The Digest Enthusiast

The Digest Enthusiast is available in print, Kindle, and Magzter formats. Get your copies from Bud’s Art Books, DreamHaven Books, Mike Chomko Books, Modern Age Books, Barnes & Noble (online), eBay, Magzter, and Amazon.

The Digest Enthusiast No. 16

Available in two print editions: color interior or black-and-white interior, or Kindle.

The Digest Enthusiast No. 16

Contents of Book Sixteen

Steve Carper uncovers the history of the highly collectable Handi-Books and their indie publisher James Louis Quinn.

Anthony Perconti tackles DC’s Blue Ribbon Digests—1981’s Best Comics Stories and Jonah Hex.

Howard Browne’s baby, Fantastic, graduates from quarterly to bi-monthly status in our close examination of a foundational year: 1953 part one.

Tom Brinkmann peels off a visual survey of pin-up sensation Jeanne Carmen’s digest and magazine résumé in a Bad Mags Extra!

Peter Enfantino cracks open 1956 (part one) with an inside look at Manhunt, the gold-standard of detective fiction digests.

Robert A.W. Lowndes proves himself a giant of the digests in a behind-the-scenes overview of his decade with Health Knowledge, along with our exclusive, contextual publication grid.

Reviews of RAWL’s gateway digest into Health Knowledge, Exploring the Unknown No. 1 and Startling Mystery Stories No. 3.

A jam-packed edition featuring over a 100 magazine covers; new fiction by John M. Kuharik and Robert Snashall, illustrated by Brad W. Foster and Michael Neno; cartoons by Bob Vojtko; and more.

164 pages, published in color and b&w print editions, and Kindle, by Larque Press LLC.

The Digest Enthusiast No. 15

The Digest Enthusiast No. 15

Available in two print editions: color and black-and-white, and digital via Kindle and Magzter.

Here’s what’s waiting for you inside:

Interview
Stephen Jones and David A. Sutton on the history and evolution of Fantasy Tales.

Articles
Gary Lovisi exposes the licentious Marijuana Girl by N.R. de Mexico.
Howard Browne’s vision for the ultimate fantasy and science fiction digest: Fantastic.
Tom Brinkmann uncovers the original 7 Year Itch via the pocket-size pages of People Today.
Anthony Perconti corresponds with author William Preston about his Old Man series for Asimov’s Science Fiction.
Peter Enfantino wraps up Manhunt’s third year, capped with his top ten picks for 1955.
Jack Seabrook lauds Avon’s Murder Mystery Monthly No. 31 with William Irish’s “If I Should Die Before I Wake.”
Joseph Gollomb andf his digest classic: 11 True Crimes.
Join the ranks “Lost Author” Carl G. Hodges‘ fans as we recount his career and his novel: Crime On My Hands.
Steve Carper returns with a robust report on the rare children’s digest series, Boys’ and Girls’ Fiction.
Robert A.W. LowndesStartling Mystery Stories No. 2 gets its due in an inclusive review.

News
Industry news—with over 30 cover previews—from the digest world’s favorite editors, publishers, and writers. In all, there are nearly 150 magazine covers, cartoons by Bob Vojtko, and more. Cover by Rachel Krauss. 160 pages, published in color and b&w print editions, and for Kindle and Magzter, by Larque Press LLC.

The Digest Enthusiast No. 14

The Digest Enthusiast No. 14C

Available in two print editions: color and black-and-white.

Jack Seabrook investigates Ed McBain’s Mystery Book.
Peter Enfantino dissects Manhunt May thru August 1955 and Terror Detective Story Magazine No. 1–4.
Vince Nowell, Sr. examines on the Vanguard Science Fiction one shot.
Contrasting the Amazing Stories Science Fiction Novel’s “20 Million Miles to Earth” with Harryhausen’s magic.
Marvel’s The Haunt of Horror digest.
Reviews of Startling Mystery Stories No. 1 and The Dark City October 2020.
Smith & Nowell debate the end of Wonder Stories.
Industry news—with cover previews—from the digest world’s favorite editors, publishers, and writers.
New fiction by John Kuharik, Jack Seabrook, and Robert Snashall with artwork by Michael Neno.
Plus nearly 100 digest magazine covers in full color, cartoons by Bob Vojtko, and more.

