Probe (Star Trek: TOS zine)

Probe was a gen anthology zine that ran for twelve issues from 1974 to 1978. 
Its main focus was Star Trek: The Original Series, with occasional issues dedicated to other fandoms and genres.
Probe was was published by Mpingo Press and edited by Winston A. Howlett.
Howlett is a black Howlett used both "black" and "Black": "I am black, (Small 'b'... my politics — race-wise — are far from the norm.) [...] I wrote it because I wanted to take a poke at racism — Black racism. As an ex-civil rights freedom fighter, I have no doubt that you have run into a lot of White bigotry. Well, I have run into a lot of Black bigotry that is just as disheartening and just as stupid. If we are ever going to see the Brotherhood of the STAR TREK universe come about, then there are going to have to be some large changes in the attitudes of a lot of races, not just the Whites.) Yours Truly, Winston. -- from an LoC in Probe #4 original man, and his zine series contain articles, fiction, and meta that address and discuss racial topics in fandom and in society at large. Some examples are "First Prize, you think television is violent now? -- wait until tomorrow" in the first issue. Howlett said: "Note: This is, by far, the most 'racially abrasive' thing that the editor has written to date. 'It's a melodrama, but, in some ways, a drama,' he says. 'It is meaningless, yet it has several important things to say.' Judge for yourself." and "Star Trek is a Racist Program, "a bold, controversial expose that no other 'zine would dare to print!," also in issue #1. Howlett stated that this second fanwork was satire. 
Many of Howlett's fiction and commentary also address "women's liberation." One example, Terminal Case, was in the third issue. Howlett described it as "a Stunrod story featuring two views of women's liberation, both of them Black." One fan commented: "I especially appreciated the comments on Women's Lib. Couldn't really decide whether you're pro or con but, never the less, it provided food for thought. If I feel oppressed, a second-class citizen and victim of 'slavery', how much more intense must be the emotions of black Americans, particularly those that are women." from Sandra Gent in "Probe" #10 
Howlett had very strong feelings about homosexuality, something he espoused at length in his review for Alternative: The Epilog to Orion which was printed in issue #9. This review generated strong controversy, mostly negative. Howlett addressed these reactions in a vehement open letter in the next issue where he (among other things) called homosexuality a "perversion" and an "abomination". This in turn caused much commentary, as well as the resignation and distancing of fans, including some of his own staff From Linda Deneroff: "I have resigned from the staff of Probe as you read this. Normally, such a statement is not necessary, but since Winston Howlett lists me as a staff person, I feel compelled to announce this resignation. I find myself in editorial disagreement with Winston on several issues, but since he makes no disclaimer in his zine to the effect that the editorial opinions are solely his own and not that of his staff, one could easily get the impression that we all agree. Winston and I will continue to be friends, but I will henceforth not be associated with 'Probe' fanzine or M'Pingo Press." -- Deneroff's statement in Scuttlebutt #6 . For more, see Controversy.
==The Swahili Series==
There are three Probe Special Issues:
* The Goddess Uhura
* Captain Uhura
* The Starwitch
* The Ebony Prince (planned, never published)
==The Zine's Origins==
From the editorial in the Revised Edition of issue #5: 
 
Howlett writes that the material was pretty dodgy in the first three issues, particularly the artwork in the first two: 
From the transcript of a writers' panel printed in Wulfstone (1989): 
==General Fan Comments About the Zine Series==
These are general fan comments about the zine series. Fans' comments about individual issues are included with those issues below.
From a fan in 1977: 
From a fan, Mandi Schultz, in 1977: 
==A Song Written About Probe==
In The Goddess Uhura, the editor writes that Fern Marder created the lyrics for a tune he'd written:
: "There is a fanzine that calls itself PROBE, "
: "With a bright color cover that shines like a strobe,"
: "And the ebony prince wears the editor's robe,"
: "Types constantly, constantly now."
: "He dreams of a zine with all of the tales," 
: "That people will read and will increase his sales,"
: "As the ebony prince wades through all of his mail,"
: "Types constantly , constantly now."
: "So type until your fingers are blue,"
: "The Xerox machine will be waiting for you."
: "Dawn bares a world in a scrap paper sea,"
: "Rejected copy and other debris,"
: "That the ebony prince tears up minisculey,"
: "Types constantly, constantly now."
==Controversies==
===Regarding Homosexuality===
The last four issues of Probe were controversial due to the statements made by Howlett regarding homosexuality and slash fanworks, Kirk/Spock in particular.
These statements began with a review for the zine Alternative: The Epilog to Orion published in the ninth issue of Probe, and continued with Howlett's subsequent comments in Open Letter by Winston A. Howlett Regarding His Review of "Alternative: Epilog to Orion" in the tenth issue of Probe. 
 
From Howlett's review of Alternative: The Epilog to Orion in "Probe" #9:
Some readers wrote to complain to Howlett about the above review. An example from Jerry C.: 
Another example, this one from Leslie Fish 
Winston responded to these comments with a multi-page letter in Probe #10 (Open Letter by Winston A. Howlett Regarding His Review of "Alternative: Epilog to Orion") calling homosexuality a disgusting sin against nature and God, that homosexuals were no better than perverts and were all child molesters.
Later, a fan addressed Leslie Fish and Jerry C's letters, and offered her support of Howlett's views: 
Howlett responded: "Thank you for your kind comment about The Gay Question, Brenda. I only wish your letter had been about four months earlier, when the argument got to be very heavy and very depressing." from an LoC in issue #12 
Some fans decided to distance themselves from this zine series. The editor of R & R, Joanna Cantor, commented on this review and the letter in her zine: 
At least one of Howlett's co-creators, Linda Deneroff, resigned in protest, citing his comments and announced that she would no longer be associated with "Probe." See Linda Deneroff's comments in Scuttlebutt #6 (April/May 1978) 
===Regarding Star Wars and Copyright===
This zine addressees the issue of copyrights, fanzines, and the newly-released Star Wars. For more on this topic, see: Open Letters to Star Wars Zine Publishers by Maureen Garrett: 
==Issue 1==
Probe 1 (v.1 n.1) was published in February 1974. Fifty issues were printed. 
