Volume 19, Issue 6 December / January 2009 / 2010 ConNotations FREE The Bi-Monthly Science Fiction, Fantasy & Convention Newszine of the Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society

A Conversation with Featured Inside Todd Lockwood Regular Features Special Features by Bob LaPierre SF Tube Talk An Conversation with All the latest news about Todd Lockwood I sat down with Todd Lockwood during Scienc Fiction TV shows by Bob LaPierre his recent appearance at WesterCon in by Lee Whiteside Tempe Arizona. We talked about a number Hokey Smoke! th of topics and digressed endlessly. I have Gamers Corner It’s the very nearly 50 left off most of the personal comments Anniversary of Rocky the Flying New and Reviews from Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose between us and tried to keep the important the gaming world (to the reader) parts in. Todd is a pleasant, By Shane Shellenbarger interesting, and very candid man. We Videophile An Amercan in New Zealand ranged far afield on topics and passed Reviews of genre releases by Jeffrey Lu information on a common friend. Here is on DVD the substantive part of that conversation. Trivia Questions Screening Room Bob LaPierre: Since your departure from Reviews of current theatrical releases Plus Hasbro/Wizards of the Coast what have CASFS Business Report you been up to? In Our Book Todd Lockwood : Freelancing, mostly Reviews of New SF/F Books book covers, which is what I always FYI News and tidbits of interest to fans wanted to do. So that worked out and Musty Tomes everything is fine. © Bob LaPierre Reviews of Classic Genre books Club Listings BL: Anything that we would recognize? two parts and the titles are not finalized Convention List & TL: Well I did two covers for a couple of NOTICE! as of publication; ed.). Generic Registration Form young adult books that R.A. Salvatore did with his son Geno, They’re called the Beginning January 1, 2010, subscrip- (minor discussion about the realities of “Stowaway” and the “Shadow Mask“. tions to ConNotations will increase to working titles vs. actual titles and the CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT There is a third book due in that series. I $25 for 6 issues. We regret the increase, importance of not releasing a wrong title just finished the cover for a Tad Williams but our costs are going up. If you enjoy for the work.) www.casfs.org/ConNotations/Index- novel. It is the third book in the series. getting ConNotations in a print format CN.html Michael Whelan did the first book in the then please consider a subscription. BL: So now that you are freelancing, do series, “Shadowmarch” and I did Donations are also welcome and are FOR UP TO DATE INFO AND MOVIE you find it more relaxing? Is there less “Shadowplay“, and this is the follow up to tax-deductible. REVIEWS BETWEEN ISSUES that (note the third volume was split into ( Continued on page 4 )

