Perry Rhodan Infotransmitter

April - June 2005

An Editor’s Log Entry

By Klaus N. Frick

April 20, 2005 – As I’m about to head out for an appointment outside the office, here’s just a quick Editor’s Log Entry to say a few things about the writers’ conference. If there’s time, there’ll be more detailed reporting later on. Moreover, there are pictures from the conference in today’s  news item posted on the web site.

I was very happy that all currently active writers made it to this year’s conference. With  Michael Marcus Thurner, we were able to welcome a new colleague in our circle. His three Perry Rhodan issues to date prove this Viennese writer to be an author with a feel for phantastic themes, original extraterrestrials, and exciting adventures—good enough reason to now officially welcome him to the team. The other colleagues greeted him with open arms. An extra pair of hands is always welcome.

 H.G. Francis essentially stood in for the retired authors, and he worked intensely throughout the conference and surprised everyone with a fascinating suggestion, about which more hopefully will be said at a later time. Incidentally, I was discussing an outline for a new novel with him this morning—this just as piece of preliminary information.

Unfortunately,  Ernst Vlcek could not attend the conference. He sent us his best regards. With  Leo Lukas and  Michael Marcus Thurner, two colleagues had come from Vienna. “Too bad,” remarked Leo, “that it wasn’t possible to have the Viennese contingency include three people for the first time.”

Things got started on Monday, April 18, at noon with a small Atlan meeting, on which  Sabine Kropp will be writing an entry in the near future. In the evening we all sat around at the hotel, had a nice dinner, and talked a lot about several on-going projects. Important in that regard were the new “Swarm” books, which  I was able to show my colleagues with much pride. The writers really liked them, and everyone was able to take home a package of books.

The conference itself was held on Tuesday, April 19. By way of one piece of important information, I can announce the name of the new story cycle: The volumes starting with 2300 will be issued as the “Terranova” cycle. We’ll be telling you more about the meaning of “Terranova”—yes, written as one word!—soon … like, starting with 2300. 

And of course I’m aware that there was once a booklet novella series called Terra Nova—in which, by the way, many early Perry Rhodan writers also published their works. In now using this name for a current Perry Rhodan cycle, there is indeed some reference to the past, but there really are no other connections, whether in content or otherwise.

After the conference we were quick to retire to an Italian restaurant for some time off. Joining us: Walter A. Fuchs, in his younger days himself a Perry Rhodan fan, now general manager of VPM. He gave a little speech that ranged from his time as a fan to the present day.

The personal aspects are always important to me when it comes to these dinners: Writers and publishing house staff don’t just talk about work but also about personal interests, hobbies, and even politcs. This can only help deepen these relationships that are already built on a great deal of trust. That recent evening was no different, and it went on for quite a while at the hotel bar.

So much for this short log entry, which provides only a very imperfect summary of two very busy days. Nevertheless, I hope it provided some brief insight.

An Editor’s Log Entry

By Klaus N. Frick

April 22, 2005 – I’d like to add a few quick points about the recent writers’ conference. There was much discussion, and many ideas were floated in the course of two days, but several topics were also left open. The writers all come to the meeting with their own suggestions and ideas, which means that some of the storyline developer’s concepts cannot be implemented quite as easily. After all, things get changed around again and again …

Here’s what’s more or less certain at this point:

PR Extra

A further Perry Rhodan “Extra” will be published in September 2005, a special edition with an editorial supplement in four colors, a new Perry Rhodan novel, and a CD. I won’t reveal anything about the contents yet, but in any event, it will be a story that is being written just for this edition—and it will have much to do with the transition from the current “Ocean of Stars” story cycle to the “Terranova” cycle.

A Big Bang

The start of the new cycle promises to be quite an event:  Robert Feldhoff, who’s already working on Perry Rhodan issue 2300, has been promising quite a bit of action, among other things. As can be expected,  Perry Rhodan will be one of the novel’s main characters.

Peace Travelers

The mysterious Peace Travelers (“Friedensfahrer”) organization that was already mentioned in the Ocean of Stars cycle will gain in importance in the “Terranova” cycle. No wonder—the cycle that was discussed at the meeting is part of a story arc involving the Peace Travelers that will extend to volume 2500.