The editor notes in an editorial of a later issue that this zine was to have originally to have had a 15-page story by Paul Kirby, but that it was lost in the mail. The zine was reconfigured at the last moment and out in time for a New York Federation Club meeting: "The people liked the stories, but the artwork? YUCCH! And we heartily agreed. At the time, we hadn't known any good artists, so the two of us [possibly Joseph Reed Hayes] signed, sharpened our pencils, and did all of the illustrations (if you can call them that) ourselves."
 
* Starline: Probe Launched: a few kind words from our editor-in-chief and head whip-cracker (3) 
* Apologia: excuses! excuses! ("As you read through this first issue of Probe, a few production errors will be achingly and embarressingly outstanding. A prime example is the "Starline" head, which loses its left side to the seam. There is also some problem with the reproduction quality of some the pages, and almost all of the pictures. The first problem can be traced to crdjninal negligence. PK knew better (he's still moaning about it), but there wasn't enough time to re-do the page (and, subsequently, the other side) before the deadline. The second problem can be attributed to our reproduction process, which is a Xerox job. Dark areas come out somewhat less than dark, and some of the lettering gets washed into oblivion. In short, we were too poor to afford photo offset. How we plan to 'repro' our next issue is still under discussion. But you have our word that the final product will be of much better quality.") (7)
* Death in the City, a story of a surrealistic assassination by Paul Kirby (8)
* Nebula, science fiction review (Alan Dean Foster's "Star Trek: Log One") by Winston A. Howlett (11)
* "Shuttletruck" and "Tribble Power!" (#1) by Winston A. Howlett (14)
* Star Trek is a Racist Program!, "a bold, controversial expose that no other 'zine would dare to print!" by Winston A. Howlett (satire, also reprinted in issue #5) (This is also in the audio zine Fanzine and in Tetrumbriant #4). (15) 
* Scenes We'd Like To See by Winston A. Howlett (15)
* Potpourri, Diane Saunders points out things in Star Trek episodes we generally miss… even with repeated viewings (21)
* Three Vignettes: Space War, Absent-Minded, and Quadrant Three, all by Winston A. Howlett (also in Tetrumbriant #4) (29)
* cartoon by Winston A. Howlett, Star Trek Trivia: Subject "Planets" (39)
* Tribble Power! (#2) by Winston A. Howlett (40)
* First Prize, you think television is violent now? -- wait until tomorrow by Winston A. Howlett (fiction: "Note: This is, by far, the most 'racially abrasive ' thing that the editor has written to date. 'It's a melodrama, but, in some ways, a drama,' he says. 'It is meaningless, yet it has several important things to say.' Judge for yourself.") (41)
Image:probe1-1.jpg| from issue #1 
Image:probe1-2.jpg| from issue #1 
Image:probe1-3.jpg| from issue #1 
Image:probe1-4.jpg| from issue #1 
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1==
Howlett had labeled STAR TREK Is a Racist Program!" as satire, but at least one fan missed that point: 
==Issue 2==
Probe 2 (v.1 n.2) was published in August 1974 and contains 100 pages. Fifty issues were printed. It has a front cover by Winston A. Howlett, a back cover by Anji Valenza, and interior illos by Paul Kirby and J. Silverstein. 
The editor notes that "The David Gerrold interview, scheduled to be in this issue, has been left out, due to space considerations."
The editor also writes: 
From the editorial, Paul Kirby: 
* Starline, a few words from our cynical story editor, by Paul Kirby (3)
* Behind the Curtains, a commentary on the people of the STAR TREK movement by Winston A. Howlett (5)
* Short Bursts, Tribble Power! #3, wisecracks and weirdness…. by Winston A. Howlett (7)
* Wordfinder, first season (8)
* Cycle, in the beginning by R. Vogel (9)
* Nebula, science fiction review (Alan Dean Foster's Star Trek Log Two, "The Night Stalker," "Planet of the Apes," and "The Circus of Dr. Lao") by Winston A. Howlett (22)
* Last Skimmer to Jericho by Winston A. Howlett, a STAR TREK novelette, featuring Lt. Uhura (30)
* How I Spent My Summer Vacation, an unusual look at Discon 2 by Linda Deneroff (61)
* Nitpicking, the little things that went wrong on STAR TREK… by Winston A. Howlett (67)
* Star Trek Trivia, subject: The Women" (70)
* Scenes We'd Like To See by Winston A. Howlett (75)
* Wordfinder, third season (76)
 
Image:probe2-1.jpg| from issue #2
Image:probe2-2.jpg| from issue #2
Image:probe2-3.jpg| from issue #2
Image:probe2-4.jpg| from issue #2
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2==
==Issue 3==
 
 
Probe 3 (v.2 n.1) was published in January 1975 and contains 80 pages. 
It was an all Star Trek Convention issue, and all the content was by Howlett as no one else sent him anything. He was a one-man collating party the issue at the International Star Trek Con' 75 at 1:00 in the morning in his hotel room. Fifty issues were printed.
Neither of the stories are about Star Trek, but fictional and science fictional happenings at Star Trek conventions
The front and back covers are by Anji Valenza, and the interior illos are by Winston A. Howlett, J. Silverstein, and Paul Kirby.
