Volume 16, Issue 4 August/September ConNotations 2006 The Bi-Monthly Science Fiction, Fantasy & Convention Newszine of the Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society

A Conversation with Featured Inside

Eric Flint Regular Features Special Features By Catherine Book SF Tube Talk A Conversation with All the latest news about Eric Flint I’ve fallen in love with Eric Flint. Well, two of them should change their names. Scienc Fiction TV shows by Catherine Book his writing, actually. He reinforces my His relationship with David Drake is of a by Lee Whiteside belief that SF/F literature doesn’t spawn very particular nature. Dave does all the Submitted prima donnas. In all the interviews I’ve plotting, and Eric says its very relaxing to 24 Frames done, I’ve never met a writer who behaved just supply all the words. He praises for your Perusal All the latest Movie News by Shane Shellenbarger like he or David by Lee Whiteside she was Drake as An American in England anything the best Gamers Corner special. plotter in Part 12 New and Reviews from They are, the by Jeffrey Lu the gaming world of business. course, (There A Poker Novice to a Friend MangaZone but they didn’t & don’t act seem to Reviews of Manga and Comics like it. be Poker Face ST:TNG And Eric enough Videophile by Jeffrey Lu is no time to Reviews of genre releases on DVD exception talk about Plus to this his rule; a collabo- Screening Room CASFS Business Report more rations Reviews of current theatrical releases down-to-earth guy I’ve never met. I asked with the other Daves; I’ll have to try to FYI News and tidbits of interest to fans Eric to give me a little of his time during interview him again someday.) In Our Book Reviews of New SF/F Books the 2006 Nebula Awards weekend and he David Drake is the one who co-wrote Club Listings generously complied. the Belisarius series. Is it done now? Yes, Besides his writing, Eric also interests this story cycle is done; but the back door Musty Tomes Convention List & me because of the number of people with is still unlocked, he confided. And if they Reviews of Classic Genre books Generic Registration Form whom he collaborates. Eric joked that he did go back to it, it would not be anytime works with too many Daves: David Drake, soon and it would probably be a new David Weber and Dave Freer. He thinks ( Continued on page 8 )

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Volume 16 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 NEW! Comics, Legends & Heroes Managing Editor: Stephanie Bannon Bent Cover Bookstore 13560 W. Van Buren, Ste. B102, News & Reviews Assistant to the Editor: Gary Swaty 12428 N. 28th Drive, Phoenix, AZ Goodyear, AZ 623-932-3433 CASFS Business Report 2 Graphics Editor: Craig L. Dyer 85029 (602) 942-5932 Drawn to Comics Film & Video Editor: Len Berger & Craig SF Tube Talk 3 L Dyer Book Adventure 5619 W. Glendale, AZ 85301 24 Frames 3 660 N. Gilbert Rd, Suite B, Gilbert AZ (623) 847-9090 Promotions Directors: Len Berger, 85234 (480) 892-2120 Samurai Comics Screening Room 6 Richard Bolinski, Craig L Dyer FYI 11 Advertising: Catherine Book Book Den 5024 N. 7th St, Phoenix AZ Proof Readers: Catherine Book & Bob 15410 N. 67th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85306 (602) 265-8886 Gamers Corner 11 LaPierre & Gary Swaty (623) 486-2529 NEW! 10720 W. Indian School Rd, Videophile 13 Reporters: Craig L Dyer, Jeffrey Lu Book Exchange #61, Phoenix, AZ 85037 In Our Book (Book Reviews) 15 Staff Writers: Pam Allen, Stephanie L 4320 N. Miller Road #F, Scottsdale, AZ (623)872-8886 MangaZone 20 Bannon, Catherine Book, Shane Bryner, 85251 (480)990-8380 Stalking Moon Comics & Collectibles Musty Tomes 21 Craig L. Dyer, Michael Griffin, Bob Book Gallery 5775 W. Bell Rd #B-6, Glendale, LaPierre, Jeffrey Lu, Shane Shellenbarger, 3643 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix AZ Arizona (602) 896-9992 Gary Swaty, Tom Tuerff, Lee Whiteside, 85018 (602)468-0400 Special Features Randall Whitlock Book Rack GAME STORES A Conversation with Eric Flint. Layout & Design: Stephanie L. Bannon Keeper of the Mailing List: Craig L. Dyer 3539 W. Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85053 Game Daze by Catherine Book 1 Contributors: Tom Wright (602) 843-3026 2140 E. 5th St #11, Tempe AZ 85281 Podcasts Submitted for your Perusal Labeling Crew for Volume 16 Issue 3: Bookmans (480)317-9181 by Shane Shellenbarger 10 Len Berger, Richard Bolinski, Craig L 1056 S. Country Club, Mesa, AZ 85210 Game Daze #1: Paradise Valley Mall, Dyer, Mike Griffin, Jeffrey Lu, Bill (480) 835-0505 4550 E. Cactus Rd, #422, Phoenix AZ An American in England by Jeffrey Lu 12 Whitmore 8034 N. 19th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85021 85032 (602)494-4263 CN Mascots: The Four CopperCon Kittens (602) 433-0255 Game Daze #2 Superstition Springs A Poker Novice to a Friend About ConNotations: ConNotations is the Bookmaster Center, 6555 E. Southern Ave #2026, by Jeffrey Lu 13 fan published newszine of the Central 2949 N. 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Country Club, Ste. 105, Mesa, Toy Anxiety - President -- Mark Boniece - Vice President -- Gary Swaty (by AZ 85210 (480) 649-0807 10210 N. 32nd St, Suite B3, Phoenix ConNotations 4537 E. Cactus, Phoenix AZ 85032 AZ 85028 (602)308-0292 acclamation) ISSN: 1082-7765 (602) 923-0733 NEW! Trails - Secretary -- Ivan Erickson (by PUBLISHED: Six times a year 3029 W. Peoria, Suite CC, Phoenix, AZ 2501 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ acclamation) BY: Central Arizona Speculative 85021 (602)395-1066 (602) 957-4587 3155 W. Chandler Blvd #5, Chandler - Treasurer -- Stephanie Bannon (by Fiction Society, PO Box 62613, AZ 85226 07/22/2006 acclamation) Phoenix, AZ 85082 (480)940-6061 ISSUE NUMBER: Volume 16 Issue 4 SUBSCRIPTION: $20 for 6 ISSUES ( Continued on page 3 ) Page 2 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 4 movie which happens to coincide with the on it full time. SF Tube Talk 200th trip through the event horizon. It 24 Frames In the stop motion animated arena is TV News & Previews looks to be a lot of fun, much like their Coraline, which is well into production. 100th episode. In Counterstrike, SG-1 Movie News Henry Selick (Nightmare Before By Lee Whiteside gets caught in the middle of a fight By Lee Whiteside Christmas, James and the Giant Peach) between the Jaffa and the Ori when the is directing from his adaptation of the Neil We’re in the midst of the summer Jaffa unleashes a genocidal weapon Things are moving along on the Neil Gaiman book. Dakota Fanning (Taken, cable season and there’s lots of genre against the Ori followers. This episode Gaiman related movie front. Filming is in War of the Worlds) is voicing Coraline, shows left to watch in August with a few sees the debut of Morena Baccarin progress on a live action adaptation of the girl who finds an alternate world carrying into September. We’ve also got a (Firefly) as Adria, in a recurring role as Stardust in England. Charlie Cox is behind a mysterious door. Teri Hatcher is few new genre shows on the broadcast the fully grown half-Ori daughter of Vala, Tristian, a young man who makes a voicing her mothers (one on each side of networks as well as the debut of “The who is now the leader of the Ori invasion promise to his love, Victoria (played by the door) and British comedy duo Dawn CW” network. fleet in our galaxy. Momento Mori has Sienna Miller) that he will retrieve a French and Jennifer Saunders will be First off, SciFi’s summer season is Vala stricken with amnesia and on the run. fallen star for her. The star falls on the voicing Coraline’s neighbors Miss Spink well under way with new shows on three She takes a job as a waitress as she tries to side of the fantasy world on the other side and Miss Forcible. To make the whole nights a week through the end of August. piece together who she is and what of the Wall for which his town is named. thing even cooler, music is being done by On the drama side, we’ve got the two happened to her while the SG-1 team try He finds the star has a name, Yvaine They Might Be Giants. Also moving Stargates as well as the new series to find out what happened to her. Com- (played by Claire Danes), and other along with main photography completed Eureka for new first run shows. SciFi is pany of Thieves sees Cameron Mitchell go people are after it as well for various is the Robert Zemeckis Beowulf movie also running Dead Like Me (in the first undercover inside the deadly Lucian purposes. The story is his journey to find that was co-scripted by Gaiman with broadcast run outside of the show’s initial Alliance to prevent his teammates from the star and bring it back to his love and Roger Avary. If all goes as planned, 2007 airings on Showtime) on Tuesday nights becoming casualties of an Alliance civil his experiences along the way. Robert De will see no less than three movies based and Night Stalker (ABC’s cancelled war. Rounding out the first half of the Niro is Captain Shakespeare, Michelle on Gaiman stories or scripts will hit the revival of Kolchak: The Night Stalker) season is The Quest Part 1 sees SG-1 Pfeiffer is the evil witch Lamia, and screen. on Friday nights. There’s also the reality going up against Baal in the quest for the Jason Flemyng is Primus. Also appearing Upcoming Releases for series Who Wants to be a Superhero? on Sangraal (aka The Holy Grail), Merlin’s in smaller roles are other British actors of August and September Thursday nights as well as the first U.S. anti-Ori weapon. They must decipher note such as Sarah Alexander (Cou- The Descent (Aug 4th) A group of caver airing of British horror spoof Garth ancient clues, overcome the curse, and pling), Noel Fielding (The Mighty girls meet one year after a tragic accident Marenghi’s Darkplace. To top it all off, even join forces with their enemy. Being a Boosh), Rupert Everett, Ricky Gervais, in a remote area of the Appalachians. of course, we’ve got some new Saturday mid-season cliffhanger, expect things to and Peter O’Toole as the King of When their exit is blocked by a cave-in, night movies. be left in a dicey situation until January. Stormhold. Matthew Vaughn is directing they have to go deeper into an unexplored Stargate SG-1 will see the team Out in the Pegasus Galaxy, the from his script adapting the Gaiman area of the cave. They soon discover they continuing their search for the Ancient Atlantis team will continue dealing with story. Gaiman has been very much are not alone and are now prey for a race weapon that will help them against the The Wraith as well as other difficulties. involved with the movie, visiting the set of humanoid creatures that have adapted Ori. In Insider, Baal turns up informing several times and his daughter is working August kicks off with Irresistible, in ( Continued on page 6 ) SG-1 that his clones (seen in last season’s which Richard Kind plays Lucius Lavin, a Ex Dues Machina) are turning against him very large man who has special phero- and he offers SG-1 information in finding mones that cause everyone to adore him, the weapon in exchange for help in men and women alike. The episode will tracking down his clones. Actor Cliff be played very much for comedy, even Simon returns as Baal and all 20 of his being filmed in the style of a sitcom. clones. In Uninvited, Teal’c investigates Executive producer Brad Wright attacks by a mysterious parasite on several indicated in an interview with Gateworld worlds that have been visited by SG-1 and that he may be a recurring character and must work with the rest of the team to that “ the character is so fun. How do I put discover the truth behind the threat. it? He’s our Harcourt Fenton Mudd of August 18th will see the landmark 200th Atlantis.” After the comedic story, things hour of Stargate SG-1 and will also get back to seriousness in Progeny that feature a SciFi Inside special to celebrate introduces a new threat to the Atlantis the achievement. Martin Lloyd returns to team, The Asurans, a civilization that SG-1 when his failed TV series (Worm- appears to be descendants of the Ancients, hole Extreme) is now being turned into a but in fact are human looking Replicators motion picture. Richard Dean Anderson that want to destroy Atlantis. In The Real returns as General Jack O’Neill. There World, Dr. Weir wakes up in a Washington will be several vignettes portrayed as each D.C. mental institution and is told her member of SG-1 makes their suggestion hallucinations about Stargates and Atlantis for the plot of the movie acting in their are not real, even being visited by General capacity as Air Force advisors on the Jack O’Neill. In reality, she is in a CASFS Business Report comatose state fighting against Replicator nanites that are trying to take over her ( Continued from page 2 ) mind and body. In Common Ground, - Board -- Ivan Erickson, Mark Boniece, Sheppard is captured by a Genii com- Bill Whitmore mander and is imprisoned with a Wraith. - HexaCon 18 Chair -- no candidates, McKay and Mrs. Miller sees Rodney position defaults to the Chair of the Board McKay reunited with his estranged sister of Directors until a Chair can be elected. back on Earth, who has given up a - HexaCon 18 Banker -- Stephanie brilliant career as a scientist to raise a Bannon (by acclamation) family. McKay’s sister will be played by - CopperCon 28 Chair -- Gary Swaty (by actress Kate Hewlett, David (McKay) acclamation) Hewlitt’s real-life sister. Also look for a - CopperCon 28 Banker -- Stephanie Bannon (by acclamation) ( Continued on page 4 ) Volume 16 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 3 SF Tube Talk Marenghi is a creation of Matthew ( Continued from page 3 ) Holness (who also plays Garth) and cameo by Amanda Tapping as Samantha Richard Ayoade. It started as a stage HexaCon 16 Carter. Phantoms has the team under fire show featuring the self-important and and trapped on a world where the Stargate egotistical Marenghi, a leading British October 13-15, 2006 has been sabotaged. On top of all that, horrormeister (or so he thinks). The everyone starts acting strange. For the premise of the TV series is that Marenghi We look forward to offering the finest games including mid-season cliffhanger, The Return Part created the TV show back in the 1980’s Board Games, Collectible Card Games, Chess, Computer/ One sees General O’Neill (Richard Dean but it was never aired because it was too Anderson) and Richard Woolsey (Robert crazy to be screened. It has now been LAN Gaming, LARPS, Minatures, Steve Jackson Games, Picardo) visiting Atlantis when The resurrected and is being presented by Minatures, RPGA, White Wolf and more Asurans invade Atlantis and no one is safe Garth along with interview cut-ins with and we’ll have to wait until January to the actors from the show. It spoofs horror Our Location find out what happens. shows as well as 80’s action shows, soap SciFi’s latest drama, Eureka, debuted operas and hospital dramas. After intro- Embassy Suites North in mid-July. It stars Colin Ferguson as ducing the show in the first episode on 2577 West Greenway Room Rates: Jack Carter, who has taken on the job of July 27th, the remaining five episodes on $109 S/D plus tax Sheriff of the town of Eureka which is the SciFi include Hell Hath Fury where home to a secret government research inanimate objects come to life, endanger- Each extra person is $10 up to 6 people per room facility, Global Dynamics. Carter must ing the doctors, Skipper The Eye Child Rooms include made to order breakfast and Happy Hour deal with the head of GD, Nathan Stark where the birth of a giant eyeball brings (Ed Quinn), who also happens to be the out the paternal instincts in everyone, Membership For memberships or to ex-husband of Allison Blake (Salli before it turns deadly, The Apes of Wrath, $15 thru January 31, 2006 schedule a game, Richardson-Whitfield) that Carter has where the hospital staff starts turning into taken a liking to. This romantic conflict apes, Scotch Mist where an army of $20 thru September 30, 2006 Contact us at: will play out in the ongoing storylines. undead “Scotchmen” arrive to wreak $25 at the Door Hexacon 16 havoc, and The Creeping Moss From The Episodes coming up in August are Before Register by mail or PO Box 62613 I Forget, in which Carter works with Shores Of Shuggoth which features a Jason Anderson (Andrew Airlie), a cosmic broccoli outbreak that threatens to Pay online using PayPal Phoenix, AZ 85082 scientist who was an old army buddy of turn everyone into vegetables. There was through September 30, 2006 Email: [email protected] GD’s mechanical Wiz Henry Deacon (Joe only one series made (which may be Morton) and who’s wife, Kim (Tamlyn enough) although Garth Marenghi may Web: www.hexacon.org Tomita) has a history with Henry. When live on with a big screen adaptation. Carter accidentally shoots Deacon but SciFi has replaced the long-running Special rate for scheduled gamemasters can’t remember what happened, they Monday night block of Stargate SG-1 (some restrictions apply) began to suspect Anderson is doing with a four hour block of Dark Angel. something strange with their memories. In Ratings for the first night of this block via iTune or the DVD release). Taking the Battlestar Galactica’s new season will Alienated, Deacon’s assistant Spencer were good and SciFi looks to have show on its own and not comparing it to likely begin on October 6th, giving them (Shayn Solberg) disappears after a something to boost its ratings overall with the original Kolchak series, it stands up enough time to run ten weeks of episodes raucous party and is found the next Jessica Alba’s futuristic series from fairly well as a dark horror series. before the Christmas holidays (skipping morning huddled inside a crop circle, James Cameron. Tuesday nights now has New movies coming up on SciFi Thanksgiving for a movie marathon). claiming he had been abducted by aliens. repeats of former Showtime series Dead Saturday nights include Savage Planet Look for the webisode series, titled Meanwhile, a visiting congressman Like Me, which may have some language (Aug 12) where a team of scientists visit “Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance” to (Garwin Sanford) is the target of a trimmed or altered for the SciFi airings, an unknown planet in hopes of finding a debut online shortly before the season kidnaping plot. Carter must find out the but is still a series worth catching if you new, safe, world. Instead they find a picks up. It will reportedly run for ten truth about the “abduction” and also try to didn’t have Showtime or haven’t looked mutated species that turns the expedition episodes and will fill in some of the gaps prevent the congressman from getting at it on DVD. Ellen Muth stars as Geogia deadly. Stars include Sean Patrick between the end of season two and the kidnaped. In Invincible, researcher Nathan “George” Lass, a slacker teen who upon Flannery and Reagan Pasternak. On start of season three. The season opener Stark (Saul Rubinek) taps into the power taking on her first job is killed by a toilet August 26th is another movie tentatively picks up with the humans still under of a mysterious artifact as a result of an crashing to earth from the Mir space titled Dragon Sword (likely produced Cylon occupation with a resistance explosion, giving him the ability to heal station. She realizes she’s not yet dead with another name that didn’t have movement fighting back, some humans quickly and to read minds. and is brought in with a team of “Reap- Dragon as part of it). It will be airing with collaborating, and some playing both side. SciFi’s latest reality entry is Who ers”, led by Mandy Patinkin’s Rube. a batch of their other Dragon movies Lucy Lawless’s Cylon character D’Anna Wants to be a Superhero? It debuted on They help the victims of a violent death including the Dark Kingdom: The Biers will be a regular over the first ten July 27th with a show featuring the cross over before they are traumatized. It Dragon King miniseries. episodes of the season and she figures auditions for the heroes that will compete is very much a dark comedy series, with In other SciFi Channel related news, prominently in the season opener. Other in the series. Starting out with 11 potential the storyline dealing with George’s the run of the first season of general notes about the season are that the heroes, Stan Lee will guide them as the adapting to this new life, while not finished up with modest ratings, which occupation will be resolved within the contestants take on the personas of their completely leaving her family behind. It SciFi touted as an improvement over a first six episodes but that there will be creations and compete in challenges was created by Bryan Fuller, who left the year ago (which is very significant since casualties and that there will be a continu- designed to bring