Volume 13, Issue 2 April/May ConNotations 2003 The Bi-Monthly Science Fiction, Fantasy & Convention Newszine of the Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society

What Are Your Cine Capri Featured Inside SF Tube Talk Screeening Room Memories? All the latest news about Reviews & Opinions Scienc Fiction TV shows of Current Movies by Lee Whiteside Many of you have had memorable Videophile movie experiences at the old Cine Capri 24 Frames Video News and Reviews Theatre and we’d like to hear about All the latest Movie News them. Tell us about seeing the original by Lee Whiteside Star Wars movies, sitting through a Star In Our Book Trek movie marathon, or being there in Reviews of new Books the audience for the final screening of The Costume Closet Titanic, when they tore down the old Costuming Articles Musty Tomes theatre. Only the Fannish memories Dark Fantasy Costuming Reviews of Classic SF/F Books remain. We’d like to share the best ones by Tasha Cady with other readers in the next issue of Special Features ConNotations. Please send them to us Pointless Meandering Cine Capri Memories The Cine Capri Theatre at 24th St. and via email to [email protected] or via Comics News and Views Camelback closed its doors in early 1998 snail mail to Lee Whiteside, PO Box by Brandon Huigens Plus our Regular Features: to make way for a new office building on 4306, Mesa, AZ 85211. the site. If you have driven along the Musical Notes CASFS Business Report northern part of Loop 101 lately, you may Filk News and Reviews have noticed a “New Cine Capri” banner by Tom Tuerff Event Calendar on the new Harkins multiplex being built at Scottsdale Road and Loop 101. Harkins ConClusion Club Listings is building a new Cine Capri Theatre that Convention Reviews will be the centerpiece of a new 14 theatre Comic Con Part 3 Convention List & multiplex incorporating some elements of by Shane Shellenbarger Generic Registration Form the old theatre into the new along with more modern attributes. Plans are to open Gamers Corner the new theatre in July. We’ll have more Video Game 101 on the new theatre and any special plans by Shane Shellenbarger Harkins has for the grand opening in the next issue.

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Volume 13 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 1 Pick up your copy of ConNotations at the following locations In This Issue Who’s Who This Issue BOOK STORES Samurai Comics Managing Editor: Stephanie Bannon Bent Cover 5024 N 7th St, Phoenix AZ (602)265-8886 News & Reviews Co-Editors: Sue Martin & Gary Swaty 12428 N 28th Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85029 Stalking Moon Comics & Collectibles Graphics Editor: Craig L. Dyer (602)942-3778 5775 W Bell Rd #B-6, Glendale, Arizona SF Tube Talk 3 Film & Video Reporter: Barry Bard Book Adventure (602) 896-9992 Staff Writers: Pam Allen, Barry Bard 24Frames 3 Catherine Book, Charles Cady, Craig L. 660 N Gilbert Rd, Suite B, Gilbert AZ ConClusion 9 Dyer, Michael Griffin, Brandon Huigens, 85234 (480) 892-2120 GAME STORES Sean Martin, Shane Shellenbarger, Tom Book Connection Amazing Discoveries Screening Room 9 Tuerff, Lee White-side, Randall Whitlock, 6434 S McClintock, Tempe AZ 2545 E Speedway #155, Tucson, AZ The Costume Closet 10 Mike Willmoth (480) 820-2953 (520) 320-0338 Layout & Design: Stephanie L. Bannon Book Exchange Plus Dragon’s Lair Pointless Meanderings 15 Advertising: Joe Levee 2601 E Bell #14, Phoenix, AZ 4830 N 17th Ave, Phoenix AZ 85015 Videophile 16 Keeper of the Mailing List: Craig L. (602) 867-1018 (602)266-0075 Musical Notes 17 Dyer and Doug Cosper Book Exchange Game Daze Contributors: Tasha Cady, Marguetire th Gamer’s Corner 18 Murray 4320 N Miller Road #F, Scottsdale, AZ 2140 E 5 St #11, Tempe AZ 85281 Labeling Crew for Volume 13 Issue:1 85251 (480)990-8380 (480)317-9181 In Our Book (Book Reviews) 19 Stephanie Bannon, Catherine Book, Craig Book Gallery Game Daze #1: Paradise Valley Mall, 4550 CASFS Business Report 21 L. 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As to whether Angel will 24 Frames continue past this year, The WB hasn’t TV News & Previews given any strong indication of what their Movie News plans are and they will likely look closely By Lee Whiteside at how the series does down the final By Lee Whiteside stretch of new episodes that started with Faith’s appearance. Box Office Report - Daredevil de- We’re into the final stretch of the buted with a strong opening weekend (for 2002/2003 season with lots of season and Back in Kansas on Smallville, the series finales on their way plus a few final February episode, Rosetta, guest a winter release), taking in $45 million debuts on cable. I’ve got news on all your starring movie Superman Christopher over President’s Day weekend but favorite shows plus some info on pilots in Reeve drew in Smallville’s best numbers tapering off pretty quickly and looking to production that might turn up on TV ever. The show has been performing very end up with a bit over $100 million. screens this fall. well this season and there’s a good That’s good enough for there to be a Lee Whiteside This will definitely be the final season chance that The WB may move it to a new night in the fall. Smallville will second Daredevil movie in development of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, ending as well as a solo movie for Jennifer director of Superman. The difficulty of with the series finale on May 20th. There resume new episodes in mid-April in a run to mid-May for the season finale. Garner as Elektra. As expected, Lord of casting the role of Superman has con- had been talk about continuing on with tributed to my decision. I appreciate the Sarah Michelle Gellar in the title role Over the course of those episodes, Lex’s the Rings: The Two Towers has had relationship with Dr. Bryce continues longer staying power with over $330 efforts of Warner Brothers and the entire but she officially announced that this production team during this process.” would be her final season with the show. apace and may result in wedding (or million US as of mid-March surpassing attempt at such) by the season finale. Catwoman continues in development There are discussions going on between the Fellowship of the Ring by $20 with a new script re-write in progress UPN and FOX about possible spinoffs Specific episodes include “Visitor” where another young man shows up in town million while Harry Potter and the following the departure of Ashley Judd that could happen, everything from Faith, Chamber of Secrets having ended up in order to do an extended Broadway run. Willow, Giles or Dawn taking the lead with powers similar to Clark’s including an item that may hold more information with a bit over $260 million US, about According to trade paper reports, Halle and continuing the adventures or some of Berry will now take on the role with the cast moving to Los Angeles to join up about Krypton, “Precipice” has Clark $55 million below the first Harry Potter defending Lana’s honor too aggressively movie. They will both likely add a few French Director Pitof. Berry is also set to with Angel (assuming it gets renewed). star in the Joel Silver produced WB No one is committing to anything as of with a local frat boy who then sues Clark more million when they hit the second over his injury. Also, the new Sheriff in run theaters but look to have pretty much supernatural film Gothika, with Robert yet, and at press time they are still Downey Jr. and Penelope Cruz. Rumors filming the final episodes so they may not town notices Clark’s frequency of run their course in the theaters. Unlike appearances at crime and accident scenes with Fellowship of the Ring, there will are that Nicholas Cage is in training to yet know which characters will be around take on the role of Prince Namor in a to be available for a spinoff .Of course, and will be keeping a close eye on him. In not be an extended preview of the third “Witness”, some jocks enhanced by LOTR movie, The Return of the King, Sub-Mariner movie. being dead in the Buffyverse doesn’t In official movie news (yes, there is always mean you are out of the picture. Kryptonite hijack a truck of refined attached to The Two Towers to draw in meteor bars and in “Accelerate” Lana, some additional box office. It was actual confirmed news to report), Alfred How things will all end up is a tightly Molina has been cast to play Doctor guarded secret but the spoiler sites will Clark and others start seeing what appear considered, but Peter Jackson and crew to be ghosts. Rounding out the season are busy preparing the extended version Octopus in the Spiderman sequel. likely dig up some juicy tidbits once the Molina has recently received many episodes have been filmed. In the will be “Calling” and “Exodus”, for of The Two Towers for DVD release later which nothing is yet known. this year and getting the final movie awards and nominations for his role as meantime, here’s a rundown of what is artist Diego Rivera in the movie Frida. coming up on Buffy and Angel. In Debuting at the end of March on finished and didn’t want to take the time Sunday nights on The WB is The Black to put together a special feature. The Also announced is that Alex Tudyk, Sunnydale, Willow will bring Faith (the Wash in TV’s Firefly, will play the true Vampire Slayer) back from Los Sash. The WB describes the series as Agent Cody Banks movie with Frankie such: “Martial arts star Russell Wong Munz opened strong in mid-March and animation reference for the robot Angeles to help out in the fight against character of Sonny in the movie The First. Also showing up in Sunnydale (Romeo Must Die) stars in this unique it’s studio has already committed to a adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot. will be Caleb, a former man of God who’s drama as an ex-cop who sacrificed second movie. It will start filming in turned to the dark side and now follows everything and must now rebuild his own Europe in April after Munz is done with Wil Smith plays a detective investigating the First. He will cause lots of problems life as a teacher and mentor to a diverse his current season of Malcolm in the a crime that may have been committed by for Buffy and the Slayers in Training. group of teenagers. From the writer and Middle the robot Sonny. The movie will be Playing Caleb will be a familiar face to executive producer of The Karate Kid Trying to keep up with the Superman directed by Alex Proyas (Dark City) and Whedon fans, Nathan Fillion (Captain and Kiss of the Dragon, and the rumors is getting to be a super-human starts filming in May. The Hellboy movie Mal on Firefly). Whedon told Variety executive producers of Smallville, The task. Rumors about Brett Ratner has started filming in Prague. Guillermo that “Nathan Fillion has a leading man’s WB’s Black Sash features a multi departing for Michael Bay have been Del Toro wrote and it directing the movie looks, but he’s actually horribly evil, so generational cast, dazzling martial arts denied and not come to pass, however the starring Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, he makes Caleb the epic foil for Buffy and stories of hope and redemption. As latest rumor about Ratner is that his John Hurt and Jeffrey Tambor. Look for that he needs to be. Caleb calls himself a an undercover narcotics cop, Tom Chang contract with Warner Bros. has expired a Summer 2004 release. (Wong) paid a high price for staying true preacher, but his habit of murdering girls and they either need to negotiate a new For the third Harry Potter movie, to his values. Framed and wrongly one with him or find a different director. and his alliance with the darkest evil Harry Potter and the Prisoner of known to man makes him exactly the sort incarcerated in Hong Kong for allegedly Josh Hartnett and Paul Walker have smuggling heroin, he loses his career, his both declined the chance to play Azkaban, Michael Gambon has taken on of guy whose ass Buffy needs to kick.” the role of Professor Dumbledore, The Scoobies will discover another seal to wife and the right to see his daughter. All Superman, apparently not wanting to tie he has left are the blazing skills of a themselves down to a three movie, seven replacing Richard Harris who passed the Hellmouth that Caleb and The First away late last year. Gary Oldman plays are protecting and looking to activate. master martial arts combatant. Now, after year, commitment Other actors reported five years in a Hong Kong prison, Tom in the running include Brendan Fraser Sirius Black, an evil Wizard who has Faith will make a very strong impression escaped from the Azkaban prison. on the Slayers in Training, usurping has come home to San Francisco, intent (The Mummy) and Matthew Bomer on restoring his life.” Also starring in the (The Guiding Light). Jerry O’Connell Filming is currently underway for the Buffy’s command of them, taking them movie planned for a Summer 2004 on a field trip to the Bronze and getting series is Mako as Master Li, Tom’s (Kangaroo Jack, Sliders) has indicated release. them in trouble. There’s little leaked mentor along with a group of teens and that he has tested for the role and would about how things will play out at the end young adults that Tom teaches the ways be interested in taking it on while David Production on Mad Max: Fury Road, of the series, but expect a few surprise of martial arts as he also fights to regain Boreanz (Angel, Buffy the Vampire the fourth Mad Max Movie with Mel appearances in the final episode and most his family. The WB has ordered six Slayer) ended up rumored to be up for the Gibson and George Miller directing has likely a few casualties before the end. episodes and it will air on Sunday nights role but denied ever being in contention been delayed until the fall due to the Over in Los Angeles, The Big Bad following Charmed. when he was asked about it. As for other prospect of an Iraq war. With the logistics controlling (or impersonating) Cordelia Back to UPN and the Star Trek characters, Rob Lowe (West Wing) has required for the movie, the producers will be played by yet another Firefly Universe, Enterprise continues to draw been rumored for the role of Lex Luthor decided to hold off production until the refugee, Gina Torres. Following Faith’s decent, but not spectacular ratings. It and rumored contenders for Lois Lane global climate is more secure. departure for Sunnydale, expect to see a sounds like there will be some changes include Lara Flynn Boyle, Catherine In other casting news, Chris Owen return appearance or two by Gwen coming soon in the show, possibly due to Zeta-Jones, Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu will play King Arthur in a Jerry pressure to make the show more exciting Raiden as Angel and crew try to find out and Julianna Margulies. At press time, Bruckheimer produced, Antoine Fuqua and a better draw. In recent interviews, Brett Ratner announced that he would who The Beast’s boss actually is and directed take on the King Arthur legend likely get things resolved in time to turn not continue with the Superman movie, ( cont’d on page 5 ) stating “I have chosen to withdraw as ( cont’d on page 4 ) Volume 13 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 3 globe to protect an ancient scroll - the on their academy, the return of Senator crew continue to battle the machines that (cont’d from page 3 ) 24 Frames Scroll of the Ultimate - which holds the Kelley (Bruce Davison), and lots of have enslaved the human race in the for Disney. They are in negotiations with key to unlimited power. Now the monk special effects comic-book action. Matrix. Now, more humans are waking Stephen Dillane to play Merlin. must find a protege, the scroll’s next The Matrix: Reloaded (May 15) - X2 up out of the matrix and attempting to Tomb Raider 2 More Realistic. In a guardian. Kar (Seann William Scott) is will have the top spot for two weeks and live in the real world. As their numbers report from SciFi Wire, Jan de Bont, the an unlikely candidate, a streetwise young then the first of two sequels to be released grow, the battle moves to Zion, the last director of the upcoming Lara Croft man whose only interest is himself. But this year for The Matrix takes over the real-world city and center of human Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, said when he saves the Bulletproof Monk from box office for several weeks at least. The resistance. “ Expect a real nasty cliff- that the movie will be based more in capture, the two become partners in a official description of the movie is “Neo, hanger, but we’ll only have to wait until Morpheus, Trinity, and the rest of their reality, concentrating on the ancient and scheme to save the ( Cont’d on page 5 ) modern worlds and less fantasy based world from the than the first movie. They have gone all scroll’s most avid over the world for locations, including the pursuer. Together crater of an active volcano and there will with the help of a be double the action in the movie. Look sexy and elusive for it to hit the theaters on July 25. young woman named Production is gearing up on the live Bad Girl (King), they action Thunderbirds movie, based on the seek out and face the Gerry Anderson Supermarionation ultimate enemy in a series from the 1960’s (currently airing spectacular final on Tech TV). The Tracey sons will be battle. The movie is played by mostly unknown kids and based very loosely on teenagers. Playing father Jeff Tracey will a 1999 comic mini- be Bill Paxton, Sophia Myles will be series published by Lady Penelope, Ron Cook will be Parker, Image Comics. Penelope’s driver, Ben Kingsley will be Identity (April 25) The Hood, and Anthony Edwards will be This is the story of ten Brains. According to an interview in SFX complete strangers Magazine, Thunderbirds creator Gerry who are stranded at a Anderson has not been contacted by the remote desert motel producers of the movie and is not during a raging storm involved with it at all. Directing will be who soon find Jonathon Frakes. themselves being Scheduled to start filming in July is murdered... as their Brothers Grimm, being directed by Terry numbers thin out, Gilliam. Matt Damon and Heath they turn on each Ledger will play the brothers who “travel other, as each tries to the countryside pulling off exorcisms but figure out who is the soon come upon a real fairy tale curse killer. Stars include requiring genuine courage,” according to John Cusack, Jake the Hollywood Reporter. Also appearing Busey, Rebecca as villains will be Robin Williams and DeMornay, Clea Jonathan Pryce. DuVall, and Ray Liotta. Movie Previews for X2 (May 2) - The April and May, 2003 Summer movie season kicks off in early May After a relatively dry spring, things with the second X- start to pick up for genre movies in April Men movie. All of the and May (especially May!). Here’s what main cast from the to look forward to in the theatres in the first movie are back next couple of months. plus a bevy of new House of 1,000 Corpses (April 11) - mutants including Finally being “unleashed” into theatre’s Nightcrawler (Alan on April 11th (in a limited release to 50 Cumming), cities, Phoenix likely included) will be Deathstrike (Kelly Rob Zombie’s House of 1,000 Corpses. Hu), Iceman (Shawn Originally planned to be released in 1991 Ashemore), The by Universal Studios, they dropped the Beast (Steve Bacic), movie when they felt it could only be Colossus (Daniel released with a NC-17 rating and didn’t Kurdman) and others want any part of it. Rob Zombie then who will likely only shopped it around and finally found a be seen in glimpses distributor for it with Lion’s Gate Films. but will likely turn up Supposedly the movie has gotten a “R” in later films. In rating, creating a new category of addition to dealing “sadistic violence/gore” from the MPAA. with Magneto and his The movie is set in the 1970’s and Mutants, the X-Men follows two young couples who get do battle with William stranded in rural Texas when they are Stryker (Brian Cox) seeking the mysterious “Dr. Satan”. They who is out to destroy take refuge from a storm in a creepy all Mutants. From the mansion that is a literal house of horrors. previews, expect to Expect lots and lots of blood and gore. see Wolverine finding Bulletproof Monk (April 16) For out more about his many years, a mysterious monk with no origins, the mutants name (Chow Yun-Fat) has zigzagged the fighting off an attack

