Richard Matheson - The Original Stories: The Sci-Fi Pulps

In part one of this ongoing series, I looked at Richard Matheson's short fiction appearances in Playboy. For this installment, I turn my attention to his work in the Sci-Fi pulps.

My goal is to include basic bibliographic information, cover shots and interior illustrations where possible, and a listing of the subsequent Matheson collections in which the stories appeared. I plan to interject other bits of trivia along the way, and if there's anything in particular you'd like to see, please let me know by posting a comment. -John Scoleri

The Original Stories - Part Two: The Sci-Fi Pulps

Matheson burst onto the scene writing for numerous sci-fi digests beginning in 1950. While the era of the pulps was coming to a close, Matheson managed to sell several stories to a number of Sci-Fi pulps before they changed format or vanished completely. All seven of these stories were published in A Thrilling Publication (which included sister publications Starting Stories, Thrilling Wonder Stories, Fantastic Story Magazine and Wonder Story Annual).

"Witch War"
Startling Stories
July 1951, Vol. 23 No. 3

Subsequent appearances: Collected Stories HC, Born of Man and Woman, Shock III, I Am Legend & Others, Nightmare at 20,000 Feet: Horror Stories, Collected Stories TP v1

Editorial description: Wearing skirts and bobby sox, they were deadlier than H-bombs.

Notes: Edited by Sam Merwyn, Jr., this issue also featured a novelet by Leigh Brackett, "The Woman From Altair."

Illustrator Unknown

"Return"
Thrilling Wonder Stories
October 1951, Vol. 39 No. 1

Subsequent appearances: Collected Stories HC, Born of Man and Woman, Shock III, Duel: Terror Stories, Collected Stories TP v1

Editorial description: Robert Wade's trips into the future carried a strange price tag.

Note: This is one of Matheson's Fort College stories. This issue, also edited by Sam Merwyn, Jr, featured a novelet by Jack Vance, "The Plagian Siphon."

Illustration by Peter Paulton

"The Foodlegger"
Thrilling Wonder Stories
April 1952, Vol. 40 No. 1

Subsequent appearances (as "F—"): Collected Stories HC, Born of Man and Woman, Third From the Sun, Duel: Terror Stories, Collected Stories TP v1

Editorial description: Time-traveler Wade finds out dirty words change with the times.

Notes: This is another Fort College story. All subsequent publications have been under Matheson's original title, "F—". Samuel Mines was the editor for the remainder of Matheson's appearances.

Illustrator Unknown

"The Disinheritors"
Fantastic Story Magazine
January 1953, Vol. 5 No. 1

Subsequent appearances: Collected Stories HC, Shock III, Collected Stories TP v1

Editorial description: You can drive people out of their minds—what of their bodies?

Note: In the March 1953 issue, Bobby Stewart writes in a letter to the editor: "In 2nd place I rate "The Disinheritors." In fact, (durst I say it?) I've liked every Matheson story I have ever read except "Born of Man and Woman." If this is printed imagine the pounds of letters I will get explaining in detail why BOMAW was a classic story and what was so good about it."

Illustrator Unknown

"Death Ship"
Fantastic Story Magazine
March 1953, Vol. 5 No. 2

Subsequent appearances: Collected Stories HC, Shock!, Duel: Terror Stories, Collected Stories TP v1

Editorial description: The captain had lost all authority over his men, over the ship.

Note: "Death Ship" was memorably adapted as an hour-long 4th season episode of The Twilight Zone starring Jack Klugman and Ross Martin. In the July 1953 issue, Terry Carr writes in a letter to the editor: "Matheson's "Death Ship" has excellent characterization, coupled with an intriguing idea and an excellent ending."

Illustrator Unknown

"Lazarus II"
Fantastic Story Magazine
July 1953, Vol. 6 No. 1

Subsequent appearances: Collected Stories HC, Shock II, Collected Stories TP v1

Editorial description: Could a selfish mother tie a machine to her apron springs?

Notes: In an interview with Stanley Wiater for Collected Stories TP v1, Matheson indicates this might have been a Fort College story. This issue also features the Philip K. Dick story, "The Indefatigable Frog."

Illustrator Unknown

"Miss Stardust"
Startling Stories
Spring 1955, Vol. 33 No. 1

Subsequent appearances: Collected Stories HC, Shock III, Collected Stories TP v2

Editorial description: It was a case of beauty and the beast. Which was which?

Notes: Adapted for Steven Spielberg's Amazing Stories in 1987 by Richard Christian Matheson and Thomas Szollosi for director Tobe Hooper. This issue also features the Philip K. Dick story, "Nanny."

Illustrator Unknown

There's more to come! Stay tuned for future installments of Richard Matheson - The Original Stories.