THE ZINE DUMP 49 A zine about zines by GUY LILLIAN III 1390 Holly Avenue Merritt Island FL 32952 [email protected] 318/218-2345 GHLIII Press Pub #1278 May, 2020
The Zine Dump is a fanzine devoted to the science fiction fanzine world. It wants to see and list every generally- distributed amateur publication devoted to SF and its fandom published in English, and hear and comment on all news connected with the hobby. Published on eFanzines.com, by e-mail, by hard copy for trade and in mailings of the Worldcon Order of Fan-Editors.
Dedicated to Marty Pasko, writer, editor and wit, who added mad humor and excitement to my year at DC Comics. Among the many superheroes he sent to fight injustice: Superman, Batman, the Metal Men, Swamp Thing, the Justice League of America, the Tick, E-Man, and many others. He wrote for Roseanne Barr and brought superhero TV animation high esteem, winning an Emmy for his work on the Batman animated series. He was brilliant and iconoclastic and hilarious. His work and his wit were wondrous, and I’m proud I knew him. God rest his epic soul. The Zine Dump 49
Some new tactics for this issue of The Zine Dump. For one thing, I’m not letting zines stack up to review all at once as I formerly – and stupidly – did. For years, la belle Rose-Marie has advised me to write up a zine as soon as it shows, in the mail, e-mail or on eFanzines. I did so this time, and the difference in my energy and enthusiasm has been amazing. Also, if there is a 2020 edition of WOOF, or W.O.O.F., or the Worldcon Order of Fan-Editors, this issue may well be included. WOOF is a “yearbook” for science fiction fandom, so a zine aspiring to list every non-blog fanzine published in English should be comprehensive – as complete a guide to current science fiction fanzines as can be made. For that reason I’ve merged this issue’s listings with reviews from previous TZDs. If no recent issue of a pub is available for review, I’m including older notices (marked with asterisks: ** for last issue, *** for the one before. I’m also adding descriptions of long-missing zines in italics. Thereby, I hope, we convey the facts and the feel of almost every zine being published out there. Confusing enough? Most productions, new or old, can be found on Bill Burns’ magnificent and generous site, eFanzines.com, which is probably where you found this zine. Go thou and read. And as always, if you find any goofs in TZD, please alert me at once. I’ll fix’em.
Most of us know the lingo of our hobby, of course, but for the benefit of neos – those new to our Jurassic segment of fandom – a very basic glossary. You’ll see publications here listed with certain prefixes. A genzine is a general magazine, usually with articles and features by various hands. Example: Banana Wings. A clubzine ca n either be a bulletin or a genzine, produced by and/or for an SF fan group. Examples: DASFAx, Warp. A perzine is most often one person’s output. Example: MarkTime. An apazine is produced for an amateur press alliance, a group of fan editors who ship a number of their productions to a central mailer, who distributes them to its members. Example: Purrsonal Mewsings for Stipple-Apa. You get it.
Apas, by the way, are a fine way to grow easy with written-language expression. They instill a sense of community identity that can sustain your fannishness for a lifetime. (For instance, I’ve been in SFPA, the mighty Southern Fandom Press Alliance, for fifty years.) There are lots of amateur press associations: Apa-L, LASFAPA (both Los Angeles-based), SAPS, FAPA (the granpere of them all), Golden Apa, SFPA, Stipple-Apa, etc. etc. Contact the member listed for information.
Enough blather. ON TO THE ZINES. Coverage: late 2019 to June 1, 2020.
Alexiad #110 Vol. 19 No. 2 / Joe & Lisa Major, 1409 Christy Avenue, Louisville KY 40204-2040 / [email protected] / efanzines.com or trade / And here I worried that the virus would keep the Majors from their regular fanac. April 2020 brings forth another Alexiad, reminding us that among fanzine editors, pandemics and politics are so much noise and nothing more. Herein Joe laments the decline in stature of the Hugo Award, since he, like I, knows nothing of most of the nominees (but see Chris Garcia’s later letter), announces revival of a Sherlock Holmes journal, mourns Earl Kemp and astronaut Al Worden (a girlfriend once claimed she’d dated him, but she also said she’d met Charlies Watts and Manson), and lists the royals – including another Charlie – who have contracted COVID-19. He’s then off into his reviews, including a pained notice of the “new” Heinlein, which he contends should never have been published. Three Matt Jenne thrillers, parts to Blue Gemini, he next mentions sound cool. Lisa discusses pets and horses (of course), and Rodford Edmiston enthusiastically discourses on the history of the telescope. With a comet above, that would be a popular subject. After a repulsive anecdote about Isaac Asimov, who might not have been a suitable guest at Wiscon, Sue Burke talks Rogue Moon and this year’s Nebula short fiction nominees. (The nominees for both Nebula and Hugo are listed. You will know the “Nubble-Bubble” winners by now.) Sue also has a LOC in Joe’s admirable lettercol. Admirable indeed is all of Alexiad, consistently superb over the decades, not just years.
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Ansible / David Langford, 94 London Road, Reading, Berks, RG1 5AU, UK / news.ansible.uk. / The indispensable British newszine, wherein updates on the genre are presented with Langford’s powerful, sometimes bitter, but ever-kindly wit. Perhaps in concert with the devastation wreaked by the virus worldwide, May’s “R.I.P.” section is not only long, it literally refuses to stop: Dave has to continue it twice. (It includes my old Greensboro friend Keith Ferrell and Al Fitzpatrick, with whom I shared a hysterical ride to MidAmeriCon in 1976.) But there’s joy here, too, in “Thog’s Masterclass” (even fine writers can do damage to the language) and “As Others See Us”, as well as lists of award winners and nominees and other business. By all means check out the Ansible homepage; whatever you need to know about SF fandom, it’s there. Askance 48 / John Purcell, 3744 Marielene Circle, College Station, TX 77845-3926 / [email protected] / eFanzines / John was kind enough to send TZD a review copy of his jolly genzine just prior to publication. Recent issues have centered on his Trans-Atlantic Fan Fund delegacy, which took him and his to the 2017 Worldcon in Helsinki. John went on to chair a Corflu, “the fanzine fans’ convention,” on which he reports here with enthused text and photos (grand to see fan-ed faces) … and a worry that, thanks to COVID-19, Corflu Heatwave may have been the last fan-run con of 2020. He looks back with further regret on the fate of AggieCon, listing the 50 to date, lamenting the degeneration of the once-epic Texas convention into a gamers’ event. Will it revive? He has no answer. After Bill Fischer’s Trumpfic – a chuckler – John reviews a few zines, we see a Figby ‘toon (or you will; my copy lacks it), a short lettercol, and a promise to try for a quarterly schedule – two more issues this year. Professor Purcell will be teaching online courses this fall, just like my wife – damn, this pandemic is a bummer! Askew / John Purcell, see above / John’s perzine last appeared in the early spring, where he gave statistics on his Corflu’s FAAn Awards and engaged Nic Farey in some hearty debate on the subject. ** Banana Wings #76 / Claire Brialey & Mark Plummer, 59 Shirley Road, Croydon, Surrey CR0 7ES U.K. / [email protected] / BW is an outstanding zine of excellent production values and strong content. As you see, it won this year’s FAAn Award for the field’s best fanzine and tied for best genzine. Coming forth just before the virus bit, its emphasis is on the Dublin Worldcon – a superlative report from Caroline Mullan – and highlights of the past. Andy Hooper, who has become the best writer on fannish history around, breaks into real history with a piece on the Japanese submarine that sunk the USS Wasp during World War II. (Well, one should hope that the Japanese didn’t sink any American ships after World War II.) Tony Keen talks Beatles (debate over the White Album is ne’er-ending). Niftiest item is a reprinted article by Walt Willis and Vinc Clarke on the revered fan cartoonist, Arthur Thomson (ATom). Mark and Claire always contribute entertaining editorials to Banana Wings; here Mark endorses Alison Scott for this year’s GUFF, a fan fund that lofts winners from the U.K. to Australia/New Zealand. [No trip for the winner this year! Someday!] Since they’re helping with the Hugo Awards this year, Claire and Mark decline any 2020 nominations. There’s always next year. [God, I hope so!] BCSFAzine #540 / R. Graeme Cameron, [email protected] / The British Columbia SF Association’s monthly clubzine, which new editor Cameron – “The Graeme”; excuse me – has turned into a righteous genzine. Robert Sawyer contributes some “random thoughts,” always welcome from this charming guy, a review is proffered of a unique Moby Dick play/movie by Orson Welles, no less, there’s a Taral Wayne portfolio, regional news and lots of reviews in Cameron’s shy and restrained (NOT!) style. One of my favorite bits in these pages is Garth Spencer’s “IT IS WHAT IT IS (Mansplaining the state of Fandom)”, which wanders over the entire field illuminating fannish lunacies. I’m reminded of that epic scene from Lafferty’s Fourth Mansions, involving demented psychotics and redheaded ladies, surely soulmates. Brooklyn! #71 / Fred Argoff, Penthouse L. 1170 Ocean Pkwy., Brooklyn NY 11250-4060 / trade or $10 for four issues / quarterly / Tales and photos of the world’s favorite city-within-a-city, witty and devoted. Fred also does a zine devoted to subways. True love! Alert readers will note that Brooklyn! has far
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The Zine Dump 49 exceeded 71 issues – as Fred admits. In a little red note appended to this edition, he complains that he has #108 ready to go – but his local print shop is closed. (I wonder why.) So he sends forth back issues “that you probably didn’t see,” and here’s #71. Lo, I’m still satisfied, as this collection of “Tales and photos of the world’s favorite city-within-a-city” feels new to me. Photos and story of the Arbitration Rock, denoting the 1769 line between sections of Brooklyn and Queens, begin matters. Pictures of the aptly- named Idiotarod, showing costumed loons pushing shopping carts through borough streets, lead to a piece on the other islands (besides Staten and Manhattan) of New York City and pictures of New Zealand’s Brooklyn (part of Wellington), the Eberhard Pencil Factory, America’s largest Petanque (?) tourney, the stories of East Williamsburg and the music to a song about Canarsie. Fred, scan issue #108 – I’ll print up my own copy! ** Bunyip and ayotochtli #s 16-17 / Bob Hole, [email protected] / eFanzines / “Do you like classic science fiction? Do you like history? Science? Fun & games? You just might like Bunyip & ayotochtli. Every issue you'll find a classic speculative fiction story from some really great authors. You'll find other things too - exactly what varies from issue to issue. So far there has been artwork, paper dolls, word search puzzles, science, history, poetry, and other stuff. I hope you'll enjoy it.” “Paper dolls”? These two issues from last winter are the first in more than a year, and yes, Bunyip is a good deal of fun. Some original fiction, reprinted stories by wonderful masters like Ray Bradbury and Fredric Brown, a Retief tale by Keith Laumer, and indeed, lots of other material. Creative and jolly, but … paper dolls?