out their true nature. show midway through the first season to SciFi overall has been down 15 to 20% ing storyline dealing with the Cylons They will be tested for courage, integrity, create Wonderfalls. I think the series since last year). SciFi is currently negoti- taking place on their homeworld. self-sacrifice, compassion, and resource- suffered from the departure of its creator ating with the BBC to continue showing SciFi has announced that Peter fulness to determine which of them is the and it never quite lived up to its potential, Doctor Who, but there is no word yet Krause (Six Feet Under) will star in Lost best superhero. Heroes include Cell Phone but it is still worth checking out. Friday when it may come back. The debut of the Room (formerly Motel Man) along with Girl, Fat Momma, Creature, The Iron nights will see the airing of the ABC Extreme Championship Wrestling gave Elle Fanning as his daughter. SciFi now Enforcer, Lemuria, Monkey Woman, and version of Night Stalker, starring Stuart SciFi a boost in the ratings, especially in describes the series as “The Fugitive Feedback. Looks to be part silly, but also Townshend that was cancelled after six the younger demographics. We will see if meets The Twilight Zone in this contem- serious in what really defines a superhero. airings. SciFi will air all ten episodes of that helps to bring up the ratings on any of porary sci-fi thriller. When homicide SciFi is also running the British horror the series, the previously unaired episodes their other series as the summer season detective Joe Miller (Krause) stumbles spoof Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace on should start airing in mid-September develops. Thursday nights in August. Garth (assuming you didn’t already catch them ( Continued on page 5 ) Page 4 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 4 Hunting Party where Johnny tries to stop Dee shows up at the school who is really a Over Milford, a series about a small SF Tube Talk ( Continued from page 4 ) the assassination of the Vice President that 445 year old witch that has been tracking town’s reaction to a cosmic explosion that upon a seemingly innocuous motel room is part of Janus’ plan to pave the way for Azazael. Ella, Thelma and Leon work threatens the world’s existence. Elizabeth key, he unlocks the door to a world of Greg Stillson to ascend to the White together to stop Azazael, Jez and Milachi. McGovern stars as Laura Davis, whose unimaginable power and becomes the House. Things get pretty nasty as the series family is split apart by the event. Her target of those who will stop at nothing to Spike TV jumped into the original progresses to its unresolved conclusion husband abandons them to travel the claim it. The motel room is a treasure drama arena with Blade: The Series, with succubi, more ghosts and Faeries world, her daughter turns to witchcraft, trove of seemingly mundane objects, each based on the Marvel comic book and getting involved to the point where you and her son gets involved with the older of which actually possesses a unique movie trilogy. The two hour debut on June will need a scorecard to keep up with neighbor next door. She tries to hold her power. And as Joe soon discovers, the 28th set ratings records for the network who’s being controlled or seduced by family together as their world may be motel room key is the most potent and with a 2.0 household rating with 2.5 who. Starting in late July on BBC ending. I wish I had more advance info on coveted object of all. Shadowy organiza- million viewers. Kirk “Sticky” Jones America on Monday nights is the recent the series, but ABC is keeping things tions dedicated to collecting these stars as Blade, the immortal half-man, eight episode BBC series Life on Mars. It pretty close as of press time. charmed objects relentlessly pursue him, half-vampire who uses his superhuman stars John Simm as Sam Tyler, a present September will see the new seasons of hoping to claim the key. When his powers and skills to fearlessly battle the day detective in Manchester that when he the genre shows returning as well as the daughter (Fanning) vanishes inside the demonic creatures of the night. Jill is hit by a car wakes up in 1973! The debut of the few new ones. The most motel room, he also becomes the focus of Wagner also stars as double-agent Krista series is ambiguous on whether he really ambitious show looks to be NBC’s a heated police investigation. Hunted and Starr, Neil Jackson is Marcus, Blade’s has time traveled or is in a coma and is Heroes, which features a large multiethnic alone, Joe becomes the central player in a chief nemesis and head of the Chthon imagining it all. He works to fit in to the and multinational ensemble cast including game to which he doesn’t know the rules. House; Jessica Gower is Chase, a police department where the cops are Adrian Pasdar and Greg Grunberg. The series is planned to air as an eight seductive vampire who is devoted to much rougher than he’s used to and their Following an eclipse, people all over the hour special event in December. Also Marcus; and Nelson Lee as Shen, a investigation methods are archaic. Tyler world are discovering they have special announced by SciFi is that Painkiller technology genius and Blade’s confidante. has realized that murders happening in abilities, one can fly, one can read minds, Jane has been picked up for a full season With a large regular and recurring cast, 1973 have similarities to a case he was one is invulnerable, one can teleport, one of 22 episodes that will debut on SciFi in the series looks to have a lot of continuing investigating in 2006 and he is trying to can stop time, and one can draw the January and also air in syndication storylines. Writers of note include Geoff figure out how to get back to his proper future. When several of them come starting in Fall 2007. The press release Johns, who has been writing lots of time in order to prevent more murders. As together and find that among the paintings indicated that casting details were not comics as well as co-writer of the pilot the series progresses, he seems to detect the artist has drawn includes a nuclear finalized, so it isn’t even sure that movie, and Chris Ruppenthal, writer and that he is living in both eras, albeit in a bomb detonated in , they realize Emmanuelle Vaugier will return as Jane producer for The Outer Limits, Lois and coma in the present day. The series was they have a destiny to prevent it from in the weekly series since she now has a Clark, and Quantum Leap. Some of the well received in the UK and a second happening. Tying them all together is an regular role on the sitcom “Two and a ongoing storylines for the series that play series is in production to debut early next Indian professor who has controversial Half Men”. SciFi is also developing a late out over several episodes include ones year on the BBC. Producer/writer David theories on evolution and has been night talk show with George Noory, host that deal with Aurora, a drug that can E. Kelley is developing a U.S. version of tracking some of these specials. He’s of radio talk show Coast to Coast AM. inhibit a vampire’s urge to feed, the the show for ABC. Best to catch the hiding undercover in New York and is Over on USA, The 4400 and The turning of Krista’s mother, who has British original before it gets American- being followed by a mysterious agent. Dead Zone debuted well when they leukemia, which leaves Krista unavail- ized. This looks like it could be the next Lost if returned in June. The 4400 will feature able. Blade travels to Berlin to rescue a ABC Family is jumping full force into given a chance, and reviews of the pilot more continuing storylines with the pregnant patient, Vanessa, before Marcus the genre area this summer. The debut of indicate that with the show’s main focus regulars as well as recent additions Kevin can capture her. It turns out she isn’t Kyle XY in June set records for the on the characters and how they react to Burkhoff (Jeffrey Combs) and Tes actually pregnant, but has a deadly virus channel and repeats on ABC on Friday their powers, viewers will want to keep (Summer Glau) who will continue to be implanted in her that Marcus plans to use night did well for the broadcast arena, tuning in to see what happens to them, not on the run following Burkhoff’s experi- to eliminate the Pure Bloods. In Hunters, doubling the numbers of the cable airing. just find out what the next step in the ments on himself. Billy Campbell will Blade and Shen learn about the resur- ABC may extend its Friday repeats overall storyline is. return as Jason Collier at the end of the gence of the White Prince, an infamous through the rest of the summer if they Over on CBS we have Jericho, which season. He had been apparently assassi- vampire serial killer who they think is continue to do well. Starting August 6th looks at a small town in Western Kansas nated at the end of last season and we may working out of a Detroit nightclub. on ABC Family will be Three Moons ( Continued on page 6 ) find out what really happened. Over on BBC America The Dead Zone, The fifth season (which is getting a bit is really the second half of a fourth season more into genre order) will finish up at the end of August. shows of late, USA Network has indicated this may be starting up Hex the end of the series, but star Anthony in June and Life Michael Hall has indicated that if the on Mars in July. ratings do hold up, USA may order more We’ve got the episodes. The final four episodes include remainder of the Vortex where Johnny infiltrates a cult’s second (and compound to save a child but finds it is final) season of loaded with explosives and he must work Hex through to prevent a confrontation between the August and cult leader and the FBI that will end with September where the entire place blowing up. In Revela- the stakes get tions, Johnny learns of secrets in Purdy’s higher and some past when a woman shows up claiming to of the major be his long lost daughter. When Johnny players change as has visions of Purdy being harmed by her, others fall. he works to prevent it from happening. Following the Into the Heart of Darkness sees the return birth of Cassie of The Collector who is seeking revenge and Azazael’s on Johnny, which may include a newly child, Milachi, a pregnant Sara. We get back to the Greg new student Ella Stillson/Armageddon storyline in The Volume 16 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 5 SF Tube Talk ( Continued from page 5 ) a love triangle maybe?) will be showing contributing two scripts, which is much up. less than he’s been doing on Doctor Who. in the aftermath of a nuclear attack. Skeet Screening Room On the British front, the second season Ulrich is Jake Green, who is returning of the new Doctor Who ended with an Monster House home to Jericho for a family reunion emotional climax as The Doctor and Rose 24 Frames ( Continued from page 3 ) A Scanner Darkly following the death of his grandfather. parted ways for good (or for the time Pirates of the Caribbean Gerald McRaney is his father, who is to living in the dark. being, at least) in the season finale An Inconvenient Truth: Global Warm- also Jericho’s mayor and in the middle of Zoom (Aug 11th) Tim Allen takes on Doomsday. The Doctor will have a new ing a re-election. After the reunion turns sour, superheroes in this comedy about a retired companion in the third series, Martha The Da Vinci Code Jake is getting ready to leave when a superhero who is brought back to teach as Jones, played by Freema Agyeman. mushroom cloud appears over Denver and a superhero academy. It is based on the Agyeman is best known in the UK for her **** Monster House the town is cut off from the rest of the “Zoom’s Academy for the Super Gifted” role as a temptress on the ill-fated prime Columbia Pictures world. There’s lots of various things comic book by Jason Lethcoe. Tim Allen time soap Crossroads. She also appeared Running Time: 91 minutes happening as a result and coinciding with is Captain Zoom, who has lost his powers in the season two episode Army of Ghosts Rated: PG this (a lost bus of school kids, escapees and is put in charge of a group of special as a agent who is taken over Voice Actors: Steve Buscemi, Nick from a prison bus, looting, and car students, who see their powers as handi- by the Cybermen. The BBC has not Cannon, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kevin wrecks, all leading to Jake becoming a caps, not gifts. Also starring are released much information about the James, Jason Lee, Katherine O’Hara, hero and being placed in the role of Courteney Cox Arquette, Chevy Chase, character, only revealing that she will first Katherine Turner, Fred Willard. helping the town to deal with their Spencer Breslin, and Kate Mara. Fox appear in the first episode of series three Release Date: July 21, 2006 situation. The large cast also includes and Marvel thought they were infringing and not in the Christmas special. As Ashley Scott as Jake’s ex Emily Sullivan, on their X-Men franchise and tried to sue revealed at the end of Doomsday, this One initial negative in this film was Michael Gaston as the mayor’s rival, to stop the movie from being made, but year’s Christmas special is called The the failure to utilize noticeably the Gray Anderson, Pamela Reed as Jake’s were not successful. Runaway Bride and will feature comedy wonderful voice of Kathleen Turner. One mother, and Kenneth Mitchell as Jake’s Snakes on a Plane (Aug 18th) The movie star Catherine Tate as the title character, hoped for a larger part for her. Another brother. Initial reviews have been positive that will draw people into the theatre just who mysteriously appears on the TARDIS point is the release time. This is a Hallow- of the pilot and like how the focus is on by the buzz on the movie’s name alone. at the end of Doomsday. een movie which is being released during the characters, but the question is whether Samuel L. Jackson stars in this thriller The spinoff series Torchwood is set to the Dog Days of Summer. The ways of the viewing public is willing to get where an assassin releases a crate full of debut sometime in October on the BBC. It marketers are unfathomable. involved on a weekly basis with a show lethal snakes on a passenger plane in appears it will be set following the events That being said the film is a delight. about a post nuclear attack. order to eliminate a witness in protective of Doomsday, with the Torchwood The baby sitter and her boy friend lend With the debut of the new The CW custody. Best to avoid this movie if you headquarters being relocated to Cardiff, unfortunate verisimilitude to the back- network, there actually hasn’t been much have Ophidiophobia... near the rift seen in the first series of changed in the genre field by the merger Idocracy (Sep 1st) - Luke Wilson is a Doctor Who. Jack Harkness (John of The WB and UPN. UPN had pretty man who volunteers for a hibernation Barrowman) will be in charge, and also much given up on genre shows following experiment and wakes up 500 years in the in the main cast are Eve Myles as Gwen the demise of Enterprise, and The WB’s future. He discovers that civilization has Cooper, Naoko Mori as Toshiko Sato, a development of the Aquaman series, deteriorated such that he is now the character seen in the series one episode Mercy Reef, was deep-sixed in favor of smartest person in the world. Duh. Aliens of London and the team’s expert on the more established shows leaving us The Wicker Man (Sept 1st) Yet another computers, surveillance, and technology, with the returning Smallville and Super- 1970’s horror movie gets remade. Nicolas and Burn Gorman as Owen Harper, the natural, both in the same Thursday night Cage investigates the disappearance of a slots they aired in last young girl from a mysterious island off year on The WB. the coast of Maine. As he digs deeper he Smallville will follow discovers pagan rituals and other strange on from the season things going on. © Columbia ending cliffhanger with The Covenant (Sept 8th) Four young drop. The characters of the three children the episode “Zod”. men with supernatural abilities must band are wonderful. The arrogant precocious Rumors are that the together to fight an evil force that they Preppie girl is brilliantly played. The two Kryptonians from released into the world years earlier. Stars boys, a skinny nerd and his heavy set “Arrival” may re- Steven Strait, Sebastian Stan, Toby sidekick, both skating on the edge of appear and that all of Hemingway, Chace Crawford, and puberty, are well executed and believable. the main cast will be Taylor Kitsch. The three interacting are awesome. The returning. A new Feast (Sep 22) The movie created for the reclusive frightening owner of the house addition to the series last season of Project Greenlight is finally sets the stage for mayhem when he is will be Aaron unleashed on the world. John Gulager’s taken away to the hospital and the house Ashmore as a young attempt at a low budget horror movie is is left unregulated. Jimmy Olsen, who will supposedly fairly good considering how it The two idiot policemen who come in was made. answer to the children’s summons are be a new love interest for Chloe. team’s medic. A recent Doctor Who Children of Men (Sep 29) It is London in wonderful stereotypes owing much to Ashmore was recently seen as Veronica Confidential feature on the new Torch- the year 2027 and no one has been able to bumbling policeman portrayed in comedy Mars’ love interest Troy on last season of wood series revealed that Gwen Cooper conceive a child for 18 years. When a from the Keystone Cops to the present. Veronica Mars. It is unknown if James comes into the show not a part of the woman has mysteriously become preg- The house’s habit of slurping up toys, Marsters will be returning as Brainiac to Torchwood team, but as a regular Cardiff nant, she must be protected as she may be children, squad cars et cetera gives the the series and it is rumored that a new cop who is investigating the strange the hope for mankind’s survival. Based on film a pace and tension that carries you villain known from the comics may be goings on around Torchwood and the novel by P.D. James, directed by along. The scary images make it unsuit- making an appearance. In Supernatural, becomes part of the team after finding out Alfonso Cuaron, it stars Clive Owen, able for small children. the two brothers have survived the season the truth. There are a number of writers Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, I recommend the movie. – Gary ending cliffhanger and are back on the for the series, including P.J. Hammond Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Charlie Hunnam. Swaty demon hunting trail. According to a TV (Sapphire & Steel), Chris Chibnall, Guide online report, a new demon hunting Helen Raynor, Noel Clarke (Doctor team, a mother and her daughter (who is Who’s Mickey Smith), Toby Whithouse, the same age as the Winchester brothers - Si Spencer, and creator Russell T. Davies ( Continued on page 7 ) Page 6 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 4 Screening Room crew who, having spent years under the trying to warn Krypton that the planet was evidence. (But then so is much of what ( Continued from page 6 ) sea, have taken on features of various sea going to have some real geologic trouble, people believe about Religion and **** A Scanner Darkly creatures. All of your favorite seafood and no one would believe him. For a History.) However, if one is willing to Warner Independent Pictures items are here -- yum, yum.Will Turner better thought, recall the title of a book by suspend disbelief for a time, it is a fun Running Time: 100 minutes (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann one of Gore’s friends, Carl Sagan: Our wild ride. Science Fiction Fans should Rated: R (Keira Knightley) joined Jack on the quest Demon Haunted World, Science as a have no problem with this concept. Staring Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey but had to postpone their wedding, too Candle in the Darkness. See this candle. - The Professor and the Sophie meet in Jr., Woody Harrelson, Winona Ryder bad. Mike Griffin the Louvre where the Professor has been and Rory Cochrane The film has a lot of fights including summoned by the French Police to view From the novel by Philip K. Dick one ala The Good, The Bad and The Ugly The Da Vinci Code the scene of the Sophie’s grandfather’s Release Date: July 7, 2006 with a three way sword fight and several Director Ron Howard murder. The victim is in Cruciform (perhaps too many) fights against the Screen Play by Akiva Goldman position like a Da Vinci drawing. More it Enter the grim near future world of giant octopus whose sole purpose in life From the Novel By Dan Brown seems that he placed himself in that