Volume 17, Issue 4 August/September ConNotations 2007 The Bi-Monthly Science Fiction, Fantasy & Convention Newszine of the Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society

A Conversation with Featured Inside Michael Stackpole Regular Features Special Features by Catherine Book SF Tube Talk A Conversation with Michael was kind All the latest news about Michael Stackpole enough to lend Scienc Fiction TV shows by Catherine Book by Lee Whiteside me some of his time during the 24 Frames The Chaotic Afternoon and Unruly Arizona Book All the latest Movie News Evening Hanging with Harlan Festival last April by Lee Whiteside Ellison: Part 2 of 2 14th. Michael has By Shane Shellenbarger always been fun Gamers Corner to talk to and this New and Reviews from In Memory interview was no the gaming world William Myge Walker different. My Fred Saberhagen first question was Videophile to ask him if he Reviews of genre releases Interview with Ratatouille Stars & had any more on DVD Crew books planned in By Bob LaPierre the Age of MangaZone Discovery series. Reviews of Manga and Comics Jane Yolen for Kids - Really! He doesn’t have by Chris Paige anything at the Left to right: Michael Stackpole, Terry Brooks © Lee Whiteside Musical Notes moment. Is he done with the series then? game that his family can all enjoy or a The latest news of Filk and Filkers An American in Canada - Part 6 Not necessarily. He likes the world a lot hardcover book. And with the plethora of from Tom Tuerff by Jeffrey Lu paperback books on the market, he could and still has a lot of ideas but he’s done all Screening Room easily decide to wait a year for the Plus he wanted. There could be sequels or short Reviews of current theatrical releases stories. He could, as well, put a story up on paperbook. CASFS Business Report a podcast. Something that might be an Another problem is how books are Pre-Con News marketed. Michael thinks that books advantage to a writer since hardcover sales Tidbits about upcoming conventions FYI should be marketed in the same fashion seem to dropping off. Why is that, I News and tidbits of interest to fans wondered? Michael explained his view as other entertainment. Instead of a In Our Book that the industry is competing for simple announcement in print that a new Reviews of New SF/F Books Club Listings, Convention List & entertainment dollars from the public. A book is out by John Q. Author, it would Generic Registration Form potential customer has to choose between get more interest if the reader could spending his $25 on cable TV or a new ( Continued on page 8 )

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Volume 17 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 1 Pick up your copy of ConNotations at the following locations In This Issue Who Is Who This Issue BOOK STORES Comics, Legends & Heroes Managing Editor: Stephanie Bannon Bent Cover Bookstore 13560 W. Van Buren, Ste. B102, Goodyear, News & Reviews Assistant to the Editor: Gary Swaty 12428 N. 28th Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85029 AZ 623-932-3433 CASFS Business Report 2 Graphics Editor: Craig L. Dyer Film & Video Editors: Len Berger & (602) 942-5932 Drawn to Comics SF Tube Talk 3 Craig L Dyer Book Adventure 5757 W. Glendale, AZ 85301 24 Frames 3 Promotions Directors: Len Berger, 660 N. 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Page 2 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 4 Men, Hawkmen, etc.), but are not literally take on Speed Racer is currently filming SF Tube Talk brought to life. For example, the 24 Frames in Berlin. It stars Emile Hirsch as Speed TV News & Previews Hawkmen will not be men with wings, but with Richard Roundtree as racer-turned- will be men that follow the way of The Movie News commentator Ben Burns with Matthew By Lee Whiteside Hawk with a bird emphasis on their way By Lee Whiteside Fox, Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon The summer season is in full gear of living with a Prince Vultan as their and John Goodman also appearing. Filming is underway for The Dark during August with new episodes all over leader. Indiana Jones IV has started filming Knight, the sequel to Batman Begins. the place on cable including the debut of a Beyond the initial two hour movie, in New Mexico. Joining Harrison Ford Christian Bale returns as Bruce Wayne/ modern take on an old classic in Scifi’s there’s not much info about how they will in the movie are Shia LeBeouf, Jim Batman while Maggie Gyllenhaal takes Flash Gordon. As we get into September, move things along plot-wise aside from Broadbent, Cate Blanchett (rumored to over the role of Rachel Dawes. The main the broadcast networks will start rolling Flash finding more about his father and be the villian), John Hurt, and Ray villain is The Joker with Heath Ledger in out their new and returning shows. his fate and thwarting Ming’s plans to Winstone. Rumors are that there will be a the role but there are rumors of Aaron SciFi will be debuting their new Flash take over the Earth (or whatever he’s storyline tied into crystal skulls and the Eckhart (Harvey Dent) also being seen Gordon series on Friday, August 10th, trying to do). The producers are theories brought forth in Chariots of the with the Two Face makeup and Anthony with a two hour movie. Eric Johnson is attempting to get Sam Jones, who played Gods that aliens provided technology to Michael Hall making an appearance as Steven “Flash” Gordon in this modern Flash in the 1980 movie, to make a guest ancient civilizations. The story reportedly Edward Nygma, who is destined to be The take on the classic comic series. The basic appearance. The show does have a full 22 starts out in Area 51, where the Ark of the Riddler. Also appearing in the movie is setup is that after the death of his father episode commitment which includes a Covenant was deposited at the end of the Michael Jai White as Gamble, one of the when he was 13, Flash has developed into weekly syndication run much like the first movie, where Indy is confronted by Gotham crime bosses trying to carve out a star runner, winning many awards and Stargates have had. Even if it doesn’t get Russian agents. his territory. dedicating them to the memory of his the big ratings SciFi is hoping for, it Genre movies being released during Promotion is starting to heat up for the father. He’s been watching after his should be around for the full season. August and September are somewhat mysterious film from J.J. Abrams mother’s house while she travels and has Elsewhere on SciFi, the second season sparse, as usual, but there’s a couple that codenamed “Cloverfield” that had its been rebuilding cars with his friend Nick of Who Wants to Be a Superhero? is in should be worth seeing. I’m looking initial trailer debut with Transformers Gilmore (Panou). His ex-girlfriend, Dale full swing, with a new batch of forward to Stardust the most of this batch showing an unknown force attacking New Arden (Gina Holden) is a TV reporter at contestants. Look for a lot of fun and while Penelope looks to be a sleeper. York City. The film was made under tight the local station and is engaged to police challenging tasks for the superhero Underdog (Aug 3) A live action security with no script pages being leaked detective Joe Wylee (Giles Panton). wannabees as Stan Lee searches for the adaptation of of the 60’s cartoon and agents and actors not getting any real When a truck driver finds a strange object next superhero. The lineup of contestants Underdog, with Jason Lee providing the info when casting was done. The cast hovering above a road, Flash takes it to includes Basura, who enlists the aid of voice of the title character, an ordinary includes Michael Stahl-David, Odet Dale to investigate and things start to bugs to turn trash into treasures, The beagle who gains extraordinary powers Jasmin, Mike Vogel, and Lizzy Kaplan. happen. When Flash spots a strange man Defuser, who uses non-violent weaponry when a scientific experiment goes awry. Matt Reeves directed from a script by following him in an RV, he tracks him to disarm villains, Hygena, who fights Also starring are Alex Neuberger as Jack, Drew Goddard. There appears to be down and discovers that he is Hans crime making weapons from household Peter Dinklage as Simon Bar Sinister, various web sites popping up as part of a Zarkov (Jody Racicot), who worked with utensils, and Ms. Limelight, who absorbs John Slattery as The Mayor, and Patrick viral marketing campaign, for which Flash’s father on the Portage Initiative. the powers of action stars in TV and Warburton as Sinister’s stooge Cad. Abrams is denying knowledge. It opens Zarkov tells Flash that his father didn’t movies. Last year’s winner, Feedback Stardust (Aug 10) Neil Gaiman and Jan 18, 2008. die, but disappeared in a trans- (Matthew Atherton) may have a role in Charles Vess’ illustrated novel comes to The Abrams directed Star Trek movie dimensional rift and that he has detected a the new season and the Dark Horse comic life in this adaptation directed by is moving closer to filming and we may new one like the one Dr. Gordon about his character has been released. Matthew Vaughn. Charlie Cox is have some casting announcements soon, disappeared into. Appearing through the Also look for Atherton to appear as Tristan, who promises Victoria (Sienna possibly already announced after press rift is a biomechanical killer looking for Feedback in the upcoming SciFi Saturday Miller) that to show his love for her, he time at the San Diego Comic Con. the “Imex” and it’s willing to destroy movie MegaSnake at the end of August. will retrieve the falling star that just went According to William Shatner, he Flash and anyone else who gets in the Painkiller Jane is continuing its run across the sky and bring it to her. Tristan recently talked with Leonard Nimoy and way. on Friday nights, finishing up the final leaves his home of Wall and enters the found out that Nimoy had read the script Flash ends up on Mongo via the trans- episodes of its 22 episode run. Ratings forbidden land beyond The Wall to find and declared it good. Shatner also dimensional rift and must deal with Ming haven’t been very good and aren’t likely the star, but finds out the star is a living indicated that Nimoy would be in the (John Ralston), the manipulative dictator to improve. The producers feel the show being named Yvaine (played by Claire movie, but that Shatner would not. of Mongo. Ming will be portrayed as a has gotten better as they’ve progressed Danes) and that there are other denizens New films in the works include Orbit, more three-dimensional character, with through the season and it has apparently of the land trying to catch her as well. directed by Tom Bezucha and based on the producers citing Saddam Hussein as a done well in overseas sales, so it may Michelle Pfeiffer is the evil witch Lilim the novel by John Nance. In it, a civilian model. Also appearing on the show in a come back for a second season. who wants the star to replenish her and who wins a trip on the space shuttle recurring role will be Karen Cliche as Doctor Who continues its third season her sister’s life force. Peter O’Toole is the awakens to find the crew dead and the Baylin, a bounty hunter from Mongo who on SciFi with the conclusion of the Daleks King of Stormhold, whose death sets off a ship adrift in space. John Turner has gets sent to Earth and ends up working in Manhattan two-parter pitting the search for the star by his surviving sons done the script for Orbit and has also with Flash and company. Executive Doctor and Martha against the latest breed (Rupert Everett as Secondus, Mark turned in a script for an X-Men spinoff producer Peter Hume has indicated that of Dalek in 1930’s New York. After that is Strong as Septimus, and Jason Flemyng movie featuring Magneto to be directed they will be updating the original source 42, where The Doctor and Martha land on as Primus) to determine who will be the by David Goyer. material for the present day, eliminating a space ship on a collision course with a new King. Robert De Niro is Captain Richard Kelly’s long delayed things that seemed OK in the 1930’s but sun, leading to some nail-biting moments Shakespeare, the captain of a flying Southland Tales is nearing completion wouldn’t likely fly in today’s as The Doctor races to save them. Next up sailing ship, Ricky Gervais is Ferdy the being about halfway through post- environment. To bring forth the different is the two parter Human Nature/Family of Fence, and Ian McKellen narrates the production with Sony distributing the races seen in the original comic strip, the Blood that looks to be the favorite story whole thing. Gaiman and Vess have had a movie. Expect a release date and a trailer world of Mongo is split up into different from this season for most of the UK good deal of involvement in the film and soon. Kelly is gearing up to film The Box, tribes, akin to Mad Max with different viewers. It is based on the original Doctor it looks to be a good, fun, fantasy based on a Richard Matheson story tribes scattered about across the planet. It Who New Adventures novel by Paul adventure. about a couple who receive a mysterious is in bad shape, ecologically, with Ming in Cornell and finds The Doctor having The Invasion (Aug 17) Nicole box that will grant them a wish at the control of the only source of good water, transformed himself into a human in 1913 Kidman stars in a new take on The expense of someone’s life. According to which gives him power over the rest of order to hide from “The Family of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Kidman Kelly, Cameron Diaz will star in the film. the world. The various tribes we’ll see are Blood”, aliens out to capture the Doctor is Carol, a psychiatrist living in The Wachowski Brother’s live action inspired by the original material (Lion ( Continued on page 4 ) ( Continued on page 6 ) Volume 17 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 3 SF Tube Talk Easter eggs and some possibly confusing be an old foe, and he has put into motion a precursor to the special, SciFi will also ( Continued from page 3 ) time paradoxes to enable Sally Sparrow to plan to take over the Earth. When the run an eight week series of mini-sodes and The TARDIS. While The Doctor is fix things in the present day to reunite The Doctor is incapacitated, Martha travels the that will provide a look into the original hiding as Mr. Smith and unaware of his Doctor and Martha with the TARDIS. In world to set forth a plan to save The Cylon war featuring a young William true nature, Martha is keeping watch on Utopia, Jack Harkness finally catches up Doctor and the Earth. Adama (played by Nico Cortez). SciFi him and must take action when the aliens to The Doctor and travels to the end of The last Friday of September sees will debut the mini-sodes on air and then show up in search of the Doctor. Next up time with them where they find a Stargate Atlantis return for its fourth make them available online. I’ll have is Blink, from Hugo winner Steven mysterious professor trying to save the season, its first as a solo series. Joining more next issue on the special and the Moffat, which finds The Doctor and last of humanity. For the two part season the cast as a semi regular will be Amanda new season. Martha separated from the TARDIS in finale, The Sound of Drums/Last of the Tapping, bringing her character, Colonel At the recent TV Critic Press Tour, 1969 and having to make use of DVD Time Lords, Harold Saxon is revealed to Samantha Carter, over from Stargate SG- SciFi announced that Farscape will return 1. Also joining as a semi regular is Jewel as a web series, produced by Brian Staite as Dr. Kelly. Henson and Robert Halmi, Jr. No details The season opener, were announced as to who will be Adrift, will pick up participating in the series, but it was where the third indicated that some of the original actors season left off with will be involved. Expect more news on Atlantis in a dire this next issue. SciFi also announced a predicament. Early miniseries in development with Ben in the season, they Browder and Farscape director Andrew will be introducing a Prowse taking a modern day approach to new alien threat, the Odyssey. The success of Ghost called The Travelers, Hunters has spawned a spinoff series with who are a nomad UFO Hunters. In the series, New York race that has been Strange Phenomena Investigators (NY- going from planet to SPI), led by co-founders Oliver planet after their Kemenczky and Ted Davis, and homeworld was supported by researcher/investigator decimated by The Dennis Anderson, will bring to UFO Wraith. In other Hunters their decades of experience and Stargate news, unquestioned credibility in the UFO according to a recent community. Look for that series sometime report on next year, assuming they don’t get Gateworld.net, the abducted. release of the two USA Network’s The 4400 and The Stargate SG-1 direct Dead Zone will continue through the rest to DVD movies, The of the summer, each likely ending their 13 Ark of Truth and episode run in mid-September. There are Continuum, has not too many details on the upcoming been pushed back to episodes although it’s a pretty good bet early in 2008. the promicin conflicts will escalate on The latest word The 4400. Reports are that the ratings for on Battlestar both series are down, especially for The Galactica is that Dead Zone, so a return for a new season season four, which isn’t guaranteed. USA’s development slate will start up early in seems to be geared more toward the 2008, will be its action comedy side of things with a single final season. quirky character as the main emphasis, Producers Ron much like the new series Burn Notice, Moore and David which has done very well in the ratings so Eick have decided far. This means there may not be much of to end the series a future on USA for genre-themed series. after the 22 episode Over on BBC America, they are fourth season. To stepping up their Supernatural Saturdays kick things off this with the debut of Jekyll. a six episode fall, SciFi will drama series, on August 4th. It is a broadcast a special modern take on the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. episode “Razor” on Hyde story, written by Steven Moffat. It November 24 which stars James Nesbit as Dr. Tom Jackmann, will tell the story of who shares his body with his alter-ego, Lee Adama’s first Mr. Hyde, but he’s having difficulty mission as keeping Hyde in check. Gina Bellman is commander of the Jackman’s wife, Claire, Denis Lawson is Battlestar Pegasus Peter Hyme, Tom’s best friend and also a with flashbacks to geneticist who isn’t what he appears to be, how Admiral Cain Michelle Ryan is Katherine Reimer, (Michelle Forbes) Tom’s assistant who knows about his handled the Pegasus double life and has been helping him keep during the original them from colliding, Meera Syal is decimating Cylon Miranda Callendar, a private investigator attack on the who uncovers the truth about Tom’s colonies. As a ( Continued on page 5 ) Page 4 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 4 producers decision to go with ABC as the Collins, Jr., and Kimberly Elise in a who will play an Irish mobster, Diana SF Tube Talk ( Continued from page 4 ) primary broadcast outlet pretty much story adapted by Walter Mosley and Agron, who will be playing a cheerleader, doomed the project from the start. directed by Darnell Martin. You can see Nick D’Agosto as West, a hero with problem and unearths a conspiracy over a Hosting the series is Professor more info and preview clips for all six special powers who also may be a love century old tied into it all. Stephen Hawking, who will provide episodes at their official web site at interest for Claire, David Anders will be After Jekyll is over, BBC America will opening and closing narration for each www.mastersofscifi.com . Kane, someone who is long-lived, and debut Torchwood, the Doctor Who episode, bringing “scientific authority, Coming this fall is a new wave of Dania Ramirez and Shalim Ortiz play a spinoff starring John Barrowman as Jack along with a sense of wonder, to the science fiction and fantasy shows on the brother and sister trying to escape their Harkness, on Sept 8th at 9 pm ET/PT. programs.” First up on August 4th is A broadcast networks. Not all debut or country. Following Heroes will be Jack is now in charge of the Torchwood Clean Escape, based on a short story by return dates have been announced as of Journeyman, a time travel mystery/ branch in Glasgow, having been saved by John Kessel with Sam Egan doing the press time, but here’s what you can look romance with Kevin McKidd as Rose at the end of the Dalek attack in the script and Mark Rydell directing. The forward to this fall: newspaper reporter Dan Vasser who first season finale of the new Doctor Who story is set in a post-apocalyptic near NBC - Raising the bar on the genre journeys through time in a seemingly series. The series is set after the end of future where Sam Waterston is Robert NBC returns Heroes and debuts three new random fashion trying to make things turn Doctor Who series two, when the Havelmann, who cannot remember the shows with genre elements (with Medium out for the better. Torchwood headquarters in London is last 25 years of his life. Judy Davis is Dr. waiting in the wings for mid-season as it On Wednesdays on NBC will be The devastated by the Cyberman attack and Deanna Evans, who has been treating did this past year). NBC will make a Hero Bionic Woman, from Battlestar Galactica the Glasgow branch of Torchwood Havelmann and has become obsessed sandwich of sorts on Monday nights, producer David Eick and former X-Files appears to be the only one left. It is geared with his problem and soon realizes it is putting two of their new genre shows in producer Glen Morgan. Michelle Ryan towards a more adult audience than connected to a global crisis. Next up is the time slots before and after Heroes is Jaime Summers, whose boyfriend Doctor Who, so parental guidance is The Awakening, based on a short story by starting Monday September 24th. Starting (Chris Bowers) performs surgery on her strongly suggested. Jack’s team includes Howard Fast and written and directed by off Monday nights will be Chuck, about to save her life after a