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Volume 19 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 1 Pick up your copy of ConNotations at the following locations In This Issue Who Is Who This Issue News & Reviews Managing Editor: Stephanie Bannon BOOK STORES COMIC STORES Assistant to the Editor: Gary Swaty SF Tube Talk 3 Graphics Editor: Craig L. Dyer Bent Cover Bookstore All About Comics Gamers Corner 6 Film & Video Editors: Len Berger, Craig 12428 N. 28th Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85029 5060 N. Central, Phoenix, AZ FYI 8 L Dyer & Bob LaPierre Screening Room 10 (602) 942-5932 (602) 277-0757 Promotions Directors: Len Berger, Videophile 10 Richard Bolinski, Craig L Dyer Book Exchange Ash Avenue Comics & Books Musty Tomes 12 Advertising: Catherine Book 4320 N. Miller Road #F, Scottsdale, AZ 810 S. Ash, Tempe, AZ (480) 858-9447 In Our Book (Book Reviews) 13 Proof Readers: Catherine Book, Bob 85251 (480)990-8380 Atomic Comics CASFS Business Report 20 LaPierre & Gary Swaty Reporters: Craig L Dyer, Jeffrey Lu Book Gallery 1120 S. Country Club, Ste. 105, Mesa, AZ Special Features Staff Writers: Pam Allen, Nadine 3643 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix AZ 85210 (480) 649-0807 A Conversation with Todd Lockwood Armstrong, Stephanie L Bannon, Catherine 85018 (602)468-0400 4537 E. Cactus, Phoenix AZ 85032 by Bob LaPierre 1 Book, Shane Bryner, Craig L. Dyer, M.L. Fringe, Michael Griffin, Bob LaPierre, 50 W. Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201 (602) 923-0733 Hokey Smoke! Jeffrey Lu, Christina Paige, Shane (480) 835-0757 th by Shane Shellenbarger 5 Shellenbarger, Gary Swaty, Tom Tuerff, 10215 N. 28 Dr, #A1, Phoenix, AZ 85051 An American in New Zealand Book Krazy Lee Whiteside, Randall Whitlock (602)395-1066 by Jeffrey Lu 6 Contributors: 1601E Bell #4-5, Phoenix , AZ 85022 3155 W. Chandler Blvd #5, Chandler AZ Trivia Questions 7 Layout & Design: Stephanie L. Bannon (602)867-1018 85226 (480)940-6061 Keeper of the Mailing List: Craig L. 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Page 2 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 6 Johns, bringing many legacy characters which Mallozzi describes as “Nothing is up from that point and they’re on very SF Tube Talk to the world. Guest starring as quite as it seems? Try — no one is quite different tracks for quite awhile. Joseph TV News & Previews Carter Hall/ will be Michael as they seem. Furtive moves, shifting has different priorities than Daniel does. Shanks, Brent Stait will be Kent Nelson/ alliances, and hidden agendas guarantee a Neither of them is really thinking that By Lee Whiteside Doctor Fate, Britt Irvin as Courtney dysfunctional and disquieting galaxy- anything from the pilot is going to Whitmore/Stargirl and Phil Morris hopping community.” The series will resurface again. Daniel has no idea that sftt Dec/Jan 09/10 returns as the . resume in January with Divided, which Zoe exists in the Cylon and as far as According to Geoff Johns “Yes, “is the one that really sings. It is taut, Joseph is concerned, that’s all yesterday’s We’ve got news this time on what’s Hawkman will have wings. And a big suspenseful, filled with intrigue, and news and he’s trying to move on with his been doing well in the new fall shows, mace. Oh. And he and don’t offers up some terrific dramatic son. Each of them will find in very early Syfy’s latest miniseries, and David get along. At all.” performances by many of our cast,” episodes that actually, these things have Tennant’s Doctor Who swan song. will be bunching up according to Mallozzi on his blog. After reverberations and repercussions and The new fall season is underway and episodes on Friday nights in December that will be Faith, which deals with they’ll be drawn back in to these so far there are no casualties in the genre starting with The Public Eye where religion and faith and how it relates to the plotlines.” Spike fans should note that series department, although some have is sent to stop Senator Daniel Perrin Ancients and the crew of the Destiny. In James Marsters will be on the series as been faring better than others. Flash (Alexis Denisof) before he can expose Human, Nicholas Rush risks his life in a terrorist leader Barnabus Greeley. Forward debuted strongly for ABC and the Dollhouse’s secrets. Adelle and dangerous experiment involving the In new series news, Syfy has has gotten a full season order. With the Topher travel to the Washington, D.C. ship’s computer, and flashes back to the announced they have bought the rights full season order in place, the producers Dollhouse where they meet its genius time when he was first recruited into the from RDF Media to make their own promise to show us that fateful day in programmer, Bennett Halverson Stargate program. This episode will version of Being Human, the current April 2010 on that exact date, April 29th. (Summer Glau), a woman with a feature a guest appearance by Michael BBC series about a vampire, werewolf, But don’t expect the story to end there. mysterious past connection to Echo. In Shanks. In the episode Lost, the focus and ghost sharing a flat. Syfy plans to ABC’s debut of “V” drew record ratings The Left Hand, Echo and Bennett have a will be on Ronald Greer with a flashback reimagine the series for a US audience for the time slot for the network. They are shocking meeting as Adelle goes head-to- to his youth when he was dealing with his and have committed to 13 episodes probably now wishing they hadn’t shut head with the ruthless head of the father, Reginald, who was a victim of already. According to Syfy executive down production which will mean the Washington, D.C. Dollhouse (guest star Gulf War syndrome. Mark Stern “We’ve loved this project show won’t have any new episodes after Ray Wise). Meanwhile, Topher sees The second season return of and been tracking it for a while. Being the initial batch of that have aired in double when he involves in his Sanctuary has produced record ratings, Human definitely distinguishes itself as November. Eastwick has been doing fair espionage, and Perrin finds a surprising getting a boost from having Stargate something new and different in a for the channel, but nothing to get excited witness to testify against the Rossum Universe as a lead-in. There’s not really landscape filled with familiar about, and it will likely not get any Corporation. Next up is Meet Jane Doe any information on upcoming episodes, supernatural fare. In adapting it, we episodes beyond its initial 13. CBS’s where Echo finds herself out in the however. Upcoming episodes include intend to work closely with RDF to keep teaming up of The Ghost Whisperer and world-at-large as she struggles to control Next Tuesday where Will and Magnus’ the wit, insight, and humor of the Medium seems to be working out well for her multiple memory downloads. Topher helicopter crashes on a decommissioned original, while opening up the series for a the channel with Medium sometimes discovers the dangers of science that will oil rig while carrying an abnormal. After new audience.” Many fans have already doing better than Ghost Whisperer on have devastating effects on the future, that is Penance, which will guest star expressed doubts about a US remake, some weeks. While Heroes hasn’t done while Adelle engages in a power struggle Michael Shanks (who is really getting especially when the UK original is still any better in the ratings this year than with Harding (Keith Carradine). In A around this year) as a character named going strong. Recent attempts to remake last, compared to the other new dramas Love Supreme Echo’s past romantic Jimmy. UK produced series such as The on the channel and the Jay Leno show, its engagements are found murdered, and the Syfy’s big miniseries this December is Eleventh Hour and Life on Mars have doing better still than a good part of the Dollhouse fears that Alpha (Alan Tudyk) Alice, from the producers of Tin Man, it not been successful. rest of the network’s schedule. Expect the has returned to seek his revenge. The is a contemporary reimagining of Alice In Both the BBC and BBC America will show to take a break before coming back Actives turn against their handlers, Wonderland that will air on Sunday and be airing the final David Tennant Doctor early in the year, though, possibly paired leaving one member of the house Monday, December 6 and 7. It stars Who episodes at the end of the year. back up with Chuck once again. Over on permanently mind-wiped. Two more Caterina Scorsone as Alice Hamilton, While the BBC will have already aired FOX, Fringe has dropped substantially episodes will air in December, Stop-Lost, and independent twenty-something who The Waters of Mars in mid-November, from its initial ratings last year and may and , for which no information finds herself on the other side of a BBC American has it slated to debut on need to pick things up to get a third has been released. looking glass in a strange city with Sunday, December 19th. The official season. Dollhouse has been pretty much Over on Syfy, Stargate Universe twisted towers and casinos built out of description of the episode reads as “All declared dead by FOX and they will be debuted strongly and has held up in the playing cards that is ruled by the evil will be revealed as the Doctor and his doubling up episodes during December to ratings for the most part, although doing Queen of Hearts (Kathy Bates). Also companion Adelaide (Lindsay Duncan) clear out their inventory after having comparable to early seasons of Stargate starring are Tim Curry as Dodo, Colm face terror on the Red Planet in one of the pulled the series for November sweeps. Atlantis as compared to the more Meaney as the King of Hearts, Philip scariest adventures yet. Peter O’Brien The Vampire Diaries has done successful Warehouse 13. We’ve got a Winchester as Jack Chase, Matt Frewer guest stars as Ed, Adelaide’s second-in- gangbusters for the CW and has also couple of episodes coming up in as the White Knight, Andrew Lee Potts command at the base.” The story is set on gotten a full season order and December and then after a break for the as Hatter, Harry Dean Stanton as the Mars in 2059 at Bowie Base One and Supernatural appears to have benefitted holidays, the series should resume in Caterpillar, Alessandro Juliani as 9 of while it will have some thematic link to some from a stronger lead-in. Smallville, early January. First up is Justice, which Clubs, Timothy Webber as Carpenter, the final two episodes of Tennant’s run, as expected, saw its live viewing numbers deals with shipboard justice and Alex Diakun as Ratcatcher, Zak it will not be a direct tie-in to them. drop substantially when it moved to according to producer Joseph Mallozzi Santiago as 10 of Clubs, and Eugene Airing over Christmas in the UK and Friday, but when DVR viewing is figured “we shift focus from the dark and Lipinski as Doctors Dee and Dum. shortly after in the US on BBC America in, total viewers haven’t dropped much dangerous alien environment of ‘Time’ to Coming up in January, Syfy will is the two part finale dubbed The End of from last season. the shocking discovery and troubling finally debut the Battlestar Galactica Time. Joining The Doctor as a companion Smallville will be back in January developments presented in ‘Justice.’ Will prequel series Caprica on January 22nd for the episodes is Donna Noble’s with Disciple which will feature Steve Waring is doing the honors here, with the pilot movie that has already been grandfather, Wilfred Mott, played by Bacic guest starring as The Dark Archer, directing an episode that promises more out on DVD since last April. The series Bernard Cribbens. Reports are that an old mentor of Oliver Queen’s who is a than a few surprises in addition to will pick up from the pilot and will focus there will also be appearances by other member of a Celtic assassin cult, with decisions both startling and unsettling on Zoe and how she handles being a actors from the series including Elise Gatien returning as Mia Dearden that will have far-reaching consequences robot and how she copes with the real Catherine Tate (Donna Nobel), John (aka Speedy). After that will be a big for the Destiny crew.” After that is the world. According to producer Ron Barrowman (Jack Harkness), John two-parter (Society/Legends) featuring first of the mid-season two-parter, Space, Moore, for Joseph and Daniel, “We pick the Justice Society written by Geoff ( Cont’d on page 4 ) Volume 19 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 3 SF Tube Talk ( Cont’d from page 3 ) A Conversation ( Cont’d from page 1 ) want to return any of my messages. They it’s easy to go to as well. Those would be are sitting on a pile of my first art book my top two. I do NorwestCon pretty Simms (The Master), Camille Coduri stress? (“Transitions”) in England and I can’t get much every year, I didn’t last year but (Jackie Tyler), Jacqueline King (Sylvia TL: In some ways it is and in others it ahold of any copies. Because they don’t Bob Salvatore and I were co-GOHs this Noble), Tommy Knight (Luke Smith), isn’t. I freelanced more of my career than have a distributor in the year so that was fun. You would think Alexandra Moen (Lucy Saxon), Billie not. I freelanced in advertising for fifteen anymore, they (annoyed) Sterling. They that would have happened before but that Piper (Rose Tyler), and Elisabeth years, before I went to TSR. So won’t talk to me. So a little upset with was the first time we’ve been GOHs Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith) to name a few. freelancing again is familiar, it’s more them, no actually I’m a lot upset with together anywhere. It looks to be a big finale and the end of stressful in some ways because there is them. So it’s a matter of finding someone an era for the show as Russell T. Davies no getting around your deadlines. When else who’s willing. It will have pretty BL: Well you have to find a chairman turns the series over to Steven Moffat. you miss one it’s bad and you try not to much every Bob Salvatore cover that I who specifically wants that sort of That’s not quite the last of David but it’s easy to get overbooked. This June did in it especially the newer ones. combination. My own choices were all Tennant’s Doctor. As a lead-up to the was just crazy because I didn’t have Everything from “A Thousand Orcs” on, I over the board so…If you were told that finale, the BBC will broadcast a new anything lined up and then the R.A. and put that in my first art book but I’ve you could only do one type of cover for animated set of episodes titled Geno Salvatore thing came up and I redone all his covers since. So I’ll put the rest of your career, that nothing else Dreamland which will feature David agreed to do them, and then four other that one in again so I can say all the would sell, what type of cover would you Tennant as The Doctor and Georgia covers to series I had begun came up. Drizzt covers are in this art book, and do? Moffatt as Cassie Rice. Also providing Within three days they all came in and all plus every other cover I’ve done that I TL: Explain what you mean by type do voices are Lisa Bowerman, David had the exact same deadline, so suddenly like plus a few other things. So, yeah, I you mean like genre? Warner and Stuart Milligan. Dreamland I was overbooked. I probably should have want to do that and I’m also working on - sees the iconic TARDIS touchdown in the turned one of them away but, I hate to do I wouldn’t call it a graphic novel, but an BL: Yes like fantasy, science fiction, I desert in the USA. Stumbling across a that because they’re my series, and one of illustrated novel of my own. Been haven’t seen a lot of your science fiction mysterious alien artifact in a local diner, them I’m going to finish when I get back. working on that for a little while. So there art. the Doctor is led to Area 51, also known And you never really know what their are other things in the fire, other Irons in TL: I haven’t done a lot of sci-fi, I’ve as Dreamland, the US’ most secret base. real deadline is, of the three I just the fire. done some but I’ve mostly been He then finds himself on a momentous finished I don’t think any of them really pigeonholed into fantasy. Honestly I think mission to rescue Rivesh Mantilax from needed it when they got it. So I’ve got BL: About your convention schedule, fantasy is my strength. I do enjoy the threat of the ruthless Viperox and the one client who is waiting on pins and sometimes it’s hard to know if you are painting fantasy I’ve always liked clutches of the American military. It will needles and didn’t get to use it in their going to be at a convention or not. dragons and beautiful women, monsters, be made available via the BBC Red catalogue and three others who used it in TL: Laughs) Yes, I know, I have a hard action. Button service in the UK and will also be their catalogue but they’re not gonna use time keeping my own website up to date. made available on the BBC’s Doctor Who the final painting for a while and a couple I’m going to Comic-Con, I have a booth BL: Do you read much for enjoyment? website (which may or may not allow US have changes they want to make, but they there. And then I’m going to be at TL: Not anymore, I get manuscripts that based computers to view it). In the third haven’t told me what they are yet Chattacon I think it’s called, in I have to read and sometimes are good series of The Sarah Jane Adventures, so…its…those things can be stressful. Chattanooga. Next February or March and sometimes they are ok. They’re not which just finished airing on the BBC in But on the other hand a bad commute is a [editors note Chattacon is January 22-24, always something I’d have bought for the UK, Tennant guest stars in the two- day the cat is in front of me on the way to 2010]. Other than that I have nothing myself. But when I read for myself I’m parter The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith the studio. (light laughter) I don’t miss scheduled. I think I’m going to try to usually reading news or history or where Sarah is about to get married after commuting at all. And you set your own keep it that way for a little while, until something other than fantasy. I played a whirlwind romance. BBC America has hours when you freelance so I can take a next summer at least. Because D&D for twenty some odd years to keep indicated they will likely be airing the break when I need it instead of when the conventions are hard work, as I know you my insanity when I was doing newer episodes of the series, but have yet clock says it’s ok and so on. know. And when you hang in an art show advertising, then when I started working to announce any firm airdates. the convention starts at least a week for TSR I didn’t need that fix anymore - I BBC America is currently listing BL: Now you said something about not before it actually starts and continues for was doing it every day. People ask me Survivors as coming soon, and there is a wanting to turn something away, do a week afterward. And it’s expensive for “when you have free time, what do you good chance it may turn up on the publishers ever hold that against you? If me always, because I have to make prints draw for yourself?” When I have free channel on Saturday nights starting in you say “I’ve got too much and I can’t do and get them packaged up and I have to time I don’t draw. January. The series is an update of Terry that”? ship them. I’m also not doing paying Nation’s series from the 1970s and is set TL: I don’t know, you just… yeah you work at the same time, so the trade off is TL: The truth is I do draw for myself, in in contemporary times when a know when they call you back with in the fun that you have and the people the art show is a piece called “The devastating virus wipes out 99% of the something you know they didn’t hold it that you meet and honestly, art show sales Musculature of the Greater Dragon” That world’s population and focuses on a against you. You know you try not to find don’t very often cover expenses. So it’s was something I did totally for myself. I group of survivors led by Abby Grant yourself in those (kind of) positions but all about whether it’s fun or not for me, did a drawing for Wizards of the Coast of (Julie Graham), who is searching for her more and more the distributors are and Phoenix is fun. the anatomy of a dragon like that also and son, Peter, who she believes also dictating the schedules and it used to be I ended up drawing the skeleton for the survived. Also starring are Patterson got a couple of months notice, lead time BL: You said you are going to Comic Draconomicon. And I always figured I’d Joseph as Greg Preston, Max Beesley as on a painting, and it’s happening now Con, what conventions do you find the make a poster of it, but when Hasbro Tom Price, Zoe Tapper as Dr. Anya where it’s often a month and sometimes a most …fun? decided they didn’t need an art staff and I Raczynski, Nikki Amuka-Bird as couple weeks. It’s hard to do cover TL: Well my favorite is DragonCon far brought everything home I failed to bring Samantha Willis, and Robin Addison as illustration on that kind of a turnaround. and away just because everybody there is home the typeface I wanted to use, and I Sarah Boyer. Also appearing are Freema It’s part of the reason I work digitally to having so much fun. There’s lots going decided that I really should have had the Agyman as Jenny Walsh and Shaun save the time where I can save it. on, lots of media, and art and costuming. front legs posed oppositely so I could see Dingwall as David Grant. In the opening It’s the costuming that makes it such a some of the chest structure. And I decided 90 minute episode, we meet the BL: We’ve noticed that. In our review treat, they have that costume parade Wizards of the Coast owns that drawing characters and experience the devastation books the release dates seem to be Saturday morning. It’s a huge convention so I really couldn’t do anything else with of humanity as the virus spreads clumped mostly around a quarterly these days so there is all these people it. I just need to completely redo it, and throughout the world, leaving a small schedule. So do you have any plans to do there that I haven’t seen for a while. that’s where I had left it for several years group of people who come together to be any more or your art books? Yeah, DragonCon is probably the most and then a few months ago I did a able to survive. TL: Yeah, I have enough art to do another art book, I just need to … get fun for me. And then World Fantasy - I contract for a guy in Sweden who does after it. It won’t be (with) Paper Tiger like it. It’s relaxing and it’s all friends in “how to draw” books and he wanted to because they’re … ahh… having the industry, professional. And it’s in a collaborate on a book on how to draw difficulties shall we say and they don’t different place every year so sometimes ( Cont’d on page 5 ) Page 4 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 6 A Conversation ( Cont’d from page 4 ) After pricing the film stock, approv- Travis, purchased 60 percent of the stock didn’t want to keep his financial future dragons so I drew it again just for him ing the finished theme music, and in P.A.T., with the entirety of the stock exclusively in the Rocky and His Friends and then I was hooked. So I tightened it commencing the animation of the show pledged to the ad agency pending basket. He began to push for a second TV up and finished the poster that I wanted titles, Ward invoiced the bills back east to repayment of the loan. By July 10th, show. Ward still believed that a puppet to do. So yeah I do do things for myself. P.A.T. Two sets of payments were Dancer-Fitzgerald-Sample had paid off show could work, but there seemed to be (laughing) delayed and the director, Parmelee, all outstanding debt. This meant that the little interest in the industry. NBC showed refused to go to Mexico. The writers were ad agency was the de facto executive some curiosity in a Ward produced BL: Well it’s been a pleasure talking to concerned and their writing suffered. producer of the show. Eventually, the Winnie the Pooh pilot, but nothing came you. Hopefully we’ll get the chance to do Ward feared that his reputation would be Rocky group was able to discharge the of it. For the time being at least, Ward this again sometime. ruined. Bill Scott sent word that a loan six weeks early. was shackled to Rocky and His Friends. TL: Thank you and I look forward to recording session had been canceled and Based on these experiences, Jay Ward seeing this in your newsletter. that writing and storyboards were not ( Cont’d on page 6 ) moving forward. In essence, all work had “Alley Oppsy Daisy!” stopped. Four weeks went by without funds It’s the 50th Anniver- coming from P.A.T. Ward and Scott sary of Rocky the threatened breach of contract. Eventually it Flying Squirrel and came to light that Bullwinkle J. Moose, P.A.T., the company financing Rocky and Pt. 4 His Friends, had no By Shane Shellenbarger money. P.A.T. had planned to borrow As you’ll recall from last time, our against the General intrepid band of animators, writers, and Mills contract, but voice actors were experiencing troubles Manufacturers Hanover South of the Border. The product coming (P.A.T.’s bank) would from the Mexican animation studio, Val- not approve the loan Mar, did not match the quality of the pilot due to the Mexican produced in the U.S. of A. The behind- production link. Len the-scenes politics and Machiavellian Key attempted an end machinations are explored in great detail run play. He signed a in Keith Scott’s book, “The Moose That performance bond with Roared.” Suffice it to say, Jay Ward had a American Surety (a major problem and neither enough time AAA insurance Carrier) nor money to fix it properly. The show, guarantying completion which Jay Ward and Bill Scott had and delivery of the originally believed would be a daily five show. He took that and minute program, had been contracted the General Mills between P.A.T. and General Mills as contract to Citicorp in fifty-two half hour shows. Financially, Mexico, presented them this meant that each half-hour show to the Citicorp manager would be produced for $8,520 at a time and asked for a loan. when the average one minute TV com- The manager, who was mercial cost between eight and nine an American, declined thousand dollars. In addition, Ward and the loan, stating that his Scott would have to co-produce the series bank didn’t deal with in its entirety for no added money (save gringos because for percentages of the show elements) gringos don’t win in while deferring their own salaries until Mexican courts, which show delivery. meant that if the Meanwhile, things were moving at a Mexican studio lighting pace in the Los Angeles studio. defaulted Ward Produc- In deference to his health problems, Ward tions couldn’t collect. curtailed his commute from Berkeley and General Mills began took a combination office/apartment on to panic. They wanted the cusp of West Hollywood. The writing Rocky and His Friends staff was beefed up by bringing Chris so that they could Jenkyns, George Atkins, Chris Hayward, compete with Kellogg’s Skip Craig, and Lloyd Turner. Layout sponsorship of Huckle- animators David Hanan and Bernie berry Hound. Finally, Gruver came on board. Alex Anderson Gordon Johnson talked contributing two scripts, Ted Parmelee the ad agency, D-F-S, signed on as a freelance animation into guaranteeing a director, with Al Shean filling out the art $125,000 loan from the department. It was the summer of 1959 Chemical Corn Ex- and events were about to go from hectic change Bank. Johnson to a grinding halt. and a friend, Robert Volume 19 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 5 Bullwinkle ( Cont’d from page 5 ) An American in New your landlord. There seems to be a problem.” Gamer’s Corner Zealand Part 8: The Third “Really? What is it?” Dungeons and Dragons Online Around August 1959, the Mexican “There are group of strangers coming Blunder Continues- Hobbit Eberron Unlimited unit announced they were ready to start. to our ranch and wanting to see the Homes Turbine Incorporated Ward and Scott had their doubts, but were Hobbit homes.” FREE!!! encouraged when they were able to By Jeffrey Lu “Well, show them the place and secure the talents of award-winning UPA charge admission.” This is loosely based on D&D 3.5 designer/director Bill Hurtz. For Ward Peter Jackson went to the sheep ranch “Okay. Can we talk more about this?” (and I do mean loosely); it is set in and Scott, this was the first positive note at night. His scouting team found the “Sure, how about tomorrow?” Eberron in an under-used setting in the since the deal had been struck. Hurtz job perfect tree for the famous Bilbo The rest is history. 3.5 universe. Now I should state that free was oversee the work of the Mexican Baggin’s Birthday Celebration for Lord of Sadly, Sam’s house in the LOTR: The is not quite completely free. While the animators, judging the work on a daily the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Return of the King was destroyed. There game is free and you don’t have to pay basis, while keeping an eye on the budget He wanted to chat with the owner and is a hill of dirt that stands as a tribute to for it as long as you play there are certain and critical dates. Ward gave Hurtz the rent a part of land for a few years. one of the famous Hobbit holes. limits. First: limit of two characters, if authority to reject any work he deemed Peter knocked at the door. “Yes?” There are only seventeen holes left. you buy an upgrade subscription you can below standard. In the meantime, the ad questioned a man’s voice. “Hi, I’m Peter Luckily, this set is the only one left have more. Second: some quests are only Jackson and I would like to rent your...” standing. available if you buy the module. Third: said Peter. “Could you come in, please? Fortunately, Frodo’s home still stands, you cannot play certain classes or races Door’s unlocked. Can’t hear you well today. One can actually go inside. There without buying the right. Now the fourth from outside,” replied the man.” Peter is no door or windows at the entrance. is not really a money thing but you need opened the door and went inside. Inside, the place is enforced in concrete. it to advance. There are certain items Inside, Peter saw an old man and his I had photos of me trying to go needed to unlock each set of levels and three sons glued to the T.V. set. Curious, inside one of the window like a burglar. I you cannot advance until you have the he looked at the screen. They were also had my face out of the entrance item for that group. watching the national Rugby windows. My favorite is waiting at the The combat is fairly straightforward championships. (In the U.S.A, this is like front steps of the famous hole. and the monsters are right out of the our Super Bowl.) When a commercial I found out later that one of the sons manuals. I thought some of the combats arrived, the old man turned to Peter and who was an accountant told his father were a bit overwhelming for single player said, “Can we talk business tomorrow?” that this touring business could help their mode but I didn’t have too many Peter nodded. He asked, “Can I look family sheep business. He mentioned the opportunities to try team play (my hours around?” The father said, “Take your draw of tourists all over the world would are odd). I think that with more team play time. We’ll be here.” love to see the famous Shire. I’m glad I would have died less and had more fun. So, Peter looked around in the dark to they did. The place is remarkable. Now, Death is interesting, you can talk to a see if he can make a place named The next time about their major family cleric before delving and you respawn at agency D-F-S was pushing for a twice Shire, a reality. business- sheep. his location if you die alone away from a weekly airing by September 29th, 1959. After three years, at least half of the An American in New Zealand Part 9: The regeneration spot. You can respawn at a Armed with Jay Ward’s guidelines and Hobbit homes were destroyed. One of Last Third Blunder- Sheep in The Shire. mindful of the pressure from the ad the sons was planning to bulldoze the rest regeneration spot if you die close enough agency, Hurtz arrived in Mexico on July until the rains came. There were only or if you are with a team and one of them 20th to find that things weren’t as ready seventeen Hobbit holes left. He thought carries your soul to the regeneration spot. as they had been stated. Val-Mar had no of finishing the job but decided to wait a Lots of fun but I wish it had come out th telephone, no English-speaking stenogra- few months when the dry season came. before 4 ed. It is difficult to think of this pher, the magnetic film from Los Angeles He did not see the first movie of Peter’s as D&D when it is so different from what was being held up in customs, and the re-creation of Middle-Earth. Come to I play at the table. layout department was wholly inad- think of it, none of the family has seen 3.5 Stars out of 5 equate. Soon, Jim Hiltz and Gerald the Lord of The Ring Movies. See you next time. ~ Bob LaPierre Baldwin (who had traveled with Hurtz) ( Cont’d on page 7 ) When the found themselves pressed into double first movie duty, redrawing layouts as well as opened that year directing the cartoons. on the following The budget again reared its ugly head. month, there Hanna-Barbera (H-B) was producing its was a knock on half-hour shows for $21,000 per episode, the door. The nearly three times the Rocky budget. father came and Ward reasoned that their shows should opened the door. have been budgeted above H-B’s, since He saw a crowd Rocky had more dialogue, movement, of people. scene changes, and more voice actors. In “Hello!” said a 2009, a 30-second advertisement aired stranger. “Is during The Simpsons costs over $200,000 this where the dollars. Val-Mar was falling behind Hobbit homes schedule and Ward knew that the Septem- are?” The old ber 29th air date was merely a pipe man asked him dream. and his other Come back next time for part 5 friends to wait. entitled, “Gringos Are Mucho Loco Or He phoned Peter Take Back What You Said About José Jackson. Doroteo Arango Arámbula.” “Yes?” said For more info go to : http:// Peter. tinyurl.com/Shane-Info-Blog “Uh, this is

