Volume 21, Issue 2 FApril / May 2011 FREE

ConNotationsThe Bi-Monthly Science Fiction, Fantasy & Convention Newszine of the Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society A Conversation with Featured Inside Regular Features Davidby Catherine Weber Book Special Features The extraordinarily SF Tube Talk A Conversation with popular and prolific All the latest news about David Weber author, David Weber, Scienc Fiction TV shows by Catherine Bookge granted me an interview by Lee Whiteside during the Tucson Book Festival on March 12th. It Farewell was a warm, sunny day 24 Frames It’s the very nearly 50th on the U of A campus and All the lastest genre movie news Anniversary of thousands of people were by Jeffrey Lu Rocky the Flying Squirrel and there. David had several Bullwinkle J. Moose - Part 12 panels and long signing Gamers Corner By Shane Shellenbarger lines and managed to New and Reviews from spend a very entertaining Making It Up As They Go Along hour with me when he the gaming world The Tenth Annual Phoenix could have been having Improv Festival lunch. Musty Tomes by Shane Shellenbarger David has supported himself as a writer in Reviews of Classic Genre books various forms since he An Amercan on the was 17 and in 1989, MangaZone Iberian Peninsula while running Weber Reviews of Manga, Comics & Graphic by Jeffrey Lu Assoc, a one-man Novels advertising/consulting Plus firm, he sold his first In Our Book novel, Insurrection. Reviews of New SF/F Books FYI Insurrection grew out News and tidbits of interest to fans © Catherine Book of a collaboration with Trivia Questions Steve White while they CASFS Business Report were designing a war game. David that Honor would die in the novel feels he’s been very fortunate to “At All Costs” which he thought Club Listings have been able to move to writing would be book #6 – it’s actually CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT Convention List & full-time so quickly in his career. book #11. That was the point Generic Registration Form in the story where the natural But he had a good enough sell- www.casfs.org/ConNotations/Index-CN.html through rate and was very prolific progression would be her tragic so was writing full-time by 1991 death and then he intended to pick For current movie reviews on opening day and additonal original when the first Honor Harrington up the story twenty years later online content in between print issues including additional BOOK novel was sold. Funny enough, with her children graduating from and VIDEO reviews posted on the 15th of February, April, June, David never expected the series to the academy. Unfortunately…or August, October and December

do as well as it has. He projected ( Cont’d on page 4 )

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Volume 21 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 1 In This Issue Pick up your copy of ConNotations at the following locations News & Reviews Who is Who in this Issue COMIC STORES SF Tube Talk 3 BOOK STORES All About Comics Trivia Questions 4 Managing Editor: Stephanie Bannon Bards Books 5060 N. Central, Phoenix, AZ Gamers Corner 5 Assistant to the Editor: Gary Swaty 3508 N. 7th St,Ste. 145, Phoenix, AZ Graphics Editor: Craig L. Dyer (602) 277-0757 24 Frames 5 Film Editor: Craig L Dyer 85014 (602)274-7530 Ash Avenue Comics & Books Musty Tomes 6 Film Critic: Bob LaPierre Bent Cover Bookstore 810 S. Ash, Tempe, AZ (480) 858-9447 FYI 8 Promotions Directors: Len Berger, Rich- 12428 N. 28th Drive, Phoenix, AZ Atomic Comics MangaZone 12 ard Bolinski, Craig L Dyer 85029 (602) 942-5932 1120 S. Country Club, Ste. 105, Mesa, In Our Book (Book Reviews) 12 Advertising: Catherine Book Book Gallery CASFS Business Report 16 Proof Readers: Catherine Book, Bob AZ 85210 (480) 649-0807 LaPierre & Gary Swaty 3643 E. 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Page 2 ConNotations Volume 21 Issue 2 Kingston as River Song with on a planet and others go on will be resolved with Darkseid SF Tube Talk Dorium Maldavar, reprising his rescue mission for them. The story and other ongoing storylines is TV News & Previews role of the Blue Alien from The has several concurrent plotlines, unknown or how they will handle By Lee Whiteside Pandorica Opens as a prisoner giving all the regular characters the transition from Clark to at the Stormcage Containment a chance to be in the spotlight. Superman (and what may be set up There’s lots of new stuff in Facility. Various set reports have For the remaining episode, for the future on the CW). the next couple of months as the indicated there may be Cybermen, Common Descent, Epilogue, Elsewhere on The CW, broadcast networks finish off their Sontarans, Clerics, Monk Aliens, Blockade, and Gauntlet, there’s Supernatural will have their season and the cable networks start twin babies and who knows what not much specific information on two hour season finale on May to ramp things up a bit. else turning up in this episode, them. Comments from Joseph 20th, with things ramping up On cable, we’ve got the return which will be the last one until Mallozzi’s blog have included before then with My Heart Will of Doctor Who (including a visit to the fall. In his production notes this tidbit about Blockade “Well, Go On airing April 15th where America), the debut of George R. column in Doctor Who Monthly, if we weren’t low on ammo before one of the Greek Fates, Atropos, R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones Moffat has said the following we certainly will be after this makes an appearance. Next up on HBO, and the debut of Camelot about this episode “The calamitous episode. Great performances all is Frontierland, where Sam and on Starz. and, frankly, shocking events at around (as usual) but David Blue Dean travel back to the Old BBC America starts up the new the climax of episode seven will is especially good in this one. And West and meet Samuel Colt season of Doctor Who on Saturday, still be ringing in your ears when the ending ... well, what happens (Sam Hennings). After that is April 23rd, day and date with the Doctor Who returns in the autumn to one character is heartrending Mommy Dearest which sees the BBC in the U.K. The opening for a further six episodes. You’ll – but such is life.” And for the return of Amber Benson as the two part episode (The Impossible see The Doctor’s life change season/series finale Gauntlet, vampire Lenore. Next is The Man Astronaut/Day of the Moon) forever. You will gasp at the true he indicated that “most would Who Would Be King, which is takes The Doctor, Amy, Rory nature of his relationship with probably consider [‘Gauntlet’] a directed by writer Ben Edlund and River Song to the Northern Amy and cry out in horror as Rory cliffhanger while I would consider and reportedly sees the return of Arizona/Southern Utah desert in Williams stumbles to the brink of it a touching, bittersweet end to Mark Sheppard as Crowley. The 1969 where they are chased by a tragic mistake. It is an enormous, the series (if it comes to it).” A season finale is titled The Haunter Men in Black (which includes game-changing cliffhanger for The Syfy press release had this to say of the Dark which is also the title guest star Mark Sheppard as Doctor, Amy and Rory. It’ll change about the series finale “”The final of an H.P. Lovecraft story where Canton Everett Delaware III). The everything for them.” season culminates with a dramatic a supernatural creature is brought monster reportedly is called “The Before BBC America starts conclusion for the fate of the forth with great knowledge and Silent” and the episode will also up Doctor Who, they’ll have the Destiny crew, who face a difficult demands a great sacrifice. How that see the Doctor being summoned remaining two episodes of the crossroads when they realize the ties into the Supernatural finale is to the Oval Office, visiting Area third series of the UK’s Being time has come for them to take a unknown at press time. 51 and may have something to Human, Though the Heaven’s risky stand ... or they will be left For the remaining episodes of do with an Apollo 10.5 mission. Fall and The Wolf-Shaped Bullet. adrift forever.” Vampire Diaries, the characters BBC America will also have two As the investigation into the Box The CW will see Smallville will be banding together to protect behind the scenes specials, Doctor Tunnel massacre continues with come to an end after ten seasons themselves from Klaus (Joseph Who Rewind on April 23rd and Mitchell closer to being implicated, with a two hour finale on May 13. Morgan) and the chaos he is Doctor Who in America on April additional werewolves show up in New episodes resume on April creating. 30th to go with the season opening the flat as a full moon approaches. 15th with Kent, featuring the return Debuting on Starz in early April episodes. The third episode is all In the season finale, Mitchell finds of John Schneider as Jonathan is Camelot, which is definitely a about pirates but does not yet have himself trapped by the police and Kent. Rumors are that it may more adult take on the Camelot a title. It was written by Steve finds help from an unlikely and include a return to the alternate legend. According to the Starz Thompson and takes place in the untrustworthy source. world of Clark Luthor seen in the press release “In the wake of distant past with lots of filming Over on Syfy, the final two episode Luthor. Next up is the King Uther’s sudden death, chaos on an actual tall ship. Guest stars episodes of the US Being Human episode Booster, which brings both threatens to engulf Britain. When include Hugh Bonneville as Capt. also is airing at the same time, Booster Gold and the Blue Beetle the sorcerer Merlin has visions Avery, Lee Ross as the Boatswain, with You’re the One That I into the Smallville Universe. Eric of a dark future, he installs the and Lily Cole as “a mysterious Haunt on April 4th and A Funny Martsolf guests stars as Booster young and impetuous Arthur, creature that haunts a pirate ship.” Thing Happened On the Way to Gold, Jaren Brandt Bartlett as Uther’s unknown son and heir, Fourth will be the Neil Gaiman Me Killing You on April 11th. Jaime Reyes/The Blue Beetle and who has been raised from birth episode, formerly called The House However, there’s not really any Sebastian Spence as Ted Kord as a commoner. But Arthur’s cold of Nothing but now being called advance information on the US (also a Blue Beetle in the comics). and ambitious half sister Morgan something else. It takes a plot point series, which has been doing OK The episode is written by Geoff will fight him to the bitter end, from The War Games (the final in the ratings, but has slumped a Johns, who said about putting summoning unnatural forces Patrick Troughton story), takes bit after a strong start. Also airing Blue Beetle in the episode that “I to claim the crown in this epic Amy and Rory into parts of the on Syfy on Monday nights are always liked the chemistry between battle of control. These are dark TARDIS never seen before, and the remaining episodes of Stagate him and Booster, so when I was times indeed for the new king, features a creepy monster called Universe, currently airing in the going to do this episode, I wanted with Guinevere being the only The House (or something like 10 pm ET time slot, but moving to do those two together and I think shining light in Arthur’s harsh that). According to Gaiman “My up and hour on April 18th once the story that we came up works world. Faced with profound moral Doctor Who episode is Bigger Being Human ends its run. Seizure really well. It’s very Booster 1.0, decisions, and the challenge of [than his Babylon 5 episode Day of features return appearances of meaning he’s in the early stages of uniting a kingdom broken by war the Dead] in every way, inside and other Stargate actors including his career as a hero -- and is pretty and steeped in deception, Arthur outside: I’ve asked them for the David Hewlitt as Rodney McKay self-serving.” Next up is Dominion, will be tested beyond imagination. impossible, and they’ve knocked and Robert Picardo as Richard with Justin Hartley returning as Forget everything you think you themselves out to give it to me, and Woolsey. Also guest starring Green Arrow/Oliver Queen. In know…this is the story of Camelot when they can’t they’ve managed is Victor Garber as Langaran Prophecy, Laura Vanderboort that has never been told before.” to somehow give me the very Ambassador Ovirda. The story returns as Kara Zor-El and may Starring as Arthur is Jamie improbable.” Next up is the two has been compared to the Atlantis have some new revelations Campbell Bower (Twilight), parter The Rebel Flesh/Gangers, episode The Pegasus Project in for Clark. In the series finale, Joseph Fiennes as Merlin, written by Matthew Graham that that people in different parts of the apparently titled “Finale”, we’ll Eva Green as Morgan, Tamsin takes place in a monastery, may universe need to work together for see many familiar faces return Egerton as Guinevere, Philip feature clones of The Doctor (and a common goal. Next up is The including Michael Rosenbaum Winchester as Leontes, and Clive the TARDIS?) and lots of filming Hunt where the crew begins to (Lex Luthor), Annette O’Toole Standen as Gawain. in castles. To round off the first half explore parts of The Destiny they (Martha Kent), Allison Mack On April 17th, HBO will of the season with a cliffhanger haven’t ventured into before while (Chloe), and John Schneider debut the series that a lot of fans will be Moffat’s Demon’s Run, some of the other crew go missing (Jonathan Kent). How things which sees the return of Alex (Cont’d on page 4 ) Volume 21 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 3 SF Tube Talk A Conversation ever read, if they don’t find their of likes to ‘stand it on its head.’ ( Cont’d from page 3 ) ( Cont’d from page 1 ) own voice they will not succeed. Whether it’s fantasy or science have been waiting for, A Game fortunately depending on your David doesn’t think of himself as fiction; it needs to be internally of Thrones. Based on the A Song point of view…Eric Flint wrote a writer but more of a storyteller consistent. If you’re going to of Ice and Fire series by George a story for one of the Honorverse who happens to use writing to tell use magic then it has to have a R.R. Martin, Executive producers anthologies that changed the story the story. For some writers, the theoretical basis for why it works David Benioff and Dan “D.B.” arc. So, Honor and her universe are ‘art’ of the story becomes more and the writer has to stick with it. Weiss have set out to do justice at book 17 and he has submitted important to them than telling the Then the magic will become the to the novels on the small screen the next two novels just this month story. These stories will probably technology of that universe. and have Martin’s full approval – the titles are “A Rising Thunder” not endure; a story needs to have He finds fun in seeing what and participation in the series. The and “Shadow of Freedom” which an emotional connection with the the characters will do with the series features a large cast, headed is still tentative. reader. ‘toolbox’ they have to deal with by Sean Bean as Eddard Stark, So, I wondered… how does As a master of many series, I the problems they confront. So Michelle Fairley as Catelyn Stark, he keep so much information asked him if he thought a writer the toolbox might be magic for Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon, organized? The original ‘tech should continue a series so long as some and technology for others. Lana Headey as Cersei Lannister, bible’ was 80,000 words and now the fans still show interest, or does For example, the Multiverse series Julian Glover as Gr. Maester it’s up to 130,000. Right now, the writer have a responsibility – which, he says, he should never Pycelle, Charles Dance as Tywin since the war is on three fronts he to end the series when there is have started because he just doesn’t Lannister, Peter Dinklage as has to keep detailed notes so he nothing new to say. He does think have the time to devote to it that Tyrion Lannister, and many more. can keep track of how information it is unfair to fans to continue if he would like – has magic users Even the actors playing the kids travels across his universe and “you’re just spinning your wheels” on one side and Victorian physical have won praise from Martin and how quickly and who gets the with nothing new to offer - just science with psionics thrown in the producers. The debut episode information when. Fans are for the sales. And it’s unfair to the on top of the other. So you’ve got is titled Winter is Coming and the unlikely to easily catch David in an writer when he or she could be dragons and levitation spells on log line from HBO reads “Lord error or inconsistency. spending the time on new ideas. one side and on the other is a steam Ned Stark is troubled by disturbing What about the ‘Ring of Fire’ Of course, publishing is a business locomotive that is a transtemporal reports from a Night’s Watch series that Eric Flint initiated with and there is enormous pressure express traveling through fifteen deserter; King Robert and the “1632?’ Any new stories coming to continue a series as long as the alternate universes. He’s wanted to Lannisters arrive at Winterfell; the from David? He has three more sales are there. And, in some ways, write this series for years but just exiled Viserys Targaryen forges a books under contract but the that’s not a bad barometer as fans hasn’t found the time. powerful new allegiance.” Episode problem is that he and Eric Flint tend to vote with their checkbook. Of all the stuff that David’s two is The Kingsroad and is about need to get their writing schedules So, I asked – is there a new written – is there one piece of “The Lannisters plot to ensure together. His books will deal standalone story in his future? He which he’s most proud? What? Bran’s silence; Jon and Tyrion head with war in the Mediterranean and his wife both chuckled at that Pick one of his children? Hmmm… to the Wall; Ned faces a family around 1635-36. The books will – as he explained that every time maybe if he could reduce down crisis en route to King’s Landing.” have Chandler bring his ironclads he tried to write a standalone story to just three books: “Path of the For lots more, visit the fan site through the Mediterranean and it tended to develop into more. He Fury”, “The Honor of the Queen”, http://winter-is-coming.net into the Black Sea. Chandler is, by thought “Out of the Dark” would and “Off Armageddon Reef.” Of the way, one of David’s favorite be a standalone until he found that course, the next time someone characters. He asked Eric Flint, at Tor was pitching it as the first book asks, the answer will probably one point, if he could ‘rehabilitate’ in a new series - probably because change. Chandler who had only been David is regarded as a series writer. devised as a foil for Mike Stearns. He’s almost afraid to write another David sees Chandler as a very standalone book because the last complex character who is basically thing he needs right now is another Trivia Questions good. series… It’s actually a great From the sound of it, David problem to have – more stories to 1. Isaac Asimov was born in what gives character development tell than he has time to tell them. country? priority. That’s true, he tells me; Which is better than the converse. 2. Sylvester Stallone played the title if you don’t have characters the Does that mean that David has character in what 1995 movie based on a reader can connect with, either sufficient stature in the publishing British comic? positively or negatively, the world to “call his own shots?” reader isn’t going to care what Well, yes, he said – to some extent. 3. How many of the Batman actors in happens. Character and plot are There are definite books that the live-action films starred in more than one hard to separate but setting is very publisher wants from him but movie? secondary. Plot has to be such should he go to them and say that 4. Before Lynda Carter took on the role that it provides the conflict for the he needed a break from Honor in the weekly series, which actress played characters in a way that works for Harrington; after grumbling, they Wonder the reader. For example, he could would ask what he would want Woman in the original 1974 TV pilot never have Honor Harrington go to do instead. And that would movie? out and slaughter a freighter full probably be okay; especially 5. Transformers, The Movie (2005) of refugees because she wouldn’t since he’d be able to return to the featured the voice of what Monty Python do it. But if she had a choice of Honorverse refreshed. alumni? finding another way around the I suggested that the field of problem, with the risk of her own SF/F seems to be tending more 6. What is a 3-D printer? destruction – that would work. towards the F – fantasy these days. 7. When was the first John W. Campbell Voice is more important than What did David think of that? He Award given? setting; possibly more so than plot. says he really doesn’t pay a lot of 8. What is the Rare Earth hypothesis? In other words, a weak story that is attention to new titles as he just 9. What was J.K. Rowling doing when strongly told is better than a strong doesn’t have time to read. He did she began the Harry Potter story? story that is weakly told. Many point out that he also writes fantasy 10. Who was Kilgore Trout and what did writers run aground by trying – his first story was a fantasy that he write? to write their story in someone was rejected by DelRey. It became else’s voice like Robert Heinlein the basis for the Bahzell books and (Answers on back cover) or Damon Runyon or Mercedes in about a year he plans to revise Lackey. While it will be true that that first novel for Baen Books and writers develop their voice as a it will be titled “The Sword of the composite of all the writers they’ve South.” He likes fantasy but he sort

