Southern Comfort (multimedia zine)/Issues 6-6.5

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Issue 6 (Southern Lights, multifandom)

front cover of issue #6, Leah Rosenthal: Wiseguy
back cover of issue #6, Laura Virgil: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Southern Lights 6 was published in May 1993 and contains 132 pages.

The front cover is by Leah Rosenthal, the back cover by Laura Virgil, the inside art is by Leah Rosenthal, Laura Virgil, Sheila Paulson, Tami Vermande, Susi Leinbach, and Adrian Morgan.

The editorial addresses a concern. For more on this topic, see The Revelcon Zine Piracy Letters.

[From the editorial]:

I have a concern to express to you. Bootlegging of zines seems to be on the rise again, and this time the problem is not really dealers who copy zines to resell, but folks who buy one copy of a zine and then make duplicates for their fiends. This is not all right. This is stealing. But, I think the people doing it already know that and don't care. However, YOU should care. Because if you bought a legitimate copy of this zine, you just paid a lot more for it than you would have if the thieves weren't stealing my property. It works like this: the more copies of zine that can be sold, the lower the price of each individual issue becomes. You see, the cost of supplies, postage, equipment, and contributor's copies is figured into the cost of each copy. The more copies that can be sold, the more the "hidden" costs can be spread out and therefore the lower the cost of the copy. There's another reason you should care about fans stealing zines. This is the last issue of SOUTHERN LIGHTS. There won't be any more. The fans at Revelcon in Houston who ripped me off, ripped off you, too. I have absolutely no desire to invest my hard-earned money and even harder to come by time, in producing a zine that can't pay for itself. Other editors have expressed the same opinions to me.

My gratitude and thanks to those of you who have supported this zine over the years by buying legitimate copies.

  • When Nero Smiled by Liz Sharpe (4)
  • The Game -- By the Rules by Linda Knights ("A man from Castillo's past could be the end of Crockett...") (Miami Vice) (5)
  • Parental Concerns by Kimberley McCarthy (Kill the Dead) (26)
  • Hayride by Kimberley McCarthy (Kill the Dead) (27)
  • Blake's 7 Get Smart with A Team Lost in Space by Felis Sylvestris ("What does it sound like? The ultimate B7 crossover, that's what!) (Blake's 7 crossover) (29)
  • Crown of Thorns by Liz Sharpe (Blake's 7) (43)
  • Rain by Maureen Shields (Blackadder) (44)
  • Our Favorite Themes by Liz Sharpe (52)
  • Thoughts on a Hill Over Tulotef by Kimberley McCarthy (Kill the Dead) (54)
  • The Anything Goes Art Portfolio: Leah Rosenthal (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Leah Rosenthal (general science fiction), Leah Rosenthal (Phantom of the Opera), Leah Rosenthal (Blackadder), Sheila Paulson (Indiana Jones), Laura Virgil (Starman), Laura Virgil (Man from U.N.C.L.E.), Susi Leinbach (Star Trek: The Next Generation) (63) (56)
  • Bright Lights, Big Kitty by Erika Frensley (Star Wars/Beauty and the Beast) (64)
  • Farewells at the Gate by J.P. Reedman (Robin of Sherwood) (70)
  • The Beast Goes Solo by Carolyn Golledge (Star Wars/Beauty and the Beast) (72)
  • Beltaine Enchantment by Janet P. Reedman (Robin of Sherwood) (82)
  • Shadowman, poem by Merlin (84)
  • The Wolves of Metracla (Star Wars) (85)
  • Madhouse Blues by Kaye Dunham (A mission to rescue a rebel prisoner holds a few surprises for Avon's crew...) (Blake's 7) (97)
  • Sherwood's Magic by Janet P. Reedman (Robin of Sherwood) (104)
  • Esprit De Corps by Dee Beetem and Sue Wells (Blake's 7/Robin of Sherwood) (106)
  • Liz's Rules for Surviving a Science Fiction Series by Liz Sharpe (125)
  • The Prized Possession Raid by CarolMel Ambassador (The Rat Patrol is desperate to rescue a captured Troy, and Dietrich equally desperate to prevent them.) (Rat Patrol) (126)

