Black Gate opened its doors in October 2000 with a promise that seemed impossible to keep. The magazine launched with a slogan declaring Adventures in Fantasy Literature, but its true claim to fame was its sheer physical bulk. Unlike the slim paperbacks that dominated the genre, the first issues of Black Gate were massive, often exceeding 200 pages of glossy paper. This ambitious scale was designed to offer readers a substantial experience, treating fantasy fiction with the weight and reverence of a hardcover novel rather than a disposable periodical. The production values were high, catching the eye of critics at Locus magazine who praised the glossy finish and the generous page count. Yet, this grandeur came with a heavy price tag. The magazine was officially scheduled to be a quarterly publication, but the financial and logistical strain of printing such large issues meant that the schedule was never reliable. The promise of regular quarterly issues became a ghost, haunting the publication from its very first month.
A Sanctuary For The Forgotten
While many magazines chased the latest bestsellers, Black Gate carved out a unique identity by championing the overlooked. The editors made a conscious decision to publish work from lesser-known or new authors, creating a launchpad for voices that might otherwise be ignored by the mainstream publishing industry. This mission extended beyond new talent to include a semi-regular feature dedicated to reprinting rare adventure stories from earlier decades. The editors felt a deep responsibility to rescue neglected works from the dustbins of history, ensuring that stories from the past remained accessible to new generations. One notable example of this archival work involved the serialization of Tumithak novels by Charles R. Tanner, a writer whose work had largely been forgotten until Black Gate brought him back into the spotlight. This commitment to the past and the future created a diverse tapestry of content that included original short fiction up to novella length, alongside reviews of fantasy novels, graphic novels, and role playing game products.The Giants Who Walked The Pages
The magazine managed to attract a roster of contributors that would make any fantasy enthusiast dream. Michael Moorcock, Mike Resnick, Charles de Lint, and Cory Doctorow all found a home within the glossy pages of Black Gate, lending their names to a publication that was still finding its footing. These established authors did not just contribute; they helped define the magazine's tone, blending their established styles with the fresh voices of newcomers. The presence of such heavyweights in the fantasy genre provided a level of credibility that was rare for a new magazine. However, the magazine was not just a collection of famous names. It also featured the comic strip Knights of the Dinner Table: Java Joint by Kenzer & Company, a nod to the gaming culture that often underpinned the fantasy community. This comic strip appeared in every single print issue, serving as a constant reminder of the magazine's roots in the tabletop gaming world and its appreciation for the broader fantasy ecosystem.