Volume 12, Issue 5 October/November ConNotations 2002 The Bi-Monthly Science Fiction, Fantasy & Convention Newszine of the Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society ConNotations Mass Rocket Launch Honors In This Issue

is Arizona SF Author News & Reviews Evolving! (Pt 2) by Randall Whitlock FYI 2 Connotations Staff Weasel Fen fondly remember the familiar CASFS Business Report 2 As mentioned in our previous edition, presence of G. Harry Stine at Arizona SF Tube Talk 3 ConNotations has begun undergoing its You feel as much as hear the eerie science fiction conventions as a genial 24Frames 3 changes. sound as the continuity buzzers of nearly gentleman in a blue jumpsuit. G. Harry Videophile 8 Please note two additions in our two dozen launch controls form rolling wrote dozens of SF stories and novels and content for this edition: the Costume harmonies. The announcer counts “Five. nonfiction books under his own name and ConClusion 11 Closet and the Calendar of Events. . . .Four. . . .Three. . . .Two. . . .One. . . his pen name, “Lee Correy.” His fiction The Costume Closet 15 The Costume Closet is contributed by .Launch!” and the sky is a cris-cross works include the 12-volume “Warbots” In Our Book (Book Reviews) 16 the SouthWest Costumers Guild and will pattern of white smoke trails. This is the series, “Starsea Invaders,” and the Trek be in every issue. This issue’s column features Hall Costumes at conventions. Special Feature The Calendar of Events lists eventsand Mass Rocket Launch information in a variety of areas including by Randall Whitlock 1 Convention & event listings, movie DVD and book release dates and upcoming meetings. It is free to list your event, so let Convention & Fandom us know about it. Calendar of Events 12-13 The Bazzar – the low cost classified Club Listings 18 ads section is still in the works as are the Convention Listings 20 expanded Gamer’s Corner, with more info Convention Registration Frm 20 on new games, video games and RPGs and other features. We still need your help to add to our Art Work content! We need more people willing to Sherlock Front page contribute to the above mentioned areas, or if you have ideas of your own and want to be a regular contributor please let us know by contacting: Rocketeers prepare their rockets and watch launches from outside the flight line. Ed Wilke’s Joe Levee - [email protected] enormous “Gila Monster” rocket towers over the sunshades at right. © Randall Whitlock or Mass Launch, the keynote event of the novel “The Abode of Life.” His nonfiction Stephanie Bannon - [email protected] G. Harry Stine Memorial Rocket work includes the influential books on Launch, presented on October 12 and 13, space access “Halfway to Anywhere” and Thank you, 2002 by the Superstition Spacemodeling “Living in Space.” The Staff of ConNotations © Sherlock Society. ( Cont’d on Page 14 )

ConNotations Non-Profit Org. Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society US Postage PO Box 62613 PAID Phoenix, AZ 85082 Permit 839 Phoenix, AZ

