SFC Newsletter

This Week in Science Fiction Classics is published every Thursday. The newsletter includes a classic sci-fi brief, trivia, links to science fiction resources and products. The newsletter is free and the content is fun.

SFC Newsletter

Doctor Who and the Birth of Modern Science Fiction TV

Discover how the 1963 debut of "Doctor Who" reshaped science fiction on television with a thinking hero, bold ideas, and the timeless spirit that still defines classic sci-fi storytelling today.

SFC Newsletter

How “Close Encounters” Changed First Contact

Discover how “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” transformed alien contact in science fiction, replacing fear with wonder through its unforgettable language of light, sound, and human faith.

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From Marooned to Mars When Sci-Fi Got Real

A look back at “Marooned” (1969), the film that brought realism to science fiction. Its tense space rescue and NASA detail marked the moment when cinematic space travel became truly believable.

SFC Newsletter

The Dual Life of The Incredible Hulk

Explore the dual nature of The Incredible Hulk, where Bill Bixby’s scientist and Lou Ferrigno’s creature reveal the timeless struggle between human reason and unleashed power.

SFC Newsletter

The Age of the Unseen

A reflection on The Invisible Man (1933) and classic science fiction’s deeper theme—the unseen forces of knowledge, responsibility, and conscience that define the boundaries of human progress.

SFC Newsletter

Fahrenheit 451 and the Fight Against Forgetting

Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” warned of firemen who burned books. Today, “The Last Archivist” imagines digital firewalls erasing truth, echoing Bradbury’s timeless warning.

SFC Newsletter

Lost in Space and the Dates We Passed

Lost in Space launched the Jupiter 2 on October 16 1997. We look back at that date and other science fiction futures to see how bold predictions compare with the real years we lived through.

SFC Newsletter

The Birth of the Federation in Classic "Star Trek"

Discover the story behind Federation Day in "Star Trek," the founding of the United Federation of Planets, and why this imagined holiday continues to inspire fans with its vision of peace and unity.

SFC Newsletter

The Cosmic Courtroom in Classic Science Fiction

A look at how classic science fiction has placed mankind on trial, from 1950s films to the arrival of Q in Star Trek: The Next Generation, exploring what these stories reveal about morality, technology, and our future among the stars.

SFC Newsletter

Luke Skywalker and Superman in Classic Science Fiction Heroism

Mark Hamill and Christopher Reeve were born one year apart on September 25. Their portrayals of Luke Skywalker and Superman captured two different visions of heroism that shaped science fiction in the late 1970s and 1980s.

SFC Newsletter

The Hero’s Journey On Screen with Luke Skywalker and Superman

Celebrate the shared birthday of Mark Hamill and Christopher Reeve, two icons who brought Luke Skywalker and Superman to life and carried timeless ideals of courage and sacrifice into modern science fiction cinema.

SFC Newsletter

Alien Nation and the Rise of the Science Fiction Procedural

Explore the 1989 FOX series Alien Nation, its bold mix of sci fi and police drama, the short run that sparked lasting fan interest, and why this experiment remains a classic of late 80s television.

SFC Newsletter

More Than a B-Movie, "The Blob" is a Legend

On September 12 1958 The Blob premiered in theaters introducing Steve McQueen and becoming a cult classic of Cold War science fiction.

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When September Belonged to Science Fiction

Discover how Worldcon’s late summer tradition shaped science fiction history with a spotlight on the 1971 Boston gathering Noreascon I.

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Lock In and the Long Journey of the Disembodied Mind

John Scalzi’s 2014 novel "Lock In" marked a fresh take on the science fiction idea of life apart from the body, linking a grounded mystery to a tradition that stretches back nearly a century.

SFC Newsletter

The Summer Metalstorm Hit Theaters

Released in August 1983, "Metalstorm The Destruction of Jared-Syn" brought desert science fiction and 3D adventure to theaters in a bold attempt to start a new kind of cinematic universe.

SFC Newsletter

How "The War of the Worlds" Built Sci-Fi’s Invasion Blueprint

On August 13, 2025, we mark seventy-two years since "The War of the Worlds" first invaded American theaters. This issue explores how the 1953 classic shaped the alien invasion genre and left a lasting legacy in science fiction film and television.

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The First Science Fiction Film in Color with Doctor X

Explore how 1932’s "Doctor X" became the first sci-fi horror in color, ushering in a new era of visual storytelling with eerie reds, greens, and mad science.

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The Day Dune Changed Science Fiction Forever

Rediscover how Frank Herbert's "Dune" transformed science fiction after its U.S. release in 1965. Learn about its publication journey, enduring themes, and why it still captivates readers today.

SFC Newsletter

Roy Skelton's Birthday and the Voice of the Daleks

Born July 20, 1931, Roy Skelton gave voice to the Daleks and other villains in "Doctor Who." This article explores how his birthday marks the legacy of a man who helped define the sound of science fiction.

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The Game That Took Him to the Stars

Forty years ago, 'The Last Starfighter' took arcade dreams and turned them into a galactic adventure. This week, we revisit the film that made gamers into heroes and brought computer-generated space battles to the big screen.

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Independence Day and the Legacy of Sci-Fi Alien Invasions

Released this week in 1996, "Independence Day" revived the alien invasion genre and reflected American resilience in science fiction storytelling.

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Neuromancer Turns 41: How Cyberpunk Was Born

Explore how William Gibson’s 1984 novel "Neuromancer" launched the cyberpunk genre and introduced the world to cyberspace, forever changing science fiction and digital culture.

SFC Newsletter

The Boy From the Stars Who Became Superman

The fan tradition of Superman’s June 18 arrival highlights a story of hope, duty, and moral strength. This issue reflects on the values that shaped the hero and shares three little-known trivia gems.

SFC Newsletter

A Boy, a Bike, and an Extra-Terrestrial

How a stranded alien and a suburban boy reshaped science fiction storytelling. Plus, the moment E.T. turned tears into box office history and three behind-the-scenes trivia gems.