Anthologies

Reviews of videos, music, theater productions, books? Check.
Glimpses of rare merchandise, like gorgeous pictures and drawings? Check.
Information on how to acquire all of the above? Check. (Literally!)
In-depth Q&As with members of casts worldwide? Details as to how they differ in
interpretation or staging? Check, check.
A look behind the scenes at the technical side of the musical? Check.
The history of POTO in the movies, more about Leroux, more about the Opera Garnier? Check all of that off, please.
Information on the movie debate and the history of projects like the Michael Crawford Move Campaign? Check, check.
Plugs throughout the magazine about where to turn for more information, for more Phantom knowledge? Yet another check.

Maybe it would be easier to review the collector's issue of Phantom of the Opera Magazine by what isn't in there--nothing. The final issue of the ever-praiseworthy POTO Magazine has been specially bound and packed from front to back with everything Phantom. It is quite probably the most stunningly detailed non-fiction production by an "amateur" Phantom press. ("Amateur" used loosely here; the quality is far, far, far from amateur!) Forget the Forsyth sequel--the big news in POTO lit is this last release of Carrie Hernandez's magazine. Brimming over with every possible kind of Phantom content, the Millennium Collector's Issue is indeed a must-have for the devoted phan.

Review: (Vol. II) First, a note of caution: I was a contributor to "Rhapsody on Leroux I," so my opinions are hardly unbiased here.

But, in all fairness, I think even the unbiased would report the successor to "Rhapsody," the newly released Vol. II, a success. Like its precursor, "Rhapsody" features a mix of Phantom-themed art, poetry, and fiction works. The artwork (by Heather Rohde, Mark Brill, and Conrad Wong, among others), is glorious, the layout and design probably the best in all fan publications, and the writing quality quite good for a fan publication. Vol. II balances poetry and fiction more than did the first "Rhapsody," which was memorable for such extended fiction pieces as Carrie Hernandez's novella, "Phantoms of the Mind." While poetry is typically the weakest area of phanfic, this "Rhapsody" brings together an exceptionally good number of pieces, including some from professional writers. We see more amateur writings on the fiction spectrum of "Rhapsody," but they are all interesting, engaging choices. Most of the stories run along standard lines--sequels, prequels, reincarnation of the characters--but at least one, "Left in the Dark," by Moco Steinman and Melody Arendsee, takes a unique spin on the tale, inserting a tribute to Jim Steinman. While slightly confusing to a non-Steinmanite, this story makes one of the most memorable impressions of the anthology with its creative approach. Vol. II also includes a very humorous spoof of the masked-man story, "Spook in Black Satin," by Jeanette Birt. Kirsten Houssell's "Catacombs" is a more standard piece, but another to get the fans talking--Housell's tale combines a palpable tension between our lovers, with a surprise ending.

The fiction is likeliest the weakest element in the entire anthology--although I enjoyed all of the stories tremendously, I fell in love with none of them. The inclusion of the Poe tale, "Masque of the Red Death," felt jarring as well--although an intelligent choice, since many phans have not had contact with the tale that inspired Erik's masquerade garb, it seemed slightly out-of-place amidst the amateur works in the volume. Other than these points, however, Vol. II of "Rhapsody on Leroux" is certainly a worthy successor to the first volume of "Rhapsody," and a must-read for Phantom fans.