* Starline: A few words from a very tired editor-in-chief (2)
* Star Trek Con, a poem by Winston A. Howlett (3)
* FIAWOL, fiction by Winston A. Howlett, inspired by a line in David Gerrold's The World of Star Trek ("The first ST Fandom novelette: Linda and Alan were just a couple of ordinary Trekkers when STAR TREK Con '74 began. But before the convention was over, that statement was no longer quite true...") (4)
* Helpers by Winston A. Howlett (Fiction that was derived from Howlett's experiences and fantasies while a go-fer at the New York conventions. "For Laurie Dewitt and the Helpers of First Division, it was just another day at the STAR TREK Con: Stunrod battles, hand-to-hand combat, diabolical plots, double-crosses...") (58) 
* Scenes We'd Like To See by Winston A. Howlett 
* Nebula by Winston A. Howlett
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3==
==Issue 4==
Probe 4 (v.2 n.2) was published in May 1975. One hundred issues were printed, double the number of previous issues, due to the Kraith story in it.
The front cover is by Winston A. Howlett ("Silhouette Museum"), back cover is by Gee Moaven ("Kirk"), the interior art is by Winston A. Howlett, Anji Valenza, Joel Silverstein, and Paul Kirby.
"This issue is dedicated to Germaine Best, for being delightfully right and beautifully wrong, both at the same time." 
From the editorial: 
* Starline (3)
* Fandom Is… (A clarified commentary on STAR TREK fandom) by Winston A. Howlett ("TO ALL CONCERNED: The "you's" in the previous section are not leveled at any particular person, but t:o all persons to whom they apply. I did not give Germaine 'carte blanche' to publish the 'Hacking Block' review as a set-up, so that I could write this one as a knock-down. It was just that I real ized when she read her comments to me that if she could so thoroughly misunderstand what I said and what I meant, so could a lot of other people. I have stated my opinion, and the facts that I use to support it. This article is just about all I wish to say on the subject. There will be some who agree with what I have said, and others who will disagree. If you are of the latter"category, then I hoDe that you and I can agree to disagree and move on to other things. That is a sign of STAR TREK maturity.") (5)
* A House Divided by Linda Deneroff and Frances Zawacky ("a new Kraith story") (12)
* Night Orbit, poem by Fern Marder (43)
* Wordfinder by Laberynth ("So you think you know Fandom…") (44)
* When Star Trek Returns by Shuttlecraft ("Somebody let the nuts out of their padded cells…") (45)
* Tribble Power #4 (48)
* Point of Reference by Joseph Reed Hayes ("Reality is, uh, that is, uh….) (49)
* Nebula by Winston A. Howlett (review of "Young Frankenstien") (53)
* Images and Dreams by Diane Saunders ("He had taken her picture. All he would have was a memory.") (55)
* What's a Glitznik? by Wayne Tytell ("You're going to be sorry you asked…") (65)
* O'Tool and the Crystals by Wayne Tytell and Fern Marder ("Red Alert! Activate shields! Fire phasers! Break out a new deck of cards!") (67)
* Feedback, Letters of Comment from readers (83)
 
File:Probe4inside.jpg|from issue #4, Gee Moaven
File:Probe4-1.jpg|from issue #4, Gee Moaven
File:Probe4-2.jpg|from issue #4
File:Probe4-3.jpg|from issue #4, Gee Moaven
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4==
==Issue 4, Revised Edition==
Probe 4, the Revised Edition was published in June 1976. Art by Anji Valenza, Gee Moaven, Joel Silverstein, Signe Landon, Amy Falkowitz, Wayne Tytell, Mary Beth Santarelli, Paul Kirby, Rodney Plummer, Dan Haskett, Mary Ann Emerson, and Winston A. Howlett.
"This issue is dedicated to David Kesztenbauni, who saved the project by lending us his typewriter after ours broke down."
From the editorial: 
* Starline (3)
* Fandom Is… (Or, Who is Germaine Best and Why is She saying Those Terrible Things About Me?) by Winston A. Howlett ("In the first issue of THE MONKEY OF THE INKPOT, in a fanzine review column called 'The Hacking Block' (The most accurate column title I have ever heard!), Germaine Best — to put it mildly — rakes me over hot coals for my views on STAR TREK Fandom ('Behind the Curtains1: PROBE Fanzine; November, 1974). Now, let me preface what I am going to say with an explanation that Germaine and I are very close associates. I contributed several stories to the fourth issue of her 'zine TETRUMBRIANT, and hope to do some more contributing to future issues. When we meet at rap sessions and cons, we throw more barbed remarks and quips at each other than David Gerrold and Isaac Asimov could ever hope to think up, all in fun and usually ending in fits of laughter. After she wrote her 'Hacking Block' review, she telephoned me and read it to me. Then she said if I objected to what she had written, she would not let it be published. Though still smarting, I said, "If you remove one word, I will never speak to you again."(More about this later). But while I was licking my wounds, it came to me that the situation called for some clarification of just what I said in 'Behind the Curtains' and what it was that I meant. Hence, this article.") (5)
* Tribble Power #4 (13)
* A House Divided by Linda Deneroff and Francess Zawacky (14)
* Point of Reference by Joseph Reed Hayes (46)
* Art Credits (49)
* Night Orbit, poem by Fern Marder (51)
* Wordfinder by Laberynth (52)
* Images and Dreams by Diane Saunders (53)
* What's a Glitznic by Wayne Tytell (65)
* O'Tool and the Crystals, a Glitznic by Wayne Tytell and Fern Marder (67)
File:Probe4rev-1.jpg|from issue #4, revised, sample page from "Fandom Is…"
File:Probe4rev-2.jpg|from issue #4, revised, sample title page
File:Probe4rev-3.jpg|from issue #4, revised, Gee Moaven
File:Probe4rev-4.jpg|from issue #4, revised, unclear artist
==Issue 5==
Probe 5 (v.2 n.3) was published in August 1975 (second edition August 1977) and contains 80 pages, off-set. The covers are by Anji Valenza, and the interior illos are by James Beery, Michael Greene, Paul Kirby, Signe Landon, Gee Moaven, Mary Beth Santarelli, W. Tytell, and Joel Silverstein. 
