Antic - The ATARI Resource

Antic – The ATARI Resource was a highly influential American magazine dedicated to the Atari 8-bit family of home computers, including the Atari 400, 800, 600XL, 800XL, and 130XE. Published from April 1982 to June/July 1990 by Antic Publishing, it provided a comprehensive blend of programming tutorials, type-in software listings, hardware reviews, and news, becoming one of the most respected Atari publications of the 1980s.

The magazine was named after the "ANTIC" chip used in Atari 8-bit computers—a graphics processor responsible for managing screen displays. This technically-savvy title reflected the magazine's deep roots in the hardware and software aspects of the Atari platform. Each issue featured BASIC and assembly listings, user tips, game reviews, DIY hardware modifications, and insights into productivity tools and educational software.

Antic also offered a cover-mounted disk-based edition called Antic Disk, which provided readers with preloaded versions of many type-in programs—particularly helpful for avoiding transcription errors. Later, the magazine expanded coverage to include the Atari ST line and launched a sister publication, STart, dedicated to 16/32-bit Atari machines.

With its strong editorial leadership, educational value, and deep community engagement, Antic became a cornerstone of the Atari user experience. Its archives remain a treasured resource for retrocomputing enthusiasts today.