Volume 12 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 1 Appearing at the CASFS Booth /or Who’s Who This Issue Pick up your copy of FYI participating in the 2003 Arizona Book BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS Festival will be: Alan Dean Foster, ConNotations Managing Editor: Stephanie Bannon CASFS Sponsored Groups Adam Niswander, Dennis L. Co-Editors: Sue Martin & Gary Swaty at these locations: McKiernan, Emily Devenport/Lee Graphics Editor: Craig L. Dyer GLENDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY: Hogan, Ernest Hogan and John Film & Video Reporter: Barry Bard All About Books and Comics 1st Thursday of each month at 5959 W Vornholt. Updates at www.casfs.org/ Staff Writers: Pam Allen, Barry Bard, Brown in Glendale at 7PM azbookfest.html Catherine Book, Craig L. Dyer, Michael 5060 N. Central, Phoenix, AZ Griffin, Shane Irons, Daryl F. Mallett, Sean (602) 277-0757 December 5: The Two Towers by JRR Martin, Shane Shellenbarger, Tom Tuerff, 810 S. Ash, Tempe, AZ Tolkien INFORMATION LINE: For up to date Lee Whiteside, Randall Whitlock, Mike (480) 858-9447 January 2, 2003 TBA information on each month’s CASFS and Willmoth 4022 E. Greenway, Phoenix, AZ For more information on the Glendale fan sponsored sci-fi related events call Layout & Design: Stephanie L. Bannon group contact Sue Martin at 623-939- (602)973-2341 and select option 7 for a Keeper of the Mailing List: Craig L. (602) 494-1976 Dyer and Doug Cosper Amazing Discoveries 7815 pre-recorded message. There is also a weekly email update. If you wish to Contributors: 2545 E Speedway #155, Tucson, AZ Labeling Crew for Volume 12 Issue 5: Other Book Groups receive the email update send your email (520) 320-0338 Stephanie Bannon, Richard Bolinski, address to Stephanie at [email protected] Book Connection Catherine Book,Craig L. Dyer, Ray Gish, BORDERS FANTASY & SCI-FI Bob LaPierre, Sue & Jo Martin, April 6434 S McClintock, Tempe AZ (480) BOOK DISCUSSION: CASFS Business Report Rice, Walter Sanville, Gary Swaty, Gus 820-2953 Fourth Wednesday at Borders, 7320 W November 2002 Talbott, Bill Whitmore Book Exchange Plus Bell Rd in Glendale. at 7PM. About ConNotations: ConNotations is the 2601 E Bell #14, Phoenix, AZ (602) Dec - Date and title TBD fan published newszine of the Central 867-1018 Supernal Readers, Arizona Speculative Fiction Society For details contact Tanya 623-487-9110 (CASFS) an IRS-recognized 501(c)3 non- Borders Book Stores This year’s conventions, HexaCon 12 and CopperCon 22 were successful in profit organization. Circulation is 2402 E Camelback, Phoenix, AZ World Fantasy Convention 2002 every way. The members were well served estimated at 4,000 readers for this issue, (602) 957-6600 primarily CASFS members and attendees and the financial end turned out well. We 870 N 54th St, Chandler, AZ The World Fantasy Convention 2002 of recent AZ sf/f conventions. (480) 961-4915 was held in Minneapolis, MN. Oct 31- all learned new things and next year’s Subscriptions: The newszine is currently sent free of charge to anyone who has 1361 N. Alma School Rd., Mesa, AZ Nov 3. Judges for the World Fantasy conventions should be even better. Special appreciation should be given attended a CASFS or LepreCon sponsored (480) 833-2244 Awards were Peter Adkins, Meg Davis, convention in the last two years and to all 4555 E. Cactus Rd., Phoenix, AZ Jason Van Hollander, Michele Sagara Mark Boniece and his crew and Jim CASFS members. Subscriptions are avail- (602) 953-9699 West, and F. Paul Wilson, with awards Cryer and his people whose efforts gave able. Cost for a six issue subscription is: 7320 W. Bell Rd., Glendale, AZ administrator Peter Dennis Pautz. us such success. Special Appreciation is USA: $12/bulk. Life Achievement due also to Stephanie Bannon for her Copyright: Articles, fiction, photos and (623) 487-9110 artwork in this issue are copyright © of the 699 S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ winner Forrest J Ackerman efforts in getting us to develop the author/artist and cannot be reproduced in ( 480 ) 921-8631 winner George Scithers CASFS Financial Procedures which have any manner without their written consent. Discount Book NOVEL - The Other Wind, Ursula K. Le helped greatly in the financial success If no author or artist is credited the artwork or article is copyright ©of the Central 3650 W Glendale Ave, Phoenix AZ Guin (Harcourt) area. NOVELLA - “The Bird Catcher”, S.P. New approaches to publicity are being Arizona Speculative Fiction Society. (602) 589-0188 Publication: Publications dates are Somtow (The Museum of Horrors, Dennis developed thanks to Joe Levee, Chris Game Depot February, April, June, August, October & Etchison, ed., Leisure) Campbell, Jo levee and others with December. Publication date of this issue is 3136 S McClintock #11, Tempe, ANTHOLOGY - The Museum of Renaissance Fair experience. The 11/25/2002; mailing date is 12/09/2002 Az 85282 (480) 966-4727 Horrors, Dennis Etchison, ed. (Leisure) addition of their ideas will be an energiz- Advertising: ConNotations reaches Game Keeper COLLECTION - Skin Folk, Nalo approx. 4,000 science fiction, fantasy, ing influence. gaming and horror fans throughout the Metro Center Mall, 9617 N Metro Hopkinson (Warner Aspect) At our December meeting we elect the Phoenix metro area, the Southwest and Pkwy W., Phoenix AZ ARTIST - Allen Koszowski CASFS President, Vice President and nationwide. Our ad rates are:Back cover/ (602)944-2073 SPECIAL AWARD, PROFESSIONAL three board members. Nominated thus far $150, $100/full page; $70/two-thirds page; Jo Fletcher (for editing the Fantasy $50/half page; $35/one-third page; $25/ Imperial Outpost are incumbents President Dave Hunger- Masterworks series, Gollancz) one-fourth page; $18/one-eigth page. More 4920 W Thunder-bird, Glendale, AZ ford, Vice President Lee Whiteside and SPECIAL AWARD, NON-PROFES- information can be obtained by contacting 85306 (602) 978-0467 Board members Jeff George and Ray Stephanie L. Bannon, PO Box 62613, SIONAL - Raymond Russell & Rosalie PyramidComics & Games Gish. Additionally JB Talbot was Phoenix, AZ 85082-2613 Phone or FAX; Parker (for Tartarus Press) (602)973-2341; Email: [email protected] 108 West Fry Blvd, Sierra Vista, AZ nominated for Board. Mark Boniece 85635 (520) 458-2786 Submission Info: Writers and artists are ARIZONA BOOK FESTIVAL declined nomination for President. encouraged to submit work for publication. Samurai Comics Declining for Board was Jim Cryer who While we cannot pay you for your efforts 5024 N 7th St, Phoenix AZ your work will be seen by over 4,000 fans The Arizona Book Festival will be has decided to gafiate for a spell. Nomi- 602-265-8886 across the Southwest and the country. You held on Saturday, April 5, 2003 at the nated for Board, also, was the absent Joe Stalking Moon Comics & Col- will retain the copyright to your work for Arizona Hall of Fame Museum/Carnegie Levee. He was found to be ineligible future publication. To submit your work or lectibles Library located at 1101 W. 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CASFS currently meets at the JB’s Restaurant at 2560 W ConNotations Indian School Rd in Phoenix (NW corner of I-17 and Indian School). The meetings ISSN: 1082-7765 begin at 8PM and are held on the last Friday of the month Jan. Through Sept. And PUBLISHED: Six times a year on the second Friday of the month Oct through Dec. Everyone is invited to attend BY: Central Arizona Speculative two meetings as a guest (non-member). Membership rates are $12/year plus an initial Fiction Society, PO Box 62613, Phoenix, $3 application fee and rates are pro-rated for the amount of the year remaining. For AZ 85082 more info Call: Stephanie L. Bannon (602)973-2341 Webpage: www.casfs.org email: ISSUE NUMBER: Volume 12 Issue 6 [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION: $12 for 6 ISSUES Page 2 ConNotations Volume 12 Issue 6 the toughest thing Angel has ever faced. SF Tube Talk He’s smart, he’s strong, he’s cruel.” But 24 Frames TV News & Previews when Angelus escapes from his cage, Faith the Vampire Slayer is brought it to Movie News By Lee Whiteside try to capture him. Look for this to start By Lee Whiteside happening when new episodes return sometime in January. It’s the time of the year for holiday Smallville has been doing gangbusters Currently filming is the next Looney specials and lots and lots of repeats. in the ratings for the WB, apparently Tunes movie mixing live action with However, there are a few new things gaining new viewers over the summer Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and the rest of airing if you look for them and lots of with the double repeats each week. the Warner Bros. classic cartoon crew. new episodes in January on cable. There’s even been some episodes without Looney Tunes: Back in Action will be Enterprise will have one lone new Freak of the Week Kryptonite villains. released in November of 2003 and will episode following November sweeps in Upcoming episodes include “Visage” star Brendan Fraser, Joan Cusack, early December with “Precious Cargo” which sees the return of Lana’s former Timothy Dalton, Jenna Elfman and where Trip Tucker boards an alien cargo boyfriend, Whitney as well as a return Heather Locklear and is being directed Lee Whiteside vessel to help repair a stasis pod holding appearance by the shape-shifting Tina by Joe Dante. Of special interest to genre a beautiful woman in suspended anima- Greer from the first season’s “X-Ray” fans is a segment where they visit Area 52 as Thomas Sawyer, Naseeruddin Shah as tion. When the woman accidentally episode. The other likely new episode and moviegoers will get a tribute to 50’s Captain Nemo and Jason Flemyng as Dr. awakes, she reveals she’s not a passenger, before sweeps is “Suspect” where Pete movie monsters including The Man from Henry Jekyll. The movie will not follow but a prisoner. No, her name is not River. gets injured (again) when his car ex- Planet X, Robot Monster, Metalunan’s the plot of the graphic novel, though, Coming up after the holiday repeat season plodes, Johnathan Kent goes on a from The Island Earth and Robby the with the group being brought together to in mid-January will be “Catwalk:” where drinking binge prompted by Lionel Robot. Dante explains that Area 52 is a fight “The Fathom” whose plans for the entire crew takes shelter for several Luther and ends up shooting Lex’s dad. place so secret that they invented Area 51 world domination is to turn the world’s days inside the maintenance shafts inside In the other comics adaptation on The to cover it up. How the Looney Tunes nations against each other in something the warp nacelles when a lethal neutronic WB, Birds of Prey debuted to strong characters fit into this was not revealed. called a “World War”. storm approaches faster than Enterprise ratings but has dropped off significantly To build anticipation for the new movie, Previews of December & January can escape. They also provide refuge to a for subsequent episodes. Unless that trend Warner Bros. is also creating some new Movies group of aliens who aren’t entirely up- ends, the show may have trouble making Looney Tune shorts to screen in front of Solaris - Upon arrival at the space station front about themselves. In “Dawn”, Trip it the full season. They are beginning to Warner Bros. movies including a Duck orbiting an ocean world called Solaris, a crash-lands on a moon in Arkonian bring in more comics-related elements Dodgers short called Attack of the Drones psychologist discovers that the com- territory. Archer must work together with such as the real Black Canary showing up which will spoof recent science fiction mander of an expedition to the planet has the Arkonians, a militant race not on and coming up in December will see Lady films such as Star Wars, The Matrix and died mysteriously. Other strange events good terms with the Vulcans, to rescue Shiva making a visit to New Gotham. Men in Black. According to producer soon start happening as well, such as the Trip. Shiva is one tough assassin and she’s Larry Doyle, “Daffy creates an army of appearance of old acquaintances of the Elsewhere on UPN in the Buffyverse, come to take on Batgirl, not knowing her robots based on himself to fight some- crew, including some, like the look for lots of repeats through December current condition. Other upcoming thing, but the short isn’t really about the psychiatrist’s wife, who are dead.... This and January. Rumors are the Big Bad that episodes with only title information fight, which ends very quickly, it’s about is based on the classic Russian science has been playing with Spike is “The known are “Nature of the Beast” and letting the robots loose after they’ve been fiction film of the same name and stars First”, and that we will be seeing a return “Gladiatrix”. victorious.” George Clooney. From the trailers you’d of the Harbingers seen in the Christmas Over on FOX, the Friday night duo of In the latest news in the ongoing hardly know it was a science fiction episode “Amends” and we may have Firefly and John Doe have not been Warner Bros. Superhero movies, an early movie. another Holiday themed episode in draft of J.J. Abram’s Superman script Treasure Planet - A Space Age animated December. Following that, other rumors was leaked and was met with a very update of Robert Louis Stevenson’s are that Warren appears to Andrew, sort negative reaction after being reviewed on Treasure Island. Looks like they are of like Obi-Wan’s ghost to Luke, and that the Ain’t It Cool News web site. Director trying some of the same stuff that FOX Giles will return to Sunnydale either with Brett Ratner has since indicated that the tried with Titan A.E. It’s got the Disney or at the same time as a group of Slayers script has gone through many changes name on it, so it will likely do better. in training who have come to Buffy for since that early draft and many of the Wes Craven Presents: They - After help following a major attack on the things that fans objected to are no longer witnessing a horrible incident, a graduate Watcher’s Council. As for the other two part of the movie. The movie is being student (Laura Regan) struggles to find new shows on UPN, Haunted and envisioned as a trilogy and Ratner the link between her childhood fear of the Twilight Zone, the former has been intends to do more than just remake the dark and the night terrors she now pulled from the schedule in mid-Novem- Richard Donner films and that “it’s not suffers, and must confront what may or ber and it is unknown if it will return to going to be camp, it’s going to be a bit may not be real. the schedule and the latter has been more psychological.” He also intends to Star Trek: Nemesis - Starting out with picked up for the full season of 22 Serenity © FOX have an unknown in the title role and the wedding of Riker and Troi, the tenth episodes but there is little advance info on surround him with good actors. Ratner Trek feature film will feature a big tearing up the ratings so far and if not for what we’ll see on the series. Expect more has confirmed that Anthony Hopkins, conflict with Romulans bent on destroy- FOX’s willingness to stick with both stories with twisty endings and lots of who he worked with for Red Dragon, will ing Earth. The leader of them is Shinzon shows and give them a chance to find an notable (and some not so notable) guest take on the role of Superman’s father, Jor- (Tom Hardy), a clone of Picard that rose audience, they likely would have both stars in the episodes. El. to power following the end of plans to use been gone by now. John Doe has been Moving over to The WB’s corner of Wrapping up filming after having been him to replace Picard. Look for lots of doing the best of the two, but has leveled the Buffyverse, things look to get much delayed by the floods in Prague is The action, some romance and possibly the off at the bottom of what is probably darker on Angel in a big way. According League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. It destruction (or very heavy damage to) of acceptable to FOX. Likely the only reason to an interview with Angel producer is based on the graphic novel by Alan the latest version of the Enterprise. Firefly has not been pulled (assuming it Jeffrey Bell, when Angel and company Moore which brought together many 19th Paramount has been billing the film as “A hasn’t had that happen after press time) is realize the nature of the Big Bad they Century fictional characters. Starring is Generation’s Final Journey Begins”. The Joss Whedon’s name on it and his former revert Angel to his Angelus persona, Sean Connery as Allan Quartermain, key word in that tag line is “Begins” partner Gail Berman in charge of FOX keeping him caged until needed. Accord- Peta Wilson as Mina Harker, Tony since if the movie does decent, Paramount programming. While not yet having ing to Bell, the Big Bad “is not someone Curran as The Invisible Man, Stuart we’ve met before. He’s not human; he’s ( cont’d on page 4 ) Townsend as Dorian Gray, Shane West ( cont’d on page 4 ) Volume 12 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 3 of Gollum. New cast for this movie the millions of people who vanished after Upcoming Movie Release Dates (Subject 24 Frames (cont’d from page 3 ) include Brad Dourif (Wormtounge), the rapture. The rebel group “Tribulation to Change) will more than likely make another Trek Bernard Hill (Theodon), Miranda Otto Force” must spread the word that the Nov 27 - Treasure Planet, Solaris, Wes movie with the Next Generation cast. As (Eowyn), Karl Urban (Eomer) and United Nations President is in fact the Craven Presents: They Patrick Stewart has said in a couple of David Wenham (Faramir). Bringing Antichrist responsible for the world’s Dec 13 - Star Trek: Nemesis interviews, it is up to the fans to keep the Fanghorn to life with his voice will be current state of demise. Dec 18 - Lord of the Rings: The Two series going. John Rhys-Davies. Most of the actors Cowboy Bebop: The Movie - Set on Mars Towers have made return trips to New Zealand in the year 2071, it is based on the Dec 25 - Pinnochio for additional filming made possible by animated television series by Japanese Dec 31 - Left Behind II: Tribulation the success of the first movie. director Shinichiro Watanabe. It is Force Pinnochio - Written by, directed by, and scheduled to open wide in January, but Jan 10 - Darkness Falls starring Roberto Benigni, this Italian that may still change. Jan 17 - The Sin Eater produced film is the classic story of a Darkness Falls - Kyle Walsh (Chaney Jan TBA - Cowboy Bebop: The Movie wooden puppet come to life and his Kley) returns home to confront his Feb 14 - Daredevil, The Jungle Book II journey to become a ‘real boy’. Despite troubled past and save his childhood Feb 21 - Final Destination II guidance from the beautiful Blue Fairy sweetheart Caitlin (Emma Caulfield) and May 2 - X-Men 2 (Nicoletta Braschi) and the love of his her younger brother Michael (Lee May 15 - The Matrix: Reloaded father, Gepetto (Carlo Guiffre), Cormie) from an unrelenting evil that June 20 - The Hulk Pinnochio’s curious spirit leads him into has plagued the town of Darkness Falls July 2 - Terminator 3: Rise of the one wild adventure after another - for over one hundred and fifty years. Machines distracting him from his goal, and The Sin Eater - A conflicted, rebellious July 11 - The League of Extraordinary distancing him from his loved ones. priest travels to Rome to investigate the Gentlemen Left Behind II: Tribulation Force - strange death of his mentor. The young July 25 - Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: The Based on the New York Times best- priest, a troubled artist with whom he Cradle of Life selling series of Christian novels written shares a turbulent past, and his closest by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, friend and colleague discover the mysteri- this action-packed sequel to the enor- ous death may be the work of the Sin mously popular Left Behind features Eater, an ancient figure who plays God on many of the same cast members, includ- earth by absolving the unforgivable of ing Kirk Cameron as journalist Buck their sins outside the Church, allowing Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Williams, and former Marlboro Man great evil to go unpunished. Stars Heath What can be said about this movie that Brad Johnson as pilot Rayford Steele. Ledger, Mark Addy, Peter Weller and you probably already don’t know? We will Chaos and anarchy thrive as greif- Shannyn Sossamon. see some new characters and much more stricken survivors continue to search for CopperCon Ad

Page 4 ConNotations Volume 12 Issue 6 November sweeps and has scheduled it with the difficult task of trying to keep as Father Bellamy, Angus MacFadyen as SF Tube Talk (cont’d from page 3 ) when everyone else is in repeats, it Nikko out of trouble is Juliet Droil (Cobie Father Alva Keel and Marisa Ramirez as committed either way on additional doesn’t appear they have a lot of confi- Smulders), a beautiful and brilliant a secretary for Sodalitas Quaerito, a episodes for either show at press time, dence in it. former student of his father’s who will be mysterious group dedicated to the study FOX has ordered three more scripts from Following the end of Monday night Nikko’s tutor and friend. “ of the paranormal. The series show each series so that if they do pick either of football, ABC will debut a full night of Following Veritas will be the new runner is David Greenwalt, who left them up, they have scripts ready to go. new shows with some genre connections Dragnet, produced by Law and Order’s “Angel” to do this show. Dragnet and th Coming up in December will likely be on Monday nights in late January. Dick Wolf. Ed O’Neill will be Joe Friday Miracles will debut on January 20 and th three episodes, including FOX finally Kicking off the night will be Veritas, a and Ethan Embry will be his partner, Veritas debuts on January 27 . airing the original two hour pilot on new Indiana Jones style series from the Frank Smith. The show will keep some Over in syndication, as expected, December 20th. First up should be “War creators of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. familiar elements from the original series, Andromeda has done away with most of Stories” followed by “Heart of Gold”, From the ABC press release: “Ancient including the music, and will make use of the continuing storylines and put the neither of which has had much info leak relics. Hidden tombs. Religious icons. Joe Friday’s voice overs to give the Commonwealth on the back burner so about them. The two hour pilot, “Seren- Boring stuff for 17-year-old rebel Nikko viewers his thoughts while he is investi- Dylan Hunt and company can galavant ity”, will provide answers to some of the Zond. But when he’s kicked out of yet gating or questioning a suspect. around the universe helping people. In questions viewers have been asking since another boarding school and delivered to Rounding out the night will be spite of this change in direction, they the show started. It covers how Book, his archeologist father, Nikko (Ryan “Miracles”, where Skeet Ulrich have had some decent episodes and it Simon and River came to be on Serenity, Merriman) starts to learn the truth about (Scream, As Good As It Gets) stars as seems that the writers such as Zack explaining references to the “girl in the Solomon Zond’s (Alex Carter) life work. Paul Callan, a seminarian assigned to Stentz and Ashley Edward Miller have box” made in some episodes and some Behind the academic cover, Zond’s investigate modern-day “miracles.” worked to keep the episodes they’ve been ads for the show. In the episode, Book “company” is investigating the mysteries Callan is good at his job of finding a writing more in line with what the show and Simon join up with the Serenity crew of the ancient world, and protecting its scientific basis for purported acts of God, has been about. The Andromeda will be as well as an undercover alliance agent secrets at all costs. Together, father and but everything changes when he wit- adding some crew to the ship at some who tries to bring Simon in and his son are swept up in a race to uncover this nesses something that can’t be explained point in the season and it looks like the mysterious cargo (his sister). Meanwhile, past before a mysterious brotherhood can away. Teaming up with a mysterious season will end with a big confrontation Captain Mal and crew have salvaged stop them. The Veritas team includes: organization that leads their own investi- with an as yet unknown foe. Most of the some cargo from a derelict ship and are The highly intelligent and mysterious gations into the paranormal, Paul will syndicated shows will continue with making arrangements to sell it off. They Vincent Siminou (Arnold Voslo - “The continue his quest amid a dizzying and repeats until late January, so catch repeats have to deal with the alliance agent, Mummy”), Solomon’s closest confidant often frightening realm of possibilities. of any shows you missed. reavers and a double-crossing customer and protector; Calvin Banks (Eric Often inspirational, sometimes terrifying Over on Cable, there are new shows to before its all over. Balfour), a high strung but brilliant by- and always breathtaking, Miracles watch, especially in January when The Finally debuting on ABC on Thanks- the-books archaeologist; and Maggie journeys into a new dimension of drama, Dead Zone returns to USA Network, giving is the weekly series Dinotopia. (Cynthia Martells), a cool and sophisti- opening doors and seeking answers as it Stargate SG-1 and Farscape resume new Seeing as ABC has completely avoided cated computer scientist. And charged goes. “ Also starring is Hector Elizondo episodes on SciFi with the debut of the ( Cont’d on page 6 )

