Category Archives: Fanzines

Publications by science fiction fans.

A Swiftly Warming (Journey) Planet

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By Chris Garcia: Hugo-winning fanzine Journey Planet tackles the intersection of climate change and science fiction with their 67th issue now available here. 

The issue — titled “Anthropocene Ruminations” — features articles, fiction, and art from more than a dozen creators from across the fandom community. Amanda Wakaruk and Olav Rokne were brought on as guest editors for the issue, which delves into everything from geoengineering to how climate change affects parasites in changing environments.

“Climate change is the defining crisis of our age. We might suggest that climate change fiction — or cli-fi — is quickly becoming the defining subgenre of our time,” Wakaruk and Rokne explain. “People all across the globe are grappling with climate change — some more directly than others. Rising oceans, disappearing fresh water, massive heat waves, displacements, and droughts are all factors in this massive event, and it’s important to understand how that is being reflected in the stories that we tell each other.”

The issue kicks off with a three-page interview with America’s most prominent author of climate change fiction Kim Stanley Robinson, followed by commentary and analysis of the subgenre from authors from across the globe:

  • The Roadmap to Drought by Victoria Paterson
  • The Lies They Will Tell You by Camestros Felapton
  • The Loaner by A. L. Yakimchuk
  • Where The World May Wind Up by Juan Sanmiguel
  • Songs of a Disposable Earth by Jason Sanford
  • Disco and the Rising Tide of Cli-Fi Paul Weimer
  • Ponderings by Victoria Carter
  • Parasites in Peril by Collin Horn
  • Massive Moment for Cli-Fi by James Bacon
  • Apocalyptic Radio by Nicolas Pallaris
  • Choosing Van Gogh by Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki
  • Things Fall Apart, It’s Scientific by Chris Garcia
  • Is Geoengineering by The New Denial? by Stephen Griffith & Marshall Boyd
  • Dwelling in the Anthropocene by Cora Buhlert
  • Blowing Up The Ministry For The Future by Gautam Bhatia

Journey Planet 66: Robin Hood

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By Steven H Silver: Robin Hood, whether you picture Errol Flynn, a fox, or the cover of a book by Howard Pyle, at Journey Planet Steven H Silver joins Christopher J. Garcia and James Bacon for this issue which looks at the legend of Robin Hood, historically, cinematically, and affectionately.

Lawrence Ellsworth, Jeff Berkwits, and Anthony Roche look at the various cinematic versions of the Robin Hood legend, each bringing their own take to what the outlaw from Sherwood Forest means.

Robin Hood’s adventures on the small screen are covered by James Bacon, Bonnie K. Jones, Michael A. Burstein, and Alissa Wales.

Tina L. Jens describes a vast array of cartoon depictions of Robin, not just by Disney, but featuring Tom & Jerry, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Popeye, and less famous characters.

Laura Frankos shares her love of musicals with an article about a popular operetta based on Robin Hood that debuted in 1891 and helped chart the path for the American musical theatre.

Yilin Wang, David Stein, and Chris Garcia explore historical outlaws who share traits with the Robin Hood of legend.

James returns for a look at the comic The Real Robin Hood and Steven discusses Parke Godwin’s decision to set his novel Sherwood during the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest.

And finally, Graeme Davis interviews Robin Hood, or at least Tim Pollard, who has been the official Robin Hood of Nottingham and is a co-founder of the International League of Legends.

All this can be found in the latest issue of Journey Planet, available for download.

First Fandom Annual 2022

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Jon D. Swartz and John L. Coker III have recently published the First Fandom Annual 2022: First Fanthology where some of the members of First Fandom present original essays, fiction, poetry, illustration, plus a special appreciation of Ray Bradbury.

Contents include early convention memories, a closer look at Roger Zelazny, a science fiction alphabet, the thrill of collecting, the adventures of Cat McCool, science fiction for the serviceman, a Ray Bradbury bio-bibliography and more.
 
There are contributions from Arlan K. Andrews, Sr., John L. Coker III, James E. Gunn, Theodore Krulik, Jack Lange, Radell Faraday Nelson, Robert Silverberg, Jon D. Swartz, and David B. Williams.

The publication is (56) pages in length, and is limited to (50) copies.  It is laser printed on 28# quality paper and features B&W and color interiors with gloss covers.  It is 8½ x 11 and booklet-stapled.  The price is $35 (which includes packing, postage, insurance and tracking). 

All copies will be sent via USPS Priority Mail.  To order, those people who are interested are asked to please send a check or money order for $35 (payable to John L. Coker III) to John L. Coker III at 4813 Lighthouse Road, Orlando, FL – 32808.  

[Based on a press release.]

Journey Planet 65 – Rogue One 

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Celebrating Rogue One, the stunning cover of the current issue of Journey Planet, is by Iain Clarke, one of two pieces that he has contributed to this issue. 

Alissa Wales joins Christopher J. Garcia and James Bacon on this issue which looks at Rogue One with thoughtfulness and affection.