nasty accident, Owen Harper (Burn Gorman), Toshika Michael Petroni with Terry O’Quinn Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi), a Buy giving her new limbs and other Sato (Naoko Mori), Ianto Jones (Gareth and Elisabeth Rohn starring. Set in More computer repairman (part of the enhancements. Things get dicey when the David-Lloyd), and Suzie Costello (Indira contemporary times in the middle of a “Nerd Herd”), who inadvertently government wants her to work for them. Varma). The series kicks off with firefight near Baghdad where U.S. downloads into his brain the contents of a Katie Sackhoff guest stars as the first Everything Changes, with police soldiers discover a body that isn’t human. secret computer, giving him expanded attempt at a Bionic Woman. Guest starring constable Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) When more of the creatures start showing knowledge that the government and other in the early episodes will be Isiah investigating the mysterious Torchwood up and start communicating with each people want to either get ahold of or keep Washington, recently let go from Grey’s organization that has been stepping on the other, the world must choose between under wraps. Top CIA agent Sarah Walker Anatomy for an on-set incident that led to toes of the Glasgow police force. Her peace and destruction. After that is Jerry (Yvonne Trzechowski) is assigned to lots of press attention for the actor which investigation of a string of killings leads Was a Man based on a Robert A. protect Chuck and finds herself attracted I’m not going to elaborate on here. In any her to Torchwood and when she finds out Heinlein short story and written and to him (or is it all an act?). It looks to be a case, NBC appears to be wanting to get a the truth, she is asked to join in with them. directed by Michael Tolkin. Malcolm fun take on a familiar subject (Jake 2.0, regular series going with him and have In Day One, Gwen’s first day as a McDowell and Anne Heche star as Mr. anyone?) but may have difficulty added him to The Bionic Woman as a member of the team finds her accidentally and Mrs. Van Vogel, a couple whose life maintaining ongoing storylines. Heroes means to restart his career. Washington releasing a sex-addicted alien who leaves is nothing but pleasure with all of the returns with the next chapter, titled will play a mysterious agent with an a trail of dead bodies in its quest for the chores and work done by anthropoids. “Generations”, which will run for part of unclear agenda who is brought in to help ultimate buzz. In Ghost Machine, Gwen When an anthropoid named Jerry ignites the season, not the entire season like the Jaime Sommers learn to adjust to her new recovers an alien device that allows the the compassion of Mrs. Van Vogel, the first chapter did. We pick up the story abilities. Note that the role of Jaime’s user to see past events, which leads Owen question arises of just what is a man? For about four months after the season finale, sister, who was deaf in the pilot, has been to try to avenge a murder that he the last ABC broadcast episode, we’ve got catching up with Hiro in medieval Japan recast and the character is no longer deaf. experiences through the device. In Harlan Ellison’s The Discarded, with a and Claire now living in California. They No word on if she has a different Cyberwoman, we find that Ianto has been script by Ellison and Josh Olson and haven’t announced much about what or disability. keeping his girlfriend hidden in the directed by Jonathan Frakes. It stars who else we will be seeing, but we will NBC is also planning additional bowels of the Torchwood headquarters. Brian Dennehy and John Hurt in a story definitely have several new cast members. features online to go with their new shows She was half transformed by the about despised minorities that are adrift in Announced so far is Dominic Keating, Cybermen and he’s trying to find a way to space that are ( Continued on page 6 ) save her. Needless to say, things don’t go forced to make well when she escapes. an ominous pact On the broadcast networks, things are in the hope that a bit slow in August, except for ABC on they may find Saturday nights at 10 pm ET, 9 pm CT, refuge on Earth. where they will finally be airing four of Produced but not the six episodes of Masters of Science aired (but likely Fiction that they bought last year and available on the have had sitting on the shelf all season. forthcoming Obviously the time slot is just slightly DVD release) better than ABC airing them online only, are Watchbird, but it does mean that we can finally see based on a what the producers were able to come up Robert with. As originally announced, the series Sheckley story promised to have some of the best science written by Sam fiction stories adapted by top directors Egan and with name stars with Isaac Asimov, Ray directed by Bradbury, Harlan Ellison, and Robert Harold Becker Heinlein being touted. It appears that they with Sean Astin did deliver on this promise in part and James (although no Asimov or Bradbury stories Cronwell made it into production) and reports from starring and critics who have screened the episodes Little Brother, have been good. Unfortunately, the with Clifton Volume 17 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 5 SF Tube Talk ( Continued from page 5 ) recasting and changing things around Torchwood, which will begin airing its 24 Frames ( Continued from page 3 ) from the start. second season early in 2008 on BBC2, Washington D.C. who realizes that a and will be expanding associated online Reaper The CW’s has been getting Martha Jones joins up with Jack strange epidemic that has been changing features for Heroes. For Chuck, users will high points from most of the critics but Harkness’s crew for a few episodes. Guest people’s behavior is of extraterrestrial be able to get inside Chuck’s brain for Bret has also had some recasting. starring in the first episode of the season origin and that her son may be the key to top-secret government information and Harrions James Marsters is Sam, who discovers on his will be , in a role with a stopping it. Also stars Daniel Craig as bonus video, plus sites will be available 21st birthday that his parents sold his soul few scenes described as very steamy. Ben, Jeremy Northam as Tucker, and for Buy-More.com and Ray Wise Alan Dale Lost, Ugly to The Devil ( ) and when The Later in the season, ( Jackson Bond as Carol’s son Oliver. NerdHerdHelp.com with a weekly blog Betty Devil shows up to collect, he makes Sam ) will guest star as a “baddie”. It Penelope (Aug 17 - date may change) by Chuck’s best friend, Morgan. For The a bounty hunter for him, catching souls looks like the BBC is definitely amping Christina Ricci stars as Penelope, a Bionic Woman, they will have a weekly Missy Peregrym escaped from Hell. things up with the guest stars for young woman who has been stricken by a Anatomy of a Scene feature breaking Heroes Torchwood ( ) joins the cast as Andi, one of to help it have more appeal in family curse decides to fight it so she can down one of their big action scenes. For Sam’s co-workers that he has a crush on. the rest of the world. find love and her true self. Richard E. Journeyman, users will be able to follow Nikki Reed She replaces from the pilot. On the animated front, The Cartoon Grant and Catherine O’Hara are her Dan’s journey’s via an interactive video Tyler Labine Also starring are as Bert Network brought back the animated parents, who are trying to find her the time line with and online pop-culture Rick Gonzalez Fantastic Four and as Ben, buddies of series, returning it to right, true-blood, suitor (i.e. “of her own quiz. Sam who help him out on his catches. Saturday nights near the end of the kind”). Also starring are James MacAvoy FOX is giving it a go with New Kevin Smith directed the pilot and may Toonami block. However, as of late July, as Max, Reese Witherspoon as Annie, Amsterdam, starring Nikolaj Coster be involved with the series. the show has been taken off of Toonami and Peter Dinklage as Lemon. Waldau as John Amsterdam, a New York Returning to the CW for its seventh and appears to only be airing late on Halloween (Aug 31) Horror season homicide detective who has been around Smallville season is , which will add some Saturday mornings, which had previously starts in August this year with a remake of since 1642, when an Indian spell gives new cast members at the beginning of the been the slot for a repeat of the previous the horror classic with Rob Zombie in the him immortality until he finds his one true season including a new Daily Planet weeks new episode. On the Kids WB, director’s chair. This new chapter in the love. He uses his multiple lifetimes of Michael The Batman Legion of editor, Grant Gabriel, played by look for and Michael Myers saga stars Tyler Mane as experience to solve crimes while he Cassidy Super Heroes in the 24th Century (most recently seen on The CW’s to Michael Myers, Sheri Moon as Deborah continues to be on the lookout for the Hidden Palms ) and Clark’s cousin, Kara return with new episodes in September. Myers, Dee Wallace-Stone as Cynthia woman who will change his life. FOX The Batman Zor-El, aka Supergirl! Playing Kara will On , the new season will kick Strode, Scout Taylor-Compton as Laurie also has the Sarah Connor Chronicles on Laura Vandervoort be , who’s had off with a two parter featuring Superman Strode, and William Forsythe as Ronnie tap for mid-season on Sundays once the George Newbern, Dana Delaney various guest star roles and definitely with White. We get flashbacks to a young football season is over. Clancy Brown looks the part of the classic Supergirl. and all providing voices Michael Myers at age 10. Maybe it can be ABC has Pushing Daisies, with Reportedly, it turns out Kara’s father sent for Superman, Lois Lane, and Lex Luthor. considered the “Batman Begins” take on Barry Sonnefeld teaming up with Bryan her off to Earth as a teenager at the same Later episodes will introduce other DC the series? Fuller to bring us a seemingly whimsical time Jor-El sent Kal-El, but she got heroes including The Flash, Aquaman and Hatchet (Sept 7) When a haunted comedy about life and death with Lee delayed and was in suspended animation likely some of their associated super swamp tour finds out one of the local Pace as Ned, who discovers he has the The Legion of Superheroes so she hasn’t aged while Kal-El has villains. On , horror legends is true, mayhem and blood ability to bring people back to life once grown up. She has all of his powers and is they will bring into play “A daunting new spattering ensues. Stars Kane Hodder, they die. The caveat is that if he touches also able to fly, plus she’s a bit rebellious. villain — a destroyer of galaxies from the best known for his role as Jason in many them again, they go back to being dead. Look for her to appear in the first episode rich annals of DC Comics” and also have of the Friday the 13th movies. It is He begins to work with a private of the new season, Bizarro, which deals a somewhat older, more mature Superman presumed his weapon of choice is a investigator to help solve murders but with the season ending cliffhanger and on the team. Expect to see more new faces hatchet! Also stars Joel David Moore, things get complicated when he brings his sets the stage for a new mythic turn on the turning up including “a surprising, new Tamara Feldman, Deon Richmond, and childhood sweetheart (Anna Friel as show with Supergirl now in the mix. ally from across the space-time continuum Mercedes McNab. Charlotte “Chuck” Charles) back to life Supernatural returns for its third to assist in its efforts to rid the universe of Resident Evil: Extinction (Sept 14) after she is killed in an accident. She season on The CW and it is adding a this powerful foe.” In the direct to video Alice has been captured by the Umbrella encourages him to use his powers to help Superman/Doomsday couple of new demon hunters to the mix, market, the DVD Corporation and has been genetically people and their relationship blossoms both female. One is Ruby, being played will hit the stores on September 18th. It engineered to be stronger and faster and even though they can’t touch each other. Katie Cassidy Shaun by (daughter of condenses the big “Death of Superman” she joins forces with others in the Nevada Sonnefeld expects to direct several Cassidy ). Ruby is described as callous story from the early 1990’s into a 70- desert to fight the virus threatening to turn episodes. ABC is hoping this type of and somewhat cold, while having some minute video. For this special adaptation, all humans into the undead. Milla quirky comedy will catch on, although Adam Baldwin sexual attraction to Sam Winchester. Also is voicing Superman, Jovovich returns to the franchise as Alice previous attempts by Fuller with James Marsters Anne in the works is another female demon Lex Luthor, with Oded Fehr as Carlos, Mike Epps as Wonderfalls and Dead Like Me have had Heche hunter, Bela, who is supposedly more Lois Lane. In this adaptation, it is L.J., Iain Glen as Dr. Isaacs, Ali Larter mixed results. quirky and fun than Ruby, but no casting LexCorp that unleashes Doomsday as Claire, Ashanti as Nurse Betty, Chris CBS takes on the immortal vampire has been announced as of press time. leading to a battle to the death with Egan as Mikey, and Spencer Locke as K- looking for mortal love angle with The latest news form across the pond Superman. As in the comics, he gets Mart. Moonlight, starring Alex O’Loughlin as has filming underway for both the fourth better, but the DVD will leave out all the Mick St. John, a vampire for sixty years season of Doctor Who and the second extra stuff that happened in the comics who is a private investigator. He has fallen season of Torchwood. The big news is (i.e. Superboy, Cyborg Superman, Steel, in love with internet reporter Beth Turner that the Doctor’s companion, Martha Supergirl and such). (Sophia Myles) and has to decide if he Jones, will not join him in the TARDIS at should reveal his true nature to her and try least for the first half of the season. First to live a normal life while fighting crime up will be the Christmas special, Voyage and the less savory vampires. Also of the Damned, with David Tenant starring is Jason Dohring as Josef, a teaming up with singer/actress Kylie young mischievous hedge-fund trader, Minouge for an adventure on The Titanic. and Shannyn Sossamon is Coraline, St. According to a BBC press release, John’s wife who turned him into a Minogue will be a waitress on the Titanic vampire sixty years ago. Note that the last named Astrid. Following that, Catherine three were cast after the pilot presentation, Tate will reprise her role as Donna, from replacing the actors who appeared in the the Runaway Bride special, and will join pilot with some changes to their The Doctor for a few adventures in the characters. Not a good sign if they are early part of the season. Over on Page 6 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 4 December 18 - Mutineer’s Moon by Eclipse and one (1) admission ticket. Call THE PLANETARY SOCIETY. FYI David Weber. For Lt. Commander Colin 480-730-0205 to order your book and SPACEFEST will cover all facets of CASFS Book Discussion Maclntyre, it began as a routine training ticket space exploration, manned and un- flight over the Moon. For Dahak, a self- manned programs by way of Astronaut The CASFS Book Discussions are at The aware Imperial battleship, it began Diana Gabaldon appearances, speakers, space art, exhib- Bent Cover 12428 N 28th Drive on the millennia ago when that powerful August 28, 7pm its, and vendors. third Tuesday of each month at 7PM. If artificial intelligence underwent a mutiny Nov 27 you haven’t read the book, stop by in the face of the enemy. The mutiny was Poisoned Pen bookstore, Scottsdale In 83 BC comet Kiess passed by the Sun, anyway. Our discussions are rarely never resolved-Dahak was forced to Oct 4 ejecting a cloud of dust particles. On limited to just the book scheduled for that maroon not just the mutineers but the Changing Hands Bookstore September 1, 2007, Earth will encounter month. Email questions to entire crew on prehistoric Earth. Dahak this almost 2000-year-old dust causing a [email protected] has been helplessly waiting as the Writer Workshop Seminars meteor shower known as the Aurigids. August 21 - Dead Until Dark by descendants of the loyal crew regressed Charlaine Harris -. Sookie is a small- while the mutineers maintained control of Sept 15. Dennis McKiernan, Jennifer Phoenix Astronomical Society offers to time waitress in a small-time Louisiana technology that kept them alive as the Roberson, Jane Lindskold — talking you, at no cost, a chance to get to know town. She’s quiet, keeps to herself a lot. millennia passed. But now Dahak’s science fiction and fantasy broadly. your telescope by daytime. Bring your Not because she’s not pretty – she is. It’s sensors indicate that the enemy that Miller-Golf Links Branch Library, 9640 scope, charts, questions, etc, to just that she has this ‘disability.’ She can devastated the Imperium so long ago has E. Golf Links Road, Tucson. Bookman’s back room and learn with read minds and that doesn’t make her returned-and Earth is in their path. For PAS. An RSVP is required. very dateable. Until the night she meets the sake of the planet, Dahak must Tim Zahn and John Vornholt — talking Aug 12, 4:30pm tall, dark and handsome and can’t hear a mobilize its defenses. And that it cannot media-tie-ins and comics Sep 9, 4:30pm single thought. Turns out it’s because do until the mutineers are put down. So Sep 22. Dusenberry-River Branch Bookmans Central Bill is a vampire – exactly the kind of guy Dahak has picked Colin Maclntyre to be Library, 5605 E River Road, Tucson. Challenger Space Center, Peoria she’s waiting for. But Bill has a its new captain. Now Maclntyre must Sep 23. Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 Stargazing reputation…and when one of Sookie’s mobilize humanity to destroy the muti- N. Stone Ave. Tucson. Aug 4, 7pm coworkers turns up dead, she’s worried neers once and for all-or Earth will Aug 25, 7pm she’ll lose the best boyfriend she’s had. become a cinder in the path of galactic Oct 13. Lorelei Shannon, Yvonne Starlab Planetarium Read the book and then meet the author conquest. Navarro, Weston Ochse — talking horror. Aug 4, 1130am and 1230pm at CopperCon 27 in September. Valencia Branch Library, 202 W. Valencia September 18 - Dragonflight by Anne Book Discussion Groups Road, Tucson. SETI Institute’s Weekly Science Radio McCaffrey - This is the one that started it Program all... The first novel in the Pern series. Fantasy/Sci-Fi Discussion Group Science Events Mondays, avail as podcast th The first segment of Dragonflight was a 4 Wed, 7pm Spacefest 2007 http://radio.seti.org Hugo award winning novella (called Borders, Glendale August 17-18-19 at the Mesa Convention Weyr Search) prior to publication of the Center, sponsored by NOVASPACE and entire book. Path of the Craft Discussion group ( Continued on page 8 ) October16 - When Worlds Collide by discusses Neopagan theories inspired by Philip Wylie & Edwin Balmer - Sven both fiction and non-fiction books about Bronson, a South African astronomer, magic, nature, mythology, and spirituality. th discovers that a pair of runaway planets, 4 Sunday, 6pm Bronson Alpha and Bronson Beta, will Borders, Phoenix Camelback soon enter the solar system. The larger one, Alpha, will pass close enough to Sci-Fi Fantasy Book Club cause catastrophic damage. Eight months Aug 9, 7pm later, after swinging around the Sun, Changing Hands/Wildflower Bread Alpha will return to pulverize the Earth Company and leave. It is believed that Bronson Beta will remain and assume a stable Manga Bookclub st orbit. Scientists led by Cole Hendron 1 Tuesdays, 7pm work desperately to build ships to Borders, Chandler transport enough people, animals and equipment to Bronson Beta in an attempt Manga Bookclub to save the human race. {Another film Aug 18, 7pm adaptation is scheduled for release in Barnes & Noble, Goodyear 2008} November 20 - There Will Be Dragons Graphic Novel Book Club by John Ringo - 1st in a series. In the Aug 12, 7:30pm future there is no want, no war, no Four Peaks Brewery, Tempe disease nor ill-timed death. The world is a paradise-and then, in a moment, it ends. Author Signings The world had been a paradise until the Fall, when the holders of the control Sherrilyn Kenyon codes for the world-spanning program Aug 15, 7pm called “Mother” fell out in civil war. Barnes & Noble, Baseline & Val Vista, Scattered across the face of the earth are Mesa communities that have returned to the natural life of soil and small farm. In the Stephenie Meyer village of Raven’s Mill, Edmund Talbot, Aug 18, 2pm master smith and unassuming historian, Marcos de Niza High School auditorium, finds that all the problems of the world 6000 South Lakeshore Drive in Tempe. are falling in his lap. Doors open at 1p.m. COST: $22 ($23.48 with tax), includes one (1) copy of Volume 17 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 7 ( Continued from page 7 ) Drum & Dance circle, dancers of all types is a horror-thriller and another a straight- FYI are welcome. This is an ‘exchange of up horror. The horror-thriller one is titled Gaming Events energy’ “Cyrcle” so please come & share. “Gone” which won a Grand Prize from Videophile Hosted by Dave Frankus. FADE IN Magazine’s 2006 scriptwriting Dork of the Rings World of Warcraft TCG Tournament Aug 1, 7pm contest. He’s working on the editing for Ghost Rider - Extended Cut Sundays, 1pm Oct 3, 7pm that right now. Night at the Museum (Two Disc) Entry fee $5 for regular events $20 for Bookmans Central And when he writes – what element of the Ghost Story Marquee Events story is most important to Michael? Samurai Comics, west side store Metaphysical Mondays discussion Characters, most definitely. Characters are Dork of the Rings Mondays, 7pm what a story is all about. The reader lives Richardson Productions LLC., Hero-Clix-Super Hero Gaming Night! Borders, Glendale the story though the characters and it is 100 min, NR Sundays, 6pm through the characters that the reader DVD $20 Bookmans Mesa Metaphysical Wednesdays