Page 4 ConNotations Volume 13 Issue 2 which is the target of a pair of thieves, their races. In “Cogenitor”, while SF Tube Talk (Cont’d from page 3) 24 Frames (cont’d from page 4 ) studying a star in the early stages of Zanna and Rion. As the town gets producer Rick Berman has indicated that going supernova, Enterprise encounters a November for the resolution. In accidentally flooded, the Droplet becomes the season-ending cliffhanger will send race called the Vissians (whose captain is conjunction with the two movies, they endangered... can Ash save the day? the show in a new direction that will played by Andreas Katsula, Babylon 5’s have produced a series of animated film Bruce Almighty (May 23) Jim significantly change the mission and tone G’Kar). The two crews get along shorts the be collected on DVD in June Carrey is Bruce Nolan, a human interest of the show next season. To get there, famously, until Trip Tucker gets a little called Animatrix. The shorts will tell TV reporter in Buffalo, N.Y. who is we’ll see the following episodes when the too curious about a member of the stories within the Matrix universe and becoming disenchanted with life despite show resumes new episodes at the first of species’ third gender - a nameless will be released initially via the web via his popularity and a loving girlfriend April. “The Crossing” sees the Enterprise individual called a ‘cogenitor.’” The big (Jennifer Aniston). When he has the swallowed by an otherworldly vessel www.whatisthematrix.com (with one sweeps episode looks to be worst day of his life, he rants and raves occupied by non-corporeal creatures who having been attached to the movie “Regeneration” where a team of Starfleet invade the bodies of crew members and Dreamcatcher). against God, only to have God show up researchers finds a damaged Borg sphere trade consciousnesses with them. In Pokemon 5 (May 16) - Opening in (Morgan Freeman) and endows Bruce buried in the Arctic. Of course, when the “Judgement”, Captain Archer stands limited release (and completely with His divine powers and challenges scientists unearth the Borg drones, they accused before a Klingon tribunal of start getting assimilated. Next will be a him to do a better job. conspiring against the Empire, and his mostly flashback episode about the testing Finding Nemo only hope of escaping a death sentence or of the Warp Five engine and Tucker and (May 30) The latest life in the dilithium mines of Rura Penthe Archer making a test flight without Pixar (Toy Story, is an aging and disenchanted Klingon Starfleet’s knowledge. There will be a Monster’s Inc) effort is lawyer with little energy or enthusiasm double bill of new episodes on May 21st about two fish (Marlin for the case. Guest starring and donning a to end the season with. First will be and his son, Nemo) Klingon headpiece will be J.G. Hertzler Bounty, where Archer is captured by a who get separated from (General Martok on DS9). bounty hunter when the Klingon’s put a each other in The Ensign Mayweather takes a trip to his bounty on Archer’s head. Following that Great Barrier Reef. home ship, the E.C.S. Horizon in in the second hour of prime-time will be Nemo is captured and “Horizon”, and finds out things haven’t the previously mentioned season finale. been the same since his father, the Ship’s ends up in a fish tank Twilight Zone on UPN has continued captain, died. Especially when the ship in a dentists office to do fair to so-so ratings, having gotten a comes under attack by an unknown alien while his dad sets out boost for the Bill Mumy episode “It’s Still species. In “Breach”, Enterprise is asked a Good Life”. There’s not much info on overshadowed by some other movie to rescue him. If you thought the cast of to evacuate a team of Denobulan upcoming episodes. Look for Keith characters in Toy story was pretty loopy, geologists from deep underground in a opening that weekend) will be the fifth Hamilton Cobb and Gordon Michael planet that has been taken over by a Pokemon movie. Ash and Pikachu travel the characters in this one, especially the Woolvett of Andromeda making an military faction. Phlox also has to deal to the Water Capital of the world, Alto ones trapped with Nemo in the fish tank, appearance in the episode “Cold Fusion” with an Antaran who refuses treatment Mare, where they meet two new have been described as on a par with One when the show resumes new episodes in from Phlox due to bad blood between Pokemons, the brother/sister pair of birds Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Definitely April. Unless something happens, don’t a kid’s movie that adults may enjoy just called Latias and Latios who protect a ( Cont’d on page 6 ) treasure called the Droplet of the Heart, as much, if ot more.

Volume 13 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 5 where SG-1 must come to the rescue of guest starring Ally Sheedy (fellow brat- aGossett, Jr. When Bruce touches his SF Tube Talk (Cont’d from page 5) the Asgard when their secret base is packer star of Anthony Michael Hall), father’s body at the same time as Johnny expect UPN to renew the show for next attacked by the Goa’uld. This will finally where Johnny Smith gets together with touches Bruce, giving Bruce a “Dead season. get Stargate SG-1 fans who didn’t watch some high school friends to support one Zone” experience with his father. Also On Alias, the post-Super Bowl the show on Showtime fully up-to-date who is waiting for a heart transplant. produced but not scheduled to air is The episode did a series reset, taking down with the series. During the get-together, Johnny realizes Hunt for Osama, which likely has been the Alliance and SD-6, allowing Sydney Debuting on SciFi at the end of March one of his other former classmates will pulled due to the current political climate. and Vaughn to work together openly but and running through April and May is end up being the heart donor and he has In the episode, Johnny is recruited by a also allowing Sloane free reign to do Tremors: The Series. There’s not much to decide what, if anything, he should do secret branch of the CIA to use his what he really wants to do. Series creator episode specific info to report on the bout it. In the season finale, “Zion”, we abilities to help them track down Osama J.J. Abrams admitted that they did it show. Debuting on SciFi on April 4th is get a glimpse into Bruce’s life when he Bin Laden. When we will see the episode partly to simplify the show to make it their reality series Scare Tactics, hosted and Johnny go to Indianapolis for the is unknown. easier to come into fresh plot lines. It by Shannen Doherty, is a “hidden- funeral of Bruce’s father, played by Louis ( cont’d on page 7 ) appears to have worked to some extent, camera show that turns giving the series an additional ratings fears into realities by boost during February series and an early placing ordinary people commitment from ABC for a third in situations inspired by season. FOX has also given 24 a third science-fiction and ConKopelli season commitment already. The series horror films.” The show has been performing very well, especially has already garnered with American Idol as a lead-in recently. publicity for being sued It’s been fun to see a lot of actors from by one participant who Westercon 57 other shows turn up in the series, like claims she suffered Michelle Forbes (ST:TNG’s Ensign Ro) injuries when the limo and Daniel Dae Kim (Crusade and she was riding in was July 2-5, 2004 Angel). FOX is also maybe going to air attacked by a monster the remaining episodes of Futurama as part of a Scare Litchfield Park, Arizona before the season is over, but they may Tactics stunt. This may end up with a few to air this summer. not last too long with John Doe has continued to do fairly well SciFi’s viewers already C.J. Cherryh - Author Guest of Honor for FOX on Friday nights and may just be having rejected The a keeper for next season. ABC’s new Dream Team, which David Cherry - Artist Guest of Honor Monday night shows, Veritas: The Quest was quickly moved to a and Miracles, took an early exit during 9 am time slot after Heather Alexander - Music Guest of Honor February sweeps in favor of reality show getting really bad repeats, but have resumed airing episodes ratings in it’s 11 p.m. through March and likely into April nighttime slot. John Hertz - Fan Guest of Honor (unless they get pulled for lower ratings). Also starting up on Miracles will likely go down as yet Wednesday nights on Our Theme: Mythology of the SouthWest another show that really doesn’t work on SciFi will be the 1997 network TV but could have thrived on FOX series Roar, cable while Veritas: The Quest will likely starring a young Heath be quickly forgotten. Ledger as Conor, a 20- Over on cable, SciFi ended its series year old orphaned run of Farscape and the current season of Celtic prince in 400 Membership: Stargate in late March. Leading up to the A.D. who is destined to Location: finale, the ratings for Stargate have been unite the Celtic clans to good and it continues to be SciFi’s rid the island of the highest rated series, while Farscape invading Romans. FOX Supporting: $30 trailed by several tenths of a ratings aired the series in the Wigwam Resort Attending: $50 thru point, not coming up with any sizeable summer of 1997 but left ratings improvement to help the show five episodes unaired 300 Wigwam Blvd. 04/15/03 find another home. Efforts to keep the and this will be the first show alive will continue at time the entire series Litchfield Park, Arizona More later and at the door www.savefarscape.com, however. Besides has aired in the U.S. getting featured on the BBC’s website The series features a 623 -935-3811 when they aired the final episode, the fair amount of magic Rooms: $105 Save Farscape crew also arranged for ads and sorcery as Conor on local cable networks and The Dish and crew fight against Suites: $135 Network during the series finale to alert the evil Queen Diana fans to the status of the show. and her 400 year old Room rate includes gratuity for The season finale of Stargate SG-1 sorcerer Longinus. bellman (check in/out), maid Contact Info: saw Michael Shanks as Daniel getting Definitely worth involved with events on our plane of checking out, especially service, as well as unlimited use existence which will lead to his return as now that the entire of the Health Facilities, Valet and a regular in Season Seven, starting in series can be finally Resort Parking, Bicycles, Shuttle ConKopelli June on SciFi. I’ll have more about the seen. I’m looking new season next issue. For those forward to seeing it to Wigwam Outlet Mall, Croquet, Westercon 57 watching season five of Stargate for the much more than the Putting Green, Basketball Court & first time in syndication, you’ll finally get Tremors series. PO Box 67457 to see the episode “Meridian” that Elsewhere on the In-room coffee. introduced Corrin Nemec as Jonas cable remote, USA Phoenix AZ 85082 Quinn and saw Daniel Jackson ascend to network is finishing up 602-973-2341 a higher plane of existence in May. Other it’s second series of The episodes airing for the first time outside Dead Zone (with [email protected] of Showtime will be “Menace”, which episodes repeating a introduces a young woman who has a week and a half later on Web: www.conkopelli.org surprising connection to the replicators, SciFi) a week early. The “The Sentinel” in which SG-1 enlists a last two episodes will pair of criminals to help save a world be “Playing God”, from the Goa’uld, and “Revelations”

Page 6 ConNotations Volume 13 Issue 2 Jedi Knights lead the Republic’s Clone peace with the Cylons (robots built by picked up for a series. Following is a SF Tube Talk (cont’d from page 6 ) Army against many new and ruthless humans but with enough intelligence to summary of the pilots that might get Over on Showtime, after having adversaries across the galaxy. These new turn against their designers), the humans picked up, some of which definitely are scheduled the final episodes of Odyssey 5, characters, epic battles and intricate of Kobol are virtually annihilated in a more interesting than others. Thanks to they unscheduled them and have not yet stories will add an exciting new sneak attack. With a small remnant of thefutoncritic.com for most of this info. indicated when they will air. The same dimension to the Star Wars saga.” humanity surviving aboard the last Century City (CBS) A legal drama set for the second season of Jeremiah. It is Cartoon Network will also have a new remaining Battlestar, Commander Adama in 2053 created by Paul Attanasio possible they might turn up on the weekly series of Duck Dodgers, featuring and President Laura Roslin opt to make a (Homicide: Life on the Street) and Katie Showtime schedule in May, but June is Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and Marvin the run for it in the Galactica, hoping to Jacobs. Cast includes Hector Elizondo more likely. Showtime will have one new Martian premiering in July with the reach the humans’ legendary home world (“Chicago Hope”), Nestor Carbonell genre show, Dead Like Me, likely previously announced Teen Titan series of Earth, while pursued through space by (“The Tick”), Ioan Gruffudd (“Horatio starting in July. Ellen Muth is a slacker starting in August. New episodes of the the fanatical, now humanoid Cylons... “ Hornblower”), Eric Schaeffer (“First teen named George who meets an Justice League will not start airing until The script was written by Ron Moore Years”), Viola Davis (“Antowne untimely death only to find that her job in October. (TNG, Roswell), will be directed by Fisher”) and Kristin Lehman (“Go the after-life is that of a Grim Reaper, And finally, as has been the case of Michael Rymer (Queen of the Damned) Fish”) whose job is to shepherd souls to their late, there’s not much news on upcoming and is Executive Produced by David Eick Chasing Alice (WB) A female afterlife destinations. Also starring as episodes of the various first-run (American Gothic, Hercules: The inspector from Scotland Yard (Sophie other Grim Reapers are senior reaper syndicated series. Andromeda, Mutant X Legendary Journeys). Females will play Winkleman) who moves to New York to Rube (Mandy Pantinkin), bubbly Betty and She Spies have all been picked up for a larger role. Starbuck is a ballsy female find her missing sister, Alice; along the (Rebecca Grayheart), regular guy another season. According to his official fighter pilot and Lieutenant Sharon way, the character encounters characters Mason (Callum Blue), and Roxy website, Andromeda’s Keith Hamilton “Boomer” Valerii will be a rookie pilot inspired by the “Alice in Wonderland” (Jasimine Guy), a “no-nonsense reaper Cobb has left the show, although they not as sure about herself. The Cylons will mythology. who moonlights as a meter maid for extra have an option to use him for four be more technological in the mini-series, Family Curse (WB) From Dan Angel cash”. episodes. Rumors are that Dylan Hunt including a sexy humanoid one called & Billy Brown (“Night Visions”), Mel Over on the Cartoon Network, their will have a new crew member who will “Number Six” that seduces Gaius Baltar. Gibson, Bruce Davey, Greg Coote & big news is that they will be airing a Star function as a sidekick along the lines of Colonel Tigh, the Galactica’s XO, is a Jeff Hayes. It is about married Wars: The Clone Wars cartoon series Iaolus on Hercules. heavy drinker with an adulteress wife. archeologists and their teenage kids, who starting this fall. The series will consist of SciFi has announced some of the cast This will definitely be more adult than must track down creatures from folklore twenty 2-3 minute shorts that will air for the Battlestar Galactica four hour the original series and has already been they accidently release from a pandora’s between other Cartoon Network miniseries that will air this fall. Edward coming under attack by long-time fans box. Cast includes Ted McGinley programming. It will tell stories set James Olmos (“Blade Runner”) will who wanted to see a revival with original (“Married... With Children”), Lindsay between Star Wars: Episode Two and play Commander Adama, Mary cast members. For lots of details and in- Frost (“The Ring”), Brian Sites (“Eight Star Wars: Episode Three. Clone Wars McDonnell (“ER”) will be President depth coverage of the mini-series, check Simple Rules”) and Britt Irvin will be produced at Cartoon Network Laura Roslin, Jamie Bamber (“Band of out www.battlestargalactica.com. (“Taken”). Studios by a team led by Genndy Brothers”) is Lee “Apollo” Adama, and For upcoming developments, the Fearless (WB) - Rachael Leigh Cook Tartakovsky, the creator of Samurai Katee Sackhoff (“The Education of Max networks have a good number of genre (“She’s All That”) has the lead role in a Jack and Dexter’s Laboratory. The Bickford”) is Kara “Starbuck” Thrace. shows going to the pilot stage. How many drama based on Francine Pascal’s series Cartoon Network description of the series The re-imagining is described in the of them will make it onto the fall of young-adult novels about a girl born is “As Clone Wars unfolds the valiant initial press release as “After decades of schedule will be determined in early May without the gene for fear. Also cast are when the networks decide who will get ( Cont’d on page 8 )

