Volume 17, Issue 5 October/November ConNotations 2007 The Bi-Monthly , & Convention Newszine of the Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society

Monkey and Bear - An Interview Featured Inside with Elizabeth Bear Regular Features Special Features by Nadine Armstrong SF Tube Talk A Conversation with Elizabeth Bear shares a birthday with All the latest news about Elizabeth Bear Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, so her fate was Scienc Fiction TV shows by Nadine Armstrong sealed from birth. Before becoming a full- by Lee Whiteside time writer, she worked as a test digger, a stable hand, a technical writer and various 24 Frames In Memory other things. Now, of course, she has “the All the latest Movie News Robert Jordan best job in the world.” She began publish- by Lee Whiteside Madeline L’Enge ing in 2000, and to date, has published Peter Manly more than 20 short stories, 8 novels, along Pro Notes with a monthly column on writing on the News about An American in Canada - Part 7 website Storytellers Unplugged, and of genre authors and fans by Jeffrey Lu course, a blog. She has won several awards, including the Compton Crook Costume Closet Plus Award, the for best first Articles Covering Topics of interest novel (both for the Jenny Casey novels), in the constuming field CASFS Business Report and the John W. Campbell Award at FYI Interaction for best new writer. ReAnimation News and tidbits of interest to fans This year alone we’ll see 5 books from Reviews of Anime on DVD © S. Shipman her - science fiction novels Carnival and Club Listings Undertow, the second Promethean Age this mean you originally thought of ConClusion titled Whiskey and Water, mosaic novel yourself as a science fiction writer? News and Reviews Convention List & New Amsterdam, and upcoming from Tor A: I’m not sure I understand the ques- of SF/F conventions Generic Registration Form in October, her first book with writing tion. I am a science fiction writer. Well, partner Sarah Monette, the fantasy A a speculative fiction writer, which is to Screening Room Companion to Wolves, as well as 12 short say that the vast majority of what I write Reviews of current theatrical releases CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT stories. She very graciously took time falls into the genre marketing categories from her schedule to allow me to send her of fantasy, SF, or one of their derivative In Our Book http://www.casfs.org/ConNotations/ some questions via e-mail, and here are subgenres. Reviews of New SF/F Books her answers. Q: In your blog the other day, you FOR UP TO DATE INFO AND MOVIE Q: Recently, you posted on your blog mentioned that you felt you don’t REVIEWS BETWEEN ISSUES about your first sale to Asimov’s. Does ( Continued on page 8 )

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Volume 17 Issue 5 ConNotations Page 1 Pick up your copy of ConNotations at the following locations In This Issue Who Is Who This Issue BOOK STORES NEW! Gregg’s Comics Managing Editor: Stephanie Bannon Bent Cover Bookstore Mesa, AZ News & Reviews Assistant to the Editor: Gary Swaty 12428 N. 28th Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85029 Samurai Comics CASFS Business Report 2 Graphics Editor: Craig L. Dyer (602) 942-5932 5024 N. 7th St, Phoenix AZ SF Tube Talk 3 Film & Video Editors: Len Berger & Book Adventure (602) 265-8886 Craig L Dyer 660 N. Gilbert Rd, Suite B, Gilbert AZ 10720 W. Indian School Rd, Phoenix AZ 24 Frames 3 Promotions Directors: Len Berger, 85234 (480) 892-2120 (623) 872-8886 In Memory 7 Richard Bolinski, Craig L Dyer Book Den Stalking Moon Comics & Collectibles FYI 8 Advertising: Catherine Book th 15410 N. 67 Ave, Glendale, AZ 85306 5930 W. Greenway #23, Glendale, AZ Pro Notes 10 Proof Readers: Catherine Book, Bob (623) 486-2529 85306 (602) 896-9992 LaPierre & Gary Swaty Book Exchange ReAnimation 11 Reporters: Craig L Dyer, Jeffrey Lu 4320 N. Miller Road #F, Scottsdale, AZ GAME STORES Screening Room 12 Staff Writers: Pam Allen, Nadine 85251 (480)990-8380 NEW! EB Games ConClusion 13 Armstrong, Stephanie L Bannon, Catherine Book Gallery Metrocenter Parkway, Phoenix, AZ Book, Shane Bryner, Craig L. Dyer, M.L. Costume Closet 17 Fringe, Michael Griffin, Bob LaPierre, 3643 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix AZ Game Daze In Our Book (Book Reviews) 18 85018 (602)468-0400 2140 E. 5th St #11, Tempe AZ 85281 Randy Lindsey, Jeffrey Lu, Christina 50 W. Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201 (480)317-9181 Paige, Shane Shellenbarger, Gary Swaty, (480) 835-0757 Game Daze #1: Paradise Valley Mall, 4550 Special Features Tom Tuerff, Lee Whiteside, Randall Book Rack E. Cactus Rd, #422, Phoenix AZ 85032 Whitlock Monkey and Bear - An Interview with Layout & Design: Stephanie L. Bannon 3539 W. Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85053 (602) (602)494-4263 Elizabeth Bear Keeper of the Mailing List: Craig L. Dyer 843-3026 Game Daze #2 Superstition Springs Bookmans by Nadine Armstrong 1 Contributors: Center, 6555 E. Southern Ave #2026, Mesa Labeling Crew for Volume 17 Issue 4: 1056 S. Country Club, Mesa, AZ 85210 AZ 85206 (480)981-4850 An American in Canada (480) 835-0505 Len Berger, Cathy Book, Shane Bryner, Game Daze #3 Scottsdale Fashion Square, by Jeffrey Lu 11 Tanya Cropper, Craig L Dyer,Caitlin 8034 N. 19th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85021 7014 E. Camelback Rd #2117, Scottsdale (602) 433-0255 Gilson, Mike Griffin, Jeffrey Lu, Gary AZ 85251 (480) 947-1101 Convention & Fandom Swaty 1930 E. Grant Tucson, AZ 85719 (520) Game Daze #4 Flagstaff Mall, 4650 N. 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Country Club Rd. 85716 replacement election chooses Stephanie. 13560 W. Van Buren, Ste. B102, Goodyear, (520) 795-6960 Fiction Society, PO Box 62613, AZ (623) 932-3433 NEW! Ultimate Coffee 741 E. Glendale Phoenix, AZ 85082 Drawn to Comics Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85020 (602) 252-1200 ISSUE NUMBER: Volume 17 Issue 5 5757 W. Glendale, AZ 85301 09/17/07 SUBSCRIPTION: $20 for 6 ISSUES (623) 847-9090 Page 2 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 5 consultant, splitting his time between a cameo. SF Tube Talk Bionic Woman and Friday Night Lights. 24 Frames The fourth Indiana Jones movie has a Returning to NBC on Monday nights name, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom TV News & Previews will be Heroes, which picks up the new Movie News of the Crystal Skull. Shia LaBeouf stars By Lee Whiteside season four months after the first season with Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, finale, giving some hints as to what By Lee Whiteside Karen Allen, Ray Winstone and John We’ve got a lot of new stuff just transpired during that time, but not all of Things are heating up in some areas of Hurt in the new film due in May 2008. started on the networks, with some of the details. The season opens with Hiro in filmdom and cooling down in other areas; Jim Broadbent has a small role as an them possibly not sticking around too feudal Japan, where he meets Kensei in part, due to upcoming possible labor academic colleague of Indiana Jones. long. There’s also a good amount of new (played by David Anders), who is outages. There are several deadlines Disney will have a new Witch shows on cable this fall including the new definitely even more than the legends looming over Hollywood, with a Writer’s Mountain movie, a follow-up to Escape season of Stargate Atlantis, the return of made him out to be. Hiro will also be Guild contract expiring in October and from Witch Mountain. It will star Blood Ties and a special Battlestar learning about his family history and fall Screen Actors Guild and Directors Guild Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as a Las Galactica movie. in love with a princess. Claire and HRG contracts expiring next June; Hollywood Vegas cab driver who picks up two kids NBC is taking the plunge with three are in trying to start a new life is scrambling to get some projects on the with magical powers. Yes, it will be a new genre shows, framing Heroes with and other Heroes are in new situations. fast track while others are being delayed. family movie, so get your mind out of the two of them on Monday nights. Leading Rumors and spoilers are somewhat spotty, The Writers Guild is apparently going to gutter. off Mondays is Chuck, starring Zachary but things you should expect to see join in with the other guilds in New horror films in the works include Levi as Chuck, a computer tech member include Kristen Bell turning up in a negotiations, with all three of them The Haunting in Connecticut, which is of Buy More’s Nerd Herd who has the multiple episode arc as a mysterious working together to get a better deal for a directed by Peter Cornwall and written contents of a secret computer downloaded woman who may or may not be on the slice of the revenue from the new digital by Simon and Tim Metcalfe. It is into his brain, making him the target of good side of things, plus many other new landscape. described as “an Exorcist-like take on a spies and other government agencies. characters including (Dania Ramirez) One movie moving up fast is a Justice family’s experience with supernatural Assigned to protect him are agent Sarah and her twin brother Alejandro (Shalim League of America movie that is forces after settling into a new home.” It Walker (Yvonne Strahovski) and John Ortiz), who are trying to make it to the reportedly going to be done via motion will star Virginia Madsen, Elias Koteas, Casey (Adam Baldwin). Other regulars US from their home in the Dominican capture animation instead of live action. Martin Donovan and Kyle Gallner. Just include Sarah Lancaster as Chuck’s Republic. We’ll find out more about the D.C. has also green-lighted Watchmen finished and bought by the Weinstein Co. sister Elle, Ryan McPartin as her connection between Molly and Suresh’s with Zach Snyder directing, so they is the latest George Romero “Dead” boyfriend, and Joshua Gomez as sister, and start to see the results of a new could end up with a bunch of DC related sequel movie, “George A. Romero’s Morgan, Chuck’s best friend and co- threat to the Heroes in someone attacking projects on the big screen next year. One Diary of the Dead.” Coming out soon is worker. Created and produced by Josh and killing them. Dominic Keating will other project trying to get off the ground Evilution, about a microscopic alien life Shwartz (The O.C.), with director turn up as an Irish gangster in a new before the strikes is a Land of the Lost form used by the government to resurrect Joseph “McG” McGinty Nichol. as an storyline that will tie into the initial movie, based on the TV series. Disney is dead soldiers that decides to fight back. It executive producer, expect lots of action, mystery for the new season. Turning up in moving up filming on the third Narnia stars Rocker Billy Morrison, James comedy and twenty-something angst the fourth episode, The Kindness of movie, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, to Duval, Jonathan Breck, and Sandra (maybe) for Chuck. Bringing in The O.C. Strangers, will be Nichelle Nichols as beat the strike as well; even while post Ramirez. connection will be Rachel Bilson guest Nana, a New Orleans doyenne whose production is going on with the second starring in a multiple episode arc as a daughter died during Hurricane Katrina movie. Upcoming Movie Releases in Oct/ romantic option for Chuck. After Heroes but is also Micah’s great aunt. When Matthew Vaughn is getting things set Nov will be Journeyman with Kevin McKidd Micah is sent to live with her, he to do a Thor movie, his first film as a San Francisco newspaper reporter discovers that one of Nana’s following Stardust. He plans to keep a The Seeker: The Dark is Rising (Oct who starts having blackouts and now is grandchildren has some special abilities, comic-book sensibility to it, even though 5) An adaptation of The Dark is Rising by traveling through time where he appears too. Later in October, they are planning a it deals with Thor and Odin and Asgard, Susan Cooper, but with an American kid to be tasked with changing the lives of “Four Months Ago” episode that will but keeping it firmly set in the Marvel and car chases. It stars Alexander others but is also tempted to change the reveal more of what happened after the universe. Other comics movies in the Ludwig as Will Stanton, a young boy lives of those around him. Aside from the big explosion in New York. works include Magneto, on which David who is the seventh son of a seventh son pilot episode, there is virtually zero CBS will debut Moonlight on Friday S. Goyer is in preproduction. According and is the last of a race of immortals information on how the series will play nights, hopefully providing them a better to Goyer, it will be the origins of the X- destined to fit the dark forces of evil. But out in the future (and past), assuming it bridge between The Ghost Whisper and Men with Magneto and Charles Xavier. since he’s a typical American kid, he’s not holds on to enough of the Heroes Numbers. Alex O’Loughlin is vampire Goyer is also still developing the real keen on doing it and becomes a audience to have a future on the network. detective Mick St. John with Sophia SuperMax movie, which would put Green reluctant hero. A warning: if you really On Wednesdays will be the remake of Myles as Mick’s love interest, internet Arrow wrongly imprisoned in a high liked the original book, you probably The Bionic Woman starring Michelle investigative reporter Beth, and security prison with a lot of super villains, want to avoid this adaptation. Also Ryan as Jaime Sommers, Kate Sackhoff Dohring as Mick’s best vampire friend most of whom will be third tier DC starring is Ian McShane as Merriman as Sarah Corvus (the first B.W.), Chris Josef. Former Angel producer David villains since the bigger names are already Lyon and Christopher Eccleston as The Bowers as Will Anthros, Jaime’s Greenawalt came onto the show as a tied up on other projects. John August is Rider. boyfriend, Lucy Kate Hale as Jaime’s show runner and shortly left citing currently working on the script for a Rogue (Oct 12) A travel writer in the computer geek sister, with Will Yun Lee exhaustion. There’s a bit of info on the Shazam movie that will focus on 13 year Australian outback is stalked by a giant and Miguel Ferrer as operatives in the early episodes including Out of the Past in old Billy Batson who becomes the crocodile while on a river cruise. Stars Berkut Group that want to take over her which a convicted murderer from Nick’s superhero Captain Marvel when he utters Sam Worthington, Michael Vartan, and life. The show is being produced by past is released from prison and could “Shazam!” August says it will be more of Stephen Curry. Expect to see it soon on David Eick, who has had some success in reveal Mick’s true nature to Beth. In Dr. an action comedy. SciFi Channel’s Saturday night movies.... reimagining Battlestar Galactica, and Feelgood, a doctor is turned into a Things are progressing towards the 30 Days of Night (Oct 19) Based on Jason Smilovic. The show is rumored to vampire when he tries to help the victim start of filming of the J.J. Abrams the comic series by Steve Niles where the be having some creative problems, of a hit and run and goes out of control directed Star Trek movie. At the San remote town of Barrow, Alaska, is under though. Initially, Jaime’s sister was going and Mick has to find him and stop him. In Diego ComicCon, Abrams introduced siege by vampires during the period to be deaf, but reaction to her in the Fever, Mick is stricken with some sort of two actors that would be playing Spock, where the sun never rises for 30 days and original version of the pilot was fever while trying to protect a murder Zachary Quinto (Sylar on Heroes) AND nights. Directed by David Slade, it stars lukewarm, so she was re-cast and re- witness being kept in a safe house that Leonard Nimoy (the original Spock). Josh Hartnett and Melissa George as the imagined. They hired controversial actor ends up not being that “safe”. Arrested Other casting that has been announced or husband and wife team of Eben and Stella Isiah Washington (essentially kicked off Development sees Mick and Beth trying to leaked includes Zoe Seldana as Uhura Olemaun that fight to save themselves and of top-rated Grey’s Anatomy) for a find a runaway Iowa farm girl turned and Anton Yelten as Chekov. At this the town. Also starring are Danny multiple episode role as a secretive escort and run into a young looking point, William Shatner is not going to Huston, Jon Bennett, and Mark Boone, operative of the Berkut Group. Most vampire that preys on them. appear in the movie as an old Kirk, Jr. recently, producer Glen Morgan (The X- The Ghost Whisperer returns for its although Abrams indicated at ComicCon Sarah Landon and the Paranormal Files) left the show and NBC has asked third season on Fridays and Jay Mohr that they are still looking into the Hour (Oct 19) Rissa Walters stars as 17 Jason Katims (Roswell, Friday Night joins the cast as a series regular, possibility of working him into the movie year old Sarah Landon who experiences Lights) to come on board as a creative ( Continued on page 4 )in some fashion that will be more than just ( Continued on page 6 ) Volume 17 Issue 5 ConNotations Page 3 SF Tube Talk Home where a group of college girls try imprisoned in a church and is wanting to was another in a long line of genre shows ( Continued from page 3 ) out the “Bloody Mary” superstition on a find out what happened to her baby. disowned by FOX. With Barry Sonnenfeld continuing his recurring role as Professor mirror and when one of them dies, she When Melinda and Professor Payne start co-producing and directing begins to haunt them, believing herself to searching historical records, a group of the pilot episode, this may be able to draw Payne, who has an encyclopedic be the Bloody Mary. Haunted Hero ghosts work to prevent them from finding viewers and keep them tuned in for the knowledge of the spirit world. He hides Lee Pace his concern for Melinda’s safety behind focuses on Matt, a friend of Jim and what they are looking for. long haul. is Ned, a pie baker Melinda, who has recently returned home ABC will have Pushing Daisies and with the ability to bring dead things back his irreverent sense of humor. Also this from an overseas military stint. While Cavemen as its genre entries this fall. to life. However, if he touches them a season, the town of Grandview begins to Cavemen show some of its history and why it has there, an incident left all of his dead takes the GEICO ad concept to second time, they go back to being dead. except him, but he doesn’t remember a sitcom venue and I’m not going to When his abilities are discovered by chosen Melinda. We’ll find out that there what happened. When the ghosts of bother to describe it any further. Pushing private detective Emerson (Chi is a literal underground world below the Daisies McBride town and Melinda will learn more about Matt’s comrades turn up, Melinda helps , however, looks to be a good, ), he works with him to solve Matt to remember what happened. In No quirky, show that might finally be the murders and split the reward fees. When its supernatural history and how she is Safe Place, Melinda helps an attorney show that Bryan Fuller has a success one of the victims is his childhood connected to it. They will bring back Anna Friel Melinda’s ghostly father as well as being haunted by his dead stalker, but she with after having minor success with girlfriend Chuck ( ), he can’t soon finds out the real truth about the Dead Like Me (which he left mid-way bear to have her die again and she hangs Gabriel, the other Ghost Whisperer that attorney. In Weight of What Was, Melinda through the first season despite having around for one of the stranger romances may be Melinda’s brother. Episodes airing Wonderfalls in October include Don’t Try This at helps the ghost of a woman that had been created the show) and , which seen on TV, coming up with ways to interact without touching. The show will be a mixture of fairy-tale fantasy, romance and murder mystery and has garnered a lot of attention from the critics. FOX was going to have a new genre show this fall, New Amsterdam, about an immortal cop in New York looking for his true love. FOX decided to push it back to mid-season, so expect to see it sometime in the new year (or maybe earlier if one of their new shows tanks really fast.). Also in mid-season for FOX will be the Sarah Connor Chronicles featuring Sarah and John Conner following the events seen in Terminator 2. The WB has a new genre show in Reaper, which stars Bret Harrison as Sam Oliver, a slacker working at a Home Depot-like store that discovers when he turns 21 that his parents sold his soul to The Devil (Ray Wise). Instead of going to Hell, Sam gets to work as a bounty hunter for Satan collecting escaped souls using a special vessel (a dust devil mini- vac to start with) to collect them. Sam enlists his friends and co-workers Bert “Sock” Wysocki (Tyler Labine), Ben (Rick Gonzalez), Josie (Valarie Rae Miller), and Andi (Missy Peregrym) in his ongoing adventures as he fulfills his destiny. Early episodes see Sam and company go after a demon who sucks on power lines and travels through them, an escaped magician who uses his power to kill people, and a killer who claims he was innocent and that someone else committed the crime he was sent to Hell for. The pilot was directed by Kevin Smith and has gotten a good response and created a lot of Buzz. The CW is hoping for a new “Buffy” and the combination of humor, action, and “task of the week” may do the trick for them. Returning to The CW for its seventh season is . After dealing with Bizarro in the first episode, Clark meets his cousin, Kara (Laura Vandervoort) in the episode named Kara. Kara’s arrival also coincides with Lex being rescued once again by a mysterious person who just might have been Kara, leading Lex to try to find out who or what she is. Kara’s trip was delayed and she expects Kal-El to be a baby, but eventually finds out who he is. In Fierce, Clark takes Kara to the fair and she enters the Miss Sweet Corn Pageant, only to find out that some of the competitors are using powers of their own to eliminate the competition. In Cure,