Page 4 ConNotations Volume 21 Issue 2 Warhammer 40,000 The Recommended to dark fantasy and/ allies and two friends. Little will Gamers Corner Emperor’s Finest or Warhammer readers. he know that there are costs to this Pathfinder and D&D 4.0 by Sandy Mitchell ~~ Jeffrey Lu quest- his faith in his god, Sigmar, A Comparison of Styles Black Library, $24.99, 316 pp will waver, he will see friends Paizo.com, Wizards of the Coast Warhammer Heroes: Wulfrick slain before him, and he knows In this tale, Ciaphas Cain by C.L. Werner what evil his brother will bring. Pathfinder is the result of a is teamed up with not only a Black Library Publication, $8.99, Yet, two friends will give him combination of factors, the “Open governor’s daughter and a team 405pp strength to oppose his brother, a Game License” from Wizards of of Reclaimer Space Marines, but sorcerer-general, before a great evil the Coast, the end of support for also a friend and ally from his past Wulfrik is on an endless errand unfolds... said license from WotC, the desire adventures, Jurgen. Yet, will Cain for the Dark gods. Yet, he has This is the fifth of the series, An of many players to keep playing be able to get out of these battles a chance to cheat them if two Empire Army Novel. This book D&D 3.5, and the need to support from being a well-known hero? conditions are met: he finds and stands alone. the dozen or so companies that He will have to not only rescue a wears an artifact and puts that thing Good story. Liked it. I thought created content for 3.5 and were planet from rebels but also from at a certain place for a shaman’s at first the warrior priest will be about to lose their fan-base. a sinister secret alien invasion. magic. Unfortunately, he will be boring. Anything but. Interesting in Both games still use the d20 Just as he thinks things cannot betrayed. Revenge will be his in his dealing with a “witch hunter.” format and higher is still better. get worse, he will have to join a the worst case possible. Recommended to dark fantasy Pathfinder combat is based on the team of space marines to repel an Dark. Good reading. readers and/or Warhammer fans. “Base Attack Bonus” or BAB and Orks’ boarding action. Afterward, Recommended to dark fantasy and/ ~~ Jeffrey Lu goes up depending on the type of Commissar Cain will have to or Warhammer readers. ~~ Jeffrey character you are. A character that survive on an unknown space hulk Lu is primarily combat related has a filled with not one but two hostile progression of 1 for 1 [IE: 1 point alien races. Fun. 24 Frames for every level], a character for This is book seven in the Warhammer 40,000 whom combat is secondary but Ciaphas Cain series. Surprisingly, Dead Men Walking by Jeffrey Lu still vital the progression is 3 for 4, this is all in hardback. by Steve Lyons Excellent. This is first time I’ve Black Library Publication, $8.99, Comments: and the classes that would prefer to stay out of combat all together is read a space marine chapter that 414pp Using the Force (by clicking the 2 for 4. This causes a disparity of actually gives respect to a non- mouse) in finding cool movie stuff attacks and chances to hit monsters space marine, Hero-Commissar A minor supervisor becomes a for this column, 24 Frames. in combat. 4.0 uses a system based Cain. Also, loved the teamwork soldier due to an unexpected alien Looking forward to meeting Billie of him and his smelly but loyal awakening in his world. Gunthar Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian on adding half your level. This from two Star Wars movies) at and the way spells work are the aide Jurgen in battle against Orks Soreson will be trained by the elite Phoenix Comic Con in May. two primary differences in the and another nightmare alien race. Death Korps of Krieg. He will do Found an animation studio’s philosophies of Pathfinder and 4.0. Highly recommended to fans of more than his share of fighting. But schedule. Warhammer 40,000 and/or dark will it be enough to save his love? Others? Can you say repeats a.k.a. I like the idea of spells having sequels? (Somehow, I have a bad to hit a specific defense much more sci-fi war readers. ~~ Jeffrey Lu Sad love story. Tragic ending. feeling about this...) than the spell always hitting and Dark. Surprises. Recommended the player having to save. That Warhammer Masters of Magic to dark sci-fi war readers and/or In Production: said, I also would like to see more by Chris Wraight Warhammer 40,000 fans. ~~ Black Library, $7.99, 300pp Jeffrey Lu Dreamworks Schedule: things that affect those defenses. Kung Fu Panda 2- May 26, On the Pathfinder side, I’d like to 2011 see a way to memorize spells in A gigantic green army led by a Warhammer Warrior Priest Puss in Boots- Nov. 4, 2011 higher slots so they would have a powerful orc shaman invades the by Darius Hinks Madagascar 3-June 8, 2012 Empire. A Grey wizard Lothar sees Black Library, $8.99, 412pp Rise of the Guardians- Nov. higher upper damage limit. 21, 2012 I think that both versions have his teacher fall to its magic. He Mr. Peabody & Sherman both good and bad parts but neither vows revenge. Yet, there are other The pages are about Jakob (Executive Producer/Mr Peabody’s is actually superior to the other. I Empire people with magic who Wolff, a warrior priest, who found voice? Robert Downey Jr.)- March are destined to seek glory while out his brother was responsible 21, 2014/ Based on a cartoon by understand the desire to make it Jay Ward. “equal” across the board but the attempting to kill this shaman. Will for their parent’s death. He will seek revenge on his brother with (Cont’d on page 6 ) differences are part of the appeal. the colleges Without the differences some of of magic the choices become boring. Yes, epresentatives it is annoying to run out of spells fight amongst and shoot a crossbow the rest of themselves the day, but you have more choices rather than and your spells eventually become the imminent powerful and feared. Yes, hitting danger of an a monster with a Magic Missile” orc invasion? when the fighter has missed it six Will they rounds running is cool, but having ally in time that be your bread and butter gets to counter old fast. this threat? In the end I have to say that Who will win both games deliver what they claim against the to; but, you should look deep to see orc shaman? if either is what you want. Cool. See you next time. Battle mages Bob LaPierre in action. Even though they are npredictable, the story is entertaining. Highly

