DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Fantasy Digest, v. 1, issue 2, February 1939

Transcribe
Translate

Fantasy Digest, v. 1, issue 2, February 1939

Page 16

FANTASY DIGEST            16
answered that question in 1937, 1936, or 1935, but to do so for the year 1938; a year so chock full of lightening changes is not only next to impossible, it is also the surest way I know of accumulating torrents of abuse from not only Mr. Average fan, but Mr. Editor as well. Just as a matter of form I'll begin with ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION. ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION is now the veteran magazine from many viewpoints. It is almost needless to mention the new editor JOHN W. CAMPBELL, JR., and what he has done to lift the magazine from the mire into which it had sunk. I believe most of the readers will agree that the only reason ASTOUNDING STORIES was not officially dubbed the worst science-fiction magazine of 1937 was simply because the others were so terrible that it was quite hard to choose between them. Regardless, it must be admitted that ASTOUNDING put in an excellent bid for last honors. The various changes that have followed since Mr. Campbell became editor are easily cast over. First the introduction of "Mutants", which fancy name for the already fancy "thought-variahts" was just so much horse-play as far as the readers were concerned. There were no mutants during 1938. The so-called mutant covers have been done numerous times before, and better. Secondly the change in title to ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION [underline], which title though it may [underline] add prestige is just so-much a pain-in-the-neck to the fans accustomed to using the uncumbersome ASTOUNDING STORIES [underline]. Thirdly and fourthly, the introduction of IN TIMES TO COME and THE ANALYTICAL LABORATORY. These features are the life blood of the magazine to true fans' admittedly those two are commendable inceptions. The reviving in part-vigor of the much coveted BRASS TACKS is also another point in favor of the editor. The December issue of the magazine finds further new features. The title lettering is squared off. This is definitely not an improvement. It takes up too much room and does not look characteristic of the magazine. Finally this inception of NOVA stories is just rubbing it in a little too much. Come, come, Mr. Campbell, we fans are not infants. You don't

Saving...

FANTASY DIGEST 16 answered that question in 1937, 1936, or 1935, but to do so for the year 1938; a year so chock full of lightening changes is not only next to impossible, it is also the surest way I know of accumulating torrents of abuse from not only Mr. Average fan, but Mr. Editor as well. Just as a matter of form I'll begin with ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION. ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION is now the veteran magazine from many viewpoints. It is almost needless to mention the new editor JOHN W. CAMPBELL, JR., and what he has done to lift the magazine from the mire into which it had sunk. I believe most of the readers will agree that the only reason ASTOUNDING STORIES was not officially dubbed the worst science-fiction magazine of 1937 was simply because the others were so terrible that it was quite hard to choose between them. Regardless, it must be admitted that ASTOUNDING put in an excellent bid for last honors. The various changes that have followed since Mr. Campbell became editor are easily cast over. First the introduction of "Mutants", which fancy name for the already fancy "thought-variahts" was just so much horse-play as far as the readers were concerned. There were no mutants during 1938. The so-called mutant covers have been done numerous times before, and better. Secondly the change in title to ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION [underline], which title though it may [underline] add prestige is just so-much a pain-in-the-neck to the fans accustomed to using the uncumbersome ASTOUNDING STORIES [underline]. Thirdly and fourthly, the introduction of IN TIMES TO COME and THE ANALYTICAL LABORATORY. These features are the life blood of the magazine to true fans' admittedly those two are commendable inceptions. The reviving in part-vigor of the much coveted BRASS TACKS is also another point in favor of the editor. The December issue of the magazine finds further new features. The title lettering is squared off. This is definitely not an improvement. It takes up too much room and does not look characteristic of the magazine. Finally this inception of NOVA stories is just rubbing it in a little too much. Come, come, Mr. Campbell, we fans are not infants. You don't