“Perry Rhodan” Crosses The Atlantic!

November 7, 2005 – For several years in the distant past, Perry Rhodan was a big hit in the United States, and American fans have been waiting for a long time to read the world’s greatest science fiction series in their own language again.

Soon the wait will be over: Perry Rhodan will be back in the USA!

Starting summer 2006,  FanPro LLC, publisher of “Shadowrun” and “Classic BattleTech,” will be releasing the six-part paperback serial “ Lemuria.” Exact release dates and book design information are not yet available, but we will of course let you know as soon as further news becomes available.

Best wishes,

Your editors

Here also is a special message from Perry Rhodan writer and editor  Frank Borsch that went out to fans by e-mail:

Dear Friends of PERRY RHODAN:

An official announcement on this will follow soon, but we feel that we owe it to you -- the fans who have been waiting for many years for the series to make a comeback to the English speaking world -- to break the news to you first.

PERRY RHODAN will return to the U.S.:  VPM has signed a contract with U.S. publisher  FanPro LLC ("Shadowrun," "Classic BattleTech") for publication of the six volume paperback series " Lemuria". The first books are scheduled for 2006.

I know that this will be a dream come true for many of you -- it certainly has for me.

For further news, be sure to keep an eye on  www.perry-rhodan.us.

Best wishes,

Frank

Editor & Writer

An Editor’s Log Entry

By Klaus N. Frick

September 6, 2005 – Care for further information about the upcoming story cycle? Speculation has been abounding everywhere ever since a  sample selection from  Robert Feldhoff’s issue  2300,  “Vorboten des Chaos” [Harbingers of Chaos] became available in the press releases section of the Perry Rhodan web site. E-mails to the editor’s office as well as discussions in the online forums indicate that interest among readers in the new story cycle is increasing.

For example, anyone interested in details about Terran daily life will appreciate two volumes by  Michael Marcus Thurner: specific customs dominate the streets of Atlan Village, that artsy quarter of Terrania. These customs have nothing to do with the Terra nostalgia wave elsewhere on Earth. Instead, they take their cue from the quarter’s “old traditions” that stem from the second half of the third millennium.

Anyone who enjoys imaginatively depicted extraterrestrials and their living environments ought to look forward to the Charon Cloud and the intelligent beings that live there. In that regard, I can already reveal that making contact with those beings won’t be as easy as expected. Especially  Atlan, the immortal  Arkonide, will run into problems along those lines, but all this can be read in more detail in an (or perhaps several?) issue by  Leo Lukas.

Original extraterrestrials will also be introduced by  Hubert Haensel. New races will appear in his novel “Im Kolonnen-Fort” [In the Infiltrators’ Fortress] and its sequel—the title of which I don’t want to reveal yet. Among them are the Yong Dreq Creatures as well as the Mo-Daeans and the Ganschkarens. And the role played by the Dual Captain will be outlined in more detail for the first time by  Arndt Ellmer.

Humankind will be subjected to a harsh challenge right in the first volumes of the new cycle. But  Terrans don’t give up easily, and they agree on a slogan that will inspire many: “Terra shall not fall!” This motto will guide the Terranova project and the enormous effort made by the civilian population and the space force.

Perry Rhodan readers will swiftly learn more about that theme, but of course not immediately in the first two or three volumes of the new cycle. There are enough exciting mysteries in store, and we won’t be solving all of them right at the beginning of a new cycle …

First Edition "Perry Rhodan" in PDF

September 9, 2005 – Since volume  2200, the weekly Perry Rhodan booklets have also been distributed as  e-books by  www.libri.de,  www.mobipocket.de, and  www.beam-bibliothek.de.

Starting September 15, 2005, each new issue of the first edition will also be released Thursdays on a subscription basis by our licensing partner  Readersplanet in a copy-protected PDF format. A subscription to the first 50 issues costs 62.90 euros, and a subscription to 100 issues costs 124.90 euros.

Furthermore, starting September 23, 2005,  Readersplanet will also be offering the “ Dunkelstern” [Dark Star] cycle of the  Atlan series on a subscription basis for 11.90 euros.

Information on all Perry Rhodan and Atlan e-books can be found  here.