From the editorial: 
* Starline, editorial (3)
* Matter-Anti-Matter ("Some notes on the evolution" -- Howlett writes of this zine's beginnings, and rants on a bit about all sorts of things...) (5)
* Star Trek is a Racist Program by Winston A. Howlett ("A bold, controversial expose that rips the cover off STAR TREK!") (reprinted from issue #1) (This is also in the audio zine Fanzine) 
* Star Trek Kriss Kross by Linda Deneroff and Fern Marder (15)
* Scenes We'd Like To See by Winston A. Howlett ("Oh, would we ever!") (16)
* Potpourri by Diane Saunders ("An examination of STAR TREK's use of literary devices.") (reprinted from issues #1 and #7) (17)
* Music has Charms by Sara Paul ("First Contact is a space explorer's dream… or occupational hazard.") (25) ("I haven’t even let in one outside writer [to my fan-created universe]. Sara Paul had a short story in SPACE-TIME CONTINUUM #8 that coincided with an aspect of what I was writing for GODDESS UHURA. And I asked her permission to put a rewritten version of ‘Music Has Charms’ in GODDESS UHURA. That is the only outside contribution that I have ‘accepted’ for the Swahili Series, except for some poetry by some friends of mine." From a writers' panel transcript, 1989, accessed March 5, 2013. For more on this topic, see Remix, Shared Universe. ) 
* Nightingale Woman by Fern Marder (33)
* "I am God!" the Madman Said by Winston A. Howlett (34)
* an ad for a zine called Spirit, "science fiction and fantasy for those who believe in Jesus Christ")
* Waterfall by Winston A. Howlett (35)
* The Hand of Peter Brenner by Diane Saunders ("The best solution to his problem could be a fatal one…") (36)
* Gambit by Paul Kirby ("Probe's first and most outrageous satire, the first Stunrod story to feature male chauvinist, Joe Denim." ("I created the Stunrod Series, which is a satire on STAR TREK Fandom." from here, see more on the origins of this story ) (50)
* cartoon by Michael Green, "A Scene We'd Like to See" (73)
* Microverse Experiment by Winston A. Howlett (74)
* In Courts of Sleep by Winston A. Howlett (76)
* Starfight by Fern Marder (77)
* Werewoman by Winston A. Howlett(78) 
* Next Launching (80)
* Nebula by Winston A. Howlett ("Sci-fi" reviews: Jaws, Warp Nine, Race with the Devil, Strange New Worlds and Star Trek Lives!) (81)
File:Probefive-1.jpg|from #5, Gee Moaven
File:Probefive-2.jpg|from #5, Mary Beth Santarelli for "Nightingale Woman"
File:Probefive-3.jpg|from #5, "Nightingale Woman" by Fern Marder
File:Probefive-4.jpg|from #5, sample title page
File:Probefive-5.jpg|from #5, James Beery "Werewoman"
File:Probefive-6.jpg|from #5, Paul Kirby for "Gambit"
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 5==
==Issue 5, Revised Edition==
Probe 5, the Revised Edition was published in April 1977 and contains 80 pages. It has art by Amy Harlib, Wayne Tytell, Rodney Plummer, Dan Haskett, Mary Ann Emerson, Joel Silverstein, David Kesztenbaum, Winston A. Howlett, Paul Kirby, Signe Landon, Mei-Moi Lee, Fern Marder, Gee Moaven, Mary Beth Santarelli, and Anji Valenza (front and back covers). 
From the editorial: 
* Starline, editorial (3)
* Trio by Diane Saunders (4)
* Star Trek is a Racist Program! by Winston A. Howlett (Winston A. Howlett commented later: "[It] drove a lot of Trekkers up the wall... until they found out that the author is black.") (This is also in the audio zine Fanzine) (21) 
* Busher & Callahan by Winston A. Howlett (26)
* a review of Star Trek Lives! (35)
* a review of Fuhura #4, see that page (36)
* Starflight by Fern Marder (49)
* River by Anji Valenza (later printed in Snow on the Moon) (50)
* Microverse Experiment by Winston A. Howlett (51)
* Nightingale Woman by Fern Marder
* Gambit by Paul Kirby (54)
* Matter/Antimatter, another editorial, "Some notes on the evolution" (77)
File:Probe5revisedart1.jpg|from issue #5, revised, Paul Kirby and Winston A. Howlett
File:Probe5revisedart2.jpg|from issue #5, revised, Mary Beth Santarelli
File:Probe5revisedart3.jpg|from issue #5, revised, Mei-Moi Lee
File:Probe5page.jpg|from "Star Trek is a Racist Program!"
File:Probe5revisedart4.jpg|from issue #5, revised, Gee Moaven
File:Probe5revisedart5.jpg|from issue #5, revised, Signe Landon, also printed in #7
File:Probe5revisedart6.jpg|from issue #5, revised, Anji Valenza
==Issue 6==
Probe 6 (v.2 n.4) was published in November or December 1975. It was an all-sword and sorcery issue.
The front cover is by Anji Valenza, the back cover by Amy Falkowitz, and the interior illos are by Dan Haskett, Winston A. Howlett, Paul Kirby, Signe Landon (listed in the art credits for "Death of a Castle" on page 88, but there is no art on that page), Gee Moaven, Rodney Plummer, Mary Beth Santareli, Joel Silverstein, and Wayne Tytell. 