The Digest Enthusiast No. 13

The Digest Enthusiast No. 13

All editions in full color. Print available from select booksellers, lulu.com, and amazon.

Interview with Analog and Asimov’s Managing Editor: Emily Hockaday.
Peter Enfantino reviews Manhunt—1955 part one.
Jack Seabrook investigates the mysterious true crime reports of Leo Marr for Mystery Book Magazine.
Gary Lovisi reveals the highly collectible digest paperbacks from Falcon Books.
Steve Carper uncovers the genre giants of Fantasy & Science Fiction Classics.
Vince Nowell, Sr. shines the spotlight on Robert A.W. Lowndes’ reign of digests.

Catch up on breaking industry news—with cover previews—from the digest world’s favorite editors, publishers, and writers.

New fiction by Richard Krauss, Robert Snashall, and Joe Wehrle, Jr. with artwork by Rick McCollum and Marc Myers.

Reviews of Switchblade No. 12, Sword & Sorcery Annual, Rock and a Hard Place No. 3, and Marilyn Monroe’s digest cover trading cards.

Plus over 100 digest magazine covers in full color, first issue factoids, cartoons by Bob Vojtko, and more. Cover by Brian Buniak. 160 pages.

Health Knowledge SF Magazine Index

The Digest Enthusiast No. 12

The Digest Enthusiast 12

Now in full color in print, Kindle, and Magzter editions.
Note: This issue is available in print from lulu.com.

Interviews
Tony Gleeson
(Fantastic, Amazing Science Fiction, Mike Shayne, Personal Crimes)
John Shirley (Weirdbook, Fantastic, The Crow, Constantine, Wetbones)

Articles
Lester del Rey’s Five Ages of Science Fiction by Vince Nowell, Sr.
Science Stories by Richard Krauss
PulpFest 2020 and The Pulpster by Mike Chomko and William Lampkin
Fotocrime by Richard Krauss
Photoplay Editions by Steve Carper
Digest Science Fiction Novels by Ward Smith

Reviews
Amazing Selects
bare•bones No. 1
EconoClash Review No. 5
Guns + Tacos Season One
Lake County Incidents
Paperback Fanatic No. 43

Fiction
“El Despoblado” by Michael Bracken, art by Rick McCollum
“Sock Monster” by Rick Ollerman, art by Marc Myers
“Separation” by Joe Wehrle, Jr., art by Michael Neno

Plus
News Digest—previews from around the world of digests
First Issue Spotlights
Cartoons by Bob Vojtko
Opening Lines
Over 100 full color cover images, 160 pages
Cover by Tony Gleeson

The Digest Enthusiast No. 11

The Digest Enthusiast No. 11

Now in full color in print, Kindle, and Magzter editions.

Interviews
Janice Law
(Madame Selina series AHMM)
Paul D. Marks (Bunker Hill series EQMM)
Jeff Vorzimmer (The Best of Manhunt)

Articles
Manhunt 1954 part three by Peter Enfantino
Beyond Understanding (Beyond Infinity) by Vince Nowell, Sr.
Leo Margulies: Giant of the Digests by Richard Krauss
A Classic Error by Steve Carper
Astounding Formats by Ward Smith

Reviews
Homicide Hotel reviewed by Gary Lovisi
Tough 2
Paperback Parade No. 104

Fiction
“Buckthorn Justice” by John Kuharik, art by Rick McCollum
“The Good Soldier” by Vince Nowell, Sr., art by Marc Myers
“Zymurgy for Aliens” by Joe Wehrle, Jr., art by Michael Neno

Plus
New digest
Comics/Cartoon by Bob Vojtko
First Issue Spotlights
Opening Lines
Nearly 150 full color magazine cover images, 160 pages

The Digest Enthusiast No. 10

The Digest Enthusiast No. 10

Interview
James Reasoner (writing as Brett Halliday for Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine)

Articles
Armed Services Editions by Ward Smith
Startling Mystery Stories by Peter Enfantino
How Sol Cohen ‘Saved’ Amazing Stories by Vince Nowell, Sr.
Charlie Chan Mystery Magazine by Richard Krauss
The One, the Only, Bronze Books by Steve Carper
The Creature from the Black Lagoon with The Seven Year Itch by Tom Brinkmann
Manhunt 1954 part two by Peter Enfantino

Reviews
Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine May/June 2019
Broadswords and Blasters No. 9 Summer 2019

Fiction/Verse
Clark Dissmeyer
Robert Snashall
Joe Wehrle, Jr.

