Science Fiction Adventures, Volume 1, No. 1

: Science Fiction Adventures, Vol. 1, No. 1 (1958), edited by Larry T. Shaw and John Carnell, contains three complete short novels by established science fiction authors. "The Slave" by C. M. Kornbluth follows ex-Special Agent Charles Barker, now a derelict in Riveredge, who is retrieved by federal authorities for a dangerous assignment. His superior, the Chief, approaches him with an impossibly difficult mission—one so hazardous that volunteers cannot be found. Barker is selected based on his demonstrated intuitive abilities from past cases, despite being officially discharged after a botched operation that killed partner Jocko McAllester. "Chalice of Death" by Calvin M. Knox concerns Hallam Navarre's quest for a legendary artifact rumored to hold the secret of eternal life, driving him toward unknown dangers. "Yesterday's Man" by Algis Budrys presents Earth's civilization broken and devastated, requiring the aid of a single man dead for three decades to restore order—or apparently dead. The issue emphasizes adventure-oriented science fiction with suspenseful plots, illustrated by Emsh, Bowman, and Engle.