An Editor’s Log Entry

By Klaus N. Frick

June 8, 2006 – Anyone who knows something about history or is interested in space flight know this: On July 21, 1969, American astronaut Neil Armstrong was the first person to set foot on the moon. In reality, however, in a different world invented by German-speaking writers, a certain  Perry Rhodan, holding the rank of a major in the U.S. Space Force, took off for the moon on June 19, 1971. Born on June 8, 1936,  Perry Rhodan, the fictional character whose adventures have been enjoyed by millions of readers, turns 70 on June 8, 2006.

Just think of everything that has happened during these 70 years! World War II, the German “economic miracle,” the world’s split into two power blocs, the collapse of the so-called Eastern Bloc, Germany’s reunification, the consolidation of Europe, the appearance of new conflicts all over the world; at the same time, undreamt-of developments in technology and culture, communications and science.

Things developed a bit differently in the world into which  Perry Rhodan was born. Created after 1961, the U.S. Space Force forged a path into space. And following the moon landing in the summer of 1971,  Perry Rhodan brought the technology of the  Arkonides back to Earth, hence, the technology of those extraterrestrials whom Rhodan and his crew encountered on the moon. With the help of this technology, the human race was united as Terrans.

As early as 1975,  Perry Rhodan then journeys in a small spaceship to the star system of the red sun of Vega, where he comes across clues pointing to the Galactic Riddle. He discovers an artificial planet and meets an ancient being, from whom Rhodan receives a so-called cell shower that makes him relatively immortal. In other words, in 2006 Perry does not look like he is 70 years old but still appears to be in his late thirties.

In 1984, the Terrans even reach the globular cluster of M 13, while back on Earth, Galacto City is being built as Terra’s capital city. With Arkonide technology helping to prevent natural catastrophes and to provide food and healthcare to all, the human race experiences progress that was unimaginable just a few years earlier. United under Perry Rhodan’s leadership, the human race has already begun to settle other planets beyond the Earth’s own solar system by the start of the 21^st century.

Unfortunately, nothing is said in the series about how  Perry Rhodan celebrated his 70^th birthday. The writers of those weekly issues that appeared during the years immediately following 1961 forgot to mention it. For the readers of today, their hero’s birthday presents an excellent opportunity to celebrate their favorite series with a pinch of self-irony.

Bernhard Kempen to write the third “PERRY RHODAN-Extra”

June 13, 2006 – In view of the success of the first two “PERRY RHODAN-Extras,” a new “PERRY RHODAN-Extra” will be released this fall, once again as a “special” novel concerning the world’s greatest science fiction series, which will be sold secured in plastic wrapping together with some additional goodies.

 Bernhard Kempen is already hard at work writing the novel that will be at the heart of PERRY RHODAN-Extra 3. This will be the first Perry Rhodan issue for this Berlin-based writer who until now has been known to our readers mainly as the author of various Atlan issues.

ColoniaCon 18 in 2008

June 26, 2006 – Right on the heels of ColoniaCon 17, which was well attended with about 250 visitors, preparations for the next ColoniaCon, scheduled for 2008, have already begun.

In that regard, a  new ColoniaCon web page has just been launched and features many photographs from this year’s event. Anyone who would already like to register for 2008 and does so before the end of 2006 will pay only 10 Euros for both days.

For registrations, questions, or suggestions simply send an  e-mail to Ralf Zimmermann.

10 Years of the Vienna Perry Rhodan Roundtable”

June 29, 2006 – Billed as a big celebration of the 10^th anniversary of the  Vienna Perry Rhodan Roundtable, the  “Kein Con” [No Con] will be held October 20 and 21, 2006, in Vienna.

 “Kein Con” will take place at the “1. Wiener Gemeindebezirk” community building at Lichtenfelsgase 1, right next to the city hall.

There is no admission fee and no advance registration is required. Nevertheless, anyone who would like to contact the organizers in advance can do so at  frostrubin@frostrubin.com.

The event’s focus will be on “Gemütlichkeit,” spending time among friends with good food, drink, and conversation. However, a small program will be offered as well.

The following guests of honor are being expected:

Uwe Anton,  Arndt Ellmer,  Hubert Haensel,  Horst Hoffmann,  Leo Lukas,  Achim Mehnert,  Swen Papenbrock,  Götz Roderer,  Susan Schwartz,  Michael Marcus Thurner, Ernst Vlcek,  Michael Wittmann

Additional information as well as updates can be found  here.

An Editor’s Log Entry

By Sabine Kropp

June 29, 2006 – That Atlan will continue despite the cancellation of the booklet series is well known by now. Specifically, the brand new “Lepso” trilogy will be published in November 2006 by  Fantasy Productions.

To that end, the Atlan editors are already hard at work.  Michael Marcus Thurner, known to all Atlan readers as chief writer of the two miniseries  “Intrawelt” [Intraworld] and  “Flammenstaub” [Flame Dust], submitted a concept for the “Lepso” trilogy in record time.

Meanwhile, I’ve given much thought to writing assignments and have been reaching for the telephone. The results speak for themselves! The first paperback will be written by  Wim Vandemaan. He recently thrilled the readers with his exciting Atlan booklets and his incredible imagination. His paperback will be released under the title “Totentaucher” [Divers of the Dead].

Volume 2 will be written by  Christian Montillon. He, too, has always received good reviews for his previously published Atlan novels.

The conclusion of the United Stars Organization-era adventures will be written by none other than  Michael Marcus Thurner.

With this cast of writers we can all look forward to the outcome!

Before finishing this log entry, a quick preview. In my next log entry I will be reporting on the work on the first paperback.  Wim Vandemaan is already well into writing it and once again has come up with some great ideas for the action. Surely that will interest you, wouldn’t it?

Summer 2006:

·          Perry Rhodan: English-language edition, “Star Ark” by Frank Borsch, as volume 1 of six-part “Lemuria” series, published by  FanPro

·          Perry Rhodan: Expected launch of “Sternenozean” audioplay serial

August 2006:

·          Perry Rhodan audioplays: #16, “Der galaktische Spieler” [The Galactic Player] by H.G. Francis 

September 1, 2006:

·          Perry Rhodan: “PERRY RHODAN-Extra 3” (concurrently with Perry Rhodan weekly booklet issue 2350).

September 2006:

·          Perry Rhodan “Silver Volumes” hardcover series: Volume 95, “Mensch aus dem Nichts” [The Human from Nowhere]

·          Perry Rhodan audioplays: #17, “Das Random Transmitter-Projekt” [The Random Transmitter Project]   

October 2006:

·          Atlan hardcover series: Volume 29, “Die Versunkenen Welten” [The Underwater Worlds]

November 2006:

·          Atlan: Launch of “Lepso” paperback trilogy by  Fantasy Productions

Provided only as a convenience for informational purposes. Please check the official web sites to confirm dates/times and places.