From the editorial: 
* Starline, editorial (3)
* The Legend of Raugk by Anji Valenza (5)
* Ronestab by Winston A. Howlett ( "a berserker poem") (6)
* Xoran by Fern Marder ("a melodramatic swashbuckler") (8)
* Firelord by Paul Kirby ("She had a need for a certain kind of man. Here is why…") (12)
* art credits (27)
* Karplunck's Last Stand by Fern Marder ("a satirical Klingon fairy tale") (30)
* Scenes We'd Like to See by Winston A. Howlett ("And speaking of swords") (36)
* Bull the Barbarian by David Kesztenbaum ("coming of age is a wonderful thing… it can help insure that you die faster") (37)
* Outrageous Monster Contest (45)
* Tribble Power! (46)
* Visual Image (47)
* Blades and Wands by Mark Foley ("a tongue-in-cheek examination of the genre") (48)
* Trading Post (48b)
* Dragonsword by James W. Jameson ("which was more dangerous: the dragon, or the wizard who hired him to kill it?") (49)
* We Shall Meet Along the River, Then by Joseph Reed Hayes ("he traveled… not to make a living, but to end one) (69)
* Allyson's Cat by Winston A. Howeltt ("a fantasy retelling of a true story" (77a)
* All Hallow's Eve by Linda Deneroff ("Halloween," of course… but not for us …") (77d)
* Koor of the Darkling Plain by Winston A. Howlett ("perhaps the last Klingon to know freedom") (78)
* subscriptions/apologia (91)
* next launching (92)
* Nebula by Winston A. Howlett ("Sci-Fi reviews": Invisible Man, Rollerball, Space:1999, and Laserium) (93)
* Feedback ("Yes, even we get letters…") (98) 
File:Probe6-1.jpg|from issue #6, "Xoran" by Rodney Plummer
File:Probe6-2.jpg|from issue #6, illo for "Firelord" by Gee Moaven
File:Probe6-3.jpg|from issue #6, illo for "Firelord" by Gee Moaven
File:Probe6-4.jpg|from issue #6, "Grockmore" by Joel Silverstein
File:Probe6-5.jpg|from issue #6, "Visual Image" by Mary Beth Santareli
File:Probe6-6.jpg|from issue #6, Gee Moaven for "We Shall Meet Along the River"
File:Probe6-7.jpg|from issue #6, Anji Valenza, "Linus Tiberious" for "Allyson's Cat"
File:Probe6-8.jpg|from issue #6, illo for "Koor and the Cray" by Winston A. Howlett and Joel Silverstein
File:Probe6-9.jpg|from issue #6, "Devilbirds" for "Koor of the Darkling Plain" by Amy Falkowitz
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 6==
==Issue 7==
Probe 7 (v.3 n.1) was published in February 1976. The front cover and back covers are by Gee Moaven, the interior illos are by Anji Valenza, Mary Ann Emerson, Amy Falkowitz, Dan Haskett, Winston A. Howlett, Paul Kirby, Signe Landon, Rodney Plummer, Mary Beth Santarellii, Joel Silverstein, Wayne Tytell, and Anji Valenza.
"This issue ia lovingly dedicated to Gee Moaven, who is always right...some of the time…"
* Starline, edtiorial (3)
* Star Trek: A Religious Experience? by Ingrid Cross ("a satirical mini-article") (This is also in the audio zine Fanzine) (5)
* cartoon by Jerry (Jeraldine) Franz (8)
* art credits (8)
* Winston's Lie by Jamie Whitfield ("the family that needles editors together, stays together?" -- a humorous poem written in response to "Allyson's Cat" in the previous issue)
* For the Love of Money by W. Howlett ("in the tradition of "Behind the Curtains" and "Fandom Is", another hard-hitting commentary," "a commentary on STAR TREK cons… and their organizers…") (12) 
* Pueblo by Diane Saunders (non-ST poem) (17)
* And Zarabeth Killed a Snowbear by Winston A. Howlett ("for the best of all possible reasons.") (This is also in the audio zine Fanzine as well as Beta Niobe Revisited.) (19)
* First Impressions, poem by Frances Zawacky (23)
* Moppit by Fern Marder (24)
* Potpourri #2 by Diane Saunders ("and not at all like the original 'Potpourri'") (26)
* The Command Image by Frances Zawacky (32)
* The Cheater W. Howlett ("part two of the Laurie Dewitt trilogy, as the Helpers try to keep the lid on at a STAR TREK Con Costume Call... and capture an honest-to-God vampire!" and "the costume call to end all costume calls") (33)
* newspaper clipping (53) (from The Standard-Star, New Rochelle, NY January 21, 1976, "Sci-fi fan big on 'Trek' by Mark Mooney, highlights Winston A. Howlett, includes photo)
*Outrageous Monster Contest Winner by Jeraldine Franz (54)
* Tribble Power! #6 (56)
* Alpha Ralpha Virus by Wayne Tytell ("another insane STAR TREK Glitznic!" -- "those Klingons will never learn…") (57)
* cartoon by Michael Green (73)
* next launching (74)
* Nebula (ST Con '76 Costume Call by Winston A. Howlett, Gene Roddenberry speech at St. John's University by Frances Zawacky, "Ten Years Later" by Fern Marder)
* Matter-Antimatter ("some notes on Probe's present and future")
File:Probe7-1.jpg|from issue #7, Winston A. Howlett in newspaper article
File:Probe7-2.jpg|from issue #7, Anji Valenza for "The Cheaters"
File:Probe7-3.jpg|from issue #7, illo by Mary Beth Santarelli for "Star Trek: A Religious Experience?"
