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Comet, v. 1, issue 1, January-February 1940

Page 6

WHAT MADE THEM 'GOOD'?

estion was just about perfection to real fans. There were only fifteen but several were very long. Seven were from our of the U.S.; as far away as Japan. The only familiar names were Widner and P. Schuyler Miller. Sloane, in one answer, mentioned he was contemplating a reprint quarterly that never appeared; also, two stories that were never printed were mentioned as being on hand. C.A. Brandt reviewed no less than five new fantasy novels; and there was the customary Sloane editorial; instructive and interesting as always.

As form the stories, there were two good serials running; "Liners of Time" by John Russel Fearn, and "The Inner World" by A. Hyatt Verrill. They were perfect foils to one another, and for that reason seem even better, when I looked at today. Among the shorts, three names still writing today are found---P. S. Miller, Harl Vincent, and N.R. Jones. Jones' yarn was one of the best of Professor Jameson series, and actually a novelette. Vincent was fair; Miller nearly at his best. The other story was one by Arthur Cave, and rather childish. And the comic-strip illustrations didn't help matters any.

Thre was to finish up the issue, the old time science questionairre, based on the issue's fiction, and still the best kind. 144 pages, the magazine was, the same as today, but a nickle more in price.

Finally, Wonder Stories. A huge "Now 15 Cents" took up a lot of the cover; the red band across the bottom; editor's name; "Grensback Publication"; NRA emblem; and contest announcement helped to take up plenty room. The contest was about Paul's cover for that issue; a story was to be written around it. Paul, Winter, Marshioni, and Schneerman each had interior illustrations; all rather good. The science editorial was by Grensback; there were numerous other departments, like a science quiz similar to Amazings', announcement of next issue's stories; an article by Harris on the Rocket Engine; Science Fiction League; the contest business; Science Questions and Answers; and the letter section. The letter section was perfect. Twenty three of the blasted things, and everyone good. Darrow, Rothman, Rothman again, Darrow once more, and Ackerman were the only names active today, but many of that day's luminaries like Pritchard and Kidd were blooming forth. The SPWSSTFM was mentioned. In the Science Fiction League, most of the space was taken up by a quiz.

The best story in the issue was the first installment of Pragnell's "Green Man of Graypee", since reprinted twice, though not paid for when published here. The other serial was the last installment of "The Waltz of Death", by P.B. Maxen. Three short stories finish the issue. None were outstanding; they were "Justice of the Atoms" by Charles B. Pool; "The Memory Machine" by Bernard Sachs; and "A Thief in Time" by R.A. Young. Strangely enough, no yarn-author in this issue has had stf. published in an American Magazine for years.

Well, draw your own conclusions!
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
The author of the above article puts out two swell amature magazines. One; Spaceways, was voted the best fan mag in Bob Tucker's recent poll. It contains articles of the highest quality only, and by the most famous fans. Send 10c to 303 Bryan Place: Hagerstown, Maryland.

The other mag is reviewed elsewhere in this issue; it being Horizons.

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WHAT MADE THEM 'GOOD'? estion was just about perfection to real fans. There were only fifteen but several were very long. Seven were from our of the U.S.; as far away as Japan. The only familiar names were Widner and P. Schuyler Miller. Sloane, in one answer, mentioned he was contemplating a reprint quarterly that never appeared; also, two stories that were never printed were mentioned as being on hand. C.A. Brandt reviewed no less than five new fantasy novels; and there was the customary Sloane editorial; instructive and interesting as always. As form the stories, there were two good serials running; "Liners of Time" by John Russel Fearn, and "The Inner World" by A. Hyatt Verrill. They were perfect foils to one another, and for that reason seem even better, when I looked at today. Among the shorts, three names still writing today are found---P. S. Miller, Harl Vincent, and N.R. Jones. Jones' yarn was one of the best of Professor Jameson series, and actually a novelette. Vincent was fair; Miller nearly at his best. The other story was one by Arthur Cave, and rather childish. And the comic-strip illustrations didn't help matters any. Thre was to finish up the issue, the old time science questionairre, based on the issue's fiction, and still the best kind. 144 pages, the magazine was, the same as today, but a nickle more in price. Finally, Wonder Stories. A huge "Now 15 Cents" took up a lot of the cover; the red band across the bottom; editor's name; "Grensback Publication"; NRA emblem; and contest announcement helped to take up plenty room. The contest was about Paul's cover for that issue; a story was to be written around it. Paul, Winter, Marshioni, and Schneerman each had interior illustrations; all rather good. The science editorial was by Grensback; there were numerous other departments, like a science quiz similar to Amazings', announcement of next issue's stories; an article by Harris on the Rocket Engine; Science Fiction League; the contest business; Science Questions and Answers; and the letter section. The letter section was perfect. Twenty three of the blasted things, and everyone good. Darrow, Rothman, Rothman again, Darrow once more, and Ackerman were the only names active today, but many of that day's luminaries like Pritchard and Kidd were blooming forth. The SPWSSTFM was mentioned. In the Science Fiction League, most of the space was taken up by a quiz. The best story in the issue was the first installment of Pragnell's "Green Man of Graypee", since reprinted twice, though not paid for when published here. The other serial was the last installment of "The Waltz of Death", by P.B. Maxen. Three short stories finish the issue. None were outstanding; they were "Justice of the Atoms" by Charles B. Pool; "The Memory Machine" by Bernard Sachs; and "A Thief in Time" by R.A. Young. Strangely enough, no yarn-author in this issue has had stf. published in an American Magazine for years. Well, draw your own conclusions! *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* The author of the above article puts out two swell amature magazines. One; Spaceways, was voted the best fan mag in Bob Tucker's recent poll. It contains articles of the highest quality only, and by the most famous fans. Send 10c to 303 Bryan Place: Hagerstown, Maryland. The other mag is reviewed elsewhere in this issue; it being Horizons.