SFC Newsletter

This Week in Science Fiction Classics is published every Thursday. The newsletter includes a classic sci-fi brief, trivia, links to science fiction resources and products. The newsletter is free and the content is fun.

A screen capture showing the Dr. Forbin character between monitors for two AIs.

SFC Newsletter

Before Skynet There Was Colossus

A look back at "Colossus: The Forbin Project" and its legacy as the original AI overlord, plus how obedient machines became science fiction’s greatest threat.

10 Apr 2025 4 min read

A screen capture showing the character Zefram Cochrane.

SFC Newsletter

First Contact Day and the Sci-Fi Stories That Shaped It

Explore five unforgettable first contact stories, from “The Day the Earth Stood Still” to “Star Trek: First Contact.” What they reveal isn't just about aliens—it’s about us.

03 Apr 2025 4 min read

A silhouette of a man surrounded by bright blue light.

SFC Newsletter

"Quantum Leap" and the Mysteries of Time Travel

A reflective look at "Quantum Leap's" debut, exploring time travel's allure and risks in classic sci-fi and its enduring cultural impact.

27 Mar 2025 4 min read

William Shatner as Captain Kirk, wearing a gold Starfleet uniform, looking determined on the bridge of the Enterprise.

SFC Newsletter

William Shatner and Kirk's Legacy

William Shatner’s portrayal of Captain Kirk shaped the sci-fi hero archetype, influencing generations of spacefaring leaders in fiction and inspiring real-world explorers during the height of the space race.

20 Mar 2025 6 min read

A bald man in white sits as three black-clad enforcers stand over him with batons.

SFC Newsletter

The Dystopian Vision of "THX 1138"

A dystopian world without identity or free will, "THX 1138" presents a chilling vision of control.

13 Mar 2025 6 min read

A serious-looking Lee Majors as Steve Austin in "The Six Million Dollar Man."

SFC Newsletter

The End of a Bionic Era, Revisiting "The Six Million Dollar Man"

"The Six Million Dollar Man" ended its run on March 6, 1978, but its legacy lives on. Here, we explore the show's impact, its influence on sci-fi, and how its vision of bionics compares to today.

06 Mar 2025 6 min read

SFC Newsletter

The Time Loop Paradoxes That Keep Sci-fi Fans Hooked

Time loops challenge logic but make for great storytelling. This issue explores paradoxes in "The Terminator," "Timerider," and "Primer," with trivia from "Predestination," "Interstellar," and more.

27 Feb 2025 7 min read

A retro-style illustration of a man in a white radiation suit holding a scientific device.

SFC Newsletter

The 1953 Sci-Fi Film That Inspired "The Andromeda Strain"

"The Magnetic Monster" (1953) pioneered the science fiction procedural, making science the central threat. Its focus on investigation and Cold War anxieties influenced later sci-fi thrillers.

20 Feb 2025 6 min read

A screen capture from "Saturn 3" (1980) showing Hector the robot.

SFC Newsletter

"Saturn 3" and the Rise of the Machine Threat

From Hector in "Saturn 3" to the T-800 in "The Terminator," sci-fi's killer robots have evolved from flawed machines to unstoppable threats. Explore how these mechanical villains changed the genre.

13 Feb 2025 6 min read

A screen capture from the move featuring humans and apes.

SFC Newsletter

"Planet of the Apes" Premiered in 1968

The anniversary of the 1968 premiere of "Planet of the Apes" at New York’s Capitol Theatre. Explore its cultural impact, groundbreaking makeup effects, and legacy in science fiction.

06 Feb 2025 5 min read

A still from the television show showing Gil Gerard as Buck Rogers.

SFC Newsletter

Happy Birthday Buck Rogers

Gil Gerard was perfectly cast as Captain William "Buck" Rogers, a 20th-century NASA pilot who is accidentally frozen in space for 500 years.

23 Jan 2025 3 min read

A retro science fiction image of a robot working in a factory.

SFC Newsletter

The First Use of the Word "Robot"

Discover the origin of ‘robot,’ explore classic AI tales, and celebrate timeless science fiction legends.

16 Jan 2025 3 min read

A screen capture from 1982's "Blade Runner."

SFC Newsletter

Roy Batty's Inception

Roy Batty's impending mortality drives much of his actions in the film. As he approaches the end of his engineered lifespan, he returns to Earth seeking a way to extend his life, leading to his confrontation with his creator, Dr. Eldon Tyrell.

09 Jan 2025 3 min read

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