Yugoslav science fiction comprises literary works, films, comic books and other works of art in the science fiction genre created in Yugoslavia during the country's existence (1918âÂÂ1991).
The origins of Yugoslav science fiction literature date to mid-19th century, to utopian and dystopian works of authors who wrote in Slovene language, most notably Simon Jenko, Josip Stritar, Anton MahniÃÂ and Janez Trdina. By the end of the century, first science fiction works in Serbo-Croatian appeared, authored by Serbian writers Dragutin IliÃÂ and Lazar KomarÃÂiÃÂ. The period from the formation of Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1918 until World War II Axis occupation of the country in 1941 was marked by several prominent authors, like Vladimir Bartol, Aldion Degal, Damir Feigel and Milutin MilankoviÃÂ, the latter, a renowned scientist, authoring Through Distant Worlds and Times, which combined autobiography, scientific essay and science fiction. During the era, science fiction elements also appeared in the works of non-genre authors, like surrealists Stanislav Vinaver and Rastko PetroviÃÂ.
Serbo-Croatian and Slovene science fiction literature re-emerged in Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in early 1950s, followed by the appearance of first science fiction works in Macedonian language. In the early years of socialist Yugoslavia perceived mostly as children's and young adult literature, 1950s and early 1960s Yugoslav science fiction brought a large number of works dedicated to these age categories. However, by mid-1960s works of a new generation of authors, like Vid PeÃÂjak and the literary duo Zvonimir Furtinger and Mladen Blaà ¾iÃÂ, started to enjoy popularity among wide audience. Late 1960s brought the appearance of the country's first science fiction magazines, and in the 1970s a number of publishing houses launched series of science fiction novels. The 1980s brough a renaissance of Yugoslav science fiction literature, with notable authors like Duà ¡an BelÃÂa, Slobodan ÃÂurÃÂiÃÂ, Hrvoje Hitrec, Miha Remec, Samo Kuà ¡ÃÂer and Vlado Uroà ¡eviÃÂ, and with academically acclaimed authors like Branko Belan, Ivan Ivanji, Zvonimir KostiÃÂ, andâÂÂmost prominentlyâÂÂBorislav Pekià(in his works like Rabies, Atlantis and 1999) venturing into science fiction genre.
Yugoslav cinema featured a number of science fiction titles, most notably Veljko BulajiÃÂ's Atomic War Bride, Krsto PapiÃÂ's The Rat Savior and Duà ¡an VukotiÃÂ's Visitors from the Galaxy. Yugoslav science fiction comics emerged in the 1930s, with the works of ÃÂorÃÂe LobaÃÂev and Andrija MauroviÃÂ, which could be considered pioneering works of European science fiction comics. Re-emerging in early 1950s, the Yugoslav comics scene saw its renaissance in the 1980s, with authors like Zoran Janjetov, Igor Kordej and à ½eljko Pahek achieving international recognition. Science fiction also influenced works by a number of Yugoslav visual artists and popular music acts.
Science fiction enjoyed large popularity in socialist Yugoslavia, with first societies of science fiction fans appearing in mid-1970s. By the late 1980s, a number of science fiction fan societies were active in the country, most of them publishing their own fanzines.
The pioneers of the Serbo-Croatian science fiction were Serbian writer Dragutin Iliàand Lazar KomarÃÂiÃÂ. Dragutin IliÃÂ's play Posle milion godina (After Million Years), published in 1889, is considered the first science fiction work written in Serbo-Croatian, being also one of the first plays in the complete history of science fiction literature. KomarÃÂiàpublished the first science fiction novel in Serbo-Croatian, Jedna ugaà ¡ena zvezda (One Extinguished Star), in 1903.
Only a small number of notable science fiction works and works with science fiction elements were published in the years prior to and the years following World War I: Fran GaloviÃÂ's ZaÃÂarano ogledalo (Magical Mirror, 1913), Marija JuriàZagorka's Crveni ocean (Red Ocean, 1918), Dragutin IliÃÂ's Sekund veÃÂnosti (A Second of Eternity, 1921), Josip Kulundà ¾iÃÂ's Lunar (1922), Milan à  uflaj's Na Pacifiku 2255 (In the Pacific 2255, 1924).