Plus
News Digest
Cartoon Digest by Bob Vojtko
Artwork by Brian Buniak and Carolyn Cosgriff
Opening Lines
Index of TDE No. 1–10
Over 100 cover images, 160 pages

The Digest Enthusiast No. 9

Interviews
Susan Emshwiller, Filmmaker and writer
Victoria Green, AD AHMM, EQMM, Analog, Asimov’s with artist’s statements from Tim Foley and Maurizio Manzieri

Articles
Ray Palmer: The Face that Launched a Thousand Issues by Vince Nowell, Sr.
S.J. Byrne Bibliography
Elke Sommer: A Neighborhood of Ghosts by Tom Brinkmann
One-and-Dones part three by Steve Carper
Manhunt 1954 part one by Peter Enfantino

Reviews
EconoClash Review No. 2
Nostalgia Digest Autumn 2018
Sunset Showdown
Occult Detective Quarterly No. 4
Hot Lead No. 1 & 2

Fiction
Michael Bracken
Josh Pachter
Joe Wehrle, Jr.

Art and Cartoons
Marc Myers
Michael Neno
Bob Vojtko
Joe Wehrle, Jr.

Plus
News Digest
Ghoulish Gags
Opening Lines
Over 100 cover images, 160 pages

The Digest Enthusiast No. 8

The Digest Enthusiast book 8

Interview with Michael Bracken, author of over 1,200 short stories
Manhunt 1953 Sep–Dec synopses by Peter Enfantino
Gamma: New Frontiers in Fiction by Vince Nowell, Sr.
The Connie Kreski Conundrum by Tom Brinkmann
One-and-Dones part two by Steve Carper
Tribute to Joe Wehrle, Jr. by Richard Krauss
First Issues: Complete, Verdict, and Shell Scott
Western Magazine by Peter Enfantino

Fiction by Josh Pachter and Robert Snashall

News Digest Previews and news from AHMM, Amazing Stories, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, Broadswords and Blasters, Crime Syndicate Magazine, D&O:The Magazine, EconoClash Review, EQMM, F&SF, Fate, Hot Lead, Men of Violence, Monster!, Mystery Weekly Magazine, Nostalgia Digest, Paperback Parade, PulpFest 2018, Pulp Horror, Pulp Literature, Pulp Modern, Sleazy Reader, and Switchblade; writers Tom Brinkmann, Steve Carper, Peter Enfantino, Richard Kellogg, Robert Lopresti, Vince Nowell, Sr., and Art Taylor; and artists Michael Neno and Bob Vojtko

Plus photos, artwork, and cartoons by Amber Bracken, Marc Myers, Lori-Ann Reif, Bob Vojtko, and Joe Wehrle, Jr. and over 100 cover images. 152 pages.

The Digest Enthusiast No. 7

The Digest Enthusiast #7 cover

Interview
Rick Ollerman on D&O: The Magazine, writing fiction and essays, and digest magazines

Articles
One-and-Dones part one by Steve Carper
When Things Go Wrong: The Lester del Rey–John Raymond Fiasco by Vince Nowell, Sr.
The Occult Digest by Tom Brinkmann
Psience Fiction: The Telsey Amberdon Stories of James H. Schmitz by Joe Wehrle, Jr.
I Spy: A Writer Remembers Espionage Magazine by Josh Pachter

Synopses
Robert Edmond Alter
in AHMM and
Manhunt 1953 part two by Peter Enfantino

Reviews by Vince Nowell, Sr. and Richard Krauss
Black Cat Mystery Magazine #1
D&O: The Magazine #1
Fantasy & Science Fiction Jul/Aug 2017
Pulp Literature #15
Suspense Stories
Switchblade #2

Fiction
“The Edge of Eternity” by Lesann Berry
“Imperium Delirium” by Robert Snashall
“A Christmas Romance” by Joe Wehrle, Jr.