Volume 12 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 5 SF Tube Talk (Cont’d from page 5) additional airings, the series will build in series. It has been doing very well in the season of the series after all. As an added the ratings and end up being the success ratings (including multiple repeats) and extra bonus for long time Stargate SG-1 Tremors series based on the movies. But they hope it will be. Personally, I think it has become SciFi’s highest rated series, fans, they also announced that Michael first is the big event on the SciFi Channel will be worth watching, although it might so SciFi and MGM started talks to keep Shanks will return to the series as a the first two weeks of December when be best to tape it and watch it over a the series going. The main sticking point regular. How they will bring back Daniel SciFi is literally taken over by “Steven month or so instead of all of it in two however, was Richard Dean Anderson’s Jackson from his higher plane of exist- Spielberg Presents Taken”. Airing a two weeks. Just watching it on tape would desire to not spend another year in ence was not revealed, however. hour movie each weeknight from Dec 2nd save you five hours by scanning through Vancouver and be able to spend as much As with Farscape, Stargate SG-1 will through Dec 13th, the 20 hours of the all the commercials and promos that will time with his 4 year old daughter as he resume new episodes of its sixth season Taken miniseries will end up filling up air during it. could. MGM and SciFi were able to come on January 10th following a three episode 118 hours of time on the channel over Following the Taken deluge, SciFi’s to terms with Anderson and have those two weeks with extra repeats regular programming will return for new announced that there will be a seventh ( cont’d on page 7 ) include two ten hour marathons on Saturday and Sunday December 14th and episodes in January. 15th. Farscape will be The miniseries tells the story of continuing with the ConKopelli several generations of three families remainder of it’s fourth involved with alien abductions in the and final season (unless second half of the twentieth century. someone else picks it When a alien ship crashes near Roswell, up). Producer David Westercon 57 leaving four dead aliens and one live one Kemper has promised on the loose, the destiny of the three that the remaining July 2-5, 2004 families begins to take shape. Eric Close episodes are some of the (Dark Skies, Now and Again) is John, best they’ve ever done Litchfield Park, Arizona the surviving alien who disguises himself and that what can save as human and when he encounters lonely the show is for viewers housewife Sally Clarke (Catherine to watch it when it C.J. Cherryh - Author Guest of Honor Dent), he seduces her and fathers a half returns and give it alien/half-human son, Jacob Clarke. Over respectable enough David Cherry - Artist Guest of Honor the course of the miniseries, Sally tries to ratings that another reunite herself with John. Her son, Jacob network will want to Heather Alexander - Music Guest of Honor Clarke (Chad Donella), and his daughter, pick it up. What may Lisa (Emily Bergl) end up being ab- help is that when John Hertz - Fan Guest of Honor ducted multiple times for study by the Farscape returns on aliens. Also encountering aliens during January 10th, it will be Our Theme: Mythology of the SouthWest World War II is fighter pilot Russell Keys in the 8 PM ET/PT time (Steve Barton), who’s plane is abducted slot and not the 10 PM and when he returns home, both he and ET/PT time slot that saw his son, Jesse Keys are also abduction it’s ratings decline even targets. Eventually, Jesse’s son Charlie with Stargate SG-1 as Membership: (Adam Kaufman) and Jacob’s daughter its lead-in. Having been Location: Lisa are united and paired off while absent from SciFi’s abducted resulting in Allie Keys (Dakota schedule since August, Supporting: $30 Fanning), who is the focus of the Farscape will return to Wigwam Resort miniseries, narrating it and being an the schedule with an 11 Attending: $50 thru 12/31/ alien/human hybrid that may hold the key episode marathon of the 300 Wigwam Blvd. 02 to changing the world. The other family first half of season four is headed up by Captain Owen Crawford (followed by a mini- Litchfield Park, Arizona More later and at the door (Joe Gretsch) of the Army’s intelligence marathon of X-Files 623 -935-3811 department, who uses the Roswell crash Christmas episodes) on investigation as a means to further his Christmas Eve, Dec 24th, Rooms: $105 career and his two sons take very different starting at 8 am ET/PT. Suites: $135 paths in the story. Eric (Andy Powers) SciFi will also air the tries to further his fathers investigations last three of these Room rate includes gratuity for into the alien threat while Sam (Ryan episodes on Jan 3rd bellman (check in/out), maid Contact Info: Merriman) ends up befriending the starting at 6 PM ET/PT. service, as well as unlimited use aliens. Eric’s daughter, Mary (Heather As usual, not much of the Health Facilities, Valet and Donahue) continues the work of her actual information has ConKopelli father and grandfather. The other major been leaked about the Resort Parking, Bicycles, Shuttle character is Chet Wakeman, played by episodes, but from the to Wigwam Outlet Mall, Croquet, Westercon 57 Matt Frewer, who is the head of a cancer ending of the last new Putting Green, Basketball Court & PO Box 67457 research institute that is really a front for episode, Unrealized In-room coffee. him being the head of a government Reality, it looks like Phoenix AZ 85082 agency investigating the alien abductions. Crichton has finally The miniseries is definitely one of the made it back to Earth 602-973-2341 biggest ever done for television, not just and more than likely, [email protected] for cable. SciFi has a lot riding on it and Moya will follow. it is expecting it to draw big numbers. It When SciFi picked Web: www.conkopelli.org is a big risk assuming people will want to up Stargate SG-1 for it’s commit to that much of a TV viewing sixth season, it had been commitment between the two major announced that it would holidays. It is likely that with all the be the final season of the Page 6 ConNotations Volume 12 Issue 6 SF Tube Talk (cont’d from page 6 ) and Steve Wilson. Tremors takes place in paranoiac thriller of government mind- will be “Valley of the Shadows” picking the sleepy desert town of Perfection, Nev., control and the ordinary citizens out to up where they left off last season with mini-marathon on January 3rd of the last which is also home to a giant prehistoric stop it. Possibly airing in February are Greg Stillson up to his corrupt ways, three new episodes aired. As we saw at worm named El Blanco who is on the Puppet Masters vs. Demonic Toys and including making a pass at Sarah while the end of Prometheus, the Asgard Thor endangered species list. Determined not maybe (finally!) the two hour pilot for Johnny deliberates over how to change has shown up to take O’Neill and crew to to abandon their town and way of life, the Riverworld. the Asgard home world to help save the Perfectionists struggle to maintain an Asgard home world from Replicators in uneasy peace with El Blanco and the “Unnatural Selection”. Following will be other dangerous creatures that populate “Metamorphosis” where SG-1 joins a their desert. Russian team in attempting to save a What would SciFi be without reruns planet’s inhabitants from strange Goa’uld of recent SciFi series? Starting in January, experimentation. In “Smoke and Mir- episodes of Roswell will air Monday rors”, a sniper assassinates Senator through Friday at 6 PM ET/PT. Also Kinsey, and SG-1 is stunned when a debuting on SciFi in early January is their video camera captures Colonel O’Neill’s new half hour reality series The Dream face as the perpetrator. “Sight Unseen” Team With Annabelle and Michael. looks to be more of a humorous episode During the show, dream expert Michael when a civilian claims that he can see Lennox and co-host Annabelle Gurwitch aliens, the team must investigate strange (Dinner & a Movie) will dissect and new visitors to Earth. explain the dreams of audience members Rounding out Friday nights on SciFi and call-in viewers. in the 10 PM ET/PT time slot vacated by SciFi will debut two new movies in Farscape will be the new series, Trem- January. The first, Dragon Fighters, stars ors, based on the movie trilogy that has Dean Cain where “It’s a real reign of fire done well in multiple repeat runs on SciFi as helicopter gun ships fight a genetically Anthony Michael Hall & Nicole deBoer of Dead Zone © USA and the USA Network. Michael Gross th modified dragon in the most startlingly Over on the USA Network, January 5 the imminent fate of the world. In stars as survivalist Burt Gummer, a role real depiction of these mythic beasts ever will see the return of The Dead Zone to he made famous in the three Tremors “Precipitate”, when Johnny is injured put on film” (SciFi’s description, not Sunday nights (with it also airing at 7 PM and infused with a blood product stem- films. The cast also includes Victor th mine). It debuts on Saturday, January 4 . ET/PT Friday nights two weeks later on ming from six different people, he begins Browne, Gladise Jimenez, Lela Lee, th Next is Control Factor, debuting Jan 18 , SciFi). Look for Johnny to learn more having visions through the donors’ eyes Marcia Strassman and Dean Norris. stars Adam Baldwin (Firefly, The X- about his destiny as it is intertwined with The series’ executive producer are David and learns one of them will die unless he Files), Elizabeth Berkley (Showgirls) Reverend Purdey and political candidate intervenes. Israel, Nancy Roberts, Brent Maddock and Tony Todd (Candyman) in a Greg Stillson. Opening the new season (Cont’d on page 8 ) LepreCon Ad

