X-APA #97 cover by Steve Addlesee (displayed with his permission)
The X-Men are copyright and trademarked by Marvel Comics.
X-APA is a bimonthly fanzine devoted to Marvel Comics' X-Men. It's compiled of individual 'zines written (sometimes illustrated) and photocopied by members and distributed by the Central Mailer through the U.S. mail. This is its 21st year. Members are requested to contribute at least four pages every other issue (that's an average of a page/month).
Things that may be found in a typical 'zine:
reviews of the x-comics
convention reports
comments/essays about various characters
artwork (usually X-related) or photos
fan-fiction
an update on how the contributor's life is going
mailing comments: responses to/ remarks about the 'zines in the last issue of X-APA
How it works: most 'zines are word-processed or typed. The writer makes several copies, equal to the number of members plus a few extra (at the moment, it's ten copies) and sends these to the Central Mailer (Steve Addlesee, in our case). The CM collates all the 'zines, information about expenses, elections and other APA affairs, and the issue cover, slaps one into an envelope for each member, and sends them all out book rate. Postage is evenly divided between the members; each of whom has an account with the CM.
We're a small group right now, but an enthusiastic one:
Ed draws comic strips showing the lighter side of the X-Men, along with lots of other beautiful color art
Steve provides the APA with a lot of nice art (he's a professional comics inker). He's also writing "X-Treme Protocol", a seriously dark 'n gritty fanfic saga.
Chris D. reviews current comics and is contributing a lot of fanfic. His newest saga pits the original five X-Men against a Brotherhood of Evil Mutants that makes Stan Lee's version look like a bunch of real wimps!
Greg is also an artist and publishes all kinds of things.
Chris C. is hard at work on his novel, "Dogs of War", dealing with the first overt contact between humans and aliens, set in an alternate Marvel Universe.
Rebecca writes "The Avalon Project", starring Magneto and all the nutty people who have come to live on Avalon with him.
If you want to join the X-APA, just send a check for $3 (made out to Steve Addlesee) to Steve Addlesee, 660 S. Brampton Way #626, Salt Lake City UT 84104 to open an account. This will cover the postage for your first issue of X-APA, so you can look it over and see if you want to get involved. If you'd like, you can send your first 'zine in with the check or wait until you've actually seen the APA. If you want back issues, send Steve $1/issue plus $3 for mailing.
My first contribution to X-APA #93, dealt with the use of archetypes in comic books, particularly in the X-Men.
Feedback is always welcome! Please send e-mail to teed0003@tc.umn.edu
Last updated 9/21/99.
