The Fantast
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The Fantast |
| Publisher: | |
| Editor(s): | C.S. Youd, Douglas Webster |
| Organizer(s): | |
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| Cover Artist(s): | |
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| Type: | |
| Date(s): | 1939-1942 |
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| Fandom: | Science fiction |
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| Warning(s): | |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | Online at Fanac.org |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The Fantast was an English science fiction zine published from 1939 to 1942. It was edited by C.S. Youd in 1939, and later by Douglas Webster.
About
Most of the material was from the British science fiction fandom, most prominently Youd, Webster, John F. Burke, and D.R. Smith. Some American contributors included Louis Russell Chauvenet, John B. Michel and Robert A. W. Lowndes. In 1940 the magazine was suspended for a while because Youd had been drafted into the RAF, and it was handed over to Webster.
In issue 11, editor Doug Webster took a stand against the new term "fanzine" that had been coined recently in America:
We forgot this last issue. In a (fairly) recent issue of SPACEWAYS, Harry Warner officially adopted "fanzine" as nickname-or abbreviation for "fan magazine". Now we are perverse. We dislike "fanzine"; we: dislike "fanag” much more. If "fanmag" was good enough for English fandom five years ago, and three years ago and a year ago, we reckon it’s still quite efficient. And please bear in mind that neither the policy of FANTAST nor the principles of either editor could ever be called "conservative".Douglas Webster: Tying Up Loose Ends Dept. The Fantast #11 pg 17. Nov 1941.
Reviews
After reading The Fantast thru thoroly, I was very much pleased. You have a very nice appearing magazine, and the material is of exceptionally hi calibre.+++The cover is definitely as good as the average fan cover. I don't care too much for the paper employd in the cover and the two pages following.Louis Kuslan: Letter printed in Fantast issue 3 pg. 18 (June 1939)
For a start I must congratulate you on keeping your promise of improvement better than any editor, fan or otherwise, has ever done. The Fantast already has that polish that signifies quality and it is certainly easy to read, which is a fat sight more than I can say for Imagination. The even edge down the right side helps this considerably but I would not urge you to continue if it is much trouble, because it is not an essential though a definite refinement.D.R. Smith: letter printed in The Fantast #3 pg. 15 (June 1939)
It was quite an amazing sensation to receive a fanmag from England and find a piece of mine reprinted in it. But that sensation was nothing compared to the one I got a couple of weeks later when I found the time to read the rest of the magazine. I cannot think of having seen material of such high quality, thoughtfulness, and intelligence in any other fan magazine. (Even Milty’s Mag.)Milton A. Rothman: letter printed in The Fantast #9 pg. 19 (Apr. 1941)
Douglas Webster... Two for .25 Vol. 2 #3 -- the April-August number, begun by Youd and finished by Webster upon Youd's impending induction into the RAF. 21 pp. plus another of Turner's good covers. D.R. Smith scores with pt. II of "Road to Fame" and the don't miss "Fable of Misch-Masch". Doc Lowndes, Robb, and Youd form the supporting cast. Recommended.Louis Russell Chauvenet in Fantasy Fiction Field issue 50 pg. 2 (Sept. 1941)
Notable Articles
- Conversation in a Space-Ship by John F. Burke. - Issue #6 (1939)