An Editor’s Log Entry

By Klaus N. Frick

September 14, 2005 – Marking the start of the new “Terranova” story cycle, weekly volume  2300 of the Perry Rhodan series titled “Vorboten des Chaos” [Harbingers of Chaos] will be released in just a few days. Readers of these log entries already know that  Robert Feldhoff wrote this novel, but probably don’t know yet that we’re offering the novel in no less than three formats.

Most people assume that science fiction is a form of literature that describes the future. Leaving aside for the moment that there’s also sf that takes place in parallel worlds, in the present, or in the past, much of the genre is concerned with the future, but as imagined from the perspective of our present day. Hence, it only makes sense that as the best known sf series in the German language, Perry Rhodan should serve as a pacesetter on several levels.

I’m very proud that we’ve manage to put this together, namely, launching  www.pr2300.de as a presence on the Internet. Taking the lead on this effort,  Miriam Hofheinz has created this web site with the help of our Internet experts at the Trilobit company.

And starting September 15, 2005,  Robert Feldhoff’s entire novel can be downloaded at the site free of charge—in no less than two different versions. First, as an audio version, featuring the voice of Josef Tratnik, who has already made a name for himself with the Perry Rhodan audiobooks published by the Eins A Medien company. Second, as an e-book. Basically, the novel is being released with no delay all around the world.

Hints to the novel’s content have already been made in a selection that we made available some time ago. The story starts with a visionary conception developed by  Perry Rhodan: a galactic conference to unite the races of the Milky Way. Humans and aliens are to work together on their future. However, the terminal column Traitor is already working in secret, grasping for control over Earth on behalf of the powers of chaos.  Perry Rhodan and his cohorts must do everything they can to oppose the threat.

As can be expected with a jubilee issue, volume  2300 will have a two-page cover and a high-quality poster. Designed by  Dirk Schulz, the poster picks up on the theme presented by the cover artwork and represents a wall calendar for 2006.

Furthermore, volume  2300 will come with 30 additional pages:  Robert Feldhoff has written a booklet novella that almost reaches paperback territory. This is a treat especially for regular and former readers, as the story will also present an overview of the current situation in humankind’s home galaxy. Races such as the Springers and the Siganesans make an appearance, and Trebolans and Gefirnians are mentioned as well.

A completely new feature introduced in volume  2300 is “Nathan,” about which I’ll say more in a future log entry. It involves an additional feature handled by  Arndt Ellmer that will call to mind historical events of the Perryverse and will become a regular section in each weekly issue of the first edition.

And of course Perry Rhodan jubilee issue  2300 as well as the three subsequent issues will contain an exciting competition with some big prizes. The grand prize is a 10-day trip to Florida for two. Of particular interest to any friend of science fiction, space travel, and the study of the future: the trip includes a visit to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral! Additional weekly prizes include DVD players, MP3 players, external hard drives, and a Playstation 2.

This competition is our gift to you, the loyal readers, and we obviously hope that you will also be interested in a free e-book and a free audiobook. Volume  2300 takes Perry Rhodan into the “Terranova” story cycle, which certainly must be celebrated!

An Editor’s Log Entry

By Klaus N. Frick

September 20, 2005 –  Perry Rhodan hardcover volume 91 has reached my desk hot off the presses. As always whenever I receive a new “silver volume,” I remove the protective covering and scan a few pages. This time I had to force myself not to start reading it while just taking a peak—that’s how much the content had me in its grip right away …

“Die Terra-Patrouille” [The Terra Patrol], which is also the book’s title, is indeed a topic that thrilled me at the time when it appeared in the weekly booklets and that can still take me under its spell even today. The action is set in part on an almost completely depopulated Earth in the year 3582 and in part onboard the  Sol, which by now in the course of her endless journey through the universe has already encountered the  sphere of influence of the Empress of Therm.

 Alaska Saedelaere plays a significant role in this book—as he already did in the original booklet edition. Following a series of adventures upon reaching the depopulated Earth by means of a time well, he runs into some of the other humans who are still on Terra. Together with the mysterious Douc Langur, an extraterrestrial who is likewise stranded on Earth, these  Terrans create the Terra Patrol, a brave decision made during a time when an incarnation of the strange CLERMAC is reaching for Earth.

