Fads in wargaming mimic fads in fashion. A period gets hot, attracts a number of gamers, companies pile in, and then the fad fades into enjoyable memories as the next big period gets hot. But that's about the only similarity between the two.

In fashion, its shows draw lots of gawkers and get media coverage, designers worry about molded figures of superrnodels, and most people wonder about the sanity of someone spending tens of thousands of dollars on something that they wouldn't wear to a Halloween costume party.

In wargarning, conventions draw lots of gawkers and get magazine coverage, designers worry about figures molded from models, and most people worry about the sanity of someone spending tens of thousands of dollars on little metal men who look like they belong at a miniature Halloween costume party.

HEY! Wait a second. Put that way, wargaming doesn't seem so "odd" after all. Certainly our historical inspiration and tabletop imagination is no less creative than what wobbles down a runway or taunts you from a newsstand. My own die rolls of fancy may come from a new product line, a new film, a book, or especially from a magazine article.

Just as fashion depends on magazines to convey the "new" look, even if it's a retro look from decades gone by, so too do we gamers depend on magazines to bring us the "new" news about periods long gone by. There's nothing like a well-written and illustrated article to jumpstart the next fad, especially if it is linked to a new rules set, and we're well on our way to a new period.

I think back to the rounds of periods that crossed our collective tabletops among my group of gaming friends--and a good group of experimental gainers, or in some cases, tetuperarnental experimental garners, helps tremendously. When WRG ancients switched to 7th, we put on quite a few games, people bought and painted up figures, and battles raged. Somewhere in there the new Empire came out and we played quite a bit more Napoleonics. I "released" a home grown set of 6mm sci-fi rules and it was off to the stars with Battletech, Games Workshop, and other figures/vehicles/robots (yes, we historical garners enjoy a good sci-fi bash).

When Old Glory came out with its ACW line of 15mm miniatures and Fire&Fury appeared, bang, it was rebel yells all around. DBA appeared, and because it required no rebasing, we were off and running with a Punic Wars campaign. My own Snappy Nappy rules were released and we played a number of operational level Napoleonics campaigns. A brief resurgence of WWII centered around Command Decision II. Desperado made wild west gunfights a frequent phenomenon for a while.

Of course, new rules don't guarantee resurgence. Rules requiring rebasing get a big thumbs down from our group: not to single them out, but Napoleon's Battles is one example. Only one gamer we know uses NB because he's the only one that has his troops based that way. Don't get me wrong, we do game NB battles at his house, but not as often as the other 10 gamers with Empire based troops. Numbers count.

And then there's complexity, use, and personal preference--we all interpret battlefield actions differently (which is why there are many rules sets). We play a lot of Empire even though some of the biggest disasters (read: dull games) occurred using these rules. We still play WRG 7th despite dark mutterings about rules ambiguities.

Not every rules set turns from experiment to fad: We played a couple Spearpoint games: the first (WWII island invasion) was received well, the second (East Front tanks) stopped interest cold. Shako received so much abuse, the first was the last time it appeared. Medieval Tactica (siege game, not the army game) was very well received twice but never quite got to clamor stage. A French and Indian War skirmish game (forget the name) seemed OK at the beginning, but as we continued, received tremendous abuse (what, -1 for a small tree and -2 for a large tree? What about a medium tree? What about this bush?) for modifying modifiers.

So what's next on the agenda? What new period or product will be the next fad? Well, that's where the magazines can help... through replays, reader letters, reviews, scenarios, and rules analysis and rules modifications. We're all inveterate tinkerers with rules. With new research coming out, all you need are the figures and rules to turn what you read into tabletop gaming. Or if you already have the figures and rules, maybe all you need is a magazine with new research or ideas to spur you on.

Wargaming magazines present such fashionable information regularly--all you need to do is tap into it. Your experiment in a period may not turn into the next fad (or gasp! the new standard), but on the other hand, it lust might... until the next time.