Volume 13 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 7 SF Tube Talk (cont’d from page 7 ) comedy about a male witch (Richard new home entertainment technology, it episodes in a release. They also picked up Ruccolo) who falls in love with a mortal has gotten to where the market is big Andromeda and have been releasing it in Eric Balfour (“Veritas”), Ian (Andrea Anders). enough that a studio can likely make that format, too. Their next releases will Somerhalder (“Young Americans”) and Still Life (FOX) Family drama told more money from putting a series out on be Farscape Vol 3.1 in early April. ADV Bianca Lawson (“Save the Last from the point of view of a recently DVD than they can bring in through recently announced that they will also be Dance”). deceased 20-year-old son (Jensen syndication. With scheduled releases and releasing Mutant X and Beastmaster on Joan of Arcadia (CBS) Present day Ackles). David Keith (“Daredevil”), those that have already hit the stores, DVD starting later this year. Joan of Arc sees God in a different form Audrey Marie Anderson, we’re just beginning to see the start of TV Acorn Media has been busy releasing each week. Produced by Barbara Hall (“Providence”) and Susanna Thompson fans dreams come true. Some studios are Lexx to DVD, putting three to four (Judging Amy) (“Once & Again”) also star. asking fans online which series they episodes on each single DVD release and Future Tense (NBC) From Javier Tarzan (WB) A contemporary take on would like to see on their web sites and are currently up to Season 4, Vol 2. Other Grillo-Marxuach (“The Chronicle,” Tarzan (Travis Fimmel) who as a young making use of feedback from sites like short-run series such as Kindred: The “Charmed”) and Joel Silver (“the man is brought from the jungle to his tvshowsondvd.com to help decide what Embraced, Ultraviolet, and Hitchhiker’s matrix”). It revolves around an elite law childhood home, New York, by his uncle, shows to release next. Guide to the Galaxy have seen DVD enforcement unit in the future. the head of powerful Greystoke The leader has been FOX, which was releases. MPI Home video is releasing Heroine (FOX) described as a cross Enterprises, and centers on Tarzan’s the first studio to starting bringing one of Dark Shadows on DVD in 4 DVD between “Run Lola Run” and relationship with Jane (Sarah Wayne their series to DVD with The X-Files. collections with 40 episodes per set. “Groundhog Day,” the drama revolves Callies), a fiery police detective. Also Starting with Season Six, FOX began That’s still going to take a lot of DVDs to around a woman who graduates from stars Miguel Nunez, Jr. (“Juwanna releasing The X-Files in wide-screen release the entire series. college and discovers that she’s able to Mann”), Sarah Jane Potts (“Felicity”), format. Season 7 will hit the stores in For classic shows, A&E Home Video save lives by changing the course of and Mitch Pileggi (“The X-Files”) mid-May. FOX has also started releasing has been making use of the ITV Catalog events. Stars Eliza Dushku (Buffy, Then Came Jones (ABC) A western many of their other genre series, with releasing The Prisoner, The Avengers, Angel) and Shawn Reaves (Auto Focus). set at the turn of the century when Buffy the Vampire Slayer and now Angel The New Avengers, the Saint, Secret Produced by Rob Cohen (XXX) and technology is taking over. Stars Melissa coming out about every six months. Buffy Agent Man (aka Danger Man) and others. Looks to be a good bet for a Gilbert and Sean Patrick Flanery. Season Four will hit the stores in June working their way through all of the pickup. Fox has supposedly ordered Might have some fantasy/sci-fi elements. and Season Two of Angel soon after that. Gerry Anderson productions, live action additional scripts beyond the pilot. Weapon X (UPN) A geeky N.S.A. Just out from FOX is Futurama Season (UFO, Space: 1999) and Super Kamelot (UPN) Drama in which King tech guy (Christopher Gorham) who’s One (March) and Dark Angel Season Marionation (Thunderbirds, Fireball Arthur is resurrected as a hip accidentally infected with “nanobot” One is due in mid-May. XL-5, Stingray, and Captain Scarlet and revolutionary who reigns supreme in a technology that turns him into the Paramount started their Star Trek TV the Mysterons). There’s also been Season Camelot-like future society. agency’s top weapon. Also stars Marina franchise with DVDs of the original One of The Outer Limits from MGM . Maid of the Mist (FOX) It’s described Black as Gorham’s love interest. series with two episodes per release Image Entertainment has been releasing as “Amelie” meets “The Royal Young MacGyver (WB) A new spread out over a couple of years. Starting Twilight Zone in various collections plus Tenenbaums,” and features a twenty version of the 1985-92 ABC series with Star Trek: The Next Generation, there is a gold collection that contains all something woman (Caroline Dhavernas) focusing on MacGyver’s nephew (Jared they released season sets on a schedule to 156 episodes in chronological order over to whom inanimate figures offer cryptic Padalecki) who is brought into the fold put the entire series out in one calendar 49 DVDs for $399 list. info on how she can intervene in the lives of the Phoenix Foundation, the good-guy year. They are repeating this schedule One of the more anticipated series on of others. Todd Holland (“Malcolm in organization his uncle belonged to, on a with Star Trek: Deep Space Nine this DVD has been Babylon 5. Warner Bros the Middle”) and Bryan Fuller (“Star lark. Also cast are Kiele Michelle year and will likely do so next year with did an initial release of the re-mastered Trek: Voyager”) are behind the series. Sanchez (“That Was Then”) and Ron Star Trek: Voyager. It is likely at some pilot “The Gathering” with the “In the N.Y.P.D. 2069 (FOX) From Steven Canada (“Philly”). point they will release season sets of the Beginning” TV movie as a test and based Bocho (NYPD Blue) - A drama that original series as well as the animated on the response gave the go-ahead for a revolves around a present-day New York SFTV on DVD - The Dam Breaks - An series. Season 1 Box set. That was released late City cop (Josh Hopkins) who finds Overview of SciFi & Fantasy TV on ADV films took on Farscape as a test last year and did much better than Warner himself transported to 2069. DVD to expand beyond their Anime releases Bros. expected. Look for Season Two in The Ripples (NBC) - Diane Farr and have been successful with that series. late April and the remaining seasons (“The Job”) and Adam Arkin star in a We’ve finally gotten to the point where there’s plenty of genre TV series Their initial releases of Farscape’s first about every six months or so. comedy about a couple who has been season were similar to Paramount’s MGM has also been releasing married for 4,000 years -- and their being released on DVD that fans have to really start making decisions about what handling of the Original Trek. However Stargate SG-1 in widescreen format 3,985-year-old son, who looks like he’s with season two, they have started doing about one season set a year (with 15. they want to buy. With the home DVD market taking off faster than any other two-DVD releases with four or five individual multi-episode DVDs) Spellbound (NBC) A romantic separately. Season Three is scheduled for June. Anchor Bay has started releasing Highlander: The Series (Season 2 - July), Xena: Warrior Princess (Season 1 - April, Season 2 - Sept) and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (Season 1 - June). For British SciFi fans, BBC Video has been releasing selected episodes of Doctor Who including the full Tom Baker Season with the Key to Time and will continue to release two/three stories every few months for the near future. They have also started releasing Red Dwarf, with the first two series having been released in February. All of these releases have varying degrees of extras. Some have no commentaries, some have commentary on selected episodes and some, like Red Dwarf, have full cast commentary on every single episode. Future Highlander series releases will have out takes and deleted scenes culled from dailies that were kept by producers on the show. Others include bloopers, archival features as well as more in-depth features with recent interviews of cast and crew. For the true fan of a series, these DVD sets make for a much better way to be able to re- watch their favorite episodes. Page 8 ConNotations Volume 13 Issue 2 knows something and needs to have his to modify the webbing. Before he came McFarlane threw the floor open to ConClusion knowledge tested. The information is on the book, Spider-Man’s webbing questions from the audience and here are filtered through a characters biases and usually appeared as three lines with “X’s” his rapid-fire answers: His current San Diego Comic-Con their senses,” Bull said. in-between each line, which he felt drawings are aimed at final product International 2002: I Wish I Shetterly indicated The Maltese looked unconvincing. When the webbing sketches for his toy lines. H e has a Were Cloned - Part 3 Falcon and The Big Sleep as good was shot toward camera, McFarlane sketchbook filled with over two hundred By Shane Shellenbarger examples of P.O.V. He said that wanted webbing that was more organic monster heads. He’s enthusiastic and Aristotle’s On Poetics gave one of the and natural, webbing that would appear supportive of the work of young artists. If Making the assumption that you’ve finest and simplest explanations on how as if a man-sized spider had actually spun a toy line was dropped it’s because it read the previous two installments, you’ll to write: Start at the beginning, work it. While drawing on a 2-d plane, didn’t sell or because a store buyer didn’t concede that the San Diego Comic-Con toward the middle, proceed to the end and McFarlane attempted a three dimensional continue to buy that toy line, but it may International Convention is huge and finish the story. appearance through the use of be available at an alternative outlet. Color varied. Taking that as a given, I’ll plunge http://homepage.mac.com/emmawill/ foreground, mid-ground, and background variants in the toy line are almost ahead. http://www.player.org/pub/flash/ work. exclusively due to the factory not taking Next time: people/emma.html McFarlane emphasized that static care and they drive him crazy. McFarlane 12:00 p.m. Casting and Mold- http://www.player.org/pub/flash/ shots require motion, which is one of the has no plans to do a Pinhead figure. making with Jeff Broz. This panel was people/will.html reasons that he gave Spawn a cape, the Following the HBO third season ender very visual, detailed, informative, and http://www.qnet.com/~raven/w- other being that it allowed him to “cheat” Spawn’s alter ego, Al Simmons, will rather advanced. The second link gives a eroom.html the anatomy. He feels that there is a fine return, but with limitations. HBO has great breakdown concerning the topics http://www.staugustine.net/ line between cheating and style. When taken the fourth season of Spawn in- covered in the seminar. AristotleonPoetics.html Spider-Man is swinging through New house and McFarlane will be closely http://www.jdbgrphx.com/ 2:30 p.m. Spotlight on Todd York the view is mostly of Spider-Man involved. http://www.jdbgrphx.com/castpage2.html McFarlane and just bits and pieces of the cityscape. http://www.spawn.com/interface.html 1:30 p.m. Story Layers with Will Moderated by Larry Marder, McFarlane would bring in the border an http://www.spawn.com/features/ Shetterly and Emma Bull. The couple president, McFarlane Toys inch and that would create the illusion spawn100/themainevent.page1.html hurries into room and get right to McFarlane grabbed up a wireless that Spider-Man was bursting out of the http://www.imagecomics.com/ business. Bull puts forth her theory that microphone and plunged ahead for what panel and it also meant that he had one http://www.imagecomics.com/cgi-bin/ most writers (including herself) write turned into a frenetic hour. He thanked less inch all around to draw. When he index.cgi?main=about&sub1=faqs#q04 from instinct and that all stories can be the audience for their enthusiastic was writing, penciling, and inking Spawn boiled down into three types with some welcome and for making possible the he began to feel that he was cheating too Next Time in part 4: crossovers and overlapping: 1) The Brave tenth anniversary of Spawn. He also much. Other factors in his life were 3:30 p.m. One-on-One: J. Michael Little Tailor http://www.fln.vcu.edu/ stated that this was the twentieth taking away too much time from his art Straczynski and John Romita Jr. grimm/schneider_e.html, 2) Boy Meets anniversary of his first pilgrimage to the so he brought in Greg Capullo on the http://babylon5.warnerbros.com/cmp/ Girl like Romeo and Juliet http:// San Diego Comic-Con. He hasn’t been to theory that one less job would give him bios.htm www.wsu.edu:8000/~brians/love-in-the- Comic-Con in five years because the more free time. Alas, it was not to be. http://worldsofjms.com/ arts/romeo.html, 3) The Man Learns A dates have always fallen during the time “Capullo’s pencils were so detailed that I http://www.geocities.com/romitapage/ Lesson such as King Midas http:// he takes his family from their Phoenix had to add more inking and it took me home.htm www.phrygians.com/midas.html and The home for a month long vacation in even longer to do an issue,” McFarlane http://home.wanadoo.nl/pafrankn/ Gift of the Magi http://www.auburn.edu/ Canada. said. jrj_intro.htm ~vestmon/Gift_of_the_Magi.html. Bull McFarlane wanted to give the McFarlane began to talk about being And more. To Be Continued . . . stated that the three prime elements to audience some background into his comic one of the founders of Image Comics. any story are 1) Plot, 2) Relationships, book work. In 1984 he got his first job “Image is ten years old when the and 3) Transformation (or lack thereof.) after six hundred submissions. He viewed competition didn’t give us a year,” he Bull believes that a good story contains rejection letters as a way to get the stated with more than a bit of pride. He Screening Room all three elements in proper balance. An autographs of his favorite editors. That then proceeded to explain how Image audience member offered the 4th element: first job was a ten-page backup in Coyote works differently than Marvel, DC, or Dark Horse. A writer/artist team submits Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers A wider reference. The well-read reader written by Steve Englehart as part of by Marguerite T. Murray will pickup on veiled references by the Epic, a Marvel Comics line of comic and idea to Image and publisher/founder author, such as the repeated retelling of books. He next worked on Infinity, Inc. Jim Valentinto reviews the work and if he the story of Christ, or on a more with Roy Thomas in 1985, commenting likes it the proposal is passed around the The Two Towers is the second of the pedestrian level it might be called the “in- that books containing teams drove him office and if it passes that level of scrutiny three Lord of the Rings movies to be joke” story where only certain readers crazy. McFarlane said that when he it goes to the weekly staff meeting. If the released. Filming he middle of a three- will be in on the joke. started working with Peter David and proposal is accepted Image will require a part novel is not an easy task. The first The two writers’ then began to read one of David’s plots McFarlane flat fee to offset the costs of solicitation to movie held together well as reasonable examine the elements that make up a suggested that the issue be split in two so distribution outlets, printing, shipping, story even though it, of necessity, did not story such as the beginning, jumping off that he could draw the Hulk big. accounting, etc. However, the creators reach a definitive conclusion. It covered points, and the author’s goal in telling the McFarlane’s talk had a stream-of- retain all rights to the material. Image the activities of the united Fellowship. story. What question or theme does the consciousness quality to it that allowed doesn’t fund the artists, but neither do The Two Towers lacks this edge. It author wish to explore, is the character for interesting detours such as this bit of they own any part of the idea. covers the separated activities of various fictional or historical, what will the advice: Never follow a class act. Don’t McFarlane told the story of his run in fellowship members from the end of The dialogue sound like in the readers mind, follow Frank Miller, Jim Lee, Jack Kirby, with a Wal-Mart buyer at Toy Fare. Year Fellowship to the beginning of The what is the setting, what is the plot? Neal Adams, Jeffery Scott Campbell, or after year the buyer would walk past Return of the King. It did not give you McFarlane’s line of horror toys like Clive Shetterly commented that a story any hot artist. Before he began working any feeling of having a beginning, a should have implications, but don’t be on Spider-Man several editors at Marvel Barker’s Tortured Souls series, just shake his head and say, “Todd, if only you middle, and an end. This is inherent in blatant about sending your message. “If told him that the Spider books were the source book and not the fault of the you want to send a message, use Western inconsistent, a shambles, and that he would use your powers for good.” When McFarlane started his sports series of movie makers. Union.”On the web, this quote is should stay away from them. McFarlane The film was extremely well executed, attributed to: told the audience that telling him what to figures the Wal-Mart buyer hailed him as do is what caused him to leave home at a superhero. In addition to NHL and but it did not follow the book nearly as Samuel Goldwyn (Metro-Goldwyn- well as The Fellowship. The added scene Mayer, credited the most frequently 1882- seventeen and that telling him “no” just NBA releases for 2003, McFarlane Toys 1974) Louis B. Mayer (Metro-Goldwyn- makes him want a thing even more. will be putting out Alien, Predator, a H.R. with Arwen and Elrond was unnecessary Mayer, 1885-1957) For McFarlane, the fun of Spider-Man Giger line, and a Spawn Reborn series of and interfered with continuity. The added Jack Warner (Warner Bros. 1892- was in finding the artistic voice for the figures. McFarlane‘s philosophy is to lead scene with Elrond mind-speaking 1978) character. For McFarlane, John Romita, in the direction that the competition isn’t Galadriel was very distracting and Harry Warner (Warner Bros.) Sr was the Norman Rockwell of Spider- heading and his motto could well be this: contributed nothing to the story. From a Walter Kerr (Theater critic, 1913- Man. When McFarlane started on the Non-traditional toys in non-traditional technical perspective, the Battle of Helms 1996) book the emphasis was on spider-MAN, places, such as Virgin Records. Deep was executed flawlessly, but it Cecil B. DeMille (Director, 1881- heavy emphasis on the MAN. He wanted McFarlane feels that he may have hit a should have been closer to the battle in 1959) to flip that and put the emphasis on the fork in the road and he’s unsure which the original book. The extensive changes D.W. Griffith (Director, 1875-1948) SPIDER. He started by enlarging the path to take. Does he expand the safe line in terrain and strategy were unnecessary. Shetterly continued, saying that if you costumes eyes, adding more webbing on of toys such as sports or does he continue The battle as written would have filmed want to send a message, write an essay. the suit, changing the blue to a blacker to sell the less main stream and the more just as well. Certain elements left out of Bull turned to the subject of point-of- color, and he returned to the webbing in outrageous series of figures like Tortured The Two Towers are carried into The view. “My character doesn’t know the armpit that had been originated by Souls? If the audience reaction to the something and he needs to find out or he Steve Ditko. McFarlane especially wanted latter were any indication, my money would be on the odd and unusual. ( Cont’d on Page 15 ) Volume 13 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 9 Sauron and the orcs are definitely evil. be (relatively) pure? Does the end justify just black. Purples and deep blood reds They are not sympathetic characters at the means when the “good guys” use evoke a similar atmosphere. Think of all. Neither would the Thomas Covenant coercive magic? or is coercion always white, for an innocent victim, or a series be considered Dark Fantasy, despite bad? predator pretending innocence. Another the fact that the protagonist could be Having given some idea of what Dark option would be a pale green, possibly considered something of a “bad guy”. He Fantasy is, and isn’t, we can try to with yellow overtones. Green is the is not heroic. We don’t admire him. describe how to costume in the genre. traditional color of magic and poison. Sterling’s Draka series could be This is as difficult as the original The Queen of Elfland is usually described considered Dark Science fiction. He calls definition. Dark Fantasy can be “period”, as dressed in green. In Dark Fantasy it a “distopia.” The “bad guys’ definitely contemporary, futuristic, or simply there may be elves, but Tolkien’s elves win. “other”. It is easiest if you try to recreate would deny any kinship with them. Elves There is overlap between Dark a specific story. That will define the in Dark Fantasy tend to be evil, erotic or Fantasy and other sub-genres. Because setting, and thereby the fashions of the both. the protagonists of Dark Fantasy are often story. Ann Rice and Laurell Hamilton Erotic is another aspect of generic the creatures of nightmare, there is an come to mind as eminent authors of Dark Dark Fantasy. Given the strong Dark Fantasy Costuming overlap with Horror. The elements of the Fantasy. What is your skill level and puritanical residue in our culture, blatant fantastic/unearthly in Dark Fantasy interest for making a costume? Do you eroticism is “bad”. But Dark Fantasy lets by Tasha Cady overlap with Gothic. However, the feel up to panniers or cravats? Rice’s us enjoy the “bad”. Figures of fear – emotions evoked by Dark Fantasy are not vampires, and their friends and victims, vampires, were-wolves, shape changes, The theme for the Masquerade at this necessarily scary, terrible or horrific. exist in many eras: the French Revolution etc become sympathetic characters or May’s LepreCon 29 (See ad in this issue) Neither is the setting limited to the to modern times. Movies based on her even heroes. The fascination with the is “Dark Fantasy.” Here Tasha analyzes ruinous castles in remote locales so books include Interview with the Vampire, “forbidden” is at the heart of dark fantasy the concept of Dark Fantasy and makes prevalent in Gothic tales. The Vampire Lestat, and Queen of the and Dark Fantasy costuming. some suggestions for Dark Fantasy Where you draw the line between Damned. Hamilton’s stories all have Tasha Cady is an experienced Costumes. Dark Fantasy and other types of fantasy modern settings. Her descriptions of convention committee member, Dark Fantasy turns “heroic” fantasy partly depends on your own world-view. what her characters wear is very detailed masquerade director and contestant. She on its head. The people/things normally Dark Fantasy takes the normally in places, if you want to do a recreation. often appears on stage with husband and considered “bad guys” become the heroes. repressed side of our nature and brings it However, given the previous caveats, sons. The Cady clan is also active and Dark Fantasy should not be confused to the fore. How comfortable are you a few ideas on generic Dark Fantasy fully garbed in the Southwest Costumers with normal fantasy that has dark with the story’s hero/heroine engaging in costuming are possible. First, this is Guild, Society for Creative Anachronism, elements. Tolkien is not Dark Fantasy. “forbidden” sex? Should the protagonist Dark Fantasy. Go for dark colors. Not and Single-Action Shooting Society.