Meanwhile,  Perry Rhodan and  Atlan are on the move with the  Sol. The two activator bearers are searching for Earth, which has been hurled to an unknown part of the universe by the Maelstrom of Stars. Upon reaching the stellar empire of the Feyerdalans, located within the distant galaxy of Dh’morvon, they encounter underlings of the Empress of Therm. Consequently,  Terrans are for the first time drawn into a struggle among  super-intelligences whose  spheres of influence encompass several galaxies.

When the novella booklets on which this hardcover is based first appeared in the 1970’s, Perry Rhodan had reached a level of sophistication previously unthinkable for a booklet series. Under  William Voltz’s leadership, more and more fascinating ideas appeared in the series, and the “Perryverse” was expanded into new realms. Such concepts as  super-intelligences and cosmic  spheres of influence created major reference points for a story arc that was expanding further out into the universe than anything that could previously be imagined.

All the more enjoyable that in between all these cosmic events, there was still always room for the human element and for interpersonal matters—including those of extraterrestrials. The lonesome  Alaska Saedelaere, the self-doubting researcher Douc Langur, the ex-politician Jentho Kanthall: the readers are interested in their fates as well as in that of the rebellious Feyerdalan Tehlarbloe.

 H.G. Ewers,  Hans Kneifel,  Kurt Mahr,  Ernst Vlcek, and  William Voltz wrote the weekly issues that are now being republished in this 91^st book of the Perry Rhodan “silver volumes.” As always, the cover artwork came from  Johnny Bruck. Production of the volume—including the barely discernible cuts—was handled by  Hubert Haensel, in close cooperation with editor  Sabine Kropp. In the end, I am proud to be able to hold such a great book in my hands.

An Editor’s Log Entry

By Klaus N. Frick

September 21, 2005 – The  HJB publishing house recently surprised me with three very nice collectors’ items: two new volumes of the  PERRY RHODAN-Gold Edition bring back old treasures in a new design, while a visually appealing  calendar presents current images by  Dirk Schulz as wall ornaments.

Especially the calendar demonstrates that Perry Rhodan has changed its image quite a bit in the last few years. The imagery conjured up by  Dirk Schulz as cover artwork is influenced both by contemporary comic books as by the classic works of  Johnny Bruck, combining both elements into an original style.

Available exclusively through  HJB, the  2006 Perry Rhodan calendar comes with twelve images taken from the PR and  Atlan series. Whether its the beautiful Vargan Kythara, or a determined looking  Perry Rhodan, an ominously portrayed Tagg Kharzani, or a depiction of  Zephyda looking ready for action—all of the characters that are included look quite impressive. But the viewer is also fascinated by such images as the Varganian spacer, the Triptychon space station, and the Kybb Titan. In any event, I am very happy with the new  Perry Rhodan calendar and look forward to hanging it up in my office.

On the other end of the historical spectrum are the two  Gold edition volumes: “Aphilie” [Aphilia] by  Kurt Mahr was first released as Perry Rhodan weekly issue 700, while “Die Kaiserin von Therm” [The Empress of Therm] by  William Voltz hit the stores as number  800. Both novels are absolute classics, and I personally regard “Aphilie” as one of the best novels of the entire series.

At the time when they wrote these novels,  Kurt Mahr and  William Voltz were each at the peak of their creativity. These novels are both visionary and exciting at the same time. They both have an impressive humanistic component while also making a strong impact on the series for years to come. Without these two novels, Perry Rhodan would not be what it is today.

In “Aphilie,”  Kurt Mahr introduces the notion of a human race that does not know love, where  Terrans live in a gloomy world with little to offer that makes life worthwhile. Nevertheless, there are people who take a stand against the dictatorship and attempt to realize their goals. The idea that people memorize individual passages from “The Book” in order to hold on to their faith in positive feelings puts the story above most science fiction even today. A masterpiece that impressed me once again as I reread it over the weekend.