Captain Flashback #17-18 / Andy Hooper & Carrie Root, 11032 30th Ave. NE, Seattle WA 98125 / [email protected] / eFanzines.com / A zine for the Turbo-Charged Party Animal Amateur Press Association / It was a boost to see a still from one of my favorite westerns, Walter Hill’s The Long Riders, featured atop issue #17. That saga of the James Gang contains performances and sequences as epic as any in the genre. It’s only one of many modern “cowboy” movies Andy examines, but it gets by far the most pixels, with details on production and casting I never knew. Elaborate mailing comments to other T-CPAPA zines and LOCs from Greg Benford and Jerry Kaufman follow, As Hooper is an accomplished fan historian, a reprint of a historical article from the past is almost requisite, and rich brown’s “WHATEVER HAPPENED TO FAAAANFICTION?” fulfills that need. Issue #18, capping May, is … well, let Andy tell it: “CAPTAIN FLASHBACK is devoted to old fanzines, Attila’s Empire, the Justinian Reconquest and other fascinating phenomena of the 5th Century.” And devoted it is, with a huge and entertaining historical – of course – article entitled “A Shining Vandal on a Hill: A Saga of Barbarian Adventure.” Ranging over many centuries and many tribes, it gives us a handle on the Vandals and touches on a fascinating past. (Hooper also provides a very helpful -- and itself enjoyable – guide to the barbarians involved.) Andy attributes the involved research here to the COVID quarantine; he takes better advantage of the time than most. After mailing comments to T-CPAPA and some input from the lettercol Chorus, a piece from 20 years back by Randy Byers reminds us of his well- reciprocated love of fans – sercon or not.
** Christian*New Age Quarterly Vol. 24 No. 3 / Catherine Groves, P.O. Box 276, Clifton NJ 070150276 / 4/year, $12.50/year / Always a surprisingly apt part of SF zinedom, C*NAQ often features articles of SFnal interest. For instance, this issue leads off with a fun study of “The Theology of Preacher”, the AMC adaptation of the Vertigo graphic novel. Author Robert Price describes the goings- on in enough detail to acquaint non-viewers, like me, with the plot, and addresses its underlying concept of God intelligently and incisively. (Its nihilistic answer: He’s irrelevant, possibly because the show sees Him as just another character.) Joanne Winetski reviews a book on The First Sisters: Lilith and Eve, establishing the relatively superior position of Lilith. It’s all news to me, and I thought I knew my Good Book. Joanne, a very good writer, also contributes a thought piece which concludes, quite sanely, “Let’s view differences as opportunities to strengthen and clarify our convictions … we just might mitigate strife among us.” The need for and wisdom of connection is also the theme of Frederick Moe article that ends
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The Zine Dump 49 the issue, and in this moment when people literally fear to connect, the virtues of this most basic of human instincts is good to read about. ** Claims Department #28 / Chris Garcia / see Journey Planet / In a recent issue, some terrific fan art from Garcia’s focus for the issue, Selina Phanara, who paints in a Native American style. Chris accompanies this beautiful work with his story of being bit by a dog, which leads into an account of his day, which includes a long conversation with a fannish waitress (we’re everywhere), which culminates in a sad note about the passing of a famed wrestler. Pieces on Andy Warhol’s films – 9 hours of the Statue of Liberty? – and pro wrestling complete things, but for a superb bacover art piece. Nice to find the fine arts so well-appreciated in a fanzine. ** Comics Review / Rick Norwood, Manuscript Press, P.O. Box 336, Mountain Home TN 37684 / [email protected] / $19.95@ / A beautifully produced magazine featuring exceptional comics of the past, Mandrake, Rich O’Shay, Steve Roper, Drago, Modesty Blaise – usually including the full ongoing stories. Among the talents on display: Burne Hogarth, Lee Falk, V. T. Hamlin (just guess what strip), Milton Caniff … and many more. Yes, expensive, but a trove to treasure.
CounterClock / Wolf von Witting, Dia dei Vanduzzi 6/4, 33050 Bagnaria Arsa (Ud), Italia / [email protected] / No issues of this variegated and inventive genzine in 2020. Says Wolf on eFanzines: “CounterClock is mostly about European science fiction-fandom, its history and future, sf- conventions, the art of writing and fantastic film. It wasn't Philip K Dick's novel which inspired to the name of this fanzine, but rather the potential usefulness of certain wingdings. But it might as well have been P.K. Dick.”
CyberCozen Vol. XXXII, No. 5 / Leybl Botwinik, [email protected] / Monthly publication of the Israeli Society for SF and Fantasy. I can’t help it: one of the attractions of this cool clubzine is the Hebrew writing in the colophon and, in May, much of the text. No, I can’t read it, so Eli Eshed’s article on robot love is impossible for me – but the text is beautiful. That ridiculous statement aside, CC is a solid guide to the field, with lots of links to features and ten-bests. (Among the latter is “The Ten Best SF Comedies,” among which GalaxyQuest and Guardians of the Galaxy rank high. Can’t agree with “Hidden SF Gems”, though – Deep Rising included not only schtick, but lines from Alien. Ripoff!) Read Leybl’s introductory piece on eFanzines and follow its links to Zion’s Fiction, a fine site and a magnificent pun. Dagon / John Boardman, Room 108, 2250 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando FL 32822-2704 / for Apa-Q and trade / A zine of history and strong opinion by one of fandom’s heaviest liberals, for Apa-Q. John lives in an assisted living facility, and I hope is doing well. I should drop in and see, but there’s this virus … DASFAx May 2020 / Jeanne Jackson, 31 Rangeview Dr. Wheatridge, CO 80215 / DASFAEditor@ HotMail.com or [email protected] / Clubpub of the Denver SF group, ably edited for years by Jackson, who reports a successful April meeting – online. A regular meeting for May via WebEx is announced, suggestions for future get-togethers requested. Bob Jennings’ LOC which provokes a strong editorial response (diesel airplanes?). Finally, Sourdough Jackson provides a nifty article on Heinlein’s Martian juveniles – Red Planet and Podkayne of Mars, before wishing DASFAx’s readers “Clear ether!” De Profundis #565 / Marty Cantor for LASFS, 2 Tyrone Ave., Van Nuys, CA, USA / www.lasfs.org. / $1 for domestic mail / Same song, next verse: Marty is still looking for a replacement editor for the unofficial LASFS newszine – so far no takers – and this May issue proclaims no current meetings of either the seminal L.A. club or its board of directors until further notice. Curse COVID-19. The minutes he prints date from June 2019! When LASFS does meet again, it will be at a Lutheran Church – there’s a strange pairing. The usual William Rotsler drawings delight the pages. Doctored Papers 2 / Taral Wayne, 245 Dunn Ave. #2111, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5K 1S6 / E-mail [email protected] / Taral, as good a fan writer as he is a fan artist, nevertheless has miserable luck with his
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The Zine Dump 49 health, as proven by the woes he’s had to endure during the pandemic lockdown. We can make jokes about Priapism – once we fellas reach a certain age, even express envy *sigh* -- but as his detailed account reveals, it’s an awful ailment. But Taral is Taral, and the horror he endured is given a candid, witty write-up. I never thought I could read about penile disasters through a haze of chuckles, but lo, this is one funny zine. Get well, Taral. As Harlan would say, “Tell the dick to get better.”
