Utopia (German science fiction)

Utopia was the name of several science fiction series published by Erich Pabel Verlag, Rastatt. Together with the Terra series of the rival publisher Arthur Moewig Verlag, Munich, the Utopia series were the most important science fiction work in the early years of West Germany.

Utopia Zukunftsromane (future novels) was a dime novel series which was produced between 1953 and 1968 and reached 596 volumes. To distinguish Zukunftsromane from Großband ("big issue", see below) they also were unofficially called "Kleinband" ("little issue").

All of the first 43 issues of Zukunftsromane belonged to the subseries Jim Parkers Abenteuer im Weltraum (adventures in space) written by Alf Tjörnsen and other authors. Sixteen more Parkers novels were printed within Zukunftsromane #48 to #129.

Apparently caused by the success of Moewigs series Perry Rhodan 1962 a new subseries started within Zukunftsroman #320 to #352: Mark Powers - Der Held des Weltalls (hero of space, Freder van Holk and others). In the end of 1962 Mark Powers became a separate series with 48 volumes. After the separate series was finalised some more Powers novels were printed within Zukunftsromane starting with #404.

Within Zukunftsromane #550 to #590 the subseries ad astra was published (21 volumes, 1967/68, H. G. Francis and others).

1954 Pabel started a new series: Utopia Großband ("big issue")

Whereas a volume of Zukunftsromane normally had 64 pages a volume of Großband typically had 96 pages. Großband was finished 1963 with volume #204. Already with #197 Großband was renamed to "Sonderband" ("special issue") - the same name Utopia Magazin (see below) started what causes confusion until today.

The volumes #26/28/30/32 of Großband were subtitled "Kriminalroman aus der der Welt von morgen" ("detective story from the world of tomorrow"). Subsequently Pabel started a separate series with amazing detective stories: Utopia Kriminal (1956-58, 27 volumes).

1955 Pabel issued "Utopia Sonderband", a magazine with short stories and science fiction related articles.

With volume #3 Sonderband was renamed to "Utopia SF Magazin", with volume #10 it was renamed to Utopia Magazin. Utopia Magazin was finished 1959 with volume #26.

Editors of Utopia Magazin (and temporarily of the other Pabels series) were Walter Ernsting and Walter Spiegl.

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