 Alaska Saedelaere

Many readers have been asking about this recently: The Terran with the Cappin fragment in his face is one of the important characters of the Terranova cycle—that much is clear. His adventures will take him to places in the universe where “cosmic history” will be made.

 Akonians

One indirect consequence of the  “Lemuria” series covered in six paperbacks published by Heyne: The authors have been giving more thought to the  Akonians. This will directly impact the “Terranova” cycle, in which the  Akonians very quickly will become a prominent part of the action.

Adversaries

There is one other important main character who will be at the center of the attention of the writers and the readers—and hence, of our heroes in the series—starting with volume 2300. I’m still waiting to see how this character will be profiled in the stories. Initial sketches that peak one’s curiosity have already been submitted by  Dirk Schulz.

Working Groups

My colleagues continued their work in two small groups on Tuesday. One group dealt with a new locale, the other one was designated by us in jest as “fun extraterrestrials.” It continues to impress me what can happen when four creative minds are put to work around the small table in my office, supplied with coffee and cake (but subjected to a complete smoking ban). My respects!

Bottom Line

As always, the authors brought many new ideas along to this year’s writers’ meeting. The ideas would have been enough for two cycles, and I’m already looking forward to the initial volumes. But meanwhile the novels up to issue 2299 need to be written and published to complete the Ocean of Stars cycle.

An Editor’s Log Entry

By Sabine Kropp

April 22, 2005 – As many of you already know, we have been holding an annual conference of the Perry Rhodan writers every year. It happened again this year, on Tuesday, April 19, 2005.

The whole team of writers already arrived on Monday, as several of them were coming to Rastatt from far away. This also allowed me to invite those writers who are also contributing to the Atlan miniseries to a brainstorming session at our offices on Monday afternoon.

At 3 p.m. sharp, I was able to welcome  Uwe Anton (head writer for Atlan),  Rainer Castor,  Arndt Ellmer,  Hubert Haensel, and  Michael Marcus Thurner in our conference room. Our meeting began with a report by me on the already published Atlan miniseries known as “Die Lordrichter” [The Lord Judges]. In a self-critical fashion we asked ourselves what was good and what wasn’t. Then I focused our attention on the current cycle, “Der Dunkelstern” [The Dark Star]. I proudly showed everyone  Dirk Schulz’s new covers for volumes 29 through 32. Everyone was thrilled. Work on the covers had been completed right on time that morning by our production people.

 Uwe Anton then briefed the authors on the storyline and the conclusion of the Dunkelstern cycle. We had a long and thorough discussion about the follow-up to Dunkelstern. I can already say this much: We will be coming up with some big surprises.

We ended the meeting around 5:30 p.m., in time for some social activities. After completing their hotel check-in, everyone got together for a fun dinner.

An Editor’s Log Entry

By Klaus N. Frick

May 2, 2005 – Each of the two new volumes of the  Perry Rhodan Gold Edition that are being released right now represents the start of a new era. At the same time, they are related in a special way. This only became clear to me in reading the as always well researched afterwords that  Michael Thiesen prepared for the two new books.

When Perry Rhodan weekly issue 100, “Der Zielstern” was first published in 1963 (released in the U.S. by Ace in 1976 as volume 92 titled “The Target Star”), it marked the first true jubilee issue in the history of the series: one hundred issues had been released, cause for celebration for the writers—nothing like this had ever been accomplished before. Contentwise,  Perry Rhodan and our other heroes embark on a great voyage into space, onboard the new spaceship Fantasy which takes them to the Blue System of the  Akonians.

With this novel, the Perry Rhodan universe was again expanded in two directions, both “spatially” (a new race in a new sector of space) and “historically” (the back-story of the  Akonians and  Arkonides takes us further back into the Perryverse’s past). At that time, this was a clever move by head writer  K.H. Scheer, resulting in new conceptual possibilities and settings for the series.

Perry Rhodan volume  2000 likewise marks both a historic and spatial change in our fictional universe: With the back story of the superintelligence  IT, the Perryverse’s historical component suddenly reaches back several million years into the past, while the present action takes us to new locales such as  Topide or the as yet unknown realm ruled by Morkhero Seelenquell.

