The War Effort

Before exploring the post-war surviving magazines it is important to consider the effect upon magazine sf of the war and in particular the unleashing of atomic power.

For decades scientists had dreamed of harnessing the power of the atom, and science-fiction writers had considered its potential both in peace and in war. Future war had also been a strong theme in science fiction. With technology advancing rapidly to support the war effort, science-fiction fans realized that they were witnessing their dreams becoming the nightmares of reality. The development of helicopters, jet planes, radar, guided missiles, rockets and ultimately the nuclear bomb was all accelerated during the war, and though much was kept secret, that only made it all the more amazing when these inventions were suddenly released upon humanity.

Hitherto most science fiction had tended to glorify war, marvelling at the wonders of science rather than the impact upon the human race. The most significant anti-war novel to appear in the sf magazines hitherto was ‘The Final War’ by Carl W. Spohr (Wonder Stories, March–April 1932), a former German artillery officer. Spohr wrote from the heart in decrying the futility of war and showing how, with advanced weaponry, the next war would be the suicide of mankind.

It was not until the rise of Hitler, particularly after he assumed the presidency of Germany in August 1934, that writers began to consider the inevitable consequences of fascism, but even then it was still treated as distant and something that might yet be avoided. Once war erupted, however, censorship barred writers from exploring scientific developments in detail, though they could consider their consequences. We have already seen the conclusions of allout destruction in L. Ron Hubbard's ‘Final Blackout’ and the nuclear stalemate in Heinlein's ‘Solution – Unsatisfactory’.

A prime purpose of science fiction during the war, therefore, was not to predict but to raise morale. Instead of looking at the doom and gloom of war, writers sought to find as many ways as possible of defeating Hitler. On one level you had the comic books where Captain America and other superheroes used their superpowers to give the enemy its come-uppance.