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National Fantasy Fan, v. 4, issue 12, December 1945
Page 7
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THE BLATANT BEAST by ART WIDNER ACOLYTE. Francis T. Laney, 1005 W. 35th Place, Los Angeles 7, Calif. Full size, 32pp, mimeo, 15c 4/50c. The editor asks in a doleful, discouraged tone, "What is Wrong with the Acolyte?" My answer is that if he can produce issues like this #12--absolutely nothing is wrong. This fine number undeniably puts the magazine back in first place. Clearly reproduced, with a wealth of highly interesting, adult material, Laney deserves hearty congratulations on it from all of fandom. Instead of something I frantically conceal at the approach of any non-fan friends, or surrender with a good deal of blushing & stammered apologies at their amused inquiries, Acolyte is one fan effort I can display with pride to anyone. Almost the entire issue is given over to Sam Russell's excellent, exhaustive critique of the ghostories of M. R. James. I had often wished for something like this, & in desperation, once considered attempting to do it myself. Russell, however, has done a finer job than I even imagined I could do. This article, without doubt, is one of the two or three really top-notch pieces of writing in all of fan journalism. I hope all readers of this column will flood Laney with subscriptions & encouragement to continue his eminently worthwhile publication. In addition to Russell's standout contribution, Tucker makes with some valuable information on low priced books, and Robert Bloch & Hoffman Price contribute a brace of interesting letters. Bloch puts forth a Freudian theory which he labels "catharsis" to account for certain aspects of his early writings. I don't know about his particular case & the explanation thereof, but I immediately thot of Van Vogt's. It seems likely to me that this cathartic process may be at work in him in a much more spectacular manner. Starting with Slan, nearly every one of Van Vogt's stories is concerned with one or more characters who are bumped off & miraculously brought back to life. World of A, in addition to its other faults, is the most striking case yet, in that the whole story centers around this phenomenon. I'm strongly inclined to think that Van Vogt harbors an extraordinary fear of death, or has been severely affected by the loss of someone close to him, & gets it out of his system thru his stories. I hope VV sees this & offers an explanation if I am wrong. FANEWS (CARD). Walter Dunkelberger, 1443 Fourth Ave. S., Fargo N. Dak. Full size, mimeo, 2c per sheet 55/$1. The Fansewscard Second Annual was distributed in FAPA & NAPA besides to subscribers. On the cover is a picture of Earl Kay, killed on secret mission in the closing days of the war & to whom the issue is dedicated. 4 good lithos are included from the covers of other fanzines, only one of which lithos
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THE BLATANT BEAST by ART WIDNER ACOLYTE. Francis T. Laney, 1005 W. 35th Place, Los Angeles 7, Calif. Full size, 32pp, mimeo, 15c 4/50c. The editor asks in a doleful, discouraged tone, "What is Wrong with the Acolyte?" My answer is that if he can produce issues like this #12--absolutely nothing is wrong. This fine number undeniably puts the magazine back in first place. Clearly reproduced, with a wealth of highly interesting, adult material, Laney deserves hearty congratulations on it from all of fandom. Instead of something I frantically conceal at the approach of any non-fan friends, or surrender with a good deal of blushing & stammered apologies at their amused inquiries, Acolyte is one fan effort I can display with pride to anyone. Almost the entire issue is given over to Sam Russell's excellent, exhaustive critique of the ghostories of M. R. James. I had often wished for something like this, & in desperation, once considered attempting to do it myself. Russell, however, has done a finer job than I even imagined I could do. This article, without doubt, is one of the two or three really top-notch pieces of writing in all of fan journalism. I hope all readers of this column will flood Laney with subscriptions & encouragement to continue his eminently worthwhile publication. In addition to Russell's standout contribution, Tucker makes with some valuable information on low priced books, and Robert Bloch & Hoffman Price contribute a brace of interesting letters. Bloch puts forth a Freudian theory which he labels "catharsis" to account for certain aspects of his early writings. I don't know about his particular case & the explanation thereof, but I immediately thot of Van Vogt's. It seems likely to me that this cathartic process may be at work in him in a much more spectacular manner. Starting with Slan, nearly every one of Van Vogt's stories is concerned with one or more characters who are bumped off & miraculously brought back to life. World of A, in addition to its other faults, is the most striking case yet, in that the whole story centers around this phenomenon. I'm strongly inclined to think that Van Vogt harbors an extraordinary fear of death, or has been severely affected by the loss of someone close to him, & gets it out of his system thru his stories. I hope VV sees this & offers an explanation if I am wrong. FANEWS (CARD). Walter Dunkelberger, 1443 Fourth Ave. S., Fargo N. Dak. Full size, mimeo, 2c per sheet 55/$1. The Fansewscard Second Annual was distributed in FAPA & NAPA besides to subscribers. On the cover is a picture of Earl Kay, killed on secret mission in the closing days of the war & to whom the issue is dedicated. 4 good lithos are included from the covers of other fanzines, only one of which lithos
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