Related Sections: Books News Web
Starlog ceases print publication; will remain on Web
Starlog, one of the longest-running print magazines devoted to the worlds of sci-fi and fantasy, has ceased publication after 33 years.
Official word of Starlog's demise came in a posting last week on the Starlog.com site, buried five paragraphs deep in an update informing readers that Starlog.com had relaunched in beta as part of a "massive digital initiative" and touting the fact that a "Digital store," to launch next month, will feature digital editions of the entire Starlog catalog.
"It is also at this time that we announce the temporary cessation of the current run of Starlog as a print magazine," the statement read. "After 33 years, and considering the present state of the economy, we feel [it's] time for a major revamp and will be temporarily discontinuing publication while the model and redesign of the magazine are contemplated and executed.
"The last print issue available for the time being is #374," it continued, "while issue #375 will be available exclusively as a digital edition on the network in the very near future."
Starlog debuted in 1976 as a quarterly magazine created by Kerry O'Quinn and Norman Jacobs. Jacobs eventually sold the company to the Creative Group, and the Brooklyn Co. bought Starlog and its horror-centric sister magazine Fangoria last year from the Creative Group, which had fallen into bankruptcy.
According to sources, Fangoria, which already has a strong Web presence, will remain a print entity. Left unanswered: the fates of longtime Starlog editor in chief David McDonnell and managing editor Allan Dart.
By Rob at 5:57 PM ON 04/12/09
This really sucks. I started buying Starlog from the beginning. To think I'll never see it for sale again is pretty depressing. When Famous Monsters ceased publication, I could still say 'At least there's Starlog', now there's a hole with nothing worthy to fill it.
By izmunuti at 6:18 PM ON 04/12/09
Wow... what a great print run. As a small town kid I waited anxiously for every issue to transport me away to fantastical places and introduce me to mind-stretching ideas. It was my main connection to my love of sf and I devoured Starlog. I wish them luck with the online version!
By jbs780 at 6:25 PM ON 04/12/09
Well...DARN!!! Good mag...hope they make it back. 8^(
By Gill Avila at 6:34 PM ON 04/12/09
I wonder how much my issue #1 is as a collectible?
By sjc1963 at 6:54 PM ON 04/12/09
I bet that we'll start to see copies on torrent sites soon after..... No copy protection is perfect.
By Bobanort at 7:00 PM ON 04/12/09
It will be missed. I hope things turn around soon.
By Joe B. at 10:17 PM ON 04/12/09
That's sad! I bought Starlog for years when it first came out and was a subscriber for many years. It was one of the best sci-fi mags around. I hope it does eventually return as they did say "temporarily discontinuing publication."
By Scott at 11:33 PM ON 04/12/09
Wow-that's really sad and disturbing. I know they've had a hard time figuring out their place in the internet era but I didn't think things were this bad. I hope they can turn things around...
By TorvaldTheTiny at 1:36 AM ON 04/13/09
If/when Starlog does reappear in print, I hope it will not have been "improved" so much that it's no longer the Starlog I love.
By zillaguy at 1:49 AM ON 04/13/09
This is truly sad. That means I already have the last print issue. I still remember the day I first layed eyes on a Starlog back in 1977. It was #8 with Land of the Lost on the cover. I 've been collecting it ever since.
By mweston48 at 2:41 AM ON 04/13/09
This is really a bummer. I've been a Starlog subscriber for years. It was the magazine that most closely matched my interests in movies, tv, comic books and books. I'm going to miss it.
By Zaphod at 2:45 AM ON 04/13/09
While it is sad to see Starlog go,magazines are outmoded wastes of paper. It would be better if they all moved to the Internet. It would save paper and clickable banner ads are more efficient since they send people who actually want the products being advertised directly to company's website.
By KillBill at 6:29 AM ON 04/13/09
Wish I still had my original Starlogs; they'll be worth a bundle. I still have some of the old special publications; Spaceships, Aliens, etc. I stopped buying magazines forever when I first git high speed internet. I nearly stopped using my desktop when I got an iPhone. I love the SciFi Wire app! Hadn't even stopped to think Starlog had a website...
By PALADIN at 6:45 AM ON 04/13/09
I bought Starlog when I saw the first issue ...
It was inside the pages of Starlog that i first heard of, and followed the production of an ambitous little sci-fi film called 'Star Wars"....
Starlog was THE magazine to read for sci-fi fans.
End Of An Era.
By Troyce at 11:44 AM ON 04/13/09
I'll miss Starlog. During my college days I picked up every single issue. I have fond memories of running around with publisher Kerry O'Quinn at Aggiecon, a really neat guy. I was glad to see Starlog continue after Kerry stepped down, and I'm sad to see it cease paper publication. It was always the best of the media SF magazines.
By Fangoria at 12:21 PM ON 04/13/09
Don't get too sad, friends. A key element everyone missed in the announcement is that we will still be publishing STARLOG special issues during the year. This is really more of a retooling then an ending. And David and Alan are still onboard, and will be working on the specials and on a daily basis on the new and incredibly improved STARLOG.COM and all of our other sites in the network, including fangoria.com and fangoriagorezone.com.
By Bruce_Wayne at 12:22 PM ON 04/13/09
Sad...this was my favorite mag in the 80s...I have a ton of these...the internet killed print! Long live the internet!!!!
By Catalog Printing at 10:40 PM ON 04/13/09
I agree! that's really sad.
By IsoTek at 4:50 AM ON 04/14/09
I remember when I discovered Starlog, back in the late 70's and I would try the patience of many a bookseller, reading them from end to end (when I couldn't afford to buy one).Well, I think its more of a rebirth not a true ending. While I love having a paper magazine, the future really is electronic media. I look forward to seeing what the brains and brawn behind Starlog can do with a web only magazine.
By hermy at 8:55 PM ON 04/14/09
i like the web.but i still like to hold and read a magazine.sad to see it go.we still have wizard for now.
By JP101 at 3:32 PM ON 04/16/09
For those of us who have subscriptions that still have several issues left to go on them, are we getting a refund?
By Louis at 2:12 PM ON 07/14/09
Ripoff,ripoff! Many,many magazine subscription companies are still advertising Starlog magazine subscription and 1000's of people are paying for something that will not be delivered.
Shame on you Starlog for not notifying all magazine
subscription companies of the truth.
By PissedFan at 11:18 AM ON 10/06/09
Loyal fan since issue#1, subscriber since issue #12. They owe me a refund for 1 yr, and nobody will respond. Way to end a great relationship Starlog!
By Bugs at 12:35 AM ON 11/01/09
I have every issue(mint)in the original Starlog boxes. Any idea what they're worth? Bugs
By pscard at 6:58 PM ON 12/16/09
I've written to Dee Erwine at Starlog several times about getting a refund for my remaining issues, but neither she nor anyone else has responded to my emails.
By bartman at 2:11 AM ON 01/03/10
I'm due a refund for almost a full year and no magazine. Have wrote letters that were not returned so they are getting through. How do we get refunds? Seems like a simple question. Should be a simple answer as well.
Visit mobile.syfy.com/wire on your mobile device.
bartman:
I'm due a refund for almost a full year and no magazine. Have wrote letters that were not returned so they are get...More »