What is it about Jyn Erso that fans find so compelling?

A series of fans spend time thinking about Jyn and Rogue One. James Mason, Ann Gry, Ken Marsden and Noelle Ameijenda share their thoughts. 

Art is provided by Micheal Carroll, Sara Felix, Colin Arthurs, while professional comic artists, Will Sliney, Ruarí Coleman and Keith Burns contribute thoughts on the film. 

Amongst the many contributors, we hear from Victor D’Agostino II, Keith Perrin and David Ferguson. 

This issue includes a data visualization by Phoenix, prints of which are being sold to raise money for the Royal British Legion Red Poppy Appeal — providing lifelong support to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families. https://www.phoenixdataart.com/rogue-one

Peppard Saltine takes an informed and reflective set of considerations into account regarding the filming, and asks some hard questions about what happened pre and post production. Their experience and insight in the film industry offer an interesting view. 

Download the issue here.

Journey Planet – Erró 

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By James Bacon: Join the Journey Planet team as they look at the art of Erró, Iceland’s most famous Avant Garde artist,  but are challenged by re-use, copying and the ongoing conflict created by pop-artists and their supporters as they paint over comic artist signatures. A behaviour as old as the movement itself. 

Does Erró’s art really speak when he fights against war? Was the experience of living through Britain invading Iceland and a military occupation by the allies of his peaceful non belligerent home, during the Second World War an enduring and formative one?

Are we as ignorant of Erró and Iceland’s occupation as curators are of the original ‘source’ of the art he utilizes, or do we prefer to ignore it all. 

Are original artists now being recognized?

Is this now changing thanks to Brian Bolland, whose open letter the team reprints, or is it worse than ever as they consider the appalling response of Glenn Brown who copied Chris Foss in the name of fine art.  

In this intense consideration of the work of an artist, copyright and appropriation of comic art is discussed. The team ask of themselves and the reader, what’s going on with our love of the image and try to figure out the conflict, the joy of comic imagery writ large crashing into the reflected reality of a failure to be original or worse steal from another. 

Is that the western capitalist way,  written to suit themselves into law that legitimizes and profits from it, regardless of the original artist? 

Meanwhile we look ownership of a work, copyright per se, but a much older starting point than one night expect. 

Journey Planet. Erró Errór: Edited by Pádraig Ó Méalóid, James Bacon and Christopher J. Garcia 

Journey Planet 62: Crafting during Covid 

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By James Bacon: It’s been a challenging time, but fans have risen to the challenge in ingenious, interesting and beautiful ways, creating, making, painting and arting.  

It’s been a productive time, and with issue 62 of Journey Planet we look at some of the incredible work and fun times fans have had. 

The issue can be found here.

We celebrate some of the wonderful things people have been up to which include: 

  • fitting out a camper van
  • building a Lego steam train 
  • making galifraen tiles 
  • crochet octopus helmet cover 
  • pens and inks 
  • Knitting
  • Peeps theatre
  • wooden mushrooms 
  • a TARDIS door 

We also have a wonderful look at the art of Meg Frank, Sara Felix and Iain Clark who share their work, Tiaras, Block Printing and painting.  

With contributions from Vanessa Applegate, Constanze Hoffman, Emma King, Alissa McKersie, Edie Stern, Christy Kearny, Liz Loikkanen, and James Shields, we also touch upon what and how fandom has managed, with a consideration of the Virtual year of cons from Marcin Klack and how inertia will be overcome as fandom strives to regather in our enditorial. 

A feast for the eyes, the “Crafting in Covid” issue is co-edited by Sara Felix, Christopher J. Garcia and James Bacon. We hope you enjoy it. 

Future issues being worked on range from SF, Comics and the American War in Vietnam, Warrior Comic a 40th celebration, and V for Vendetta amongst a number of subjects.  

Contributions, comments, feedback and letters of comment always welcome to [email protected]

Season’s Greetings from Journey Planet

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By James Bacon: It’s that time of the year, and Sara Felix, Sarah Gulde, Errick Nunnally, Erin Underwood, Christopher J. Garcia and James Bacon have come together to bring you an incredible look at 2021, holiday rituals, food, winter, Christmas stories, cards and much, much more! Season’s Greetings! – Journey Planet – Issue # 61

Starting with a stunning piece of art as a cover by Sara Felix, with a design by Errick Nunally, the 78-page issue came together immediately after DisCon III, the co-editors feeling enthused and invigorated and wanting to share some seasonal celebrations. 

With a carol from Shana Worthen, a song by Meg MacDonald, art from Fia Karlsson, Sara Felix, and Linda Miller, there is a wide selection available in this Journey Planet selection box of delights. 

Marguerite Smith, vice chair of DisCon III is interviewed, there are articles on The Tomb of Dracula #84—’Twas the Night Before Christmas, Where Eagles Dare, Lucasfilm Christmas Cards, Christmas Ghosts: Past, Present, and Future, Tamales and Tradition, Christmas and SFF as well as recipes for Wild Boar and Cocktails. 