Issue 6.5 (Southern Comfort, Blake's 7)

cover of issue #6.5, Leah Rosenthal. A fan in 2016 said: "#I have to admit #one of the (admittedly several) reasons that S4 got off on the wrong foot with me #was the seemingly sudden jump from the 70s to the 80s #aesthetically speaking #VILA RESTAL #and... #that has to be Tarrant?? #right?? #I'm gonna say #Del Tarrant #vintage b7 art #other people's lovely art" [1]
inner front cover of issue #6.5, Leah Rosenthal
back cover issue #6.5, Melody Rondeau
flyer for issue #6.5, note there is a story called "No Respite" by Daley Kelly ("Vila hasn't forgotten Malodaar and he wants to make certain Avon never does, either.") that does not appear in this issue, but is in #7.5

Southern Comfort 6.5 was published in April 1991 and contains 260 pages.

The art is by Leah Rosenthal, Melody Rondeau, IBACH, Randym, Adele Pates, Howarth & Daniels, London Boots, Linden Boats, Bundon Lates, Gayle F, Sara S., Laura Virgil, and CeleBates.

Some of the art is reprinted from #5.5; this is due to it being used in the "Second Southern Comfort Writing Contest."

From the editorial (comments about the lateness of the issue, personal sacrifice, and ungrateful fans):

Hello, and welcome to issue 6.5 Of SOUTHERN COMFORT! The zine's appearing a little bit later than I had originally intended, but hey, that's life. And, you know, mundane life interferes with us zine editors the same as it does with all of you readers, so try to remember that when you're longing for your latest zine fix! It's hard to wait, I know, but think how you'd feel if, after working for 12 hours, driving in rush hour traffic, dealing with sick cats, suffering from a migraine, trying to get the bills paid, and somehow during all this trying to work in time to bind zines, fill orders and type on the latest issue, you got a letter from some "fan" demanding to know why you don't have the "courtesy" to answer the ten pages of questions she sent you last week (and didn't bother to enclose a SASE, I might add). It makes me want to throw up my hands and scream! But, I haven't given up and I'm still here and you can count on me still being here long after a certain actor and his sycophants have gone the way of the dinosaurs. I was in fandom long before I met any "actors" and I'm still going strong. Just use a little common sense when you write to me (or any zine editor) please we have feelings the same as you and the worst feeling in the world is the one you get when someone makes you feel like a failure just because you aren't super human.

And, please, please, please, remember you MUST enclose a SASE with your correspondence (overseas, enclose TWO IRC's and an SAE) or you absolutely, positively, will not receive a reply of any kind!!!

From the editorial (comments about using another fan's altered material and an apology):

A few words about SOUTHERN COMFORT 5.5; there was a very popular "article" in 5.5 called "The Official Delta Sex Test." This article was mistakenly printed without the permission of the original author. The original author was "Sasha Sokolnikov" and the article appeared in a slightly different form in the MAN FROM UNCLE zine, COMRADES. [2] (If you would like to order Sasha's zine, her address is [redacted]. My apologies to Sasha for the misunderstanding.

From the editorial (hooray for Tarrant, and mind the warnings):

As for this issue, I know you're going to enjoy it! Isn't it amazing how Tarrant has been enjoying such an upsurge in popularity of late? There are several Tarrant stories in this issue, much more than the norm, And I already have a Tarrant/Vila story planned for the next issue, There is, of course, the usual mix of straight and slash material. My suggestion to those of you who do not like slash is that you try to avoid those particular stories. If you read them and are offended I don't want to hear about it; you've been warned.

From the editorial (do your part):

Make sure you read all of the wonderful entries in our story contest from last issue and let me know which one is your favorite! Write Letters of Comment! The Letters column doesn't begin to match the one in SOUTHERN SEVEN. I know you guys can do better than this -- don't be so shy! You can see that I don't use anybody's name unless they give me permission to do so. So, what's stopping you! And why not submit something to the new story contest? Or send a piece of artwork for the next story contest? Come on and participate in your fandom instead of being passive consumers.