Volume 12 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 7 noted that the work he did on this series SF Tube Talk (Cont’d from page 7) to Pixels, State of the Art: The has led to development work on another Previsualization of Episode II and Films Possibly starting in January (although possible animated series about another Videophile Are Not Released, They Escape as well as no announcement on when has been DC superhero, yet to be revealed. made) is the second season of Justice a bunch of other stuff. Tube Talk Tidbits Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones We are enjoying these DVDs (Episode League on the Cartoon Network. Guest Showtime has renewed Jeremiah for th characters look to be Aquaman, Lois 20 Century Fox, 142 min, PG I and II) while we wait for the release of a second season of fifteen episodes. VHS $24.98, DVD $29.98 Lane, the Green Lantern Corps, the New Joining Luke Perry and Malcolm Episode III. Now if Lucas would just Gods and Dr. Fate with villains including Jamal-Warner will be Sean Astin (Sam release Upset IV, V, and VI on DVD. - Lex Luthor, The Joker, Amazo, Despero, Gamgee) as the mysterious Mr. Smith, By now we are all familiar with the Stephanie L Bannon Braniac, Darkseid, Eclipso and Ichthultu. who will befriend Kurdy, who has been story of Attack of the Clones. Ten years Also in the works for later in 2003 on separated from Jeremiah at the start of the after Episode I, Padmé Amidala (Natalie Spiderman both the Cartoon Network and Kids WB! season. Portman), is now a senator and actively Columbia, 121 min, PG-13 is a new animated Teen Titans series. It Following the success of SciFi resisting the creation of a Republic Army. VHS $24.95 , DVD $28.95 will feature Robin, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Pictures flick Terminal Invasion starring Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) Starfire and Raven in all-new adventures. Bruce Campbell and Chase Masterson, is resentful of his stern Jedi mentor, Obi- The Cartoon Network press release Spiderman, one of the biggest money SciFi has signed Bruce Campbell for two Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), tor- makers in theaters follows that by being describes the show as “Teen Titans, set in more pictures. The movies are The Man a future of intergalactic strife and mented by the loss of his mother and we one of the biggest selling videos in With the Screaming Brain, a long time see the beginnings of his emerging “dark interplanetary battles, features five teen pet project for Campbell, and Earwigs, is history and it is all well deserved. side” while he protects his new love, superheroes each with special powers, led about mind control and was inspired by Spiderman brings us the story of the by the Boy Wonder Robin. This group the nasty creatures used by Khan on Amidala, from would-be assassins. origins of the super hero as we follow unites to form a defensive force to protect Chekov in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Star Wars: Episode II, Attack of the high-school nerd Peter Parker (Tobey the Earth from a new generation of Khan. Clones is a truly superior DVD, the Maguire) transformation from a brainy villains. An eclectic group, their powers Development on the Animated Buffy picture and sound are spectacular, outcast to a mature superhero when a complement each other so that when they the Vampire Slayer tv series has appar- probably because the film was shot “super-spider” bites him during a high band together, they become a superb ently been halted due to lack of a network entirely in digital. Extras on disc one are school field trip and transforms him into fighting force. Their personalities, on the interested in carrying it. Oh well. a commentary track compiled from other hand, often clash. Discovering how the amazingly agile, web-shooting Finally, Jonathan Harris, the actor various people, including George Lucas, Spider-Man. to control their powers, these Teen Titans who portrayed the cowardly Dr. Zachary must learn to work and grow as a team producer Rick McCallum, editor Ben The cast is solid with Cliff Robertson Smith in the 1960s TV series Lost in Burtt, and ILM animation director Rob while dealing with the trials and tribula- Space, died Nov. 3 from a blood clot in as Uncle Ben Parker, Rosemary Harris as Coleman. Disc two has eight deleted tions of being teenagers.” The series was his heart while receiving therapy at a Los Aunt May Parker, Kirsten Dunst as Mary developed for Warner Bros. by none other Angeles-area hospital, the Associated scenes with optional introductions. The Jane Watson, Parker’s girl-next-door than Peter David, who currently writes Press reported. He was 87. most interesting is a scene of Padmé sweetheart and .Willem Dafoe is perfect the Young Justice comic for DC, which For the latest news, episode schedules addressing the Senate to oppose the will likely serve as a reference for the and lots of links, check out The creation of a Republic army. There are tone of the Teen Titans series. David also Magrathea/SFTV Pages at www.sftv.org. three great documentaries: From Puppets ( Cont’d on page 9 ) HexaCon Ad

Page 8 ConNotations Volume 12 Issue 6 Videophile (cont’d from page 8 ) All About (Sum 41) ad well as the TV the-Scenes Featurette, “The Tech of spots and the obligatory filmographies Shrek”, the Game Swamp with over 15 cast as Spidey’s schizoid archenemy, the and character files. Disc two has the HBO interactive games and activities, Shrek’s Green Goblin. feature Making of Spider-Man, the E! Music Hall, Favorite Scenes Selection, a Entertainment Special Spider-Mania, Donkey’s Tale Read-Along, the obliga- profiles of director Sam Raimi and tory Production Notes, Character Inter- composer Danny Elfman, the screen tests views, Biographies and a Sneek peek for Tobey Maguire, J.K. Simmons, and trailer. Disc two contains the Filmmak- CGI Spider-Man, an gag/outtake ers’ Commentary, an interesting look at reel,”Spider-Man: The Mythology of the “The Tech of Shrek”, and a fairly 21st Century” historical documentary and hilarious International Dubbing Feature. much more. However, by far the most enjoyable, fun, When we saw Spiderman in the fascinating extra is Shrek’s Re-voice theaters I knew I would have to add it to Studio on the DVD-ROM. There you can our collection. This DVD is well worth dub your voice to the character lines with the money for the extra features alone, almost magical precision. add to that the wonderful movie and this This is a must have DVD set if you set is a terrific bargain. - Stephanie L have kids, or if you were ever a kid Bannon yourself. - Stephanie L Bannon

Shrek Bubble Boy Dreamworks, 93 min, PG Buena Vista, 84 min, PG-13 VHS $24.99, DVD $26.99 VHS $14.99, DVD $19.99 The two disc set contains many of the Shrek’s disgust. Shrek and his new pal, a usual extras such as a commentary by talking donkey (Eddie Murphy), begin a Shrek is a delightfully fractured fairy In the movie Bubble Boy, a man ends director Sam Raimi, Kirsten Dunst, quest to rescue a princess (Cameron Diaz) tale just right for the whole family. up falling in love with a beautiful next producer Laura Ziskin, and co-producer from a dragon lair so she can marry Lord Voiced by Mike Myers, Shrek is an door neighbor. unfortunately he is stuck Grant Curtis as well as a commentary by Farquaad but things don’t go quite as agreeable ogre who wants to live peace- in a world of plastic for he has no special effects designer John Dykstra and planned. fully in his swamp home. Unfortunately immunities. he must go and stop the visual effects crew as well as the theatri- This is the perfect story for computer- when Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) marriage of his one love before he is cal trailer(s).Sic one also includes animation and the story is actually richer evicts local fairy-tale creatures (including forever stuck as a lonely bubble boy. I “Weaving the Web”: subtitled pop-on than most animated films and the humor the now-famous Seven Dwarfs, liked this movie for it’s humor and the production notes and historical facts, makes Shrek a sure fire winner Pinocchio, and the Gingerbread Man), amusing event of mud wrestling. - Sean music videos: for Hero (Chad Kroeger The DVD extras include the Behind- featuring Josey Scott) and What We’re they settle in the ogre’s swamp much to Patrick Martin

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15% off any purchase over to $50 4920 West Thunderbird Glendale, Arizona 85306 602 978 0467 Games Limit one coupon per person. Not valid with any other offers. "For The Best Selection Of Games In The West Valley" Present coupon. Exp 07-31-03 Page 10 ConNotations Volume 12 Issue 6 episodes because syndicators fear that the the series of movies. We can only hope back that they were anthropomorphizing ConClusion average viewer won’t know what’s going that the movie is every bit as funny as the Force, that the Force couldn’t seduce on if they haven’t viewed all of the played by these people. It could happen, anyone. She pointed them to the relevant San Diego Comic-Con Interna- episodes. Altman stated some stories with since they were reading from a script scene in Star Wars: A New Hope. When tional 2002: I Wish I Were a central issue like Dear Doctor work downloaded from the Internet. writing his X-Files novel, Kevin J. Cloned Part 2 well while others like Detained don’t http://www.startrek.com/ Anderson was asked to remove Mulder’s By Shane Shellenbarger work very well at all. The panel agreed http://www.madcon.org/altman.html sarcastic comments because “Mulder that the show needs more drama and less http://www.moviepoopshoot.com/ doesn’t have a sense of humor.” The Okay, you’ve got that Comic-Con of the soap opera. retinalfetish/ audience got a good laugh out of that International in San Diego is enormous! Just then, Chris Gore dons a pair of http://www.filmthreat.com/ observation. The 2002 event had over 63,000 attend- safety goggles, brings out a hammer and http://www.trektoday.com/ The authors continued to relay the ees, exhibitors, and professionals. The a toy model of the Enterprise-D, which he http://www.corona.bc.ca/films/details/ problems of writing novels and short committee put together about 600 hours proceeds to smash. “Rick Berman, trek10.html stories based on television series that of panels films, Japanimation, gaming, thanks for destroying my childhood,” http://wilwheaton.net/ hadn’t been on the air yet: In their first and special events. Some of those events Gore cries out as he pummels the plastic Friday, August 2nd, 2002 Angel book, Jeff Mariotte and Nancy included special appearances by Holly- starship into pieces. The audience 10:30 a.m. Novels from the Reel Holder called him “Angelus” when the wood stars Chase Masterson, Elvira, applauds. World television series had established his first Ron Perlman, Emma, Asia, Gene Since this is a multi-media event, Nancy Holder (writer, Buffy the name as Liam. Diane Carey wrote the Simmons, Hilary Swank, The Geeks we’re treated to Daren Dochterman Vampire Slayer: The Journals of Rupert first Star Trek: The Next Generation from Comedy Central’s Beat the Geeks doing the “E Plebb Neesta “(We The Giles), Jeff Mariotte (writer, Angel: novel, Ghost Ship, and was immediately game show, Lucy Liu, Ray Park, Jason People) speech from the classic Trek Endangered Species), Peter David raked over the coals for her poor charac- Lee, Matthew Fox, Mark Hamill, and episode The Omega Glory which he had (writer, Of Stuff), Andy Mangels (writer, terization because the readers didn’t Arnold Schwarzenegger. Directors, performed on a public access cable show. Star Trek: Lost Era “Book One: Excel- realize that Carey based her work on writers, producers, and behind-the-scenes Following that, Dochferman faithfully sior”), Rebecca Moesta (writer, Buffy material developed early in the process of specialists were also in attendance and recreates Kirks musings about Gorns and the Vampire Slayer: “Little Things” creating the characters. Paramount abundant: Stan Lee, Ron Shusett, Mike gunpowder from the episode, Arena. Peter David got this panel started by stopped Peter David from having Ryker Mignola, Guerillmo del Toro, Richard Dochferman also treated the audience to relaying some of his experiences of propose to Deanna at the end of Imzadi II Taylor, J.J. Abrams, Stan Winston, a dead-on impersonation of the Great writing Star Trek novels. He said that in because it had been determined the two Steve Oedekerk, Bob Gale, Steve Bird of the Galaxy, Gene Roddenberry. his novels he tries to do things that would would never marry (watch the first ten Sansweet, Al Gough, Miles Millar, Each of the panelists took their turn at be too expensive to portray on television minutes of ST: Nemesis.) Craig McCracken, Richard Taylor, answering the question, “What would get or on film. He gives each of his Star Trek: In conclusion, Peter David will Chris Columbus, Joss Whedon, J. you excited about Enterprise?” Burnett New Frontier novels a budget of novelize The Incredible Hulk film as he Michael Straczynski, Mark Steven said, “If Paramount hired a great writing $500,000,000.00. Some of his run ins did Spider-Man (over 250, 000 copies Johnson, and Bryan Singer. staff.” Gore said, “If it (Star Trek) went with the-powers-that-be at Paramount are sold,) Endangered Species: Angel is the Now what you need to understand is away for twenty years.” Daren the stuff of legend. Once, David wrote a latest from Nancy Holder and Jeff the diversity and eclectic nature of the Dochferman said, “They need to hire a reluctant Ryker as saying, “I’d rather Mariotte, ST: TNG: The Gorn Crisis is opportunities for enlightenment and writing staff that doesn’t HATE the walk Neutral Zone border patrol in my the newest novel from Rebecca Moesta, entertainment at this convention. Litera- original series. They need to actually underwear.” The note he received from and Andy Mangels will soon publish ture, film, television, animation, Manga, show the origins of the classic series.” Paramount stated, “It has not been Animation on DVD: The Ultimate Guide acting, writing, art, ethics, philosophy, Altman said, “By trying to make it a established that our characters wear and ST: Deep Space Nine: Mission psychology, politics, games, and (of family show they are playing it too safe. underwear. When Enterprise showed the Gamma Cathedral with Michael A. course) comic books are all represented. Also, the Temporal Cold War storyline first episode, Broken Bow, which con- Martin hits the stands in October. This convention isn’t just big; it’s VERY, will only work if at the end of the series tained a decontamination scene depicting http://www.jeffmariotte.com/main.htm VERY BIG! http://www.comic-con.org/ the show is explained as an alternate T’ Pol and Tucker in their skivvies, editor http://www.peterdavid.net/ 5:30 p.m. The Rise, fall, and Rise of timeline. And, why doesn’t Archer ever John Ordover called Peter David and http://www.trektoday.com/news/ Star Trek mention the Cold War to his superiors?” advised him that underwear had now 160802_03.shtml Free Enterprise’s Mark A. Altman Burnett stated that Enterprise should been established on Star Trek. David told http://www.the-trades.com/ and Robert Meyer Burnett, have been The Right Stuff of Star Trek. As how the first edition of Vendetta (also column.php?columnid=1306 FilmThreat.com’s Chris Gore, and Talk a group they agreed that Bakula’s Archer known as the big book of Borg) contained http://www.andymangels.com/ Trek’s Daren Dochterman. is too” touchy-feely” and that he doesn’t the following disclaimer: This book is a http://www.wordfire.com/index.html Slamming Star Trek has become an give orders, but instead he makes work of fiction by Peter David and does Next time: annual event for this group of fans- suggestions, where as in the classic series not in some ways reflect the Star Trek 12:00 p.m. Casting and Mold-making - turned-pros. After all, you always hurt the Kirk states, “When this becomes a Universe as conceived by Gene Jeff Broz one you love and these people have a Democracy, I’ll let you know.” Roddenberry. Paramount insisted that http://www.jdbgrphx.com/ fierce love of Star Trek and they under- Burnett was also bothered by the Pocket Books print that disclaimer 1:30 p.m. Story Layers - Will Shetterly stand its strengths and weaknesses. sequence of clips used in the opening because David had written a female Borg and Emma Bull Chris Gore started the ball rolling by montage: they’re not in chronological character. This was before the Borg http://homepage.mac.com/emmawill/ stating the obvious: Enterprise is boring order. The group also mused about the Queen and before 7 of 9. David hopes 2:30 p.m. Spotlight on Todd McFarlane - and the technology doesn’t make sense in fans tendency to give the New Trek series that should Vendetta go back to press the Moderated by Larry Marder, president, light of The Cage, Where No Man Has the benefit of the doubt for a couple of disclaimer will be removed. David was McFarlane Toys Gone Before, and the classic Trek seasons when the classic series got things once told by a Paramount flunkey that, http://www.spawn.com/interface.html episodes that followed. Jeff Bonz right the first year. Burnett felt that it “What happens in the series is Star Trek 3:30 p.m. One-on-One: J. Michael followed up with this question: What should have taken the entire first season fact and what happens in the books is Straczynski and John Romita Jr. other show begins a scene while the crew to get the Klingon back to Kronos. Jeff Star Trek fiction.” As an aside, David http://babylon5.warnerbros.com/cmp/ is having dinner and goes to commercial Bonz complained that Archer is con- feels that New Frontier has benefitted bios.htm break before the Universe is threatened stantly in real-time conversation with from Voyager backlash. http://worldsofjms.com/ with destruction? Robert Burnett flatly Admiral Forrest and the panelists all Andy Mangels said that he footnotes http://www.geocities.com/romitapage/ stated that the show needed to carry wanted to know why the Vulcans are his novels to avoid the license holders’ home.htm forward the interest of the viewers by portrayed as either vapid or villainous. objections. Rebecca Moesta told us that http://home.wanadoo.nl/pafrankn/ developing more serialized stories like The capper of the panel came when when she and husband, Kevin J. Ander- jrj_intro.htm The Andorian Incident and Shadows of volunteers were taken from the audience son wrote in their Young Jedi Knight And more. To Be Continued . P‘Jem to which Mark Altman replied to portray various cast members from the series that someone was “seduced by the that Paramount was afraid of serialized upcoming Star Trek: Nemesis, tenth in Dark side of the Force” comments came Volume 12 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 11 Calendar of Events - December, 2002

