1941 Retro Hugo Awards Ballot

Finalists for the 1941 Retro Hugo Awards, honoring work from 1940, have been announced by MidAmericon II, the 74th World Science Fiction Convention, to be held in Kansas City MO, August 17-21, 2016.

Best Novel (352 nominating ballots)

  • Kallocain, Karin Boye (Bonnier)
  • Gray Lensman, E.E. ‘‘Doc’’ Smith (Astounding Science-Fiction 1/40)
  • Slan, A.E. Van Vogt (Astounding Science-Fiction 12/40)
  • The IllMade Knight, T.H. White (Collins)
  • The Reign of Wizardry, Jack Williamson (Unknown 3/40)

Best Novella (318)

  • ‘‘The Mathematics of Magic’’, L. Sprague de Camp & Fletcher Pratt (Unknown 8/40)
  • ‘‘The Roaring Trumpet’’, L. Sprague de Camp & Fletcher Pratt (Unknown 5/40)
  • ‘‘Coventry’’, Robert A. Heinlein (Astounding Science-Fiction 7/40)
  • ‘‘If This Goes On…’, Robert A. Heinlein (Astounding Science-Fiction 2/40)
  • ‘‘Magic, Inc.’’, Robert A. Heinlein (Unknown 9/40)

 Best Novelette (310)

  • ‘‘Farewell to the Master’’, Harry Bates (Astounding Science-Fiction 10/40)
  • ‘‘Blowups Happen’’, Robert A. Heinlein (Astounding Science-Fiction 9/40)
  • ‘‘The Roads Must Roll’’, Robert A. Heinlein (Astounding Science-Fiction 6/40)
  • ‘‘It!’’, Theodore Sturgeon (Unknown 8/40)
  • ‘‘Darker Than You Think’’, Jack Williamson (Unknown 12/40)

 Best Short Story (324)

  • ‘‘Robbie’’, Isaac Asimov (Super Science Stories 9/40 as ‘‘Strange Playfellow’’)
  • ‘‘Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius’’, Jorge Luis Borges (Sur 1940)
  • ‘‘Martian Quest’’, Leigh Brackett (Astounding Science-Fiction 2/40)
  • ‘‘The Stellar Legion’’, Leigh Brackett (Planet Stories Winter 1940)
  • ‘‘Requiem’’, Robert A. Heinlein (Astounding Science-Fiction 1/40)

 Best Dramatic Presentation – Short (123)

  • The Adventures of Superman: ‘‘The Baby from Krypton’’
  • The Invisible Man Returns
  • Looney Tunes: ‘‘You Ought to Be in Pictures’’
  • Merrie Melodies: ‘‘A Wild Hare’’
  • Pinocchio

Best Dramatic Presentation – Long (250)

  • Dr. Cyclops
  • Fantasia
  • Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe
  • One Million B.C.
  • The Thief of Bagdad

Best Graphic Story (92)

  • Batman #1 (Detective Comics, Spring 1940)
  • ‘‘The Origin of the Spirit’’, Will Eisner (Register and Tribune Syndicate 6/40)
  • Captain Marvel: ‘‘Introducing Captain Marvel’’, Bill Parker & C.C. Beck (Whiz Comics #2, 2/40)
  • Flash Gordon: ‘‘The Ice Kingdom of Mongo’’, Alex Raymond & Don Moore (King Features Syndicate, 4/40)
  • The Spectre: ‘‘The Spectre’’/’’The Spectre Strikes!’’, Jerry Siegel & Bernard Baily (More Fun Comics #52/53, 3/40, 4/40)

Best Professional Editor Short Form (183)

  • John W. Campbell
  • Dorothy McIlwraith
  • Raymond A. Palmer
  • Frederik Pohl
  • Mort Weisinger

 Best Professional Artist (86)*

  • Hannes Bok
  • Margaret Brundage
  • Edd Cartier
  • Virgil Finlay
  • Frank R. Paul
  • Hubert Rogers

 Best Fanzine (63)

  • Futuria Fantasia
  • Le Zombie
  • Novacious
  • Spaceways
  • Voice of the Imagi-Nation

Best Fan Writer (70)

  • Forrest J Ackerman
  • Ray Bradbury
  • H.P. Lovecraft
  • Arthur Wilson ‘‘Bob’’ Tucker
  • Harry Warner

There were 481 nominating ballots received from members of Sasquan, MidAmericonII, and Worldcon 75.

*The Best Professional Artist category has six finalists due to a tie for fifth place.