The late 1920s and the early 1930s brought the appearance of three science fiction works that are viewed as milestones in the history of Yugoslav science fiction literature. In 1928, scientist Milutin Milankoviàwrote the book Through Distant Worlds and Times, which combined elements of autobiography, scientific essay and science fiction. In 1932, Mate Hanà ¾ekoviàpublished Gospodin ÃÂovjek (Mr Man), the first utopian novel in the history of literature in Serbo-Croatian. Finally, in 1933, Stojan RadoniÃÂ's à ½ivot u vasioni (Life in the Universe) was published, the novel dealing with the rise, the development and the downfall of a Martian civilization.
The late 1930s brought a number of serialized novels, published mostly in Zagreb magazines. One of the most notable authors of this period was Aldion Degal, who published the novels Atomska raketa (Atomic Rocket, 1930), Zrake smrti (Death Rays, 1932) and Smaragdni Skarabej (The Emerald Scarab, 1934), the first one dealing with the theme of first contact, and the latter two introducing the motif of death rays to Yugoslav science fiction. However, most of the authors of these serialized novels used pen names or left their work unsigned. Many of these novels lacked originality and were heavily influenced by science fiction works of foreign authors; for instance, the novel LeteÃÂa laÃÂa (The Flying Ship) was a literary paraphrase of Jules Verne's Master of the World, and the novel Put na mars (Voyage to Mars) paraphrased Aleksey Tolstoy's Aelita. Writer and science fiction historian Zoran à ½ivkoviàdescribed Mladen Horvat's Muri Massanga, dealing with telepathy, as the best Yugoslav science fiction work from this period. The last two novels published in series before the Axis occupation of Yugoslavia were Crveni duh (The Red Ghost) and Majstor Omega (Master Omega), written by Stanko Radovanoviàand Zvonimir Furtinger (the latter would become one of Yugoslavia's most notable post-World War II science fiction authors), signed under the pen name Stan Rager.
Prior to World War II, there were several notable works with science fiction elements written by acclaimed and essentially non-genre writers. These include stories "Posle sto godina" ("After Hundred Years", 1911) by Stojan NovakoviÃÂ, "Zbilo se ÃÂudo u gradu" ("A Miracle Happened in the City", 1930) by Slavko Batuà ¡iàand "San doktora Prospera Lupusa" ("The Dream of Doctor Prosper Lupus", 1930) by August Cesarec. In 1921, poet and translator Stanislav Vinaver published his surrealist story collection Gromobran svemira (Lightning Rod of the Universe), with the title story and the story "Osveta" ("Revenge") featuring elements of science fiction. Certain elements of science fiction could be found in the novel Burleska gospodina Peruna boga groma (A Burlesque of Lord Perun, God of Thunder), written by another surrealist writer, Rastko PetroviÃÂ, and published during the same year.
In the years following World War II, the new communist authorities proclaimed socialist realism the desired form of art. However, after the 1948 YugoslavâÂÂSoviet split, Yugoslavia became more open to other art movements and to Western popular culture. As a result, at the beginning of the 1950s appeared a large number of science fiction translations and a new generation of Yugoslav science fiction emerged. Sneg i led (Snow and Ice, 1951) by academically acclaimed writer Erih Koà ¡ is considered the first Yugoslav post-World War II science fiction novel.
However, during this period science fiction was mostly perceived as children's and young adult literature, so the largest part of science fiction works from these years was intended for these age categories. The most notable children's and young adult science fiction works from this period include ÃÂedo VukoviÃÂ's SvemoguÃÂe oko (The Almighty Eye, 1953), Voja CariÃÂ's Aparat profesora Kosa (The Device of Professor Kos, 1958), Predrag Jirsak's MjeseÃÂeva djeca (Children of the Moon, 1959) and Zvonko VeljaÃÂiÃÂ's DjeÃÂak Dub putuje svemirom (Boy Dub Travels through Universe, 1959). Children's and young adult science fiction will remain popular in Yugoslavia until the 1980s.
