The first ever full reprint of a seminal 1940s fanzine
First Fandom Experience is pleased to present The Complete Acolyte, the first ever full reprint of a seminal fanzine from the 1940s.
The Acolyte ran for fourteen issues from Fall 1942 through Winter 1946. This exceptional amateur publication provided an essential bridge in the history of fantasy publishing.
“For decades, devotees of H. P. Lovecraft and weird fiction have been hoping for a facsimile reprint of THE ACOLYTE, the legendary fanzine founded by Francis T. Laney and containing contributions by Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Fritz Leiber, Robert Bloch, and many other luminaries. Now, First Fandom Experience has accomplished the feat—and in the process provided a wealth of information about the magazine and its contributors, in a lavish production that is actually superior to the originals in the quality of its reproduction. Fans and scholars can now assess the importance of THE ACOLYTE in fostering the study of weird fiction, to say nothing of enjoying a fascinating array of fiction, poetry, articles, and other matter.”
— S. T. Joshi, Author of I Am Providence: The Life and Times of H. P. Lovecraft
“It is a wonderful irony of technology that fanzines, which were once considered to be the most ephemeral of all publications, can now be preserved in superb, permanent editions like this one. THE ACOLYTE is one of the greatest of all fan publications in the weird fiction genre. Now fans don’t have to seek out increasingly rare and fragile originals. Here is everything, with important contributions by the major names of the time, including Lovecraft and many members of his circle. This is valuable not mere for the texts, some of which are not readily available elsewhere, but for the reproduction of the context in which they were originally published. Bravo!”
— Darrell Schweitzer, former editor of WEIRD TALES
This 540-page softbound volume includes:
- The full contents of all fourteen issues of The Acolyte, presented in their original form, digitally restored for readability
- A full table of contents spanning all fourteen issues
- An extensive introduction with historical context on the publication, its editors and its impact
- A complete reprint of Howard Phillips Lovecraft 1890-1937: A Tentative Bibliography, the first bibliography of Lovecraft’s work, published in 1943 by Francis T. Laney (editor of The Acolyte) and William Evans
- Biographical notes on the many poets whose work appeared in The Acolyte
- Seldom-seen art created by frequent Acolyte contributor Robert E. Hoffman, Ronald Clyne, Alva Rogers and others
“The Acolyte was always about more than just Lovecraft, and represents a maturing and increasingly educated fandom that wanted to bridge the gap between pulp fiction fandom and literary study and criticism. First Fandom Experience is not only reprinting key texts for Lovecraft and fantasy fans, but reveals the fans who put it together, and the historical context that drove its rise and fall over four years and 14 issues.”
— Bobby Derie, author of Weird Talers: Essays on Robert E. Howard and Others