discussion develops an emotional connection. Wednesdays, 7pm Without that connection, you might not I first read the Lord of the Rings over Dungeons and Dragons RPG Night! Borders, Avondale really engage the reader. We talked a bit thirty years ago. I read the spoof Bored of Mondays, 6pm about plot-driven novels. He the Rings about twenty-five years ago. I Bookmans Mesa Metaphysical Fridays discussion acknowledges that there is a time and have been waiting for this kind of video Fridays, 7pm place for such novels – younger and less- ever since. The DVD has all the earmarks Heroclix The Coming Of Galactus Borders, Paradise Valley sophisticated readers enjoy plot-driven of a schlock classic, a good story, great Tournament stories. A more sophisticated reader tends locations, and unforgettable characters. Aug 4 & Aug 11, noon –2pm Check the web sites for confirmation, to be interested in the emotional content This one also has the weirdest, most Drawn to Comics location and more information. and cost of life. Some writers, he deranged twist on a classic since http://www.borders.com observed, are not sophisticated enough to Spaceballs. Heroclix, open play http://www.poisonedpen.com deal with it either. Less experienced The story follows Frudo as he is Every Tuesday, 4pm-7pm http://www.bookmans.com authors have some trouble with character tricked into taking the One Ring of Every Saturday, 2pm-5pm http://www.barnesandnoble.com situations and often still deal with it in a Circular Credit to Lardor so he can close Drawn to Comics http://www.changinghands.com ‘high-school’ fashion. Lord Mauron’s account. He is http://browncoats.lagemann.org Of all his works (and Michael has been accompanied by Ham, Gimpi the Name Our SuperHero Contest http://www.imperialoutpost.com very prolific), of what is he most proud? (computer geek) Dweeb, Legoblocks the Through end of August http://www.azchallenger.org A tough question, he admitted. He loved (pompodored) Elfis, Randolf the Vote at Drawn to Comics http://www.samuraicomics.com the Star Wars universe; it was great fun to (perverted) Wizard, Princess (butch, or is http://www.drawntocomics.com play in and be able to present new ideas to that bitch?) Femowen, Arrogant (don’t Heroclix Tournament Game Depot, 480-966-4727 fans and to be able to collaborate with touch the ‘do) the Rangler, and Scrottum Every Wednesday, 5:30pm-7pm http://www.library.pima.gov other writers in that ‘verse. He felt that (don’t ask). He is chased by Nosedrools Game Depot http://www.novaspace.com/Spacefest/ every time a reader had an emotional (just like they sound), and Sporks (think http://www.seti.org reaction to a character, he was very, very Orks on a cheap plastic budget). Universal Fighting System Team Champi- proud. And, of course, not every book Most of the bad guys from the Lord of onship Conversation ( Continued from page 1 ) will connect with every reader. And the the Rings are represented. But by far the Aug 25, 2p-6p converse is that every book will connect most twisted one is Martha the Steward. ‘sample’ it. That is, of course, how Game Depot with some reader. She is the assistant manager at the mall movies and music are marketed. And And his favorite accomplishment? but desires to run her own Dorkmart. The sampling could be done on a podcast. Warhammer 40,000 Hard Boyz Regional Another real tough question… He movie is hilarious and will be shown at Here is a venue where the writer can read Event wouldn’t really answer this one. He talked CopperCon this year. his first chapter and the prospective reader Aug 22, noon-7pm about the connection he felt to his This DVD will leave you laughing. Four can sample from these podcasts to decide Game Depot characters and the emotional toll it took to and a half Stars out of Five. - Bob if he wants to read the whole book. leave characters he had been with for five LaPierre Authors, Michael maintains, need to do Magic Tournament years. It was sorta sad, he said, to put more to market themselves as entertainers. Fridays, 6pm, entry fee varies them on the shelf. Ghost Rider - Extended Cut Back to his books – is the DragonCrown Samurai Comics, west side store Were there any early influences? Well… (Two-Disc Extended Cut) War series finished? Yes; however, there he was always the kid who wrote longer Sony, 123 min, Unrated was an ancillary story titled “Perchance to Cult Movie Night stories in class that anyone else. But, DVD $34.95 st Dream” and he might do a few more short Aug 31 , 7p-10p maybe it was Edgar Rice Burroughs – the stories in the future. Any new series Samurai Comics, Phoenix store man could plot like a genius, according to When we saw Ghost Rider in the breaking ground in his mind? Oh, yes, he Michael. And, while he felt he could theater my husband really enjoyed it so answered. One of the fun aspects of this Anime party, never write like ERB, still he could try to there was no way we could pass up the nd job, he explained, was being able to look Sep 2 , 11a-6p get as close as possible. His favorite is the extended version when it came out. Not forward to new projects. He finished a Samurai Comics, west side store Mucker trilogy. ERB thought of The being that much of a Nicholas Cage fan, I Conan novel last year that is now looking Mucker as his best novel. kept imaging how it would have worked if for a publisher. He loves writing in a Other Genre-related Events What does he read now? Mostly research, Johnny Depp had played the part as young, but ancient world (like Conan) so he admitted; not as much fiction as he’d originally planned; but, that aside, it was he designed his own and sold a short Psychic Saturday – free psychic readings like. If he plans to write a mystery, he’ll an enjoyable 2 hours and the special mystery story set in that world to Dana Aug 4, 12:30pm read mysteries to see what’s on the effects were tremendous. Stabenow for an anthology. Sep 1, 12:30pm market. The basic story follows motorcycle On the how of what Michael does…. How Oct 6, 12:30pm We didn’t have time for much more, but I riding Johnny Blaze who makes a deal did he write? He’s a solitary writer (isn’t Bookmans - Mesa would like to point out to my readers that with Mephistopheles (wonderfully everyone?) and likes to listen to music. Michael has a very rich website and you portrayed by Peter Fonda) to save his He’ll pick out certain music to set the Scimitar-Talon is a group of people should visit it if you want to know the father’s life. As deals with the devil are mood if he’s writing fantasy and a wanting to enjoy recreating portions of man better. New writers can also benefit wont to turn out, Johnny’s father dies different mix if he’s writing science the middle ages prior to 1600 AD. Classes from his guidance on his posts. anyway but Johnny still owes his debt and fiction. Michael tends to write very on Medieval Arts and Sciences. http://www.michaelastackpole.com/ thus becomes the Ghost Rider. quickly. Lately he’s been working on a lot Aug 4, 1:30-3:30pm The story is basically the origin story of screenplays. And those would be? One Bookmans Central ( Continued on page 9 ) Page 8 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 4 Videophile ( Continued from page 8 ) more planned for their retirement than sitting on the beach are great casting In Memory MangaZone of the Ghost Rider character, presumably touches for the adult viewers. as a first in a series of movies. While the Overall the movie works, though it William Myge Walker Claymore Vol.1 story is somewhat predictable the special could likely have done with a few more Fred Saberhagen Shonen Jump Advanced effects are fantastic. The extended version cuts for a tighter running time. The extras Story and Art by Norihiro Yagi has several additional scenes towards the include the obligatory deleted scenes, all William Myge Walker VIZ Media LLC, $7.99, 208 pp beginning giving us some more character of which were a good choice for deletion. background and, best of all, more of Peter The making-of features were OK but On June 9th, William Myge Walker, a This series is set in a dark Fantasy Fonda’s Mephistopheles. nothing to write home about; though long time member of the gaming world where Yoma (Demons) are plentiful Special features include the “Spirit of watching the actors react to imaginary community, died in his sleep from and feast on humans. Claymore is an Vengeance: The Making of Ghost Rider” effects is always amusing. complications resulting from a long term organization made up of women that have documentary; “Sin & Salvation” - a While not great art, this is a delightful respiratory ailment. Myge was a given up their souls to become half-Yoma featurette on the comic book origins of movie that you can watch with the kids roleplayer, a boardgamer, and a mmorpg in order to have the strength to fight the Ghost Rider; a trio of Ghost Rider and still enjoy yourself. - Stephanie L gamer. He was best known to the Yoma and protect mankind. animatics; and the usual film commentary Bannon Everquest community as Wotann, where We follow the adventures of Clare, a with the as well as VFX Supervisor Kevin he had a reputation for honest game play, low ranking Claymore, and the boy Raki, Mack, and producer Gary Foster. We had Ghost Story courtesy, and generosity. Myge was who comes to looks up to Clare as a the DVD out at open house and the Universal Studios, 111 min, R survived by his mother, Charlotte Walker, consensus was the extras were fun. DVD $14.99 his sister, Lisa Walker, his Brother, All in all, a worthy addition to our Jimmie Walker, and his niece, Tara DVD collection. - Stephanie L Bannon I saw this film when it was released in Walker. The funeral services were held 1981 and stumbled across the DVD while on June 16th with family and friends in Night at the Museum surfing amazon.com a few weeks ago. attendance, in Safford, Arizona. He was (Two-Disc Special Edition) Wondering if it really was a scary as my laid to rest in the family plot there. He 20th Century, 105 minutes, PG cousin found it then (dear heavens! 25 will be missed, he was a fine gamer and a DVD $34.98 years ago) I dumped it in the shopping wonderful human being, generous, full of cart and three days later it appeared on the humor, and loving. The premise is simple, at night, after door step. the museum closes, all the exhibits come The story concerns four old men, Fred Saberhagen to life. Enter the new night guard, members of the Chowder Society, who May 18,1930 - June 29, 2007 divorced father Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) gather to tell ghost stories. When one who takes the job as a last resort to man’s son is killed in a bizarre accident Fred Saberhagen died of cancer on June preserve his relationship with his son. Add they start to wonder if the accident has to 29, 2007. He wrote the Beserker series, in a robbery plot, a mild love interest, the do with the ghost story they never speak and Dracula novels. A memorial donation usual father/son need to bond storyline of - the death 50 years earlier if a young to one of Fred’s favorite charities is and there you have Night at the Museum. woman the four men accidentally killed. greatly appreciated by the family First off, the effects are wonderful, the Ghost Story is a movie adaptation of Catholic Relief Services - www.crs.org dinosaur skeleton that plays “fetch” and the Pete Straub novel, I will admit the Doctors Without Borders - Sister. As they fight the Yoma from the Easter Island idol head that chews novel was spooky as heck. The movie, www.doctorswithoutborders.org village to village, we see how they deal gum are masterpieces of CGI. That will well, not so much. It is, however, still a SFWA Emergency Medical Fund - with the human view of the Claymore and delight kids and adults alike. Teddy fun ghost story good for an evening on the www.sfwa.org/org/funds.htm why they are feared as much as the Yoma. Roosevelt (Robin Williams) with his gruff couch with a big bowl of popcorn. - John XXIII Catholic Community - This series is great, very bloody and advice and secret “crush” on Sacajawea Stephanie L Bannon www.johnxxiiicc.org dark. It deals with the inner nature of (he can see her in her display every night) mankind and the demons that are in all of are a pleasant touch. Dick van Dyke and us. Breathtaking art and a nicely woven Mickey Rooney as retiring guards with story bring Clare and Raki’s struggle to life. If you like Beserek you will love Claymore. - ninjakittyofdoom

Megatokyo 1 by Fred Gallagher and Rodney Caston Dark Horse Books, $9.95; 160 pp.

This book is a new trend blend of American Manga and web comics. This first book contains Piro, an American anime/manga fan, and Largo, a passionate gamer, stuck in Japan. To say the least, there are many cool references to games (Sony & Sega), manga (Chobits), cosplay (Dejiko) and (I kid you not)rent-a-zilla (Godzilla). This web site comics collection from August 2000 to June 2001 in www.megatokyo.com There are commentaries from Piro, Seraphim (Sara), and Dom. Overall, this is so cool. Recommended to gamers and/or manga/ anime lovers in the megatokyo universe - Jeffrey Lu Volume 17 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 9 CopperCon 27 September 7-9, 2007 is proud to present Author Guest of Honor Music Guests Charlaine Harris Local Author Guest Heather Stern author of the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire novels, Mike Stackpole & Harper Connelly series, and the Award-winning game Alison Stern Aurora Teagarden and Lily Bard Mysteries designer, computer game Sponsored by the Phoenix Filk Cirlce designer and novelist. Well known California Filkers, they CopperCon 27 will feature are also involved in the running of Artist Guest BayCon and other California conven- Art Show & Auction Gaming tions. Alison sings songs that are including a DDR Machine and Sean Martin Autograph Sessions Guantlet Legends arcade machines eclectic ranging over all of Filk. Heather sings songs of Fandom, Barry Bard Memorial Moive Previews LARP The Skiffytown League of Space, Elvish and just plain silly. and Giveaways Superheroes will be making a rare They harmonize together and are good Panels & Demos public appearance. at involving the audience in the music Charity Auction We are planning both panels discusions on both directly through participation as to benefit the topics such as Superheros,Harry Potter, Ghost Hunting Basics from professionals, well as emotionally. Thomas J Pappas School for Homeless Children Real science from real scientists as well as Demos & Workshops on writing, illustration Our Location Console Game Room and Art workshops with professionals. Sponsored by Acrossplus Program Particiapnts include Embassy Suites North it will feature a wide variety of classic and Laura Brodian Freas Memberships Rates 2577 West Greenway Room new video games on many systems. Jacqueline Lichtenberg $40 through 08/15/2007 602-375-1777 There will be tournaments Mark Greenawalt $45 at the door Rates: Dance The Wombat $109 S/D plus tax Kids 7-12 half price* Each extra person is $10 Dealer Room Anime Program Track Kids 0-6 Free* sponsored by AniZona & WesternSFA * with Adult membership up to 6 people per room filled with the best dealers with all those Pay on-line with Paypal special items you have been searching for bringing you a small slice of Anime featuring from dealers such as Designs by Tooker and panels on music, culture and the stuff that Each suite is beautifully decorated with makes Japan great. a private bedroom and spacious living Crystal Menagerie. Contact Info room. All suites are fully equipped with Hospitality Suite Masquerade two televisions, wet bar, a refrigerator, where you can sit and visit with friends, Saturday night By Mail: microwave oven, coffee maker, two both new and old Masters of Ceremonies telephones with data ports,iron with Mike Mennenga and Brian Brown CopperCon 27 board, hair dryer, Neutrogena prod- Halftime Entertainment Joe Bethancourt PO Box 62613 ucts, and a well lit dining/work table.. For rules check our website On the web: High Speed Internet Access is and much much more!! available for an extra charge. www.coppercon.org Rooms include made to order breakfast Special Thursday Night Events By Email: [email protected] and Happy Hour! Pre-Registered Members ONLY Page 10 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 4 Ratatouille Interviews

Today I was given the opportunity to interview Brad Bird, Brad Lewis, Patton Oswalt, and Janeane Garafalo. The interview was given in “round table” style, that is to say there were several interviewers and two interviewees. The first round consisted of the two Brads. Brad Bird (Writer/Director), and Brad Lewis (Producer) talked about the production end of the movie. They were asked about the choices they made in actors for the voices. Some were in place before Bird came on board but he cast Patton after hearing him on the radio, the part of Anton Ego was written in the hopes of Peter O’Toole voicing the character, never thinking he would actually do it (he did). Two parts were cast in-house simply because when they recorded dialogue tracks for pacing their voices and mannerisms were just what Bird and Lewis envisioned for the part. They were asked about the size of the production staff involved in the project. There were somewhere between 400 and 500 people. They had the most credits I have seen on any movie, the press release book has 11 ½ pages of credits. Included are almost a ½ page of babies born during the 6 years of production. The 6 years of production were a driving force in the development of the new animation styles used. The rats required new developments in manipulation (squishiness), facial controls (expressions) and layered skin effects (hair). There were also advances in the way the food was presented (they softened the foods and added more translucency to make the food look more appealing). Brad Bird noted that this was the first time he’d ever seen people leave the theater hungry after seeing an animated movie. After being asked about the difference between animated and live action movies both indicated that animated has more appeal. They agreed that a major component of the appeal of animated movies is that with live action you look for the closest approximation of what was envisioned. Animated features, however, because of how they are drawn have rooms, and are encouraged to learn each quite gleefully noted he didn’t need a passion in the scene is from Janeane going exactly what the director wants. They other’s jobs. For this project several were French accent. through many of the same problems while suggested that watching the movie sent to take cooking classes and Brad When asked for their favorite scenes making it in a male dominated field much multiple times shows things you might Lewis even worked in the prestigious in the movie Patton said that he like Colette did. miss the first 2 or 3 times. “French Laundry’ restaurant in a total particularly enjoyed one surprising Overall this was a very enjoyable Later in the afternoon we had another immersion internship in Napa Valley. moment in the latter part of the movie. He afternoon, I don’t think there could have round table with Patton Oswalt (Remy) Janeane spent months laying down the refused to elaborate but I think he was been a better representation of the film and Janeane Garafalo (Colette). They vocal tracks. She used a French accent she talking about the kiss. Janeane enjoyed than we engaged. I look forward to doing talked about the fun and hard work of obtained by copying other speakers. every scene with Skinner (Ian Holm). His this many times and am glad for the creating an animated movie for Pixar and During this time she lost her disc with slow sink into madness was one of the opportunity to have done it. the experience of working in the world’s French people speaking English. She next best comedic performances ever. I agree, Your intrepid reporter largest daycare for adults. The Pixar tried to use the speech patterns of a but I believe Colette’s (Janeane) Bob LaPierre Studio building is several acres inside and French commentator on CNN “discussion” with Linguini (Production even larger outside. Animators are International. He was moved to another Designer Lou Romano) about her position encouraged to decorate their own cubicles position. So she finally resorted to in the hierarchy of the kitchen was one of in whatever format they desire, they have repeating one word over and over again to the best examples of her versatility. I the largest selection of foods in the break get her mouth around the accent. Patton believed the speech and think much of the