The novel Osvajaà2 se ne javlja (No Reports from Conqueror 2), written by Zvonimir Furtinger and Mladen Blaà ¾iÃÂ, published in 1959, marked the beginning of a new era, with works dedicated to the adult audience gaining in popularity. The following year Furtinger and Blaà ¾iàwould publish three novels: Svemirska nevjesta (Space Bride), Varamunga, tajanstveni grad (Varamunga, the Mysterious City) and Zagonetni stroj profesora Kruà ¾iÃÂa (The Mysterious Machine of Professor Kruà ¾iÃÂ), becoming the first Serbo-Croatian authors devoted primarily to science fiction. Besides the duo, the 1960s brought several more science fiction authors, the most notable being Ritig Angelo, with his novels Sasvim neobiÃÂno buÃÂenje (Quite Unusual Awakening, 1961) and Ljubav u neboderu (Love in the Skyscraper, 1965). Other notable authors from this period include Milan NikoliÃÂ, Silvio Ruà ¾iÃÂ, Vladimir Imperl, Slobodan PetkoviÃÂ, Franjo Ivanuà ¡ec and Danilo AlargiÃÂ. Another notable work from the 1960s was the dystopian novel Bajka (Fairytale, 1965), written by politician and academically acclaimed writer Dobrica ÃÂosiÃÂ, being his only work to venture into science fiction.
In the 1960s, Aleksandar RadenkoviÃÂ, who wrote under the pen name Al Radek and had success with his detective novels, published two science fiction works: ÃÂovek iz à ¾ute kuÃÂe (A Man from the Yellow House, 1960) i Druga smrt doktora Langa (Dr Lang's Second Death, 1960). The decade also brought new works intended for children and young adults, the most notable being ÃÂedo VukoviÃÂ's Letilica profesora Bistrouma (Professor Brightmind's Aircraft, 1961) i Halo nebo (Hello, Sky, 1963), Zvonko VeljaÃÂiÃÂ's DjeÃÂak Dub u svijetu ÃÂudovià ¡ta (Boy Dub in the World of Monsters, 1961), Milivoj Matuà ¡ec's Suvià ¡an u svemiru (Redundant in Space, 1961) and Berislav Kosier's Brik i kompanija (Brik and the Company, 1967).
During the 1960s, several publishing houses started publishing editions of science fiction works. In 1967, the publishing house Jugoslavija started its Kentaur (Centaur) series, which would, during the following decades, publish the most prominent science fiction novels in Serbo-Croatian. During the decade, a number of newspapers and magazines (like VeÃÂernje novosti and Politikin Zabavnik) started to publish science fiction stories regularly or periodically, and at the end of the decade, in 1969, the first science fiction magazine was started, Kosmoplov (Spacecraft), the publication of which, however, ended already in 1970.
The 1970s brought the appearance of three notable publications, all three debuting in 1976. The magazine for popularization of science Galaksija (Galaxy)âÂÂwhich, since its founding in 1972, regularly published science fiction storiesâÂÂstarted the annual Andromeda, which organized the first Yugoslav competition for the best science fiction story, but also published a number of essays on Yugoslav genre fiction. Vjesnik newspaper started the Sirius magazine, which would offer an opportunity to Yugoslav science fiction authors to publish their work. Finally, the Kentaur series, ended in 1968, was revived. During the following years, the most important works of world science fiction would be published in the series. The end of the decade also featured the short-lived book series SF tom (SF Volume), published by DeÃÂje novine. The 1970s also brought the appearance of first self-published science fiction works, with the story collection PriÃÂe stvarnosti i maà ¡te (Tales of Reality and Imagination) by Dragan HajdukoviÃÂ, published in 1970, being the first Yugoslav self-published science fiction book.
During the decade, a large number of translated works was published in contrast to a much smaller number of works by Yugoslav authors. Most notable works from this period include the novel Beli potop (White Flood, 1975) by Berislav Kosier and the story collection Zemlja je u kvaru (The Earth is Malfunctioning, 1977) by Duà ¡ica LukiÃÂ. Terasa XI (Terrace XI, 1972) was the first post-World War II Yugoslav science fiction work written by a female author, Marija-Vera Mrak. The beginning of the 1970s brought the last book written by the Furtinger-Bjaà ¾iàduo, Nià ¡ta bez Boà ¾ene (It's All Useless without Boà ¾ena, 1970), while the end of the decade brought Predrag Raos' novel Brodolom kod Thule (A Shipwreck at Thula, 1979), which announced the 1980s renaissance of Serbo-Croatian science fiction.
