Starlog Is Back! The Legendary Sci-Fi Magazine Returns After 17 Years

Before the internet, cool sci-fi-obsessed legends like myself got a lot of our news from magazines like Starlog, Starburst, and Analog.

They were the only real sources I had to know what was going on, and what new shows, films, books, and so forth were coming out. Of course, back then, there was less stuff to keep track of, but still…

Starlog put out its supposed last issue in 2009, and I was decidedly sad about it. But at least by then, we had the internet.

Now, 17 years later, it is coming back. And I’m happy.

A brief bit of Starlog history

The magazine first appeared in 1976, founded by Kerry O’Quinn and Norman Jacobs. The original idea was apparently to produce a magazine devoted to Star Trek – a noble endeavour – but licensing problems encouraged them to broaden the concept and cover science fiction generally.

That turned out to be spectacularly good timing.

Star Wars arrived the following year, science fiction was suddenly everywhere, and Starlog was perfectly positioned to cover it.

The magazine became one of the main places fans went for news about science-fiction films, television, books and the people making them. At its height, circulation reportedly reached around 250,000 copies. As a kid growing up in Hong Kong, I used to eagerly await it to find out about new things.

Today, if a trailer drops, millions of people can watch it within minutes. Casting announcements appear instantly on social media. Actors give interviews on YouTube. Leaked set photographs can be circulating around the world before the production company has even noticed someone took them.

All of which is cool, but there is still a space for magazines to give their own spin on stories. They can get better interviews, be more insightful. A magazine like Starlog can contain information and pictures you simply haven’t seen anywhere else.

It closed down and is now back – with a difference

Starlog continued publishing for more than three decades, eventually reaching 374 issues before its print edition came to an end in 2009.

And now, 17 years later, issue 375 is effectively on the way.

The revived magazine is officially being called Starlog Vol. 2 #1. It will be a 100-page, perfect-bound print magazine priced at $19.99, with the first new edition arriving in November. I hope I can get it in Bangkok, where I am right now.

So this isn’t a return to monthly publication. The plan is to produce one large print edition each year, supported by a website, newsletter and podcast. Which makes sense, I guess.

After all, there isn’t much point trying to compete with the internet for breaking science-fiction news anymore. Instead, the new Starlog is concentrating on longer articles, interviews, essays, science and thoughtful features.

The first issue includes material about Star Trek’s 60th anniversary, the politics of Dune, iconic movie spacecraft, future technology, orbital farming and even how realistic science-fiction lasers really are.

All of which sound cool.

The new editor-in-chief is Annalee Newitz, a science journalist, novelist and, appropriately enough, one of the founders of io9. I remember her posting regularly there before seeming to quit to write books. She’s a great writer.

Newitz says the magazine will focus on “original reporting, in-depth essays, analysis, and interviews”, while also honouring the original magazine’s “fannish legacy”.

I think this is the perfect route for a magazine to take. The internet is ideal for breaking news and articles, projects getting green lit, and spotting easter eggs in trailers. But there needs to be a bit more insight and evergreen material. That’s why here on ScifiWard, I try and mix it up a bit with info on the latest trailers and breaking news, but also a look at a science fiction or fantasy theme, then a couple of reviews of both recent and classic material.

I must admit, Starlog coming back wasn’t something I would have predicted for 2026. But now I’m pretty excited about it.