K. H. Scheer
K. H. Scheer, born Karl-Herbert Scheer in 1928 in Harheim, Hessen, Germany, was a prominent figure in science fiction literature. He began his writing career in 1948 and gained recognition for his contributions to the genre, particularly through the creation of the iconic series Perry Rhodan alongside Walter Ernsting, who wrote as Clark Darlton. The series debuted in 1961 with Scheer's first episode, "Unternehmen Stardust," and quickly became a cornerstone of science fiction storytelling, evolving into an extensive saga that explores themes of extraterrestrial encounters, technology, and cosmic adventures.
Initially envisioned as a thirty-volume series, Perry Rhodan has grown exponentially, surpassing 2,320 installments by 2006, and is noted for its reflection of societal changes through its narratives. The stories incorporate elements like time travel and parallel universes, appealing to a broad audience and leading to numerous spin-offs and adaptations. Scheer’s vivid storytelling and innovative ideas earned him accolades, including the German Hugo Award in 1958. He also wrote under the pseudonym Alexej Turbojew and continued to influence the genre until his passing in 1991. K. H. Scheer's legacy endures, marking him as a pivotal contributor to the evolution of science fiction.
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K. H. Scheer
Writer
- Born: June 19, 1928
- Birthplace: Harheim, Hessen, Germany
- Died: September 15, 1991
- Place of death: Bad Hamburg, Germany
Biography
Karl-Herbert Scheer, who wrote science fiction stories under the name K. H. Scheer, was born in Harheim, Hessen, Germany, in 1928. His first written work, Stern a funkt Hilfe, was published in 1948 and set him on a career unparalled in the science-fiction genre.
In 1961, together with Walter Ernsting, who wrote under the pseudonym Clark Darlton, Scheer developed what would become the world’s most successful and prolific science-fiction series, Perry Rhodan. Scheer, who wrote the first episode, Unternehmen Stardust (1961; Enterprise Stardust, 1969), is highly regarded for his vivid descriptions of high tech warfare, which earned him the nickname Grenade Herbert. In the first ten years of the series, Scheer shaped the action by writing all of the key episodes.
The Perry Rhodan saga begins in 1971, after the first manned American moon landing. Major Perry Rhodan discovers a marooned extraterrestrial space ship and uses the alien technology to bring peace to Earth and ultimately to explore the cosmos. In time, Rhodan and his crew attain a form of immortality, and this plot device allows for the introduction of time travel, planets, galaxies, and parallel universes.
Scheer initially had only thirty volumes in mind when he began the series. However, the series, which is produced in paperback booklet format, passed installment 2,320 in 2006, thanks to the team of ever-changing authors. While some critics call the series a space opera because it has used every available science-fiction construct, no one can argue with its unprecedented commercial success. Over time, Perry Rhodan has come to be viewed as a mirror held up to contemporary society, reflecting the Communist era and the hippie movement. In addition, the series developed spin-offs, including the popular Atlan and Planet Novels series, which are set in the Perry Rhodan universe. The Rhodan books have been translated into English, French, and other languages and have inspired collectibles, hardcover books, encyclopedias, and music.
Scheer earned the prestigious German Hugo Award in 1958 for his popular novel, Stellaris, and wrote some of his science-fiction novels under the psuedonym Alexej Turbojew. He died in Bad Hamburg in 1991. Scheer is remembered for developing one of the greatest phenomenons in the history of science fiction.