that once The Dresden Files ends Trek.” Look for casting announcements Whedon, his take on the movie was not the numbers dipped. SciFi has touted the its run on Sunday nights, there won’t be soon. Rumors already have Matt Damon the same as what producer Joel Silver and high points of the move to Sunday in any new dramas for the time being on that as James T. Kirk, Adrian Brody as Mr. Warner Bros. wanted to see and they announcing a fourth season renewal for night. Spock, and Gary Sinise as Dr. McCoy. agreed to part ways. Producer Joel Silver Battlestar Galactica, citing increased The second half of Stargate SG-1’s Other rumors for characters include is committed to making a great film. viewership in total viewers, female tenth and final season opens with The Daniel Dae Kim (“Jin Kwon” on Lost) as Warner Bros. has announced they plan to viewers and the target demos compared to Quest, Part 2 in which the SG-1 team Sulu. Reports are that the movie will be in develop a Justice League film and have the fall averages and the highest viewing awaken Merlin and works with him to part a re-imagining of the original Star hired Kiernan Mulroney and Michele figures since the season two premiere. build the Sangraal before the Oria can Trek. In an interview on MTV, Mulroney to write a script. No word on However, the ratings figures in early track them down. Next is Line in the Sand Roberto Orci said “We’re ( Continued on page 5 ) March were down significantly for both where Stargate command attempts to use not going to start totally from Sunday shows. One of the problems SciFi Merlin’s technology to hide an entire had on Friday nights with Galactica is planet’s population from the Ori and stop still a problem on Sunday night, however. them from enslaving another world. In Many of the Galactica viewers are time- The Road Not Taken, Samantha Carter is shifting their viewing with PVRs which pulled into an alternate reality when an do not count in the ratings that advertisers experiment goes wrong and finds herself pay money for. A 1.4 rating number can having to save the Earth from an Ori turn into a 1.9 rating number when the invasion before she can return home to total number of viewers over the her reality. The Shroud finds the SG-1 following week are added in. The later team investigating an Ori prior who has time slot on a Sunday night appears to been offering a more humane chance to have not helped matters much. SciFi’s convert than other priors and are shocked announced renewal of Battlestar to find it is a transformed Daniel Jackson. Galactica is for a minimum of 13 In Bounty, Cameron Mitchell takes Vala episodes, with the series expected to with him to his 20th High School reunion, return in January 2008. Reportedly, SciFi unaware that alien bounty hunters are and NBC Universal are still negotiating after the SG-1 team and quickly turn the how many total episodes this will be with reunion into a hostage situation. Bad Guys one rumor indicating that if they are given sees the SG-1 team investigate a gate that a full order for 20 or 22 episodes, that opens into a museum and their first may include a series finale. There is also contact plans go awry when they are in the works a stand-alone direct-to-DVD mistaken for a band of zealous rebels who Battlestar Galactica movie in the works have taken hostages. Talion sees a Jaffa that would be filmed this spring that summit attacked with many casualties and would be released late this year before Teal’c goes on a one-man quest for season four is broadcast. revenge after a former pupil, Arkad, he The Dresden Files has held up well in believes is responsible for the attack. the ratings with numbers comparable and Things get more complicated when Arkad even exceeding Galactica. Fan reaction shows up claiming innocence and warns has been good to the series although fans SG-1 of an impending attack on the Earth. who have read the books have questioned June will see the final episodes of Stargate the changes made for TV. Author Jim SG-1 and we’ll have detailed coverage Butcher and producer Robert Hewitt next issue including details on the direct Wolfe have been very active on the jim- to DVD movies coming later this year. butcher.com website to converse with the ( Continued on page 4 ) Volume 17 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 3 SF Tube Talk more involved with the series than the TV last batch of new episodes starts up in and Peter getting his bangs cut by Sylar. It ( Continued from page 3 ) movie done a couple of years ago is mid-April with Progeny, where we will will return on April 23rd for the final run Out in the Pegasus Galaxy, the Jimmy Palmiotti, the co-creator of the meet Chloe’s mother, Moria Sullivan, of episodes for its successful first season. Stargate Atlantis team is having problems original comic with Joe Quesada. played by none other than former Wonder Look for the following things to happen of their own. The first new episode is The Palmiotti has been working with the Woman Lynda Carter. Moria was as we lead up to the big bang and Return Part Two where the Atlantis city writers all along and will be writing at subjected to Kryptonite radiation in the hopefully the saving of the world. Matt, has been taken over by the artificial least one episode and will be directing original meteor shower and has developed HRG, and Ted will escape from the paper lifeform Asurans. The Atlantis team another. Executive producing is Gil expanded brain capabilities, which Lex factory, Peter will get a severe makeover, works to repel the invaders and rescue Grant (24, Relic Hunter) and Larry wants her to use to brainwash a couple of Niki and Jessica’s battle will result in a General O’Neill and Richard Woolsey, Hertzog (Nowhere Man, La Femme his captive Kryptonite freaks. Also in the merging of the two, and an entire episode who have been taken prisoner by the Nikita) will be the head writer. episode, Lana learns the truth about her takes place five years in the future with Asurans. In Echoes, the Atlantis team The show will be very much a baby. Nemesis sees two former special Hiro and Ando. Producer Tim Kring has begins to suffer ill effects when the “Nuero” of the week format, but will also operatives turn up, one of whom is indicated that the season finale will planets whales begin to converge on their develop Jane’s character as well as those captured by Lex to experiment on. Also, resolve the apocalypse story arc, ending base. Can they learn what the whales are around her. Maureen Bowers (Alaina an explosion traps Clark and Lex in a volume one of the series, but will also set trying to tell them in time? The next Huffman), Jane’s former DEA partner cave and severely injures Lionel Luthor. things up for volume two (i.e. season episode, Irresponsible, is a followup to and friend, will feature prominently as In Prototype, Lois is investigating a story, two). Not everyone will survived to the earlier episode Irresistible, where the well as Amanda, Jane’s neighbor. We’ll which leads to a project Senator Burke season two, and even if they do survive, Atlantis team finds Lucius Lavin using also learn about Jane’s past with her has been funding for Lex, called Project they may not be part of the story. Ancients technology to become the hero father as well as her mother, who died Ares. Apparently the prototype for the In the rest of the broadcast world, to the locals. In Tao of Rodney, Mckay when Jane was young. Their team Ares project escapes and starts causing NBC debuted Raines in mid-March and acquires enhanced mental powers after operates out of an abandoned subway havoc. Smallville producers aren’t saying the remaining episodes of its shortened exposure to an Ancient device. He must platform where Joe Waterman (Nathaniel much about the season finale other than it season should finish airing in April. race against time to find a way to reverse Deveaux) is the older caretaker of the will not feature Green Arrow. Whether it CBS’s Jericho came back after its hiatus the effects before it kills him. The Game subway. The rest of the team includes will feature any of the other Justice and has run up against the American Idol sees McKay and Sheppard going head-to- Andre McBride (Rob Stewart), an ex- League crew or the Martian Manhunter is juggernaut and has been getting about half head with a Atlantean computer special forces “ghost” who accepts the not known. Indications are that there will the ratings numbers it got in the Fall. simulation of two opposing societies. post as the leader of the team instead of be a seventh season of Smallville, Even ABC’s Lost has not fared very well When they discover the game is real and retiring; Connor King (Noah Danby) is however there may be some of the cast after its mid-season hiatus and return at a is manipulating real people, they visit the an alpha male ex-cop who turned to crime not returning or being in limited roles. later time slot. Numbers for the show are planet and find the locals on the verge of and who is recruited out of prison to serve Supernatural also returns in mid April down significantly from last season and it war. In The Ark the Atlantis team on the team, thriving in his new role; with the last batch of new episodes for the is being soundly beaten by CSI:NY (after discovers a derelict space station that Riley Jensen (Sean Owen Roberts) is an season (and maybe the series). First up is having been beaten by Criminal Minds in contains 1,000 people in stasis, the last evolved computer whiz in charge of Hollywood Babylon, which is a more the fall in the earlier time slot). And be on survivors of a civilization destroyed by surveillance and communications; and Dr. comedic episode including many in-jokes the lookout (still) for ABC to maybe start the Wraith. They try to save the survivors Seth Carpenter (Stephen Lobo) is the about Hollywood. Sam and Dean end up running the Masters of Science Fiction and themselves when the station starts unit’s doctor and scientist. investigating a haunted movie set for series to fill in a hole in their schedule. hurtling towards the planet it has been SciFi original movies coming up in “Hell-Hazers II: The Reckoning” when Lifetime has started airing the orbiting. In Sunday, we see a typical day April are Kaw on April 7th, which is the the lead actress finds a body. They aren’t Canadian produced series, Blood Ties, off with the Atlantis crew, until a bomb story of a small farming community that impressed with the movie script but are based on the Blood books by Tanya Huff. goes off in the city and chaos and tragedy comes under attack of a “murder” of surprised at how accurate some of it Lifetime has committed to airing the first takes over. Following that will be the final ravens. Stephen McHattie is Clyde, who mirrors their own experience. Folsum 13 of the 22 episodes being produced and three episodes of the season, setting up is the first to notice the strange behavior Prison Blues sees the boys investigate a will likely pick up the rest if the series some changes for Season four which of the ravens, but no one will listen to him haunted prison but they end up being does well. Christina Cox plays the lead won’t be broadcast until the fall. until things get much worse. Also stars arrested and brought up on charges by role of Vicki Nelson, an ex-cop turned April 13 also sees the debut of SciFi’s Sean Patrick Flanery, Rod Taylor, Agent Henrikssen. In What Is and What private investigator, who also has a latest drama series Painkiller Jane in the Megan Park, and Kristin Booth. Should, Dean is attacked by a Djinn degenerative eye disease. She teams up 10 pm ET/PT time slot following the Coming up on April 28th is Lake Placid which warps his reality when it touches with Henry Fitzroy (played by Kyle Stargates. plays the 2, which is a sequel to the 1999 movie him. When Dean wakes up in a Lawrence, Schmid), a 450 year old vampire who title character, Jane Vasko, who is able to Lake Placid, bringing back the man Kansas apartment, he finds he is living a writes graphic novels, to fight the evil regenerate but still feels the pain from the eating crocodile to terrorize the locals for “normal” life with a nurse named Carmen supernatural beings. Also a regular is injuries she receives (and recovers from). another two hours (with commercials). and Sam doesn’t believe Dean about their Dylan Neal as Vicki’s ex-partner and cop In the weekly series, Jane is a DEA agent SciFi has been moving forward with “real” life. For the two part season finale, Mike Celluci with Gina Holden as who is recruited by a covert government their Tin Man miniseries, announcing All Hell Breaks Loose, Sam, Andy, Ava Coreen Fennel, one of Vicki’s clients that organization tasked with identifying and several major cast members so far. Zooey and two other “chosen”, Jake and Lily, all ends up working as her assistant. Episodes containing “Nueros’, genetically Deschanel has been cast as the lead, are brought together by the yellow-eyed coming up in April and May include Love enhanced humans who have superhuman playing DG, “a young woman plucked demon to see who is the strongest of the Hurts, where Vicki is hired by a powers due to their neurological from her humdrum life and thrust into The chosen ones. Sam must try to find what suspicious husband who thinks his wife is enhancements. These “Nueros” can do Outer Zone (the O.Z.) a fantastical realm happened to Dean before it is too late and cheating on him. When she is murdered, many things, from inducing rife with wonder, but oppressed by dark “All Hell Breaks Loose.” According to he is the prime suspect. However, Vicki’s hallucinations, steal your memory and magic.” Richard Dreyfus will play the producer Eric Kripke in a SciFi Wire investigation leads to a cul-de-sac where give it to someone else and even raise the Mystic Man, a powerful wizard, and Alan interview, “we’re giving a climactic all of the housewives are under the spell dead. During the course of her first Cumming will play Glitch, an odd man season finale that we think is going to feel of a sexy gardener. Vicki enlists Henry’s investigation, Jane discovers her power, missing half of his brain. The other major epic and pretty exciting. We think the fans help in finding out what is really going which also makes her stronger after each roles yet to be announced are Raw, a should be pretty stoked to see what’s on. In Heart of Ice, Vicki’s investigation regeneration event. As the series unfolds, wolverine-like character, Cain, a former coming.” of homeless people leads her to an Jane will try to find out why she has her policeman (known as “Tin Men” in the Heroes finished up its second batch of aboriginal cannibal spirit, a wendigo. power and what may have happened to O.Z.), and the wicked sorceress episodes with a few shocks: Hiro and Mike also is trying to link Henry to the create all of these “Nueros”. Loken is also Azkadellia. This will be SciFi’s big Ando in a post-nuclear blast New York, deaths of dozens of women, all with taking on the role of Co-Executive miniseries this year, airing in early Grandma Petrelli in league with The puncture wounds on their neck. Julian producer and has been working with the December. Hatian, HRG being caught by The Sands guest stars as Javier Mendoza, a writers to help define the series. Much Over on The CW on Smallville, the Company, Nathan giving in to Linderman, ( Continued on page 5 ) Page 4 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 2 Doctor and Martha travel to meet report be