  • Editorial (4)
  • On the Town, fiction by Victoria Towers ("R&R takes an unexpected twist for Avon and Jenna.") (Avon/Jenna) (5)
  • Severely Weird and Really Bad Vogon Haiku, poem by Linda Terrell (12)
  • Victim of Love, fiction by Daley Kelly (Avon/Vila) (13)
  • No Promises, No Regrets, fiction by Kody A. Young (Avon/Blake) (17)
  • Adrift, poem by Judith Ellison (Avon/Blake) (21)
  • The Warden's Pet, fiction by Chris Kessler ("A mission done wrong leaves Vila stranded and at the mercy of his jailers.") (Avon/Vila) (21)
  • Commitment, fiction by Randym ("Tarrant knows something is wrong following Malodaar.") (Avon/Tarrant) (25)
  • Morning After, fiction by Mistral (Blake/Avon/Cally) ("The attraction is mutual but what will be the explosive results?") (27)
  • Promise Kept, poem by Judith Ellison (A/Anna) (32)
  • Tarrant the Terrific, fiction by Carnella & Comatose (Tarrant/Orac, with Avon/Vila and Dayna/Cally) (33)
  • Dichotomy Unbound, poem by London Bates (A/B) (41)
  • Castle in the Air, fiction by Phillipa Scott (Blake/Avon, Blake/Jenna, Avon/Anna - incorrectly labelled as Tarrant/Avon) (41)
  • Tangled Webs, fiction by P.T. Russell(Blake/Jenna, with Avon/Cally) (54)
  • 9/10ths of the Law, fiction by Henrietta Street (Cally/Vila) (57)
  • Friendly Persuasion, fiction by Daley Kelly (Avon/Vila) (62)
  • Nightmusic, fiction by Paula (Tarrant/Avon) (66)
  • Fantasies, fiction by Matilda Willard (Avon/Vila, with past Blake/Avon and Blake/Vila) (74)
  • Discovery, poem by Melissa Mastoris (D/So) (81)
  • Spaceship Sherbert Blues, fiction by Meg Garrett (81)
  • Situations, fiction by Ty Downs ("A "command performance" leaves Vila showing Blake a thing or two.") (Vila/Blake) (83)
  • Stranger Things, fiction by Shoshanna ("Avon and Jenna keep running into each other in the strangest places.") (Avon/Jenna) (88)
  • Unspoken, poem by Judith Ellison (A/B) (91)
  • On Credit, fiction by Daley Kelly (Avon/Vila) (92)
  • Mind Games, fiction by Cathy Conrad ("Being a prisoner sometimes has its advantages.") (Cally/Carnell) (96)
  • Command Performance, fiction by M.J. Dolan (Jenna/Cally) (99)
  • "You're Kidding, Right?, fiction by Jane Carnall (104)
  • Double Jeopardy, fiction by Sara Avery & Sylvia Dennison ("Vila's attempt to leave the Liberator results in tragedy.") (Vila/Avon) (105)
  • Libelous Liberator Limericks, poems by Bryn's Teddy Bear (128)
  • The Quality of Mercy, fiction by Victoria Towers (Soolin/Vila) ("Vila is ill after his experiences over Virn and missing Cally.") (was originally planned for #5.5.) (129)
  • Gratuitous Eroticism, fiction by Rose St. Clair (Blake/Avon) (130)
  • Gratuitous Revenge, fiction by Rose St. Clair ("A study in human psychology... from both characters' points of views... simultaneously!") (Blake/Avon) (141)
  • Aftermath Too, fiction by fiction by Anna Lee (Servalan/Avon) (143)
  • The Howling, fiction by Bryn Lantry (Avon/Blake) (145)
  • A Delta's Love, poem by Melissa Mastoris (A/V) (149)
  • The Road, fiction by Deirdre Hughes (Vila/Soolin) (149)
  • Dearest Enemy, fiction by Brendan O'Cullane and Adrian Morgan (Servalan/Avon) (151)
  • The Second Southern Comfort Writing Contest (156)
  • Discovery, poem by Judith Ellison (A/B) (162)
    • A Room with a View, fiction by Aurora Borealis ("Cally discovers Avon’s secret places.") (Avon/Cally) (was originally planned for #5.5.) (162)
  • Story Contest Winners (from issue 5.5) (170)
    • Worth the Cost at Any Price, fiction by Mistral (Avon/Blake) (171)
    • Second Chance Loving, poem by Judith Ellison (A/B) (182)
    • Up in (Blue) Smoke, fiction by Sonia (Avon/Blake, Avon/Blake/Cally, Vila/Jenna, Orac/Zen) (182)
    • Switch, poem by Judith Ellison (J/V) (199)
  • Continue to Continue, fiction by Northwest Smith ("The Federation did horrible things to Blake's mind.") (Avon/Blake) (201)
  • Bondsmate, fiction by Dorian Gale (Avon/Tarrant) ("An unlikely paring but one that could just end up saving both of their lives.") (was originally planned for #5.5.) (227)
  • Perpetual Enchantment, poem by Judith Ellison (C/J) (252)
  • Hard to Get, poem by Melissa Mastoris (C/V) (254)
  • Letters of Comment (255)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 6.5

