Beyond Fantasy Fiction – January, 1954 [Rupert Conrad]

The January, 1954 issue of Beyond Fantasy Fiction features a cover art akin to that of the magazine’s prior (and subsequent!) issues: An illustration that sets a “mood”, but has no relation to the magazine’s actual content of a novella by Evelyn E. Smith, two novelets, and five short stories.

Set within the sea (a “sea”; a mythical “sea”; any old “sea” – see?!) a man and a woman, or more correctly, a scaled aquatic satyr with glowing red eyes, contemplatively pause amidst undersea greenery, while decoratively colored fish swim by, some of the fish – like the satyr – staring at the viewer. The scene, painted by Rupert Conrad, creates moods of familiarity, and strangeness; clarity, and puzzlement; comfort, and a hint of menace.

It’s a fantasy without a name.