without news of some remakes. SF Tube Talk ( Continued from page 4 ) 24 Frames ( Continued from page 3 ) Shakespeare (Dean Lennox Kelley) who A remake of Escape From New York is member of the “church” that has been helps them save the earth from destruction which heroes will actually make it into the being shopped around with Gerard hunting Henry for decades. In Heart of at the hands of flying witches. The third, film, though. The DC owned Captain Butler in the role of Snake Plissken. A Fire, Henry is captured by Javier and as yet untitled episode, brings the Doctor Marvel may make it to the screen. John Get Smart movie with Steve Carrell as Mike and Vicki work together to rescue back to New Earth for another encounter August has been hired to pen Shazam!, Maxwell Smart, Anne Hathaway as him and in the process find out the truth with The Face of Boe. Daleks in for New Line Cinema Peter Segal is Agent 99, and Alan Arkin is as the Chief about Javier. Stone Cold has Vicki finds the duo in 1930’s New attached to direct and also is producing of CONTROL with Terence Stamp as investigating the disappearance of a male York where they discover a plot by with Michael Ewing. The next Superman the head of KAOS. David Goyer will model, which leads her to Elena, a club Daleks to disrupt the very fabric of time. movie looks to be pushed back some now script a Scanners remake for Dimension owner who is the reincarnation of The Lazarus Experiment find Mark Gatiss that director Bryan Singer has signed on Films. Medusa. Necrodrome finds Vicki and in front of the screen as the famed with United Artists to direct a new thriller Movies coming up in April and May Henry investigating a missing corpse and scientist, Dr. Lazarus, who may have starting this summer. feature a three threquels (Spider-Man 3, finding a body-snatcher using ‘Egyptian found the secret of The Fountain of On the Marvel movie front, things are Shrek 3, and Pirates 3) and a lot of others Pharaoh Magic’ to raise the dead. Youth. Human Nature/The Family of proceeding on Iron Man, with Robert that will be fighting for scraps at the box- Coming up in May is the annual TV Blood is a Paul Cornell script based on Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man and office. up fronts where the broadcast networks his New Adventures novel where the Jeff Bridges as Obadiah Stane, who The Reaping (April 6) Hilary Swank is a announce their fall schedules and preview Doctor takes time to live a normal life in a becomes Stark’s nemesis the Iron myth debunker who travels to a small their new shows. There’s lots of genre boarding school. Monger. Also starring are Gwyneth Texas town to prove that a small boy is stuff in the works, thanks in part to the Paltrow and Terrence Howard with Jon not the cause of the devastation that has success of Heroes but very few serial Favreau directing. The Incredible Hulk is been wrought on the town by what dramas. How many of them will get moving forward with it being directed by appears to be the Ten Biblical Plagues. picked up we’ll find out in May. ABC has Louis Leterrier. No word on the casting Grindhouse (April 6) - Quentin Eli Stone, starring Johnny Lee Miller as or how close, if any, it will tie into the Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez each an attorney who has visions that compel original 2003 movie that wasn’t well direct a movie as part of a horror double him to do unusual things. Victor Garber received. Marvel is in talks for a second feature tribute to classic “B” movies. co-stars; Life on Mars with David E. Punisher movie, a likely Ghost Rider Tarantino’s segment is called “Death Kelley adapting the successful British sequel and a possible fourth Spider-Man Proof” in which a crazed stuntman (Kurt series; Mr. & Mrs. Smith, based on the movie. Others in development include Russell) is stalking beautiful women with movie about a married couple who are Captain America, Bratz (!?), Ant-Man, his car.. Rodriguez’s segment is “Planet secretly spies; and Pushing Daisies, about and possible Wolverine and Magneto X- Terror” has a small town sheriff’s a detective who can bring the dead back Men spinoffs. department fighting an army of infected to life by touching them. CBS has Frank Miller’s 300 debuted strongly zombies. Rose McGowan is featured in Babylon Fields, which is described as a in its opening weekend, setting records for both segments and other actors involved “Sardonic, apocalyptic comedic drama” in a spring debut. He’s getting ready to film include Freddy Rodriguez, Josh Brolin, which the dead are resurrected and try to Sin City 2 and is also working on Tom Savini, Rosario Dawson and put their lives back together; Demons adapting his Ronin series for the big Quentin Tarantino. Also featured are about an ex-Jesuit priest who performs screen. fake movie trailers directed by Rob exorcisms and Twilight about a private The Transformer movie coming out Zombie, Eli Roth, and Edgar Wright. investigator who is also a vampire this summer was initially given an “R” Vacancy (April 23) - Kate Beckinsdale struggling with the repercussions of rating by the MPAA. According to star and Luke Wilson have their car break immortality and his love for a mortal. Shia LaBeouf, executive producer down in the middle of nowhere. They get NBC hopes to find a better match for Steven Spielberg made an appeal to the a room in the nearby hotel. When they Heroes with a remake of The Bionic film board and got the rating dropped start watching the low budget slasher Woman, produced by Battlestar back to a PG-13 rating. The R rating was movies on the TV, they realize that they Galactica’s David Eick and Journeyman reportedly because the movie is so were filmed in the room they are staying about a man who travels back in time to intense. fix peoples problems, but the fix Of course, what would any movie ( Continued on page 6 ) sometimes causes more problems. FOX has New Amsterdam about a New York homicide detective who is also cursed with immortality; the Sarah Connor Chronicles set after the events of Terminator II with Lena Headey as Sarah Connor, Thomas Dekker as John Conner with Summer Glau as a Terminator; and Them about an extraterrestrial sleeper cell that has infiltrated the human race. Finally, The CW has Reaper, about a 21 year old slacker who becomes the devil’s bounty hunter, bringing back souls who have escaped from Hell; Over across the pond, the third series of Doctor Who debuted on BBC1 at the end of March with Smith and Jones, where the Doctor faces the dreaded Judoon, intergalactic alien storm troopers who have transported a hospital to the moon and acquires a new companion in Martha Jones. Subsequent episodes include The Shakespeare Code, The Volume 17 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 5 24 Frames ( Continued from page 5 ) down Artie and try to turn him into King June 19 - Declare by Tim Powers. A going to be ill but there was no smell. I material, Fiona and her princesses must cold war espionage tale with a was fascinated about the insides and outs in. They soon realize that they are the fight off an assault on the castle by the supernatural twist. A world where the of the human body. Definitely worth victims of the next movie and fight to jilted Prince Charming. Voices of Soviet Union is willing to bargain with seeing. escape the trap. Michael Myers, Eddie Murphy, unthinkable entities and the Western Word of warning- some of the exhibits Aqua Teen Hunger Force: The Film for Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, powers send their best agents to literally are graphic. One of them showed how Theatres (April 13th) The ATHF movie Rupert Everett, Eric Idle, John Cleese, keep the cork in the genie’s bottle. important skin is. finally makes it to the theatres. Learn the Julie Andrews, and Justin Timberlake Absolutely fabulous storytelling.. This is worthwhile especially for origins of Meatwad, Frylock and Master as Artie. medical students and/or people curious Shake and watch as they run away from Shortcut to Happiness (May 18) This about the insides of human bodies. galactic peril. new adaptation of The Devil and Daniel On Film and by Face: An Unruly This exhibit is extended to May. Call Hot Fuzz (April 20th) From the creators Webster stars Anthony Hopkins as Evening with Harlan Ellison the Arizona Science Center for price, of the TV show Spaced and the movie Daniel Webster, a writer who sells his By Shane Shellenbarger times and location. Shaun of the Dead. Nicholas Angel soul to the devil and then tries to renege (Simon Pegg), the best cop in London, is on the deal, enlisting the help of New I’ve read and enjoyed the works of Dutch Treat: Rembrandt and the reassigned to a small village because he York’s biggest publicity firm for his Harlan Ellison for about thirty years. Golden Age of Dutch Art at Phoenix makes everyone else look bad. Once he’s defense. Stars Alec Baldwin as Jebez Ellison is a polarizing figure whose Art Museum there, the action moves with him. Other Stone, Jennifer Love Hewitt as The friends are legion and enemies, nearly so. by Jeffrey Lu cast includes Timothy Dalton as Simon Devil, Kim Cattrall as Constance Hurry, I’ve had the honor and privilege of Skinner, Jim Broadbent as Inspector and Dan Aykroyd as Julius Jenson. facilitating several appearances by Ellison I’m usually the artful dodger. As a Frank Butterman, and Edward Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s in Arizona where he engaged, entertained, child, I dodged anything to do with Woodward as Tom Weaver. End (May 25) In order to free Captain and enlightened audiences for hours on anyone’s art. I would only do and see only Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) from Davy end. my stuff. The Invisible (April 27) Based on the Jones’ locker, Will Turner (Orlando Now, I heard through friends about a story by Mats Wahl (Den Osynlige) and Bloom), Elizabeth Swann (Keira few of Rembrandt’s works that will be in the Swedish movie of the same name, it is Knightley) and Captain Barbossa Phoenix. about a high school senior attacked and (Geoffrey Rush) launch a desperate quest Right. Works that there is no way I left for dead in a case of mistaken that takes them to the ends of the Earth could see unless I flew to Holland. identity. He is left in a state of limbo with and beyond including a confrontation Rembrandt? Come on. The master his spirit observing the police and his with Chinese pirate Sao Feng (Chow artist of light and dark? Not in my family searching for him as he is slowly Yun-Fat) and Jack Sparrow’s father, lifetime. dying. David S. Goyer directs and it stars played by The Rolling Stones’ Keith Wrong... I came, I saw, I stand Justin Chatwin as Nick, Margarita Richards. corrected. Levieva as Annie, Marcia Gay Harden The price of admission was the price as his mother, Christopher Marquette, of a new DVD. I may not buy the recent Michelle Harrison, and Alex Ferris. FYI The Writers Guild of America is James Bond DVD, “Casino Royale,” but (Delayed from a January release in case hosting a screening of the new this was worth it. you thought it looked familiar). CASFS Book Discussion documentary, Dreams with Sharp Teeth I saw priceless works in front of me. I Next (April 27th) Nicholas Cage is a man being shown April 19, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. can deal with that. who can see the future and change it. He The CASFS Book Discussions are at The in conjunction with an appearance and This exhibit is extended to May. Call eventually is forced to choose between Bent Cover 12428 N 28th Drive on third interview of Harlan Ellison at the Writers The Phoenix Museum for time, price, and saving the world or saving himself. Also Tuesday of the month at 7PM Guild Theater, 135 South Doheny Dr., place. stars Julianne Moore, Jessica Biel, Tory If you haven’t read the book, stop by Beverly Hills, CA. Academy Award Kittles, and Michael Trucco. anyway. Our discussions are rarely nominee, Josh Olson (A History of EVENTS OF INTEREST Spider-Man 3 (May 4) The dark side of limited to just the book scheduled for that Violence), moderates the event. There Peter Parker/Spiderman surfaces in the month. will be a light dessert reception following AUTHOR SIGNINGS third (and possibly last) installment of the Email questions to [email protected] the event in the theater lobby. Tickets are series. Spidey’s suit gets dark as well as April 17 - A Princess of Roumania by available at www.wgfoundation.org or Sunday, April 15th - Jim Butcher, 12 pm Peter’s personality as he must deal with Paul Park. Miranda is a Romanian orphan call 323-782-4692. General Admission is at the Poisoned Pen, Scottsdale two new villains (Sandman and Venom) raised in Massachusetts. And when she $20, WGA members $15, Students with and a love triangle with Mary Jane and entrusts to a new friend a mysterious book ID $10. Monday, April 30th - John Scalzi, 2006 Gwen Stacy. Stars Toby McGuire as left by her parents, all that she knows http://0wanderingattention.blogspot.com/ Campbell Award Winner and Hugo Best Peter Parker/Spiderman, Kirsten Dunst changes when he burns the book. She’s 2007/03/dreams-with-sharp-teeth-film- Novel nominee, 7:30 pm at the Poisoned as Mary Jane Watson, Thomas Haden left in a primeval Massachusetts where all about.html Pen in Scottsdale. Church as Sandman, Topher Grace as humans host an animal spirit, her friends Venom, James Franco as Harry Osborn, have changed, and they must battle two “Seeing is Believing” Review: Phoenix OTHER EVENTS and Bryce Dallas Howard as Gwen villains…one of which isn’t a typical Science Museum Body Works 3 Stacy. villain. by Jeffrey Lu Samurai Comics 28 Weeks Later (May 11) In this sequel to May 15 - Perdido Street Station by China FREE COMIC BOOK DAY! 28 Days Later, it is now six months after Mieville. An example of the “new weird” I’ve seen portions of Body Works both locations the zombie virus that wiped out London. - not a typical fantasy. In a world of some from the recent movie, “Casino Royale.” I May 5 A US Military project attempts to re- of the most bizarre creatures imagined, an expected to see the dead bodies of poker populate London with British citizens, but overweight mad scientist type who loves a players. 