Editing Front Line (paintball magazine) (section)

== History ==

=== Establishment ===

''Front Line'' was launched in 1985 during the early expansion of commercial paintball in Southern California.[1] A historical account based on the recollections of [[Pursuit Marketing Inc.]] co-founder Jeff Perlmutter describes the publication as beginning as a newsletter or magazine combining reports from local playing fields with photographs, advertising and promotional material.[1]

The magazine provided a regional forum during a period when numerous independent paintball fields, retailers, equipment modifiers and teams were developing in Southern California. Its early advertising included equipment supplied by PMI, including Sheridan-based paintball markers.[1]

Two United States trademark applications associated with the magazine were filed on 25 March 1986. One covered the words ''Front Line'' for a “magazine dealing with paintball games”; the listed owner was Front Line Magazine.[2]

=== Publication during 1987 ===

By September 1987, ''Front Line'' had reached Volume 3, Number 9. The September, October and November issues were published by Jasperson Enterprises, Inc., using an editorial and subscription address in Huntington Beach, California.[3][4][5]

The magazine was published monthly. A one-year subscription comprised twelve issues and cost US$15 within the United States or US$21 outside the country in September 1987.[3] The October cover price was US$1.50 within the United States and US$2 outside the country.[4]

Regular departments included:

* Mail Call
* Upcoming Events
* Game Results
* Team Photos
* Over the Line
* Equipment and new-product features
* Playing tactics
* Classified advertisements
* Playing-field and retailer listings

The publication required local game results to be submitted by playing-field operators or authorised contributors. This policy gave many of its result reports the character of contemporary field records, although reports supplied by venues, teams and manufacturers could also contain promotional language.[3][4][5]

=== Continued publication in 1988 ===

Surviving references establish that ''Front Line'' continued publication during 1988.

The January 1988 issue included a photograph of the early [[Los Angeles Ironmen|Ironmen]], subsequently used by former players to identify members of the team.[6] A February issue contained coverage of PMI's .68 Magnum, while the September issue reported on the National Survival Game Rapide.[1][7]

The date of the magazine's final issue has not been established.