Swamp Gas Journal - 1984 Volume 3 Number 4

Magazine Overview

Title: The Swamp Gas Journal
Issue: Volume 3, Number 4
Date: July, 1984
Type: Special SF Issue

Content Summary

This issue of The Swamp Gas Journal is dedicated to science fiction (SF), as indicated by its "Special SP Issue" designation. The editor, in the introductory remarks, acknowledges mail encouraging an all-SF issue and informs readers that UFO content will return in the next issue.

Zines Received

The "Zines Received" section reviews several fanzines:

• New Wave Video Snacks #1 (April, 1984): Edited by Michael Hall, this issue contains primarily book reviews, allowing readers to catch up on the editor's reading habits. The reviewer agrees with Hall's reviews of "Blue Highways," "Loose Tails," and "Telempath." The rest of the content was not yet read.
• Maple Leaf Rag #15 (April, 1984): Edited by Garth Spencer, this is described as a well-laid-out Gestetner fanzine with letters, reviews, and SF news. The reviewer appreciates the inclusion of relatively little content on D&D and comics.
• Gag #5 (May?, 1984): Edited by Castelgard?, this issue features "Supercow," "Squarehead," and comic reviews, described as "weird."
• Neology V.8 #2 (1983) & V.9 #1, #2 (1984): Edited by John Wellington (1983) and Georges Giguere (1984), this fanzine is noted for being visually interesting and containing numerous articles relevant to the field, including letters, reviews, comments, "locs" (likely local scene reports), and artwork, particularly on Canajan SF fandom.
• Event Horizon Special Edition (May, 1984): Edited by Judith Debra Dawn Tamara Zoltai et al., this issue is a compilation of the "best" of Event Horizon over several years, produced for Keycon. It includes notable contributions like all three Cliffhanger episodes (including one by Conrad Fort), artwork, and articles related to Star Trek. It is recommended for "Trekdom" fans.
• Winding Numbers #17 (1984): Edited by Randy Reichardt, this issue details Reichardt's activities over the past several years, reflecting a common plight of being caught up in various life "syndromes." The reviewer expresses gladness to see him.

Books Received

• Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard: This 1000-page epic is introduced by the founder of Dianetics, who reportedly went into hiding after losing court battles. Hubbard once claimed "cosmic inspiration" for his earlier story "Excalibur." The book is described as a good, long yarn and is slated for a "Major Motion Picture" with an accompanying soundtrack.
• The Far Side and Beyond the Far Side by Gary Larson: These cartoon books by Gary Larson are highly praised as the best for a long time, with favorite selections including "Dinner With Andy" and "Ha! Webster's Blown His Cerebral Cortex."

