Obsc'zine

You may be looking for the British zine, Obsczine.
Obsc'zine is an adult Star Trek: TOS zine (with het and slash, and a little femslash). In addition to fanfic it featured limericks, cartoons and nude portrait fanart. It grew out of the adult issues from Warped Space and was among the early publishers of K/S fan fiction.
==A Fan Comments in 1977==
==And What Another Fan Has To Say 17 Years Later==
==Its Explicitness==
There was a lot of discussion regarding this zine in the early issues of Interstat, primarily focussing on its content and whether readers had been properly warned. Keep in mind that these discussions were happening in 1978, when any story depicting homosexuality was deemed pornographic in many states, and thus illegal to be sold through the mails. See Slash_Controversies/Slash as Obscenity, and Slash Controversies/The SeKWester Con Slash & Porn Debates where some fans raised similar objections to explicit material in general.
A fan registered her disgust:
A fan commented on the letter above:
In 1981, the editor asked other fans if they thought this zine was offensive:
One fan replied: 
==Female Writers and Trekfic: A Laboratory==
In 1978, Jacqueline Lichtenberg commented on this zine series: 
==A Proposed Fifth Issue==
In late 1983, a fan commented on a proposed fifth issue, something that never occurred. She said: 
==Issue 1==
Obsc'zine 1 PDF available here. was published in March 1977 and has 107 pages. It premiered (and was collated) at SeKWesterCon, Too convention (a Star Trek convention) amongst discussions about the suitability of selling and displaying adult themed art and fan fiction. The cover features a nude Spock, with a strategically placed hand by Alice Jones, who won a FanQ award in 1978. The back cover is a side view of a nude Spock with unicorn. Inside is an "erotic Spock portfolio" drawn by Gayle F.Boldly Writing, pg 39.
Artwork by Alice Jones, Clare Bell, Gordon Carleton, Gerry Downes, Gayle F, Leslie Fish, Signe Landon, Nan Lewis, Martynn, Joni Wagner and Bev Zuk.
Table of Contents
*Tales of Old T'Kurt "The Tale of Conscience" - Gordon Carleton (illustrated by Gordon Carleton) (4)
*Vintage Wine - Jane Firmstone (illustrated by Signe Landon) (A romantic relationship between Dr. McCoy and a young lab technician.) (6)
*Limericks by P.M. Muelenburg, Lora Rene
*Notice of Increase In Tax Payment by Pete Kaup (11)
*Uhura's Fantasy or Hailing Frequencies Open - Karen Fleming, an interpretation of Joni Wagner's foldout in Warped Space #20, reprinted in this zine as well (12)
*Unicorn Horn - Amy Falkowitz (illustrated by Clare Bell) (14)
*Kirk's Decision - Frankie Jemison (illustrated by Leslie Fish) (27) Apparently a K/S narrative set in the Kraith universe—a contradiction in terms by Kraith standards (see review for Jemison's follow-up "Aftermath"). The "[character]'s [action]" form in titles is typical of Kraith and points to this being intended as a Kraith story, although one that was never submitted for official inclusion, for obvious reasons.
*Another Saturday Night on the Enterprise by Phula Blechundschmidt (29)
*Poetry & Limericks - Konna McIntosh, Jerri Franz, Frankie Jemison, Oroukin & Connie Faddis (31)
*The Perfect Mate - Jeanne Powers (illustrated by Gerry Downes) (32)
*Limericks by Jan Rigby, Lora René (33)
* Bitter Dreams by Catherine Clair (illustrated by Beverly Zuk, sequel is Bridle for a Nightmare in issue #2) (A strange life support system has been found floating in space. When it is brought to sickbay for study, McCoy is immediately consumed by a feeling of intense revulsion. The doctor inadvertently discovers the way to open the stasis field and releases the evil life form, the Lamia. This female creature possesses the doctor and tortures him with terrifying dreams of sex and death.) (34)
* An Erotic Spock Portfolio (art by Gayle F) (50-61)
* Vaster than Empires, and More Slow by Eileen Roy (51)
* Pillow Book by Paula Smith (55)
* Performance by D.T. Steiner (57)
* Hecate's Hearth by Connie Faddis (61)
* Wet Dream by Pat McCormack (illustrated by Gordon Carleton) (62)
* R.H.I.P. by Eileen Roy (65)
* Intimacy by L. Morales (illustrated by Gordon Carleton) (65)
* Bedtime Story by L. Hunter (illustrated by Gordon Carleton) (66)
* Tears of Laughter by Jane Firmstone (illustrated by Martynn) (67)
* The Idiot and the Oddity by Jan Gagliano (illustrated by Gordon Carleton) (70)
* Poetry & Limericks by Anne Snell, Hortensia Hochtpanz (72)
* Poetry & Limericks by Caroline Nixon, Anne Snell (73)
* Poetry & Limericks by Anne Snell, Rose English, Lora René (74)
* Aftermath - Frankie Jemison (74), again a slash Kraith narrative.