The Drink Tank #421 / Chris Garcia, Alissa McKersie, Chuck Serface / [email protected] / COVID-19 is costing us a lot in time, money, and anxiety – did I mention melting a credit card when I nuked our mail in the microwave? – but fanzine fans are getting some valuable reading time out of it. For instance, here’s the latest Drink Tank, an issue devoted to coronavirus isolation. Garcia himself reads – or rather listens, praising Bronson Pinchot’s rendition of Tim Powers’ Earthquake Weather (Toni Weisskopf recently sent me the Baen edition; it immediately ascends my list to the top), Espana Sheriff talks Hugo nominees among other tomes, Isabel Schechter complains that reading is less fun during this pandemic, Debbie Bretschneider reviews Gail Carringer’s works, Bob Hole and Johnston Smith and Steven Smith and … well, lots of people describe their reading habits in this sickening season. High chops to Chris for attracting so many articulate and literate contributors! Possibly the best piece is by Chuck Serface, on mid- 20th-century female mystery writers: there were many of them, and some were first-rate. By the way, Chuck’s name is misspelled on the title page. Spiffy art throughout.
** Eldritch Science March 2020 / George Phillies, see The National Fantasy Fan. / The N3F’s fiction outlet, where “Neffers” can submit their work. I generally don’t comment on fan-written fiction, believing that such critiques are too individual, but I will say that I like the character name “Rick Broadstar”! Anyway, nicely produced, as are all of George’s publications, and Jose Sanchez’ cover illo is cool. Ethel the Aardvark #s 1, 200-203 / LynC, [email protected] / MSFC, [email protected] / eFanzines / It has been far too long has it been since TZD has heard from the Melbourne SF Club – but here is their clubzine, celebrating a milestone issue. Within #200 we find reprinted covers, including work by Hugo winner Ian Gunn, photos and text on an elaborate book sale, an entertaining article about a member’s stint as an extra on Queen of the Damned (Rose-Marie was an extra in Dreamer, and almost ended up “married” to David Morse), an acrostic puzzle, a very nifty photo page of local sand sculptures (how do they do that?), a Melbourne cake (!) show (GIMME!), reviews, the Chandler Award (to our friend and fellow fan-ed Alan Stewart), regional cons and clubs. Issue #201 shows the club’s storage locker, packed with boxes themselves packed with fanzines. There’s also a long article on sewing genre-themed skirts – all knowledge is in fandom, folks. Plus a tough acrostic, reviews and and and … #202 is more of the happy same – lots of gaming photos – but leads off with a delightful announcement: editor LynC is engaged to Jocko, another clubster! Joy to the world! Finally, here is #203, celebrating through photos and memorials the life of the late Merv Binns, one of the MSFC founders. Binns’ own article forms most of the issue, and it makes for grand reading. Up-to-date info about ConZealand is appended. Also on eFanzines, Ethel’s first issue, somewhat out of date – but promising! As a former DUFF delegate (2003, with Rosy) I cheer this zine and its creators, yet weep, for when if ever will we return to their homey meeting place and see them again? Event Horizon #5/ John Thiel, 30 N. 19th St., Lafayette IN 47904 / [email protected] / eFanzines / Formerly known as The PDF Dragon. John opened his first issue of this perzine with thanks to yours truly for reviewing this and his other publications. It’s what I’m here for. This fifth number contains lots of poetry and fan-wrought fiction, on which I am loath to comment. (Probably out of fear of retaliation; I’ll be printing a long story of my own in my next Challenger, due sometime,) Again, the color artwork is exceptional – should be larger. *** Fadeaway #63/ Robert Jennings, 29 Whiting Rd., Oxford, MA 01540-2035 / [email protected] / $25/6 issues / The very first editor of the Southern Fandom Press Alliance, founded 1961, Bob has been doing zines since the days of hectography, that ghastly jello-based medium. The skill of decades shows in
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Fadeaway, a zine of essays hitting on literary and cinematic works of note. Some are as familiar as Quatermass and the Pit, some arcane –like the 1870s dime novels he touches on. Batman is discussed, as are the works of Charles Fort. SFPA Br’er Tom Feller contributes a piece on Frank Robinson’s The Power which reminds me of how much I enjoyed that novel, its nifty author (fab fella) and the movie, George Hamilton notwithstanding. Note: Bob tells me that he has about half of the next Fadeaway completed, but the issue is “on hold.” Culprit: the coronavirus, which has juiced up his book-selling business to the point of exhausting. All right, make money, ignore fanzines; be a fakefan. Fanac.org Update / Joe Siclari and Edie Stern, [email protected], [email protected] / Every few days Joe and Edie, longtime friends of this house, issue e-updates on their ongoing campaign to preserve the fanzines of the past and present. Their efforts have been recognized by the Library of Congress, and are shared to the world by Andy Porter as well as themselves. Gaze at the names of the zines and fan editors they collect on a daily basis: Alva Rogers, Langley Searles, Marion Zimmer Bradley, E.E. Evert … Bixel, Day Star, Quandry. The International Science Fiction Guild Bulletin … names and zines ranging from the early ‘30s to today. And here’s what’s best: “All the fanzines can be found by following the links in http://fanac.org/fanzines/Classic_Fanzines.html.” Joe and Edie’s Fanac.org proves we fanzine nuts are part of something terrific: long-lived and living on. Far Journeys Vol. 1 No. 1 / Justin E.A. Busch, 308 Prince St. #422, St. Paul MN 55101 / t.u. or $1.40 U.S. postage on s.a.s.e.) / Subtitled “A Sercon Fanzine,” this debut issue (on slick paper) lives up to its billing, educating moi and doubtless others on the interwoven careers of Brits John Russell Fearn and Philip Harbottle. Himself an accomplished editor and writer, Harbottle devoted a good deal of his career to keeping Fearn’s works – in several genres – in print. Busch’s extensive interview with him composes most of this issue, and it’s quite compelling. An article on “Love and Loss” in SF – specifically Star Trek – mentions one of the better episodes, “A Requiem for Methuselah”, and a piece on artist Stanley Meltzoff showcases some of his skillful pb covers. He painted the original front for The Demolished Man! A short reminiscence on The Comet prozine and a quiz on first lines puts a cap on this promising publication. I look forward to a second lesson! File:770 / Mike Glyer, 1507½ S. Sixth Ave., Arcadia CA 91006 / [email protected] / News, interviews, features – all with depth and, with contributors like John Hertz, literacy. A blog these days, but no less essential for that. I call it one of SFdom’s two essential fanzines (the other is The Zine Dump Ansible) and once you read it, you’ll see why. Indispensable. Films Fantastic 9 / Eric Jamborsky, [email protected] / The N3F has a Film Bureau, as well as one for everything else, and here is its short but nifty publication. Topic this time is the Red Scare masterpiece, The Thing from Another World, illoed by stills from the classic flick. If Eric wouldn’t mind a suggestion, the article could have given some insight into the making of the movie – the fact that the scene set on the Arctic tundra was shot in the desert in 100o heat, for instance, and James Arness was embarrassed by his role as the intellectual carrot. (My sequel to The Thing, by the way, ran in Challenger a few years back.) Past issues have dealt with such terrific fare as Thief of Baghdad, The 7th Voyage of Sindbad, and The Night of the Demon. Tom Feller, Rebel winner, past Southern Fandom Confederation President and SFPA bro, adds reviews to every issue. This zine isn’t posted on eFanzines. The Neffers should see to that. Flag #22 / Andy Hooper, 11032 30th Ave. NE, Seattle WA 98125 / [email protected] / A fun perzine by a superior fan historian, whose fannish interests – zines, conventions, and of course fan history – know no bounds. (Ron gafiated some time ago.) The Fossil #382 / Tom Parson, 157 S. Logan St, Denver CO 80209 $10 for ten issues. / Supposedly themed on fannish history; I’ve requested but not seen a copy. *** Fornax / Charles Rector, [email protected] / The last number was mostly fan-wrought fiction, which I seldom discuss. A review of a tome about the “kooky monster” craze of the later 20th Century is
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The Zine Dump 49 quite entertaining; who can read the words Monster Mash and not hear that ridiculous song – or worse, its even-more-idiotic sequel? Movie reviews include some very old horror flicks – I very much disagree with the reviewer about The Howling, a masterwork. Huge list of relevant websites, but no Robin Bright this time. What will we do without our regular dose of “women’s seed”? [To explain. Dr. Robin Bright is, or was, a frequent contributor to Fornax; his articles would start with some topic but invariably return to his philosophy of “women’s seed” – which I have never understood. These pieces caused concern here and there around the hobby, but I admit to a befuddled enjoyment. The rest of Fornax was completely acceptable fanzining.]