Artwork and Cartoons
Marc Myers
Michael Neno
Bob Vojtko
Joe Wehrle, Jr.

Plus: News Digest, Mirthful Spirits, Opening Lines
Over 100 cover images, 152 pages

The Digest Enthusiast No. 6

The Digest Enthusiast #6 cover

Interviews
B.K. Stevens
: Alfred Hitchock’s Mystery Magazine
Edd Vick: Analog, Asimov’s

Articles
Bob Hope’s They Got Me Covered by Steve Carper
International Science Fiction by Richard Krauss
Sharon Tate’s Fate by Tom Brinkmann
Manhunt 1953 part one by Peter Enfantino
Hothouse: Brian Aldiss’ Dystopian Odyssey by Joe Wehrle, Jr.

Reviews
Max Allan Collins’
Digest Dolls Trading Cards
Weirdbook #34

Fiction
“Down the Rabbit Hole” by Lesann Berry
“Atomic Fuel” by Alec Cizak
“The Eihkarrad Talisman” by Joe Wehrle, Jr.

Artwork and Cartoons: Brian Buniak, Brad Foster, Michael Neno, Bob Vojtko, Joe Wehrle, Jr.

Plus
News Digest
Haiku by Clark Dissmeyer
Edd Vick’s Speculative Fiction Markets
Crime Time by Bob Vojtko
Opening Lines
Over 100 cover images, 152 pages

The Digest Enthusiast No. 5

The Digest Enthusiast #5 cover

Interview
Bill Crider: inside Dan Rhodes, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine blog bytes, and Bill’s storied career with digests

Articles
Justice: Amazing Detective Mysteries by Peter Enfantino
The Riddle of the Ellery Queen Selects Series by Steve Carper
Magazine of Horror by Peter Enfantino
RAWL: Writing for Publication

Reviews by Gary Lovisi and Richard Krauss
Worlds of Fantasy #4
Encyclopedia of Science Fiction edited by Peter Nicholls
Honky Tonk Girl by Charles Beckman, Jr.
Marvel Science Stories May 1951

Fiction
“Feed the Beast” by Lesann Berry
“The Obvious Danger” by Joe Wehrle, Jr.
“Fencer’s Document Caper” by Richard L. Kellogg

Artwork and Cartoons: Brian Buniak, Brad Foster, Michael Neno, Bob Vojtko, Joe Wehrle, Jr.

Plus
News Digest
Haiku by Clark Dissmeyer
Digest indexes and checklists
Monster Laffs by Bob Vojtko
Opening Lines
Nearly 100 cover images, 152 pages

The Digest Enthusiast No. 4

The Digest Enthusiast #4 cover

Interviews
Art Taylor: Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
Editors of digital digests:
Alec Cizak: Pulp Modern
Jennifer Landels: Pulp Literature
John Kenyon: Grift
Kristen Valentine: Betty Fedora
Sheri White: Morpheus Tales

Articles
Suspense Magazine and Novels by Richard Krauss
Galaxy Science Fiction Novels by Steve Carper
Galaxy Magabooks by Gary Lovisi
Criswell Predicts: Fate & Spaceway by Tom Brinkmann
Shock Mystery Tales by Peter Enfantino
Pocket Pin-ups trading cards

Reviews
H.G. Wells Society Newsletter #30
Bulldog Drummond by Sapper
Mystery, Detective, and Espionage Magazines by Michael L. Cook

Fiction
“A Rat Must Chew” by Gary Lovisi
“The Hideout” by Ron Fortier
“Strangers in Need” by Joe Wehrle, Jr.
“Wounded Wizard” by John Kuharik

Artwork and Cartoons: Sean Azzopardi, Rob Davis, Brad Foster, Michael Neno, Bob Vojtko

Plus
Editor’s Notes
Digest indexes
Social media round-up
Opening Lines
Nearly 100 cover images, 152 pages

The Digest Enthusiast No. 3

The Digest Enthusiast #3 cover

Interview/Profile
Heather Jacobs: Big Fiction
Timothy Green Beckley: Fate, Beyond, etc.