“Die Kaiserin von Therm” by  William Voltz is the first Perry Rhodan novel that described the history of a  super-intelligence. Cosmic time frames are covered in impressive historical passages, but repeatedly the author also shows the  super-intelligences’s evolution through the ways in which various extraterrestrial characters react to the empress and her progress. Equally fascinating is the storyline involving the  Terrans and their guests onboard the  Sol as she travels along her apparently endless odyssey through the universe. Their conversations about humanity and about computer-based consciousness have a philosophical touch and a reflective character.

Their publication as part of the  Gold edition honors these two novels, in a manner a speaking, though any experienced Perry Rhodan reader ought to already be aware of their significance anyway. The afterwords were written by  Michael Thiesen, who once again with expert hand reviews the importance of the two volumes for the reader’s benefit.

In short, an important read for “new” fans, and a nice memento for experienced readers. The  Gold edition has been enrichened by two wonderful releases.

“Intrawelt” Launched

September 22, 2005 – The wait finally ends with  Hubert Haensel’s introductory volume “Wächter der Intrawelt” [Sentries of the Intraworld]. Starting tomorrow, the new  Atlan adventures will continue to be published in the usual bi-weekly schedule.

What can we expect in the new “ Intrawelt” [Intraworld] story cycle? The inhabitants of the Dwingeloo galaxy are suffering under the terror regime of the  Lord Judges.  Atlan, the immortal  Arkonide, takes on the struggle against the invaders and makes contact with a resistance group called “Konterkraft” [Kontra-Power]. There’s only one way to break the  Lord Judges’ rule: the flame dust. And only one being can receive the flame dust without suffering harm:  Atlan. To do so, he has to venture into the Intraworld …

Serving as additional guarantors of exciting and entertaining Atlan novels are  Leo Lukas,  Hans Kneifel,  Horst Hoffmann,  Uwe Anton, and of course head writer  Michael Marcus Thurner. The already familiar Atlan writers  Bernhard Kempen,  Christian Montillon, and  Rüdiger Schäfer are also along for the ride, as are some new talents.

As with the preceding “ Dunkelstern” [Dark Star] cycle, the first batch of covers for the new cycle will be coming from  Arndt Drechsler, an illustrator who by now has established himself as a permanent contributor to  Atlan with his excellent cover artwork. Living in Bavaria, this artist is also designing covers for the  Atlan book edition.

Enjoy!

Birthday Celebrations for PERRY RHODAN-FanZentrale Magazine

September 29, 2005 – With the just released 40^th issue of Sol, the “creative powers” behind the magazine of the PERRY RHODAN-FanZentrale can now celebrate ten years of publishing history. As Volkmar Kuhnle explains in a personal review in the current issue, these years were full of activity, not only for Sol itself but also for the Perry Rhodan series itself and its surrounding context.

In keeping with the celebratory spirit, the back cover page presents reproductions of some of Sol’s cover artwork from 1995 through 2005. They demonstrate quite clearly how the magazine’s appearance has changed repeatedly with the passage of time. Furthermore, this issue presents the start of a new graphic art story by Thomas Scheileke—located in the middle for easy removal and collecting!

As previously announced, the new Perry Rhodan paperback series “Pan-Thau-Ra” will be launched by Heyne this November. For the reason, a special “Pan-Thau-Ra” section includes an interview with  Frank Borsch about his work on this series. Also featured are an article by  Michael Thiesen, presenting the Pan-Thau-Ra as both givers of life and sources of disaster, and an exclusive peak by  Oliver Scholl into his work on the covers for the series.

For more information on the PERRY RHODAN-FanZentrale and Sol:  www.prfz.de

An Editor’s Log Entry

By Klaus N. Frick

September 30, 2005 – When the “Schwarm” [Swarm] cycle first appeared in the Perry Rhodan series in the early 1970’s, no one could have imagined the long-term impact of those adventures: neither the writers who were coming up with those fantastic stories nor the readers who in part reacted with some consternation to the somewhat different storyline could have anticipated that many ideas from that time would continue to play a role in the Perry Rhodan series right into the year 2005—and beyond!

This makes it even more important, in my view, to remind readers again and again about that cycle that long ago joined the ranks of the classics of the series. Since the beginning of this year, this is being done with the republication of the “Swarm” cycle in form of a contemporarily styled and economically priced  paperback edition—I’ve already reported on it in past editor’s log entries.

