Simon & Simon Investigations

Simon & Simon Investigations is a gen and slash letterzine. It is a compilation of letters from fans, nonfiction articles and pictures. The letterzine would also insert of color photo of the actors in each issue, usually affixed to the last page. There is no fiction, nor is there (aside from some front covers), any art. Like many fan publications of the time, some issues of the letterzine were published without copyright notices and may, in the US, be in the public domain.
There is some overlap in publication times with Details at 11 which ended around issue #4 of "Simon and Simon Investigations."
==Description==
"This bi-monthly letterzine is open to all aspects of the brothers' relationship, and each issue includes Letters of Comment, articles, and a glossy photo. Published entirely for the enjoyment of the subscribers, SSI is only for those S&S-S/S fans who wants to join in a l/z written for and by fans who appreciate the loving relationship of television's sexiest private detectives... age statement required." -- from an ad in Pop Stand Express #15
==Typical Contents==
*Full Moon Blues - Editorial
*Undercover Assignment - the next letterzine topic for discussion (ex: What song best described the guys' relationship (slash or gen)?, the topic for issue #3).
*A Significant Obsessions - letters from subscribers
*What Goes Around Comes Around - reprinted newspaper and magazine articles about the actors and the show
*Almost Completely Out of Circulation - professional publications and fanzines
*Corpus Delecti - a color photograph of the actors
==Issue 1==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 1 was published in July 1986 and contains 18 pages. The front cover is by Ruth Kurz, and the back cover is blank.
* it contains 6 LoCs, some newspaper article reprints
* from the editorial: 
 
* the editor's thoughts on the SS relationship: 
* a fan is has these enthusiastic comments: 
* another fan writes: 
* a fan describes her thoughts on the SS relationship: 
* another fan introduces herself: 
* a fan writes: 
==Issue 2==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 2 was published in September 1986 and contains 34 pages. Cover by by Kathy Lachenauer.
* there are 13 LoCs
* there are a number of proposed zines that never got off the ground: "First Case," "The San Diego Chronicles," "Crimebusters" (SS and multi)
* the Underground Assignment was to comment on the photo in issue #1 -- "What is the situation and what are they saying?"
* a fan writes of her initial preference and how it has changed to include the set: 
* a fan comments that : 
* a fan admits her interest in S/S, but only because of the reassurance from the editor about visibility and TPTB: 
* a fan feels the whole gen slash thing could find a middle ground: 
* a fan, who writes in anonymously appears to be officially involved in the show somehow: 
* another fan writes: 
* a fan writes of her unhappiness of the characterization of later seasons: 
* a fan, and zined, writes a lengthy letter about how it isn't AJ who's the vulnerable one among the two, but that it is Rick, the how and way their deep love for each other is expressed, and how they aren't sexual partners: 
* a fan writes: 
* a fan comments, first addressing another: 
==Issue 3==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 3 was published in November 1986 and contains 62 pages. Cover by Ruth Kurz.
* the Undercover Assignment is "What song do you feel best describes the guys' relationship? Please include the words if possible. And/or Given the information we got in Skull of Nostradamus (That the guys' souls have been entertwined throughout history), describe a relationship that proves this." Many fans respond and send in song lyrics, many of them from Lionel Richie, and many fans suggesting "Wind Beneath My WIngs," another fan suggests a song but then changes her mind saying the song is more a H/J song instead
* there are 16 LoCs
* there are a number of comments from fans about the new season and how they dislike that the boys don't live together anymore. One jokingly suggests that TPTB are reading this letterzine and see all the comments about them being practically married. Another suggests that the decision to have them get separate houses was because the show was after different, younger demographics. In any case, folks see it as an anti-fan service. Other fans are enjoying the new season a lot, citing the return of kinder banter, the loosening up of AJ, and the return of Richard the knowledgeable.
* a fan comments that: The creator of the series said it once: "It's a show about brothers who happen to be detectives." This is something that echoes David Soul's widely quoted comment that Starsky & Hutch was "a love story about two men who happened to be cops."
* fans see the boys as Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, William Bonney and John Tunstall, a French scholar and his scrivener, Akheraton and Smenkhara, Alexander and Hephraistion, Romeo and Juliet..
* a fan says she sent a script to TPTB and that it was returned unopened "due to staff cutbacks"
* the editor has a new computer which she has named "Matt"
* the editor assures her readers that this letterzine is underground: 
* a fan comments on those wanting to write to the letterzine anonymously: 
* a fan writes about soulbonds: 
==Issue 4==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 4 was published January 1987 and contains 66 pages. Cover by Lynn Johnston.
* there are 12 LoCs
* the editor encourages 
* a fan writes of her dislike of the AJ in the new season, citing that the writers are making him look like a stupid jerk, that the show's continuity is suffering, and the show itself is becoming more of a comedy than anything
* a fan talks about a Starsky & Hutch zine written in Hebrew that a friend bought her
* a fan appreciates "Wind Beneath My Wings" as a S/S songvid possibility: "Yes, yes! I love "Wind Beneath My Wings". I heard it first in K/S, where it fit very well, but it applies equally well to R/AJ."
* a fan has quite a reading library: "I figured out last week that I get nearly 20 newsletters/letterzines on a regular basis (no wonder I'm always broke) and S&SI is definitely one of my favorites."
* this issue has a bit of short fiction as well as an extensive episode guide to the sixth seasona Letter Campaign but with stipulations: 
* a fan disagrees that letters to the letterzine should be allowed to be anonymous: 
* fans are generally pleased with the increased level of violence in this season: it leads to lots of hurt/comfort, one fan writes: 
* a fan cautions and ponders: 
==Issue 5==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 5 was published in March 1987 and contains 78 pages. On the cover: "It Must Be Nice to Be Little" by Lynn Johnston, a pro-writer of comics.
* there are 19 LoCs
* this issue has a lot of fans discussing the characters and their motivations and backgrounds, particularly Jack Simon
* another fan expresses her appreciation of the sixth series' increased amount of violence and blood: "|I do like it a little bloodier. So... I'm a sadist, or I like to imagine it is I who gets to comfort Rick, or AJ, or Rick and AJ. Let's just call it the instincts of a nurse."
* a fan writes that she has just stared reading the letterzine: "I admit that I'm not particularly into "slash," in fact until I read SSI, I'd never even heard of the expression before! However, it is interesting to read everyone's ideas, thoughts, and fantasies, etc., etc.!"
* the editor explains the frequent comic strips in the letterzine: "They're "For Better or Worse" by Lynn Johnston, an actual syndicated strip. I saw them ages ago and they were just to perfect to pass up! Since the youngest kid really is a little girl, they do require a little doctoring, but I think they fit Little Rick and AJ perfectly."
* a number of fans report reading "The Persian Boy" by Mary Renault and this is one comment: "I highly recommend this book to everyone. If you love hurt/comfort, extremely romantic scenes, devoted love that lasts, you won't be disappointed."
* the Discussion Topic is "Which Simon would you want to be stranded with on a desert island with?" -- on fan answers: 
 