The co-editors hope you enjoy this issue, with many more words, well wishes and seasonal greetings from a variety of fans and writers, a cornucopia of good tidings.  

Journey Planet logo by Sara Felix. 

Journey Planet 60 — A Zine in a Day

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By James Bacon: The day was November 27, 2021, and a group of fanzine writers, artists, editors, and… others? Well, they’ve gathered virtually to put together an issue they’re calling One Day on Journey Planet!

Chris originally had the idea but as he says, “’SO, what exactly are we doing here????’  ‘That’s a difficult question. More difficult than you think, honestly. It comes down to this: one afternoon, I got an idea. Everybody is staying home, there’s so much more free time now that no one has to commute. We can make a Journey Planet happen by choosing a day and then making everything in that issue in that day! It’s a call back to our first issue ever and the always fun concept of Fanzine in an Hour! I had this idea in April of 2020.”

The team welcomed co-editor Vanessa Applegate who came on board, to help with art, editorial, and seeking submissions.

Starting with an Autun Purser cover, there a host of brilliant articles including  ‘Artists New to Me from the 2021 Chesley Award Nominees: Suggestions I Love’ by Sara Felix, ‘Army of the Dead: Viva Las Vengeance at Area 15’ by Jacq Monahan, ‘ Five Classic Suicidology Texts’ by Chuck Serface and  ‘Reflections on The Lost Boys’ by Douglas E. Berry to name but four of the many. 

There are a number of interviews, including ones with Marguerite Smith, Alma Alexander and Steven H Silver, and an outstanding article, ‘Flann O’Brien, Marcel Duchamp, and the Problem of the Ready-Mades’ by Pádraig Ó Méaloid that somehow involves Brian Eno! 

With art, photos and crafts by  Alissa McKersie, España Sheriff, Christopher J. Garcia & DeepDreamGenerator, Vanessa Applegate and ArtBreeder.

Chris reviews: Slaughterhouse-Five: The Graphic Novel Reviewed and “Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done?” by Harold Schechter and Eric Powell and James contemplates Hawkeye or Hawkguy, in comic and TV form, and writes at length about Kindness during Covid. 

Although Chris was meant to work on layout the whole time, he wanted to read and write, as he will not be at Discon III, it offered him the opportunity to catch up on messenger and zoom with Helena Nash, Chuck Serface, Sarah Gulde and others, so he did. 

Download the issue here: Journey Planet 60: One Day on Journey Planet.

Spend One Day on Journey Planet on November 27

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By Chris Garcia: Ever wanted to be a part of an issue of Journey Planet, but never knew where to start? 

Have an idea for a thing, but don’t think it’s got a place?

You like doing stuff with fun folks with a completely artificial deadline? 

Then join Team Journey Planet on Saturday, November 27th as we spend One Day on Journey Planet! 

We’re making an issue starting the minute it becomes November 27th (just at the International Dateline) and be continuing until it’s not November 27th anymore (or, more realistically, when Chris decides to go to bed…) 

We’ll be providing prompts for pieces, but we’re open to a whole lot of everything! Been thinking about writing an article about your favorite 1970s ghost comic? Do it! Wanna draw a series of works of El Vez fighting dinosaurs? Sure! Wanna pre-flight and write now, but send on Saturday? DO IT!!! We’re looking for art, articles, reviews, comics, photos, and just about anything! 

One prompt we’re giving away ahead of time is you can send in letters of comment on our older issues at http://journeyplanet.weebly.com or on https://efanzines.com/JourneyPlanet/ and let us know what you think? Have they aged like wine? Let us know!

And be sure to look out for the issue on November 28th (maybe the 29th…)

Questions? Send ’em to [email protected]

“Cancelled Too Soon” Is Theme of Journey Planet 58

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Hugo Award winning fanzine Journey Planet’s issue 58, co-edited by Steven H Silver, Evan Reeves, James Bacon, and Chris Garcia, is themed “Cancelled Too Soon” and explores television shows from the ‘60s to the ‘10s that were cancelled within two seasons of their debut.  

Ranging from for the four-episode Wonderfalls to the impressive single season of 85 episodes of Battle of the Planets, the writers share their favorite shows that disappeared as well as shows that acquired another life in syndication, video release, or streaming.

Featuring more than 55,500 words covering 31 television shows with authors ranging from Alan Smale to Rich Horton to Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki the authors welcome you to the shows that helped shape their imaginations. The issue includes articles on Dark Skies by showrunner Bryce Zabel, on StrangeLuck by screenwriter Michael Cassutt, on The Middleman by screenwriter Margaret Dunlap, and on FlashForward by Robert J. Sawyer, upon whose novel the show was based.

Download Journey Planet 58: Cancelled Too Soon at the link.  This is the fourth issue of Journey Planet co-edited by Steven H Silver and the first with Evan Reeves.