( Continued on page 5 ) Page 4 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 5 SF Tube Talk However, Flash quickly followed the offers to send their conciousnesses back sister, Jeannie Miller. However, both have ( Continued from page 4 ) route of Painkiller Jane, dropping almost in time five years so that they may be able been captured by Henry Wallace, Sasha Goodman returns, claiming to have half of its audience with the second to prevent the Earth’s destruction. The president of Devlin Medical Industries been cured of her Meteor power that episode and ending up with a 0.8 rating series deals with their efforts to figure out who wants their help in using nanites to caused problems back in the first season. for its third episode. Painkiller Jane also what happened and stop it, while trying to save his daughter, who is dying of The person doing the curing is Dr. Knox, dropped quickly and was well below a 1.0 keep history from being changed and leukemia. Sheppard and Ronon come to played by Dean Cain, who may or may and has not been renewed by SciFi. While possibly speeding up the Earth’s Earth and utilize N.I.D. and Stargate not be another D.C. character (the The Dresden Files held up in its ratings, destruction. Command to try to find their missing immortal Vandal Savage) Phil Morris SciFi elected not to renew it. It appears Stargate Atlantis picked up with the comrade. returns as The Martian Manhunter to help there may have been some financial issues city lost in space following the replicator The Battlestar Galactica movie Razor out Clark. Action sees Lionel Luther being involved with Lionheart, the shows attack in the season finale and in will debut on SciFi on Nov 24th with a held captive in a cabin by a woman named producers, and SciFi that led to the non- “Lifeline”, Rodney McKay is shocked to DVD release of the movie on December Marilyn and Clark gets involved with the renewal, but none of the production find out that Samantha Carter is now in 4th. Starting in October, SciFi will begin filming of a movie based on the Warrior parties have been forthcoming with any charge of the station. Meanwhile, Colonel airing eight webisodes that will follow a Angel comics where the star’s life is details. The return of Who Wants to be a Sheppard and his team go on a risky young William Adama (played by Nico being threatened by an outraged fan. In Superhero? paired with Mind Control mission to steal a Z.P.M. power module Cortez) who discovers a dangerous Cylon Lara, we’ll meet Clark’s Kryptonian with Darren Brown also failed to register from the Replicators. In Reunion, Ronon weapon that will come back to haunt him mother, Lara, who is being played by on the ratings charts, drawing below a 1.0 is reunited with some of his people who 40 years later. Reports are these will air Helen Slater, who played Supergirl in the rating for their run. The third series of enlist the aid of Atlantis to raid a Wraith first during Flash Gordon and will then theatrical movie. Also in the episode, hasn’t done much better, weapons facility where they run into an be available on the SciFi.com website and some government agents connect Kara to either. When it has made the SciFi top ten unexpected conflict. Look for a cameo will also be on the DVD release of Razor. the crashed ship and capture her. In ratings list, it has been at a below 1.0 appearance by Christopher Judge as These segments were originally intended Wrath, Lana gains Clark’s powers in an rating as well. Eureka has held up in its Teal’c in the episode. In Doppelganger, to air as part of Razor but had to be cut accident and Clark finds out what Lana ratings for its second season, generally Colonel Sheppard becomes a host to a for time, but will be incorporated into the has been keeping secret from him. doing a 1.6 to a 1.8 rating and likely on crystalline alien entity which begins to movie in the DVD version. The movie Supernatural returns for its third track to be renewed for a third season. affect other crew members causing them itself will focus on The Pegasus, giving us season, adding a couple of new demon The summer run of Ghost Hunters to have horrifying nightmares, all a look at what happened during the start hunters to the mix. Joining the cast as performed fairly well, consistently getting featuring Colonel Sheppard. In Travelers, of the Cylon War, how they discovered recurring characters are Katie Cassidy as ratings in the 1.1 to 1.3 range. Of course, Sheppard is once again in the hot seat, that Gina (aka one of the sixes) was a Ruby and Lauiren Cohen as Bela, two their Saturday night movies continue to having been captured by the beautiful Cylon and how they treated her after that. demon hunters who are mostly business do well, usually drawing numbers above a leader of a generational ship who wants to We will meet Kendra Shaw, who was a and not intended to be love interests for 1.5 rating when they debut and continuing make use of Sheppard’s ability to control lieutenant under Admiral Cain who broke the Winchester Brothers (at least at first). to draw around a 1.0 rating in multiple Ancient technology. Tabula Rasa finds down when the Cylon attack happened. With the season two finale seeing repeats. What with their ratings woes, the crew affected by a virus that causes She was busted down a rank but when hundreds of demons escaping from the SciFi is hoping the return of Stargate amnesia except for Teyla and Ronon. Lee Adama takes over the Pegasus, he Devil’s Gate, the brothers start working Atlantis for its fourth season will bring They must work with the crew to find a promotes her to Major and made her his on tracking them down. In The viewers back to the channel. Once things cure before they lose all of their XO. During the Lee Adama portion of the Magnificent Seven, they find seven get going in October, SciFi’s Friday memories. In Missing, Teyla and Dr storyline, he sends Kara “Starbuck” demons that are the physical lineup will consist of repeats of NBC’s Keller go in search of Teyla’s people, Thrace and Kendra on a mission to manifestations of the Seven Deadly Sins new Bionic Woman at 7 pm ET/PT, who have gone missing from the new investigate some Cylon activity. Kendra in Nebraska and must work with other followed by repeats of former Showtime home they settled on and run into a appears to also be playing a role in season demon hunters, who blame the brothers series Odyssey 5 at 8 pm ET/PT, with primitive warrior tribe. In The Seer, they four of the series. Indications are that for the mass escape, to take them out. In Flash Gordon at 9 pm ET/PT and meet Davos, a man with prophetic season four of Galactica will debut on The Kids are Alright, Sam and Dean hunt Stargate Atlantis finishing off the night at abilities who is dying but wants to share SciFi in January but that they haven’t yet changelings that target mothers and their 10 pm ET/PT. Depending on how well what he knows with Atlantis. Teyla finds decided how quickly they will air all of children, leading Dean to a reunion with Atlantis does with Flash Gordon as a out some information on her missing the final season. someone he had a fling with 9 years ago lead-in, don’t be surprised if the Friday people and is also told of a few other SciFi will be getting into the and her son, Ben, that reminds Dean of schedule gets shuffled around a bit. If surprises. Meanwhile, McKay has Halloween spirit with a 13 Days of himself. In Bad Day at Black Rock, the Flash continues to be a ratings sinkhole, discovered something about the Halloween promotion which will see them mentee of a fellow hunter kidnaps Sam I’d expect SciFi to move Atlantis to an Replicators and The Wraiths. In Miller’s air pretty much every horror movie that and beats him. Dean searches for him and earlier time. As for information on future Crossing, McKay is reunited with his ( Continued on page 6 ) crosses paths with the new hunter Bela. Flash Gordon Sin City sees the brothers pose as episodes, there insurance investigators to find out what doesn’t seem to really happened when someone commits be much news suicide in a church. Dean is enamored by escaping from an attractive demon and disappears while their set, so Sam must find and rescue him before its there’s not much too late. In Bedtime Stories, the brothers to report. investigate a girl that was poisoned by her Odyssey 5 stepmother leaving her in a coma while stars Peter her angry spirit causes the fairy tales her Weller as Chuck father reads to her to come to life. In Red Taggart and Sky at Morning, the brothers and Bela Christopher look into a drowning possibly caused by Gorham as his ghosts from a sunken ship. New Blood son, Neil sees the brothers go up against a vampire Taggart. They who is trying to build a new vampire are crew family so that he won’t spend eternity members of a alone. space shuttle Over on SciFi, the news hasn’t been stranded in very good ratings wise. Flash Gordon space when the debuted with a 1.5 rating, which was Earth is noted as the highest rated debut for a new destroyed. They series on SciFi this year, slightly ahead of are rescued by The Dresden Files, which debuted with a an alien being 1.4 rating and Painkiller Jane, which called The drew a 1.3 rating for its first episode. Seeker who Volume 17 Issue 5 ConNotations Page 5 a new take on the Wizard of Oz (haven’t airing in Canada, which is the primary sees a plane from the 1950’s SF Tube Talk ( Continued from page 5 ) we heard that before?) It stars Zooey market it was made for, so it is still a bit land in Cardiff and tries to they have the rights to in the last 13 days Deschanel as DG, who is an intelligent early for a decision on a season two integrate them into modern society; of October. They will also have a live and rebellious waitress at the Hilltop renewal. Author Tanya Huff is sees Weevils being abducted and Ghost Hunters broadcast happening on diner. DG lives with her parents Hank and encouraging fans to write to Lifetime forced to fight each other and Owen is Halloween night, October 31st, this time Em in a farmhouse until she is whisked asking for a second season, hoping that sucked into the subculture when he from the haunted Waverly Hills away to the Outer Zone (O.Z.) by a they will commit to ordering more investigates; Captain sees Sanitarium in Louiville, Kentucky. It will twister. She meets up with Cain, a Tin episodes of the series. First up is Jack and Toshiko transported back to the start at 9 pm ET/PT and run until 3 am Man, played by Neal McDonough, an ex- “D.O.A.” which sees Vicki investigating time of the London Blitz where Jack ET/PT. Coming up on SciFi’s Saturday cop who spent years imprisoned in a the death of Paul Deeds, a longtime friend meets up with himself and faces an movies are The Wraiths of Roanoke on metal suit watching a holographic loop of of Vicki, who was killed while he was unexpected secret from his past; End of October 13th. It stars Adrian Paul and his wife and child being abducted by working undercover, when his ghost Days, the season finale where the Cardiff will tell the “real” story of what happened Azkadellia’s soldiers; Glitch, played by shows up asking Vicki for help in finding Rift ruptures unleashing an epic battle in the disappearance of the Roanoke Alan Cummings, a former genius out what happened to his body. When with Torchwood caught in the middle. colony. On Saturday, October 27, SciFi inventor who had half his brain stolen Paul turns up alive, Vicki has to convince Over on the BBC, they have started will debut “Headless Horseman” which when he was imprisoned by Azkadellia; Henry and Mike that the spirit in Paul’s airing the Sarah Jane Adventures on is a new take on the legend with SciFi Raw, played by Raoul Trujillo, a half body isn’t the original one. “Wild Blood” Children’s BBC, with ten half-hour promising an “original” and “very scary” human, half wolverine who is a psychic has Mike seeking Vicki and Henry’s help episodes comprised of five two-part take on it. It was directed by Anthony C. that had his second sight ability stolen by in solving a case where the victim was stories. We’ll see some familiar monsters Ferrante, who got his start with the fan Azkadellia; and The Mystic man, played attacked by a wild animal, which leads like the Slitheen make appearances in the film The Surreal World: Tatooine by Richard Dreyfuss. As you might Vicki to a family of “skinwalkers” who series as Sarah Jane Smith and her Episode 1.5 and also directed the horror guess, the focus of the adventure is for can take the shape of animals. “5:55” sees associates investigate strange happenings. movie Boo. The movie stars Billy Aaron them to recover from Azkadellia (played Vickie having a Groundhog Day As for Doctor Who, the BBC has Brown and Richard Moll, best known as by Kathleen Robertson) what was taken adventure where she keeps waking up on announced their future plans for the Bull on Night Court. It follows a group of from them. She is a sorceress with the the same day at 5:55 am, with a nightmare series, making some time for David young friends who get stranded in ability to suck the souls from her victims foreshadowing of the world’s demise. Tennant to do a lengthy stint with the Wormwood on Halloween night and soon and has overthrown the O.Z.’s previous “Bugged” sees Vicki checking out an Royal Shakespeare company next year in find themselves being pursued by the ruler Lavender Eyes (Anna Golden) and underground club when investigating the a production of Hamlet. Following this Headless Horseman. In a Fangoria now rules it absolutely with her longboat death of a man killed by bugs. Henry year’s Christmas special and 13 episodes interview, effects director Todd Masters storm troopers and Mobat (monkey-bat) believes that his creator, Christine, may be of season four, they will produce three explains “We have some really gory, spies. D.G. and her companions embark in town following several deaths in “The specials for airing in 2009 with the series grotesque things in the movie. At a certain on a journey to restore order to the O.Z. Devil You Know.” Henry has an exhibit of resuming for a full run of 13 episodes for point, chopping off heads can potentially and hopefully give the SciFi Channel art at an art gallery and Vicki suspects that a first season in 2010. The BBC has get really boring, so the goal was to try to some ratings muscle. Henry’s friend, Maya, may be involved indicated that Russell T. Davies and find myriad different ways to chop off Lifetime will resume Blood Ties on with something unnatural in “Drawn and David Tennant will be on board through heads, and also how to present them in Friday nights at 11 pm ET/PT starting Quartered.” In “Wrapped”, Vicki deals the 2009 specials but were a bit vague on creative, unexpected ways; one of the October 12th, airing the remaining ten with an ancient mummy played by Danny who would be involved with season five nastiest involves a bear trap.” episodes from the first season, although Trejo that has been brought back to life. for 2010. SciFi will also be airing the Tin Man Lifetime appears to be calling it a “second An inmate who confessed to crimes ten miniseries in early to mid-December. It is season”. The series just recently started years ago claims now that he didn’t 24 Frames ( Continued from page 3 ) commit any of them and Vicki and Mike investigate in “The Good, The Bad, and strange goings on in the town of Pine The Ugly.” Vicki helps a boy who has Valley. When she visits her late friend’s been reincarnated multiple times over the grandmother, she discovers the guest centuries track down his lost love in house she is staying in is haunted and “We’ll Meet Again.” To finish off the soon discovers the town’s dark secret. season, when Vicki’s assistant Coreen Saw IV (Oct 26) It’s October, so it’s (Gina Holden) visits a psychic, she is time for another installment in the possessed by the demon Astrof, and exciting adventures of Jigsaw. They Vicki, Mike and Henry must work thought he was dead, but once again, together to save her in “Deep Inside.” I someone is thrust into a series of think they may be too late and she is interconnected traps trying to avoid Do you like to write? forced to spend a season as Dale Arden on getting sawed. Do you enjoy reviewing books or movies? Flash Gordon! The Signal (Oct 26) If Saw IV isn’t Torchwood has debuted strong for enough for you, The Signal is “a horrific Would you like to get involved in BBC America, garnering its highest journey towards the discovery that the ratings ever for the debut of a drama most brutal violent monster might actually Producing this newszine? series. Coming up in the rest of the first be within all of us.” Presented in three season are Small Worlds in which the parts by three different directors (David Torchwood crew investigate a withdrawn Bruckner, Jacob Gentry, and Dan We need your creativity and assistance child whose suppressed anger is taken Bush), it promises “brutal bloody advantage of by fairies; Countrycide, a violence throughout, pervasive language Please join us and see how you very creepy episode about a clan of killers and brief nudity” according to the ratings can contribute. in an old village in the Brecon Beacons; guide. Greeks Bearing Gifts that has a telepathic Bee Movie (Nov 2) In this animated alien taking advantage of Toshiko in an feature from Paramount Pictures, Jerry attempt to return home; They Keep Killing Seinfeld is a bee fresh out of college who 7pm on First Tuesday of Suzie has the Torchwood team discovers there’s more to life than making Even-numbered months investigating a series of murders where honey. When he meets up with a florist “Torchwood” is written using the victim’s (Annette Bening), he finds out that blood. They find a link to the retcon drug humans are mass consumers of honey and Bookmans, Northern & 19th Ave Torchwood uses to cause amnesia and try decides to sue the human race for stealing to find out who of the 2000 plus people it from the bees. Also providing voices Community room they’ve used it on has turned into a killer; are Matthew Broderick, Chris Rock and where a hit and run victim Kathy Bates. Or write us: [email protected] who was obsessed with aliens survives in Martian Child (Nov 2) Adapted from ghost form and follows the partially autobiographical David around as she tries to solve his murder; (Continued on page 7) Page 6 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 5 24 Frames ( Continued from page 6 ) quite as pure as everyone might wish. Southwest Costumers Guild and a readily In Memory And a story so complex that people will recognizable presence at all Phoenix area Gerrold story about a science fiction be studying and analyzing it for years to local conventions. writer who adopts a six year old boy that Robert Jordan come. And book after book came out, may or may not be an alien. Stars John Madeline L’Engle year after year, and the tale kept Gone West – Pete Manly Cusack as David, Joan Cusack as Liz, Peter Manly unfolding. 9/8/1945 - 7/27/2007 Amanda Peet as Harlee, and Bobby Eleven books in the series from 1990 Coleman as six year old Dennis. Robert Jordan until 2005, and a prequel. Younger members of Phoenix fandom After Dark’s Horrorfest 2 (Nov 9- 1948-2007 But then he was diagnosed in 2005 may not remember Pete Manly. Over the 11) The second annual After Dark with a rare blood disease and grandiose past few years, chronic illness forced his Horrorfest takes over 500 theatres for the James Oliver Rigney Jr., who wrote plans for other expansions and withdrawal from most activities. But if weekend screening a number of horror fantasy as Robert Jordan and historical exploration of the Wheel of Time you were in Phoenix fandom during the movies. Details at fiction as Reagan O’Neal and Jackson suddenly had to be surrendered and 1990’s, you knew him. A short, silver- www.horrorfestonline.com O’Reilly, passed away September 16, narrowed down. haired ball of energy, he seemed to be Southland Tales (Nov 9) Richard 2007 at the age of 58. Up until the time of his death, he was everywhere, sharing his knowledge with Kelley’s long-in-production science Jordan was best known as the author working very hard on completing a everyone who would listen. From fiction movie set in a near-future Los of the Wheel of Time series .Other novels twelfth and final book – a conclusion to astronomy to warfare to rockets, he’d Angeles following a series of nuclear includes many Conan books, and two his epic series. He wanted to finish it. He done it all – and told us how it was done attacks where an action star stricken with short series, Eye of the World and Great felt an obligation to finish it for the fans. on science and engineering panels. When amnesia, a reality star, and a Hermosa Hunt. And now time has run out. he dived into writing fiction with Dragon Beach police officer all come together to He was survived by his wife Harriet His death was expected, of course. He Three-Two Niner, he added writing panels fit a secret conspiracy. A new power McDougal with whom he lived in his even wrote about his progress in a to his appearances. And during spare source using ocean currents has started hometown of Charleston, South Carolina; periodic blog. moments at conventions, he held court in the Earth to spiral out of control into a son, William Popham McDougal of I don’t know where his work will fall the lounge or at parties, entertaining space, ripping holes in the fabric of time Housatonic, Mass.; and a brother, in the great canvas of history, but I do everyone with his stories. His repertoire and space. Cast includes Dwayne Reynolds W. Rigney of New Orleans. know that I have concluded he was one of included dozens, perhaps hundreds of Johnson (aka “The Rock”), Seann the truly great writers of our time – anecdotes, most centered on him. And no William Scott, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Robert Jordan perhaps of any time. matter how often we heard a tale, we Jason Lee, Janeane Garofalo, Kevin 1948 - 2007 I never met the man in person, but I listened one more time, just because Pete Smith, Miranda Richardson, John met the man who told the story of the was a born story-teller. Larroquette, and Jon Lovitz with music I never met the man. Wheel of Time every time I sat down to He was the guy who got my husband by Moby. It appears we were contemporaries of read his work. And I always waited flying again after years of denial. For Beowulf (Nov 16) Robert Zemeckis sorts, similarly aged, both having served impatiently for the next book. years, Pete spent Saturday afternoons up directs an adaptation of Beowulf by Neil in Nam, but, from reading of his I think history will place him high on at Deer Valley Airport hammering Gaiman and Roger Avary using the decorations, James Oliver Rigney, Jr. had the list of Masters of Fantasy. aluminum to restore decrepit WW II latest motion capture technology to a more active war than I did. Rest In Peace James Oliver Rigney, Jr. warbirds; during one convention we got to produce a unique looking action movie in He was also Robert Jordan. Rest In Peace Robert Jordan. talking and he convinced Mike to join 3-D. Ray Winstone stars as the warrior I read his obituary today, the day after You will be missed. But you will not be him. Twelve years later, Mike is still Beowulf, Angelina Jolie as the Queen of his passing. He was married. My forgotten. flying because of that conversation. Pete’s the Darkness, Crispin Glover as Grendel, condolences go to his family. Adam Niswander passion for aviation enabled him to John Malkovich as Unferth, Anthony From everything I have heard of him, Phoenix, AZ wrangle rides that had other aviation Hopkins as King Hrothgar, and Robin from people who knew him, he was a addicts drooling with envy – he flew in Wright Penn as Queen Wealhtheow. wonderful man. Madeleine L’Engle antique war planes, with the Thunderbirds Portions screened at the San Diego I’m sure I would have been honored to 1918-2007 and on Concorde. His last article for ComicCon were well received and it looks know him. America’s Flyways covered the first flight to be a big hit ala 300. I have read The Wheel of Time Series. Madeleine L’Engle, who was best of SpaceShipOne. Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium And the world has lost a great writer. known for writing the fantasy novel A I had a special relationship with Pete; (Nov 16) Dustin Hoffman stars as Mr. The world of fantasy fandom is a Winkle in Time, died Thursday September for some reason known only to himself, Magorium, whose toy store is the most strange place. I have heard people 6, at a nursing home in Litchfield, he decided I was his second favorite artist. wonderful toy store in the world, where denigrate and minimize his work. I have Connecticut. She was 88. (His favorite was, of course, his daughter the toys and the store itself come to life. spoken to devoted fans. I have wondered A Wrinkle in Time won the John Susan. I remember him sharing her latest Also starring in the G-rated movie is why people have such a visceral reaction Newbery Award as the best children’s drawing with so much pride he seemed Natalie Portman as Molly Mahoney, to Jordan’s work. book of 1963. L’Engle also was honored ready to explode into a fountain of Jason Bateman as Henry Weston, and Many wonderful authors did the with the Sequoyah Award, Lewis Carroll fireworks.) The first piece I illustrated for Zachary Mills as Eric Applebaum. pioneering in fantasy: William Morris, H. Shelf Award, National Religious Book one of his stories was for Unfinished The Mist (Nov 21) Frank Darabont Ryder Haggard, Abraham Merritt, Arthur Award, Regina Medal and the World Symphony, which he wrote with Rick directs this Stephen King tale in which a Machen, Robert Chambers, Edgar Rice Fantasy Convention Lifetime Cook. I did other pieces for him because freak storm envelops a small town in Burroughs, C. S. Lewis, Lord Dunsany, Achievement Award. She is survived by his enthusiasm was hard to refuse. He Maine, unleashing a horde of blood thirsty Alan Garner, H. P. Lovecraft, Clark two daughters, five grandchildren and five always came with an idea for what he creatures that have arrived through a Ashton Smith, Robert Howard, and others great-grandchildren. wanted and I’d come up with a different dimensional rift. Stars Thomas Jane as explored both the light and the dark of Memorial contributions may be made one. We’d grumble and grouse at each David Drayton, William Sadler as Jim magical, fantastical lands to the Crosswicks Foundation, Ltd.,924 other for a while, I’d come back with a Grondin, Laurie Holden as Amanda, and When J. R. R. Tolkien came along, he West End Ave., New York, NY 10025. sketch of my idea, and he always said it Chris Owen as Norm. lifted the whole field and brought it a Founded by L’Enge and her husband, was just what he wanted. Talk about Enchanted (Nov 21) The beautiful level of sophistication that allowed Crosswicks has given money to charming the savage artist! princess Giselle (Amy Adams) is readers to laugh and dance and sing as community and arts organizations in New Pete could be unexpectedly banished from her fairyland environment well as brave magnificent adventures. York and Connecticut for over 20 years. thoughtful. He made sure I ended up with to modern day Manhattan. When she And he ushered in a host of newer an Analog MAFIA pin (Many Articles meets up with a handsome lawyer and writers who have given us a wealth of rich Peter Manly Found In Analog), something I still keep begins to fall in love, things get a bit more literature. 1945 – 2007 in my jewelry box. He thought I might complex when her prince and other And then this Jordan guy came along. find the Full Moon Club interesting; it cohorts make the trip to rescue her. Susan He wrote a lot of books, expanding on Peter Manly, long-time Phoenix area was a “group of writers who get together Sarandon is the evil Queen Narissa, the Conan stories, writing about the fan, died on July 27, 2007.. He would for food and conversation,” when the James Marsden is Prince Edward, and South, but he was best known for The have been 62 on September 8th. moon was too bright for astronomical Patrick Dempsey. Wheel of Time. In his lifetime, Pete was an Air Force observation. Members included Rick Big books. An epic landscape. A cast officer, an astronomer, an engineer, a Cook, Ernie and Emily Hogan, Harry of thousands. Legends and myths. Love journalist and an author. He was a long- Stine, Pete, and an assortment of spouses and betrayal. Danger and Derring-Do. time member of CASFS serving several Destiny. Absolute evil. Good that was not terms as a board member, a member of the ( Continued on page 8 ) Volume 17 Issue 5 ConNotations Page 7 A: Often, they just pop into my head. than our biological sex does. I suspect is really clicks for me. I really like the In Memory ( Continued from page 7 ) Sometimes I go through five or six before I’m more aware of them than most people BBC Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes. and friends; the conversation was I find one I like. Sometimes the editor or because I was raised to be — I was raised I’m very fussy about science fiction, stimulating, intense and often at deafening the marketing department makes me in a queer household surrounded by queer fantasy, and horror television: mostly, I volumes. I miss those days… change them; after I find one I really like. people, and I have friends who fall find it unwatchable. I liked Farscape a Pete wasn’t perfect. He was But at that point, the title of the book everywhere along the continuum of great deal, and I was very fond of a one- opinionated. He couldn’t understand never changes in my head. The Stratford human gender identification and human season TV show called The Others. I’m people who didn’t share any of his Man will always be The Novel Formerly sexuality. So I don’t default, I guess, as also a fan of Sapphire and Steel, for all Known As The Stratford Man in my head, most people do, to heterosexual. Or even its flaws, and of the short-lived Dead interests. But everyone has flaws. He was no matter what we eventually wind up to considering everything associated with Like Me, and the first three seasons of also bright, funny, and passionately calling it. gender on a male/female axis. People are Buffy: the Vampire Slayer. And Dark interested in life. But more than that, he Q: Recently you have been doing heavy people. Gender and sex are just facets. Shadows, which was oh-so-bad and oh- was my friend and I miss him very much. rewrites on the first three novels you Q: This whole women in SF thing – I, so-much fun. Essentially, any SF or CF Yankovich wrote - what are a couple of things that as a reader, tend to notice the lack of fantasy show I like is doomed. With the Note: Although “gone west” is a you can bring to them now?A: I’m a books by new women writers - and on exception of Doctor Who. Although I Tolkien-like phrase, it is also slang used better writer now. By which I mean, I the whole, they seem to me to be more have not seen anything like all of them, by aviators to signify the death of a pilot. have a better understanding of prosody, likely found in paperback than in I’ve been a fan of that show since I first An aficionado of puns, Pete would have narrative, characterization, structure, and hardcover - which explains the large saw it in syndication on the local inde- appreciated the dualism. just about everything else that goes into a presence of women on the Philip K. pendent TV channel and PBS. (Remem- book. At least... I hope... Dick ballot. I don’t see the magazines ber independent TV channels? This was Q: I’m finishing up Carnival and I’m that much, so I can’t comment. Do you back in the days before cable TV.) finding that the tone and, to some see a lot of gender bias? I think the And, um, The Greatest American “To The Stars (A Tribute to Peter extent, the relations of the characters, Hugos are a sort of red herring - my Hero. Which is actually less bad then I Manly)” remind me of LeCarre and other partner is a big con-runner and most of remembered, from my childhood, and by Jeffrey Lu traditional “Great Game” writers. Am the core Hugo base are white males which in all its campiness, I still adore. I totally off base or were you trying for over 40 - but for the rest of it? ++++++++++++++++ Whether by telescope, that sort of feel? A: I think there’s a certain amount of Look for Carnival and Undertow in By flight, A: Absolutely. And thank you for gender bias, but I think it’s largely paperback from Bantam, Whiskey and Or by imagination, noticing. I definitely had the tradition of irrelevant to sales. Women, these days, Water from Roc, all available now. A Peter Manly saw stars. the spy thriller in mind when I wrote it. read more fiction than men. Companion to Wolves with Sarah Q: With regard to New Amsterdam Q: I love your ‘Presumptuous Cat” Monette from Tor available later this and “Lucifugous” in particular (I love entries on your blog. This next question month. Her mosaic novel New Weather or not, that title by the way) - what made is for Mebd (pronounced Maeve). Hi Amsterdam from Subterranean Press sold He once sat in his wheelchair Sebastien become a detective? Mebd! I’m a big fan-so please tell me out upon release in a limited hardback And spoke fondly A: That’s a story answered in the book, what the monkey’s schedule should be? and will be available next year in a trade About science and science fiction. actually. Look at it this way: you have to A: Via Bear: Meow. paperback edition. She has short stories do something.... Q: Also, catnip or no catnip? recently published in Subterranean Peter was here Q: Your collaboration with Sarah Catnip. Occasionally. Magazine, Baen’s Universe and other In paving a way for Arizona Monette is coming out later this year - Q: Recently, Elizabeth has taken up short story collections with upcoming To dream and to see did your process have to change geocaching (orienteering with a GPS stories in Asimov’s, Realms of Fantasy, Stars that Manly once saw. drastically with a co-writer? unit), and I couldn’t resist asking her and more short story collections. You can A: No, not really. It’s kind of pleasant to questions about it. What kind of GPS find Elizabeth’s blog at http:// collaborate, because when you get stuck, unit do you use for geocaching? Can matociquala.livejournal.com and her He was Peter. you send it to the other guy and say “fix you recommend one? official website at http:// He was Manly. this.” And she does. *g* And then she A: I’m not actually very up on the www.elizabethbear.com He was here gets stuck, and sends it to you, and says technology. I have an older model that But now among the heavens. “Fix this.” And you do. It’s almost always suits me fine. Conversation easier to fix somebody else’s work than Q: Are you racing to find the FYI your own! Tupperware first or devising puzzles CASFS Book Discussion ( Continued from page 1 ) Q: What is your single best piece of for others? How does someone start advice to a new writer? doing it? have a specific “voice” as such. Do you A: That would have to depend on the A: I’m not doing either, actually — The CASFS Book Discussions are at The have any ideas about why that is? writer, wouldn’t it? We all have different there’s no race element in it for me. I just Bent Cover 12428 N 28th Drive on the A: Not really, actually. Each story tends strengths and weaknesses, and different like wandering around in the woods third Tuesday of each month at 7PM. If to come with its own narrative voice. needs. Generally, the best advice is looking under rocks and seeing if I can you haven’t read the book, stop by Sometimes they sound “like me,” or at whatever you least want to hear. figure out where somebody hid some- anyway. Our discussions are rarely least, the way I think of me sounding. Q: Recently you’ve started teaching at thing. Getting there first has no appeal. limited to just the book scheduled for that And sometimes they sound like some- writer’s workshops - what in particular But then, I’m not overly competitive by month. Email questions to thing else. Attempting to change them is have you enjoyed about it? nature. *g* [email protected] futile, though. It never works. A: I’ve been a member of writers Q: Finally, I asked her about her October16 - When Worlds Collide by Q: Frankly the fact you can and do communities, in person and on the web, television watching… You’ve men- change it up so well is one of the things Philip Wylie & Edwin Balmer - Sven for something like twenty years now. I tioned your liking for cop shows - what Bronson, a South African astronomer, I like best about your writing - I just don’t think of teaching at workshops as are some of your other favorites? Do find that very interesting. discovers that a pair of runaway planets, being that much different. It’s all about you like legal dramas? Bronson Alpha and Bronson Beta, will A: Thank you. *g* the exchange of ideas and inspiring each A: I’m not much for legal dramas. Back Q: You mentioned learning a lot about other. in the dim mists of history, I used to beg soon enter the solar system. The larger the basics of craft since you wrote your Q: How do you deal with being stuck to be allowed to stay up and watch Kojak one, Alpha, will pass close enough to first books - what specifically did you on something? and Quincy. Later on, I was addicted cause catastrophic damage. Eight months have the longest learning curve on, and I’m not allowed to get stuck. This is my Cagney and Lacey and Hill Street Blues, later, after swinging around the Sun, why? job. If you get stuck, you write it anyway. all of which were probably totally Alpha will return to pulverize the Earth A: Oh, I’m still learning all sorts of Q: Elizabeth’s work often deals with inappropriate to my age group. and leave. It is believed that Bronson Beta things. So that’s really hard to say. I’m gender issues: she has been long-listed My current cop show drug of choice will remain and assume a stable orbit. fortunate that I have a pretty good innate for the James Tiptree, Jr. award, and is CBS’s Criminal Minds, which is a Scientists led by Cole Hendron work understanding of structure and character. also nominated for the Lambda award, complete obsession — essentially, it’s a desperately to build ships to transport But clarity is always a struggle for me: I so we talked about that. So, I asked show about seven very smart, very enough people, animals and equipment to tend to be somewhat obscure and layered. her: Could you talk a little about why damaged geeks trying to stay at least And I like layers, of course. But it’s also Bronson Beta in an attempt to save the gender issues fascinate you so much? marginally sane while they do a fairly human race. {Another film adaptation is helpful to provide the reader with A: I don’t understand why they don’t brutal job—and I think I’ve managed to something they can understand. One of scheduled for release in 2008} fascinate everybody. There are all these addict half the internet to it. November 20 - There Will Be Dragons my editors likes to describe her job as constructs and expectations that totally I’m also fond of a certain subgenre of “translating from Bear to human.” dominate our world; which vary from spy shows — The Sandbaggers, by John Ringo - 1st in a series. In the Q: I love your titles-I always have culture to culture and family to family, Mission:Impossible, The Man from future there is no want, no war, no disease reactions about them, and find myself and which influence every single thing U.N.C.L.E., The Avengers, Secret Agent, nor ill-timed death. The world is a playing a bit with allusions and we do and choices we make. They’re the and I Spy being the notable representa- paradise—and then, in a moment, it ends. thoughts about them. How do you basis for stereotype, discrimination, and tives. I’m not sure exactly what it is that The world had been a paradise until the come up with them? have far more influence over our lives they all have in common, but whatever it ( Continued on page 9 ) Page 8 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 5 Fireplace” (2006) Written by Steven Science Events Pokemon Battle Road Tournament ( Continued from page 8 ) FYI Moffat. Directed by Euros Lyn [BBC Oct 7, 10am Free! Fall, when the holders of the control Wales/BBC1] Phoenix Astronomical Society offers to Samurai Co mics, Westside location codes for the world-spanning program Best Editor, Long Form: Patrick Nielsen you, at no cost, a chance to get to know called “Mother” fell out in civil war. Hayden your telescope by daytime. Bring your Family Game Day Scattered across the face of the earth are Best Editor, Short Form: Gordon Van scope, charts, questions, etc, to Oct 14, noon-6pm communities that have returned to the Gelder Bookman’s back room and learn with Samurai Comics, 7th St location natural life of soil and small farm. In the Best Professional Artist: Donato PAS. An RSVP is required - 601-561- village of Raven’s Mill, Edmund Talbot, Giancola 5398 Dungeons & Dragons Night master smith and unassuming historian, Best Semiprozine: Locus ed. by Charles Nov 11, 4:30pm Oct 15, 5pm finds that all the problems of the world are N. Brown, Kirsten Gong-Wong and Liza Bookmans Phoenix Nov 5, 5pm falling in his lap. Groen Trombi Nov 19, 5pm December 18 - Mutineer’s Moon by Best Fanzine: Science-Fiction Five- Challenger Space Center, Peoria Bookmans, Central David Weber. For Lt. Commander Colin Yearly ed. by Lee Hoffman, Geri Stargazing Maclntyre, it began as a routine training Sullivan, and Randy Byers Oct 13, 7pm TCG Tournament flight over the Moon. For Dahak, a self- Best Fan Writer: Dave Langford Nov 24, 7pm Sundays, 1pm aware Imperial battleship, it began Best Fan Artist: Frank Wu Starlab Planetarium Entry fee $5 for regular events $20 for millennia ago when that powerful The winner of the John W. Campbell Oct 13, 1130am and 1230pm Marquee Events artificial intelligence underwent a mutiny Award for Best New Writer, sponsored Nov 10, 1130am and 1230pm Samurai Comics, west side store in the face of the enemy. The mutiny was by Dell Magazines and administered on The Space Place is a 2-hour interactive never resolved-Dahak was forced to their behalf by the World Science Fiction program for little ones with big Hero-Clix-Super Hero Gaming Night! maroon not just the mutineers but the Society, is: Naomi Novik imaginations! Designed for children ages Sundays, 6pm entire crew on prehistoric Earth. Dahak 3 through 6, the program features age- Bookmans Mesa has been helplessly waiting as the Book Discussion Groups appropriate activities designed to teach descendants of the loyal crew regressed preschoolers about our planet and solar Dungeons and Dragons RPG Night! while the mutineers maintained control of Fantasy/Sci-Fi Discussion Group system. 3rd Mondays, 930am-1130am Mondays, 6pm technology that kept them alive as the 4th Wed, 7pm Bookmans Mesa millennia passed. But now Dahak’s Borders, Glendale SETI Institute’s Weekly Science Radio sensors indicate that the enemy that Program Heroclix, open play devastated the Imperium so long ago has Path of the Craft Discussion group Mondays, avail as podcast Every Tuesday, 4pm-7pm returned-and Earth is in their path. For the discusses Neopagan theories inspired by http://radio.seti.org Every Saturday, 2pm-5pm sake of the planet, Dahak must mobilize both fiction and non-fiction books about Drawn to Comics its defenses. And that it cannot do until magic, nature, mythology, and spirituality. Gaming Events the mutineers are put down. So Dahak has 4th Sunday, 6pm Heroclix Tournament picked Colin Maclntyre to be its new Borders, Phoenix Camelback Worldwide D&D Day Every Wednesday, 5:30pm-7pm captain. Now Maclntyre must mobilize Nov 5, events all day Game Depot humanity to destroy the mutineers once Sci-Fi Fantasy Book Club Game Depot and for all-or Earth will become a cinder 2nd Thursday, 7pm in the path of galactic conquest. Changing Hands/Wildflower Bread ( Continued on page 10 ) Company CopperCon 27 Masquerade Winners Manga Bookclub Judge’s Choice 1st Tuesdays, 7pm #104 - Yogi - Bernard (no one knows last Borders, Chandler name - not on form) #212 - Vulcan HIgh Priestess - Janeen Manga Bookclub O’Kerry Oct 20, 7pm Most Funny - #108 - When Animes Nov 17, 7pm Collidge - Alix, Jo, Jessica, Cindy Dec 15, 7pm #107 - Avalanche Sisters - Tea, Bri and Barnes & Noble, Goodyear Rachel #310 - Showing Off - R.J. Amblade Graphic Novel Book Club Best In Class - Novice - #111 - Black 2nd Sunday, 8:30pm Dalek - Bernadette Lee Four Peaks Brewery, Tempe Best In Show - #104 - Yoji - Bernard Author Signings The 2007 Hugo Awards Oct 4, 7pm Diana Gabaldon The results of the 2007 Hugo Awards, as Changing Hands bookstore announced at Nippon 2007, the 65th World Science Fiction Convention, in Oct 14, 2pm Stephen R. Donaldson Yokohama, Japan, on September 1, 2007, Michael A. Stackpole are as follows: S.M. Stirling Best Novel: Rainbows End by Vernor Poisoned Pen bookstore Vinge [Tor, 2006] Best Novella: “A Billion Eves” by Robert Nov 27, 6pm Diana Gabaldon Reed [Asimov’s Oct/Nov 2006] Poisoned Pen bookstore Best Novelette: “The Djinn’s Wife” by Ian McDonald [Asimov’s July 2006] Dec 29, 7pm James Sallis Best Short Story: “Impossible Dreams” Poisoned Pen bookstore by Tim Pratt [Asimov’s July 2006] Best Related Non-Fiction Book: James Writer Workshop Seminars Tiptree, Jr.: The Double Life of Alice B Sheldon by Julie Phillips [St. Martin’s Oct 13. Lorelei Shannon, Yvonne Press, 2006] Navarro, Weston Ochse — talking horror. Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Valencia Branch Library, 202 W. Form: Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) Screenplay Valencia Road, Tucson. by Guillermo del Toro. Directed by Guillermo del Toro [Picturehouse] Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form: Doctor Who - “Girl in the Volume 17 Issue 5 ConNotations Page 9 ( Continued from page 9 ) Beginner Bellydancing She’s calling this one “Dragon’s Heart” Sawyer, Mike Resnick, Cory Doctorow, FYI Fridays, 5pm and will start the revisions as soon as the and other wild minds. And it’s available Magic Tournament Bookmans, Central editor gets her his notes. It will come out as a $9.05 paperback or a $3.00 download Fridays, 6pm, entry fee varies Thursdays, 7pm first in hardcover, then in paper from from Lulu.com. Order yours now! Samurai Comics, west side store Bookmans, Mesa Harcourt, hopefully next fall. She said she Ernest’s “Brainpan Fallout,” a cyber- wrote it because of getting letters and gonzo thriller is available on the Red Dog Other Genre-related Events Metaphysics Group email every week for twenty years from Journal of LaSilencia.com, as if the world 2nd & 4th Mondays, 7pm desperate fans, some who read the books wasn’t in enough trouble! Beyond the Star Trek Universe presented Bookmans, Speedway, Tucson in their teens and still, ten and fifteen and Brian Aldiss wrote from the UK by Center for Fundamental Concepts of twenty years later wanted a fourth book. to say that his newest novel “HARM” is Science. Featuring Lawrence Krauss, Check the web sites for confirmation, So, Jane hopes it answers many of the doing quite well - here and in the States. author of “The Physics of Star Trek” and location and more information. questions she’s been asked about what On Sep 20th, Brian is again in London Armin Shimerman, aka Quark from Star http://www.borders.com happens to Jakkin, Akki, and the dragons where the Canadian critic, John Clute, Trek: DS9. http://www.poisonedpen.com of Austar IV. will interview him. Main subject, Nov 8, 730pm http://www.bookmans.com Still on the east coast, from New of course, is again “HARM”, so Brian Tempe Center for the Arts http://www.barnesandnoble.com York, Anne Bishop shares that the will talk about the new book and old age. http://www.changinghands.com trade editions of “Daughter of the Blood” He is writing a long article for the Psychic Saturday free psychic readings http://browncoats.lagemann.org and “Heir to the Shadows” are now ‘Sunday Times’ and many other shorter Oct 6, 12:30pm http://www.imperialoutpost.com available in the US. (The Trade edition of items for elsewhere, and is also spawning Bookmans - Mesa http://www.azchallenger.org http://www.samuraicomics.com “Queen of the Darkness” will come out in several short stories for good and bad Scimitar-Talon is a group of people http://www.drawntocomics.com October.) Several of her other titles have causes. The U.S. movie “Waiting for the wanting to enjoy recreating portions of Game Depot, 480-966-4727 been published abroad. And a number of Son”, in which Brian has a cameo role, is the middle ages prior to 1600 AD. Classes http://www.library.pima.gov her books have become available in nearing completion. See on Medieval Arts and Sciences. http://www.novaspace.com/Spacefest/ electronic editions, including the BLACK www.waitingfortheson.com for a trailer. 1st Saturday, 130pm-230pm http://www.seti.org JEWELS trilogy. “Tangled Webs,” a Speaking of Canadians, I had several Bookmans Phoenix BLACK JEWELS novel, will come out in respond this month. First up is Charles March 2008 in the US and in April 2008 deLint. His fans rejoice: September Drum & Dance circle, dancers of all types in Australia. (Check her web site -- sees the release of two books from the are welcome. This is an ‘exchange of Pro Notes www.annebishop.com -- around the end beloved author! For younger readers, de energy’ “Cyrcle” so please come & share. of November to read an excerpt.) Lint offers a delightful combination of Hosted by Dave Frankus. Hello from sunny (still!) Arizona. We “Dreams Made Flesh” will come out in realism, magic, humor, and hope in “Little Oct 3, 7pm just finished our Fall convention, Portugal around December. “Belladonna” (Grrl) Lost” (Viking Children’s Books), a Nov 7, 7pm CopperCon 27. I don’t know about will come out in paperback in the US and story about a fourteen-year-old girl who Bookmans Phoenix everyone else, but I had a great time. also in Germany around March 2008. And makes a surprising new friend: a six-inch- Well, actually, I guess I do know. Lots of a short story called “Stands a God Within high, punked-out teenage Little who has Metaphysical Mondays discussion folks came up to me and said they really the Shadows” will be published in the run away from home. For older readers, Mondays, 7pm enjoyed the programming. If any of my DAW anthology “Imaginary Friends” “Promises to Keep” (Subterranean Press) Borders, Glendale out-of-state readers ever get down here around the end of 2008. This year Anne is sees the return of Jilly Coppercorn, last for one of our conventions (particularly writing another novel set in the BLACK seen in “Widdershins,” in an urban Metaphysical Wednesdays discussion CopperCon), I hope you come and find JEWELS world. It has connections to fantasy set in the fictional city of Wednesdays, 7pm me. “The Invisible Ring,” but has mostly new Newford. Charles is on book tour until Borders, Avondale Maybe it’s the time of the year or characters—along with guest appearances September 24th. Locations and details are maybe it’s just a lot of looming deadlines, by some of our favorites, like Daemon on his website: www.charlesdelint.com. Metaphysical Fridays discussion but I didn’t have a whole lot of responses and Lucivar. The pub date for that one is has a great deal Fridays, 7pm for this month’s column. I’m sure I’ll March 2009. to share with us. The novel “The Sword Borders, Paradise Valley have a lot more news next time. Larry Niven in California told me Never Sleeps” (third book in the I’ve one newcomer this month – that “Fleet of Worlds” with Edward KNIGHT OF MYTH DRANNOR trilogy) Across Plus Anime Club who hails from Lerner is ready for October. Ed and Larry is due out August 2008 from Wizards of Sundays, 7pm Massachusetts. After 20 years, she has have also finished and turned in “Juggler the Coast. “Dark Vengeance” (the second Bookmans, Central finally written the fourth book of the PIT of Worlds”. NIFLHEIM book from ) is due DRAGON trilogy. Yes, she knows--a Finished and in the pipeline is out in the fall of 2008, and “Archwizard” fourth book in a trilogy is strange. But it’s “Inferno 2: Escape From Hell” with Jerry (the second book in the FALCONFAR occasionally done. (Think of Le Guin.) Pournelle. And in Arizona, the only news trilogy) from Solaris [an imprint of Black I have is from Library, published in the United States by Ernest Hogan Simon & Shuster], is also due out in fall who has published 2008. The game book is “Embersea,” a another short story, new fantasy world setting he has created, “Human Sacrifice and it will, in the fullness of time, be for Fun and Profit” published in hardcover by Studio 2 – a wacky romp in Publishing. Ed is also at work on the which life in the usual dozen or so short stories for various twenty-first century anthologies, such as “Too Many Princes” catches up with a in REALMS OF WAR, due out in early renegade science 2008 from . The fiction writer! Any game front has seen the Wizards of the resemblance to Coast release in hardcover of “Expedition persons living or to Undermountain” (a “super-adventure” dead is purely Ed co-wrote with three other authors), and coincidental. Read his CASTLEMOURN fantasy world from it in “Voices for the Productions, also a Cure: A Speculative hardcover. In October “The Grand Fiction Anthology” History of the Realms” (co-written with to Benefit the Brian R. James and four others) will see American Diabetes print (yes, in hardcover) from Wizards of Association edited the Coast. He also contributed to “40 by James Palmer. Years of Gencon” (edited by Robin D. There are also Laws and published in hardcover by Atlas stories by Robert J. ( Continued on page 11 ) Page 10 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 5 **** Ergo Proxy Vol. 5 Terra Incognita An American in Canada demonstrated with three male guests in Pro Notes ( Continued from page 10 ) Geneon, 100 minutes, PG how to quickly kill a crab. He showed by Games) and “Hobby Games: The 100 DVD $29.98 Part Seven: Prince Rupert’s hitting the crab’s head against the railing. Best” (edited by James Lowder and “Fish Sticks” The three followed his lead. Last, the published by Green Ronin Publishing). Back Cover: “The journey to Mosko is guide asked if I wanted to try. I shook my The fall of 2007 will see the publication approaching its end but not before Re-l, by Jeffrey Lu head no. of three new Ed Greenwood novels, and a Vincent and Pino discover an appalling The touring boat headed for an collection of three older ones. The new revelation about humanities fall from SeaTrek’s final port was Prince abandon port. The male guide grinned and releases, all hardcovers (with mass market grace. As they wander through Vincent’s Rupert. I decided to pay up and go for the lifted something from a cooler. He had versions to follow) are “Swords of city, they realize that the answer to his crab fest on a private boat. Little did I two bags of about forty popsicles. He said Dragonfire” (second book in the lingering question lies not in the wreckage know that excursion was going to be the to me, “Come upfront and get your KNIGHT OF MYTH DRANNOR trilogy, of the destroyed dome but back in best one I ever had. camera ready!” from Wizards of the Coast), “Dark Romdo. All roads lead to the same Our male guide told us that we’ll be Puzzled, I asked what were those Warrior Rising” (the first NIFLHEIM conclusion and the journey to the end eating first. There were crab legs and frozen things. “Minnows” he said with a novel, from Tor Books), and “Dark Lord” must inevitably lead to a new beginning.” butter. I ate my fIll. laugh. The boat stopped. He then took one (the first book in the FALCONFAR Contains episodes 17-20 Later, the boat stopped. The male and threw it like a stick grenade around trilogy, from Solaris; there will also be an Well some of the pieces to the story guide asked if there were volunteers to twenty feet in front of the boat. audiobook version). The collection is are coming out in this DVD. Still more pull first cage. I had my hand up. A statue of a bird came to life. It was a “The Annotated ,” due out in questions arise as we start to close in on The guide gave me one rope. I pulled. bald eagle. The graceful animal swooped November from Wizards of the Coast, the conclusion with the sixth DVD. This There were twelve live crabs in a cage. down and snatched the fish. It then which collects together the past bestsellers series is just a mental workout with some The guide looked aT me for a second. returned to a tree branch and snacked. “Elminster: The Making of a Mage” action to boot. Once again this series He then told me that they just set the traps The eagle gave a cry. Not a war cay. (1994), “Elminster in Myth Drannor” blows me away with a dream episode 19 for less than an hour. Usually, the Not a sad cry. But something like “Hey, (1997), and “The Temptation of of Pino’s. She is alone in a city called fishermen would set the traps for at least a guys! Free lunch!” Elminster” (1998). These first three Smile Land that is run by a hand sketch day. He did not expect me to get that Less than a minute, I saw at least Elminster books are interspersed with his artist called Will B. Good. He looks like many crabs in a short time. twenty of these birds flying near our boat. annotation “essays” and a few line Walt Disney. What a trip. How this fits Two other volunteers also obtained a One came to me about fifteen feet. I drawings, some of the latter done as long into the rest of the story is your guess. similar number of shellfish. was stunned in seeing these live wild ago as the 1970s. Just weird is all I have to say. CLD. The male guide shrugged and smiled. birds up close and personal. And, finally… Rob Sawyer is He took a ruler and measured all the After the last “fish stick” was thrown, proud of his latest award. On Aug 26th, he Case Closed AKA Detective Conan crabs. He lectured which were females the eagles departed to the blue clear sky. won China’s most prestigious science Funimation, 225 minutes, NR and the legal size of crabs. He then I want to come back with a better fiction award, the Galaxy Award, as the DVD $ Starter Set $44.98 showed which ones stayed for dinner. Out camera. “most popular foreign author of the year.” Created by Gôshô Aoyama of my cage, I had only two. The rest were That’s it for this month. I hope you thrown back. Next up: An American in Canada Part enjoyed yourselves. And, as always - if This is a great series for children and Afterwards, he led me and a few other Eight: Final Words anyone wants to contribute or knows parents alike. You follow the adventures people to the back of the boat. He someone who knows someone…please of teenage crime sleuth Shinichi Kudo write to ConNotations or email me at (American dub it is Jimmy Kudo) who [email protected] – Catherine Book. after a case is attacked by two thugs, given a injection of a strange serum and then left for dead. Shinichi recovers but ReAnimation finds himself the age of a child. Taking on HexaCon 17 the name Conan he convinces his ***** Ergo Proxy Vol. 4 Wrong Way girlfriend Ran Mori (Rachel Moore) and Home her father the great detective Kogoro **** Ergo Proxy Vol. 5 Terra Morito (Richard Moore) take him in. CANCELED Incognita Most of the episodes are stand alone It is with regret that we announce that due to the inability to acquire **** Case Closed AKA with some having two or three parts. Detective Conan Conan solves varies murder cases all the a suitable venue HexaCon 17 has been canceled. We are busy **** Witchblade while trying to find who is responsible for seeking a venue for HexaCon 18 and hope to announce a site and The Animated Series causing his condition. So far in America dates before the end of the year. they have 83 episodes out. In Japan they are up to episode 483. There are also ***** Ergo Proxy Vol. 4 plenty of movies and Mangas to go with IMPORTANT INFORMATION Wrong Way Home this series and there will soon be a video Geneon, 100 minutes, PG game coming out for the Wii. - DVD $29.98 ninjakittyofdoom If you registered for HexaCon 17 you have two choices. Back Cover: “Re-l, Vincent and Pino Witchblade The Animated Series Vol 1 1. If we do not hear from you, your membership will roll over to have been re-united but the danger is far Funimation, 100 minutes, NR from over. Pino enters a cave and Directed by Yoshimitsu Ohashi HexaCon 18 (Pass thrus will automatically roll over to HexaCon 18) discovers a mysterious giant, Re-l is taken DVD $29.99 Starter Set $44.98 over by a not-so-pleasant doppelganger, 2. If you want a refund, please contact us at and Vincent is forced to participate in a Being a mother is hard. For Masane it game show with deadly results for the is even harder not only is she a mother but HexaCon 17 loser. Each encounter that obstructs the she is also the current Witchblade. PO Box 62613 journey ahead is connected to an Masane and her daughter Rihoko struggle Phoenix AZ 85082 inevitable fate and a betrayal no one could to survive in Tokyo. Everyone seems to expect.” Contains episodes 14-16 be after Masane, a major corporation, the I would say that this was the best police, and monsters after the Witchblade, HexaCon will return in 2008, stronger and better than ever before. volume so far. Just like the first three even child protective services. Watch our website at www.hexacon.org for updates volumes, it draws you in. The game show This new series by Gonzo and Top episode just blew me away with it’s Cow takes the Witchblade story a whole change of pace and off the wall craziness. new direction. If you liked the Witchblade If you are interested in helping behnd the scenes or running a game I was delighted with the whole volume. comic or live action series you will enjoy at HexaCon 18 please contact us at the above address or by email at What a ride. One of the most interesting this. Oh be warned they have cleaned up [email protected] series I have watched in some time. CLD. the animation and censoring for the DVD release. - ninjakittyofdoom Volume 17 Issue 5 ConNotations Page 11 Stardust Screening Room Directed by Matthew Vaughn Screenplay by Jane Goldman Resident Evil: Extinction and Matthew Vaughn Highlander: The Source Based on the novel by Neil Stardust Gaiman. Released by The Last Legion Paramount Pictures. PG-13 Release Date: August 10 Resident Evil: Extinction Starring: Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, I was utterly swept away by Iain Glen, Oded Fehr this film. Utterly charmed. Director: Russell Mulcahy It’s a lovely fantasy with a lot Running Time: 95 minutes of delicious left turns; one of Rated: R which is the pirate Captain Resident Evil Productions, Constatin Shakespeare performed by Film Produktion, Davis-Films, Impact Robert de Niro. This is De Niro Pictures as you’ve never seen him before. Distributed by: Sony Pictures th Trust me! Release Date: September 20 , 2007 This is the tale of a naïve lad Tristan (Charlie Cox) who must I watched this hoping to get at least a go beyond the Wall of his village two and a half star movie like the first (named Wall) in England to the two. I had a surprise waiting, this is a land of Stormhold, where solid four out of five star movie. The anything can happen and magic action was paced perfectly for my tastes, abounds. He has decided to find when there was a break in the action it a fallen star for the young and was just long enough to allow your heart vain Victoria-whom he thinks is to slow to a regular pace before causing it the love of his life. to jump again. The zombies were perfect Of course once he finds his foils and even got a power boost during fallen star, it turns out the the movie, being injected to be more celestial body is indeed, a aggressive. body—a young woman named The plot is very basic, the Raccoon Yvaine (Claire Danes). Corporation failed to contain the “T- Ah, the adventures these two virus” and it killed ninety-five percent of go on! everything. The few surviving humans All conspires against them. survive by constantly moving, the An evil witch named Lamia zombies are attracted to life and show up played to a sour and evil nicety whenever humans stay in one place very is Michelle Pfeiffer who wants Yvaine’s long. The Raccoon Corp. has several deep and adult (and doesn’t have the amazing woman named Yvaine (Claire Danes). power to remain young. (for herself and array of actors)—but the writing is as complexes and are still experimenting to her two sisters). Yvaine delivers an outstanding stop the zombies and recreate Alice. satisfying and the actors are engaging and performance as a slightly naive star. Then there is the last surviving Prince marvelous. Matthew Vaughn who’s My favorite two scenes were first, the of Stormhold who was told by his dying Peter O’Toole is the king of The Birds. known for “Lock, Stock, and Two homage to Hitchcock’s I’ve father (Peter O’Toole) that he needs to Stormhold but must pass on his reign of never liked crows and this scene just gave Smoking Barrels” proves a deft hand at power to one of his seven sons. The rules bring back the star which will prove he’s moving the fantasy right along. I found no me more reason to be distrusting of them. the one son worthy to be king. Septimus are very simple – kill off the opposition The second is the final scene and I won’t draggy moments. and may the best son left standing win. (Mark Strong) is the last prince standing. And the narration provided by Ian say anything more to prevent spoilers. I (He’s number seven--all the others have The ghosts of the eliminated sons are thoroughly enjoyed this movie and McKellan was a nice touch. prevalent throughout the film keeping a been killed off—and their shades follow Don’t miss this. - Sue Martin recommend it to anyone who enjoys him around providing a hilarious Greek watchful humorous eye on all the action. gaming or zombie films. - Bob LaPierre Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer) is one of chorus)—so he’s in a real tear to find the Stardust star. three aging witches living in Stormhold. Highlander: The Source Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De And a grubby hedge witch named Yvaine can provide them with youth for Starring: Adrian Paul, Peter Wingfield Niro, Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Peter Ditchwater Sal (Melanie Hill) provides an many many years and Lamia’s quest for Director: Brett Leonard O’Toole ongoing obstacle to their journey - she’s Yvaine is filled with adventure and Running Time: 102 minutes Director: Matthew Vaughn in over her head - but plows right along humor. Rated: R Runtime: 127 minutes anyway. Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro) Davis-Panzer Productions Rated: PG-13 As Tristan and Yvaine make their way steals the show as the captain of the flying Distributed by: Lionsgate Release Date: August 10th, 2007 back to the village near Wall---they also pirate ship. The fight scene is something Release Date: September 15th, 2007 Reviewed by: Len Berger to behold and later the captain’s secret is meet up with Captain Shakespeare and his (ConNotations Film Editor) flying air ship. He and his.