Volume 17 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 11 stationary (what the heck, global cooling Screening Room – yea we can stay in business). Check out the website http:// Sunshine www.foxsearchlight.com/sunshine Harry Potter & the Order of the The film is rated “R” for some graphic Phoenix violence and language. Ratatouille I would recommend the film and rate Fantastic Four: Rise it a “B+”. - Len Berger, ConNotations of the Silver Surfer Film Editor Shrek the 3rd Harry Potter and the Sunshine Order of the Phoenix Starring: Rose Byrne, Cliff Curtis, Warner Brothers Studios Chris Evans, Troy Garity, Cillian Running time: 213 minutes Murphy, Hiroyuki Sanada, Benny Rated “PG-13” Wong, Michelle Yeoh Director: Danny Boyle (28 Days Later) When you go to a Harry Potter movie, Runtime: 107 minutes, Rated: R you simply have to forget the book for the duration, because there is no way any Fifty years from now Earth’s Sun is director short of Peter Brooks will do groups. Harry and Dumbledore. dying the Earth is cooling and if this justice to the sheer length required for a One nice touch: Ginny Weasely has Harry is joined by his friends Ron and continues life will end. All the countries faithful adaptation. (To my dying day, I almost no lines in the film, but she is often Hermione, Ginny, Fred, and George of the world pool their resources to will regret missing Brooks’ nine hour quietly in the background, watch Harry, Weasley, and Neville Longbottom. He is develop a spaceship capable of reaching stage production of The Mahabaratta.) reacting to events, and proving her also joined by Cho Chang, Luna the Sun and delivering its payload which Even the first movie skimped on details, spectacular worth in a fight. Her older Lovegood, and the members of the D.A. is a rather large stellar bomb whose and that was only for a mere two hundred brothers are visibly impressed by her (inaccurately identified as Dumbledore’s purpose is to reignite the Sun. and some pages. For the films to work, magical prowess. Army). Harry is convinced to teach them Sunshine begins with its crew of eight they have to get the characters right, and The acting is superb. Imelda Staunton defensive arts because the new Defense astronauts on the spaceship Icarus II. the visual medium should smoothly and as Miss Umbrage is dream casting; Emma Against the Dark Arts teacher refuses to Seven years earlier Icarus I was sent out coherently present as much of the story as Thompson and Helena Bonham Carter, as teach magic, instead preferring to teach on the same mission but contact was lost the writer can cram into the time frame. Miss Trelawney and the diabolical only theoretical defenses. several months after the launch. Imagine By that standard, HP #5 does a brilliant Belatrix LeStrange respectively, are The enemies list increases as well, being on Icarus II and the tremendous job. respectively comic relief and pure including the Death Eaters, ten new pressure of flying in space for months on Paradoxically, although this is the nightmare. (Given that Thompson’s escapees from Azkaban (including Helena end with the knowledge that you may be darkest of all six books to date, in my marriage to Kenneth Branagh broke up Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange), Earth’s last hope. opinion, it has received the brightest when he had an affair with Carter – which and the new Defense Against the Dark Captain Kaneda (Hiroyuki Sanada) is translation. It has much more humor than ended badly – it is small wonder that the Arts teacher professor Dolores Umbrage both Captain of the spaceship and a any of the previous films, excepting scene with Branagh’s character, Professor (played to perfection by Imelda Stanton). referee, when needed. Searle (Cliff perhaps the first, and the sound track Lockheart, was entirely left out.) And I Umbrage is assigned by the Ministry of Curtis) is the ships psychologist and there plays up to the sense of fun – a sense that thought the young actress who plays Luna Magic to keep the school under are times when he sure has his hands full. was entirely lacking in the book. In Lovegood was a scene-stealer. Her observation and to check Dumbledore’s Mace (Chris Evans – Fantastic 4) is the Rowling’s words, Sirius Black is portrayal was at once dreamy and power. Both of the latter women play ships engineer. Corazon (Michelle Yeoh) wretched, and he and Snape carry on a poignant, without being sentimental. - significant parts and cause the most is the ships botanist whose garden vicious verbal war; in the film, Black, as Chris Paige destruction possible. Anyone who has provides both fresh food and oxygen for played by Gary Oldman, is confined, but read the books knows what parts they the crew. Capa (Cillian Murphy) is a not crazed by that confinement. He is Harry Potter and the play, anything more would be spoilers. physicist and has one of the most there for Harry, and his quick winks and Order of the Phoenix Harry’s growth this year is typical of important jobs on the ship – blow up the wry expressions are masterpieces of non- Warner Brothers Studios most teenagers but somehow more stellar bomb. Cassie (Rose Byrne) is the verbal communication. Harry is Running time: 213 minutes poignant by being coupled with his ships pilot. Harvey (Troy Garity) is the tormented by a mental link to Vodemort, Rated “PG-13” growth as a teacher of the dark arts. I communications officer. And rounding and feels abandoned by a Dumbledore highly recommend this movie. - Bob out the crew is Trey (Benny Wong) who is who fails to realize that by trying to I am an avid fan of the Harry Potter LaPierre the navigator. protect Harry he winds up withholding the books. I went to this showing hoping to The crew faces life and death very support and information that Harry be, as usual, amazed by the spectacle. I Ratatouille situations and has to make decisions that desperately needs. But in the film, these wasn’t disappointed. There were, as Disney/Pixar nobody wants to make. Of course, not troubles, and the vindictiveness of the expected, deviations from the book, but Running time: 110 minutes, Rated G everything goes quite as smoothly as the dreadful Miss Umbrage, new instructor the story was followed adequately enough Opened June 29, 2007 crew would like but it’s those little bitty for Defense Against the Dark Arts and to appease the fans while being short problems (well not so little bitty) that Inquisitor for the Ministry of Magic, is enough to keep viewers from losing I went to this movie thinking to see a bring out their total dedication to the counter-balanced by friendship, a interest. slapstick tour de farce, a children’s mission. romance with Cho, and positive feedback Harry is older and dealing with cartoon, something to waste a couple of The actor’s performances were from the classmates he trains in secret in common teen angst, his first kiss, hours. I was both right and wrong. It was outstanding and the interaction between practical self-defense against dark magic. rebelling against authority, and adjusting heavy on the slapstick, and had very the crew members was wonderful to Another major difference between book to new teachers and classes. This is made lovable characters, but it was also one of watch. The film’s special effects were and film is the role of the non-human much more difficult by the fact that the the best buddy movies I have ever seen. nicely done, especially the Sun. Sunshine magical creatures. This is a hugely Ministry of Magic is actively accusing First the animation was first rate. I was a combination of sci-fi and fantasy important element in the book; in the him and Dumbledore of lying about the easily believed the characters and though 50 years into the future do we movie, you can scarcely even see the return of He Who Must Not Be Named. locations were animations of real people really know what to expect. sculpture in the Ministry of Magic that The Daily Prophet writes continuously and places. It was done so seamlessly that A personal thought is that I was sorry symbolizes the problems of exclusion, about the fact that Voldemort has not and the action flowed better than many live to assume that the global warming arrogance, and enmity that foment will not ever return, calling ridicule upon action pieces. And the food actually organizations were forced to reprint their between the human and non-human ( Continued on page 13 ) Page 12 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 4 Screening ( Continued from page 12 ) atmosphere in Paris, but also the details of Shrek the 3rd his beloved swamp, he sets out with looked appetizing. I was watching the fine cooking. Starring: Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Donkey and Puss to find a king for Far cooking and following many of the The movie is given a thumbs up. Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, Far Away. Our three stalwart companions recipes as though there were real food Even though this is rated G and there Rupert Everett leave all the womenfolk behind; Puss’s being cooked on the screen might be a “scary” scene with dead rats at Director: Chris Miller, Raman Hui farewell to the feline population is Second the voices were spot on a store, “Ratatouille” is enjoyable. Highly Running Time: 93 minutes hilarious. But just as they are sailing perfect. You could believe Patton Oswalt recommended. - Jeffrey Lu Rated: PG away, Fiona calls out to Shrek to tell him was Remy the rat, Janeane was so perfect Release Date: May 18th, 2007 the news: she is pregnant; Shrek is about in her role I called her Colette when to become a father. Shrek puts a good introduced for my interview. Linguini was Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer The title of Shrek 3 is a nice touch in face on it for Fiona’s sake, bless his heart, not only voiced by but also influenced by Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, and of itself, with its connotations of but now he starts having nightmares. Lou Romano, a production designer from Michael Chiklis. Chris Evans, Julian royalty and lineage; both of these are Being a father is the one prospect more “The Incredibles”. Brad Garret lent his McMahon central issues in the new storyline. To terrifying than being a king. Donkey tries incredibly deep voice for Auguste Director: Tim Story begin with, the question of succession: to reassure Shrek, and talks about how he Gusteau, Remy’s inspiration and a world Running Time: 92 minutes who will be ruler of Far Far Away upon loves his own brood, but Shrek replies he class chef. Rated: PG the death of Fiona’s father? And will doesn’t know how to do fatherhood, he th Third the story was well written and 20 Century Fox, Marvel there ever be any ogre babies to keep had no positive role model. “My dad tried had an air of believability about it. I found Entertainment Donkey and Dragon’s little airborne to eat me!” he explains. (By the way, by th the writing made the characters real, even Release Date: June 15 , 2007 firebreathers company? my count, Donkey’s progeny now the rats. The movie begins with Shrek and numbers five, down from the original six, So on to the movie itself. Remy wants This movie suffers from having way Fiona attempting to perform royal duties so Shrek’s father may not have been the what many of us want, a nice home, too much going on. I like the comic and while her father is ill – “just until he only parent with magnesium deficiency. family, and a good job. His ideal job am slightly disappointed at the extreme recovers,” Fiona assures Shrek. Soon, Or maybe I missed one in the mix.) would be as a chef. One small thing deviation from the comic books. I think they’ll be back in the swamp. “Just the Meanwhile, the Kingdom of FFA is stands in his way. Remy is a rat, aka that if they had just stuck to the story line two of us,” Shrek sighs happily at the facing a challenge more grave than the Rattus rattus. He has been reading a involving the wedding of Reed (Ioan thought of it, and prepares to snuggle presence of two genial ogres in the throne cookbook by Gusteau titled “Anyone can Gruffudd) and Sue (Jessica Alba) and the down for the night after a day of room. Prince Charming, sulky as ever Cook”. He has a very sensitive nose and is Silver Surfer coming to Earth it would humiliating disasters. (Kids will love this and with as much sense of entitlement, used by his father, Django, voiced by have been good, but they had to bring part, as oversize and awkward Shrek and has been acting out his fantasies on stages Brian Dennehy, to sniff the food they Doom in and complicate the plot too Fiona wreak well-intentioned havoc on to unappreciative audiences, who throw forage for poison. much. the court.) Fiona’s question, “What if tomatoes. But a visit to the Poisoned During an emergency evacuation The story, as such, was typical comic there were more than the two of us?” is Apple yields better fruit. After Remy is separated from his family and book fare. Alien menace (Surfer) the first clue that life and numbers in the overcoming the initial hostility of the finds himself inside of Gusteau’s threatens Earth, disturbs super heroes’ swamp are about to change. Shrek has to bar’s denizens – Charming may not have restaurant. Gusteau’s ghost assists him wedding (Reed and Sue), and causes have this spelled out for him, and, with smarts or a conscience, but he does have and serves as a Jiminy Cricket type unusual problems with a hero’s powers Freudian defense mechanism Denial in charisma and ersatz leadership – conscience. Remy soon is caught in the (Johnny Storm). The movie would have full operation, Shrek assures Fiona that Charming persuades the villains of story kitchen and Linguini is ordered to drown been complete with just that. The there will be time for kids later – MUCH to join him in an assault on the Kingdom him. One thing leads to another and soon inclusion of Doom served only to later. But the look of Fiona’s face says for a hostile takeover. they are friends. Remy discovers a way to lengthen the movie and further Julian otherwise. Now Fiona has a dilemma: to So while Shrek, Puss and Donkey operate Linguini like a puppet and they McMahon’s career. Everything about tell, or not to tell? And if so, how? have to find Arthur and bring him to his cook together wonderfully. Doom’s inclusion seemed too contrived When? new home and throne, Fiona, Queen Lily, Ian Holm voices the manager/chef of and the acting with McMahon was stilted Fiona’s father does not get better, and an assortment of princesses have to the restaurant Skinner. Skinner keeps and forced. however. His passing has the Monty fend off Price Charming, the wicked trees catching glimpses of Remy and slowly I have always loved the Surfer and Python touch – which is what you should and witches, Hook, and others. Merlin seems to lose his mind. Holm plays him think his origin in the comics stands as expect with both John Cleese and Eric shows up (this is the Eric Idle role) and much like Inspector Dreyfus from the one of the most misunderstood characters Idle on board, and the Shrek tradition of young Arthur demonstrates a talent for Pink Panther movies, he knows something who, while trying to destroy Earth, is still dark humor. If you loved the exploding persuasiveness that was entirely lost on is wrong but he doesn’t know quite what. seen as remarkably noble. Laurence songbird of the first film, and if you are a his chronological peers. Clearly, Arthur There is betrayal, suspicion, love, and Fishburne has the perfect voice and fan of classic hard rock, this is your will do better with peers of the realm, if most fearsome, a food critic voiced by star impeccable timing with his lines. movie, baby. A word here about the he can survive Charming’s “No Heir Left of stage and screen Peter O’Toole. I have The problem with Johnny’s powers soundtrack: this one is edgier than the first Behind” policy, and if Fiona and her cadre already seen it twice and will buy the was used as remarkable comedy. Simply two. Instead of “Alleluia” and can survive treachery and escape prison. DVD as soon as it is available. Oh yes, it put, the Surfer scrambled his molecules Smashmouth we get “Live and Let Die” This movie is much better than some kept the children in the audience causing him to involuntarily switch and Led Zeppelin. I thought both jaded, dyspeptic critics would have you entranced and there was only a mild powers with whoever he touches, selections were brilliantly interpolated, believe. Snow White’s warcry is the amount of cartoon violence. I give it 5 resulting in the now familiar scene with a but I suspect that this is not going to be opening shriek of “Immigrant Song,” a stars out of 5 and recommend seeing it naked Sue in public. As seen from the PG the soundtrack of choice for children. classic fatherhood nightmare sequence, several times, you see more things you rating there is nothing shown it is just Back to the plotline: Before – there is and a well-scripted confrontation between missed the first time. - Bob LaPierre implied. no other word for it – croaking – Fiona’s Arthur, Prince Charming, and his I found it to be cluttered and clunky frog father charges Shrek to either be king henchmen. And of course, the graphics Rats! I’m Hungry for More: A but still entertaining. Three and a half after him, or find a good replacement. are phenomenal. So enjoy the film. - “Ratatouille”Review stars. - Bob LaPierre Maybe young Arthur, a distant relative of Chris Paige some unspecified sort, would do. Since It only takes a (Brad) Bird’s view to all the king’s relatives are amphibious, enjoy a story of a rat named Remy with a Arthur is presumably a relation of Queen gift of smell and a heart of trying new Lily, but she is oddly silent throughout flavors became the best chef in Paris. these discussions. Still, Shrek has enough With Pixar at his side, Brad made this to go on. Desperate to find somebody, rat’s tale more amazing not only how anybody, who has a claim to the throne realistic the rats move, the French outside legitimate enough to release him back to

Volume 17 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 13 the longshoreman agreed to join forces to pay for funereal costs. Other fishermen and longshoremen followed suit in helping the one life tragedy into a club. AniZona 4 They held dinners and talk about “their” kid. Teddy bears, balls, and many toys Arizona’s First Anime Convention still graced the grounds of this child. Even now. March 21-23, 2008 In contrast, a grave site since 1997 that now is competing with the warehouse of Membership Capped at 1600 - child’s toys: daily flowers. The headstone shows a name: Jack. The male tour guide told me that this Jack was actually a guy OUR LOCATION who worked shoveling coal into the AMV’s Membership Rates Titanic’s furnace. He died from the boiler Karaoke Wigwam Resort Thru September 30, 2007 room. Since the movie, ladies still bring Litchfield Park, Arizona fauna, daily, to Jack’s grave. From the DDR TOURNAMENT Full Attending - $30 (9 years 300 E. Wigwam Boulevard guide, he mentions women still thinks that of age or older) DDR Machine!!! Litchfield Park, AZ 85340 actor Leonardo De Caprio lies there. Masquerade Telephone: (623) 935-3811 Strange but sadly true. Hotel Membership - $15.00 - Cosplay Gathering Toll-Free: (800)327-0396 half current price (up to four (4) Coming Soon in An American in Canada Cosplay Chess Part 7: Prince Rupert Crab Surprise Or memberships) or Free (up to More Space! Sticks of Frozen Minnows Story Lolita Tea Party two (2) memberships) - VALID All hotel space so we can run Anime Viewing Rooms Hotel confirmation number events around the clock!! required. Dealer’s Room NO Convention Musical Notes Artist Alley Center restrictions! Group Membership - $20 per by Tom Tuerff Gaming Room Beautiful Lawns for cosplay photo person for groups of 10 or Nancy Freeman — “Stardust County” Many different Panel’s & shoots and gatherings! Kaleidophone Records KP-0707 more. All group members must Demo’s register at the same time. Back in 1996, Nancy Freeman wrote a and much more... Rooms: $175 Single thru Quad Rent a room and get 4 half price song called Stardust County Line. It was a KiT - Free - for children 8 years country-flavored ballad about star-crossed or 2 free memberships of age or younger. Child must lovers named Nigel and Nimue, who are per valid confirmation number. separated by circumstance by the end of stay with parent or guardian at TWO FANTASTIC Also up to 4 half price guest dinner the song. all times. Available only with a DANCES with DJ rayray!! tickets per valid confirmation That was pretty much it until people paid adult membership (parent number. started asking Nancy, “Well? What or legal guardian) - Limit of 2 happens next?” KiT memberships per adult. One song led to another, and in a AniZona 4 couple years’ time, Nancy had an entire P.O.BOX 67641 22-song folk opera written. After a Phoenix, AZ 85082 PARENT - Half-current price handful of performances over the past Make checks payable to Anizona 4 with KiT or under 18 full seven years or so, the entire, sprawling Name:______membership at same time. saga of Stardust County has arrived on a Badge Name:______deluxe, 2-CD set, with visual goodies to Address:______LIMIT of one discount per boot. City:______State:_____ZIP:______The storyline of this “futuristic Country:______membership werewolf western” (stick with me here, it Email:______really, really works) follows our two Membership Type: |_| Full |_| Kid-in-Tow (Limit 2 per adult membership) heroes as they attempt to outwit a string of |_| Hotel Discount--Confirmation #: ______Good for up to 4 people For more information check our nefarious characters, who for entirely By signing this you asgree to all terms and rules posted on the AniZona 4 website. web site for updates different reasons, would like to see both Name:______www.anizona.org Nigel and Nimue as the next residents of If above-listed person is under 18 years of age, the person signing the form must or Boot Hill. be a parent or guardian. email to [email protected] Will they survive? Will they ever see Parent/Guardian:______each other again? Will Nigel ever shake the werewolf thing? Well, yeah, of course, but the fun is in the gettin’ there! An American in Canada Part 6: were from Halifax, Nova Scotia. What is these gifts in remembrance. The story was the day after the ship’s I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I Halifax Heritage- The Titanic remarkable is there are three cemeteries. One of them has two stories about two demise. Fishermen and longshoremen say that Stardust County may be the most Connection grave sites- a child’s resting place and one from Halifax were not exactly friendly in ambitious filk project ever undertaken by by Jeffrey Lu from the James Cameron’s “Titanic.” those days. But one day, a blond child anybody. What makes me very happy to First, there was plastic toys scattered was washed ashore. A fisherman held the report is that the whole thing holds Stranger than fiction. Strange that the around one site. From the guide, he dead child and wept. Passing by, a together beautifully. truth is out there but in Halifax? mentioned that everyday there are some longshoreman stopped to look at the You only have to know Nancy That’s a Titanic question. type of toys guarding this plot of land. He perfect formed angel. He asked to hold Freeman about five minutes to discover Okay, let me explain. The first did not know who but mentioned there the baby. The fisherman nodded and gave that she’s a very gifted songwriter. That rescuers to the infamous sinking Titanic still have a warehouse nearby that hold him the body. There was a truce and ( Continued on page 15 ) alliance that day. Both the fisherman and Page 14 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 4 Musical ( Continued from page 14 ) The Chaotic Afternoon she is able to keep the song