I wanted to include substantial updates on the show from the '80s so people could read Luke's history. In addition, one of the most interesting features of those old magazines is the novelizations--prose retellings of the events from the show in short story form. Any retelling is an interpretation, and these novelizations are interesting in their own right as a representation of history. This section also contains pieces from the '90s that recap action or address Luke and the show, rather than Tony.

1980 (?) - Soap Opera Digest (?)

This is a novelization entitled "Luke Spencer's Story." It retells several key events from Luke's early stories in his point of view; it doesn't explain much of the context or give the connections from one moment to the next.

 

1981 (?) - Daytime Digest

This update covers the Ice Princess storyline, particularly the activity on the Cassadine yacht, as well as Monica and Alan, Joe Kelly, and Hutch.

 

1981 (?) - Soap Opera's Greatest Stories

Here's a retelling of the Ice Princess storyline which focuses on the trio's time on the Cassadine yacht. It was later reprinted in TV Superstars in January 1982 and Soap Opera's Greatest Stories in March 1982.

 

1981 (?) - Soap Opera's Greatest Stories

This article plays "what if" with Luke and Jennifer's wedding day, projecting what the Luke and Laura storyline might have looked like if Luke's marriage to Jennifer had taken place.

 

1981 - General Hospital: Daytime TV's Greatest Stories #2

This is another account of the Ice Princess storyline before the island adventure. It was later reprinted in Soap Opera's Greatest Stories in March 1982.

 

November 1981 - Afternoon TV

This is the first part of a multi-part novelization entitled "The Legend of Luke and Laura." This installment covers their relationship from before the rape through the disappointment at the police station after they returned from their summer on the run in the Left-Handed Boy adventure. Note: This series offers a great overview of the history of the couple, if that's what you're looking for.

 

December 1981 - Afternoon TV

This is the second part of a multi-part novelization entitled "The Legend of Luke and Laura." This installment covers their relationship from the beginning of the Ice Princess adventure through the charity auction at the turning point of that story.

 

January 1982 - Afternoon TV

This is the third part of a multi-part novelization entitled "The Legend of Luke and Laura." This installment covers their relationship from the auction through their time on the Cassadine yacht with Scorpio during the Ice Princess adventure.

 

January 19, 1982 - Soap Opera Digest

This update includes a description of Luke and Laura's trip to Mexico to get her divorce from Scotty. I've included the whole thing, however, so you can see what else was going on at the same time.

 

March 1982 - Soap Opera's Greatest Stories

This piece describes the history of Laura Baldwin from the beginning, including the beginning of her relationship with Luke.

 

March 1982 - Soap Opera's Greatest Stories

This novelization covers Luke and Laura's history from the time of the rape through the night Laura, stuck in the closet, overhears Frank Smith talking to Luke and finds out about the organization. The story is reprinted from Daytime TV's Greatest Stories No. 1.

 

March 1982 - Soap Opera's Greatest Stories

This story follows Luke and Laura from the beginning of their summer on the run until just before the final showdown in Fair Oaks. It’s reprinted from TV Superstars, March 1981.

 

March 1982 - Soap Opera's Greatest Stories

This Ice Princess story covers Luke and Laura's time on the Cassadine island with Scorpio, including their defeat of Mikkos.

 

March 1982 - Soap Opera's Greatest Stories

Just for fun, I've included the questions and answers from a Luke and Laura wordfind. The wordfind grid itself isn't here, but see how many answers you know.

 

March 1982 - Soap Opera's Greatest Stories

This account begins with Luke and Laura's return to Port Charles after stopping the weather machine, and ends with the wedding.

 

March 1982 - Afternoon TV

This is the fourth part of a multi-part novelization entitled "The Legend of Luke and Laura." This installment covers their relationship from the end of the Ice Princess adventure on the Cassadine island through their wedding.

 

1982 - Afternoon TV

This is the fifth and final part of a multi-part novelization entitled "The Legend of Luke and Laura." This installment covers their relationship from their honeymoon through Laura's disappearance.

 

1982 (?) - Afternoon TV

This fairly lengthy novelization recounts several of the major events and storylines from Luke and Laura's early days, from the rape to the wedding.

 

April 19, 1983 - Soap Opera Digest

In this update, Robert investigates Susan's death and deals with Holly's grief over losing Luke.

Continue to Updates and Novelizations from 1993-1999