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 12 345 6 7 Book Release TV Premiere V.Game Release Book Discussion Group Smof Diego LepreCon 29 Meeting Guardian - Joe Haldeman Taken on Sci-Fi Clone Wars Glendale Public Library Dec 6-8 JB’s I-17 & Indian School [email protected] San Diego, CA 2pm LosCon 29 (beg Nov 30 DVD Release www.fopaws.com/smofcon [email protected] Nov 30- Dec 1 Star Trek:TNG: Season 6 Burbank, CA Westercon 57 Meeting JB’s I-17 & Indian School www.loscon.org Book Release 4PM Joe Haldeman - The [email protected] Guardian

89 1011121314 ConNotes Labelling & Az Ren Festival Az Ren Festival CASFS Meeting UFP Meeting Potluck Auditions Auditions JB’s I-17 & Indian School Star Trek: Nemesis [email protected] Central HS. 6:30 - 9:30pm Central HS. 6:30 - 9:30pm 8pm outing call for Apt.call for Apt. [email protected] www.u-f-p.org (520) 463-2600 (520) 463-2600 [email protected] Movie Release Star Trek:Nemises

15161718192021 V. Game Release DVD Release Book Release Movie Release Silent Hill 2 Minority Report Garth Nix - Abhorsen LotR: Two Towers

Book Discussion Group Borders Books 7320 W Bell Rd Tanya 623-487-9110

22232425262728 Christmas Eve Christmas

293031 To have your event or meeting listed please email [email protected] V. Game Release New Year’s Eve LOTR: 2 Towers (It is free so take advantage of it) DVD Release Star Trek:TNG: Season 7 Due to limited space available, when necessary Calendar Listings will only contain an event title UFP Meeting & contact email or phone number. New Year’s Eve party All release dates are tentative and should be verified before you run off half cocked to make a www.u-f-p.org purchase. [email protected]

Page 12 ConNotations Volume 12 Issue 6 Calendar of Events - January, 2003

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 12 3 4 To have your event or meeting listed please email [email protected] Book Discussion Group (It is free so take advantage of it) Glendale Public Library [email protected] Due to limited space available, when necessary Calendar Listings will only contain an event title & contact email or phone number.

All release dates are tentative and should be verified before you run off half cocked to make a purchase

56 789 1011 DVD Release Movie Release UFP Meeting Buffy: Season 3 Darkness Falls Recycling plant tour www.u-f-p.org TV Premiere [email protected] Farscape Resumes- Sci-fi

12131415161718 Movie Releases Holes Sin Eater

19202122232425 Book Discussion Group Book Release UFP Meeting Borders Books J. Gregory Keyes - Video Project Filming 7320 W Bell Rd The Briar King Tanya 623-487-9110 www.u-f-p.org [email protected]

262728293031 Movie Release Jan Movie Release TBA Final Destination 2 Cowboy Bebop: the Movie

CASFS Meeting JB’s I-17 & Indian School 8pm [email protected]

Volume 12 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 13 Rocket ( cont’d from page 1 ) flight, and calls the countdown. “total impulse”) of the previous letter. Solid-fuel rocket motors are rated by The rocket kits you see in hobby and toy G. Harry means even more to rock- letter designations, with each letter class stores are generally powered by motors eteers. A veteran of the engineering side having twice the total kick (technically rated from A to D. At SSS launches, you of the early ballistic missile projects, he can see launches driven by motors rated practically invented model rocketry as a as high as M. Do the math, it’s awesome! hobby. G. Harry was the founder and first For high-power launch events like these, president of the National Association of the club obtains a special waiver from the Rocketry. His “Handbook of Model Federal Aviation Administration. Rocketry” was the first comprehensive The G. Harry Stine Memorial Rocket publication in the field and, many times Launch is SSS’s biggest event of the year, updated, remains its holiest writ for safety but far from its only outing. SSS rocket and practical information. launches are held at the Rainbow Valley Each year since G. Harry’s death in site on the second Saturday morning of 1997, the Superstition Spacemodeling each month. Spectators of all ages are Society (SSS) has dedicated its October very welcome and it makes a fine day’s launch to his memory. The memorial free family entertainment. This is launch has grown into a social event that Arizona, so bring plenty of cold water attracts flyers, spectators, and vendors and sunscreen. A shade canopy or beach from all over Arizona and surrounding umbrella comes in handy too. states. A small city of easy-up pavilions Check out www.sssrocketry.org for rises overnight on a patch of cow pasture details about the club, meeting and at the Rainbow Valley launch site in rural launch calendars, directions to the launch Maricopa County, Arizona. The specta- site, the club newsletter “Newton’s tors stay on one side of a flight line Minutes,” photo galleries, and links to marked by flagged ropes while the launch the vast field of model rocketry. Clear systems (clever home-built modern Skies! sculptures of wire, car batteries, switches, The Vatsaas brothers’ curvaceous cosmic craft pipe, rod, and carpentry) are set up on the will appeal to fans of old time pulp SF. Check A spectacular launch on a J-class motor. other side, a safe distance away. Experi- out their projects at www.vatsaas.org © Randall Whitlock enced rocketeers at the launch table © Randall Whitlock inspect each rocket for safety before it is approved for flight. An announcer with PA system gives the crowd details of each

