Perry Rhodan Infotransmitter
December 2004

An Editor’s Log Entry

By Klaus N. Frick

November 8, 2004 – “I can now already announce the title and the author of the Perry Rhodan weekly issue that will be published as volume  2256.” That’s how this log entry began when I first drafted it. Meanwhile, a tragic death has occurred that changed everything.

The fact is that the volume in question was written by  Thomas Ziegler, who recently passed away so suddenly. It was his second booklet issue following his return to the Perry Rhodan series, and we were even planning various joint activities related to its release. None of that will happen now.

The novel itself will be published under the title “Bahnhof im Weltraum” [Depot in Space]. I don’t want to say anything about its content at this point, and many a reader can probably already guess its subject matter anyway considering the title.

And some readers who know their way around the Perry Rhodan series particularly well will notice that a similar title was already used once before for a novel: “Der Bahnhof im Weltraum” [The Depot in Space], written by  William Voltz and published as volume number 292. For me personally, that novel was one of the highlights of the “Masters of the Island” campaign.

In using a story title now in the year 2004 that closely resembles one that appeared roughly forty years ago, we did that on purpose in this instance. Rather than being an error, it’s intended in my view as a “bow” toward a classic issue of the Perry Rhodan series.

My first draft of this log entry ended with the following sentence: “With this novel,  William Voltz made Perry Rhodan history in more than one sense, and we’re reminded of that by  Thomas Ziegler’s upcoming novel.” At that time, I couldn’t foresee that  2256 would end up reflecting Perry Rhodan history on two levels: Now that novel has also become the final weekly Perry Rhodan issue by that Cologne-based writer.

New Windows XP bootskins featuring themes from the series

November 9, 2004 – Windows XP bootskins—wasn’t there already something about that? Yes, in late June, Perry Rhodan reader Reinhard Gross had asked us for permission to place bootskins with themes from the series online!

Upon clarifying what XP bootskins actually were—(the bootskin is what you first see when you switch on a PC that has Windows XP. Usually it’s the Microsoft logo, but using freeware you can display any other theme instead.)—enthusiasm quickly spread within the editor’s office, and Reinhard offered four bootskins for downloading to kick things off.

Since then, those themes have been downloaded over 40,000 times! Reason enough for Reinhard to add more. Three new Perry Rhodan bootskins are now available. You can get them at:  www.rgross.de/bootskin.htm or  www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=32, where you’ll also find instructions and the freeware you need to install the skins.

Der Zeitlose

November 17, 2004 – With Die Zeitlose [The Timeless One], the Aphilia story cycle enters its seventh round—and mankind’s situation seems hopeless. Without any help from his friend  Atlan,  Perry Rhodan must try to liberate the  Milky Way galaxy from the rule of the Larens.

Meanwhile,  Alaska Saedelaere encounters strangers on an essentially depopulated Earth…whether they are friend or foe of the  Terrans remains to be seen.

Additional information about this volume can be found  here.

Der Schläfer der Zeiten

November 19, 2004 – Long-time Perry Rhodan team author  Hans Kneifel contributed volume two of the Lemuria paperback series published this month.

 Perry Rhodan attempts to find out more about the stellar ark…but without succeeding, because before he gets any answers, a unit of the Akonian fleet takes control of the vessel. The secrets can only be revealed by a second stellar ark…

More information about the exciting contents of Der Schläfer der Zeiten [The Sleeper of the Ages] can be found  here.

“Perry Rhodan im Bild” published by readersplanet

November 23, 2004 – Today’s the day: In cooperation with the Perry Rhodan editors, readersplanet is publishing an e-book edition of the legendary comic book series “Perry Rhodan im Bild.”

Pabel-Verlag originally published this series from September 1967 to October 1968. The idea was to capture the Perry Rhodan story in comic book form based on the novels.

Readersplanet has carefully scanned the old comic books and is releasing the result as PDF e-books on a subscription basis. To convince you of the quality, readersplanet is offering a  free sample (which will be sent by e-mail).

“Perry Rhodan im Bild” e-book subscriptions can be ordered  here.

Enjoy!

GermanCityCon 2004

November 29, 2004 – The venue’s shape alone will certainly make fans of Stargate-SG1 feel right at home: On December 11 and 12, the glassy Pyramid Hotel in the central Franconian town of Fürth will be a meeting place for science fiction enthusiasts from all over Europe. The GermanCityCon had already transported approximately 500 fans last year into the world of the American TV series Stargate-SG1, which in Germany is being very successfully broadcasted by RTL 2 and on the pay-TV channel “Sci-Fi.” At GermanCityCon 2004, fans can spend two days meeting stars of the series in person and asking them questions, getting autographs, taking pictures of the heroes as mementos, and spending time with other science fiction devotees from around Europe.

Perry Rhodan greets Stargate-SG1

The readers and creators of the world’s greatest science fiction series, too, are big fans of Stargate-SG1. For this reason, well-known media reporter Robert Vogel was asked to extend greetings from the Perryverse at a visit to the Stargate-SG1 set. He will be reporting on his experiences at the GermanCityCon. Furthermore, during the con, popular actor Michael Shanks will receive a gift from the editors of Perry Rhodan.

The Stars

So far, four Stargate-SG1 stars have confirmed their attendance at GermanCityCon 2004, most of all Michael Shanks a/k/a “Dr Daniel Jackson,” who together with Richard Dean Anderson (also known from MacGyver) travels to alien worlds week after week with the help of a stellar gate. (Click  here to see a copy of Michael’s advance greetings to GermanCityCon attendees.)

Introducing himself in Europe for the first time will be Peter DeLuise, the creative mind behind the series, who’s also known as an actor in U.S. series like “21 Jump Street” and “SeaQuest DSV.” The son of weighty comedian Dom DeLuise, Peter DeLuise is not only the producer of the series but also works as a director and writer.

Looking forward to his first visit to Germany is also Colin Cunningham, who plays “Major Paul Davis” in the series.

And making his first convention appearance worldwide will be actor Cliff Simon, who has instilled trepidation among heroes and fans alike as bad guy Ba’al.

Originally,  Amanda Tapping (“Samantha Carter”) was expected to appear as well, but she had to cancel due to her pregnancy. Click  here for a copy of her statement.

The Venue

With the Pyramid Hotel in Fürth near Nuremberg, the two con organizers have found a fitting location for this weekend in space. After all, as indicated by the pyramid-shaped spaceships among other things, Egyptian mythology plays an important role in the series, which is based on Roland Emmerich’s movie “Stargate.”

Both weekend and daily tickets are still available for this journey to the stars. For more information, go to  www.germancitycon.de (also available in an  English version).

November 19, 2004:

PERRY RHODAN

2257: “Der Mikrodieb” [The Microscopic Thief] by Arndt Ellmer

ATLAN-Lordrichter

15: “Die fünf herrlichen Städte” [The five glorious cities] by Michael Marcus Thurner

November 26, 2004:

PERRY RHODAN

2258: “Medusenklänge” [Sounds of Medusa] by Michael Nagula

December 3, 2004:

PERRY RHODAN

2259: “Tod von den Sternen” [Death from the Stars] by Horst Hoffman

ATLAN-Lordrichter

16: “Murloths Berg” [Murloth’s Mountain] by Bernhard Kempen