Page 6 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 6 ( Cont’d from page 6 ) Spoiled again. Recommended for Warhammer Gotrek & Felix Gamer Warhammer readers and dark fantasy “Shamanslayer” Trivia Questions Warhammer 40,000 Ravenor: readers. - Jeffrey Lu by Nathan Long 1. Who was the Second author of The Omnibus Black Library, $7.99, 412 pp Fuzzies? by Dan Abnett Warhammer Gotrek & Felix The Black Library, $13.99, 891 pp Second Omnibus Gotrek, the Slayer Dwarf, and his 2. For whom is the Hugo Award named? by William King, human friend, Felix, are going north to These are the stories of Inquisitor Black Library, $10.99, 766 pp. wipe out a cult named the Order of the 3. What year was the first Nebulas Ravenor and his team in a secret struggle Fiery Heart. They will meet old and new Awards? against the future horrors from aliens, Here are the further adventures of two friends. Yet, will this be enough to not heretics, and chaotic forces from the unlikely companions- a slayer dwarf only fight the large herd of beastmen and 4. hat time-honored profession are the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Little will named Gotrek and his poet-human friend their mighty warlord but also a shaman Seamstresses of Discworld? Ravenor know that he and his group will Felix to search for Gotrek’s great doom. that can turn humans into beastmen? not only have to battle an arch enemy but The general idea was Gotrek was to die This is the eleventh book of the series. 5. Who coined the term ‘SciFi?’ also a hidden enemy within. while Felix immortalized Gotrek’s death Lot of twists and turns. Enjoyed it. This omnibus contains three novels- in person by an epic poem. But there’s Did not expect the ending. Highly 6. What was the original criteria for Ravenor, Ravenor Returned, and Ravenor one catch: Felix needs to be alive in order recommended to dark fantasy and inclusion in First Fandom? Rogue. It also contains two short stories: to write it. Warhammer readers. - Jeffrey Lu “Thorn Wishes Talon”, and “Playing This omnibus contained three novels: 7. What is the definition of a Galaxy? Patience.” “Dragonslayer,” “Beastslayer,” and Dark. Realistic. Things go very “Vampireslayer.” 8. What year did Skylab crash? wrong. Didn’t expect Ravenor and team A very good read. These two are to go rogue in order to finish an arch drinking buddies who end up as unlikely 9. The First time we see Nicholas villain. Recommended for Warhammer pair of heroes for the Empire. Highly Courtney (The Brigadier) is in what 40,000 readers and dark sci-fi readers. - recommended to dark fantasy or episode? Jeffrey Lu Warhammer readers. - Jeffrey Lu 10. In what issue of what comic was Warhammer 40,000 Emperor’s Mercy Warhammer Gotrek & Felix Spider-Man’s first appearance? by Henry Zou The Third Omnibus Black Library, $7.99, 415 pp by William King and Nathan Long 11. Who was the first actor to portray Black Library, $13.99, 825 pp ? Inquisitor Obodiah Roth and his hunter-friend Silverstein are sent on a Here is an unlikely team to be a bane to 12. What is a comet? mission on to deny the Chaos legions all common evils- giants, orcs, and humans. With Gotrek’s magic axe and their objective- finding a very powerful [Answers on page 18] relic of destruction. Roth will find out Felix’s powerful sword, they go back-to- what heavy costs are needed to do his back for Gotrek’s quest- his doom. job. This omnibus contained three novels- Inquisitor Roth is a new character that “Giantslayer,” “Orcslayer,” and is worthy of Warhammer 40,000 series. “Manslayer.” Excellent. Realistic. Worthy of a Funny. Good series to read. Even checkmate on an Archenemy. though some parts are dark, the Recommended for Warhammer 40,000 pair never part even against all readers and dark sci-fi readers. - Jeffrey odds. Recommended to dark Lu fantasy or Warhammer readers. - Jeffrey Lu Warhammer Grey Seer by C.L. Werner Warhammer Gotrek & Felix Black Library, $7.99, 408 pp “Elfslayer” by Nathan Long Someone found an artifact in the Black Library, $7.99, 412 pp sewers. Grey Seer Thanquol wants it for power. Little does he know that his most Dwarf Gotrek and human dangerous enemies will not be a human Felix are teaming up with an old wizard and his gang of experts, but his wizard friend named Max. The own rat kin- the skaven. wizard will be bringing a new Grey Seer Thanquol is an ongoing companion, seer Claudia. Their skaven enemy of Warhammer’s Gotrek & mission is to stop someone from Felix series. This is the first adventure for using an old relic that creates Thanquol. natural disasters. This group will Funny. Thanqoul is like the coyote in not only have to battle skaven (rat the Roadrunner cartoons. He keeps trying men) but also pirates, water to undermine the humans but fails again dragons and dark elves. and again due to common rat error(s) This is the tenth book of the and/or from a fighting team of a dwarf series. and a human. In this book, he attempts to Interesting. Everyone will all not only reduce the human population but have to pay a cost to fulfill the also his own worst enemy: skaven clans. mission- realistic not exactly a Also, Grey Seer Thanquol loses another happy ending. Recommended to Boneripper, a big rat bodyguard. Rats! dark fantasy and Warhammer readers. - Jeffrey Lu

Volume 19 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 7 SPECIAL BOOK RELEASES Subterranean Press IMPERIAL OUTPOST GAMES FYI “Mister Slaugher” by Robert McCammon This listing is to introduce you to “Songs of a Dead Dreamer” by Thomas FEDERATION COMMANDER. 2nd Saturdays, CASFS BOOK DISCUSSION smaller publishing houses that offer Ligotti noon exclusive or limited edition books that “Locke & Key” Welcome to Lovecraft” RPG. 1st & 3rd Sundays Bent Cover Books you wouldn’t be able to find at your local by Joe Hill WAR MACHINE. Wednesdays, 4pm 12428 N. 28th Drive, Phoenix chain bookstore. “Necroscope: The Plague-Bearer” by BOARDGAMES & DEMO NITE. Thursdays, 3rd Tuesdays, 7pm, in the Coffee Bar Brian Lumley, illustrated by Bob 6pm Sponsored by Central Arizona Borderlands Eggleton (possibly the final Necroscope MAGIC BOOSTER DRAFTS. Fridays, 7pm Speculative Fiction Society (CASFS) “The Hunger” by Whitley Strieber. Ltd tale) email questions to [email protected] Edition print And too many more to mention…. SAMURAI COMICS “Pirate Radio” by Rex Miller & John (check website for correct store location) Come do some face-to-face interaction Maclay Wildside Press with your fellow readers and SF/Fantasy “The Phantom Detective in The Video MAGIC, THE GATHERING. Friday, 6p at both fans! Haven’t read the book? Don’t Cemetery Dance Publications Victims” by Robert Wallace locations, & Tues, 6pm (west valley) & worry, there’s no quiz or anything. You “Invisible Fences” by Norman Prentiss “I’m Dying Here” by Damien Broderick Sat 1pm (Phx) can use the rest of us as your personal “The Corpse King” by Tim Curran & Rory Barnes YUGIOH TOURNAMENT. Sundays, noon book reviewers to see if it’s something “Catching Hell” by Greg Gifune (Phx) & Sat, noon (west valley) you’d like. We start out with the book Wyrm Publishing ANIME CLUB. Sundays, noon (west valley) discussion, but the conversation can go Dragon Moon Press “Tides from the New Worlds” by Tobias POKEMON. Sundays, 2pm (west valley) anywhere. The get-together is held in the “Time Twist” by Lizzy Shannon S. Buckell coffee shop of Bent Cover Books near “Gentle Howling” by M.H. Bonham “Toast” by Charles Stross SPAZDOG COMICS 28th Drive and Cactus Road in Phoenix. (absolutely killer coverart!) We welcome potential new friends. GAMING EVENTS STAR WARS MINIATURES. Thursdays, 5pm HEROCLIX TOURNAMENTS. Fridays, 7pm December 15, 2009 - QUARTER SHARE by PS Publishing Nathan Lowell “Gilbert and Edgar on Mars” by Eric DRAWN TO COMICS POKEMON LEAGUE. Saturdays, 3pm MAGIC, THE GATHERING. Saturdays, 4pm January 18, 2010 - TURNCOAT by Jim Brown Butcher “Ars Memoriae” by Beth Bernobich STAR WARS MINIATURES. Fridays 7:30pm- TOY DRIVE W/ARIZONA GHOSTBUSTERS FOR CHILDRENS CANCER NETWORK. Dec 5, February 16, 2010 - INVISIBLE MAN by “Impossible Stories” collected by Zoran 11pm, Sundays, 1 – 4pm H.G. Wells Zivkovic SIT-AND-SKETCH with local artists. noon-4pm INDEPENDENT COMIC CREATORS SIGNING. March 16, 2010 - THE LAST CENTURION “Creatures of the Pool” by Ramsey Saturdays, 4pm-6pm by John Ringo Campbell DAY-AFTER-CHRISTMAS clearance sale, Dec Meet your local comic creators. Dec 30, “The Black Heart” collected by Patrick 26th all day. CASFS MEMBER STILL O’Leary “SKIP” WEEK , last week of December SCIENCE EVENTS MAKES GOOD, V.2 “Old Man Scratch” by Rio Youers call for details “Spook City” anthology w/Ramsey MARVEL NEW YEARS PARTY, Jan 1st Campbell, Cliver Barker, Peter Atkins, et ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER Mike Griffin’s sixth academic paper on al mythic algebra is now out in the August GAME DEPOT ROBOTS, THE INTERACTIVE EXHIBITION. Sep 2009 issue of the journal Semiotica. It PYR Publishing 27-Feb 14, 2010. covers what its title says: “Semiosis, MONSTERPOCALYPSE. Wednesdays, 5pm “Fast Forward 1” by Lou Anders, SATURDAY SCIENCE CLASSES: “It’s About Mythic Algebra, and the Laws of Asso- HEROCLIX & MECHWARRIOR. Wednes- anthology Time!”, Dec 5, 10am-1130am ciation.” These laws were coined by days, 530pm “Dawnthief: Chronicles of the Raven 1” Ongoing Exhibits: Aristotle, John Locke, and David Hume. MAGIC, THE GATHERING. Thursdays, 6pm- by James Barclay DORRANCE PLANETARIUM A related analysis of cargo cults follows 9pm-9pm “The Healer” by Michael Blumlein, MD EVANS FAMILY SKYCYCLE that. Look for the journal in print or MY DIGITAL WORLDS online at your university library. GAMER’S INN FORCES OF NATURE MAGIC, THE GATHERING, Phoenix ProTour NEW ROCK WALL for climbers aged 8 and Qualifier. Dec 12, above 10am. SATURDAY SCIENCE CLASSES for ages 6-10. WHITE WOLF RPG Check website for dates and topics. con, hosted by The Wrecking ASU Crew. Dec 4 -6 MAGIC 2009. Dec SCIENCE LECTURES AND NEWS: http:// 5, 10am asunews.asu.edu/news/science WARHAMMER 40K ANNUAL LECTURE FROM NOBEL LAUREATE MIDNIGHT MAD- FRANK WILCZEK, title is “Arrows and NESS TOURNAMENT Crystals of Time”, Jan 21, 730pm 1750 points. Jan PUBLIC SYMPOSIUM TO DISCUSS ORIGINS OF 2, midnite EVERYTHING. Presented by some of the greatest minds in science, incl 6 Nobel Laureates. Apr 6, ASU Gammage.

CHALLENGER SPACE CENTER, PEORIA

STARGAZING. STARLAB PLANETARIUM. Check website for dates and times THE SPACE PLACE is a 2-hour interactive

(Cont’d on page 9) Page 8 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 6 METAPHYSICAL GROUP Thursdays, 6pm TUCSON FESTIVAL OF BOOKS http://www.library.pima.gov ( Cont’d from page 8 ) FYI POLAR EXPRESS STORYTIME, Saturday Dec March 12-14, 2010 http://www.loftcinema.com/showtimes program for little ones with big imagina- 12, 6pm http://madcaptheaters.com/ tions! Designed for children ages 3 N.E.R.D.S. MEETUP, Saturday, Dec 19, GENRE AUTHORS: Jennifer Ashley, Frank http://www.pimaair.org through 6, the program features age- Dec 26, 6pm Beddor, Terry Brooks, Emma Bull, http://www.poisonedpen.com appropriate activities designed to teach Charles deLint, Karen Joy Fowler, Alice http://store.pspublishing.co.uk/ preschoolers about our planet and solar CONLAN PRESS Hoffman, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Jane http://www.pyrsf.com/catalog.html system. Call for reservations. Mars: Dec Lindskold, Jeff Mariotte, Cheyenne http://www.samuraicomics.com 7 & 8, 930am-1130am. Jupiter: Jan 18 & OFFERS PETER S. BEAGLE’S 52/50 PROJECT. McCray, Dennis McKiernan, David http://www.seti.org 19, 930am-1130am. 52 songs & poems delivered weekly. Morrell, Yvonne Navarro, Weston Ochse, http://www.spazdogcomics.com/ ASU METEORITE EXHIBIT James A. Owen, John Scieszka, Will http://www.subterraneanpress.com/ COLUMBIA SHUTTLE MEMORIAL DISPLAY LOFT THEATRE, TUCSON Shetterly, Janni Lee Simner, Vicki Lewis- http://www.titanmissilemuseum.org/ IRIDIUM SATELLITE MODEL Thompson, Aimee & David Thurlo, John http://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/ LOWELL OBSERVATORY DISPLAY SCREENINGS OF MOVIES, many SF genre. Vornholt, Catherine Wells, Timothy Zahn http://www.wildsidepress.com/ JOURNEY THRU THE SPACE PROGRAM Check website for times and listings. ATLANTIS SPACE SHUTTLE MODEL Check web sites or contact stores for MISC more info MOON SOCIETY MEETING Game Depot, 480-966-4727 MATTHEW PETERSON, best-selling and Websites: 3:00 PM on the third Saturday at Denny’s award-winning author of Paraworld Zero, http://www.azchallenger.org on the Southeast corner of US60 and is interviewing over 50 of the top http://www.azscience.org Rural Road. For more info contact Craig fantasy/science fiction authors in the http://store- Porter at [email protected] world for his online radio show, The locator.barnesandnoble.com/ Author Hour: Your Guide to Fantastic storelocator PIMA AIR & SPACE MUSEUM, Fiction, which airs every Thursday at 9 http://beyond.asu.edu TUCSON a.m. pacific / 12 p.m. (noon) eastern on http://www.bookmans.com VoiceAmerica (the world leader in live http://www.borders.com/online/store/ SANTA CLAUS BREAKFAST. Dec 5, 9am Internet talk radio with millions of LocatorResults NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION. Dec 12, monthly listeners). The guests on his next http://www.cemeterydance.com 930am episode include Terry Brooks, Brandon http://www.changinghands.com VOLUNTEER PRESENTATION SERIES. Dec 19, Sanderson, Tracy Hickman, Margaret http://www.conlanpress.com 10a-11am Weis, and R. A. Salvatore. Then the http://www.dragonmoonpress.com SPECIAL EXHIBIT: NASA DRIVEN TO week after that, he’s got Anne Rice, http://www.drawntocomics.com EXPLORE’ Jan 9-11 Ursula K. Le Guin, Brian Herbert, Kevin http://www.gamersinnaz.com/ SPACE GALLERY EXHIBIT. See an Apollo J. Anderson, and Orson Scott Card. The http://www.imperialoutpost.com space capsule, moon rock, Phoenix Mars interviews are transcribed and archived Mission. onto http://TheAuthorHour.com for people who missed the live show, plus the SETI Institute’s Weekly interviews will be syndicated through iTunes. Go to http://TheAuthorHour.com SCIENCE RADIO PROGRAM - Mondays, avail to see the full list of guests and to listen as podcast to the previous interviews Matthew has http://radio.seti.org already done with international best- http://podcast.seti.org selling authors such as Terry Pratchett, Eoin Colfer, Piers Anthony, Diana Titan Missile Museum Gabaldon, Meg Cabot, and Holly Black.