…fearsome found out by the crew in one hilarious I watched this movie hoping against crew collect lightning and sell it for profit. scene. Will the crew turn on the captain or hope for a good movie, I would have Stardust, based on the book by best will they remain loyal? They capture Yvaine and Tristan—and selling author , is a delightful settled for a “not cr-p” movie. Well so well, you have to see what happens on The film is a delight to watch with its much for hope. I not only won’t fantasy about love, murder most foul, outstanding cinematography. The score is this ship. Oh my Lord, there is sword fight pirates and magic. The story begins in the recommend this movie I strongly and battle above and below decks when equally impressive and sets the mood for encourage people to avoid it like the “t- Village of Wall so named because it is the audience scene after scene. Septimus catches up with them that will separated by a cobblestone wall from virus”. There wasn’t any kind of rhyme or bring tears to your eyes it is so well Check out the website: reason to what went on. I will go as far as Stormhold, a mystical magical place www.stardustmovie.com. Rated PG-13 choreographed and so very funny. where no one from the village is allowed. to say that the original version of Like all good fairytales—there are for some fantasy violence (oh don’t we Highlander II was several magnitudes Luckily for our adventurous residents love this stuff) and a bit of crude humor. morals aplenty—and really—no there is a hole in the wall (present for better than this tripe. surprise—a happy ending. But oh, the This film is just plain FUN. Sit back, The plot was supposed to be about hundreds of years due no doubt to the relax and enjoy your trip to Stardust, it’s journey is so full of wonder and humor. failure of FEMA). finding the “best” of the immortals for a There is a satisfying dearth of magical worth the price of admission. I would special prize from this source. The prize Tristan (Charlie Cox) who is in love highly recommend the film and rate it an critters and such. There’s magic, but it’s with Victoria (Sienna Miller) promises to was cr-p, the opponent was cr-p, and the mostly humans transformed. There’s a “A”. fighting scenes were the worst kind of cr- retrieve a fallen star to prove his love for unicorn and a flying ship and an her. Unfortunately, the fallen star has p. I couldn’t find any sympathy for any of ensorcelled princess—and witches. All set the characters, not even Duncan. landed outside the wall in Stormhold. Of against dramatic Icelandic and Scottish course, everyone in Stormhold wants the I won’t even deign to rate this movie. - backgrounds. Bob LaPierre fallen star for their own diabolical For me, this will remain right up there purposes and the race is on. with the “Princess Bride.” It’s not as sly The star turns out to be a beautiful ( Continued on page 13 ) Page 12 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 5 Screening ( Continued from page 12 ) ConClusion The Last Legion Starring: Colin Firth, Ben Kingsley, Comic-Con International 2007: Thomas Sangster, Aishwarya Rai The Galactus of Conventions Director: Doug Lefler (Dragonheart: A By Shane Shellenbarger New Beginning) Runtime: 110 minutes I did it again. I subjected myself to Rated: PG-13 rubbing elbows, hips, and other body Release Date: August 17 parts with nearly 130,000 perfect (and imperfect) strangers for the 38th Annual As history would have it, around 470 San Diego Comic-Con International (my A.D. the last of the Caesars fell to an 34th and possibly last.) The huge exhibit assassin’s blade; an event that closely hall, the massive media presence, the preceded the fall of the great Roman recreation of the Bataan Death March Empire. In The Last Legion, the young (courtesy of the Fire Marshal.) Yes, it was emperor takes a different path. With the the best of times; it was the worst of remnants of his personal army; General times. I did it; I survived to tell the tale, so Aurelius (Colin Firth), the sage teacher here we go. Ambrosinis (Ben Kingsley), a warrior If you’ve never gone to Comic-Con woman from the Eastern Empire – Mira (hereafter referred to as S.D.C.C.) and (Aishwarya Rai), and three soldiers, they 2007_07_28.html#013773 you have any interest in comic books, S.D.C.C. have given up on Comic-Con, set off in search for the Ninth Legion, http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/ films, or television, go. It’s as simple as but some of them are forced by their located in Britannia. This, in the hopes 2007_07_31.html#013778 that, go. S.D.C.C. is an employer to attend. I was able to get that the lost legion will pledge their http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/ E*X*P*E*R*I*E*N*C*E*! together on Friday evening with John loyalty to the newly crowned emperor and 2007_08_01.html#013784 If you haven’t been to S.D.C.C. since Clark, Gemstone Publishing’s editor-in- return with him to wrest control of the http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/ it’s moved from the U.S. Grant Hotel, or chief for the Disney comics line; and Roman Empire away from the Germans. 2007_08_03.html#013789 Muir College, or the El Cortez Hotel, or since I hadn’t seen John in about a year, Their journey is plagued by the efforts Publishers Weekly – The Beat – 2007 the Sheraton on Harbor Island, or back to spending time with him was the highlight of Wulfila (Kevin McKidd) and his band Eisner Awards the El Cortez, or to the Convention and of the convention. of German warriors. Wulfila killed http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/ Performing Arts Center, or back to the El However, I was able to listen to Rob Romulus’ (Thomas Sangster) parents 2007/07/28/2007-eisner-award-winners/ Cortez, or back to the Convention and Paulsen, Jess Harnell, Cory Doctorow, during the attack on Rome and would like Comic-Con 2007 Interviews Performing Arts Center, or to the San Syd Mead, Gary Owens, Andrea Romano, to put an end to the Caesars lineage by http://www.cinematical.com/2007/07/28/ Diego Convention Center (its present Mark Evanier, Mark A. Altman, Robert killing the young emperor. comic-con-interview-neil-gaiman/ home since 1991,) give serious thought to Meyer Burnett, Daren Dochterman, Jeff The movie is based on the novel by http://www.cinematical.com/2007/08/03/ what you are about to undertake: Crowds Bond, The Pixar Story: To Infinity and Valerio Massimo and as original a comic-con-interview-battlestar-galactica- in the thousands, hotel costs nearing six Beyond, Harry Turtledove, Peter David, premise as this story presents, I plan to co-exec-producer-ma/ Benjamin’s (and that’s for a crummy R.A. Salvatore, Paul Dini, Orson Scott pick up the book and see how comes http://www.cinematical.com/2007/07/30/ room,) inflated food prices, transportation Card, Richard Christian Matheson, Wally across in its original form. There is a little comic-con-interview-kevin-bacon-talks- nightmares each day, and other issues too Wingert, Kathy Garver, Joe Alaskey, Max twist to the story that makes for an to-us-about-death-senten/ numerous to go into. However, if you Allan Collins, , Scott interesting ending and I will leave it to the YouTube videos of Comic-Con 2007 want the opportunity to see and hear the Shaw!, Maurice LaMarche, Joe viewers to discover that on their own. http://www.youtube.com/ movers and shakers from a multitude of Straczynski, Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy, On the week I saw the movie, there watch?v=lXtAAogokW8 industries, if you want to bear witness to Bill Corbett, Alana Ubach, Carlos were limited theaters that had it and the http://www.youtube.com/ the pioneers of comic book history, if you Alazraqui, Tom Kenny, Michael Bell, one I attended had only a single showing watch?v=8IF3aWumLZE want to encounter the new wave of artists April Stewart, and Gregg Berger. in the morning. Personally, I enjoyed the http://www.youtube.com/ and performers, then there is nothing like Oh yes, I lived and I mostly enjoyed it, movie, but it may have been too cutesy watch?v=0rSk_xvbWRI S.D.C.C. but I’ve been asking myself if it’s all for many. The quality of the writing and http://www.youtube.com/ As for me, I was able to manage (just worthwhile. I’ll have to let you know. acting in it were closer to a made-for-tv watch?v=oLIV9bHnE2g able) this year by staying away from the Comic-Con International 2007 movie than what I expect from a feature http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=- massive media events in Halls H and 20: http://www.comic-con.org/ film. Colin Firth is excellent in most of h08ZGu5Vws Lost, Heroes, The Simpsons Movie, Shane Shellenbarger’s Blog the roles I have seen him, but I couldn’t http://www.youtube.com/ Battlestar: Galactia, The Bionic Woman, http://0wanderingattention.blogspot.com/ accept him as a tough general leading the watch?v=ou2mVnElp6c and Zachary Quinto and Leonard Nimoy 2007/09/comic-con-international-2007- finest fighting troops the world knew at http://www.youtube.com/ for Star Trek XI. I’m sure that Lee galactus.html that time. watch?v=NGx_Tywjq8g Whiteside covered many of those events J.M. Straczynski at Comic-Con 2007 Aishwarya Rai is beautiful and it was http://www.youtube.com/ (he seemed to be reasonably healthy and http://movies.ign.com/articles/808/ a joy to watch her fight choreography. watch?v=oJ7sflsqWNY sane when I saw him at the Spotlight on 808908p1.html She is the romantic interest in the story http://www.youtube.com/ Joe Straczynski.) As long as you didn’t “Heroes” at Comic-Con 2007 apparently because one is expected to be watch?v=efGycb2GIVg need the use of a lavatory, food, or drink http://www.nbc.com/Heroes/video/ there. The motivation for deserting her http://www.youtube.com/ (it is all interrelated, you see) you could video_display.shtml#mea=135233 nation in order to fall in with this band of watch?v=1Iz5EbLuPZk easily campout in a single room all day, Tim Kring at Comic-Con 2007 rebels is marginal at best. And since she is http://www.youtube.com/ since the committee doesn’t clear the http://www.comic-con.org/cci/ there with the handsome and heroic watch?v=QJvrPZn9H3Q room after each program. cci07prog_kring.shtml Aurelius you expect her to fall in love Even so, limiting my program Tom Spurgeon’s comments on attending with him, but it would have been nice to Comic Con attendance to programming rooms 1-8 Comic-Con know what it is she sees in him that By Lee Whiteside still involved entering the room through http://www.comicsreporter.com/ escaped my notice. one door, exiting the room through index.php/ I regret not having taken my children The San Diego ComicCon another door, entering a hallway from the Mark Evanier’s comments on Comic-Con with me, as they would have thoroughly International is so big that you basically East side, exiting down and around the 2007 enjoyed the film. There is a lot of action, need to decide what convention you want hall on the opposite side, and spending http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/ some funny characters, and nothing to make for yourself. Do you want to more time then I cared for to plot the 2007_06_09.html#013562 objectionable for the very young to see or concentrate on comics, movies, TV, shortest route from Room 8 to Room 1. It http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/ hear. For those of you who like the Anime, or a specific creator/author/artist? wasn’t until Sunday when I heard that 2007_07_10.html#013698 Hercules and Xena television series, you This year, I elected to make my restroom re-entry passes were available http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/ should enjoy this – probably more so as a ComicCon experience primarily focus on (the pass let you re-enter the programming 2007_07_13.html#013717 rental. In fact, I plan to do exactly that and Neil Gaiman, but I still took in other room after you’d gone to the restroom, http://www.povonline.com/ watch it again, this time with my children. CCISked2007.htm things as well. you silly goose.) The convention pretty much takes - Randy Lindsay One nice thing about the convention is http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/ 2007_07_19.html#013738 over the San Diego convention center getting together with old friends. Granted, downtown and fills up any available hotel most of my friends who used to attend http://www.povonline.com/ConGuide.htm http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/ ( Continued on page 14 ) Volume 17 Issue 5 ConNotations Page 13 ConClusion ( Continued from page 13 ) movie script and that it grew a bit more Friday night was the Eisner Awards panels on Who Wants to Be a Superhero, when DeNiro was brought on board. for the best of the year in comics. What Kyle XY, Smallville, and a TV Guide room in the area, running for four full Gaiman talked about when he visited the was reported about the most, however, panel with a group of actors from popular days (Thursday through Sunday) with a set and was able to walk around on the was Jonathon Ross snogging Neil Gaiman shows. Filling up Hall 20 (which seats three hour preview night where attendees full-size flying ship set. He recounted that when they were presenting together as a around 4500 with many left in line) were get a chance to shop in the exhibit hall he put a flying ship in the story because tribute to the Britney Spears/Madonna panels on Battlestar Galactica and without having to worry about catching he thought it would be neat to have kiss at the MTV Video awards. That’s Heroes. any panels. The crowd for Wednesday draw a flying ship as part of what happens when you share the stage Also on Saturday were spotlight night’s preview night was very big with the illustrations. It took him a few minutes with a British comedian/talk show host.... panels on J. Michael Straczynski and Joss the aisles in the exhibit hall as crowded as to write it, and probably a few hours for Saturday saw a somewhat lighter Whedon, both of whom had good crowds most days usually are. Fans were jostling Charles to draw it. When he was standing crowd than Friday due in part to the for their sessions and updated fans on for the various exclusives and giveaways on the set that took workers two months convention limiting Saturday their various projects. Straczynski talked being handed out by the vendors. to build and several million dollars, he memberships so that they wouldn’t have about how his career has reached a high One of the highlights of this year’s started to feel a bit guilty about it, though. the situation last year when they had to point with his recent script sales to big- ComicCon International were some During the run of the convention, stop selling tickets. Hall H as usual had a name Hollywood producers and feels like special screenings arranged for three there was always lots to see on the exhibit lot of movie stuff going on, the most he has finally made it. Whedon talked a movies based on Neil Gaiman works. floor. Movie studio exhibits included a talked about was the panel for Resident bit about dropping out of the Wonder First up was one for Beowulf, for which a giant Pirates of the Caribbean ship, life Evil: Extinction, part of the Columbia/ Woman film and indicated that he might screening was held on Wednesday night size polar bears for The Golden Compass Screen Gems panel where they had a be gearing up to produce the long with Neil Gaiman and co-screenwriter and the pavilion celebrating hundred models all dressed like Milla discussed Ripper miniseries for the BBC Roger Avary. I wasn’t able to make it to it (including a life size Jabba the Jovovich’s character from the movie (she that will feature Rupert Giles. due to the lack of information at the Hut). The comics companies were busy as has a bunch of clones made in the movie) During the Rogue/Focus pictures Paramount booth on the screening. From usual with a lot of writers and artists on parading around the exhibit hall and panel in Hall H on Saturday, Neil Gaiman reports of the screening, Gaiman and hand to sign books and comics. There was ending up in the hall during the panel. TV once again took the stage, this time with Avary introduced about twenty minutes of a good turnout from book publishers, with Panels on Saturday included screening of director Henry Selick to talk about the 3D footage of Beowulf that impressed the Del Rey, Random House, Tor and other the pilots for Pushing Daisies, The Sarah stop motion 3D animated movie based on audience members who were able to get publishers on hand with some of their Connor Chronicles, and Bionic Woman, ( Continued on page 16 ) in. authors signing at their booth or up in the With the bigger crowd expected on autograph area after a panel. This Thursday, the convention arranged for included Orson Scott Card, Laurell K. two of their big movie studio Hamilton, Cory Doctorow, Tad Williams presentations to happen in the big Hall H and others. Down at the far end of the hall on Thursday for the first time. Paramount were a lot of fantasy illustrators including Pictures filled the hall and rewarded fans Donato Giancola, Kinuko Y. Craft, with short panels on multiple films, Stephen Martiniere, Charles Vess and including a look at Stardust with Neil Brian and Wendy Froud. Fan groups had Gaiman and screenwriter Jane Goldman, tables up on the Mezzanine including Beowulf with co-screenwriters Neil Browncoats, Klingons, and Stormtroopers Gaiman and Roger Avary, J.J. Abrams and there were always a lot of fans talking briefly about his monster movie running around in costume. codenamed Cloverfield, a Star Trek movie Friday was a busy day at the panel where they introduced who is convention with a full slate of movie and playing Spock (Zachary Quinto AND TV panels, and lots of comic panels. Leonard Nimoy) in the movie, a look at MGM had panels on Stargate SG-1 and the upcoming Spiderwick Chronicles with Stargate Atlantis. Warner Bros. Holly Black, and the first screening of spotlighted their upcoming movies Iron Man footage. They even arranged for including Watchmen. The CW’s Reaper a live video feed from the set of Indiana was originally scheduled to screen earlier Jones IV with Steven Spielberg and the in the day, but that was changed to screen cast including announcing that Karen it during Kevin Smith’s panel in Hall H, Allen would indeed be returning as since Smith directed the pilot episode. Marion Ravenwood. Lionsgate followed FOX pulled out of the convention Paramount with a look at their upcoming claiming they didn’t have enough material movies such as 3:10 to Yuma and Saw IV. ready to screen at the con, causing a bit of Thursday night was a preview a hole in Hall H that was filled by a screening of Stardust, with Neil Gaiman Trailer Park presentation of movie trailers and Jane Goldman introducing the movie and expanding some of the other and holding a short Q&A session presentations before and after the afterwards. As it grew nearer to the start scheduled time. of the Stardust screening, the theatre filled Neil Gaiman’s spotlight panel was on up and Neil and Jane were introduced and Friday and was well attended. He didn’t did a short introduction for the film before have anything prepared so took questions it was screened and then did a Q&A from the audience for an hour covering session afterwards. After the film ended, topics on a wide range of subjects the audience gave Neil and Jane a including how Alan Moore nicknamed standing ovation as they went back to the him Scary Trousers, his early experiences front of the stage for the Q&A session. As at ComicCon, his first time working with Neil had indicated onstage earlier in the Charles Vess, and an update on the day, the movie is different from the book current status of the various film projects in such a way as to describe the book as based on his work. the Earth-1 version of the story while the Warner Home Video also held a panel movie is the Earth-2 version. The story to preview Babylon 5: The Lost Tales was restructured a bit so that we actually with B5 creator J. Michael Straczynski on met up with Tristan Thorne much earlier hand along with cast members Bruce in the movie and he has a much quicker Boxleitner (President Sheridan), Tracey journey to where the star has landed. Scoggins (Captain Lochley), and Peter When asked about the role of Captain Woodward (Galen). They screened a Shakespeare and if it was expanded for couple of clips from the DVD and took the movie because they signed up Robert questions from the crowd. Peter DeNiro, Goldman indicated that the role Woodward had a ball making good- had been expanded as part of creating the natured quips about visiting Tracey at Hooters and Bruce in the old folks home. Page 14 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 5 Membership Rates Thru November 30, 2007 Full Attending - $35 (9 years of age or AniZona 4 older) Arizona’s First Anime Convention Hotel Membership - half current price (up to four (4) memberships @ $17.50) March 21-23, 2008 or Free (up to two (2) memberships) - VALID Hotel confirmation number MEMBERSHIP CAPPED AT 1600 required.

Group Membership - $20 per person Our Guests for groups of 10 or more. All group Richard Epcar is well known to Anime fans, starting with the original ‘Robotech’ series. He is the voice of “Etamon” in members must register at the same time. Digimon as well as ‘Batou’ in the ‘Ghost in the Shell’ movie, the game, the series, ‘Ghost in the Shell-Stand Alone Complex’, ‘Solid State Society’ and ‘Ghost in the Shell 2-Innocence’, which he also adapted and directed into English. Most recently he can be heard IMPORTANT NOTICE as ‘Zangetsu’ in ‘Bleach’ ALL members 17 years of age or younger must have a parent or legal guardian sign their registration form. Ellyn Stern started in Anime with the original ‘Robotech’ series- in which she played several characters. She has also voiced ALL members 12 years of age or characters in Digimon. Most recently she can be heard as ‘Yu’s Mom’ on ‘Noein’ and ‘Jack’s Mom’ in Mar. She voiced ‘Haraway’ younger must have a parent or legal in ‘Ghost in the Shell 2-Innocence’ guardian on site at all times. It is reccommended but not required that all David Vincent is from the hit series GUN X SWORD as the voice of Van. He can also be heard as Fukusuke Hikyakuya in minors have a parent on site. AniZona does not accept responsibility for minors left at Naruto Tales of Phantasia QUAKE 4 Bleach: , and in video games as Chester in , as Lt. Dan Rhodes in , Grimmjow Jeagerjaques in the event without parental supervision. Shattered Blade and as Ray in Disaster: Day of Crisis for the Nintendo Wii. Other recent credits include TV appearances on Criminal Minds (CBS) and NCIS (CBS). Kid in Tow - Free - for children 8 years of age or younger. Child must stay with Chris Hazelton - Manga Artist working on films such as “End of Days”, “The Hurricane”, “Thirteen Days” and “Spy parent or guardian at all times. Available only with a paid adult membership Game” Building 12 . In 2002, Chris produced his first comic online and in print, “ ”. Chris began pursuing drawing comics as a full (parent or legal guardian) - Limit of 2 time career and in 2006 signed on with Demented Dragon to write and illustrate the comic series “A Steel Wing Shattered”. KiT memberships per adult.