7th St & Camelback: they soon find out that the virus is not human-insect, whose unthinking actions Nope. World of Warcraft Collectible Card Game done with them yet. result in wreaking terrible havoc upon What I saw was dead people... in a Tournament Shrek the Third (May 18) Shrek is back innocents, and Yagharek, an exiled cool way. One was posed on balance Saturdays at 4pm and when is father-in-law falls ill, he must warrior-bird whose wings were cut-off as beams. Others were doing track stuff. The track down his wife’s rebellious cousin punishment for a horrible transgression rest were educational. Mechwarrior Collectible Miniature Game Artie to be the heir to the throne to against his kind -- both seek redemption. I looked at real human tissue, muscle, Tournaments prevent the duty from falling on him. And both achieve it, though in startlingly and all the stuff. This was not a 2-D but Saturdays at noon While Shrek, Donkey and Puss track different ways. Lots of literary kudos to the real thing. I originally thought I was this one… ( Continued on page 7 ) Page 6 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 2 ( Continued from page 6 ) Bookmans, Tucson (Speedway) Check the websites for confirmation, Second, I have nieces. Being the FYI Meditation class location and more information. “evil” uncle, I had to get something nice Anachronism card game tournaments Apr 8, 11:30am http://www.borders.com for them, back home. Saturdays at 5pm Apr 22, 11:30am http://bob1.booksense.com (Changing Hands) Third, I am a writer. I admit I have May 13, 11:30am http://www.poisonedpen.com never read her books but will do so after 107th Ave & Indian School: May 27, 11:30am http://www.bookmans.com this piece is written. (I’ve been too busy Jun 10, 11:30am http://www.imperialoutpost.com reading fantasy, science fiction, etc., etc., World of Warcraft Collectible Card Game http://www.azchallenger.org etc.) Tournament Bookmans, Flagstaff http://www.pimaair.org/ Last, I didn’t know who L.M. Saturdays at Noon Creative Writing Circle http://www.azrocky.com Montgomery. I have heard of the author Apr 15, 5pm http://uanews.org (Univ of Ariz) but didn’t know if it was a he or she. I Friday Night Magic Tournaments May 20, 5pm wanted to find out. Fridays at 6pm Jun 17, 5pm On the first stop at Anne of Green An American in Canada Part Gables Museum at Park Corner, I found Heroclix Tournaments Bookmans, Mesa Four: Finding Lucy at Prince out L in L.M. Montgomery was Lucy. I Saturdays at 3pm Free psychic readings Edward Island or I Gave Up Ice saw the author’s house and stuff. I also Apr 7, 12:30pm Cream for This? met Pam Campbell, a great-great-great Borders, Glendale May 5, 12:30pm by Jeffrey Lu (oh, great. I don’t know how many greats) Metaphysical Mondays Jun 2, 12:30pm granddaughter. She told the group about Mondays, 7pm the history of her famous ancestor, L.M. On Prince Edward Island, the tour Free tarot readings Montgomery. Afterwards, I had a red guide greeted me and others on the Anne Borders, Avondale Tuesdays, 11am drink with a little actress “Anne of Green of Green Gables tour. I planned earlier to Metaphysical Wednesdays Gables”- pigtails and all. have homemade ice cream or see the Wednesdays, 7pm Beginning Belly Dancing The last stop was another museum. places where L.M. Montgomery lived and Thursdays, 7pm This place was where all her stories took wrote. Being curious, I decided to try out Borders, Paradise Valley place. Due to the time, I did not have a the tour for a few reasons. Metaphysical Fridays Hero Clix-Super Hero Gaming Night chance to go to the haunted woods. First, L.M. Montgomery wrote Fridays, 7pm Sundays, 6pm Instead, I had lunch and enjoyed the children books that made her rich and outdoors. famous in the beginning of the 20th Changing Hands bookstore D&D RPG Night I may have given up homemade ice century. She’s like Canada’s J.K. Rowling April 5, 7pm Mondays, 6pm cream but I ate up the scenery for a (author of Harry Potter) but without Latin ASU Writer-in-Residence Lee Gutkind classic author- L.M. Montgomery. Maybe and wands. The “magic” of her books spent six years at Carnegie Mellon’s Bookmans, Tucson Central (Grant) I should write a children book in were her life experiences on the P.E.I. Robotics Institute, watching a group of Intuitive Vibrational Readings, Tarot & Arizona? We’ll see. (Prince Edward Island). scientists try to develop human movement Astrology Next: Bird Island (or Eagles, Seals, and and decision-making capabilities. Tonight Mondays, 7pm Puffins, Oh My!) he presents the result of that research, his book Almost Human: Making Robots Video Game Tournaments Think, a remarkable portrait of the robotic Saturdays, 12:30pm subculture and the challenging quest for robot autonomy. Challenger Space Center, Peoria StarLab Planetarium Poisoned Pen Bookstore, Scottsdale Apr 7, 11:30am & 12:30pm April 15th, noon Jim Butcher Women in Aviation & Aerospace Careers May 14th, 7pm Apr 21, 8am Charlaine Harris Stargazing Bookmans, Central Phoenix Apr 21, 7pm Phoenix Astronomical Society Telescope Workshop Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson May 13, 4:30pm Space Day Jun 10, 4:30pm May 5, all day

Anime Festival Rocky Horror Picture Show April 28, 10am Chandler Cinemas Saturdays, 11pm Scimitar-Talon Middle-Ages Recreationists Rocky Horror Picture Show Apr 7, 12:30pm performance May 5, 12:30pm Univ of Arizona Jun 2, 12:30pm Apr 8 - May 1

Video Game Tourney - Guitar Hero Championship May 5, 5pm

Creative Writers Guild Workshop Apr 5, 6pm May 3, 6pm Jun 7, 6pm

Volume 17 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 7 Conversation ( Continued from page 1 ) I got an agent. It took a while. When we goal and how much have you plotted it novels. They’re much more difficult to finally did get an editor to look at it, it out? write at least in my opinion. I never would similar to that because that would seem to went pretty quickly after that, but getting It was part of the class project to plan of had time to write about that in a be a much better use of your interests to that look took a long time. the whole thing. So I planned this 20 book Dresden book, there’s always all these serve your writing?” I said “No, I’m a series with this story arc and everything other events going on in a full novel and I fantasy writer” and I’d done that for a How different was the published book and I’m still shocked that it’s actually wouldn’t have gotten to write that story so long time. Finally, one semester, I had from your original work done during getting to play out. When I sold the first it’s fun to be able to put that in a short been arguing with her on several different the writing class? trilogy, I knew the odds weren’t very story. points on writing craft and so on, and I One of the things that helped sell it good that they were going to want to finally decided that this semester I’m was that the editor wasn’t going to have to renew after the first trilogy gets written. I You also started up a secondary series, going to do just exactly everything she do a whole ton of work on it to make it sort of just planned on that happening and The Codex Alera, a couple of years ago. tells me to and I’m going to show her how good enough quality. The first book then it turned out that they did want more What it difficult to sell it? wrong she is about all these different actually came out closer to my original and right now it looks like I am going to Yes, my very first swords and horses. things because I had my English inception than any of the other books get to write the whole thing that I wanted. For the longest time we sent it around and Literature degree so I knew better than since then in some way.” I had about 20 case books in mind and a there was no interest in it. I wound up she did. Just because she had 30 or 40 big old apocalyptic trilogy at the end going with a different agent at one point novels under her belt, that didn’t mean Did you expect the amount of success because one of the first movies I and I showed her this project but she knew anything. So kind of to prove you’ve ended up with on The Dresden remember seeing is Star Wars and I think nobody’s been interested in. She said her wrong, I set out to fill out all the little Files? apocalyptic trilogies are required. “No, let me take a look at it and let’s worksheets she had in her class, and I mean I’d hoped, but that’s the kind rework it” and she wound up just by proceed according to things she had of thing that every writer kinda hopes that Now that you’re almost halfway knowing the people involved and being suggested for new writers to do and I was maybe one day there will be a TV series through, how close are you to following savvy about what’s going on and she said going to show her what terrible or a movie or something. I had never the original plan? “let’s just change the order of these two unimaginative pablum was the result... actually thought it was going to happen. Very closely. I still got my old chapters around and I want you to rewrite and I wrote the first book of The Dresden When I planned the books out I hadn’t notebook on a shelf in my closet and the these 50 pages and now this will sell.” I’m Files. I wrote it to prove how much my realized at the time but it was really specifics have changed quite a bit, but the saying “Are you sure?” and she’s “ Oh writing teacher didn’t know and learned a incredibly arrogant of me to plan to write general outline of the story, what I want to yeah, I’m sure I can sell it now” She was valuable lesson about humility as a result. a 20 book long series. “What do you think do with the characters, is very close. At right. She went out and got two different She read the first three chapters of the about that?” I’d ask my writing teacher this point, there are certain events that I publishers bidding on it and sold it. That very first book and she looked up at me and she said “I imagine if you got a series want to have going on with the White project was a matter of pure agent savvy. and said “You did it. This will sell.” I said to go for twenty books you’d be doing Council and everybody else, and I want “What?” and she said “Oh yeah, I don’t just fine”. Its one of those things you’d Harry to be able to find out about this.. How has the reaction to it been? know if this is the first thing you will sell, hope to happen, but I hadn’t really All that is still the same. That hasn’t While its sales have not been as good but this is professional quality and you’ll planned on it happening cause the chances changed at all. as The Dresden Files, they’ve still be very be able to sell this to somebody.” against it are just so extreme. When it did good. Most of the fans have enjoyed it. happen, it was very much a shock. When I Each book can pretty much stand alone There’s been a heavy amount of Once you had it written, how hard was first got a call, I was going “what’s going as an adventure story, but there’s also crossover. There’s some fans that picked it to get it actually sold? to happen now” and I was told “probably plenty going on to advance the overall up the Codex Alera expecting it to be I had an introduction letter to her nothing” They’ll just give you some arc. Dresden Files “It’s a terrible Dresden editor, and that editor had it for something money and will probably not do anything A lot of the story has really been Files novel!” and I can only go “You’re like three years. I’d gotten it rejected from with it as that’s what happens to most of happening in the background. Harry’s right, it’s a terrible Dresden Files novel, it a couple of different places, I got an agent these. I know how to deal with that. But been involved in some things, but when it isn’t meant to be one.” It’s all written to look at it and got the agent to sell it, but then, nothing didn’t happen, I guess. They comes to the entire war with the vampires from the third person with multiple that wasn’t until 2 and half years after I’d wound up actually doing something with and so on, Harry’s really the town sheriff, viewpoints which is a very different written it. In fact, I’d written Storm Front, it. I think that surprised everybody.” holding Chicago together has been his flavor of writing and I’m still on a really and the next book in the series, Fool main focus, and he has not been out there sharp learning curve, I think, in all of my Moon, and was three quarters of the way You said you had a 20 book series really slugging it out on the front lines of writing. I’m still learning to use the through the third book in the series before planned for Harry, is that still your the battlefield. He just sees that sort of multiple viewpoint/third person to best action tangentially. He occasionally gets advantage and I think its going pretty well. This last book, Cursor’s Fury, was over that way, very well received. A lot of people are but not terribly very happy about that one. Hopefully the often. series itself will continue to do well. That one’s going to be six books and we’ll be You recently done. had a Dresden short story in You also squeezed a Spider-Man book the My Big Fat into your schedule. Supernatural I loved it! The original editor who bought Wedding The Dresden Files, Jen Heddle, she collection wound up changing jobs and she went which was a over to Pocket where they put her in fun read. charge of several different projects for It was multimedia stuff and one of the things she terribly fun to had was the Spider-Man books. She asked write. I hadn’t me out to dinner at a convention and at really done short one point she asked me “Hay Jim, would stories very you want to write a Spider-Man novel?” often and “What are you talking about? Of course I they’re a very want to write a Spider-Man novel!” What different Spider-Man fan wouldn’t want to write a medium than ( Continued on page 10 ) Page 8 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 2 Charlaine Harris author of the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire novels, Harper Connelly series, and the Aurora Teagarden and Lily Bard Mysteries is the Author Guest of Honor Music Guests at Artist Guest Heather Stern CopperCon 27 Sean Martin & Alison Stern September 7-9, 2007 Sponsored by the Phoenix Filk Cirlce Our Location Special Thursday Night Events Embassy Suites North 2577 West Greenway Room 602-375-1777 Pre-Registered Members ONLY Rates: Gaming - Barry Bard Memorial Moive Previews and Giveaways - Author Events $109 S/D plus tax Each extra person is $10 CopperCon 27 will feature up to 6 people per room Art Show Console Game Room Gaming Each suite is beautifully decorated with of all kinds! a private bedroom and spacious living Art Auction Dance room. All suites are fully equipped with LARPs two televisions, wet bar, a refrigerator, microwave oven, coffee maker, two Autograph Sessions Dealer Room telephones with data ports,iron with filled with the best dealers with Panels & Demos board, hair dryer, Neutrogena prod- Charity Auction all those special items you have We are planning both panels ucts, and a well lit dining/work table.. to benefit the been searching for! discusions and lots of hands on High Speed Internet Access is available for an extra charge. Thomas J Pappas School for demos. Rooms include made to order breakfast Homeless Children Hospitality Suite and Happy Hour! where you can sit and visit with and much much more!! friends, both new and old Memberships Rates Contact Info