* Poses by Leslie Fish and Joanne Agostino (illustrated by Leslie Fish), p. 78 (online here)
* A Friend In Need, poem by Gerry Downes (illustrated by Gerry Downes) (reprinted in Relay #1) (101)
* Limerick by P. M. Muelenberg (101)
File:Ob1art1.jpg|from issue #1, Gayle F
File:Ob1art2.jpg|from issue #1, Gayle F
File:Ob1art4.jpg|from issue #1, Joni Wagner, from "Uhura's Fantasy"
File:Ob1art5.jpg|from issue #1, Clare Bell, from Unicorn Horn
File:Ob1art6.jpg|from issue #1, Leslie Fish, from Kirk's Decision
File:Ob1art7.jpg|from issue #1, Gerry Downes
File:Ob1art8.jpg|from issue #1, Beverly Zuk, art for Bitter Dreams
File:Ob1art9.jpg|from issue #1, Gayle F
File:Ob1art10.jpg|from issue #1, Gayle F
File:Ob1art11.jpg|from issue #1, Gordon Carleton
File:Od1poses.jpg|from issue #1, Leslie Fish for "Poses"
File:Posespage.jpg|from issue #1, Leslie Fish, from "Poses"
File:Ob1art12.jpg|from issue #1, Leslie Fish, from "Poses"
File:Ob1artten.jpg|from issue #1, Gerry Downes
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1 ===
==Issue 2==
Obsc'zine 2 was published in August 1977 and has 100 pages. Back cover: Gordon Carleton. On the cover: "Entertainment for Humanoids." Artwork by Alice Jones, Gordon Carleton, Susan Ceci, Gayle F, Jane Firmstone, Leslie Fish, Phil Foglio, Signe Landon, Nan Lewis, Doug Rice, V.M. Wyman, and Bev Zuk.
This issue printed a number of LoCs, mostly pertaining to the first issue. The editor also lists 55 names in the WAHF section.
This issue contains what many consider one of the earliest femslash stories published in a media zine: "Kismet," by Dani Morin.Pentopia
Contents:
*Editorial (5)
*Carnal Comments (letters) (5)
*The Literary Biological Imperative by Ruth Kwitko Lym ("I wrote a short humorous piece called "The Literary Biological Imperative" in which the real Kirk and Spock can't do their jobs, because they are kept so busy acting out all the fanzine writers' fantasies." from K/S & K.S. (Kindred Spirits) #6 (1983) (10)
*Maintenance by David Lubkin
*Memo (12)
*Friendship and Obligation by Luba Kmetyk (12)
* Bridle for a Nightmare by Elizabeth Clair (sequel to Bitter Dreams in the previous issue) (13)
*The Big E Meets the Big O, or, The Ultimate Trek Tail by Lora Rene (41)
*Pon Farr Articles by Jeanne Webster, Johanna Cantor, others (45)
*Erotic Kirk Portfolio - illos with fiction interpretations (59)
**But Can He Type? by Paula Smith
** The Ballad of Jim, Max and Floo by Poblocki and-or Posmithi
**Virgin Territory by Paula Smith
**A Third Lazarus by C.R. Faddis
**Bound - Paula Smith by Poem (this poem inspired: Bound - an Answer - Sheila Clark [poetry] in issue #4)
*Up for the Honeymoon by Paula Block (illustrated by Phil Foglio) (72)
*The Kama Vulca by Paula Smith (78)
*Solstice - Jane Firmstone (83)
*The Easy Way Out by Caroline Nixon (88)
* Kismet by Dani Morin (Some fans consider this one of the very earliest examples of femslash in a media zine. In it, Uhura and Chapel, lovers, speculate on the gossip that Kirk and Spock are, too.) (90)
*There Goes Paradise by Johanna Cantor (92)
*And When They Awoke, No Longer Posing by Ellen Kobrin (a "sequel of sorts" to Poses)
File:Ob2art.jpg|art from issue #2, Alice Jones, for There Goes Paradise
File:Ob2-1.jpg|from issue #2, artist is Susan Ceci
