Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). Illustration: “Flame” by Carl Goodman 1. August 2004: Gage County Fair -- Beatrice, Nebraska First contact. No argument there. June Haverstock's home video made CNN within the hour. It's just that... it wasn't the most noble way we could have met extraterrestrials for the first time. … Continue reading Conspicuous Consumption, by Gary Piserchio and Frank Tagader
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). Illustration: “Gargoyle” by Andy Miller On the barren surface of the newly discovered world, human and alien stood in the dry heat of twin suns, pointing guns at one another. The scene reminded Jason Ketrige of an old movie he had once seen in ancient Terran … Continue reading Circle in the Sand, by David Crane
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 33 (March 2002). From the seemingly friendly Editorial Staff Get a free Planet Magazine "Alien-Invader Face" identification tattoo. Just follow the simple instructions below: 1. Press the button at the bottom of this page to generate an individualized tattoo. 2. Press your face against your computer screen. 3. The … Continue reading Special Bonus for the Readers of Planet!!
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 33 (March 2002). Illustration: “Not the One Ring” by Andrew G. McCann Planet humbly presents a brilliant new sub-branch of Haiku that we have created -- "TolKu", which is haiku inspired by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Note: All Tolkien characters are the property of their copyright and trademark … Continue reading TolKu, by Andrew G. McCann
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 33 (March 2002). Illustration: “Suntag” by Andy Miller The pixies danceon Silbury Plainwhere standing stonesanchor the sky --mythic spirits soarwith eternal rites;they braid the wheat,shine their soft lights,leave ritual marksfor other tribes to see. The apes emergefrom their cities,though their lenses flashthey don't understand --they only come outwhen the … Continue reading Silbury Plain, by s.c. virtes
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 33 (March 2002). Illustration: “Red Robot Redux” by Romeo Esparrago anger and hatredi see red with yellow eyesthanks to my Rage Chip domineering clawstamed by she-love's caressesrusty hypocrite! betrayed by hu-manshunned by robots and toastersfrustration and guilt Poem and artwork © 2002 by Romeo Esparrago Inspired by The Red … Continue reading Red Robot Haiku, by Romeo Esparrago
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 33 (March 2002). Illustration: “The Rider” by Lee Daniel Guest The moon, once bright and high in the sky,Began to shake and sink; The wolves grew silent, the great bears shook,And Olarov dared not blink. On his trail for weeks and months,The spectral rider followed; Olarov saw him closer … Continue reading Olarov and the Rider, by Lee Daniel Guest
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 33 (March 2002). Illustration: “Threenessedness” by Eric Seaholm "Paper?!" the Plenipotentiary of the Everything Machine cried. "It's untouchable!" Art Shraede swallowed nervously. The Plenipotentiary was the most powerful man on three planets and the space in between. Nobody made demands of the Master of the Everything Machine. Not presidents, … Continue reading Traditional Art, by R. Scott Russell
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 33 (March 2002). Illustration: “Storm Horizon” by Patrick Stacy The air was thick with the smell of burnt flesh and overturned earth. Death was in the air. Corporal Jordan Storm knew the taste and reek of death, as did every Terran Marine. The landscape that his combat boots slightly … Continue reading Storm on the Horizon, by S.E. Eggleston
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 33 (March 2002). Illustration: “Running” by Andy Miller Kevin Dandridge walked into Lyle Gunderson's cubicle and fell into the extra chair in front of the desk. "If I don't get some excitement in my life, I'm going to kill myself," Kevin said after a few moments. Lyle looked up … Continue reading Running With the Bulls, by Peter Bergman, Jr.