TITAN MISSILE MUSEUM TOURS. Reserva- SPECULATIVE FICTION WRITER MICHELLE tions only - The only publicly accessible M. WELCH has embarked on a new Titan II missile site in the nation. Tour project in a new role - as editor. She has the underground missile site. See the 3- launched “Theme and Variations,” a ton blast doors, 8' thick silo walls and an podcast anthology of speculative fiction actual Titan II missile in the launch duct. with music as a theme. Authors include Visit the launch control center, experi- Keyan Bowes, Ernest Hogan, Elaine ence a simulated launch, and more. Top Isaak, Lejon A. Johnson, Jack Mangan, to Bottom Tours: Dec 8, 12, 19. More Rick Novy, Lon Prater, Caroline Rhodes, dates avail on website. and Michelle M. Welch, and some of the episodes feature performances or original OTHER GENRE-RELATED music by several of the authors. The eight audio episodes of the anthology EVENTS premiered at Podiobooks.com in late October, and you can visit BOOKMANS, PHOENIX www.Podiobooks.com or www.ThemeAndVariationsAnthology.com ARIZONA BROWNCOATS SHINDIG 1st Satur- to listen and download for free. day, 7pm SCIMITAR-TALON is a group of people wanting to enjoy recreating portions of the middle ages prior to 1600 AD. Classes on Medieval Arts and Sciences.. 1st Saturdays, 130pm-230pm ACROSS PLUS ANIME CLUB. Sundays, 6pm Volume 19 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 9 days or when the father finds a lone can objective in assessing the merits of both Screening Room of Coke and gives it to his son who is sides. Sheriff August really is painted overjoyed by the carbonation. unsympathetically and as a rude Videophile The Road Perhaps there is some hope for the blowhard. Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure The Fourth Kind future of mankind in this new world but it The interspersal of the actual videos Disney, 81 min, G A Christmas Carol will not be easy. with the movie was done so heavy- DVD $29.99 The Road is a powerful film about the handedly that it made me just tired of the The Road love between a father and his son and whole thing. If presented as a movie, Despite the fact that my friends and Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit- how that love sustains the pair during without all the “real video and audio” I colleagues might say I am older than the McPhee, Robert Duvall, Charlize their travels. In the face of massive would have enjoyed it far more. It does target audience for this DVD, I thought Theron adversity their relationship conquers all. make you think, but not necessarily as the video was delightful. Director: John Hillcoat Kodi is a relatively unknown actor much about the subject as about how it Tink (Mae Whitman) is a tinker fairy. Runtime: 119 minutes and does a superb job in the film. Viggo could have been faked. She makes devices to help others do their Rated: R Violence and language Mortensen (Aragorn in the Lord of the Oh - one last thing: “eleven million jobs and chores easier and with less Release Date: November 25th, 2009 Rings films) is outstanding as well, people having seen or knowing someone errors. Her best friend is Terrence (Jessie Reviewed by: Len Berger perhaps one of his best roles. The film is who has seen a UFO” is not equal to McCartney) a dust fairy (they make sure (ConNotations Film Editor) based on the novel “The Road” by “eleven million reports of UFOs”. It’s all the fairies have their allotment of Cormac McCarthy. kind of fun but ultimately it is like pixie dust [“one cup, no more no less”]). The Road is about survival after an The Road is rated “A-” and is highly whipped cream, it tastes good but it has One day Queen Clarion (Anjelica apocalyptic event that all but destroys the recommended no real substance. Huston) sends for Tink, she wants her to planet and most of the people. The Three stars out of five ~ Bob craft a new harvest scepter before the “event” is never identified but scenes The Fourth Kind LaPierre blue harvest moon. The scepter is indicate that much of the surface of the Starring: Milla Jovovich, Will Patton, important because it creates blue pixie Earth has been consumed by fire. The Elias Koteas A Christmas Carol dust, this is necessary to rejuvenate the story focuses on a family when the Director: Olatunde Osunsanmi Starring: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, tree that provides the dust for all the “event” starts. The wife (played by Rated: PG-13 Bob Hoskins, Colin Firth, Robin fairies. The scepter is topped by the rarest Charlize Theron) is pregnant and Run time: 98 minutes Wright Penn of gems - the Blue Moonstone. wonders if she should give birth into this Gold Circle Films, Dead Crow Director: Robert Zemeckis Tink begins to work and Terrence terrible new world. The child is Productions, Chambara Pictures Rated: PG helps her. You see her slowly losing her eventually born and several years later Distributed by: Universal Pictures Running Time: 96 minutes the father (played by Viggo Mortensen) temper with Terrence’s constant help and Release Date: November 6th, 2009 Distributors: Buena Vista Pictures obsession with tidiness. She finally snaps and son (played by Kodi Smit-McPhee) Distribution and sends him away after his latest leave their home to avoid one more tough The proper term for what this is hasn’t Release Date: November 6th, 2009 acquisition for her damages the almost winter. All they have is each other, a been coined yet. I am going to call it a finished scepter. After he leaves she kicks pistol with two shells for protection and a Dramatized Documentary. Everybody knows the story, but every the offending object and it promptly bit of food. Oh yea, they also have a Dr Abigail (Abby) Tyler [Milla so often someone tries to tell it either crushes the moonstone. shopping cart – you need some form of Jovovich] was a psychiatrist involved, differently or slightly updated. This time She decides to find a missing mirror vehicle to hold your belongings. with her psychiatrist husband, in a it is more of a reaching back, it has more with a wish to restore the stone. She tries Their travels are wrought with danger detailed sleep study in Nome Alaska. As flavor of an older copy (“Scrooge”, the to request more pixie dust but is refused. due to the extreme shortage of any food. the movie begins Milla Jovovich tells us Alastair Sim version, comes to mind.). She sets off in a balloon type device and The “event” has left the Earth barren. that the story is based on the real The dialogue is mostly right from the goes in search of the lost treasure. Gangs roam the country seeking out any experiences of Abby Tyler and that there novel by Charles Dickens. I noticed some food source they can, including humans. are real audio and video recordings small deviations but nothing to fret about. The tale is typical Disney fare, The son witnesses things that no child interspersed with the dramatizations. She I was amazed, however, to see how determined heroine, cute animal should see. Father spends time preparing says that they are here to present the facts wonderfully Jim Carrey (as Scrooge) companion, revelation about real his son to take care of himself and how to and you should draw your own channeled Alastair Sim. The inflection problems, friendship winning in the end. judge the people he might meet. The son conclusions. and the timing were so close I might not But it is delivered in a very entertaining listened and learned so well that in one There seem to be two polar opposite need my fix this year. method and you enjoy the trip. case he so concerned about a stranger positions presented in the movie, the one The art looks more like it was done Since this was watched in a theater I being treated poorly by his father he asks espoused by Abby Tyler and the one from with oils and brushes than with cannot comment on the extras but “Just help him, Papa”. In the son’s eyes, Sheriff August (Will Patton). computers and pixels. The 3-D effects typically Disney delivers, especially that stranger was one of the good guys. Unfortunately because the movie is made you feel you were actually flying when the feature is this wonderful. I There are little moments of joy in the ultimately written and directed to be pro- through the streets of London. The snow recommend buying this if you have girls form of flashbacks to the pre-“event” Abigail I don’t know if one can really be was so good I occasionally tried to wipe from three to thirteen on your list. Older them from my glasses. may like it too. The character heights were designed Four and a half stars out of five ~ to show the people by their perceived Bob LaPierre worth in the eyes of society. The scale was tremendous and the effect of A Lobster Tale immenseness for the members of the Starring: Colm Meaney, Alberta upper crust were from one and a half to Watson, Graham Greene, two times the height of the members of Jack Knight Directors: Adam Massey the lower class. Phase 4 Films, 95 minutes, PG Many people played multiple roles DVD $9.99 and Carrey played all three ghosts as well as all incarnations of Scrooge. The image Colm Meaney is most familiar to SF capture work required Carrey to do most fen as the Irish engineer Miles O’Brien of the stunts himself, including flying and on Next Generation and Deep sliding down the banister. Often Carrey Space Nine. Here he stars in a family- suffers from a lack of boundaries, but oriented fantasy about a down-on-his- Zemeckis seems to have harnessed his luck Maine lobster fisherman named energies perfectly. Cody who finds a mysterious, glowing Four and a half stars out of five ~ Bob ( Cont’d on page 12 ) LaPierre Page 10 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 6          

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Volume 19 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 11 Videophile ( Cont’d from page 10 ) Besides having a good premise, who seem to have a group mind and a Musty Tomes Galenorn writes solid descriptions of direct line to the gods, or the scary- green sea moss with healing properties. characters, places, and events. My only dangerous Beano, who deals in pain, or First it saves his hand after an ugly Ghost of a Chance quibble is that the love-making scene mysterious strangers who talk in riddles. accident; later, he applies some to a bad by Yasmine Galenorn read like wish-fulfillment. This is a A techno-wizard, able to coax cables and injury one of his friends has sustained. Penguin Group, 2003, $6.99, 262 pp likeable book that works a captivating wires to deliver the goods, and keeper of Well, after that, he is besieged by spell on readers who incline towards this a cache of irreplaceable recordings from neighbors who want a piece of moss. Ghost of a Chance is the first in the genre. As a bonus, that author includes a the past, Sparrow can sell a copy of One has a bunion; one limps; another Emerald O’Brien series of supernatural protection charm at the end. – Chris Singing in the Rain to the wealthiest man wants a cure for impotence; two donut- mysteries. In a small northwestern town, Paige in town and then help man the sound and munching brothers hope it can reverse Emerald is a divorced mother of two, lighting mix at the local nightclub. But obesity. local witch, and owner of a thriving tea Bone Dance then the memory blackouts begin, and In the midst of this importunate shop. She is teaching her younger child, by Emma Bull Sparrow starts losing the hustler’s edge, clamor, Cody misses the warning signs Kipling, aspects of the Craft, since he Tor Books, $15.99, 315 pp and a tarot card reading presents more that his closest friend has a serious shows a strong affinity, while 13-year-old Greater Trumps in a single spread than condition until it is too late. Meanwhile, Miranda is going through the throes of Emma Bull’s earlier novels are being any mere street urchin should ever evoke. he is also oblivious to his wife’s efforts to adolescent hostility and self-isolation. reissued in trade paperback, so now is a The carefully guarded secret of Sparrow’s spark his interest or his son’s difficulties But a double-haunting intrudes upon good time to fill gaps in your library. past is tied to the origins of the war and with a school bully. Then a company them: one is the ghost of a murdered Bone Dance is subtitled “A Fantasy for the special agents, the Horsemen, who offers him a fortune if he will sell the woman, pleading for justice; the other a Technophiles,” but aficionados of tarot, triggered it. Now the last surviving remainder of the moss. This could be the malevolent entity that grows more and Santeria (the religion of which voodoo is Horsemen are seeking each other out in a answer to all their family’s woes, except more powerful. Emerald’s life only gets a derivative), and classic movies are also final power play, and Sparrow is the before Cody makes a decision one way or more complicated when a possible in luck. trump card each one wants to wield. another, the moss is stolen. suspect takes a romantic interest in her. The chapter titles are a mind-bending Hubris, despair, love and hope are at war The best part of this movie is the At first he seems a little too good to be combination of a tarot spread, proverbs, with each other. character of the town cop, played with true, but there’s darker material under the and multi-layered descriptors. The Sparrow is almost torn apart by the understatement and coyote humor by polish. narrative itself is taut and fraught with struggle, but eventually comes to a place Graham Greene. He steals; he litters, he Emerald’s bravery and determination significators and surprise revelations. where choice, real choice, becomes offers wise counsel; and when he lead her into very dangerous places. In the aftermath of a nuclear war possible. conducts the investigation his methods Vicarious adrenalin rushes can be between the US and South America, most Emma Bull is such a good story-teller are indirect but effective slapstick. addictive, so at the end of the adventure people go about their lives and mind their that someone ought to pour rubies, gold, This film is more sobering than you may find yourself eager for the next business, but narrator/protagonist and emeralds into her lap. This is no read- upbeat, but it could also lead to some installment. Sparrow keeps getting involved with the good family discussions about life exceptions, like the dancing Jammers ( Cont’d on page 13 ) choices. – Chris Paige CopperCon 28 wishes to thank its wonderful staff and volunteers with a complimentary membership to CopperCon 30 (2010) to be held Sept 3-6, 2010 at the Windemere Hotel

Fabien Badilla Dawn Grigsby Tina “Nyki” Robertson If you believe that your name Stephanie Bannon Kevin King Mary Robertson should be on this list please Len Berger Jerome Lamberth Kelly Sabucco contact us at Richard Bolinski F’licia Langholz Walter Sanville [email protected] Mark Boniece Jackie Langholz Gary Swaty Charlene Book Kerry Langholz Paul Tanton For more information about Sam Book Kurt Langholz Aerik Taylor CopperCon 30 (2010) please Catherine Book Steven Langholz Melissa Tribble check the web site at Lisa-Marie Brown Tim Langholz Sue Uttke www.coppercon.org Shane Bryner Bob LaPierre Robin Webb Tara Bryson Lori LaPierre 1 WesternSFA Theresa Contos Sue Martin 2 WesternSFA Michael Contos Mike Montemayor 3 WesternSFA Anthony Deming Renee Murdock 4 WesternSFA Craig Dyer Marguerite Murray 5 WesternSFA Patrick Dysart Rusty Neal 6 WesternSFA Cindy Escamilla Chadd Nelson 7 WesternSFA Brian Esterson Rob Palsma Janet White Michael Shawn Fox Deb Paper Randall Whitlock Caitlin Gilson Bianca Peterson Bill Whitmore Mike Griffin Tom Powers Kevin Williams