* a fan comments on another's caution in the previous issue: 
* Another fan comments on the same topic: 
 
* a fan with a plan: 
* an early acafan's comments: 
* a fan explains her SS vision: 
* a fan expresses her love for this letterzine: 
* a Star Wars fan writes: 
==Issue 6==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 6 was published in May 1987 and contains 86 pages. Cover and cartoons by Lynn Johnston.
*there are 17 LoCs
* the big news is that the show would be back for a (reduced) seventh season, some regular minor characters would not be back
* this issue has a con report for 4-Play, see that page
* another fan has an idea for a S&S Co-op, see that page
* a fan writes: "Try as I might, I just can't imagine Rick and AJ as lovers. Rick and AJ love each other very much, but there are all kinds of love... Besides, it would ruin my fantasies about Rick!"
* a fan is unhappy with a fanfic trend she sees: "I can t say I like the trend some of the more recent S&S fiction is taking along the likes of a weak, meek AJ. However...this is only my opinion of him. I don't mean for this to sound nasty or angry or anything, okay? Just fervent!!"
* a fan, [B B], mentions the Starsky & Hutch zine she's creating: "I've returned to some unfinished business of mine, a S/H zine I've been working on sporadically for two years and WILL finish before the big SH/Pros con in October. I can't come back to S&S until it's completed and in print." It appears this zine was never completed. 
* the Discussion Topic is "What stories and zines would you recommend to a neo-fan?" One fan comments: 
* Another fan hints at the amount of drawerfic out there and gives her opinion on slash: 
* a fan explains a scene in the movie "American Justice" and tells others there was no brush of fingers on lips between two men: 
* a fan offers other some assistance: 
==Issue 7==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 7 published in August 1987 and is 78 pages long. Cover and cartoons by Lynn Johnston.
* the Undercover Assignment is "What are your least favorite 10 episodes" and/or "What are the top 5 worst and best character traits that Rick and AJ have?"
* there are 16 LoCs
* a fan suggest that this letterzine do zine reviews: "Not a professional type review but maybe just various readers describing how they liked a zine or didn't and why. Or particular stories if not whole zines. Where else can we get info on S&S zines if besides here?"
* a fan is getting pickier about her reading: "Anyway. I do like most of the S&S fiction that is produced. I tend to devour it (almost literally!) ... but I am becoming more selective."
* a fan remarks that she "picked up" Courts of Honor at 4-Play: "I thought CoH was tremendous and am diligently searching for the original novella it sequelized, "The Price."
* a fan recalls something from recent MediaWest: "I cracked up reading your ice-breaker statement at MediaWest's S&S panel. They really refused to discuss slash?"
* at least one fan is proud of fannish creations and wants to share: 
* a fan comments on the "church lady" incident at 4-Play (for more on this, see that page): '
* fans are beginning to complain about the AJ in fanfic: 
* a fan on involving TPTB with this letterzine: 
* Another fan remarks: 
* another fan weighs in on the idea of sending a "cleaned up" version of this letterzine to TPTB: 
* about two versions of the letterzine: 
* the editor makes a decision about the second version of the letterzine: 
==Issue 8==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 8 was published in 1987 and contains 98 pages.
* the Discussion Topic is "What is this mysterious thing called 'Simonized -- why is Simon & Simon such an important part of your life?" and "Do you think Rick and AJ want kids? Would they make good fathers?"
==Issue 9==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 9 was published in 1987 and contains 82 pages.
==Issue 10/11==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 10/11 was published in 1988 and contains 120 pages.
==Issue 12==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 12 was published in 1988 and contains 82 pages.
==Issue 13==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 13 was published in 1988 and contains 98 pages.
==Issue 14==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 14 was published in 1989 and contains 98 pages.
==Issue 15==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 15 was published in 1989 and contains 98 pages.
==Issue 16==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 16 was published in August 1989 and contains 82 pages.
==Issue 17==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 18 was published in 1990 and contains 78 pages.
==Issue 18==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 17 was published in 1990 and contains 74 pages.
==Issue 19==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 19 was published in 1990 and contains 46 pages.
==Issue 20==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 20
==Issue 21==
* Simon & Simon Investigations 21 was published in Feb 1991 and contains 39 pages.
==References==
 
 
Category:Simon & Simon Zines
Category:1980s Category:1990s