See reactions and reviews for On the Town.

See reactions and reviews for Victim of Love.

See reactions and reviews for No Promises, No Regrets.

See reactions and reviews for The Warden's Pet.

See reactions and reviews for Commitment.

See reactions and reviews for Morning After.

See reactions and reviews for Tarrant the Terrific.

See reactions and reviews for Castle in the Air.

See reactions and reviews for Tangled Webs.

See reactions and reviews for 9/10ths of the Law.

See reactions and reviews for Friendly Persuasion.

See reactions and reviews for Nightmusic.

See reactions and reviews for Fantasies.

See reactions and reviews for Spaceship Sherbert Blues.

See reactions and reviews for Situations.

See reactions and reviews for On Credit.

See reactions and reviews for The Howling.

See reactions and reviews for Command Performance.

See reactions and reviews for Gratuitous Eroticism.

See reactions and reviews for Aftermath Too.

See reactions and reviews for Dearest Enemy.

See reactions and reviews for A Room with a View.

See reactions and reviews for Worth the Cost at Any Price.

See reactions and reviews for Up in (Blue) Smoke.

See reactions and reviews for Continue to Continue.

See reactions and reviews for Bondsmate.

[Stranger Things]: Jenna and heterosexual relationships: I really like your A/J -- 'Stranger Things' and its sequel. I prefer A/J to either A/C or B/J, and your take on it strikes me as very realistic (not to mention hot!). Definitely not mushy romance - but maybe, one day, more than a one-night stand. (And I'm not the only one who liked the stories; both my MediaWest roommates, Carol McCoy and [Lorna S], loved them too.) [3]

[Stranger Things]: SOUTHERN COMFORT 6.5 arrived yesterday, a zine I had completely forgotten about. I read through and here are my comments: 1 ) My favorite story in the zine was "Stranger Things" by [Shoshanna G]. I didn't like it, but it moved me because of its cold and gritty feel. I pitied Avon and Jenna at the end; I'm not sure if the author meant that or not. [4]

[You're Kidding, Right?]: Kerrvert slips into relatively unparodied porn cliches in the C/J section but the later comic stories share out the humour equally. Jane Carnall's 'You're Kidding, Right?' is a short but hilarious list of everyone's reasons for not sleeping with everyone else, none of their reasons having anything to do with gender or sexual preference. In the first section, Jenna snaps, 'I don't care if it's coming up to Auronae mating season or not... My mother warned me about telepaths like you.' In Season 3, 'Cally shrugged and gave up on Dayna. //Just too goddamn warped to be true.//' [5]

[Nightmusic]: The slash sequel to a gen story, "The Night Wind," in GAMBIT 2. Avon comforts Tarrant after Deeta's death. A really lovely story. [6]