Articles
Beyond by Tom Brinkmann
Super-Science Fiction by Peter Enfantino
Diabolik by Joe Wehrle, Jr.
Dashiell Hammett digests by Steve Carper
Gunsmoke by Peter Enfantino
Dope Fiends trading card

Reviews
Weasels Ripped My Flesh!
Where Stories Dwell
The Man From Mars
The Executioner: Border Offensive
A Blonde for Murder
Popular Fiction Periodicals
Betty Fedora No. 2
Paperback Parade No. 89
Manhunt Dec. 1953
Children’s Digest Spring 1972
Fate No. 727

Fiction
“Planetstorm” by Joe Wehrle, Jr.
“The Rail City Rolls” by Ron Fortier
“Old Aunt Sin” by Gary Lovisi

Artwork and Cartoons: Brad Foster, Michael Neno, Bob Vojtko

Plus
Editor’s Notes
Digest indexes
Social media round-up
Opening Lines
Nearly 100 cover images, 152 pages

The Digest Enthusiast No. 2

The Digest Enthusiast #2 cover

Interviews
Gary Lovisi: Gryphon Books, Paperback Parade, Sherlock Holmes
Steve Darnall: Nostalgia Digest, Those Were the Days, Radio’s Golden Age
Robert Lopresti: Alfred Hitchcock, Ellery Queen, Mike Shayne

Articles
Borderline (James Dean & Vampira, L. Ron Hubbard) by Tom Brinkmann
Astounding Trading Cards
The Mysterious Traveler Magazine (Robert Arthur and David Kogan)
The Italian Mister No Digest Comics by Joe Wehrle, Jr.
H.L Gold’s Beyond Fantasy Fiction by Joe Wehrle, Jr.
Australia’s Action and Leisure Pulp Crime Digests by Gary Lovisi
Archie Comics Digests By the Numbers by Matthew Turcotte

Reviews
Monster! No. 15 edited by Timothy Paxton & Steve Fenton
Shanks on Crime by Robert Lopresti
Pulp Crime Digests by Gary Lovisi
Asimov’s July 2015 edited by Sheila Williams
Big Fiction No.7 edited by Heather Jacobs
Dead Weight by Frank Kane
Paperback Parade No. 88 edited by Gary Lovisi
Analog No. 1000 edited by Trevor Quachri

Fiction
“Passenger for the Night Train” by Joe Wehrle, Jr.
“Sweet and Sour” by D.D. Ploog
“Painesville” by Richard Krauss
“In the Fight for His Life” by John Kuharik

Plus: Editor’s Notes, Indexes, Bibliographies, Social media round-up, and Opening Lines
Nearly 100 cover images, 152 pages

The Digest Enthusiast No. 1

The Digest Enthusiast #1 cover

Interviews
Phyllis Galde, Editor and Publisher of Fate magazine
Gordon Van Gelder, Editor and Publisher of Fantasy & Science Fiction
Matthew Turcotte, Archie Digest Library collector

Articles
Digest 911: Protective Sleeves by D. Blake Werts
Galaxy Science Fiction: The H.L. Gold Years by Larry Johnson
In Defense of Digests by Rob Imes
Walter Gibson’s The Big Story by Charlie Jacobs
Myron Fass, Foto-rama & His Other Digests by Tom Brinkmann

Reviews
Fate No. 725
Coronet June 1950
Fate Trading Cards
Paperback Parade No. 85

Fiction
“A Darker Nigh”t by Joe Wehrle, Jr.
“The Presidential Collection” by Lesann Berry
“A Foul Breath of Fresh Air” by Richard Krauss

Plus: Editor’s Notes, Indexes, Trivia and Opening Lines
Nearly 100 cover images, 116 pages