Le Zombie
Encyclopedia
Le Zombie was an intermittent ("Published every time a zombie awakens") science fiction fanzine
, of which 72 issues were published by science fiction
fan
and author Bob Tucker
from December of 1938 to August of 2001. The first issue was a single, crudely mimeographed sheet; the last printed issue was published in December 1975 by planography. After a 25-year hiatus, Tucker resumed publishing in 2000; these last 5 issues (also referred to as eZombie, but preserving the same numbering sequence) were electronically published as a webzine. The title refers to the "Tucker death hoaxes" which played such a distinctive role in fan history.
Many phrases and fan writing techniques have their origins in the pages of Le Zombie, including the term space opera
, and the use of the slash to indicate a thought was struck through. Beginning in mid-1942, Le Zombie, along with Harry Warner's
Spaceways, began sponsoring the "Fanzine Service" as a way of distributing fanzines to people who were serving in the World War II.
In his obituary of Tucker, John Clute
wrote: "It is only in recent years that academic critics have begun to come to terms with the huge amount of intellectual activity - along with pre-blog gossip - that filled [science fiction] fanzines, perhaps the most brilliant of them being Bob Tucker's Le Zombie."
Science fiction fanzine
A science fiction fanzine is an amateur or semi-professional magazine published by members of science fiction fandom, from the 1930s to the present day...
, of which 72 issues were published by science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
fan
Science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or "fandom" of people actively interested in science fiction and fantasy and in contact with one another based upon that interest...
and author Bob Tucker
Wilson Tucker
Arthur Wilson "Bob" Tucker was an American mystery, action adventure, and science fiction writer, who wrote professionally as Wilson Tucker....
from December of 1938 to August of 2001. The first issue was a single, crudely mimeographed sheet; the last printed issue was published in December 1975 by planography. After a 25-year hiatus, Tucker resumed publishing in 2000; these last 5 issues (also referred to as eZombie, but preserving the same numbering sequence) were electronically published as a webzine. The title refers to the "Tucker death hoaxes" which played such a distinctive role in fan history.
Many phrases and fan writing techniques have their origins in the pages of Le Zombie, including the term space opera
Space opera
Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in outer space, generally involving conflict between opponents possessing advanced technologies and abilities. The term has no relation to music and it is analogous to "soap...
, and the use of the slash to indicate a thought was struck through. Beginning in mid-1942, Le Zombie, along with Harry Warner's
Harry Warner, Jr.
Harry Warner, Jr. was an American journalist. He spent 40 years working for the Hagerstown, Maryland, Herald-Mail....
Spaceways, began sponsoring the "Fanzine Service" as a way of distributing fanzines to people who were serving in the World War II.
In his obituary of Tucker, John Clute
John Clute
John Frederick Clute is a Canadian born author and critic who has lived in Britain since 1969. He has been described as "an integral part of science fiction's history."...
wrote: "It is only in recent years that academic critics have begun to come to terms with the huge amount of intellectual activity - along with pre-blog gossip - that filled [science fiction] fanzines, perhaps the most brilliant of them being Bob Tucker's Le Zombie."