Page 14 ConNotations Volume 12 Issue 6 for many hours at a time, perhaps for become as natural and well known as Just do it! Disguise de limit! The Costume many years and cons to come. It jolly well your real world identity. Randall Whitlock has directed three needs easy restroom access! Final thought: Mind your manners! Coppercon Masquerades, serves as Closet A hall costume will support a higher When you wear a costume, you president and webmaster for the South- level of detail than a stage costume. become memorable. People will remem- west Costumers Guild by Randall Whitlock People will see you at arm’s length, not ber rudeness and discourtesy from a (www.southwestcostumersguild.org and twenty feet. Hall costumes therefore make costumed person for years when the same hawks his medieval/ren/highland- Some people really do have monsters better canvases for display of fine bead behavior would not have been noticed inspired clothes and sewing patterns at in their closets. Mine has a giant fly, a and needlework, jewelry, or hand props. from someone in street clothes. The hall www.moirandalls.com. His stage cos- nightmare puppet, sorcerers fair and foul, So what works for a good hall costumer should compensate with warm tumes run to visual puns (Dances with a mutant killer whale, a mythical costume? Media recreations (characters courtesy, even (especially) when playing a Werewolves, The Dookus of Hazzard) Klingon, and no fewer than three Dark or clothing from film, television, anima- villain. You may be one of the Padishaw while his hall costume efforts have Lords of the Sith. tion, and comics) are one obvious choice. Emperor’s hand-picked Sardaukar included assorted originals and re- It’s okay, I’m a costumer. These have several advantages. One guards, but this does not give you the creations from Star Trek, Star Wars, and Welcome to the Costume Closet, advantage is recognition. Most people right to shove people in the hallway or Futurama. ConNotations’ new column featuring will immediately know what fictional stick a prop lasgun in someone’s back! articles by members of the local SF and universe you inhabit, if not the specific Cluelessly rude people in mundane fantasy costuming community. In the character. This has a downside as well clothes will tug at your props and ask the coming issues, expect to see opinions, since there are people who appoint same fool questions over and over. Smile how-to’s, Q&A, humor, and a bit of themselves to criticize small details. Blow with patience and show strangers that you history. these people off! How much work went are above this. For starters: Some of Randall’s Highly into their own non-costume? Beware, Opinionated Thoughts on Hall Costumes. media costumes tend to attract the You will see costumin’ humans at SF attention of muggle news reporters. conventions in essentially two venues: on The media companies will sometimes stage at the masquerade; or roaming the help you (so long as you aren’t making hallways. Logically enough, these are any money). Some Star Trek and Star Snugglarea by Dan Weiss called “Stage Costumes” and “Hall Wars costumes can be purchased off the Costumes.” rack from authorized vendors. Film Stage costumes are presented at the production companies sometimes work If Monty Python, Philip K. Dick, and Franz Kafka had Masquerade, which is a featured event with publishers to make sewing patterns usually held on Saturday evening. Stage available. You can get patterns for collaborated on a novel, it might have been a lot like costumes are meant to be seen only once Hogwarts school robes at any fabric store. Snugglarea. On the other hand, it might have turned by a particular audience, so the goal is to Technical manuals, visual guides and fan out to be something completely different. make a brief but strong impression on the web sites can provide valuable reference spectator. Stage costumes are often larger material. than life, with bold features like latex Historicals are another good category Snugglarea, in fact, was authored by mild-mannered novelist Dan Weiss, makeup applications, lighting effects, for hall costumes. Bring out your duds an avid chess player with a fondness for black raspberries. broad wings, long trains, or tall head- from the SCA, renfaire, regency dance, dresses. They will be worn only for a wild west show, or Victorian tea party. Boldly published by Black Plankton Press, this unusual novel was first couple of hours, so stage costumes aren’t Being real clothes from a real time, these turned down by some of the larger, tamer houses. Bantam Doubleday Dell, designed for comfort. The model is fit the practical and comfortable criteria for instance, wrote in their rejection, “Mr. Weiss is quite a storyteller, and willing to put up with a bit of pain or heat very well. for art’s sake. Stage costumes will be seen Closely related to historicals are he has a good sense of humor. Unfortunately, Spectra [one of the at a distance, so fine detail is often fantasy and role-playing game costumes. conglomerate’s imprints] hasn’t had much luck with this particular sub- ignored in favor of broad impact. The These usually take some basic historical genre of science fiction. I guess you’d call it ‘humorous science fiction’?” stage already has the audience’s full outlines, like a medieval or ancient attention, so stage costumes are presented culture setting, and add fantastical Call it what you like, Snugglarea rises above conformity and weirdness. with a narrative introduction by the elements like artistic weapons, armor, This book could be a nightmare if it wasn’t so funny; it could be a comedy master of ceremonies, music, a short and jewelry. if it wasn’t so bleak. As it is, Snugglarea doesn’t fit into any pigeonhole. sketch, dance moves, or maybe a joke. Strikingly slinky club wear, like one Here at Black Plankton Press, we let the other guys appeal to the Hall costumes are an entirely different might find in the back of the Frederick’s animal. They are worn by the casual con- catalog, is popular among the femmefen birdbrains. goer for every convention activity. Hall after dark on Saturday. This look deserves costumes are meant for direct interaction an article of its own. As a fortyish, hairy, “Life used to be so simple; there were only amino acids with other fen, all day long. Practicality, pot-bellied guy, I haven’t done much comfort, and detail are the major priori- work in the category myself. and the beginnings of slime. But now everything is ties for a hall costume. Your hall costume can be a complete organized to the point where there is a depressing lack of A good hall costume should be original, not derived from any imagina- life in a world filled with billions of people. Sally—the practical to wear. You should be able to tion but your own. My basic Friday person I dream about most—is in storage on Earth, while move freely through all of the tight spaces evening duds are usually a field uniform I’m stuck here in orbit, working for Entertainment—the of the con. A five-foot headdress may from some band of space traders/merce- most fertile field in our sterile world—struggling to look cool, but you could find yourself naries/pirates whose story has not yet swinging from the ceiling fans! A been written. This lets me combine some broaden the horizons of titillation” —from the opening of flowing cape is good, but only if you learn of my favorite clothing elements that are Snugglarea to control it without knocking down half not usually found together, like pocket Available to Connotations readers for $11.75 from: the inventory in the dealer room. Thank vests, puffy-sleeved shirts, hiking boots, Black Plankton Press the gods and the ADA that revolving berets, and capes. Don’t expect the other P.O. Box 1351 doors are no longer common! con-goers to recognize your “look” at A hall costume needs to be sturdy and first, but keep your explanation brief. Cobb, CA 95426 comfortable since you will be wearing it After a few cons, your persona can [email protected]

Volume 12 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 15 has been praised by many well-known the mainland where they find the survi- In Our Book fantasy authors, and well deserves it. - vors of the plague are not quite what they The Briar King Lee Whiteside expected. The plague’s survivors are by Greg Keyes known as the Werfolk and their abilities Del Rey Books, 560 pages, $24.95 Empty Cities of the Full Moon to shape-shift and soul-fly are now part of by Howard V. Hendrix a new culture. Through a series of Greg Keys is best known for his Age Ace Books, 441 pages, $14.95 adventures they meet various people who of Unreason series that is an alternate all had a part in determining or predict- history fantasy of fairly epic proportions. This story blends a number of familiar ing the course of the plague. The fellow- With the Briar King he starts a new four elements in a very unfamiliar format. ship grows in number as they get closer to book series, The Kingdoms of Bone and John Drinan is an astronaut above the discovering the truth that Trilla’s grand- Thorn, with a more self contained fantasy earth when a strange blast of light sends father sacrificed a world to protect. world with a connection to our reality. At him into a different dimension. He finds All that sounds pretty good and the base of this world, Keyes theorizes that he and most of his family do not exciting, doesn’t it? Ok, here’s the first that humans, including the lost Virginia exist on this world because his parents problem: Mr. Hendrix writes in the third Roanoke colony, were taken to another person present. Think about it - since world and we are now dealing with their most of us are accustomed to third person descendants thousands of years down the past, it is a bit uncomfortable and not as line. The humans were enslaved by the easy to give the reader background Skasoli until they and The Sefry rebelled information. The second problem is that between Will and Nan Shakespeare. In an and wiped the Skasoli out, save for one Mr. Hendrix is obviously a very well author’s note, Hoyt persuasively argues survivor that has been imprisoned for educated, intelligent person; however, his that the slightest of historical evidence millennia. Keyes brings to life a wide erudition gets in the way of a good fiction has been misinterpreted for claims of an variety of characters to fill in this world, read. He has ideas and hypotheses that he unhappy union. a rebellious princess and her ill-fated obviously wanted to see in print; most of She takes greater liberties in the family, a young knight, a kingsman and which are incomprehensible to the likes sequel, All Night Awake. Will finally goes his companion, a novice priest, and a of myself (and I’ve been to college!) He to London to seek his fortune in the sword wielding rapscallion. Around the fills the book with excruciatingly long theater, and falls in with the reigning prophesied return of the mythological passages describing the scientific basis playwright, Christopher Marlowe. It turns Briar King the story deals with betrayal and/or theory that supports his plot out that the female elf Silver has had in the ruling family leaving Princess devices. Perhaps to someone with a PhD relations with both men. And her comes Anne needing to stay alive to be able to in Biology and/or genetics, this would be Sylvanus, back for revenge after his save her world and what happens when fascinating stuff; for me, I just wanted an defeat in the first book. As a ghost- the paths of the other characters meet up enjoyable read. werewolf, Sylvanus possesses Marlowe, with hers. Anne and the other younger Mr. Hendrix combines a little adven- terrorizes London and threatens to undo died at crux point in history. He and ture, lots of science and loads of mystical characters must grow up fast as their others we meet in this book live through the fabric of reality. Can Will and world turns upside down and the other elements. I think he tries too hard and its Quicksilver save the world? an apocalypse caused by a virus. The difficult to follow the plot threads. He has characters must draw on their experience earth becomes 90% depopulated in a very These books are a treat for anyone during their individual battles which all a grand vision to present at the climax interested in such times or the classic. - short period of time. The virus begins as but by the time I got there I was ready to end up connecting together by the end of an attempt to correct mental instabilities Michael Griffin the book. see all the loose threads gathered up and and through a recombining with other an explanation that satisfied and all I got The fantasy element is very strong, factors, becomes mankind’s death knell Ill Met By Moonlight including the mysterious Sefry, the beings was more scientific jargon and overblown by Sarah A. Hoyt and salvation. An extremely rich man, explanations that were still incomprehen- that come to life in advance of the Briar whose contribution to the pandemic is ACE books, 298 pages, $5.99 King’s awakening, and the magic used sible. Read it for the challenge if you’re questionable, rescues those immune to the so inclined, but it is not on my recom- for both good and sinister purposes. The virus and establishes an island sanctuary The King and Queen under the hill characters are rooted enough in a world mend list despite the glowing reviews this have been murdered and so starts a story in the Bahamas. Thirty years pass, and book garnered.- Catherine Book we can recognize to make them interest- his granddaughter, Trilla, and her lover of intrigue and deceit. Quicksilver, the ing and believable. Being the first book in true heir to faire seeks his rightful throne. have questions about the origin of the Ill Met By Moonlight the series, it ends with you wanting the pandemic and why a cure hasn’t yet been By trying to recruit a young Will next book right away but it does resolve a by Sarah S Hoyt Shakespeare to be his instrument of found. Their questions cause them to ACE, 278 pages, $21.95 good number of story threads so that the leave the island community and flee to vengeance he does the unthinkable and ending is still satisfying. The Briar King All Night Awake falls in love with a mortal. by Sarah A Hoyt Ill Met by Moonlight is an interesting ACE, 311 pages, $21.95 tale of political intrigue, love, and magic set in Elizabethan England. The charac- MEDIABURN.NET What if the “dark lady” of ters are well developed, the plot is Join our E-mail list on line! Shakespeare’s sonnets, his inspiration, interesting and I enjoyed it. I would were an elf princess? Or the elf prince recommend this story to any fan of the Quicksilver, who could shape shift into legends of faire. It is a true magical treat. his female form, Silver? - William B. Whitmore This is the starting idea of this pair of hardback novels. We get an extended story for the playwright’s ideas and the missing years when he went to London. The first books, Ill Met By Moonlight, introduces Will to the world of the Articles, Merchandise, Downloads supernatural. His wife and daughter are kidnaped by Sylvanus, evil brother of http://www.mediaburn.net Quicksilver and usurper of the elven throne. The story posits a happy marriage ( Cont’d on page 17 ) Page 16 ConNotations Volume 12 Issue 6 In Our Book (cont’d from page 16) same boring lot of commuters with one This is a very entertaining and notice the descriptions and terms that shining exception, a gorgeous woman charming story. Mr. Green is very deft in make it uniquely D & D. However, this All Night Awake who probably didn’t even realize he his characterizations and location book is a great action adventure for all. by Sarah A. Hoyt existed. Until one rainy afternoon… Toby descriptions. The plot is good and strong. There is not a chapter without a battle, Ace, 306 pages, $22.95 was just about to courageously speak to I think there was one place where I felt and each battle is given enough detail to her to offer her the use of his umbrella the story lagged a bit but it picked up form vivid pictures within your imagina- All Night Awake is the sequel to Ill when, in her impatience to be out of the again so quickly, I forgave it. I enjoyed tion. Met By Moonlight. Ten years have rain, she opened a door that wasn’t there the characters and thought them true to Each chapter builds upon the next in passed. King Quicksilver rules Under the before and disappeared through it. Toby type. I was actually worried for a time an ever growing web of mystery until the HILL and Will Shakespeare is a penniless does the bravest thing he’s ever done in that Toby might fail but the tone of the climatic finish. For anyone interested in poet in London. But then the evil his life to this point and follows her book was so positive that I was sure the mystery, adventure, or even a bit of Sylvanus breaks free of the Hunters’ through the door - into sunshine! But this author would have a satisfactory conclu- romance this book is for you. - Matthew control and chaos reigns in the land of isn’t even the strangest event that will sion and he did not disappoint. I even Andrews Faire while plague decimates the world of happen to him. Toby eventually discovers enjoyed the ending; which, from time to men. he has left his home in Veritie and time, is the author’s downfall after a good Counter Attack Ms. Hoyt has written an interesting entered Mysterie. It looks like the same story. The single thing I did not appreci- Edited by David Drake tale of intrigue and betrayal. While it town but the people are quite different. ate was the last paragraph and last and Bill Fawcett would help you to know the characters to People like Jimmy Thunder, God for Hire, sentence. If you’re listening, Mr. Green, ACE books, 311 pages, 6.99 read Ill Met By Moonlight it is not vital descended from Thor. The half-werewolf, please don’t do that again..- Catherine to the story. All Night Awake is a good Leo Morn, who lives in both worlds. The Book Counter Attack, first released in Dec. stand alone story of good and evil. While Waking Beauty who will send them all 1988 is book two in the Fleet series. The I found the center a little slow, overall it into a great adventure to save both worlds Prince of Shadows Fleet, guardians of the human alliance, was a good story and I would recommend from Nicholas Hob, the Serpent’s Son, by Curt Benjamin are on the attack. seeking to route the it to everyone. - William B. Whitmore who is about his father’s business - Daw, 511 pages, $6.99 man eating Kahlia. This anthology is that destroying the world. And, of course, the battle from the perspective of the ground Drinking Midnight Wine mysterious woman, Gayle, he followed to Prince of Shadows is the first volume pounders who have to get down and dirty by Simon R. Green this world. Discovering who and what she of the Seven Brothers series. It does stand to do the job. My favorite selection is Soft ROC, 290 pages. originally published is will be the answer to saving the world. alone. like a woman by Piers Anthony. My oh in Great Britain For Toby has been recognized as Lesho was seven years old when the my how nasty a determined and well $5.49, Science Fiction Book Club Humanity’s Champion, a role he does not Harn invaded the mountain kingdom of trained woman can be. Other authors want and tries to duck until he realizes Thebin, and sold him into slavery. He contributing to this book are; Christopher Toby is a shop clerk, a boring job in a that Gayle’s opinion of him is more thought he was the sole survivor of the Stasheff, Jody Lynn Nye, Judith R. Conly, boring life. The only light in his life is important than keeping safe. He is, royal family. When he was ten, Lleck, an Janny Wurts, Robert Sheckley, Shariann the train ride home he shares with the however, terribly unprepared for the old man who had been a councillor to his Lewitt, Mike Resnick, Janet Morris, and responsibility. family, joined him in slavery on Pearl Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. Island to begin his education. When he For military fiction fans this is a must was fifteen, the old man died, but his have book. For general sci-fi fans it is a * spirit visited Lesho on the seabed floor good series of stories that should appeal ConRunners 4 revealing his true destiny. All six of his to most readers. - William B Whitmore Feb 8, 2003 brothers were alive. Lesho must win his freedom , gather the brothers, and win Hand of Fire back Thebin. To do this he must become a Shandril’s Saga Book 3 Make A Difference! gladiator, the first step on a long and by Ed Greenwood Join us for a day long seminar on fan-run science fiction dangerous road that includes Sorcerers, Wizards of the Coast, 377 pages, $14.95 magic, avatars of gods as well as gods Shandril is a modest young maid who conventions. Are there things you would like to see at local and goddesses, dragons, and loyal has received a gift of tremendous magic. conventions? Have you ever wondered what goes on behind friends. Unfortunately it seems like everyone and the scenes in planning a convention? Then this is the place Using the legends and traditions of their brother want to steal that gift from the Far East, Benjamin weaves an her. Using all of the treachery, deceit and for you! Come, let your ideas be heard and pick up some adventure that holds your interest till the violence at their disposal the evil wizards, tips from others. last sentence. Well drawn characters, warriors and priests of Faerun try to tight plotting, with fast action and good capture Shandril. The fact that they are character growth make this a must have most willing to kill each other as well as Site: Embassy Suites North Registration 8:30AM for your bookshelf. - Pam Allan her protectors only increases the slaugh- ter. 2577 West Greenway Oath of Nerull The fact that all Shandril wants is to be left in peace to learn to control her Phoenix AZ Morning Session by T.H. Lain power only makes them more desperate. Room 3005 9AM to 1PM WoC, 192 pages, $5.99 For if she is this powerful now what could Topic: Registration she do if she was properly trained? They The Oath of Nerull is one of the four know what they want to do with her Membership: $15 books recently published by Dungeons power and shudder at the thought of Lunch 1PM-2PM and Dragons Company based on their letting anyone else wield it over them. new third edition game. The main This is a fast paced action adventure We will provide soda, cof- premise behind this novel is a monk’s set in the forgotten realms universe. fee, tea and light munchies Afternoon Session search for answers regarding a mysterious While this is book three of the Shandril’s cult’s followers and two mages quest to Saga it is also an excellent stand alone For more info 2PM to 6PM win a magical tournament. Throughout novel that I enjoyed greatly. With its fast paced action, excellent combat scenes and the book anyone who has played the third [email protected] Topics: TBA totally unexpected ending this book is a Web: www.westernsfa.org edition Dungeons and Dragons game will must read for all sword and sorcery fans. - William B. Whitmore or call 602-973-2341 * Sponsored by WesternSFA

