SF Impulse was the short-lived but crucial missing link between the two great post-War British speculative fiction magazines, New Worlds and Science Fantasy. New Worlds launched (as a magazine) in 1946, with Science Fantasy following it in 1950. The final issue of Science Fantasy (No. 81) was published in February 1966, and in March of that year the first Impulse took its place, running for twelve issues (see below) until February 1967, after which it became absorbed into the last two (paperback) issues of New Worlds (Nos 171 & 172, March & April 1967). Thereafter New Worlds (sans Impluse) returned to a mostly magazine format.
Impulse Vol. 1 No. 1
sub-titled “The NEW Science Fantasy” on front cover and contents page;
London: Roberts & Vintner mass-sized paperback, March 1966,
“Compact” on cover & spine;
edited by Kyril Bonfiglioli;
original price: 3/6;
160 pages;
cover artist: Judith Ann Lawrence.
Contents:-
p. 2: Editorial by Kyril Bonfiglioli;
p. 4: ‘The Circulation Of The Blood’ by Brian W. Aldiss;
p. 36: ‘High Treason’ by Poul Anderson;
p. 53: ‘You And Me And The Continuum’ by J.G. Ballard;
p. 61: ‘A Hero’s Life’ by James Blish;
p. 87: ‘The Gods Themselves Throw Incense’ by Harry Harrison;
p. 104: ‘Deserter’ by Richard Wilson;
p. 118: ‘The Secret’ by Jack Vance;
p. 127: ‘Pavane: The Signaller’ by Keith Roberts.
Impulse Vol. 1 No. 2
sub-titled “The NEW Science Fantasy” on front cover and contents page;
London: Roberts & Vintner mass-sized paperback, April 1966,
“Compact” on cover & spine;
edited by Kyril Bonfiglioli;
original price: 3/6;
160 pages;
cover artist: Keith Roberts.
Contents:-
p. 2: Editorial (part) by Kyril Bonfiglioli;
p. 4: ‘Pavane: The Lady Anne’ by Keith Roberts;
p. 47: Editorial (conclusion);
p. 48: ‘A Light Feint’ by John Rackham (a.k.a. John T. Phillifent);
p. 61: ‘Break The Door Of Hell’ by John Brunner;
p. 99: ‘Homecoming’ (“The First Of Two Parts”) by Judith Merril.
Impulse Vol. 1 No. 3
sub-titled “The NEW Science Fantasy” on front cover and contents page;
London: Roberts & Vintner mass-sized paperback, May 1966,
“Compact” on cover & spine;
edited by Kyril Bonfiglioli;
original price: 3/6;
160 pages;
cover artist: Keith Roberts.
Contents:-
p. 2: Editorial (part) by Kyril Bonfiglioli;
p. 4: ‘Seventh Moon’ by John Rankine (a.k.a. Douglas R. Mason);
p. 46: ‘Cry Martian’ (conclusion [see below]) by Peter L. Cave;
p. 47: ‘Brother John’ by Keith Roberts;
p. 81: Editorial (conclusion);
p. 82: ‘The Pace That Kills’ by Alistair Bevan (a.k.a. Roberts);
p. 118: ‘The Run’ by Chris Priest;
p. 127: ‘Cry Martian’ (part [see above]) by Cave;
p. 129: ‘Homecoming’ (“The Second Of Two Parts”) by Judith Merril.
Impulse Vol. 1 No. 4
London: Roberts & Vintner mass-sized paperback, June 1966,
“Compact” on cover & spine;
edited by Kyril Bonfiglioli;
original price: 3/6;
160 pages;
cover artist: Keith Roberts.
Contents:-
p. 2: ‘Guest Editorial’ (part) (non-fiction; as “Editorial” on contents page) by Harry Harrison;
p. 4: ‘Hatchetman’ by Mack Reynolds;
p. 50: ‘George’ by Chris Boyce;
p. 63: ‘The Golden Coin Of Spring’ by John Hamilton;
p. 70: ‘Pavane: Lords & Ladies’ (as ‘Pavane: Lords And Ladies’ on contents page) by Keith Roberts;
p. 101: Guest Editorial (conclusion);
p. 102: ‘The Superstition’ by Angus McAllister;
p. 112: ‘Clay’ by Paul Jents;
p. 121: ‘Synopsis’ by George Hay;
p. 124: ‘A Visitation Of Ghosts’ by R.W. Mackelworth.
Impulse Vol. 1 No. 5
London: Roberts & Vintner mass-sized paperback, July 1966,
“Compact” on cover & spine;
edited by Kyril Bonfiglioli;
original price: 3/6;
160 pages;
cover artist: Keith Roberts.