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Rooms: $175 Single thru Quad Natz started his music career as a guitarist in 1994 in Saitama, Japan in a band called LUPPY. In 2002, he came to the US to study and now lives in CA. His music is influenced by Japanese pop and rock though he also listens to 80’s metal. Our Events AniZona 4 P.O.BOX 67641 AMV Contest Phoenix, AZ 85082 Karaoke Make checks payable to Anizona 4 DDR Tournament Name:______DDR Machine!!! Badge Name:______Masquerade Address:______Cosplay Gathering City:______State:_____ZIP:______Cosplay Chess Country:______Lolita Tea Party Email:______Anime Viewing Rooms Membership Type: [] Full [] Kid-in-Tow (Limit 2 per adult membership) [] Parent-in-Tow Dealers Room [] Hotel Discount--Confirmation #: ______Good for up to 4 people Artist Alley By signing this you agree to all terms and rules posted on the AniZona 4 website. For more information check our Gaming Room Name:______web site for updates Many different Panels & Demos If above-listed person is under 18 years of age, the person signing the form must www.anizona.org and much more... be a parent or guardian. If the above listed person is 12 or younger, a parent or Watch our web site for announce- guardian must be on site at all time or ments of more guests and events! Parent/Guardian:______email to [email protected] Volume 17 Issue 5 ConNotations Page 15 4400, Jericho and a TV Guide panel on charity auction, running very late but without giving it a chance, Laurell K. ConClusion ( Continued from page 14 ) Super(natural) Women. According to the raising a good amount of money for Jane Hamilton for her continuing decline as an Gaiman’s Hugo, Nebula, British Science organizers, this year’s attendance was at Lindskold’s Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary author, The Creation Museum, and a Fiction, Locus Poll, and Bram Stoker the 125,000 level again, with more of the and the Jack Williamson collection. Some Superman toy with sound effects and award winning story Coraline. They attendees being there on Thursday and of the auctioned books were bought and glowing eyes when his heat vision comes formally announced a special screening Sunday in response to overcrowding then immediately turned over to the on that looks demonic. that night with passes being handed out at issues from last year. They have indicated Williamson Collection’s curator as a the Rogue Focus pictures booth later that they are contracted with San Diego for direct donation in addition to the cash CopperCon 27- Spotter, Please! afternoon. I managed to get by the booth several years and have no plans on raised. by Jeffrey Lu and get a pass, although it appeared that moving the convention elsewhere. So, if Saturday’s main attraction was the the passes that were more popular were you plan to go next year, start making mass autographing session mid-afternoon I usually go to both Barry Bard’s those for a preview screening of Balls of your plans now at www.comic-con.org where almost all of the participating Memorial Previews for free stuff. (I Fury. authors were available to sign their books. actually ended up near last but I got an The crowd was a mixture of Gaiman You want Authors? We got Authors! Mark Ferrari was one of the authors on Epic Movie t-shirt and a hat “The Greatest fans (a couple of girls dressed up as Death and some Green Slime, too! hand, happy to sign copies of his first Game Ever Played.” I might use the hat if and Delirium), industry types and A Report on BuboniCon 39 novel, The Book of Joby. Ferrari recently I ever again win a poker tournament. Gaiman’s family (his daughter Maddy and by Lee Whiteside decided what he really wanted to be was a Yeah, right.) Also, I go to the United son Mike) as well as his assistants who writer even with a successful career as an Federation of Phoenix, a Star Trek club, had been watching over him all weekend. I made it to Bubonicon (for the second artist. George R.R. Martin was on hand for their Jeopardy game on a Friday night. Neil Gaiman and Henry Selick sat down time last weekend) which is a small, but with the jacket cover of the new Wild (First team went last. The next round was in the front of the theatre and started with growing, convention that’s been going for Cards collection being published by Tor second place.) showing various test footage of each of quite a while, 39 years to be exact. It was with Carrie Vaughn, Ian Tregillis, Daniel Comically, I went to a Costume Guild the major characters including Coraline held at the Airport Wyndham hotel in Abraham and Melinda Snodgrass party on Friday night. Little did I know (voiced by Dakota Fanning), her Mother Albuquerque, New Mexico this year. The contributing. Also on hand were Stephen that the next day Masquerade (costume and the Other Mother (both voiced by majority of the local new Mexico authors R. Donaldson, Walter Jon Williams, contest) would need help. Teri Hatcher), her rubbernecked Father come out to take part and they usually Matthew Jarpe, and S.M. Stirling. To put a long story short - after (voiced by John Hodgman), the obese have a good number of authors coming They also held a remembrance panel drinking a few, I volunteered as a Miss Forcible and top-heavy Miss Spink from nearby areas as well as a few from late in the day on Saturday, with Connie “spotter.” (Spotters were people in dark (voiced by Dawn French and Jennifer out of town. It is a fairly relaxed Willis and Melinda Snodgrass talking clothes near the stairs to assist the Saunders, respectively). Selick noted that convention and a lot of the authors hang about Jack Williamson and Fred costumed contestants down the stage to French and Saunders had originally been around to chat with fans and each other, Saberhagen, both of whom passed away the floor without falling on their tush.) I cast with the other roles (French as Miss hang out at the bar or in the lobby, or sit in the last year. Members of Williamson’s had no clue what I was to do but the job Spink and Saunders as Miss Forcible) but in the audience for panels with other family were not able to attend due to was the next day around 5pm. that when they were doing readings, authors. services for Richard A. Hauptmann, a Well, I was there with others to lift something seemed to be missing. When This year’s Author GoH was Vernor friend of Jack who passed away on equipment from a truck and put up they had them switch parts, it really Vinge, with William Stout as Artist GoH August 20th. Connie, Melinda and other curtains for the stage. Later, I became clicked and that is how it has ended up. and Jane Lindskold as Toastmaster. Other authors and fans related stories about again, a chair person. (With others, I had The look of the character design in the authors participating included Connie Jack, Fred and Richard. Robert to arrange some chairs for the judges and movie is different from the Dave McKean Willis, Daniel Abraham, Walter Jon Vardemann related one anecdote about the audience). illustrations in the original book and were Williams, Melinda Snodgrass, Carrie Jack Williamson during the Phoenix Finally, I did my job as a spotter. The primarily developed by visual designer Vaughn, and more. George R.R. Martin WorldCon in 1978. Jack was SFWA costumes were amazing. Tadehiro Uesugi. We saw test footage of wasn’t scheduled to participate, but did President and Robert was Vice-President. During halftime, I sat and watched the characters walking and moving as well as show up to hang out and participate in the With the hotel being a stickler on corkage, music show. It was good but strangely, some test footage with syncing the faces group signing. they knew that if they bought their drinks very long. Kids were sleeping on the up to the dialogue. In most footage there Bubonicon has steadily grown in through the hotel, there wouldn’t be floor. Others were exiting in pairs. was still a line below most characters recent years from an average attendance enough for Jerry Pournelle, let alone Curious, I decided to find what was foreheads that is part of the physical in the 300 range to drawing consistently everyone else. So Jack and Robert went going on with the judges. I went behind puppet. Selick indicated that they planned over 500 attendees, but keeping it more shopping and loaded up their luggage the curtain and found out there were some to remove those for the final film as well like a smaller con. They had two and a with the booze, carrying it past the hotel computer glitches. One problem was the as the visible support beams needed for half tracks of programming, with a main staff to the SFWA suite. Walter Jon program that kept triplicate each some characters. Gaiman indicated he room for most of the discussion panels Williams related a party he attended one contestant’s award. kind of liked those lines on the face and and special events, a second room with year where Fred Saberhagen was showing Returning back, I noticed the filk hope they stay in. I guess we’ll find out mostly readings and smaller panels, and a off some vampire teeth he had recently singer was packing his guitars. I then when the movie is released next year how third room used about half the time for had made through a dentist. proceeded to be at my station to help the it ends up. After concluding showing us demos, workshops and fan panels. Their Saturday night’s masquerade had a judges and costume contestants up and the test footage, they asked us to put on con suite was well stocked, their art show few entries and the Darth Maul’s Dance down the stage. our 3D glasses and screened a mostly had a good selection of art, and the Hall seemed to be a big success. Afterwards, I helped put the curtains completed section of the film lasting dealers room had a good selection of Jane Lindskold interviewed Vernor down and move the equipment back to the about ten minutes that showed Coraline merchandise, especially books from Vinge for the author Guest of Honor truck. Next time, I’ll be in a costume. discovering the door between her house several vendors. They had a gaming room spotlight panel on Sunday and Steven and the Other house and ending with the that usually had quite a bit going on Gould did a presentation on the Jumper discovery of the Other Mother with her throughout the convention. movie coming out soon based on his noticeable difference from her real Highlights for me included Connie novel series. mother. The 3D is more subtle in the real Willis’ “50 Minutes With” where she During their Sunday fund raising world and is more noticeable in the Other discussed the current state of her new auction, one of their annual traditions is world. The footage looked very good and novel, All Clear (she’s still working on it auctioning off a copy of John the look of the film is really outstanding and its been five years, World War II is Lymington’s Froomb!, a really bad novel visually. Selick said that when they big, but it is nearly done), and also read that is auctioned off each year with the decided to do it in 3D, they redesigned from her new novella, “All Seated on the winner having to read it and write and rebuilt some of the sets to make it Ground,” being published in the comments in the book. This has been work better in 3D and it really did look December Asimov’s. It is a pretty funny going on for several years and they have good. I think this will set a new standard story and I’m glad we won’t have to wait recently added a copy of Lymington’s for stop motion animation and will be too long before being able to read the rest other novel, The Green Drift, to the CORRECTION worth catching by viewers of all ages. of it. It’s about a group of aliens who land package. This year it went for $100! After the screening was done, Gaiman and in Denver, come out of their ship, and just To close out the convention, the Green The photo of Heather Stern in Selick took a few more questions and then stand there. For months. Without anything Slime awards was presented by Kathy K. it was announced that those with pieces of getting a reaction from them - until they Kubica. There wasn’t a really the CopperCon 27 program paper stuck under their seats with stars on all sit down when hearing a Christmas outstandingly bad movie this year, but book was not properly credited. them would be getting a special poster carol. Connie left us with the line Underdog was awarded for being a movie made for this event and that Gaiman and “Whatever you do, don’t play them any that really wasn’t needed. Other awards The photo was taken by Ian Selick would sign. more Christmas carols!”. went to SciFi for mucking with the Kluft. We regret the ommission Sunday was the wrapup day, which Friday night saw their late night Dresden Files and then canceling it still featured TV panels on Tin Man, The Page 16 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 5 trousers and coat, white shirt, tie, and any and you can have your optician do them characters, or just clothes that look right of several satiny patterned vests with high up with your prescription. I have two together. Cowboy boots, pants with necklines. These vests can be purchased at pairs, one for indoors and the other as suspenders, frock coats, long “duster” menswear stores, usually as part of a set prescription sunglasses. coats and other western items combined with matching bow tie to be worn with a If you are a big, heavyset guy, Niska’s with the odd high tech prop or piece of tuxedo. The round sunglasses from his enforcer, Crow, might make a good look Chinese clothing (frogged hemp jackets, first appearance in the pilot episode would for you. Just look out for engine intakes. dragon robes, etc) would work well. T- make a nice touch. These can be found at Other possibilities include Nandy’s girls, shirts marked “browncoat” or with the Wild West Mercantile. or the infamous Yo-Saff-Bridge. Serenity ship logo are seen all over the In casual mode, Simon is likely to Perhaps the best option for a general con and the mundane world. wear a British commando sweater with purpose hall costume is not to reenact a Get paid, keep flying, and have fun at leather patches at the shoulders. Look for specific character, but to go for a general the convention. these in militaria catalogs. Both costume Firefly “look.” You can combine elements Special thanks to Shawna Trpcic for Outfitting the Firefly ‘Verse modes may be difficult to pull off if you from several of the better-known creating such inspiring costumes for Part the Second: The Rest of the don’t bear a strong Firefly in the first place. Big Damned Heroes physical resemblance to by Randall Whitlock the character. Simon’s “Member of With its wild west metaphors, Asian Parliament” disguise influences, and sprinklings of unexpected from “Serenity” would high tech, The ‘verse of Joss Whedon’s be a worthwhile project “Firefly” and “Serenity” provides a rich in itself, especially the canvas of characters, well-suited to the short staff he seems to interests of SF convention hall costumers. have borrowed from I began this article last issue with a Daredevil. detailed discussion of Captain Malcolm River Tam arrived Reynolds costume. Let’s finish up with on Serenity without a some quick sketches of the other “Big stitch to her name. All Damned Heroes.” of her clothes are Zoe’s clothes bear some resemblance borrowed and therefore in style to Captain Mal’s, being very mismatched. She tends western-inspired and including a work toward short dresses or shirt and tall boots. Zoe even had her own long sweaters, always version of a browncoat, though it was with her dancer legs more of a tan. To my mind, Zoe’s most revealed. Sometimes she distinctive garment is her leather vest is barefoot to emphasize (revealed to be body armor). This has a V the dance moves, other neck line and fitting seams from the times she wears clunky underarm to the hem not unlike the bodice granny boots for of an Austrian “dirndl” peasant dress. The contrast. River is vest was somewhat open at the sides, another character that secured with four pairs of straps and would be difficult to buckles. She wore a leather belt with a pull off without some flat, square brass buckle over the vest. resemblance to the Zoe’s sidearm, a sawed-off, lever-action actress. Her unitard with carbine, might be worth re-creating. metal plates from the Wash’s look often involved a dull “Academy” would get green or brown flight suit, sometimes instant recognition. surmounted by a bright Hawaiian shirt. A Shepherd Book’s molded harness over the flight suit was most recognizable added for the film. Suitable flight suits garment is the gray can be found at military surplus stores. dickie (sleeveless, flat- I’ve had some truly tasteless ideas for fronted vest thing) with Halloween, but I won’t give details about white ecclesiastic collar. cinema’s most infamous spoiler. Be sure to get the hair Kaylee was most often seen in right, whether you go mechanic’s coveralls, with or without for the white bun in sleeves. The sleeveless ones revealed back, its exploded form bright floral blouses underneath. The from “Jaynestown,” or coveralls featured embroidery with gentle, the cornrows seen in the often childlike motifs such as teddy bears big damned movie. or flowers. Her paper parasol makes for a Other notable good hand prop. The more ambitious hall characters from the costumer might try to recreate her layer- series include the cake gown from “Shindig.” criminals Badger and Jayne’s outfit usually consisted of Niska. Badger wears a BDU cargo trousers and boots with a somewhat careworn suit brown T-shirt. His shirts had art motifs, with coat vest, tie and brand logos, and mysterious slogans in NO SHIRT, as well as Chinese or English. Over this were his trademark bowler harnesses of assorted deadly weapons. A hat. Work on your east trip to the surplus store should outfit you London accent. just fine. The knit hat with earflaps made Adlai Niska wears a by Jayne’s mother has become as much a double-breasted symbol of Firefly fandom as the pinstriped suit in the browncoat itself. fashion of old-time Inara’s elegance was expressed movie gangsters, but the simply, with deeply colored, shiny satins coat has no lapels. His and brocades arranged into saris and long, distinctive eyeglasses slinky dresses with shawls. If you can get can be ordered from the long, wavy, glossy black hair right, JAS Townsend and Son, you’ll get quick recognition from the Inc. at www.jas- other fen. townsend.com. These Dr. Simon Tam’s clothing seems to be frames meet all divided into formal and casual modes. In standards for formal mode, he is often seen in dark prescription eyewear Volume 17 Issue 5 ConNotations Page 17 Ms. Moning’s creatures’d’jour, however, breathing passages, the soft tissue of the the reader to feel it. I especially enjoyed In Our Book are not vampires (well, okay - one is) or eyes, and open wounds. Plague victims his treatment of nano-technology as a werewolves (none sighted yet) but the are then eaten from within. virus. A man-made, mechanical, bio- Breakfast with the Ones You Love Seelie and Unseelie courts of the Fae in Fortunately for mankind, the nanotech engineered virus that makes E-bola look by Eliot Fintushel Ireland. In Dublin to be specific. The fails at high altitudes. The communities like the weak baby brother in the disaster Bantam Books, $12.00, 275 pp Seelie are creatures of the Light and the above the 10,000 foot mark, like Denver, family. I felt the story was at its best when Unseelie of course, are creatures of the will ensure that mankind will survive, but the California survivors crossed through The cover by Stephen Youll shows a Dark. And the twain, each with their own for a handful of survivors on a California the sea of nanites to reach the other peak. young woman from the cheekbones down, agendas, are not fond of the other. mountain top, they are one summer of This section felt like the typical post- with Angelina Jolie lips, bracelets whose Trust me: this is a pretty dark tale. meager scavenging away from serving holocaust novel. colors denote various virtues on her right MacKayla Lane from Ashford, each other up for lunch. Then comes a This is a first novel for the author, arm, Goth stud jewelry on her left, a Georgia goes to Dublin seeking closure message of hope, in the form of a young who has had short fiction appear in rocket ship and 2 stars dangling from her on her sister’s mysterious, messy death. A man who has braved the trek between Asimov’s, Strange Horizons, and Writers belt chain, and a comet in a crystal ball student a Trinity College, Alina Lane was peaks to bring Cam Najarro and the others of the Future XXIII. I believe his hovering between her hands. found rather mangled in a dark, dank alley back with him where a second batch of inexperience shows in the early part of the Lea is 16, an orphan, and she way. And the Dublin police haven’t any survivors have food enough for both book. During the trek between peaks, he inadvertently makes people sick or even leads. groups. used a series of flashbacks that didn’t kills them if she gets upset. To control her Mac, as she is known, is a carefree, The story switches to the space station move the story forward as much as they wild talent, she has cultivated a dead face, pink-nail-polish-and-gold-sandaled sun crew in orbit around the earth. Ruth interrupted its flow. Additionally, the a frozen heart, and a ‘you don’t see me’ worshiper. A happy, 22-year-old Goldman is a nanotech expert and formatting breaks intended to emphasize approach to apparel. She works as a bartender whose worst nightmare has desperately working on a solution for the the movement from scene to scene made it dishwasher in a joint called the Wee Spot been running out of her favorite nail Machine Plague. Her problem is that in seem a bit jumbled to me. Despite these and lives in the home of a lonely old lady, polish. the zero-g environment and with the minor imperfections, Plague Year was a Mrs. Bobson, whose own daughter died Once settled into Dublin---MacKayla limited resources that are available to her, good read. I expect that we will be seeing years ago in a car accident. Lea despises becomes NOT so happy-go-lucky. She she is not effective in her efforts. She more novels coming from Mr. Carlson in and ignores Mrs. Bobson, slipping in and uncovers, bit by bit, a dark world of demands that the shuttle bring her back to the future. – Randy Lindsay out of the house when she is asleep. She monstrous creatures preying on humans. earth and eventually what is left of the also stiff-arms her boss, Sarge, and the Preying on humans hidden by a glamour United States government agrees to Light waitress Sylvia. Tule, a cat, is her only so they appear drop-dead gorgeous. evacuate the space station. by M. John Harrison companion. All this began to change the MacKayla’s sister Alina left her a cell And then Carlson, as a good author Bantam Spectra, 418 pp., $6.99 night she used her ability to kill to save phone message a few hours before she will do, takes us in a different direction. the life of Yakov, a young man who died, telling her, among other things, that Up to this point we have the pretty Imagine a world where the 1970s New frequents the Wee Spot. Now the two of she must find something called the Sinsar standard tale of survivors attempting to Wave movement in science fiction didn’t them, the Yid and the Shiksie, as they call Dubh (Gaelic for a Dark Book of terrible prevail. It takes a third of the book before die out, in which the leading authors each other, are preparing a sacred space – magic) before anyone else does, we discover that one of the cannibals in remained critical outsiders of their a spaceship – in which a miracle can especially the Unseelie or the world as we California helped create the nanotech society, and wrote stories exploring the occur: the joining of the earthbound 13 know it will go to hell in a very large plague and develop a solution. That would meaning of life and human relations. As and the 3 supernal souls, and their hand cart. be great, except the government in these authors matured over the decades, departure for the supernal Ishrael. Yakov MacKayla’s attempts to unravel her Colorado doesn’t exactly want the their stylistic skills may expand, to latch is one of the 13. Lea wants to go along, sister’s frantic final phone message lead problem to go away. onto more common literary styles, yet and there is one extra berth for a her to Jerricho Barrons and his odd The characters in this story are in a maintain that edgy insight into the translator, so she takes up languages. She bookstore. The two make an uneasy desperate situation and Carlson does a universe. What would we see? Chapters also starts wearing eye-catching, heart- alliance since both are looking for the good job of making it gritty enough for ( Continued on page 19 ) stopping outfits left behind by Mrs. Sinsar Dubh. Bobson’s daughter. And as MacKayla tries to unravel her As she and Yakov are falling in love, sister’s murder, she discovers she is a everyone wants a piece of Lea. The mob Sidhe-seer, one who can see through any wants to use her talent to ensure that a fae-glamour: She can see the terrors for certain fight ends profitably. There is a what they are. mysterious stranger with a nose ring who So off we go—monster hunting is following Lea. Sylvia has her own through Dublin. The tension is great, the agenda. And the Devil Himself wants to story very creepy and different. Written in prevent the 13 and 3 from coming first person, it’s snarky—but not too chic/ together and departing. He takes an hip. increasingly active and direct role in And Jerricho Barrons remains a interfering. Lea and Yakov have allies, delicious enigma through out the story. however: the 10, the minyan, whose We (and MacKayla) know very little prayers power the spaceship, and whose about who or what Jerricho is, but he’s interactions provide comic relief such as very buff, drop dead gorgeous and sexy— Shakespeare would envy. and able to drop from the rafters of a I have one editorial quibble. On page warehouse 30 feet to the ground without 15, Lea says, “I’m not a goyim.” Is she flinching. supposed to be too ignorant of Yiddish to And, after MacKayla gets in an know goy is the singular form of the awesome battle with a great many of the plural goyim? The trouble with Unseelie (and the afore-mentioned grammatical errors, even in-character vampire), Barrons is able to do a little ones, is they annoy readers who know speed healing on her as well. better; worse, they perpetuate and confirm Of course, there is another book the ignorance of readers who don’t. coming out. Jack Dann’s review compares And dang—I can’t wait! - Sue Martin Fintushel to R.A. Lafferty and “P.G. Wodehouse (on speed) collaborating with Plague Year Isaac Basheves Singer, Harlan Ellison, … by Jeff Carlson and Barry N. Malzberg.” In other words, , $7.99, 292 pp the writing is wry, acerbic, and drop dead funny, and sometimes it wrings your The first few lines of a novel can be heart. critical to its success. Plague Year opens When you pick up this book, you’ve with this one: “They ate Jorgensen first.” got a gem on your hands. – Chris Paige Immediately you’re hooked. In just four words the tone of this post-apocalyptic Darkfever tale is set. by Karen Marie Moning A garage laboratory, researching a Dell, 349 pp, $6.99 cancer cure, has unleashed a sea of nanotechnology which has been dubbed This is an interesting trip into the “The Machine Plague.” The plague is paranormal universe of romance fiction. capable of infecting its victims through Page 18 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 5 mall, setting off racial tensions every step DEA-agent boyfriend. She worries about Set in London, The Devil You Know is In Our Book ( Continued from page 19 ) of the way. Aggressive CC invites him to the irresistible attraction she has to her a rollercoaster ride that takes you into in novels may have clever titles of their her home, and Chris gets to go further mentor and she worries about his motives. some very dark, scary places. Felix “Fix” own, like ‘Disillusioned by the Actual’ or than he dared hope, until he almost gets On top of all that are the Revengers, a Castor (don’t you love the connotations of ‘The Circus of Pathet Lao.’ The author’s his head split open by CC’s outraged Aunt group of highway patrolmen who hunt Castor oil and deft luck?) is an exorcist by voice could be as clever and hip as the Ida. Then the cops show up. (The vampires. default – he didn’t want to be one, but he chapter titles, yet no longer trying to be dialogue between the cops is spot on, and The good news first: this was a fast has a natural aptitude, and the dead are different just for the sake of difference. the interplay is hilarious with horrific and entertaining read. The writing is very now nearly numerous as the living in the He’s ready to tell a story about the implications; teachers should use this good, the plotting was good and the world. Castor uses music, played on a purpose of humanity, the science fiction scene for character analysis.) They escort characterization of our heroine was good. penny whistle, to lay ghosts and zombies purpose to explore in a spaceship. Chris to their car when the Aunt declines The bad news is that there just wasn’t any to rest; but he has quit this line of work Before he gets to that grand to press charges, and bring him home to depth to the story. As you can tell from since a mistake he made caused a friend, conclusion, though, we need the lives of face paternal military justice. But worse the brief synopsis, this is a very formulaic Rafi, to become fused with the essence of three characters to intersect: the gambler than any humiliation or physical pain is story. It was kinda like watching a TV the devil Asmodeus. No one likes this Ed, the woman-turned-into-pirate- the loss of CC. movie. But sometimes that’s okay – as arrangement. Castor is out a friend; Rafi spaceship Seria Mau, and the spacetime Then a mysterious stranger shows up long as you know what to expect, you is confined to an insane asylum; Rafi’s researcher Kearney, who happens to be a with an invitation for Chris to attend a won’t disappointed. I’ll probably pick up girlfriend, (who happens to be Castor’s serial sex killer on the side. This seemed a private school, on a full scholarship, the next book because I liked the heroine landlady) Pen, is lonely; Asmodeus is bit gratuitous, though it did give some because Chris’ World War II grandfather and I want to see how the loose ends are bored and furious. But even though suspense every time he interacted with his had saved a man’s life. Now that man, Jay tied up. - Catherine Book Asmodeus is malicious, he is the devil wife. The author adds his two cents to the Dumont, is wealthy, powerful, and Castor knows, and he just might offer a explanation of why such killers do it, but grateful. Once Chris finds out that the InterWorld better deal than certain humans who offer that’s not really a mystery these days. Academy is co-ed, he agrees to go. By Neal Gaiman and Michael Reaves Castor their own versions of damnation Fortunately he doesn’t go into any gory And now Chris enters the world of the Eos/Harper Collins, New York 2007, and death threats. details of killing, which raises the extraordinary, not just the world of Juvenile, 239 Pages First off, Castor earns the undying prospect of symbolism he’s making. Mad extraordinary wealth, but the worlds of hatred of a cop when a birthday party scientists as the ultimate sicko killers? miracles and power. Jay Dumont (names Unknown to himself Joey Harker is a goes seriously wrong. Castor had been This sicko is on the run from a creature are significant) has recently lost a beloved World Walker. He has the ability to cross hired as the magician entertainer, but called the Shrander, and their final son, Josh, and has decided to groom Chris to other probable universes. When he Birthday Boy and his buddies are not meeting ties up all the story strands quite as a surrogate, because Chris also comes does this accidentally while on a school amused, except when they are bullying nicely. Yet, to judge by the cover art, from a bloodline of power. So Chris is assignment, he sets off alarms across the Birthday Boy’s stepbrother. Castor might there will be a sequel: Nova Swing. given access to the power that works probability lines. not have interfered, except that there is Where does it go from here? - M.L. miracles. He can compel people, he can It seems that there are three groups also a ghost in the house. By the time he Fringe bring the recently dead back to life, and interested in intercepting Joey for their is escorted out the door, Castor has shifted he can recognize others with the own purposes. They are the forces of Hex the family dynamics drastically, but he The Gospel of the Knife bloodlines of power. He is also strongly or Magic and the forces of Binary or does not get paid. by Will Shetterly encouraged to produce an heir. Science; both of whom wish to dominate Then Castor is offered a job TOR, $25.95; 319 pp But in spite of the possibilities and the the lines of probability. They are at eternal exorcising a ghost in an Archives storage lure of master of the world status, Chris war. Between them is the force of facility. Like the tip of an iceberg, the This is a standalone sequel to does not want to compel people, or be InterWorld or Balance whose purpose really dangerous stuff is under the surface. Dogland, which I have not read yet, so I compelled. He wants to find out what was to see that neither Binary nor Hex Castor has to find the key to cannot comment on continuity, but I can happened to his predecessor, Josh, he achieve their aims. InterWorld’s chief communicating with a ghost who can’t vouch for this book on its own wants to hold his own in the strange world minions are World Walkers like Joey. In talk, and when she can, it’s not in any considerable merits. I would call this one of the privileged, and he wants to find fact, all of the World Walkers are Joey in language he knows. Opposed to his a masterpiece, but that would be CC. some form or the other. Some were male, investigations are many whose works are peculiarly ironic, for one of the thematic What Chris finds is the Gospel of the some female and some not quite human, threatened by investigative light shone elements of this story is the interplay of Knife, a good double-meaning title, for it but all were Joey. into dark places, including a slime ball of compulsions, persuasions, sacrifices, and concerns a blade of power, a god-slayer, So all three groups sought Joey. In the a crime lord, his loup-garou heavy, and a challenges between the people who want and it was scribed by a member of a clan first world Joey walked to, he found succubus who really won’t take no for an to be masters, those who are willing to be of assassins. The mysterious text provides himself a girl, in the second he had answer. servants, and those who desire freedom. Chris with crucial information which drowned the year before. He narrowly If the name Mike Carey rings a bell, it The story is told in an unusual second Dumont and his servants had withheld, escaped the Scientists and dodged the might be because he has been writing for person voice, which involves the reader and Chris decides to act according to the familiar sounding recruiter from Marvel’s X-Men and Ultimate Fantastic much more subtly than either first person light of conscience. InterWorld. He sought advice from a Four. He also has a movie in production: or third. In Part I, ‘Wasteland,’ Chris My favorite moments are Chris’ trusted teacher at his High School and was Frost Flowers, which we’ll probably Mark Nix is 14 years old in 1969. He running commentary on the behaviors of intercepted by the Witches and taken review in a future issue. – Chris Paige wears his hair long, he has studied martial rich men and their offspring, and the aboard a piratical ship that sailed in the arts, he sees the world in terms of how he mental mobius-strip ride of the Gospel. Nevernever between probabilities. Lord John and the Brotherhood would draw and write it as a comic book, The next time I see Will Shetterly at a And it goes on from there. Joey must of the Blade he is in constant conflict with his father, convention, I am going to ask him about make choices which will determine the by Diana Gabaldon and he is having a really bad day. his sources, for he must have done enough immediate course of the Worlds. He Delacorte Press; 494 pp. $25 When 3 good ol’ boys take violent research to earn a doctorate. chooses the forces of Balance but is exception to his appearance and temerity, If you loved the controversy at the ultimately rejected, mind wiped and sent It is always great fun to return to the they chase him off the road into thick heart of The DaVinci Code, this is the back home. He remembers and seeks out world Diana Gabaldon initiated by woods. Chris is on his bicycle, and they book for you; others may take umbrage his companion selves. Can they save the “Outlander.” This is another engrossing are on foot, but that is only a slight here or there; but I invite readers to read, Balance? tale about Lord John Grey, the younger advantage. In sheer desperation, Chris and think, and evaluate for themselves. The book is great fun and a wonderful son of the deceased Duke of Pardloe(— rides his bike into a pond, hoping not to It’s a story. Enjoy the ride! – Chris Paige reiteration of one of my favorite themes in He Whose Name Must Not Be Spoken— sink in the mud. To everyone’s utter SF harking back to Van Vogt’s Recruiting sort of like Lord ‘whatsis’ from Harry amazement, Chris actually gets across, but The Becoming Station, Williamson’s Legion of Time and Potter. (I can’t help myself. Your pardon, when one of the three pursuers jumps in by Jeanne C. Stein Norton’s Quest Crosstime. There are even dear readers!) to give chase, he disappears under the $7.99, Ace Fantasy, 293pp elements of Heinlein’s Space Cadet. I You see, there is a dark mystery water. And here we see what kind of recommend it and not just for children. – surrounding the death of Lord John’s person Chris is, through the haze of Anna was a Bounty Hunter before she Gary Swaty father, seventeen years earlier. His father hormones and attitude: when the two became Vampire. And her life hasn’t ostensibly committed suicide under standing bullies are too stunned to act, he changed…much. She’s hunting the The Devil You Know unusual circumstances and if that was not yells at them to find a stick and pull their vampire who created her - a rogue by by Mike Carey bad enough, he was also stained by the buddy out. Wet, puzzled, and spooked, vampire society standards. So Anna has Warner Books $24.99; 400 pp onerous shadow of being a “Jacobite” the three return to their truck, leaving a the mentorship and assistance of a sympathizer (A supporter of James II, a sodden and sore Chris to make his way powerful 300-year-old vampire who There’s something about Mike Catholic and a pretender to the throne of home. There he gets into a yelling match wants to protect his own. Trouble is, Anna Carey’s face that reminds me of Steven England). Lord John’s older brother Hal with his Dad that escalates to such a pitch can’t figure out who exactly the bad guys King, although their features are quite so distances himself from his dead father, that Chris runs away from home. are. She’s not even sure she isn’t one as different. Perhaps it is the writer’s he styles himself the Earl of Melton, not It just gets keeps getting better. He well; despite her best intentions. She version of ‘the mark’ by which magicians the Duke of Pardloe. meets a girl with sass and an Afro named worries that she won’t be able to restrain recognize each other, as Jadis explained to A wonderful “who-done-it” combined CC; they hold hands while they go to the her need to feed when with her mortal Digory in The Magician’s Nephew. (Continued on page 20) Volume 17 Issue 5 ConNotations Page 19 And Lord John, bless him, still has Percy and the fact, as his commanding The latter’s premise is that Eurwest has a In Our Book ( Continued from page 19 ) very strong feelings for Mr. Fraser, which officer he might have to denounce him in fixed population limit of 900,000,000, so with great detail and the minutia of life in makes their meeting all the more intense, court…and not only bring down Percy but every year, adults face a reckoning of mid 18th Century England; Gabaldon spins even though Lord John is currently his family’s honor, the honor he has been their life’s social worth to determine this tale out with great finesse, as usual. involved with Percy Wainright, his brand struggling to reinstate by unraveling the whether they get to live another year, or A fascinating trail of clues weaves in new brother by marriage. They are not mystery of his father’s death. have their bodies converted into bricks for and out of this story as Lord John and his only involved, but are also part of the And honor is the heart of this novel. the Palace of Humanity. The plot may brother Hal prepare to go overseas and same group of soldiers being sent to the A wonderful addition to Ms sound like a variation of Logan’s Run, but join the Prussians in fighting The Seven Rhineland to bolster the forces of Gabaldon’s oeuvre. - Sue Martin the style and delivery are fresh. Strongly Years War. Pages from one of the Duke Frederick II of Prussia. recommended. “Athos Emfovos”, by of Pardloe’s missing journals, vicious During their time in the Rhineland, The SFWA European Hall of Fame Panagiotis Koustas, describes how a war attacks on Lord John’s person, and most Lord John not only catches his lover Edited by James and Kathryn Morrow refugee compels Audeus, god of music, to interestingly, the tangled connections Percy in flagrante delicto with a Prussian $26.95, Tom Doherty Associates, 328 pp prevent a war. Rich in allusion, poignant, several disparate people have to the event. soldier, he is severely wounded during an hopeful, this story, it seems to me, owes Including, oh yes, Jamie Fraser, who at engagement with the French. This anthology is a labor of love on some of its conviction to the Ukrainian this point in the tale is still a groom at All hell breaks loose. And the tension the part of the editors and translators, uprising that used song and mass protests Helwater and still a prisoner on parole of the tale ratchets up several notches. whose meticulous work made this to defy and overturn a rigged election in after the Battle of Culloden. Lord John is torn between his love for collection of 16 stories available this side 2004. of the Atlantic. You “Wonders of the Universe,” by may have to go to a Andreas Eschbach, is the song of a dying library to find it, or astronaut, alone on Europa. “Baby Doll,’ place a special order, by Johanna Sinisalo, is an all too but it is worth the effort. imminent, horrifically realistic take on a “Separations,” by society that uses surgically enhanced Jean-Claude Dunyach, nine-year-olds for soft porn is a good hard SF story advertisements. If your brain lacks a reminiscent of Timothy functioning ‘Delete’ button, be very Zahn’s “Cascade careful about reading this one; it falls Point,” but with a firmly into the category of things ‘terrible harder, deadlier edge. to see, terrible to hear’ that classic Greek “Seputura,” by Valerio theatre eschewed until Euripides. Evangelisti, was the Then there is the Borgesian “Between stand-out for me. The the Lines,” by Jose Antonio Cotrina. This editorial intro points to one is great. Apparently, it is part of a its sources in Dante’s story arc, and I fervently hope I can find Inferno; even so, it more of them. Cotrina is one of those struck me as writers who drives you to learn a second, extraordinarily original. third, or nth language just so you can read Set in Brazil, the MORE! Alejandro is a college student Ministry of Security who inadvertently – but not accidentally – policy of genocide of enrolls himself in a course of Advanced Amazon indios has Reading Techniques, in which he taken the pragmatic discovers that he can read stories approach of paying inscribed between the lines of printed bounties that target material. He goes on to discern hidden children. A fraternal aspects of our world, and recognize others rivalry, sealed by who do so. I just wish someone would mutual death threats, annotate Cotrina’s stories so I could between Olavo and comprehend all the allusions. Fernando is set aside to I confess that I did not read all the work a stories; I rarely do with anthologies, for from Sepultura, even by their very nature the nets are cast wide though one brother is to appeal to a diversity of creatures. Some collecting bounties, and of you are bound to love the stories that the other is a resistance repelled me as forcibly as like charged fighter. Bottom line is, particles. But I hope the ones I describe both have friends in appeal to you anyway. – Chris Paige Sepultura. But prisoners just don’t get out of Nightmare on Elm Street: there. Their legs have Dreamspawn been imbedded in a by Christa Faust communal pit of Black Fame, $7.99; 407 pp elastine, which fuses with the skin, holding This is a fast, fearsome, and frequently them inexorably in a pit funny read. Christa Faust is observant, of ectoplasm. Smuggled with an acerbic talent for character chemicals and an depiction, and her bio blurb is fascinating. Umbanda religious But there are no happy endings on this ceremony evoking the outing. In the wake of the Columbine and trickster god, Exu, and Virginia Tech massacres, neither egun, or spirits, of a innocence nor virtue is sufficient massacred tribe change protection. the equation Freddy’s focus this time is a girl significantly. named Rose who, by age seven, has lived Some of the other through enough horror to bring Freddy contributions are back and make her his pawn and willing lyrical; in fact, sound accomplice. and speech are thematic After Rose’s Prologue, the story shifts elements in many of ground to Jane DeHaan, who is starting these stories, especially her senior year at Hemingway High, her “A Birch Tree, A White sixth school in four years. Jane is a misfit, Fox,” “Yoo Retoont, so the cheerleader clique immediately Sneogg, Ay Noo,” bestow upon her a ghastly nick-name (in “Athos Emfovos in the this case that means a name old Nick Temple of Sound,” and would approve) and in all ways make her “Verstummte Musik.” ( Continued on page 21 ) Page 20 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 5 In Our Book Fortune’s Fool down world wide. The few survivors have ( Continued from page 20 ) had come to believe his mission was to by Mercedes Lackey made use of the Donner option as the life miserable. The teachers turn a blind kill all Violets to release them from the Luna Books $24.95; 362 pp population drops. Humanity’s last hope eye to the social bullying. When Jane hell of their own lives and talents. Funny lies with a nanotech researcher aboard the forms an alliance with the other pariah, thing was – most Violets enjoyed their After reading swaths of horror fic for international space station, and the small Lola, the two engineer an imaginative particular genetic talent. reviews, Fortune’s Fool was as refreshing party of survivors in the Sierra Nevada revenge on their tormentors, with a Violets who work for the Corps could as sherbet after a course. mountains who will risk their lives below surprising outcome. Jane and Lola now expect to enjoy a well-compensated This is another of the 500 Kingdoms the death line. begin to enjoy their salad days. career. Enough compensation that it made titles, which began spectacularly with The This is a disaster novel. A high tech But then Rose, now 14 years old and some men start thinking of how nice it Fairy Godmother and continued with One world brought to its frostbitten feet by an much the worse for her foster home would be to be able to find more Violets. Good Knight. The premise of these books enemy that is as small as a microbe and experiences, comes to Hemingway High. Or even manufacture more… When one is that the quasi-sentient Tradition of fairy invisible to the naked eye, yet powerful Another outcast, she is befriended by Jane geneticist finally figures out how to do tales tries to make things come out enough to take over the world. Can the and Lola. Rose’s banked fury and hatred, just that, he also realizes that he doesn’t ‘according to plan’ for the lives of the answer be found in time? In many ways, however, turn their Underdog heroics want anyone to have his secret. So, he people it touches; but not all the plans are this is true horror. The cold, desperation down a darker, destructive path, spawning destroys all the evidence, including nice. Who wants to be Patient Griselda or and despair are as much an enemy as the a bloodbath. Rose is their evil genius, the himself. Trouble is, once he’s dead, he Rapunzel? Or one of the 99 suitors for plague. The characters are well-drawn. Robespierre of their Revolution, and even can be channeled. And one man knows Sleeping Beauty who end up impaled on The virtues and flaws apparent, the action Jane’s boyfriend Brandon is no match for exactly how to motivate his spirit to thorns? So certain beings, such as Fairy moves apace. It pays homage to hope and the symbiosis of Rose and Freddy giving up the secret. Now, it’s up to Godmothers and Champions, acts as the human will to survive. Well worth the Krueger. Natalie to stop Evan from channeling the guardians and gardeners of the Tradition: read. - Pam Allan This is lurid, literary, thought- dead geneticist and then from finishing redirecting it, modifying it here or there, provoking horror, teen-age angst at its his original mission – kill her and her serving it, occasionally assisting the ones A March into Darkness most vivid and tragic. – Chris Paige daughter, who happens to also be a Violet. who get left by the wayside in the by Robert Newcomb It’s an interesting premise but for the Tradition’s wake, and opposing wicked Del Ray, 638 pp, $26.95 From