Phillip K. Dick where all movement is seems to be trying to sink ships.While Sony Pictures position as though to leave a message. monitored by scanners and privacy is non- watching please note that Davy Jones Unknown to Langdon, he is a suspect as existent. The mysterious drug, substance acted while wearing a suit with reference From the mind of Dan Brown by way the victim had written S find Robert D is prevalent throughout the populace. marks that were used by Industrial Light of Director Ron Howard and Screenwriter Langdon in his own blood. Sophie, “S”, It’s source is unknown. Our main charac- and Magic to give us a pretty good Akiva Goldman comes the movie version knows he didn’t do it and wants him out ters are narcs and are themselves addicted looking octopus character. of The Da Vinci Code. The movie is a of there so they can solve the case. Bishop to substance D. Throughout the movie one I rated the film a “B” and would nearly seamless transfer of the book to the Aringarosa, played by Alfred Molina, a wonders how this could be in the face of certainly recommend the film but get visual medium. Robert Langdon, Profes- Minion of the evil Opus Dei has mislead the constant monitoring of everyone. All plenty of sleep the night before. sor of Religious Symbology, Harvard the chief investigator, Captain Fache, Jean is not as it seems. By the way, No animal was harmed in University, excellently played by Tom Reno, who is convinced of Langdon’s The authorities suspect that substance the making of this film -- just in case you Hanks, finds himself beset from all guilt. Sophie and Langdon flee together D may have an unbelievable source and were worried about all those sea creatures. directions when all he did was come to and a wild chase is on through banks and construct a means of determining this. - Len Berger, ConNotations Film Editor Paris to give a lecture. Sophie Neveu, a museums, churches... A Cryptex made up How can they find out? cryptologist, well played by Audrey of alphabetic wheels provides the first The film is grim and dark and as their **** An Inconvenient Truth: Global Tautou loses her grandfather and nearly lead. Puzzles abound throughout. secondary title says “Everything is Not Warming (May 24, 2006) her life while minding her own business. They find an ally and go to England going to be OK” The movie does surpris- starring Al Gore Two ordinary people driven by necessity seeking the Holy Grail; a secret involving ingly end on what might be thought of as Running time: 100 minutes to accomplish extraordinary things. descendants of Christ and Mary Magdalen a note of hope. Just perhaps the villains Rated: PG (Though Sophie turns out to be not quite and the Templar treasure. The whole thing may get their deserts. ordinary.) is falderal of nonsense, but the watcher is The production method of the film is Space buffs will enjoy the many To one with a knowledge of history, carried along by the excitement which interesting. They use what is called photos from outer space in this movie: the story of Christ and Mary Magdalen as finally ends in Scotland where all is rotoscope, which essentially is painting satellite shots, the moon landings, the first related is clearly a wild surmise unsup- revealed after much danger and travail. animation figures over live action footage. earthrise photo from the moon, a Galileo ported by any verifiable historical The Movie was great fun. – Gary Swaty The affect is wonderful and in this case probe image, even a Futurama cartoon. disturbing. There’s lots of real science here for scifi The Film actually carries the flavor of fans to enjoy. In fact, if you read the Philip K. Dick through to Film. Recom- science articles in scifi magazines, you mended. – Gary Swaty won’t find much new here. You already know what Al Gore does: there is no Pirates of the Caribbean: scientific controversy on this topic. But Dead Man’s Chest now, the world of millions of mundanes Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando will know what we do: global warming is Bloom, Keira Knightley real, and humanity is having a strong Director: Gore Verbinski impact on it. The presentation you might Running Time: 150 minutes say is unimpeachable, and worth watching Rated: PG-13 by anyone. Most impressive is the chart of Release Date: July 7th, 2006 650,000 years’ worth of Antarctic ice cores, showing seven ice ages and how The second installment of the Pirates human-generated carbon dioxide has way of the Caribbean is loaded with some surpassed the natural limits of this cycle. I swell special effects but the story is a bit once heard an oil industry scientist say he complicated and the film is a bit too long. doesn’t believe in ice cores. Now I know Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is wonderful why. There really is no controversy and some of his scenes are pretty funny. outside of the popular press, generated by One scene with a waterwheel that breaks political propagandists with an agenda to loose is especially funny and it reminded preserve the status quo. Gore has nice me of something out of an Indiana Jones statistics to illustrate that, too. This movie film. is a combination of his public lectures on In this second Pirates film (at least one global warming, intercut with short more to come) we have Jack trying to find biography about him. It is not an ego the Dead Man’s Chest (a really nifty item piece, or really about Al Gore at all. The to own which according to legend allows biography shows why Gore is not an one to control Davy Jones). Of course egotist about this – one of his teachers Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) has the key to the was a pioneer of the greenhouse theory. chest and without the key the chest can’t Gore is now a man with a mission, the be opened. So first Jack must get onto man with the word, and what he’s been Davy Jones Flying Dutchman ship (ah… working on all his life has now become lest we forget the debt Jack owes Davy his life’s work. He should get a Nobel Jones - a lifetime (or deathtime) of Prize for this, except there is no such serving on the Dutchman). You will category. At times, I couldn’t help but certainly enjoy watching the Dutchman’s think of Jor-El in the Superman story, Volume 16 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 7 Conversation can buy one issue or a package of three movie…) And Ryk was the main oppo- One of my favorite questions is to ask ( Continued from page 1 ) issues (the first of which is now free!). It nent. But what made Ryk different is that if the interviewee thinks a series should story cycle. And then, what about Crown is not a subscription service. They have a he had actually read all of Schmitz’s go on as long as the fans want it and are of Slaves 2? He wrote the first one with regular readership of about 1500, which is work, he was honest in his opposition and willing to spend money on it – or if the Dave Weber. Well… Eric’s next project is pretty good. It’s good enough that Eric acknowledged his own errors. After a writer has an obligation to stop it when the 1634: Baltic War (Ring of Fire series), can maintain the project and pay the while, Eric says he came to like the guy; she or he no longer has anything new to Weber has to finish a project he’s working contributors semi-pro rates. Now when it and about a year later Ryk quietly say. Eric pointed out that the LOTR series on, then Weber will need to contribute to goes to paper, it becomes a Baen book. approached him with some stuff he’d isn’t really a series – it’s just a really, the Baltic War, then… while Eric is Gazette 1 was only published in paper- written and asked Eric if he’d read it. Eric really long book that had to be broken up finishing up Baltic War, Weber will be back since they weren’t sure it would did and was impressed with it. He into three volumes. And his Belisarius able to start on Crown of Slaves. Then the even sell. Eric wrote one new story for it encouraged Ryk to rewrite and later series is like that. It was carefully plotted process reverses and Eric will work on and there’s a funny story behind that. Jim recommended it to Baen who eventually to be one single story but had to be Crown of Slaves while Weber goes back Baen designed the cover – a cheesecake, published it. Baen has a policy of hooking broken into several books to sell. So it had to Baltic War. They’re hoping to have soft-porn picture that had nothing to do up a new published writer with an to stop when the story was over. But some both books done by the end of August, with any of the stories. So Eric decided he established writer to get his name out series, he elaborated, center around a maybe September (2006). (I feel like I’m needed to write a story to explain the there and get more recognizable. Eric certain character and it becomes that watching a tennis match...) Baltic War is cover art. And he had to do it again with started that way with Drake. So, Baen character’s biography – and it ends when scheduled for publication in May 2007 the Grantville Gazette II which was asked Eric to do a book with Ryk. As it the life ends. 1632, however, was written and Crown will probably be out a few published in hardcover. And a third is in happened, Eric had an idea in the back of as a stand-alone. Who knew? But when he months after that. the works, with – again – a cover de- his mind that was going to require a bit was continually urged to continue the Whew… how does he manage to signed by Jim Baen which Eric is going to more science than he was willing to story he had to think about it. Did it have juggle projects successfully? He ex- have to figure out how to explain. research; but, with Ryk’s background he a strong enough premise to sustain more plained that he doesn’t actually write It’s an easy series to contribute to. It’s thought this would be a good place for stories without repeating itself? Obvi- more than one book at a time. He’ll write all history. Anyone has access to the ‘back both of them. The book was Boundary. ously, the answer was a resounding Yes. one, pass it to his partner, then begin story.’ It’s not the same as trying to write And two sequels are planned. His last words were an observation editing another. He describes himself as a in another writer’s universe where you I’d read some commentary from Eric about the myth of the ‘solitary writer.’ very fast writer, and seems to have the would have to refer back to everything about his opinions about internet piracy. When all there was at one time was verbal knack of writing a very clean, good first written and check with the writer to make So I couldn’t resist asking him about it storytelling (bards); collaboration was a draft. He seldom does rewrites although sure you can do something. But, if you’re personally. Eric has some very strong natural process. The singer/storyteller he will scrap whole chapters if he deter- going to write in this series, you better ideas about it; so much so that I will have changed the story depending on his th mines they just aren’t working well. He check that history. For instance, the 17 to abbreviate here. Basically, he doesn’t audience and the changing times. The also noted that he has to juggle publishers century Germans were actually quite think a writer is harmed if someone steals printing press changed all that; the effort as well. He writes for both Baen and Del literate and the contributing writer better a e-book. He likens it to how it’s always involved in changing a single word Rey. The man is a workhorse. He chuck- know that. So it’s a self-policing universe; been with paper books. A library buys a became a real challenge. Although, the led when he described that he spent thirty since anyone can read the history, older single copy and loans it out to dozens or feedback a writer received from his years in factories (he was a labor orga- writers check out the new ones and keep hundreds of people. And how many of us readers often did influence his future nizer) where sixty hours a week was not the stories honest. I knew I was behind in loan our books to friends and family? writing. But then, the advent of the unusual; so that now, without a boss or my reading but I hadn’t counted on the Were those readers ‘stealing’ the book computer and internet changed it back time clock, he still works very hard and Gazettes, so now I’ve really got to get because they didn’t pay for it? Did the again. Now, the ease of changing and long but the work is so much more caught up. And that’s not helped by the writer lose any revenue? Quite possibly – rewriting gives the writer a better advan- satisfying. I noted that his socialist fact that the books are not always pub- but what did he gain instead? Most tage. It also lends itself naturally to leanings came out in 1632. He sat back lished in a logical, chronological fashion. probably, he gained new readers. In our writers collaborating. And, of course, it and commented that he has some strong For instance, 1635: The Cannon Law will world now, where one can walk into a allows this phenomenon of 1632 to occur. feeling about writers using a book as a be published in October 2006, seven bookstore and be confronted with Although Eric maintains a certain amount political platform. He feels that it’s months before 1634: The Baltic War. But hundreds of choices, how do you choose of control, the fan interaction gives it a dishonest to the reader. The reader puts Eric assures me that’s not a problem. The what to spend your money on? Eric life of its own. There is no ‘solitary down his money to get a good story and stories don’t depend on each other. In fact, believes that most readers stick with what writer’ in the Ring of Fire universe; and ends up reading a political tract. That’s he says that once you’ve read 1632, you they know. And they come to new writers Eric seems very satisfied and happy with not honest. What he prefers to do is lay can read the rest of them in any order; through word-of-mouth from their friends that turn of events. out some broad social and ethical values although Eric does have a ‘recommended’ (who loaned them a book to read) or and let the reader decide what political order. I didn’t think to ask him what that maybe they picked up a new writer at the context it might have for her or him. He was exactly and don’t see it on his library. If they like the new writer, then has some readers with some very conser- website. Maybe he’ll add that in soon….? maybe they’ll buy the next new book vative political leanings, even military Another of Eric’s collaborators is Ryk that’s published. They probably wouldn’t officers, who have indicated that they Spoor. And he had a very interesting story have bought the new book if they hadn’t really enjoyed 1632. He thinks he has an about how that came about. Eric was already decided they liked the writer. So, obligation to write a book that any reader editing James Schmitz’s work in an effort that’s a wash. But if they continue to buy can enjoy even if they don’t agree with his to repopularize his work. Eric decided not books from that writer, then the writer is politics. to just publish a ‘best of’ but to republish way ahead of the game. And it’s actually The Grantville Gazette is a unique everything Schmitz wrote – and in order. even simpler in the e-book environment. book. For those who aren’t familiar with Well…the truth was that the earliest stuff In the real world, if someone shoplifts a the Ring of Fire series, there has been a wasn’t as good as the later stuff and Eric book from a store, an actual product is web-based discussion going on for seven recognized that he was going to have to taken - that can’t be replaced – a definite years in Baen’s Bar; at last count some edit it pretty severely or new readers lost sale. However, in the world of e- 1000 people have contributed over weren’t going to be impressed and might books, no physical product is taken – and 200,000 posts. Eric looked at all the fanfic not stick around long enough to see the that lowlife probably wasn’t going to people were contributing; many of whom really good stuff that Schmitz wrote. This spend his money on that book anyway. were writers, and decided to start an e- generated a lot of online discussion from Hence Eric’s opinion that the writer isn’t magazine. It was very experimental and disgruntled readers. It brought out the really harmed by the some-time theft on no one was sure if it would fly or not. Eric ‘purists’ who didn’t want to see a single the internet. Long-term? It’s still a new actually edits the e-magazine and pub- word changed. (The same folks who venue but Baen, who’s been in the lishes through Baen’s website. A reader probably won’t watch a colorized forefront, hasn’t seen an impact. Page 8 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 4 Volume 16 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 9 www.williammgaines.com/ Podcasts Submitted Another must-listen-to is , aka TWIT. Hosted by Leo We need a logo! for your Perusal Laporte, TWIT is a round table technology By Shane Shellenbarger discussion group with a revolving cast of The Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society (CASFS) is looking for a graphic characters, many from the cable logo to use on letterhead, business cards, web pages, etc. show, The Screensavers: John C. Dvorak, From Wikipedia: Podcasting is the The logo should: method of distributing multimedia files, —Tell the world what we do. such as audio programs or music videos, We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to promotion of science fiction and over the Internet using either the Rss or fantasy literature. We host fan-run conventions including the annual CopperCon Atom syndication formats, for playback SF convention and HexaCon gaming convention. We publish the fandom newspa- on mobile devices and personal per “ConNotations.” computers. I’d define podcasting as the Graphic possibilities include spacecraft, planets, monsters, aliens and other TiVo of Internet Radio, with the ability to time/place shift audio and video files for fantastical creatures, books, etc. Our name or initials should be in there some- the convenience of the listener/viewer. where. I’m going to make a few —Tell the world we’re in Arizona. recommendations of podcasts I’ve Possibilities include the state outline, cactus, roadrunners, etc discovered and hope you’ll enjoy. —Be scalable. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcasting The logo should look good and be easy to recognize at all sizes, from business First off is Griddlecakes Radio, a , , Bill cards to posters. Line art is better that anything that depends on colors or gradi- recent discovery of mine, which harkens Machrone, Amber MacArthur, Kevin back to the Golden Age of radio when the Rose, , Robert Heron, Chris ents. Simple is good. likes of Jack Benny, Orson Wells, and DiBona, Molly Wood, Jacon McCabe Bob Hope ruled the airwaves. Ron and Calacanis, Robert Scoble, Andrew Baron, The winning designer will receive a free membership to any CASFS-sponsored that little voice in his head, The other Kent Nichols, Dave Winer (the father of convention and the right to boast “That’s my design!” RSS and podcasting), and the co-founder Ron, present skits, storytelling, and Send your designs by August 1, 2006 to: of Apple Computers, Steve Wozniak. The personal insights that are interesting, Attention Logo Contest comforting, and very entertaining. Ron group can sometimes be loud, often Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society talks about satirist Stan Freberg being an rowdy, and always opinionated. Episodes influence and that imprint is evident typically run about 60 minutes. PO Box 62613 throughout the show. Like Freberg’s http://twit.tv/pilot Phoenix AZ 85082 comedy pieces, Ron often takes historical http://www.twit.tv/ or by e-mail to [email protected] events and gives them a modern twist. I http://thisweekintech.com/ highly recommend Griddlecakes and I Other podcasts produced by Leo computer and internet security expert, two under-thirty manboys, even make a cameo appearance in episode Laporte which I listen to on a regular Steve Gibson, and is hosted by Leo and , who read the top #30. Shows average 15 minutes in length. basis are his KFI 640 AM weekend Laporte. The 29 episodes vary in length stories of the week from digg.com and Arik Korman, director for the Bob Rivers shows. For three hours on Saturday and from 30 minutes to over 1 hour. The 12 drink beer (in episode #38 the “boys” Radio Show in Seattle, produces quality three hours on Sunday, Laporte talks tech episodes average 60 minutes in length. drink a bit too much hard alcohol and podcasts chock full of observations, with listeners around and Inside the Net with Amber MacArthur and Alex especially pays for the over insights, and he looks at life from skewed across the planet. I also follow Laporte’s takes a look at the tools, indulgence.) These guys often make me point-of-view. The 38 episodes vary in observations on the tech scene when he sites, and innovators making the internet laugh, in spite of my disapproval of their length from about 7 minutes to over 78 makes guest appearances on other radio the hotbed of interactivity. The 26 hedonistic ways. Cranky Geeks is up to 17 minutes shows, when he speaks at conferences, episodes average 40 minutes. FLOSS episodes and has reached www.griddlecakes.com and when he’s interviewed on other Weekly delves into the world of Free episode #53. Both shows produce separate http://www.bobrivers.com/ontheshow/ podcasts. Libre Open Source Software with hosts audio and video podcasts. ontheshow.asp?cat=14 http://www.kfi640.com/main.html Chris DiBona and Leo Laporte discussing http://crankygeeks.com/blogs/ Next is The Daily Giz Wiz with http://www.leoville.tv/radio/ Linux and other computer operating crankygeeks/default.aspx MAD’s maddest writer, Dick DeBartola http://leo.am/podcasts/kfi systems. The 8 episodes average 45 http://revision3.com/ and Leo Laporte, radio, television, and http://www.worldofwarcast.com/archives/ minutes. Futures in Biotech episode #1 diggnation?b_start:int=30 podcasting personality. Every Monday 2006/07/episode_23_part.html has hosts Marc Pelletier and Leo Laporte Getting away from technology, I’ll http://leo.am/podcasts/tlr discussing protein folding, evolution, and listen to Coverville, a podcast focusing on http://twit.tv/podcastinfo nanotech structures using prions with MIT the new renditions of previously recorded http://www.odeo.com/audio/411698/view biotechnologist, Dr. Susan Lindquist. The songs ranging from Abba to Frank Zappa Leo Laporte also produces these pilot episode runs 1 hour and 10 minutes. and everybody in-between. The easygoing podcasts which I follow on an infrequent MacBreak is a video podcast dealing with host, Brian Ibbott, produces the thrice basis: This WEEK in MEDIA, Security the universe of Apple’s Macintosh. Leo weekly shows from his home in Colorado. Now, Inside the Net, FLOSS Weekly, Laporte, Amber MacArthur, Emery The 218 episodes average 30 minutes. Futures in Biotech, and MacBreak. This Wells, and discuss http://www.coverville.com/ WEEK in MEDIA discusses the future of hardware, software, applications, tips, and I also enjoy listening to what film, television, and broadband from both interview the big names close to the Mac. happening in the Magic Kingdom. While a technology and a business perspective. The 14 episodes run from 8 minutes up to Podcast Alley lists over 50 Disney related The panel includes Alex Lindsay, Emery 32 minutes. podcasts, I focus on these three: Mouse Wells, Kenji Kato, and other experts in http://thisweekinmedia.libsyn.com/rss Pod, Inside the Magic, and Disney mass media. features http://leo.am/podcasts/itn Insider. The Mouse Pod is the brainchild http://leo.am/podcasts/sn of Jesse Obstbaum and is divided into two http://leo.am/podcasts/floss versions, one highlights Disney parks and http://twit.tv/fib1 version 2.0 highlights Disney films, with http://macbreak.com/index_copeland.php 17 episodes of the former and 4 of the Staying in the world of technology, latter. Inside the Magic is an through Friday these two wise guys meet Orlandocentric Disney podcast with on the Internet to, ostensibly, discuss I’ve been known to catch a few of the ancillary cousins of Leo Laporte’s occasional journeys to the other parks. gadgets and gizmos, but among the Ricky Brigante has produced 65 audio electronics and Rube Goldbergesque podcasts. Cranky Geeks is a tech roundtable discussion group anchored by podcasts and 33 video podcasts. The ruminations are stories about MAD Disney Insider is the corporate Magazine and its larger-than-life creator, John C. Dvorak (P.C. Magazine) and peopled by tech pundits who try to out mouthpiece of Disney which means no William M. Gaines. Our congenial hosts dirt, but it also means guests the other have recently passed their 100th podcast crank Dvorak. They are usually unsuccessful. While Cranky Geeks is podcasts won’t get. John Stamos, They together. Episodes typically run under 10 Might Be Giants, and Julie Andrews all minutes. frequently populated with the middle and elderly aged observers of the technology make appearances. There are 18 episodes http://www.dailygizwiz.com/ of varying lengths. http://www.twit.tv/ scene, Diggnation is a show co-hosted by ( Continued on page 11 ) Page 10 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 4 Podcasts Submitted enough to be remembered for genera- Bookmans Events ( Continued from page 10 ) tions -- is. www.bookmans.com Gamer’s Corner October 17: Arrows of the Queen by www.podcastalley.com Mercedes Lackey. First book of the Tucson Bookmans Events Not too much again this time, too little www.mousepod.com Valdemar series. And if you don’t agree, material, too much overtime, and did I www.pocketsymphony.com/mousepod/ come argue with us… mention too little material? B520374309/index.html November 21: Game of Thrones by Dungeons & Dragons night, Bookmans http://distantcreations.com/ Tucson-Speedway store, 1st & 3rd Sunday, George R.R. Martin. If I have to explain Children of the Horned Rat insidethemagic/ this one, it’s already too late for you… 6pm http://disney.go.com/music/podcasts/ December 12: Accidental Goddess by Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay today/index.html Linnea Sinclair. A sexy, out-of-this- $29.99, Black Industries, 128pp With the anticipation building as we Phoenix Bookmans Events world adventure about Gilliane who approach the one year countdown for 8034 N. 19th Ave became a goddess while she was time- This is a great sourcebook. First let me the release of the film, and Phoenix, Az 85021 the Order of the Phoenix, and the traveling after her ship was attacked. say that there are no such things as probable release of the final Harry Phoenix Astronomical Society Telescope Skaven. The Emperor says so. Second let Potter book, what better time to get Signings Workshop Oct 1, 4:30pm me say that the tales and fables collected involved in a couple of podcasts Bookmans Creative Writing Circle, every in this heretical book are forbidden in the concerning the boy wizard? On Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale 3rd Sunday, 5-8pm Empire. Mugglecast, Andrew Sims, Ben Schoen, www.poisonedpen.com The information contained within this and Kevin Steck exchange views and volume will give you wonderful ideas and conduct interviews with the cast and crew of the films, including Warwick Jasper Fforde signing Aug 8th, 7pm Mesa Bookmans Events give your players fits. The Skaven are Davis (Professor Flitwick) and a Luna James Sallis signing, September 6 1056 S. Country Club Dr among the most versatile races in the Lovegood hopeful who made it to the Diana Gabaldon & Sam Barone Mesa, AZ 85210 Warhammer world. Through the judicious second round of auditions. They have Sep 14, 7pm use of Warpstone they can acquire new 46 episodes which average 60 minutes Terry Brooks & Michael Stackpole traits and abilities and they have no in length. Finally, there’s PotterCast, a Hero Clix-Super Hero Gaming Night!, Sep 23, 1pm Sundays, 6pm penalties using Warpstone tokens in group which prides itself on keeping up magic. Though considered craven and on the latest developments and Dungeons and Dragons RPG Night!, conspiracy theories in the Potter Barnes & Noble Mondays, 6pm cowardly they often show great feats of megaverse. Interviews include Bonnie www.barnesandnoble.com bravery. Wright (Ginny Weasley), Matt Lewis Surprise, AZ WesternSFA This volume fully fleshes out the race (), and Arthur ConRunners Seminars and offers insidious ways to use them Levine, co-editor of the Harry Potter Stephenie Meyer, Aug 26, 2pm against players or even as allies. I books. The 59 episodes average 60 WesternSFA is holding a series of particularly like the way the possibility of minutes in length. Warpstone addiction can cause a steady http://www.mugglenet.com/mugglecast/ Events of Interest “mini”(4 hours) ConRunners seminars at http://www.mugglenet.com/mugglecast/ the Bookmans in Mesa located at 1056 S drain on a party’s resources. episodes.php Changing Hands Country Club Dr. Dates are August 20, I like this volume and await more like www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/pottercast/ www.changinghands.com September 24, October 29, November 19 it for other chaos races. Buy this even if www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/pottercast/ and December 17. you don’t play Warhammer, it could be ?mode=pastepisodes Sci Fi Book Group There will also be a day long used as a variant wererat or other vermin There you have it, a varied based race. - Bob LaPierre collection for your listening and 1st Thursdays, 7pm ConRunners held at the Phoenix Bookmans viewing pleasure. Many of the websites Graphic Novel group located at 8034 N 19th Ave on October 28. contain their own players and links to 2nd Sundays For more information check the web site at Liber Necris aggregators, but I’ve included some www.westernsfa.org Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay below. Happy podcatching! Imperial Outpost Events $29.99, Black Industries, 96pp http://juicereceiver.sourceforge.net/ www.imperialoutpost.com http://www.apple.com/itunes/ This sourcebook is the ultimate in- http://www.coverville.com/art/ depth study of undeath. The information subscribe_instr/index.html HeroClix tournament, Imperial Outpost, Fridays 7p-11p is full of the blackest heresies and magics. Send comments or questions to: VS CCG tourna- ( Continued on page 12 ) [email protected] ment, Imperial Outpost, Tuesday, 730pm Shield of Almor, FYI Imperial Outpost, CASFS Book Discussion 1st & 3rd Sundays

The CASFS Book Discussions are Game Depot moving to the third Tuesday of each Events month and also moving location to the Bookmans in Phoenix at 8034 N. 19th Game Night, Game Ave at 7PM. Email questions to [email protected] Depot Mesa, 3rd August 22: Coyote Kings of the Space- Saturdays Age Bachelor Pad by Minister Faust. Contact: Game There’s something for everyone: Depot, (480) 966- African Canadians, Comic-book fans, 4727 gamers and sci-fi geeks. September 19: Silverlock by John Myers Myers. A fantasy romp in which a dreary young cynic named A. Clarence Shandon is shipwrecked on the shores of the living land of all human imagination, where every character of myth and fiction great

Volume 16 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 11 Gamers Corner and stories. Recommended for An American in England famous meal. The cook/cashier asked me ( Continued from page 11 ) Warhammer 40,000 fans. - Jeffrey Lu if I was eating in or taking the meal out. I It speaks of the creation of the first Part Twelve: Final Words opted to bring my meal to the theatre. vampire and the rise and fall and rise Valnir’s Bane on England The cook/cashier promptly gave my again of the original necromancer, by Nathan Long by Jeffrey Lu bill. I glanced and opened my mouth. Nagash. Black Library Publication; 254 “Excuse me,” said I. The tale of the evolution of human pp.,$6.99 With my old, beaten but comfortable “Yes?” magic and the destruction of the tennis shoes, I walked to the National “Why is there a discount of 10% on civilization that fathered Nagash is This fantasy book is the beginning of theatre. I saw a building near there with a my bill?” foremost a cautionary tale. However, it the Black Hearts, a group of schemers, sidewalk sign saying “Fish N’ Chips” and “You’re not from here, are you?” gives necessary background to the killers, and convicted people for the decided to have lunch there. I ordered the development of magic within the Empire. gallows. Their first ( Continued on page 13 ) I love this volume and it should be mission is to retrieve a stated that this has wonderful background holy artifact, Valnir’s information; but, the information on the Bane, from a holy site. various types of undead and the steps to When they accomplished create each make this a volume to help this simple task, the even the novice story-teller to use undead Black Hearts will have to with cunning. - Bob LaPierre fight not only a Chaos army but also their Wonderful to have two such great handlers. Definitely volumes to review. See you next time. entertaining. Recommended for The Ultramarines Omnibus Warhammer fans and by Graham Mcneill dark fantasy readers. - Black Library, 765 pp, $10.99 Jeffrey Lu

The Ultramarines Omnibus is a Tainted Blood compilation of the Novels Nightbringer, by Nathan Long Warriors of Ultrimar, and Dead Sky, Black Library Black Sun, plus a connected short story, Publication; 253 pp., Chains of Command. $7.99 The omnibus follows the adventures of the Space Marine Captain Uriel Ventris How did the Black and the UltraMarines fighting the enemies Hearts outwit their of mankind. From their home world of handler, Count Manfred, Macragge into the Eye of Terror and from their “tainted” blood beyond, the Marines are a byword for after their work as loyalty, courage and military prowess bodyguards? Would second only to the God Emperor. having a traitor in their McNeill’s stories are fast paced, full mist, help? Or having a of action and mayhem inherent in war. If “nice” court intrigue with this is your literary interest, you might a scheming Countess. look for eons before finding a better Enjoyable. Did not collection. - Pam Allan expect this person in the Black Hearts to be the Warhammer Keepers of The Flame traitor. Highly by Neil McIntosh recommend for Black Library Pub., $7.99, 402 pp Warhammer fans and dark fantasy readers. - Stefan Kumansky has to take a secret Jeffrey Lu mission that might create a few problems with his friend, Bruno. But if Stefan does The Heart of Chaos not, the city of his beloved Altdorf is by Gav Thorpe doomed. This is the third and final Black Library conclusion to Stefan Kumansky trilogy. Publishing; 413 pp., Enjoyed this dark fantasy in plot twists $7.99 and surprises. This book can stand alone. I hope to find the other two to find more The last fantasy book about Stefan Kumansky. Recommend for on the “Slaves to fantasy readers in the Warhammar world. Darkness” trilogy. The - Jeffrey Lu adventures of once lovers into fierce rivals- the once knight Kurt Leitzig Daemonifuge: Heretic Saint changed into a Chaos by Kev Walker, leader and Ursula, a Black Library Publication; $9.99 woman with a holy sword, determined to This is a Warhammer 40,000 (science undermine the endless fiction) graphic novel about Ephrael forces of Chaos. Stern, a Sister of Battle, who not only Ending was predictable. fought demons and also her own. Okay, overall. This book won the graphic novel of Recommend for the year award from Borders Books. Warhammer readers. - Overall, the stories are dark. Liked the art Jeffrey Lu Page 12 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 4 An American in England the prize of a ST:TNG poker cards... looked to my friends and waved. I didn’t Only the first two episodes of The ( Continued from page 12 ) Nope. take this game too seriously. Then, I Quatermass Experiment are still in “Well, I’m from Arizona.” I thought I was going to get either began to see my fellow players fall. One existence. It was broadcast in 1953 at a “Really? How’s the London Bridge?” number 9 to 3 in getting either a poker by one, I began to realize that I must have time when most studios did not film their “Still at Lake Havasu.” book or Wil Wheaton’s signed book... Not some Grace from Above and/or Lady live broadcasts and it is a pity the remain- The cook/cashier grinned. in the cards. I thought I was bringing Luck at my side. I was still puzzled when “Nice. The discount is for only take- home the case of poker chips and one Wil the ten chairs became only two- myself out. I won’t have to clean your mess Weaton’s signed books as a second seat included. afterwards.” winner... I pass. Yes, the true Chinese With a suicide king and eight, I had “Oh.” Forest Gump wins the jersey (like the my last player put all his chips in. I He made my lunch in around ten jacket from the golf’s Masters tour) and matched it and expected to lose in the next minutes. The cook/cashier continues to learns the fleeting of fame. My eyes still few rounds. Instead, Wil showed our smile and said, “Cheers!” bears the flashes and blinds me to only the hands. My opponent had a pair of sixes. I opened my lunch sack and stared. jersey and another fun poker game online. The three cards did not help my hand. The cook/cashier laughed. Gee, more stress in the next level of Nor did these help my opponent. “What?” I said. poker. Afterwards, I found I’ve been The fourth card was an eight. I had a “Just your expression. You look like either called Captain (of the Poker Table) pair that might beat my poker nemesis. you seen a ghost.” or champ (Doctor, I think chump is the The fifth card told who the winner “Well, sort of...” actually word for me). I will write the was. This card benefited neither me nor I waved goodbye. experiences in the future Trading Posts. my rival. I had all the chips. The “ghost” meal was not exactly the (United Federation of Phoenix monthly I was the last person standing. Wil typical fish and chips. (Well, American email publication column) Who would Wheaton helped me wear red baseball ing 4 episodes do not exist as these two fish and chips.) The chips were not french have thought a new member from UFP jersey. The irony was not lost on me. I episodes hooked me totally. While the fries. It was actually fried chips of a could win the first Star Trek Poker was a now a red shirt winner in the first scripts for the remaining 4 episodes are potato. Also, the fish was not the two or tournament- Unlimited Texas Hold ‘Em? Star Trek Themed Cruise Poker tourna- included as PDFs they are a really poor more battered fried fish. It was a size of a I’m still pinching myself (Vulcan Death ment. photocopy of typewritten scripts and club. The thing was an actually fillet of an Grip) and still have no idea how to play Promptly after the contest, I lost $50 almost impossible to decipher. This is the entire fried fish in vinegar. Curious in this game. in the cruise casino. I guess I can never only disappointment in the set. finding these differences between two win. I can only pinch myself in winning The Quatermass Experiment can be countries making this same food, I took a Poker Face ST:TNG the first Cruise Trek Texas Hold ‘Em seen today as the typical “menace from space” storyline but in truth it is one of, if bite. The fish and chips were excellent. by Jeffrey Lu poker tournament. This must be a dream. After eating, I went to the National not the, first of its kind. A rocket takes off Musuem bookstore and bought, “History from Earth with three astronauts on board, I still have no idea. I only have a Boys.” I then proceeded to walk the bank it goes seriously off course and is believed baseball red shirt/jersey and a couple of Videophile of the Thames River, alone. lost until it crashes in England. But wait - photos that this event happened. I guess Looking back, this land of Alan Quatermass Collection only one of the astronauts is still inside... my fifteen minutes of fame are up. Moore, Neil Gaiman, the Bronte sisters, Quatermass Experiment/Quatermass II And there we are left hanging due to the This poker tournament started at 10 Beatles, Dickens, Shakespeare, and the Quatermass Experiment (2005) final four episodes being lost *sigh* p.m at a Star Trek Themed cruise, Cruise rest of the best walked this same beaten The Omega Factor Quatermass II finds us some years Trek. The first-time event was hosted by path near the waterway. I paused for a The Stone Tape later with Professor Quatermass working Wil Wheaton, Wesley Crusher from Star minute before the liquid history of the Children of the Stones on a new rocket and a plan to colonize the Trek: The Next Generation, and spon- Thames river. I smiled now with love and Chocky - Complete Collection moon and Mars. His daughter’s beau sored by Pokerstars.com. The admission affection for Earl Grey tea and British fish brings a mysterious meteorite for the was free for the poker players and the Star and chips. Hopefully, one day I will be Last month I got sick, couldn’t really Professor to examine and we are plunged Trek cruise audience. back. work up the enthusiasm to take care of into a story of alien invasion and govern- All the players present received either A new column, next time- An Ameri- chores and decided instead to spend ment conspiracy. a free hat or t-shirt with the logo can in Canada almost a week immersed in British The final serial of this collection is Pokerstars.com. I took a t-shirt. science fiction. Some of the DVDs below Quatermass and the Pit, possibly the most A Poker