Terra (German science fiction)
Encyclopedia
Terra is the name of a science fiction
series published by Arthur Moewig Verlag, Munich
. The Terra series were the most important science fiction work in the early years of West Germany
.
, editor Günther M. Schelwokat and cover painter Johny Bruck.
In September 1962 Terra SF was supplemented by the reprint series Terra Extra. From that date onward Terra SF and Terra Extra were published in weekly rotation.
In 1968 both series were combined into the new weekly series Terra Nova, which later was replaced by Terra Astra.
With issue #99 (1965) Terra Sonderband was renamed to Terra Taschenbuch ("paperback"), and published in paperback format.
's Foundation series
was published as Der 1000 Jahres Plan (The 1000 Year Plan) in issues 22/24/26/28, while E.E. Smith's Lensmen was published in Terra SF #199-222).
In 1968/69 adaptations of the seven episodes of the television series Raumpatrouille
, plus five original stories,
were published in Terra Taschenbuch Additional new episodes (#13-35) were printed as separate paperback series.
Since 1972 the episodes were reprinted and continued within Terra Astra, outsourced to a separate dime novel series and finally again reintegrated into Terra Astra (145 volumes in total).
From March 1958 until May 1959 Moewig published 15 issues of the magazine Galaxis-Magazin, the German version of the American magazine Galaxy Science Fiction
.
In 1961 Moewig started the space opera
series Perry Rhodan
which originally was written by K. H. Scheer
, Walter Ernsting and other Terra related authors.
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...
series published by Arthur Moewig Verlag, Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
. The Terra series were the most important science fiction work in the early years of West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
.
Dime novels
In 1957 Moewig started the weekly series Terra - Utopische Romane / Science Fiction, later renamed Terra SF the only Terra'. For this venture some writers were poached from competitor Pabel, e.g. the editor and author Walter ErnstingWalter Ernsting
Walter Ernsting was a German science fiction and fantasy author who mainly published under the pseudonym Clark Darlton.-Biography:...
, editor Günther M. Schelwokat and cover painter Johny Bruck.
In September 1962 Terra SF was supplemented by the reprint series Terra Extra. From that date onward Terra SF and Terra Extra were published in weekly rotation.
In 1968 both series were combined into the new weekly series Terra Nova, which later was replaced by Terra Astra.
Publication history
- Terra SF: 1957-68, 555 issues
- Terra Extra: 1962-68, 182 issues
- Terra Nova: 1968-71, 190 issues
- Terra Astra: 1971-86, 643 issues
Sonderband / Taschenbuch
In 1958 Moewig started the series Terra Sonderband ("special issue"). Each issue of Sonderband had 100 pages, allowing more room to publish more challenging novels than within the dime novel format.With issue #99 (1965) Terra Sonderband was renamed to Terra Taschenbuch ("paperback"), and published in paperback format.
Subseries, spin-offs and more
The Terra series included some subseries of different German and international authors. For example Isaac AsimovIsaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000...
's Foundation series
The Foundation Series
The Foundation Series is a science fiction series by Isaac Asimov. There are seven volumes in the Foundation Series proper, which in its in-universe chronological order are: Prelude to Foundation, Forward the Foundation, Foundation, Foundation and Empire, Second Foundation, Foundation's Edge, and...
was published as Der 1000 Jahres Plan (The 1000 Year Plan) in issues 22/24/26/28, while E.E. Smith's Lensmen was published in Terra SF #199-222).
In 1968/69 adaptations of the seven episodes of the television series Raumpatrouille
Raumpatrouille
Raumpatrouille – Die phantastischen Abenteuer des Raumschiffes Orion , colloquially also known as Raumpatrouille Orion, and Space Patrol Orion in English, was the first German science fiction television series...
, plus five original stories,
were published in Terra Taschenbuch Additional new episodes (#13-35) were printed as separate paperback series.
Since 1972 the episodes were reprinted and continued within Terra Astra, outsourced to a separate dime novel series and finally again reintegrated into Terra Astra (145 volumes in total).
From March 1958 until May 1959 Moewig published 15 issues of the magazine Galaxis-Magazin, the German version of the American magazine Galaxy Science Fiction
Galaxy Science Fiction
Galaxy Science Fiction was an American digest-size science fiction magazine, published from 1950 to 1980. It was founded by an Italian company, World Editions, which was looking to break in to the American market. World Editions hired as editor H. L...
.
In 1961 Moewig started the 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...
series Perry Rhodan
Perry Rhodan
Perry Rhodan is the name of a science fiction series published since 1961 in Germany, as well as the name of the main character. It is a space opera, dealing with several themes of science fiction. Having sold over one billion copies worldwide, it is the most successful science fiction book series...
which originally was written by K. H. Scheer
K. H. Scheer
Karl-Herbert Scheer was a German science fiction writer who wrote under the pen name K. H. Scheer.He created the long-running science fiction series "ZBV"....
, Walter Ernsting and other Terra related authors.
External links
- http://www.sf-hefte.homepage.t-online.de/ // title lists of Terra, Orion etc.
- http://www.dsfdb.org/reihen.php?a_z=T // title lists of Terra etc.
- http://www.dieter-von-reeken.de/galaxis/frame.htm // covers and contents of Galaxis