Contents:-
p. 2: Editorial (part) by Kyril Bonfiglioli;
p. 4: ‘Critique’ (non-fiction) by Harry Harrison;
p. 7: ‘Pavane: Corfe Gate’ by Keith Roberts;
p. 69: ‘The Oh In Jose’ by Brian W. Aldiss;
p. 79: Editorial (conclusion);
p. 80: ‘The White Monument: A Monologue’ (as ‘The White Monument’ only, on contents page) by Peter Redgrove;
p. 90: ‘The Beautiful Man’ by Robert Clough;
p. 95: ‘Pattern As Set’ by John Rankine (a.k.a. Douglas R. Mason);
p. 108: ‘A Hot Summer’s Day’ by John Bell;
p. 130: ‘The Report’ by Russell Parker;
p. 133: ‘Hurry Down Sunshine’ by Roger Jones.
SF Impulse Vol. 1 No. 6
(as “Impulse” only, on contents page)
London: Roberts & Vintner mass-sized paperback, August 1966,
“Compact” on cover & spine;
edited by Kyril Bonfiglioli;
original price: 3/6;
160 pages;
cover artist: Keith Roberts.
Contents:-
p. 2: ‘Critique’ (non-fiction) by Harry Harrison;
p. 5: ‘Make Room! Make Room!’ (1) by Harrison;
p. 85: ‘Wolves’ by Rob Sproat;
p. 90: ‘The First Last Martyr’ by Peter Tate;
p. 103: ‘Disengagement’ by T.F. Thompson;
p. 117: ‘A Comment’ (non-fiction) by E.C. Tubb;
p. 120: ‘The Scarlet Lady’ by Alistair Bevan (a.k.a. Keith Roberts).
SF Impulse Vol. 1 No. 7
London: Roberts & Vintner mass-sized paperback, September 1966,
“Compact” on cover & spine;
edited by Kyril Bonfiglioli;
original price: 3/6;
160 pages;
cover artist: Keith Roberts.
Contents:-
p. 2: Editorial by Kyril Bonfiglioli;
p. 3: ‘Critique—3’ (part) (non-fiction) by Harry Harrison;
p. 4: ‘The Rig’ by Chris Boyce;
p. 51: ‘Martians At Dick’s End’ by Daphne Castell;
p. 68: ‘Timothy’ by Keith Roberts;
p. 81: ‘The Writing Man’ by M.J.P. Moore;
p. 85: ‘Audition’ by Fred Wheeler;
p. 87: ‘Make Room! Make Room!’ (as ‘Make Room, Make Room!’) (2) by Harrison;
p. 159: ‘Critique—3’ (conclusion).
SF Impulse Vol. 1 No. 8
London: Roberts & Vintner mass-sized paperback, October 1966,
“Compact” on cover & spine;
edited by Harry Harrison (Editor in Chief) & Keith Roberts (Managing Editor);
original price: 3/6;
160 pages;
cover artist: Keith Roberts.
Contents:-
p. 2: ‘Picking Up The Reins’ (non-fiction; as “Editorial” on contents page) by Harry Harrison;
p. 4: ‘Day Million’ by Frederik Pohl;
p. 10: ‘The Inheritors’ by Ernest Hill;
p. 19: ‘Book Review’ (non-fiction) by Brian W. Aldiss;
p. 22: ‘Breakdown’ by Alistair Bevan (a.k.a. Keith Roberts);
p. 41: ‘Fantasy And The Nightmare’ (non-fiction) by G.D. Doherty;
p. 51: ‘The Boiler’ by C.F. Hoffman;
p. 58: ‘The Man Who Came Back’ by Brian M. Stableford;
p. 62: ‘The Experiment’ by Chris Hebron;
p. 90: ‘The Unsung Martyrdom Of Abel Clough’ by Robert J. Tilley;
p. 87: ‘Make Room! Make Room!’ (3) by Harrison;
p. 158: Advertisements.
SF Impulse Vol. 1 No. 9
London: Roberts & Vintner mass-sized paperback, November 1966,
“Compact” on cover & spine;
edited by Harry Harrison (Editor in Chief) & Keith Roberts (Managing Editor);
original price: 3/6;
160 pages;
cover artist: Keith Roberts.