File:Ob2-4.jpg|art from issue #2, by Gayle F
File:Obsczine1art.jpg|inside art from issue #2, Nan Lewis ""Bound", a K/S poem by Paula Smith, accompanies a lovely illo by Nan Lewis of a crumpled Spock at Kirk's feet; Kirk is turning away (sadly, he looks far too wide-hipped and effeminate). It is Kirk's complaint in the aftermath of pon farr which resulted in sex and consequent bonding with Spock that he has been "entangled" in Spock's terrible biology, becoming "this hungry, cold, unhuman being, Forsaking touch... Now, all / You will allow rae—with luck, twice in / Ten years." And concludes, "Before God, I hate you for it."" from Not Tonight, Spock! #9
File:Ob2-6.jpg|from issue #2, Beverly Zuk, for "The Ballad of Jim, Max and Floo"
File:Ob2-7.jpg|from issue #2, center foldout art by V.M. Wyman
File:Ob2-8.jpg|from issue #2, Signe Landon
File:Ob2-9.jpg|from issue #2, Phil Foglio, from "Up for the Honeymoon"
File:ob2-2.jpg| art from issue #2, by Gayle F -- Note: Marked as sexually explicit; minimized.
File:ob2-3.jpg| art from issue #2, by Gayle F -- Note: Marked as sexually explicit; minimized
File:ob2-5.jpg| art from issue #2, Leslie Fish, for But Can He Type?—Note: Marked for sexual assault/rape; minimized.
File:ob2-10.jpg| art from issue #2, Jane Firmstone, for Solstice—Note: Marked as sexually explicit; minimized
===Comments Regarding K/S: Issue 2 ===
There were a number of LoCs in issue #2 about the K/S Premise. Some excerpts:
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2===
==Issue 3==
Obsc'zine 3 was published in May 1978 and has 98 pages. Cover: Alice Jones; back cover: Gordon Carleton. Art & illustrations: Cordon Carleton, Jean C., Edith Crowe, Diana Empey, C.R. Faddis, Gayle F, Leslie Fish, Elyse M. Grasso, Alice Jones, Signe Landon, Carrie Rowles, Virginia Lee Smith, Susan Wyllie, Anji Valenza.
It contains, in an LOC by Juanita Salicrup, one of the earliest uses of the term "K/S." 
From the editorial: 
Contents:
*Editorial (4)
*Ni Var: Memories by Elyse M. Grasso (5)
*Rite de Passage by Susan K. James (5)
*A Vulcan Dream by Donna McIntosh (K/S. "The two have erotic dreams of one another, turning dream into reality.") (11)
*The Captain's Dream by Donna McIntosh (K/S. "The two have erotic dreams of one another, turning dream into reality.") (12)
*Between Friends by Gayle F (4th in a series. 1. "Desert Heat", in The Sensuous Vulcan; 2. "Beyond Setarcos" in Thrust; 3. "Night of the Dragon", in Thrust) (14)
*Cosmic Fuck Chorus (filk to Yesterday) by Melanie R. (32)
*For Anita Bryant Fans, or, Kirk and Spock Get Theirs by Jo (reprinted in Relay #1) (33)
* After Paradise by Anne Elizabeth Zeek (33)
* Halcyon: to Miramanee by Andrina Lewis (Kirk on the death of Kirok, as well as Miramanee) (35)
*A Time of Birth by Elyse M. Grasso (First section "Nemuzuth -- the Juggler" printed in Tetrumbriant #12. "A later section" - "Sedhozheh" printed in Warped Space #31-32) (35)
*Oriana, Part 4: "The Lovers" by Roberta Rogow (Part 1, "The Investigation" in Warped Space #25; Part 2, "The Invasion" in Warped Space #26-27; Part 3, "The Rebellion" in Warped Space #28; Parts 5-7 "will be printed in future Warped Space issues.")(Former Starfleet officer, now Queen of Andorria, Bethan skips her diplomatic duties to indulge in a sexual interlude with dashing—but married—Semorn. Then Semorn's wife is found dead under suspicious circumstances and Bethan orders Semorn to go away—back to his pirating if he must—until she sends for him.) (52)