[zine]: I was impressed by the three Avon/Tarrant stories. I'd never seen one attempted before. [Tarrant seems to have come into his own. He's in a number of stories this issue! Ed.] 3) Glad to see a Jenna/Cally even though the situation was forced. Are there any men out there who'd give writing that pair a try? [7]

[zine]:

A few comments on SOUTHERN COMFORT 6.5... "Tarrant the Terrific" was a stitch, although I can't believe Tarrant as the dominant male on the Liberator even under totally ridiculous circumstances. Of course, two of the symptoms of XYY syndrome are above-average height and below-average intelligence. "Tangled Webs" had a nice twist on the traditional brothel story. "Command Performance" had an overly familiar plot, but it's always nice to see the girls having fun. "Room with a View" was a nice, sweet story.

I'm looking forward to the next issue! [8]

[zine]:

I read SOUTHERN COMFORT 6.5 the other night and I thought I'd write a LoC. I enjoyed all of the stories in the zine. I

particularly liked "No Promises, No Regrets." After a while I get tired of dominance games between Blake and Avon, so it's nice to see a loving story. "Morning After" was also quite... interesting. Blake, Cally and Avon? A menage a trois that works. "Friendly Persuasion," doing it in Blake's cabin? How wickedly delicious. I usually can't stand Tarrant stories, but I enjoyed "Nightmusic." That Tarrant would go to Avon for comfort and that Avon wouldn't blast him into the next galaxy fro even suggesting that Avon would be on the bottom is amazing, but Paula made it seem believable. "Situations," with Vila teaching Blake what sex can be was great. I could just see the look of astonishment on Blake's face when Vila kissed him. And Vila's fantasy man? Hmm... I wonder who? I think my favorite story int he zine was "Up in (Blue) Smoke." So sexy and funny. Be still my beating heart. I also liked "Continue to Continue." Vila finally gets the recognition that he deserves and is able to help Blake. They go on and on about how poor Blake has been mindwiped, etc. but Vila had his head adjusted several times. The only difference is that it didn't work. The only problem I had with "Bondsmate" is that it was so one-sided. It's not that Tarrant is too macho, (which he likes to think he is) it's that Avon takes the submissive role too easily and too often for my tastes. Maybe it's because I don't like Tarrant. Ever since he threatened Vila to get him to do what he wanted to do. He's a bully. Anyway, the story was very nicely written, though. I liked the idea of Vila and Soolin together. Of course Jenna and Blake could settle down and have little Blake juniors. Overall, the zine was very good. The artwork was fantastic. I especially liked Leah's Vila, Avon and Kerril on page 1, Gayle had a very nice Avon on p. 113, Virgil's Avon and Servalan on p. 152 was also very good. The cartoon on 226 was precious. The artwork for the next contest will no doubt inspire writers. I know it does me. Keep up the good work. [9]

[zine]:

I just wanted to tell you how much I love SOUTHERN COMFORT 6.5. The luscious cover alone is worth the price of the zine. It's

enough to melt a Tarrant (or Vila) fan into an Andromedan-like puddle of jelly on the floor. The variety of offerings in this zine is impressive and much appreciated. I'm delighted with the multiplicity of unusual pairings and the mix of serious and humorous pieces, art, and poetry. The relatively high Tarrant quotient doesn't hurt, . either! My favorite of the zine is "Nightmusic." I always thought Tarrant and Avon should have gone a little farther than they did in "The Night Wind." This story is perfect! Both Avon and Tarrant are more mature, better-adjusted, and in my humble opinion, more in character than they were in Paula's SOUTHERN COMFORT 4.75 story, "Stress Factors." (Though I liked that one, too.) But that last line! Arrgh! There has to be a sequel! Also loved "Bondsmate." Finally, a PGP in which Avon doesn 't dump Tarrant in favor of Blake. And Tarrant gets to awaken Avon with a kiss—now there's a unique twist on the Avon's-in-a-coma scenario! Got a real kick out of "Tarrant the Terrific," even if it did bash dear decorative Del. (So that's why he took out all Klegg's squad, one by one...) Dayna, Cally, Avon and Vila have absolutely no taste, leaving poor Tarrant to punch the wall in frustration. Mhpf! Just as I always suspected— Orac is the most intelligent member of the crew. Love the accompanying illos of Avon and Vila in drag and Tarrant on steroids! A nice surprise were all the Jenna stories. My favorite was "On the Town." Avon and Jenna are a great couple. Much enjoyed all the lovely humorous bits. Particular favorites were the cartoon on page 155, "Blake County," the back cover, and the "Vogon Haiku" (especially the paraphrase of Blake...er, William, not Roj!). Well, thank you for yet another fantastic zine. And I'm thrilled to see you're already working on SOUTHERN COMFORT 7.5! Looks promising so far—more Tarrant, more Avon/Jenna, and a Cally/Vila! I can hardly wait! [10]

