Science fiction writer worked on surrealistic fantasy and stellar TV series
HARLAN Ellison, the pugnacious author of A Boy and His Dog, lambasted society in nightmare fiction and stinging essays for half a century.
Bill Schafer, an editor at the author’s publisher, Subterranean Press, said Ellison died on June 27, aged
84.
Ellison was bestknown and lauded for science fiction, but his prolific work included mysteries, comic books, articles and screenplays.
Some of his most popular works were surrealistic fantasies set in grisly worlds run by totalitarians and conformists. Some were humorous; many were shockingly graphic.
A Boy and His Dog portrays a world devastated by nuclear war. Its hero is a young thug lured to an underground community who rebels against its sterility.
The novella was the basis for a 1975 movie starring Don Johnson.
Ellison also wrote for major TV series such as Twilight Zone, Star Trek, The Outer Limits and Babylon 5, and won numerous awards including the Nebula, Hugo and Edward awards, along with Edgar Allen Poe and Writers Guild of America trophies.
Many words were posted on social media following Ellison’s death.
‘‘Harlan Ellison: There was noone quite like him in American letters, and never will be. Angry, funny, eloquent, hugely talented. If there’s an afterlife, Harlan is already kicking ass and taking down names.’’ — Stephen King, via Twitter.
‘‘My friend is dead and I am so sad.’’ — Neil Gaiman, Twitter.
‘‘Feisty, furious, yet extraordinarily kind and generous; Harlan Ellison was one of a kind. He was family to us Maltins and our hearts go out to his incredible wife Susan.
The world will be a duller place without him. #RIPHarlanEllison’’ — Film critic and historian Leonard Maltin, Twitter.
‘‘RIP Harlan Ellison one of the alltime great scifi writers (though he hated the abbreviation!)’’ — Former writer for The Simpsons Al Jean, Twitter.
‘‘Calling Harlan Ellison a titan of SciFi doesn’t seem to do him justice. His work on comics, film, & novels, including Twilight Zone, Star Trek and Babylon 5, an architect of our imaginations. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his friends & family, he will be sorely missed.’’ — San Diego ComicCon, Twitter.
‘‘RIP the incomparable Harlan Ellison.’’ — Michael McKean, Twitter.
‘‘Ellison and Star Trek went together like hellfire and holy water.’’ — Staff of StarTrek.com.
‘‘My heart is broken. Off to gather what few thoughts I can for awhile. What an awful day. Harlan Ellison is dead.’’ — Patton Oswalt, Twitter.
‘‘Harlan was a very gifted writer. I am sorry to hear of his passing.’’ — William Shatner, Twitter.