*Portfolio: (art) An Alien Erotica by Virginia Lee Smith (57)
*B'Yadu by Cardian Wedgett (61)
* A Peaceful Shore Leave by Karen Klink ("Kirk spends shore leave with an attractive Klingon—all as a set up for a pun punchline.") (74)
*Sarek and Amanda and Kirk and Spock by Jean Borrah (Jean Lorrah, writing under a humorous pseud) (In May 1979, Lorrah wrote about plans for a new book called Savage Empire and said it "will be the first in a series (what else?), and the second thing I've written that developed from a title. (For trivia fans, the first was the humorous "Sarek and Amanda and Kirk and Spock." Someone made that up as a parody-title for an NTM-universe story, and I couldn't resist supplying the story to go with it. It's in The Obsc'zine #3." from A Companion in Zeor #4) (75)
*The Pit by Mariann Hornlein ((74)Kirk and Spock are trapped in a pit, Kirk with a sprained ankle and Spock delirious from snake venom. Spock sees Kirk as T'Pring and rapes him.(74)) (76)
*Feelthy Limerics (80)
*Letter to a Friend by Sue Donym (82)
*All in the Mind by Toni Cardinal-Price (An innuendo-riddled set-up, Kirk insists to Spock that they've waited too long already... for Spock's haircut.(74)) (84)
*Light Talk, vignette by L. Morales (89)
*Carnal Comments (letters) (89)
*ads (96)
File:Ob3art.jpg|from issue #3, Gayle F
File:Obs3art2.jpg|from issue #3, C.R. Faddis for Between Friends, see that page for more
File:Ob3-14.jpg|from issue #3, C.R. Faddis for Between Friends
File:Obs3art4.jpg|from issue #3, Alice Jones, portrays Miramanee
File:St other 2 interior.jpg|from issue #3, Signe Landon
File:Ob3-1.jpg|from issue #3, Edith Crowe for "The Captain's Dream"
File:Ob3-16.jpg|from issue #3, Edith Crowe for "The Captain's Dream"
File:Ob3-2.jpg|from issue #3, Anji Valenza for "A Time of Birth"
File:Ob3-3.jpg|from issue #3, Carrie Rowles
File:Ob3-4.jpg|from issue #3, uncredited, an ad for "obi" tampons
File:Ob3-5.jpg|from issue #3, Leslie Fish for "The Pit"
File:Ob3-6.jpg|from issue #3, Leslie Fish for "Rite de Passage"
File:Ob3-12.jpg|from issue #3, Diana Empey for "B'Yadu"
File:Ob3-7.jpg|from issue #3, Diana Empey for "B'Yadu"
File:Cosmicfuckchorus.jpg|from issue #3, "The Cosmic Fuck Chorus" by Melanie R
File:Ob3-10.jpg|from issue #3, Leslie Fish for "Oriana"
File:Ob3-11.jpg|from issue #3, Susan Wyllie for "The Loving Touch"
File:Ob3-13.jpg|from issue #3, Virginia Lee Smith
File:Ob3-15.jpg|from issue #3, Jean C., some Leia/Vader smut
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3===
==Issue 4==
Obsc'zine 4 was published in November 1980 and has 103 pages. 
Cover: Beverly Zuk; back cover: Gayle F. A pull-out piece of art by Pat Stall. Other art by V.M. Wyman, Alice Jones, Joni Wagner, Pat Stall, Virginia Lee Smith, Susan Perry-Smith, Martynn, Fa Maki, Nan Lewis, Alice Jones, Phil Foglio, Leslie Fish and Gordon Carleton.
One notable contribution to this issue was Cross Currents by Marion Zimmer Bradley, the second Star Trek fanzine story that she wrote.Boldly Writing, pg 52.