Volume 21 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 5 Shane Black will direct Iron Man I frowned. She grinned. The Winds of Altair 24 Frames 3. This movie is supposed to be a Fredesike told me that she told by Ben Bova (Cont’d from page 5 ) thriller? the security people that in German 1973 copyright How to Train Your Dragon Star Wars will go 3-D on Feb. 10, I was her husband (Huh?) and 2- June 20, 2014G.I. Joe 2- August 2012. First will be...The Phantom 2012 Menace. forgot to give me this (Okay...). Here’s a blast from my past, Iron Man 3-Summer 2013 We laughed. I think the last time I read this I Resident Evil 5- Sept. 14, Parting Shots: Promptly, we drank our drink. was just out of high school. It’s a 2012 (Sony) My inner Yoda tells me about the I escorted her safely to her gate. I very good juvenile story – think Total Recall Summer 2012 later went looking for mine. “Avatar”, the film. Humans have “first” Star Wars 3-D movie- Not April/May 2011 Releases good. (I wonder if George has When I came to my gate, I saw found a planet that they expect to finally gone to the dark side?) an old friend from one overseas terraform. But to do so, they need April 1, Friday Never mind. May the force be with trip. I will soon find out that he will the assistance of local inhabitants Hop (Comedy) Universal you...always. have a story to tell. Coming back to build the machines to transform Insidious (Horror) Film District from this trip, he generally almost the methane-based atmosphere Source Code (Sci-fi Thriller) did everything wrong... which to oxygen. So they implant an Summit Entertainment An American in will be in the next column, An electronic device in the brain of a Iberian Peninsula American in Iberian Peninsula Part wolfcat – a creature the size of an April 15, Friday Three: A Cautionary Travel Tale in elephant but with fangs. Adults are Rio (Animation) Fox Part Two: Stopover- Scream 4 (Horror) Dimension Germany Germany. unable to make the mental contact Films by Jeffrey Lu but they find that young boys can Atlas Shrugged do so quite well. So, young Jeff Musty Tomes finds himself partnered with a April 22, Friday Munich, Germany. This was my Apollo 18 (Sci-fi Thriller) first stop. lone wolfcat named Crown. With Weinstein Co. I really did not know what to Ahmed and the Oblivion Crown, Jeff explores the planet expect. Machine – A Fable and finds a primate species that April 29, Friday I looked outside the window by Ray Bradbury can also be controlled and used to Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. build the machines. Unfortunately, Evil (Animation) Weinstein Co. and saw mist. I waited to begin my Avon Books, Inc, 1998 Fast Five (Action/Thriller) adventure. the process of creating oxygen and Universal Pictures/Freestyle As I stepped off the plane for a In 1998 it was unusual to nitrogen tends to have a deleterious Releasing transfer to Italy, I looked around present a Moslem protagonist in effect on the local fauna. Jeff is in the unenviable position of needing May 6, Friday the airport malls. They have the a coming-of age fable; in 2011 Thor (Action/Adventure) usual shops- clothing, watches, you are courting anathematization to decide where his priorities Paramount beer, food...oh, a German pretzel! to do so; but those of us who lie: do his best to help his father Wait...a pretzel the size of an remember the literary heritage of transform the planet to save May 13, Friday iPad?!? The Arabian Nights (also known humans from their wasted planet Priest (in 3D) (Action Horror) Earth, or save this planet from Sony/Screen Gems Not hungry but curious, I as The Thousand Nights and One stopped and raised my camera. Night) can see beyond the paper being destroyed by humans. May 20, Friday Then, I stepped back into a maze storm and propaganda of politics It’s a light, easy read with a Pirates of the Caribbean: On of kiosks. to discern Truth in Fiction and heavy moral – we need to clean Stranger Tides (Period Adventure) up our own planet first – delivered Buena Vista I found my German airline savour a lyrical interlude with Mr. ticket counter. I stood in short Bradbury. by an accomplished author. ~~ May 26, Thursday line. Before me, a lady from my The protagonist is young Catherine Book The Hangover Part II flight from the U.S. was talking in Ahmed, who becomes separated (Comedy) Warner Bros. English. We struck a conversation. from the security, familiarity, and THREE A. E. VAN VOGT Kung Fu Panda II (Animation) TALES OF SUPERMEN Paramount/Dreamworks Her name was Fredesike and she direction of his family and clan’s was planning to travel to Berlin. caravan. One day he witnesses a The Book of Ptath, or Two Rumors: We both had time and went to seagull flying overhead, above the Hundred Million A.D., 1947 a German airport bookstore. I was waterless sands of the desert they The Empire of Isher, pub. Orb There is competition from the Books, contains: studios to get “Voltron: Defender surprised to find this stand not only are crossing. That night, drunk on of the Universe” as a movie by had books and newspapers but also the wonder of the night sky, he The Weapon Shops of Isher, 1951 2013 or 2014. had maps of everywhere including falls unnoticed off his camel and The Weapon Makers, 1952 Universal attempting again to get the U.S. sinks into sands that almost bury “Doom” (the game) into a movie. Afterward, we walked together him. The sands also conceal, and Besides super-science and (But this will be in 3D.) 800-word plot twists, A. E. Van There will be Paranormal Activity to our concourse. then reveal, a marvel: the bronze 3. *BING BING BING* bas-relief image of a god, Gonn- Vogt was known for his stories of There will be Tomb Raider movie Oh, yes. The German airport Ben-Allah, who wakens when better-than-normal men. Thus, we with Lara Croft. Producer Graham checkpoint. How could I forget? Ahmed’s tears fall upon it, and have the psychic-powered Slans or King from GK films confirmed teleporting Null-A hero previously this. But Angelina Jolie expressed It is somewhat similar to presents Ahmed with visions of no interest in revising her role as the U.S. One difference is that mankind’s past efforts to master reviewed here. We now turn to two Lara Croft. the Germans do not check your flight and of futures that may be examples, one whose only super- Goodbye Netflix? Warner Bros are footwear. The other is well, they – if Ahmed chooses to be their power is being immortal, and one now experimenting with Facebook talk in German. harbinger. The pains of despair who is a mortal god. to show their movies online. They The Book of Ptath refers briefly have already streamed “The Dark The sound came after I went by and of losing the deceptive safety Knight.” the door. I then heard a woman’s of following expectations are to WWII when a tank crewman is The new Superman Movie Title voice respond in German. Before contrasted with the wild elation of killed in battle, only to wake up is “Superman: The Man of Steel” I replied, another woman was becoming a lifelong maker. with amnesia two hundred million with Zack Snyder as director, years in the future. He is stranded Henry Cavill as Superman actor speaking behind me in German. I The best loved fables have both and Christopher Nolan as producer. looked back. a good story and charm in the in the wilds, with the homing Top of the list but not confirmed- Fredesike smiled and waved telling. Ahmed and the Oblivion instinct to walk to his city. His General Zod played by Viggo at me to come back. Meekly Machine joins rank with The spirit is now in a super-strong body Mortensen (The Lord of The Rings and confused, I went to her. The Thirteen Clocks, The Little Prince, which turns out to be the planet’s Trilogy) and Jonathan Kent played ruling deity, Ptath. Of course, those by Kevin Costner. German security people ignored The Velveteen Rabbit, and The The new Spider-man Movie us as they check other passengers Land of the Blue Flower as a fable who rule in his absence do not Title- “The Amazing Spider-Man”- from a long line. to be shared with our children. ~~ want him making it home alive. Marc (I kid you not) Webb is the We walked outside the airport Chris Paige After much adventure and episodic director. Sony/Columbia. July 3, fantasy cliff hanging, the novel 2012. security center. She held up a fruit Rango 2? Might be due to the box drink in a metal container. ends by making a surprising point office success in March. ( Cont’d on page 7) Page 6 ConNotations Volume 21 Issue 2 to know that the bank pays it.” - Die Puppet Die, Exit 185, Musty maybe they fear the shops? Most Making It Up As Galapagos, Jax’n Reed, The ( Cont’d from page 6 ) people still do not possess the They Go Along: Jester’Z, Light Rail Pirates, Los very forcefully. I won’t spoil the super-guns, yet the main conflict The Tenth Annual Subtitulos, Mail Order Bride, plot but will convey the message in this novel is an all-out attack on Phoenix Improv NCT Phoenix, Searching for X, with a direct quote: “Religion, you the Weapon Shops by the Empress Festival Umlautilde, Unicorn Warpath, see, is not in its roots adoration of a Isher. By Shane Shellenbarger and Valley Fever. Regional and god or a goddess. Religion is fear. Hedrock is the main character national groups include: Bare, Cog, Religion is the spark that issues of The Weapon Makers, set seven There is a great deal of activity ColdTowne, Dr. God, Grandma forth when the thought of death or years later. In this novel, we get at 4721 North Central Avenue, the Hates Technology, HawkinStroth, danger strike the individual. It’s to consider external threats to new home of The Torch Theatre. JoKyR & Jesster, King 10, Men in personal. It grows out of darkness the system. The dysfunctional The sounds of hammering, sawing, Shirts, and Nobody’s Token. and uncertainty.” Is this why, two corruption of the empire, business and scraping fill the air as the The event launches Thursday, hundred years after the century of cartels, and even the Weapon volunteers move from one task to April 14th at 6:00 P.M. with scientific Enlightenment, we still Shops themselves comes to a head another. What was once a barber an Arizona Showcase, which have superstitious religion, and we as an interstellar space drive is shop will soon be a 37-seat theater concludes around 10:00 P.M. On always will? invented. Only Hedrock and the located just South and East of the Friday, April 15th, performances The Empire of Isher is set in shops want the public to have it, Valley Metro Light Rail station begin at 8:00 P.M. and complete a far-future Earth, part of a solar and instead he has to flee in such a located at Central and Camelback. at about 11:00 P.M. On Saturday, system-wide empire. Robert ship to save himself. Out in space Walls are in place, electrical April 16th the special Family Hedrock emerges by the second he is captured by a race of alien fixtures illuminate the space, and Friendly program starts at 4:30 half of The Weapon Shops as a spiders from another star. They before the end of March the dream P.M. and runs until 7:00 P.M. when central character. He is the secret return him to Earth so they can of nearly a decade will see fruition: the more adult-fare will begin immortal, the only one, who study the human race. Hedrock The dream of a permanent home and continue until approximately created the Weapon Shops 2,000 is now in a situation of everyone for longform improvisation in 10:00 P.M. when the festival will years before, after a world war that wanting to kill him except the Phoenix. conclude. killed a billion people. His solution Empress. She’s going to have a While all that activity is taking Prices start at $10.00 each to war is to give any citizen equal baby, and he has some interest in place on Central and Camelback, for the Arizona Showcase or firepower to the government. The the outcome. As do the spiders. the thoughts of some of the the Family Friendly program. Weapon Shops slogan: “The right And meanwhile, Hedrock has to volunteers are miles away at the All other programs are $15.00 to buy weapons is the right to be set his Weapon Shops straight, and Herberger Theater where the 10th each. Advance tickets can be free.” try to improve his other political Annual Phoenix Improv Festival purchased by calling the Herberger The one bit of super-science creation … would that be telling? will be held on April 14th, 15th, Theater Box Office at 602 254- magic to enable this Second Just writing spoilers puts so many and 16th. The largest event of its 7399 ext. 156 or by visiting Amendment solution is that these interesting ideas out there, and kind in Arizona, PIF (sponsored http://herbergertheater.org. The guns use mind-control technology these books are worth it just for the by The Torch Theatre) gathers Herberger Theater Center is located and only fire in self-defense. toss-off remarks of social analysis. together improvisers from across at 222 East Monroe, Phoenix, AZ Someone intending to, oh I don’t You may not agree with Van Vogt, the state and across the nation and 850004, three blocks West of the know, shoot a member of Congress but your critical thinking will be gives them an unsurpassed venue METRO Light Rail stop at Van and a dozen voters in public, would pleasingly entertained. He wrote in which to perform. Local and Buren and Central Avenue. not be able to because the gun so many classics, and I’d put the nationally recognized performers would not work. Ummmmm … Weapon Shops books high on the in over twenty-five groups will For more info go to : http:// no. Let’s say thousands of years in list. ~~ M.L. Fringe tinyurl.com/Shane-Info-Blog soon be walking out onto the http://phoeniximprovfestival.com/ the future we could have a brain Herberger stage, spotlighting http://www.thetorchtheatre.com/ scanner that could distinguish an their comedic and improvisational http://thetorchtheatre.com/4721/ aggression from defense center in talents before family-friendly http://herbergertheater.org/ the brain. I still can’t believe that http://www.youtube.com/ and adults-only audiences for watch?v=CK_v3KBHEZM someone couldn’t figure out how to approximately fourteen hours over http://www.facebook.com/ trick such a scanner, or deliberately three days. thetorchtheatre put themselves in danger first to Local groups include: Apollo http://www.facebook.com/ get to use a defensive gun. So one 12, Chaos Comedy, Dangerville, PhoenixImprovFestival must dismiss this notion and just assume the story is of citizens with amped-up firepower to repel an army. We’re talking energy pistols with built-in protective force-fields. So if each person equaled an army, what would the world be like? Well, in the year 4784 Isher, Earth is ruled by a hereditary empire. The only counter-force to the empire is the Weapon Shops. Thus we have a kind of two- party system, an endless struggle of opposing forces giving the common folk some breathing room if the two forces focus on each other. There is also business and industry, and the other purpose of the Weapon Shops is, through their own court system, to give the common folk redress “against rapacious private enterprise.” Justice is carried out by going into bank accounts and transferring money to the injured parties. It is unclear why banks don’t just reverse the charges – “Suffice Volume 21 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 7 SPECIAL BOOK RELEASES SCIENCE EVENTS silo walls and an actual Titan II missile in This listing is to introduce you to smaller the launch duct. Visit the launch control FYI publishing houses that offer exclusive or ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER center, experience a simulated launch, CASFS BOOK DISCUSSION limited edition books that you wouldn’t be and more. Top to Bottom Tours: check able to find at your local chain bookstore. Body Worlds and the Brain exhibit opens website for dates in 2011 Bent Cover Books st 12428 N. 28th Drive, Phoenix Cemetery Dance Publications Jan 21 Titan Overnight Experience – spend the 3rd Tuesdays, 7pm, “Tales Too Extreme for Cemetary Dance”, Saturday Science program.“Have a night in the crew quarters. Check website in the Coffee Bar signed, ltd ed chapbook Heart, You have a Lot of Nerve” Apr 9. for details. Sponsored by Central Arizona “Shivers VI, ed. By Richard Chizmar “Fascinating Polymers, May 7. Moonlight Madness tours “Legacies” ed. byRichard Chizmar BioBuzz Family Series, family friendly Field trips to Titan II’s missile site ruins Speculative Fiction Society (CASFS) rd email questions to [email protected] “The Passage” by Justin Cronin short talks in bioscience. 3 Saturdays, 1:45pm OTHER GENRE-RELATED EVENTS Come do some face-to-face interaction Edge SF & F Publishing/Tesseract Science Café informal discussions with with your fellow readers and SF/Fantasy Books ASU Professors, see webpage for topics BOOKMANS, PHOENIX “Hell Can Wait” by Theodore Judson (see and dates. fans! Haven’t read the book? Don’t nd worry, there’s no quiz or anything. You the review under In Our Book) BioTech Talks, 2 Wed, 5:45pm Medieval Skills in the Modern World, Apr PS Publishing Ongoing Exhibits: 2, 12:30pm-3:30pm can use the rest of us as your personal st book reviewers to see if it’s something “Render of the Veils” by Ramsey The Walton Optimal Neurological Browncoats Shindig, 1 Sat, 7pm you’d like. We start out with the book Campbell Discovery Education & Research Center Across+ Anime Club meeting, discussion, but the conversation can go “What Wolves Know” by Kit Reed All About Me Gallery, interactive exhibit Sundays,6pm anywhere. The get-together is held in the “In the Time of War & Master of the Road on human body Belly Dancing, Sundays, 1pm-230pm coffee shop of Bent Cover Books near to Nowhere” by Carol Emschwiller Dorrance Planetarium 28th Drive and Cactus Road in Phoenix. Evans Family Skycycle BOOKMANS, MESA We welcome potential new friends. PYR Publishing My Digital Worlds April 19 - Off Armageddon Reef by “The Alchemist in the Shadows” by Pierre Forces of Nature Banned Book Club, Slaughterhouse Five, Pevel Rock Wall for climbers aged 8 and above Wed, Apr 27 7pm David Weber st May 17 - American Gods by Neil “City of Ruins” by Kristine Kathryn Adults Night Out, 1 Fridays, check Gaiman Rusch website for topics & time. LOFT THEATRE, TUCSON June 21 - Neuromancer by William “Down to the Bone: Quantum Gravity Screenings of movies, many SF genre. Gibson Book V” by Justina Robson ASU Check website for times and listings. WE’RE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS! Subterranean Press Science lectures and news MADCAP THEATRE Come May 1st we will no longer be open. “The Five” by Robert McCammon http://beyondasu.edu/Events/about_ Check web site for listing. As a thank you to all of our wonderful “Bone and Jewel Creatures” by Elizabeth events.php customers… Bear (ebook) Check web sites or contact stores for more (And to clear out some inventory!) “Times Three” by Robert Silverberg CHALLENGER SPACE CENTER, PEORIA info We are having a HUGE sale. “Hamlet’s Father” by Orson Scott Card Game Depot, 480-966-4727 Monday - Saturday “Dangerous Ways” by Jack Vance Stargazing. Starlab Planetarium. Check http://www.azchallenger.org 3/21 – 3/26 And too many more to mention…. website for dates and times http://www.azscience.org Anniversary Sale Prices Continue! Space Place events for Future Astronauts. http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/ $1 – Fiction Paperbacks GAMING & COMIC EVENTS Check website for event dates & times. storelocator $2 – Fiction Hardcovers Understanding the Nature of Light, http://beyond.asu.edu Buy One / Get One Free – Non Fiction DRAWN TO COMICS Fridays 2pm http://www.bookmans.com We’ll be having sales EVERY DAY until Columbia Shuttle Memorial Display http://www.borders.com/online/store HeroClix. Sat 2pm ASU Meteorite Exhibit http://www.cemeterydance.com the end and while they may get better as rd the weeks go by, the best stuff always Sit-and-Sketch with local artists. 3 Iridium Satellite Model http://www.changinghands.com goes first! Saturday, 6pm-8pm Atlantis Space Shuttle Model http://www.conlanpress.com So come in, say your goodbyes, and take May 7 - Free Cominc book day festival Journey Thru the Space Program http://www.dragonmoonpress.com home some wonderful deals. - 11 artists/creators on-site, Yo-Yo Expert Lowell Observatory Display http://www.drawntocomics.com Demo http://www.gamersinnaz.com/ KEEP CHECKING THE WEBSITE FOR Check FaceBook for other events MOON SOCIETY MEETING http://www.imperialoutpost.com CHANGES! http://www.library.pima.gov GAME DEPOT 3:00 PM on the third Saturday at Denny’s http://www.loftcinema.com/showtimes Bent Cover Books on the Southeast corner of US60 and http://madcaptheaters.com/ 12428 N. 28th Dr HeroClix. Wed, 5:45pm-8pm Rural Road in Mesa. For more info http://www.pimaair.org Phoenix, AZ 85029 D&D Encounters. Wed, 6pm-8pm contact Craig Porter at portercd@msn. http://www.poisonedpen.com 602-942-5932 Magic, The Gathering. Thurs, 6pm. com http://store.pspublishing.co.uk/ [email protected] Open Game Day. Fridays all day http://www.pyrsf.com/catalog.html http://www.bentcoverbooks.com Magic Pre-Release May 7, noon PIMA AIR & SPACE MUSEUM, http://www.samuraicomics.com http://www.myspace.com/bentcover Magic Launch Party May 14, noon TUCSON http://www.seti.org http://www.spazdogcomics.com/ AMER S NN BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS G ’ I Beads in Space (Beads of Courage http://www.subterraneanpress.com/ national charity). Nov 1 – Apr 30, 2011. http://www.titanmissilemuseum.org/ Oro Valley Library, Tucson Check website for upcoming events Space Exploration: Past, Present, Future http://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/ Science Fiction Book Club, Apr 9, 1pm http://www.wildsidepress.com/ 4th Tuesdays IMPERIAL OUTPOST GAMES Rockets: Science of Energy & Motion. Apr 9 & May 14, 1pm April - The Search for WondLa by Tony nd DiTerlizzi Federation Commander. 2 Saturdays, Yuri’s Night Apr 9, 5pm May - Ringworld by Larry Niven noon Volunteer Presentation Series. Apr 16 & June - Fall of Neskaya by Marion Zimmer RPGA. 1st Sundays May 14, 1pm Bradley Monday Night Magic Standard Format. Young Flyers Fun. Apr 28 & May 28, 1pm Mon, 7pm. - 2:30pm SciFi Book Group Boardgames & Demo Nite. Mondays & Space Day. May 6, 1pm Barnes & Noble, Eastside, Tucson. Thursdays, 6pm. Model Airplane. For kids. May 7, 1pm April 12 - Looking Glass War by Frank Magic Drafts. Tues, 7pm Volunteer Orientation. May 14, 9:30pm Beddor War Machine. Wednesdays, 4pm Nightwings. June 25, 5pm May 10 - The Windup Girl by Paolo Hammerhead 40K Club Meeting. Wed & Space Gallery exhibit. See an Apollo Bacigalupi Thurs, noon space capsule, moon rock, Phoenix Mars Hammerhead Club 40k tournament. 1st Mission. AUTHOR SIGNINGS Wed, noon Magic The Gathering League. Wed, 6pm SETI INSTITUTE Brandon Mull, Barnes & Noble Desert Friday Night Magic. Fridays, 7pm Ridge, Phoenix April 7, 6pm Calendar of events on the website. Janni Lee Simner, Barnes & Noble SAMURAI COMICS Mondays podcast shows Eastside, Tucson. Apr 9, 2pm (check website for correct store location) http://radio.seti.org Jean Auel, Tempe Center for the Arts, Yugioh Tournament. Sundays, noon http://podcast.seti.org sponsored by Poisoned Pen bookstore, (Cmlbk) & Sat, noon (west valley) http://beyondasu.edu/seti April 10, 1pm Anime Club. Sundays, noon (west valley) Joe R Landsale Poisoned Pen bookstore Pokemon. Sundays, 2pm (west valley), TITAN MISSILE MUSEUM April 19, 7pm Wed 5pm (Cmlbk) Aprilynne Pike Poisoned Pen bookstore D&D Encounters. Wed, 6pm (Cmblk) Titan Missile Museum Tours. May 2, 7pm Magic, The Gathering. Friday, 6p (both Reservations only. One hour guided tours. Aprilynne Pike Poisoned Pen bookstore stores), Tues, 6pm (west valley), Sat 1pm Top-to-bottom tours (5 hours) The only June 15, 7pm (Cmlbk), Mon 6pm (Cmlbk) publicly accessible Titan II missile site in the nation. Tour the underground missile site. See the 3-ton blast doors, 8’ thick Page 8 ConNotations Volume 21 Issue 2 CopperCon 31 Vampires & Warewolves & Demons - Oh My !

