Startling Stories was an American
pulp science fiction magazine, published from 1939 to 1955 by publisher
Ned Pines'
Standard Magazines. It was initially edited by
Mort Weisinger, who was also the editor of
Thrilling Wonder Stories, Standard's other science fiction title.
Startling ran a lead novel in every issue; the first was
The Black Flame by
Stanley G. Weinbaum. When Standard Magazines acquired
Thrilling Wonder in 1936, it also gained the rights to stories published in that magazine's predecessor,
Wonder Stories, and selections from this early material were reprinted in
Startling as "Hall of Fame" stories. Under Weisinger the magazine focused on younger readers and, when Weisinger was replaced by
Oscar J. Friend in 1941, the magazine became even more juvenile in focus, with clichéd cover art and letters answered by a "Sergeant Saturn". Friend was replaced by
Sam Merwin, Jr. in 1945, and Merwin was able to improve the quality of the fiction substantially, publishing
Arthur C. Clarke's
Against the Fall of Night, and several other well-received stories.