In the editorial, Capek-Carleton notes it's been about two years since the last issue, and that she still plans to put out fifth one (February/March 1980) and lists the contributions she already has: poetry by Melissa Bayard, Carol Nevins and Frankie Jemison, ST fiction by Ala Lysistrata, Jelica Raylle, and Dunya Douglas, SW fiction by L.A. Robinson, Paula Block and Judi L. Hendricks, and art by Frank Panucci, Doug Rice, and Randy Ash. "This is only the stuff that was pushed out of issue #4!" 
The editor comments on content: 
 
*Editorial (3)
* Jiggle by Darnell Starwing (4)
*Paradise Regained by Johanna Cantor (8)
*The U.F.P. Guide to Sex by Gordon Carleton (14)
*Mythology by Jane Firmstone (20)
*Shattered Illusions by Crystal Ann Taylor (21)
*The Lady of the Lyra by Jane Firmstone (29)
*The Good Samaritans by Anji Valenza (a Klysadel story) (43)
* The Pendulum by Rebecca Ross (inspired by "The Pit" by Marianne H. Hornlein in issue #3) (56)
*Cross Currents by Marion Zimmer Bradley (femmeslash, Chapel/Rand story) (72)
*Stone Cold Earth Woman for Mr. Spock, poem by Carol Nevine (73)
* Discovery by Anne C. Knott (74)
* For A' That by Nancy Z. Solomon (79)
*Private Conversation...[with Scotch], poem by Pamela Rose (95)
*Learner's Permit by Mr. Goodwrench (fandom is Corvette Summer, Vanessa seduces Kenny) (96)
*Bound by an Answer, poem by Sheila Clark (inspired by 'Bound' by Paula Smith in issue #2) (101)
*Samurai Kitty by Paula Smith (103)
* By George!, cartoon by Kerry Smithline & Leah Rosenthal (105)
File:Ob4art.jpg|alt=art for issue #4, Pat Stall -- "Black & white painting or watercolor. Another favorite zine artist of mine, and I wanted her represented on this list :). While I could have chosen many of her other artworks, I especially like this one for how sexy her Mirror Spock is, looking both tender and intense; the goatee, the thick mat of hair on his chest...oooh! The hand on Kirk's curly head is deliciously possessive as well. Note the detail on the mattress or whatsit. I love how Stall's work always has deep contrasts, its finish looking soft and the shapes, rounded."|art for issue #4, Pat Stall -- "Black & white painting or watercolor. Another favorite zine artist of mine, and I wanted her represented on this list :). While I could have chosen many of her other artworks, I especially like this one for how sexy her Mirror Spock is, looking both tender and intense; the goatee, the thick mat of hair on his chest...oooh! The hand on Kirk's curly head is deliciously possessive as well. Note the detail on the mattress or whatsit. I love how Stall's work always has deep contrasts, its finish looking soft and the shapes, rounded." 4 September 2009 Master List of K/S Favorites *Updated Nov 19, 2013*, Mary Monroe
File:Ob4art2.jpg|art for issue #4, Alice Jones
File:Ob4art3.jpg|art for issue #4, Susan Perry-Lewis
File:Ob4art4.jpg|art for issue #4, Susan Perry-Lewis, Battlestar Galactica foldout. This illo inspired the slash Apollo/Boomer fic A Flower Springs Up.
File:Ob4art5.jpg|art for issue #4, Joni Wagner, Star Wars foldout: this illo inspired another fan to write a story (featuring tentacles!) -- see "A Matter of Healing"
File:Obart4art6.jpg|art for issue #4, Pat Stall, foldout
File:Ob4art7.jpg|art for issue #4, V.M Wyman, foldout, inspired by the Samurai Cat artwork of Mark Rogers
File:Ob4art9.jpg|art for issue #4, Smithline and Rosenthal
File:Ob4art8.jpg|art for issue #4, Beverly Zuk
File:Ob4art10.jpg|art for issue #4, Virginia Lee Smith
File:Ob4art11.jpg|art for issue #4, artist: Martynn; characters: Kenny and Vanessa from the movie Corvette Summer
File:Ob4art12.jpg|art for issue #4, Nan Lewis
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4===
==References==
Category:Star Trek TOS Slash Zines
Category:Star Trek TOS Gen and Het Anthology Zines
Category:1977 Zines
Category:1970s Zines
Category:1980s Zines
Category:Femslash Zines