[zine]:

“This show is sooooooo 70s.”: Practically everyone I managed to con into watching any of Blake’s 7. But really, the disco era’s not so bad for a SciFi show. It could have been goofier with the clothes and hair. MUCH GOOFIER:

We could have had late 80s fashion, for example. Yes, that is Avon and Vila sporting mullets. You can blame this on what is probably the most famous AU/PGP written back in the day: From the Log of the Hellhound. Chapters of the story pop up here, there, and everywhere in Ashton Press fanzines. I can’t say I’m a fan of the work, but the art has amused me periodically.

Southern Comfort 6.5, cover art by Leah Rosenthal. (If you’re wondering why the volume number is a decimal, well, that’s an old-timey practice that says, “Here There Be Slashfic”)

#Blake's 7#vintage fanzines#Southern Comfort#This is not the only mullet cover I have#But I think it was the best.[11]

[zine]:

anyway - this zine is incredibly wide ranging. admittedly it has more blake/avon and avon/vila than any other pairings, but there's also tonnes of het (including two - two - soolin/vilas) and even... some femslash \o/ oh yes. i tell you what there isn't, though, and that's avon/vila/kerril, which is represented not only on the cover but in at least two interior illustrations (kerril isn't even in the zine at all). bemusing. i tell you what else there isn't (despite fanlore's claims to the contrary): avon/soolin. if i was an avon/soolin fan (which i am not, because soolin can see the crazy in him and he loves blake)(although i do think they like each other a lot. avon&soolin is my other super friendship ship after avon&vila) and had purchased this zine believing fanlore's claims that there were TWO avon/soolin fics within it... i'd be quite angry. because they were both avon/servalan. anyway, i fixed it for fanlore, so nobody will be confused again.

anyway, while my heart says 'none of these other pairings are real' (yes - i am that person), i quite like having this wide of a range of stuff. if i'm going to read pairings that aren't mine, i'd rather read as many as possible, rather than just avon/tarrant over and over again.

also - after a dodgy beginning in which i feared the worst, the zine massively improved and i really thought a lot of the fics within it were very good, including the blake/avon one that i'd been recommended specifically. so that was nice.

lots of really nice illustrations - and some funny illustrations. in fact, there is no art i don't like this time, although bizarrely there are two different but almost identical headshots of tarrant. if you're just flicking through the zine to look at the pictures before you start (which is what i do the first time through) then there's no way you won't see the similarity and think... that's weird. (ETA. actually there are three)....

Shoshanna "Stranger Things" (Avon/Jenna) (3 pages): second avon/jenna of the zine! this one has EXACTLY the same plot as the last one, only it takes up less space - and actually at the end of it they are still like 'that was awkward and changes nothing' (which i'm pleased by, since it was my objection to the last one). avon has hardly any dialogue.

Cathy Conrad, "Mind Games" (Cally/Carnell) (3 pages): i stopped reading this, because the 'carnell' didn't sound anything like carnell... it seems semi interesting plotwise, but i didn't care enough to purse it...

Jane Carnall, "You're Kidding, Right?": this is just a string of 'reasons people were rejected in b7'. it ends with the line 'nobody got nookie that night. except tarrant, who had nookie with a wookie. he'll go fur'. which i thought was funny. i quite like this one. but it is not exactly a 'fic' per say...