Page 10 ConNotations Volume 13 Issue 2 Volume 13 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 11 Page 12 ConNotations Volume 13 Issue 2 Volume 13 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 13 Calendar of Events - April - May 2003 To have your event or meeting listed please email [email protected] (This is a free service. All release dates are tentative)

April April 19 - Saturday May May 20 - Tuesday 11AM-12AM Anime Festival TV - Buffy Series Finale Samurai Comics, 7th St & Camelback April 1 - Tuesday May 2 - Friday DVD - Children of Dune www.samuraicomics.com DVD - Farscape Season 3 Vol 2 Video Game - Sniper for Xbox 6PM Western SFA Quarterly 2PM Hexacon 14 Meeting JB’s I- DVD - Star Trek Nemesis DVD - Star Trek DS 9 Season 3 vol 1 17 & Indian SchoolJoanne - Meeting Stephanie’s house Craig - [email protected] [email protected] May 23 - Friday April 4-5 - Friday-Saturday 4PM Westercon 57 Meeting JB’s I- Movie - X2 Movie - Bruce Almighty 6PM-Vampire Event Quality Inn 17 & Indian School Craig - South Mtn.Weekend long Vampire game [email protected] May 3 - Saturday www.secundusurrectum.com 9AM-12AM Free Comic Book May 25 - Sunday April 22 - Tuesday Day Samurai Comics, 7th St & 1PM SW Costumers Guild April 4 - Friday DVD - Speed Racer collectors Edition Camelback Free Comics & autographings Meeting Stephanie’s house Charity Movie - Cowboy Bebop DVD - Andromeda Season 2 Vol 1 www.samuraicomics.com Hats TV - Scare Tactics on Sci Fi [email protected] April 23 - Wednesday May 10 - Saturday April 5 -Saturday Border’s SF Book Discussion 4PM Westercon 57 Meeting JB’s May 30 Friday 10AM-5PM Arizona Book Fetival Border’s 75th Ave & Bell Rd This I-17 & Indian School Craig - 8PM CASFS Meeting JB’s I-17 & Hall of Fame Museum Months book: TBA Tanya 623-487-9110 [email protected] Indian School Stephanie - www.azbookfestival.org 7PM Leprecon Inc Quarterly [email protected] April 24-26 meeting JB’s I-17 & Indian School Mike Movie - Finding Nemo April 8 - Tuesday Thursday-Saturday - 480-945-6890, Video Game - Tropico 2: Pirate Cove Space Access Conference [email protected] for PC Mike - 480-945-6890 Video Game - Splinter Cell for PS2 [email protected] May 13 - Tuesday Video Game - Run Like Hell for Xbox DVD - X-Files Season 7 April 25 - Friday April 11 - Friday 8PM CASFS Meeting JB’s I-17 & May 14 - 16 Movie - House of 1000 Corpses Indian School Stephanie - DVD - Harry Potter & the Chamber of [email protected] Wednesday - Friday Secrets Movie - Identy Electronic Entertainment Expo Los Angeles Convention Center April 13 - Sunday April 27 - Sunday www.E3expo.com 9AM-3PM Phoenix Cactus 1PM SW Costumers Guild ComicCon Glendale Civic Center Meeting Stephanie’s house May 15 - Thursday GoH: Todd Nauck Chemise & Basic seams Movie - Matrix Reloaded www.phoenixcomicon.com [email protected] INFORMATION LINE May 16-18 - Friday-Sunday For up to date information on each April 15 - Tuesday April 29 - Tuesday Leprecon 29 Embassy Suites Phx. month’s CASFS and fan sponsored DVD - Spirited Away DVD - Babylon 5 Season 2 North GoHs Larry Elmore & Madame M sci-fi related events call (602)973- DVD - New Avengers Season 1 DVD - Xena Warrior Princess Season 1 www.leprecon.org, [email protected] 2341 and select option 3 for a pre- recorded message. There is also a DVD - Treasure Planet weekly email update. If you wish to April 16 - Wednesday May 16 - Friday receive the email update send your Movie - Bulletproof Monk April 30 - Wednesday Movie - Pokeman Heroes (limited) email address to Stephanie at Video Game - BattleBots for multiple [email protected] gaming platforms Ongoing Events

Wednesdays 6pm Hero Clix Tournamets Samurai Comics, 7th St & Camelback www.samuraicomics.com 6pm Mech WarriorTournaments Samurai Comics, 7th St & Camelback www.samuraicomics.com Thursdays 6pm Camarilla Anarch Game Kiwanis Park www.titheofsouls.com 6pm Dragonball Z Tournaments Atomic Comics-Phoenix www.atomiccomics.com\ Fridays 6 p m Hero Clix Tournamets Samurai Comics, 7th St & Camelback www.samuraicomics.com Rocky Horror Picture Show Spectrum Theatre (Spectrum Mall) www.azrocky.com Saturdays* 3pm Mage Knight Tournaments Samurai Comics, 7th St & Camelback *Except April 19th www.samuraicomics.com 4pm Magic Tournaments Atomic Comics-Paradise Valley www.atomiccomics.com

Page 14 ConNotations Volume 13 Issue 2 Teenagers from Mars puzzle-they’re I’d really like you, the readers, to pitch Screening Room (cont’d from page 9 ) Pointless Meanderings living the dream, and we helped ‘em get in. We’ll be setting up a donation fund at there a tiny bit-the guys have sent out Samurai Comics; feel free to contact us to Return of the King. These elements by Brandon Huigens pins and signed books for our customers, see if there’ve been any updates about needed to be established for the story to and they’ve been really appreciative. But Rob’s situation. Here’s what you can do continue as originally written by the Whether you read comics or not, it’s that’s not the story here-it’s just a pre- to help: author. – worth mentioning as a prelude to this cursor to what you’re about to read, and Donate clothing. Rob’s about 5’11 New Line Cinema column, that while the comics community I’m sorry to say, it ain’t happy news. and skinny. You can donate through Executive Producers: Saul Zaentz, Bob has a reputation both within and outside TFM artist Rob G, who is also Samurai, or you can send ‘em straight Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein the medium as being ridiculously penciling an upcoming Batman project over to Rob at Rick Spear’s place: Producers: Peter Jackson, Barrie M. negative and critical. I’m here to tell for DC with TFM writer Rick Spears, lost Rick Spears Osborne, Tim Sanders Directed by Peter Jackson, John Mahaffie you, though, that when the $#%& drops, all his possessions in an apartment fire on 609 President St. #2 Writers: Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, we take care of each other. Wednesday, January 22. Thankfully he, Brooklyn, NY 11215 I’m not talking about the big company Philippa Boyens, Stephen Sinclair his roommate, and his cat all made it out Donate trade paperbacks and comic The cast of The Lord of the Rings: Frodo execs hugging “superstar” creators in alive, but as for everything else, including books. As any comic reader knows, front of hundreds of drooling Baggins, Elijah Wood; Gandalf, Sir Ian the Batman story, all the TFM art, and losing your comics is a pretty devastating McKellen; Samwise Gamgee, Sean Astin; conventioneers-I mean that comics Rob’s comics and computer, nothing was experience; for Rob I’m sure it’s no readers (and creators) relate to one Aragorn Viggo, Mortensen (replaced Stuart saved. different. Rick Spears said that Rob is a Townsend); Arwen, Liv Tyler; Eomer, Karl another in a way that doesn’t make sense This guy IS US. He’s young and he’s huge manga fan, and really likes Akira Urban; Bilbo Baggins, Sir Ian Holm; to people that don’t read comics. This making comic books for a living-a and Ghost In the Shell. If you want to Peregrin Took, Billy Boyd; Fon Meriodoc relationship is not a bond out of some talented individual starting a very donate, contact me via e-mail at Brandybuck, Dominic Monaghan; Denethor, assumed lonely necessity, but rather a successful career in an industry he loves. [email protected] to find out John Noble; Gollum’s voice, Andy Serkis; common interest in something that many What else is there to say but: let’s help? what we’ve already got and what we still Eowyn, Miranda Otto; Theoden, Bernard of us feel is a genuine and original form After I read about Rob’s misfortune need. Hill; Gimli, John Rhys-Davies; Legolas, of art. We take care of each other to online, I felt very happy to be a part of Donate and send any and all art Orlando Bloom; Boromir, Sean Bean; preserve the medium, but we give a damn this community because of all the supplies. Let’s keep this guy excited and Faramir, David Wenham; Saruman, about each other, both from the fan’s incredibly kind offers of help from motivated to continue his comics work!! Christopher Lee; Galadriel, Cate Blanchett; perspective and the creators’, if only readers around world (yes, world-a Get into a comics shop and buy Celeborn, Marton Csokas; Gil-galad, Mark because we simply love comics. publisher from Italy’s even offered help). Teenagers from Mars. It’s a great book, Ferguson; Grima Wormtongue, Brad Dourif; Example: In April of 2002, Top Shelf Check out what his dad had to say and now there’s even more reason to buy Elrond, Hugo Weaving; The Mouth of Productions’ book trade distributors filed following this www.newsarama.com it! Sauron (Black Lieutenant); Bruce Spence; Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, leaving Top posting and feel the love: E-mail him with kind words. Ted Sandyman (Sam’s nemesis) Brian Sergent; Haldir of Lorien, Craig Parker; Shelf in a position to suspend publishing I am Rob’s dad, or “Pops,” as he [email protected] is the Treebeard, John Rhys-Davies (voice only); for a long, long time; perhaps for good. likes to say. I just want say that I’ve best place to e-mail him at this point. Let Top Shelf happens to employ some of the Ugluk, Nathaniel Lees (or Jay Laga’aia); discovered on this message board that him know we give a damn. Hama, John Leigh; Lotho Sackville-Baggins, best creators the industry has to offer, Rob, who is one of the finest human Donate money. Duh. (including one of my personal heroes, Paul Sutera; Eleanor Gamgee; Alexandra beings I know, is clearly in good Visit their website: Astin (Sean’s daughter); Gamling the Old, James Kochalka) and they produce company, with people like you. Your www.teenagersfrommars.com and order several of the very best comics in the Bruce Hopkins; Sauron, Michael Hughes; expressions of kindness, generosity and stuff, or just find out what the book is like Rose Cotton Gamgee, Sarah McLeod; industry. As these events unfolded, Chris concern for Rob, especially those who if you haven’t read it. Gorbag, Stephen Ure; Lurtz, Lawrence Staros, one of the big guys behind the are yourselves in a hard place, is so Being online, seeing the avalanche of Makoare; Isildur, Harry Sinclair. company, posted an honest call for help awesome that I can’t find the words..... I positive feedback for Rob has been really on the internet, and in under 12 hours, can tell you that what you and the many inspiring and stirring. Since this column thanks to comics readers, Top Shelf others that have given kind and helping went up online a few weeks ago, we overcame a $20,000 hurdle and are hands in the last couple of days has had a actually had a woman come in who’d publishing award-winning independent very profound effect on Rob. I think you never been in a comic shop and buy Rob a comics right this second. have restored his belief that there are book! Yes!! It makes me proud to be a Okay-I’m off my “the people that love many good people left on this planet, part of the comics community, and I hope heroes are heroes, too” soapbox. Moving after all. And you did that for me, too. that we can help him. along... Thank you all, ten thousand times. - It’s nice to know assuredly that we’ll A few months ago, a couple of young Dave Goodridge do our best. Let’s get started. - Brandon fellas in New York were looking to get After all this, of course I feel Huigens their creation, Teenagers From Mars, compelled to do something-anything-and into comic book stores. Let me back up here and tell you: Teenagers From Mars is this: a John Hughes-ish story about a group of wayward teenagers meandering through life in a little Southern town called Mars. The book reminds me of Catcher in the Rye rendered in sequential art (which means I really like the series since Catcher is my favorite book). The characters and the town are vibrant and so real it’s ridiculous; both writer and artist capture the details of misdirected adolescence brilliantly and the read is exciting and very, very real. Samurai Comic’s own evil genius, Mike Banks, (thanks to customer extraordinaire and international man of leisure Greg Dunnion, who told us about the book), helped to get Diamond Comics to begin carrying Rob and Rick’s little book, and since then, it’s been a smash independent hit, garnering fans and acclaim throughout the industry. So here at Samurai, we feel like a tiny piece of the