** Inca #17 / Rob Jackson, Chinthay, Nightingale Lane, Hambrook, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 8UH, U.K. / [email protected] or [email protected] / Brits have such cool addresses. This one gives forth a cool fanzine. This issue’s cover also, by Venetia Jackson Easton, features cool colors, evoking wintry fantasy. In his opening editorial, Rob talks about the possibility of a second U.K. Corflu and addresses the problem of attracting younger fans. This is, after all, an era of electronic media, of blogs and podcasts, where fanzine fans call themselves, like First Fandom, dinosaurs. Delightful to read John D. Berry, Bob Lichtman and Graham Charnock again, and here are my friends Curt Phillips and John Purcell. Rob isn’t finished: his Dublin Worldcon report follows, rich with photos and fond meetings. Finally there is “Circulation”, his lettercol, which is thick with friendly exchanges, including a letter from Steve Stiles that brings the zine’s only sadness. Rob’s bacover is the Stiles Hugo acceptance ‘toon I ran in the Sasquan souvenir book, and together they make clear our disastrous loss. But Inca? Indeed cool. ** Instant Message #966 and before / NESFA, P.O. Box 809. Framingham MA 01701-0809 / [email protected] / Monthly newsletter of the New England SF Association, the most business-like and widest-ranging SF club in America. Every month find updates on Boskone and the NESFA Press, the club’s major projects, as well as their regular meetings. NESFA Press publishes the complete works of many important SF authors, from William Tenn to Poul Anderson, Cordwainer Smith to Ted Sturgeon. And Fredric Brown. Haven’t seen an issue since the virus attacked. Surely NESFA wouldn’t let a mere pandemic curb its fanac! Ionisphere 23 / John Thiel, 30 N. 19th Street, Lafayette, Indiana 47904 / [email protected] / The official publication of the National Fantasy Fan Federation Fan-Pro Coordinating Bureau. Yes, there is such a thing. A while back, John explained his misspelled title: “the aim is imaginative rather than scientific.” Point taken. This June issue is fronted by an attractive abstract cover by … dunno! It’s uncredited. Fortunately, the articles within are not. In fact, Jon Swartz blows my mind with the first such, a quick scan of Irvin Koch’s fannish career. Irv was an amazing human being, with the craziest fannish dreams – a convention where you’d be required to carry a weapon, DeepSouthCon bids for transient motels – and he was behind the wheel for the 1971 accident that almost ripped Rosy’s face off. Still, Southern fandom loved the guy. Thoughts on Game of Thrones and short interviews with John C. Wright and David Gerrold follow (Gerrold, showing impeccable taste, lists Carl Barks as an inspiration). There’s a bit o’fiction and some verse. I really like the art. Journal of Mind Pollution / Richard Dengrove, 2651 Arlington Dr. #302, Alexandria VA 22306 / [email protected] / Rich, a brother SFPAn, publishes a genzine that actually doubles as a perzine – he pens all the articles – on grimoires, the history of aliens in literature, and so on. ** Journey Planet 49 / James Bacon, Chris Garcia, Pádraig Ó Méalóid, Chuck Serface / [email protected] / A Hugo winner and, again this year, frequent nominee, ever different, ever excellent, Journey Planet devotes its latest issue to comics – three good articles on Swamp Thing (it’s spelled “Berni,” guys), an interview with Neil Gaiman, and a piece on Hellblazer. Serface’s piece on other swamp critters besides Swampy is delightful; do you realize that Marvel actually published a comic called Giant-Sized Man-Thing? Must mention the beautiful and evocative foresty artwork.
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** Lightning Round Vol. 6 No. 1 / Alexander Bouchard, 586 Kinglet St. Rochester Hills MI 48309 / Email: [email protected]. / Alex has “moved his glutes” and produced another issue of his perzine. In “Vamp until Ready” he discusses his distraction from writing – it has nothing to do with … that thing. Attention Mark Strickert, in another short column he recalls his first experience with amateur publishing. “Seeing my work preserved on twiltone was a thrill.” He also mentions Picard, for which he has especially purchased CBS All-Access, but his review merely says that the captain, at 92, has mellowed nary a bit. I thought he was almost narcoleptic to start with. Lofgeornost #139 / Fred Lerner, 81 Worcester Ave., White River Junction VT 05001 fred@fred- lerner.org / FAPA and eFanzines / Fred opens with what must have been the most difficult writing of his life: a eulogy for Sheryl, his late wife. I met her once, a charmer, and Lerner’s story of their long marriage is itself charming. Salutes to a super lady and a lucky man. He continues with an unfamiliar book he finds in the depths of his library, The Japanese Game, recalling a World War II propaganda game he played as a boy at Palisades Park: “Trap that Jap.” Then it’s the turn of the Chorus, the letter writers; Fred attracts the best and the brightest. A huge topic this time: climate change. Others, overpopulation, geo- and genetic engineering, TV mysteries, Polynesian prehistory. It’s as if Lofg’s intelligence infects all who touch it. Greg Benford, John Hertz, Mark Olson, Bob Jennings, John Purcell … everyone brings their A game to this venue. Lulzine #4 / John Coxon and España Sheriff, lulzine.net / “Welcome to Lulzine, a new fanzine focused on comedy and comedy in science fiction and fantasy.” Handsome blog – someone, please, start a Blog Log so it can get its proper review. MarkTime #132 / Mark Strickert, 969 W. Marshall Blvd., San Bernadino CA 92405 / [email protected] / trade, e-mail / $2, trade, LOC / Blessings on Mark for sending us a preliminary draft, so we can include his latest issue. We’ve been worrying about how Strickert, mass transit fanatic that he is, would handle this time of solitary walks and bike rides. He casts his eye into the past (a neat photo of boy Strickert with his dad at a subway station), reviews zines (mostly media-oriented zines I don’t see, though he does TZD the honor of reprinting most of our recent MarkTime reviews), answers LOCs (about the virus, natch), gives family news. A nice read, but you can feel the Strickert strain for a fat bus ticket and the open road. MT Void / Mark & Evelyn C. Leeper, [email protected] / http://leepers.us/mtvoid / free subs via email / NOTE CORRECT INFO / Every week a new issue appears in my inbox, another topic investigated and propounded upon, well-turned and entertaining every time. Check out Vol, 38 No. 44 (whole number 2117) – listing horror films or TV shows that frightened him at certain ages, Mark mentions two I remember: “The Electrified Man” on Captain Midnight and “Image of Death”, the “face on the wall” episode of One Step Beyond. Both scared the bejasus out of me when I was a wee tot. (Reminded that I switched off the former as a kid. I looked it up on YouTube and finished the show at last.) I’d add “And When the Sky was Opened”, the classic Twilight Zone with Rod Taylor and Jim Hutton, as another show that thoroughly freaked me out on first, pre-adolescent viewing (“someone … or some thing … made a mistake …”). Poor Ms. Argo – babysitting for me –had to spend an hour calming me down. Anyway, good stuff each and every week, deserving of far more recognition than it receives.
My Back Pages / Rich Lynch, P.O. Box 3120, Gaithersburg MD 20885 / [email protected] / An ongoing series of sharp trip and convention reports from Lynch’s Hugo-winning Mimosa and his SFPAzines. Rich’s next issue, he promises, will lead off with “The Day I Met Willie Mays.” Says he: “It’s very retro. I’ve been kicking this one around for years. Finally decided to write it.” Say hey! The NASFA Shuttle / Northern Alabama SF Association, P.O. Box 4857, Huntsville AL 35815-4857 / www.con-stellation.org/nasfa / I can find no issues after January. Whuzzup?
