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Scientifictionist, v. 2, issue 1, November 1946-January 1947

Page 10

Darkness, the energy being, millions of miles in size, traveling at many times the speed of light, is different from his people; he is a thinker -- what is the purpose of life? Some have said that Rocklynne was incapable of handling such a tremendous theme; but it is not the author's writing, but the very finite words that must necessarily be used that give an impression of a slight something lacking in the story. Even so, this one deserves to be on a level with the "classics". Hannes Bok's two illustrations for the story are superbly done.

HE CONQUERED VENUS by Fearn, has a powerful theme -- Mark Tyme, conqueror of wild and rugged Venus, is unable to cope with the problems and demands of "civilized" society. Unfortunately, the rather crude characterization and writing detract from the readability of the story.

CHILDREN OF ZEUS by E.A. Grosser is the best of the shorts in this issue. It's a clever little tale of humans who were the subject of an experiment undertaken by a student of a race of energy-beings from a sunless world who is observing life on Earth. Some rather unusual experiences are encountered by the humans in the story, but in the end the Student fails, and his Scribe restores everything to normal. Altogether this is a very readable and well-written little yarn.

Astonishing's fourth issue, last in Volume One, is perhaps the poorest reviewed as yet. With this issue Neil R. Jones' "Professor Jameson" series, originally appearing in pre-Z-D Amazings, is revived. These stories are about the Zoromes, living brains of different celestial races encased in metal bodies, and their travels throughout the universe. THE CAT MEN OF AEMT, a novelette, is reminiscent of the preceding stories, and is a thoroughly enjoyable tale if one likes the older, slower, and somewhat more dignified style of writing. Bok's illustrations are excellent.

THE ELEMENT OF LOGIC, a short by R.R. Winterbotham, tells of a time in the future when the scholastic battles of the Dark Ages are again rampant. This time it is the Experimental Philosophers versus the Inductive Acroamatists. The occurances which befall the leaders of the two opposing schools of thought when they are brought together are most extraordinary. There is an atmosphere of subtle satire or slight cynicism throughout the story which makes it delightful reading.

The feature novelette, THE DEADLY SWARM, by E.K. Sloat is horrible. The remaining novelette, THE LODESTONE CORE by D.D. Sharp is an average quality space-opera.

The first serial to appear in Astonishing, Malcolm Jameson's QUICKSANDS OF YOUTHWARDNESS, began in the fifth issue (Vol. 2, #1). This is the different and well written story of what befalls the crew of the space ship Thuban when they are drawn into the Coal Sack nebula. They land on the planet Athanata, whose orbit brings it close to its sun and then out into the nebula. The sun's rays have the effect of speeding up metabolism, thus rapidly bringing old age, while the "negative light" of the nebula produces rejuvenation. In this manner virtual immortality is indeed fascinating.

Ray Z. Gallun's short, STEPSON OF SPACE is the most effective story in the issue. An eight year old boy takes an old bushel basket, tin cans and some wire and makes an "invention" that works without and visible source of power. Because of the receptiveness of his mind, he has been in communication with the last survivor of a race on the moon, who has instructed him how to build the device. The suspicions of the boy's father, who thinks that the Lunarian must have some ulterior motive for communicating with his son, cause him to bring about the destruction of the Moon-dweller; who, unknown to him has saved his son's life.

The two novelettes, FUTURE'S FAIR by Vincent Reid, and FLIGHT TO GALILEO by Lee Gregor are both very readable, although nothing super-colossal is presented in either of them. Marconette's pics for the Gregor yarn are excellent.

HALF-BREEDS ON VENUS by Isaac Asimov, in the second number of volume two, is, like most sequels, not as good as the original story. This one tells of the

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Darkness, the energy being, millions of miles in size, traveling at many times the speed of light, is different from his people; he is a thinker -- what is the purpose of life? Some have said that Rocklynne was incapable of handling such a tremendous theme; but it is not the author's writing, but the very finite words that must necessarily be used that give an impression of a slight something lacking in the story. Even so, this one deserves to be on a level with the "classics". Hannes Bok's two illustrations for the story are superbly done. HE CONQUERED VENUS by Fearn, has a powerful theme -- Mark Tyme, conqueror of wild and rugged Venus, is unable to cope with the problems and demands of "civilized" society. Unfortunately, the rather crude characterization and writing detract from the readability of the story. CHILDREN OF ZEUS by E.A. Grosser is the best of the shorts in this issue. It's a clever little tale of humans who were the subject of an experiment undertaken by a student of a race of energy-beings from a sunless world who is observing life on Earth. Some rather unusual experiences are encountered by the humans in the story, but in the end the Student fails, and his Scribe restores everything to normal. Altogether this is a very readable and well-written little yarn. Astonishing's fourth issue, last in Volume One, is perhaps the poorest reviewed as yet. With this issue Neil R. Jones' "Professor Jameson" series, originally appearing in pre-Z-D Amazings, is revived. These stories are about the Zoromes, living brains of different celestial races encased in metal bodies, and their travels throughout the universe. THE CAT MEN OF AEMT, a novelette, is reminiscent of the preceding stories, and is a thoroughly enjoyable tale if one likes the older, slower, and somewhat more dignified style of writing. Bok's illustrations are excellent. THE ELEMENT OF LOGIC, a short by R.R. Winterbotham, tells of a time in the future when the scholastic battles of the Dark Ages are again rampant. This time it is the Experimental Philosophers versus the Inductive Acroamatists. The occurances which befall the leaders of the two opposing schools of thought when they are brought together are most extraordinary. There is an atmosphere of subtle satire or slight cynicism throughout the story which makes it delightful reading. The feature novelette, THE DEADLY SWARM, by E.K. Sloat is horrible. The remaining novelette, THE LODESTONE CORE by D.D. Sharp is an average quality space-opera. The first serial to appear in Astonishing, Malcolm Jameson's QUICKSANDS OF YOUTHWARDNESS, began in the fifth issue (Vol. 2, #1). This is the different and well written story of what befalls the crew of the space ship Thuban when they are drawn into the Coal Sack nebula. They land on the planet Athanata, whose orbit brings it close to its sun and then out into the nebula. The sun's rays have the effect of speeding up metabolism, thus rapidly bringing old age, while the "negative light" of the nebula produces rejuvenation. In this manner virtual immortality is indeed fascinating. Ray Z. Gallun's short, STEPSON OF SPACE is the most effective story in the issue. An eight year old boy takes an old bushel basket, tin cans and some wire and makes an "invention" that works without and visible source of power. Because of the receptiveness of his mind, he has been in communication with the last survivor of a race on the moon, who has instructed him how to build the device. The suspicions of the boy's father, who thinks that the Lunarian must have some ulterior motive for communicating with his son, cause him to bring about the destruction of the Moon-dweller; who, unknown to him has saved his son's life. The two novelettes, FUTURE'S FAIR by Vincent Reid, and FLIGHT TO GALILEO by Lee Gregor are both very readable, although nothing super-colossal is presented in either of them. Marconette's pics for the Gregor yarn are excellent. HALF-BREEDS ON VENUS by Isaac Asimov, in the second number of volume two, is, like most sequels, not as good as the original story. This one tells of the