QUICK NOTES

The Courier recently switched to a different computerized production system with issue #72 for faster turnaround time. As always, glitches (now ironed out)made the issue late. I want to welcome a pair of new magazines to the publishing world: Clash of Empires from veteran Keith Frye covers the mid 19th century wars in Europe, and American Revolution Journal from 7YWAJ editor Jim Purky covers the AWI. Speaking of the 7YWAJ. Jim notes that the Journal is back to a 4 issues per year schedule, same as always.

Lone Warrior now offers a "Best of'' version volume 1, with 10 selected articles from the SWA's solo magazine and a short editorial. No ads, letters, reviews, etc-just scenarios, rules, and a couple philosophical reflections covering French & Indian War, Anihem, French Foreign Legion, Flodden Field, ancients, and campaign suggestion. All in clear 8.5x11" package with line drawings for a sweet $7 (I didn't see any mention of postage, so toss in an extra buck). Questions: contact Editor Rich Barbuto at 1707 Ridge Rd., Leavensworth, KS 66048 (rbarbuto@smartnet.net for those with e-mail).

Also, I want to clear up some confusion about the World Wide (WOO) version and the North American (NA) version of Lone Warrior. I've listed them separately in the past because they were different in content, but I've never actually outlined the differences, which is my fault, so let me set the record straight!

The contents are similar, but different. First, NA contains all solo articles--no battlefield tours, convention reports, lending library, etc. That's all in the WW edition. Second, NA prints articles from North American authors as soon as possible, even if it means bumping other articles to the next issue-which also means some articles you read in NA are up to two issues ahead of the WW edition. Rich works hard to publish all solo-oriented material that WW editor Kenn Hart sends, which also means some book and game reviews drop by the wayside in NA. Third, NA does not publish the fine (and prolific) David Barnes' reviews that you see in the WW version (and here in MWAN--although I notice the illustrations and numbers are different in WW and MWAN). Fourth, NA contains some articles that you won't see in the WW edition--an example was a theoretical piece in NA that didn't get printed in WW. Fifth, and finally, and very pleasantly so, NA uses larger type in a larger 8.5x11" format vs. smaller type in the 8.5x5.5" WW format. It is easier on the eyes. The articles that do appear in both issues (whether the issue numbers are the same or not) are identical in text, tables, charts, and maps. I hope that explains fully the similarities and differences in the two magazines.

Speaking of special booklets, El Dorado editor Terry Hooker released #S: Notes on the Mexican Army 1900-1920, which contains 80 pages of Organization, OOBs,, illustrated uniform guide, illustrated flag guide, history of the Mexican Revolution, US Department of Defense analysis of Mexican Army capabilities, original source material, and much more. In 8.5x5.5" size like El Dorado. US agent: Andrew Preziosi, 11017 SW 125th Ave., Miami, FL 33186, in UK, Terry Hooker, 27 Hallgate, Cottingham East Yorkshire, HU16 4DN. I didn't see a price, but I believe it's about $15 US. Folks with Internet Web Access can get the electronic version as part of MagWeb membership (www.magweb.com). See site for details.

And congratulations to The Heliograph for reaching #100! Now, I'm going to put an asterisk by that because the one-hundredth issue will actually be # 101 (there was a missed issue in the run), but by the time you read this, it will be a reality.

Chris Parker, author of the new Day of Battle medieval rules (and the previous Knighthood in the Middle Ages rules) is starting up his medieval newsletter again to support DoB. Contact 6b Ledge Rd., Windham, NH 03087. No price on it.

As always, if you need to reach me: 161 Lambertville-HQ Rd., Stockton, NJ 08559, ph: 609- 397-4265, e-mail: lockwood@magweb.com, Website:http://www.magweb.com

As before, each rating: PQ (Physical Quality of layout, print quality, and use of graphics), WR (Wit Rating or quality of writing and sustainable interest level), and IR (Inspiration Rating or creativity of ideas and reference value) comes with a grade (A,B.C, D, F). indicates the magazine is part of MagWeb, which offers the full text and graphics of magazines' articles. Check http://www.magweb.com for free samples from over 25 magazines. Now, let's get to the information-packed periodicals so you can find the next spontaneous combustion of tabletop wargaming ...