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The National Fantasy Fan Vol. 79 No. 4-5, April, May 2020 / George Phillies, see below / The National Fantasy Fan Federation business-oriented zine. This particular publication is worth viewing if only to see listed the beaucoup “bureaus” of the N3F, most of which have their own fanzine. They’re everywhere. George begins with a short rundown of the group’s long history – nearly 80 years – and proudly lists some of the original 64 members who have achieved greatness within the field. (For instance, Ray Bradbury.) Results of the annual Neffy Awards for excellence in the field are given – hey, Toni Weisskopf won one! – and there is much more. In May, George pleads for a new Treasurer and Judy Carroll, head of the N3F Correspondence Bureau, offers to pair souls with like interests, reminiscent of a fannish pen-pal club. There’s an update from Fanac.org and a very neat piece on Alley Oop by Jon Swartz, plus references to N3F’s many other zines. I recommend N3F for newcomers to fandom – it provides a broad look at the field and will give neos a good place to start. Contact George. The N3F Review of Books April-May 2020 / George Phillies, 48 Hancock Hill, Worcester MA 01609 / [email protected] / The N3F’s reviewzine, 64 pages in April, listing 24 novels by many, reviewed by many, two good articles of writing advice, three interviews. The reviews are short but several are insightful, and all would be valuable to shoppers for that next quarantined read. Favorite: Chris Nuttall’s critique of the religiously-based Left Behind series. He argues with author Fred Clerk’s premises but ends up recommending the read. Idle thought: not that I’m advocating it, but how much damage would the Worldcon do to the hotel should a Rapture novel win a Hugo? Novels and stories of a military bent get the eye in the May issue (along with much else), with one aspect of the reviews standing out: there’s a LOT OF CAPITALIZATION, which conveys a quality of raw enthusiasm. The “Prose Bono” section carries writing tips – use more than one sense in your descriptions – Tamara Wilhite discusses a work of literary criticism of The Avengers Infinity Cycle, citing the heaviest of philosophers, and Chris Nuttall applies his biography to one of his own works. These intellectual efforts hardly match Stuart Gilbert analyzing Ulysses, but are quite diverting. Let’s see you take on Camp Concentration and some later Delany, guys. Nowhere Fan #5 / Christina Lake, [email protected] / eFanzines / Christina opens her perzine, as can be expected, with ruminations on the quarantine, which affects her in Falmouth just as perniciously as it hits us in Florida. Her thoughts on the efficacy of the lockdown far surpass my own in intelligence; in a few words she describes the value of a dystopia run by a benevolent authority. She’s optimistic: “we are well on the way to becoming good citizens of whatever utopia/dystopia emerges from the current pandemic.” A virtue of our “new lives”: learning what we need vs. what we can do without. Since it’s been years since Nowhere Fan #4, she follows up with lots of “pre-apocalyptic material” – thoughts on her job history and on “the Joycean world of Irish fandom.” (She had problems with Ulysses. My advice: read it with Anthony Burgess’ rejoice or Stuart Gilbert’s guide close at hand.) She gives a brief report on the Dublin Worldcon, which frustrated her with its hugeness and all those queues (we call them “lines” in the anencephaly colonies); still, she’s thinking about D.C. in 2021 (as are we – we just joined). Doug Bell enters the picture with a fine article on glorious Swamp Thing, although he does the Dave Michelinie/Nestor Redondo era a disservice (a “monster-of-the-month affair”) and misses two of Alan Moore’s masterpieces: the standalone Pogo and Winchester House issues. Doug also ignores the abortive “superhero” issues, a favor to us all. Returning to Ms. Lake, we’re blest with a “review” of the moving Randy Byers memorial zine, Thy Life’s a Miracle, rich with both regret and good feeling, followed by Christina’s homage to his fannish style. It’s an appropriate and well-turned tribute. Moving on: her 2018 Eastercon GoH speech, criticized as “cliquey,” is fine by me; it only reflects her joy in finding a friendly home in this lunacy. The friendships she’s fostered are well on display in the long lettercol, and the whole thing closes with a last portrait of – as we called him at DC – “Swampy.” OASFiS Event Horizon Vol. 32 No. 12 #388 / Juan Sanmiguel, P.O. Box 323, Goldenrod FL 32733- 0323 / [email protected] / $12/year, includes Orlando club membership / The virus has played Hell with conventions, club meetings, fan gatherings of all sorts, and this holds true for Florida fandom as well. Not only is the annual OASFiS picnic soiree kaput (mix those languages!), Necronomicon has
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The Zine Dump 49 followed in Worldcon’s tracks and gone virtual. Still, the club hangs on, Juan & Co. still review books and TV (Picard has made quite the splash), and May brought another issue … #389, listing awards winners (the Bram Stokers – best novel won by Oasis regular Owl Goingback) and nominees (the Hugos and Retros). Alas, the virus still has club meetings throttled. Opuntia #473-4 / Dale Speirs, [email protected] / Now deep into its 20th year, Opuntia is as eclectic a zine as we see, reflecting the multitudinous facets of the editor’s interests. In the issue from early May ’20, Dale laments the loss of our rights to assembly and travel to the virus, but swiftly turns from the plague to happier times. These he celebrates through a piece on chess fiction (has he ever dealt with Brunner’s Hugo-nominated Squares of the City?), illustrated by the editor’s shots of a local chess tourney, sites and sights around “Cowtown” (his home, Calgary), codes, radio- and telephone-based fiction, invisible men (he should definitely see the new movie – when he can), caves, asteroids … and coronavirus. Is it selfish of a reader to hope for more such material, the editor/author entrapped or not? Then rejoice! #474 appears, concentrating on Daniel Defoe’s Journal of the Plague Year (appropriately) – a fascinating synopsis. New chapters follow in his ongoing studies of Sherlock Holmes (this time radio, TV and movie treatments), alien invasions and hollow Earth tales. Everything seems to interest Dale, and he writes of everything excellently. See his terrific piece on dinosaurs at the close of this issue. Origin 26-27 / N3F c/o John Thiel, 30 N. 19th Street, Lafayette, Indiana 47904, kinethiel@ mymetronet.net / E-mailed / “Official Organ of the National Fantasy Fan Federation’s History and Research Bureau,” whose purpose is to keep N3F members “aware of their antecedents.” As Thiel says in his editorial, “the method we are using in Origin [is] researching and gaining an understanding of the past, and thus finding foundations instead of being in the free flight so many people are in. Thereafter we seek to increase our comprehension of what we are hearing, seeing, doing and reading.” Be that as it may, this issue is filled with some beautiful art and ambitious articles. Jon Swartz’ piece on the Armed Services Editions of classic horror novels and collections (Dracula, Poe short stories, etc.) is fascinating; I used to find such horizontally-formulated books in used-bookstores. According to Fred Pohl, ASEs helped give impetus to paperback editions; thus the relevance to Origin’s stated purpose. Jeffrey Redmond’s article on “Technology in Science Fiction” lists a multitude of techie topics – psi, aliens, invisibility etc. – and gives a sampling of early stories and writers dealing with them. Editor Thiel complains about the pugnacity in fannish histories – fights, feuds, hassles fill the accounts of early days – he even critiques the sainted Harry Warner and his All Our Yesterdays. “[W]here,” he cries, “is a lucid history of the development of the fandom that was respectable enough to attract numerous intelligent people into its fold?” Penultimately, Judy Carroll calls on Neffers (N3F members) to become more active in organization matters, wondering if anyone even reads the group’s numerous publications. Well, I do, and I’m not even a member. For instance, I read Origin no. 27, which, after a frankly muddy editorial by Thiel, brings forth more excellent articles by Carroll, Redmond and Swartz, the latter discussing the life and work of James V. McConnell, scientist and SFer, who obviously deserves to be remembered. Origin is the most successful N3F publication; Thiel’s staff is solidly talented and enthused. s. Pablo Lennis #290, May 2020 / John Thiel, see Origin. / An enthusiastic, mixed-bag of a zine – lots of fan-wrought fiction, poetry and art, much of which strikes me as “doodlish,” but to quote myself from TZD #47, “There’s something there.” Definitely something to Will Mayo’s pages of impressions, anecdotes and thoughts, which are thoughtful and aesthetically compelling. Long story by Joanne Tolson, shorter ones by Jeffrey Redmond and others – and, a rarity for PL, a lettercol! Two ‘plaints: surely this is issue #390, and is that a typo in the title of the lead story? PKD otaku #40 / Patrick Clark, [email protected] / Any zine devoted to Phil Dick has a happy home here. I dreamed I introduced him to my mother recently. Polar Borealis #14 / R. Graeme Cameron, http://polarborealis.ca / Graeme wonders if his fiction-oriented publication is a fanzine, since he pays its contributors and calls it a semiprozine, but, he states that
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“Technically, under CSFFA/Aurora rules it counts as a fan publication because I don't charge money for it.” Well, what the hey. He describes Polar Borealis thusly: “POLAR BOREALIS buys First Publication (or Reprint) English Language World Serial Online (PDF) Internet Rights from Canadian Science Fiction Genre Authors, Poets and Artists.” The cover illustration by Jenni Merrifield is striking, the material seems professional (all I’ll say about it: TZD policy), and Cameron’s editorial on the virus is righteously pained, but urges courage and, of course, survival. Canadian authors, take note. ** Portable Storage #3 / William Breiding, 3507 No. Santa Rita Ave. #1, Tucson AZ 85719 / [email protected] / Huge, beautiful, rich and heartfelt zine devoted to San Francisco. Highly recommended to the max, this epic genzine features contributions from multitudes ranging from Grant Canfield (a long report thick with caricatures of Sfers – good ones, too) to Bob Lichtman (a reprinted piece on hippies) to Rick Coad (on the baseball Giants) to writers I didn’t know but enjoy much here. The city, its people, its arts (the Cockettes performed on Sproul Plaza while I was at UC-B), its fandom – it brings a sadness as well as a jolt of joy to see jolly Jerry Jacks depicted; he was a mainstay of the Little Men in my neohood. Purrsonal Mewsings #73 / R-Laurraine Tutihasi, P.O. Box 5323, Oracle AZ 85623-5323 / [email protected] / t.u., $5, Stipple-Apa / From the title of Laurraine’s per- and apazine, you might expect cover and interior photos of cute cuddly kitty cats, and to be sure, Mike Weasner’s frontispiece to this issue depicts a noble feline indeed. You can be the one to tell this richly-maned lion that he’s not cute. Fine pictures can be found within, too, ranging from squirrels to galaxies, as well as rich if understandably irritated text on the COVID-19 quarantine, reviews of movies new and old, Stipple-Apa mc’s, thoughts on the Retro-Hugo dramatic candidates. (I agree: Curse of the Cat People is the class of the list, although I’ll always love House of Frankenstein.) Like her mailing comments, Laurraine’s friendly lettercol deals with homey matters as she, and the Chorus, and we, fight corona by staying put. Random Jottings 19-20: The Corflu FIAWOL Papers & Proceedings / Michael Dobson, 8042 Park Overlook Dr., Bethesda MD 208172724 / [email protected] / I am in awe. These two perfectly produced works of fannishness show the prep for and the results of the 2019 Corflu in Rockville, Maryland. These zines are remarkable to the point of uniqueness – only in the program books of major conventions, Comics Review, SF Commentary and Portable Storage have I seen such professional quality merged with such personal appreciation of the fannish life. Each sports a color cover: Papers a Japanese painting with a comic Sfnal touch it took me minutes to note, Proceedings with a group portrait of those in attendance at the con. (I recognize many, among them the Benford Boys, the Moores, Rich Dengrove, Joe Siclari and Edie Stern, James Baker, Martin Morse Wooster, Mike Ward and Kareen Schaeffer, Steve Stiles, bless him.) Papers offers reprints of the bidzines for the Corflu, a detailed post-event financial breakdown, results of the FAAn Award balloting … and some very cool antique ads for mimeograph machines. (Remember those?) The ads continue in the following issue, which concentrates on photos and impressions by various members of the convention. The good repro on the pix is welcome, helping stay-at-homes a welcome sense of being there. I keep promising myself: someday. Ray X X-Rayer #149 / Ray Palmer, [email protected] / e-mail & eFanzines / A startling image atop the first of this perzine’s 9 pages: the COVID-19 virus, yclept “Deathstar.” There is a resemblance. Ray’s opening natter reflects his disgust with our society since Trump’s election plunged it, and us, into history’s sewer; the coronavirus, he implies, is the plague we’ve been waiting for. So far, Ray’s in the clear, although a recent hernia and a savage case of cabin fever is getting him down. He salves the wound temporarily by discussing a 1951 horror comic (and reprinting a few panels) and shots from a Mexican thriller, La Mujer Murcielago, starring a hot girl in a bare-bellied Batman suit. He thoughtfully provides a link. After LOCs from John Purcell and the e’er-reliable Lloyd Penney, he closes with a rant against single-spacing between sentences. “Who comes up with this bullshit?” he demands. Need I say how much the X-Rayer is appreciated and enjoyed in these parts – even though I hardly ever double-space between sentences these dias?
