TACS
| Fan | |
|---|---|
| Name: | TACS |
| Alias(es): | Carole Swoboda |
| Type: | fanartist, zine publisher |
| Fandoms: | Multifandom, CSI, The Sentinel, Man from Uncle, Star Wars: TPM, Professionals, Starsky & Hutch, Star Trek: TOS |
| Communities: | |
| Other: | |
| URL: | TACS' Art Gallery (2002 WayBack link) More art at the AMC Press site |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
TACS was an extremely prolific fanartist who has created covers and interior fanart for zines in many fandoms, primarily slash.
Together with Laura Peck, TACS also published zines as AMC Press.
Some of TACS earlier art can be found at TACS' Art Gallery while TACS a k/s calendar details an any-year calendar that was released in 1984.
She passed away on August 26, 2020.
We are sorry to report that fan writer and artist and former MediaWest*Con attendee Carole Swoboda (aka TACS) died August 26, 2020 after lengthy declining health. Deepest sympathies to her wife, Laura Peck. [1]
Sample Art
TACS artwork: for color they favor oil style artwork. For interior art, they often use a minimalist ink sketch method that hints at shapes and textures.
Blake's 7 Examples
at the 1985 Scorpio, Brian Croucher held up TAC's art that featured him: "I can't get me winkle out."
from 5th Season #4 (1986)
from 5th Season #4 (1986)
from 5th Season #4 (1986)
from 5th Season #4 (1986)
from 5th Season #4 (1986)
some mpreg from 5th Season #4 (1986)
from Powerplay #1 (1987)
from Powerplay #7 (1990)
from Rebel Desires #1 (1995)
from Rebel Destinies #1 (1994)
Due South Examples
from Two (1996)
from Two (1996)
from Awakenings (1998)
Facelift Examples
unknown date
unknown date
unknown date
Guns N' Roses Examples
Axl Rose and Slash, from Guns N' Roses, unknown date
Slash, from Guns 'n Roses, unknown date
Harry & Johnny
Johnny and Hutch from Double Play (1985)
from Double Play (1985)
from Double Play (1985)
Clint Eastwood as Harry, from Double Play (1985)
from Double Play (1985)
from Double Play (1985)
from Double Play (1985)
Harry Potter Examples
from Gold Tinted Spectacles (2003)
from Innocence in Shadow (2004)
from Tales from The Pensieve #1 (2004)
from Tales from The Pensieve #2 (2004)
Led Zeppelin
"Love Bite" - Jimmy Page (1988)
Jimmy Page and an elf-eared Robert Plant (date unknown)
Jimmy Page and an elf-eared Robert Plant (date unknown)
possibly based on a young Jimmy Page (undated)
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Examples
from Filling Time & Spaces (1993)
from The Perfect Affair (1995)
from Classified Affairs #5 (1998)
from Classified Affairs #6 (1999)
from Reclassified Affairs #2 (2001)
The Professionals Examples
from The Professionals (unknown date)
Bodie, unknown publication (unknown date)
unknown date, "Going My Way" (unknown date)
from The Professionals (unknown date)
from The Professionals (unknown date)
from The Professionals (unknown date)
from The Professionals (unknown date)
from Filling Time & Spaces (1993)
from Professional B and D (1993)
from Professional B and D (1993)
Bodie, unknown publication (1986)
Bodie, unknown publication (1986)
from Foxhole in a Graveyard (1988)
from Other Times and Places #1 (1990)
from Other Times and Places #2 (1991)
from Other Times and Places #3 (1992)
from Professional B and D (1993)
from Other Times and Places #4 (1993)
from Compounded Interest #1 (1992)
from Compounded Interest #1 (1992)
from Compounded Interest #1 (1992)
from Compounded Interest #1 (1992)
from In the Public Interest #1 (1985)
from In the Public Interest #2 (1988)
from In the Public Interest #3 (1991)
from In the Public Interest #3 (1991)
The Sentinel Examples
from Come to Your Senses #3 (1997) -- perhaps Blair is giving Jim some chiropractic help?