September 2-5, 2011

Local Guest Author Author Guest Janni Lee Simner

of Honor She’s published three young Carrie Vaughn adult fantasy novels: Thief Eyes, Bones of Faerie,and a forthcoming Bones of Faerie She is the bestselling author- sequel, Faerie Winter. She’s of a series of novels about a werewolf named Kitty, also published four books as well as numerous short for younger readers and stories in various antholo more than 30 short stories gies and magazines. She’s also a contributor to the Wild Cards series edited by George R. R. Martin.

Short Story Contest

Special Guest - Demos Adam Niswander- Panels He is the author of The Sha Costume Conga man Cycle novels, The Re Dance pository, The Sand Dwellers, and of Blurring the Edges of Dream

Co-Founder of Mythos Con and Gaming

much

more !!! Hilton Garden Inn 11460 West Hilton Way Avondale, Arizona 85323 623-882-3351

Memberships: $35 through April 30, 2011 $89 executive Guest Room Youth 7-12 Half price $99 Suites Kids 6 & under free with paid adult Rates are Single through Quad

Free WiFi Contact Us: CopperCon 31, P O BOX 62613 Great American Grill® on site. Phoenix, AZ 85082 & Ruby Tuesday in front of hotel w. www.coppercon.org e. [email protected] We plan to have restaurant locations and maps on site

Volume 21 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 9                                                 

                    

