Critical Wave

Critical Wave was a British small-press science-fiction and fantasy magazine that developed into one of the more ambitious periodical fanzines associated with the United Kingdom's genre community. It was initially published and co-edited by Steve Green and Martin Tudor, beginning in 1987. The publication combined convention reporting, genre news, reviews, criticism, interviews, artwork and contributions from writers and commentators connected with science fiction and fantasy. It was later subtitled "The European Science Fiction & Fantasy Review," reflecting an editorial scope that extended beyond a narrowly local fan publication. The magazine's importance came partly from the breadth of its contributor network. Across its original 46 issues, Critical Wave published or featured work by figures including Graham Joyce, Michael Moorcock, David A. Hardy, Stephen Baxter, Colin Greenland, Charles Stross, Joel Lane, Iain M. Banks, Arthur "ATom" Thomson, Iain Byers, Dave Mooring, Jim Porter, Sue Mason, Michael Marrak, Harry Turner and Kevin Cullen. The contributors represented a mixture of established authors, emerging writers, artists and fan-community participants. As the publication developed, it moved toward a fully typeset presentation, with Kevin Clarke joining as resident designer and contributing to its visual identity. Critical Wave operated within the economics of small-press publishing rather than as a conventional commercial magazine. Its editors and important supporters supplied substantial financial backing, while the publication faced escalating printing expenses, postage costs and bank charges. Although it attracted strong enthusiasm from readers, those structural costs made continued production increasingly difficult. The original series ultimately announced its closure in late 1996 after 46 issues. In September 2008, Green and Tudor announced a plan to bring Critical Wave back as an online publication hosted through eFanzines. The proposed second series returned to the title's earliest concept as a regular, news-oriented "fanzine of record" focused on British science-fiction conventions, awards and publications. The first online issue appeared on 14 November 2008. A serious computer problem then delayed the second issue, which was largely complete by late December 2008 but had still not been published as of October 2012. The available record therefore supports a documented online revival attempt, but not a confidently established continuing publication status.

Critical Wave emerged in 1987 as a British science-fiction fanzine founded and co-edited by Steve Green and Martin Tudor. Its early identity was rooted in the British fan and small-press scene, but the publication pursued a broader editorial role than a purely informal club newsletter. It reported on genre activity, reviewed books and publications, carried criticism and interviews, and provided space for writers and artists working across science fiction and fantasy. In time, it adopted the subtitle "The European Science Fiction & Fantasy Review," signaling an interest in the wider European genre field while retaining its British editorial base. The publication's original run lasted until 1996 and comprised 46 issues. During that period, Critical Wave built a substantial contributor roster. Its pages were associated with writers and artists such as Graham Joyce, Michael Moorcock, David A. Hardy, Stephen Baxter, Colin Greenland, Charles Stross, Joel Lane, Iain M. Banks, Arthur "ATom" Thomson, Iain Byers, Dave Mooring, Jim Porter, Sue Mason, Michael Marrak, Harry Turner and Kevin Cullen. The mix of contributors illustrates the magazine's position within the broader genre ecosystem: it could engage established authors while also supporting fan writers, emerging creators and specialist commentators. The transition to full typesetting marked a further stage of development, and Kevin Clarke became resident designer during the more professionally presented phase of the title. Despite reader enthusiasm, Critical Wave was not sustained by a large commercial publishing infrastructure. Its editors and key supporters contributed considerable funds to keep it operating. Rising print prices, postage expenses and bank charges gradually placed the title under heavier pressure. These costs were especially significant for a small-circulation publication whose editorial ambitions and physical production standards exceeded the resources normally available to a fan press. The original series eventually buckled under this financial burden and announced its closure in late 1996. The title was not permanently abandoned. In September 2008, Green and Tudor announced their intention to revive Critical Wave online through eFanzines. The planned second series was conceived as a return to the publication's earliest news-oriented purpose: a regular record of British science-fiction conventions, awards and publications. This approach used online distribution to avoid some of the material costs that had constrained the print edition. The first issue of the new series was published on 14 November 2008. However, a major computer problem interrupted production of the second issue. Although that issue was reportedly largely complete by late December 2008, it had not appeared by October 2012. The documented history therefore ends with an incomplete or uncertain online revival rather than a confirmed long-running digital publication.

• 2008

  Online revival is announced

  [1]Critical Waveen.wikipedia.org

  The original editors announce plans for a second series distributed through eFanzines.

• 2008

  First second-series online issue appears

  [1]Critical Waveen.wikipedia.org

  The first issue of the revived online publication is released on 14 November.

• 1996

  Original print run ends

  [1]Critical Waveen.wikipedia.org

  After 46 issues, Critical Wave announces its closure as printing, postage and bank-related costs become unsustainable.

• 1987

  Critical Wave is founded

  [1]Critical Waveen.wikipedia.org

  Steve Green and Martin Tudor begin publishing and co-editing the British science-fiction fanzine.

An independent, community-oriented science-fiction and fantasy review magazine positioned between a traditional fan publication, a specialist news source and a small-press critical journal.

• Science-fiction and fantasy fanzine · 1987

  Critical Wave print magazine

  The original print publication ran from 1987 to 1996 and reached 46 issues. It combined genre news, reviews, criticism, interviews, convention material, artwork and contributions from authors and fan-community participants. Its later subtitle, The European Science Fiction & Fantasy Review, reflected an expanded editorial identity.

• Online science-fiction fanzine · 2008

  Critical Wave second series

  The online revival announced in 2008 was intended to focus on British science-fiction conventions, awards and publications. Its first issue appeared through eFanzines on 14 November 2008, while the next issue was delayed by a computer problem and had not been published by October 2012.

• 2008

  Shift to online publicationStrategy

  Background

  The former editors sought to revive the title while returning to its earlier role as a regular news-oriented record of British science-fiction activity.

  Action taken

  Green and Tudor announced a second series distributed online through eFanzines.

  Aftermath

  One online issue was released, but a computer problem delayed the second issue, leaving the continuation of the series uncertain.

  Source

• 1996

  Closure of the original print editionOther

  Background

  The magazine faced increasing production and distribution expenses, including printing, postage and bank charges, while relying heavily on editorial and supporter funding.

  Action taken

  The editors announced the end of the original print series after 46 issues.

  Aftermath

  Critical Wave ceased its original print publication, although the title was later considered for an online revival.

  Source

1. 1Critical Waveen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Critical Wave second series on eFanzinesefanzines.com