Moreover, this volume, which is now being re-released by HJB under the title “Die ES-Chroniken” [The IT Chronicles], was the first jubilee issue written by two authors.  Ernst Vlcek, the departing storyline developer, wrote the parts set in the past, while  Robert Feldhoff, who from now on was to become the sole storyline developer, dealt with the action set in the Perryverse’s present.

For me personally it was also a strange feeling to see the two issues side by side in their new format. “Der Zielstern” was published in the year of my birth—and it hit me again how long Perry Rhodan has been around, and I got a sense of the success that the series saw even in those early years thanks to the writers. And “Die ES-Chroniken” was the first big jubilee issue published during my own watch as editor-in-chief. Quite a bit of time had indeed passed since I was blown away by “Der Terraner” [The Terran],  William Voltz’s volume  1000, in 1980.

And so we have here two novels that cover vast time periods. Two true classics in “gold” that made me very happy.

The successful collaboration will be continued

May 11, 2005 – Located between two picturesque lakes at the center of Switzerland is Interlaken, which is also the location of  Mystery Park.

From March 18 to April 24, 2005,  Mystery Park organized an exhibit on the theme of “Science Fiction from Jules Verne to Perry Rhodan.” The exhibit included original works by Perry Rhodan artist  Johnny Bruck as well as devotional objects from  Swen Papenbrock’s collection and also Raimund Peter’s impressive large-scale model of the “Fortress of the Inquisition.”

In view of the public’s strong interest in the model, the park’s management has now decided to keep it on display for an extended period. The fortress has been given a place of honor in the temple of “Vimana,” where it will continue to promote the Perry Rhodan series until the end of the year.

At the end of April, Fritz Zemp, the park’s director, and  Klaus Bollhöfener, head of Perry Rhodan marketing, met at  Mystery Park to discuss future joint activities. As everyone appeared quite happy, this successful collaboration is likely to be continued in the future.

Robert Vogel on the road…

May 20, 2005 – Robert Vogel and his assistant Martina Koppe sent us the following note from the “Stargate” set in Vancouver, Canada.

“We arrived at Stargate Command just in time when the lighting crew was testing a new projector that would allow the “puddle” effect (i.e., the activated worm hole) to be created live on site using a semitransparent screen rather than after the fact by computer. In short order, director of photography Jim Menard recruited us as test subjects, and the results look really great. We also met several of the “Atlantis” actors, and thanks to director Martin Wood, we were able to participate in an episode titled “Trinity” as villagers in a pub scene.

By the way, the  “Perry Rhodan Greets Stargate” banner is hanging in a prominent spot on the walls of the production offices …”

Perry Rhodan silver volume 90 released!

May 25, 2005 – It is the year 3582. Onboard the long-distance ship  Sol,  Perry Rhodan returns to the maelstrom of stars, the place of refuge for Earth and her moon from the Larens. But he is too late. Earth and moon have long disappeared, sucked away by the Maw, an enormous cosmic whirlpool.

Looking for answers,  Perry Rhodan goes in search of Earth and her inhabitants. But there are forces in the universe who are best left alone. The  Sol’s voyage leads into the unknown, deeper into infinite space than humans have even been …

The volume has 448 pages and includes a cut-away drawing of a lancet ship of the Tbahrgs. “Gegner im Dunkel” [Enemies in the Dark] is priced at 15.80 euros.

The covers in a large screen format!

May 30, 2005 – The three images of the cover artwork for the PAN-THAU-RA trilogy, presented recently to much acclaim, has now been combined into one image by artist  Oliver Scholl. Wow!

Courtesy of Stefan Friedrich

May 31, 2005 – Stefan Friedrich, one of the organizers of this year’s Perry Rhodan Con in Garching, has installed a portal page for con reports and pictures:  www.garching-con.net/conberichte2005.php.

Anyone with reports or pictures from Garching on their own web sites can send their links to Stefan at:  wybort@gmx.net.

Exclusively available from HJB

June 2, 2005 – Samples of the first  Perry Rhodan figurines arrived here in Rastatt this week:  Perry Rhodan himself, plus a portrayal of a  Blue.