Page 10 ConNotations Volume 21 Issue 2 table, in a troubadour costume, On June 28th, 1960, General “Did You Get in a bicycle race, in a boxing Mills gave Jay Ward the good news Cuter, Or Are You match, performing as a singer, and that they were picking up twenty- portraying him as a TV announcer. six new Rocky shows. They had Just Wearing New Bullwinkle and Rocky appeared one proviso: All “Bullwinkle’s Goggles?” together as cosponsors for Dentine Corner” and “Peabody” segments th and Peter-Paul candy. In order to were to be predirected in Mexico It’s the 50 speed things up, General Mills also and ready for the October 6th start gave approval to Ward to animate of the fall season. Ward now had Anniversary of Rocky in Hollywood more of the fifty-two two renewals for a total of fifty-two and Bullwinkle, Pt. 12 “Fractured Fairy Tales” scripts. episodes. He had been scrambling Mills requested some changes for money to support other ideas, By Shane Shellenbarger and after a bit of brainstorming, but he now had a measure of With the April 1960 renewal of Ward and his crew came up with security. Ward’s parting with Rocky and his Friends likely, the the concept for “Aesop and Son.” Key was amiable and the former Val-Mar Studio in Mexico needed They produced a storyboard for the Berkeley roommates remained in to concentrate on the meat of the pilot episode, “The Lion and the contact. show and this forced Jay Ward Within a few months the Mexico Mouse.” The sponsor was ecstatic Come back next time for “Up, into pulling the “Fractured Fairy studio received a visit from James about the idea. Upsidaisium and Away or Maybe Tales” back to the United States. G. Stewart of Glen Glenn Sound. During this time, Len Key had Tom, Maybe Dick, or Maybe This allowed Ward to do some of Glen Glenn Sound was the studio been working to raise money for Harry.” the segments in his Hollywood recording Ward’s voice sessions Ward Films. Key had worked out a For more info go to: studio and subcontract the rest to and Stewart had been the engineer deal with ABC-TV for the “Watts http://tinyurl.com/Shane-Info- TV Spots, a studio owned by Shull on most of those sessions. Stewart Gnu Show” pilot, which would Blog Bonstall, Ward’s old competitor. had also been the sound man on provide $30,000 per episode. http://www.youtube.com/ April saw other changes: Orson Well’s Citizen Kane. Based Ward insisted on full ownership watch?v=dZvWrjmaXLA Ward made modifications to on Stewart’s recommendations a and the network passed on the http://www.youtube.com/ Rocky’s model sheet giving him new German sound system was deal. Key felt frustrated by Ward’s watch?v=CSFDMAbQCpE improved aviator goggles and a installed and the improvement was perceived inability to compromise. http://www.youtube.com/ cuter appearance. The ad agency, immediately noticeable. After months of work with watch?v=U9HW8Lk7-4A D-F-S, requested new General Other changes were occurring nothing to show for his labors, http://www.youtube.com/ Mills billboards and show opening at Val-Mar: Tired of being blamed Key parted company with Ward. watch?v=od_BbmVkNgo titles. At one time this would have by Gordon Johnson for Val-Mar’s Not long afterward, Key became http://www.youtube.com/ production issues, Rudy Zamora a shareholder in the Broadway watch?v=COsktOt1KZ4 departed, leaving Bob Schleh production of “The Night They to pick up the slack. A Mexican Raided Minsky’s.” animator by the name of Sandoval took on the role of animation supervisor and became quite strict with his expectations of his former co-workers. In an effort to reign-in the divergence of animation styles, Harvey Siegel focused his attention on layouts. The word from Ward was for the animators to adhere to the style established by Al Shean, who was greatly admired by the Mexican crew. The color consultant, Frank Hursh made some adjustments on the background art which increased the contrast when view thrown Ward into a panic, but he on black-and-white televisions, trusted Robert Schleh and Rudy the predominant set at that time. Zamora, knowing that they have In addition, cel handlers were made the once chaotic Mexico consistently wearing gloves! studio into a streamlined cel This period also marked the factory. one-year anniversary of the Val- In May, Ward and Bill Scott Mar studio, which underwent began to record songs on “The a name change. Now called Wonderful World of Winnie the Producciones Animadas Gamma Pooh” project, using the British SA (or Gamma Productions,) the comic actor, Reginald Gardiner studio had improved so much that as narrator. Scott and Gardiner Bob Schleh was confident that performed a piece entitled, “Three as many as six cartoons could be Cheers for Pooh.” Unfortunately, produced concurrently and that the project floundered, languished, a cartoon could be produced in the rights reverted and the five weeks, from receipt of the characters were eventually picked storyboard to final camera work. up by the Walt Disney Studios. By June, the studio commenced While Val-Mar had improved the “Rocky” story “Upsidaisium.” their animation work, the same In addition to lead-in material, could not be said for their audio D-F-S had received approval production. Ward was constantly from General Mills for six after Gordon Johnson to improve commercials, two each for Trix, the dubbing and sound effects Cocoa Puffs, and Jets cereals. work. Johnson retorted to Ward These commercials placed that they hadn’t enough time. Bullwinkle at his breakfast Volume 21 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 11 Recommended to video gamers pieces. That’s not the only true volumes is filled with surprises. and/or fans of Scott Pilgrim film. things in her life but also a few Did not see a few of them. Good MangaZone ~~ Jeffrey Lu wonderful surprises. read. Recommended to adult Alan’s War The Memories of G.I. This is volume six. Warning: graphic novel readers. ~~ Jeffrey Alan Cope flashbacks. Would recommended to Lu by Emmauel Gilbert Amulet Book Three: The Cloud read the other books in the series to First Second, $24.00, 304pp Searchers understand what is going on. by Kazu Kibuishi LOL. Loved it. I can relate Here are the tales of a WWII Scholastic, $10.99, 199 pp somewhat to Amelia’s life. Life can In Our Book veteran, Alan Cope. This graphic be crazy at times. This is realistic. novel shows the ups and downs This is a continuing story Highly recommended to children Late Eclipses of an enlisted soldier fighting of Emily, Navin, and other in middle school and/or readers of by Seanan McGuire in second world war at Europe adventurers hoping to find the children literature. ~~ Jeffrey Lu Fantasy Daw, $7.99, 372 pp theater. lost city of Cielis where the This is the fourth novel with Real. Interesting tidbits. Stonekeepers are supposed to be. the character October Daye. I Surprised that this is a good read. They will have to confront the read it without having read the Recommended to WWII readers might of the Elf king as well as an The Sword Volume 1 - Fire preceding three stories and I think and/or WWII gamers. ~~ Jeffrey Elf assassin. Will they be able to by The Luna Brothers I was the poorer for it. McGuire Lu survive? Image, $14.99 gave me just enough backstory to This is the third of the series. keep me engaged but I knew there The Guild Recommended to read the first two Here is a story of Dara Brighton were things I was missing. Our to avoid confusion. and her family. Her family will protagonist, October, is the child by Felicia Day and Jim Rugg of faery and a mortal. The most Dark Horse, $12.99, 83pp Good story. Surprises revealed. be murdered by three strangers in interesting thing about this story is Can’t wait for the next installment. front of her eyes. Little will she how it only involved supernatural Cyd Sherman (Felicia Day’s Thumbs up to anyone who likes know that there is a dark family folk and yet took place both in character) is a person who had one fantasy adventure stories. ~~ secret. Something about a sword... Faery and in the mortal world. It of those days- a band boyfriend Jeffrey Lu This is volume one of the series. was actually a bit disconcerting who ignores her, a boring job Violent and graphic. that many of the faery folk seemed playing the orchestra (in the back), Journey into Mohawk Country Interesting. A good tale. to have perfectly mundane and and the sad state affairs of being a by Messrs. Van den Bogaert and Recommended to adult graphic mortal names. For example, geek. She decides to try play role- O’Connor novel readers. ~~ Jeffrey Lu while Oberon and Titania were First Second, $17.95, 144pp mentioned, the current ruling Duke playing games online for a change. is Sylvester. Little does Cyd know that her life The Sword Volume 2 - Water October, aka Toby, becomes will change for the better- well, This is an autobiographical true by The Luna Brothers embroiled in a plot to kill two sort of... story about a young Dutch trader Image, $14.99 female fae and the enemy is an old This is the pre-Guild days and his friends going into Indian one who has reason to hate and before the web series season one. Country (What is known now as In this book, Dara Brighton will hurt Toby. It falls to Toby to do all Adult situations. Video game New York) in the 17th Century. be facing one of the killers. He will the sleuthing to discover the how violence. This is his adventure with trading. have the power of water. Will Dara and why; all the while she has to Enjoyed it. Nice to see a Interesting. He writes about be able to defeat this and fulfill her defend herself from being charged lady geek addressing the plus the beaver fur trade competition revenge? Or will it continue? with the same murders. Pretty with the French. Liked it. Yet the This is the second of the series. simple plot, right? Not exactly and sides in gaming. Leaned how one of my complaints: the plot is the Knights of Good came to artist took some artistic license. Warning that are some violent overly complicated and there are be. Funny. Overall, cool. Highly Otherwise, it’s fine. Recommended scenes in this book. too many players. Perhaps it might recommended to fans of the to American history buffs and/or Different. Flashbacks of one of have been easier for me to keep Guild and/or people who want to fans of adventure into the once Dara’s family member. Dark but track of all the characters if I had understand gamers. ~~ Jeffrey Lu unknown. ~~ Jeffrey Lu realistic on family relationships. already been familiar with them Recommended to adult graphic from the earlier stories. But it was Scott Pilgrim & The Infinite Cat Burglar Black novel readers. ~~ Jeffrey Lu challenging to me, the reader. Sadness by Richard Sala Aside from the plot, the by Bryan Lee O’Malley First Second, $16.99, 126pp The Sword Volume 3 - Earth characters were interesting by The Luna Brothers although many of them were Oni Press, $11.99 just walk-ons. Toby was pretty Teenager K. is an orphaned Image, $14.99 well-realized but, again, I think I Scott Pilgrim will be battling burglar. She is now in Bellsong needed the earlier stories to fully Ramona Flower’s third ex- Academy due to her long lost aunt. In this story, Dara Brighton will understand why she would do what boyfriend. Enough said. Later, she will realize there is more confront the second killer who has she did. I gotta say one thing here This is the third of the Scott than what it appears- an adventure the power of earth. She will have a – she plays with her hair too much. Pilgrim series. There is a rating to solve a mystery of missing surprise alliance with someone to I found it to be distracting to read of T: Teen ages 13+. Video game treasure. She will not know that defeat this monster. how she ‘raked her hair back’ over violence. there are more perils in her school. This is the third of the series. and over again. Recommended to video gamers Loved it. Dark, but well done. Graphic use of violence. But the best thing about this Recommended to adventure Dark. An interesting concept story? The dialogue! Most prose and/or fans of Scott Pilgrim film. is very correct English with ~~ Jeffrey Lu readers of graphic novels. ~~ that anyone who holds the sword correct grammar and interesting Jeffrey Lu can be corrupted. Liked it. vocabulary. The only time we see Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together Recommended to adult graphic something different is when an by Bryan Lee O’Malley Amelia Rules! True Things novel readers.~~ Jeffrey Lu author attempts to inject an ethnic Oni Press, $11.99 (Adults Don’t Want Kids to voice or accent – which is usually Know) The Sword Volume 4 - Air more trouble than it’s worth. Scott Pilgrim will be battling by Jimmy Gownley by The Luna Brothers What McGuire has managed to Ramona Flower’s fourth ex- Atheneum Books, $18.99, 163pp Image, $14.99 do – to her great credit – is give ...companion?!? Also, he’ll have her characters very real voice. The Amelia Louise McBride is Dara Brighton will attempt to dialogue was so very interesting to fight an ex-girlfriend’s father. and, well… real. I just can’t think Goofy. growing up as an eleven-year- finish her revenge quest. But there of another word for it. And the last This is the fourth of the Scott old. Little does she realize her are more things than meets the comment – I never did figure out Pilgrim series. There is a rating of life will go south due to friends eye... what the title meant. ~~ Catherine T: Teen ages 13+. fighting, a close family member This is the fourth and last of the Book dating her teacher, and her hope series. Violent. of a boyfriend literally falling into The conclusion of these (Cont’d on page 13 ) Page 12 ConNotations Volume 21 Issue 2 novels) and who killed Alina Lane, In Our Book Mackayla’s sister. And of course ( Cont’d from page 12) there is tons of dark magic and  License to Ensorcell action and lots and lots about the  by Katherine Kerr denizens of the Seelie and Unseelie  DAW, $7.99, 328pp courts.   All the answers to the questions  The start of a new series for that were asked and the situations  Katherine Kerr. that were begging to be explained  Nola O’Grady comes from a in the last four novels are revealed   family with various powers. She in this tale.   is in San Francisco working for an Sadly, for me, they were wildly   ultra-top secret government agency uncompelling.  that works to keep the balance The nature of Jericho Barrons— between Chaos and Order. When not so interesting. To be perfectly  a serial killer who is apparently honest—I am still not really sure  killing werewolves shows up just what he is, which for me in San Francisco, a handsome is a failure. After five books, I  Interpol agent from Israel, Ariel wanted a label or a species! He’s  Nathan, is assigned to work with so wonderfully sexy, mysterious  Nola. Complicating matters are and obviously powerful—he’s an  such things as Nola’s unusual absolutely delicious character. I family, including a younger do know now what has motivated  brother, Michael, who is trying to him, which is good. But the nature   become a werewolf like his older of the beast that is Jericho remains  brother Patrick was, the subsequent murky. disappearance of Michael, an Who and what Mackayla is  assassin trying repeatedly to kill changes with every few chapters  and again, that got old. Is she a Nola and a growing romantic  attraction between Nola and Ari. “good” character or is she really The action is fast paced, Ari’s responsible for all the evil magic    disbelief in the supernatural let loose in the world? Can she  provides a smooth way to explain save the planet or is she going to  what Nola does and how she does destroy it? Mac is continuously it, the characters are well-defined conflicted. Of course, as a reader,  and interesting and the story comes you don’t want answers in the to a satisfying conclusion while first 25 pages, but the see-sawing  leaving room for much more in the over five hundred pages became  series I hope is to come. Highly tiresome.  recommended and I am waiting In “Shadowfever,” everyone is eagerly for the next in the series. not what they appeared to be at the  ~~ Stephanie L Bannon beginning of this series. And that’s  interesting too—but the ending  Dreamfever revelations ultimately are flat. The novel went on way too spirit and tendrils of supernatural challenge his assumptions about by Karen Marie Moning energies that knit disparate what can be known, and how. Dell, $7.99, 498 pp long. Mac constantly wonders: who she is, what’s her purpose elements together, set in and Temptations and offers are around the mysterious pine barrens set before him, including the Dreamfever is the most recent and what’s it all about….etc. Over and over again. I really got tired of of New Jersey. insidious temptation of telling, paperback in the Fever series. The” At 14, Jack is already resolved oh, just a select, few people what final volume” of the series is out in the soul-searching. Every action she makes in this story is justified to be an agent of justice, even he has done, so that he can enjoy hardbound. after seeing how ambiguous their admiration or gratitude. When the walls between Fae by what feels like a page of inner turmoil. I completely got it that the aftermath can be. (In Secret As Kipling wrote, “Virtue and man come down, the insatiable Circles, Jack put a halt to one springs from iron within, not unseelie are freed from their icy the decisions Mac is making are world-altering…but her mental family’s domestic violence; but lead without.” There is certainly prison. MacKayla Lane is trapped afterwards, for the wife and child, steel in Jack’s soul, intertwined, with no memory of being the only anguish slowed the forward momentum of the plot repeatedly. the public stigma was almost as I think, with gold; and assuredly Sidhe seer alive who can track the hard to endure as the beatings had he is not one to follow where Sinsar Dubh which holds the key The most interesting surprise is the Unseelie King. But he been.) This time it’s Jack’s own the human herd is lead. But even to controlling both worlds. best friend Weezy who suffers. Jack needs a bit of tempering. Clawing her way back from shows up too late and doesn’t do too much except give a few When Carson Toliver, the high In one scene he takes a lesson in oblivion is only the first step, but school football hero, assaults moral behavior from his mother. her allies can’t be trusted and explanations, flex his considerable powers briefly and then leave. Weezy, and then lies to damage her This scene is all the more nothing is what it seems. Who reputation and safeguard his own, poignant if you know what is do you trust when you can’t trust I have read other series whose concluding novels ended with a Jack is furious. going to happen to her in about yourself and which world do you Jack sets out to ruin Carson’s two years. save? furious explosion of excitement and satisfaction. school idol status, determined that There’s more. Ever wonder The Fever series is definitely no one will admire him enough how adult Jack established outside the box. Once you start the This was not one of them. Moning is working on another to remember his slander against that peculiar degree of trust first page, you are hooked. This Weezy. With caution, planning, a with Abraham Grossman of series is eminently collectable and cycle of “Fever” novels and I’ll probably read them. But good grasp of the laws of physics, Isher Sporting Goods? Jack may change the face of fantasy mechanical aptitude, and the would be unable to function as forever. ENJOY. ~~ Pam Allan honestly—the first four novels of this series were much tighter sacrifice of sleeping hours, Jack a Repairman if it weren’t for begins to turn the tide of popularity Abe. So, how did that friendship Shadowfever and more satisfying than this final book. ~~ Sue Martin against Carson. begin? Here’s a hint: not as by Karen Marie Moning He receives some crucial help friends. Remember what I said Delacorte, $26.00, 594pp Jack: Secret Vengeance from two other students, Levi about getting tested? “Thursday, and Saree, “piney” kids, who are Chapter 6” describes their first This is book five of Moning’s by F. Paul Wilson Tor Books, $15.99, 295pp generally social pariahs. Oddly encounter. In addition, there is “Fever” series and the conclusion enough, if you listen to them, as a wonderful backstory on why of this particular story arc. I was Secret Vengeance wraps up the Jack does, instead of disparaging Jack’s mother calls him her so waiting for this! Herein we their poverty, they have valuable “miracle boy.” We also see more find out who MacKayla Lane is; young Jack trilogy that serves as a prequel for the multi-volume insight to share. of Walt, the Viet Nam veteran who Jericho Barrons is; what’s up Jack’s character gets profoundly who can heal with the touch with the magical Sinsar Dubh (the epic of The Secret History of the World. This is a corker of a story, tested at several turns. Saree’s evil nasty vile vicious book that psychic abilities, for example, has been central to the last four relevant to teenagers, full of heroic ( Cont’d on page 14 ) Volume 21 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 13 In Our Book Hell Can Wait other novels utilizing the main lie to the charges. Life at court ( Cont’d from page 13) by Theodore Judson characters. Mason is a jazz is extremely confusing – she is Edge SF & Fantasy Publishing, musician and has a small Pinscher- made to comply with the orders of his hand at a terrible price to $14.95, 213 pp type dog named Lou who is his of Duplais, and the psychotic himself, and the ubiquitous