quality at a and Unruly Evening superior level throughout the entire Hanging with Harlan production is truly admirable. In order to pull it off, she has Ellison: Part 2 of 2 surrounded herself with some of the more By Shane Shellenbarger capable talents in filk and folk, starting with producer and guitarist Jeff Bohnhoff. Correction: The photo used in By changing styles and instrumentation, Part 1 should have been credited Bohnhoff helps the songs to flow together to Rick Wyatt ©2007 amazingly well. Highlights include “Rosa Fe” (sung by Maya Bohnhoff, Jeff’s The clock read 6:15 p.m. and wife), the menacingly scary introduction Harlan decided it was time to to the saga’s main villain; “Thunder-Grey leave Pink’s Hot Dogs and head Horse” where Nimue (Freeman) explains to the Writer’s Guild of America an awful lot about her character; “Envy Theater for the premier of Erik the Man” featuring a great vocal from Nelson’s documentary, Dreams Canadian folk singer Dave Clement; and with Sharp Teeth: a film about “Pieces” a personal favorite of mine and a Harlan Ellison. The crowd song that’s positively Dylanesque in its dispersed to various vehicles and composition - and I mean that in a good Rick Wyatt (HarlanEllison.Com) way. rode with me. Other characters are played by a The very organized Steve virtual who’s who of West Coast filkers: Barber had handed out maps and Lon Austin (whose fine storytelling helps even so, Rick and I found our way fill in the gaps between songs), Larry to the parking garage of the Warner, Michelle Dockrey, Forrest and theater. Soon, David Loftus and Jennifer Ashley, Tony Fabris and, um, the Richmonds arrived, little yours truly. knowing that they would be (I appear on two cuts on this CD in the helping Rick and me to schlep the part of “Paul,” Nimue’s ex-boyfriend. And many boxes of books into the while I will wonder till the day I die why theater for the autograph session Nancy didn’t find a better singer, I’m after the event. I lead the parade honored to be included!) of pack mules across the lobby, located that they’d just littered, it was a bad thing, bribed into singing Shel Silverstein’s You Now, as if the music wasn’t enough, Susan Ellison, and asked her where she and they shouldn’t do it again. I felt the Treat Me Like A D-O-G, he had stories he the second CD of the set is specially was setting up. Susan indicated a spot and heart-in-my-throat feeling about my father wanted to tell which were only enhanced with all kinds of goodies, we all laid our burdens down. After I as I viewed a much older Harlan watching tangentially related to the questions posed including a Stardust County map, libretto came out of the event in the theater, I a film-to-tape transfer of a much younger by Olson, most of which seemed to cause and links to pages on all of the noticed that everything had been moved, only a slight consternation on the part of performers. presumably to allow more room for the Olson and all of which delighted the I’m thinking that if you simply like a attendees to belly up to the bar. I located audience. good fantasy story, you’re going to like some of the people from Pink’s, The crowd moved to a reception area Stardust County whether you’re a filk fan schmoozed a bit, and then headed into the in the lobby that included a dessert buffet, or not. And like I said, you’re not likely to theater to grab a seat. a no-host bar, and Harlan’s autograph come across another project like this for a I spotted the Richmonds, and accepted table. I mingled, setting up a late breakfast while. Andrea’s kind invitation to join them in with the Webderland Irregulars, speaking Hell, music aside, this thing deserves a the “Friend’s of Harlan Ellison” row. with Josh Olson, singing a bit of the Pegasus Award for sheer gumption. Sitting down, I glanced to my left, Mickey Mouse Club theme with Len Nancy’s setting a precedent here, and I noticing a woman five seats away, her Wein (Swamp Thing), and chatting with wonder if there’s anybody out there even eyes narrowing, counting the seats. After Steven Barnes (Great Sky Woman). willing to try and match it. Wander into deciding I was not sitting on one of her Eventually the crowd dispersed and at Stardust County and see if you don’t imaginary friends, the woman turned her Harlan as his father put his hand on the 1:00 A.M., the W.G.T. closed its doors and agree. attention elsewhere. However, her boy’s shoulder. I felt a smirk break into a the only ones remaining on the sidewalk attention returned each time someone grin as Susan Ellison told the tale of were the Ellisons, the Richmonds, Len Tom Tuerff has two CDs out of his own: stopped to talk to Tim, or Andrea, or Harlan locking her out of their home, Wein, Christine Valada, Rick Wyatt, and “Something to Sell at My Gigs” and “But Alexia and when the inevitable time came while she was sans clothes. I felt myself myself. When the crew and passengers of Wait - There’s More!” His recent when someone stopped and raised a finger smiling as Neil Gaiman, Peter David, Dan the S.S. Grey Ghost went down with the accomplishments include getting up this indicating the empty seats between myself Simmons, the irrepressible Robin ship (see part 1 of this article), six people morning, as well as airplay on Dr. and the woman, she called out, “They’re Williams, and other friends shared their needed transportation. Wein and Valada Demento, NPR’s “Midnight Special,” saved!” I shrugged and, dejected, the seat thoughts and feelings on what Ron Moore were transporting the Ellisons, so I loaded Radio Free Phoenix and even a inquirer shambled off. This event seems to had called, “…the small parade that is Wyatt and the Richmonds into my Saturn rockabilly-themed radio show. Go figure. repeat itself endlessly. It was just as the Harlan Ellison.” After watching the Vue, leaving Beverly Hills behind and He recently played a gig buck naked. No, lights were going down that the woman’s documentary I whole-heartedly agree with headed to Sherman Oaks. really. Check him out at imaginary friends popped into reality and screenwriter, Josh Olson (A History of The trip was definitely a group effort, www.tomtuerff.com or at took their places. I wonder if they ever Violence), when he said to Harlan, “It’s as as I’d never been to Ellison Wonderland www.myspace.com/tomtuerffmusic. You knew of the valiant battle waged by their close to the experience of hanging out at night, nor from the South. We made it can also download his albums at friend to safeguard their seats. with you as I can imagine on film.” to the motel where they were staying, but iTunes.com. I watched the documentary and a Following the film, Olson attempted to it was only to drop off Wyatt. The series of emotions washed over me. I felt interview Ellison, but it was mostly a lost Richmonds’ rented car was parked in front the chagrin I’d felt when I’d been with cause as Ellison spotted old friends in the of the Ellisons’ home. We pressed on. Harlan and he’d pointed out to someone audience he wanted to talk to, he was ( Continued on page 16 ) Volume 17 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 15 Harlan ( Continued from page 15 ) trigger until I was at $12.23, paid the And the guest of honor is…John ing and colorful self-expressiveness that attendant and headed for Blythe and the Ringo! You know, the guy who writes (or children love to examine. I don’t know if Stately Ellison Manor is near the top of a relatively cheaper gas of $3.38 per gallon. co-authors) the funny stories for the his colorations are realistic or accurate, hill, bordering watershed land, with Despite some minor issues, I had a Honor Harrington Worlds of Honor but they are much nicer than the drab tortuous and winding roads. After nearly great time, met some new people, anthologies. Ringo writes great military greys and browns I see in most picture twenty minutes of driving back and forth reestablished some friendships, and saw a sci-fi, so with that draw, and good books. up hairpin turns, we were just around the great film. What more could I ask for? publicity, we may get some guys from the The names of all the guest-staring corner from the house when we spotted it: nearby bases to show up. dinosaurs are considerately provided, and a deer in a hedge. We looked at the deer, http://www.creatvdiff.com/ Yes, there will be filking. (With any 3 year olds who cannot pronounce their the deer looked at us and then bounded harlan_ellison.php (Warning: Music starts luck, Emma Bull will be there. With even own name clearly will be able to rattle off into a lawn, over some shrubbery, and it immediately) more luck, she and Will Shetterly will the polysyllabic names of extinct sauro- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1018887/ was gone. I recovered, drove to the have invited Steven Brust down for the pods. http://mysite.verizon.net/res7n0zi/id30.html Ellisons’, said my goodbyes, and followed weekend.) I’m just disappointed that the name on http://mysite.verizon.net/res7n0zi/id34.html the Richmonds’ car back down the hill, Yes, the gamers are the best organized the doctor’s door, In How Do Dinosaurs http://www.aintitcool.com/node/32340 past their motel, on to Laurel Canyon, and section of attendees so far, with a detailed Get Well Soon? isn’t J. Robinson. Maybe http://www.documentaryfilms.net/ map and schedule of events already “Dr. Blatsky” is a tribute I simply don’t eventually back to my hotel and bed. index.php/dreams-with-sharp-teeth/ posted. Go, gamers! And YES!!!! A full recognize. – Chris Paige Four hours of sleep and a half hour of http://www.filmthreat.com/ breakfast is included in the price of your tossing-and-turning later, I gave up and index.php?section=features&Id=1949 room. got ready for the day. We’d had a great http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=24508916 day with perfect weather, but that was http://www.roadtripamerica.com/eats/ TusCon is a small convention, usually, Gamer’s Corner yesterday and today it was raining. I pantry.htm but that can work to your advantage. Smaller crowds means more time to talk called the Original Pantry Café (where I http://abc.go.com/specials/ Tactica Imperialis with guests, and fewer rivals to bid up the had arranged to meet the Webderlanders) mastersofscifi.html A History of the Later Imperial cost of that artwork or book or trinket you and got a vague idea of its location from http://harlanellison.com/heboard/archive/ Crusades simply HAVE to get at auction. Hope to the very busy person who answered the unca20070528.htm Background Supplement http://0wanderingattention.blogspot.com see you there. – Chris Paige phone. As I was checking out of the Best Dan Abnett and Andy Hoare Western Beverly Pavilion, I asked the $29.99, Black Library Publishing, 96 reception clerk if she knew where the pages Pantry Café was located. She looked it up Jane Yolen for Kids – and printed out a map. I was on my way. PreCon News This volume is an historical view of I had given myself plenty of time Really! the tactics and weapons used to win key TusCon 34 is fast approaching: the which was fortunate as I had passed the battles during the 41st millennium. The Pantry without knowing it, went down a dates this year are 11/09 – 11/11: the If you need a descriptive inoculation maps and diagrams are as realistic as they one-way street that forced you back onto second weekend of November, at for the misery, woes, bad choices and dire would be in any history book. I was the freeway, ended up parking in a mall a InnSuites Hotel, (520-622-3000) 475 N. consequences of life, a book by Jane pleased that they not only show what couple of blocks from the Pantry, and Granada. TWO IMPORTANT WARN- Yolen is usually a good choice, right up battles were fought but how they were getting lost in the rain while on foot. I INGS: a sizeable chunk of I-10 will be there with A. E. Houseman’s A Shrop- won and why they were important to the made it to the Original Pantry Café at 9:55 inaccessible. and un-exitable, at this time, shire Lad. overall strategy of High Command. A.M., bypassed the line of people snaking so please ask the hotel for best directions Not an optimist, our Jane, and humor The commentaries and conclusions out the door and down the sidewalk, and to actually find it; also, the discount is conspicuous by its absence. In any presented at the end of each war are checked inside: no Webderlanders. I went convention rate closes on October 9th, so anthology I’ve ever picked up, her helpful in showing what the Empire wants back outside, got in line, and waited. The get your call in before then, and the magic contribution is a well-penned downer. you to learn from them. I think this will previous night Keith Cramer had asked words are “TusCon Science Fiction Extraordinarily gorgeous illustrations, by enable those who direct Empirical troops for my cell number, but I’d forgotten the Convention.” Dennis Nolan and Jane Dyer respec- to remember the proud history and have charger and didn’t turn on the phone Big news: the short story writing tively, have seduced me into reading Dove their commands show deference by unless I was making a call. Of course, if contests. Check out the regs at the Isabeau and The Girl in the Golden proudly flying the colors of their I’d gotten his number I could have called TusCon 34 web page link; here is a short Bower, and the former is firmly placed in forebears. and found out that weather and traffic had summary: speculative fiction, 5000 words one of my shelves of all time favorites, Good background, wonderful maps conspired to delay the group, but I didn’t or less, no prior professional publications, even though Dove Isabeau, in dragon and historical documents, I give it 4 out of so I left the Original Pantry Café, alone multiple submissions allowed, formal form, eats most of her suitors. 5 stars. - Bob LaPierre and hungry on a solo journey. hardcopy double-spaced manuscripts And then she goes and writes the most The ride from L.A. to Phoenix was ONLY, with cover letter and identifying delightful, charming, appealing, and funny The Art of Warhammer mostly uneventful, with one exception: headers on each page. There is a separate series of books for small children: How Art Book gasoline. I hadn’t been too concerned contest for teens of ages 13-17 and Do Dinosaurs …? There are currently Compiled by Marc Gascione about fueling up the Vue, so I passed another for adults, with 3 awards per age eight books to find and read to your and Nick Kyme Banning, Palm Springs, Indio, thinking I group. You can email questions to dinosaurophiles, as they snuggle up $50.00, Black Library Publishing, could make it to Blythe. Nope. So when I [email protected]. against you for story time. The big picture 224 pages saw the “Desert Center: Gas Ahead” sign, Submissions must be sent to books are titled …Say Goodnight? I exited I-10, went north on Desert Center Liz Danforth …Get Well Soon? …Eat Their Food? This volume is a compilation of art Rice Road, spotted the station, and pulled Adult Coordinator’s Office and …Go to School?; The board book from the history of Warhammer. There are in. The attendant exited the office, Joel D. Valdez Main Library titles are …Count to Ten? …Learn their pictures from the various editions, White unlocked the old gas pump, flipped the Pima County Public Library Colors? and …Clean Their Rooms? Wolf magazine, and many of the crank, and stood by while I pumped gas. I 101 N. Stone Ave There is also How Do Dinosaurs Play supplements. There are also a few that was almost hypnotized as I watched the Tucson, AZ 85701 with Their Friends? These wonderful never made it into publication until now. numbers blur by, the sound coming from And she needs then in hand by books are all lessons in good manners. All the pictures have the name of the the pump reminding me of a one-armed October 15th, so allow for snail mail The question is posed, and then we see piece, the name of the artist, the bandit. I released the pump trigger, looked delivery time frames. Yes, you can hand both sets of behaviors: the typical, and the publication it was in, and the year at the cost, and my jaw dropped: $10.57. I deliver. This is a great opportunity to get greatly to be desired. published. Now, while it is all looked at the price-per-gallon and it read new voices and visions recognized and Jane Yolen’s partner perpetrator of Warhammer, there are some parts with $4.39. Remember, this was on April 20th introduced to the world, so let those delights is Mark Teague; his dinosaurs specific content, the section on maps when the average gas price was $2.97. I creative juices flow. are masterpieces of anatomically intrigu- did some rough calculations, pulled the ( Continued on page 17 ) Page 16 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 4 Gamers ( Continued from page 16 ) Highly recommended to Warhammer Necropolis. Also, this has a short story Warhammer 40,000: Ravenor fans and dark fantasy readers - Jeffrey Lu named, “In Remembrance.” by Dan Abnett includes a beautiful 2-page spread with Excellent. Explains the beginning of a A Black Library Publication, $7.99; the whole world. Warhammer: Fell Cargo future crusade war in the Sabbat system. 412 pp. Some of the pictures are of individual by Dan Abnett Look forward for the next series. Thumbs- heroes, some of huge battles, but my A Black Library Publication, $7.99; up for dark sci-fi readers. - Jeffrey Lu Inquisitor Gideon Ravenor and his favorites are of the various novel covers. I 254 pp. team are finding the strange substance like that the art is presented in its original named flect distributed illegally to printing type (IE: B&W or Color). I can’t Pirate Captain Luka Silvaro and his different worlds. They will find out how abide having colorized B&W or greyscale allies are in a mission to destroy the hated deep these alien “drugs” are “protected.” color. I’ve wondered when other Butcher Ship. They not only have to face companies would do something like this. zombies, vampires, sea ( Continued on page 18 ) The Art of the Dragon was beautiful and monsters, but also dark now I have another gorgeous art book for magic from the Butcher my shelves. Hey Steve! How about the Ship! Art of Munchkin? Loved it. Good 5 out of 5 stars. - Bob LaPierre pirate story. Recommended for Night’s Dark Masters Warhammer fans, dark A Guide to Vampires pirate fans, and dark $34.99, Black Library Publishing, fantasy readers - Jeffrey 144 pages Lu

This is the ultimate resource for Warhammer 40,000: vampires, both for gamemasters and for Duty Calls players. Yes, I said players. The section on by Sandy Mitchell vampires as players is as thorough as A Black Library anything for normal humans. I think that Publication, $7.99; the careers offered for use in vampire (or 415 pp. other undead) heavy campaigns are among the best of the specialized careers. Continuing The beginning chapters have great myths adventure of a reluctant and legends, incredible texts, and even hero, Commissar (shhh) the truth! Ciaphas Cain, lands in The middle chapters describe the Periremunda with the physical and mental abilities, the types of usual politics (i.e. vampires, and some of the best known backstabbing) and the legendary blood suckers. joy of fighting a chaos The spells and items are interesting cult, aliens, and other but not always practical. However; the dark beings in order to blood feats for vampires make me think find a certain artifact. heavily about playing one. The random Additional to the mix is attributes for undead are very cool and an Inquisition add color and verisimilitude to the “welcome”... disgusting creatures. This is the fifth book Overall I liked it. 4 stars out of 5 - in the series. Bob LaPierre Enjoyable. Highly recommended for Warhammer: A Murder in humor and dark sci-fic Maridenburg readers. - Jeffrey Lu by David Bishop A Black Library Publication, $7.99; 413 Warhammer 40,000: pp. The Founding by Dan Abnett The book is about a “promoted” police A Black Library person named Kurt Schnell. He is to re- Publication, $11.99; open a watch station that had been shut 767 pp. down due to a “haunted” past of the last leader of that place. Kurt will also have to This is the beginning deal with the Maridenburg’s underground. of a battle group called And, an army of something evil is Gaunt’s Ghosts. Not coming. If that is not enough, there is a only these people are murder of an elf in a city filled with fighters but also they majority of humans. The elfish authorities have a special ability to are ticked off and demanded an be invisible. These are investigation from Kurt. If the elders are the tales of how these not happy, hell was coming to fighting men became Maridenburg through sword and arrows. literally “ghosts.” Enjoyable. Loved the suspense as Kurt This omnibus tried and did his best in his new contains the first three command. See how all these problems novels- First and Only, strangely fit together. Ghostmaker, and Volume 17 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 17 Gamers ( Continued from page 17 ) and destroy the Horcruxes, so that the Britain’s war with Germany, culminating of readers, entertained myself with Order of the Phoenix will actually have in a decisive battle in 1945 and involving speculations. I predicted that Harry would Interesting. Didn’t expect the sealed some chance of defeating Voldemort once an artifact of invincibility. become a Defense Against the Dark Arts remains of Ravenor be a golden chair and for all. It turns out that Grindelwald’s wand of instructor at Hogwarts, and eventually after the infamous parade incident. He The nature of the Horcruxes invites invincibility, the Elder Wand, is one of the Headmaster; Ron would become the used his mind to contact/help others. comparison to other literature in which three Deathly Hallows of the title: Quiddich Captain of his favorite team, Entertaining. Recommended for artifacts play a prominent part, especially artifacts associated with three brothers in and Hermione would become either the Warhammer 40,000 and dark fantasy Russian fairy tales of the Deathless One, a wizarding fairy tale. The other two are a Head of Ravenclaw House or in charge of readers - Jeffrey Lu and The Lord of the Rings. Ron, Harry, stone of resurrection, and… a cloak of the Ministry of Magic. But Harry already and Hermione all suffer from the baleful invisibility. These three Hallows all come was the de facto instructor in the fifth influence of one Horcrux, when they into Harry’s hand, and the use he makes book, and Ron, it seems, outgrows the Warhammer 40,000: Ravenor make the mistake of wearing it around of them is vastly different from anything game – or maybe Rowling just couldn’t Returned their necks, just as Frodo and Sam are Voldemort would have done – or even stand to describe another match, let alone by Dan Abnett affected by the one ring. For artifacts Dumbledore. a career in Quiddich. As for Hermione, A Black Library Publication, $7.99; aren’t easy to destroy. The only reason If Voldemort seems extraordinarily well, maybe she still ends up in charge of 414 pp. Harry succeeded in destroying Tom inept to some readers, there is a reason for the Ministry. It isn’t ruled out. She would Riddle’s diary in Chamber of Secrets is this. In making the Horcruxes, he actually certainly be the one, along with help from because he stabbed it with a basilisk fang. gave up that part of himself he invested: Harry, to reform relations between Ravenor and his team are undercover. Finding the damn things is hard enough – his heart, his memories, even his wit. All wizards, magical creatures and muggles They are finding more problems in they quickly figure out that Sirius Black’s that is left of him is a megalomaniacal alike. You go, girl! – Chris Paige dealing with a cult-controlled Imperial brother Romulus was the one who determination to conquer and a refusal to government. Also, another cult predicted replaced one Horcrux with a fake, but die. Harry Potter just wants what Flesh and Spirit an evil power “Slyte” in Ravenor’s team- when they interrogate the Black house- Odysseus wanted in The Republic of by Carol Berg a young boy assistant, Zeal. hold elf, Kreature, it is only to find out Plato: a quiet life, a family. And if it Roc; $15.00, 418 pp. This is the second installment. that the real one was stolen by the thievish seemed to you that Harry, Ron, and Mundungus, and sold to the Ministry of Hermione spend an inordinate amount of Abandoned, robbed and left severely Twists and turns. Nice surprises. Magic. This necessitates a raid in dis- time dithering in hiding, there is a reason injured in a soldier’s raid, Valen is found Enjoyed the book immensely! guise, during which they play a disruptive for that too, two reasons, actually. One, as by some kindly monks and given shelter Recommended to dark sci-fi fans and role in the grand inquisitions presided anyone who has been in a war can tell at Gillarine Abbey. A ne’er do-well, a Warhammer 40,000 readers. - Jeffrey Lu over by another nemesis of Harry’s, you, there are long stretches of tedium soldier of whim and a nimble thief, Valen Dolores Umbridge herself. Then for and inactivity in any campaign. But more finds himself surrounded by the kindness months the three of them are porting significantly to the story, the time that of Karish monks who worship the god In Our Book around the Horcrux that contains passes is crucial for something to happen. Iero and take him in and heal his wounds. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Voldemort’s heart essence, on the run and It allows for a wizard to be born. It’s the last place the irascible Valen by J.K. Rowling in hiding from the Ministry of Magic and What happens to whom? I’m not ever expected to find himself. Scholastic, 759 pps. $34.99 the Death Eaters who have subourned the going to spoil it, but some of my favorites Valen is a wonderfully layered Ministry, trying to figure out some way to joined Severus and Dumbledore on the character. On the outside: brusque and WARNING! Contains Spoilers! unmake the thing. Ron proves the most other side of the mirror. If it is any talkative, self-serving, impatient, susceptible to its insidious influence, and consolation, they all die valiantly. intelligent and a great teller of tales. The seventh and final installment of there is a horrible falling out. But one of Before I read this book, I, like millions Inside, he struggles with his need to the Harry Potter saga provides explana- the most wonderful aspects of this book is ( Continued on page 19 ) tions, revelations, showdowns and that Harry has really learned he can’t resolutions; contrary to Rowling’s always go it alone, and not only does he assertions, however, it does leave room not want to be the hero, he has realized for more stories. Not everybody dies. that sometimes other people need to be At the conclusion of the sixth book, heroes. When it comes time to finally Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, destroy the Horcux that has caused them Albus Dumbledore, before he is killed by so much suffering, that task is Ron’s. Severus Snape, charges Harry to find and After all, he was its primary victim – he destroy all of Voldemort’s Horcruxes – needs to be the one to subdue it. magical objects in which He Who Must Throughout the series, naming Not Be Named has stored part of his Voldemort has been problematic for living essence, so that as long as even one everyone except Harry and Albus is intact, he cannot be killed. Dumbledore. In this book, you find out The only way to destroy Voldemort is why. There is also an encounter with a to first destroy these artifacts. mysterious patronus in the form of a doe, Dumbledore also told Harry not to try this whose origin is revealed near the very end alone – Ron and Hermione should be told, of the book, in the scene that finally but no one else. This underscores a answers THE question of the books – fundamental difference between whose side is Snape on, and why? This Voldemort and Harry we have seen all was the part of the book that had me in along: Voldemort has servants; Harry has tears. I had foreseen it, for Rowling was allies. But he loses two of them very generous with her clues, but it was no less quickly. When Harry turns 17, the spell of powerful for being anticipated. family protection expires, and Voldemort Another revelation is the nature of the sends his followers to kill Harry at the connection between Harry and Voldemort: Dursley’s home. Harry and the other why, and how, are they linked? It turns members of the Order of the Phoenix take out that when Voldemort tried to kill steps to ensure the safety of the Dursleys, Harry as a baby Voldemort, inadvertently but moving Harry himself to a safe haven and unknowingly, made Harry his seventh is dangerous business, and Death Eaters Horcrux. don’t bother with spells like Stupefy or The real surprise in this book is Immobilus. The survivors regroup at the Dumbledore’s past. He did not come to Weasely’s home. his wisdom and kindly ways easily; he At 17, Harry Potter is an adult in the paid a terrible price along the way worthy wizarding world. And, true to his word, he of its own epic telling. And Rowling does not return to Hogwarts School for continues the tradition of Shakespeare and what would have been his final year, even other writers of the magical, drawing clear though many of his friends, including parallels between what goes on in the Ginny Weasely, Neville Longbottom, and realm of magic and the mundane world. Luna Lovegood do. Instead, he, Ron, and Dumbledore’s involvement with a wizard Hermione embark on their quest to find named Grindelwald corresponds to Page 18 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 4 As grim as the story is, it is so saved authorities so that the sacred trust the Sidonie distracting him, Imriel discovers In Our Book ( Continued from page 18 ) by Berg’s excellent writing and her ability aliens have given her will be protected. that the woman he married, Dorelei, is divorce himself from his true heritage, to really bring forth the nature of the Don agrees to be the guardian of the quite lovable herself. Their relationship that of a diseased, cast-off “pureblood” world and the characters that inhabit it. aliens to be raised from the gene data blooms and a child is eventually one his world terms a sorcerer and magic And more importantly, Berg’s terrific provided for aliens had sent their children anticipated. This is the scenario that the user. In Valen’s specific case it is the imagination and ability to string together electronically. dark magicians have foreseen will lead to ability to find his way anywhere, to read seamlessly such diverse ideas. The story is presented from Don’s a child who will murder them off when he maps (though he cannot read words) and Make no mistake, this is a miserable viewpoint with flashbacks to fill in is a grown man. Since their efforts are to read the earth, to find paths through novel (miserable in the sense that needed background on the fly. The pivotal thwarted, they resort to murder – of both untrackable wildernesses. He struggles circumstances and people are miserable), characters of Don, Sarah, Lenore Darby Dorelei and the unborn child. with an addiction to nivat seeds which very much in tone of “Doomsday Book” and Billionaire Cody McGavin are drawn Thus comes Kushiel’s justice – from turn an unexplained flare-up of pain and by Connie Willis. A tale almost consumed as from life. Sarah could be any of several Imriel’s hands. After he recovers from the agony into pleasure. We don’t know if this by utter hopelessness and endless horror. aging academic females of my brutal attack, he sets himself the task of addiction is self-inflicted or the result of And there is another book to come. acquaintance. Don could be any of several tracking down the one responsible and some kind of genetic problem. He is a Though I am not really anxious to slog sound engineers I have known. Lenore, bringing his head back to lay at the feet of loner, ever on the run and leery of through the escalating destruction going the enthusiastic graduate student is just his wife and son. With no more need to everyone’s motives, having escaped an on throughout this world, I so want to see real. Cody McGavin is a believable control Imriel, the deed is done; the charm especially brutal, abusive father, a the come-uppance of a specific character person with complex motivations. Sarah is broken and Imriel’s long-suppressed drunken ineffectual mother and indifferent in this novel. An evil duplicitous slime didn’t quite trust him, but he funded love and desire for Sidonie is released. siblings. His full name is quite a toad that deserves to be staked and flayed everything. But he is much matured and finds he can mouthful: Magnus Valentia de and burned very slowly…. Oh, he is so There was an interesting local bear the longing and still pursue his Cartamandua-Celestine. hateful. reference slipped in. Two sound editing purpose. His pursuit carries him into He does not want to be at the abbey And just one of the reasons to await devices mentioned when Don was distant and dangerous lands with a but with the onset of a severe winter, it is the next book “Breath and Bone” coming attempting to get his old job back at handful of men at his back. But as events better than being wounded and on the out in January 2008. - Sue Martin National Public Radio were a progress, these men fall away one by one road facing the nasty factions of an “Mennenga” and an EvoTerra.” The until Imriel is completely alone in his internecine struggle between three brother Rollback Dragon Page Lives! search for justice…or maybe, just princes for control of Navronne. By Robert J. Sawyer The book is a good read. vengeance. He has already angered one The world surrounding the abbey is an TOR, Tom Doherty Associates, New Recommended. – Gary Swaty god with his denial of his love for ugly place filled with roving soldiers and York, 2007. 317 pp. Hardcover $24.95 Sidonie; if his quest is for vengeance, and an especially nasty horrible sect called [Note: This review, unlike my usual Kushiel’s Justice not justice, he might just anger another Harrowers. Led by a deranged woman, work, contains spoilers.] by Jacqueline Carey god. they want the world turned back to virgin $26.99, Warner Books, 703pp This was such great storytelling, such forest, river and meadow—and that means Dr. Sarah Halifax and her Husband of really good writing, great plotting, destroying villages, towns, pasturage and sixty years, Don were living their Here’s the second of Imriel’s story and superior characterizations, yadda, yadda, tilled fields. Anything humankind has declining years in quiet contentment. But it’s just as wonderful as each and every yadda... The writing is so good that made or done to tame and order the earth it was not to be. In 2009 Sarah had been one before it. In fact, I might go so far as certain passages actually made me tear up. to their needs must be destroyed. And the SETI researcher who decoded the first to say, it’s the best of Carey’s series. Carey gives me such satisfaction in these they revel in torturing and killing people. ever message from the stars. It was a Imriel is uncertain of his position at few pages that I more than received value The decadent purebloods remain aloof questionnaire designed to evaluate the court, uncertain of his future, uncertain of for the cost of the book and my time. - from this growing stain upon the land moral code of mankind. The senders his own physical needs and desires, but Catherine Book while war and strife are destroying wanted one thousand randomly selected pretty certain that he detests his cousin, everything civilized. survey answer sets to be transmitted back Sidonie, who is first in line for the throne. The Winds of Marble Arch and Other It all eventually reaches the pacific to them. Sarah and the SETI team fought That lasts until one fateful day when he, Stories confines of Gillarine Abbey. for this and the random replies were sent unthinkingly, throws himself in harm’s by Connie Willis Valen becomes a pawn amongst the save that Sarah inserted her own reply way to save her and they both find their 700 pages - Subterranean Press (Trade factions because he has a book of maps into the random set. Also at the last feelings have irrevocably changed. Their $40, Limited $125, Lettered $250) given to him by his insane grandfather, a moment she modified one of her answers attraction keeps growing until both are legendary map maker, which show a great on the fly as the reply was sent. This turns willing to defy all odds to be together. Connie Willis has had a long and many places of the world. And only Valen out to be pivotal. Sidonie has been raised to rule and, while successful career to date, having won 9 can read the spells that unlock the paths to Now in 2048 a reply has been received Imriel has come late to his heritage, both Hugo awards and 6 Nebula awards so far. these sites, particularly those of the Danae and it is encrypted. They want Sarah to are cognizant of their duty to the realm. She’s had success in short stories, who sound as if they are earth spirits/elves help. She laughs at them. “I am far too old They decide that their mutual desire is novelettes, and novellas in addition to her of a very fey, wild and remote nature. for this,” she says but they promise her a undesired and, quite possibly, simply award winning novels Doomsday Book They can appear and disappear at will, Rollback, a genetic rejuvenation infatuation. So, they reluctantly decide to and To Say Nothing of the Dog. There tend to have an unearthly radiance about procedure which will make her young. It separate – for the space of a year. They have been a couple of collections of her them, go about unclothed but sporting is a procedure costing Billions which only believe that if it is only infatuation, then it short stories, Fire Watch, Impossible markings: images of dragons and feathers a very few can afford. A famous will fade with time and distance; if it does Things, and Miracle and other Christmas and such on their pale blue skins. Billionaire and SETI proponent has not… Unfortunately, in their country it is Stories, but with the release of The Winds Unhappy with mankind, the Danae promised to fund it. Sarah agrees on a kind of heresy against their god to deny of Marble Arch and Other Stories, we have removed themselves from human condition that Don gets the treatment too. love and desire. And, in their country, now have a career spanning collection of affairs. A small group, however, including They agree. The treatment works for Don their gods are apt to punish their own for the short fiction of Connie Willis. several of the monks of Gillarine Abbey but fails on her because of cancer this heresy. In the 700 pages of the collection, believe the Danae might be able to stem treatment she received years before. Imriel has accepted an arranged Subterranean Press has collected five of the tide of destruction. But, so far, the Now Sarah and Don face separation in marriage in another country. He tries to do her award winning short fiction pieces. Danae remain angry at humans for some ways that they never imagine. Don forms the right thing but spends most of his time This includes stories such as “Last of the old slight. a relationship with a young woman, obsessing over Sidonie. He realizes that it Winnebagos”, a tale about a near future Once Valen has healed, circumstances Lenore Darby, but still loves Sarah. Sarah is unfair to the sweet lady he has married Phoenix when RVs have nearly become fling him from the abbey and he finds works on the encrypted data, but her but grows more miserable daily. an extinct species, “Fire Watch”, one of himself in the central city of Palinur health is failing. She does not have long. Meanwhile, the local powers-that-be have her first time travel stories and her first where things have come to an erupting There must be a clue. The aliens must foreseen dire consequences for their Hugo winner, “The Soul Selects Her Own head as the city succumbs to chaos. want their message to be decrypted. country from his marriage. But, instead of Society...”, which ties two of Emily The purebloods, locked in centuries- Finally Sarah realizes the problem. The simply telling Imriel what they see and Dickinson’s poem fragments into the old societal rules and protocols, avoid the message is specifically directed at her and work to change the outcome, they try to events of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds, conflict where they can, the abbey the attempts at decryption failed because manipulate him. They find a way to use complete with extensive footnotes, and brothers of Gillarine struggle to save of the last minute change she made in her his desire for Sidonie to control him “The Winds of Marble Arch”, which looks civilization as they know it, and the answer which was not in the historical against his will in order to force him out at the affects of the London Blitz on the princely brothers fight it out on the streets. database. She now can decrypt. of their country; so he goes to a local winds and air currents of the London All the while the Harrowers add What can the aliens be sending that magician for protection against their Underground. disgusting scenes of nightmare-ish horror they would send only to a being found to magic. The protection is a charm that The award winners are just the tip of as they destroy whatever lies in their be of good moral character? She decodes seals off his desire and memories of the iceberg, though. Willis returns to the paths. the message and proceeds to blackmail the Sidonie. Without the constant longing for ( Continued on page 20 ) Volume 17 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 19 In Our Book ( Continued from page 19 ) sense of detachment, excruciating if you Finally, I am neither engineer nor sending his men to brave the horrors of feel for them. The situation is so bad that, physicist, but I am doubtful that some of Hell, while he stays safely behind. London Blitz with “Jack”, which when when they use Fair Exchange software to the mechanical wonders described are (REMF.) When the British depart the you think it might be a time travel story, bargain for much needed system repairs physically possible. I love the imagery – island, they are accompanied by eight turns out to be something much different. for their vessel, the Eva Rye, the first and magery – evoked, but it may be Te’Maroan warriors, who go along not out “Nonstop to Portales” is a loving tribute repair is to split the group into two matter for future Phooey Physics panels. – of gold lust, but to face the challenge of to Jack Williamson, with a tour bus from independent groups, each equipped with Chris Paige heroes and to act as guides. The leader of the future taking fans around Portales, its own ship. Isn’t systems-theory-directed the warriors is Hieronymus’ rival for New Mexico, looking at all of the Jack nanotechnology wonderful? The storyline Set the Sea on Fire Pelani’s affections, Kane. But these rivals Williamson sites. “All My Darling proceeds to follow the smaller of the two by Chris Roberson in love are allies in duty: both are the best Daughters” is just plain creepy. “A Letter groups: Edward, Maurice, Saskia, and $15.00 Solaris, pp 312 their cultures have to offer. From the Clearys” and “Daisy, In the Miss Rose, and the all-important I loved the sheer literary quality of this Sun”, give us warnings of a not too passenger they pick up in a subsequent Michael Moorcock recommends this book: ah, King’s English! It is a complete pleasant future to heed. Fair Exchange. author, and Revolution SF describes this stand alone novel, but it turns out, upon There are several of Willis’ Christmas This passenger, Judy, has unfinished book as “Horatio Hornblower meets H.P. reading the Afterward, that Roberson has themed stories, including the previously business with two warring AI entities, The Lovecraft.” The Lovecraftian elements of written a number of books about the uncollected “Just Like the Ones We Used Watcher and Chris. A fourth major player madness, monsters, and horrible death Bonaventure clan. Titles include End of to Know”, which was adapted into a CBS is the Fair Exchange software program only come out of the rocks near the very the Century; Paragaea: A Planetary TV movie, Snow Wonder, and itself, and then there is the treacherous end, and the source is actually Polynesian Romance; and Here, There, and “Newsletter”, in which an alien