At the beginning of the 1980s Kentaur and Sirius were joined by Zvezdane staze (Star Trek) series, published by Narodna knjiga, X-100 SF series, published by Dnevnik, and Dà ¾epna knjiga (Paperback), published by DeÃÂje novine. However, more notable than the mentioned series, all published by state-owned publishing houses, were book series published by small, private publishers. Zoran à ½ivkoviàand à ½ika Bogadnoviàstarted Polaris book series, which published contemporary international science fiction, with some works, like Arthur Clarke's ' and ' having their world premiere in the series. Znak Sagite (Sign of Sagitta), started by Boban Kneà ¾eviÃÂ, and Zoroaster, started by Branislav BrkiÃÂ, also published contemporary and classic works of world science fiction. Kneà ¾eviàalso started the annual Monolit (Monolith). Another notable annual was Alef (Aleph), which was, however, published irregularly.
During the 1980s, Yugoslav science fiction scene averagely brought twenty-five new titles by Yugoslav authors per year. About one third of science fiction titles in this period, both Yugoslav and translated, were published as a part of Dnevnik's X-100 SF series. However, a large part of it was pulp science fiction written by Yugoslav writers under foreign pen names. Most notable of these authors were Duà ¡an BelÃÂa, writing under the pen name Bell Ch. A, and Slobodan ÃÂurÃÂiÃÂ, writing under the pen name S. Tyrkley. BelÃÂa wrote ten books, mostly space operas, while ÃÂurÃÂiàwrote six, some of them, like the story collection à  uma, kià ¡e, grad i zvezde (Forest, Rains, City and Stars) reaching higher artistic value. Other authors who published their books as a part of X-100 SF series were Ljubià ¡a Jovanovià(under the pen name M. L. Arnaud), Boban Kneà ¾evià(under the pen name Andrew Osborne), Radmilo AnÃÂelkovià(under the pen name R. Angelakis), Ratislav Durman (under the pen name D. T. Bird), Slobodan Markovià(under the pen name Liberty Borom), Vladimir Lazovià(under the pen name Valdemar Lazy), Stevan Babià(under the pen name Steve McClain) and Zoran Jakà ¡ià(under the pen name David J. Storm). Three more authors from the 1980s published their books under pen names: Dejan ÃÂorÃÂevià(as Dave George), Milan Draà ¡kovià(as Mike Draskov) and Brana Nikolià(as Derek Finnegan). While ÃÂorÃÂeviàand Draà ¡koviàremained within the boundaries of space opera, Nikoliàwrote several dozen pulp novels in the Ninja series, published by DeÃÂje novine, some of the stories featuring elements of science fiction. These novels would later in the decade inspire the Ninja comic book, published by DeÃÂje novine.
The 1980s, however, also brought many authors which did not use pen names and wrote with artistic aspirations. The most notable of them include Dragan BiskupoviÃÂ, his most prominent work being Ateisti grade crkvu (Atheists Are Building a Church), Dragan FilipoviÃÂ, his most prominent work being Oreska, Hrvoje Hitrec, his most prominent work being Ur, Nikola PaniÃÂ, his most prominent work being Regata Plerus (Regatta Plerus), ÃÂorÃÂe Pisarev, his most prominent work being Knjiga naroda lutaka (The Book of the Puppet People), Predrag Raos, his most prominent work being Mnogo vike nizaà ¡to (Much Ado About Nothing) and Damir MikuliÃÂ, his most prominent work being O. Other notable authors of the decade include Joà ¾a Horvat, Ljubomir PreliÃÂ, Majo Topolovac, Predrag Uroà ¡eviÃÂ, Ante à  kobalj, Dejan ÃÂorÃÂeviÃÂ, Zlatko KriliÃÂ, Radomir Vuga, Neven Orhel, Aleksandar ManiÃÂ, Ariel à  imek, Radovan à ½drale and Dragan OrloviÃÂ. The 1980s brought the first science fiction anthology consisting entirely of the stories by Yugoslav authors, entitled Tamni vilajet (The Dark Vilayet).