Novice to a Friend On the first day, there were fifty are out of print. Some are available only ambitious of the three serials. While players of 5 tables with ten people each in the UK but all are of interest to the by Jeffrey Lu excavating in London, builders stumble playing Texas Hold ‘EM. I had Wil on my science fiction fan and are worth the effort across a skull of an “ape man” that is table as a player. I thought this would last to find. British TV executives seemed to dated at five million years by Dr Matthew Doctor: till 11 p.m. have a higher opinion of their viewers’ Roney, a friend of Professor Quatermass. I have something embarassing to After midnight, 25 contestants were intelligence with the result being some As Dr. Roney’s team digs further in the report. Yes, it’s another Chinese Forest gone, the rest received a prize of an really good science fiction. excavation they unearth a strange cylinder Gump moment... additional free hat or t-shirt. I chose and As is reflected in the reviews below, of an unknown material. Totally uncov- Went on a week’s Star Trek Cruise in snatched a blue hat. Instead, the first day two days were devoted to various versions ered, the cylinder turns out to be a ship Canada. To say the least, went to an ended at 3 a.m. in the morning. The plan of the British cult series, Quatermass, with the remains of an insect type being. unlimited Texas Hold ‘Em poker as a was to have only nine for the last table, created by Nigel Kneale. As Quatermass investigates, the story beginning, clueless player. Had no The Captain’s Chair. Only ten survived. comes to a thrilling conclusion as the experience in how to play this type of Wil lost on my table. Only two from my Quatermass Collection Martian invaders attempt to finalize their poker (still have no idea...). I usually play original table made the final cut. I was BBC, 459 minutes, NR colonization of earth - five million years video poker and in college, penny and and still am clueless at how I was chosen Region 2 DVD L22.97 (US$42.53) too late! dimes on regular poker. There were fifty for the Captain’s Table. Nigel Kneale’s story-telling set the players including Wil Weaton. I lucked- The second and final day came at 10 This collection covers the three British standard for many of the basics that out to the last table- the Captain’s Table, pm sharp. I expected to lose. No way was TV serials from the early 1950’s, The science fiction fans take for granted today. the next day. Well, there were ten people. I going to win. So, like a fool, I decided to Quatermass Experiment, Quatermass II These serials are much superior to the If you can, please look at both be ready for the pajama party afterwards. I and Quatermass and the Pit. While I did Hammer film versions which most fans PokerStar.com and Wil Wheaton’s dressed up in ST:TNG officer uniform not see them in their original broadcast I will be familiar with. The BBC restoration website. I think they had actually photo- with a rank of lieutenant. did see parts of the third serial some years team has done a good job in cleaning up graphed the CruiseTrek event. I thought I So, Wil was the dealer on the ago and have always wanted to see them the film and audio though the subtitles are was going to get number 10 and obtain Captain’s Table. I sat and goofed off. I all. ( Continued on page 14 ) Volume 16 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 13 Videophile ( Continued from page 13 ) had come in the mail before the Donlevy show measures up to my memories of it; after.” a welcome addition in several scenes. films I might never have bothered we watched all ten episodes in one sitting. Fans of SF, both young and old, Most highly recommended - Stephanie L watching them. Running approximately It has just been released in the US and I should enjoy this set and those fascinated Bannon the same length as the Donlevy film, this urge you to go out right now and buy this with stone circles will find an interesting adaptation shows that it is possible to set if you like intelligent, spooky thrillers. explanation in this show. There is plot Quatermass Experiment/Quatermass II streamline the series without losing the Very highly recommended. - Stephanie L enough to keep the adults happy and DD Home Entertainment, meat or turning it into a mindless monster Bannon nothing too terrifying for the youngsters. 149 minutes, PG chase. An interesting extra is the interview Region 2 DVD L20.42 (US$37.81) Jason Flemyng (Hyde in The League The Stone Tape with Gareth Thomas. - Stephanie L of Extraordinary Gentlemen) is a good BFI Video Publishing, 89 minutes, PG Bannon This double set is the Hammer film casting choice for Professor Quatermass DVD L19.99 (US $36.50) versions of the Quatermass serials and there is also the added pleasure of Chocky - The Complete Collection reviewed above. watching David Tennant in a non-Doctor From the back cover: “Nigel Kneale’s Second Sight Films LTD, Having watched all three TV serials I Who role as Dr Gordon Briscoe. It would classic ghost story The Stone Tape, first 452 minutes, PG tore into this set mostly to see the ending be nice to see the BBC redo the other two broadcast by the BBC in 1972 and DVD L24.99 (US $46.00) of the Quatermass Experiment which is Quatermass serials with Flemyng in the repeated once only in 1973, represents missing in the TV serials. It is obvious Quatermass role. some of his finest work outside of his Chocky is based on a John Wyndham that the films were aimed at an American The DVD includes a 47-minute justly legendary Quatermass series.” novel. While Wyndham is better know for audience with the casting of American documentary Bring Something Back: The A group of research scientists set up in the apocalyptic The Day of the Triffids actor Brian Donlevy in the part of Making of The Quatermass Experiment an old mansion. Their project is to find a this is a tale of children, aliens and the Professor Quatermass. Director Val Guest that is mostly the actors and crew talking new recording medium. On arrival they evil of mankind’s greed. This set is also faced the problem of condensing about the making of with very little find that one room has not been finished comprised of Chocky, based on the three hours of TV serial into a 90 minute additional info though there are a few and it is, unfortunately, a vital room, the Wyndham book, and the sequels Chocky’s film so there is none of the calm thought- funny and interesting anecdotes included. storage room for the computer compo- Children and Chocky’s Challenge. ful deliberation on choices. Instead, Highly recommended. - Stephanie L nents. As they check it out they discover a In Chocky, Matthew Gore is a typical Donlevy’s Quatermass strides briskly Bannon ghost presence. schoolboy and then, suddenly, his from scene to scene with an assurance that While there is nothing overtly violent schoolwork drastically improves and he seems arrogant after the Quatermass of The Omega Factor in this story, the tale is, nonetheless, begins showing other, previously un- the TV serials. Koch Visions, 488 minutes, PG-13 creepy and scary. It shows exactly what known talents. When he talks about While entertaining enough on their DVD: $39.98 can be done with good plot and imagina- “Chocky” who is inside his head, his own they do not stack up favorably when tion instead of a reliance on flashy special parents at first fear mental illness and compared to the TV versions. Strangely I ran across this show when I lived effects. One glaringly obvious indication then, gradually, Matthew’s father comes enough, while the TV serial collection overseas and was delighted to find it on that this was filmed in the politically to recognize that Chocky is real. Unfortu- included subtitles the movie versions offer DVD from Britain. As of May 2 of this incorrect 70s is the repeated reference to nately others believe Chocky is real as neither subtitles or closed captions which year it is also available on this side of the the “Japs” as the competitors the group well and kidnap Matthew in order to learn would have been helpful in several scenes Atlantic. My first interest in watching the needs to beat to the punch. A lack of about Chocky. where the sound is not as clear as it could show was the casting of Louise Jameson either subtitles or closed captions is my In Chocky’s Children, Matthew has be. (Leela on Doctor Who) but the show major complaint as the sound is somewhat gone to visit his aunt and meets Albertine, Recommended for the serious collec- caught my interest all on its own. uneven. - Stephanie L Bannon a young math genius. They learn they can tor. - Stephanie L Bannon The Omega Factor is the story of communicate with each other via telepa- reporter Tom Crane, a reporter who often Children of the Stones thy. Albertine’s talents attract the attention The Quatermass Experiment (2005) covers the supernatural or at least odd Second Sight Films, LTD, of unscrupulous scientists and Chocky DD Home Entertainment, ball. While in Edinburgh on a stor,y he is 187 minutes, PG must return to help Matthew save 97 minutes, PG involved in an accident that leaves his DVD L19.99 (US $36.50) Albertine. DVD L12.99 (US $24.00) wife dead. After her death he finds out the she worked for a secret government From the back cover: “What is the On April 4, 2005, BBC 4 broadcast a agency, Department 7, that investigates all powerful force that seems to have taken live production of the original Quatermass types of psychic phenomena, along with a hold of the village of Millbury? Why are serial. Nigel Kneale was involved in mutual friend, Dr Anne Reynolds (Louise all the people acting so strangely and why rewriting the script to pare the original 3- Jameson). Recruited by Department 7 do they greet each other with a trancelike hour serial to this 97-minute production. because of his own psychic powers, Tom ‘happy day?’ The result is a more faithful reproduction begins an investigation into his wife’s These are the questions facing of Kneale’s original series than the death that leads him to a vast conspiracy - Matthew and his father soon after their Hammer films. The on-air bobbles have the Omega group. arrival. The answers lie in the giant been edited for the DVD release and I feel Like much British televison, this show ancient stones that surround the village - a it is too bad that the BBC did not include was written for thinking adults. The circle from which there may be no escape. those scenes as out takes. There is also a paranormal situations were interesting in Gareth Thomas (Blake’s 7) stars in the sort of greenish tinge to the whole film for and of themselves and as the show went cult tale of the supernatural originally some strange reason. on they were shown to be part of an broadcast in 1977.” This is a welcome addition to my overall conspiracy of possibly interna- I picked up this DVD for two reasons, In the concluding story, Chocky’s collection. Since this rebroadcast/ tional proportions. In many ways, it is the first I remember seeing it in the early 80s Challenge, a whole group of children reproduction follows the TV series script precursor of such shows as The X-Files or on PBS and secondly it stars Gareth have been brought together to work on a (unlike the Hammer films) it represents a Millennium though much more satisfying Thomas from Blake’s 7. I just love those project that will help mankind but the more faithful retelling of the series than either series. “If you bought___ then you might also military gets involved and attempts to including the action which took place in British television bowed to pressure like___” recommendations on Amazon’s steal the project and imprison Chocky as the missing episodes. I finally learned from a conservative group which objected site. well. what happened between Carroon’s wife to the paranormal content and there was This story held up over the years. I’ll While these were obviously done in and Dr Briscoe and the series finale, never a second series which is truly a admit I started watching it again for the the 1980s the story is a strong one and though taking place in Tate Modern shame. It remained in my memory for 25 pleasure of watching Thomas in some- holds up well. Wyndham’s original is the museum instead of Westminster Abbey, is years and I was quite pleased to stumble thing other than Blake’s 7 and then found strongest of the three stories but the other much more satisfying than the “shoot ‘em across the DVD on Amazon.co.uk, so myself involved in the story. The ending two are good compliments to the original. up” ending of the Hammer film. If this pleased I snatched it up immediately. The was realistic if not totally “happy ever Recommended. - Stephanie L Bannon Page 14 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 4 Harris’ description of Quinn, he ain’t my Africa on foot when part of the journey in getting information from Professor In Our Book type. He is mostly huge and… bald. wasn’t even in the real world. At the same Land’s computer drive which someone Definitely Dead But he is good to Sookie. time, Arthur Rimbaud is trying to track had erased incompetently. It turns out to by Charlaine Harris Eric (the gorgeous Viking era vam- George and take the Grail since Arthur contain part of a document about vam- Ace: $23.95; 324pp pire), who still wants to jump Sookie’s believes the Grail is for him, the rightful pires in an obscure dialect. Brandy’s bones and owns Fangtasia (a vampire heir. Arthur has a pretty hard time of it as investigation is complicated by her Oh yeah! Sookie Stackhouse is back bar), is back in the story as is Bubba, an well; as if the Grail was trying not to be attraction to Dan. To further the mystery, wheeling and dealing with the undead and undead and very famous performer when found. And, then 50 years later, a young the body of the elderly victim turns out to other assorted supernatural critters in the alive. Korean war veteran, Lance Porter, be that of the 40-something Professor wilds of Bon Temps, Louisiana. Trust me - this book is full of the scary becomes the heir-apparent. Lance only Land. What aged him? I am sure I am preaching to the and heart-pounding escapades that we wants to find his girlfriend who is in The clues lead Brand to a horrific converted here when I say how wonderful know and love as Sookie tries to untangle danger of becoming a commie while discovery of a centurie-long project by a this whole series of books has been. This her cousin’s legacy and stay alive in attending Berkeley. But he becomes Master Vampire who has slain hundreds is the sixth book and it is just as yummy vampire-haunted New Orleans. More fun convinced that the Grail is real and that he and will destroy Brandy and those she and engrossing as the last five. for us! - Sue Martin has an obligation to find it and claim it. loves if she can’t figure out a way to stop Sookie Stackhouse is a cocktail He reconciles with his lost brother who it. Only Dan Martin would believe her waitress with telepathic talent at Jennifer Scales was first in line of succession but who because he is himself a vampire - destined Merlotte’s Bar. It’s a nice comfortable bar. and the Ancient Furnace renounces the Grail in favor of Lance. He to be the victim of the “Harvest” of the The current owner, Sam… well he’s a by MaryJanice Davidson believes that he will be able to reunite Master Vampire. mite on the shape-shifting side (usually a and Anthony Alongi with his missing father and save the world The novel is well developed and has collie). Luckily, the town of Bon Temps Berkley JAM, 259 pp, $9.99 with the Grail. all the Suspense, Horror and Fear that has a mostly easy peace with those of the and If this all sounds confusing – it’s should be present in a good Horror Novel. supernatural persuasion. Jennifer Scales because it is. The author runs the two I recommend it highly. – Gary Swaty And Sookie, bless her, gets to tangle and the Messenger of Light stories side-by-side in alternating chap- with all of them. by MaryJanice Davidson ters. While this device usually works and Veniss Underground On this particular outing, Sookie finds and Anthony Alongi makes a simple story more interesting, I by Jeff Vandermeer that she’s inherited from her recently Berkley JAM, 328 pp, $9.99 only found it a bit tedious. I couldn’t Bantam Spectra Books, 278 pp, $14.00 deceased cousin Hadley who was the figure out, for instance, why he named vampire Queen of Louisiana’s consort. Jennifer is a typical teenager, she plays Arthur so, if he wasn’t intended to be the Finally, a Library of Congress catalog- And though she doesn’t want to, she finds soccer, has just started high school and, heir. I mean, Arthur, for pity’s sake. And ing-in-publication of a novel that gets it she has to go to New Orleans to claim her oh yes, she’s just found out she is a were- then to name our eventual hero: Lance. I exactly right! The indicia page nails it inheritance. dragon. If that isn’t enough, she is couldn’t figure that one out either. Even perfectly: Civilization. Subterranean. And in the meantime, the ghost of different from all the other were-dragons. the title doesn’t seem to have meaning. I Regression (Civilization). Animal Debbie Pelt (a character in the last novel) Learning how to handle herself as a actually had a hard time defining why I Experimentation. Genetic Engineering. has come back to haunt Sookie’s life. Not didn’t like this book. The storyline was Underground Areas. literally, funnily enough. But her family is unnecessarily vague and confusing. persistent in trying to sort out the circum- Characters were introduced without being ( Continued on page 16 ) stances regarding her death and Sookie is fleshed out. While I usually love Grail reluctant to tell them all. stories, this one gets a big thumbs-down. - Catherine Book SORCERESS SEEKS Ahh, the tale just gets more wonderful APPRENTICES as it moves along. It seems everyone wants ol’ Sookie. Blood Will Tell First, there is Calvin Norris, head of the by Jean Lorrah Those of you who have neighboring clan of were-panthers. Then Benbella Books, 2001, Trade caught my act at Pagan Pride there is Alcide Herveaux, also a Were, Paperback, 278 Pages, $14.95 Day, or the Witches’ Ball, or who is still mighty sweet on Sookie. various local ceremonies, take There are also a couple of fairies and Murphy, Kentucky is a town located note: I will teach all my some demons and the usual assortment of on the same site as the author’s home knowledge of Bardic Magick - Weres and vampires. Sookie’s friends and town of Murray, Kentucky. She says that music, poetry, psionics, and the potential lovers are just never, the police department is based on Ken- relationships between them - to well…normal. dragon, dealing with ancient enemies and tucky small town police departments but any qualified person willing to Sookie reluctantly goes to New trying to keep her secrets and not lose her that the characters and events are fic- rent a room in my house in west Orleans to sort through Hadley’s estate friends..... who thought high school could tional. The story begins on the campus of Phoenix. The house is in a quiet be this hard? Jackson Purchase State University in residential neighborhood near and gets convinced to go to a high-level th vampire conference which involves the These books are well crafted and are a Murphy. The author, Jean Lorrah, is a 59 Avenue and Thomas Road, outrageous court of the vampire Queen of quick, light read. Ms Davidson and her professor of English at Murray State within walking distance of a Louisiana and her new King from husband have created a wonderful series University in Murray. She has used what shopping center and within easy Arkansas…an uneasy marriage at best, for both the young adult fan and the she knows well to build a backdrop for bus-ride of two community but politically necessary. young at heart reader. - Stephanie L her story. Her references to drug problems colleges. $360 per month plus a Oh, and did I mention? Sookie has a Bannon in the High School and young women share of the housework covers new boyfriend!!! hooking to get money to cover costs show rent and utilities, including She completely dumps that sucker One King, One Soldier a knowledge of current life and problems phone, cable TV and cable Bill. (Okay he really is a sucker, a by Alexander C. Irvine in her town. She weaves all of these and Internet connection. Yes, I’m vampire from the Civil War and Sookie’s $13.95, Ballantine Books, 337 pp many more elements of current small willing to teach complete nearest neighbor). I have to admit, I am town America into her story. beginners. Applicants must sorry she dumped him because he was This is a grail story and a Fisher King The dead body of an incredibly elderly tolerate cats, smokers, and pretty cool, but he kind of dumped Sookie story. This is a