Page 12 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 6 ( Cont’d from page 12 ) although one should certainly begin with Small Miracles is a techno-thriller in warm friendly Fox’s) march side by side Musty the first chapters. Fortunately, there’s a good order with all the requisite elements outside the village of Cloudcroft. These and-forget distraction novel; it etches 63-page index in the back. Consider this of characterization, surprise twists, and two families are caught up in tragedies itself into your mind and changes you. I a collection of supernatural reference dire consequences of hubris and greed – great and small—the main one either just wish the new publication had an works. Let us end with its opening words: the classic and constant besetting sins. keeping the Great Gate closed so a huge index with source-references for all the “A procession of the damned. By the And yet, as I read it, I kept wishing it had overwhelming evil is not released on the movie quotes, because I only caught damned, I mean the excluded. We shall been written by Isaac Asimov instead, for unsuspecting world (called Vaeth by about half of them, and inside jokes are have a procession of data that Science has two reasons. Well, three. Third, it would Aetherials) or circumventing the current more fun if you’re, well, on the inside. excluded.” Some of that data – like ball mean Asimov were still alive, prompting Gatekeeper’s fear of this overwhelming Yes, it’s lame to need an index, but I’d lightning – is no longer excluded, by the readers to thought and laughter. But first, evil and open the Gate—so the Aetherials rather be lame and learn than remain way. ~ M.L. Fringe because he would have included more can remain connected with their real uninformed. – Chris Paige actual scientific information and source world which is their heart and soul. A big material in the narrative. If an author has faction of Aetherials feel the evil the Charles Fort: The Man Who Invented In Our Book advanced degrees or uncommon Gatekeeper fears is imaginary. the Supernatural knowledge and sharp imagination, then The Wilders are: Lawrence Wilder, by Jim Steinmeyer good story-telling leaves the reader well paranoid Gatekeeper or farsighted 2008, Tarcher/Penquin, 333 pp., $24.95, Small Miracles informed and mentally alert. Second, Aetherial (and millionaire jeweler of hardcover. by Edward Lerner because Asimov was essentially albinite a stone with Aetherial properties) Tor Books, $25.99, 350 pp optimistic, and so he would have taken his two sons Sam and Jon, their The Book of the Damned; The the story down very different paths to a stepmother Sapphire—and oh yes, the Collected Works of Charles Fort In Small Miracles, Brent Cleary qualitatively different conclusion. For mother who’s gone missing, Ginny 2008, Tarcher/Penquin, 1126 pp., works for a nanotech company that example, just with the beginning, I can’t Wilder. $18.95, softcover makes nano body armor. His job is to imagine an Asimov protagonist being so The Foxes are: Auberon (cute) and contains: The Book of the Damned accompany cops on their beat to stupid as to move towards a gas pipeline Jessica, mom and dad of Rosie, Matthew (1919), New Lands (1923), Lo! (1931), demonstrate how effectively the suit that has just been breached by guys about and Lucas. Auberon owns the house- Wild Talents (1932). protects the wearer from knife thrusts, to win a group Darwin Award. Yes, the building company Fox Homes and Jessica bullets, even infection. A single protagonist’s unlikely survival propels all is a musician. To be a human being is to believe in successful demonstration can mean a the subsequent action, but it is hard for These characters are fascinating, false things. Probably nothing abstract huge order for the company. It’s 2015; the me to respect either a character who complex creations. There are so many that we think of is objectively true: all US is involved in a 3-front war, and would do that or the author who would layers to them all. They are not simply religion, philosophy, psychology, politics, gasoline costs eight dollars a gallon, so contrive such a character. I think Lerner flashy and magical (or just dark and economics. All that we know and believe we still haven’t converted to metric. Talk writes more from experience than from brooding). And who loves who is a very are pragmatic, subjective approximations about a bleak future! imagination, and he has yet to experience tangled web. The tale is fascinating; the to truth, merely useful symbols. Even When the ride-along goes FUBAR, or imagine a successful alternative to the romance is heart-felt, tragic and very science has this limitation, and no one Brent only survives because of the suit. Animal Farm model of progression. I well-charted out. These are vibrant, alive laughed more at its expense than Charles A year later, Garner Nanaotech is would love to read a book in which he characters in the “real world” of 21st Fort. So-called modern “skeptics” may poised to make huge profits, all because does. ~ Chris Paige century England and the mysterious and loathe Fort as a mystery-monger or Brent survived the unsurvivable in their magical land of the Otherworld. And the promoter of unscientific, superstitious product. Brent wonders how the nanites Elfland juggling of their dual lives is absolutely nonsense, but they miss his point. He preserved him, and what mechanisms by Freda Warrington compelling. I am sure this novel will be a delighted in finding facts – or claims – to were in place to eliminate the nanites TOR Books; $25.99; 462pp “portal” for the rest of Ms. Warrington’s show that scientific theories are never from his system once they did their job. rich oeuvre. ~ Sue Martin complete explanations. The data came As he begins to ask questions and Ms Warrington has written seventeen from newspaper, magazine, or journal conduct his own research, his best friend novels. And this is the first published in The Marvel Encyclopedia clippings. He didn’t say he believed in Kim is encountering design flaws that put the U.S. according to her back cover Consultant Editor: Tom DeFalco those claims. Rather, his purpose was to the sales schedule at risk – which must blurb. What a loss for the U.S.! Contributors: Tom Brevoort, Andrew keep mankind open to clear perception not happen. Parallel stories of Darwinian This is a rich, slow read about Darling, Matt Forbeck, instead of close-minded dogma – even if survival evolve: that of the company, that Aetherials who live among us, Peter Sanderson, Michael Teitelbaum, that dogma came from the scientific of the nanites, and those of the specifically those that live in Daniel Wallace community. His four books range from individuals who are the unintending Leicestershire, England (home of the Marvel, $40.00; 400 pp. UFOs to psi to the paranormal to makers of a changed future. author). Aetherials for all intents and teleportation and wacky reports of raining Lerner has co-authored three purposes are elves. Gorgeous… well, This volume contains an introduction frogs. Ringworld prequels with Larry Niven, ethereal Lord of the Rings-type elves. by Stan Lee, an update on the last decade, In his lifetime, these books were and several s-f techno-thrillers of his They live longer than humans and they and the most incredible reproductions of popular. Some writers did get his sense of own, including Fools’ Experiments, can slip between our world and the some of the greatest artwork in the humor, his true skepticism: Theodore reviewed in ConNotations last year. He Dusklands, but need a portal (The Great history of Marvel. The cover art by Dreiser and Tiffany Thayer were his has an impressive array of short story Gate) to go through the lands of the Brandon Peterson evokes the classic look champions. Among classic genre authors, publications, and his collection Creative Otherworld, the heart of which is The of the Romita era. The thing is a work of his fans included H.P. Lovecraft, Eric Destruction is probably well worth Spiral Court. Some of them have magical art and that is without even considering Frank Russell, Donald Wolheim, Damon tracking down. His official degrees are in abilities—abilities that are usually not the written content. Knight, R.A. Lafferty, and Stephen King. physics and computer science, but his spectacular or flashed in public. But While this is the 70th anniversary of Fortean societies still exist, with active unofficial PhD is clearly in suffering many are exceptionally skilled as lyrical Marvel, for all intents and purposes the websites, and the print magazine Fortean bureaucracy ungladly. Almost all his singers, wonderful gardeners or creation of the Fantastic Four really Times is still in bookstores (right next to villains are the self-serving weasels that extremely good with animals. Ancient started their emergence as a dominant The Skeptical Inquirer). A few books on infest corporations to subvert all work to cyclical rituals performed by the force in comics. There are several special Fort exist (see his Wikipedia entry), and their own nest-feathering. His aetherials among their human neighbors features in addition to the character and now we have a new biography. Jim descriptions of what goes wrong, how, are seen as quaint leftovers from deep in team entries. First there are decade Steinmeyer has also written the six-page and why are terrifyingly realistic. In an Dark Ages. highlights for each decade since they introduction to this new omnibus eerie way, his books are like sequels to This novel focuses on two families exploded back onto the scene collection. It’s for browsing, dipping into The Screwtape Letters and the whose estates Stonegate (the dark in the sixties. Then there are the major at random, not a straight read-through “Screwtape Proposes a Toast” by C.S. brooding Wilders) and Oakholme (the Lewis. ( Cont’d on page 14 ) Volume 19 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 13 In Our Book ( Cont’d from page 13 ) Laie. Laie is suffering from internal language, and change the landscape. And, craft is obvious. The first three were conspiracies and the danger of an they all but forget their human roots. One pretty good but, at times, a little heavy- events that have happened in the last few external invasion by Nepal. They need new tribe, nurtured by the mysterious handed. The last three were wonderful. years so those of us who are behind in Alare and its mysterious weapons to Thiede – who seems to be even more Her character development is superior our reading can understand the current enhance their chance of survival. A royal different and more powerful psychically – and the plotting is intricate. My only storylines. wedding is planned either between the begins to grow and take control of complaint is that the last book felt a bit I encountered characters that I hadn’t Princess Tamea and Commander smaller, less developed tribes. Their rushed. She used a bit too much even remembered until seeing their Walker’s younger brother or the Queen culture is one of harmony, tolerance exposition to bring all the plot threads names in print again. Most teams have at and the Commander. This is derailed by (including humans), love and spiritual together. And I would’ve liked at least least a page dedicated to them and heroes the instant and incendiary attraction evolution. In another part of the world, two books of the second-generation hara. have from a third page to Spiderman’s six between the Commander (or Prince as he another tribe is also growing and But, in all, I completely enjoyed the pages (granted the last two are mostly art styles himself) and the Princess. Things controlling lesser tribes but their culture whole series. I do think it stands alone in but still…). Most of the supporting are speeded up by assassination attempts is less nice. They are little different in the field and for that reason alone, you characters have a sixth of a page with and eminent invasion. intent than the humans they despise. They should read it. ~ Catherine Book some treated as heroes including black Further the princess has visions of are a warrior race – interested only in info box; a good example is the Parkers. future warfare involving Walker and of conquering. These two major tribes are Dark Time: Mortal Path Book One Just for fun I followed several of my herself encountering him in the future destined to clash. by Dakota Banks favorite characters through cross after the war. She knows his mind in The epic begins with two young HarperCollins, $7.99, 320 pp references and team affiliations just to see ways that make him uncomfortable. Their human boys and their inception into where it took me. I only had one “dead relationship is difficult. Her power of Wraeththu hars. Both are destined for Looking at the cover, I did not have end”, Lockheed the dragon. Guys who or communicating with animals is also greatness but the author throws great hopes for this book. Once I started what is the “Sword””? Other than that , important to the story. Her Tiger guardian everything at them thru five books. The reading it, however, it grabbed me and Wow! I have been reduced to the state of patrols the palace and birds spy on the two are destined to be great lovers, wouldn’t let go. It starts in 1692 in our drooling fan-boy. Nepalese for her. separated, love others, and eventually girl’s mortal life and comes through to If you are a fan of Marvel comics then The characters are well sculpted and find each other again – but will their great the modern-day when she is mortal again this is something you will love. believable. The plot is complex and love survive all the pain, cruelty and (you’ll just have to read the book to Very Highly recommended. ~ Bob interesting. I enjoyed the book. A sequel abandonment? One goes mad for a while understand that!). If the concept that Ms. LaPierre is due out soon. It can be had from when he believes his love is dead. And Banks is using in her book has been used Amazon Marketplace and directly from behind all the drama is the hand of before, then I have never come across it Mercy Thompson: Homecoming www.azpublishingservices.com. ~ Gary Thiede directing. before—and I am an avid reader! I by Patricia Briggs L. Swaty Behind all this drama are very enjoyed this book and highly recommend Del Rey, $22.95, 112 pp interesting developments in this new race it. I eagerly anticipate book two. ~ Nyki The Ghosts of Blood and Innocence – not the least of which is procreation. Robertson Mercy Thompson is a walker, a by Storm Constantine Quite a different experience from person with the ability to turn into a Tor, $16.95, 460pp humans. One of the interesting aspects of A Touch of Dead coyote at will. She is the heroine of a it is that only the most spiritually The Complete Sookie Stackhouse series of novels, Moon Called, Blood This is the end of a truly epic story. It (psychically) developed har are able to Stories Bound, Iron Kissed and Bone Crossed began in 1990 with the first 3 books, and conceive a child. However, the by Charlaine Harris This graphic novel collects the first she picked back up in 2003 with the ramifications of that reverberate through Ace, $23.95, 208 pp four issues of the comic book series second set of three books. I can’t always all the books as separate individuals originally published by Dabel Brothers recommend that it’s worth your time to discover for themselves what really This book collects all the Sookie short Publishing. Homecoming is an origins go back that far, but this time…it is. happens at the moment of conception. stories that have appeared elsewhere. story telling us how Mercy came to the Really it is. This concept was fascinating to me. Stories include Fairy Dust, Dracula Tri-City area, met Adam Hauptman and There has been a general decline of While the author was purposely vague Night, One Word Answer, Lucky and came to work for Zee as a VW mechanic. humanity by the usual route: infertility about the mechanics, that was alright – Giftwrap. The illustrations are beautiful and the and rampant pollution. Nothing new after all, it was all new and unknown to Each story shows a little snippet of story does a lot to explain the there. But there spontaneously appears a our characters. Sookie’s life that gives insight into relationships in the books. I hope to see mutation that signals the end of humanity Which is what I loved best about this Sookie and the others in her life. If you more in this graphic series. Established and the birth of Wraeththu. The epic – the inception and growth of a new haven’t read these in the various fans will enjoy learning how Mercy came Wraeththu spread across the globe quite race that literally knew nothing about collections you really need this book. to know Adam, Zee and Stefan the rapidly because this mutation is not by itself. They didn’t understand their own And even if you did read them elsewhere, vampire, while those who are new to the birth but by design – from the first biology, how to create a child, or the this book is the perfect addition to the Mercy Thompson universe will definitely freakish mutant come all the rest. The limits of their new abilities. I can’t recall series giving us all five stories in one want to get the books to learn more. biology of the change is vague but another story about this topic. place. Perhaps my favorite of the five is Highly recommended. ~ Stephanie L involves blood and sex and only young Anyway – to the titled story of this Dracula Night and the new side of Eric Bannon boys. Rather vampire-ish. But the author review: The last book puts all our main we see. Recommended ~ Stephanie L colors it more as a rite of ascension and a characters in supporting roles and focuses Bannon Time Conquers All spiritual and emotional bonding. Nothing on second-generation har. Along the way By P.G. Hultstrand I found distasteful. we have also discovered that human Elric In the Dream Realms AZ Publishing Services LLC, $14.95, The new race is superior to humanity females can be incepted but the results Chronicles of the Last Emperor #5 233 pp in every way. They are all androgynous, tend to be rather different. There is a by Michael Moorcock beautiful, intelligent, with better (more hidden community of this ‘second’ race Del Rey Books, $16.00; 418 pp. This book is a time travel romance set fun!) sex organs, and enhanced physic of Wraeththu – rather like Shangri-La. in an alternate history timeline in Asia in abilities. They clash, of course, with the And we are now aware that there are Much of this is made up of a novel the 1500s. The scenarios involves a group remains of humanity for resources but other players in the universe. Powerful, “The Fortress of the Pearl” published in of Vietnam era soldiers who find also because they are responsible for the shadowy figures carrying out an eons-old 1990. Even though almost everything themselves stranded in the past and build extinction of humans by taking all their conflict and using Wraeththu as playing here was previously released, the themselves a small country, Alare, near boys. Different tribes spring up all over pieces – again, an old plot device but the collection does have some new stuff to Nepal. It involves their relationship with the globe, with different characteristics prose is so good I enjoyed it. recommend it. The treatise for a new a nearby country Laie and their and culture. And this is a bit hard to Because of the ten-plus years between series Earl Aubec of Malador has never commander’s inexplicable psychic swallow – within the first generation they the first three books and the last, the connection with the princess Tamea of create a new culture, practically a new author’s increasing proficiency in her ( Cont’d on page 15 ) Page 14 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 6 In Our Book ( Cont’d from page 14 ) Ironically, Friesner’s collection Quatrain ethereal, tall with long flowing hair, reinforces the very stereotypes she by Sharon Shinn makers of fine hand-made crafts and before been seen in print. The laments in her introduction. These weres Ace Books; $24.95, 369 pp creatures of ritual and dance. Zara is introduction to the Taiwan edition of have nothing of the glamour, danger, or fascinated, but not happy with the less Elric is intriguing. The artwork by sex-appeal of their rivals, the vampires. This is a compilation of four novellas, than castle-like accommodations she is Michael Wm. Kaluta is gorgeous. But they do seem to have more fun, and each set in a different universe utilized in given at her Uncle Jaxon’s house. She is a However, the biggest reason for obtaining better family lives. Perhaps that’s because previous novels. So this is a must for fans bit of a spoiled princess, but intelligent. a copy is the forward by Neil Gaiman. vampires are inherently hierarchical of Ms. Shinn. Beguiled by the spell the Alorans cast As this is the fifth volume of this whereas wolves are family and pack The first novella “Flight” is set in the over mortals, especially mortals they series it isn’t for beginners; but if you are oriented; they survive through a carefully world of Samaria and since Samaria is the wish to stay in Alora, Zara finds herself familiar with Elric, this is a great addition negotiated interaction of individual land of the angels—“Flight” has a couple absorbed into the Aloran world, slowly to your library. responsibility, cooperation, and coded of meanings. A women’s flight from her forgetting her life before, eventually Highly recommended for Elric fans. ~ ethics. established, safe life, the flight of a young forgetting her family. But, Orlain, the Bob LaPierre FurCons should get copies of this women wanting to be the lover of a angel down-to-heart soldier who brought her to anthology to give out as prizes. of questionable tendencies and the flight Alora and with whom she has had a long- Strip Mauled And in the good news department, of angels—literally. What I really enjoyed lived easy relationship proves the catalyst edited by Esther Friesner editor Friesner is putting together the next about this tale is that it dealt with a for releasing her from enthrallment. For Baen Books, $7.99, 407 pp Chicks in Chainmail anthology, to be woman named Salome who was not a finally, when the war ends, Orlain risks titled, Chicks Ahoy! I’m guessing pirates. bright, young thing - all firm curves and his heart for Zara and brings her home. Not a bad price for 21 stories about ~ Chris Paige alluring appearance. It’s about a woman The fourth and final novella takes were-wolves and the like living in with experience and laugh lines. But still place in Gillengaria of the “Twelve suburbia. This anthology is a follow up to Darkness Calls robust. Houses” series and concerns a young Witch Way to the Mall, so the cover by Marjorie M. Liu Angels come by the farm where Senneth, the fire-wielding mystic. Here, shows a well-endowed witch serving tea Penguin, $7.99, 320 pp Salome lives and works and one of them she is still a lone wanderer and her travels to a pixie, a were-wolf, and an even more is the current Archangel, Raphael—a have taken her to a small town where she well-endowed vampire. This book started out a little choppy (I wonderful gorgeous blond angel with a extinguishes a fearsome blaze—and the Friesner introduces the stories with a thought) but do persevere, because the very selfish bent. And Salome and he townsfolk are at once grateful and uneasy truly funny essay that commences, “Alas, story is worth it. Ms. Liu creates vivid have history. Which he doesn’t hesitate to that a mystic is in their midst. Senneth’s