Volume 12 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 17 meets once a month for discussion of regional cons, and publishes Con- www.crofters.org various sci-fi news regarding several Notations. Best described as SF/F Club mediums to include: television, movies, generalists with a strong bent towards THE DARK ONES (Dark-wunz) n. 1) video, books, comics, magazines, collect- literary SF/F. Guests welcome - meets at An organization formed for the expres- ing, and so forth. The meetings are 8pm on the last Friday of each month in sion and exploration of various cultural Listings comprised of news, review and comment, January thru September and the second themes including, but not limited to, the BBS/computer news and help, meeting Friday in October, November and Dark Ages and the Renaissance through (EDITOR’S NOTE: Please check your club listing for errors. Please send corrections and updates to the new members, video presentations, December at JB’s Restaurant, 2560 W. forms of art including, but not limited to, editor in writing or via email) games, and socializing fun! Food and Indian School in Phoenix, AZ. Write PO painting, drawing, writing, photography, drinks are provided, via a $3 munchie fee Box 62613, Phoenix, AZ 85082-2613 or spoken word, and acts of characterization. ADRIAN EMPIRE A medieval and (per meeting) to compensate the host. call Stephanie L. Bannon (602)973-2341 2) a member of this organization. 3) renaissance recreationist club. Sword- (No other fees are involved.) The elec- for information. Web www.casfs.org Infor-mation available at fighting, arts, banquets, masquerades, tronic home of the Away Team, is the www.darkones.org dances. meets every Wednesday night Lightspeed Space Station BBS at (520) C.R.O.F.T. Celtic Reenactment of from 7-10pm at Encanto Park. All are 325-6674.... Member ages for the group Fellowship and Trades is Phoenix based DAYSTAR HOLT Arizona’s first and welcome. Free. range from 13-40-something with both Reenactment group specializing in the longest-running Elfquest fan club. male and female members. Other activi- western European renaissance. As an org- Daystar meets to talk about EQ and ARIZONA LANBASHERS LEAGUE ties include null-modem link gamefests, anization, it is our goal to promote felow- related stuff, develop characters, publish A collaboration of computer gaming group theater movie viewings, convention ship while researching lifestyles and stories in our ‘zine Playelf and create an enthusiasts, the Arizona LANbashers trips and more. Have sci-fi fun in a trades concurrent with the Celtic Peoples annual calendar. Other common interests League throws quarterly LANparty relaxed, low-structure environment. NO from 400 BC until 1746 AD. Although include music, belly dance, camping and events. Between parties, support is given RUBBER EARS ALLOWED!! For most members claim Scots, Irish or of course, SF. Membership is free (18 or to local groups who wish to advertise questions, you can call the BBS, or write Welsh an-cestry and do Celtic re- over) and is attained by group vote after their own gatherings. We have no set to: LSS c/o R. Martin; 2522 N. Sparkman enactment, it is our intent to open you attend two meetings or holt-related genre of games and play anything from Blvd.; Tucson, AZ 85716 participation to anyone with an interest in get-togethers. Meetings are usually the strategy games to first-person shooters to period crafting and enter-tainment, no first Saturday of each month; for more driving/flying simulations. No annual BASFA Baja Arizona Science Fiction matter what his/her ethnicity. The sense info, call Tom or Janice at (602) 581- membership is required and admission to Association, a non-profit organization. of being a real village surround-ing Croft 2258. They have a website up at http:// an event ranges from $5-$15. See our Puts on TusCon Convention annually. is vital to promote a feeling of family and members.home.net/jeanderson/ webpage for current events. Email: Webpage: http://home.earthlink.net/ fellowship which was a reality in earlier daystarholt.html [email protected] Web: http:/ ~basfa Email: [email protected] times. Croft is a family-oriented and kid- www.lanparty.com/all/ VoiceMail: 602- friendly organization.C.R.O.F.T. mem- THE EMPIRE OF CHIVALRY AND 306-9339 CENTRAL ARIZONA SPECULA- bers can be found demon-strating in STEEL, INC. The Empire of Chivalry TIVE FICTION SOCIETY, INC. events such as the Highland Games, and Steel specializes in the general THE AWAY TEAM: The Away Team, (CASFS) The non-profit corporation that Scarborough Fair, and the Arizona recreation of the culture of the Middle is a general sci-fi appreciation group that puts on CopperCon conventions, Renaissance Festival. Web page http:// Ages inc-luding all of the Art Forms, SmurfCons, HexaCons, occasional ( cont’d on page 19 ) LEPRECON INC AD