story of three men seeking man is found in the office of middle-aged musicians who keep odd hours. It for another vampire…it’s long the same thing…maybe. George Gibson is Classics Professor, Everett Land. Detec- interested, phone me at 623-247- story…actually, another novel. a early 20th century ballplayer who has the tive Brandy Mather is called on the case. 7809 evenings. But now, Sookie has Quinn, a task of returning the Grail (yes, the grail Who is this man? Where is Professor shapeshifter, whose usual animal form is a of Christian mythology) to its home in Land? She is aided by the university’s Leslie the Bard were-tiger. I have to admit, based on Ms Abyssinia. It wasn’t easy trekking across computer scientist, Professor Dan Martin, Volume 16 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 15 In Our Book ( Continued from page 15 ) Beliefs in mysterious Underworlds are run of the series, and, in some cases, what beginnings of the series and insight into as old as humanity. From the ancient went on behind the scenes was more what it might have been if Wolfe had been Let me connect the dots: centuries in Sumerians to Incas to modern Christians, interesting than what was produced and kept on. She talked with the writers who our future, government has collapsed, nearly every culture has had its special put on the screen in the episodes of the stayed on as well as new writers to give leaving cities like Veniss with their own version. However, the idea that the earth series. Jill Sherwin has put together a the reader insight into the changes that separate precinct authorities. All the has a hollow interior where strange lands, detailed and extensive guide to Androm- happened in the later seasons. advances in biology have left a menagerie creatures, and civilizations may exist was eda, both on screen and off. The book is well-organized with of hybrid animals, including the mistakes first proposed as a scientific theory in The show started out strong under the sections on each episode, as well as that live only to suffer. This creation 1692 by Sir Edmund Halley (of Halley’s guidance of Robert Hewitt Wolfe, who season introductions and summaries to occurs in the underground levels, true hell comet fame). Since then, it has been used created the Andromeda universe from give you more information about the big on earth. Cities are separated by polluted as a popular literary motif by writers as notes and ideas left behind by Gene picture within the show as well as what wildlands of marauding mutants. varied as Edgar Allen Poe, Jules Verne, Roddenberry. But midway through the things were going on in the production Insert one mythic story of Orpheus’ Lewis Carroll, L. Frank Baum, and Edgar second season, Wolfe was let go by the world to influence the changes. Sherwin journey into the underworld to rescue his Rice Burroughs, to name a few. producers, derailing any long-term plans has put a lot of work and time into this lover Eurydice. The Orpheus is named Hollow Earth traces this notion Wolfe had for any of the characters or the book and it shows. Details on ordering the Shadrach (told in third person), the through the centuries and cultures, overall story arc. By the time the series book direct from the writer can be found Eurydice is named Nicola (told in second exploring how each era’s relationship to ended, it was a much different show and at www.sailingtheslipstream.com - Lee person), and her twin brother is named the notion of a hollow earth reflected its had gone through many other changes Whiteside Nicholas (told in first person). Shadrach’s particular hopes, fears, and values. over the five years it was on the air. journey is full of wonders, technological Lavishly illustrated-including Bosch’s In Jill Sherwin’s guide to Andromeda, Wildwood Road and biological, combining to make a inspired surreal nightmares of Hell, she details a lot of the behind-the-scenes by Christopher Golden setting that seems almost a fantasy instead seventeenth-century maps and diagrams action on the series, having interviewed $12.00, Bantam Books, 311 pp of science fiction. of the interior, illustrations from early writers and stars of the series for all five The novel is followed by four stories Jules Verne editions and other novels, seasons. She provides in-depth analysis of Christopher Golden does it to me also set in the Veniss world, which show a pulp art from World War I through the each episode; in some cases, detailing again. He snuck up on me with another progression in time. In the last one, the 1940s, plus movie posters and much more changes they went through from the drop-dead sneaky bit of horror. This little advanced meercats have organized from - this unique book will appeal to readers original idea to the finished episode. She story is about one of the nicest guys that servitude to conquest, and are attacking of many sorts: those interested in the points out the high points of the series as ever existed in fiction (and certainly humanity with gigantic dogs. You may history of science, religion, utopian well as the low points, discussing what doesn’t exist in my reality…) Michael is never look at dogs and cats in the same fiction, and real-life experiments; science made each episode work (or not) without totally in love with his wife, Jillian, who way again. And I start to think that maybe fiction fans, film buffs, and those intrigued pulling any punches. Jill was a writer’s is also such a really sweet, nice person. the new biology won’t solve all of the by the remarkable evolution of ideas over assistant during the first season of the (Don’t you just know something truly world’s problems after all. centuries.” show and sold a story for the second awful has to happen to two such unbeliev- But what a way to come to such For a Science Fiction fan, this is a season, giving her a good look into the questions, in the grip of a mythic story great and well-illustrated book. Being a ( Continued on page 17 ) beautifully told. Shadrach’s journey to big fan of Jules Verne and Edgar Rice rescue Nicola also resembles the arche- Burroughs, I enjoyed this book from typal private eye on a mystery quest into cover to cover. The first hollow earth the criminal underworld. Not exactly a book I read was Tarzan at the Earth’s mixing of genres, or is it? You can see on Core and later the Pellucidar series that Wikipedia that Vandermeer is considered Burroughs also wrote. Chapter seven is one of the “New Weird” writers, who “Burroughs At the Earth’s Core”. And aspire to the creativity of the old pulp Chapter 4 is “Jules Verne: A Journey to magazines. This confirms it. - Mike the Center of Geology.” Both gave me Griffin insight to the real lives of both authors. The end of the book just stops short Hollow Earth and leaves you wondering where the last by David Standish chapter went? Maybe the ninth chapter is Perseus Books, 303 pp, $24.95 up to you to figure out for yourself. The only other thing is I wish Hollow Earth From the back cover: “A fascinating was illustrated in color. - Craig L Dyer and beautifully illustrated cultural history of ideas about what might exist under the Sailing the Slipstream: Earth’s surface-in mythology, religion, An Unofficial and Unauthorized Guide science, literature, and plain old to Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda crackpottery. by Jill Sherwin WriterGroupie Press $25, 490 pages

The science fiction TV series Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda recently completed a five-year run with little fanfare, having fallen off the radar of most genre TV fans even after the fifth and final season was picked up by the SciFi Channel. By the time the series ended, it had about a quarter of the viewers it started with, leaving only the die-hard fans watching the show as it lumbered to a halt. You may ask why we need a compre- hensive guide to a series that wasn’t as popular as other recent space series. There were some good things done during the Page 16 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 4 In Our Book ( Continued from page 16 ) Twelve Houses---the upper crust of great deal to the fact that Conan Doyle “oh my!” Throw in a rabid Senator, a Gillengarian society. However, Kirra was a Medical man first, then an author. shady government researcher, a mysteri- ably nice people in a Golden story?) decides to travel in style (unlike her E. J. Wagner has produced a marvel- ous old werewolf, a beautiful and power- Golden has a talent for putting his travels in the precious novel), and in ous ramble through the development of ful vampire and a bounty hunter on top of innocent protagonists into horrible disguise this time, hoping that people will Victorian Forensic Medicine and Crime the usual Washington D.C. politics and situations that were truly none of their be more forthcoming around her sister, Scene Analysis. Any follower of the Kitty is having a busy week..... there is fault. There are a thousand horror stories Casserah who does not like to travel and current CSI TV shows will appreciate this. almost no time for sightseeing. about the wannabe wizard/witch/sorcerer whose personality is much more acerbic It puts crime scene analysis into historical This sequel is fast paced and action who ‘unwittingly’ unleashes some than Kirra’s. Casserah and Kirra’s father perspective. packed. I sat down and read it straight disgustingly nasty creature on themself. Malcolm need someone to travel about The book includes chapters covering through to the end. I can’t wait for the And stories about some unredeemable and get the pulse of the members of the autopsies, folk lore and superstition, next book in the series. - Stephanie L piece of human trash who gets his/her Twelve Houses. Is there a revolt foment- natural history, poisons, the Victorian Bannon comeuppance in an awful fashion. Or, ing against the king and his family? And crime scene in London, tattoo marks, even if the good guy is really good and who is trying to kill the man designated as scars, the Victorian criminal gang scene, Treasure Forest innocent, he does something unbelievably Regent, and should the king die before his ballistics, footprints, fingerprints, Ber- by Cat Bodhri stupid and puts himself or a loved one daughter and heir reaches her majority? tillon measurements, handwriting identifi- Ace Books; 288 pp.; $14 into a bad situation. But not in a Golden Kirra’s travels are fascinating. And she cation, soil identification, hair identifica- story – his people never do anything falls in love with Romar Brendyn, the tion, fiber identification, blood identifica- This is a sweet book. Mostly a deserving of what happens to them. It’s designated regent. They fall into a tion and pseudo-science including juvenile, I think. But the most enthusiastic like having lunch at a MacDonalds and passionate affair, which really adds spice phrenology and inherited criminal traits. word I can come up with is, well, “like.” I someone you never met before decides to to the novel. Of course, there is one itty The book also notes instances where liked this book. It is a deep, quiet stream spend their day spraying 9mm bullets all bitty problem: Romar Brendyn is married. the Great Detective falls prey to the of a tale, very much about maintaining our over you and your fellow diners. You just And Kirra actually meets Brendyn’s wife scientific misconceptions of his time connection to the natural world around us never saw it coming… and to her chagrin, finds she is a very paying particular attention to several so we do not lose the essentials of our For Michael, it started while coming sweet, even-tempered woman. phrenological references. Wagner quotes spirit. A quote from poet Gerald Manley home from a party with his wife. He just So, poor Kirra, swept away by love, Holmes in his own defense from “The Hopkins, “The dearest freshness deep happened to be in the wrong place when constantly fights her overpowering Adventure of the Empty House” where he down in things” is a mantra throughout he almost ran down a little blond-haired emotions and subsequent guilt (Brendyn says “that sometimes we come into those this book. girl who was standing on the shoulder doesn’t fight his too hard). Their romance realms of conjecture where even the most The Maclennon family moves to take after midnight in the middle of nowhere. takes place during a Royal Progress with logical mind may be at fault.” possession of Grandma Daphne’s house in After a bizarre trip to her house, she left the Queen Valri and Princess Amalie as The book is a must have for any the deep woods after she dies. Lily, him with the admonition to ‘come find they attend the summer season’s round of murder mystery reader and any history Grandma Daphne’s daughter, doesn’t me.’ And now he has to. He can’t sleep or parties and balls. The Royal Progress is buff; not just the Holmes fans. – Gary want to return to her childhood home concentrate on work. And he cannot find not just a lark by two royal ladies but a Swaty because of trauma she suffered there the house again, no matter how he tries. much needed show of strength from King while growing up. The husband Peter is a But the worst is when the deathly, hollow Baryn. The Houses need to see his wife The Food of the Gods and pleasant, confused cipher in this tale and women come to his house to discourage and daughter are capable women. How it Came to Earth Lily, frankly, is mostly a hysterical, his search. And instead of hurting As they go from House to House, by H.G . Wells touchy woman. Because of how she is Michael, they take something invaluable Kirra and her companions (Cammon, Dover, 192 pp, $6.95 presented, I don’t much care what her from his beloved wife. Michael’s loving, Justin, Senneth, Tayse and Donal join issues are. Neither parent is fleshed out kind wife is now a bitter, angry woman them to protect the Queen and Princess) Food of the Gods and How it Came to much. The subsidiary characters in this who will strike back at him in every way find that revolt is still very much in the Earth is one of H.G. Wells’ lesser known novel are much more interesting. possible. Now, he has a bigger mission: air. We even run into the nasty Halchon works, published in 1904. The two children, Ben and Sara, are not just to save the child but to save Jillian Gisseltess from the previous book, who is A pair of scholarly scientists stumble the stars of this tale (along with a few and his sanity. the point man in all the unrest. And who onto a way to make food grow faster and others). It is their journey into their inner This is such a well-plotted, and well- still makes no secret of his wanting to bigger which will help meet the growing selves and how they help their parents written story. Golden takes us with marry Senneth after he gets rid of his needs of society’s appetite. But when gain their equilibrium with the natural Michael every step of the way so that we current wife. folks try the new food on children, it is are there with him. We can understand his The novel is full of intrigues and soon apparent that the children are desperation and despair that this just battles and interesting characters. We have growing bigger and smarter . Soon society might be more than he can deal with. My less of the Daughters of the Pale Mother is split by food-borne distrust. only criticism – and it is only a matter of who had a strong presence in the last Written satirically, the book is enter- taste – is that they continued to be book. They are still about, still preaching taining as we deal with social commentary ordinary people in the end when I really the evils of believing in the powers of relevant to the current genetic engineering wanted them to continue to be heroes and mystics, but their presence is more muted and ethics debate. - Pam Allan save everyone. - Catherine Book this time out. But there is still plenty here to keep Kitty Goes To Washington The Thirteenth House you interested and anxious for the next by Carrie Vaughn by Sharon Shinn book! A great Summer read. ~ Sue Warner, 342 pp, $6.99 Ace Hardcover; $24.95; 423pp Martin Kitty, the werewolf heroine of Kitty This is the second book in the “Twelve The Science of Sherlock Holmes and the Midnight Hour, returns. Having Houses” series (the first being “Mystic by E. J. Wagner left Colorado and her pack behind, Kitty and Rider.”) And this is just as entertain- John Wiley and Sons takes her paranormal radio talk show on world that is the heart of the matter. I am ing as the first one. Hoboken New Jersey 2006 the road, broadcasting from a different The tale delves deeper into the life of not real sure of their ages though at the Hard Cover 244 Pages, includes Index city each week. She is coming to terms beginning of the book Ben is in seventh Kirra of House Danalustrous, shapeshifter and Bibliography with the death of her friend T.J., her ouster and healer of the group of mystics and grade and Sara is twelve. from her pack, and her public ‘outing’ as a The big drama in this novel is that soldiers that were the core of the previous As the Subtitle says “From Baskerville real werewolf. Then she is subpoenaed by novel. In this tale, we once again go on a Sara goes missing one afternoon. Of Hall to the Valley of Fear, the Real Congress to testify at a hearing that is course, after she’s been soundly told to journey throughout the land of Forensics behind the Great Detective’s delving into the existence of supernatural Gillengaria, to various members of the Greatest Cases.” Doubtless we owe a beings, werewolves and vampires and... ( Continued on page 18 ) Volume 16 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 17 as “what happens if Buffy the Vampire ground passages. To rescue her they must Slayer, grew up, got married and retired to avoid nasty Psi traps and Psychic Ghosts. the suburbs,” it is developing into much During this mess, they uncover a plot Wanted...... more. Kate balances her two lives deftly, which endangers the Guild and the safety giving up a demon hunt to comfort her of all Harmony. They must figure out what is going on and who is responsible Hardy souls to sort 500,000 books. before dire things come about. What they Flexible hours, payment in books. Warehouse don’t realize is that they and their relation- ship are pivotal. in north Phoenix. August thru October only. The story has Romance, Excitement and Danger in a very skillfully developed If you think you have the right stuff and books and unusual universe. If you like this, look at Afterglow and Bridal Jitters, also are your game, please contact Catherine for set on Harmony. – Gary Swaty

details at Forbidden Cargo [email protected] by Rebecca K. Rowe Edge, 352 pp, $14.95

