-By Warner Todd Huston
Forrest J Ackerman, the man known for coining the phrase “Sci-Fi” has passed at the age of 92, dying of heart failure on December 5.
Like most sci-fi and horror movie fans of my age (45 years and over), I was first exposed to Uncle Forry through his amazing magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland. I discovered it the the late 1960s, about 10 years after it started publication. I loved it and the other Warren magazine offerings (Creepy, Eerie and especially Vampirella).
Forry really had me with his Vampirella magazine. I had every single issue (#1 through #113) at one time. I sold them to a guy in Canada in the late 1990s. Seriously, what young male in the 60s and 70s could resist Vampy? Not only did I love the admittedly teen libido titillating comic, but Vampy served as the very first time I ever saw my name in print as two of my letters to the editor made it into her fan section in the 70s. It was one of the coolest things that ever happened to me in those days.
So, now that Forry has passed all we have are the memories. But, let’s not imagine he felt he’d be looking down on us as we go forward. After all, Forrest J Ackerman was a fiercely committed atheist. He was absolutely sure that once he passed from this earth… that was it. Eternal darkness was all that awaited him.
But, let’s hope he was wrong.
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