$30 through 03/31/2007 Are you interested in being part of CopperCon? By Mail: $35 through 06/30/2007 CopperCon 27 $40 through 08/15/2007 CopperCon is always looking for new people. If you have an idea PO Box 62613 $45 at the door for a panel or demo, are intrested in being committee or staff, are On the web: Kids 7-12 half price* interested in space in our Art Show or Dealer room, want to run a www.coppercon.org Kids 0-6 Free* game or just want to make a suggestion of any kind, PLEASE By Email: * with Adult membership [email protected] Pay on-line with Paypal contact us. Volume 17 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 9 Conversation ( Continued from page 8 ) substantial moon colony, a Mars colony, a Right now you are alternating between and he’s like “Ooh, this is good stuff” and bunch of satellite type of habitats where Codex and Harry? started writing it. So while he did make Spider-Man novel if they got the chance. they get tired of taking a bunch of crap I work Dresden about five or six months some changes in some of the specifics So I did, and loved it. The money wasn’t from a bunch of nations on Earth who of the year and then go do the other one between the books and the TV show, he real good any anything, but that wasn’t never have to worry about things like their the rest of the time. tried to keep all of these changes within a the point. The point was I got to go play air whooosing out of their ship and so on framework of something that is consistent in Spider-Man’s universe for a while and and wind up seceding from them and That makes it hard to fit anything else with the overall story world which I was that was a great deal of fun. forming their own nation, the United in. tremendously grateful for. As he was I certainly loved writing the Spider-Man System. The peace keepers for the United Yeah, I’m gonna try. I’m working on writing the pilot, and wrote several novel just because I was such a big fan as System are called the Marshals, so I get to it. Like I said, I’m still on a pretty steep sample scripts for what an episode script a kid. When the Spider-Man movies came have the U.S. Marshals. They’re the only learning curve. I’m really trying to would be like, he sent them out to me and out and did really well, it was sort of like ones who know about the aliens because improve my stuff with each book. And said “Hey, can I get your thoughts on seeing a nerdy friend from high school aliens are just fun. I tried to approach this hopefully my learning curve will also this”. I sent them back and they made who had made good with their life. It was one from the viewpoint of actual science include being able to improve my work changes based on my feedback and they that same sort of feeling looking at it and I and actually finding out what its really habits and my efficiency to be able to get eventually got it made into a pilot. was so happy to see the movies do well. going to be like getting out as we move more done which I think would be really Then when I got the chance to write the out into space into near Earth type great. I’m actually getting better, but I’ve Have you been able to see any of it book it was “I get to have The Rhino colonies. The applying models of history been getting distracted doing different being filmed? drink tea on Aunt May’s couch” Once you to that to figure out what the people are various stuff for TV and there’s been a lot I got to go visit the set of the pilot can do something like that as a comic going to be like who head out that way. more publicity stuff, too. while they were making it. SciFi liked the book nerd you’re pretty much happy. Typically the colonist type people are pilot so much, they said “let’s go make really a mixed bag of interesting folks. How did the TV series come about? the series” and they started shooting series What other projects are you working They’re not just the regular people that The first thing that happened was I got episodes. I went up and visited the set of on for the future? are the first ones to head out to a new contacted and they said “We want to the series last week and actually appeared I’ll try my hand at actual “Science territory. It should make for a fun read option your book for a possible movie or in a cameo role. I’m one of the guys who Fiction” science fiction after this, as and that’s what I’m really looking TV show”. I looked into it and usually helps carry in a coffin that Butters is opposed to just fantasy. I’ve got a good forward to. what happens is about 99% of these looking at. So I get to open the coffin and idea for sort of a science fiction police When are we likely to see that project options is they option it and nothing my Blackberry explodes when Dresden procedural type thing. Its going to be on the shelves? happens. They pay you a minor option- walks in. One of those non-speaking centered around a law enforcement The Codex books will definitely get type fee to have the right to do something cameo roles where I can get my Stan Lee agency that’s actually operating in a done first and book four of the Codex with it for a certain amount of time and points. nation that secedes from the individual series is due in the next few weeks and usually that time expires and that’s that. nations of Earth and becomes its own I’ve got two more books in that series to I’d only had four books out and I was in What was it like to be on the set and nation about 300 years in the future set on finish that one off. That will be my next the middle of writing book five and none seeing your creation come to life? a bunch of space stations centered around secondary project, the U.S. Marshals of them had been best sellers or anything It was weird because there I was and a la grange point and some mining books. so I was like, when they called and said there was Harry Dresden and Murphy and stations out by the asteroid belt, a fairly “we would like to option it”, what I heard Butters and they’re doing stuff only was “we would like to pay for medical everyone else can see them, too. It was insurance for your family”. to which I said kind of strange to see people who were “OK, that would be great!” But then it imaginary to me and now, there they are. turned out several years later that they It was also very neat. I really like the guy actually were going to do something with they got playing Harry, he does a great it. They asked me if I could send out some job. of my book stuff so they could make a display center and impress people so I There’s been some consternation online sent out copies of the books and various about some of the changes made. What little book merchandise stuff that we had is your take on that? at the time. There was a tapestry throw For one thing, when I was putting the Do you like to write? rug of one of the covers of one of the stories together I was a 25 year old kid in books and so on, so we sent all of the stuff a college class. If I was going to be Do you enjoy reviewing books or movies? to them. Evidently they impressed some putting the Dresden Files together as a Would you like to get involved in people at Lionsgate and Lionsgate said brand new project now, knowing how “Let’s do it!.” much more I know about actually telling a Producing this newszine? story and creating good drama than I did How much involvement have you had then, it would look much different now. with the series development. Some of the changes Robert has made are We need your creativity and assistance They sold it to SciFi and SciFi said very cool and I really like. Some of them Please join us and see how you they had a writer they wanted to work on are made because in a TV show you can’t it and they got Robert Wolfe. Robert got really splash in as many characters as you can contribute. in touch with me and said “Hey, I’ve read can in a book and get things done the your books”, which was sort of a shock same way at least without taking a really because I wasn’t sure if anyone in different focus. The main example that April 3, 2007 at 7pm Hollywood was allowed to read books. He everyone yells about is “They changed his June 5, 2007 at 7pm said “I can see that you’ve got a bunch of car! He used to drive a Volkswagen”. As th stuff going on in the background and I’ve Robert says, “The thing is, when you Bookmans, Northern & 19 Ave written this kind of stuff before and I drive a Volkswagen, you can only shoot it Community room know you’ve got some fairly heavy story from two angles. You can shoot it directly stuff that is behind the scenes and under to one side and directly in front and that’s Or write us: [email protected] the carpet that is not seen in the books. the only way you can shoot. If you want Would you care to share any of this so I any angles other than that, you’ve got to can keep things consistent?” I said “Sure” have trick Volkswagens that come apart and I shared my series bible with Robert ( Continued on page 11) Page 10 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 2 Conversation ( Continued from page 10 ) like on the Herbie movies.” Instead, they looked at why Harry drives a Volkswagen. Because he’s a wizard and wizards are hard on technology and Volkswagens are very reliable and very easily repairable technology so instead we have him driving a Korean War era jeep because it is also very reliable, very easily repairable and dependable technology. They use exactly the same reasoning, they just changed the specific of Volkswagen to jeep. A jeep you can film it from any angle you want and so on. So while there have been changes made, most of the changes are cosmetic and where there are changes that weren’t merely cosmetic, they’re really cool for story, I really like them.

I’d like to thank Jim for taking time for this interview at a very busy time. You can interact with Jim on his website, jim- butcher.com where he and Robert Wolfe have been very active discussing the TV series with Jim’s fans. You can read an expanded version of this interview online at www.casfs.org in the ConNotations section.

MangaZone

Disgaea By Arashi Shindo Broccoli Books, 208 pages, $9.99

This is the manga adaption of the video game Disgaea: Hour of Darkness that came out for the Ps2 by Altus Games. Recently Disgaea has come out in anime form as a 13 episodes TV series by Geneon and Nippon Ichi Software. The manga is fun. It follows the adventures of Prince Laharl, son of the dead King Krichevskoy the last overlord of the netherworld. Laharl, his vassal Etna her Prinnie brigade (the souls of people who have sinned that look like Penguins) and Flonne, with help from Mid Boss, set out to defeat all who oppose Laharl in becoming Overlord of the netherworld be it from Earth or Heaven. This is a great manga it has many characters from the previous game upset right under overlord, and is looking to MBQ game references and was fun to read. that they are not the main characters. make a name for herself and become a By Felipe Smith Whether it was Laharl’s fear of big After we actually get into the second part overlord also. Etna gets lost in time and Tokyopop, 211 pages, $9.99 breasts or Lame heroes it was great. A of this manga you meet the new main her Prinnie followers find themself lost. must for fans and non fans alike. - characters Adell the only Human left on a This is really fun with the Disgaea This manga is a funny look at the life ninjakittyofdoom world cursed by the overlord Zenon said unique episode previews made classic in of Omario, a struggling artist, and his to be the most powerful overlord there is. the games. You will enjoy this one and it roommate Jeff, a rather large person who Disgaea 2 Volume 1 Cursed Memories The curse turned all humans into demons. might make you want to play the games works at a fast food joint. The manga By Arashi Shindo Our hero’s mother uses a summons spell also. Have fun and watch out for prinnies flows like a Quentin Tarantino movie and Broccoli Books, 224 pages, $9.99 to get the overlord so her son can beat they explode when thrown. - flips around to a lot of characters that all him, But she messes up and summons ninjakittyofdoom seem to tie into each other one way or This is that sequel and possibly a on Zenon’s daughter, Rozalin another. It is violent and fun with a lot of going series of manga based on the Now Adell must take her back to her more mature themes. It seems like a Disgaea 2 game. It starts with a lead in father and find a way to defeat him. everyday life real store than a manga. I that links game 1 and game 2 together. In Meanwhile Etna has left Laharl and look forward to what happens. Enjoy - the book is heavy advertising for the game become the Beauty Queen of the ninjakittyofdoom and lots more game references with the Netherworld the second highest position Volume 17 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 11 Look! Up in the sky! It’s a will fluidly connect to the next cel in the se- bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s quence drawn by the Superman! master animator. An by Shane Shellenbarger invention that rivaled Disney’s 1933 multi- Growing up, I fell in love with anima- plane camera was the tion. The Warner Brothers Looney Tunes Fleisher Studios 1934 and Merrie Melodies were among my fa- Three-Dimensional Set- vorites, but I was also very fond of the back or Tabletop cam- more formal of Disney’s mov- era. Used to great ef- ies. It wasn’t until I became an adult that fect in Betty Boop, I discovered Max and and Popeye, and Color their animated adventures of Superman. Classic cartoons, the The infancy of the Setback camera used can loosely be traced back to 1914-15 three-dimensional min- while was Art Editor of iature sets built to the Popular Science Monthly. During that same scale of the ani- time, Max developed the idea for the mation artwork. The rotoscope, a mechanical means of crafting cels were placed so that animated films using live-action film as a multiple objects could guide. Working with his brother, Joe, the pass in front of and be- two perfected the machine, called upon hind them, and the en- their brother, Dave, to play the clown tire scene was shot us- (who was later named Koko or Ko-Ko) in ing a horizontal camera. their first live-action film footage, and by In addition to Ko- 1919 the three brothers had a one-minute Ko the Clown, the sample reel and eventually had a deal with Fleisher’s big name John R. Bray to produce one cartoon per recognition came from month. One of the early pioneers in ani- a character that started mation, Bray used their work in Para- out as a girlfriend and mount Pictograph. By 1921, Max and soon progressed into a Dave Fleischer formed a partnership, with star in her own right: Max as the producer and Dave as the di- Betty Boop. On Au- rector, and the two left the Bray studio to gust 9, 1930, Betty create their own animated films. By the made her first appear- mid-1990’s, MIT Media Lab veteran com- ance in the sixth install- puter scientist and animator, Bob ment of the Talkartoon Sabiston, developed a computer-assisted series, Dizzy Dishes. In “interpolated rotoscoping” process. Di- keeping with character rector, Richard Linklater, employed the development estab- system to create the first entirely digital lished at the studio, rotoscoped full-length feature film, A Betty started out as a Scanner Darkly. French poodle. In the 1932 cartoon, Any Rags, Betty appeared for the first time as a totally human character. Her poodle ears became hoop earrings, her curly poodle fur became a bob haircut, and Betty became recognizable as the flapper girl we know today. Voice ac- tor, Mae Questel, was not the first to give voice to Betty, but she Fleischer Studios was a haven for in- was certainly the most novative ideas. Ko-Ko Song Cartunes distinctive. Questel last were sing-along shorts featuring the fa- film performance as the Fleischers ever produced, rivaling that these cartoons still stand among the most mous “Follow the Bouncing Ball.” These Betty Boop was for the characters cameo of Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse cartoons. visually interesting of any series animated cartoons featured synchronized sound in the 1988 film, Who Framed Roger Created for theatrical release, the short films ever created. Fleischer Stu- three years before The Jazz Singer and Rabbit? The Fleisher’s were also able to Fleischer Studios produced nine Super- dios was disbanded in 1942 and changed four years before Disney’s Steamboat take characters from other mediums and man cartoons (distributed through Para- into where the remaining Willie. They also were the first studio to perpetuate their popularity and success. mount Pictures) in 1941 and 1942. Sim- eight shorts were produced in 1943 for a make more efficient use of their master They licensed E.C. Segar’s comic strip ply titled, Superman, the first short in the total of seventeen shorts. animators with the implementation