Dark Fantasy #11 is a fanzine by Shadow Press, January 1977. Contains the REH poem “Visions”.

Dark Fantasy was a literary fantasy and horror fanzine by Howard Eugene (Gene) Day (1951-1982).

Gene Day began publishing Dark Fantasy in 1973 in Gananoque, Ontario, Canada. A total of 22 issues were published, the last issue in 1980. Day was told by the printer that issues 12 and 13 were lost, but issue 12 was later reconstructed and printed after issue 19 had come out in 1979. Gene Day suddenly died, at age 31, before issue 13 could be reconstructed. Gordon Derevanchik published a special commemorative double issue of Dark Fantasy, #24/25, in August 1984 in tribute to Gene Day.

Writing contributors included Fabio Basbarri, Bill Baron, John Bell (Borealis), Al D. Cockrell (Wyrd, Wax Dragon), Charles De Lint (Dragonfields), Gordon Derevanchuk, George Diezel II, Gordon Derry, Tom Egan, Galad Elflandsson, Steve Eng, Joe Erslavas, Augustine Fennel, Robert Fester, William Fulwiler, Greg N. Gabbard, Ken Hahn (Jeet), Wayne Hooks, Kenneth Huff, Jon Inouye, Gale Jack, James Lankashire, Randall Larson (Threshold of Fantasy), David Madison, Ardath Mayhar, David Mowry, Glenn Rahman, Charles R. Saunders (Dragonfields, Stardock), David M. Skov, Dorothy Wagner, Steven Vance, B.F. Watkinson, Neal Wilgus, and Richard deWolfe.

Art contributors included Neal Adams, John Bierly, John Charette, Bruce Conklin, Dan Day, Gene Day, Larry Dickison, Stephen E. Fabian, George Freeman, Tim Hammell, Roy G. Krenkel, Ken Raney (Fantasae), and David Vosburgh.

Also featured was poetry by Tom Egan, Steve Eng, William Fulwiler, Ralph Harding, Robert E. Howard, Ed Lesko, Mark Mansell, and Walter Shedlofsky (Inner Circle).

Dark Fantasy is noted for featuring the first publication of the “Imaro” stories of Charles Saunders. The lack of black protagonists and the stereotyped portrayal of black characters in heroic fiction, combined with a love of African culture, history and mythology, inspired Sauders to create the “Imaro” character and stories. Several issues featured these stories, and issue 18 was the “All Imaro Issue”.

The story “Moon Over the Xingu” by George Diezel II is considered to be a part of the Cthulhu Mythos.

The Gene Day Award for Self-Publishers is an annual award in Day’s honour given to Canadian self publishing comic book creators.

Contents

• Dark Fantasy, January 1977 (centerfold) • interior artwork by Gene Day and Tim Hammell and Roy G. Krenkel and Greg Vander Leun and Jim McLeod and Tony Salmons
• 2 • Rune of the Elder Gods • poem by G. N. Gabbard
• 2 •  Rune of the Elder Gods • interior artwork by Jessie Flores and Doug Hazlewood
• 3 •  Dark Fantasy, January 1977 • interior artwork by Dave Sim
• 4 • City of the Shaowbook • short story by Gerard Houarner
• 5 •  City of the Shadowbook • interior artwork by Tim Hammell
• 21 • Editorial (Dark Fantasy, January 1977) • essay by Gene Day [as by Howard E. Day]
• 21 •  Editorial (Dark Fantasy, January 1977) – H. P. Lovecraft • interior artwork by Virgil Finlay
• 22 • The Thundering Drums • [John Smith Saga] • short story by Llewellyn M. Cabos
• 23 •  The Thundering Drums • interior artwork by Gene Day
• 35 • Time and Time Again • short story by Randall D. Larson
• 35 •  Time and Time Again • interior artwork by Dave Sim
• 43 • Death from Hyades • poem by Walter Shedlofsky
• 43 •  Death from Hyades • interior artwork by Steve Oliff
• 44 • Visions • (1972) • poem by Robert E. Howard
• 44 •  Visions • interior artwork by Gene Day

Notes

Volume 3, number 11. Whole number 11. Saddle stapled, wraps. Page numbers include covers. Published in Gananoque, Ontario, Canada. 

First issue that paid for content. Cover illustration title is “The Mad Gods Ship Burns”, one of a five print portfolio illustrating Michael Moorcock’s “Sorcerer’s Amulet”.