Age of Napoleon -- #22; 50pgs.; 8.5x12"; PQ A, WR A, IR A; On Military Matters, 55 Taylor Terr., Hopewell, NJ 08525; $36 per year, bimonthly. A thicker glossy magazine of Napoleonic information from Partizan Press (UK, US contact is OMM) brings articles on Waterloo: The German Victory, Corurma Losses, Austrian Naval Flag from Trafalger (you did read that right), Archives, The Balloon Corp, a profile' of Gen. Pichegru, Waterloo Myths, the Brabantine Revolution, lots of book reviews, and a general piece on cavalry.

American Revolution Journal -- Vol I #1; 56pgs.: 5.5x8.5", PQ A, WR A, -IR A; Jim Purkey, 2521 Thayer St., Evanston, IL 60201; $25 per four issues ($30 outside US) Biannual. Vol. I No. 1, crafted by the same folks who publish The Seven Years War Asso. Journal. brings us an AWI magazine. Articles include a look at Rhode Island Regiments (a fascinating and detailed answer to an inquiry about a battalion raised from slaves), a terrific recounting and analysis of the Battle of Brandywine, complete with order of battle and maps, a profile of the Hesse-Cassel Field Jaeger Corps, a set miniature rules, more notes and inquiries, and all SEVEN verses of Yankee Doodle (the real version, not the derisive Iyrics)! Clash of EmpiresÄ#1 (Premier Issue); 24pgs.; 8.5x5.5"; PQ B. WR A, IR A; Keith Frye, 33 Ridge Rd., Bloomingdale, NJ 07403, $10 per year, quarterly ($12.50 Canada). This brand new magazine covers 19th Century European Wars. Clash of Empires makes its debut on with three well-done feature articles: Siege of Rome 1849, The Battle of Montebello (1859), and The battle of Nachod (1866). Each comes with a history, a map, order of battle, and some uniform information. In addition, the new publication includes a review of the miniatures rules set In the Age of Bismark and Napoleon III and an editorial where the magazine is going. The only negative is the re ink--all text and maps are in red ink, which makes it a tad difficult to read. Otherwise, well done.

Command Post Quarterly -- #12; 64pgs.; 8.5xll"; PQ A, WR B. IR A; The Emperor's HQ, 5744 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL 60634: $33 per year (US), $40 (Canada), $50 (all other countries via surface mail), quarterly. The magazine that supports Command Decision rules also includes loads of WWII/modern information. CDIII is coming, but there are some CDII rules changes inside the issue. British Army 1990s TO&E, French Army 1939 notes, WWII British Recon units, Hungarian Second Army in Russia 1942-43 (with ratings), Revisions to US Ist Cav 1944-45, US Engineer Special Brigade 1943-45, WWII US Marine Corp--all TO&E data (in CD terms) with associated short histories. Also two CD scenarios: WWII Luzon Feb 15, 1945, and Leyte Dec 6, 1944; and a list of places to get products.

The Courier -- #72; 64pgs.; 8.5x11"; PQ A, WR A, IR A; PO Box 1878, Brockton, MA 02403; $19 quarterly ($34 for 2 years, $45 for 3 years). The new look of the Courier adds a bit of style--new desktop publishing capabilities bring a refined appearance and perfonn some behind-the scenes wizardry. Articles include a complete set of French and Indian war rules, a discussion of French Tank tactics in 1940, a good article on perspectives of and an of ricer, battle of Morgarten 1315, a ACW Johnny Reb scenario, a hypothetical Alex The Great scenario vs. the Scythians, a wargamers guide to US Navy 1795- 1815, and the usual plethora of reviews, news, and other information.

Dragoman -- #2; 8pgs.; 8.5xll"; PQ B. WR B. IR B; 1524 S.10th St., Ocean Springs, MS 39564 $4 quarterly. Articles on artillery, gun sizes, and organization, a review of ottoman troop miniature figures from several manufacturers, and a piece on Baklava pastry.