File:Probe7-4.jpg|from issue #7, "Winston's Lie," sample text
File:Probe7-5.jpg|from issue #7, Signe Landon for "And Zarabeth Killed a Snowbear"
File:Probe7-6.jpg|from issue #7, title page, sample text
File:Probe7-7.jpg|from issue #7, Jeraldine Franz, winner of the "Outrageous Monster Contest"
File:Probe7-8.jpg|from issue #7, Signe Landon "Salt Vampires" for "The Cheater"
File:Probe7-9.jpg|from issue #7, Amy Falkowitz for "And Zarabeth Killed a Snowbear"
File:Probe7-10.jpg|from issue #7, Amy Falkowitz, "The Clean Miss"
File:Probe7-11.jpg|from issue #7, Winston A. Howlett for "For the Love of Money"
File:Probe7-12.jpg|from issue #7, "For the Love of Money," title page
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 7==
==Issue 8==
thumb|front cover of issue #8, Winston A. Howlett|left
Probe 8 (v.3 n.2) was published in May 1976 and contains 80 pages. It has art by Gee Moaven, Linda Cappel, Anji Valenza, Signe Landon, Amy Falkowitz, Wayne Tytell, Mary Beth Santarelli, Paul Kirby, Rodney Plummer, Dan Haskett, Mary Ann Emerson, Winston A. Howlett and Joel Silverstein. 
The editor notes in issue #9 that this zine came out in time for BiCentennial-Ten Con "and copies sold faster than we could staple them together... We actually sold some copies unstapled."
* Starline (editorial) (3)
*While Still We Feel by Johanna Cantor (a sequel to "The Empath" by the same author, Kirk, Spock and McCoy are called upon to help Gem and her people. They have been relocated by the Vians, but their culture is not thriving.) (reprinted in Archives #2) (5)
* Lyre by Fern Marder (20)
* October Revel by Virginia Brennan (21)
* Card Game by Virginia Brennan (23)
* Visions at the End of Time by Virginia Brennan (24)
* Scenes We'd Like To See by W. Howlett (25)
*Whose Godchild, Space? by Anji Valenza (Kirk vs Raugk of "the Klysadel" and "Tai Daminen") (27)
* Retrospect by Fern Marder (43)
*Terminal Case by Winston A. Howlett ("a Stunrod story featuring two views of women's liberation, both of them Black.") (45)
*Nebula by Frances Zawacky: reviews of SekWester*Con, Night of the Twin Moons, Star Trek: The New Voyages and the movie Logan's Run
File:Probe8art1.jpg|from issue #8, Linda Cappel
File:Probe8art2.jpg|from issue #8, Gee Moaven
File:Probe8art3.jpg|from issue #8, Winston A. Howlett
File:Probe8art4.jpg|from issue #8, Winston A. Howlett
File:Probe8art5.jpg|from issue #8, Anji Valenza
File:Probe8art6.jpg|from issue #8, Anji Valenza
File:Probe8art7.jpg|from issue #8, Winston A. Howlett
File:Probe8art8.jpg|from issue #8, Amy Falkowitz
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 8==
==Issue 9==
 
Probe 9 (v.3 n.3) has August 1976 listed as the published date, though they were collated and mailed out in November 1976. It contains 104 pages. Art by Carol Walske, Anji Valenza, Gee Moaven, Mary Ann Emerson, Winston A. Howlett, Mary Beth Santarelli, Signe Landon, and Paul Kirby. 
This issue contains the very controversial review by Howlett about Alternative: Epilog to Orion.
From the editorial: 
* Starline, editorial (3)
* One Human, One Vulcan by David Kesztenbaum (4)
* Vulcanscape by Fern Marder (5)
* Sundered Duties by Jacqueline Bielowicz, Linda Deneroff and Frances Zawacky (a Kraith story, the break up between Spock and Sarek) (6) (also in Sol Plus #4 and Kraith Collected #6)
* an Associated Press story (36)
* cartoon by Anji Valenza (37)
* untitled poem by Winston A. Howlett (38)
* Mutant Mingle by D. Kesztenbaum (an Atomic Age war between humans and mutants) (39)
* Visual Images NASA (article) (60)
* Night Terror by Virginia Brennan (62)
* Death of a Vulcan by W. Howlett ("a grim, no-nonsense murder mystery that can only be solved by a Star Trekker" part one) (63) 
* a review of Alternative: The Epilog to Orion, see that page, and see Open Letter by Winston A. Howlett Regarding His Review of "Alternative: Epilog to Orion" (97)
* Matter-Antimatter by W. Howlett (article) (98)
* White Bird-Jim's Song by Fern Marder (music) (100)
File:Probe9art1.jpg|from issue #9, Gee Moaven, reprinted from IDIC #3, reprinted in Sol Plus #4
File:Probe9art7.jpg|from issue #9, Gee Moaven, reprinted from IDIC #3, reprinted in Sol Plus #4
File:Probe9art8.jpg|from issue #9, Gee Moaven, reprinted in Sol Plus #4
File:Probe9art2.jpg|from issue #9, Signe Landon and David Kesztenbaum, reprinted from The Other Side of Paradise #1
File:Probe9art3.jpg|from issue #9, Anji Valenza
File:Probe9art4.jpg|from issue #9, Amy Falkowitz
File:Probe9art5.jpg|from issue #9, Mary Ann Emerson
File:Probe9art6.jpg|from issue #9, last page of the music by Fern Marder
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 9==
==Issue 10==
200px|thumb|front cover of issue #10, Carol Walske, "The Death of Alargor"
Probe 10 (v.4 n.1) was published in February 1977 and contains 120 pages. The first edition had a printing of 300 copies. 
It is known for the long letter by the editor, one that states his views on homosexuality as a reason for his review of Alternative: Epilog to Orion. See Open Letter by Winston A. Howlett Regarding His Review of "Alternative: Epilog to Orion".