Mrs. constant companion. Since this is a mother-in-law of the Queen, and Clevenger, who drops cryptic The premise of this light story fantasy novel there’s more to these is terrorized by the mysterious remarks and whose three-legged is a misplaced soul of a Roman two than walking in the park and and frightening mage, Dante. dog has powers that put Walt’s soldier which is being fought music: Mason is a “practitioner,” All around her is chaos as some in the shade. If you consult the over by an Angel and a Demon. Levitt’s term for a magic user, and unknown sorcerer is attempting to author’s website, you can find Maternus has spent 1800 years in Lou is an Ifrit, a class of jinn in overthrow the natural order of life. which of his other writings feature some sort of solitary Hell and is the Arabic world, and here in this So the big question of the story is these characters. now summoned to a hearing where universe most practitioners have – who is the mysterious sorcerer? Jack is being groomed for he meets the demon, Mr. Banewill, ifrits instead of Familiars. Could it be her father? Dante? a strange and lonely destiny, and the angel, Mr. Worthy. The two Mason, an “enforcer” among Duplais? And, of course, it falls and such things usually do not of them debate Maternus’ value by practitioners, is one who keeps to Anne to stop him and save the bode well for friends, lovers, reviewing incidents from his life. the peace amongst magical and world. and relations. Typically, they die Finally coming to the conclusion unmagical-- is hired by a dark Anne has opportunity to spectacularly to motivate the hero, that the decision could go either practitioner named Jessica to find prove to herself that she does, or to free him from distractions way, Mr. Worthy devises three a young woman named Jackie who indeed, have magical talents as and restraints. Jack, however, trials for Maternus. The gimmick has stolen something. Mason is she manages to save the Queen already cultivates a Buddha-like is that Maternus must perform not a dark practitioner and is leery on more than one occasion. She non-attachment that, to some these trials in Aurora, Colorado in of hiring out. But Jessica claims continues to deny it, even to extent, obviates the need for the contemporary times. Mr. Worthy she will not harm the thief but just herself. But when she finally has literal deaths that so often are the gives him a brief overview of wants her object returned and since reason to use one of her sister’s prerequisite of the western hero’s current society and technology and the money is really good, Mason gifts she can no longer fool herself apotheosis. I’m looking forward to gifts him with the ability to speak reluctantly agrees to do the job. Of – there is real magic in the world. upcoming publications of both The and read English, an apartment and course, this search sucks him into Even then she doesn’t want to Dark at the End and the revised a job, and then sets him loose. With magical problems big time. And believe it could exist in her…right Nightworld. ~~ Chris Paige his new ability to read, Maternus the object turns out not only to be up until she discovers she can hear finds a new passion and spends magical but powerful enough to others’ thoughts and can actually Carousel Tides all his free time in the library. He neutralize practitioners all over the communicate with one special by Sharon Lee develops a friendship with two world. mind. This prompts the next big Baen, $14.00, 320pp unlikely individuals whose skewed And the chase is on. Who will question – who is her secret friend? view of the world has an impact on win out? Will Jackie unleash a It was a very engaging novel. Carousal Tides is by Sharon Maternus’ developing knowledge. terrible world-shaking magic The plotting was a complex and Lee, coauthor of the popular How these two men contribute to or will Mason and his fellow a trifle over-complicated. The Liaden Universe series. An solving Maternus’ trials or even practitioners be able to stop her, characters were great. While I enchanted Fantasy Carousel participating in them is the meat of with Jessica’s help? wanted to shake Anne, I did like imprisons real creatures from the book. And the prize at the end Like I said, the setting is her a lot. I would have liked a across the divides between the of the trials? Maternus is promised wonderful; Levitt knows the city deeper understanding of some universes. It is located at Fun an eternity in Heaven with a young neighborhoods well. of the other characters but we County in Archer’s Beach, Maine. slave girl that he once loved. I enjoyed the idea (and I loved the only saw what Anne saw. I liked Kate Archer’s Grandmother Bonny The story is written humorously cover, the model on the front is it enough that I will definitely Pepperidge runs it. Kate returns – mostly. The style is rather stiff gorgeous) but the story is told all read more from this author. ~~ home to check on Bonny when she and I’m not sure I laughed in all at the same emotional level even Catherine Book receives a foreclosure notice on the the right places. I found the entire if something intense is happening. Fun Country Carousel concession. premise too contrived to really Perhaps to drag out a cliche‚ the The Boondocks She finds a note from Bonny enjoy it. Take time, for example: storytelling is a little too laid back Edited by Jean Rabe and Martin apologizing for leaving her a Since time is tied to the rotation of and rather monotone. But the H. Greenberg terrible mess. She says that if Kate a physical body – how would time plot was good and the characters Daw Fantasy, $7.99, 306 pp is reading the note that she, Bonny, be measured in a place outside interesting. ~~ Sue Martin has badly miscalculated and it is our plane of existence? And yet, The back woods, small towns, up to Kate to fix it. She apologizes. Maternus waited 1800 years in The Soul Mirror out of the way places, all of these Kate has to work out what the hell, and from conversations in by Carol Berg have one thing in common, they problem is from that info. She heaven, there is further evidence ROC, $16.00, 515 pp are places where one does not starts by consulting the local Fairy that the place is ruled by linear expect anything untoward. Here Folk of sea and land and finds time and apparently they haven’t This is the second in a series are stories of just such occurrences things are not right. She recruits progressed past our contemporary but it stood pretty well on its in just such places. help from the local fairy folk time. But there was, at least, one own. Anne has just found out her All of the stories have the and a human. A new landowner scene where time didn’t matter. Mr. younger sister is dead. Anne has feel of the tales told by one’s in the area, Joe Nemeier, is not Worthy demonstrates an ability to spent her life denying the existence grandparents or an elderly what he seems. Evil forces are at see the future which sort of denies of magic while her sister studied neighbor. They are folk tales, threatening all the Universes. An the omniscience of an immortal at a magic college. Just before personal recollections, and stories ancient evil imprisoned in a rock being like an angel. So, I had a big her death, she sent Anne some of the result of crossing the wrong by the sea is bursting out. problem with that. articles of magic that she crafted person. This book evokes the mystery It wasn’t really badly written, in the hope that it would convince My favorites are about a demon of the unknown and the beauty of the plot was coherent, if not Anne of the existence of magic. that obtains justice and another the foggy Maine Coast. It abounds believable. The characters were Before Anne can deal with her about the results of trying to steal with quirky eccentric characters, too one-dimensional; I like my grief or understand the gifts, she from a witch. But every tale is sea Sprites, land Sprites, seal characters to breathe and live. is visited by the man she hates great in one way or another. people, sentient trees and the real And, there were at least three most in the world – Duplais, the Very enjoyable. ~~ Bob people and characters of rural misspellings, which is a distraction man who prosecuted her father LaPierre Maine. Kate Archer is more than for someone like me. If you want a for performing the most heinous she seems. Borgan, her new friend light read and aren’t as critical as I, acts of black magic. He has come A Song of Scarabaeus met on the beach, is far more you could do worse than this book at the King’s behest to bring Anne by Sara Creasey than he seems. Their two natures, – I did laugh out loud a couple to court in order to find a suitable Eos, $7.99, 368pp the power of the Land and the times. ~~ Catherine Book match for her. And that’s when the power of the Sea may be enough weird stuff starts happening. This is a tale of Terraforming to conquer the threat. One of Play Dead The biggest problem I had was and the evil Crib Empire which the imprisoned Carousel Beasts by John Levitt Anne’s complete belief that her controls it. A renewal gene redeems himself and helps much. ACE, $7.99, 288pp father was guilty even though he key is required to maintain the This book is worth rereading had spent his life debunking magic ecosystems. The Crib charges many times. Recommended. ~~ This novel is set in San and believing in science. She ruinously high prices for these Gary Swaty Francisco, one of my favorite spends most of the book hating keys keeping the Fringe Worlds in cities, so this was a real pleasure his betrayal and lies while trying to read. Levitt has written three not to think of the events that gave ( Cont’d on page 15 ) Page 14 ConNotations Volume 21 Issue 2 In Our Book strong and resilient the human interesting characters. (Cont’d from page 14 ) females are. They are a telepathic For more information, please contact extreme penury. Edie, a minion of Club Listings Captaim Max - Ambassador, AZCorsairs race and they have never before ACROSS PLUS - So you live in North [email protected] 602-799-6184 the Crib, quite accidentally creates encountered a species that was Phoenix and are interested in anime? Well hope for the Fringe Worlds on her stronger than they, telepathically there is a club out there available for you first failed terraforming mission to AZ MIB The Men in Black is the official – until their King decides to take a people. Across Plus is a social club that global organization of field operatives for Scarabaeus. human bride. And things will never discuses anime, video games, manga, other Steve Jackson Games. The Arizona Cell The story begins many years be the same for the Gron’dalins animation, and the Japanese culture. We meet attends local and regional conventions to later when she is kidnapped and their captive brides. at Bookman’s on 19th Ave and Northern on demonstrate and promote products of Steve by Fringe revolutionaries. Sundays at 7:00pm until 9:00pm. In general, Jackson Games. We also schedule demos in Our heroine, Hillary, is a we explore anime, manga, and other styles of Can she escape death from the reluctant bride but comes to realize local gaming stores as well as community animation, creative educative demonstrations, service events. If you have a gaming store, pursuing Crib? Will the Fringers, she might be the savior of her race. participate in interactive discussions, attend themselves, kill her in their convention, or community service that you But the question becomes: which local Arizona conventions, and make cosplay. would like to have official Steve Jackson desperation? If she survives, will race? We are willing to gain any new members out she discover the key in time? Can Games representation at, please contact the As I said, it’s an entertaining there who are interested. Our members are MIB Arizona Cell Leader at MIB.6361@gmail. she reach an accommodation with story but could use a little polish. very friendly, respectful, and fun. We welcome com . We are also recruiting new MIBs in her unwilling guard who will die The plot is straightforward and not any and all. For more information, contact some areas of Arizona. If you’re interested, if he gets more than a few yards too complicated although it has a Todd Miles at [email protected] contact us. You can also find additional from her? He is certainly motivated few holes in its logic. There’s also information about us on our Facebook group, to keep her in custody. He must ADRIAN EMPIRE A medieval and Arizona Men in Black. a lack of description for important renaissance recreationist club. Sword-fighting, be persuaded to help. Her terror of events happening ‘off-screen’ that arts, banquets, masquerades, dances. meets 3rd returning to Scarabaeus must not BASFA Local Tucson science fiction bothered me. The characters are Saturday 10am at El Oso Park. Web: http:// group that puts on TusCon. Contact us at deter her. fairly well-defined but somehow www.kingdomofumbria.com/events.html All The tale abounds with PO Box 2528, Tucson AZ 85702-2528 or seem a bit shallow to me. I hope are welcome. Free. [email protected] our website at http:// drama, betrayal and ambiguity. she continues to write and mature, home.earthlink.net/~basfa/ Recommended. ~~ Gary Swaty I’d like to see what stories she AERIAL MIRAGE JUGGLERS. Meets comes up with. – Catherine Book Wednesday, 7:30-10 PM. Encanto Park, 14th CENTRAL ARIZONA SPECULATIVE The Age of Odin Avenue, south of Encanto. Elliot Goldstein, FICTION SOCIETY, INC. (CASFS) The 602-266-4391, e-mail [email protected], James Lovegrove Zombiesque non-profit corporation that puts on CopperCon Solaris, $7.99, 592 pp 5535 N. Eleventh Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014; conventions, SmurfCons, HexaCons, Edited by Stephen L. Antczak, or Timmie Ann Schramm, 602-585-7623, 2326 occasional regional cons, and publishes James C. Basset and Martin H. E. Electra Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85024. Apparently this is the third book Greenberg Con-Notations. Best described as SF/F in a series about people becoming generalists with a strong bent towards literary Daw, $ 7.99, 312 pp The ARIZONA BROWNCOATS are a SF/F. Guests welcome - meets at 8pm on the involved in the affairs of gods. I social group and state non-profit devoted last Friday of each month in January thru haven’t read the other two but I Zombies are the biggest thing to continuing the spirit of Joss Whedon’s September and the second Friday in October, intend to find them to see if they on the planet right now and these inspired series Firefly through charity November and December at Denny’s, 2360 W are as entertaining as this one. events, a presence at local conventions, and Northern Ave in Phoenix, AZ. For information: are some of the best representations social events. We are all over Arizona with Gideon Coxall is an of them I have read. write PO Box 62613, Phoenix, AZ 85082-2613 monthly shindigs in Phoenix and Tucson. or email [email protected] Web www.casfs.org unemployed soldier. His friend There are almost as many In September, both cities will be hosting convinces him to go with him to types of zombies as zombie tales screenings of Serenity to benefit Equality *****C.R.O.F.T. Celtic Reenactment of hire on with a private army that is and these are some of the most Now. For more details, visit our website at forming up north. During the drive Fellowship and Trades is Phoenix based interesting. There are traditional http://azbrowncoats.org and follow our twitter Reenactment group specializing in the we learn that the earth is slowly brain eaters, ones that are the result @azbrowncoats western European renaissance. We research undergoing a period of general of drugs, some that are from alien lifestyles and trades concurrent with the Celtic cooling. Gid and his friend have invasion, and the communicable ARIZONA LANBASHERS LEAGUE A Peoples from 400 BC until 1746 AD. We an accident and are trapped in the collaboration of computer gaming enthusiasts, emphasize Scots, Irish or Welsh crafts and do disease type. Most of them are the Arizona LANbashers League throws snow, Gid’s injuries are severe and from the point of view of the Celtic re-enactment. We open participation quarterly LANparty events. Between parties, to anyone with an interest in period crafting there are wolves nearby. zombie so the differing ways they support is given to local groups who wish Gid is found but his friend and entertainment. Demonstrations occur at write about how the zombies feel is to advertise their own gatherings. We have the Highland Games, Scarborough Fair, and dies before they are rescued. Gid the meat of the stories. no set genre of games and play anything slowly learns that the people he the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Web page My favorites in this volume from strategy games to first-person shooters http://www.crofters.org Gatherings are held at has hired on with are the Norse include a reason to keep school to driving/flying simulations. No annual the Irish Cultural Center on the 2nd Saturday gods and he soon finds himself spirit, and a police officer that can’t membership is required and admission to an of every month. The center is located at 1106 fighting trolls and frost giants. be killed again. event ranges from $5-$15. See our webpage North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, He has an affair with Freya, takes I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy for current events. Web: www.lanparty.com/all/ phone number 602-258-0109, across from the over as second in command, and these as much as I did but … Burton Barr Library. The Board meeting will helps fight Ragnarok. Not bad for ARIZONA PARANORMAL be at 12:00 Noon with the General meeting Highly recommended. ~~ Bob INVESTIGATIONS We are a highly trained, starting at 12:30 pm. someone that had no real aptitude LaPierre non-profit paranormal investigation group, for anything according to the tests. registered with the state of Arizona, providing The United States has elected THE DARK ONES (Dark-wunz) n. 1) Grail service to Arizona and the Southwest since An organization formed for the expression a female president and she is by Elizabeth Bear 1994. Having served the public for 12 years, and exploration of various cultural themes a bigger bully than the last 10 Ballantine Spectra, $7.99, 330pp we are one of the oldest, most respected including, but not limited to, the Dark Ages presidents combined. Ragnarok is paranormal investigation groups in Arizona. and the Renaissance through forms of art occurring in conjunction with her We are primarily science based and don’t go including, but not limited to, painting, drawing, Grail continues Chill and Dust. on an investigation looking for ghosts, we go visit to England. At long last, Jacob’s Ladder writing, photography, spoken word, and looking for answers. There is never a charge acts of characterization. 2) a member of this Highly recommended. ~~ Bob has arrived at the planet called for an investigation. Contact us at by e-mail at LaPierre organization. 3) Information available at www. Grail but finds it is already [email protected] or darkones.org populated. They don’t see the visit our website at: http://www.arizonaparanor Cacin genetically altered population as malinvestigations.com/ THE EMPIRE OF CHIVALRY AND by C.A. Dawson human though even though they, STEEL, INC. The Empire of Chivalry and Babora Books, $18.95, 342pp too, come from earth. The new AZCorsairs “Founded in 1971 as a branch Steel specializes in the general recreation of settlers have been all been alerted of the Society for Creative Anachronisms, or the culture of the Middle Ages including all of An interesting and entertaining SCA, our primary focus is 16th – 18th century the Art Forms, Events (Feasts, Tournaments, and internal threats are ready to European culture and the pirate lifestyle of the book. The premise is that there is take control. Will Civil War break Ceremonies and Wars) and Combat Arts an alien culture that has lost all time. The Corsairs will extend pirate portrayals covering the years of 800AD up to 1650AD out? Who will win, and who will as far back as Phoenician, Roman Era or to and any location within Europe or its explored its females. The males have the prevail? What is humanity? Will it future Space, Science Fiction genre, and more ability to take a female from any territories. For more information Web: http:// survive? publicly recognizable Hollywood styled pirate. www.ecs-galandor.org/ species and change her DNA to Bear has written a classic, It Corsair membership is largely volunteer- make her compatible for mating. deserves collecting and re-reading oriented, gathered together for fun and while A GATHERING OF PLAYERS- Find Your So they scour the universe for ~~ Pam Allan helping others out. Adventure - Our club is running into our sixth likely species with whom to mate Members of the Arizona Corsairs are, much year. Join us for games and adventure set in the and continue their species. And all like their historical counterparts, masters Dungeons and Dragons realm. We offer Living goes the same for generations… of their own destiny. Creation of characters, Forgotten Realms and Pathfinder Society. We until they come to Earth. The complete with backstory with correlation welcome both new and experienced players. to history, period costume, and emulation Visit http://www.warhorn.net/gathering, to Gron’dalins appreciate intelligence of pirate traditions and arts, rests on each and beauty and they marvel at how performer, creating varied storylines and deep, ( Cont’d on page 16)