Volume 13 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 15 Monsters, Inc and brings him home. Along with his Collectors 2-Disc DVD E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial brother and sister (Robert MacNaughton Videophile Disney, 93 mins, G 2 Disc Limited Collectors Edition and Drew Barrymore) they protect E.T. VHS $ 24.98 DVD $29.99 Amblin, 121 mins, PG from those searching for him and help Signs DVD $29.98 him return to his family. Walt Disney, 106 mins, PG-13 James P. “Sulley” Sullivan ( voiced by This special 2-disc set contains both the VHS $22.99, DVD $29.99 John Goodman ) is a scare-monster in the Steven Spielberg’s 1982 hit about a 1982 and 2002 versions of the film as hidden world of Monstropolis, where stranded alien and his relationship with a well as a documentary on the making of Mel Gibson is a widower living on a scaring children is the energy source that fatherless boy has become a classic. We the film. The sound and picture for the rural Pennsylvania farm with his two keeps the entire city running. Along with are all familiar with the story of Elliot film were restored and the only thing children (Rory Calkin, Abigail Breslin), his assistant, the one-eyed Mike (Henry Thomas) who finds the lost alien ( Cont’d on page 17 ) and his brother (Joaquin Phoenix). One Wazowski (Billy Crystal) he is the best in fateful morning large crop circles appear the business until one in his cornfield and the family dog tries night a child follows to attack his young daughter. Soon they Sully back through the learn that the crop circles have door into Monstropolis. mysteriously appeared all over the world. As the two try to return By the next day the circles are followed the child, dubbed “Boo” by the appearance of alien spacecraft. We to her own world they watch as the lapsed minister confronts learn that all is not as it both his own personal crisis of faith as appears in the well as the threat to his family posed by relationship between the aliens. the real world and This is possibly the most realistic theirs. vision of an alien invasion I’ve seen and The story is great certainly the most frightening. There are and can be enjoyed by no whizz bang special effects, aside from both adults as well as the aliens themselves, but the atmosphere children, in fact we’ve is taut as the tension grows towards the watched it three times climax, sort of an Alfred Hitchcock’s The at our place with only Birds meets War of the Worlds. The adults present. The family behaves much as you or I might. DVD extras are The children are glued to the TV wonderful, fully as watching worldwide coverage of the crop much fun as the feature circles, the first sighting of an alien and itself. The two shorts, the hovering space craft. Their father at “Mike’s New Car” and first tries to pass off the circles as a hoax “For The Birds” are and then does his best to keep his worth the price alone. children from being frightened and then Add to that the out desperately striving to keep them safe as takes and the behind it becomes obvious the aliens are hostile. the scenes look at Pixar This is one of the best movies I’ve make this the best deal seen in a while, it will certainly remain a around. I highly favorite. I urge you to add this to your recommend this as an collection. The DVD includes Making addition to your Signs - Exclusive six-part documentary collection. - Stephanie exploring the movie from idea to L Bannon marketing and five deleted scenes. The deleted scene “The Third Story” should Reign of Fire have been included in the movie in my Touchstone, 102 mins, opinion. - Stephanie L Bannon PG-13 VHS $106.99, DVD Ice Age $29.99 20th Century Fox, 81 mins, PG 2 Disc DVD Special Edition Reign of Fire is VHS $24.98, DVD $29.99 billed as a post- apocalyptic action Ice Age is a take off on the old thriller that pits Western classic The Three Godfathers humans against but, instead of being set in the old West, dragons in a battle that we have a really old setting, the only one will survive. Paleolithic era, 20,000 years ago. Our In the England of 2020 heroes are Manfred the lonely mastodon the earth has been (voiced by Ray Romano), an annoying scorched both by the sloth named Sid (John Leguizamo) and a newly awakened saber-toothed tiger, Diego (Denis Leary). dragons and the use of The trio find a dying human mother and nuclear weapons in an her chirpy toddler and decide to return attempt to destroy the the child to his tribe. Along the way the dragons. trio learns to trust and then rely on each The story was weak other and find that sometimes herds are but the special effects defined by love. are stupendous, the The extras on the DVD, from the reptilian fire-breathers short “Scrat’s Missing Adventure” to the are utterly convincing. deleted scenes are a pure delight. I enjoyed just watching Definitely a worthwhile addition to any the dragon. If you can family’s collection Ice Age can be enjoyed pick it up on sale do so. by the whole family. - Stephanie Bannon - Stephanie L Bannon Page 16 ConNotations Volume 13 Issue 2 Videophile (cont’d from page 16 ) (Morgan Woodward), a space cowboy side of the political spectrum you fall, and (George Peppard), a zaftig female warrior Musical Notes I don’t much care, but this is a band that missing is a commentary by Steven (Sybil Danning), and brooding killer-for- is very much on the left at times. Which Spielberg. Universal plans to discontinue hire Gelt (Robert Vaughn, reprising his by Tom Tuerff leads me to my favorite song here, Have a this title on December 31, 2002 so I urge Magnificent Seven role). With its strong Nice Day by Mark Graham, a tune that you to pick one up for your collection cast, script by John Sayles and Roger Lotsa stuff this month, so let’s get going: could embarrass a fundie at 100 yards. while you still can. - Stephanie L Corman touch Battle Beyond the Stars Dr. Demento’s Hits from Outer Space Christy Martin’s musical talent is Bannon (including space ships designed by (Laugh.com) indeed incredible. From sitar to dulcimer Titanic director James Cameron) is a This is the first release by Dr. D on and virtually everywhere in between, she Stephen King’s It delight for repeat viewers as well as George Carlin’s new Laugh.com label. and the hubby truly create beautiful music Warner Bros, 187 mins, NR newcomers. together. And you ought to get into it VHS $14.95, DVD $19.98 The DVD has been digitally And while the good doctor thankfully soon. remastered and features commentary by forgoes yet another release of Purple After viewing Stephen King’s It you scriptwriter John Sayles and assistant People Eater in lieu of songs from the The Bringers and Friends: Ramblers will never view clowns quite so production manager, Gale Anne Hurd ( last 25 years, the package is still and Rovers (self-produced) Michi nonchalantly again. Terminator 2 producer) as well as somewhat wanting. Which is not entirely Regier: Curved With It we have two connected theatrical trailers. - Stephanie L Bannon his fault. Laugh.com, in an effort to put Space (self-produced) stories. Part one brings us the story of the out budget-priced CDs, spends very little Hurrah and huzzah and all that’s The seven kids who meet and form The Losers Highlander Season One in the way of printing, so an accordion Bringers are back! And back big time. Club and the fateful summer they took on Anchor Bay. NR foldout of short bios about the artists that This time, the nucleus Drummer Vash, Pennywise the Clown, a force of pure DVD $89.95 accompany the Doctor’s other CDs is not Fiddler Michi and digeridude Byron are evil, in their Maine home town. As part to be found here. joined by folks the Bringers met while one ends the kids have defeated The first Highlander the film, starring That said, the musical selection is playing renaissance festivals. The results Pennywise but promise to reunite if he Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod very good, and there’s a very exciting are simply fantastic. Highlights include ever returns. hit theaters in 1986. Six years later we local connection. The CD contains not The Kiss Set, a rousing round of reels to In part two we skip forward to present got Highlander The Series starring one but two songs by Phoenix’s own get things going, Fire Down Below, a day Derry, the kids have all grown up and Adrian Paul as Duncan MacLeod, a Leslie Fish. Carmen Miranda’s Ghost, a song made to be sung by a bunch of moved on, except for Mike Hanson (Tim clansman of Connor. For those unfamiliar song about the title character inhabiting a drunk-sounding boars, receives the Reid) who has stayed in Derry and with the premise, Highlander (both spaceship, and the ultimately inescapable, correct treatment here. Some critics become the town librarian. When a series movies and series) tell the tale of a race of inevitable Banned from both appear here. reviewing the Bringers first CD of child murders and mutilations makes it Immortals who battle one another This Argo is short as versions of this song complained that the group appeared clear to him that Pennywise has returned throughout history. They compete by go, clocking in at well under ten minutes. incapable of playing slowly. Such rumors Mike contacts the other members of the taking the heads of other Immortals, thus And the bluegrass accompaniment by the come to rest with this CD. The band Losers Club and one by one they return to gaining all that Immortal’s knowledge almost purposely includes slow songs on Derry to take on Pennywise and put an and power, with the ultimate goal being Dehorn crew is unexpected and this CD in order to please those who like end to the evil once and for all. to be the last one standing. “There can be wonderful. The story is one of King’s better only one!” Along with Leslie, you get just a few that sort of thing. But by the end of the efforts and it translates to the mini-series This set of 9 discs brings us the too many Star Trek songs, some Star CD, the group is blazing along in fine format well. With Tim Curry as complete first season, all 22 episodes, in Wars songs, and a couple of really weird Bringers fashion, so don’t be discouraged Pennywise the Clown, Henry Anderson their longer form (48 minutes) which things, like Boots Walk’s bizarre They’re if the first few songs aren’t fast enough (Richie Tozer), Dennis Christopher includes footage shown in Europe and Here and the Ballad of William for you they’re coming, for sure. (Eddie Kaspbrak), Richard Masur (Stan Canada but not in syndication here in the Robinson, by none other than Bill Michi, the Bringers amazing fiddle Uris), Annette O’ Toole (Beverly Marsh), USA. Each episode has commentary by Mumy, who of course would someday go player, has released a homemade CD as John Ritter (Ben Hascom), and Richard producer Bill Panzer as well as “Watcher” on to become half of Barnes and Barnes well, highlighting her formidable Thomas as (Bill Denbrough) we have an notes. Disc 8 includes nearly 20 minutes and a Dr. Demento staple. This CD is classical and traditional folk chops. From exceptionally strong cast. of Bloopers while disc 9 has all the first definitely entertaining but I think Dr. D. Bach to Paganini, from Hungary to The only extra on the DVD is the season scripts in Flash format. could have thought a little harder about Sweden, Michi’s incredible sense of tone feature-length Audio Commentary by Additionally there is a half hour the song selection, at least as far as the and timing make this a very interesting Dennis Christopher, Tim Reid, John documentary that was used to promote the Final Frontier goes... CD. She also includes a few of her own Ritter, Richard Thomas, and Director series before it debuted in 1992. compositions, and they’re all quite good. Tommy Lee Wallace but it is still highly This is a must have set for the Four Shillings Short: Of Labour and You can pick up both CDs from the recommended as an addition to any fan’s Highlander fan. While this set was Love www.art.net/4ss) Bringers at their shows, or at their collection. - Stephanie L Bannon released last year on the Official The latest release from California’s website, www.thebringers.com. Highlander site, www.highlander- Aodh Og O Tuama and wife Christy Tom Tuerff reviews CDs for ConNotations. If official.com, reports seem to indicate that Martin may be their best set yet. This you have a filk-related CD for him to review, Battle Beyond The Stars the Anchor Bay version is a higher video studio CD really showcases the amazing send him one, give him one, play it live over New Concorde 103 mins, PG quality and much less expensive plus it is the phone, he doesn’t care. VHS $14.98 , DVD $19.98 a more compact package.(With the musical fusion that these two are so ably original Davis/Panzer release apparently capable of in concert. I don’t know which This space opera version of The Seven all the disks had their own box which Samurai is definitely a B-film complete made the entire set an most a foot wide, with cheesy special effects but it is still a just a touch smaller than the original fun romp for a lazy Sunday afternoon as VHS box set ) In checking the site today I Roger Corman delivers clever dialogue note they are selling the Anchor Bay (script by John Sayles) and some DVDs now for the stated $89.95 price. surprisingly good performances. I eagerly await Season 2. The official Our story finds the evil dictator Sador website indicates it is now available (John Saxon) threatening the planet of (although the bbs implies that nobody has Akira with his super weapon, the Stellar actually _received_ one yet ...) They also Converter. Akira’s pacifist population is have all six seasons on VHS plus the only unfit to fight Sador but young hero Shad season of Highlander: The Raven - (Richard Thomas) decides to fight back Stephanie L Bannon even if no one else will. He borrows the ship of notorious mercenary Zed the Corsair and goes off to recruit a band of mercenaries, each of whom has a personal reason to join the fight. He manages to hire a lizard-like humanoid Volume 13 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 17 The next major step along the road and after 5 p.m. Students and faculty residence on nearly every PDP built by Gamer’s Corner involved the contribution of the pulp alike came from all over MIT to see what DEC, made it as Atari founder, Nolan space opera writer, E.E “Doc” Smith. the fuss was all about and then stayed to Bushnell’s Computer Space into the 1973 Video Game History 101: That’s not to say that Smith set out to wait for their crack at the game. It fit like film “Soylent Green”, and released to In The Beginning invent video games or even that he knew a hand in a glove that Spacewar! would arcades everywhere in 1978 by By Shane Shellenbarger that his writings were inspiring those be a part of the annual Science Open Cinematronics as Space Wars. people who would be inventing video House in May of 1962. Scoring was Modifications would later spawn games games, but without Smith and his literary added to limit matches to a certain like Asteroids, Lunar Lander, and The birth of the modern video game legacy the landscape of modern video number of points and a laboratory CRT Tempest, but that’s another story for arrived on a day in 1958, when Tennis games, a multi-billion dollar industry, was connected to the computer as a another time. For Two was born. The proud parents, secondary display to provide a view for http://www.lucyfan.com/cbseye.html might not exist. “Doc” Smith’s Lensman William Higinbotham and the physicist’s anxious onlookers. In that same month, http://www.pong-story.com/thefirst.htm and Skylark novels were a major team were working at Brookhaven at the first DECUS (Digital Equipment http://www.pong-story.com/atpong1.htm influence in 1961 on three MIT students, National Laboratory in Suffolk County, Computer Users’ Society) meeting, J.M. http://www.jitterbug.com/origins/ Wayne Wiitanen, Stephen “Slug” Russell, Long Island, New York. Brookhaven was Graetz presented the first paper on the doc.html and J.M. Graetz. Combine Smith’s also the home of the Brookhaven subject, entitled “Spacewar! Real-Time http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/ imagery, the imagination and technical Graphite Research Reactor and the Capability of the PDP-1.” This may have gaming/ innovation of three college students, and Cosmotron, the first billion-electron-volt been a form of justification of the http://www.classicgaming.com/museum/ the 4 bay PDP-1 solid state mini- particle accelerator that would later go on hundreds of hours spent on the game. pong/ computer donated to MIT from Digital to achieve a Nobel Prize-winning Russell considered ways of http://www.humnri.com/Enter/games/ Equipment Corporation and you get the commercializing the game, but given the default.asp discovery. The problems for Higinbotham worlds first video game to use stratagems: cost of the system, he and the rest of the http://www.osti.gov/accomplishments/ were the Russians and 50’s horror films: Spacewar! When the trio wasn’t innovators settled for disseminating it to videogame.html the Cold War was heating up and atomic discussing Bergenholm Inertialess Drives, everyone they could think of who had http://www.stanford.edu/~jjshed/ radiation was being blamed for DeLameters firing simultaneously at access to a computer or a programmable spacewar/index.html everything from giant ants to the end of zwilnik strongholds, and CRT. Spacewar! went on to take up the world. The community that incomprehensible gigawatts of energy surrounded BNL was generally of the flooding force screens as they flared into opinion that the Laboratory posed a clear the ultraviolet, they devoured the latest and present danger to the health and Toho releases that depicted atomic welfare of the people in the area. BNL monstrosities breathing radioactive death attempted to allay the fears of the local over a fleeing Japanese populace. That public by hosting a visitor’s day where was the atmosphere in which fermented the interesting – but non-threatening- the ideas that became the forty pages of research being conducted could be paper-punched program code inputted demonstrated. The guests came, were into the PDP-1 when it was first generally bored by the blinking lights and translated from TX-O after it was created whirring sounds generated by the and translated from MACRO and FLIT. mainframe computers, and they left. In addition to Wiitanen, Russell, and Their blasé