From the editorial: 
* The Fan Who Walked Home by Winston A. Howlett (4)
* The Celebration of Alkarin by Carol Walske (from the Nu Ormenel series, "The renaissance of the Klingon Empire," "After leading a long revolution in the Ormenel, Kor becomes the new Ormen.") (also in Nu Ormenel Collected) (7)
* The Judgement of Alkarin by Fern Marder (37)
* Echoes by David Lubkin (39)
*Amanda by Frances Zawacky (reprinted from issue #2) (40)
* I-Chaya by Fern Marder (44)
* Death of a Vulcan by Winston A. Howlett (the conclusion to the story, excerpt: "I had to get out of there. Even though three people had been needlessly and senselessly killed, I still felt for her very deeply. I could under stand at least a small part of how she felt. I had jumped into this case full of righteous anger about crooked people in Fandom, dead sure that it was Al Boyajian's crooked activities that had led to his death. I'd been wrong about that, and a few other things. But at least Fandom was off the hook. The clues had to do with STAR TREK, but the murders did not. Jeremy Vance would have to look elsewhere for his Scoop of the Year. And I began to feel a little differently about Fandom. Who knows? Maybe Roddenberry's dream just might come true. With our help...or in spite of it.") (46)
* Red Alert! (a fraud alert to warn other fans of a man pretending to be a close personal friend of Isaac Asimov) (73)
* Matter/Antimatter, opinion by Winston A. Howlett (76)
* On the Horizon (79)
* Sarek by Frances Zawacky and Linda Deneroff (80)
* The Day Surrounding Meldnight by Anji Valenza, a Klysadel story (later printed in Snow on the Moon) (83)
* LoCs (Winston A. Howlett responds to two letters he has received calling him a bigot and anti-gay for the review he did of Alternative: The Epilog to Orion in issue #9. See: Open Letter by Winston A. Howlett Regarding His Review of "Alternative: Epilog to Orion".) (112)
* Keep on Trekkin', song & music by Winston A. Howlett by Fern Marder (118)
File:Probe10art1.jpg|from issue #10, Anji Valenza
File:Probe10art2.jpg|from issue #10, Gee Moaven
File:Probe10art3.jpg|from issue #10, Carol Walske
File:Probe10art4.jpg|from issue #10, Elizabeth Marshall
File:Probe10art5.jpg|from issue #10, Anji Valenza
File:Probe10art6.jpg|from issue #10, Carol Walske
File:Probe10art7.jpg|from issue #10, P.S. Nim
File:Picture 8.png|from issue #10, Anji Valenza
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 10==
 
==Issue 11==
Probe 11 (v.4 n.2) was published in August 1977 and contains 156 pages. The art is by Cecilia Cosentini, John Ellis, Amy Falkowitz, Amy Harlib, Winston A. Howlett, Alice Jones, Mei-Moi Lee, Diane McClaugherty, Gee Moaven, Anji Valenza and Carol Walske.
From the editorial: 
From the editor: from "Matter-Antimatter": 
 
Also from the editor: "Matter-Antimatter":
* Starline, editorial (3)
* The Story of STINC by Sandy Hall (a parody story about a Star Trek fan and her fan club, their adventures in running a con, writing zine reviews, her long-running but never published series of fanfics, and her dealings with fanzines.) (4)
* The Challenge, poem by Fern Marder ("As the Treaty of Organia is signed, the conflict between Commander Kor Kothir and Captain James Kirk comes to a head.") (32)
* Challenge, story by Fern Marder and Carol Walske (34)
* Star Bores, film outline by Leonard Lipton (45) (a proposal for an amateur parody film of Star Wars)
* Willy and the Starship by Winston A. Howlett (46)
* Ode to the Rising Sun by Devra Langsam (53)
* Phaser Fire by Fern Marder (54)
* Sekwester*Con Too con report with photos by Frances Zawacky, Winston A. Howlett, and Joel Davis (56)
* the script to Where No Man Has Gone Lately - the play from SekWesterCon Too in 1977
* reviews of Furaha #5, and The Castaways (see those pages), and a brief analysis of Star Wars
* In Concert by Caroline Nixon (83)
* The Man Who Invented the Transporter by Anji Valenza (84)
* Inside Kraith by Daniela Kendall (87) (This is an article written with a pseud by one of "Kraith Creators." It discusses at great length the Kraith Round Robin.)
* Supercon Blues by David Lubkin (94)
* My Fears by Diane McClaugherty (96)
* He Who Trades Last by Diane McClaugherty (97)
* The Choice by R.M. Schutter (98)
* Poems to the Beautiful One by Caroline Nixon (100)
* Interlude by Diane McClaugherty (102)
* Con Committee's Lament by Rich Kolker (108)
* It Took First Prize in Houston by Joel Davis and Winston A. Howlett (109)
* LoCs (155)
 
File:Probe11art1.jpg|from issue #11, Carol Walske and Devra Langsam
File:Probe11art2.jpg|from issue #11, Winston A. Howlett
File:Probe11art3.jpg|from issue #11, Diane McClaugherty
File:Probe11art4.jpg|from issue #11, Amy Falkowitz
File:Probe11art5.jpg|from issue #11, Alice Jones
File:Probe11art6.jpg|from issue #11, Amy Harlib
File:Probe11art7.jpg|from issue #11, Mei-Moi Lee and Caroline Nixon
File:Probe11art8.jpg|from issue #11, John Ellis
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 11==
==Issue 12==
Probe 12 (v.4 n.3) was published in February 1978 and contains 114 pages. Cover: Carol Walske; back cover: Cecilia Cosentini. Art & illustrations: Cecilia Cosentini, Mary Ann Emerson, Amy Falkowitz, Allan Asherman, Amy Harlib, Dan Haskett, Winston A. Howlett, David Kesztenbum, Paul Kirby, Signe Landon, Mei-Moi Lee, Fern Marder, Gee Moaven, Rodney Plummer, Mary Beth Santarelli, Joel Silverstein, Wayne Tytell, Anji Valenza, Carol Walske.
"This issue is lovingly dedicated to Joyce Yasner, who shows no mercy."
The editor writes that Captain Uhura has been substantially delayed, citing a lack of SASEs and "personal upheaval." The latter is almost certainly due to reactions to Open Letter by Winston A. Howlett Regarding His Review of "Alternative: Epilog to Orion".