In Our Book ( Continued from page 17 ) Americans. To this end she travels across Forbidden Cargo is a debut novel. The year is 2110. On Mars, a secret not wander off. She goes missing for the U.S. for eight difficult years ending up project to create the next step in human several days…and eventually the search in in 1855. Here our story best friend over a cheating husband and evolution. The world has developed the M for her because a bit of a media circus. truly begins. mixing a demon hunt with a Christmas [molecular] A [advantage] M [machine] a The scary bit is there is a lone wolf of a She meets William Tecumseh shopping stop. Things are becoming more virtual instant access experience to all man out there in the woods, with a Sherman, a San Francisco Banker and complicated for Kate, there are the humanity’s Knowledge. Cried Xerkler, it’s connection to Lily that lives in a burrow develops a loving Vampire relationship. questions about her first husband’s death, creator is unwittingly entangled in a plot in the ground (sort of a rough-edged smial The novel delves into Sherman’s psyche, what to tell her 14 year old daughter about by the council to prove the existence of an like a hobbit). He lives off the land and personality and character. She leaves her past, not to mention their constant illegally engineered race called Imigofas can “talk” to ravens and coyotes. His continuing her studies of Native American debate about dating, the needs of her or nanogens. Revered by many, they’re name is Daggett and he is the boogie man culture. Periodically she send her mono- current husband’s race for political office, considered by the council to be a danger- of the tale. He’s moderately creepy and graphs to Saint-Germaine in Amsterdam her strange attraction to the new teacher at ous aberration and a threat to mankind.. has something to do with Sara’s disap- for publication. school and oh, it does prove the old In their quest to prove this crime pearance. In 1860 she is trapped by the Ameri- adage, “a friend will help you move but a against humanity, the Council abducts two The book is a pretty, moderately can Civil War and attempts to avoid it by good friend will help you move a body” Imagofas from Mars and smuggles them interesting journey. There are no real residing in rural Georgia. Here she takes as Laura helps Kate dispose of a dead to Earth, but the abduction takes an surprises and though there is drama, it is care of orphans and wounded soldiers demon. unexpected twist and the Imagofas not that compelling. The writing is fine; from both sides and encounters Sherman As soon as the book arrived in the become fugitives. The Council wants Bodhri constructs tight little paragraphs again. mail I opened the package and read it in them dead, others want to capitalize on and short chapters. Overall, the novel is The contradictions and complexity of one sitting. I can hardly wait for the next their existence. The Imagofas just want to esoteric and a bit cosmic. Both children Sherman’s personality make this an one. - Stephanie L Bannon go home.. To escape, they must rescue learn not only about the well of stillness/ interesting book. The wonderful detail in Xerkler, with the aid of the Cadet, a hard wholeness each soul contains, but some the research about people and places, Ghost Hunter core gamer, Ochbo, a cleanlife pervert, practical information as well. This is the culture and mind set, made it difficult to by Jayne Castle [Jane Ann Krentz] and Prometheus, an enlightenment start of “The Forest Inside” trilogy. But put down. I enjoyed it hugely as an Jove Books New York 2006 [Paperback seeking MAMintelligence, and get back unless Bodhri does something very historical novel about a difficult era in our 340 Pages] to Mars. unexpected in the next two books, I think history. This is an engrossing book where I’ll pass on them. - Sue Martin But again it is not Horror. In fact, I would say that most of Chelsea Quinn Two hundred years after the collapse science and science fiction meet in a of the Inter Stellar Transportation Curtain, complex future that is both incredible and In The Face of Death Yarbro’s recent output falls into the the isolated Earth Colony on the planet believable and moves with the speed of by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro historical novel category. She calls this Harmony has evolved in ways its planners light. Try and put it down between plot Benbella Books, 2001, Trade one “An Historical Horror Novel.” The would not have expected. From the amber twists. Go ahead. Try.... - Pam Allan Paperback, 341 Pages, $14.95 woman has been tricking Horror Fans into reading excellent Historical Novels. – in Alien structures beneath, they have developed a civilization which utilizes psi Glasshouse The reason I am belatedly reviewing Gary Swaty energy “as a power source for everything by Charles Stross this 2001 book is the epiphany I came to Demon from automobiles to dishwashers.” Ace, 335 pp, $24.95 when I read it this week. Chelsea Quinn Elly St. Clair was descended from the Yarbro has written a marvelous Historical by Julie Kenner founders of the powerful Guild which Glasshouse is a new novel by the novel. It is not Horror in the technical Berkley, 342 pp, $14.00 regulates application of psi energy. author of Accelerando. When Robin sense. It does not rouse those emotions of Cooper Boone was the head of the Aurora wakes up in a clinic with most of his terror, fear of the unknown. It does not Kate Conner is a retired demon hunter Springs Guild. They were to be married memories missing, he finds someone is probe the nameless fears so beloved of living in the suburbs with her second but because of a misunderstanding, Elly trying to kill him. Poe, Le Fanu, Lovecraft, Clark Ashton husband and two kids. The events of flees to Cadence City, a major source for In a 27th century world where Smith... Its sole claim on Horror is that the Carpe Demon brought Kate out of psi materials and research, and opens St. teleporting is the transit of choice, and main character is a Vampire. retirement. Now she juggles car pools, Clair’s Herbal Emporium in Old Quarter wars are fought by network worms that Madelaine de Montallia, a French play dates and political dinners with her near “the massive green quartz wall of the then edit memories and target historians, Vampire created by Ragoczy, Compte de secret life as a demon hunter. Toss in dead city.” Robin has been targeted for the memories Saint-Germaine a century and a third Christmas shopping, demonic surfers, a Six months later Cooper follows her he may have once had. Searching for a before, is our protagonist. During her long mysterious rogue demon hunter and her and she immediately drags him into a place to hide, Robin volunteers for a life, she has developed a scholarly bent daughter’s first serious crush and what is rescue beneath the city. A friend of hers polity that sets up a pre-acceleration and an interest in preserving for posterity a mom to do? has discovered a drug lab there and is society with anonymous identities. But the culture and beliefs of the Native This series is delightful. Often touted injured and hiding in the ancient under- ( Continued on page 19 ) Page 18 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 4 In Our Book ( Continued from page 18 ) Speculative fiction it definitely is - but The Four Forges The House of Storms seemingly creating its own sub-genre like by Jenna Rhodes by Ian MacLeod once in the escape-proof facilities, Robin Vandermeer’s City of Saints and Madmen. Daw, 547 pp, $23.95 Ace Books, 457 pp, $24.95 will undergo even more radical changes at Well-written with quirky characters - the mercy of the experimenters and a stand back: Vellum may burn. - Pam The Four Forges is the first volume of Mr. MacLeod is also the author of the destiny that none perceived. Allan. The Elven Ways. Kerith is a land without Great Wheel and The Light Ages. Alice Well-written, thought provoking, and magic. The Magi Wars killed the Magi, Maynell has climbed to the exalted rank action packed, this is not only a good read The Blood Books, Volume 1 and only their Galdarkian warriors created of Greatgrandmistress of the Guild of but you’ll want to add it to your library to by Tanya Huff to fight the Magi wars remain. The Telegraphers. Her only son, Ralph, is reread multiple times. - Pam Allan Daw, 554 pp, $7.99 Galdarkans, the peaceful Dwellers, dying of consumption. No medicine will Kernan tradesmen, and brutish Bolgers cure him. Alice takes him to Invercombe Regeneration The Blood Book , Volume 1 is the first had all coexisted after the wars until the for the benefits of clean sea air. But she by Julie E. Czerneda two books of the Vicki Nelson and Henry arrival of the Vaelinars, who arrived on also hopes for healing from the home of Daw, 543 pp, $24.95 Fitzroy series. There will be two addi- the winds of a spell storm with no the changelings, Einfell. tional volumes in this series. memory of their past. Gradually they Now healed, ignorant of how, Ralph Regeneration is volume three of the In Blood Price, Vicki Nelson was a pieced together a past and resumed old finds love in the arms of a servant girl, Species Imperative series. Dr. Mackenzie homicide detective - a good one, till feuds. They also brought elemental magic Marion Price. As they plan for their Conner and Dr. Emily Mamani are back vision loss took her job, and she became a with them. Now, years later, the accords future, Alice sets events in motion, events from their harrowing experience with the private investigator. She becomes en- that ended the feuding are in danger of that threaten to not only tear lovers apart Ro and now must solve the riddle of a meshed in a case involving dark magic being shattered. Illegal arms are being but also end the Age of Light. species of Alien whose migratory path and to stop the killings, she partners with forged. Assassination attempts on the The book features not only perfect threatens to annihilate all forms of Henry Fitzroy, a romance writer, who is Queen, and numerous attempts to shift the world-building (though not a perfect sentient life. Who are the bad guys, the Ro also the illegitimate son of Henry VIII, balance of power are rife. There are world) and complex plotting, it also or the Dhryn ? Who is the manipulator and a vampire with knowledge of the attacks on the Dwellers, and pollution of features characters that grow before your and who is the tool? It will take all their occult realms. the sacred river. Those who would stand eyes into complex protagonists. MacLeod strength, skills and courage, as well as a In Blood Trail, Henry and Vicki must against the evils are led by Lariel leaves no character unfleshed, no matter cast of delightful aliens, to solve the stop an assassin with silver bullets who is Anderieon, her brother Jeredon, and the how minor. puzzle before their part of the galaxy is decimating a family of werewolves that Dweller family, the Farbranches who This is a keeper. The language is wiped out. had peacefully coexisted with their adopted Rivergrace, a Vaelarian child exquisite, drawing the reader into the Czerneda writes an action-packed tale, neighbors for centuries. brought to them as a babe tied to a story and holding them spellbound. full of fascinating and fully realized I look forward to the entire series kindling raft who came with no history Urban Fantasy at its best - Pam Allan characters and the wackiest bunch of coming out in doubles. My set of singles and hidden talents of her own. Can this aliens that ever existed in a bureaucratic had gotten pretty battered in moving. For dedicated group find a way to prevent a The Lost Fleet: Dauntless setting.. The author’s biological training those who have never read the series, I devastating Civil War? by Jack Campbell gives reality to a warning about interfer- envy your pleasure in delving into your Rhodes has built a fully realized world Ace, 293 pp, $6.99 ing with environment, evolution, and first adventure in this world of fast with engaging characters with a danger- normal biological cycles. I now want to moving, memorable characters and ous manifest destiny. The characters are The Lost Fleet: Dauntless is a stand- read the first two volumes but Regenera- humor. If you haven’t already got them: complex and real in perilous times and alone but is set to spawn a series. The tion stands alone quite well. This one is a Wallets out, Charge. - Pam Allan leave you waiting anxiously to see what is Alliance has been fighting the Syndics for keeper. - Pam Allan resolved. A bright beginning for a new a century and losing badly. Now the light on the fantasy horizon. - Pam Allan Alliance fleet is crippled and stranded in Vellum enemy territory. Their only hope is a man by Hal Duncan who has been in hibernation for most of Del Ray Books, 463 pp, $14.95 that century and has been turned into a heroic legend that never existed. The Vellum is the start of The Book of All admiral, commanding the fleet has turned Hours. The second volume, Ink, is listed over his command to negotiate with the as forthcoming. ( Continued on page 20 ) The year is 2017 and angels and demons walk the earth. Once human, they have been transformed by the ancient machine code that provide the basis for reality itself. The unkin, those who have been transformed, seek the Book of All Hours, the mythical blueprint where all of reality is transcribed. But the mythical tome has been lost in the Vellum, where all of eternity is only a scratch on its surface. The Vellum - where a fallen angel and a renegade devil are about to settle an age old feud, and where past, present, and future will collide with ancient worlds and myths. Within the constantly changing reality of a war that has raged throughout space and time, it becomes a lingering night- mare in a temporal schizophrenic’s mind, in a world where nothing stays the same and characters seem to dance between the pixels of transient realities.

Volume 16 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 19 In Our Book ( Continued from page 19 ) witness, she is imprisoned, Lewen is accompany a fallen noblewoman on a ensorcelled away, and she is condemned perilous quest to save their precious land MangaZone enemy who then proceeded to destroy to death. Her nights are haunted by the and rejoin Lexander to free the other sex ConNotations introduces a new column this them and their staff, Geary has awakened malevolent ghost of a dead queen who slaves. as leader of a fleet about to be destroyed. issue - MangaZone will bring you reviews and wants her body to live again. Rhiannon Well written, this is essentially a news of Manga and Comics Geary must ignore the worship and do vows to escape and win back Lewen with sexual fantasy of dominance and submis- his duty, save the fleet and the hypernet the help of her tamed, black flying horse. sion with only the olfs and strange DeathNote Volume. 1-6 key that may be the key to winning the This basic Fantasy with well-drawn background to give it claim to the by Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata war, and do it despite the rebellious characters, good plotting, and enough “fantasy” genre. - Pam Allan (Illustrator) officers under his command. To do it, he intrigue to please Machiavelli is an Tokyopop/VIZ Media, 200 to 210 pages, will have to become the myth. entertaining adventure well worth the Alphanauts $7.99 each Campbell has written a fine volume of read. - Pam Allan by J. Brian Clarke military science fiction, an exciting edge Edge, 325 pp, $14.95 I recently read Deathnote and it was a of your seat ride with characters that carry To Serve and Submit wonderful twisting mystery. I was drawn you along involved with the action so it is by Susan Wright Alphanauts is the second book by the into the story instantly. hard to put down. If you have a liking for Roc, 299 pp. $14.00 author of the Expediter. The story follows a Shinigami (a military science fiction you’ll want to join Genser’s world is earthlike, a place for Japanese death god) named Ryuk, who this fleet. - Pam Allan To Serve and Submit is a stand-alone mankind to go, but the travelers that drops his death note (a notebook carried novel. Marja is a girl of the fens, beauti- found it also found the Earth Allergy. by Shinigami in which they write the The Shining City ful and capable of communicating with Deep sleep has its long term effects, The by Kate Forsythe olfs, the ethereal pixie-ish spirits of the Alphanauts will return to Genser’s world Roc, 522 pp, $ 7.99 land. Her family barely gleans a poor and prepare for colonists. But when they living from the swamps. return, they are shot down by an ancient The Shining City is book two of When Lexander, the handsome ship from another space going species.. Rhiannon’s Ride which began with The procurer for the Pleasure houses makes an And there is a ship two from still another Tower of Ravens. Rhiannon is a wild half offer - she is sold into slavery to become entity at war with the first. The humanoid human, half Satyricorn girl with strong schooled in seduction and the arts of peoples have devolved over the millennia. magical talent. Lewen, an apprentice carnal delight. She discovers she is a true witch, has convinced her to return with submissive and grows to love her master. him and learn to use those talents. She is When Lexander frees her, she finds few also the only witness to the illegal acts of care about the conquered or who oppose a malevolent Lord-sorcerer who would them. Caught up in the raging torrent of destroy the Kingdom. Before she can bear blood, betrayal, and intrigue, Marja must

names of people who die soon after.) A young Japanese high school genius named Light finds it and decides to use it to make HELP WANTED the world a better place, by killing off criminals under the name of Kira. Soon an Do you enjoy CopperCon? HexaCon? Any of the other international taskforce of joint nation law local volunteer, fan-run conventions? CopperCon and enforcement agencies comes together to solve the murders. They call in the master HexaCon and the others are staffed completely by unpaid sleuth L to capture Kira. As they start volunteers, from the chair person to the volunteer that trying to identify each other in a danger- But the sentient ships are still aware and ous game of cat and mouse, Light and the helps for only one hour. smart enough to survive. They also have real L soon become friends while still the Catbirds, a semi-sentient form of trying to keep their identities from each If you enjoy our events and want them to continue then flying warm fuzzies full of unconditional other. As their schemes get closer and love that came with ship one. They love closer to each other finding ou,t a fake please consider helping any or all of Arizona’s fan run humans too. Kira pops up stating she believes in what events. As the Alphanauts struggle to form a the real one is doing and want to help. The working gestalt, another ship arrives two 2 Kiras meet and Light gains an ally and years early with a sentient computer at the an unexpected girlfriend in Miu. L gets For information on available CopperCon positions please helm and hitchhikers that were frag- closer to discovering the identity of both contact us at [email protected] or www.coppercon.org mented and sucked in on the new ships Kiras but when he is onto them they trip through alternate time/space. After suddenly get amnesia and soon while they getting back from reintegrating their are in custody a third Kira surfaces. Now For information on available HexaCon positions or to unwilling stowaways, they are faced with Light, Miu, and L team up to find and still more problems. Will they survive and capture the new Kira. volunteer to run a game please contact us at get the colony going with all he parties Will they find the new Kira without [email protected] or www.hexacon.org involved.? killing each other and what is the secret Clarke has written a page turner with behind the Shinigami and the Deathnote? scientist-heros as conflicted as any human - NinjaKitty but with practicality and compassion Our parent organization, the Central Arizona Speculative from the Golden Age of SF. An excellent read that I hope will encourage more Fiction Society (CASFS) is also looking for new books by this author. - Pam Allan members. Check our web site at www.casfs.org for information on meetings and upcoming events.

Page 20 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 4 that human society adapts (or fails to tions: the grass starting to grow up “off-stage” and to focus not on the Musty Tomes adapt) to environmental circumstances through cracks in the sidewalks and unnamed disease, or how it spread, or beyond its control, he wrote two novels in streets; the puzzled, hungry dogs that what the world was like during those few Earth Abides the 1940s on the same theme, Fire (about roam the city; the manicured suburban weeks, but to concentrate on the aftermath by George R. Stewart a massive forest fire) and Storm (about a landscapes starting to go wild with weeds; and the survivors. first published in 1949, new blizzard in the Sierras). gutters and culverts plugged up (no one His first notable work, published in introduction by Connie Willis, I’m enjoying Earth Abides not as a left to unplug them) and new patterns of 1936, was Ordeal by Hunger, the defini- Ballantine sci-fi book but simply as another of his drainage and erosion emerging; roads tive account of the Donner party. Don’t Del Rey trade paperback, 359 pp., explorations of mankind and society disappearing under new levels of soil and think of it as history, think of it as a $13.95 colliding with the laws of nature. Very vegetation; constant untended forest fires Shakespearean tragedy with the gods timely in these days of global warming filling the air with smoke; farm fields ripe conspiring to put human beings to the I’m very impressed with Earth Abides. and bird flu! I especially like the fact that with corn and wheat standing unharvested ultimate test, and to see just how far they George R. Stewart was a California he’s writing about worldwide apocalypse until they rot; etc. This type of stuff is far will sink or how high they will rise. The historian before he started writing fiction. and the end of civilization, yet he keeps more vivid and powerful, I think, than any book is filled with heroes and villains, Having explored in non-fiction the way the story at a very simple human level, mere description of the apocalypse itself survivors and victims, the helpless and the and he fills it with finely detailed observa- could be. He was right to let it happen inexhaustible. If you read it and don’t find yourself moved, appalled, and amazed, you ain’t human. If nothing else, the account of the Christmas enjoyed by the snow-shoers, crossing the Sierras on foot through a blizzard, will make you appreciate our modern conveniences like never before. - Tom Wright

The Skylark of Space by Edward E. “Doc” Smith Pyramid Books, 159 pp.