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** Scientifiction New Series #60, 62-3 / John L. Coker III, 4813 Lighthouse Rd., Orlando FL 32808 / [email protected] / Quarterly / The quarterly newszine of First Fandom, “the Dinosaurs of Science Fiction.” It’s a well-produced, comprehensive survey of the inhabitants of the genre, with good photos and solid, journalistic writing. These issues range in time from summer of 2019 to this unfortunate spring. #63 eulogizes Earl Kemp and Mike Resnick, with photos from their lives and fine memories by Special Features Editor Jon D. Swartz and Mr. Coker. An obit for Dr. Samuel Sackett is also included. Nominees for the First Fandom Hall of Fame – apparently given Yea or Nay votes by the membership – are profiled. I got an even better boost from the special zines John sent me. Volume 2 of Stories from the First Fandom Archives [and] Conversations with Members of First Fandom on the First Worldcon. Again, we’re treated to nifty daguerreotypes of SFdom’s early days amid contributions by SaM Moscowitz, Erle Korshak, Forry Ackerman, Dave Kyle and Julie Schwartz. Since I started in active fandom >50 years ago – over 60 if you count letters to Julie’s comic books – I might qualify for First Fandom. Who cares if people call you a dinosaur; look at the company you keep! SF2 Concatenation / οffice@cοncatenation.οrg / eFanzines / “The Science Fact & Science Fiction Concatenation is the seasonal review of science fact and science fiction. Formerly the (1987-1997) annual (paper) magazine distributed at the British national SF convention and European SF convention. Today its three principal internet editions come out in the northern hemisphere’s academic year: spring, summer and autumn.” Loads of links to most anything you can think o in the field.
** SF Commentary / Bruce Gillespie, 5 Howard Street, Greensborough, VIC 3088, Australia / Phone: 61-3-9435 7786 / Preferred means of distribution: PDF file from http://efanzines.com / email: [email protected] / Gloriously good genzine, often fronted by mind-warping Ditmar art. Bruce himself encapsulates his latest issue of in a few lines: “The usual stuff by Bruce Gillespie, plus tributes to Steve Stiles, Les Robertson, and Adrienne Losin. Articles by Russell Blackford, Tim Train, and Casey Wolf interviewing Eileen Kernaghan; and a poem by Jenny Blackford. Umpteen letters of comment. Covers by Ditmar (Dick Jenssen) and Steve Stiles.” Gillespie does not do his zine justice. It’s the best fanzine on Earth.
*** SideTrekked / Stephanie Hanna & Mark Ambroglio, [email protected] / “the official journal of Science Fiction London” … That’s London Ontario if, like me, you were confused. This issue is the most impressive clubzine I’ve seen from this group. The tone is set by a jolly cool steampunk cover photo and later, underscored by photos from club barbecues of years past. (Nice shorts there, guys.) In between, well-turned reviews and articles by club members. Reinhardt Christensen’s account of a “hackathon,” wherein techies capable of such endeavors take on challenges set by NASA and the Canadian Space Agency, is very cool. A favorite: Ron Trautmann’s on Invasion of the Saucer- Men and the short story from which it was derived.
Ski Jump (VirtualPaper #1) / Jim Caughran, [email protected] / eFanzines / “Short reflections on just about anything,” says Jim, reflecting here on ski lessons and his experience on the ski jump. I guess he ignored that opening to ABC’s Wide World of Sports. Skyliner #9 / May 2020 / Alan White, [email protected] / You open an Alan White zine on eFanzines.com expecting startling color and imagery – and you always score. Here is his 9th perzine. The photographic art is outstanding, as can be expected from one of science fiction’s most accomplished photoshop geniuses (the other is Ditmar), but special chops to the lettering, one of Messr. White’s special talents. (The only artist comparable is my Knoxville buddy, Charlie Williams.) A stunning soft-focus blue design by Brad Foster fronts this issue, followed by a “crankitorial” wherein Alan complains that fan-eds don’t ask for art anymore. (Just for that, I’ve asked him to consider assaying the next Challenger cover!) His perspective of the COVID-19 quarantine is next, and by no means joyous. Like many talented artists, Alan is also adept with words, so he makes his disgust amusing. He also talks up “vanity publishing” on
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Amazon, which has personal meaning around here, where Greenhouse Scribes has published umpteen of my father-in-law’s manuscripts and *ahem* will handle something of mine later this year. My copy of Skyliner lacks two pages of pictures from Arnie Katz’ walls, but there’s reflections on Alan’s favorite old movies –with which he is becoming reacquainted – and a few intriguing frames from an amateur movie he was part of decades ago. Truly, there is no experience in fanzines like an Alan White publication ... so gimme #10! Stapledon Sphere / Reece Morehead, [email protected] / Newsletter of the Middle Tennessee Science Fiction Society (aka the Nashville sf club)./ E-mailed / Has Reece’s usual collection of cool links come forth this year?
Synergy March 2020 / John Thiel, see Event Horizon and Ionisphere / Zine for the N3F apa N’APA, available also upon request. Nice art stolen from Shutterstock. An editorial on cosmic consciousness that sounds like something I’d read in my hippy-neo days, a single mailing comment to Jefferson Swycaffer (apparently N’APA isn’t prospering at the moment) and a slice of fiction: a chapter in “The Chameleon”, from Jeffrey Redmond.
This Here … #28-29 / Nic Farey, 2657 Rungsted Street, Las Vegas NV 89142 / [email protected] / Nic’s perzine’s opening salvo of the April issue is a jolly report on the virtual Eastercon, which makes one hopeful that New Zealand might be able to pull off a successful Worldcon. On he goes to mull over the changes for the FAAn Awards, of which he is the new administrator, after a good piece on an Edinburgh rock band. David Hodson contributes a cool article about the origins of “Footy” in the U.K. – not much relation to the Aussie game, I gather – and there’s an enviable load of commentary from the Chorus. Nice illos by Teddy Harvia and Ulrika O’Brien. Issue #29 appears in late May, shortly after Nic announced his negative COVID-19 test. He gives a vivid description of a virtual Eastercon party (by Alison Scott) and Ulrika O’Brien’s “Second Sunday” computer get-together. He memorializes a great jazz musician, talks TAFF (this year’s winner is out big bucks thanks to corona) and, again, the FAAns. David Hodson is back with more footy, and the Chorus chimes in with enthused commentary on fannish issues. (I’ll chime in about the FAAns later, myself.) Tightbeam #308-9 / National Fantasy Fan Federation c/o George Phillies, 48 Hancock Hill Drive, Worcester, MA 01609. E-mail [email protected]; Jon Swartz jon_swartz@ 14otmail.com / E-mailed / The genzine from the N3F, “approximately monthly.” Many and varied reviews of SF fiction, new and not-so-new (e.g. , Lev Grossman’s The Magician), anime (Gleipner, whatever that means), videos (The Force Awakens): the zine’s usual fare. Jon Swartz’ “bio-bibliography” includes a surprise: a “bio- bibliography” of the magnificent though controversial Lester del Rey, author of at least two immortal stories (“Helen O’Loy” and “Nerves”) and an extremely important editorial influence on Harlan Ellison and many others. Cheers to Dr. Jon D. Swartz for a solid article. Finally, Tightbeam offers an interview with writer Misha Burnett and, uniquely among fanzines, a food column featuring Pack Dynamics author Julie Frost. Wif burritos. I’ll take three! ||| #309 baffles me – the articles all seem to be repeated from #308! What’s going on? ** Transcendental Basenji Sermons &Enlightenment #86 / Garry Dalrymple, 1 Eulabah Avenue, Earlwood N.S.W. 2206 Australia / [email protected] / ANZAPA and eFanzines / Just call it TBS&E; that’s what Garry calls it in this zine for the Australian/Kiwi apa, ANZAPA. The squib on eFanzines reads “TBS&E could be seen in some sense as a continuation of the 1940s Sydney Futurian Observer newsletters. About a quarter of each issue consists of notes from the Sydney Futurian meetings, from 2003 to the present. There are also book reviews, notes from other Sydney SF&F events, and coverage of local Science/Astronomy meetings.”