In the 1980s, academically acclaimed Yugoslav writers started to show interest for science fiction and to incorporate science fiction elements into their work. Borislav PekiÃÂ, one of the most prominent Serbian writers of the 20th century, wrote several science fiction works: Rabies, Atlantida (Atlantis) and 1999. The theme of dystopia prevails in the works of Yugoslav 1980s science fiction writers, with the most notable dystopian novels written by authors which generally did not write genre fiction: Utov dnevnik (Uto's Diary) by writer, film director, theorist and critic Branko Belan, Trojanski konj (Trojan Horse) and Epitaf carskog gurmana (Epitaph of the Imperial Gourmet) by writer and gastronomy expert Veljko Barbieri, Na kraju ostaje reÃÂ (The Word Is All that Is Left) by writer, translator and diplomat Ivan Ivanji, Donji svetovi (Lower Worlds) by writer, painter and sculptor Zvonimir KostiÃÂ and Atomokalipsa (Atomocalypse) by writer, diplomat, lieutenant general of the Yugoslav People's Army and bearer of the Order of the People's Hero Aleksandar VojinoviÃÂ. During this decade science fiction genre started to gain academical recognition, with the appearance of numerous theoretical texts and first dissertations about science fiction.
Although less popular than during the previous decades, children's and young adult science fiction was during the 1980s still present on the Serbo-Croatian literary scene. Most notable authors include Duà ¡ica LukiÃÂ, Marija-Vera Mrak, Ivan Godina and Anto Gradaà ¡. Gradaà ¡ published the popular trilogy about professor Leopold and his son, consisting of books LjubiÃÂasti planet (The Purple Planet), Bakreni Petar (Copper Peter) and Izum profesora Leopolda (The Invention of Professor Leopold).
Simon Jenko's story "Mikromega" ("Micromega"), published in 1851, is considered the first science fiction work in Slovene language. Mikromega was a literary paraphrase of Voltaire's novella of the same title. Certain utopian elements in the story would in the second part of the 19th century inspire a number of works by Slovene authors. The first Slovene science fiction novel was Andrej Volkar's Dijak v Lunihe (Student on the Moon), published in 1871. Heroes of the novel travel to the Moon via balloon, where they find an arcadian utopia. Another utopian novel was Josip Stritar's novel Deveta deà ¾ela (The Ninth State), published in 1878. In 1884, Anton Mahniàpublished the dystopian response to Deveta deà ¾ela entitled Indija Komandija (Command India), which would itself be a subject of parody in Ivan TavÃÂar's 1891 satirical work 4000. In 1888, Janez Trdina published Razodetje (Revelation), featuring a utopian vision of Slovenia in 2175. Another notable work from this period was Ivan Toporià ¡'s Arheoloà ¡ko predavanje leta 5000 (Archaeological Lecture from the Year 5000).
In 1893, three notable works were published. The first was Simon à  ubic's Pogubni malik sveta (The Harmful Idol of the World). The title refers to money, which is absent from utopian society on Mars, where the story is set. The second was Abadon by Janez Mencinger, the most notable dystopian novel in the history of Slovene literature, dealing with the dark future caused by technological revolution. The third one was Josip JakliÃÂ's Pantheon, a story of travel to utopian societies on Mars and Mercury.
After the era of utopian and dystopian works, came a new era, during which fiction with the elements of popular science prevailed. It was an announced by Etbin Kristan's 1914 work PertinÃÂarjevo pomlajevanje (PertniÃÂar's Rejuvenation), dealing with unsuccessful attempts in creating the new race of men. During the mid 1930s Vladimir Bartol published a number of stories dealing with the imperfections of man. Similar motif appears in Anton NovaÃÂan's play NadÃÂlovek (Superhuman, 1939), in which men evolve into superhumans, before devolving into apes. As a contrast to the works which express doubt in progress based on scientific discoveries, appeared Vernesque works glorifying scientific progress. The most notable representative of this stream was Damir Feigel, whose science fiction adventure novels Pasja dlaka! (Hair of the Dog!, 1926), Na skrivnostnih tleh (On the Mysterious Ground, 1929), ÃÂudeà ¾no oko (The Miraculous Eye, 1930), Okoli sveta/8 (Around the World/8, 1935) and Supervitalin (1938) offer optimistic visions of the future. Pavel Breà ¾nik wrote in similar fashion, his most notable works being Temna zvezda (The Dark Star, 1935) and Marsovske skrivnosti (Secrets of Mars, 1935), and the duo of Metod Jenko and Simon Hasl, their most notable work being Izum (The Invention, 1938).