Contents:-
p. 1: Advertisements;
p. 4: ‘Guest Editorial’ (part) (non-fiction) by Judith Merril;
p. 6 (as 7 on contents page): ‘The Ice Schooner’ (1) (illustrated by Keith Roberts) by Michael Moorcock;
p. 62: ‘Book Fare’ (non-fiction) by Tom Boardman, Jr.;
p. 65: ‘The Simple For Love’ by Keith Roberts;
p. 81: ‘Stop Seventeen’ by Robert Wells;
p. 92: ‘Letters To The Editor’ (by Archie Potts, Brian Stableford, Michael Butterworth, Colin Pilkington [a.k.a. George Collyn], Roberts);
p. 98: ‘The Eyes Of The Blind King’ (illustrated by Roberts) by Brian W. Aldiss;
p. 118: ‘Guest Editorial’ (conclusion);
p. 119: ‘The Roaches’ by Thomas M. Disch;
p. 132: ‘SF Film Festival’ (non-fiction) by Francesco Biamonti;
p. 137: ‘Pasquali’s Peerless Puppets’ by Edward Mackin.
SF Impulse Vol. 1 No. 10
London: Roberts & Vintner mass-sized paperback, December 1966,
“Compact” on spine;
edited by Harry Harrison (Editor in Chief) & Keith Roberts (Managing Editor);
original price: 3/6;
160 pages;
cover artist: unknown (Keith Roberts?).
Contents:-
p. 2: Editorial by Harry Harrison;
p. 5: ‘Inside Out’ by Kenneth Bulmer & Richard Wilson;
p. 9: ‘Three Points On The Demographic Curve’ by Thomas M. Disch;
p. 20: ‘The Familiar’ by Keith Roberts;
p. 28: ‘Hell Revisited: An Interview With Kingsley Amis’ by Thomas M. Disch;
p. 34: ‘The Real Thing’ (part) by Eric C. Williams;
p. 62: ‘The Plot Sickens’ by Brian W. Aldiss;
p. 66: ‘The Real Thing’ (conclusion);
p. 67 (as 68 on contents page): ‘The Ice Schooner’ (2) (illustrated by James Cawthorn) by Michael Moorcock;
p. 136: ‘The Voice Of The CWACC’ by Harrison.
SF Impulse Vol. 1 No. 11
London: Roberts & Vintner mass-sized paperback, January 1967,
“Compact” on spine;
edited by Harry Harrison (Editor in Chief) & Keith Roberts (Managing Editor);
original price: 3/6;
160 pages;
cover artist: Keith Roberts.
Contents:-
p. 2: ‘The Fiction In Science Fiction’ (part) (non-fiction; as “Editorial” on contents page) by Harry Harrison;
p. 6: ‘Mantis’ (illustrated by Keith Roberts) by Chris Boyce;
p. 40: ‘Green Eyes’ by Richard Wilson;
p. 46: ‘The Fiction In Science Fiction’ (conclusion);
p. 47: ‘Letters To The Editor’ (by Langdon Jones, Boyce);
p. 51: ‘Book Fare’ (non-fiction) by Brian Aldiss;
p. 55: ‘The Shrine Of Temptation’ (as ‘The Shrine Of The Temptation’ on contents page) (illustrated by Keith Roberts) by Judith Merril;
p. 73: ‘Coincidence’ by Chris Hebron;
p. 80: ‘Grutch’ by Pete Hammerton;
p. 90: ‘The Ice Schooner’ (conclusion, illustrated by Roberts) by Michael Moorcock.
SF Impulse Vol. 1 No. 12
London: Roberts & Vintner mass-sized paperback, February 1967,
“Compact” on spine;
edited by Harry Harrison (Editor in Chief) & Keith Roberts (Managing Editor);
original price: 3/6;
160 pages;
cover artist: Agosta Morol.
Contents:-
p. 2: Editorial by Keith Roberts;
p. 6: ‘The Bad Bush Of Uzoro’ (illustrated by Roberts) by Chris Hebron;
p. 17: ‘Just Passing Through’ (illustrated by Roberts) by Brian W. Aldiss;
p. 30: ‘Inconstancy’ by Brian M. Stableford;
p. 43: ‘The Number You Have Reached’ (as ‘The Number You Have Just Reached’ on contents page) (illustrated by Roberts) by Thomas M. Disch;
p. 53: ‘The Pursuit Of Happiness’ by Paul Jents;
p. 78: ‘It’s Smart To Have An English Address’ by D.G. Compton;
p. 95: ‘Impasse’ by Chris Priest;
p. 98: ‘See Me Not’ (part) by Richard Wilson;
p. 139: ‘Keith Roberts Re-reads The “True History” Of Lucian Of Samosatos’ (as ‘Keith Roberts Rereads Lucian Of Samosatos’ on contents page) (non-fiction, illustrated & written) by Keith Roberts;
p. 147: ‘Book Fare’ (non-fiction) by Alistair Bevan (a.k.a. Roberts);
p. 151: ‘See Me Not’ (conclusion);
p. 152: ‘Letters To The Editor’ (incl. by Michael Butterworth, Peter Redgrove).
Moorcography.org 