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Trap Door / Robert Lichtman, 11037 Broadway Terrace, Oakland CA 94611-1948 / [email protected] / No issues of this nostalgic genzine since December 2018, but TD is such a grand work that it merits mention here, anyway. Again, best wishes to Robert. Unreliable Narrator /4 / Doug Bell, 4 West Rise, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 4SJ, U.K. [email protected] / A nice surprise this rainy Memorial Day, a candid and enjoyably literate perzine from a close friend of Christina Lake (see Nowhere Fan). Bell credits Christina, his family, friends and therapy for getting him through the debilitation of anxiety, which afflicts so many of us. (My happy pill is Sertraline, 50 mikes a day.) A terrific article about cycling gives the “not-so” to Doug’s lack of confidence in his writing – it has drama and pathos and is as vivid as a plunge downhill. Lockdown natter follows; he’s on the same raft as the rest of us, but his ruminations are more interesting than mine would be: he gardens, reads, remembers fabulous museums he’s visited with Ms. Lake. A few LOCs and a chapter in a 2013 trip report –nice photos and neat art – and our unreliable narrator bids us adieu. May I say that this Bell rings true? ** Vanamonde Nos. 1385-88 / John Hertz, 236 So. Coronado St. #409, LA CA 90057 / John’s inspired one-sheet Apa-L zine, running weekly for God knows how long. Look at those issue numbers and guess! John garners much praise for his comments on the other publications in Apa-L – official amateur press association for the Los Angeles group (LASFS) – and indeed here one can find commentary on everything from the etymology of “burlesque” to James Bond films to “cowbirding,” an apa term I’ve never heard in 50 years of apa activity. But for me the highlight of every issue is the intro, where John expounds on topics many and various, or occasionally just prints a cool quote or a nifty haiku. A past DUFF winner, he’s a fine writer and extraordinarily supportive of his fellow fans. And yes, the artwork in Van is good stuff indeed. Warp #107 (Special Coronavirus Issue) / Cathy Palmer-Lister, via MonSFFA, c/o Sylvain St-Pierre, 4456 Boul. Ste-Rose, Laval, Quebec, Canada H7R 1Y6 / http://www.monsffa.ca/?page_id=6915 / I always knew Cathy had spunk, and here’s the proof: a spiffy issue of the Montreal clubzine produced in the midst of COVID-19 Despite cancellation of in-person meetings, the club spirit survives, through virtual get-together and the website. Herein, defiance reigns: there’s a page of good anti-virus ‘toons, accounts from a multitude of MonSFFAns on how they’re surviving, as well as the normal content: a chapter in a Trek pastiche, a look back at a 1992 Warp, Part 2 of Sylvain St-Pierre’s Worldcon 77 report (beautiful photos of Irish castles and countryside), a trivia contest covering gaming as well as the old junque I know, and loads of reviews, including a slug of Hugo nominees. The club genzine lives, through Warp if nowhere else. The White Notebooks #17 (Lockdown edition) / Pete Young, 136/200 Emerald Hill Village, Soi 6, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110, Thailand / [email protected] / editorial whim / Stranded by COVID-19 in the U.K., Mr. Young enjoys the hospitality of Farah Mendlesohn and Edward James. He might be stoke in Stuck-on-Tr- … *ahem* … He might be stuck in Stoke-on-Trent throughout the summer. Selfishly, I hope his return to Thailand is delayed a further month; we might then get to meet him. He and his hosts fill the time with long walks, discussions of various Sfnal issues, and, in Pete’s case, this zine. After a long preamble explaining why he’s read the books he’s read, the editor reviews several novels about a subject he knows well: British life in his lifetime. Follows a very strange fanfic about Jayne Mansfield’s involvement with satanism – first I’ve ever heard of it, and Pete’s later explanation is frankly, little help – a few very welcome letters of comment (Jerry Kaufman is everywhere this season), and a quasi-diary of lockdown. As with Ray Palmer, above, Young’s mutating anguish at being shipwrecked 7,000 miles from home is beginning to nick at his nerves. I don’t know how he, how any of us, remains pleasant. That’s that that that that referred to. Next issue, fall. As always, I call on someone in the know to do a Blog Log to cover electronic publications – I am almost totally in the stygian dark about them.
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The Zine Dump 49
REQUEST for SALE: All issues of Flash and Green Lantern featuring team-ups between the two heroes and all graphic adaptations of Theodore Sturgeon stories. Condition is unimportant. EDITORIAL Now: the FAAn Awards. Several years ago, at the last San Antonio Worldcon, remarks were exchanged on this topic that summed up one basic controversy. We were talking about the Hugo for Best Fanzine – taken over by a semiprozine (Electric Velocipede), blogs (e.g., A Dribble of Ink – a dribble of pixel, more like it), on-line zines (Emerald City, The Drink Tank, Journey Planet), even a podcast (StarShipSofa). All are excellent, all are run by delightful trufans, none are on paper. An earnest gent suggested that, eventually, the Hugo would fade in prestige vis-à-vis the FAAn; in other words, it would mean more to win a FAAn than a Hugo. Another earnest fella instantly objected, calling the FAAns a closed, cliquish system. That opinion was then the common view. The FAAns are a byproduct of Corflu, and Corflu has always been its own bailiwick, separate from Worldcon in fact, in size (of course), in ‘tude. Its domination of TAFF in decades past ginned up fannish ire and controversy, and the FAAns became smeared with the same spatula. Of course, the fact that the same people from the same in-group won time and time again didn’t help, nor did the tiny number of FAAn voters compared to the mass casting Hugo ballots. But others won too. Harry Warner, best letterhack; I saw the trophy on his desk. Lloyd Penney won the same category in recent times. Jacq Moynihan took the ultimate FAAn for her magnificent TAFF report. This past year, Fred Lerner broke through. These worthies hail from no jealous in-group. And the last three TAFF winners from our side of the pond, John Purcell, Curt Phillips and Orange Mike Lowrey, are part of no cliques I can name, aside from the brotherhood of Fan. I favor any action on the part of FAAn administrators to continue this trend. Though we’ve heard fears that a wider scope in the Awards will mean victories for zines and fan-eds from other cliques – all right, I mean the N3F – that didn’t happen this year and there’s no reason to think it’ll happen in the future. (For one thing, N3F has its own awards.) So anything that opens and liberalizes the FAAns can only raise the repute of the honor. And it wouldn’t hurt if more people did vote. WOOF non-news. I hoped to have some word on New Zealand’s Worldcon Order of Fan-Editors mailing in time for this issue, but no luck. If it happens, WOOF 2020 is bound to be a virtual disty, like last year’s, so anyone anywhere could act as Official Editor; I’ll do it if nobody more suitable steps forward! By all means contribute! LOC it UP! William Breiding
James Bacon
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The Zine Dump 49 tell you having engaged, spoken and met many of them, they are indeed a decent, friendly and in their own way fannish bunch. At the moment I have joined some new and different Fan Communities related to War Comics, using facebook, and find myself learning new things, be it the writers and artists involved, and the well known fans who are active and engaged and in some cases have won awards for their fan work. I am fascinated by it all, and really enjoying it. This has always been a passion and there have been some great moments. The last event I have been to this year, 2020, will be a “Commando Comic Swap Meet” on the 14th of March , where I met editors and artists and a host of fans, and it was a cracking good day. The things one learns, so for instance this community had a fan produce some fan publications definitely fanzines of the highest order, and they are highly desirable, now, some 20 years later, but also the kindness of fans is incredible, and I have been in receipt, and sent fellow fans comics, for a derisively cheap amount or for free and it is common at this time, for some reason. And this brings me back to the SF community of the now, sometimes, we do not realise who is in our midst, I was excited to see a relatively new author, have a story published, and reckoned it was worthy of a Hugo nomination once I read it, the story had a theme that excited me, but then I engaged, and noted that this author had a story in one of Jonathan Strathan’s “Best SF” some years ago, and chatted with the author and our conversation expanded and lo and behold, I subsequently was sent a draft of a future novel maybe their first. So bloody exciting. Do keep up the good work.