from Awakenings #3 (1997)
from Love and Guns #4 (1997)
from Holiday Sensations (1997)
from Dragons and Kings (1997)
from The Nia Chronicles (1997)
from Love and Guns #3 (1998)
from The Jungle Book (1998)
from The Jungle Book (1998)
from The Jungle Book (1998)
from The Jungle Book (1998)
from Magick (1998)
from Freedom of Choice (1998)
from Nature Series #1 (1998)
from Love and Guns #6 (1999)
from Love and Guns #7 (1999)
from Love and Guns #8 (1999)
from Running with the Storm (1999)
from The Diary Series (1999)
titled "Officer Steele," from Love and Guns #10 (1999)
from All My Roads (2000)
from Catalyst (2000)
from Love and Guns #11 (2000)
from Love and Guns #12 (2000)
from Reign of Terror (2000)
from The Game's Afoot (2000)
from The President's Son (2000)
from Love and Guns #14 (2000)
titled "Ellison's Harem," from Love and Guns #14 (2000)
from Love and Guns #16 (2002)
from The Bait (2003)
Star Trek Examples
from Phaser (1975)
probably one of the earliest media illos by TACS, from Menagerie #5 (February 1975)
probably one of the earliest media illos by TACS, from Menagerie #5 (February 1975)
"Mr. Sulu's Fantasy," from the 1983 Shore Leave program book
"Nurse Christine Chapel's Fantasy," from the 1983 Shore Leave program book
from Vault of Tomorrow #4 (1983) -- imagining yourself on the Enterprise and having adventures with Kirk and Spock beats domestic chores!
"Mr. Spock's Fantasy," from the 1983 Shore Leave program book
from The Complete Omicron Ceti III Lyric Book (1984)
from Naked Singularity (1984)
from California K/S #4 (1984
![from T'hy'la #4 (1984), reprinted in Side by Side #13 (2004) and The K/S Art Project in 2010 -- " What a clever little picture this is. Surrounding a central IDIC are 6 little sketches of Kirk and Spock in various poses and at various ages. The remarkable thing about this is that it looks like it took about 5 minutes to draw, and yet is so accurate and full of character. The way it looks fresh, yet finished, is very successful as it gives an impression of movement as if each little sketch is a snapshot of a moment, and avoids the static look that over-finished art work can give. This is a lively, fun-loving and unusual piece of art." [2]](/w/images/thumb/5/5e/Thyla4art3.jpg/140px-Thyla4art3.jpg)
from T'hy'la #4 (1984), reprinted in Side by Side #13 (2004) and The K/S Art Project in 2010 -- " What a clever little picture this is. Surrounding a central IDIC are 6 little sketches of Kirk and Spock in various poses and at various ages. The remarkable thing about this is that it looks like it took about 5 minutes to draw, and yet is so accurate and full of character. The way it looks fresh, yet finished, is very successful as it gives an impression of movement as if each little sketch is a snapshot of a moment, and avoids the static look that over-finished art work can give. This is a lively, fun-loving and unusual piece of art." [2]
![from California K/S #4 (1984) -- One reviewer said: "unfortunate piece by T.A.C.S. which (again) is memorable only for its. grossness." [3] A variation by the same artist is used in Naked Singularity #1 published a few months later. In that zine, Spock is eating a kiwi, rather than.....)](/w/images/thumb/5/59/Californiaart7.jpg/131px-Californiaart7.jpg)
from California K/S #4 (1984) -- One reviewer said: "unfortunate piece by T.A.C.S. which (again) is memorable only for its. grossness." [3] A variation by the same artist is used in Naked Singularity #1 published a few months later. In that zine, Spock is eating a kiwi, rather than.....)
from Naked Singularity #1 (1984)
from Mind Meld #1 (1984)
from The Complete Rack (second edition) (1984)
from Fesarius #6 (1984)
from Vault of Tomorrow #5 (1984)
from Vault of Tomorrow #5 (1984)
from Vault of Tomorrow #5 (1984)
from TACS a k/s calendar -- Spock holds an unbroken turkey wishbone referencing the Earth custom of two people pulling on each end, and the one who gets the bigger half has their wish come true. It is unclear how Spock, a canon vegetarian, feels about this activity. (1984)
from TACS a k/s calendar -- An exuberant April shower!
