Set phasers to throw back violently
A person wearing what looks suspiciously similar to a Star Trek Next Generation uniform (ST:TNG was a thing during Ian Gunn’s lifetime) says, “Set phasers on throw backwards violently!”
His victim says, “Arrgh! Foiled by the oldest special effect in the book!”
It’s amazing how Hollywood shooting victims always hurl themselves backwards despite the laws of physics. Mythbusters were all over that, by the way.
The backstory behind these silly illos
Ian Gunn, creator of these silly illos (illustrations), was an award-winning artist based in Melbourne, Australia. Cancer took him too soon. But his legacy includes numerous illustrations for zines, books and even school textbooks.
We’ve published a veritable museum of Ian’s Silly Illos here. Many of these illustrations are available for sale.
Victoria’s science fiction convention, Continuum, occasionally presents the Ian Gunn Memorial Award recognising the ‘unsung heroes’ of fandom. Recipients work in obscurity for years without recognition. This award commemorates Ian’s selfless efforts to reach out to others, encouraging others and thereby building the science fiction community.
K’rin Pender-Gunn, Ian’s widow, gave Dark Matter Zine permission to republish Ian’s artwork. Thanks, K’rin!