At this point the  new “Schwarm” edition has reached volumes four and five. Once again, new cover images by  Dirk Schulz can be admired on both volumes. These images playfully allude to themes from the early 1970’s, hence, acknowledging the standards set by  Johnny Bruck, while at the same time reflecting designs of the present era.

As always, we have made subtle revisions to the original books in order to present them as a stand-alone  “Swarm” edition. However, no fundamental changes have been made, so that readers of volumes four and five will be enjoying the original texts of the “silver volumes” edition.

The action in the two volumes gets down to business right away, with  Perry Rhodan and his companions exploring further details of the power structure of the Swarm, but without yet grasping its cosmo-historical significance for the Milky Way.

In  “Die Gelben Eroberer” [The Yellow Conquerors], the  fourth volume of the cycle, those strange yellow-skinned beings appear for the first time, designated by the  Terrans for lack of a better word as the Yellow Conquerors. Only later on will  Perry Rhodan and other members of the Solar Imperium’s leadership realize that these beings actually have a tragic background and in reality are not conquerors at all.

 “Herrscher des Schwarms” [Rulers of the Swarm] has more on the Yellow Conquerors, but at the same time, this book focuses on the story of an old-fashioned commando operation.  Alaska Saedelaere, the man with the mask, and  Pucky the mousebeaver are among the most prominent members of the commando, which for the first time manages to penetrate the swarm’s central structure.

These classic stories are characterized by their variety: the action is at times tragic, at times funny. While  H.G. Ewers repeatedly introduced droll elements into his novels,  Hans Kneifel remained focused on adventure, and  William Voltz allowed room for reflective scenes. Quite possibly, this variety may have been responsible for some of the criticism that readers voiced at the time. These days, this same variety is what makes the cycle especially appealing.

What’s certainly understood is that this additional appeal can also be found in the fact that the “Schwarm” cycle brought much innovation into the Perry Rhodan universe. These two new books make that case once again.

Eons Expands Publishing Line

October 12, 2005 – Offering a continuously growing line of science fiction publications, French publisher Eons is among the most active representatives of small publishers in France.

Now Eons has expanded its line once again. Effective immediately, the German Perry Rhodan  e-books in the MobiPocket format can also be bought at  www.eons.fr.

To Start: A Poster on the “Terranova” Cycle

October 13, 2005 – Our cover artist  Dirk Schulz designed the first four covers that recently started the “Terranova” story cycle in such a way that together they form one large image. Thus, the cover art of Perry Rhodan weekly issues  2300 through  2303 can be joined into something that looks great on screen and has been made available for download as  wall paper.

Now, following requests for the entire image as a poster, we are happy to oblige in that respect as well.

While the poster is available in several sizes, all sizes will be of a high quality: the posters are being printed on Fuji Color photo paper that guarantees true color representation for 70 years.

Printing, distribution, and billing are all being handled by our business partner  dipixelprinter in Heidelberg. And here’s the  link to the poster shop.

This collaboration also brings a special benefit to our direct subscribers of  Perry Rhodan and  Atlan: they will receive the small-size poster in the 15 times 4.3 centimeters format free of charge. Simply provide your subscription number and address. This offer expires on December 20, 2005.

New Stuff at the Perry Rhodan Web Page

October 13, 2005 – With today’s update of the  Perry Rhodan web site, you will find two new buttons on the “current issue” page: “eCards” and “Wallpaper.”

This means that you can now send e-cards using current weekly issue covers, for example, to remind friends to by the new Perry Rhodan or simply to surprise another PR reader.

And starting with issue  2304, the current cover art will also be available as wall paper. This way, you’ll be able to admire covers by  Dirk Schulz,  Swen Papenbrock,  Alfred Kelsner, and—our most recent new artist— Oliver Scholl, completely without the usual print that otherwise appears on the covers.

An Editor’s Log Entry

By Klaus N. Frick

October 13, 2005 – The tremendous success of the “new” Perry Rhodan paperbacks that Heyne has been publishing for the past three years would have been impossible without him:  Oliver Scholl has been conjuring up wonderful cover artwork for these books, thus garnering much attention for them and making them appealing to so many customers who otherwise would have never reached for them.

