Weird Science, Weird Fantasy: One of comics’ greats was born 97 years ago…
By PETER BOSCH
It can be said that the late Al Feldstein’s greatest strength at EC Comics was his work as a writer. I completely agree with that, but I also love his rocket covers for EC’s science-fiction titles. Here, in honor of his birthday — he was born 97 years ago on Oct. 24, 1925 — are my 13 favorites.
In chronological order:
![](https://13thdimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1.-WF-17a-Jan-Feb-1951-580x823.jpg)
Weird Fantasy #17 (Jan.-Feb. 1951). This was actually Weird Science’s fifth issue, but it originally carried on the numbering from A Moon… A Girl… Romance after the change of title.
![](https://13thdimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-21-at-2.32.35-PM-580x829.png)
Weird Science #5 (Jan-Feb. 1951)
![](https://13thdimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/3.-WS-7-May-June-1951-580x825.jpg)
Weird Science #7 (May-June 1951)
![](https://13thdimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/4.-WF-9-Sept-Oct-1951-580x814.jpg)
Weird Fantasy #9 (Sept.-Oct. 1951). With the numbering now correct.
![](https://13thdimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/5.-WF-10-Nov-Dec-1951-580x826.jpg)
Weird Fantasy #10 (Jan.-Feb, 1952)
![](https://13thdimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/6.-WF-11-Jan-Feb-1952-580x813.jpg)
Weird Fantasy #11 (Jan.-Feb. 1952)
![](https://13thdimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/7.-WS-11-Jan-Feb-1952-580x838.jpg)
Weird Science #11 (Jan.-Feb. 1952)
![](https://13thdimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/8.-WF-13-May-June-1952-580x814.jpg)
Weird Fantasy #13 (May-June 1952)
![](https://13thdimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/9.-WF-17b-Jan-Feb-1953-580x853.jpg)
Weird Fantasy #17 (Jan.-Feb. 1953). The real #17.
![](https://13thdimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/10.-WF-20-July-Aug-1953-580x838.jpg)
Weird Fantasy #20 (July-Aug. 1953)
![](https://13thdimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/11.-WSF-Ann-1953-580x824.jpg)
Weird Science-Fantasy (1953). New cover for a collection of remainder issues.
![](https://13thdimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/12.-WSF-24-June-1954-580x858.jpg)
Weird Science-Fantasy #24 (June 1954)
![](https://13thdimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/13.-ST-3-580x728.jpg)
Squa Tront #3 (1969). Feldstein’s painted version of his WSF #24 above. Used for the fanzine’s cover.
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MORE
— The TOP 13 WALLY WOOD EC Stories — RANKED. Click here.
— 13 COVERS: A HARVEY KURTZMAN Birthday Celebration. Click here.
October 24, 2022
If there’s one thing I love about retro Science Fiction, it’s the insistence that as long as you have a semblance of a space suit and helmet, short pants in the vacuum of space is PEFECTLY fine! 😉
October 24, 2022
Those are awesome! Those are some great looking ships, with fine lines. They look like what George McFly was reading.
October 24, 2022
Beautiful covers. ! Happy birthday Mr Feldstein.