Not only did the pulp magazine Amazing Stories publish Buck Rogers in 1928, but they also put out this first “Doc” Smith story, launching the space opera genre. This one has a readable style different from his later novels. To convey female characters and love interest, he turned to a neighboring housewife for collaboration. Mrs. Lee Hawkins Garby shared the credits as coauthor in early editions. We get lots of romance, culmi- nating in a grand double wedding on another planet. Action still abounds. There is scien- tific discovery of a space drive, abduction of the hero’s fiancee, the chase, the rescue, alien treachery, an alliance with the villain from Earth, defeat of the bad aliens, and unfortunate fascist edges that fit the tenor of the times. Upon the defeat of the bad guys, the good aliens make the hero “our overlord, the ultimate authority upon all Osnome,” or in other words a Fuehrer (chap 21). These Osnomians practice Nazi eugenics. “They have no hospitals for the feeble-minded or the feeble-bodied; all such are executed” (chap 19). What a perfect world for a grand wedding. Ultimate escapist power fantasies for girls and boys of 1928. Such aberrations can be overlooked to enjoy the cosmic battles of good-versus- evil in Smith’s later books, but various authors have not let it go. Norman Spinrad satirized nazi scifi in ‘The Iron Dream’ and Harry Harrison parodied the opening of ‘Skylark’ in ‘Star Smashers of the Galaxy Rangers’. Enough parodies exist by now that they probably comprise their own genre. To really enjoy them, you have to first read the originals, though, shouldn’t you? Only Cervantes got away with helping the reader avoid that. Don Quixote would complain about the feats of his literary heroes, thus informing us of various genre novels. So, DO read Doc Smith before you get into the parodies, and by all means read them too! - Mike Griffin Volume 16 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 21 BASFA Local Tucson science fiction group MIB The Men in Black is the official global of historical, cultural, science fiction, fantasy, that puts on TusCon. Contact us at PO Box organization of field operatives for Steve and humor costume. Members are often seen Club 2528, Tucson AZ 85702-2528 or Jackson Games. We attend local conventions on stage and behind the scenes at local and [email protected] to demonstrate and promote products of Steve regional Science Fiction Convention masquer- our website at http://home.earthlink.net/ Jackson Games. We also schedule demos in ades. They meet on the last Sunday of each Listings ~basfa/ local gaming stores as well as community month at various members’ homes in the ACROSS PLUS - So you live in North service events. If you have a gaming store, greater Phoenix area. For details. Southwest Phoenix and are interested in anime? Well CENTRAL ARIZONA SPECULATIVE convention, or community service that you Costumers Guild, PO Box 39504, Phoenix, there is a club out there available for you FICTION SOCIETY, INC. (CASFS) The would like to have official Steve Jackson AZ 85609 or Randall Whitlock at people. non-profit corporation that puts on Games representation at, please contact the [email protected] or Across Plus is a social club that discuses CopperCon conventions, SmurfCons, MIB Arizona Cell www.southwestcostumersguild.org anime, video games, manga, other animation, HexaCons, occasional regional cons, and Leader at [email protected]. We are also and the Japanese culture. We meet at publishes Con-Notations. Best described as recruiting new MIBs in some areas of SPACE ACCESS SOCIETY Space Access Bookman’s on 19th Ave and Northern On SF/F generalists with a strong bent towards Arizona. If you’re interested, contact us. You Society’s sole purpose is to promote radically Sundays at 7:00pm until 9:00pm. literary SF/F. Guests welcome - meets at 8pm can find additional information about the cheaper access to space, ASAP. We think it’s In general, we explore anime, manga, and on the last Friday of each month in January Arizona MIB at our website http:// possible within ten years, with a little luck other styles of animation, creative educative thru September and the second Friday in members.cox.net/mib.6361/ and a lot of hard work. Join us and help us demonstrations, participate in interactive October, November and December at JB’s make it happen! SAS membership is $30 for discussions, attend local Arizona conventions, Restaurant, 2560 W. Indian School in ORANGE COUNTY SCIENCE FICTION one year, which gets you emailed Space and make cosplay. Phoenix, AZ. Write PO Box 62613, Phoenix, CLUB meets last Wednesday of every month Access Updates the instant they pass final We are willing to gain any new members out AZ 85082-2613 or call Stephanie L. Bannon (except Dec.) in Fullerton. The meetings are edit, plus discounts on our annual conference there who are interested. Dues are only $2 per (602)973-2341 for information. Web built around guest speakers. We’ve had on the technology, politics, and business of month. Our members are very friendly, www.casfs.org authors such as Octavia Butler and Greg radically cheaper space transportation, respectful, and fun. We welcome any and all. Benford. Non-members are welcome. For featuring leading players in the field. Email For more information, contact Shane Bryner *****C.R.O.F.T. Celtic Reenactment of details of current events and location see our us at: [email protected] at [email protected] Fellowship and Trades is Phoenix based website www.ocsfc.org or email Web page: www.space-access.org/ Reenactment group specializing in the [email protected] western European renaissance. We research SUPERSTITION SPACEMODELING ADRIAN EMPIRE A medieval and renais- lifestyles and trades concurrent with the PAReX is a non-profit, just for fun organiza- SOCIETY is Arizona’s club for builders of sance recreationist club. Sword-fighting, arts, Celtic Peoples from 400 BC until 1746 AD. tion dedicated to the proliferation of robotics model and high-power rockets and those who banquets, masquerades, dances. meets every We emphasize Scots, Irish or Welsh crafts and as a hobby. Monthly meetings will be held love to see them fly. Launches are held on the Wednesday night from 7-10pm at Encanto do Celtic re-enactment. We open participation and will be announced under the Meeting second Saturday morning of each month in Park. All are welcome. Free. to anyone with an interest in period crafting Information page, http://www.parex.org/ Rainbow Valley. SSS hosts the annual G. and entertainment. Demonstrations occur at meetinfo.htm. All interest-ed persons are Harry Stine Memorial Rocket Launch every AERIAL MIRAGE JUGGLERS. Meets the Highland Games, Scarborough Fair, and invited to participate. We are currently in the October. Visit www.sssrocketry.org for Wednesday 7-10pm in Encanto Park, 15th the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Web page process of getting organized and becoming an membership information, directions to the Avenue, south of Encanto. No dues, everyone http://www.crofters.org We meet in Tempe at official organization with tax status. Web launches and meetings, and to read the welcome. All levels skill exchange in many the Pyle Adult Center SW corner of Rural and page: http://www.parex.org/ E-mail Contact: monthly newsletter, “Newton’s Minutes.” areas of object manipulation Dave Davis Southern on the 2nd Saturday of every month, John Kittelsrud, [email protected] , 602-955-9446; phone number (480)350-5211. The Board TARDIS is a Phoenix-based General SF/ or Ron Harvey , 480- meeting will be at 2:00 pm with the General THE PHOENIX FANTASY FILM SOCI- Fantasy Fan Club, specializing in Interna- 775-4690 for more info or impromptu meeting starting at 2:30 pm. ETY A Phoenix based club interest-ed in the tional media SF/Fantasy since 1983. TARDIS juggling sessions. entire realm of SF, Fantasy and Horror film. meets every two weeks at different locations THE DARK ONES (Dark-wunz) n. 1) An PFFS has been in existence for 30 years, around the valley. Activities include watching ARIZONA LANBASHERS LEAGUE A organization formed for the expression and meeting every 6 weeks in member’s homes. videos, discussions, parties, games, and collaboration of computer gaming enthusiasts, exploration of various cultural themes Dues are $10 per year. Membership includes occasional outings with more to come now the Arizona LANbashers League throws including, but not limited to, the Dark Ages newsletters, an annual film awards and that Doctor Who is returning from hiatus. quarterly LANparty events. Between parties, and the Renaissance through forms of art various outings. For information, contact Many members maintain an active presence at support is given to local groups who wish to including, but not limited to, painting, PFFS, P.O. Box 34023, Phoenix, AZ 85067 or conventions. You can contact us at 2243 W advertise their own gatherings. We have no drawing, writing, photography, spoken word, call David Storck at (602) 274_7404, e-mail: Wagon Wheel Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85021, Voice set genre of games and play anything from and acts of characterization. 2) a member of [email protected]. Mail at (602) 864-0901, E-mail TARDIS- strategy games to first-person shooters to this organization. 3) Information available at [email protected] or visit us at http:// driving/flying simulations. No annual www.darkones.org RAGE ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST A members.cox.net/tardisaz/tardis.html membership is required and admission to an Live Action Theatre Troupe based out of the event ranges from $5-$15. See our webpage THE EMPIRE OF CHIVALRY AND ASU campus in Tempe, AZ. It is dedicated to TEKWAR FAN CLUB Sanctioned by the for current events. Email: STEEL, INC. The Empire of Chivalry and the game Werewolf: The Apocalypse by series’ production companies and the USA [email protected] Web: Steel specializes in the general recreation of White Wolf publishing. Contact Mike Network! It is THE information conduit www.lanparty.com/all/ VoiceMail: 602-306- the culture of the Middle Ages including all of McLaughlin at (602)461-5842 or write 1730 between the fans and the series! Fan club 9339 the Art Forms, Events (Feasts, Tournaments, W Emelita Place #2025, Mesa AZ 85202- membership will bring you the following 1) Ceremonies and Wars) and Combat Arts 3144 or [email protected] subscription to the info filled Tek Informer THE AWAY TEAM: The Away Team, is a covering the years of 800AD up to 1650AD newsletter; 2) official TekWar Fan Club general sci-fi appreciation group that meets and any location within Europe or its explored RAW GAMES (Role-players & membership card and kit. Membership is by once a month for discussion of various sci-fi territories. For more information contact Wargamers, Inc.) Role-players & regular mail only and the newsletter and news regarding several mediums to include: Leonard Byrd (Tucson) (520)742-2432 Web: Wargamers, Inc. is the Valley’s oldest role- materials will not be reproduced electroni- television, movies, video, books, comics, www.galandor.org playing and wargaming club. Currently cally. To join the action and initiate your magazines, collecting, and so forth. The meeting at 8159 W. Weldon in Phoenix every annual membership, make check or money meetings are comprised of news, review and THE JEDI KNIGHTS (Founded 1977) Sunday from 3pm-9pm (except during order out for $12.50 to: Official TekWar Fan comment, BBS/computer news and help, Meetings are the 3rd Sunday of each month. conventions and other special events). Open Club (Membership section), 2522 N meeting new members, video presentations, For more information call Carol Alves, to new members - call (602) 849-9515. Sparkman Blvd., Tucson AZ 85716-2417 games, and socializing fun! Food and drinks Publicity, (760)244-9593 or write Jedi www.rawgames.org are provided, via a $3 munchie fee (per Knights, c/o Carol Alves 8038 “I” Street, T.H.E.M. is ASU’s science fiction and meeting) to compensate the host. (No other Hesperia CA, 92345-7066. THE SOCIETY FOR CREATIVE fantasy club. Weekly meetings are held on the fees are involved.) The electronic home of the ANACHRONISM The kingdom of Atenveldt Arizona State University campus, with dates Away Team, is the Lightspeed Space Station LEPRECON, INC. One of the two Phoenix doth lie in the state of Arizona. Within the fair and places to be announced after the semester BBS at (520) 325-6674.... Member ages for area corporations that put on yearly conven- kingdom can be found six Baronies: starts. For more information, Email the group range from 13-40-something with tions. Best described as SF/F generalists with Atenveldt, Mons Tonitrus, Twin Moons, [email protected] Web both male and female members. Other a main thrust into SF/F art. Guests are SunDragon, Tir Ysgithr and Ered Sul. For www.themonline.org activities include null-modem link gamefests, welcome. The meetings are quarterly on the more information on any of these or for group theater movie viewings, convention second Saturday of February, May, August & general information on thy past tomorrows TUCSON FAN ALLIANCE E-Mail Address trips and more. Have sci-fi fun in a relaxed, November unless otherwise notified. August thou mayest contact Mistress Myrddina o is [email protected] or low-structure environment. NO RUBBER is the annual meeting where board positions Dolwyddelan (Terry Schwartz) PO Box 584, [email protected] EARS ALLOWED!! For questions, you can are deter-mined. For more information, write Sonoita AZ 85637 (520)455-5835 Email: call the BBS, or write to: LSS c/o R. Martin; PO Box 26665, Tempe, AZ 85285; call Mike [email protected] Web UNITED FEDERATION OF PHOENIX A 2522 N. Sparkman Blvd.; Tucson, AZ 85716 Willmoth, 480-945-6890, Email www.atenveldt.com Phoenix area Star Trek and general SciFi fan [email protected] Webpage: club. We are a social club that meets every www.leprecon.org SOUTHWEST COSTUMER’S GUILD The two weeks at various locations around the Southwest Costumers Guild is a loose organization of persons interested in all facets ( Continued on page 23 ) Page 22 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 4 Club Listings Australia (Australian cheques to Edwin 9/5/06, then $45. Info: TusCon, Box ( Continued from page 22 ) What is CASFS? Scribner). Email: [email protected]; 2528, Tucson AZ 85702-2528; fax: (520) What is really behind putting on a website: www.laconiv.org 571-7180; email: [email protected]; Phoenix area. The UFP has been meeting for convention? What are the funds raised by over 30 years of continuous activity. Dues are a convention used for? Why not attend a website: http://home.earthlink.net/~basfa $15/per year prorated when you join; no meeting and find out? We’re the sponsor COPPERCON 26 (Sept 1-4, 2006) restrictions. Membership includes member- of ConNotations, CopperCons, HexaCons, Tempe AZ Tempe Mission Palms Guests LOSCON 33 (Nov 24-26 ’06) Los ship roster and monthly newsletter. Come to SmerfCons and other conventions. We are any two meetings at no obligation. For Authors Marc Zicree; Diane Duane, Peter Angeles Airport Marriott, Los Angeles information, write the UFP at PO Box 37224, a charitable, non-profit organization that Moorwood Memberships $30 thru 3/31/ CA. Theme: Exploring the Golden Ages Phoenix, AZ 85069, or call Jim Strait at (602) exists to further science fiction, fantasy 06 Hotel Rates $91 S/D plus tax Tempe of Science Fiction. GoH: William Tenn. and science fields in Arizona. CASFS 242-9203. Web page: http://www.U-F-P.org Mission Palms, 60 E 5th St, Tempe, AZ FGoH: Fred Patten. Memb: $35. Info: or Email to [email protected] currently meets at the JB’s Restaurant at 2560 W Indian School Rd in Phoenix (NW 85281 (800) 547-8705 CopperCon 26, PO Loscon 33, C/O Los Angeles Science USS STORMBRINGER The Stormbringer is corner of I-17 and Indian School). The Box 62613, Phoenix, AZ 85082, Fantasy Society, 11513 Burbank Blvd., a correspondence Star Trek fan club chapter meetings begin at 8PM and are held on the Phone(480) 949-0415 Email: North Hollywood CA 91601; email: of Starfleet, Intl. based out of Tucson AZ. last Friday of the month Jan. through Sept. [email protected] Web [email protected]; website: The chapter was commissioned as the USS and on the second Friday of the month Oct www.coppercon.org www.loscon.org Stormbringer NCC-74213, attached to through Dec. Everyone is invited to attend Division 31, Starfleet Covert Operations, on two meetings as a guest (non-member). PHOENIX CACTUS COMICON SMOFCON 24 (Dec 1-3 ’06) Hotel 10/31/98. As of 11/29/98 there were 32 Membership rates are $12/year plus an members. There are no dues other than the initial $3 application fee and rates are pro- (September 23-24, 2006) Mesa AZ Phillips, Kansas City MO. Convention $15 for joining Star-fleet Intl.. Members are rated for the amount of the year remaining. Saturday and Sunday at the Mesa runners con. Info: www.smofcon.org scattered world wide but the primary clusters Convention Center for two days of a are in Tucson, AZ and Plano, TX. They don’t For more info: Webpage: www.casfs.org meet on a regular basis since they are a Email: [email protected] comic book cornucopia including dealers, WORLD HORROR CONVENTION correspondence chapter. Their web site is: panels, workshops, guests, and contests. 2007 (Mar 29-Apr 1 '07) http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/9505/ Guests Terry Austin, Josh Blaylock, Bret Marriott Downtown Eaton Center, and their contact/CO is Capt. Dave Pitts, Convention Blevins, Amanda Conner, Ron Garney, Toronto, , Canada. GoHs: [email protected] Justin Gray , Jimmy Palmiotti, and Devils Michael Marshall Smith, Nancy Z-PHILES are the ariZona x-PHILES. We Listings Due Publishing. Early-bird registration is Kilpatrick. AGoH: John Picacio. MC: maintain a mailing list for news and get- BUBONICON 38 (Aug 18-20 ’06) $15 for a 2-day pass. Register online Sephera Giron. Publisher GoH: Peter togethers of fans of the X-Files living in Wyndham Airport Hotel, Albuquerque today! Kids 10 and under get in for free Crowther. Editor GoH: Don Hutchison. Arizona. We get together in both the Phoenix and Tucson areas. To subscribe, send an NM. GoH: Ben Bova. TMs: Catherine with paid adult admission. More info at Info: email: [email protected]; empty message to z-philes- Cogswell, David Mattingly. Guest Artist: http://www.phoenixcomicon.com/ website: www.whc2007.org [email protected] Kathleen Lowe. Memb: $35 to 7/31/06, $40 at door. Info: NMSF Conference, SILCON 2006: COMICS ON & OFF WESTERN SCIENCE FICTION ASSO- THE PAGE (Oct 6-8 '06) DoubleTree CIATION (WesternSFA) A non-profit Box 37257, Albuquerque NM 87176; corporation that sponsors the ConRunners Craig Chrissinger, (505) 266-8905; email: Hotel, San Jose CA. GoHs: Mark Bode, seminars and sponsored the 2004 Westercon. [email protected]; website: http:// Steve Englehart. Memb: $35 to 8/31/06, Dedicated primarily to educational activities bubonicon.home.att.net then $45. Info: SiliCon 2006, 1009 E. relating to literature, music, and visual and Capitol Expressway #415, San Jose CA performing arts, especially in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, costuming, gaming L.A.CON IV / WORLDCON 64 (Aug 95121-2415; email: and science. Applicants for membership 23-27 ’06) Hilton Anaheim / Anaheim [email protected] website: in WesternSFA must be sponsored by a Marriott / Anaheim Convention Center, www.siliconventions.com current active WesternSFA member. Dues Anaheim CA. GoH: Connie Willis. are $10 yearly plus a $5 non-refundable HEXACON 16 (October 13-15, 2006) application fee. General Meetings are AGoH: James Gurney. FGoH: Howard held on the first Friday of February, May, DeVore. Special Guest: Frankie Thomas. Phoenix AZ Embassy Suites Phoenix August and November, at the Bookmans Memb: $175 / C$210 / 150 / £100 / North, 2577 W Greenway Rd, Phoenix, Mailing/Subscription located at 19th ave. and Northern in A$225 to 7/1/06. Info: L.A.con IV, c/o AZ Gaming starts on Friday and runs 24 Phoenix Guests are welcome. For more hours until Sunday 4PM. Planned events Information info contact Craig Dyer at WesternSFA, S.C.I.F.I., Inc., Box 8442, Van Nuys CA PO Box 87457, Phoenix AZ 85082, (602) 91409. International Agents: Canada: include RPGA, LARP, LAN Party, CCG, 973-2341, Email: [email protected] Lloyd & Yvonne Penney, 1706 - 24 Eva Battletech and much more. Also Anime ConNotations is sent free of charge Webpage: www.westernsfa.org Rd., Etobicoke, ON M9C 2B2, Canada and a full consuite. *THURSDAY to those who have attended a CASFS (Canadian cheques to Lloyd Penney). EVENTS for pre-registered members only sponsored convention in the past UK: John Harold, Robbie Bourget, 8 include Movie Previews and Giveaways calendar year (currently 2005). Warren Close, Langley Slough, Berkshire (tentative) Memb: $20 thru 9/30/06 Hotel: Attendees of CopperCon 25 or SL3 7UA, UK (UK / Euro cheques to Embassy Suites Phoenix North, 2577 W HexaCon 15 will receive John Harold); Australia: Edwin Scribner, Greenway - Rooms $109 S/D. All rooms ConNotations Volume 16 Issues 1 12 Richmount St., Cronulla, NSW 2230, include breakfast and happy hour. Info: thru 6. www.hexacon.org Generic Convention Registration Form ConNotations updates it’s mailing WORLD FANTASY CONVENTION list each December. 2006: ROBERT E. HOWARD CEN- Name:______TENNIAL (Nov 2-5 ’06) Renaissance Individual subscriptions are avail- Hotel, Arboretum, Austin TX. GoHs: able for $20 for 6 issues beginning Badge Name:______Glen Cook, Dave Duncan. TM: Bradley January 1, 2006. Address:______Denton. Editor GoH: Glenn Lord. AGoH: John Jude Palencar. Robert E. Howard Some non-CASFS groups give their City/State/ZIP:______Artist Guest: Gary Gianni. Memb: $125 membership lists to CASFS and Phone:______Email:______to 7/31/06. Info: FACT, Inc., Box 27277, purchase a bulk corporate subscrip- Austin TX 78755; website: tion so their attendees may also Enclosed is $______for ______memberships for www.worldfantasy.org receive ConNotations ______convention. (See individual convention listing for mailing address) TUCSON 33 (Nov 10-12 ’06) InnSuites Currently these groups are: More info on __ Masquerade __Art Show __Volunteer __ Other Hotel, Tucson AZ. TM: Edward Bryant. GoHs: TBA. Memb: $35 to 5/8/06, $40 to Volume 16 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 23 Page 24 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 4