from TACS a k/s calendar -- Kirk tries to explain the Valentine Day card custom to a perplexed Spock
from Daring Attempt #2 (1985)
from Gateway #2 (1985)
from T'hy'la #5, reprinted in Side by Side #13 (2004)
from Consort #1 (1985)
from Consort #1 (1985)
from Vault of Tomorrow #8 (1985)
from Daring Attempt #2 (1985)
from Everything But the Kitchen Sink #2 (1986)
from Command Decision (1986)
from Command Decision (1986)
from Whisper of the Wind (1986)
from Vault of Tomorrow #9, portrays a young Jim Kirk (1986)
from Vault of Tomorrow #9 (1986)
from Vault of Tomorrow #9 (1986)
from Mind Meld #3 (1986)
from Galactic Discourse #5 (1987) -- pillow fight!
from Whalesong #1 (1987)
from. Abode of Strife #20 (1993)
from Kaliffee #2 (1993)
from The Plain and Simple Zine #5 (1995)
from Tarkalean Tea (1996)
![from T'hy'la #4 (1984), reprinted in Side by Side #13 (2004) and The K/S Art Project in 2010 -- " What a clever little picture this is. Surrounding a central IDIC are 6 little sketches of Kirk and Spock in various poses and at various ages. The remarkable thing about this is that it looks like it took about 5 minutes to draw, and yet is so accurate and full of character. The way it looks fresh, yet finished, is very successful as it gives an impression of movement as if each little sketch is a snapshot of a moment, and avoids the static look that over-finished art work can give. This is a lively, fun-loving and unusual piece of art." [2]](/wiki/File:Thyla4art3.jpg)
![from California K/S #4 (1984) -- One reviewer said: "unfortunate piece by T.A.C.S. which (again) is memorable only for its. grossness." [3] A variation by the same artist is used in Naked Singularity #1 published a few months later. In that zine, Spock is eating a kiwi, rather than.....)](/wiki/File:Californiaart7.jpg)
![from Kaliffee #2, subtitled "Interlude," artist TACS. One reviewer wrote: "It's like a beautiful painting....ancient....Vulcan times...stunning..." [4] (1993)](/wiki/File:Kaliff2.jpg)
Starsky & Hutch Examples
from Tongue in Cheek (1984)
from Hanky Panky #13 (1984)
from Down to Earth (1984)
paper dolls from Between Friends #10 (1985)
from Double Play (1985)
from Double Play (1985)
from Double Play (1985)
from No Pants, No Badge, No Gun (1985)
from Day by Day (1985) -- Starsky, Hutch, and Hutch's son
from Day by Day (1985) -- Hutch and his son
from Nightlight #1 (1986)
from Code 7 #4 (1987)
from The Fix #3 (1988)
from The Fix #5 (1989)
from The Fix #6 (1989)
from The Fix #6 (1989)
from The Fix #7 (1989)
from The Fix #8 (1990)
from The Fix #10 (1991)
a illo of Hutch titled "Case of Dead Artist" (1992)
from Dangerous Lives, Dangerous Visions #3 (2001)
from Don't Give Up On Us, Baby (2001)
Tris & Alex Examples
Alex, from Tris/Alex, unknown date
Alex, from Tris/Alex, unknown date
Tris, from Tris/Alex, unknown date
Tris, from Tris/Alex, unknown date
Tris and Alex, from Tris/Alex, unknown date
With Love from Eroica Examples
from Guns and Red Roses #1 (1989)
from Filling Time & Spaces (1993)
from Tales of Eroica Coloring Book (1995)
Other Examples
undated illo of Elvis (unknown date)
from Diverse Dimensions #4 (T.J. Hooker) (1983)
from Diverse Dimensions #4 (M*A*S*H*) (1983)
from Diverse Dimensions #4 (The Questor Tapes) (1983)
from Diverse Dimensions #5 (Remington Steele) (1984)
from Diverse Dimensions #5 (T.J. Hooker) (1984)
from The Wookiee Commode #4 (Star Wars) (1987)
from The Brother's File (1986), also in Adult Situations #1 (1987) (Simon & Simon)