The master designs were developed by popular Perry Rhodan cover artist  Swen Papenbrock. Their quality of these figurines represents a significant improvement over the Fredy Martin Schulz standard from the 1960’s. The figurines are being manufactured in metal in China, where they are also hand painted.

Each model is being made available in a single and limited edition of 1,000 copies and will be delivered in a sturdy box at a cost of 19.90 euros each.  Atlan and a  Topider are already in planning for August, followed by  Reginald Bull and  Gucky in December.

Click  here to see a picture of the Blue figurine.

An Editor’s Log Entry

By Klaus N. Frick

June 3, 2005 – The wonderful Perry Rhodan Con at Garching is already a few days in the past. As already reported elsewhere,  Rainer Castor and I ran an agenda item titled “Between Terra and Infinity” at the con.

I’d now like to summarize some of the points made there. As always, the Perry Rhodan writer and I did not—in spite of insistent questioning by the moderator—reveal much about the upcoming storyline.

I began by referring to the almost completed current story cycle “Ocean of Stars,” which is part of an overarching concept involving the so-called Peace Travelers. At present, the writers are hard at work on the final issues of “Ocean of Stars.” They will be joined by two well-known guest authors: Gisbert Haefs is writing volume  2289, and  Andreas Eschbach is contributing volume  2295, which is programmatically titled “Die Rückkehr” [The Return].

The cycle’s conclusion will also include two double issues by  Leo Lukas and  Uwe Anton, respectively. I know that both authors have already made much progress with their novels.  Leo Lukas even retired to his computer a few times during the con to continue writing.

Perry Rhodan issue 2300 is being written by  Robert Feldhoff. Of course,  Perry Rhodan is a main character in this novel, and a small grey being with a trunk also makes a brief appearance.  Gucky will be there as well, plus a new adversary, the “dual captain,” who will continue to be significant in the course of the cycle.

Sol 39 to be published in July

June 8, 2005 – The next issue of Sol, the magazine for members of the  PERRY RHODAN-FanZentrale, will include an extensive interview with storyline developer  Robert Feldhoff, in which he will also discuss further developments in the series. “Our vision for today is: Humans are needed.”

Also in that issue: Launch of the  William Voltz biography by Inge Mahn, a report by  Arndt Ellmer on the  Johnny Bruck exhibit at  Mystery Park, an article on Perry Rhodan in Greece by Spyros Vretos, impressions from the 2005 writers’ conference in Rastatt, and much more.

Additional information on Sol can be found at  www.prfz.de, or simply request a free sample copy by writing to  sol@prfz.de with your postal address.

GarchingCon 6

June 10, 2005 – Held May 27 to 29, 2005, at Garching near Munich, GarchingCon 6 was an event that was well received by all participants. Anyone who was unable to attend or who simply wants to remember some of their experiences will be well served by the many fan sites on the Internet that have been reporting on the event. A list of links that is being constantly updated can be found at  www.garching-con.net.

A particular highlight of the event—and one that could be kept—was the con book. Containing 138 pages in a handy DIN A5 format and wrapped in a glossy cover in color designed by Stefan Friedrich and Heiko Popp, the book’s contents focuses (almost) entirely on sex—as a variation on “six” in the con’s title. Along these lines, the paperback consists for the most part of stories on this topic by Dieter Bohn,  H.G. Ewers, Marc A. Herren, Thomas Rabenstein, B. Bondit, Andy Schmid, Thorsten Schweikard,  Ernst Vlcek,  Hans Kneifel, Werner Höbart, Norbert Mertens,  Uschi Zietsch,  Michael Thiesen, Tostan, Jean-Michel Archaimbault, and Thomas Martner. Also included are secondary pieces by Andreas Segerer, Hermann Urbanek,  Uschi Zietsch, and Jürgen Nowak, plus several essays, including in memory of  Walter Ernsting.

All this is available for five euros, plus shipping and handling. Orders can be sent to  espost@gmx.de.