Although less frequent that in the years prior to World War I, the dystopian motifs were still present in Slovene science fiction. They appear in Ivo à  orli's V deà ¾eli ÃÂirimurcev (In the Land of Chirimurs, 1929), which introduced the motif of parallel worlds into Yugoslav science fiction. The similar motif appears in Radivoj Rehar's science fiction fairy tale Potovanje po zvezdi VeÃÂernici (Travel across the Evening Star, 1931).
In the years following World War II, Slovene science fiction authors aspired to write in accordance with contemporary trends in international science fiction. The theme of extraterrestrial life is one of the predominant themes in the 1950s. The first Slovene science fiction work dealing with the subject was Matej Bor's 1955 novel Vesolje v akvariju (Universe in Aquarium). In the work aliens were described as anthropomorphic beings, but more perfect than humans. Another notable work featuring the motif of anthropomorphic aliens was Branimir à ½ganjer's NatanÃÂno tri dni zamude (Exactly Three Days of Delay). The theatre play Pregnani iz raja (Outlawed from Heaven, 1970) by Franc Puncer and Jure Kislinger was the first to abandon the idea of aliens' anthropomorphic form.
First Slovene authors devoted entirely to science fiction appeared in the 1960s. The most prominent among them was writer and psychologist Vid PeÃÂjak. His most notable science fiction works include DrejÃÂek in trije MarsovÃÂki (Drejchek and Three Little Martians, 1961), dedicated to young adult audience, Pobegli robot (Runaway Robot, 1967), Adam in Eva na planetu starcev (Adam and Eve on the Planet of Old Men, 1972), Roboti so med nami (The Robots Are among Us, 1974), Kam je izginila Ema Lauà ¡ (Where Did Ema Lauà ¡ Disappear, 1980) and Tretje à ¾ivljenje (Third Life, 1980), which he wrote together with Boris Grabnar. Another notable author from the 1960s was Leopold SuhodolÃÂan, with his novel Trije v raketi (Three People in the Rocket, 1961); SuhodolÃÂan would return to science fiction a decade and a half later, with Stopinje po zraku (Feet in the Air, 1977).
The 1970s brought the emergence of many young authors. Most of these authors created works which were modern in both style and subjects, inspired both by Slovene science fiction tradition and modern tendencies in international science fiction. Most notable authors from this period include Franjo Puncer, Gregor Strnià ¡a, Branko Gradià ¡nik, Boris Grabnar, Miha Remec, Milica Kitek, Marjan Tomà ¡iÃÂ, Tomaà ¾ Kralj, Boris Novak, Ivan Sivec and Boris ÃÂevin. Miha Remec would become the most notable Slovene science fiction author in Yugoslavia with his works Prepoznavanje (Recognition, 1977), Iksion (1981), Mana (1985), Lovec (Hunter, 1987) and NeÃÂista hÃÂi (Unclean Daughter, 1987).
Just as science fiction in Serbo-Croatian, the Slovene science fiction experienced renaissance in the 1980s. The influx of new authors was announced in the late 1970s, when Ljubljana magazine Nedeljski dnevnik started publishing science fiction stories by Slovene authors, printing more than 180 stories by December 1981. One of the most published and most prominent among these authors was Samo Kuà ¡ÃÂer. His stories were collected in the book Sabi (1983), which would mark the beginning of his writing career. Besides Kuà ¡ÃÂer, other notable authors from the 1980s include Brane Dolinar, Miloà ¡ Mikeln, Bojan Meserko, Milan Rotner and Veseljko SimonoviÃÂ. Besides authors, the 1980s brought the new generation of science fiction critics and first theorists of the genre, the most notable ones being Drago Bajt, Joà ¾e DolniÃÂar and à ½iga LeskovÃÂek.