of In- character, Popeye the Sailor, for a cartoon series, at $100,000 had one of the highest provided the voice of Superman in both betweeners or assistant animators. The series of his own. In 1933, Popeye made budgets for a short produced at the time, the animated series and the radio produc- in-betweener would take the finished ani- his first animated appearance in Betty and received an Academy Award nomina- tion with performing as mation cell drawn by the master animator Boop Meets Popeye the Sailor. Popeye tion. Lavishly produced in Technicolor in the animated shorts and on and work to progress the action so that it eventually became the most popular series and employing rotoscope techniques, ( Continued on page 13 ) Page 12 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 2 Superman ( Continued from page 12) 5. The Bulleteers March 27, 1942 to anyone who plays Munchkin. - Bob The Order of the Stick the radio. In 1994, members of the anima- http://www.youtube.com/ LaPierre Dungeon of Dorukan tion field voted the series as #33 of the 50 watch?v=XQhCMVaQqsI Adventure Game Greatest Cartoons of all time. 6. The Magnetic Telescope April 24, Munchkin Impossible $39.95, Giant in the Playground/ In the 1980’s, most of the Fleischers’ 1942 Full Game Advanced Primate Entertainment films and shorts became available on http://www.youtube.com/ $24.95, Steve Jackson Games, 168 cards video, and that’s when I discovered Su- watch?v=Kyuaeu_dzK8 Gamers and comics about gamers perman. Available in department stores, 7. May 15, 1942 The latest parody in the Munchkin have been around for 30+ years. Now supermarkets, and other low cost outlets, http://www.youtube.com/ line, this set rocks! From the uber cool here comes a game based on a comic that the poor-quality videotapes were unable watch?v=ceahD1SPgfA artwork (thanks to John Kovalic) to the is based on a game to diminish the amazing craftsmanship of 8. Volcano July 10, 1942 imaginative new monsters, I think this In the game you play one of the the originals. Having entered the public http://www.youtube.com/ could result in many, many hours of characters from the Order of the Stick domain in the 1950’s, the Superman car- watch?v=QU8R9vQLSGM hilarity. web comic. There are special decks for toons came out in various forms and 9. September 18, 1942 My first foray into this set resulted in each character called “Shtick decks”. lengths, with the final eight of the seven- http://www.youtube.com/ the other three players staring open These decks are character specific and teen episodes difficult to find. The UCLA watch?v=rsk1KmGG5Dg mouthed while I destroyed their fun. I have Special abilities for each character. Film and Television Archive in conjunc- 10. August 28, encountered the effects of too many “in There is an eight page booklet (comic) tion with animation fans have been able to 1942 Black” creatures so I played the “Black for fast play rules or you can read the restore the cartoons in high-quality edi- http://www.youtube.com/ Oops” card. This causes all “in Black” ponderous, thirty two page full rules. Both tions available in a variety of forms in- watch?v=CEhMZGWiONE monsters to leave and leave treasure are entertaining but I prefer the learning cluding DVD. 11. Showdown October 16, 1942 behind. from someone who knows method. The http://www.youtube.com/ The vehicles are cool, the weapons rules read like a Linear Guild plot line. watch?v=AHgXH0ukJ_Q nifty, and you can obtain training in But while it seems complicated once you 12. Eleventh Hour November 20, 1942 almost anything. The factions have play it runs smoothly and is very fun and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv- advantages and disadvantages. You can be fast paced. cGu2ft0w a double agent, or a really secret agent. You don’t have to read the comic to 13. Destruction Inc. December 25, 1942 You have the three classes. There is a lot enjoy the game but it’s much more fun if http://www.youtube.com/ of new loot including almost any bad spy you do. My only regret in this purchase is watch?v=FGe1tT2KJwI pun you can think of. that I could not make it sooner. - Bob 14. The Mummy Strikes February 19, Lots of fun, buy it if it’s available. - LaPierre 1943 Bob LaPierre http://www.youtube.com/ See you next time. - Bob At present, there are three versions watch?v=slJmpAubdTQ The containing all seventeen episodes: 15. March 26, 1943 ( Continued on page 14 ) Complete Superman Cartoons — Dia- http://www.youtube.com/ mond Anniversary Edition (released in watch?v=qi46z123TQI 2000 by Image Entertainment), the diffi- 16. June 18, cult to find, Superman Adventures (re- 1943 HELP WANTED leased in 2004 by Platinum Disc Corpora- http://www.youtube.com/ tion)--a third compilation using restored watch?v=njSApUpAmeE and remastered materials was released in 17. Secret Agent July 30, 1943 Do you enjoy CopperCon? HexaCon? Any of the other November 2006 by Warner Home Video http://www.youtube.com/ local volunteer, fan-run conventions? CopperCon and as part of their DVD box set of Superman watch?v=_xQuJG8zSMs films. HexaCon and the others are staffed completely by unpaid volunteers, from the chair person to the volunteer that http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Gamer’s Corner Fleischer_Studios helps for only one hour. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ OK today’s column is about the games Superman_%281940s_cartoons%29 that require little or no skill to play but If you enjoy our events and want them to continue then http://www.supermanhomepage.com/ could take a life time to master. We have a movies/movies.php?topic=m-fleis2 supplement for Munchkin, a variant of please consider helping any or all of Arizona’s fan run http://www.toonopedia.com/fleischr.htm Munchkin, and a card game/board game events. http://0wanderingattention.blogspot.com/ mixup that could cover three tables (or 2007/02/look-up-in-sky-its-bird-its-plane- more). its.html For information on available CopperCon positions please The Need for Steed contact us at [email protected] or www.coppercon.org 1. Superman September 26, 1941 (AKA Munchkin 4 Supplement as The Mad Scientist) $17.95, Steve Jackson Games, 112 cards http://www.youtube.com/ For information on available HexaCon positions or to watch?v=OYMynm63A-k This the fourth supplement for the 2. November greatest non-collectible card game ever is volunteer to run a game please contact us at 28, 1941 full of new loot, monsters, loot, hirelings, [email protected] or www.hexacon.org http://www.youtube.com/ did I mention loot?, and a new type of watch?v=C40OeMiSAaE card, the steed. 3. Billion Dollar Limited January 9, Steeds are welcome additions, they Our parent organization, the Central Arizona Speculative 1942 add to your level and depending on the Fiction Society (CASFS) is also looking for new http://www.youtube.com/ steed (or the enhancements available) can watch?v=r9fknrtBmdg fly, or breath fire or talk. Although the top members. Check our web site at www.casfs.org for 4. The Arctic Giant February 27, 1942 steed is the Dragon my personal favorite information on meetings and upcoming events or contact http://www.youtube.com/ is the Tiger (9 lives, returns to your hand us at [email protected] watch?v=QGqPXliSDvs every time it dies). I would recommend this supplement Volume 17 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 13 Gamer’s Corner mystery as Harry works to find out who ( Continued from page 13 ) has been killing novice wizards in Chicago, many of whom appear to be Warhammer 40,000: Death World suicide, but hints are left that Harry is able by Steve Lyons to recognize. Unfortunately, the signs Black Library Publications; 248 pp., point to his half brother, Thomas, a $7.99 vampire of the White Court. He also has to deal with his being a mentor to Molly This is a tale of Imperial Guard jungle Carpenter, his wizard apprentice he has fighters surviving against not only their been tasked with following the events in natural enemies, the Orcs, but also the Proven Guilty, where he took planet. responsibility for her to prevent the White Loved it. I never expect a planet to be Council from executing her. The book an enemy. Recommended for Warhammer builds as more murders pile up until Harry 40,000 fans and/or dark science fiction finally figures it out. In the process he readers. - Jeffrey Lu ends up in the middle of a big power play between factions of the White Court Warhammer: “Warpsword” vampires, leading to a really big battle at by Dan Abnett and Mike Lee the end between White Court factions, Black Library Publishing; 407 pp., Ghouls, and Harry and his somewhat $7.99 surprising band of recruits. Dresden fans will want to grab this one right away. If Malus Darkblade is back! The dark elf you’ve been intrigued by the TV series, will be dealing with religion, politics, and there’s enough exposition to bring you up prophecy. Malus will also be fighting over to speed fairly quickly if this is your first one of his family members over an trip into Harry Dresden’s world. - Lee ancient sword. Whiteside This is the fourth book of the series- Tales of Malus Darkblade. Tempting Evil Good plot turns. The joy of politics. by Keri Arthur For dark fantasy readers and Warhammer Dell/Spectra, 6.99, 371pp fans - Jeffrey Lu This is another of Keri Arthur’s Riley Jenson novels and as near as I can In Our Book determine, this is the fourth novel dealing with the woman who is part wolf and part White Night (A Novel of the Dresden vampire and all kick-ass Guardian, a Files) member of the Directorate of Other Races Blood and Iron competent writer. But I still found myself by Jim Butcher whose function is to keep the peace by Elizabeth Bear plodding through this book. I never Roc Hardback $24.95 amongst humans and that which is $14.00, Roc Fantasy, 432 pp thought of it when I wasn’t reading. It “other.” Vampires, were wolves, were- didn’t capture my imagination nor much It’s hard to believe this is the ninth well… anything. The world of Faery is in political of my interest. So why didn’t it work? Harry Dresden book and it serves as a And for a very nice change, this novel turmoil and being threatened by an The two things I need most out of a good Dresden adventure that moves the is set in Melbourne, Australia (the organized group of mortal mages. Our reading experience is good plot and good overall story along with a few major author’s home). main protagonist, Elaine – also known as characterizations. The plot was very events in Harry’s life happening in the If you are a fan of dark paranormal Seeker – is a powerful woman controlled complex and, at times, a bit confusing. In book. As with prior chapters in this story, romances in all their wonderful by the Faery Queen. She is sent to the fact, I was nearly halfway through before it is set some time after the previous book. permutations, this should be right up your mortal world to find the newest Merlin. the main plot was revealed. The reader This time, there was a major event since alley. She is not the only one looking for the should not have to work very hard at the last book that Harry revisits during the And there is plenty of sex. And Merlin. One of the mortal mages is also keeping the plot lines straight. The course of this adventure, giving us a better because Riley is a no nonsense woman, sent as is a representative from a rival characterizations were weak. It was as if heck she has sex with loads of Faery court. But Seeker is the one the Ms. Bear were deliberately holding her ..well…people Though there is one Merlin falls in love with. However, Elaine characters at arms-length. Even when we vampire Quinn who feels he is her soul must still convince the Merlin that their were inside Elaine’s head, it was handled mate, but she feels that only a werewolf cause is just. The coming battle between rather coldly. And we never got inside could be her soul mate. (I am suspecting mortal and fey is sure to cost thousands, if anyone else’s head. They were very one- NOT). not more, of lives. Elaine’s truest love is a dimensional. Not highly recommended. - Riley and her twin brother are sent to werewolf, Keith, who is destined to be the Catherine Book take on a really nasty character and his next Dragon Prince, which means his fate cartel named Deshon Starr who is – inescapable – is to kill…lots. And her Games of Command involved in nasty genetics/cloning son was taken from her and raised by the By Linnea Sinclair experiments, creating all sorts of Queen to be the royal heir…a truly Bantam Books, 2007, Paperback, 525 p, “monsters.” Make no mistake, Starr is an heinous fate. Elaine must convince the $6.99 evil character and there’s lost of graphic Merlin to back their fight, save her son nastiness, so those who are faint-hearted: from himself and survive an arranged The War between the United Coalition Beware. marriage. And she’ll need to find a way to (UCE) and the Triad has ground to a halt But there are a lot of real hotties in this reawaken King Arthur if she wants to with more or less a whimper. Both sides are proud but are working hard to create glimpse into what Harry has to deal with book and the story zips along faster than a save Keith. the new and peaceful Alliance. As a part now that he is a Warden. In this case, it hungry vampire in a room full of This is a very complex plot with many of the Alliance Personnel Integration was a pretty major blow to the White compliant women threads coming together at the end. Program Tasha Sebastian, An UCE Council, its Wardens, and wizard trainees. Did I mention there was lots of sex? - Usually a satisfying book if handled This novel also serves as more of a Sue Martin competently. Ms. Bear is a very ( Continued on page 15 ) Page 14 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 2 In Our Book ( Continued from page 14 ) what a poem may be. i-ROBOT Poetry by material fraught with implications, is sort **** The Alchemist’s Apprentice Jason Christie illuminates his highly of a straight line with no real highs or (Paperback) Captain with a murky past as a smuggler intelligent, satirical and somewhat lows, just a few potholes. by Dave Duncan and highjacker, has been demoted to whimsical, alternative style.” I wanted to feel more outrage or more ACE. 320 pages, $14.00 Commander and assigned to Flagship As a big SF fan, the name (i-ROBOT) involvement with the two lead characters, Vaxar under the command of Admiral Kel caught my eye. I am not usually one for but they were kind of bland and though From the cover:” To the legendary Patten, a Biocybernetic officer. This Poetry, but this book is great. With over the situations they got involved in were clairvoyant Maestro Nostradamus, the officer had been Tasha’s personnel 75 poems I just could not set the book dramatic they weren’t compelling. I felt a future is forever in motion. But for young Nemesis throughout the long war. Now he down. I stood there and read half the book bit of distance in the storytelling. swordsman Alfeo Zeno, his apprentice has requested Tasha. She fears he has a before I knew it. Check out the short book And I wanted more angst and drama. - and protector, the present is hard enough vengeful agenda. film also. http://www.edgewebsite.com/ Sue Martin to contend with. His days are spent poring His agenda, as Tasha finds out books/irobotpoetry/ir-catalog.html - ( Continued on page 16 ) eventually is not quite what one would CLD... expect from a biocybernetic organism who has supposedly had the softer A Pound of Flesh emotions programmed out of him. Before by Susan Wright all this comes out the two discover that a ROC, 291pp, $14.00 sinister plot to destroy both nations lies at the root of the original conflict and that This is a tale of Triad is hopelessly infiltrated. Their travel and travail and security organization is completely was, well…nice. dominated by the enemy. The subject matter Can Kel Patten with his programming was fundamentally and implants be saved? Is there any interesting: a woman chance for the new Alliance? Is there any takes on a mission to future together for our leading players? cleanse the lands of For the answer to these and many other sexual salves and the questions read this novel with its pleasure houses they delightful telepathic Furzels, its numerous inhabit. Once a sexual and complex human characters, its slave herself (and whose mysterious evil enemies and its delightful, story was charted in the romantic and sometimes ridiculous previous novel by situations. Wright “To Serve and The book suffers structurally from the Submit”), she joins up author’s failure to perfectly meld all of its with the man who had elements. The novel is a meld of the once been her sexual earlier work “Command Performance” master. The two go out and several short pieces written in the and about the land to same universe. It does not flow quite as eventually end up in/at smoothly “Finders Keepers” and the heart of the slave “Accidental Goddess.” Still It is a trade. readable book and a good story. I For a book dealing Gary Swaty recommend it. – with sexual bondage, this was pretty mild. The i-ROBOT Poetry cover is more exciting by Jason Christie. than the story. Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy Wright takes the Publishing, 112 pages, $19.95 European world as we know it and slightly From the cover: “The popularly changes the names of misperceived boundary between humans things: Veneto for and technology shifts, blurs and Venice, Kristna for disappears to the point where robots Christ, pelegrini for become all too human in their wants, pilgrims, a haushold for needs, and aspirations. household, Frankish lands for well, Frankish lands. And calling the leader of Veneto the doj (i.e. Doge.) Things like that. This is a small pet peeve of mine. Either name them something completely different or call Venice Venice and just set the story in an About the Author: Jason Christie is alternate world history. considered one of Canada’s cutting-edge Lots of novelists do it. poets and is, perhaps, one of the most But tweaking the names important poets of the late 20th and early slightly feels lazy and/or 21st centuries. His avant-garde style timid. challenges the status quo and questions And the story, though dealing with Volume 17 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 15 In Our Book ( Continued from page 15 ) contemporary tale of a house brownie avenging the death of wulfgar and their internal bomb blows him up and sets Zette helping out a young man keep his home daughter. Tristan prepares to sail for and her best friend on a search for the over astrology charts and making spic and span…and she does it by Serena’s stronghold. However, on the eve truth. But when her home I destroyed by a calculations, his nights learning arcane shopping HSN and maxing out his credit of the mission, Xanthus, an invincible home brewed android identical to her. She magic or transcribing Nostradamus’s card. warrior will come through the Azure and her friend, Gideon Smith escape, only nebulous prophecies. Until one night, “Gypsies in the Wood” by Kim Wall, torturing innocents to death unless to find sabotage, spies, nasty infections in when the Council of Ten arrives to take Newman is a dark Gothic tale set in an Tristan returns with him to an uncertain both wetware ,and hardware,, bad guys, the seer into custody. alternate Victorian England and focuses fate . Their he learns about he and his and bad machines out to get them. The It seems that a high-ranking friend of on two children who have been spirited sister’s destiny. journey brings them face to face with the the prince died under mysterious away to Fairyland…with unsettling While he is gone, his sister takes the fleet awesomely powerful firemind, Hydrogen circumstances after Nostradamus cast his results. A government organization that against Serena’s citadel. But many traps Steel. horoscope, warning of danger-and rumors investigates the strange and unusual gets await them with Hellish creatures Bedford writes a heck of a good book. are swirling that the mystic poisoned the involved, along with a detective and a summoned by the heretics [bad magic]. Fully realized characters, and world, all victim to enhance his own reputation. lady journalist, to untangle the events. While Serena prepares a spell that can the action you could wish for, and lots and Alfeo is stunned when his master refuses However, the weakness here for me was bring her dead daughter back to life. lots of Ideas and concepts to occupy the to flee. Instead, Nostradamus charges the made up names. A “B. Loved” for an Here be epic fantasy with complex mind. This is a must have , a go get it now Alfeo with the task of clearing his name. artist, characters named P.C. Throttle and characters, a fully realized complex world book everyone will enjoy. - Pam Allan Now, Alfeo must unravel a web of magic Satterthwaite Bulge, a village named Eye. light and dark strive to rule over and murder if he is to have any future of Even though I know some of it is generations.. The destiny of the twins is to Idolon his own.” emulating Victorian names ala Dickens, bring the two sides back into balance. by Mark Budz Well, the book said Fantasy on the it’s a bit much. Maybe next volume. Fantasy lovers will Bantam Spectra, 448 pp, $6.99 back, but it’s a Who-dun it historical “The Kelpie” by Patricia McKillip is a want to get there hands on this. - Pam Mystery with a little peppering of Fantasy lovely romantical tale set in a sort of Pre- Allan Idolon is a new book by the author of on top. Still, a really good book to read. Raphaelite artistic circle, again, in Clade and Crache. Dave Duncan has spun a really interesting England. Very dreamy and full of rich Carnival In a world where image is everything, well written story in Nostradamus’ description. My second favorite in this by Elizabeth Bear the past more real than the present, the Venice. This one is a keeper. You feel like collection, after Tanith Lee’s. Bantam, 395 pp, $6.95 wealthy can reprogram the world, with you are there in Venice trying to unravel a “Except the Queen” by Jane Yolen themselves as stars..Pelayo is a test murder. I hope Dave Duncan write and Midori Snyder is about a pair of Carnival is a stand alone novel by the subject for the latest in skin imagery. His another book with Alfeo Zeno in it. - exiled fairies coping with humans in the author of Worldwired and Hammered. cousin works in a cinematique where she CLD..... contemporary world. Aging and without Old Earth is a world of spies wanting meets Nadice, an indentured worker powers their intrinsic empathy for out from under the hand of the Governors, smuggling illegal ware to escape hiding a The Fair Folk: Six Tales of the Fey wounded souls gets them involved with a logical arbitrary responders to the eco forbidden pregnancy she can’t explain. edited by Marvin Kaye young man and woman with interesting problems and overpopulation of the past. When Marta tries to help, both women Ace Books; $15; 435 pp destinies. The tale quite sweeps you along They run the Coalition and want everyone disappear. While Pelayo searches for his and the tension builds as the two sisters subject to their rules. Vincent and Angelo cousin, homicide detective Kasuo Van The opening story of this terrific, write back and forth discovering bit by bit two spies, who are back in service to act Dijk investigates a new kind of E-skin engrossing collection is such a refreshing the convoluted plans of the Fairy Queen. as homosexual lovers on a matriarchal that leads him to the missing women and a blast of fantasy. Tanith Lee’s “UOUS” is The weakest tale in this lot is “An world the Coalitions wants for energy plot to deliver humanity into a frightening wonderful, inventive, fascinating and Embarrassment of Elves” by Craig Shaw source. But nothing is as it seems. Both new information age. wildly colorful. It’s the Cinderella tale of Gardner. It’s a big noisy guffaw of a story have their own agendas. Amazona has it’s William Gibson move over. The post a young woman who’s living with a nasty about ooh those wild and crazy elves, and own rules and as many agendas. And they ecocaust world of Idolon is a virtual night stepmother and two step sisters in a weird a host of other fey clowns as a line-up of have few revolutionary groups as well. mare that seems all too possible. Well part of the wood in contemporary Fantasy Quest clichés Gardner has used in Behind every mask is still another and written, with kaleidoscopic imagery that England. The aging, crumbling home they other stories. At the heart of the matter is another. The power source the coalition sets your head spinning like an action have is set in a clearing edged about by a spectacular Elvish Party. Well, set in wants is not Amazonia’s to trade, and the movie trailer, this is a book for those trees and vines. this collection, the Gardner piece is like root of there is alien to all that seek it , anticipating a virtual world. Enjoy. - Pam The “Cinderella” here is named Lois, loud giggling in a silent church: and makes up it’s own mind. Allan but her stepsisters call her “Louse.” Lois unnecessary and pretty annoying. - Sue This is action adventure with has names for them, too. The stepmum Martin intellectual stimulation , well realized Ink whose name is Irene but it’s pronounced characters and complete world[s] that by Hal Duncan “’Ear Rainer’” has a boyfriend Lois calls A March into Darkness holds your interest. The action is fast and Del Ray, 530 pp, $15.95 Decrepit James. The sisters named by Robert Newcomb byzantine with more twists and turns than Andromeda and Ophelia are called “And” Del Ray, 638 pp, $26.95 a bowl of pasta. This is a book that is hard Ink is by the author of Vellum. and “Oaf” by the narrator. to put down, and you will want to read it However it is less a series continuation Just a lovely disjunctive family. A March into Darkness is volume two of again. This is a good time to get your than a change in perspective within Of course hard working, treated-like- the Destinies of Blood and Stone. plastic or paper out. - Pam Allan Vellums world. dirt Lois finally snaps one day and cries Wulfgar was defeated by Tristan, but Once, in the depths of prehistory they out to the wood she has to traverse each Hydrogen Steel were human, but in a brutal day to get the bus to town: “Three Wishes by K.A.Bedford transfiguration they became the unkin, ” That’s all she wants to make her life a Edge Science fiction, 306 pp. $19.95 beings that had the power to alter reality little easier. by accessing the Vellum, a realm of As we all know: “Never ask for what Hydrogen Steel is by the author of eternity containing every possibility, you want: You may get it.” And brother, Eclipse. every paradox’ every heaven and hell. does she ever. Retired homicide inspector Zette The vellum became a battleground An ethereal elf shows up…and Lois McGee is living on the luxury habitat between chaos and order. The ultimate gets her wishes…sort of. Serendipity hiding the fact she is a weapon, THE BOOK OF ALL HOURS, a There’s an unexpectedly wicked “disposable”, An android provided with legendary tome long lost between the ending to this story. the memories of a human.. When she infinite folds of the Vellum. In 2017 it The rest of the collection has just as rejoicing will have to wait. Wulfgars receives a call from Kell Fellow, another was found by Reynard Carter, with unkin tart and lovely tales as Tanith Lee’s. spouse, Serena has not given up stealing like her accused of killing his wife and blood. Megan Lindholm’s “Grace Notes” is a the scroll of the Vigors[ goog magic] and children. Before hr can reach her, an ( Continued on page 17 ) Page 16 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 2 In Our Book genres that morphs into a whole new population They have left the workers on Silent Waters ( Continued from page 16 ) genre and mind set. Enjoy the challenge. - a dying planet to be destroyed . by Jan Coffey Pam Allan Peytaybeans saved them but it gave Mira, 391 pp, $6.99 After the Apocalypse, several Intergal a chance to arrest their allies, and survivors search for the remnants of Maelstrom a chance to reclaim the planet The Silent Waters is non-genre romantic themselves across the Vellum hoping to by Ann McCaffery and Elizabeth Ann struggle which sets up the next book. suspense. rewrite the book of hours and forge a new Scarborough The characters are charming and well The Hartford is a fast attack, atomic destiny for themselves. Reality will never Del Ray, 237 pp, $23.85 realized,. The future speculations are submarine with nuclear warheads as well be the same. fascinating, complete with sentient planets as the standard arsenal. So when a major This book like Vellum is both a Maelstrom is book two off the twins , changing ecologies., and shape shifters system is showing a flaw, it docks for a moment of light on ice , and the sheen of of Petaybee, the second trilogy of the fighting predatory corporations., all system repair at the Electric Boat India Ink in black velvet Ephemeral, Powers that Bee series combine to make a colorful and well company. While in dock and with a haunting, testing one’s perception of what The Intergal corporation lost Petaybee realized adventure. My bone to pick is the minimum crew, the xo can’t make it in is real. Well worth reading...several times to the sentient planet and its adapted incomplete ending that leaves the reader as reality adjusts, A hybrid of forms and with no closure to carry them to the next volume. - Pam Allan

