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Fantascience Digest, v. 2, issue 2, January-February 1939
Page 5
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FANTASCIENCE DIGEST Page 5 out Earth-life had been kept unstained from sins. A body which alone would be sufficient payment for the secret of the azure flame. Instantly he was at its side haggling and crying over his hideous wares much in the manner of a more normal tradesman. He wanted the blue haze, the spirit the body, and so it was not amazing that the bargain was soon perpetrated. The spirit was the owner of the body and reluxtangly he gave Hantoc the knowledge he sought. In a few moments he had again prepared his potions and at last, with a gesture of triumph, he mixed them together. Great was his joy when he saw it grow into the blue nebulous mist that was the azure flame and his joy grew to even greater heights when he saw it rise from the pot to come swiftly towards him. For in it he saw a life of mastery over these lesser masters of Evil that eyed him expectantly. So it was not surprising that he raised his voice in a cry, half-triumph and half-menace. But it was surprising when this cry became one of unbearable agony, of excruciating pain, even as the blue haze settled about him and enwrapped him in its azure folds. And even as Hantoc fell onto the ground he heard a nearbye ghoul mocking him. "So wouldst the mighty sorcerer, Hantoc, rule over us with the Flame of Goodness? He would that, were it not for that it destroys Evil and Evil was he. And it touched him and it destroyed him even as it would destroy us had it touched us. Now knowest ye that ye are dying and that swiftly? Yea, though knowest. May we bid thee a right merry farewell." And so were the laughs and jeers of those whom he had served throughout his life; the death-song of Hantoc, mightiest of sorcerers. And so was the macabre career of Hantoc, mightiest of sorcerers, brought to an end. FINIS STF. IN ENGLAND by Harry Warner, Jr. England, it seems, has definitely come to life in the stf. world. After remaining in the background for lo, these many years! she has finally awakened as evidenced by the two new stf. magazines recently started; the increased activity of British writers; the growth of fan magazines there; and many other equally significant signs. But the main purpose of this article is to compare the new British professional magazines with the American ones---the increased fan activities can, perhaps, be covered in a later article. No one can deny that these are the most significant developments of 1938---even more important than the flood of new American magazines. For in the past, science fiction, in the creative form, has been simply non-existent across the Big Pond. Then along came Walter Gillings---a former fan, of course--- with the first issue of TALES OF WONDER. Somewhat unheralded, this issue created quite a stir among the British fans; and also those few Americans lucky enough to obtain a copy of it. Published on a good grade of paper, with smooth edges and superb type, this issue was fine, at least in appearance, as any American magazine. The stories, too, were welcomed by one and all---not for
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FANTASCIENCE DIGEST Page 5 out Earth-life had been kept unstained from sins. A body which alone would be sufficient payment for the secret of the azure flame. Instantly he was at its side haggling and crying over his hideous wares much in the manner of a more normal tradesman. He wanted the blue haze, the spirit the body, and so it was not amazing that the bargain was soon perpetrated. The spirit was the owner of the body and reluxtangly he gave Hantoc the knowledge he sought. In a few moments he had again prepared his potions and at last, with a gesture of triumph, he mixed them together. Great was his joy when he saw it grow into the blue nebulous mist that was the azure flame and his joy grew to even greater heights when he saw it rise from the pot to come swiftly towards him. For in it he saw a life of mastery over these lesser masters of Evil that eyed him expectantly. So it was not surprising that he raised his voice in a cry, half-triumph and half-menace. But it was surprising when this cry became one of unbearable agony, of excruciating pain, even as the blue haze settled about him and enwrapped him in its azure folds. And even as Hantoc fell onto the ground he heard a nearbye ghoul mocking him. "So wouldst the mighty sorcerer, Hantoc, rule over us with the Flame of Goodness? He would that, were it not for that it destroys Evil and Evil was he. And it touched him and it destroyed him even as it would destroy us had it touched us. Now knowest ye that ye are dying and that swiftly? Yea, though knowest. May we bid thee a right merry farewell." And so were the laughs and jeers of those whom he had served throughout his life; the death-song of Hantoc, mightiest of sorcerers. And so was the macabre career of Hantoc, mightiest of sorcerers, brought to an end. FINIS STF. IN ENGLAND by Harry Warner, Jr. England, it seems, has definitely come to life in the stf. world. After remaining in the background for lo, these many years! she has finally awakened as evidenced by the two new stf. magazines recently started; the increased activity of British writers; the growth of fan magazines there; and many other equally significant signs. But the main purpose of this article is to compare the new British professional magazines with the American ones---the increased fan activities can, perhaps, be covered in a later article. No one can deny that these are the most significant developments of 1938---even more important than the flood of new American magazines. For in the past, science fiction, in the creative form, has been simply non-existent across the Big Pond. Then along came Walter Gillings---a former fan, of course--- with the first issue of TALES OF WONDER. Somewhat unheralded, this issue created quite a stir among the British fans; and also those few Americans lucky enough to obtain a copy of it. Published on a good grade of paper, with smooth edges and superb type, this issue was fine, at least in appearance, as any American magazine. The stories, too, were welcomed by one and all---not for
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