Fiction

• Conan the Librarian by Robert Howard: This is a humorous parody story. Conan, a librarian at the University of Cimmeria, is depicted as a large, muscled barbarian who encounters Encaladius, a sorcerer with a 50 fine for a reserve scroll. Encaladius uses magic to summon cobras, which Conan defeats by burning them. Conan then confronts Encaladius, who is revealed to be John Norman, author of "Slave Girl" and other similar works. Conan rearranges Norman's face, and Norman cries for help. The story concludes with Conan thanking Ethics Man (Arthur Schafer, a philosophy professor) for showing him the way to social progress.
• Time and Punishment (11 May 1981), Time on My Hands (Oct. 1982), As Time Goes By (May 1983) by Warren M. Solomon: These three stories are described as hilarious romps through parallel universes, with complex plots that can be confusing. They all appeared in "Isaac Asimov's SF Magazine."
• Conan in the Chambers of Torment by Robert Howard: This story begins with a parody of Kafka's "Metamorphosis" and then shifts to Conan the Librarian at the University of Cimmeria. He encounters a student, Habiba, bound to a table, and frees her. They investigate and discover the perpetrator is John Norman, author of "Slave Girl." Conan confronts Norman, who is also revealed to be "Dr. Torture," a renegade philosopher. After a debate on torture and penal systems, Dr. Torture retreats, and Conan is freed. The story ends with a philosophical discussion between Conan and Ethics Man.
• The Song of Rutkowski by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: This is a parody of Longfellow's "The Song of Hiawatha," adapted to a science fiction convention setting in Transcona, Winnipeg. It humorously describes the convention experience, including "hucksters," "Trekkies," and a fanzine editor.
• Conan the Canadian by Robert Howard: This story places Conan in the 24th century, where he is transported to Winnipeg. He encounters a society with strange customs, including the use of "salad bars" and vinegar on French fries. The land is ruled by petty nobles, and Conan is tasked with uniting the lands of Canada. He rallies his soldiers against the "foe" in Winnipeg and then leads them to the "place that was once called West Kildonan."
• Hollywood's First Near Eastern Western! A Fistful of Shekels: This is a fictional movie synopsis starring Clint Eastwood and directed by Steven Spielberg, with Conrad Fort as executive producer. It details the story of Yehudah Greenburg (Avraham Ben-Zvi) arriving in Palestine in 1885 and facing corrupt officials and landowners. The synopsis includes humorous notes about Islamic customs and characters.
• Flight of the Dragonfly by Robert L. Forward: This is a review of a science fiction novel by a physicist, noted for its relativistic travel and biologically-plausible aliens. It is compared to "Dragon's Egg" but considered a strong SF novel.
• Blue Highways by William Least Heat Moon: This is a review of a non-fiction book, noting its popularity and positive reviews. The reviewer finds Moon's excursion into America occasionally bogged down by overemphasis, particularly when reaching Maine, but acknowledges its value as a quest for meaning.

Poetry

• Double Dactyls: A section features several "double dactyl" poems, a form of light verse similar to limericks. These include poems about Asimov's robots, Robert A. Heinlein, and Tolkien characters (Gil-galad Elendil). A "partial limerick" is also presented.

Convention Report

• Keycon 84 by Carla Robertson: This report details the author's experience at Keycon 84 in Winnipeg. The author admits to not being a fan of D&D, fantasy, or comics, which formed the bulk of the convention's content. The convention was expensive and occupied three floors of the Delta Winnipeg. While disappointed by the lack of SF, the author notes the presence of gaming, trivia contests, and costume judging. The report suggests the convention could have been better on a smaller scale with a lower fee.

Winnipeg Bookstores Guide

This extensive guide, compiled by Conrad Fort, lists numerous bookstores in Winnipeg. Each entry includes the store name, address, a brief description of its selection (including SF/F, comics, children's books, etc.), and price range (Cheap to Expensive). Stores mentioned include Amazing Books and Collectables, Angus Murray Gifts and Books, Black's Vintage Books, Book and Brier Patch, Book Fair, Books and Volumes, The Bookshelf, Burton Lysecki Books, Classic Bookshops, Club Bookstore, Coles, Comic World (Doug Sulipa's), Co-Op Bookshop, Ducharme's, Evita's Book Cellar, Family Book Exchange, Growing Minds, Hull's Family Bookstore, Librairie Landry Ltee, Mary Scorer Books, McNally-Robinson Booksellers, Pembina Book Exchange, Prairie Sky Books, Red River Book Shop, St. James Book Exchange, Selkirk Book Exchange, W.H.Swich, Styx Comic Service, and University of Manitoba Bookstore.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly embraces science fiction and fantasy, evident in its "Special SF Issue" designation and the variety of SF-related content. There's a clear appreciation for humorous and parodic takes on genre tropes, as seen in the "Conan the Librarian" and "Conan the Canadian" stories, as well as the "Song of Rutkowski" parody. The inclusion of a detailed guide to local bookstores suggests an effort to engage with the SF/F community on a practical level. The editorial stance appears to be one that values diverse forms of SF expression, from serious novels to humorous fanzines and parodies, while also acknowledging the broader interests of its readership (e.g., UFOs to return). The reviews are generally candid, offering both praise and constructive criticism.