person or book cover
No 1 (1939). Source: Galactic Central Publications (www.philsp.com)
y separately published work icon Fantastic Adventures periodical   science fiction   fantasy   adventure  
Date: 1950-1953
Date: 1939-1949
Issue Details: First known date: 1939... 1939 Fantastic Adventures
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Fantastic Adventures was founded by editor Raymond A. Palmer in 1939 as a companion to Amazing Stories and was initially published in a large size format to emulate the early Amazing Stories magazines. The magazine was published by the Ziff-Davis Publishing Company, initially out of Chicago, Illinois, and from 1950 out of New York. Following its demise in 1953,the magazine was absorbed by Fantastic magazine.

[Source: Galactic Central Publications, www.philsp.com]

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1939
    • Chicago, Illinois,
      c
      United States of America (USA),
      c
      Americas,      :       New York (City), New York (State),
      c
      United States of America (USA),
      c
      Americas,      :       Ziff-Davis ,       1939-1953 .
VIEW PUBLICATION DETAILS FOR ALL VERSIONS ()

Related Works

y separately published work icon Amazing Stories Amazing Science Fiction; Amazing Science Fiction Stories Combined with Fantastic Stories; Amazing Science Fiction Stories Combined with Fantastic; Amazing Science Fiction Stories Hugo Gernsback (editor), Ziff-Davis (publisher), 1926 Chicago : Z1832141 1926 periodical science fiction (32 issues)

The first magazine devoted solely to science fiction, Amazing Stories helped initiate pulp fiction's fascination with the genre. Its reputation varied widely over the years, from periods in which its content was regarded as creative and engaging (such as under the editorship of Cele Goldsmith and, later, Ted White) to periods when it operated as a reprint magazine, often without seeking reprint permissions (such as when it was under the management of Sol Cohen).

Amazing Stories went through a range of name changes, often accompanied by a brief hiatus in publication (usually a brief as one or two months). The names under which the magazine appeared are as follows:

  • Amazing Stories: Apr. 1926 to Feb. 1958.

  • Amazing Science Fiction: Mar. 1958 to Apr. 1958.

  • Amazing Science Fiction Stories: May 1958 to Sep. 1960.

  • Amazing Stories: Oct. 1960 to Jul. 1970.

  • Amazing Science Fiction Stories: Sep. 1970 to Feb. 1979.

  • Amazing Stories: May 1979 to Aug. 1980.

  • Amazing Science Fiction Stories Combined with Fantastic: Nov. 1980 to Nov. 1984.

  • Amazing Science Fiction Stories Combined with Fantastic Stories: Jan. 1985 to Mar. 1985.

  • Amazing Science Fiction Stories: May 1985 to Jan. 1986.

  • Amazing Stories: Mar. 1986 to Summer 2000.

  • Amazing Stories: September 2004 to Mar. 2005.
y separately published work icon Fantastic Fantastic Science Fiction; Fantastic Science Fiction Stories; Fantastic Stories of Imagination; Fantastic Sword and Sorcery and Fantasy Stories New York (City) : Ziff-Davis Ultimate Publishing , 1952-1980 Z1683594 1952-1980 periodical (13 issues) An American digest-size fantasy and science fiction magazine published between 1952 and 1980, Fantastic was first published Ziff-Davis as fantasy companion to Amazing Stories and Fantastic Adventures. Initial sales of the new magazine were good and it was subsequently decided cease publication of Fantastic Adventures in 1953 so as to focus on Fantastic. When sales fell during the mid-1950s editor Howard Browne refocused the magazine towards science fiction rather than fantasy, but with less interest in that genre he allowed the quality to slide.

Browne was eventually succeeded by Paul W. Fairman, but it was not until the early 1960s, under the editorship of Cele Goldsmith, that Fantastic (as well as Amazing) was re-invigorated. Goldsmith brought in many new writers and gave the magazine both a new look and feel. She also helped to nurture the early careers of a number of writers, including Roger Zelazny and Ursula K. Le Guin. Goldsmith was unable to increase the circulation of either magazine, however, and thus in 1965 Fantastic and Amazing were sold to Sol Cohen.

Under Cohen and editor Joseph Wrzos Fantasic, became a reprint-only magazine. The move was financially successful, but raised the ire of the newly formed Science Fiction Writers of America. Cohen was eventually forced to abandon this policy and by the early 1970s new editor Ted White had begun commissioning new works. With only a small budget for fiction White attempted to attract readers with artwork from artists who had made their names in comics. He also managed to combine new fiction from emerging writers with stories from well-known writers which had been rejected by the other markets. White was unable to halt the slide in circulation, however, and in 1978 Cohen sold out his half of the business to partner, Arthur Bernhard.

Shortly after Berhard took over control of the company, Ted White resigned. He was replaced by Elinor Mavor, but within two years a decision was made close down Fantastic. Berhard then merged it with Amazing, which had always had slightly higher circulation.
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Last amended 13 Mar 2012 13:42:03
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