Isaac Asimov to Comet, Jan 1941

by Isaac Asimov

We've Corrected the Running Heads Now!

Dear Mr. Tremaine:

The first issue of Comet lies beside my typewriter, and having devoured its contents with the avidity of the typical science-fiction fan, I proceed to unburden my soul on paper, again like the typical science-fiction fan.

On the whole, I am pleased with your new magazine. That's an honest opinion—and I'll prove it by saying that it is not the best issue of any magazine that I have ever read; I know that it is the tendency in writing one's first letter on any magazine to be super-lavish in one's praises, but I hope you can offset the relative moderacy of my good opinion by its sincerity. The first issue of Comet is very definitely above par as far as first issues go; it is even above par as far as today's science-fiction in general goes.

Nevertheless, it would have been too much for me to expect an unimprovable issue—and I know you never expected me to expect that. But I'll tell you this—that the first issue gives me hopes. Once the magazine gains momentum, it's going places—and with you at the wheel, it's going to go lots of places.

But let's be more specific. Ho, for the praise and the good old constructive criticism. First of all, I like your broadness in the story field. The yarns vary from straight science-fiction ("Momus Moon") to science-action on one hand ("In the Earth's Shadow") and weird on the other ("Primal City"). You've got heavy science ("Ultimate Image") and brick science ("Equation for Time").

As I say, I like that. Now, to be sure, I have my favorite types of science-fiction. I'm not much for excessive "action" or "blood-and-thunder" and I don't particularly like "weird" stuff—but I realize that you've got a whole bevy of fans to satisfy, and that no one is going to edit a magazine especially for me. Still, with a wide selection, I know that I'm going to get several stories each issue that are going to be right up my alley, and that thought is accompanied by an avid licking of lips. So much for stories (since I've taken to scribbling a bit myself—a bad habit—I no longer consider myself qualified to give detailed opinions on specific stories, much though I would like to). Still, I might say that the three stories I enjoyed most in the issue were: 1) Binder's "Momus Moon", 2) Winterbotham's "Equation for Time" and 3) "Lord of the Silent Death," by R. M. Williams.

I like the block letters of the cover title, which make it noticeable to the casual eye, without being loud. I like the title too—short and suitable. Of course, it is a little disappointing not to have the cover drawing stretch clear across the cover, but that is largely offset by the fact that it has no printing upon it. I realize the advertising value of the author listing at its left, and won't mind if you stick to that arrangement. It's better than having the drawing large and smothered in print.

"The Spacean" is amusing, but can you keep it up? It's the sort of thing that might easily drop into silly burlesque if one isn't careful. If you can hold it to the level of this first issue, it's got my vote of approval.

One really serious kick I've got concerning the format is this: Why have you got the pages headed "Comet" throughout? You can't tell one story from another unless you manage to find the title page. It's very inconvenient, having to refer to the contents page continually, in order to get to the particular story you were reading when you last put the magazine down.

Oh, yes, we're going to have serials later on, aren't we? And maybe a science article occasionally?

Sincerely,
⁠Isaac Asimov,
⁠174 Windsor Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Yes, when the serial comes, we’ll have serials; but not until one which is though-provoking, new and really great reaches us. A serial must be worth the space it occupies.—F. O. T.