An Illustrated History of Heidi Saha

Zine
Title:	An Illustrated History of Heidi Saha
Publisher:	Warren Publishing
Editor(s):	Forrest J. Ackerman
Type:	photographic portfolio
Date(s):	1973
Medium:	Print
Fandom:	Vampirella
Language:	English
External Links:	Issu.com
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

The Illustrated HIstory of Heidi Saha is a "controversial" magazine published by Warren Publishing and edited by Forrest J. Ackerman. It was a pictorial study of Heidi Salas, a young cosplayer and Ackerman's goddaughter, who later gained convention notoriety with her appearance at the 1973 Comic Art Convention as Ackerman's comic character Vampirella. The controversy came from two directions: Heidi was only fourteen when she appeared in the revealing costume; and the costume had been professionally made, which cosplayers felt was counter to the aesthetic of fannish costuming. At the time the magazine was released, Saha was known on the convention circuit, partly for her cosplay and partly for her family connections: her father was science-fiction author Art Saha, a member of the Futurians and First Fandom and friend of many of the notable identities of early sci-fi fandom such as Donald A. Wollheim and Frederik Pohl.

The magazine included family photographs as well as cosplay images - there are photos of Heidi dressed Wilma Deering, Shanna the Jungle Girl and Star Trek's Shahna of Triskelion. There is also a section of "Heidi and Her Famous Friends", with photos of Heidi with various science fiction luminaries such as Isaac Asimov, Sam Moskowitz, Phil Seuling, George Zebrowski, Arthur C. Clarke, Kirk "Superman" Alyn and Anne McCaffery.

According to Saha's brother:

The Heidi Book and Poster: Again Ackerman's and Warren's vision as creative SF businessman. They did not commission these items as some sort of favor to us. Come on people--think, Jim Warren ran a business. The book and poster were advertised and sold through Warren Magazines. Apparently they did achieve some success with these items as they are still talked about and command high prices in the resale market. Look through the book--nothing revealing or inappropriate. The book consists primarily of family pictures (with various family friends and SF dignitaries like Gene Roddenberry and Arthur C. Clarke) and pictures of Heidi in various fully UnRevealing costumes.

 

There is also this discussion with Jim Warren re the reasons for publishing the 'zine, although the magazine was released before Saha's appearance at the Comic Arts Convention:

Jim Warren [of Warren Publications] did talk about his experience with Heidi Saha in his 1990s interview that appeared in The Warren Companion which, by the way, is an excellent book for anyone interested in the Warren Comics line.

He mentions that he met Heidi when she was 14 or 15 but I’ve seen at least one photo of him posing with a younger Heidi, probably taken at Lunacon in 1970 when she would have been 11. Heidi’s father, Art Saha, was at one time president of the Lunarians, the group that sponsored LunaCon.

Warren knew the Sahas through his friendship with Forry Ackerman and Forry had known Art since the 1940’s when he was a young science fiction fan living in Forry’s hometown, Los Angeles.

Hey, it was a long time ago so no one can fault him for not having a clearer memory about this.

Warren explained in his Warren Companion interview that publishing the Heidi book and poster was part of a deal he made with her parents. He said “it was my way of paying them back for Heidi wearing a Vampirella costume, promoting a Warren property”.

Warren went on to say that he thought that her parents “were grooming her to be a movie star and if she had her own magazine and poster, it would be a step in the right direction.”

 

In all events, the magazine appears to have been arranged by Saha's parents (who gave access to family photos, including one of Saha as a naked toddler), with "Uncle Forry" credited as providing "Words and Music".

Advertising flyer (1973)

The most "unsavoury" element of the magazine is the captions and advertising, provided by Ackerman. Bearing in mind Saha's age and her relationship to him, his extolling her sexiness with such captions as "Pool water turned to steam when Heidi took a dip" (for a photo of her poolside in in a bikini); "...she's Lilith, Lolita & Lorelei melded into one fantastic young colt around whom there's already a cult"; "At the present time she neatly distributes 35" 24" 36" into a 5'7" frame weighing 120 lbs. and topped by a heavenly cascade of honey-blonde hair"; about Arthur C. Clarke: "take one look at those pictures of him and Heidi and you can't help but wonder if (stand in line) he isn't waiting for Childhood's End?!"

Advertising ceased in 1974 after an incident at the 1974 Creation Con during which a satirical poem/filk aimed at Saha was published in the program book that included a photo of a young blonde model (not Heidi) from a "gentleman's magazine". Saha's father attacked the author of the poem, Manny Maris, in a rage about the photograph; Maris was expelled from the convention. In the wake of this, Warren Publishing discontinued the advertising for the magazine and the poster. Saha retired from the convention circuit not long after.

Today the magazine is considered a rare find, with only 500 copies made. Copies are sold for high prices, with sellers using references to the Vampirella costume and later rumours - that the magazine was published and then recalled and destroyed; published in a limited run of 500 to sell at conventions; and that it was recalled due to "questionable content" such as nude photos - to raise interest.

Reactions and Reviews

2015

Thanks to Angee Trouvere I now have a copy of the "Illustrated History of Heidi Saha", and I have to agree that there is nothing "dubious" in it at all! Not only that, but if I had bought it new back in the 1970's I would have been really disappointed as it really isn't that interesting a magazine. I certainly wouldn't pay the exorbitant prices it fetches now and would have considered it a waste of money at the time. The word "pointless" comes to mind.

I'm sorry, Heidi, but it wasn't one of Jim Warren's best efforts.

 

External Links

• "An Illustrated History of Heidi Saha" by Richard Beland at Jungle Frolics, Jan 18/10 (via Wayback Apr 23/24)
• "Comic Book Legends Revealed #265" by Brian Cronin at CBR.com, Jan 18/10 (via Wayback Jan 18/24)
• "The Heidi Saha Shrine" @Facebook.com (via Wayback Jul 5/24)