attitude inspired Higinbotham Graetz, contributions were made by LISP into action. “I knew that from past specialist Dan Edwards; MIDAS visitor’s days that people were not much (successor to MACRO) writer Robert A. interested in static exhibits, so for that “RAS” Saunders; and Peter Sampson, year, I came up with an idea for a hands- who got the PDP-1 and Tixo to play on display-a video game,” said the late Bach. Willy Higinbotham. Using his After the software was written and background as an advanced radar systems tested, hardware problems needed to be physicist for the Manhattan Project, resolved. Try to imagine two QUAKE Higinbotham gathered together his team players hunched over one keyboard where to create the necessary elements for what one incorrectly pressed key would restart he would ultimately name Tennis For the game and you’ll have some idea what Two. challenges the developers faced. Members They programmed the trajectory of a of the Tech Model Railroad Club, Bob blip of light on an analog computer, and Saunders and Alan Kotok, made their then added two control boxes, each with a way to the TMRC room and scavenged “serve” button and a knob to control the materials. Some cobbling time later, two movement of the ball, and the game was control boxes were created. Add a CRT displayed on a 5” monochromatic and connect everything to the PDP-1 and oscilloscope screen. Debuting in the the boys were in business. Instrumentation Division display at the A simple yet elegant game, Spacewar! next visitor’s day the game was an instant originated with two spaceships, a hit with people waiting hours to play. depleting fuel supply, and phosphor dot Higinbotham never marketed nor torpedoes. It evolved when later elements patented the device, and while it was included accurate constellations with fifth programmed on a computer and used an magnitude and higher stars, a gravity- oscilloscope, there can be little doubt that well “Heavy Star”, and Hyperspace. Tennis For Two was the early ancestor to Players could use the gravity-well in the video game that started the fad that combination with their propulsion system hasn’t faded, Pong. to whip around the Sun and catch their opponent unawares. Of course, when both players used the same move it produced the “CBS opening” display as both ships turn slightly away from the Sun, use their thrusters, and then rotate their ships back into a position to fire torpedoes at the enemy player. The game became so popular and interrupted the computer lab so much that it could only be played during lunch hour Page 18 ConNotations Volume 13 Issue 2 Order series. There are a few surprises war on his galaxy. Even though he suffers every brick of the city streets by its feel In Our Book and returning characters. In addition to many unforgivable and heinous beneath his boots. Be careful what you seeing Mara in action, Lando and experiences, he finds he does not hate the wish for, Sam. In hot pursuit of a cold- Karrade being inventive businessmen, Yuuzhan Vong nor does he resent his blooded cop-killer across the rooftops of Star Wars: New Jedi Order Series and the makings of a romance between tormentor, Vergere. In the midst of his Unseen University’s library of magical Destiny’s Way Jacen and Danni Quee, the reader is not torture and refinement, Jacen Solo begins books, lightning strikes nearby. Vimes by Walter Jon Williams disappointed save one: Ben Skywalker. to understand his true nature. With his awakes to find himself in the city as it October 2002; 480 pages Holovids and pictures of the youngster is lessons learned, Jacen and Vergere escape was thirty years ago, right before a not enough, will Luke and Mara ever to the New Republic. dangerous period of civil unrest - and the With the fourteenth installment of the become participants in their baby’s life? Matthew Woodring Stover handles killer has traveled with him! New Jedi Order series by Del Rey, Readers, especially this one, would like to many subplots converging onto one Vimes must assume the role of his Destiny’s Way has a rounded out cast of see this family dynamic developed. another creatively with a passion and mentor, Sergeant John Keel, and with the twenty-four characters as well as their I read this book in less than two days. detail unrivaled in the Extended help of sweeper Lu Tze of the History intertwining subplots. This book has However as with any novel, too many Universe. The novel is a strong Monks (seen in Thief of Time), must several themes running through the story; subplots and characters causes the story psychological thriller as well as a science make sure that history follows its proper the most significant themes concern the to feel slow in places and much needed fiction novel. Traitor did not leave the course. destiny of Jacen Solo and the turning character interactions are written as reader confused. Rather, the reader I enjoyed the book thoroughly, as I point of the war with the Yuuzhan Vong. exposition. Overall, the novel is well becomes more infatuated with every turn have the entire Discworld universe. Mr. As the story unfolds, the reader learns written and enjoyable. Entertaining and of the page and is committed to reading Pratchett never seems to run out of ideas that the New Republic is still fighting enlightening, I recommend this novel to the entire book instantly. - Dawn Mullan in his highly varied world. Sam Vimes skirmishes and introducing new ways to anyone reading in the Extended Universe. and the coppers of the watch are some of circumvent the Yuuzhan Vong - Dawn Mullan We are not amused, Sir Guillaume my favorite characters. With them, Mr. advantage. The New Republic by Scott Farrell Pratchett has built an excellent series of government is falling apart as elections Star Wars: New Jedi Order Series Shining Armor Enterprises, $12.99 police procedurals, adapted to humor begin for a new Chief of State. The Traitor fantasy. Randall Whitlock Skywalkers, Solos and their comrades by Matthew Woodring Stover I have sometimes heard short, begin to collaborate on how to preserve Del Rey July 30, 2002; 292 pages humorous essays described as, “Good Wondrous Beginnings the tattered government and win against bathroom reading.” This is literally the Edited By Stephen H. Silver and the Yuuzhan Vong as odds dictate against This book is the thirteenth addition to case with We are not amused, Sir Martin H. Greenberg an amicable solution. Resentment the New Jedi Order series in the Star Guillaume. The folks selling the book at DAW, Approx. 316 pages, PB $6.99 between the military officers and Wars Extended Universe. Devoted mainly the recent “Estrella War” posted excerpts government officials escalate, causing to Jacen Solo and a cast of five other inside the doors of the porta-johns, at Wondrous Beginnings, a DAW desperate friends to resolve! the issues characters, this story is not only reading position for those comfortably January 2003 mass market paperback, is with the military, politicians, and Jedi. intriguing but also perplexing. Fluid and seated. Excellent advertising, and handy a Wonderful collection of first Science After elections, the Jedi Council omniscient, the author, Matthew if the T.P. runs out. Sir Guillaume (who Fiction publications by well known reforms, with some modifications, and Woodring Stover, demonstrates an acute has served as Baron of Califia and King authors in the field. Most authors, Orson becomes the High Council; all the while, knowledge of the Star Wars Universe as of Caid) is sort a “Dave Barry” among the Scott Card, for example, wrote stories a secret biological weapon is being well as the ability to entertain and mortify medieval re-creationists of the Society For almost exactly like their later output.. developed for future use by the New concurrently. Creative Anachronism (SCA). The book Others like Barry Malzberg wrote stories Republic. Later the High Council rejects From the first page, the book entices is a collection of his humor columns from quite unlike their later efforts. the use of such a weapon but the Chief of the reader to learn more about Yuuzhan the Caid newsletter, “Crown Prints.” Stephen H. Silver provides a State overrides their vote with his Vong culture, religion, and politics. We The stories are rollicking accounts of wonderful introduction to the book. He authority. Master Skywalker again finds learn that the Yuuzhan Vong are a highly SCA life and fractured medieval histories, compares the Launch of an author’s himself in the political arena in order to religious people whose main goal is to always with a warm heart and returning career to the launch of ships through diffuse a dangerous situation. suffer. Pain intensive activities are to the ideals of chivalry and friendship. history, the Vasa, The Shuttle Columbia Amid the chaos, Jacen Solo returns to especially pious for the Yuuzhan Vong. My copy should properly be called “Kung and the HMS Beagle. He holds the the loving embraces of his friends and These aliens believe suffering brings Pao Guillaume,” because of the stains unspectacular launch of the Beagle to be family after his escape from the Yuuzhan them closer to their gods. from the many spit-takes it induced very like that of a new author for much Vong with his friend and teacher, Their belief system suppresses during lunchtime reading. time passed before the Beagle achieved Vergere. Many are skeptical of her original thought and creativity. The Look for the book at larger fame. He draws the distinction between motivations and Vergere becomes a religion has evolved into a severe southwestern SCA events; order it from first publication and first sale. Some prisoner of the New Republic. controlling entity producing a strict caste Shining Armor Enterprises, 8539 authors have sold up to two stories only to In his quest to understand Jacen, his system, an oligarchic regime of priests, Dunwoodie Road, Santee CA 92071; or have their third sale actually achieve ordeal, his new friend, and the Force, shapers, and warlords. Those Yuuzhan www.sirguillaume.com. The price is print first. That is their first publication. Master Luke Skywalker questions Vong, who are found unworthy of glory $12.99 plus $3.50 Shipping. - Randall Take note of L. Sprague de Camp’s Vergere in her prison cell intensely. by reason of failure or physical Whitlock “Isolinguals” for it has been reprinted There in confrontation with the avian, deficiency, become members of the lowest only once before. It may be new to many Luke finds a perspective he had not caste called the Shamed Ones. These Night Watch fans. It contains themes which de Camp realized before about the nature of the lowly subjects are the slaves of the society by Terry Pratchett re-visited in “A Gun for Aristotle” and Force and himself. Though not convinced leading some Shamed Ones to resent their Harper-Collins Hardback $24.95 “Lest Darkness Fall.” of her intentions, Luke has the avian stay upper caste contemporaries. The stories are all readable. Most are in the Skywalker apartment and far away One ally to the aliens is a strange A friend passed me a reviewer copy of excellent. The book includes an from Jacen Solo. avian-like creature and Jedi Knight, this, Terry Pratchett’s latest Discworld introduction by the author if he or she is After taking an imposed, but well named Vergere. Throughout the story this novel. I guess I’m morally obligated to still with us. If the author is unavailable, needed, vacation by Master Skywalker, mysterious and treacherous being tortures write a review. Don’t worry, the hard someone close to the author writes it. In Jacen then reenters the war. With Jacen Jacen Solo, so that he may extend his cover edition is already on the shelves. the back of the book are mini-bios of all directing the battle from his mind, the current comprehension of the Force. Both Things are going very well for Sam contributors. Jedi fighter pilots melding with one physically and philosophically, Vergere Vimes, commander of the Anhk-Morpork Authors included are Murray another in coordination, the New employs her unique and devious means of City Watch. Since we first met him years Leinster, Ann McCaffrey, Hal Clement, Republic sets a trap for their invaders. instructing the young Jedi Knight. The ago in Guards Guards he has been Arthur C. Clarke, Gene Wolfe, George The bait of Jaina and Jacen Solo proves to Yuuzhan Vong believe Vergere is elevated to Duke and built the city watch R.R. Martin, Howard Waldrop, Jack be wise as the Yuuzhan Vong fall into the teaching Jacen their True Path. she is – from a dispirited bribe mill into an McDevitt, Jerry Oltion, Lois McMaster ambush easily. A decisive victory for the but not the path he was expected to take. effective and honest police force. He and Bujold, Stephen Baxter, Catherine Asaro, New Republic forces echoes loudly and She leads Jacen to the path he must take Lady Sybil are expecting the birth of their Michael A. Burstein and Julie E. the Yuuzhan Vong flee from their failure. to fulfill his destiny. first child at any moment. Still, Vimes Czerneda. Walter Jon Williams does a wonderful As he grows more mature by the hour, sometimes longs for the old days, when The book is fascinating for the capsule of job explaining the answers to many of the the young Solo son learns about the he was just a plain copper who knew insight it gives into the history and questions that have arisen in the New Jedi strange alien species that has declared (Cont’d on page 20 ) Volume 13 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 19 In Our Book (cont’d from page 19) nightclub singer/girlfriend, Adelle, the suspense filled plot lines makes Angelica power, and materialism, but to the very former silent screen star(now in clubs and an excellent novel. Sharon Shinn’s meaning of life and death. Is it a tome thought processes of the authors. The on radio), Faustine Petrova (Russian newest novel is a welcome addition to my where philosophy is argued to death and editors are to be commended. This is an Ballerina), Myrna (the dead barmaid) and library and I would recommend it as a the reader to sleep? Or is it a tale that example of what the alliance of an others. The gangsters are believable. The good fantasy novel. The press release that holds your interest and carries the reader academic (Silver) and a experienced brutal kidnapper, Dugan is villain anyone came with this book claims that it is “A to the conclusion with quiet passion. anthologist (Greenberg) can achieve. would love to hate. rich fantasy with crossover appeal to Obviously the latter, but with depth in They should do it again. - Gary Swaty I would recommend this book to romance readers.” Sense I read action passing that makes one think, and dream. detective fans, Horror fans and Fantasy adventure and sci-fi instead of romances I This is a must have for anyone who loved Cold Streets Fans. It is suitable for mature teens and don’t know how it compares to other the Earthsea series. If you haven’t read By P.N. Elrod adults. – Gary Swaty romance novels but it is definitely a rich them, you’ll want to go back and do so. Ace Books, Approx. 316 pages, PB fantasy. - William B. Whitmore Writing this pure, and truthful demands $6.99 Angelica it. In a five star rating system it deserves by Sharon Shinn The Other Wind a 10. - Pam Allan Cold Streets, an Ace Books January ACE, 496 pages, $23.95 by Ursula K. Le Guin 2003 mass market paperback, is a Gritty Ace Trade Paperback, 273 pp, $13.95 The Sword of the Land Detective novel set in Depression Era Over two hundred years ago the god by Noel-Anne Brennan Chicago at the Lady Crymsym Night Jovah brought the people to Samaria and The Other Wind is a continuation of ACE, 368 pages, $6.99 Club. Our Detective/Nightclub owner is enjoined them to live in harmony. For the Earthsea series and is the first new one Jack Fleming, a Vampire. The book two hundred years the Angels, city Earthsea novel in over a decade. Alder, a Princess Rilsin is eight years old and evokes all the wonderful imagery of the dwellers and the nomads have tried to maker, fears sleep because of dreams of her world is being turned upside down. period’s night life, all the action and follow the strictures of god. They gave up his deceased wife reaching out to him Her cousins the Milisin’s have staged a suspense of the period Detective novel all technology to prevent the development across the wall that divides the living coup and now her whole family is being and all the horror associated with of the weapons. They hold the Gathering from the dead. He realizes that the dead slaughtered in a civil war. The last Vampires and the supernatural. each year so that all the different people want him to free them from the prison of surviving Becha she is spared the fate of Jack combines his two vocations well. could meet and mix. not being reborn. He seeks advice from the rest of her family and is raised in the The action is continuous throughout. Our All was well until suddenly small Ged, the former archmage, who, in turn Milisin household. She is oath bound and detective gets no break. He solves a groups of people started to be incinerated. sends him to the king to organize the trained to become her cousins first kidnaping, resolves personnel problems at How was it being done? Who was doing mages to deal with the incipient change. minister. But as they grow it becomes the Nightclub, confronts the New York it? How could the people protect The dragons are now returning, enraged obvious that her cousin is not fit to rule. Mob representatives and on and on. The themselves? No one knows and everyone that their contract with humankind has What can Rilsin do? The very land sings action carries you from start to finish. is afraid. been broken. Alder must remake the in her blood calling out to her for help, You can’t put the thing down. Angelica is a return to the world of world, free the dead to be reborn, and the but she is oath bound to support her The characters are well drawn. The Samaria, home of the Archangel trilogy. dragons to return to the other wind. cousin. How can she heal the land? How Bohemian performers at the club are A rich and well textured world, Like any work of Le Guin’s, the Other can she help the people? How can justice especially satisfying. Bobbi Smythe, the interesting and likable characters, and the Wind speaks to us on many levels, not be restored? masterful interweaving of the two only the relationship of man to magic, to Sword of the Land is a well written