Volume 21 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 15 (Cont’d from page 15) RAW GAMES (Role-players & Wargamers, SUPERSTITION SPACEMODELING Club Listings Inc.) Role-players & Wargamers, Inc. is the SOCIETY is Arizona’s club for builders of CASFS Business Report see what we have coming up. If you have any Valley’s oldest role-playing and wargaming model and high-power rockets and those who questions email us at agatheringofplayers@g club. Currently meeting at 8159 W. Weldon love to see them fly. Launches are held on the CopperCon 30 is now closed except for mail.com in Phoenix every Sunday from 12noon-5pm second Saturday morning of each month in the compilation of the final Pass-Thru (except during conventions and other special Rainbow Valley. SSS hosts the annual G. Harry List. THE JEDI KNIGHTS (Founded 1977) events). Open to new members - call (623) Stine Memorial Rocket Launch every October. CopperCon 31 is having Sponsored Meetings are the 3rd Sunday of each month. 849-9515. Visit www.sssrocketry.org for membership Gaming under the direction of Brian For more information call Carol Alves, information, directions to the launches and Abernathy. A Short Story Contest will Publicity, (760)244-9593 or write Jedi Knights, THE SHIELD The Shield is a RPGA club meetings, and to read the monthly newsletter, be held. Check the web site for time c/o Carol Alves 8038 “I” Street, Hesperia CA, located in the greater Phoenix area. If you “Newton’s Minutes.” line, rules and other needed information. 92345-7066. are interested in Living Greyhawk catch Websites. Changes are being made to the one of our meetings the 1st Sunday of every TARDIS is a Phoenix-based General SF/ style, content and format of the various LEPRECON, INC. One of the two month at Imperial Outpost Games (www. Fantasy Fan Club, specializing in International CASFS web sites. Check them out. Phoenix area corporations that put on yearly imperialoutpost.com) in Glendale. If you are media SF/Fantasy since 1983. TARDIS meets ConNotations – The first of the Odd- conventions. Best described as SF/F generalists interested in Living Arcanis or Living Spycraft every two weeks at different locations around numbered non printing month web with a main thrust into SF/F art. Guests are catch us on the 3rd Sunday of every month the valley. Activities include watching videos, infusions were put up in January in welcome. The meetings are quarterly on the also at Imperial Outpost Games. The Shield of discussions, parties, games, and occasional preparation for our expected transition to a second Saturday of February, May, August & Almor hosts RPGA events at the local Phoenix outings with more to come now that Doctor soley web-based publication in 2012. November unless otherwise notified. August conventions. For more information visit us Who is returning from hiatus. Many members CASFS Book Social happened at is the annual meeting where board positions at games.groups.yahoo.com/group/AZ_RPG/ maintain an active presence at conventions. The Bent Cover, 12428 North 28th are deter-mined. For more information, or you can sign up for games at www.nyrond. You can contact us at 2243 W Wagon Wheel DrivePhoenix, AZ 85029-2433 at 7:00 write PO Box 26665, Tempe, AZ 85285; org Or you can just stop by the 1st Sunday of Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85021, Voice Mail at (602) p.m. on Feb. 15. We discussed Snow call Mike Willmoth, 480-945-6890, Email the month. Meeting starts at 10am. Hope to see 864-0901, E-mail [email protected] or Crash by Neal Stephenson. The book [email protected] Webpage: www. you there. visit us at http://members.cox.net/tardisaz/ was liked. Next on March 15, we take on leprecon.org tardis.html Naomi Novik’s Her Majesty’s Dragon. THE SOCIETY FOR CREATIVE By Laws. A By-Law ammendment MVD GHOSTCHASERS—The MVD ANACHRONISM The Kingdom of Atenveldt T.H.E.M. is ASU’s science fiction and fantasy was put forward by Bob La Pierre at Ghostchasers are a paranormal team is part of the Society for Creative Anachronism club. Weekly meetings are held on the Arizona the February Meeting and received the established in 1995. This band of ghost (SCA), a not-for-profit educational State University campus, with dates and places required signatures from members. hunters conducts regular investigations of organization that studies western European to be announced after the semester starts. For It would change the Office holding haunted, historical locations throughout history by recreating the “best” pastimes and more information, Email them@themonline. attendance requirements for Secretary Arizona. They also research and investigate crafts of the Middle Ages. The Atenveldt org Web www.themonline.org and Treasurer from 4 out of the last six “house call” hauntings for the public. The branch of the SCA encompasses all of Arizona meetings to 9 out of the last 12 meetings. MVD Ghostchasers lead Spirit Photo and small parts of Utah and California. UNITED FEDERATION OF PHOENIX A It will be voted on at the March meeting. Workshops/Tours to various haunted locations Within the fair kingdom can be found six Phoenix area Star Trek and general SciFi fan Memberships. We had eight new across Arizona. These workshops give ghost Baronies: Atenveldt, Mons Tonitrus, Twin club. We are a social club that meets every two members apply. All were accepted by the hunters, paranormal team members and folks Moons, SunDragon, Tir Ysgithr and Ered Sul. weeks at various locations around the Phoenix board. wanting to learn the art of ghost hunting a For more information on any of these or for area. The UFP has been meeting for over 30 chance to work and learn techniques together. general information on contact the Kingdom years of continuous activity. Dues are $15/per The MVD Ghostchasers team are guest Seneschal. Email: [email protected] year prorated when you join; no restrictions. speakers at many venues and have appeared Web www.atenveldt.com Membership includes membership roster and on TV news reports and the subject of several monthly newsletter. Come to any two meetings newspaper stories. For more information SOUTHWEST COSTUMER’S GUILD at no obligation. For information, write the contact: The Southwest Costumers Guild is a loose UFP at PO Box 37224, Phoenix, AZ 85069, or Convention MVD Ghostchasers—Debe Branning, organization of persons interested in all call Jim Strait at (602) 242-9203. Web page: Director—480-969-4049 Web page: www. facets of historical, cultural, science fiction, http://www.U-F-P.org or Email to Info@U-F- Listings mvdghostchasers.com or [email protected] fantasy, and humor costume. Members are P.org often seen on stage and behind the scenes ORANGE COUNTY SCIENCE FICTION at local and regional Science Fiction USS LEONIDAS The Leonidas is a member LepreCon 37 (May 6-8, 2011) Tempe CLUB meets last Wednesday of every month Convention masquerades. They meet on of Region IV of STARFLEET International. Mission Palms, 60 E. 5th St, Tempe, AZ (except Dec.) in Fullerton. The meetings are the last Sunday of each month at various The chapter is an opportunity for those that Ph: 480-894-1400 , Room Rates $109 S/ built around guest speakers. We’ve had authors members’ homes in the greater Phoenix area. share a love of Star Trek to have fun and help D/T/Q + tax. www.missionpalms.com such as Octavia Butler and Greg Benford. For details. Southwest Costumers Guild, PO the community at the same time. The Leonidas Non-members are welcome. For details of Box 39504, Phoenix, AZ 85609 or Randall stresses uniforms or other costumes to have the Artist GoH John Picacio, Author GoHs: current events and location see our website Whitlock at [email protected] or www. ability to participate actively in various events Elizabeth Bear & Sarah Monette, plus > www.ocsfc.org or email [email protected] southwestcostumersguild.org as they present themselves but they are not Shadow Unit mini-con with Emma Bull, required. Will Shetterly & more. Memberships PAReX is a non profit organization dedicated SPACE ACCESS SOCIETY Space Access Membership with Starfleet International rates:$25 until August 31, 2010, $30 to building and promoting Autonomous Society’s sole purpose is to promote radically is required. www.sfi.org Upon joining Sept 1 thru Oct 31, 2010 Web site at robotics. The club has been in existance since cheaper access to space, ASAP. We think it’s STARFLEET a member is a Cadet. Upon 1998. Meetings are currently conducted twice possible within ten years, with a little luck and passing the Officer’s Training School Exam at www.leprecon.org/lep37 or email a month at two different Phoenix, Arizona a lot of hard work. Join us and help us make it the Online Academy, the member becomes a [email protected] for more information locations, http://www.parex.org/meetings.shtml happen! SAS membership is $30 for one year, Commissioned Officer aboard the Leonidas. Club dues are on an annual basis: Regular which gets you emailed Space Access Updates The chapter does not have dues as of yet. CopperCon 31 (September 2-5, 2011) members $20 Student members $15 Of course the instant they pass final edit, plus discounts The dues to be a member of STARFLEET Hilton Garden Inn, 11460 West Hilton visitors are always welcome because we know on our annual conference on the technology, International are $15 a year. Way, Avondale AZ Guests: Carrie Vaughn you will eventually become a member anyway politics, and business of radically cheaper No newsletter, but members do receive an Web page: http://www.parex.org/ E-mail space transportation, featuring leading players activities E-mail update. No web site yet. Author Guest of Honor; Janni Lee simner, Contact: [email protected] in the field. Email us at: Space.Access@Space- Contact : Arthur Fesler-Butts, Jr Local Author Guest and Special Guest Access.org Web page: www.space-access.org/ [email protected] Adam Niswander. Membership $35 thru April 30, 2011. For more info email WESTERN SCIENCE FICTION [email protected] or visit the web site ASSOCIATION (WesternSFA) A non- at www.copeprcon.org Generic Convention Registration Form profit corporation that sponsors AniZona, the ConRunners seminars, Across Plus Anime Club and sponsored the 2004 Westercon.

