Cover: Roots of the Weird
From the 1920s and '30s tales of H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard, a generation rediscovers the joys of aliens and barbarians.

On the cover: Roger Raupp's illustration of Lovecraft from Chaosium, Inc.'s Mythos card game.

News: Security Blank
To save money, the airlines are paying entry-level wages to the people hired to keep bombs and weapons off of commercial flights. Isn't that comforting?

Worm on the Range: Can red worms eat their way through the landfill crisis? The city of San Jose is banking on it.

Public Eye: Endorsement wars.

Polis Report: The fur is flying.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Big Star: Diva Shirley MacLaine dominates the soap operatics of 'The Evening Star.'

Conan's Creator: 'Weird Tales' stalwart and 'Conan the Barbarian' author Robert E. Howard is profiled in 'The Whole Wide World.'

True Jazz: Jon Jang and Francis Wong close the year in high style; concert review by Nicky Baxter.

Gone Phishing: Internet-saavy underground phenomenon Phish swims into the mainstream with its newest album, 'Billy Breathes.'

Clear as a Clarinet: Jazzman Don Byron re-creates some big-band concepts and weaves modern improvisations on three eclectic new releases.

From Jazz to Noted Blues: A belated nod to the year's best soul, R&B, jazz and blues efforts.

Beat Street: How I spent my Christmas break.

Audiofile: Reveiws of the latest CDs by Bloodhound Gang, David Shea & DJ Grazhoppa, Robert Pollard and Sweet Baby.

Sizzlin' Su's: Su's Mongolian BBQ cooks up Mongolian feasts full of attractive fresh vegetables and meats--all chosen by the patron.

Bargain Bites: Campbell's Russian Cafe & Deli swells with hospitable warmth and aromas of real home-style cooking.

Do You Feel Lucky?: Richard Schickel's 'Clint Eastwood' isn't biography--it's hagiography.

All the Comics Fit to Print: Peter Kuper's 'Eye of the Beholder' cracks the good, gray 'NY Times.'

Cyber Nielsens: In cyberspace, fans go to war for their favorite programs. Plus, a web-exclusive interview with 'Deep Space Nine' writer Robert Wolfe.