Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction

The 1975 follow-up to Marvel Comics’ ill-fated Worlds Unknown, Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction picked up where its predecessor left off. Packaged in the much more flattering $1 black and white magazine format, the bimonthly publication contained a number of self contained stories (approximately 10 per issue) revolving around one central theme: science fiction. Each issue was crafted by some of the genre’s greatest writers. Names like Harlan Ellison, Roger Zelazny and “Chip” Delany frequented the pages within.

While Magazine Management Co. published the periodical, the “Stan Lee presents:” found on the book’s title page was a telling sign as to the true backer behind the project. Losing out to the spandex clad, super-hero saturated market, some of the greatest names to come out of the House of Ideas—i.e. John Romita, Chris Claremont and Tony Isabella—lent their talent’s to the publication.

Jump to issue:

#1

Jan 1975

Cover: $1.25

W: Bob Shaw, Tony Isabella, John Wyndham, Gerry Conway, Neal Adams, Shel Dorf, Ray Bradbury, Frank Brunner, Wallace Wood, Kelly Freas, Michael W. Kaluta · A: Ross Andru, Neal Adams, Frank Brunner, Al Williamson, Angelo Torres, Roy G. Krenkel, Michael W. Kaluta, Gene Colan

Includes adaptations of Adapts The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham and Light of Other Days by Bob Shaw; KALUTA: Hey Buddy, Can You Lend Me a… (reprinted from Scream Door #1, 1971); B&W

1 copy for $12.95
#2

Mar 1975

Cover: $1.00

W: Roy Thomas, Tony Isabella, Alfred Bester, Dennis O’Neil, Frank Robbins, Michael W. Kaluta, Don Thompson, Bruce Jones, Gerry Conway, Rico Rival, Bob Shaw, John Wyndham · A: Frank Brunner, George Pérez, Frank Robbins, Michael W. Kaluta, Bruce Jones, Alex Niño, Rick Bryant, Rico Rival, Stanley Pitt

Alfred Bester interview; Includes adaptations of Adam and No Eve by Alfred Bester and The Day of the Triffids (part 2); KALUTA: The Hunter and the Hunted (reprinted from Abyss #1, 1970); B&W

4 copies from $4.25
#3

May 1975

Cover: $1.00

W: Tony Isabella, Gerry Conway, Doug Moench, Frank Herbert, Bruce Jones, Don Thompson, Roy Thomas, Harlan Ellison, Larry Niven, Ed Leimbacher · A: Gene Colan, Vincente Alcázar, Bruce Jones, Alex Niño, George Pérez

Includes adaptations of Occupation Force by Frank Herbert, Not Long Before the End by Larry Niven, and Repent Harlequin, Said the Ticktockman by Harlan Ellison; B&W

3 copies from $12.98
#4

Jul 1975

Cover: $1.00

W: Tony Isabella, Don Thompson, Maggie Thompson, A.E. Van Vogt, Tim Conrad, Gerry Conway, Robert Silverberg, Jan Strnad, Bruce Jones, Bob Shaw, Alan Brennert, David Anthony Kraft, Otis Adelbert Kline · A: Don Heck, Dick Giordano, Tim Conrad, Adrian Gonzales, Richard Corben, Bruce Jones, Bob Kline, Rick Bryant, Steve Harper

Includes adaptations of The Enchanted Village by A. E. Van Vogt, A Vision of Venus by Otis Adelbert Kline, and Good News from the Vatican by Robert Silverberg; B&W

5 copies from $11.40
#5

Sep 1975

Cover: $1.00

W: Roy Thomas, Bruce Jones, Alan Brennert, Larry Niven, Howard Chaykin, Don Thompson, Maggie Thompson, Don Glut, John Allison, Bob Shaw · A: Gene Colan, Gray Morrow, Eliot Brown, Rick Bryant, Howard Chaykin, Michael W. Kaluta, Virgilio Redondo, John Allison, Eliot R. Brown

Includes adaptations of All the Myriad Ways by Larry Niven; KALUTA: spot illo. for Fantastic Worlds by Don and Maggie Thompson; Larry Niven interview; B&W

2 copies from $11.40
#6

Nov 1975

Cover: $1.00

W: Doug Moench, Bruce Jones, John Allison, Don Glut, Roy Thomas, Bob Shaw, Michael Moorcock · A: Alex Niño, Bruce Jones, John Allison, Ruben Yandoc, Pat Broderick, Eliot R. Brown, Rick Bryant, Gene Colan, Gary Brodsky, Brian Moore

Includes adaptation of Behold the Man by Michael Moorcock; B&W

1 copy for $8.20
Special Edition #1

Jan 1976

Cover: $1.25

W: Roy Thomas, Stanley G. Weinbaum, Don Glut, Theodore Sturgeon, Alan Brennert, Don Thompson, Maggie Thompson, Bruce Jones, Archie Goodwin, Fredric Brown, Gerry Conway, Mat Warrick · A: Ruben Yandoc, Alex Niño, Vincente Alcázar, Bruce Jones, Redondo, Archie Goodwin, John Buscema, Adrian Gonzales, Rick Bryant, Michael W. Kaluta, Jess M. Jodloman

Includes adaptations of A Martian Odyssey by Stanley Weinbaum and Arena by Frederic Brown; Interview with Theodore Sturgeon; KALUTA: spot illos. for Interrupted Journey (editorial), Sturgeon interview, and Fantastic Worlds by Don and Maggie Thompson; B&W

1 copy for $12.98