![from Moon Phases #11 for "In the High Country." -- "Good inking technique, as well as composition. An excellent illo... The only critique I could possibly make is that the rider on the white horse could have been moved over a little bit, as there doesn't' seem to be room between the two riders to keep their legs form tangling. Of course, for some people, this has some advantages." [5] (1989)](/w/images/thumb/8/83/Moonphases11.jpg/131px-Moonphases11.jpg)
from Moon Phases #11 for "In the High Country." -- "Good inking technique, as well as composition. An excellent illo... The only critique I could possibly make is that the rider on the white horse could have been moved over a little bit, as there doesn't' seem to be room between the two riders to keep their legs form tangling. Of course, for some people, this has some advantages." [5] (1989)
from Celestial Toybox #6 (War of the Worlds) (1990)
from Celestial Toybox #6 (War of the Worlds) (1990)
from Compounded Interest #1 (War of the Worlds) (1992)
from Wild Cards #1 (Young Guns #1 (1992)
from Filling Time & Spaces (Wiseguy) (1993)
from Filling Time & Spaces (Sherlock Holmes) (1993)
from Filling Time & Spaces (War of the Worlds) (1993)
from Filling Time & Spaces (Quantum Leap) (1993)
from Compounded Interest #4 (The X-Files) (1995)
from No Holds Barred #3 (Sherlock Holmes) (1996)
from The Warrior and the Bard (Xena: Warrior Princess) (1999)
![from Moon Phases #11 for "In the High Country." -- "Good inking technique, as well as composition. An excellent illo... The only critique I could possibly make is that the rider on the white horse could have been moved over a little bit, as there doesn't' seem to be room between the two riders to keep their legs form tangling. Of course, for some people, this has some advantages." [5] (1989)](/wiki/File:Moonphases11.jpg)
Zine Contributions
TACS contributed to a massive amount of zines.
Blake's 7
Eroica
Forever Knight
Kung Fu: The Legend Continues
Harry & Johnny
Harry Potter
Highlander
Man from UNCLE
The Phantom Menace and Star Wars
The Professionals
Quantum Leap
Sentinel
- All My Roads
- Alternate Visions
- The Bait
- Beefstick and Lambchop
- BJ Sandburg
- Borders
- Catalyst
- Come to Your Senses
- Conjugations
- The Diary Series
- Dragons and Kings
- Extra Touchy Frisky
- Family Secrets
- Four of a Kind
- Freedom of Choice
- The Further Adventures of James Ellison and the Professor
- The Game's Afoot
- Holiday Sensations
- Insight
- The Jungle Book
- Lifeline
- Love and Guns
- Magick
- A Million Pieces
- Nature Series
- The Nia Chronicles
- Outside Influences
- The President's Son
- Previous Loves
- Primal Instincts
- Primary Subject
- Reign of Terror
- Rough Trade
- Running with the Storm
- Scared Senseless
- Sentry Duty
- Shadows of the Past
- Stories with a Different Hue
- Sweet Memory
- Time and Again
- To Thine Own Self Be True
- Understanding
- Without Prejudice
Star Trek
- Abode of Strife
- Beyond the Farthest Star
- Beyond the Wire
- California K/S
- ClipperCon program book
- The Complete Omicron Ceti III Lyric Book
- The Complete Rack
- Command Decision
- Consort
- Daring Attempt
- Different Odds
- Enter-comm
- Fesarius
- First Time
- Galactic Discourse
- Gateway
- The K/S Art Project
- Kaliffee
- Maine(ly) Trek
- A Matter of Honor
- Menagerie
- Mind Meld
- Naked Singularity
- Nome
- Not Tonight Spock!
- Parallax Ring
- Phaser
- The Plain and Simple Zine
- Rec-Room Rhymes
- Resurrection
- Side by Side
- TACS a k/s calendar
- Tarkalean Tea
- The Temple Jewel
- T'hy'la
- Twin Destiny
- Vault of Tomorrow
- Voyages
- Whalesong
- Whisper of the Wind
Starsky & Hutch
Other
References
- ^ In Memoriam, Archived version
- ^ from The K/S Press #47 (2000)
- ^ from Communicator #23
- ^ Denise Dion's June 5, 2012 post to the K/S Zine Friends Facebook Group, quoted with permission.
- ^ from an LOC in Moon Phases #13