Sara Avery & Sylvia Dennison, "Double Jeopardy" (Vila/Avon) (23 pages): i think i skipped this one... if i didn't, i don't remember it, but i think i did, since it's 20+ pages of not-my-ship.

Victoria Towers, "The Quality of Mercy" (Vila/Soolin): our first vila/soolin of the zine - although they're basically the same. soolin comforts vila - not sexually, just with hugs. and the potential of sex later. this one has some nice lines about soolin not being as hard as she seems...

Rose St. Clair, "Gratuitous Revenge" (Blake/Avon) (2 pages): did not read, as was just a continuation of the previous.

Deirdre Hughes, "The Road" (Vila/Soolin) (2 pages: the second soolin comforts vila thing. i have nothing more to say about this one than i did about the last one, sorry. [12]

I've been waiting for this zine for years, ever since the first tantalizing flyer appeared; happily, I can report that it's well worth the wait! It's a Tarrant fan's dream come true. There are no less than four Tarrant stories in it! And there's an absolutely luscious Leah Rosenthal cover, featuring Hellhound Tarrant and Vila. (It's called "Small Comfort," and is one of the illos offered for the story contest) Sigh! The gorgeous cover alone is worth the price of the zine; it's enough to melt a Tarrant (or Vila) fan into an Andromedan-like puddle of jelly on the floor.

My favorite in the zine is "Nightmusic," by Paula. It is a most welcome sequel to "The Night Wind," a Tarrant story in Gambit #2. I always thought Tarrant and Avon should have gone a little farther than they did in "The Night Wind." This story is perfect! Both Avon and Tarrant are more mature, better-adjusted, and in my humble opinion, more in character than they were in Paula's Southern Comfort #4.75 story, "Stress Factors." (Though I liked that one, too.)

"Bondsmate," by Dorian Gale, is also excellent. At last, at last, a story in which Avon does not dump Tarrant the moment Blake shows up. Avon and Blake care about each other very much, and Tarrant is a bit jealous, but Avon has no intention of leaving Tarrant for Blake. The poor boy is so devoted; he deserves some loyalty in return. (It's also nice to see Jenna get the love from Blake she deserves.)

One of my favorite scenes is the one where Tarrant gets to awaken Avon with a kiss — now there's a unique twist on the old Avon's-in-a-coma scenario!

Got a real kick out of "Tarrant the Terrific," the Tarrant/Orac story, even if it did bash dear decorative Del. The accompanying illos of Avon and Vila in drag and Tarrant on steroids are hilarious!

A nice surprise were all the Jenna stories. My favorite was "On the Town"; Avon and Jenna are a great couple.

As expected from Ashton Press, there are lots of lovely humorous bits. Particular favorites were the "Blake County" comic strip. Melody Rondeau's back cover of Travis on Servalan's leash, and Linda Terrell's "Vogon Haiku" (especially the paraphrase of Blake... er, William, not Roj!).

The diversity of the offerings in this zine is impressive and much appreciated. I'm delighted with the multiplicity of unusual pairings; though there's plenty of the usual fan favorites. Avon/Vila. Avon/Blake, and Avon/Cally, there are also refreshing combinations such as Jenna/Cally, Vila/Soolin. Blake/Vila. Cally/Carnell, etc. There's sure to be something to your taste in a zine of this size, quality, and variety. [13]

References

  1. ^ comarum.tumblr
  2. ^ This fanwork was "Test Your English Skills" by Sasha Sokolnikov from the Man from U.N.C.L.E zine Comrades #1 (1988).
  3. ^ from a fan in Strange Bedfellows (APA) #6
  4. ^ from "Southern Comfort" #7.5
  5. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named nova
  6. ^ Favourite Avon/Tarrant Stories
  7. ^ from "Southern Comfort" #7.5
  8. ^ from "Southern Comfort" #7.5
  9. ^ from "Southern Comfort" #7.5
  10. ^ from "Southern Comfort" #7.5
  11. ^ bruinhilda.tumblr, November 16, 2016
  12. ^ these are the shorter comments by Aralias; for longer ones, see individual fic pages; reference link.
  13. ^ from IMHO* #2 (1995)
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