The Merchants of Venus

Not to be confused with Merchant of Venus or The Merchant of Venice.

"The Merchants of Venus" is a science fiction novella by American writer Frederik Pohl and published in 1972 as part of the collection The Gold at the Starbow's End . ^{[1] [2]}

It is a satire of runaway free market capitalism. It also features the first appearance of the Heechee. ^[3]

Plot

The story is about Audee Walthers, an "airbody driver and tour operator", who scams Earth tourists who visit Venus. He needs a new liver, so he is seeking a rich client to profit from. He is pleased to meet the seemingly well-off Boyce Cochenour, but Walthers finds out that Cochenour also needs money.

Publication

Novella

In 1972 by Ballentine Books included the novella in the anthology, The Gold at the Starbow's End. ^[4]

Adaptation

The story was adapted as a graphic novel by Victoria Petersen and Neal McPheeters in 1986, as the fourth title in the DC Science Fiction Graphic Novel series. ^[5]

Nomenclature

Though user-curated databases claim the work was also known as The Merchants of Venus Underground, authoritative databases do not list it by that name. ^{[1] [6] [5]}

References

1. "Pohl, Frederik". sf-encyclopedia.com. Archived from the original on 2025-01-18. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
2. "Kornbluth, C M." sf-encyclopedia.com. Archived from the original on 2025-01-18. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
3. "Reading "The Merchants of Venus" to Observe Frederik Pohl's Birthday". Futures Past and Present. 2016-11-27. Archived from the original on 2020-02-25. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
4. "Gold at the Starbow's End by Frederik Pohl". www.fantasticfiction.com. Archived from the original on 2016-05-20. Retrieved 2025-12-21.
5. "The Merchants of Venus". Slings & Arrows. Archived from the original on 2025-05-22. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
6. "Summary Bibliography: Frederik Pohl". Internet Speculative Fiction Database. Archived from the original on 2023-08-13. Retrieved 2025-12-21.