poor were-wolves, forever doomed to be characters that you care about and weaves remind her of—and the great love of her adventures get more intense as the town Avis to the vampires’ unassailable fang- a good story for them. The demons living life—the angel Stephen. Stephen whom is beset by a rash of destructive fires that hold on Hertz, Pepsi to their Coke, as tattoos on her body are not a new she loved whole-heartedly and then was are believed to be Senneth’s work. But Burger King to their McDonalds!” The theme, but I like the way Ms. Liu did it. betrayed by his apparent love for her Senneth finally discovers the real culprit next two pages are full of alliteration and They do not reside in the same place on sister Ann. behind the fires—and before she is airy persiflage – a refreshing change from her each time, so she ends up wearing But of course—appearances are severely punished—the King’s Riders all the angst and hard-bitten cynicism that long sleeves, pants and gloves to cover deceiving and Stephen never loved Ann make an appearance—and here, Senneth have inundated the SF genre. Most of the the “tattoos” so people won’t notice but always Salome. first meets her lover Tayse. stories that follow are pleasant diversions. they’ve moved around. Anyway, I So this is their tale of reuniting—with I love Shinn’s tales. They don’t end The emphasis is on humor, and even if it enjoyed this book enough that I am going an undercurrent of rescuing Sheba, on a miserable note. There is tension and isn’t laugh-out-loud-until-you-cry, I to find the other book “The Iron Hunt”. Salome’s niece, from making the same sometimes terror, but it all ends well and prefer this book and organic apples to a All-in-all, I recommend this book. ~ Nyki mistake Salome did with the Archangel for me, that’s very satisfying. These were flu shot this season. Robertson Raphael. all excellent example of Shinn’s craft— K.D Wentworth’s “Special Needs” is The second novella, “Blood,” is her ability to describe and pull us in with about a cub scout meeting for young Demon Ex Machina placed in the novel “Heart of Gold,” her well-rounded characters and stories. weres in training that gets invaded by a by Julie Kenner where the Gulden and the indigo people This collection is a perfect gift/lure for a pushy Mundane mom and her hapless Berkley, $14.00, 309 pp live in an uneasy truce in a sort of friend as an introduction to Shinn’s very son. I liked this one best: all the steampunk/Biedermeier-flavored world rich worlds. developments were properly presaged, This is the fifth book in the Kate where cast and status is everything. Kerk ~ Sue Martin details were in place, and it portrayed the Connors series, after Deja Demon. Socast is a gulden man adopted by a essentials of personalities and types. Kate has all the typical suburban gulden family of higher status, Brolt Merlin’s Dragon: Doomraga’s Revenge Lots of the stories represent the mother problems, juggling car pools for Barzhan. He works for and respects by T.A. Barron struggle to retain human semblance and her teenage daughter and play dates for Brolt—but he wants to find his mother Philomel, $19.99, 256 pp self-direction under provocation, and all her toddler son. Kate is also a demon who disappeared (his father is dead). He of them are set in the deceptively familiar hunter pulled out of retirement who is seeks his mother in the warrens of the Sequel to Merlin’s Dragon. blacktop-and-mass-production here and juggling a husband who wants to learn to inner city and there he meets a blueskin Merlin, Rhia and Basil, the dragon, now. But the characters come in all sorts fight demons, a teenage daughter woman; an indigo named Jalciana embark on a mission to save Avalon. and sizes. There’s the cop with a pixie determined to be a hunter like her mom Candachi with whom he becomes friends Dark forces are afoot and problems break companion in “Imaginary Fiend” who not to mention a dead husband who has with in small cautious increments. The out across the land. At first they seem discovers that an obvious threat may not come back to life possessed by a demon. details of their burgeoning friendship and unrelated, but as Merlin and Basil be the greatest danger. There’s the U.S. The story moves along quickly, the the results of his search are the focus of investigate it soon becomes apparent that Customs attorney who, in “Howl!” has to plot advances, we learn more about the this tale. It’s a wonderful romance filled there is one force behind all the trouble contend with a sly and smarmy adversary characters and their dilemmas and the with the great details of this fascinating and unless it is stopped Avalon will be by day and midlife crisis at home, which problem of the day is solved. All together world. lost. proves to be …transformative. In a satisfying entry in the series. My only The third novella is “Gold” set in the Once again Barron delivers an “Where-Wolf,” Kevin is a suicide hot- quibble is Kate keeping secrets from her world of “Summers at Castle Auburn.” exciting novel of Avalon and Merlin. line volunteer with an unusual challenge. husband, yet again, after deciding not to Oooh and this is all about the world of Recommended. ~ Stephanie L Bannon In other stories, there are house moms, and reaping the consequences of doing so the Alora, the elusive elf-like people of teens, retail workers, kids running amok, before. I would have thought she would the deep woods. In this story, Crown and strange neighbors. And “Enforcement have learned that lesson at least two Princess Zara is sent to Alora for safe- Claws” is cathartic for anyone who has books ago. Recommended. ~ Stephanie keeping during a war. The mysterious and run afoul of their Home Owners’ L Bannon aloof Alorans live very close to the earth Association. and have little to do with mortals. They are wonderfully elf-like: magical, ( Cont’d on page 16 ) Volume 19 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 15 In Our Book ( Cont’d from page 15 ) and high level intelligence agent. Grave Secret Retribution Frostbitten Juggling three separate identities, by Charlaine Harris by Jeanne C. Stein Kelley Armstrong complete with different appearances Berkley, $24.95, 320 pp Ace, $7.99, 296 pp Bantam, $26.00; 338 pp. maintained by glamours, becomes a problem when three seemingly separate The long awaited sequel to An Ice Retribution is the latest in the Anna Another in the highly popular missions all converge. At least two of her Cold Grave. Strong, Vampire series. “Women of the Underworld” series. identities are under direct, deadly attack. After the disturbing events in North Anna Strong is a newly turned Elena, female werewolf, wife to Clay, and Too many people and dark fey have Carolina, Harper and Tolliver make their vampire struggling to find a balance now next in line for pack Alpha, has to reasons to want her removed from the way to Texas to visit their two younger between humanity and her new vampire follow a trail to Alaska and discovers playing field for Laura to readily deduce sisters. On the way they stop to do a life. With her partner out of town, her more problems there than just finding a her enemy. But adversity forces its own simple job - determine how family family abroad and her former mentor an wayward mutt. Someone is killing people brand of clarity, and Laura at least finds patriarch Rich Joyce died. But the job enemy, she doesn’t have anyone to turn to and it looks like rogue werewolves. self-knowledge in the rubble of turns into more than they expect when for help when young vampires start Chris Paige Kelley always puts simple little diplomacy’s failures. ~ Harper finds that family employee, showing up dead, drained of their life reminders that these characters have lives Marshia, died from childbirth force. But it gets personal when her shape The Bell at Sealey Head outside of what they are currently doing. complications. As they try to put the case shifter friend is found dying after asking by Patricia A. McKillip Notes about the kids and the rest of the behind them and reconnect with their a favor, and her former teacher asks for Ace Books; $14, 277 pp pack makes it seem more like she is young sisters they find themselves drawn help reporting on real people who just happen into their own family’s dysfunctional past Anna can’t say no, but she then finds to be supernatural in nature. Her attention McKillip is so good at writing and a mystery that has haunted Harper for herself a target of a powerful witch, out to detail is something that, for me at least, fantasy—and this novel is a perfect years. to get her as well as her friends. makes her books so enjoyable. example. Set in an unnamed land, the tale This book is more character-driven Anna Strong lives up to her name, Unfortunately it also makes it impossible revolves around a magical manor called than plot-driven. We get glimpses into both tenacious and vulnerable with to go beyond the basic description Aislinn House that overlooks the sea near Harper and Tolliver’s unpleasant past and charm, brains and a well written character without revealing spoilers. So be warned a village called Sealey Head. The house the still, in many ways, dysfunctional that keeps you reading well past your this is a short review. is a portal/reflection of a castle in another family. In some ways, the ending felt like bedtime. This is a series that lovers of Very highly recommended. ~ Bob land ruled by rigid magical ritual carried a series conclusion but I hope I am vampire fiction will want to collect. ~ LaPierre out by a young princess named Ysabo. At wrong. I still find Harper and Tolliver and Pam Allan the novel’s beginning, only one person the assorted secondary characters they Tainted can see this other world, and it is a young meet to be a compelling read. In fact, I The Mermaid’s Madness by Julie Kenner maid named Emma, who has made read this book beginning to end in one Jim C. Hines Ace, $7.99, 320 pp friends with Ysabo. sitting. Highly recommended and I can Daw Fantasy, $7.99; 342 pp. The bell at Sealey Head which has only hope for more to come. ~ Stephanie L Bannon This is the first in a new series from never been actually seen, rings just as the The second in the series about Julie Kenner. The Blood Lily Chronicles last rays of the sunset burn out. Theories fairytales after the book ends. This is the Gamer Fantastic deals with some of the same good vs evil abound as to its significance. (Of course story of what really happened when a Edited by: Martin H. Greenberg & themes of her Kate Connor demon hunter many think it is the last sound a sinking mermaid fell for a human. This version Kerrie Hughes and her high school Beth Fraiser vampire ship made centuries ago). didn’t have a “happily ever after”. In this Daw Fantasy, $7.99; 312 pp. series, albeit in a somewhat darker tone. The ancient owner of Aislinn House, version he betrays her love and she kills Lily is having a bad day, she went out Lady Eglantyne is close to death and so him. She goes mad from this and to kill the man who attacked her sister her heir has been called to Sealey Head. This volume contains a forward by becomes very paranoid as part of it. and woke up in another girl’s body about Miranda Beryl is a haughty society lady Margaret Weis. I love gaming (obviously When she declares war on the humans to be sacrificed by a demon. Having lived from the nearby city of Landringham. She I have a reason to write the gaming and attacks Queen Bea, the princesses set a less than saintly life as Lily, when she is comes with a huge entourage of friends, column) and I love the fact that this was out to stop her and save Bea. given the chance to redeem herself she some of whom stay at the House. Others edited by someone who loves gaming As with the “Stepsister Scheme” this accepts. Her mission is to prevent the stay at the Inn at Sealey Head closest to too. The thirteen stories, memorial to was a rollicking good adventure and a ninth gate to hell from being opened but the house. Gary Gygax, introduction and forward quick read. I am looking forward to “Red Lily, now in April’s body, learns that not Visitors are rare at the Inn, until they combine to make this one of the best Hood’s Revenge”. Bob all is what it seems. get notice that Miranda Beryl and her collections of short stories I’ve read this Highly recommended. ~ LaPierre There are some surprising twists that I followers are going to need rooms. The year. won’t spoil. The story moves along Inn’s current residents are: Judd Cauley “The War on Two Fronts” shows the The Storm Witch quickly and I am eagerly awaiting the who runs the place, his blind father dangers and necessity of losing oneself in by Violette Malan next book, Torn, which comes out in Dugold, the twins Pandora and Crispin video games. “The Gods of Every Other Daw, $15.00, 312 pp November, quickly followed by the third, and the baby Dulcie. Gwyneth the writer Wednesday Night” shows what happens Turned, in either December or January. who lives up in the attic is fascinated by to your characters when you aren’t Recommended ~ Stephanie L Bannon the bell and longs to discover its playing. “Griefer Madness” gives insight The Storm Witch continues the novels meaning. into the ultimate LARP. Weis’ of Dhulyn and Parno. Skin Deep Not only does Miranda Beryl and introduction gives incredible insight into Dhulyn Wolfshead and Parno by Mark Del Franco crowd show up, but a wandering scholar how she started in the business. And Ed Lionsmane are members of the Ace Books, $7.99, 292 pp named Ridley Dow arrives in the village, Greenwood’s homage to Gary Gygax was Mercenary Guild and veterans of also fascinated by the bell. wonderfully heartfelt and poignant. numerous battles. They are also bonded Bob In an alternate reality, the boundary The heart of the mystery of Aislinn Highly recommended. ~ partners whose bond can only be broken LaPierre between faerie and the mundane world House is an ancient curse laid by a nasty by death. They have returned to their dissolved more than 100 years ago. 1914 wizard. And why the curse was laid and Mercenary house to clear themselves of was the year, not of the commencement how it’s broken is brought to a tense, charges but when old friends are taken of The Great War, but of the Treaty of tight conclusion. Overlaid on the hostage, they are forced to trade their London, recognizing High Queen Maeve unraveling of the curse are the many services for their friends’ release. As they as sovereign of Tara. Now the fey are as tangled threads of affection in this tale reluctantly set sail, Dhulyn believes that bureaucratic as the mortals. They get and who will end up loving who is a Parno will die at sea based on her vision. triple use out of Laura Blackstone, PR compelling element. But even her visions cannot prepare them Sue Martin director, undercover druid SWAT agent, A dear, sweet fantasy. ~ ( Cont’d on page 17 ) Page 16 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 6 Wings The Age of Ra rare and the power of their magic is In Our Book ( Cont’d from page 16 ) by Aprilynne Pike by James Lovegrove sought by people who crave the power in for the trials with the ocean nomads, a Harper Teen, $16.99, 290 pp Solaris, $7.99, 441 pp the unicorn’s horn. Pete and Ariel are telepathic people who share the gift with pursued by bounty hunters, both human the Crayx, an intelligent and virtually Wings is a debut novel. Lovegrove is also the author of twenty and inhuman with no care for human or immortal group of sea creatures. When Laurel was a shy homeschooled girl books including Worldstorm and unicorn life. After friends are murdered, the magic of the Storm Witch, a powerful left as a babe in a basket at her parents’ Provender Gleed. they decide to journey to New York to spirit from the past who has taken door, and adopted when no parents could The Ancient Egyptian gods have confront the necromancer who will stop possession of an 11-year-old princess, be found. When her folks moved to defeated all other pantheons and divided at nothing to claim Ariel’s power. turns the waters of the Long Ocean Crescent City, she found herself in a up the earth into warring factions. Lt. Part post-end of the world as we know deadly, the waves part the two partners public high school feeling like a freak. David Westwynter has escaped being a it, part fantasy, and all adventure with and place them at opposite sides of an She found a friend in David who prisoner of war, and stumbled into magic and some of the best drawn incipient war. brought her into his group and had begun Freegypt, the only place to have remained characters coming of age. Ariel is a fully There is plenty of action, great world to settle in when she developed a growing free of the gods influence despite being drawn character as real as Pete. This is a building, and fully developed and bump between her shoulder blades. under frequent attack. He encounters the wonderful example of what a post fascinating characters. I found I couldn’t Afraid, she confided only in David. The followers of the Lightbringer who has apocalyptic novel can be. This is a put it down. This is series Fantasy lovers two searched for an answer. But the truth vowed to rid mankind of the gods’ keeper, one that every fantasy lover and collectors will have to have. Long was far beyond their concepts. A trip to influence. As the world stumbles toward should have in their library. Go Get it and may the series run. ~ Pam Allan the woods of her old home introduced her the apocalyptic battle, Westwynter finds enjoy. ~ Pam Allan to a new world, her heritage, and a battle more to the Lightbringer than he Bitter Angels to save the woods and its gate to Avalon. dreamed. Canticle by C.L. Anderson This is an exceptional debut Young This is military scifi in the sense of J. by Ken Scholes Random, $7.99, 448 pp Adult novel. No stereotypical characters G. Ballard, with fascinating world Tor, $25.99, 381 pp. here; the cast is fully realized as is the building and characters that you care Each chapter is about one character. unusual world view that emerges. The about. A master craftsman - if you liked Canticle is the second volume of The There are about 5 main characters and the search for identity is so beautifully drawn Ballard, you’ll love Lovegrove as he Psalms of Isaak. chapters go around between them, mostly. that even your aging reviewer became brings the sub genre into the twenty first Nine months ago, the Androfrancine It was really kind of an annoying book to involved with the protagonist and the century. ~ Pam Allan order passed into the hands of Rudolfo, read because it skipped back and forth story. I am looking forward to reading General of the Wandering Army, and between characters rather choppily with more from this talented author who has On the Edge Lord of the Ninefold Forest Houses. His no flow or even logic to it! Neither Mom definitely raised the bar on young adult to by Ilona Andrews wife, Jin Li Tam is carrying his heir. nor I liked this book. I do not recommend Narnia levels. Even if you are on Ace, $7.99, 326 pp Rudolpho and Isaak have begun to this one. ~ Nyki Robertson Medicare, you will want this in your compile the available knowledge into a library. ~ Pam Allan On the Edge is written by the author new Great Library. Wolfbreed of Magic Strikes. As a feast begins to celebrate the by S.A. Swann Heroes At Risk The Edge is a strip between the incipient birth of the heir, the hall doors Ballantine, $15.00, 382 pp by Moira J. Moore mundane world of the Broken, and the fly open and invisible assassins slay all Ace, $7.99, 328 pp Weird, where magic works in a warrior the guests. Wolfbreed appears to be a debut society ruled by aristocrats. The edgers, At the same time, on the keeper’s gate novel. Heroes at Risk is the sequel to Heroes with some magic, are not accepted in which guards the Named Lands from the When a monk discovers a lair of Adrift. either world. Churning Wastes, a figure appears with a werewolf young, he unleashes a secret In a realm beset by natural disasters, Rose Drayton has the strongest magic message for Petronus, the Hidden Pope, weapon for the Teutonic Order, the only the magical abilities of bonded pairs in the edge, but works an off-the-books no longer extant. Church’s most powerful weapon. Trained hold the land together. Now bonded pair job to survive and raise her two brothers. This is truly epic fantasy. Powerful, to serve as instruments of God against Lee Mallorough and her source, Shintaro When Declan, a blueblood noble from the inventive, subtle and fast-paced with a unbelievers, they sneak into villages in Karish return to High Scape after a rough Weird shows up, Rose doesn’t trust him richly detailed world filled with complex human form and are virtually assignment, to find the City besieged by but they must join forces to destroy the characters [including the unstoppable. Only one –Lilly - has people stealing the ash of “lucky “ alien beasts that want to destroy the Edge mechanoservitors] and multigenerational escaped the brutal order. individuals to use for ritual magic, and and everything in it. intrigue. Storytelling at its best. This Uldolf is too young to remember the even the living are being murdered for The author has come up with a fast- series will be a classic and a collector’s massacre of his family and village. When their remains. Pairs are being sent to far paced action fantasy romance that doesn’t prize. ~ Pam Allan he finds the beautiful injured woman in places by an indifferent hierarchy. Will fail the reader. This has the potential for a the woods, he and his adopted family take Taro be next? What has taken over their popular series that I look forward to At Empires Edge her in, not knowing that if their humanity world and will they survive? reading. If you like the work of Patricia by William C. Dietz cannot defeat the darkness and death in What we have is an entertaining Briggs, you’ll love this. It’s time to head Ace, $24.95, 310 pp her soul, they will learn to know it too. romantic fantasy to pass a pleasant for the bookstore. ~ Pam Allan Steeped in the world of the dark ages, afternoon with interesting protagonist, a At Empires Edge is by the author of it is dark and visceral. The world comes fast paced plot, with mayhem, magic and Ariel When Duty Calls. alive with simple, conflicted, characters romantic tension/ Enjoy. ~ Pam Allan by Steven R. Boyett In the far distant future, the Uman and draws you in to the story. This is a ACE, $7.99, 389 pp Empire has spread to the stars and must read, a blend of paranormal thrills, beyond, but on one planet, the remnants historical intrigue and spiritual Ariel is a reissue of the 1983 debut of a race of violent shapeshifters is kept questioning that may change your view of novel by the author of Elegy Beach. confined. Sometimes one escapes. fantasy as a genre. ~ Pam Allan It is five years after the change. Jak Cato is a Xeno cop. He is Technology is dead. The world as we bioengineered to see through the alien know it is gone, and magical creatures disguises, He is returning a fugitive roam the earth. shapeshifter when things go awry and he Pete Garvey has been roaming the only escapes death with the rest of his deserted cities and towns scavenging for unit because he is drunk. Now he has to his needs until he meets an injured find who betrayed them, recapture the unicorn. He nurses her back to health and they become familiars; but unicorns are ( Cont’d on page 18 ) Volume 19 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 17 In Our Book (Cont’d from page 17) Ice Land