Due to unfavorable circumstances in which modern Macedonian literature developed, the first Macedonian language translations of science fiction novels and the first works of Macedonian science fiction authors appeared in the 1950s, much later than the ones in Serbo-Croatian and Slovene. The first science fiction work by a Macedonian author was the 1959 children's novel ÃÂþûõüðÃÂð ðòðýÃÂÃÂÃÂð (The Great Adventure) by Lazo Naumovski. In the following years, writers Peni Trpkovski, Tome Arsovski and Ljiljana Beleva would write in similar fashion.
The first Macedonian science fiction novel for adult audience was ÃÂÃÂðÃÂðÃÂõ þô ÿõúþûþà(Return from Hell) by Ljubomir Donski, published in 1966, a story about a mad scientist set in a totalitarian dystopia. The beginning of the 1970s brought notable novel ÃÂðûõÃÂýþ ÿðÃÂÃÂòðÃÂõ (The Long Journey, 1972) by Peni Trpkovski. The novel featured the motif of extraterrestrial origin of humans. In the late 1970s emerged Stojmir Simjanoski, the first Macedonian writer to devote himself primarily to science fiction genre. His first novel was the dystopia ÃÂÃÂõûð (Acella, 1977). Simjanoski published two more novels with similar themes, ÃÂòþÃÂýðÃÂð ÃÂòð (The Double Eve, 1980) and ÃÂõÃÂúðÃÂð ýð ÃÂòõ÷ôøÃÂõ (Daughter of Stars, 1981). The mid 1970s brought the first science fiction book series in Macedonia, Univerzum (Universe), published by Makedonska kniga.
The most notable Macedonian author of science fiction during the 1970s and the 1980s was writer, essayist, literary and art critic Vlado Uroà ¡eviÃÂ, whose story collections ÃÂþÃÂýøþàÿðÃÂÃÂþý (The Night Carriage, 1972) and ÃÂþò ýð õôýþÃÂþ÷ø (Unicorn Hunt, 1983), although predominantly fantasy-oriented, feature a number of science fiction stories. Uroà ¡eviàalso wrote a notable collection of essays on science fiction entitled ÃÂþô÷õüýð ÿðûðÃÂð (Underground Palace, 1987) and the monograph ÃÂõüþýø ø óðûðúÃÂøø (Demons and Galaxies, 1988).
Other notable Macedonian science fiction authors from the 1980s include Blagoja Jankovski, Vladimir Simonovski and Ljubomir Mihajlovski. Another notable monograph from the 1980s was äøûþ÷þÃÂøÃÂð ýð øúþýþúûð÷üþà(Philosophy of Iconoclasm, 1983) by Ferid MuhiÃÂ, the first Yugoslav to write a dissertation on science fiction.
One of the first Yugoslav films with science fiction elements was Veljko BulajiÃÂ's Atomic War Bride (1960), dealing with the theme of nuclear war. In 1970, Matjaà ¾ KlopÃÂiàdirected the science fiction drama Oxygen. The science fiction horror film The Rat Savior (1977) by Krsto Papiàwon the first prize at the International Science Fiction Film Festival in Trieste and Grand Prize at the Fantasporto film festival.
Duà ¡an VukotiÃÂ's 1981 science fiction comedy film Visitors from the Galaxy won a number of awards at international film festivals, including the Best Screenplay Award at the International Science Fiction Film Festival in Trieste, the Jury Award at Imagfic festival in Madrid, and the Best Director Award at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival. Other notable films from the 1980s were science fiction drama Butnskala (Rebelscale, 1985) by Franci Slak and the science fiction comedy/adventure film Maja and the Starboy (1988) by Jane KavÃÂiÃÂ.
The first Yugoslav science fiction comic was Gost iz svemira (A Guest from Space), published in 1935 in the Zagreb magazine Oko. The authors of the comic were Boà ¾idar Raà ¡ià(signed as ApiÃÂ) and Leontije Bjelski (signed as Tomas). Three more titles debuted in 1935: Zrak smrti (Death Ray) by ÃÂorÃÂe LobaÃÂev and Ljubavnica s marsa (Lover from Mars) and Podzemna carica (Empress of the Underground) by Andrija MauroviÃÂ. Published soon after the first appearances of Brick Bradford (1933) and Flash Gordon (1934) comics and two years before the first French and Italian science fiction comics, these titles could be considered pioneer works of European science fiction comics. Prior to Axis occupation of Yugoslavia, about ten more titles were published, mostly adaptations of Jules Verne's and H. G. Wells' works. The most notable authors from this period, besides LobaÃÂev and MauroviÃÂ, include Aleksije Ranhner and Sebastijan Lehner.
