Imaginative Tales, November 1955

About this issue

This issue of Imaginative Tales (Volume 2, Number 2) features action-oriented science fiction, with the cover story "The Metal Emperor" by Raymond A. Palmer—a 20,000-word novella depicting an invasion of Earth by the Rif, an alien civilization fleeing their depleted homeworld. The Rifians, led by a gigantic metallic emperor, attempt to reconquer ancient Mu (identified with Earth) by detonating a volcano under the city of Mekka through uranium bombardment. Other fiction includes Philip K. Dick's "Psi-Man Heal My Child!" (8,000 words), John Christopher's "Manna" (6,000 words), Raymond E. Banks's "The Critic" (9,000 words), Bob Silverberg's "Yokel with Portfolio" (6,000 words), and Alan E. Nourse's "An Ounce of Cure" (1,500 words). The magazine includes Palmer's author introduction, an editorial, letters from readers, and additional non-fiction content.