SF painting decorates the offices of the Perry Rhodan editors

June 13, 2005 – When the Perry Rhodan con at Garching was slowly coming to an end on Sunday, May 29, Jean-Michel Archaimbault invited the Perry Rhodan editors to the booth of the French fan club “Basis,” where they were presented with a large-format painting that shows  Perry Rhodan himself,  Atlan and  Gucky in front of a beautiful space and planetary scene. Created by amateurs, the painting immediately garnered the admiration of the fans who were standing around.

Meanwhile the painting has found a permanent spot in the offices of the Perry Rhodan editors, right behind the desk of  Sabine Kropp.

Journey with a NASA moon landing astronaut to “terrestrial and extraterrestrial phenomena”

June 16, 2005 – Featuring the sixth human on the moon, former NASA astronaut Dr. Edward Mitchell, the Second World Mystery Forum will be held at  Mystery Park in Interlaken, Switzerland, on November 4 and 5, 2005.

Ten speakers will join Erich von Däniken to present research results, theories and perspectives for discussion that go beyond familiar horizons or even standard scientific knowledge.

The range of presentations and panels at the Second World Mystery Forum covers a selection of provocative research subjects and astonishing findings by scientists who are willing to risk controversy within their own circles. Is “beaming” possible? Do beings emit light that contains information? Will humans take control of their own future evolution—and where will this lead? What do surprising findings concerning lost civilizations tell us about prehistoric high cultures? Do “morphogenetic fields” exist that connect nature and biology? Does the spiritual world of primitive peoples reflect a real parallel world?

Key topics at this World Mystery Forum are, however, new findings on space travel, on the evolution of extraterrestrial intelligences and hyper civilizations, and on interstellar space travel. Does our future lie in outer space? How close to us are ET’s? The surprising answers offered by some speakers are bound to spark much discussion …

For information and reservations visit  www.worldmysteryforum.ch.

An Editor's Log Entry

By Klaus N. Frick

June 21, 2005 – “With this volume we say goodbye to a dear human being and friend.” These are words that introduce the book at issue here that is dedicated to the memory of  Walter Ernsting (who wrote as “Clark Darlton”). When that writer, translator, and publisher passed away on January 15, 2005, in Salzburg, Austria, news of his death caused a shock wave throughout the science fiction community. For many, Walter was the “father” of German science fiction. He founded the first German science fiction club and launched the first German-language fanzine, and together with  Karl-Herbert Scheer he developed Perry Rhodan, which was to become the world’s most successful literary science fiction series.

Anyone who was fortunate enough to get to know  Walter Ernsting at least a little bit will remember him not only as the writer but also as an endearing individual—pleasant, witty, and friendly toward anyone who approached him in an open manner. Compiled by R. Gustav Gaisbauer, the book in question extensively bears witness to that. It was self-published by the  First German Fantasy Club (Erster Deutscher Fantasy-Club e.V.) and contains 320 pages in a neatly designed and bound paperback format.

The book documents the condolences spoken at the memorial service in Salzburg, and it also shows the grave and its surroundings at the cemetery in Salzburg in a lengthy series of photographs. Most of all, it presents obituaries and remembrances by family members, professional colleagues, and friends.

Among the people who contributed to the book are Perry Rhodan writers  Horst Hoffmann,  Hans Kneifel, and  Ernst Vlcek, plus  Sabine Kropp and me on behalf of the publisher. Also represented are the famous German science fiction film director Rainer Erler, science fiction book dealer Rolf Bingenheimer ( Transgalaxis), non-fiction authors Peter Krassa, Peter Fiebag, Ulrich Dopatka, and Viktor Farkas, as well as UFO researcher Walter-Jörg Langbein.

The book would not be complete without  Reinhard Habeck, the artist and illustrator (“Lausbiber-Alarm!”) who had been friends with  Walter Ernsting for many years. Also represented are Elmar H. Wohlrath, known today as a bestselling writer of historical novels, Heinz J. Galle, the expert on classic science fiction, and reviewer and publisher Dr. Franz Rottensteiner.

Also paying their last respects are several well-known fans: Gerhard Börnsen of the Äon Team, Manfred Borchard, Wolfgang Zenker of the PR roundtable in Vienna, Erich Herbst of the  Ernst Ellert PR roundtable in Munich, Waldemar Kumming, the long-time fellow traveler of  Walter Ernsting who to this day publishes his “Munich Round Up,” and many more. Extensive contributions by family members and friends complete the volume.