COPPERCON 22 THANK YOU!!! to our hard-working volunteers who made this convention better. We are pleased to give complimentary memberships to CopperCon 23, September 5th–7th, 2003 to the following people. If you do not see your name on this list,and feel that it should be, please contact us: CopperCon, PO Box 62613, Phoenix, AZ, 85082, or email: [email protected] Pass-thru memberships are neither transferable nor refundable and are only available for CopperCon 23 in 2003.

Janessa Anderson Ronnie Duran Teresa Kopaz & 2 Guests Helen ‘April’ Rice Rick Andrews Craig Dyer Rachel Korthals Jeff Richards Stephanie Bannon Vickie Edwards Megan Lane Ricardo Robles Kara Beasley Ivan Erickson Jackie Langholz Carlos Ross Mackenzie Beck Brian Esterson Kerry Langholz Christina Ross Zachary Beck Cody Ferris Kurt Langholz Kelly Sabucco Rob Beckwith Stephen Ferris Paula Lary Mark Saint Cyr Billy Bishop Maryeileen Flanagan Joanne Levee Wally Sanville Jennifer Bishop Jessie Foster Joe Levee David Smoker R. Merrill Bollerud Alda Fox Bridget Lloyd Barry Snider Mark Boniece Jennifer French Ramona Mackie Terri Spencer Catherine Book Jason Gates Ray Mackie Scott Staples Ron Book Jeff George Kim L Martin Gary Swaty Krista Bricker Pinkie Gish Steve Martindale Gus Talbott Elizabeth Burnham Ray Gish Kitty McDonald-Neal Paul Tanton Jason Bustard Sean Gish Frank McShane Kit Townsend Chuck Cady Steve Graham Ethan Moe Adam Tuerff Sam Cady Dawn Grigsby Amanda Munk Susan Uttke Tasha Cady Jon Grimes Kyrie Munk Larry Vela Chris Campbell Jesse Hankins Marguerite Murray Alex Verdusco Lois Cassady Joe Hedges Rusty Neal Jim Webbert Mike Cassidy Barton Henry Maryeileen Flanagan John Wheeler Patrick Connors Harley Herrin Amanda Osman Janet White Shahn Cornell Lori Herrin Christina Paige Lee Whiteside Jim Cryer Robyn Holzner Aaron Ray Craig Wilcox Jackie Cuneo Michael Jackson Callie Ray Ashley Wiley Loup DeVault Zachary Johnson Cary Riall Mike Willmoth Elizabeth Woodward Page 20 ConNotations Volume 13 Issue 2 In Our Book (cont’d from page 20 ) that may reverse the effect of autism in conversation with God, while Black Tulip adults. He wants them to be just like by Harry Turtledove offers a unique CASFS everyone else. ‘‘Normal” [ whatever that theory about why the soviets lost in sword and sorcery novel. It has a well is] Lou must decide if he wants to take Afghanistan. This is an extremely good Business Report constructed story line, interesting the treatment and if he does who will he collection of short stories written by some Supernal Readers characters and a distinct “Arthurian” be. Will he lose the way he views the of today’s finest authors specifically for flavor. This is not a gore soaked hack and On Saturday April 5, 2003 CASFS world, and the very essence of who he is. this anthology. I strongly recommend this and LepreCon Inc. will have adjacent slash. It is a realistic moral dilemma This a brilliant book, provocative, told book and predict it will become a favorite where Rilsin has the hard task of tables at The Arizona Book Festival. Our poignantly through the eyes and mind of in any library it joins. - William B. activities at The Festival have greatly choosing the “least bad” of her many very an autistic person as he struggles to Whitmore bad options. This book was enjoyable to expanded this year. We have a corner define his identity and the act of booth with premium display space for the read and I would recommend it to all. - changing into the unknown person he William B. Whitmore LepreCon Art, Barry’s Freebies plus might become. Well written, and autograph tables. We got a grant from thoughtful, its theme is universal. It is The Speed of Dark the Arizona Humanities Council to bring also a darn good read. I recommend it in David Brinn. We also have Doranna by Elizabeth Moon highly to all those readers in need of Ballantine Books, 340 pp, $23.95 Durgin, Diana Gabaldon, Ernest Hogan, something beyond space opera. - Pam Lee Hogan, Dennis L. McKiernan, Adam Allan The Speed of Dark is a departure from Niswander, Jennifer Roberson, Michael A. Stackpole and John Vornholt. We have Elizabeth Moon’s usual excellent science Redshift fiction although it takes place in the 90-minutes of stage time as well as our edited by Al Sarrantonio tables where the authors will gather, future. Lou Arrendale was born to reap ROC, 665 pages, $7.99 the benefits of a medical science where converse with readers and sign genetic defects can be removed at birth. autographs. Redshift is the best collection of short Progress continues on HexaCon 13 As one of a small group of high stories I have ever read. The Theme of functioning autistic adults, he is a (July 25-27, 2003). Work is proceeding this collection is “extreme visions of apace on CopperCon 23 (September 5-7, productive worker with a pharmaceutical speculative fiction” and Mr. Sarrantonio company defining fractal patterns into 2003) where we have Connie Willis as has collected 30 new stories for this book. our Author, David Mattingly as our programs, a talent inherent in the very With authors ranging from Michael defect that defines his autism. He has Artist, and Larry Warner for Filk. Moorcock to Ursula K. Le Guin to Joyce Final Financial Reports for HexaCon friends, a car, and a passion for fencing. Carol Oates this book covers a wide range He lives a contented, low key, 12 and 22 are still pending, but the of writing styles. In On K2 with numbers are good. It is a matter of independent life and tries to be as normal Kanakaredes by Dan Simmons we go as possible. A new manager comes in and income tracking. Where did the money mountain climbing in the Himalayas with come from rather than where did it go. wants to remove all the supports a friendly alien. A slow Saturday Night at necessary to employ the autistic workers, Until next time the Surrealist Sporting Club by Michael © Sherlock The Busy Scribe despite their high productivity. He wants Moorcock gives us an irreverent them to take an experimental treatment