Troy; Shield of Thunder by David Gemmell Ballantine , 489 pp, $25.99 and the Commander, Darius McCann This is the second comes on board with the ship book of Gemmell’s superintendent Amy Russell. Both find Trojan War series. themselves hijacked, fighting for their Agamemnon wants lives as crew mates, and mercenaries use to rule the known the sub to hold the entire East Coast world. The bloodthirsty hostage. The incumbent president , the king tightens his noose day before election, wants to blow it out around Troy by killing of the water. kings wh might ally On land, Lt .Colonel Sarah Connally, with Troy. .As battle and Commander Bruce Dunn are assigned lines are drawn , anew to investigate the hijacking, and find a warrior steps forward,. trail of secrets as dangerous the weapon the god like Achilles. pointed at the coast. Secrets that will Meanwhile, threaten the investigators, and the two Anromache, the shield who take back the sub and barely escape of thunder, marked at being blown up on presidential Order. birth by Athena , to bear Well paced, interesting characters, and the son, the Eagle a plot line with a surprising ending, with a Child, prophesied to couple understated romances that come rule until the end of into play. This is worth the read for the days, and the fall of action adventure reader. - Pam Allan kings. Oddysseus, King of Ithaca is maneuvered Star Wars; Allegiance into an impossible by Timothy Zahn choice between Del Ray , 336pp, $25.95 friendship and honor. The War begins. Star Wars; Allegiance is the eighth This is a masterful Star Wars novel by Timothy Zahn. retelling of the Trojan This novel picks up after STAR War. Gemmell weaves WARS: A NEW HOPE. Luke Skywalker, his fully realized Han Solo, and Princess Leia must face the characters though a conflict engendered. The destruction of world that comes alive. the death star still leaves the empire, Filled with Action, Darth Vader,, and the their forces intrigue , love, honor determined to destroy the rebellion. . The and cruelty intertwine trio are sent to mediate between rebel thoughtful and factions in Shelsha Sector. Mara Jade, compelling, Troy: The Emperor’s Hand is in the area tracing Shield of Thunder is suspected treachery. Stir in a subplot with hard to put down. A deserting storm troopers who are sickened must have for genre by the destruction of Alderaan and lots of fans and readers pirates raiding in the sector with collusion interested in History of government make for an action well told. - Pam Allan adventure. Unlike many novelizations of movie and television series, Timothy Zahn gives ( Continued on page 18 ) Volume 17 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 17 In Our Book resuscitated to eventually destroy the MUSTY TOMES sale. For sometimes, literary history is fair ( Continued from page 17 ) Polity, the AI ruled worlds.. and just besides ironic. Tons of copies of Ian Cormac is the Polity’s famed this set were printed, and they’re still out you a novel with fleshed out characters, A Treasury of Great Science Fiction, Earth Central Security agent, the James there. This set is readily available for all plots and extra plotting and action. It is 2 vols Bond of the future .His task is to track to learn the history of our field, with no worth the read even if you are not a fan of edited by Anthony Boucher down and eliminate both the brass man, barriers to possession except lack of the movies. Enjoy. - Pam Allan Doubleday, 1959, 527 + 522 pp. and skeller with his AI controlling his interest. Surviving Demon Island ship, the Jack Ketch Literary history, like life itself, can Why does no one want them any by Jaci Burton They are on a collision course where sometimes be ironic. Boucher put together more? Times have changed, and five Dell, 339 pp, $6.99 worlds may not survive. this collection out of the leftovers which decades have followed, bringing up new A sequel to Gridlinked, It is action- had not to date been anthologized. He had masterpieces equally worthy of attention, adventure filled with cutting edge ideas, but only EQUALLY worthy. New Apparently this continues with a fall, no stated intent of it being the best ever audacious, and often brilliant, with generations of young readers come along 2007 release of Hunting the Demon. anthology. It certainly is, for coverage of flashbacks tying past and present every few years, requiring modern values America’s top female action star is the two decades from 1938-1959. This is together. This novel could well be and role models for gender relations. Old finishing filming, and looking forward to truly the ultimate best science fiction looking at a Hugo. Grab and enjoy. It is assumptions of submissive, domestic vacation, when she is invited to join a anthology that will ever exist. Everyone first rate SF. - Pam Allan women won’t fly any more, but you know survival reality show gearing up. else in the anthology game should either what? That’s another cliché about old Thinking it sounds like fun, Gina signs quit or restrict their titles to special topics, Death’s Head science fiction which is demolished by up. The change of pace is a lot more than annuals, or magazine collections. To get by David Gunn this treasury. There’s a few stories with she bargains for when she meets Derek the full flavor of science fiction’s golden Del Ray, 368 pp, $24.95 traditional housewives, but not most. Marks who starts testing her survival age, the variety of themes and genres, the Perhaps the count in this set is an skills and her libido with tight black tee technological optimism, the quality Death’s Head is first novel by Mr. inversion of the total statistics for the shirt, and sexy stubble. He is a survival writing, turn here. Gunn, and looks sure to become a an whole period. Maybe most golden age specialist, but the reality of this show is You will find that many cliched excellent series. stories WERE lousy, with limited roles far more dangerous than the camera assumptions about the writing of that Sven Tveskoeg , an ex-Sargent for women. Most is by no means all, as expects. Demon Island is aptly named and period are dead wrong. So science fiction demoted for insubordination is a killer this collection of leftovers shows. And so guess what they want for dinner. started out in the pulps, with nothing but with a sense of loyalty, and a genetic many other stories from the golden age As much romance as action, it is a fun godawful childish power trips? Read make up that is 98.2 percent human. and should also be read, elsewhere. But I read as the protagonists fight the deamons ‘Beyond Space and Time’ from a 1938 1.2 percent unknown. He heals quickly repeat, this is the ultimate science fiction and their attraction to each other. Makes pulp, a laugh-out-loud tale of a cuckold from the worst injuries, and can commu- anthology that will NEVER be surpassed. for a good read on a lazy Sunday. - Pam sent away in a spaceship so his wife could Allan nicate telepathically with the ferox, cheat on him, as the reader easily discerns If you don’t know these stories, here’s the savage Aliens, whose fighting skills out from the naïve narration. There is more perfect opportunity. Well, almost perfect, Solstice Wood perform advanced technology. humor, satire, post-atomic apocalypse, since you won’t find it in a NEW Mike by Patricia A. McKillip Sven is drafted into the Death’s Head, time travel, scientific discovery, alien bookstore. Ahhh, so what? - Griffin Ace, 478 pp, $14.00 the elite enforcers of Imperial will. He is visitations, humanity scattered across sent to a bleak planet in the middle of a space, pick a theme. military disaster that he will be a pawn in Bookstore owner Sylvia Lynn gets a Boucher had a fine sense of structural a struggle for survival. Pawns are phone call from her grandmother calling balance. Each volume has a dozen stories, dispensable But even a pawn can check- her home for her grandfathers funeral, the starting and ending with a classic novel. mate a king. time has come for her th face her past, and Stories pair up to share a motif, yet give Set in a chillingly realistic far future , her future. totally different spins on it. For example, a gritty anti-hero who can be more Lynn Hall is nearly ramshackle but her Cyril Kornbluth’s ‘Gomez’ is followed by frightening than the imperium he serves, grandmother is still sharp. When she is Sturgeon’s ‘The Widget, the Wadget, and Death’s head is a page turner that rivals taken to a meeting of the fiber club, she Boff.’ Common motif: talent in hiding. Of David Drake at his best.. Action adven- finds much more than an everyday sewing two dozen stories, we get 20 of the best ture lovers. Take Heed, Sven Tveskoeg is club. A primitive power exists in the authors represented, except for Asimov here, or will be in May. - Pam Allan. . woods, a force the fiber guild tries ti bind (Doubleday was his publisher already). with its needle work and weaving. The Only three authors are used twice: The Venus Fix power of Faery opening doors between Heinlein (Waldo, The Man Who Sold the by M. J. Rose the worlds. Sylvia is no stranger to the Moon), Poul Anderson (novel Brainwave, Mira Books, 410 pp, $6.99. woods. The Martian Crown Jewels), and Henry Patricia McKillip is a World Fantasy Kuttner (once with his collaborator wife The Venus Fix is the third in a series Award winner, and deservedly so. No one C.L. Moore). Other big names include starring sex therapist Dr. Morgan Snow. writes of magical, and mundane, secrets Arthur Clarke, Ray Bradbury, A.E. Van As one of New York’s leading sex and ambiguities,, the two worlds meeting Vogt (novel The Weapon Shops of Isher), therapists, Dr. Morgan Snow sees and melding like she does, gently drawing Philip K. Dick, Alfred Bester (novel The everything from the depraved to teenag- you into her worlds unable to put the Stars My Destination), and John ers obsessed with Internet pornography. books Down. Solstice Wood is modern Wyndham (novel Rebirth). The four Now the providers of the internet fantasy rivaled only by Charles De Lint. novels alone make it worth reading, and fantasies are dying on online before the This is must have for fantasy lovers. EVERYONE should have read the Bester watchers eyes. And as judges, and their Cards out, Charge. - Pam Allan novel, a classic that could be claimed as wives are set up to take the fall, it is up to proto-punk or proto-new wave or proto- Brass Man Dr. Snow to solve the murders. new weird or proto-any other genre that by Neal Asher Although not a ConNotations genre thinks it is innovative and clever. novel, the Venus fix is a well written Tor, 485 pp, $14.95 This treasury was long advertised as © Sherlock mystery that holds interest as our pro- the leading incentive to join the Science tagonist deals with murder, a rebellious Brass Man is a new novel by the Fiction Book Club, and deservedly so. manipulative daughter, and her own author of Cowl, and The Skinner. You could get it for one penny then, but problems with conflict of interest with Mr. Crane is a brass encased cyber- now that it’s long out of print you might her lover. Worth the read for lovers of a netic golem and an insane killing ma- pay a few dollars for it at a used book tightly written mystery. - Pam Allan chine thought destroyed. He has been Page 18 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 2 once a month for discussion of various sci-fi A GATHERING OF PLAYERS-Find Your Director—480-969-4049 Web page: news regarding several mediums to include: Adventure www.mvdghostchasers.com or Club television, movies, video, books, comics, Our club is running into our fourth year. Join [email protected] magazines, collecting, and so forth. The us for games and adventure set in the meetings are comprised of news, review and Dungeons and Dragons realm. We offer ORANGE COUNTY SCIENCE FICTION Listings comment, BBS/computer news and help, Living Greyhawk and Xen’drik Expeditions. CLUB meets last Wednesday of every month ACROSS PLUS - So you live in North meeting new members, video presentations, Visit http://www.warhorn.net/gathering, to see (except Dec.) in Fullerton. The meetings are Phoenix and are interested in anime? Well games, and socializing fun! Food and drinks what we have coming up. built around guest speakers. We’ve had there is a club out there available for you are provided, via a $3 munchie fee (per We will have character creation sessions to authors such as Octavia Butler and Greg people. meeting) to compensate the host. (No other get you started and answer all questions. Our Benford. Non-members are welcome. For Across Plus is a social club that discuses fees are involved.) The electronic home of the group has been together, and growing, for details of current events and location see our anime, video games, manga, other animation, Away Team, is the Lightspeed Space Station four years. We’re a good group of friends that website www.ocsfc.org or email and the Japanese culture. We meet at BBS at (520) 325-6674.... Member ages for believe in gaming fun first. Our member [email protected] Bookman’s on 19th Ave and Northern On the group range from 13-40-something with group’s ages range from 13 to 49. Sundays at 7:00pm until 9:00pm. both male and female members. Other We welcome both new and experienced PAReX is a non profit organization dedicated In general, we explore anime, manga, and activities include null-modem link gamefests, players. to building and promoting Autonomous other styles of animation, creative educative group theater movie viewings, convention 10:00 a.m. Character Creation - We will have robotics. The club has been in existance since demonstrations, participate in interactive trips and more. Have sci-fi fun in a relaxed, a session to create characters for all of the 1998. Meetings are currently conducted twice discussions, attend local Arizona conventions, low-structure environment. NO RUBBER campaigns we run. AGoP will have all books a month at two different Phoenix, Arizona and make cosplay. EARS ALLOWED!! For questions, you can available for reference. We encourage you to locations., http://www.parex.org/ We are willing to gain any new members out call the BBS, or write to: LSS c/o R. Martin; purchase the books if you like the game. All meetings.shtml. Club dues are on an annual there who are interested. Dues are only $2 per 2522 N. Sparkman Blvd.; Tucson, AZ 85716 character materials are provided; character basis: Regular members $20 Student members month. Our members are very friendly, sheets, master item logs, adventure records, $15 Of course visitors are always welcome respectful, and fun. We welcome any and all. BASFA Local Tucson science fiction group etc. Dice will be loaned to you if you don’t because we know you will eventually become For more information, contact Shane Bryner that puts on TusCon. Contact us at PO Box have any yet. In other words, all that is a member anyway Web page: http:// at [email protected] 2528, Tucson AZ 85702-2528 or needed for the first day is for you to join www.parex.org/ E-mail Contact: John [email protected] us and have fun. Kittelsrud, [email protected] ADRIAN EMPIRE A medieval and renais- our website at http://home.earthlink.net/ If you have any questions email us at sance recreationist club. Sword-fighting, arts, ~basfa/ [email protected]. THE PHOENIX FANTASY FILM SOCI- banquets, masquerades, dances. meets every ETY A Phoenix based club interest-ed in the Wednesday night from 7-10pm at Encanto CENTRAL ARIZONA SPECULATIVE THE JEDI KNIGHTS (Founded 1977) entire realm of SF, Fantasy and Horror film. Park. All are welcome. Free. FICTION SOCIETY, INC. (CASFS) The Meetings are the 3rd Sunday of each month. PFFS has been in existence for 30 years, non-profit corporation that puts on For more information call Carol Alves, meeting every 6 weeks in member’s homes. AERIAL MIRAGE JUGGLERS. Meets CopperCon conventions, SmurfCons, Publicity, (760)244-9593 or write Jedi Dues are $10 per year. Membership includes Wednesday 7-10pm in Encanto Park, 15th HexaCons, occasional regional cons, and Knights, c/o Carol Alves 8038 “I” Street, newsletters, an annual film awards and Avenue, south of Encanto. No dues, everyone publishes Con-Notations. Best described as Hesperia CA, 92345-7066. various outings. For information, contact welcome. All levels skill exchange in many SF/F generalists with a strong bent towards PFFS, P.O. Box 34023, Phoenix, AZ 85067 or areas of object manipulation Dave Davis literary SF/F. Guests welcome - meets at 8pm LEPRECON, INC. One of the two Phoenix call David Storck at (602) 274_7404, e-mail: , 602-955-9446; on the last Friday of each month in January area corporations that put on yearly conven- [email protected]. or Ron Harvey , 480- thru September and the second Friday in tions. Best described as SF/F generalists with 775-4690 for more info or impromptu October, November and December at JB’s a main thrust into SF/F art. Guests are RAGE ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST A juggling