Incredible Science Fiction

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title=Incredible Science Fiction


caption=Wally Wood cover, issue #33
schedule=Bimonthly
format=Anthology
publisher=EC Comics
date=July/August 1955 - January/February 1956
issues=4
main_char_team=
writers=
artists=
pencillers=
inkers=
letterers=
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creators=William Gaines
Al Feldstein

Incredible Science Fiction was a science fiction anthology comic published by EC Comics in 1955 and 1956, lasting a total of four issues.

Origin

"Incredible Science Fiction" was a retitled version of the comic "Weird Science-Fantasy", which changed its title in 1955 in order to be accepted under the Comics Code, which did not allow the use of the word "Weird". The comic changed its title with issue 30, but due to attempts to save money on postage, the numbering did not restart (and hence, issue 30 is actually the first issue of this title).

Artists and Writers

"Incredible Science-Fiction" ran for four issues, boasting a number of skilled artists including Jack Davis, Wally Wood, Bernard Krigstein, Joe Orlando and Roy Krenkel. Three of its covers were done by Davis, with the final issue's cover by Wood. This comic is notable for having Jack Davis's only science fiction work for EC. cite book | year=1982 | title=The Complete EC Library: Incredible Science Fiction Volume 1|publisher=Russ Cochran| language=English ] Roy Krenkel also provided his only solo story for EC with issue 31's "Time to Leave".

The story "Food For Thought" from issue 32 (which featured art predominantly from Al Williamson but also Roy Krenkel as well) was awarded best artwork for an individual science fiction story at the 1972 EC Fan-Addict Convention. cite book | year=1982 | title=The Complete EC Library: Incredible Science Fiction Volume 1|publisher=Russ Cochran| language=English ]

Effect of the Comics Code

Aside from the title change, "Incredible Science-Fiction" was also different from its predecessor because it now had to follow the tight standards of the Comics Code, which was created in 1954 to censor the controversial comics of that time. Eventually the Comics Code would spell the end of not only this comic, but all comics produced by EC. When a story in issue 33 did not meet the standards of the Code, publisher Bill Gaines and editor Al Feldstein decided to reprint the story "Judgment Day!" (originally in "Weird Fantasy" #18). A powerful anti-racism story, "Judgment Day!" was also rejected because Judge Charles Murphy, the Comics Code Administrator, demanded that the black astronaut be removed. Gaines refused and threatened to take the matter to the Supreme Court. The Comics Code backed down, and Gaines then printed the story without any changes. [Diehl, Digby "Tales from the Crypt: The Official Archives" (St. Martin's Press, New York, NY 1996) p. 95]

Resurfacing

The title resurfaced in a 1974 fantasy story, "Present Perfect", by Thomas F. Monteleone. The story focuses on William Rutherford, who is the editor of a speculative fiction magazine titled "Incredible Science Fiction". After rejecting one story after another, he picks up a manuscript which is Monteleone's "Present Perfect". This tale was published in "Fantastic" (September 1974). [ [http://www.nesfa.org/Recursion/recursive_M.htm NESFA: Recusive Science Fiction] ] Such recursive plotting was employed several times by EC, notably in "The Aliens," illustrated by Al Williamson for "Weird Fantasy" 17 (January-February 1953).

Issue guide

Reprints

"Incredible Science Fiction" has been reprinted by EC-fan and publisher Russ Cochran on a couple of occasions. It formed part of his Complete EC Library (in 1982 [ [http://www.bookpalace.com/acatalog/Home_Complete_EC_Library_31.html The Book Palace: The Complete EC Library] . Accessed March 12, 2008] ), published (in black and white) as a slipcased hardcover two-volume set alongside "Weird Science-Fantasy". It was also reprinted issue-by-issue between August 1994 and May 1995 by Cochran (in association with Gemstone Publishing).

References

External links

* [http://www.stevestiles.com/sfcom.htm "The Worlds of Science Fiction Comics" by Steve Stiles]