by Betsy Tobin Answers to Trivia

prisoner and exact revenge. He’ll have to sun.

Plume, $15.00, 350 pp together held system star A OR: years.

be the hero he never was. the from away streams that tail a form diameter from 1500 to 300,000 light 300,000 to 1500 from diameter

Fast-paced, full of action, this is military may that gas and dust of envelope an by

Ice Land is the second novel by the in ranging and masses solar billion

Sci Fi that will definitely keep you surrounded mass central a of consisting

author of Bone House. 100 of average an containing universe,

hooked for an afternoon. Military Sci Fi orbit, eccentric highly a in usually

Warned by the Fates of an impending the constitute that dust and gas, stars, of

fans report for duty. ~ Pam Allan sun, the about moving body celestial A 12.

disaster, Freya sets out to find the aggregates large-scale numerous of Any 7.

11. George Reeves George 11.

necklace that is said to have the power to 1938. 1, Jan to prior activity Fannish 6.

Grand Junction 1962 #15, Fantasy Amazing 10.

alter history. Meanwhile Iceland is on the Ackerman J. Forrest 5.

by Maurice G. Dantec Who} Vyon){Dr. Bret agent

brink of war as Christianity threatens the Prostitution 4.

Del Rey, $18.00, 570 pp Security (Space Plan Master Dalek The 9.

old ways of Iceland’s people. 1965 3.

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In the middle of it all are two star– Gernsback Hugo 2.

Grand Junction is the sequel to attraction. gravitational by crossed lovers whose destiny draws them Tuning William 1. Babylon Babies. together as the world tries to tear them On October 4, 2057, most electronics apart. are destroyed by unknown viruses and Filled with history billions of people are killed. Twelve years and mythology of later, the survivors are in a dark age. Iceland, built on its Jungle law rules and Grand Junction is Nordic base, Tobin has the last bastion of reason and faith. Then written an epic a second wave of viruses is unleashed adventure of forbidden striking humanity and stripping language love, jealousy, faith, and thought. and magic beneath a Here also lives a guitar prodigy smoldering volcano. named Link de Nova who finds the Tobin has written a power to fight the enemy for the survival contained novel of of humanity and will do so with radios, Audio Entertainment changed, right when you were looking at it. Portable Media history and the human rifles, and rock and roll. expanded and exploded before you had fully grasped the meaning of the name. condition. I loved it Dantec takes the reader on a wild ride and look forward to mixing rock and roll, the Three Stooges, iPods, Video iPods, Sony PSP, iRivers, and more… so many players to choose from, and see more her work and you still have the option of burning a show to a CD to listen to in your car. the Art of War, and metaphysics into a expect to more awards delightful cocktail. This English on her way. If you What began as The Dragon Page with Michael and Evo has evolved into something translation from the French is worth the appreciate the subtle greater, reaching farther into the entertainment industry with a broader selection of price. You may end up re-reading pen of Patricia shows that appeal to a wider variety of tastes and interests, from humor to high quality multiple times over the years. ~ Pam McKillips you have audio drama productions, and from fiction to the latest news and entertaining Allan lots here to love. ~ interviews, there’s something here for everyone. Pam Allan Flight of the Renshai

by Mickey Zucker Reichert Daw, $25.95, 578 pp

This begins the third trilogy in the Renshai Saga. Bearn and its allies are faced with mysterious pirates, the vanguard of an army sent from across the sea. When they attack the ship carrying Prince Arturo and his Renshai guards, all hands are presumed dead. The enemy has raised prejudice against them, forcing them from the Westlands. Saviar, Subikahn and Calistin must make their stand in a world where they are unwelcome. Without them, Bearn may fall to the approaching “pirate” army. The New Cover to Cover features hosts Michael R. Mennenga and fantasy author Epic Fantasy with a Nordic base filled Michael A. Stackpole, and has expanded its coverage to include occasional forays into with characters that are mythic yet mysteries, thrillers and the writing process, while still highlighting the newest in science believable and fast-paced action with fiction and fantasy. honor beset by intrigue. Here we have Slice of SciFi everything one can ask of Epic Fantasy. is the favorite of SF fans hungry for the latest news and developments in Long may the series reign. You’ll want upcoming films and television, featuring interviews with the cast, producers and them all. ~ Pam Allan creators of our favorite shows, films, fan films, comics and more.

