Stories, poems and art reprinted from the classic Planet Magazine back issues (1994–2004).
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 20 (December 1998). Illustration: “Coming Out” by Billy Tackett A man as thin and wiry as the rims of his glasses pointed through the window at a mechanical device that resembled the cap on an oil well, "And that," he told his companions, "is the prototype of our geothermal … Continue reading The Manticore Incident, by Mark W. Johnson
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 20 (December 1998). Tanka is an unrhymed Japanese verse-form poem consisting of five lines that contains 5-7-5-7-7 syllabic structure. [Archive note: on the original page, three thumbnail pictures each linked to a separate page with one tanka and its full-size art. The three tanka are collected below.] invasion! Art: … Continue reading Interplanetary Tanka, by Romeo Esparrago
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 20 (December 1998). Part One: The Tomb Illustration: “Fingerpointing” by Romeo Esparrago [Editor: this story follows the continuing adventures of Simon de Montfort, his beautiful niece Lillian, and their obsession in recovering the rare thirasite jewel, the FlameStone, introduced in last issue's story " The Green City's Secrets".] The … Continue reading The Handle of the Cross, by Frederick Rustam
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 20 (December 1998). Illustration by Duncan Long You ready?Don't mind the noise, you get used to it,after a while. It's not so bad.I'll tell it like I remember,if you'll let me.In this world of reality we, you know,dawdle about our day-to-day destinies.We whicker down over localpop-skull whiskey, packs of … Continue reading After Thoughts From An Abduction, by Maryann Hazen
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 20 (December 1998). Illustration: “Madness” by Romeo Esparrago Moira lifted the round, moist fruit to her lips and bit heavily into the soft skin. Blood-red juice ran through her fingers and down her arms as she ate. Her stomach convulsed as the sickeningly sweet liquid coursed down her throat. … Continue reading His Daughter’s Madness, by Wendy A. Simpson
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 20 (December 1998). Illustration: “Pixel Space” by Andrew G. McCann Mars is such a quiet, peaceful world.I stand and face the Eastblue-purple sky tinted orange with sunrise.Dry ice breezes stir dust from the surfacescraping a gentle hiss upon my faceplate. Rocket hulls gleam dully in the Martian sunrisethe ground … Continue reading Return to Eden, by Scott Speck
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 20 (December 1998). Illustration: “Dogs” by Eric Seaholm and Kyle Anderson Bounder sniffed the strange track. Digger had trained him in the art of tracking until he knew every spore-type in the City. The long prints crossed the rain-drippy street then went back into the building from which they … Continue reading Goddog, by G.W. Thomas
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 20 (December 1998). Illustration by GAK (Editor's note to readers: This story contains graphic scenes that some readers might find disturbing. You have been warned.) It was the seventh night that I realized it would be pointless to continue any type of resistance. It was all too clear that … Continue reading The 7th Night, by Robert Thorn
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 20 (December 1998). Illustration: “Cloning” by gopal Krishna Senthil Kumar Karl was relaxed. His mind wandered: he felt boundless. His muscles were limp, he slouched comfortably, his skin sent few signals to his dormant mind. When he opened his eyes, he saw people looking at him, though the eyes … Continue reading The Observation Game, by s.c. virtes
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 20 (December 1998). Illustration: “Coordoor” by Eric Seaholm The Oresko's Captain walked to the console of Mr. Forster, his second in command. He sat down heavily, propping his arm on the console and rubbing his cranial horn with his hand. He was tired. The Oresko had been exploring this … Continue reading The Food Chain, by Hathno Paige