sessions. Restaurant, 2560 W. Indian School in welcome. The meetings are quarterly on the Live Action Theatre Troupe based out of the Phoenix, AZ. For information: write PO Box second Saturday of February, May, August & ASU campus in Tempe, AZ. It is dedicated to ANIZONA ANIME CONVENTION INC 62613, Phoenix, AZ 85082-2613 or email November unless otherwise notified. August the game Werewolf: The Apocalypse by The group that sponsors Arizona’s premiere [email protected] Web www.casfs.org is the annual meeting where board positions White Wolf publishing. Contact Mike Anime convention each year. Monthly are deter-mined. For more information, write McLaughlin at (602)461-5842 or write 1730 meetings alternate between the east and west *****C.R.O.F.T. Celtic Reenactment of PO Box 26665, Tempe, AZ 85285; call Mike W Emelita Place #2025, Mesa AZ 85202- valley at Bookmans. If you are interested in Fellowship and Trades is Phoenix based Willmoth, 480-945-6890, Email 3144 or [email protected] Anime and conventions this is the group for Reenactment group specializing in the [email protected] Webpage: you! Visitors welcome. For more information western European renaissance. We research www.leprecon.org RAW GAMES (Role-players & check our website at www.anizona.org or lifestyles and trades concurrent with the Wargamers, Inc.) Role-players & email to [email protected] Celtic Peoples from 400 BC until 1746 AD. MIB The Men in Black is the official global Wargamers, Inc. is the Valley’s oldest role- We emphasize Scots, Irish or Welsh crafts and organization of field operatives for Steve playing and wargaming club. Currently ARIZONA LANBASHERS LEAGUE A do Celtic re-enactment. We open participation Jackson Games. We attend local conventions meeting at 8159 W. Weldon in Phoenix every collaboration of computer gaming enthusiasts, to anyone with an interest in period crafting to demonstrate and promote products of Steve Sunday from 3pm-9pm (except during the Arizona LANbashers League throws and entertainment. Demonstrations occur at Jackson Games. We also schedule demos in conventions and other special events). Open quarterly LANparty events. Between parties, the Highland Games, Scarborough Fair, and local gaming stores as well as community to new members - call (602) 849-9515. support is given to local groups who wish to the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Web page service events. If you have a gaming store, www.rawgames.org advertise their own gatherings. We have no http://www.crofters.org We meet in Tempe at convention, or community service that you set genre of games and play anything from the Pyle Adult Center SW corner of Rural and would like to have official Steve Jackson SHIELD OF ALMOR The Shield of Almor strategy games to first-person shooters to Southern on the 2nd Saturday of every month, Games representation at, please contact the is a RPGA club located in the greater Phoenix driving/flying simulations. No annual phone number (480)350-5211. The Board MIB Arizona Cell area. If you are interested in Living Greyhawk membership is required and admission to an meeting will be at 2:00 pm with the General Leader at [email protected]. We are also catch one of our meetings the 1st Sunday of event ranges from $5-$15. See our webpage meeting starting at 2:30 pm. recruiting new MIBs in some areas of every month at Imperial Outpost Games for current events. Email: Arizona. If you’re interested, contact us. You (www.imperialoutpost.com) in Glendale. If [email protected] Web: THE DARK ONES (Dark-wunz) n. 1) An can find additional information about the you are interested in Living Arcanis or Living www.lanparty.com/all/ VoiceMail: 602-306- organization formed for the expression and Arizona MIB at our website http:// Spycraft catch us on the 3rd Sunday of every 9339 exploration of various cultural themes members.cox.net/mib.6361/ month also at Imperial Outpost Games. The including, but not limited to, the Dark Ages Shield of Almor hosts RPGA events at the ARIZONA PARANORMAL and the Renaissance through forms of art MVD GHOSTCHASERS—The MVD local Phoenix conventions. For more INVESTIGATIONS We are a highly including, but not limited to, painting, Ghostchasers are a paranormal team information visit us at trained, non-profit paranormal investigation drawing, writing, photography, spoken word, established in 1995. This band of ghost games.groups.yahoo.com/group/AZ_RPG/ or group, registered with the state of Arizona, and acts of characterization. 2) a member of hunters conducts regular investigations of you can sign up for games at providing service to Arizona and the this organization. 3) Information available at haunted, historical locations throughout www.nyrond.org. Or you can just stop by the Southwest since 1994. Having served the www.darkones.org Arizona. They also research and investigate 1st Sunday of the month. Meeting starts at public for 12 years, we are one of the oldest, “house call” hauntings for the public. The 10am. Hope to see you there. most respected paranormal investigation THE EMPIRE OF CHIVALRY AND MVD Ghostchasers lead Spirit Photo groups in Arizona. We are primarily science STEEL, INC. The Empire of Chivalry and Workshops/Tours to various haunted locations THE SOCIETY FOR CREATIVE based and don’t go on an investigation Steel specializes in the general recreation of across Arizona. These workshops give ghost ANACHRONISM The kingdom of Atenveldt looking for ghosts, we go looking for the culture of the Middle Ages including all of hunters, paranormal team members and folks doth lie in the state of Arizona. Within the fair answers. There is never a charge for an the Art Forms, Events (Feasts, Tournaments, wanting to learn the art of ghost hunting a kingdom can be found six Baronies: investigation. Contact us at by e-mail at Ceremonies and Wars) and Combat Arts chance to work and learn techniques together. Atenveldt, Mons Tonitrus, Twin Moons, [email protected] or covering the years of 800AD up to 1650AD The MVD Ghostchasers team are guest SunDragon, Tir Ysgithr and Ered Sul. For visit our website at: http:// and any location within Europe or its explored speakers at many venues and have appeared more information on any of these or for www.arizonaparanormalinvestigations.com/ territories. For more information contact on TV news reports and the subject of several general information on contact the Kingdom Leonard Byrd (Tucson) (520)742-2432 Web: newspaper stories. For more information Seneschal. Email: [email protected] THE AWAY TEAM: The Away Team, is a www.galandor.org contact: Web www.atenveldt.com general sci-fi appreciation group that meets MVD Ghostchasers—Debe Branning, ( Continued on page 20 ) Volume 17 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 19 Club Listings 10/31/98. As of 11/29/98 there were 32 PHOENIX CONGAMES (June 14th - ( Continued from page 19 ) What is CASFS? members. There are no dues other than the 17th 2007 ) Mesa AZ Mesa Convention What is really behind putting on a $15 for joining Star-fleet Intl.. Members are Center & Phoenix Marriott East in Mesa SOUTHWEST COSTUMER’S GUILD The convention? What are the funds raised by scattered world wide but the primary clusters Southwest Costumers Guild is a loose a convention used for? Why not attend a are in Tucson, AZ and Plano, TX. They don’t Arizona. Membership $20 thru November organization of persons interested in all facets meeting and find out? We’re the sponsor meet on a regular basis since they are a 30th, 2006, $25 thru January 31st, 2007, of historical, cultural, science fiction, fantasy, of ConNotations, CopperCons, HexaCons, correspondence chapter. Their web site is: $30 thru April 30th, 2007, $35 at the door and humor costume. Members are often seen SmerfCons and other conventions. We are http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/9505/ http://www.conevents.com/page/phx/ on stage and behind the scenes at local and and their contact/CO is Capt. Dave Pitts, a charitable, non-profit organization that regional Science Fiction Convention [email protected] main.asp masquerades. They meet on the last Sunday of exists to further science fiction, fantasy each month at various members’ homes in the and science fields in Arizona. CASFS Z-PHILES are the ariZona x-PHILES. We greater Phoenix area. For details. Southwest currently meets at the JB’s Restaurant at maintain a mailing list for news and get- Costumers Guild, PO Box 39504, Phoenix, 2560 W Indian School Rd in Phoenix (NW togethers of fans of the X-Files living in AZ 85609 or Randall Whitlock at corner of I-17 and Indian School). The Arizona. We get together in both the Phoenix [email protected] or meetings begin at 8PM and are held on the and Tucson areas. To subscribe, send an www.southwestcostumersguild.org last Friday of the month Jan. through Sept. empty message to z-philes- and on the second Friday of the month Oct [email protected] SPACE ACCESS SOCIETY Space Access through Dec. Everyone is invited to attend Society’s sole purpose is to promote radically two meetings as a guest (non-member). WESTERN SCIENCE FICTION ASSO- cheaper access to space, ASAP. We think it’s Membership rates are $12/year plus an CIATION (WesternSFA) A non-profit possible within ten years, with a little luck initial $3 application fee and rates are pro- corporation that sponsors the ConRunners and a lot of hard work. Join us and help us rated for the amount of the year remaining. seminars and sponsored the 2004 Westercon. make it happen! SAS membership is $30 for Dedicated primarily to educational activities For more info: Webpage: www.casfs.org one year, which gets you emailed Space relating to literature, music, and visual and Email: [email protected] Access Updates the instant they pass final performing arts, especially in the genres of edit, plus discounts on our annual conference science fiction, fantasy, costuming, gaming on the technology, politics, and business of regular mail only and the newsletter and and science. Applicants for membership in radically cheaper space transportation, materials will not be reproduced electroni- WesternSFA must be sponsored by a current featuring leading players in the field. Email cally. To join the action and initiate your active WesternSFA member. Dues are $10 us at: [email protected] annual membership, make check or money yearly plus a $5 non-refundable application Web page: www.space-access.org/ order out for $12.50 to: Official TekWar Fan fee. General Meetings are held on the first Club (Membership section), 2522 N Friday of February, May, August and SUPERSTITION SPACEMODELING Sparkman Blvd., Tucson AZ 85716-2417 November, at the Bookmans located at 19th SOCIETY is Arizona’s club for builders of ave. and Northern in Phoenix Guests are model and high-power rockets and those who T.H.E.M. is ASU’s science fiction and welcome. For more info contact Craig Dyer at love to see them fly. Launches are held on the fantasy club. Weekly meetings are held on the WesternSFA, PO Box 67457, Phoenix AZ second Saturday morning of each month in Arizona State University campus, with dates 85082, (602) 973-2341, Email: Rainbow Valley. SSS hosts the annual G. and places to be announced after the semester [email protected] Webpage: Harry Stine Memorial Rocket Launch every starts. For more information, Email www.westernsfa.org October. Visit www.sssrocketry.org for [email protected] Web membership information, directions to the www.themonline.org launches and meetings, and to read the Convention monthly newsletter, “Newton’s Minutes.” TUCSON FAN ALLIANCE E-Mail Address is [email protected] or Listings TARDIS is a Phoenix-based General SF/ [email protected] Fantasy Fan Club, specializing in Interna- ANIZONA 3 (April 5-8,2007) Mesa AZ - tional media SF/Fantasy since 1983. TARDIS UNITED FEDERATION OF PHOENIX A Arizona’s First Anime Convention - meets every two weeks at different locations Phoenix area Star Trek and general SciFi fan Guests include Kaite Bair, Jodon around the valley. Activities include watching club. We are a social club that meets every Bellafanto, Michael McConnohie, videos, discussions, parties, games, and two weeks at various locations around the Melodee Spevack and Arizona occasional outings with more to come now Phoenix area. The UFP has been meeting for that Doctor Who is returning from hiatus. over 30 years of continuous activity. Dues are Shinkendo. Wendee Lee, Haruka Miyabi, Many members maintain an active presence at $15/per year prorated when you join; no Amanda T , Kenyth Mogan, Yoko conventions. You can contact us at 2243 W restrictions. Membership includes member- Molotov, Greg Ayres, Katie Bair, David Wagon Wheel Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85021, Voice ship roster and monthly newsletter. Come to Beaty, Jodon Bellofatto, Michael Mail at (602) 864-0901, E-mail TARDIS- any two meetings at no obligation. For [email protected] or visit us at http:// information, write the UFP at PO Box 37224, McConnohie, Melodee M. Spevack and members.cox.net/tardisaz/tardis.html Phoenix, AZ 85069, or call Jim Strait at (602) Midnight Mirage Location: Phoenix 242-9203. Web page: http://www.U-F-P.org Marriott Mesa Membership is capped at Mailing/Subscription Information TEKWAR FAN CLUB Sanctioned by the or Email to [email protected] 2000 and there will be NO memberships series’ production companies and the USA sold at the door. $40 thru March 31, Network! It is THE information conduit USS STORMBRINGER The Stormbringer is ConNotations is sent free of charge to between the fans and the series! Fan club a correspondence Star Trek fan club chapter 2007. Mail check or money order to those who have attended a CASFS membership will bring you the following 1) of Starfleet, Intl. based out of Tucson AZ. AniZona 3, PO Box 67641, Phoenix AZ sponsored convention in the past subscription to the info filled Tek Informer The chapter was commissioned as the USS 85082 Web: www.anizona.org Email: calendar year (currently 2006). Attend- newsletter; 2) official TekWar Fan Club Stormbringer NCC-74213, attached to [email protected] ees of CopperCon 26 or HexaCon 16 membership card and kit. Membership is by Division 31, Starfleet Covert Operations, on will receive ConNotations Volume 17 Issues 1 thru 6. Generic Convention Registration Form LEPRECON 33 (May 11-13, 2007) Mesa AZ Arizona’s Annual Art Oriented ConNotations updates it’s mailing list Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention each December. Name:______featuring the largest SF/F Art Show in the Southwest! Guests: Artist - Jael, Author - Individual subscriptions are available for Badge Name:______Karen Traviss, Music - Emma Bull $20 for 6 issues beginning January 1, Address:______(Sponsored by the Phoenix Filk Circle), 2007. Featured Local Artist - Nola Yergen- City/State/ZIP:______Jennings, Membership: $40 thru 4/15/07, Some non-CASFS groups give their $45 at the door. Kids 7-12 half price, Six membership lists to CASFS and Phone:______Email:______purchase a bulk corporate subscription and under Free with Adult Membership Enclosed is $______for ______memberships for so their attendees may also receive Hotel: Phoenix Marriott Mesa Contact: ConNotations ______convention. LepreCon 33 PO Box 26665 Tempe, AZ (See individual convention listing for mailing address) 85285 Phone(480) 945-6890 Email: Currently these groups are: More info on __ Masquerade __Art Show __Volunteer __ Other [email protected] Web: www.leprecon.org/lep33 Page 20 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 2