With his designs, which not only gave the space ships in the novels a certain “look” but also gave each series a consistent appearance,  Oliver Scholl has become an important contributor to the paperbacks. It began with “ Andromeda,” which was followed by “ Odyssee” [Odyssey] and “ Lemuria.” Furthermore, the single-volume trade paperback edition containing all six installments of “ Andromeda” made a big splash this summer, and starting in the fall of 2005, the three-part “Pan-Thau-Ra” will be turning heads as well.

Thus, it seemed obvious that one day we would also be speaking with Oliver about the weekly issues. “I remember enjoying reading the novels so much,” he told me some time last year while we were sitting in a beer garden in Karlsruhe. “Isn’t it about time that I took a stab at designing some covers for the booklet series?”

I did not disagree with him at the time… After all, this Swabian artist, who now lives in Hollywood with his wife and two kids, grew up with Perry Rhodan’s adventures. His first artistic attempts were acceptable enough for various fanzines. And he even set new standards with such cut-away drawings as one he did of the  Base.

The 1986 Perry Rhodan WorldCon remains unforgettable for me in several respects, including a most impressive performance by Oliver. Using his spray gun, he designed a huge image of a robot, which he displayed on a wall of the Saarlandhalle. Neither of us would have imagined at the time that we would be working together again almost twenty years later.

Resulting from all this, the second quartet of covers for the new “Terranova” story cycle are by  Oliver Scholl: he created the covers for weekly issues  2304 through  2307. In that regard, these new images are stylistically very different from the ones he designed for the Heyne paperbacks. In part “wilder,” in part more object-oriented, their look certainly is quite different from anything that we’ve seen on a Perry Rhodan issue.

Providing Oliver’s perspective on the underlying stories, these four covers are for novels written by  Michael Marcus Thurner,  Arndt Ellmer, and  Horst Hoffmann that are set both on Terra and in the mysterious Crystal Exchange. Naturally, Oliver is now sitting at home in Hollywood anxiously awaiting reactions from readers to his creations…

2006 EuroCon in Kiev

October 18, 2005 – Following the so-called Orange Revolution, the people of the Ukraine have been striving to connect more strongly with the West. Among these steps will be the EuroCon next spring, which will be held April 13 though 16, 2006, in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev.

With the choice of location alone the Ukrainians are providing a political context: the 28^th EuroCon will be meeting at the Ukrainian Hall at the European Square and in the immediate vicinity of the Maidan Square, where the revolution essentially had its core. Guests of honor are expected to include Ellen Datlow and Eileen Gunn as well as Russian artist Sergey Poyarkov.

Further information can be found at the con’s web site:  www.eurocon.kiev.ua.

New Atlan Hardcover!

October 18, 2005 – The new  Atlan hardcover volume 27, “ Kristalle des Todes” [Crystals of Death], will be in the stores today. And once again the cover artwork was done by our Atlan artist  Arndt Drechsler. Moreover, editor  Rainer Castor has prepared some maps to illustrate the action and as a guide, which are also being made available  right here.

The content:

The time is 8,000 years before the modern era.  Atlan, the Crystal Prince and official heir to the throne of the huge imperium of Arkon, has been robbed of his heritage. Following the murder of  Atlan’s father,  Atlan is on the run while his uncle Imperator Orbanaschol III is ruling over thousands of star systems. Orbanaschol’s objective is to get rid of  Atlan and to find the Philosophers’ Stone, a relict from which he hopes to gain the secret to immortality.

Meanwhile, the war against the  Maahks intensifies, which also has consequences for the young Crystal Prince because the poisonous gas breathing aggressors employ their new secret weapon: the so-called molecular compressor, which opens a portal to the microcosm. Reduced in size by the molecular compressor are also its Maahkian constructor Grek 3 and the Arkonide princess Crysalgira, who had been captured by the methane breathers. When  Atlan follows them, he finds himself in a world full of mysterious artifacts… 

The “Stellar Ocean” as an Audioplay Serial

October 18, 2005 – The “ Sternenozean” [“Stellar Ocean”] story arc was published from the fall of 2003 to the fall of 2005 as a 100-issue serial within Perry Rhodan. Starting in the summer of 2006, “ Sternenozean” will be released in an audioplay edition by  Lübbe-Audio.

