DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Le Zombie, v. 4, issue 7, whole no. 42, September 1941

Transcribe
Translate

Le Zombie, v. 4, issue 7, whole no. 42, September 1941

Page 6

OUR ANNUAL EYEBROW LIFTER DEPT

Picture in your imagination this British scene: A London fan has just heard that the latest issue of Tales of Wonder is on sale at a newsstand some blocks away. Coin in hand, he gallops madly forth to purchase it. There is no door to his house -- it has been blown away. So he exits thru a large hole in the sidewall. Once in the street he proceeds somewhat cautiously for broken glass, rubble and brick lie everywhere. The boys haven't yet gotten around to cleaning up after last night's raid. Half way to his destination he is forced to make a detour of many blocks because an unexploded bomb lies buried in his path. Every now and then he carefully cycles around a shell hole in the middle of the street. He is even pressed into service for a short while to help quench a fire on his route. But at last he arrives at the newsstand. He buys a copy of T O W #14. And scurries home.

Oh, he doesn't arrive without further mishaps. Such as the air raid siren going off unexpectedly, his bike jumping some rubble and going into a street cavity, and little things like that that are London today. But at last he arrives home. The precious magazine is undamaged. He regards it fondly -- just think -- her it is in the middle of a war, and a professional science fiction magazine is still being published! The cover advertises the lead novel. It is a reprint from Amazing. What does it say? Why, in large, bold type, the London fan reads:

Mars Bombards the Earth!
DEATH FROM THE SKIES
by A. Hyatt Verrill

COMMENTARY DEPT: For the last fifteen minutes (since writing the above) we have sat here, dumbfounded. When we started at the top of the page we intended ending up the dept by some clever remark or observation on the choice of the reprint. But we find we can't. There just isn't anything we can say to express our feelings, and yet remain intelligible. We would appreciate our British readers informing us as to what their thoughts were on obtaining the issue of TOW in mention. We really want to know just what your reactions were.

MAIL BOX DEPT: Chain letters are coming back. (in fandom) (we might add 'the last guys to catch on to anything -- or the first ones to start it all over again). These aren't the dime kind, get-me-rich-quick type. The first to our knowledge was that started by Art Joquel. It ran around the country to ten or twelve fans. Art is now publishing the gigantic thing in a coming Spectra. Meanwhile, we have received another, started by Harry Schmarje. From it we learn he has previously piloted two, and that still another, headed by Raym Washington, jr. was making the rounds with our name somewhere down the list. Can this be a cheap, satisfying substitute to editing and publishing a fanzine ... ... why not? As all know who have tried it, publishing costs money. And poor fanzines are badly received. All fans (we suppose) want to publish; but can't. Beginning and ending a chain letter is akin to it. One can actually name the "big shot" contributors desired ... and not all fanzines can.

HUMOR BLASTING DEPT: There is no truth to the rumor that a certain NYC publishing house, anxious to put out a promag to fill the gap between Astounding and Amazing, will call it: Dull Stupid Stories.

Saving...

OUR ANNUAL EYEBROW LIFTER DEPT Picture in your imagination this British scene: A London fan has just heard that the latest issue of Tales of Wonder is on sale at a newsstand some blocks away. Coin in hand, he gallops madly forth to purchase it. There is no door to his house -- it has been blown away. So he exits thru a large hole in the sidewall. Once in the street he proceeds somewhat cautiously for broken glass, rubble and brick lie everywhere. The boys haven't yet gotten around to cleaning up after last night's raid. Half way to his destination he is forced to make a detour of many blocks because an unexploded bomb lies buried in his path. Every now and then he carefully cycles around a shell hole in the middle of the street. He is even pressed into service for a short while to help quench a fire on his route. But at last he arrives at the newsstand. He buys a copy of T O W #14. And scurries home. Oh, he doesn't arrive without further mishaps. Such as the air raid siren going off unexpectedly, his bike jumping some rubble and going into a street cavity, and little things like that that are London today. But at last he arrives home. The precious magazine is undamaged. He regards it fondly -- just think -- her it is in the middle of a war, and a professional science fiction magazine is still being published! The cover advertises the lead novel. It is a reprint from Amazing. What does it say? Why, in large, bold type, the London fan reads: Mars Bombards the Earth! DEATH FROM THE SKIES by A. Hyatt Verrill COMMENTARY DEPT: For the last fifteen minutes (since writing the above) we have sat here, dumbfounded. When we started at the top of the page we intended ending up the dept by some clever remark or observation on the choice of the reprint. But we find we can't. There just isn't anything we can say to express our feelings, and yet remain intelligible. We would appreciate our British readers informing us as to what their thoughts were on obtaining the issue of TOW in mention. We really want to know just what your reactions were. MAIL BOX DEPT: Chain letters are coming back. (in fandom) (we might add 'the last guys to catch on to anything -- or the first ones to start it all over again). These aren't the dime kind, get-me-rich-quick type. The first to our knowledge was that started by Art Joquel. It ran around the country to ten or twelve fans. Art is now publishing the gigantic thing in a coming Spectra. Meanwhile, we have received another, started by Harry Schmarje. From it we learn he has previously piloted two, and that still another, headed by Raym Washington, jr. was making the rounds with our name somewhere down the list. Can this be a cheap, satisfying substitute to editing and publishing a fanzine ... ... why not? As all know who have tried it, publishing costs money. And poor fanzines are badly received. All fans (we suppose) want to publish; but can't. Beginning and ending a chain letter is akin to it. One can actually name the "big shot" contributors desired ... and not all fanzines can. HUMOR BLASTING DEPT: There is no truth to the rumor that a certain NYC publishing house, anxious to put out a promag to fill the gap between Astounding and Amazing, will call it: Dull Stupid Stories.