The book is supplemented by countless photos. They show  Walter Ernsting at his home in Ireland, as the writer in the 1960’s, as the fanzine publisher, and during his retirement in Salzburg, consistently depicting him as an individual filled with humor and a zest for life.

This volume is more like a coffee-table volume than a straight non-fiction book. It invites the reader to thumb through its pages, to read some of its chapters in no particular order, and to gaze at the pictures. It can be set aside and picked up repeatedly, and it will remind us of an author who lives on in the heart of his readers. At least that is what will probably happen to me …

An Editor’s Log Entry

By Sabine Kropp

June 22, 2005 – As many of you already know, the new Atlan cycle “Intrawelt” [Intraworld] will start on September 23, 2005. The action will continue seamlessly with a new adventure, while the bi-weekly publication rate will remain the same.

You’re probably already wondering what lies in store for our hero. Naturally I already know the storyline developed by our new Atlan head writer  Michael Marcus Thurner. Let me reduce your suspension a little bit with the following tidbits: In the new cycle,  Atlan will be confronted with a series of questions, for example:

Who is behind the mysterious counterforce that is resisting the Lord Judges in the Dwingeloo galaxy?

Does the “flame dust” represent the means shrouded in secret that can break the power of the Lord Judges?

And why is he— Atlan—the chosen one who can receive the “flame dust” on the Intraworld?

In sum, this promises to be interesting.

Incidentally, the first group of covers will again be designed by  Arndt Drechsler and are sure to look great!

Along these lines, till next time!

Your  Sabine Kropp

Congratulations to all winners!

June 24, 2005 – The results of this year’s voting on the  Kurd Lasswitz Awards for the best science fiction of 2004 have been released. The prizes will be awarded on July 9, 2005, at the  Haus des Buches in Leipzig.

Here are the winners:

Best German-language novel in 2004:

Der Schwarm [The Swarm] by Frank Schätzing

Best German-language short story in 2004:

“Das Geschmeide” [The Jewellery] by Wolfgang Jeschke, published in Eine Trillion Euro edited by  Andreas Eschbach

Best foreign work in 2004:

Die Narbe and Leviathan by China Miéville

Best translation in 2004:

Peter Robert, for the translation of Dan Simmons’ Ilium

Best graphics in 2004:

Dirk Berger. for the artwork for Michael Marrak’s Imagon

Michael Marrak. for the cover for issue 15 of  phantastisch! (published by  Klaus Bollhöfener)

Best audio play in 2004:

“Das letzte Geheimnis” [The Final Secret] by Norbert Schaeffer, based on Bernard Werber’s “L’ultime secret”

Special Award for 2004:

 Klaus Bollhöfener. for his work as editor-in-chief of  phantastisch!

For the complete results and further information on the Kurd Lasswitz Awards, including nominations and results from the past few years, and on the nominated works and artists, visit  www.kurd-lasswitz.de.

An Editor’s Log Entry

By Sabine Kropp

June 29, 2005 – Today I want to introduce you to Klaus Scherwinski, who has designed the covers for Atlan issues 33 to 36. Based in the town of Bielefeld, he works mainly as an illustrator for role-playing games. Internationally he has worked on such products as Shadowrun, Battletech, and Warhammer, just to name a few. Also worth mentioning is that Scherwinski’s cover for  Europa in den Schatten [Europe in the Shadows] was nominated for the 2005 Kurd Lasswitz Awards.

He is also busy with domestic projects, drawing for such games as Das Schwarze Auge [The Black Eye] and Degenesis. Additionally he has been creating artwork for advertising, trading card games, and comic books (Kopeck, Heavy Metal magazine). On the side he also teaches adult education courses in illustration in his home town.

Aside from all his professional obligations, Scherwinski continues to be thrilled by the worlds of science fiction and knows Perry Rhodan from his childhood.

To provide you a glimpse of his work, Klaus is letting me publish the individual steps in creating his first Atlan cover. This is something that I always find very interesting.

 Click here to see the Atlan cover art in progress