Dedicated primarily to educational activities Trivia Answers Half-Shell”

Name:______relating to literature, music, and visual

and performing arts, especially in the the on “Venus wrote he when Farmer

Badge Name:______genres of Anime, science fiction, fantasy, Jose Philip by used pseudonym A 10.

costuming, gaming and science. Applicants train a Riding 9.

Address:______for membership in WesternSFA must be uncommon is

sponsored by a current active WesternSFA Earth on have we as such life Complex 8. City/State/ZIP:______member. Dues are $10 yearly plus a $5 non- Malzberg Barry to 1973 7.

refundable application fee. General Meetings

Phone:______Email:______are held on the first Friday of February, May, material of layers successive

August and November, check our website down laying by ated

-

Enclosed is $______for ______memberships for for meeting location Guests are welcome. For cre is object dimensional three a where

more info contact Craig Dyer at WesternSFA, manufacturing additive of form A 6.

______convention. PO Box 67457, Phoenix AZ 85082 Email: Junkions the of leader the as Idle Eric 5.

(See individual convention listing for mailing address) [email protected] Webpage: www. Crosby Lee Cathy 4.

westernsfa.org Bale Christian & Keaton Michael Two: 3.

More info on __ Masquerade __Art Show __Volunteer __ Other Dredd Judge 2. 1. Russia Russia 1.

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