Black Rooms most part, this book read like a standard sorcerers and such who also derive power by Stephen Woodworth crime drama. Not that most science fiction from the Tradition. A March into Darkness is $6.99, Bantam Books, 334pp doesn’t lend itself easily to just about any The hero of Fortune’s Fool is Sasha, a volume two of the Destinies of Blood and other genre, but there was little about this seventh son and a prince of the small Stone. Natalie was a Violet, an elite crime- story that felt like science fiction. It was seaside kingdom of Led Belarus. (So we Wulfgar was defeated by Tristan, fighter with the power to channel victims. much more a crime drama that happened are treated to the Eastern block traditional but rejoicing will have to wait. Wulfgar’s But these days, Natalie only channels to have a SF factor. It was a very fairy tales: Baba Yaga, Rusalkas, Katschei spouse, Serena has not given up stealing legendary painters. It’s not necessarily competently written story. The the Deathless, swan maidens.) His lot in the scroll of the Vigors [good magic] and lucrative since she works on her own now characterizations were good. It was well- life as the seventh son is to be the Fool, a avenging the death of Wulfgar and their rather than for the North American plotted and I did enjoy the conclusion. I Trickster of sorts, who seems to stumble daughter. Tristan prepares to sail for Afterlife Communication Corps. And the just wasn’t very excited or intrigued by about aimlessly, when he is actually Serena’s stronghold. However, on the eve job has its dangers – such as psychotic the story. - Catherine Book promoting the Luck of the kingdom. The of the mission, Xanthus, an invincible painters who don’t want to go back to heroine is the Sea-King’s daughter, Katya, warrior will come through the Azure being dead after she’s finished a who has the rare ability to move as freely Wall, torturing innocents to death unless commission. But all that is nothing next to on land as under water. She is often sent Tristan returns with him to an uncertain the news that her ex-lover, Evan on missions to investigate dangerous or fate. There he learns about his and his Markham, has escaped from prison. Evan suspicious activities. On one of her sister’s destiny. reconnoiters, she meets Sasha. They While he is gone, his sister takes quickly prove to be the cure to each the fleet against Serena’s citadel. But other’s loneliness – there is one explicit many traps await them with Hellish bedroom scene you may wish skip if you creatures summoned by the heretics [bad are reading aloud to child. But duty calls magic]; while Serena prepares a spell that them in different directions, until Katya is can bring her dead daughter back to life. kidnapped by a Jinn who collects magical Here be epic fantasy with maidens. Sasha sets out to rescue his true complex characters, a fully realized love, and Katya organizes the maidens complex world light and dark strive to into a sabotage and strike team. rule over generations. The destiny of the Mercedes Lackey tackles issues in almost twins is to bring the two sides back into all her stories. Some of her recent books balance. Maybe next volume. Fantasy have had very pointed passages lovers will want to get their hands on this. describing the malfeasances of ‘kings’ - Pam Allan (read presidents, prime ministers, and pulpit-pumpers) and the responsibilities of Wolf’s Blood people to not be gullible. She has also by Jane Lindskold been writing some serious military setting Tor, 532 pp, $27.95. stories; her son has been in Iraq, so she has a source for realistic detail. This issue Wolf’s Blood is the culmination of the is comparatively subtle. The Jinn’s affects series begun with Through Wolf”s Eyes on the realms bears a certain resemblance Firekeeper was raised by language- to the real and present dangers of global using sentient wolves. When she returns warming. But this is a spirit-lifting, fun to the human lands, it takes all of her wolf story, which helps you see the glinting knowledge helps her survive. She learned flash of magic in everyday things. – Chris that magic was feared and despised. The Paige story is more complicated: In coming to land of the Liglim, she finds that magic is Plague Year alive and well. But in opening the gate, by Jeff Carlson the plague, targeted against Magic Ace, 292 pp, $7.99 wielders returns. It is up to Blind Seer and her to find the nature of the plague and Plague Year is a debut novel destroy it before wipes out the humans. Nanotechnology was designed to fight The series has been exciting from the cancer; instead it evolved into the beginning, and the “culmination” does not machine plague, killing nearly five billion disappoint. Her characters live; I feel I people. Life on earth was changed know Blind Seer . When you mix worlds, forever, politics, treason and intrigue with The nanotech has one weakness. It self characters and emotional depth, you have destructs at altitudes above 10,000 feet. a page-turner extraordinary in scope. Those few who managed to escape are Lindskold is a writer to watch and I am struggling to stay alive at the highest waiting for more. - Pam Allan. altitude. Time is running out, with famine, War, and the environment is cashing Volume 17 Issue 5 ConNotations Page 21 fees are involved.) The electronic home of the group has been together, and growing, for details of current events and location see our Away Team, is the Lightspeed Space Station four years. We’re a good group of friends that website www.ocsfc.org or email Club BBS at (520) 325-6674.... Member ages for believe in gaming fun first. Our member [email protected] the group range from 13-40-something with group’s ages range from 13 to 49. both male and female members. Other We welcome both new and experienced PAReX is a non profit organization dedicated Listings activities include null-modem link gamefests, players. to building and promoting Autonomous ACROSS PLUS - So you live in North group theater movie viewings, convention 10:00 a.m. Character Creation - We will have robotics. The club has been in existance since Phoenix and are interested in anime? Well 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 there is a club out there available for you low-structure environment. NO RUBBER campaigns we run. AGoP will have all books a month at two different Phoenix, Arizona people. EARS ALLOWED!! For questions, you can available for reference. We encourage you to locations., http://www.parex.org/ Across Plus is a social club that discuses 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 anime, video games, manga, other animation, 2522 N. Sparkman Blvd.; Tucson, AZ 85716 character materials are provided; character basis: Regular members $20 Student members and the Japanese culture. We meet at sheets, master item logs, adventure records, $15 Of course visitors are always welcome Bookman’s on 19th Ave and Northern On BASFA Local Tucson science fiction group etc. Dice will be loaned to you if you don’t because we know you will eventually become Sundays at 7:00pm until 9:00pm. that puts on TusCon. Contact us at PO Box have any yet. In other words, all that is a member anyway Web page: http:// In general, we explore anime, manga, and 2528, Tucson AZ 85702-2528 or needed for the first day is for you to join www.parex.org/ E-mail Contact: John other styles of animation, creative educative [email protected] us and have fun. Kittelsrud, [email protected] demonstrations, participate in interactive our website at http://home.earthlink.net/ If you have any questions email us at discussions, attend local Arizona conventions, ~basfa/ [email protected]. THE PHOENIX FANTASY FILM SOCI- and make cosplay. ETY A Phoenix based club interest-ed in the We are willing to gain any new members out CENTRAL ARIZONA SPECULATIVE THE JEDI KNIGHTS (Founded 1977) entire realm of SF, Fantasy and Horror film. there who are interested. Dues are only $2 per FICTION SOCIETY, INC. (CASFS) The Meetings are the 3rd Sunday of each month. PFFS has been in existence for 30 years, month. Our members are very friendly, non-profit corporation that puts on For more information call Carol Alves, meeting every 6 weeks in member’s homes. respectful, and fun. We welcome any and all. CopperCon conventions, SmurfCons, Publicity, (760)244-9593 or write Jedi Dues are $10 per year. Membership includes For more information, contact Shane Bryner HexaCons, occasional regional cons, and Knights, c/o Carol Alves 8038 “I” Street, newsletters, an annual film awards and at [email protected] publishes Con-Notations. Best described as Hesperia CA, 92345-7066. various outings. For information, contact SF/F generalists with a strong bent towards PFFS, P.O. Box 34023, Phoenix, AZ 85067 or ADRIAN EMPIRE A medieval and renais- literary SF/F. Guests welcome - meets at 8pm LEPRECON, INC. One of the two Phoenix call David Storck at (602) 274_7404, e-mail: sance recreationist club. Sword-fighting, arts, on the last Friday of each month in January area corporations that put on yearly conven- [email protected]. banquets, masquerades, dances. meets every thru September and the second Friday in tions. Best described as SF/F generalists with Wednesday night from 7-10pm at Encanto October, November and December at JB’s a main thrust into SF/F art. Guests are RAGE ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST A Park. All are welcome. Free. 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 AERIAL MIRAGE JUGGLERS. Meets 62613, Phoenix, AZ 85082-2613 or email November unless otherwise notified. August the game Werewolf: The Apocalypse by Wednesday 7-10pm in Encanto Park, 15th [email protected] Web www.casfs.org is the annual meeting where board positions White Wolf publishing. Contact Mike Avenue, south of Encanto. No dues, everyone are deter-mined. For more information, write McLaughlin at (602)461-5842 or write 1730 welcome. All levels skill exchange in many *****C.R.O.F.T. Celtic Reenactment of PO Box 26665, Tempe, AZ 85285; call Mike W Emelita Place #2025, Mesa AZ 85202- areas of object manipulation Dave Davis Fellowship and Trades is Phoenix based Willmoth, 480-945-6890, Email 3144 or [email protected] , 602-955-9446; Reenactment group specializing in the [email protected] Webpage: or Ron Harvey , 480- western European renaissance. We research www..org RAW GAMES (Role-players & 775-4690 for more info or impromptu lifestyles and trades concurrent with the Wargamers, Inc.) Role-players & juggling sessions. 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 12noon-5pm (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 (623) 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, advertise their own gatherings. We have no http://www.crofters.org We meet in Tempe at convention, or community service that you SHIELD OF ALMOR The Shield of Almor set genre of games and play anything from the Pyle Adult Center SW corner of Rural and would like to have official Steve Jackson is a RPGA club located in the greater Phoenix strategy games to first-person shooters to Southern on the 2nd Saturday of every month, Games representation at, please contact the area. If you are interested in Living driving/flying simulations. No annual phone number (480)350-5211. The Board MIB Arizona Cell catch one of our meetings the 1st Sunday of membership is required and admission to an meeting will be at 2:00 pm with the General Leader at [email protected]. We are also every month at Imperial Outpost Games event ranges from $5-$15. See our webpage meeting starting at 2:30 pm. recruiting new MIBs in some areas of (www.imperialoutpost.com) in Glendale. If for current events. Email: Arizona. If you’re interested, contact us. You you are interested in Living Arcanis or Living [email protected] Web: THE DARK ONES (Dark-wunz) n. 1) An can find additional information about the Spycraft catch us on the 3rd Sunday of every www.lanparty.com/all/ VoiceMail: 602-306- organization formed for the expression and Arizona MIB at our website http:// month also at Imperial Outpost Games. The 9339 exploration of various cultural themes members.cox.net/mib.6361/ Shield of Almor hosts RPGA events at the including, but not limited to, the Dark Ages local Phoenix conventions. For more ARIZONA PARANORMAL and the Renaissance through forms of art MVD GHOSTCHASERS—The MVD information visit us at INVESTIGATIONS We are a highly including, but not limited to, painting, Ghostchasers are a paranormal team games.groups.yahoo.com/group/AZ_RPG/ or trained, non-profit paranormal investigation drawing, writing, photography, spoken word, established in 1995. This band of ghost you can sign up for games at group, registered with the state of Arizona, and acts of characterization. 2) a member of hunters conducts regular investigations of www.nyrond.org. Or you can just stop by the providing service to Arizona and the this organization. 3) Information available at haunted, historical locations throughout 1st Sunday of the month. Meeting starts at Southwest since 1994. Having served the www.darkones.org Arizona. They also research and investigate 10am. Hope to see you there. public for 12 years, we are one of the oldest, “house call” hauntings for the public. The most respected paranormal investigation THE EMPIRE OF CHIVALRY AND MVD Ghostchasers lead Spirit Photo THE SOCIETY FOR CREATIVE groups in Arizona. We are primarily science STEEL, INC. The Empire of Chivalry and Workshops/Tours to various haunted locations ANACHRONISM The kingdom of Atenveldt based and don’t go on an investigation Steel specializes in the general recreation of across Arizona. These workshops give ghost doth lie in the state of Arizona. Within the fair looking for ghosts, we go looking for the culture of the Middle Ages including all of hunters, paranormal team members and folks kingdom can be found six Baronies: answers. There is never a charge for an the Art Forms, Events (Feasts, Tournaments, wanting to learn the art of ghost hunting a Atenveldt, Mons Tonitrus, Twin Moons, investigation. Contact us at by e-mail at Ceremonies and Wars) and Combat Arts chance to work and learn techniques together. SunDragon, Tir Ysgithr and Ered Sul. For [email protected] or covering the years of 800AD up to 1650AD The MVD Ghostchasers team are guest more information on any of these or for visit our website at: http:// and any location within Europe or its explored speakers at many venues and have appeared general information on contact the Kingdom www.arizonaparanormalinvestigations.com/ territories. For more information contact on TV news reports and the subject of several Seneschal. Email: [email protected] Leonard Byrd (Tucson) (520)742-2432 Web: newspaper stories. For more information Web www.atenveldt.com THE AWAY TEAM: The Away Team, is a www.galandor.org contact: general sci-fi appreciation group that meets MVD Ghostchasers—Debe Branning, SOUTHWEST COSTUMER’S GUILD The once a month for discussion of various sci-fi A GATHERING OF PLAYERS-Find Your Director—480-969-4049 Web page: Southwest Costumers Guild is a loose news regarding several mediums to include: Adventure www.mvdghostchasers.com or organization of persons interested in all facets television, movies, video, books, comics, Our club is running into our fourth year. Join [email protected] of historical, cultural, science fiction, fantasy, magazines, collecting, and so forth. The us for games and adventure set in the and humor costume. Members are often seen meetings are comprised of news, review and Dungeons and Dragons realm. We offer ORANGE COUNTY SCIENCE FICTION on stage and behind the scenes at local and comment, BBS/computer news and help, Living Greyhawk and Xen’drik Expeditions. CLUB meets last Wednesday of every month regional Science Fiction Convention meeting new members, video presentations, Visit http://www.warhorn.net/gathering, to see (except Dec.) in Fullerton. The meetings are masquerades. They meet on the last Sunday of games, and socializing fun! Food and drinks what we have coming up. built around guest speakers. We’ve had each month at various members’ homes in the are provided, via a $3 munchie fee (per We will have character creation sessions to authors such as Octavia Butler and Greg greater Phoenix area. For details. Southwest meeting) to compensate the host. (No other get you started and answer all questions. Our Benford. Non-members are welcome. For ( Continued on page 23 ) Page 22 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 5 Club Listings Z-PHILES are the ariZona x-PHILES. We ( Continued from page 24 ) What is CASFS? maintain a mailing list for news and get- What is really behind putting on a togethers of fans of the X-Files living in Costumers Guild, PO Box 39504, Phoenix, convention? What are the funds raised by Arizona. We get together in both the Phoenix HELP WANTED AZ 85609 or Randall Whitlock at a convention used for? Why not attend a and Tucson areas. To subscribe, send an [email protected] or meeting and find out? We’re the sponsor empty message to z-philes- www.southwestcostumersguild.org of ConNotations, CopperCons, HexaCons, [email protected] Do you enjoy CopperCon? SmerfCons and other conventions. We are SPACE ACCESS SOCIETY Space Access WESTERN SCIENCE FICTION ASSO- HexaCon? Any of the other local a charitable, non-profit organization that Society’s sole purpose is to promote radically CIATION (WesternSFA) A non-profit exists to further science fiction, fantasy volunteer, fan-run conventions? cheaper access to space, ASAP. We think it’s corporation that sponsors AniZona, the CopperCon and HexaCon and possible within ten years, with a little luck and science fields in Arizona. CASFS ConRunners seminars and sponsored the 2004 and a lot of hard work. Join us and help us currently meets at the JB’s Restaurant at Westercon. Dedicated primarily to educational the others are staffed completely make it happen! SAS membership is $30 for 2560 W Indian School Rd in Phoenix (NW activities relating to literature, music, and by unpaid volunteers, from the one year, which gets you emailed Space corner of I-17 and Indian School). The visual and performing arts, especially in the chair person to the volunteer that Access Updates the instant they pass final meetings begin at 8PM and are held on the genres of science fiction, fantasy, costuming, edit, plus discounts on our annual conference last Friday of the month Jan. through Sept. gaming and science. Applicants for member- helps for only one hour. on the technology, politics, and business of and on the second Friday of the month Oct ship in WesternSFA must be sponsored by a radically cheaper space transportation, through Dec. Everyone is invited to attend current active WesternSFA member. Dues are If you enjoy our events and want featuring leading players in the field. Email two meetings as a guest (non-member). $10 yearly plus a $5 non-refundable applica- us at: [email protected] Membership rates are $12/year plus an tion fee. General Meetings are held on the them to continue then please Web page: www.space-access.org/ initial $3 application fee and rates are pro- first Friday of February, May, August and consider helping any or all of rated for the amount of the year remaining. November, at the Bookmans located at 19th SUPERSTITION SPACEMODELING ave. and Northern in Phoenix Guests are Arizona’s fan run events. For more info: Webpage: www.casfs.org SOCIETY is Arizona’s club for builders of welcome. For more info contact Craig Dyer at Email: [email protected] model and high-power rockets and those who WesternSFA, PO Box 67457, Phoenix AZ For information on available love to see them fly. Launches are held on the 85082, (602) 973-2341, Email: CopperCon positions please second Saturday morning of each month in Arizona State University campus, with dates [email protected] Webpage: Rainbow Valley. SSS hosts the annual G. and places to be announced after the semester www.westernsfa.org contact us at Harry Stine Memorial Rocket Launch every starts. For more information, Email [email protected] or October. Visit www.sssrocketry.org for [email protected] Web membership information, directions to the www.themonline.org www.coppercon.org launches and meetings, and to read the monthly newsletter, “Newton’s Minutes.” TUCSON FAN ALLIANCE E-Mail Address For information on available is [email protected] or Convention TARDIS is a Phoenix-based General SF/ [email protected] HexaCon positions or to Fantasy Fan Club, specializing in Interna- Listings volunteer to run a game please tional media SF/Fantasy since 1983. TARDIS UNITED FEDERATION OF PHOENIX A contact us at meets every two weeks at different locations Phoenix area Star Trek and general SciFi fan TusCon 34 (Nov 9-11, 2007) Inn Suites around the valley. Activities include watching [email protected] or club. We are a social club that meets every Hotel, Tucson, AZ Author GoH: John videos, discussions, parties, games, and two weeks at various locations around the www.hexacon.org occasional outings with more to come now Phoenix area. The UFP has been meeting for Ringo; Toastmaster: Ed Bryant Member- that Doctor Who is returning from hiatus. over 30 years of continuous activity. Dues are ships: $40 until 9/5, then $45 after that Many members maintain an active presence at $15/per year prorated when you join; no and at the door. www.home.earthlink.net/ Our parent organization, the conventions. You can contact us at 2243 W restrictions. Membership includes member- ~basfa Central Arizona Speculative Wagon Wheel Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85021, Voice ship roster and monthly newsletter. Come to Fiction Society (CASFS) is also 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, LOSCON 34 (Nov 23-25 ’07) LAX looking for new members. Check members.cox.net/tardisaz/tardis.html Phoenix, AZ 85069, or call Jim Strait at (602) Marriott, , CA GoH: Robert our web site at www.casfs.org for 242-9203. Web page: http://www.U-F-P.org J. Sawyer, writer; Theresa Mather, artist; information on meetings and TEKWAR FAN CLUB Sanctioned by the or Email to [email protected] series’ production companies and the USA Capt. David West Reynolds, fan; Dr. upcoming events or contact us at Network! It is THE information conduit USS STORMBRINGER The Stormbringer is James Robinson, music. MEMBERSHIP [email protected] between the fans and the series! Fan club a correspondence Star Trek fan club chapter RATES Currently $35 Until May 31st membership will bring you the following 1) of Starfleet, Intl. based out of Tucson AZ. ($40 until August 31st $45 until October subscription to the info filled Tek Informer The chapter was commissioned as the USS 31st $50 at the door) Kids 4-12 are 1/2 newsletter; 2) official TekWar Fan Club Stormbringer NCC-74213, attached to membership card and kit. Membership is by Division 31, Starfleet Covert Operations, on Price Website: www.loscon.org/34/ regular mail only and the newsletter and 10/31/98. As of 11/29/98 there were 32 index.html materials will not be reproduced electroni- members. There are no dues other than the Mailing/Subscription Information cally. To join the action and initiate your $15 for joining Star-fleet Intl.. Members are LepreCon 34 (May 9-11, 2008) Fran- annual membership, make check or money scattered world wide but the primary clusters cisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort, Casa order out for $12.50 to: Official TekWar Fan are in Tucson, AZ and Plano, TX. They don’t ConNotations is sent free of charge to Club (Membership section), 2522 N meet on a regular basis since they are a Grande, AZ Artist Guest: Howard those who have attended a CASFS Sparkman Blvd., Tucson AZ 85716-2417 correspondence chapter. Their web site is: Tayler; Author Guests: Emily & Ernest sponsored convention in the past http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/9505/ Hogan; Local Artist Guest: Liz Danforth; calendar year (currently 2006). T.H.E.M. is ASU’s science fiction and and their contact/CO is Capt. Dave Pitts, Special FX/Makeup Guest: David Ayres Attendees of CopperCon 26 or HexaCon fantasy club. Weekly meetings are held on the [email protected] Memberships: $25 thru 8/31/07, $30 thru 16 will receive ConNotations Volume 17 Issues 1 thru 6. Generic Convention Registration Form 10/31/07 Info: LepreCon 34 PO Box 26665, Tempe, AZ 85285 (480) 945- ConNotations updates it’s mailing list 6890 each December. Name:______Email: [email protected] web: http:// www.leprecon.org Individual subscriptions are available for Badge Name:______$20 for 6 issues beginning January 1, Address:______2007.

City/State/ZIP:______Some non-CASFS groups give their membership lists to CASFS and Phone:______Email:______purchase a bulk corporate subscription Enclosed is $______for ______memberships for so their attendees may also receive ConNotations ______convention. (See individual convention listing for mailing address) Currently these groups are: More info on __ Masquerade __Art Show __Volunteer __ Other

Volume 17 Issue 5 ConNotations Page 23 Page 24 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 5