Requiescat in Pace Harry Harrison

Sad news this morning as we mourn the passing of one of the greats of science fiction, Harry Harrison. Harrison, 87, was best known as the author of Make Room! Make Room! (the basis for the film Soylent Green), for the Deathworld novels, and for his twelve novels about Slippery Jim DeGriz, the Stainless Steel Rat.

Harrison actually started out as an illustrator working on SF comics including Weird Science and Weird Fantasy before switching to writing—he was also the main writer for the Flash Gordon comic strip during the 1950s and 60s. In his short stories and novels, Harrison often tackled serious issues (such as overpopulation), but he is equally beloved for his humorous and satirical work, including Bill, the Galactic Hero (which spoofs Robert A. Heinlein’s Starship Troopers). In his long and celebrated career, Harrison helped raise the bar for science fiction, both through his own work and as an editor and anthologist. He will be greatly missed. Harry Harrison, 1925-2012

He will certainly be missed. The Deathworld trilogy was one of my early favorites, especially the first book. Plus the Stainless Steel rat series is just a plain classic fun.