Yugoslav science fiction comics were revived in 1951 by Zlatko à  eà ¡elj. However, until the beginning of the 1980s, only about twenty new titles per decade would be published. The most notable authors from the 1950s were brothers Norbert and Valter Nojgebauer, considered the founders of modern science fiction comics in Yugoslavia. Other notable authors from the decade include duos Milorad Dobriàâ Milan KovaÃÂeviàand Aleksandar Hercl â Dragoljub JovanoviÃÂ. In 1958 debuted Svemirko (Spaceman) comic, created by Vladimir Delaàand Nenad Briksi, which would continue to be published for a whole decade, ending in 1968. Valter Nojgebauer and Aleksandar Hercl would continue their work through the 1960s, but the most notable author from this decade would be Boà ¾idar VeselinoviÃÂ.
The first half of the 1970s brought a very small number of titles, but the end of the decade announced the era of new authors, whose work would, during the 1980s, make Yugoslav science fiction comics relevant on the European scene. The leading authors of this decade include Dragan BosniÃÂ, Radovan DevliÃÂ, Branislav Hecel, Zoran Janjetov, Igor Kordej, Dejan Nenadov, à ½eljko Pahek, Duà ¡an ReljiÃÂ, Dragan SaviÃÂ, Vladimir Vesoviàand Kreà ¡imir ZimonjiÃÂ. Works by a number of these artists were published abroad.
Slovene painters Marjan Remec, Joà ¾e Spacal, Samo Kovaàand Darko Slavec and Macedonian painters Vasko Taà ¡kovski, Kiril Efremov and Vangel Naumovski created a number of works inspired by science fiction.
Science fiction influenced works by numerous popular music artists. Works by composer and pioneer of Yugoslav electronic music Miha Kralj were heavily influenced by science fiction. In 1985, screenwriter Dragan GaloviÃÂ and director Dinko TucakoviÃÂ filmed the science fiction TV film Denis & Denis for Radio Television of Belgrade. The film featured music of the synth-pop duo Denis & Denis and starred Denis & Denis members Edi KraljiÃÂ and Marina PeraziÃÂ.
The first Yugoslav society of science fiction fans, Sfera (Sphere), was formed in Zagreb in 1976. During the 1980s, more societies were formed, most notable ones being Lazar KomarÃÂiàSociety from Belgrade, Nova from Ljubljana, Pulsar from Skopje, Lira (Lyre) from Nià ¡ and Meteor from Subotica. The societies organized science fiction conventions, lectures, exhibitions and film screenings, with Sfera organizing several international conventions. The largest convention in Yugoslavia was Festival SF à ¾anra (SF Festival), held in Belgrade in 1985. There were attempts of uniting these societies into a federal society, but they remained unsuccessful.
Most of the societies mentioned above published their fanzines. The first Yugoslav science fiction fanzine was Parsek, established by Sfera society in January 1977. Most of Parsek, which was published irregularly, was dedicated to news and reviews of books and films. The fanzine occasionally published theoretical texts. In December 1981, Lazar KomarÃÂiÃÂ Society established the fanzine Emitor, published on a monthly basis. Besides news, reviews and theoretical texts, Emitor also published stories (mostly by the members of the Lazar KomarÃÂiÃÂ Society) and comics. Emitor was followed by five more fanzines: Nova, published by the Nova society, Spektar (Spectrum), published by the Belgrade publishing society Kasiopeja, Pulsar, published by the Pulsar society, Meteor, published by the Meteor society, and Misija (Mission), published by the Split publishing society Branko Belan. Most of the fanzines were short-lived, with the exception of Misija, which was established in September 1986 and was published regularly on a monthly basis. Misija featured, besides texts in Serbo-Croatian, some texts in Hungarian. In 1987, the federal fanzine Yusfan was established, but was discontinued with the 1991 breakup of Yugoslavia.