Linda Deneroff is listed as a staff member/writer in this issue, something that she took issue with in a personal statement in another zine, Scuttlebutt #6. Her resignation is likely due to Howlett's virulently homophobic statements in "Probe" #10. "I have resigned from the staff of Probe as you read this. Normally, such a statement is not necessary, but since Winston Howlett lists me as a staff person, I feel compelled to announce this resignation. I find myself in editorial disagreement with Winston on several issues, but since he makes no disclaimer in his zine to the effect that the editorial opinions are solely his own and not that of his staff, one could easily get the impression that we all agree. Winston and I will continue to be friends, but I will henceforth not be associated with 'Probe' fanzine or M'Pingo Press." -- Deneroff's statement in Scuttlebutt #6 
This zine addressees the issue of copyrights, fanzines, and the newly-released Star Wars. (For more on this topic, see: Open Letters to Star Wars Zine Publishers by Maureen Garrett): 
* Starline (Editorial) by Winston A. Howlett (3)
* The Awakening by Roberta Rogow (The Redjac entity encounters Hengist.) (4)
* Linguistics Report by Mr. Spock, USS Enterprise by Tom Audette ('Oochy-woochy-koochy-koo' explored.) (8)
* The Darkness in My Soul by Ingrid Cross (In a terrible battle with the Klingons, Spock is killed and Kirk's leg is shattered. He can't qualify for active duty any more, so takes a post as Chief of Exploration. To his surprise, some of his other officers decide to go along.) (The sequel to this story is in Odyssey #2.) (12)
* Persian Proverb by Dorothy B. Martin (31)
* Time (poetry) by Fern Marder (32)
* Assignment by Diane McClaugherty (While taking some young cadets on Survival Training on an earthlike planet, Sulu has an experience familiar to campers everywhere.) (34)
* R'Con Prequal by Vapid Lubberkin (38)
* Ode to Sanity (poetry) by Dorothy B. Martin (40)
* The Making of Star Bores by Leonard Lipton (42)
* A Shade of Treason by Fern Marder & Carol Walske (A Nu Ormenel Klingon story) ("A revised and expanded retelling of the events in "The Trial of Kor Kothir" — to be considered the authoritative version of the story.") (also in Nu Ormenel Collected) (47)
* The Trial of Kor Kothir by Carol Walske, a Nu Ormenel story, published in Monkey of the Inkpot 3, though this version is markedly different
* Exile (poetry) by Fern Marder, Nu Ormenel (70)
* Black Goddess: An Uhura Fantasia (poems and art) (73)
* And Now a Word by Greg Baker and Rich Kolker (83)
* Inside Kraith" : A Follow-up (Daniela Kendall writes briefly about Understanding Kraith by Judy Segal, which was written partly as a response to Kendall's "Inside Kraith". Kendall notes that "the project, and Ms. Lichtenberg's statement, deal with only a few of the issues raised in "Inside Kraith". The introduction to Understanding Kraith is reprinted in its entirety, and the editor Howlett adds the following: "This ends Probe's involvement with the subject of the Kraith writing system. "Inside Kraith" was published by Probe with the intention of pointing out some important issues about fan fiction writing and publishing, and to get some intelligent reaction to and discussion of a serious subject. Reactions from the general public ranged from favorable to disinterested. With the exception of Ms. Lichtenberg, Ms. Segal and one other person, reactions received from Kraith creators -- in person, by phone, by mail, and in other publications -- were less-than-logical and sometimes bordering on the inane. The subject is closed.") (84)
* Word Search & Cartoon by Tom Audette (87)
* Ballad of a New Rebel (poetry/filk?) by Rich Kolker (88)
* Cartoon by Amy Harlib (90)
* Latent Image by Valerie Ames (91)
* Next Launching (103)
* Nebula: Reviews (105) 
** a review of Voyage II #1, see that page
** a review of The Making of the Trek Conventions, pro book by Joan Winston
** a review of Trexindex, see that page
* Cartoon by Tom Audette (110)
* Matter-Antimatter (111)
* Feedback (112)
File:Probe12-1.jpg|from issue #12, Winston A. Howlett, illo for "Black Goddess, An Uhura Fantasia" title page
File:Probe12-2.jpg|from issue #12, Cecilia Cosentini for "Black Goddess"
File:Probe12-3.jpg|from issue #12, Alice Jones for "Black Goddess"
File:Probe12-4.jpg|from issue #12, Allan Asherman for "Black Goddess"
File:Probe12-5.jpg|from issue #12, Mary Ann Emerson for "Black Goddess"
File:Probe12-6.jpg|from issue #12, Mei-Moi Lee for "Latent Image"
File:Probe12-16.jpg|from issue #12, Leonard Lipton for "The Making of Star Bores"
File:Probe12-7.jpg|from issue #12, Mei-Moi Lee for "Latent Image"
File:Probe12-8.jpg|from issue #12, Cecilia Cosentini
File:Probe12-9.jpg|from issue #12, Carol Walske (illo), sample text, "A Shade of Treason"
File:Probe12-10.jpg|from issue #12, Mei-Moi Lee for "Assignment"
File:Probe12-11.jpg|from issue #12, sample title page, "A Shade of Treason"
File:Probe12-12.jpg|from issue #12, Doug Herring for "The Darkness in My Soul"
File:Probe12-13.jpg|from issue #12, Mei-Moi Lee for "The Darkness in my Soul"
File:Probe12-14.jpg|from issue #12, Carol Walske for "A Shade of Treason"
File:Probe12-15.jpg|from issue #12, sample calligraphy, Carol Walske
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 12==
==References==
===Notes===
Category:Star Trek TOS Gen and Het Anthology Zines
Category:1974 Zines
Category:1970s Zines