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www.farpointmedia.net Page 18 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 6 AZCorsairs “Founded in 1971 as a branch of enced players. Visit http://www.warhorn.net/ THE PHOENIX FANTASY FILM SOCI- Club Listings the Society for Creative Anachronisms, or gathering, to see what we have coming up. If ETY A Phoenix based club interest-ed in the ACROSS PLUS - So you live in North SCA, our primary focus is 16th – 18th century you have any questions email us at entire realm of SF, Fantasy and Horror film. European culture and the pirate lifestyle of PFFS has been in existence for 30 years, Phoenix and are interested in anime? Well [email protected] there is a club out there available for you the time. The Corsairs will extend pirate meeting every 6 weeks in member’s homes. people. portrayals as far back as Phoenician, Roman Dues are $10 per year. Membership includes Across Plus is a social club that discuses Era or to future Space, Science Fiction genre, THE JEDI KNIGHTS (Founded 1977) newsletters, an annual film awards and anime, video games, manga, other animation, and more publicly recognizable Hollywood Meetings are the 3rd Sunday of each month. various outings. For information, contact and the Japanese culture. We meet at styled pirate. Corsair membership is largely For more information call Carol Alves, PFFS, P.O. Box 34023, Phoenix, AZ 85067 or Bookman’s on 19th Ave and Northern on volunteer-oriented, gathered together for fun Publicity, (760)244-9593 or write Jedi call David Storck at (602) 274_7404, e-mail: Sundays at 7:00pm until 9:00pm. and while helping others out. [email protected]. Members of the Arizona Corsairs are, much Knights, c/o Carol Alves 8038 “I” Street, In general, we explore anime, manga, and Hesperia CA, 92345-7066. other styles of animation, creative educative like their historical counterparts, masters of RAGE ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST A demonstrations, participate in interactive their own destiny. Creation of characters, Live Action Theatre Troupe based out of the discussions, attend local Arizona conventions, complete with backstory with correlation to LEPRECON, INC. One of the two Phoenix ASU campus in Tempe, AZ. It is dedicated to and make cosplay. history, period costume, and emulation of area corporations that put on yearly conven- the game Werewolf: The Apocalypse by We are willing to gain any new members out pirate traditions and arts, rests on each tions. Best described as SF/F generalists with White Wolf publishing. Contact Mike there who are interested. Our members are performer, creating varied storylines and McLaughlin at (602)461-5842 or write 1730 deep, interesting characters. a main thrust into SF/F art. Guests are W Emelita Place #2025, Mesa AZ 85202- very friendly, respectful, and fun. We welcome. The meetings are quarterly on the welcome any and all. For more information, please contact Captaim 3144 or [email protected] For more information, contact Todd Miles at Max - Ambassador, AZCorsairs second Saturday of February, May, August & [email protected] [email protected] 602-799-6184" November unless otherwise notified. August RAW GAMES (Role-players & is the annual meeting where board positions Wargamers, Inc.) Role-players & ADRIAN EMPIRE A medieval and renais- BASFA Local Tucson science fiction group are deter-mined. For more information, write Wargamers, Inc. is the Valley’s oldest role- that puts on TusCon. Contact us at PO Box playing and wargaming club. Currently sance recreationist club. Sword-fighting, arts, PO Box 26665, Tempe, AZ 85285; call Mike banquets, masquerades, dances. meets every 2528, Tucson AZ 85702-2528 or meeting at 8159 W. Weldon in Phoenix every [email protected] Willmoth, 480-945-6890, Email Sunday from 12noon-5pm (except during Wednesday night from 7-10pm at Encanto [email protected] Webpage: Park. All are welcome. Free. our website at http://home.earthlink.net/ conventions and other special events). Open ~basfa/ www.leprecon.org to new members - call (623) 849-9515. AERIAL MIRAGE JUGGLERS. Meets CENTRAL ARIZONA SPECULATIVE MIB The Men in Black is the official global SHIELD OF ALMOR The Shield of Almor Wednesday 7-10pm in Encanto Park, 15th organization of field operatives for Steve Avenue, south of Encanto. No dues, everyone FICTION SOCIETY, INC. (CASFS) The is a RPGA club located in the greater Phoenix non-profit corporation that puts on Jackson Games. We attend local conventions area. If you are interested in Living Greyhawk welcome. All levels skill exchange in many to demonstrate and promote products of Steve areas of object manipulation Dave Davis CopperCon conventions, SmurfCons, catch one of our meetings the 1st Sunday of HexaCons, occasional regional cons, and Jackson Games. We also schedule demos in every month at Imperial Outpost Games , 602-955-9446; local gaming stores as well as community or Ron Harvey , 480- publishes Con-Notations. Best described as (www.imperialoutpost.com) in Glendale. If SF/F generalists with a strong bent towards service events. If you have a gaming store, you are interested in Living Arcanis or Living 775-4690 for more info or impromptu convention, or community service that you juggling sessions. literary SF/F. Guests welcome - meets at 8pm Spycraft catch us on the 3rd Sunday of every on the last Friday of each month in January would like to have official Steve Jackson month also at Imperial Outpost Games. The thru September and the second Friday in Games representation at, please contact the Shield of Almor hosts RPGA events at the ARIZONA LANBASHERS LEAGUE A MIB Arizona Cell collaboration of computer gaming enthusiasts, October, November and December at local Phoenix conventions. For more Denny’s, 2360 W Northern Ave in Phoenix, Leader at [email protected]. We are also information visit us at the Arizona LANbashers League throws recruiting new MIBs in some areas of quarterly LANparty events. Between parties, AZ. For information: write PO Box 62613, games.groups.yahoo.com/group/AZ_RPG/ or Phoenix, AZ 85082-2613 or email Arizona. If you’re interested, contact us. You you can sign up for games at support is given to local groups who wish to can find additional information about the advertise their own gatherings. We have no [email protected] Web www.casfs.org www.nyrond.org. Or you can just stop by the Arizona MIB at our website http:// 1st Sunday of the month. Meeting starts at set genre of games and play anything from members.cox.net/mib.6361/ strategy games to first-person shooters to *****C.R.O.F.T. Celtic Reenactment of 10am. Hope to see you there. driving/flying simulations. No annual Fellowship and Trades is Phoenix based Reenactment group specializing in the MVD GHOSTCHASERS—The MVD THE SOCIETY FOR CREATIVE membership is required and admission to an Ghostchasers are a paranormal team event ranges from $5-$15. See our webpage western European renaissance. We research ANACHRONISM The kingdom of Atenveldt lifestyles and trades concurrent with the established in 1995. This band of ghost doth lie in the state of Arizona. Within the fair for current events. Email: hunters conducts regular investigations of [email protected] Web: Celtic Peoples from 400 BC until 1746 AD. kingdom can be found six Baronies: We emphasize Scots, Irish or Welsh crafts and haunted, historical locations throughout Atenveldt, Mons Tonitrus, Twin Moons, www.lanparty.com/all/ VoiceMail: 602-306- Arizona. They also research and investigate 9339 do Celtic re-enactment. We open participation SunDragon, Tir Ysgithr and Ered Sul. For to anyone with an interest in period crafting “house call” hauntings for the public. The more information on any of these or for MVD Ghostchasers lead Spirit Photo ARIZONA PARANORMAL and entertainment. Demonstrations occur at general information on contact the Kingdom the Highland Games, Scarborough Fair, and Workshops/Tours to various haunted locations Seneschal. Email: [email protected] INVESTIGATIONS We are a highly across Arizona. These workshops give ghost trained, non-profit paranormal investigation the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Web page Web www.atenveldt.com http://www.crofters.org We meet in Tempe at hunters, paranormal team members and folks group, registered with the state of Arizona, wanting to learn the art of ghost hunting a providing service to Arizona and the the Pyle Adult Center SW corner of Rural and SOUTHWEST COSTUMER’S GUILD The Southern on the 2nd Saturday of every month, chance to work and learn techniques together. Southwest Costumers Guild is a loose Southwest since 1994. Having served the The MVD Ghostchasers team are guest public for 12 years, we are one of the oldest, phone number (480)350-5211. The Board organization of persons interested in all facets meeting will be at 2:00 pm with the General speakers at many venues and have appeared of historical, cultural, science fiction, fantasy, most respected paranormal investigation on TV news reports and the subject of several groups in Arizona. We are primarily science meeting starting at 2:30 pm. and humor costume. Members are often seen newspaper stories. For more information on stage and behind the scenes at local and based and don’t go on an investigation contact: looking for ghosts, we go looking for THE DARK ONES (Dark-wunz) n. 1) An regional Science Fiction Convention organization formed for the expression and MVD Ghostchasers—Debe Branning, masquerades. They meet on the last Sunday of answers. There is never a charge for an Director—480-969-4049 Web page: investigation. Contact us at by e-mail at exploration of various cultural themes each month at various members’ homes in the including, but not limited to, the Dark Ages www.mvdghostchasers.com or greater Phoenix area. For details. Southwest [email protected] or [email protected] visit our website at: http:// and the Renaissance through forms of art Costumers Guild, PO Box 39504, Phoenix, www.arizonaparanormalinvestigations.com/ including, but not limited to, painting, AZ 85609 or Randall Whitlock at drawing, writing, photography, spoken word, ORANGE COUNTY SCIENCE FICTION [email protected] or and acts of characterization. 2) a member of CLUB meets last Wednesday of every month www.southwestcostumersguild.org THE AWAY TEAM: The Away Team, is a (except Dec.) in Fullerton. The meetings are general sci-fi appreciation group that meets this organization. 3) Information available at www.darkones.org built around guest speakers. We’ve had SPACE ACCESS SOCIETY Space Access once a month for discussion of various sci-fi authors such as Octavia Butler and Greg news regarding several mediums to include: Society’s sole purpose is to promote radically THE EMPIRE OF CHIVALRY AND Benford. Non-members are welcome. For cheaper access to space, ASAP. We think it’s television, movies, video, books, comics, details of current events and location see our magazines, collecting, and so forth. The STEEL, INC. The Empire of Chivalry and possible within ten years, with a little luck Steel specializes in the general recreation of website www.ocsfc.org or email and a lot of hard work. Join us and help us meetings are comprised of news, review and [email protected] comment, BBS/computer news and help, the culture of the Middle Ages including all of make it happen! SAS membership is $30 for the Art Forms, Events (Feasts, Tournaments, one year, which gets you emailed Space meeting new members, video presentations, PAReX is a non profit organization dedicated games, and socializing fun! Food and drinks Ceremonies and Wars) and Combat Arts Access Updates the instant they pass final covering the years of 800AD up to 1650AD to building and promoting Autonomous edit, plus discounts on our annual conference are provided, via a $3 munchie fee (per robotics. The club has been in existance since meeting) to compensate the host. (No other and any location within Europe or its explored on the technology, politics, and business of territories. For more information contact 1998. Meetings are currently conducted twice radically cheaper space transportation, fees are involved.) The electronic home of the a month at two different Phoenix, Arizona Away Team, is the Lightspeed Space Station Leonard Byrd (Tucson) (520)742-2432 Web: featuring leading players in the field. Email www.galandor.org locations, http://www.parex.org/ us at: [email protected] BBS at (520) 325-6674.... Member ages for meetings.shtml. Club dues are on an annual the group range from 13-40-something with Web page: www.space-access.org/ A GATHERING OF PLAYERS- Find Your basis: Regular members $20 Student members both male and female members. Other $15 Of course visitors are always welcome activities include null-modem link gamefests, Adventure SUPERSTITION SPACEMODELING Our club is running into our sixth year. Join because we know you will eventually become SOCIETY is Arizona’s club for builders of group theater movie viewings, convention a member anyway Web page: http:// trips and more. Have sci-fi fun in a relaxed, us for games and adventure set in the model and high-power rockets and those who Dungeons and Dragons realm. We offer www.parex.org/ E-mail Contact: love to see them fly. Launches are held on the low-structure environment. NO RUBBER [email protected] EARS ALLOWED!! For questions, you can Living Forgotten Realms and Pathfinder second Saturday morning of each month in call the BBS, or write to: LSS c/o R. Martin; Society. We welcome both new and experi- Rainbow Valley. SSS hosts the annual G. 2522 N. Sparkman Blvd.; Tucson, AZ 85716 ( Cont’d on page 20 ) Volume 19 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 19 In an effort to expand membership the USS Rooms include: FREE Deluxe Continen- Club Listings ( Cont’d from page 19 ) Leonidas has assisted in the formation of a Convention Harry Stine Memorial Rocket Launch every High School Star Trek club called the tal Breakfast Daily freshly baked cookies. October. Visit www.sssrocketry.org for STARFLEET Science and Tactical Academy. Given the low rate reserve your room membership information, directions to the Students participate in a wide range of Listings now or you might be disappointed. Mark launches and meetings, and to read the activities with the hope that they will become LepreCon 36 (May 14-16, 2010) expects to announce guests soon. Mem- monthly newsletter, “Newton’s Minutes.” interested in Star Trek and join STARFLEET Phoenix Marriott Mesa, 200 North as officers. bership rates are $30 until December 31, Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ Ph: (480) TARDIS is a Phoenix-based General SF/ The USS Leonidas has a crew of 30. Starfleet 2009, $45 at the door. Fantasy Fan Club, specializing in Interna- Science and Tactical Academy has 52 cadets. 898-8300, Room Rates $99 S/D/T/Q. tional media SF/Fantasy since 1983. TARDIS Members age from 14-65 years old. Average www.marriott.com, online boking code is CopperCon 31 — Chairman Nyki meets every two weeks at different locations age is 20-25. “leplepa”. Guests: Artist GoH Charles Robertson -Hotels are being analyzed. around the valley. Activities include watching Club meeting locations vary due to scheduled Vess, Author GoH: George R.R. Martin, Windemere likely. videos, discussions, parties, games, and away missions and such, but usually meet in a Local Artist/Author GoH: James A. occasional outings with more to come now classroom at Apache Junction High School. CASFS Shed inventory – Now that we that Doctor Who is returning from hiatus. Membership with Starfleet International is Owen. Memberships rates:$35 until have completed the shed inventory as of Many members maintain an active presence at required. www.sfi.org Upon joining December 31, 2009, $35 Jan 1 thru April June 17th , we are proceeding with the conventions. You can contact us at 2243 W 15, 2010, $45 at the door. Web site at STARFLEET a member is a Cadet. Upon inventory of items stored by CASFS Wagon Wheel Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85021, Voice passing the Officer’s Training School Exam at www.leprecon.org/lep36 or email Mail at (602) 864-0901, E-mail TARDIS- the Online Academy, the member becomes a [email protected] for more members at other locations. [email protected] or visit us at http:// Commissioned Officer aboard the Leonidas. information. CASFS Book Social — The Book members.cox.net/tardisaz/tardis.html The chapter does not have dues as of yet. The dues to be a member of STARFLEET Social is held in the Coffee Shop of the TEKWAR FAN CLUB Sanctioned by the International are $15 a year. RandomCon 2010 (July 9-11, 2010) Bent Cover on the West side of 28th series’ production companies and the USA No newsletter, but members do receive an Windemere Hotel and Conference Center, Drive North of Cactus Road in Phoenix at Network! It is THE information conduit activities E-mail update. No web site yet. 5750 East Main St.• Mesa, Arizona 85205 7 p.m. December 15, 2009 - Quarter between the fans and the series! Fan club Contact : Jonathan Krieger, 480-677-0269, • Ph: (480)985-3600 • Toll Free: (800) Share by Nathan Lowell, January 18, membership will bring you the following 1) [email protected] 888-3561 Room Rate: $59 S/D/T/Q and subscription to the info filled Tek Informer 2010 - Turncoat by Jim Butcher. newsletter; 2) official TekWar Fan Club USS STORMBRINGER The Stormbringer is includes breakfast and free Internet. For membership card and kit. Membership is by a correspondence Star Trek fan club chapter our games we plan to have RPGA - plans Financial Planning Committee – Work regular mail only and the newsletter and of Starfleet, Intl. based out of Tucson AZ. include Living Forgotten Realms, Arcanis has been completed. The language in the materials will not be reproduced electroni- The chapter was commissioned as the USS and Pathfinder. Amber Diceless - In the procedures has been updated and made cally. To join the action and initiate your Stormbringer NCC-74213, attached to tradition of AmberCons across the World, consistent throughout. annual membership, make check or money Division 31, Starfleet Covert Operations, on RandomCon brings you the Chronicles of order out for $12.50 to: Official TekWar Fan 10/31/98. As of 11/29/98 there were 32 Minutes Backlog – Gary Swaty’s task of Amber in roleplaying form in a variety of Club (Membership section), 2522 N members. There are no dues other than the opening The Big Scary Box is still on Sparkman Blvd., Tucson AZ 85716-2417 $15 for joining Star-fleet Intl.. Members are games. PLUS Console Gaming, Card scattered world wide but the primary clusters Games, Board Games, Miniature hold. Work will begin very soon. Susan T.H.E.M. is ASU’s science fiction and are in Tucson, AZ and Plano, TX. They don’t Gaming, LARPs, and much more! There Uttke’s minutes are in hand and Gary fantasy club. Weekly meetings are held on the meet on a regular basis since they are a will be a consuite and a small dealer Swaty’s minutes are current. Arizona State University campus, with dates correspondence chapter. Their web site is: room. Cost is $15 through December 31, and places to be announced after the semester http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/9505/ By-Laws – Two By-Law revisions starts. For more information, Email and their contact/CO is Capt. Dave Pitts, 2009, $20 From January 1 to June 30, submitted. The first passed to require a [email protected] Web [email protected] 2010 and $25 at the door. Pay now via member to have physically attended 9 of www.themonline.org Paypal on our web site at the previous 12 meetings to be eligible WESTERN SCIENCE FICTION ASSO- www.randomcon.org or mail check or TUCSON FAN ALLIANCE E-Mail Address CIATION (WesternSFA) A non-profit money order to RandomCon, PO Box for the Board changing Article III is [email protected] or corporation that sponsors AniZona, the 67457, Phoenix AZ 85082. Memberships Section 1 B 2 - to read “2. Be an Active [email protected] ConRunners seminars, Across Plus Anime Club and sponsored the 2004 Westercon. also available at Imperial Outpost, 4920 Member of the Society who has physi- UNITED FEDERATION OF PHOENIX A Dedicated primarily to educational activities W. Thunderbird, Glendale, AZ 85306. Check cally attended nine of the previous twelve Phoenix area Star Trek and general SciFi fan relating to literature, music, and visual and our web site for updates or contact us at meetings; “ club. We are a social club that meets every performing arts, especially in the genres of [email protected] two weeks at various locations around the Anime, science fiction, fantasy, costuming, The second change was tabled for Phoenix area. The UFP has been meeting for revision after discussion. gaming and science. Applicants for member- CopperCon 30 (September 3-6, 2010) over 30 years of continuous activity. Dues are ship in WesternSFA must be sponsored by a ConNotations Funding – CASFS $15/per year prorated when you join; no current active WesternSFA member. Dues are Windemere Hotel, 5750 East Main St., restrictions. Membership includes member- $10 yearly plus a $5 non-refundable applica- Mesa, Arizona 85205, Ph: (480)985- members voted to continue the hard copy ship roster and monthly newsletter. Come to tion fee. General Meetings are held on the 3600 • Toll Free: (800) 888-3561 Room edition of ConNotations in 2011. They any two meetings at no obligation. For first Friday of February, May, August and Rates $59 S/D/T/Q. http:// also voted that CopperCon should end information, write the UFP at PO Box 37224, November, check our website for meeting www.resortmesa.com/ Rooms include Phoenix, AZ 85069, or call Jim Strait at (602) location Guests are welcome. For more info with the necessary $5000 in its account to 242-9203. Web page: http://www.U-F-P.org contact Craig Dyer at WesternSFA, PO Box Complimentary gourmet deluxe breakfast make this possible. or Email to [email protected] 67457, Phoenix AZ 85082 Email: buffet served every day and fresh baked [email protected] Webpage: cookies served every evening. The hotel USS LEONIDAS The Leonidas is a member www.westernsfa.org has 114 rooms so there is a good chance of Region IV of STARFLEET International. we can have the entire hotel for our- The chapter is an opportunity for those that Z-PHILES are the ariZona x-PHILES. We selves. Guests: TBA. Memberships rates: share a love of Star Trek to have fun and help maintain a mailing list for news and get- the community at the same time. The togethers of fans of the X-Files living in $30 until December 31, 2009, $35 Jan 1 Leonidas stresses uniforms or other costumes Arizona. We get together in both the Phoenix thru April 30, 2010, $40 May 1 thru What is CASFS? to have the ability to participate actively in and Tucson areas. To subscribe, send an August 23, 2010. Please check the web What is really behind putting on a various events as they present themselves but empty message to z-philes- site at www.coppercon.org or contact us convention? What are the funds raised by a they are not required. [email protected] at [email protected] for more info. convention used for? Why not attend a Generic Convention Registration Form meeting and find out? We’re the sponsor of ConNotations, CopperCons, HexaCons, CASFS Business Report SmerfCons and other conventions. We are Name:______November 1, 2009 a charitable, non-profit organization that exists to further science fiction, fantasy Badge Name:______November meeting (Denny’s 2360 W. and science fields in Arizona. CASFS Northern Ave. in Phoenix.) – Moved to currently meets at the JB’s Restaurant at Address:______November 20. It is a notified meeting 1818 W Montebello in Phoenix The because it has been moved meetings begin at 8PM and are held on the City/State/ZIP:______last Friday of the month Jan. through Sept. CopperCon 30 — Chairman Mark and on the second Friday of the month Oct Phone:______Email:______Boniece - The CopperCon Hotel is the through Dec. Everyone is invited to attend Enclosed is $______for ______memberships for Windemere two meetings as a guest (non-member). 5750 East Main St. Mesa, Arizona 85205 Membership rates are $12/year plus an ______convention. Ph: (480)985-3600 Toll Free: (800) 888- initial $3 application fee and rates are pro- rated for the amount of the year remaining. (See individual convention listing for mailing address) 3561 Reservations by phone ONLY. Our For more info: Webpage: www.casfs.org More info on __ Masquerade __Art Show __Volunteer __ Other rate is $59 Single/Double/Triple/Quad Email: [email protected] Page 20 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 6