invasion entity Kevin. Judy has it in for the AI legend; but either way, the climax is Everywhere, and the Dulac family crosses is thwarted by a holiday newsletter (or Chris, who murdered her twelve sibling- effective. This novel is an extended and the Bonaventure family more than once in something like that). There’s also clones, “just to get her attention,” but she revised version of a print-on-demand these volumes. So if you enjoy this book, screwball comedies such as “At the is also wary of the Watcher, the seemingly publication by the same title. Now it is be of good cheer! There is more in the Rialto”, set at a quantum physicists benign AI that regulates human affairs on seeing the light of day in large paperback same vein to read. – Chris Paige convention and “Blued Moon” about Earth and everywhere else it can. The format, and this is good news for all chance and a possible environmental Watcher is in favor of peace, health, readers who enjoy blood and thunder Magic Lost, Trouble Found disaster. understanding, and the greater good, and naval literature in the tradition of Master by Lisa Shearin Overall, the collection shows the wide promotes all of these insidiously; and it and Commander. Ace Books, 7.99; 345 pp range of Willis’ short fiction, from the doesn’t like rival AIs. It is a jealous Set in the years spanning 1792 to shocking to the whimsical and all points Watcher. It also likes to separate the sheep 1802, England is at war with Napoleon A tricky thief and a young woman in between and gives the reader incentive from the goats – humans who are and France, and is still enemies with who has a particular talent for finding to check out her other collections and start unhealthy, unlovely, or eccentric tend to Spain, so that Spanish vessels are prizes things start off this tale set in its own tracking down the stories that haven’t yet get shipped off to enclaves. Chris seems to be captured by the British navy. world, full of sorcerers and elves and fire been collected. to like all the C words: chaos, confusion, Hieronymus Bonaventure is 1st Lieutenant pixies, but Shearin does not use a standard For those who spring for the limited competition, cooperation, compensation, on HMS Fortitude; Captain Ross is formula for her novel. Her elves are and lettered additions, you get a couple of even cannibalization (of machines). Chris greedy for a prize capture, and orders his gorgeous and tall, but her goblins are very bonus short stories, both previously is also a creation of The Watcher – a son, men to engage a Spanish galleon, heavy much like elves, also gorgeous but grey- uncollected, as well as a comprehensive as it were. with riches. Both ships are severely skinned and darker in spirit. Goblins are bibliography that even includes her If you haven’t picked up on the damaged in the engagement, then blown as attractive to females as elves. “confession” stories written for True theistic and biblical allusions yet, I’ll apart by a storm into uncharted waters. But elves and goblins rarely see eye to Romance and True Confessions simply point out that Watcher is a rather Independently, both captains decide to eye on things. magazines in the 1970s. - Lee Whiteside good translation of the Greek word for search for an undiscovered island rather And a special item of great power, an god, θεοσ. than make a crippled way to known amulet called the Saghred which is full of Divergence Then there are the Dark Seeds, and the shores for repairs. The crew of HMS trapped souls and amazing power which by Tony Ballantyne Dark Plants that grow from them, the Fortitude lands on an island paradise; the everyone wants suddenly reappears on the Bantam, 389 pp, $6.99 enemy of all sentient existence: fractal- Spanish captain and his men discover an scene, having been thought hidden for like, endlessly fascinating, mesmerizing, island of madness, called by islanders centuries, its magic and power bound and Divergence is the final volume in a and deadly. Helekea, or “first volcano,” the permanent quiescent. trilogy that began with Recursion (2004) Judy (Judas?) is being set up for a abode of evil Tura and his fire wife, Our heroine, Raine Benares finds out and continued with Capacity (2005), but confrontation between The Watcher and parents of storms, sharks, dwellers in that she is related to the elf that bound and according to an interview with Eric Chris every step of her way, and she darkness, and demons. All but three of the hid the amulet from the world at large and Brown, the story arc began with his short knows it. She doesn’t like being Spaniards succumb to the island’s when a sorcerer uncovers it—she is the story, “The Sixth VNM” (1998). For manipulated, but each choice is forced. miasma, and of those three, only one lives lucky one sent to seek it out. And finds readers familiar with the first two Furthermore, she is haunted by to report his misadventures to the English. out to her surprise that the amulet is volumes, this one will satisfactorily bring nightmares and waking trances in which The story alternates between attuned to her and she can manipulate the series to a close, although there is, of she relives parts of the life of the original Hieronymus’ boyhood training sessions some of its amazing powers. course, leeway for him to continue Eva Rye, who had her own issues with with the swordsman Giles Dulac and his So Raine finds herself not only in the exploring this universe. The Watcher. time on ship and land as 1st Lieutenant, midst of a magic power struggle but in a For first time readers, enough Judy is steered to Earth for a doubling back like folds in Japanese steel. dynastic struggle between goblin princes background material is provided in the cataclysmic showdown, and for the The juxtapositions are apt and sometimes all abetted by an evil sorcerer with a nasty Prologue for them to jump into this the answers to her questions. There is a subtle, and spiced with Dulac’s history agenda of his own. deep end of trilogy, but they will probably haunting scene of evacuation and lessons, which are thoroughly enjoyable. While juggling all this, she comes be left to scratch their heads over some sacrifice, and a literally earth-rending What is the history behind the legal age of under the protection of elven Guardian scenes in which characters from earlier finale. majority? What was Spadassinicide? How Mychael Eiliesor a handsome hunk of books make brief, significant I have only three minor objections to a did a king of Burgundy begin the tradition elven knighthood sent from the appearances. However, there is certainly book I otherwise thoroughly enjoyed. We of “might is right,” establishing trial by mysterious magical isle of Mid to protect enough here to entertain, beguile, and lose sight of some characters early or duel? What does the name ‘Bonaventure’ her and get back the Saghred, before the provoke to thought the casual reader who abruptly, and I would have liked to know mean? evil sorcerer does. finds the book on a shelf. Before a more about their adventures. But perhaps As an officer, Hieronymus mediates And adventures abound: escapes into resolution can be achieved or even they will get stories of their own someday. between captain and crew, between icky swamps full of testy little fire pixies, appreciated, there has to be a well- Secondly, the arrogance of British British and Spaniard, between sailors and goblin battles, magical confrontations, and developed conflict, and the worse the colonialism is in evidence in several islanders, the Te’Maroans. He is a very grand party. conflict, the more satisfying the resolution passages –apparently humanity has circumspect, but all his self-restraint is no This was a load of fun. I wish there – if any. Divergence starts off with a small become a monoculture in which almost match for one particular island woman, had been a bit more romance, but group of space faring entrepreneurs everyone speaks English and follows the Pelani, who turns out to be the niece of nevertheless the characters were whose interpersonal dynamics are so Church of England. Mind you, I am quite the islanders’ chief, and daughter of their entertaining and compelling, especially as dysfunctional that I wanted to sic a time- fond of the English language, and I attend priest. The islanders’ sense of morality is Shearin writes the novel from the first traveling version of Isaac Asimov’s wife High Episcopalian church services, but accommodating, but their sense of place person view point of Raine. Who, as you Janet on them so she could write another monoculture strikes me as dangerous for and the fittingness of things eventually will discover, is a character and a half. - volume of Pshrinks, Anonymous about humans as it is for crops, be it never so spells an end to Hieronymus’ happiness. Sue Martin their therapy sessions. Their snipe fests convenient for communications and AIs. And Captain Ross is determined to find are hilarious if you can preserve a cool the Spanish treasure, even if it means (Continued on page 21) Page 20 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 4 In Our Book ( Continued from page 20 ) Zimmer Bradley would grieve that there is But being derivative doesn’t mean it isn’t Seven hundred years before, Adrian still a need for fiction in which a woman vivid reading. and Tain were in Scotland defending a must defy tradition to break into a male In the first volume, Touched by village from an Unseelie horde. The effort Dragon Temple Saga bastion. Venom, our heroine Zarq succeeded in was successful but Tain disappeared. books Two and Three: Janine Cross is obviously a graduate winning the dragonmaster’s permission Adrian searched in vain but found no sign Shadowed by Wings of the ‘Hook ‘em within the first 25 for her to train with the young men at the of his brother except in recurrent dreams Forged by Fire words’ school of writing. One page one, Dragon Temple. Shadowed by Wings where Tain blamed Adrian for not finding by Janine Cross we have a naked woman on the verge of sees her entering her training. She craves him. $14.00 Roc, pp 354, pp being stoned by villagers. She is rescued access to venom, but she also wants to The novel begins in the present day by a dragon. On page three through six, prove that, originally, women were not with Adrian confronting a Demon after If you like the Dragonriders of Pern she is whipped, all so she can enter a barred from becoming dragonmasters. But one of his Tain dreams. The Demon is books by Anne McCaffrey and Anne Rice dragonmaster apprenticeship program she has more problems than hard training, fighting Adrian but stops suddenly as if writing as Ann Rocquelairre, you will open only to males. She is whipped by the gender prejudice, her addiction, and the summoned, dives through a gate and love these books. There is bondage, man she most hates: Waikar Re Kratt, he unwelcome attentions of her nemesis. She Adrian hears a woman’s terrified scream violence, torture, treachery, and trans- who killed her father and destroyed her is also haunted/protected by her mother in as the gate closes. He cannot follow. He species bonding. Sheri Tepper fans will mother. She is also addicted to Dragon the form of a Skykeeper dragon, and she starts tracking the demon. also like these books, I think; but Marion venom. If this all sounds derivative, it is. has some serious issues He tracks him to a Seattle warehouse with her sister Waivia. where he meets the powerful White In Forged by Fire, Witch, Amber, sister of she who screamed Zarq starts out one and died. Amber is about to experience quantum level higher: her sister Susan’s fate, but Adrian she is now the first intervenes and drives of the demon. female land-owner. Amber has been trying to find out why She is also bloody, her sister, a White Witch, had been battle-weary, scarcely performing Blood Magic. Investigation able to walk, and proves eventually that her sister had been fleeing her enemies. tracking a Blood Magic threat and had When her estate is not only accidentally attracted the Demon. secure enough to They gather Susan’s paper and flee to provide a safe haven Adrian’s magically fortified mansion in for her and her L.A. dragons, she travels to Thus they embark on a quest to find the jungles, in search Tain, destroy Susan’s killer and ultimately of knowledge that will to confront an evil which threatens to translate into power; unmake everything. For allies they have wrestling all the while an Septimus, ancient Vampire, Serena, a with her addiction to werewolf neighbor of Amber’s, Ferrin, venom. She also Adrian’s Cobra/Sword/Bracelet, Valerian, continues her quest for an ancient were-dragon and Kelly, an a non-abusive working actress with a thing for vampires. relationship between Naturally, this being a romance, sparks dragons and humans, sizzle between the various couples i.e freedom from the Adrian and Amber, Serena and Valerian, influence of her and Kelly and Septimus. mother’s haunt, and The story is a fun easy and enjoyable revenge. – Chris Paige read. If you like it there will be three more of them. Recommended. – Gary Swaty Immortals: The Calling The Thrall’s Tale By Jennifer Ashley by Judith Lindbergh Love Spell $15.00, Plume/Penguin, 446 pp [Dorchester Publish- ing] 2007. Mass I’m not sure why this book was sent to Market PB, 357 us for review; as it isn’t really within the pages, $6.99. A Love genre of science fiction or fantasy. It’s a Spell Paranormal pretty straightforward historical fiction – Romance. with a bare suggestion of magic or, perhaps it’s really just madness and Fans of Romantic superstition. Fantasy will love this The story is about the first one. The scenario is colonization of Greenland by the Norse fascinating. In the dim from Iceland about 1000AD. The story is dawn of time in Egypt, told from three perspectives. The first is Isis, a Priestess bore an older woman, Thorbjorg, whose life demi-gods by the has been shattered more than once, a various Gods. These woman who may be a sorceress for Odin. four Heroes, Adrian, She tries to rescue a young slave woman Tain, Hunter and whose life was shattered by a man who Kalen, were to protect sorely abused her. The second perspective and maintain the is this young woman, Katla, who comes to balance between White Thorbjorg’s household pregnant from the Magic and Blood rape. Katla hates the child she bears and Magic. If either refuses to love it. Thorbjorg takes the became ascendant the baby as her apprentice and tries to give world would be her the love she doesn’t have from her unmade. Their duties mother. The baby, Bibrau, grows into a were as assigned by the young woman full of hate and vengeance Goddesses and by but highly skilled in the sorcery that earthly summoning. Thorbjorg has taught her. This is the third They vanquished perspective. demons and slew The story revolves around the question vampires as needed. ( Continued on page 22 ) Volume 17 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 21 In Our Book type at Tombstone’s second newspaper, fantasy feel, but also with some science her. They were rescued from animated ( Continued from page 21 ) the Nugget. fiction elements mixed in. garbage by a half ghost boy who led them Jesse is determined to shake the dust The story is mainly set in Earth’s to safety They boarded an UnLondon Bus of Bibrau – is she the sorceress who can of Tombstone off of his clothes and future, when the third wave of creatures and were on their way to the Propheseers save the Norse colony or is she simply proceed to Mexico where he has a horse banished from another dimension have at the Pon Absconditus or bridge to mad and homicidal. We are also teased training job waiting and can escape the taken over the world and decimated the everywhere where all would be explained. with the question of Thorbjorg’s power – less understood aspects of his existence. human population. The first two waves They have many adventures encountering does she really do all that she imagines But Chow Lung is determined to have were tests that were responsible for truly strange creatures. You haven’t met a she does or is it all just superstition. And him stay and Jesse meets Mildred. wiping out the dinosaurs in the first wave giraffe until you meet an UnLondon when will she realize that she’s created a The books has wonderful historical and creating the human mythological Giraffe. Reaching the Bridge, all is monster? Katla’s story is simply the characters such as shy, self-effacing legends with the second. Thus we have explained, but almost at once the romantic angle. Will her true love, a Mattie Earp, wife of Wyatt, Allie Earp, Mandraques, Trulls, Oculars, Piri, prophecies unravel, nothing goes right freeman, ever rescue her from slavery? Morgan’s wife and Hattie Earp, the niece Markenes, and other creatures that equate and eventually Zanna and Zeeba return to The back of the book promises us that who became enamored of Tom McLaury. to dragons, vampires, trolls, cyclops, and London defeated with Zanna injured by the story is a well-researched cultural We see them all come to life along with more. Twelve races in all, with the Smog and remembering nothing. In saga. There were a couple of historical Wyatt Earp, Morgan Earp, Ike Clanton, mysterious Overseer and his Travelers to UnLondon, Smog is working from within points that argues that. From my bare Doc Holliday, Kate and many more. watch over the banished races. undermining all using one of the most understanding of that period of history, it Can a Chinese Physician and two David introduces us to a large cast of trusted people in the UnLondon seemed to me that the author compressed Anglos mitigate the pervasive Evil in characters, from the “Mort” woman, Jepp, Hierarchy. several hundred years into fifteen years. Tombstone? Is it entirely evil? And what the “Bottom Feeder” Karsen Foux, the Back in London, Zeeba finds out more But, mostly, it was dry and dull. I didn’t of the human cost? Ocular King Nagel and his niece Merrih, about the Danger and returns via the Book appreciate the first person present voice. It Fans of western history will love this The Piri “Mistress” Sunara and her Steps which may be found in any public might be better received by a reader who story for its rich accurate detail and its daughter, Clarinda, the Trull Queen and library. She decides she must complete the is truly interested in the everyday life of a truly fantastic take on the lead up to the her feuding sons, the Firedraque quest, acquire the UnGun and destroy Norse colony. - Catherine Book Battle of the OK Corral. Recommended. – Nicrominus, the Merk lord Ruarc and the Smog. The Ghost Boy, Conductor Jones Gary Swaty Makene Gorkon. All of them have roles to and many others join her. Territory play in the overall story, some with better The story has a truly incredible By Emma Bull Darkness of the Light fates than others. number delightful creatures and TOR Books, New York 2007, $24.95, by Peter David The various races have always been characters. There is Curdle, the discarded Hardcover, 318 Pages Tor Books, 24.95, 412 pages mostly at odds with each other, but are milk carton who is Zeeba’s pet and valiant governed by the Firedraque Treaty that defender. There are “Unlondon’s Black Magic holds Tombstone in its Peter David may be best known for his limits their involvement with each other. champions. Protectors of Transit, the tenacious grip, but only Jesse Fox, Chow comics writing and tie-in novels, but he That, of course, doesn’t mean that there Sacred Warriors. ... “The Bus Lung and Mildred Benjamin can see it. has also had a fair amount of success with aren’t individuals with plots and other Conductor[s].” There is Brokenbroll who Chow Lung is a Chinese physician and his original fiction, primarily in the ideas within the different races. When converts broken umbrellas arriving from Magical Practitioner. Jesse Fox is a Horse fantasy genre. With Darkness of the Light, Karsen “salvages” Jepp following a London into shields against Smog. There Trainer and untrained Magician whom David embarks on a new series, The Mandraque battle that leaves most of the are the animated dustbins who defend the Chow Lung summoned magically to save Hidden Earth, with a new publisher, Tor, participants dead, they become part of a Pons Absconditus... Tombstone. Mildred Benjamin is a Jewish and tries his hand at a story with an epic series of events that lead to a surprising In the end it would take the UnChosen Window and romance writer who sets realization for the new masters of Earth wielding the UnLoaded UnGun to save and how their invasion may be causing UnLondon. – Gary Swaty their home world to suffer. David mixes humor and drama within the book, The Alton Gift resolving a few things along the way By Marion Zimmer Bradley and while setting the stage for the next book Deborah Ross in the series. - Lee Whiteside DAW Books, New York, N.Y., 2007, Hardcover, 480 Pages, $25.95 UN Lun Dun By China Mieville This is the final book of the Exile’s Illustrated by China Mieville Song/Shadow Matrix/ Traitor’s Sun Ballantine Books, New York 2007, 448 Sequence. Deborah Ross has used this pages, $17.95 Juvenile book to tie up most of Darkover’s loose [The last line of this review is the ends while at the same time producing an Ultimate Spoiler] excellent story. Lew Alton comes to terms with his This is China Mieville’s first venture long agonizing history and finds peace. into Juvenile Fiction and it is Marguerida Alton finds her place in the extraordinary. It has the grittiness and scheme of things and comes to a dark vivid detail of Perdido Street Station realization of the obligations and in new tale of alternate or abcities as he responsibilities that come with the Alton calls them. Each city on Earth has its dark Gift. Her son Domenic comes to power in other. London’s is Un Lun Dun or the Comyn at a young age and looks to UnLondon. bring Darkover safely into a new era. A This is the tale of the Shwazzy or new Laran Tower is opened at Comyn Chosen One and her companion. They are Castle in Thendara. New blood is brought two young girls, Zanna and Deeba. In The into the Towers and their long decline Book held by Propheseers at the Pons seems to be at an end. Absconditus in UnLondon it was A lot happens in the book. Darkover