image of person or book cover 5617939440915236420.png
Image sourced from the University of Sydney, Fisher Library.
y separately published work icon Vandals of the Void single work   novel   science fiction   thriller  
Issue Details: First known date: 1931... 1931 Vandals of the Void
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

AbstractHistoryArchive Description

A series of unexplained events in space. A confederation of planets and mysterious aliens that threaten it. An Away Team investigating a spaceship showing no signs of life. A cloaking device using sophisticated enemy technology. Sounds like an episode of Star Trek, doesn't it? The only thing is Vandals of the Void was published 35 years before the first original Star Trek episode was shown. Or is it more a precursor to Star Wars? Witness fiction's first interplanetary space war. Where did these crested invaders come from? And why were they threatening to bring destruction to the three civilised planets? In a breathless world of space pirates and disintegrator rays, Interplanetary Guard Jack Sanders discovers the unexpected during a voyage to Mars: romance with the impressive, alluring Jansca Dirka...and a war of the worlds. Vandals of the Void is space opera on a grand scale

[Source: 2012 Chimaera edition]

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

  • Appears in:
    y separately published work icon Wonder Stories Quarterly vol. 2 no. 3 Summer 1931 Z945492 1931 periodical issue science fiction 1931 pg. 438-513
    Note: Includes pen-and-ink portrait of J.M. Walsh.
    • Mount Waverley, Ashwood - Mulgrave area, Melbourne South East, Melbourne, Victoria,: Chimaera Publications , 2010 .
      image of person or book cover 8844832896883417366.jpg
      This image has been sourced from Goodreads.
      Extent: vi, 139 p.p.
      Note/s:
      • Introduction by Sean McMullen
      ISBN: 9780975214350 (pbk.)
      Series: y separately published work icon Classic Australian SF Mount Waverley : Chimaera Publications , 2010 Z1755255 2010 series - publisher novel science fiction In these novels of speculative fiction, with new introductions from some of Australia's most notable writers and critics, Chimaera Publications has unearthed and reanimated a series of forgotten classics. Ranging from the 1880s to the 1930s, this selection shows the vital contribution that speculative fiction plays in Australia's literary history - an influence that continues until the present day. (Publisher blurb) Number in series: 3
Alternative title: Les Corsaires du Vide
Language: French
    • Paris,
      c
      France,
      c
      Western Europe, Europe,
      :
      Hachette ,
      1951 .
      Extent: 252p.

Works about this Work

Thinking about the Void Gillian Polack , 2022 single work essay
— Appears in: Aurealis , no. 154 2022;
Spotlight on J.M. Walsh Kim Huett , 2015 single work column
— Appears in: SF Commentary : The Independent Magazine About Science Fiction , May no. 89 2015; (p. 32-37)
The Fiction of the Future : Australian Science Fiction Russell Blackford , 2012 single work criticism
— Appears in: Sold by the Millions : Australia's Bestsellers 2012; (p. 128-140)
'According to Russell Blackford 'commercial science fiction is the most international of literary forms.' He observes that 'Australian SF continues to flourish, even if it trails heroic fantasy in mass-market appeal.' Australian SF writers although published internationally, with a dedicated fan followings in USA, UK and Europe, were overlooked for a very long time by Australian multinational publishers. The international editions had to be imported and were then distributed in Australia (Congreve and Marquardt 8). Blackford in his chapter throws light on the history of Australian SF and observes how Australian SF writers, with their concern for the future, achieved a powerful synthesis in form and content. The progress of Australian SF, maturity of style in the work of younger writers, and massive worldwide sales make Blackford optimistic as he asserts that 'the best Australian writers in the genre will be prominent players on the world stage.' (Editor's foreword xii-xiii)
J. M. Walsh Graham Stone , 2001 single work review bibliography essay biography
— Appears in: Notes on Australian Science Fiction 2001; (p. 11-15)
First Flights...or Kangaroo Hops? The Early Work of Australian SF Writers Sean McMullen , 1989 single work column
— Appears in: Science Fiction : A Review of Speculative Literature , vol. 10 no. 2 (Issue 29) 1989; (p. 40-57)
Murder, etc. G. W. Wicking , 1931 single work review
— Appears in: All About Books , 13 July vol. 3 no. 7 1931; (p. 156)

— Review of Vandals of the Void J. M. Walsh , 1931 single work novel
First Flights...or Kangaroo Hops? The Early Work of Australian SF Writers Sean McMullen , 1989 single work column
— Appears in: Science Fiction : A Review of Speculative Literature , vol. 10 no. 2 (Issue 29) 1989; (p. 40-57)
J. M. Walsh Graham Stone , 2001 single work review bibliography essay biography
— Appears in: Notes on Australian Science Fiction 2001; (p. 11-15)
The Fiction of the Future : Australian Science Fiction Russell Blackford , 2012 single work criticism
— Appears in: Sold by the Millions : Australia's Bestsellers 2012; (p. 128-140)
'According to Russell Blackford 'commercial science fiction is the most international of literary forms.' He observes that 'Australian SF continues to flourish, even if it trails heroic fantasy in mass-market appeal.' Australian SF writers although published internationally, with a dedicated fan followings in USA, UK and Europe, were overlooked for a very long time by Australian multinational publishers. The international editions had to be imported and were then distributed in Australia (Congreve and Marquardt 8). Blackford in his chapter throws light on the history of Australian SF and observes how Australian SF writers, with their concern for the future, achieved a powerful synthesis in form and content. The progress of Australian SF, maturity of style in the work of younger writers, and massive worldwide sales make Blackford optimistic as he asserts that 'the best Australian writers in the genre will be prominent players on the world stage.' (Editor's foreword xii-xiii)
Tutor's Desk Van Ikin , 1985 single work column
— Appears in: Science Fiction : A Review of Speculative Literature , vol. 7 no. 1 (Issue 19) 1985; (p. 5-11)
Thinking about the Void Gillian Polack , 2022 single work essay
— Appears in: Aurealis , no. 154 2022;
Last amended 21 Mar 2022 12:37:50
X