Page 18 ConNotations Volume 12 Issue 6 Club Listings ( Cont’d from page 18 ) ters, an annual film awards and various in the International Federation of Treker’s Moons, SunDragon, Tir Ysgithr and outings. For information, contact PFFS, (IFT). This group is based on DS9 (a space Ered Sul. For more information on any Events (Feasts, Tournaments, Ceremonies P.O. Box 34023, Phoenix, AZ 85067 or station). And the IKV Sto-Vo-Kor (Indepen- of these or for general information on and Wars) and Combat Arts covering the call David Storck at (602) 274_7404, dent Klingon Vessel). A Klingon Bird of thy past tomorrows thou mayest years of 800AD up to 1650AD and any e_mail: [email protected]. Prey, roaming the desert looking for battle. contact Mistress Myrddina o location within Europe or its explored Are the Fed’s too soft, looking for combat, Dolwyddelan (Terry Schwartz) PO territories. For more information contact RAGE ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST feel the call to glory. This is the ship for Box 584, Sonoita AZ 85637 (520)455- Bart Smith (Phoenix) (602)937-6995 or A Live Action Theatre Troupe based out you. Member-ship in the SFCOM is free! 5835 Email: [email protected] Leonard Bird (Tucson) (520)742-2432 of the ASU campus in Tempe, AZ. It is To join DSSF or the Sto-Vo-Kor a nominal www.atenveldt.org Web: www.galandor.org dedicated to the game Werewolf: The fee for the national clubs involved and Apocalypse by White Wolf publishing. uniforms. For further information contact THE SOUTHWEST COSTUMER’S THE JEDI KNIGHTS Meetings are the Contact Mike McLaughlin at (602)461- President John Nelson at (602) 409-7169 or GUILD The Southwest Costumers 3rd Sunday of each month. For more 5842 or write 1730 W Emelita Place on the internet at; [email protected] or Guild is a loose organization of information call Carol Alves, Publicity, #2025, Mesa AZ 85202-3144 or check out our web site. http:// persons interested in all facets of (760)244-9593 or write Jedi Knights, c/o [email protected] www.thesfcom.com historical, cultural, science fiction, Jim Lowerre, 12291 Meade Street, fantasy, and humor costume. Members Garden Grove, CA 92841-3629 RAW GAMES (Role-players & SFACE (Speculative Fiction And Com- are often seen on stage and behind the Wargamers, Inc.) Role-players & puter Enthusiasts) Phoenix College’s one scenes at local and regional Science LEPRECON, INC. One of the two Wargamers, Inc. is the Valley’s oldest and only connection to the worlds of Fiction Conven-tion masquerades. Phoenix area corporations that put on role-playing and wargaming club. speculative fiction, including science fiction, They meet on the last Sunday of each yearly con-ventions. Best described as SF/ Currently meeting at 8159 W. Weldon in fantasy, and horror as well as table top, live month at various members’ homes in F gene-ralists with a main thrust into SF/ Phoenix every Sunday from 3pm-9pm action and internet gaming, SFACE also the greater Phoenix area. For details. F art. Guests are welcome. The meetings (except during conventions and other serves as a guide through the Internet - both Southwest Costumers Guild, PO Box are quarterly on the second Saturday of special events). Open to new members - teaching basic use and utilizing as a source 39504, Phoenix, AZ 85609 or call Febr-uary, May, August & November call (602) 849-9515. of speculative fiction. For more info contact Randall Whitlock at unless otherwise notified. August is the WWW.rawgames.org Dr Ray Bromley at bromley.ray@ [email protected] or annual meeting where board positions are a1.pc.maricopa.edu. The SFACE Web site www.southwestcostumersguild.org deter-mined. For more information, write REBEL LEGION - JUNDLAND is found at http://www.pc. maricopa.edu/ PO Box 26665, Tempe, AZ 85285 ; call OUTPOST The Jundland Outpost is a departments/studentact/organizations/sface/ SPACE ACCESS SOCIETY Space Mike Will-moth at (480) 945-6890 small band of Rebels which form a part of Access Society’s sole purpose is to www.lepercon.org Email: the rapidly growing Rebel Legion. SHADOWKEEP BBS Intelligent conver- promote radically cheaper access to [email protected] While it's main focus is Star Wars sation, awesome graphics, stupendous door space, ASAP. We think it’s possible costuming, much like it's 501st counter- games, unworldly filebank, RPG forums, within ten years, with a little luck and MIB The Men in Black is the official part the Dune Sea Garrison, the Jundland QWK message system and online RPG BBS- a lot of hard work. Join us and help us organization of field operatives for Steve Outpost's mission is to brighten up the mode-rated games! Our BBS is mainly RPG make it happen! SAS membership is Jackson Games. They attend local con- lives of children and Star Wars fans of all oriented and we offer many services to GMs $30 for one year, which gets you ventions to demonstrate and promote ages across the Phoenix Metro area and and players. No fees neces-sary for users emailed Space Access Updates the products of Steve Jackson Games. The eventually other parts of Arizona as well. who post intelligent messages! $5 in credits instant they pass final edit, plus also schedule demos in local gaming Members also make appearances with to new users. Over 20 conferences and 10 discounts on our annual confer-ence on stores. If you have a gaming store or other Star Wars organizations as part doors to choose from! Shadowkeep BBS - the technology, politics, and busi-ness convention that you would like to have of a joint effort to help with Charities and PCBoard 15.2/M - US Robotics 28.8 of radically cheaper space trans- official Steve Jackson Games represen- events around Arizona. Modem. Phoenix, AZ (602)245-0919; portation, featuring leading players in tation at, please contact the MIB Arizona If you have an event you would like us to Connect at 2400-28800 the field. Email us at: Cell Leader at appear at, please contact us at [email protected] Web [email protected]. [email protected]. THE SOCIETY FOR CREATIVE page: www.space-access.org/ ANACHRONISM The kingdom of ORANGE COUNTY SCIENCE SCIENCE FICTION CONTINUUM Atenveldt doth lie in the state of Arizona. STARBASE TUCSON Tucson FICTION CLUB meets last Wednesday The Science Fiction Continuum: An Within the fair kingdom can be found six Arizona based Star Trek club. For info of every month (except Dec.) We Independ-ent Star Trek and Sci-Fi club in Baronies: Atenveldt, Mons Tonitrus, Twin frequently have author guest speakers. ( cont’d on back page ) You’re all welcome to come if you’re in the area. We meet Phoenix, AZ. in Fullerton, about 5 miles north of The SFCOM is an active Disney-land. For more details ph. Greg ( cont’d on page 19 ) at [949] 552-4925 or send a message to club that our listserve [email protected] participates in Local PAReX is a non-profit, just for fun Phoenix, and organization dedicated to the prolifera- South- tion of robotics as a hobby. Monthly western Star meetings will be held and will be an- Trek and Sci- nounced under the Meeting Information Fi conven- page, http://www.parex.org/ tions and meetinfo.htm. All interest-ed persons are movies. The invited to participate. We are currently in SFCOM has the process of getting organized and three differ- becoming an official organization with ent divisions. tax status. Web page: http:// The SFCOM www.parex.org/ E-mail Contact: John itself, a free Kittelsrud, [email protected] group where fun is the THE PHOENIX FANTASY FILM name of the SOCIETY A Phoenix based club game. The interest-ed in the entire realm of SF, Deep Space Fantasy and Horror film. PFFS has been SolarFlare in existence for 25 years, meeting every 6 (DSSF) an weeks in mem-ber’s homes. Dues are $10 active per year. Mem-bership includes newslet- member club Volume 12 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 19 conventions. Are there things you would Club Listings ( Cont’d from page 18 ) get-togethers of fans of the X-Files living in Arizona. We get together in both the like to see at local conventions? Have you call Geof Wood at (520) 746-1822 or Phoenix and Tucson areas. To subscribe, ever wondered what goes on behind the write Star-base Tucson; 3314 E. Benson send an empty message to z-philes- scenes in planning a convention? Then Hwy; Tucson AZ 85706. Email: [email protected] this is the place for you! Come, let your [email protected] ideas be heard and pick up some tips from UNITED FEDERATION OF PHOE- others. Registration opens at 8:30AM. TARDIS is a Phoenix-based General SF/ NIX A Phoenix area Star Trek and Our Morning Session will be from 9AM Fantasy Fan Club, specializing in general SciFi fan club. We are a social to 1PM and the topic is Registration. International media SF/Fantasy since club that meets every two weeks at Lunch Break 1PM-2PM Afternoon 1983. TARDIS meets every two weeks at various locations around the Phoenix Session 2PM to 6PM Topics: TBA We different locations around the valley. area. The UFP has been meeting for over will provide soda, coffee, tea and light Activities include watching videos, 25 years of continuous activity. Dues are munchies Membership: $15 For more discussions, parties, fund-raisers, auc- $15/per year prorated when you join; no info: ConRunners, PO Box 67457, tions, games, camping trips and outings. restrictions. Membership includes Phoenix AZ 85082 or call 602-973-2341 We also maintain an active presence at membership roster and monthly newslet- [email protected] local conventions. TARDIS publishes a ter. Come to any two meetings at no www,westernsfa.org monthly inform-ative news-letter, The obligation. For information, write the Index File, with a national circulation UFP at PO Box 37224, Phoenix, AZ Gallifrey One Episode XIV: The which is included with mem-bership. 85069, or call Jim Strait at (602) 242- Faction Paradox - (Los Angeles, CA) Annual membership is just $12.50. You 9203. Web page: http://www.U-F-P.org Feb 14-17, 2003 The Airtel Plaza Hotel, can contact us at 2243 W Wagon Wheel or Email to [email protected] Los Angeles, CA Guests: Colin Baker, Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85021, Voice Mail at Sylvester McCoy + many more Memb: (602) 864-0901, E-mail TARDIS- WESTERN SCIENCE FICTION $30 thru 5/31/02, $35 thru 8/31/02, $40 [email protected] or visit http:// ASSOCIATION (WesternSFA) A non- thru 11/30/02, $45 thru 1/31/03 and $50 www.primenet.com/~jgeorge/tardis.html profit corporation that sponsors the at the door. Info: Gallifrey Conventions, ConRunners seminars and is sponsoring Post Office Box 3021, North Hollywood, TEKWAR FAN CLUB Sanctioned by the 2004 Westercon. Dedicated primarily CA 91609 Email: [email protected] the series’ production companies and the to educational activities relating to USA Network! It is THE information literature, music, and visual and perform- ConDor X - February 28-March 1, 2003 conduit between the fans and the series! ing arts, especially in the genres of DoubleTree Hotel Del Mar, San Diego, Fan club membership will bring you the science fiction, fantasy, costuming, CA Guests: TBA DoubleTree Hotel Del following 1) subscription to the info filled gaming and science. Applicants for Mar, 11915 El Camino Real, San Diego, Tek Informer newsletter; 2) official membership in WesternSFA must be CA 92130; 1-800-222-TREE, 858-481- TekWar Fan Club membership card and sponsored by a current active 5900; rms: $99 sngl/dbl. Memb: $25 until kit. Membership is by regular mail only WesternSFA member. Dues are $10 8/31/02; $30 until 11/30/02; $35 until 1/ and the newsletter and mater-ials will not yearly plus a $5 non-refundable applica- 31/03. Info: Con-Dor, PO Box 15771, be reproduced electron-ically. To join the tion fee. General Meetings are held on San Diego, CA 92175; action and initiate your annual member- the first Friday of February, May, August [email protected]. ship, make check or money order out for and November, usually at the home of a $12.50 to: Official TekWar Fan Club member. Guests are welcome. For more LepreCon 29 (Phoenix, AZ) May 16-18, (Membership section), 2522 N Sparkman info contact Craig Dyer at WesternSFA, 2003 Embassy Suites Phoenix North, Blvd., Tucson AZ 85716-2417 PO Box 87457, Phoenix AZ 85082, (602) Phoenix, AZ Artist GoH: Larry Elmore; 973-2341, Email: [email protected]. Local Artist/Author GoH: Madame M; T.H.E.M. is ASU’s science fiction and Webpage: www.westernsfa.org Media Technical Guest: Richard Coyle; Phoenix, AZ (602) 375-1777. Rooms: fantasy club. Weekly meetings are held Author Guest: TBA; Music Guest: TBA $79 + tax S/D, $89 + tax T, $99 + tax Q on the Arizona State University campus, Memb: $25 until 8/31/02, $30 until 12/ Info: CopperCon 23, PO Box 62613, with dates and places to be announced 31/02 Hotel: info: Embassy Suites Phoenix, AZ 85082, Phone (480) 423- after the semester starts. For more Phoenix North, 2577 W. Greenway Road, 0649, Email: [email protected]; information, contact Erik Wennstrom, Convention Phoenix, AZ 85023-4222, (602)375-1777 www.coppercon.org email: [email protected] Phone: 480-968- Room Rates: $89 S/D, $99 T/Q (plus tax) 5257.To subscribe to our listserve, send a Listings Info: LepreCon 29, P.O. Box 26665, ConKopelli, Westercon 57 ( Litchfield message to [email protected]. Tempe, AZ 85285 Phone: (480)945-6890 Park, AZ) July 2-5, 2004 Wigwam Email: [email protected] Web: Resort, Litchfield Park, AZ Guests: TUCSON FAN ALLIANCE E-Mail LosCon 29 (Burbank, CA) November www.leprecon.org Author GoH: C.J. Cherryh; Artist GoH: Address is [email protected] or 30- Dec 1, 2002 Burbank Airport Hilton, David Cherry; Music GoH: Heather [email protected]. Burbank, CA Guests: Author GoH: David CopperCon 23 (Phoenix, AZ) Sept 5-7, Alexander ; Fan GoH: John Hertz Info: Weber, Artist GoH: Nene Thomas, Fan 2003 Embassy Suites North, Phoenix, Arizona in 2004 PO Box 67457 Phoenix, USS STORMBRINGER The Storm- Guest: Patty Wells. Memb: $35 until 7/ Arizona Guests: TBA Embassy Suites AZ 85082 Email: [email protected] bringer is a correspondence Star Trek fan 31/02, $40 until 10/31/02, $45 at the Phoenix North, 2577 E. Greenway Rd, Web: http://www.conkopelli.org club chapter of Starfleet, Intl. based out of door. Info: LosCon c/o LASFS, 11513 Tucson AZ. The chapter was commis- Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA sioned as the USS Stormbringer NCC- 91609 Email: [email protected] http:// Generic Convention Regestration Form 74213, attached to Division 31, Starfleet www.loscon.org/loscon/29/ Covert Operations, on 10/31/98. As of 11/ 29/98 there were 32 members. There are SMOFDIEGO (San Diego, CA) Dec 6-8 Name:______no dues other than the $15 for joining 2002 Hacienda Hotel, Old Town, San Badge Name:______Star-fleet Intl.. Members are scattered Diego CA. SF conrunners con. Memb: world wide but the primary clusters are in $50 / £37 to 10/1/02, then $60 / £40. Address:______Tucson, AZ and Plano, TX. They don’t Info: Smof Diego, 3118 Via Valesco, City/State/ZIP:______meet on a regular basis since they are a Escondido CA 92029; email: correspondence chapter. Their web site is: [email protected]; website: Phone:______Email:______http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/ www.fopaws.com/smofcon 9505/ and their contact/CO is Capt. Dave Enclosed is $______for ______memberships for Pitts, [email protected]. ConRunners 4 (Phoenix AZ) Feb 8, ______convention. 2003 Embassy Suites North, 2577 West (See calendar for mailing address) Z-PHILES are the ariZona x-PHILES. Greenway, Room 3005 A day long More info on __ Masquerade __Art Show __Volunteer __ Other We maintain a mailing list for news and seminar on fan-run science fiction Page 20 ConNotations Volume 12 Issue 6