Starburst (magazine)
Dez Skinn launched Starburst magazine in December 1977 with his own company, Starburst Publishing Ltd. He chose the name after rejecting alternatives like Starfall because he felt they sounded too negative. The first issue appeared on newsstands as a small independent publication focused on science fiction and fantasy. By issue number four, Marvel UK took over ownership of the title. This deal placed Skinn in charge of the UK comic reprints division for the larger publisher. The transition marked the end of true independence but secured financial stability for the fledgling magazine. Visual Imagination later purchased the title from Marvel in 1985 when they put it up for sale. They published issues starting from number eighty-eight until their business folded in 2008.
The magazine has seen twelve different editors-in-chief since its inception in 1977. Dez Skinn led the publication from its launch until 1981 before handing control to Alan McKenzie. McKenzie served through 1985 while Cefn Ridout held the post briefly that same year. Stephen Payne managed operations from 1985 to 1999 and returned again between 2002 and 2005. David Richardson took over from 1999 to 2001 followed by Andrew Cartmel for a single year. Gary Gillatt edited from 2001 to 2002 before Payne resumed his second tenure. Simon J. Gerard led the team from 2003 to 2005. Jordan Royce served as editor from 2009 until 2022. Kris Heys took the helm from 2022 to 2025. Martin Unsworth currently holds the position of Editor-in-Chief starting in 2025.
Starburst ceased print publishing after reaching issue number three hundred sixty-five in 2008 due to Visual Imagination folding. The company announced plans to resume publication as an online magazine in early 2011. Founder Dez Skinn was named Honorary Editor-in-Chief during this digital shift. The first online issue, numbered three hundred sixty-six, released on May fourteenth 2011 with an editorial written by Skinn. Daily news and reviews began appearing on the website alongside quarterly issues. Starburst returned to physical format in February 2012 with issue number three hundred seventy-four. The headquarters moved to Manchester following these changes. The magazine celebrated its fortieth anniversary with issue number four hundred forty-three in 2017 which included a new editorial from creator Dez Skinn.
The inaugural Marvel Comics Film & Fantasy Convention occurred on October eighteenth and nineteenth 1980 at Lawrence Hall in London. Ray Harryhausen served as guest of honor for this event organized by Starburst while owned by Marvel UK. Other guests included Barry Morse, Paul Darrow, Jacqueline Pearce, Ingrid Pitt, Caroline Munro, Dana Gillespie, David Prowse, Peter Mayhew, Milton Subotsky, Roy Ashton, Martin Bower, Harley Cokeliss, Mat Irvine, Brian Johnson, Terrance Dicks, David Maloney, Dick Mills, and Richard O'Brien. The convention featured the presentation of both the 1980 Starburst Awards and the 1980 Eagle Awards. A second major event took place from August twenty-sixth to twenty-eighth 2016 at the Manchester Metropolitan Students Union Complex. This festival culminated in the Starburst Fantasy Awards 2016 where Doug Naylor won the Hall of Fame Award. Guests for that year included Dez Skinn, Doug Naylor, Steve Pemberton, and Toby Whithouse. The third annual festival ran March sixteenth and seventeenth 2018 with sponsorship from MediaCityUK. Winners included Emma Dark for Best Director and Michael Melski for Best Feature.
Starburst magazine presented its first weekly radio show on March nineteenth 2011 on Manchester Radio Online. The program later moved to Fab Radio International under the name Starburst Radio. The publication now produces several podcasts including the official Starburst Radio Podcast hosted by Martin Unsworth, Kris Heys, and Mike Royce. They also produce The Blue Box Podcast which focuses on Doctor Who and is presented by JR Southall. Brave New Words serves as a book and graphic novel podcast led by literary editor Ed Fortune. TV Zone Plus represents the audio version of their television column and features Paul Mount. The website publishes additional news and reviews daily alongside quarterly print issues. Current columns include TV Zone by Paul Mount and It's Only a Movie by Jordan Royce. Horror Obscura appears as a column written by Editor-In-Chief Martin Unsworth. Other regular features include Brave New Words covering books and Roll for Damage focusing on TTRPGs by Ed Fortune. OST by Nick Spacek covers soundtracks while Monsters University by Laura Potier explores creature design.
Common questions
When did Dez Skinn launch Starburst magazine?
Dez Skinn launched Starburst magazine in December 1977 with his own company, Starburst Publishing Ltd. The first issue appeared on newsstands as a small independent publication focused on science fiction and fantasy.
Who is the current Editor-in-Chief of Starburst magazine?
Martin Unsworth currently holds the position of Editor-in-Chief starting in 2025. He took over from Kris Heys who served as editor from 2022 to 2025.
What happened to Starburst magazine in 2008?
Starburst ceased print publishing after reaching issue number three hundred sixty-five in 2008 due to Visual Imagination folding. The company announced plans to resume publication as an online magazine in early 2011.
Where was the inaugural Marvel Comics Film & Fantasy Convention held?
The inaugural Marvel Comics Film & Fantasy Convention occurred on October eighteenth and nineteenth 1980 at Lawrence Hall in London. Ray Harryhausen served as guest of honor for this event organized by Starburst while owned by Marvel UK.
When did Starburst return to physical format after becoming digital?
Starburst returned to physical format in February 2012 with issue number three hundred seventy-four. The headquarters moved to Manchester following these changes.