Volume 13 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 21 8pm on the last Friday of each month in THE JEDI KNIGHTS Meetings are the Contact Mike McLaughlin at (602)461- Club January thru September and the second 3rd Sunday of each month. For more 5842 or write 1730 W Emelita Place Friday in October, November and information call Carol Alves, Publicity, #2025, Mesa AZ 85202-3144 or December at JB’s Restaurant, 2560 W. (760)244-9593 or write Jedi Knights, c/o [email protected] Listings Indian School in Phoenix, AZ. Write PO Jim Lowerre, 12291 Meade Street, Box 62613, Phoenix, AZ 85082-2613 or Garden Grove, CA 92841-3629 RAW GAMES (Role-players & (EDITOR’S NOTE: Please check your club listing call Stephanie L. Bannon (602)973-2341 Wargamers, Inc.) Role-players & for errors. Please send corrections and updates to the for information. Web www.casfs.org LEPRECON, INC. One of the two Wargamers, Inc. is the Valley’s oldest editor in writing to P.O. Box 62613, Phoenix AZ Phoenix area corporations that put on role-playing and wargaming club. 85082 or via email at [email protected]) C.R.O.F.T. Celtic Reenactment of yearly con-ventions. Best described as SF/ Currently meeting at 8159 W. Weldon in Fellowship and Trades is Phoenix based F gene-ralists with a main thrust into SF/ Phoenix every Sunday from 3pm-9pm ADRIAN EMPIRE A medieval and Reenactment group specializing in the F art. Guests are welcome. The meetings (except during conventions and other renaissance recreationist club. Sword- western European renaissance. As an org- are quarterly on the second Saturday of special events). Open to new members - fighting, arts, banquets, masquerades, anization, it is our goal to promote felow- Febr-uary, May, August & November call (602) 849-9515. www.rawgames.org dances. meets every Wednesday night ship while researching lifestyles and unless otherwise notified. August is the from 7-10pm at Encanto Park. All are trades concurrent with the Celtic Peoples annual meeting where board positions are REBEL LEGION - JUNDLAND welcome. Free. from 400 BC until 1746 AD. Although deter-mined. For more information, write OUTPOST The Jundland Outpost is a most members claim Scots, Irish or PO Box 26665, Tempe, AZ 85285; call small band of Rebels which form a part of ARIZONA LANBASHERS LEAGUE Welsh an-cestry and do Celtic re- Mike Willmoth, 480-945-6890, Email the rapidly growing Rebel Legion. A collaboration of computer gaming enactment, it is our intent to open [email protected] While it's main focus is Star Wars enthusiasts, the Arizona LANbashers participation to anyone with an interest in www.lepercon.org costuming, much like it's 501st counter- League throws quarterly LANparty period crafting and enter-tainment, no part the Dune Sea Garrison, the Jundland events. Between parties, support is given matter what his/her ethnicity. The sense MIB The Men in Black is the official Outpost's mission is to brighten up the to local groups who wish to advertise of being a real village surround-ing Croft organization of field operatives for Steve lives of children and Star Wars fans of all their own gatherings. We have no set is vital to promote a feeling of family and Jackson Games. They attend local con- ages across the Phoenix Metro area and genre of games and play anything from fellowship which was a reality in earlier ventions to demonstrate and promote eventually other parts of Arizona as well. strategy games to first-person shooters to times. Croft is a family-oriented and kid- products of Steve Jackson Games. The Members also make appearances with driving/flying simulations. No annual friendly organization.C.R.O.F.T. mem- also schedule demos in local gaming other Star Wars organizations as part membership is required and admission to bers can be found demon-strating in stores. If you have a gaming store or of a joint effort to help with Charities and an event ranges from $5-$15. See our events such as the Highland Games, convention that you would like to have events around Arizona. webpage for current events. Email: Scarborough Fair, and the Arizona official Steve Jackson Games represen- If you have an event you would like us to [email protected] Web: http:/ Renaissance Festival. Web page http:// tation at, please contact the MIB Arizona appear at, please contact us at www.lanparty.com/all/ VoiceMail: 602- www.crofters.org Cell Leader at [email protected]. 306-9339 [email protected]. THE DARK ONES (Dark-wunz) n. 1) SCIENCE FICTION CONTINUUM THE AWAY TEAM: The Away Team, An organization formed for the expres- ORANGE COUNTY SCIENCE The Science Fiction Continuum: An is a general sci-fi appreciation group that sion and exploration of various cultural FICTION CLUB meets last Wednesday Independ-ent Star Trek and Sci-Fi club in meets once a month for discussion of themes including, but not limited to, the of every month (except Dec.) We Phoenix, AZ. The SFCOM is an active various sci-fi news regarding several Dark Ages and the Renaissance through frequently have author guest speakers. club that participates in Local Phoenix, mediums to include: television, movies, forms of art including, but not limited to, You’re all welcome and South-western Star Trek and Sci-Fi video, books, comics, magazines, collect- painting, drawing, writing, photography, to come if you’re in the area. We meet conventions and movies. The SFCOM ing, and so forth. The meetings are spoken word, and acts of characterization. in Fullerton, about 5 miles north of has three different divisions. The SFCOM comprised of news, review and comment, 2) a member of this organization. 3) Disney-land. For more details ph. Greg itself, a free group where fun is the name BBS/computer news and help, meeting Infor-mation available at at [949] 552-4925 or send a message to of the game. The Deep Space SolarFlare new members, video presentations, www.darkones.org our listserve [email protected] (DSSF) an active member club in the games, and socializing fun! Food and International Federation of Treker’s drinks are provided, via a $3 munchie fee DAYSTAR HOLT Arizona’s first and PAReX is a non-profit, just for fun (IFT). This group is based on DS9 (a (per meeting) to compensate the host. longest-running Elfquest fan club. organization dedicated to the prolifera- space station). And the IKV Sto-Vo-Kor (No other fees are involved.) The elec- Daystar meets to talk about EQ and tion of robotics as a hobby. Monthly (Independent Klingon Vessel). A Klingon tronic home of the Away Team, is the related stuff, develop characters, publish meetings will be held and will be an- Bird of Prey, roaming the desert looking Lightspeed Space Station BBS at (520) stories in our ‘zine Playelf and create an nounced under the Meeting Information for battle. Are the Fed’s too soft, looking 325-6674.... Member ages for the group annual calendar. Other common interests page, http://www.parex.org/ for combat, feel the call to glory. This is range from 13-40-something with both include music, belly dance, camping and meetinfo.htm. All interest-ed persons are the ship for you. Member-ship in the male and female members. Other activi- of course, SF. Membership is free (18 or invited to participate. We are currently in SFCOM is free! To join DSSF or the Sto- ties include null-modem link gamefests, over) and is attained by group vote after the process of getting organized and Vo-Kor a nominal fee for the national group theater movie viewings, convention you attend two meetings or holt-related becoming an official organization with clubs involved and uniforms. For further trips and more. Have sci-fi fun in a get-togethers. Meetings are usually the tax status. Web page: http:// information contact President John relaxed, low-structure environment. NO first Saturday of each month; for more www.parex.org/ E-mail Contact: John Nelson at (602) 409-7169 or on the RUBBER EARS ALLOWED!! For info, call Tom or Janice at (602) 581- Kittelsrud, [email protected] internet at; [email protected] or questions, you can call the BBS, or write 2258. They have a website up at http:// check out our web site. http:// to: LSS c/o R. Martin; 2522 N. Sparkman members.home.net/jeanderson/ THE PHOENIX FANTASY FILM www.thesfcom.com Blvd.; Tucson, AZ 85716 daystarholt.html SOCIETY A Phoenix based club interest-ed in the entire realm of SF, SFACE (Speculative Fiction And Com- BASFA Baja Arizona Science Fiction THE EMPIRE OF CHIVALRY AND Fantasy and Horror film. PFFS has been puter Enthusiasts) Phoenix College’s one Association, a non-profit organization. STEEL, INC. The Empire of Chivalry in existence for 25 years, meeting every 6 and only connection to the worlds of Puts on TusCon Convention annually. and Steel specializes in the general weeks in mem-ber’s homes. Dues are $10 speculative fiction, including science Webpage: http://home.earthlink.net/ recreation of the culture of the Middle per year. Mem-bership includes newslet- fiction, fantasy, and horror as well as ~basfa Email: [email protected] Ages inc-luding all of the Art Forms, ters, an annual film awards and various table top, live action and internet gaming, Events (Feasts, Tournaments, Ceremonies outings. For information, contact PFFS, SFACE also serves as a guide through the CENTRAL ARIZONA SPECULA- and Wars) and Combat Arts covering the P.O. Box 34023, Phoenix, AZ 85067 or Internet - both teaching basic use and TIVE FICTION SOCIETY, INC. years of 800AD up to 1650AD and any call David Storck at (602) 274_7404, utilizing as a source of speculative fiction. (CASFS) The non-profit corporation that location within Europe or its explored e_mail: [email protected]. For more info contact Dr Ray Bromley at puts on CopperCon conventions, territories. For more information contact bromley.ray@ a1.pc.maricopa.edu. The SmurfCons, HexaCons, occasional Bart Smith (Phoenix) (602)937-6995 or RAGE ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST SFACE Web site is found at http:// regional cons, and publishes Con- Leonard Bird (Tucson) (520)742-2432 A Live Action Theatre Troupe based out www.pc. maricopa.edu/departments/ Notations. Best described as SF/F Web: www.galandor.org of the ASU campus in Tempe, AZ. It is studentact/organizations/sface/ generalists with a strong bent towards dedicated to the game Werewolf: The literary SF/F. Guests welcome - meets at Apocalypse by White Wolf publishing. ( cont’d on page 23 ) Page 22 ConNotations Volume 13 Issue 2 Club Listings ( Cont’d from page 22 ) hosts the annual G. Harry Stine Memorial get-togethers of fans of the X-Files living Rocket Launch every October. Visit in Arizona. We get together in both the www.sssrocketry.org for membership Phoenix and Tucson areas. To subscribe, SHADOWKEEP BBS Intelligent information, directions to the launches send an empty message to z-philes- conver-sation, awesome graphics, and meetings, and to read the monthly [email protected] stupendous door games, unworldly newsletter, “Newton’s Minutes.” filebank, RPG forums, QWK message UNITED FEDERATION OF PHOE- system and online RPG BBS-mode-rated TARDIS is a Phoenix-based General SF/ NIX A Phoenix area Star Trek and games! Our BBS is mainly RPG oriented Fantasy Fan Club, specializing in general SciFi fan club. We are a social and we offer many services to GMs and International media SF/Fantasy since club that meets every two weeks at players. No fees neces-sary for users who 1983. TARDIS meets every two weeks at various locations around the Phoenix post intelligent messages! $5 in credits to different locations around the valley. area. The UFP has been meeting for over new users. Over 20 conferences and 10 Activities include watching videos, 25 years of continuous activity. Dues are doors to choose from! Shadowkeep BBS - discussions, parties, fund-raisers, auc- $15/per year prorated when you join; no PCBoard 15.2/M - US Robotics 28.8 tions, games, camping trips and outings. restrictions. Membership includes Modem. Phoenix, AZ (602)245-0919; We also maintain an active presence at membership roster and monthly newslet- Connect at 2400-28800 local conventions. TARDIS publishes a ter. Come to any two meetings at no monthly inform-ative news-letter, The obligation. For information, write the THE SOCIETY FOR CREATIVE Index File, with a national circulation UFP at PO Box 37224, Phoenix, AZ ANACHRONISM The kingdom of which is included with mem-bership. 85069, or call Jim Strait at (602) 242- Atenveldt doth lie in the state of Arizona. Annual membership is just $12.50. You 9203. Web page: http://www.U-F-P.org Within the fair kingdom can be found six can contact us at 2243 W Wagon Wheel or Email to [email protected] Baronies: Atenveldt, Mons Tonitrus, Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85021, Voice Mail at Twin Moons, SunDragon, Tir Ysgithr (602) 864-0901, E-mail TARDIS- WESTERN SCIENCE FICTION and Ered Sul. For more information on [email protected] or visit http:// ASSOCIATION (WesternSFA) A non- any of these or for general information on www.primenet.com/~jgeorge/tardis.html profit corporation that sponsors the thy past tomorrows thou mayest contact ConRunners seminars and is sponsoring Mistress Myrddina o Dolwyddelan (Terry TEKWAR FAN CLUB Sanctioned by the 2004 Westercon. Dedicated primarily Schwartz) PO Box 584, Sonoita AZ the series’ production companies and the to educational activities relating to 85637 (520)455-5835 Email: USA Network! It is THE information literature, music, and visual and perform- [email protected] www.atenveldt.org conduit between the fans and the series! ing arts, especially in the genres of Fan club membership will bring you the science fiction, fantasy, costuming, THE SOUTHWEST COSTUMER’S following 1) subscription to the info filled gaming and science. Applicants for GUILD The Southwest Costumers Guild Tek Informer newsletter; 2) official membership in WesternSFA must be is a loose organization of persons TekWar Fan Club membership card and sponsored by a current active interested in all facets of historical, kit. Membership is by regular mail only WesternSFA member. Dues are $10 cultural, science fiction, fantasy, and and the newsletter and mater-ials will not yearly plus a $5 non-refundable applica- humor costume. Members are often seen be reproduced electron-ically. To join the tion fee. General Meetings are held on on stage and behind the scenes at local action and initiate your annual member- the first Friday of February, May, August and regional Science Fiction Conven-tion ship, make check or money order out for and November, usually at the home of a masquerades. They meet on the last $12.50 to: Official TekWar Fan Club member. Guests are welcome. For more Sunday of each month at various mem- (Membership section), 2522 N Sparkman info contact Craig Dyer at WesternSFA, bers’ homes in the greater Phoenix area. Blvd., Tucson AZ 85716-2417 PO Box 87457, Phoenix AZ 85082, (602) For details. Southwest Costumers Guild, 973-2341, Email: [email protected]. PO Box 39504, Phoenix, AZ 85609 or T.H.E.M. is ASU’s science fiction and Webpage: www.westernsfa.org Randall Whitlock at [email protected] fantasy club. Weekly meetings are held or www.southwestcostumersguild.org on the Arizona State University campus, with dates and places to be announced SPACE ACCESS SOCIETY Space after the semester starts. For more Access Society’s sole purpose is to information, [email protected] promote radically cheaper access to space, www.themonline.org ASAP. We think it’s possible within ten years, with a little luck and a lot of hard TUCSON FAN ALLIANCE E-Mail work. Join us and help us make it Address is [email protected] or happen! SAS membership is $30 for one [email protected]. year, which gets you emailed Space Access Updates the instant they pass final USS STORMBRINGER The Storm- edit, plus discounts on our annual confer- bringer is a correspondence Star Trek fan ence on the technology, politics, and busi- club chapter of Starfleet, Intl. based out of ness of radically cheaper space trans- Tucson AZ. The chapter was commis- portation, featuring leading players in sioned as the USS Stormbringer NCC- the field. Email us at: 74213, attached to Division 31, Starfleet [email protected] Web Covert Operations, on 10/31/98. As of 11/ page: www.space-access.org/ 29/98 there were 32 members. There are no dues other than the $15 for joining STARBASE TUCSON Tucson Arizona What is CASFS? Star-fleet Intl.. Members are scattered based Star Trek club. For info call Geof What is really behind putting on a convention? What the funds raised by a world wide but the primary clusters are in Wood at (520) 746-1822 or write Star- convention used for? Why not attend a meeting and find out? We’re the sponsor of Tucson, AZ and Plano, TX. They don’t base Tucson; 3314 E. Benson Hwy; ConNotations, CopperCons, HexaCons, SmerfCons and other conventions. We are meet on a regular basis since they are a Tucson AZ 85706. Email: a charitable, non-profit organization that exists to further science fiction, fantasy correspondence chapter. Their web site is: [email protected] and science fields in Arizona. CASFS currently meets at the JB’s Restaurant at http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/ 2560 W Indian School Rd in Phoenix (NW corner of I-17 and Indian School). The 9505/ and their contact/CO is Capt. Dave SUPERSTITION SPACEMODELING meetings begin at 8PM and are held on the last Friday of the month Jan. Through Pitts, [email protected]. SOCIETY is Arizona’s club for builders Sept. And on the second Friday of the month Oct through Dec. Everyone is invited of model and high_power rockets and to attend two meetings as a guest (non-member). Membership rates are $12/year Z-PHILES are the ariZona x-PHILES. plus an initial $3 application fee and rates are pro-rated for the amount of the year those who love to see them fly. Launches We maintain a mailing list for news and remaining. For more info Call: Stephanie L. Bannon (602)973-2341 Webpage: are held on the second Saturday morning www.casfs.org email: [email protected] of each month in Rainbow Valley. SSS Volume 13 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 23 for up to 4 people. (206) 246-8600 for Loscon 30 (Burbank CA) November 28- Convention reservations Info: Westercon 56, PO Box 30, 2003 Burbank Hilton and Conven- Musty Tomes 1066, Seattle, WA 98111 Phone: (206) tion Center hat we have departed Writer Listings 723-9906, Email: [email protected] Guest: Fred Saberhagen; Artist Guest: Wild Cards Web: http://www.wester56.org/ Teddy Harvia; Fan Guest: Jack L. edited by George R.R. Martin Phoenix Cactus Comic Con (Phoenix Chalker. Membership: $35 thru 7/31/03 AZ) Sunday April 13th, 2003 9 AM to 3 Bantam, 408 pp Bubonicon 35 (Albuquerque, NM) Hotel Rates: Burbank Hilton, 2500 $14.00, oversized softcover, I-Books PM Location: Glendale Civic Center August 22-24, 2003 Howard Johnsons Hollywood Way, Burbank CA (818)843- 5750 W. Glenn Drive, Glendale, AZ Info: East. Guests: Author: Charles De Lint, 6000 Rooms: $98 S/D/T/Q Suite $118 S/ Wild Cards was originally published [email protected]. Artist: TBA, Toastmistress: Melinda M. D/T/Q. Info: Loscon 11513 Burbank in 1986. Recently, these treasures have Snodgrass Memb: $22 thru May 26. Hotel Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601 LepreCon 29 (Phoenix, AZ) May 16-18, Howard Johnson East, 15 Hotel Circle Phone: (818) 760-9234 [LASFS Club- been reissued in the softcover oversized 2003 Embassy Suites Phoenix North, NE (Eubank & I-40) Albuquerque NM house; leave message E-mail: paperback. This is the very first book of Phoenix, AZ Artist GoH: Larry Elmore; (296)4852 or 800-877-4852 Rates: $55 S/ [email protected] Web: http:// what looks like an infinite series. Martin Local Artist/Author GoH: Madame M; D/T/Q Info: NMSF Conference, PO Box www.loscon.org/loscon/30/index.html teamed up with a group of writers to Media Technical Guest: Richard Coyle; 37257, Albuquerque NM 87179 produce what has been termed a “mosaic” Author Guest: TBA; Music Guest: TBA DarkCon 2004 (Phoenix, AZ) Jan 9-11, book. Essentially, it is a novel composed Memb: $25 until 8/31/02, $30 until 12/ CopperCon 23 (Phoenix, AZ) Sept 5-7, 2004 Winter Gaming & SF/F Convention 31/02 Hotel: info: Embassy Suites of short, interrelated stories written by 2003 Literary oriented SF/F Convention Embassy Suites Phoenix North, Phoenix, different writers. What is remarkable is Phoenix North, 2577 W. Greenway Road, Embassy Suites Phoenix North, Phoenix, AZ Memb: $20 Hotel Rates: Embassy Phoenix, AZ 85023-4222, (602)375-1777 how seamless the stories are and difficult Arizona Guests: Author GoH: Connie Suites Phoenix North, 2577 E. Greenway it can be to determine where one writer Room Rates: $89 S/D, $99 T/Q (plus tax) Willis, Artist GoH: David Mattingly; Rd, Phoenix, AZ (602) 375-1777. Rooms: left off and the next began. Info: LepreCon 29, P.O. Box 26665, Music GoH Larry Warner Memb: $30 $79 S/D, $89 T, $99 Q (plus tax) Tempe, AZ 85285 Phone: (480)945-6890 thru 4/30/03, $35 thru 8/25/03, $40 at the Info: (623) 435-9700; Email: In 1946, a group of aliens decided to Email: [email protected] Web: door Hotel Rates: Embassy Suites [email protected]; website: test out a new virus on Earth before using www.leprecon.org Phoenix North, 2577 E. Greenway Rd, www.darkones.org it on their own planet. One of their own Phoenix, AZ (602) 375-1777. Rooms: argued against the ethic of it and tried to ConRunners 5 (Phoenix AZ) June 14, $79 S/D, $89 T, $99 Q (plus tax) Gallifrey One's Fifteen Minutes of stop them. He was not successful. The 2003 A day long seminar on fan-run Info: CopperCon 23, PO Box 62613, Fame (Los Angeles, CA) Feb 13-16, virus was released over New York City. science fiction conventions. Are there Phoenix, AZ 85082, Phone (480) 423- 2004 The Airtel Plaza Hotel, Los things you would like to see at local And the world was never the same. 0649, Email: [email protected] ; Angeles, CA Guests: Colin Baker, Peter The virus opened up the human mind conventions? Have you ever wondered Website: www.casfs.org Davison + many more Memb: $30 thru 5/ what goes on behind the scenes in and caused changes - really dramatic 31/03, $35 thru 8/31/03, $40 thru 11/30/ changes in many. It caused death to many planning a convention? Then this is the Conjecture 2003 (San Diego, CA) Oct 3- 03, $45 thru 1/31/04 and $50 at the door. more. The ones that lived had to learn to place for you! Come, let your ideas be 5, 2003 DoubleTree Mission Valley Hotel, Info: Gallifrey Conventions, Post Office heard and pick up some tips from others. San Diego CA. GoH: Robert Charles Box 3021, North Hollywood, CA 91609 live with those changes. Some of the Registration opens at 8:30AM. Our Wilson Memb: TBA Info: ConJecture, Email: [email protected] changes were beneficial, even miraculous. Morning Session will be from 9AM to Box 927388, San Diego CA 92192 Some were horrible beyond belief making 1PM and the topic is Convention email: [email protected] website: World Horror Convention 2004, monsters of the victim. Others were Security. Lunch Break 1PM-2PM www.conjecture.org (Phoenix AZ) April 8-11, 2004 Embassy relatively mild and innocuous. But it Afternoon Session 2PM to 4PM: Guest Suites Phoenix North, Phoenix, AZ seemed random chance that defined the Liaison; 4PM-6PM Post LepreCon 29 TusCon xXx (30) (Tucson, AZ) Nov 14- Guests: Editor Guest of Honour: Stephen discussion. We will provide soda, coffee, degree. A turn of the cards, so to speak. 16, 2003 InnSuites Hotel, Tucson AZ Jones; Toastmaster: David Morrell; More And so the ones who benefitted were tea and light munchies Membership: $15 Guests: TBA Memberships: $35 until 5/ To Be Announced Memberships: $100 For more info: ConRunners, PO Box named Aces and the less fortunate were 18/03, $40 until 9/07/03, and $45 after thru 3/31/03, $110 after Hotel Rates: $88 Jokers. The Aces became Super-Heroes 67457, Phoenix AZ 85082 or call 602- that and at the door. One-days are $15/ S/D/T/Q (plus tax); Embassy Suites and the Jokers were relegated to a ghetto. 973-2341 [email protected] 30/15 for Fri/Sat/Sun. Children (ages Phoenix North, 2577 E. Greenway Rd, www.westernsfa.org 3-12) are 1/2 current adult rates. Hotel: Phoenix, AZ (602) 375-1777 And so we are introduced to Dr. InnSuites Hotel, 475 North Granada, Info: World Horror 2004, c/o LepreCon, Tachyon, the alien prince who tried to Westercon 56 (SeaTac, WA) July 3-6, Tucson AZ 85701 Per night rates are $69 Inc. PO Box 26665, Tempe AZ 85285; stop the experiment and Croyd Crenson, 2003 Doubletree Seattle Airport Hotel. (studio room) or $79 (2-room suite). (480) 945-6890; e-mail: the Sleeper, whose wild card changes Guests: Writer: Bruce Sterling, Artist: Reservations: 1-877-446-6589, Fax: 520- [email protected]; website: every time he falls asleep so he tries not Lisa Snellings, Toastmaster: Connie 623-8922, Local: 520-622-3000 Info: www.leprecon.org/whc2004 to sleep for as long as possible. We also Willis, Science: Dr. Michio Kaku TusCon, PO Box 27307, Tucson AZ Science, Fan: Saul Jaffe, Editor: Claire meet The Turtle, a mysterious man who 85726-7307 FAX us at: 520-571-7180, or ConKopelli, Westercon 57 ( Litchfield flies inside a metal shell and becomes a Eddy Membership rates thru May 1, call Cristi at 520-881-3709 or Rebecca at Park, AZ) July 2-5, 2004 Wigwam 2003: $65 attending, $30 Supporting great hero only to fall into disrepute. 520-293-1455Email: [email protected] Resort, Litchfield Park, AZ Guests: There was Golden Boy who was a real Hotel: Doubletree Seattle Airport Hotel. Web: http://home.earthlink.net/~basfa/ Author GoH: C.J. Cherryh; Artist GoH: Superman and poor Blythe, also named 18740 International Blvd in Seatac, WA David Cherry; Music GoH: Heather Room rates are $109.00 per night plus tax Alexander ; Fan GoH: John Hertz Info: “Brain Trust” who took people’s Arizona in 2004 PO Box 67457 Phoenix, memories and abilities. And as the series AZ 85082 Email: [email protected] progresses chronologically, so do the Generic Convention Regestration Form Web: http://www.conkopelli.org players. These are absolutely wonderful and addicting stories. If you have never World Fantasy Convention 2004 found them before, take advantage of Name:______(Tempe, AZ) Oct 28-31, 2004, Tempe these new issues to get acquainted. Badge Name:______Mission Palms, Tempe, AZ Guests: To Be Anyone who has ever loved comic books Announced Memberships: $100 thru 5/ and heroes will find these stories Address:______30/03, $110 after Hotel Rates: $155 S/D/ irresistible.- Catherine Book T/Q (plus tax); Tempe Mission Palms, City/State/ZIP:______Tempe, AZ (800) 547-8705 Info: World Phone:______Email:______Fantasy 2004, c/o LepreCon, Inc. PO Box 26665, Tempe AZ 85285; (480) 945- Enclosed is $______for ______memberships for 6890; e-mail: [email protected]; ______convention. website: www.leprecon.org/wfc2004 (See calendar for mailing address) More info on __ Masquerade __Art Show __Volunteer __ Other

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