prophesied that the Chosen One would fans will not be disappointed. Deborah come in the hour of dire need and save has contrived to express the rich tapestry UnLondon from destruction by Smog, a of the characters and backdrop of living, animated and truly evil form of Darkover in a way that would make pollution. She was to go on a quest with Marion proud. – Gary Swaty her companions and acquire the UnGun and destroy SMOG with it. There seem to be four usual ways to CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT get to UnLondon, by turning the Wheel, via the Book Steps, via the sewers and via http://www.casfs.org/ConNotations/ the elevator in Office of the Secretary of Book_Reviews/CASFS_Book_Reviews.html State for the Environment. Zanna turned the Wheel as it was prophesied that the FOR MORE BOOK REVIEWS Chosen One would do. Deeba came with Page 22 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 4 fees are involved.) The electronic home of the group has been together, and growing, for details of current events and location see our Away Team, is the Lightspeed Space Station four years. We’re a good group of friends that website www.ocsfc.org or email Club BBS at (520) 325-6674.... Member ages for believe in gaming fun first. Our member [email protected] the group range from 13-40-something with group’s ages range from 13 to 49. both male and female members. Other We welcome both new and experienced PAReX is a non profit organization dedicated Listings activities include null-modem link gamefests, players. to building and promoting Autonomous ACROSS PLUS - So you live in North group theater movie viewings, convention 10:00 a.m. Character Creation - We will have robotics. The club has been in existance since Phoenix and are interested in anime? Well trips and more. Have sci-fi fun in a relaxed, a session to create characters for all of the 1998. Meetings are currently conducted twice there is a club out there available for you low-structure environment. NO RUBBER campaigns we run. AGoP will have all books a month at two different Phoenix, Arizona people. EARS ALLOWED!! For questions, you can available for reference. We encourage you to locations., http://www.parex.org/ Across Plus is a social club that discuses call the BBS, or write to: LSS c/o R. Martin; purchase the books if you like the game. All meetings.shtml. Club dues are on an annual anime, video games, manga, other animation, 2522 N. Sparkman Blvd.; Tucson, AZ 85716 character materials are provided; character basis: Regular members $20 Student members and the Japanese culture. We meet at sheets, master item logs, adventure records, $15 Of course visitors are always welcome Bookman’s on 19th Ave and Northern On BASFA Local Tucson science fiction group etc. Dice will be loaned to you if you don’t because we know you will eventually become Sundays at 7:00pm until 9:00pm. that puts on TusCon. Contact us at PO Box have any yet. In other words, all that is a member anyway Web page: http:// In general, we explore anime, manga, and 2528, Tucson AZ 85702-2528 or needed for the first day is for you to join www.parex.org/ E-mail Contact: John other styles of animation, creative educative [email protected] us and have fun. Kittelsrud, [email protected] demonstrations, participate in interactive our website at http://home.earthlink.net/ If you have any questions email us at discussions, attend local Arizona conventions, ~basfa/ [email protected]. THE PHOENIX FANTASY FILM SOCI- and make cosplay. ETY A Phoenix based club interest-ed in the We are willing to gain any new members out CENTRAL ARIZONA SPECULATIVE THE JEDI KNIGHTS (Founded 1977) entire realm of SF, Fantasy and Horror film. there who are interested. Dues are only $2 per FICTION SOCIETY, INC. (CASFS) The Meetings are the 3rd Sunday of each month. PFFS has been in existence for 30 years, month. Our members are very friendly, non-profit corporation that puts on For more information call Carol Alves, meeting every 6 weeks in member’s homes. respectful, and fun. We welcome any and all. CopperCon conventions, SmurfCons, Publicity, (760)244-9593 or write Jedi Dues are $10 per year. Membership includes For more information, contact Shane Bryner HexaCons, occasional regional cons, and Knights, c/o Carol Alves 8038 “I” Street, newsletters, an annual film awards and at [email protected] publishes Con-Notations. Best described as Hesperia CA, 92345-7066. various outings. For information, contact SF/F generalists with a strong bent towards PFFS, P.O. Box 34023, Phoenix, AZ 85067 or ADRIAN EMPIRE A medieval and renais- literary SF/F. Guests welcome - meets at 8pm LEPRECON, INC. One of the two Phoenix call David Storck at (602) 274_7404, e-mail: sance recreationist club. Sword-fighting, arts, on the last Friday of each month in January area corporations that put on yearly conven- [email protected]. banquets, masquerades, dances. meets every thru September and the second Friday in tions. Best described as SF/F generalists with Wednesday night from 7-10pm at Encanto October, November and December at JB’s a main thrust into SF/F art. Guests are RAGE ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST A Park. All are welcome. Free. Restaurant, 2560 W. Indian School in welcome. The meetings are quarterly on the Live Action Theatre Troupe based out of the Phoenix, AZ. For information: write PO Box second Saturday of February, May, August & ASU campus in Tempe, AZ. It is dedicated to AERIAL MIRAGE JUGGLERS. Meets 62613, Phoenix, AZ 85082-2613 or email November unless otherwise notified. August the game Werewolf: The Apocalypse by Wednesday 7-10pm in Encanto Park, 15th [email protected] Web www.casfs.org is the annual meeting where board positions White Wolf publishing. Contact Mike Avenue, south of Encanto. No dues, everyone are deter-mined. For more information, write McLaughlin at (602)461-5842 or write 1730 welcome. All levels skill exchange in many *****C.R.O.F.T. Celtic Reenactment of PO Box 26665, Tempe, AZ 85285; call Mike W Emelita Place #2025, Mesa AZ 85202- areas of object manipulation Dave Davis Fellowship and Trades is Phoenix based Willmoth, 480-945-6890, Email 3144 or [email protected] , 602-955-9446; Reenactment group specializing in the [email protected] Webpage: or Ron Harvey , 480- western European renaissance. We research www.leprecon.org RAW GAMES (Role-players & 775-4690 for more info or impromptu lifestyles and trades concurrent with the Wargamers, Inc.) Role-players & juggling sessions. Celtic Peoples from 400 BC until 1746 AD. MIB The Men in Black is the official global Wargamers, Inc. is the Valley’s oldest role- We emphasize Scots, Irish or Welsh crafts and organization of field operatives for Steve playing and wargaming club. Currently ARIZONA LANBASHERS LEAGUE A do Celtic re-enactment. We open participation Jackson Games. We attend local conventions meeting at 8159 W. Weldon in Phoenix every collaboration of computer gaming enthusiasts, to anyone with an interest in period crafting to demonstrate and promote products of Steve Sunday from 3pm-9pm (except during the Arizona LANbashers League throws and entertainment. Demonstrations occur at Jackson Games. We also schedule demos in conventions and other special events). Open quarterly LANparty events. Between parties, the Highland Games, Scarborough Fair, and local gaming stores as well as community to new members - call (602) 849-9515. support is given to local groups who wish to the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Web page service events. If you have a gaming store, www.rawgames.org advertise their own gatherings. We have no http://www.crofters.org We meet in Tempe at convention, or community service that you set genre of games and play anything from the Pyle Adult Center SW corner of Rural and would like to have official Steve Jackson SHIELD OF ALMOR The Shield of Almor strategy games to first-person shooters to Southern on the 2nd Saturday of every month, Games representation at, please contact the is a RPGA club located in the greater Phoenix driving/flying simulations. No annual phone number (480)350-5211. The Board MIB Arizona Cell area. If you are interested in Living Greyhawk membership is required and admission to an meeting will be at 2:00 pm with the General Leader at [email protected]. We are also catch one of our meetings the 1st Sunday of event ranges from $5-$15. See our webpage meeting starting at 2:30 pm. recruiting new MIBs in some areas of every month at Imperial Outpost Games for current events. Email: Arizona. If you’re interested, contact us. You (www.imperialoutpost.com) in Glendale. If [email protected] Web: THE DARK ONES (Dark-wunz) n. 1) An can find additional information about the you are interested in Living Arcanis or Living www.lanparty.com/all/ VoiceMail: 602-306- organization formed for the expression and Arizona MIB at our website http:// Spycraft catch us on the 3rd Sunday of every 9339 exploration of various cultural themes members.cox.net/mib.6361/ month also at Imperial Outpost Games. The including, but not limited to, the Dark Ages Shield of Almor hosts RPGA events at the ARIZONA PARANORMAL and the Renaissance through forms of art MVD GHOSTCHASERS—The MVD local Phoenix conventions. For more INVESTIGATIONS We are a highly including, but not limited to, painting, Ghostchasers are a paranormal team information visit us at trained, non-profit paranormal investigation drawing, writing, photography, spoken word, established in 1995. This band of ghost games.groups.yahoo.com/group/AZ_RPG/ or group, registered with the state of Arizona, and acts of characterization. 2) a member of hunters conducts regular investigations of you can sign up for games at providing service to Arizona and the this organization. 3) Information available at haunted, historical locations throughout www.nyrond.org. Or you can just stop by the Southwest since 1994. Having served the www.darkones.org Arizona. They also research and investigate 1st Sunday of the month. Meeting starts at public for 12 years, we are one of the oldest, “house call” hauntings for the public. The 10am. Hope to see you there. most respected paranormal investigation THE EMPIRE OF CHIVALRY AND MVD Ghostchasers lead Spirit Photo groups in Arizona. We are primarily science STEEL, INC. The Empire of Chivalry and Workshops/Tours to various haunted locations THE SOCIETY FOR CREATIVE based and don’t go on an investigation Steel specializes in the general recreation of across Arizona. These workshops give ghost ANACHRONISM The kingdom of Atenveldt looking for ghosts, we go looking for the culture of the Middle Ages including all of hunters, paranormal team members and folks doth lie in the state of Arizona. Within the fair answers. There is never a charge for an the Art Forms, Events (Feasts, Tournaments, wanting to learn the art of ghost hunting a kingdom can be found six Baronies: investigation. Contact us at by e-mail at Ceremonies and Wars) and Combat Arts chance to work and learn techniques together. Atenveldt, Mons Tonitrus, Twin Moons, [email protected] or covering the years of 800AD up to 1650AD The MVD Ghostchasers team are guest SunDragon, Tir Ysgithr and Ered Sul. For visit our website at: http:// and any location within Europe or its explored speakers at many venues and have appeared more information on any of these or for www.arizonaparanormalinvestigations.com/ territories. For more information contact on TV news reports and the subject of several general information on contact the Kingdom Leonard Byrd (Tucson) (520)742-2432 Web: newspaper stories. For more information Seneschal. Email: [email protected] THE AWAY TEAM: The Away Team, is a www.galandor.org contact: Web www.atenveldt.com general sci-fi appreciation group that meets MVD Ghostchasers—Debe Branning, once a month for discussion of various sci-fi A GATHERING OF PLAYERS-Find Your Director—480-969-4049 Web page: SOUTHWEST COSTUMER’S GUILD The news regarding several mediums to include: Adventure www.mvdghostchasers.com or Southwest Costumers Guild is a loose television, movies, video, books, comics, Our club is running into our fourth year. Join [email protected] organization of persons interested in all facets magazines, collecting, and so forth. The us for games and adventure set in the of historical, cultural, science fiction, fantasy, meetings are comprised of news, review and Dungeons and Dragons realm. We offer ORANGE COUNTY SCIENCE FICTION and humor costume. Members are often seen comment, BBS/computer news and help, Living Greyhawk and Xen’drik Expeditions. CLUB meets last Wednesday of every month on stage and behind the scenes at local and meeting new members, video presentations, Visit http://www.warhorn.net/gathering, to see (except Dec.) in Fullerton. The meetings are regional Science Fiction Convention games, and socializing fun! Food and drinks what we have coming up. built around guest speakers. We’ve had masquerades. They meet on the last Sunday of are provided, via a $3 munchie fee (per We will have character creation sessions to authors such as Octavia Butler and Greg each month at various members’ homes in the meeting) to compensate the host. (No other get you started and answer all questions. Our Benford. Non-members are welcome. For ( Continued on page 24 ) Volume 17 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 23 Club Listings and their contact/CO is Capt. Dave Pitts, ( Continued from page 23 ) What is CASFS? [email protected] What is really behind putting on a greater Phoenix area. For details. Southwest convention? What are the funds raised by Z-PHILES are the ariZona x-PHILES. We HELP WANTED Costumers Guild, PO Box 39504, Phoenix, a convention used for? Why not attend a maintain a mailing list for news and get- AZ 85609 or Randall Whitlock at meeting and find out? We’re the sponsor togethers of fans of the X-Files living in [email protected] or of ConNotations, CopperCons, HexaCons, Arizona. We get together in both the Phoenix Do you enjoy CopperCon? www.southwestcostumersguild.org SmerfCons and other conventions. We are and Tucson areas. To subscribe, send an empty message to z-philes- HexaCon? Any of the other local a charitable, non-profit organization that SPACE ACCESS SOCIETY Space Access [email protected] exists to further science fiction, fantasy volunteer, fan-run conventions? Society’s sole purpose is to promote radically CopperCon and HexaCon and cheaper access to space, ASAP. We think it’s and science fields in Arizona. CASFS WESTERN SCIENCE FICTION ASSO- possible within ten years, with a little luck currently meets at the JB’s Restaurant at CIATION (WesternSFA) A non-profit the others are staffed completely and a lot of hard work. Join us and help us 2560 W Indian School Rd in Phoenix (NW corporation that sponsors the ConRunners by unpaid volunteers, from the make it happen! SAS membership is $30 for corner of I-17 and Indian School). The seminars and sponsored the 2004 Westercon. chair person to the volunteer that one year, which gets you emailed Space meetings begin at 8PM and are held on the Dedicated primarily to educational activities Access Updates the instant they pass final last Friday of the month Jan. through Sept. relating to literature, music, and visual and helps for only one hour. edit, plus discounts on our annual conference and on the second Friday of the month Oct performing arts, especially in the genres of on the technology, politics, and business of through Dec. Everyone is invited to attend science fiction, fantasy, costuming, gaming If you enjoy our events and want radically cheaper space transportation, two meetings as a guest (non-member). and science. Applicants for membership in featuring leading players in the field. Email Membership rates are $12/year plus an WesternSFA must be sponsored by a current them to continue then please us at: [email protected] initial $3 application fee and rates are pro- active WesternSFA member. Dues are $10 consider helping any or all of Web page: www.space-access.org/ rated for the amount of the year remaining. yearly plus a $5 non-refundable application fee. General Meetings are held on the first Arizona’s fan run events. For more info: Webpage: www.casfs.org SUPERSTITION SPACEMODELING Friday of February, May, August and Email: [email protected] SOCIETY is Arizona’s club for builders of November, at the Bookmans located at 19th For information on available model and high-power rockets and those who ave. and Northern in Phoenix Guests are love to see them fly. Launches are held on the T.H.E.M. is ASU’s science fiction and welcome. For more info contact Craig Dyer at CopperCon positions please second Saturday morning of each month in fantasy club. Weekly meetings are held on the WesternSFA, PO Box 67457, Phoenix AZ contact us at Rainbow Valley. SSS hosts the annual G. Arizona State University campus, with dates 85082, (602) 973-2341, Email: [email protected] or Harry Stine Memorial Rocket Launch every and places to be announced after the semester [email protected] Webpage: www.coppercon.org October. Visit www.sssrocketry.org for starts. For more information, Email www.westernsfa.org membership information, directions to the [email protected] Web launches and meetings, and to read the www.themonline.org For information on available monthly newsletter, “Newton’s Minutes.” TUCSON FAN ALLIANCE E-Mail Address HexaCon positions or to TARDIS is a Phoenix-based General SF/ is [email protected] or Convention volunteer to run a game please Fantasy Fan Club, specializing in Interna- [email protected] contact us at tional media SF/Fantasy since 1983. TARDIS Listings meets every two weeks at different locations UNITED FEDERATION OF PHOENIX A [email protected] or around the valley. Activities include watching Phoenix area Star Trek and general SciFi fan www.hexacon.org videos, discussions, parties, games, and club. We are a social club that meets every CopperCon 27 (September 7-9. 2007) occasional outings with more to come now two weeks at various locations around the Phoenix, AZ Embassy Suites North, Our parent organization, the that Doctor Who is returning from hiatus. Phoenix area. The UFP has been meeting for 2577 W Greenway. Membership: $40 Many members maintain an active presence at over 30 years of continuous activity. Dues are thru 8/15/2007, $45 at the door. GoH Central Arizona Speculative conventions. You can contact us at 2243 W $15/per year prorated when you join; no Fiction Society (CASFS) is also Wagon Wheel Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85021, Voice restrictions. Membership includes member- Charlaine Harris, Local Author Guest: Mail at (602) 864-0901, E-mail TARDIS- ship roster and monthly newsletter. Come to Michael Stackpole, Music GoH Heather looking for new members. Check [email protected] or visit us at http:// any two meetings at no obligation. For Stern & Alison Stern. More info our web site at www.casfs.org for members.cox.net/tardisaz/tardis.html information, write the UFP at PO Box 37224, www.coppercon.org information on meetings and Phoenix, AZ 85069, or call Jim Strait at (602) TEKWAR FAN CLUB Sanctioned by the 242-9203. Web page: http://www.U-F-P.org upcoming events or contact us at series’ production companies and the USA or Email to [email protected] TusCon 34 (Nov 9-11, 2007) Inn Suites [email protected] Network! It is THE information conduit Hotel, Tucson, AZ Author GoH: John between the fans and the series! Fan club USS STORMBRINGER The Stormbringer is Ringo; Toastmaster: Ed Bryant Member- membership will bring you the following 1) a correspondence Star Trek fan club chapter ships: $40 until 9/5, then $45 after that subscription to the info filled Tek Informer of Starfleet, Intl. based out of Tucson AZ. newsletter; 2) official TekWar Fan Club The chapter was commissioned as the USS and at the door. www.home.earthlink.net/ membership card and kit. Membership is by Stormbringer NCC-74213, attached to ~basfa regular mail only and the newsletter and Division 31, Starfleet Covert Operations, on Mailing/Subscription Information materials will not be reproduced electroni- 10/31/98. As of 11/29/98 there were 32 LOSCON 34 (Nov 23-25 ’07) LAX cally. To join the action and initiate your members. There are no dues other than the annual membership, make check or money $15 for joining Star-fleet Intl.. Members are Marriott, Los Angeles, CA GoH: Robert ConNotations is sent free of charge to order out for $12.50 to: Official TekWar Fan scattered world wide but the primary clusters J. Sawyer, writer; Theresa Mather, artist; those who have attended a CASFS Club (Membership section), 2522 N are in Tucson, AZ and Plano, TX. They don’t Capt. David West Reynolds, fan; Dr. sponsored convention in the past Sparkman Blvd., Tucson AZ 85716-2417 meet on a regular basis since they are a James Robinson, music. MEMBERSHIP calendar year (currently 2006). correspondence chapter. Their web site is: RATES Currently $35 Until May 31st Attendees of CopperCon 26 or HexaCon http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/9505/ ($40 until August 31st $45 until October 16 will receive ConNotations Volume 17 Issues 1 thru 6. Generic Convention Registration Form 31st $50 at the door) Kids 4-12 are 1/2 Price Website: www.loscon.org/34/ ConNotations updates it’s mailing list index.html each December. Name:______Badge Name:______LepreCon 34 (May 9-11, 2008) Fran- Individual subscriptions are available for cisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort, Casa $20 for 6 issues beginning January 1, Address:______Grande, AZ Artist Guest: Howard 2007. City/State/ZIP:______Tayler; Author Guests: Emily & Ernest Hogan; Local Artist Guest: Liz Danforth; Some non-CASFS groups give their membership lists to CASFS and Phone:______Email:______Special FX/Makeup Guest: David Ayres purchase a bulk corporate subscription Enclosed is $______for ______memberships for Memberships: $25 thru 8/31/07, $30 thru so their attendees may also receive 10/31/07 Info: LepreCon 34 PO Box ConNotations ______convention. 26665, Tempe, AZ 85285 (480) 945- (See individual convention listing for mailing address) 6890 Currently these groups are: More info on __ Masquerade __Art Show __Volunteer __ Other Email: [email protected] web: http:// www.leprecon.org Page 24 ConNotations Volume 17 Issue 4