First Empire -- #34, #33; 36pgs.; 8.5x12"; PQ A, WR A, IR A; On Military Matters, 55 Taylor Terr., Hopewell, NJ 08525; $36 per year, bimonthly. #34 boasts news and photos about the TV series Sharpe #5 (Waterloo), three battles (Craonne, Li'oertwolkwitz, and Albuera), a profile of Murat, lots of answers to questions in Aide De Camp and the letters, section, Paddy Griffith's interpretation of Napoleon's Art of War legacy, a rip-roaring profile of "Saucy Tom" of the 71 st Highlanders, news items, book reviews, and much more. #33 brings another look at French column maneuvers, analysis of Napoleon's post-Elba health, A fascinating piece on correspondence between Wellington and Zieten, a profile of the eccentric Mainwaring of the 51st, a review of Age of Sail computer game, profile of Bernadotte, and much more.

The Heliograph - - # 100, #99; 22pgs.,12 pas.; 8.5xll"; PQ B. WR B. IR B; Richard Brooks, PO Box 716, Swansea, SC 29160; $12 per 6 issues ($15 Canada, 15 pounds for Europe) Issue #100 (April 1997), goes up on magweb, with two articles on rules modification for the Sword and the Flame, lots of book and figure reviews, and more. This issue, because the bulk of the issue is taken up by rules, l drop the WR to a C, although if you own TSATF, IR increases to A. Issue #99 (February 1997) includes over a dozen product-oriented news items of interest to colonial-era buffs, a top lutist of things rabid colonial garners do, a Philippines gold shipment scenario, and an exchange of terrain tips via the Dispatches section, reviews, and more. This issue, the WR goes up to A.

Lone Warrior-- #118 (Nor~American edition), #117; 40pgs.; 8.5x11"; PQA, WRB, IRA; Solo Wargamers Assn., 1707 Ridge Rd., Leavensworth, KS 66048; $20 per year (US), $25 (Canada), quarterly. # 118 (April-June 1997), brings a wealth of campaign ideas for the American Civil War, general solo gaming, DBA anny selection, terrain generation, and more; rules modifications, scenarios for Stalingrad 1942, fantasy ores vs. humans, and more; reviews of computer games including Shiloh, Age of Sail, and more; book, magazine, and figure reviews, PBM ideas, and much, much more.

Lone Warrior #117 (current issue) brings a plethora of gaming ideas, with ideas on Hor.,,e and Musket campaigns, gaming with WWII and NATO concepts, mathematical modeling, unit actions and reactions, and more. Plus, there's a full load of computer game, book, and miniature figure reviews, a Stalingrad scenario, Play-By-Mail ideas, and a bonus selection of humor and fiction. I'd bump the WR to and an A for this one. Also, Volume I of "Best of'' Lone Warrior is out.

The Naval Sitrep -- #10 (January 1997); 16 pages; 8.5xll"; PQ B. WR B. IR B; Clash of Arms, Byrne Building #205, Lincoln and Morgan Streets, Phoenixville, PA 19460; $15 per year, quarterly. This newsletter focuses on 20th century naval and air information and supports the Harpoon and Command at Sea rules sets. Issue #10 contains the history and anti-submarine warfare tactics of airships (including new Command at Sea rules), news items on modern naval/air developments, a Harpoon scenario on enforcing free naval passage off the coast, a table of precalculated sonar range bands for Harpoon 4, a pair of book reviews, a quartet of specification sheets (USS Macon, F9C Sparrowhawk, USS Seawolf, and JAS 39 Gripen), and more.

Napoleon -- #6; 64 pages; 8.5"xll"; PQ A, WR A, IR A; The Emperor's HQ, 5744 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL 60634; $33 per year (US), $35 (Canad,a), $38 (all other countries via surface mail), bimonthly. #7 brings a glossy look and sharp analysis of the defense of Hougoumont during the Battle of Waterloo. Excellent art by Keith Rocco and maps by D.L. McElhannon complement a solid description of the French attacks and furious British defense. Other articles include the Battle of Rivoli 1997, and an interview with Dr. Harold Parker (Napoleonic scholar for the past six decades), a review of the Macintosh computer game Musket Fire, book reviews, news items, and more.