Bruce Gillespie
Garry Dalrymple
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The Zine Dump 49
If your readers are interested, most issues of my TBS&E have been placed up on Bill Burns’ eFanzines, which was my early response to Covid-19. Forthcoming Travelers’ Tales sections of TBS&E issues will detail my daily Plague Year experiences. Literary Dynamite, or Valium according to some readers. So how is life in Sydney under the cloud of Covid-19? Well it is mixed, and strange. I’ve never read a story where the first response to the crisis was – to lock up the libraries and clear the supermarket shelves of Toilet Paper. I hear that you Americans went shopping for more guns? How’s that working out? Looking for metaphors I offer this – It is a bit like acting in a low budget Zombie Apocalypse film, for which the director assures you that the Zombies will be added in post-production, by CGI, when the money comes in. Another is that while life goes on, only more spaced apart. The streets are quiet, just like it was during Sydney’s Olympics fortnight, i.e. the busses were still running, but everyone took the weeks off, got out of town or stayed at home. People’s reactions have evolved over the weeks. People are cleaning house, putting out all sorts of stuff out onto the streets for collection. People are increasingly out walking or biking, as individuals or as families. I do believe, that in Australia, post Covid-19, the general level of health will be better than before Covid-19, and there are even suggestions that net deaths will be down this year, as Covid-19 precautions lead on to avoiding the seasonal flu, as Australia goes into (our) Winter. The skies are clear, the birds are heard singing, over the now greatly reduced noise from roads and aircraft. Now I watch your PBS news program, played here the day after over where you are, and it is surreal. Australia has a population about equal to that of New York City and State, 25 million. I see a 9/11 death toll every few days, while the running under script on the TV screen states the local death toll, usually one person today, three people yesterday and currently at just over 80 Australian deaths With the US deathrate, rapidly heading towards Vietnam War levels, I wonder why you have not risen up in outrage and demanded the heads of Trump and his coterie. When I think of the US response to Covid-19, and Trump’s early term dismantling of the Ebola virus era epidemic response team, I always have in mind the image of the alleged Moscow Trump video, the one where he has hired prostitutes urinate on the Obama bed, true or not, there is some truth in fiction? On PBS news, I see the “State Liberation” protestors, as cheered on by your President Trump. [Not my President Trump!] Surely they should be re-named as “Give Covid-19 a Chance” protesters, or “Viral Right to Lifers” and nominated for the Darwin Awards, mass participation category? Still it could be worse, I imagine the response to Covid-19 under President Bush would be – to immediately start bombing and invading Iraq, under President Clinton – to deny that he was having sexual intercourse with that woman and under President Obama – to bail out Big Business? As for me, I must be a rich man, as I even have spare toilet paper stored in the outdoor toilet, (a local pre-occupation) and over recent weeks the mileage racked up on my seventeen year old Basenjis has been phenomenal, as “out walking the dog” is a permitted “Ticket of Leave,” from solitary confinement / self-isolation / self-immolation. In conclusion, I can only quote the words of Dame Vera Lynn, via her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain (and Australia), of “We’ll meet again. Don’t know where, don’t know when, but I know we’ll meet again, some sunny day.” And so it goes.
Chris Garcia a/k/a Johnny Eponymous
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The Zine Dump 49 especially glad we got it because I really loved putting together that Apollo issue. I was in the middle of the period following my lay-off from the museum, quickly sliding towards not being able to pay rent, and spending a chunk of every week in the Saratoga Library. It was a ray of sunshine for me to get to work on it. It’s the little things. The day I finished it was also the day I had my first interview with my current gig. That was also the day my loving wife surprised the whole family with tacos. Best Fan Writer is full of people I don’t read often, but when I do come across their stuff, it’s really good. Best Fan Artist has Meg Frank (she did the cover for the Matrix issue of Journey Planet) and Sara Felix (the Pen and Ink and Antique Space issues of JP) and I’m so psyched for both of them. Meg’s a second-generation fan, and when we chatted in Dublin right before the Hugos, it was obvious that this meant something to both of us that ties it to how we grew up, what the Hugos mean to those of us steeped in Fandom pretty much since birth. I need to write about that. Sara does wonderful space art, and she’s everywhere right now. I think she even did a cover with This Here, or maybe it was Beam. She’s also working with us on an issue of JP dedicated to Pen and Ink. Speaking of JP, as I so often do, we’re doing an issue on Arthurian stuff, if’n you have any interest. We’re looking at the end of the year for it. Also, speaking of The Drink Tank, The big Summer spectacular is on Super Hero Teams. Love to have you in on that one!!! I’d be honored to contribute to Drink Tank, since I never finished the account of my friendship with Julie Schwartz, and I owe you writing. Deadline?
Lloyd Penney / 1706-24 Eva Rd. / Etobicoke, ON / Canada M9C 2B2 You mention COVID-19…to the best of my knowledge, the only friend I have lost to the coronavirus is Tom Barber, a well-known convention runner and vendor, and a senior Dorsai Irregular, in the Detroit area. I am pretty sure I have lost others, but I do not know for sure. Taral must be intrigued about the announcement of the return of Fraggle Rock. I remember being at a Worldcon where Jim Henson was a guest, and we attended his panel. We asked about this new project in Canada called Fraggle Rock, and did we ever let the cat out of the bag. We could tell he wasn’t exactly happy…”Yeah, you guys must be from Toronto, okay folks, listen up…” With all the club and organization changes in style of management with this lockdown we are all suffering from, many of them could go under, or dissipate unnoticed. I hope I am wrong, but I suspect we won’t recognize fandom when it is all done. I admit that I rarely go onto File 770’s website because I just don’t go on many websites. I wish there was a fanzine-like .pdf coming from Mike regularly, but I think the website and all of its daily additions is more than enough to keep him busy. I don’t think we will be getting any more issues of The NASFA Shuttle…Editor Mike Kennedy injured himself, and was forced out of the editor’s role. His replacement has done enough of a job for members, but doesn’t seem motivated enough to put anything into it for outsiders like us. A shame, but the clubzine is for the club. I am pleased to say that I am getting Scientifiction from John L. Coker III, not because we trade, but because we are now First Fandom. Looks like we will see you there. I haven’t seen Vanamonde in quite a while, but I certainly understand the costs of getting it up here. I haven’t seen any of Tommy Ferguson’s newer zines, but more and more, finding time to respond to zines is tougher. There are a handful of zines listed I do not get, and to be honest, that’s okay. I will work on the zines I get. Sixty-one years will hit me in two weeks or so, and sometimes, it feels more like 71 or 81. I think I need to get more sleep. 70 isn’t so bad if you don’t think about it. I’m hoping 71 won’t be either. Obviously, 100 isn’t! Curt Phillips
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The Zine Dump 49 have a favor to ask of every Fan reading this message, no matter where you are. Would you please join me in sending Bob Madle a birthday card? Bob was one of the original members of the fandom we're all part of today, and is almost the last living link we have with our earliest history. He was an original member of the Philadelphia SF Society and the Science Fiction League. He was at the 1936 Philadelphia SF Conference, and was at the first Worldcon in 1939. He served in WWII, came home and became a specialty SF book dealer and still operates that business. He wrote the column INSIDE SCIENCE FICTION for the Columbia pulps in the 50's, was the TAFF delegate in 1960, and was for many years a fixture in convention dealer's rooms everywhere. He's a very knowledgeable and passionate science fiction fan and nearly all of his contemporaries are gone now. Please join me in sending Bob a birthday card for his 100th birthday, just to let him know that Fandom remembers and appreciates his lifetime of devotion to science fiction. Bob is a good friend whom I last saw about a year ago when I visited him in Rockville, and I deeply wish that I could be there in person to wish him a happy birthday this year. I would love it if the Post Office delivers a sack full of birthday cards to his home this year, and that's why I'm asking your help. Please take a moment to find a birthday card, or write a note, and drop it in the mail to: Robert A. Madle / 406 Bestor Drive / Rockville, MD 20853-2137. Bob doesn't have an email address and doesn't use a computer so an old fashioned birthday card is the way to go. It will be very easy for each of you to let this request slip by, but I'm asking you to help make Bob's 100th birthday a little happier by sending that card or note. And please help spread the word to every fan and fannish group you know. No matter what your fannish interests are, no matter what area of fandom you might inhabit, comics fan, Star Trek fan, gamer, filker, cosplayer, fanzine fan, convention fan, or a book & magazine collector; it all traces back to the fandom of the 1930's and Bob Madle is right at the heart of it. He was there in the beginning and he's still here with us. This may be your only chance to ever tell him "thanks" for helping to get Fandom going and for helping to keep it alive for all of us today. Please copy this request to any fans or fannish groups you can think of. Convention mailing lists, clubs, what have you. This is a once in a lifetime event that we all can share in. My personal thanks to all who help celebrate the 100th birthday of our friend, Bob Madle. Rosy, her daddy Joe Green and I sent a card with a Heinlein quote: “Moderation is for monks!” And though June 2 is long passed by now, I’m sure a late card or two wouldn’t be unappreciated …
This issue, the longest Zine Dump ever, ends with May, 2020, as American cities burn, images of the wondrous Dragon launch this week are burned into our minds, and COVID-19 provides an ugly underchill to life. SF fandom recoils in horror from the first, celebrates the second, and huddles from the last – just like all of our ken. In such times of such amazing and terrible events, our hobby must seem trivial, a rather silly and desperate way to fill time. But I suspect it’s more: as always, a way to express ourselves and communicate with the like-minded, and thereby, persevere, survive, endure, and prevail. This is one of those rare times when the hardiest virtue is just to keep on keepin’ on. So, fan editors, pub your ish! That’s what we’re all about, isn’t it? Stay safe!
GHLIII
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