Rhode Island Science Fiction Club

From 1979-1983 the Los Angeles Times Syndicate published a Star Trek daily comic strip. It ran in black and white during the week, and full color on Sundays.

Stories were based on the crew of the USS Enterprise, right after the events in Star Trek: The Motion Picture; which meant that Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and the rest of the crew all paraded around in those funny pajama uniforms. Later in 1982, when Wrath of Khan was released. the uniforms were updated without explanation. There are two great sites you can check for more information: Memory Alpha has an extensive page on the writers and artists who contributed to the strip (including Larry Niven)

http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/Star_Trek_Comic_Strip_%28US%29

You can read the actual strips at Hassleinbooks:

http://www.hassleinbooks.com/startrek/

Live Long and Prosper!

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Ok, so it’s not a Sci Fi related site, but I (heart) R.I.is a great place to visit if you’re looking for events, activities, and information about what’s going on in our state. They were gracious enough to cover our Can’t Stop the Serenity Event fundraiser in July, so we’re happy to return the favor.

Here’s the link: www.iheartrhody.com

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On September 10th, 2010, the biggest sci-fi film ever to be shot in Rhode Island will be having it’s WORLD PREMIERE at the Orpheum Foxboro at 7pm and 9pm (with an encore showing on September 11th at 7pm and 9pm). Don’t miss ATOMIC BRAIN INVASION!

Here’s the YouTube Trailer link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ7Q-GbjoFI

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If you have a love for old video games, Hyperkin has just released the Retron3, a system that lets you play Nintendo, SEGA Genesis, or Super Nintendo games. Check out the stats:

• Two original control ports for each platform
• S-video and composite AV inputs
• Compatible with original Nintendo, SEGA Genesis, and Super Nintendo controllers.
• Includes two wireless controllers
• Available in Vector Red or Charcoal Black
• Retails for about $70.00

So unpack those old cartridges, give em a good blow, and relive those childhood memories. Hey, I may even break out my SEGA Genesis ShadowRun game.  Go to www.hyperkin.com for more information

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Wow! We raised $835.00 at CSTS RI 2010. Not bad for our first year sponsoring this project.

We also collected 227lbs. of food donations for the R.I. Community Food Bank. That will go a long way toward helping a lot of people. You guys should be proud.

Thanks to a lot people:

• Dino and his crew at CinemaWorld in Lincoln, R.I. for allowing us to use his theatre.

• Roy and the RKO Army, for a spectacular performance of Dr. Horrible.
• The 501st New England, for providing some great Star Wars costumed characters. You really dressed up the evening!
• Susan and Everett Soares from ‘Sky Pirates of Valendor’.
• Dave Adams from the N.E. Browncoats, for your support and answering all our questions.
• All the RISFC members who helped on this project: Calvin, Jay, Barbara, Ian, James, Dawne. Your help and dedication are greatly appreciated.

Thanks to everyone who attended! Please leave us your comments, good and bad, and let us know if we should sponsor this Shindig again in 2011!

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James P. Hogan, author of Inherit The Stars and 30 other hard science fiction novels, passed away on Monday, July 12, 2010.  According to SFSite, he was found dead in his home in Ireland, aged 69. The exact cause of death has not yet been determined. Hogan is survived by his wife, Sheryl, and his six children.

He was the winner of three Seiun Awards and two Prometheus Awards. He had a huge following in Japan, where his fans included Super Dimension Fortress Macross creators Studio Nue, and his novel The Two Faces Of Tomorrow was adapted into a manga.

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source: BBC America

Being Human is a witty and extraordinary look into the lives of three twenty-somethings and their secret double-lives – as a werewolf, a vampire, and a ghost. They struggle to live normal lives, despite their strange and dark secrets.  Season 2 begins Saturday, July 24, 10 pm, on BBC America.

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The R.I. Science Fiction Club is proud to announce that we’re hosting Can’t Stop the Serenity, Saturday, July 24, 2010, at CinemaWorld in Lincoln R.I.

Can’t Stop the Serenity is a global charity event which reaches thousands of pop culture fans every year. Fans of Joss Whedon in 52 cities over 7 countries organize screenings of “Serenity” to raise money and awareness for Equality Now – an organization that advocates for the rights of women and girls on a global scale, through social pressure and grassroots education – and other worthy charities. Since 2006 we have raised over $400,000 and we are aiming to raise a further $150,000 in 2010 as we continue to grow and reach new areas.

We will also have a live performance of ‘Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog’, by the RKO Army, who will shadowcast the musical.

So it’s Dr. Horrible at 10:30 pm, followed by a midnight showing of ‘Serenity’. Shiny!

Admission is only $15 in advance and $20 the day of the show. Tickets may be purchased in advance at CinemaWorld, or from The Rhode Island Science Fiction Club (email: info@risfc.org).  We have a special website for the occasion: www.cstsri.blogspot.com.

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source: Scoop magazine
Al Williamson, who for over fifty years drew for both comic books and comic strips, died June 12, 2010, at age 79.  In recent years he suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.  He is survived by his wife of thirty-two years, Cori, his daughter Valerie and his son Victor.

Different generations of comic book and comic strip fans knew him for different achievements. He was a stalwart of the days of EC Comics. He illustrated Secret Agent Corrigan in the newspapers, adapted The Empire Strikes Back for comic books, and drew a long run on the Star Wars newspaper strip. Modern readers knew him as an inker of some of the most popular titles.

The single comics character, however, with whom Williamson is most identified would be Flash Gordon.  The science fiction adventurer, created in 1932 by Alex Raymond for King Features, engaged the lifelong imagination of Williamson. He produced a much beloved series of stories for King Comics’ Flash Gordon comic book in the 1960s.  He returned to the character in 1980, drawing a comics adaptation of the contemporary Flash Gordon motion picture.  In the 1990s, he produced a Flash Gordon mini-series for Marvel Comics and later contributing to the original Sunday strip.  In addition to the stories, he produced countless other Flash Gordon images for uses in advertising, merchandising and the fan press.

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Need a gift for your Dad who’s a Sci Fi Fan? How about an awesome Mimobot USB Flash drive ? There are a variety of characters to choose from, including Halo and Star Wars characters. The drives can be purchased with 2,4,8, or 16 GB capacity, and range from $23 to $35 each.

For more info, check out their site: www.mimoco.com

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Wondering what gift to buy for your SF fan’s birthday or other special occasion? Try this site: www.geekyclean.com. You’ll find unique soaps for gamers and SF fans alike! There are soaps shaped like gaming dice, soaps based on your favorite shows, including LOST, Star Trek, and Firefly. Oh, and there’s even soap to ward off zombies. Geeky Clean also is a sponsor of Can’t Stop The Serenity, which raises money to support women’s rights around the globe.  

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Rhode Island is rich in talented artists, who produce some wonderful SF and fantasy-related work.

One example is Elysian Fields Originals by Valerie Ashley. Her shop is filled with wonderful fantasy themed ornaments and jewelry. You can find her shop at  http://www.etsy.com/shop/ElysianFields

While you’re at it, take a look at www.artsinri.com , which will give you a link to local artists and their Etsy shops.

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