Memphis Sci-Fi Zine "Diversity", with Early Critical Essays on Black Representation in Science Fiction, 1970-71

Sci-Fi Zine, Diversity

Archive

[Sci-Fi][Zines][African American] Memphis-based mid-century sci-fi zine "Diversity". Memphis: Mid-South Fantasy Association, 1970–1971. Two issues. Stapled mimeograph zines. Illustrated throughout with line drawings and spot illustrations by Tom Foster, Jim Elliott, and others. An early fan-published science fiction zine created by members of the Mid-South Fantasy Association, including contributors active in pulp scholarship and fanzine circulation. The zines are notable not only for their exuberant, collaborative aesthetic but for featuring representation of marginalized groups including articles like “The Negro in Science Fiction” (1971), an early genre-critical essay examining Black representation in speculative fiction, written by Memphis journalist Dr. John Beifuss.

[1] Diversity, Vol. 1, No. 1. Memphis: Mid-South Fantasy Association, 1970. The inaugural issue of this Southern fan zine, created by a group of Memphis-area enthusiasts including pulp historian Darrell C. Richardson. Includes speculative fiction (“Beau Jest” by Tom Foster, “Out of the Darkness” by Mack Ray), comics and artwork by Foster and Jim Elliott, and fan essays such as Claude Saxon’s “Captain Zero: An Appreciation” and Grover DeLuca’s “A Case for Identities.” Russell Fly contributes a detailed bibliographic essay, “The Pathless Trail,” reviewing Arthur O. Friel’s jungle adventure fiction and indexing his stories from Adventure magazine.
[2] Diversity, Vol. 2, No. 1. Memphis: Mid-South Fantasy Association, 1971. Includes “The Negro in Science Fiction,” an early critical essay by Memphis journalist Dr. John Beifuss tracing the stereotyping and erasure of Black characters in pulp-era sci-fi and fantasy, interrogating figures such as Tarzan, the "coolie" trope in Poul Anderson’s work, and the shallow allegories of 1960s “race” stories. Beifuss notes: “Much of the finest sci-fi of all time… has refused even to hint at the Negro’s successful traversal of the color line.” The issue also includes short fiction and poetry by George Bradfute and Jack Weatherly, satirical editorials by Parquarth (a pen name for James W. Harris), and further contributions from Grover DeLuca and John Williamson.

Vol. 1 with pronounced staining at top and bottom edges of front wrapper and first leaf and light spotting; Vol. 2 with faint soiling and foxing to margins. Both volumes complete and legible. Overall good condition. A rare example of early 1970s regional science fiction fan culture intersecting with emerging racial critique in the genre. Especially relevant for collections focused on speculative fiction, zine culture, and race in science fiction studies.

Item #22455

Price: $550.00