Practical Wargamer -- Vol. 11 #1; 56 pas.; 8.5x12"; PQ A, WR A, IR A; Wise Owl Worldwide Services,4314 W. 238th St., Torrance, CA 90505; $26 US (14.40 pounds UK, 17.90 pounds Europe) per year, bimonthly. This issue included a map (counters printed within on a page) on Bunker Hill 1775, a WWI scenario, WW2 hit-and-run raid scenario, historical pieces on the Brown Bess musket and light infantry unifonn guide to Baden (1806- 1815), role of civilians in wargames, modeling Hougoumont, 12th century medieval scenario, the use of decoy ships in 1914-15, and the usual load of reviews, news, and other points to ponder.

PW Review -- Sept 96, Dec-96; 24pgs.; 8.5x11"; PQ B. WR A, IR B; Walter Simon, 12905 Layhill Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20906; $ 18 per year, monthly ($ I 5 to renew). I bumped up the PQ rating--I mean, a cover, internal illustrations, etc. And hey, any wargame magazine that includes a scanned image of Kermit the Frog (Dee) as a picture of the editor has to get and an automatic upgrade (grin).

Dec: Quick play post-WWI to modern day rules, WWII desert warfare rules, and a piece on the rules set Piquet by Brent Oman, one of its developers. Sept: A solo Vietnam scenario, reviews of Spearhead (WWII) a TACTICA (Ancients) rules, and an interesting look at the "swing" of comparative die rolls using 10-siders (with new charts), a review/scenario of Bosnia using Battlegroup (modern) rules.

Saga-- #58, #57; 44pgs; 5.5x8.5"; PQ B. WR B. IR A; SAGA, 890 Jan Rd., Rochester, NY 14612; $25 per year ($30 Canada, $35 elsewhere), bimonthly. #58 (Mar-May 1997): The latest issue of this magazine devoted to ancient and medieval warfare contains and an interesting look at the demise of the English longbow, lots of proposed rules modification and an suggestions for DBM miniatures rules, book reviews, a couple scenario a search for black armies, how army lists for the rules set For God, Wealth, and Honor were developed and more. Issue #57 (Jan-Fete 1997) offers a great article on the sieges of Cyprus, part 5 of a history of SelucidArmies (this one focuses on Antiochus III), miniatures rules for recreating Medieval Naval Warfare a variety of book (Pallas Annata reprints) reviews, a replay of medieval rules, letters, and more.

Seven Years War Assn Journal -- Vol 9 #3; 72pgs.; 5.5x8.5", PQ A, WR A IR A; Jim Purkey, 2521 Thayer St., Evanston, IL 60201; $25 per year ($3 outside US) Quarterly. Jim Purkey is back and stronger than ever with Vol. IX No. 3 (the most current issue available) of the Seven Years War Asso. Journal. A trio of reviews, Part II (with maps) of the Battle of Camposanto (1743), some errata on the Piedmont army (War of Austrian Succession), a real niRy regimental history of the 40th foot in North America, a look at the Neapolitan Army in the War of Austrian Succession (complete with illustrations and uniform g iide), and more mark another successfull issue. Note: Jim has started a biannual Journal on the American Revolution... see above.

Tornado Alert -- #24; 8.5"x11"; 28 pages; PQ C, WR B. IR A; Tornado Alley HMGS, PO Box 20863,.0klahoma City, OK 73156; $10 per year, bimonthly. Had to drop the pant quality a notch--my copy was pretty blurry. The rest of the issue is still quite good--extensive Renaissance Naval Rules for Battle of Lepanto and some Chariot racing rules are the issue, plus some other minor articles and columns.

Zouave -- Vol I I No. I (Spring 1997); 28pgs.; 8.5x11"; PQ A, WR B. IR A; The Command lost, 20578 Alliance-Sebring Rd., Alliance, OH 44601; $16 per year, quarterly. The Zouave, the magazine of The American Civil War Society. Vol. XI No. I (Spring 1997) contains articles/scenarios on the Battles of Pleasant Hill (1864) and Williamsburg (1862), limbers, a pair of biographies, a look at small unit actions, Origins 196 convention, tips on balancing a scenario, illness in gaming (the troops, not the gamers!), a book review, and more.