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Scientifictionist, v. 2, issue 1, November 1946-January 1947
Page 9
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ASTOUNDING STORIES -- GONE AND FORGOTTEN! by Karl Brecker The years 1939 through 1941 saw what was to be afterwards known as the all-time peak of pulp stf magazine publishing. With the lean years of the depression eclipsed by the increasing pace of Defense production and the return of "prosperity", scientifiction titles were on the stands, excluding fantasy and weird magazines. The majority of those magazines were mediocre -- some even approaching notoriety, as Marvel Science Stories, nicknamed "Marvel Sex Stories" by the fans. In view of this, together with the fact that the predominant trend in fandom has been away from the pros, it is no wonder that the vast majority of fandom little regretted the passing of these magazines? The relatively few really outstanding stories published by these magazines were dwarfed by the vast outpouring of tripe from these same magazines. Then, too, during this same period of time, Astounding Science Fiction, under the leadership of a new editor, Campbell, was entering upon the most brilliant phase of its career. The lesser lights seemed insignificant beside such stories as SLAN, FINAL BLACKOUT, IF THIS GOES ON, METHUSELAH'S CHILDREN, GREY LENSMAN, and similar so-called classics. One of the magazines born during this period was Astonishing Stories, "the first, though probably not the last, dime science fiction magazine." Running in all, 16 issues, from February 1940 to April 1943, this magazine was one of the best, if not the best stf mags to appear during this period. Astonishing had a companion, Super Science Stories, which seems somehow to have overshadowed Astonishing. This is due chiefly to the few brilliant stories that were published at the close of Super's career -- Cartmill's PERSECUTORS is one outstanding example that comes to mind. But a closer examination will reveal that with the exception of Heinlein's classic LOST LEGION, published in 1941, Super Science printed nothing but run-of-the-mill space opera until approximately its last year of publication. Astonishing however, I consider to have held a consistently high level, from the first issues to the last. Authors ranging from science fiction fans to "name" writers such as E.E. Smith appeared in the magazine's pages. Some of science fiction's best off-trail stories were printed in Astonishing. What follows is intended as a comprehensive review covering the best of the crop. ---------------------------------- The feature novelette in the first issue, CHAMELEON PLANET by Fearn, is a usual, run-of-the-mill Fearn story; essentially a tale of a planet of speeded-up time rate, where the whole course of evolution takes place within a few days. THE LIFESTONE by Paul Edmonds, is the type of thing one would expect to see in any issue of Planet Stories. Of the three novelettes, by far the best is Isaac Asimov's HALF-BREED, the first of a series. The half-breeds are "Tweenies", half-Martian, half-Terrestrial. They are a very intelligent race, but are persecuted by Earth prejudice. The story tells of a Professor Scanlon's struggle for recognition of the Tweeies as useful members of society; he fails, and in the end they have to migrate to Venus to avoid open conflict with the Earthmen. ASTEROID, by Lee Gregor is the only notable short story in the issue. The outstanding story in the second issue of Astonishing is Harl Vincent's MASTER CONTROL, which reads like something out of a Tremaine Astounding. Its theme is the old story of the struggle of the working class against a scientific aristocracy. However, the handling of this theme lifts the story above the run-of-the-mill class. Characterization is well done, and action and plot unfold smoothly. THE SPACE BEASTS by Cliff Simak, also a novelette, is another super-BEM Planet-type epic. Well enough written, if one likes that kind of a story. One of the most unusual science-fiction stories of all time was published in the third issue of Astonishing. DARKNESS by Ross Rocklynne, is the ultimate in an off-trail story. I know of few stories which have a scope such as this one. page 9
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ASTOUNDING STORIES -- GONE AND FORGOTTEN! by Karl Brecker The years 1939 through 1941 saw what was to be afterwards known as the all-time peak of pulp stf magazine publishing. With the lean years of the depression eclipsed by the increasing pace of Defense production and the return of "prosperity", scientifiction titles were on the stands, excluding fantasy and weird magazines. The majority of those magazines were mediocre -- some even approaching notoriety, as Marvel Science Stories, nicknamed "Marvel Sex Stories" by the fans. In view of this, together with the fact that the predominant trend in fandom has been away from the pros, it is no wonder that the vast majority of fandom little regretted the passing of these magazines? The relatively few really outstanding stories published by these magazines were dwarfed by the vast outpouring of tripe from these same magazines. Then, too, during this same period of time, Astounding Science Fiction, under the leadership of a new editor, Campbell, was entering upon the most brilliant phase of its career. The lesser lights seemed insignificant beside such stories as SLAN, FINAL BLACKOUT, IF THIS GOES ON, METHUSELAH'S CHILDREN, GREY LENSMAN, and similar so-called classics. One of the magazines born during this period was Astonishing Stories, "the first, though probably not the last, dime science fiction magazine." Running in all, 16 issues, from February 1940 to April 1943, this magazine was one of the best, if not the best stf mags to appear during this period. Astonishing had a companion, Super Science Stories, which seems somehow to have overshadowed Astonishing. This is due chiefly to the few brilliant stories that were published at the close of Super's career -- Cartmill's PERSECUTORS is one outstanding example that comes to mind. But a closer examination will reveal that with the exception of Heinlein's classic LOST LEGION, published in 1941, Super Science printed nothing but run-of-the-mill space opera until approximately its last year of publication. Astonishing however, I consider to have held a consistently high level, from the first issues to the last. Authors ranging from science fiction fans to "name" writers such as E.E. Smith appeared in the magazine's pages. Some of science fiction's best off-trail stories were printed in Astonishing. What follows is intended as a comprehensive review covering the best of the crop. ---------------------------------- The feature novelette in the first issue, CHAMELEON PLANET by Fearn, is a usual, run-of-the-mill Fearn story; essentially a tale of a planet of speeded-up time rate, where the whole course of evolution takes place within a few days. THE LIFESTONE by Paul Edmonds, is the type of thing one would expect to see in any issue of Planet Stories. Of the three novelettes, by far the best is Isaac Asimov's HALF-BREED, the first of a series. The half-breeds are "Tweenies", half-Martian, half-Terrestrial. They are a very intelligent race, but are persecuted by Earth prejudice. The story tells of a Professor Scanlon's struggle for recognition of the Tweeies as useful members of society; he fails, and in the end they have to migrate to Venus to avoid open conflict with the Earthmen. ASTEROID, by Lee Gregor is the only notable short story in the issue. The outstanding story in the second issue of Astonishing is Harl Vincent's MASTER CONTROL, which reads like something out of a Tremaine Astounding. Its theme is the old story of the struggle of the working class against a scientific aristocracy. However, the handling of this theme lifts the story above the run-of-the-mill class. Characterization is well done, and action and plot unfold smoothly. THE SPACE BEASTS by Cliff Simak, also a novelette, is another super-BEM Planet-type epic. Well enough written, if one likes that kind of a story. One of the most unusual science-fiction stories of all time was published in the third issue of Astonishing. DARKNESS by Ross Rocklynne, is the ultimate in an off-trail story. I know of few stories which have a scope such as this one. page 9
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