Before "Fan Films" There was 'The Fanzine' - Star Trek & Star Wars Fanzine Collection Acquired by University of Iowa

Fanzines Get Academic Validation from University of Iowa

Before loyal fanboys and fangirls donned replica Starfleet uniforms, wielded toy lightsabers or squeezed their ample flesh into Batman tights, capes and bat cowls to bring forth the frenetic fan film, there was the pulpy goodness of the fanzine. These stories took sci-fi heroes like Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock and Darth Vader and broadened their back stories, pitted them in valiant battles and just generally had fun with sci-fi TV and film properties. Gene Roddenberry and George Lucas may have created Star Trek and Star Wars respectively, but it was the fans who gave them long life and prosperity.

Today it's much more chic, or cheeky even, to make your own superhero or sci-fi driven fan film. Recently a lavish fan production of Lord Of The Rings has also been making the rounds. Before all that digital flash in the pan, there was the fanzine. These short stories or epics would circulate at sci-fi conventions to the delight of Star Trek and Star Wars fans. Now all that amateur speculative writing has been brought into the hallowed halls of academia. The University of Iowa has acquired Mariellen (Ming) Wathne Fanzine Archive Collection. It encompasses 3,000 science fiction fanzines and not only documents the importance of fan creations, but boosts the University Library's holdings.

So the next time a rabid fan pleads for you to see his fan film, tell him yes. As long as he promises that he'll curl up with one of the thousands of fan fueled fiction, which boldly paved the way for his digital dreams of fanboy delight.

Source:

http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20090702/NEWS01/90702003/1079/news01