Gorzow’s “What if…?” – review of the magazine “LandsbergON”

Changes is the title of one of the stories included in the 11th issue of the Gorzów Fantasy Magazine “LandsbergON” . I suspect that it was not by accident that it was placed at the very beginning. In a sense, the title refers to the entire edition, in which several changes have actually taken place. New style, layout, paper – you can see that the magazine published by the NOVUM association is still developing, which should make us happy. Although it is created by amateurs, it does really well, and the stories contained in it are worth the reader’s attention. At least that was the case in previous years. Now I checked if this streak was sustained.

Alternative Gorzow

Just like the previous issues of “LandsbergON”, this one is devoted to a specific topic. This time the editor’s choice fell on the changes in the course of history. The topic discussed in the science-fiction genre or Marvel and DC comics inspired the authors from Gorzów, who put their city in the center of events. Everything begins with the already mentioned Changes by Paweł Korolczuk. This is a very interesting story in the style of James Bond, where Agent 007 has been replaced by a famous historical figure. I don’t want to tell you who has to save the world, but the criminal theme should appeal to fans of the genre.

Another author whose story we can read is the editor-in-chief of the magazine himself – Mariusz Sobkowiak. In this case, it was possible to assume in advance that something good was waiting for us. After a few issues and the release of the book, the creator can no longer be treated as an amateur, but an experienced writer who gives us extraordinary stories. In Why Are You Stalking Me? we move to a reality where Polans, Germans and Celts still exist. Old rituals are cultivated and many gods are worshiped. Christians, on the other hand, are treated as a sect. Of course, everything happens in modern times. For me, this is a brilliant idea. It was brilliantly shown, and the references to the real world hit the spot perfectly, until it is impossible not to nod your head in appreciation.

In turn, the arrow of history brings us a little closer to the fate of Gorzów Wielkopolski. It will certainly be most appreciated by people who know the history of the city well, and others may look for information to check what facts were skilfully changed by the author, i.e. Emil Zawadzki. At the end we also get Michał Narożniak’s story For Two Twelve . Its protagonist is an unfortunate traveler through alternative realities. Like Doctor Strange, he rushes through the multiverse, or rather the Landsbergverse, trying to find his own home. I don’t want to give too much away, but there will be no happy ending here.

Not only stories

“LandsbergON” has become accustomed to the fact that it also includes drawings. And this time it was no different, although there are fewer illustrations. I regret it a bit, because I liked to enjoy the eye with unusual graphics and paintings by talented artists. Thankfully, I had more to read. And what can we see? The cover is decorated with a work by Sebastian Górny, depicting a combination of robotics and socialist realism, and to top it all off the Gorzów macabre, i.e. a metal spider. The same structure has also become a source of inspiration for Sandra Komenda. After such an advertisement, I must go to Gorzów and see the building live. In addition, the issue is decorated with interesting characters sketched by Jan Proch. At the end, an anonymous person with the nickname “gorzowianka1” gave us a picture of a bridge and tentacles emerging from under it.

Summary

When reviewing the stories contained in “LandsbergON”, I usually try to choose the one that I think is the best. The task had always been difficult before, but this time it turned out to be impossible. All stories have something about them that makes them impossible not to like. And this is probably the best summary for the 11th issue. So go for it, because it’s worth it.