The gripping story of “ Der Sternenbastard” [Bastard of the Stars] by  Robert Feldhoff laid the foundation for a section in the Perry Rhodan saga that brings some radical changes. Hyperquakes shake up the galaxy, new stellar clusters appear from behind a screen that was in place for millions of years, and  Perry Rhodan himself is confronted with an unexpected personal problem.

The first six audioplays will be released in the summer of 2006. Berlin-based Perry Rhodan writer  Frank Böhmert is currently working on adapting the individual booklet issues, which have to be both edited and also shortened for the audioplay edition. All this will result in a whole “new” Perry Rhodan experience.

Each audioplay installment will incorporate roughly two of the weekly issues. Each CD is expected to cost 7.95 Euros. Incidentally,  Frank Böhmert has been reporting regularly from the trenches on his  blog. However, it is too soon to tell exactly the extent to which each weekly volume will be adapted for this audio version.

Nevertheless, preliminary titles have been determined for the first six installments (though there might still be changes):

1: Der Sternenbastard [Bastard of the Stars]

2: Der Hyperschock [The Hypershock]

3: Planet der Mythen [Planet of Myths]

4: Gesang der Hoffnung [Song of Hope]

5: Agentennest Hayok [Spy Nest Hayok]

6: Der Ilt und der Maulwurf [The Ilt and the Mole]

For purposes of adapting “ Sternenozean” for the ear,  Lübbe-Audio is virtually an ideal business partner for the Perry Rhodan publishing team. With its audio editions of booklet novella series John Sinclair and Jerry Cotton, the audioplay subsidiary of the Lübbe publishing group has shown that it can successfully adapt and market the content of booklet novella series.

Meanwhile, our collaboration with Eins A Medien naturally will continue as well. With the “ Silber-Edition” audiobooks and the  audioplay versions of various Perry Rhodan “planet novels” and of the  “Traversan” miniseries, that company has been doing some wonderful work!

“Visionen 2005” Published!

October 20, 2005 – Here at last: “Visionen 2005 – Die Legende von Eden” [Visions 2005 – The Legend of Eden]. For for the second time now, the very active Helmuth W. Mommers has published an anthology of some of the best German-language sf short stories.

Included this time are two names that are already familiar to Perry Rhodan readers:  Ernst Vlcek and  Frank Borsch. A nice opportunity to see a different side of these two writers.

The names of other contributors can be seen on the image. To order the volume from Amazon.de,  click here.

Now Also Online!

November 4, 2005 – The majority of our readers were thrilled with our “Construct a Model with Perry Rhodan” initiative that we recently ran in weekly issues  2303 through  2306, where we provided you with a kit for the construction of a cardboard model of an Terran  “Entdecker” [Discoverer] Type II, Saturn Class, spaceship. The only drop of bitterness for some fans was that they would have to “take” their copy “apart,” which naturally is distressing to any collector at heart.

For this reason, we are now making the required templates ( Sheet “A” times 1,  Sheet “B” times 2) available in PDF for downloading. Transferring the templates to thin cardboard shouldn’t be a problem with the help of a color laser printer.

For some work-in-progress images,  click here. For the assembly instructions (in German) plus further images,  click here.

Wishing all you modelers much success! 

Web Site Updated

November 8, 2005 – Responding to numerous requests,  Oliver Scholl has posted his covers for weekly issues  2304,  2305,  2306, and  2307 on his web site. Obviously, not “just like that,” but look for yourselves:  www.oliverscholl.com.

"Das Modul" [The Modul]

November 16, 2005 – Onboard the long distance space vessel the  Sol,  Perry Rhodan and his companions have given themselves one chief objective: under all circumstances, finding Earth again, which has disappeared into the vastness of space! Apparently, a cosmic being of great stature can provide them with some important hints for this mission.

To that end,  Perry Rhodan accepts an assignment for the mysterious Empress of Therm and reaches the Module, whose data memory contains explosive information from the border zone between the spheres of influence of the two  super-intelligences Bardioc and the Empress of Therm. But the timing appears unfortunate, because the  Terrans are confronted with the “crystal of war”…