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Dear Stan and Jack:
I don’t know how to start this letter off, so I'll just start in with the things I have to say: I have all
the issues of the FF, and I think they're great! Keep up the good work! I think the FF should meet
Thor. It's meeting Spider-Man and the Hulk was so-so; you could
have done better. And when Spider-Man entered through the window, he was captured by
a capsule. In issue #5, the Sub-Mariner came through the window and the capsule didn’t
get him. What gives? A couple of issues ago, Dr. Doom was shrunk by his own weapon. Will we ever
see him again? (Probably, All comic villains are born escape-artists.) I think the FF was better off not
wearing costumes. The Invisible Girl and Mr. Fantastic should be in more action. I like the way
Thing's "mad at the world," if you know what I mean. In the first two issues, you drew the Torch's flame
somewhat differently than you do now. I liked it better the way you drew it in the first two issues. I
think it would be interesting if somehow the FF's powers were sort of "mixed up." What I mean by this
is this: What if: Sue were a "Thing," Johnny could turn invisible; Reed were a "Torch;" Ben
would have Mr. Fantastic's power. Show more of the Impossible Man. Have more Pin-up pages. Your
new character, "Iron Man," featured in Tales of Suspense, is pretty good.
Clifford Garber
25 Ocean Park
Lynn, Massachusetts
Know something, Cliff? You'd write a pretty good letter if you weren't so bashful about giving your
opinions.
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Dear Stan and Jack:
Unlike many of those who write, I can't say that I have read every issue of FF, but I still think that
there are a few readers who are as dedicated to it as I. Take that Fred Bronson, for example – a steady
reader since the first issue. What does he say? That fans read comics because the heroes don't act like
real-life people, that's what. Of all the utter nonsense that I have ever heard that is the most ridiculous,
and I'll give my reasons to back that up. First of all, in order to enjoy almost any creative work (including
comics), it is necessary to identify with some person. In music, for example, one should try to feel what
the composer felt. In any of the media which tells a story, one should identify with at least one
character. Otherwise, the story remains an empty shell, pretty to look at, but devoid of meaning. If a
story relies upon either plot or character (and comic magazines are usually both), this is especially true.
And now comes Fred Bronson, wanting to remove any shred of believability from your marvelous
characters – an act which would make identification impossible. Secondly, the quality which makes
yours the "world's greatest comic magazine" is precisely that your characters are true-to-life. To my
knowledge, this trait is unique to you. In other respects you just barely maintain a moderately above-
average rating. It is no accident that your best stories by far are those in which the personalities of the
FF come through to play a main role in determining the outcome. I don't presume to know why most
fans read most comics, but this fan reads this comic because its characters act
like real-life people and not like comic book heroes. I apologize for such a lengthy letter, but I could not
let such a point of view as Bronson's go unchallenged. If you're still with me after all this, thanks for
listening.
Martha Beck
325 Dewey
Evanston, Illinois
We're with you, doll – all the way!
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Dear Stan and Jack:
I must compliment you on your very GREAT comic magazine. 'The Fantastic Four.' It is by far
the best I have ever seen (and I read almost all of them.) If this letter, or part of it, gets printed on your
fan page, perhaps some of your critics will think that one such as I, who indulges in reading so-
called 'light' material is a person of rather low intelligence. (Comic readers are held somewhat in scorn
in some literary circles, you know.) I would like to say on my own behalf, that I do hold a completed
college degree and that I also read other matter than comic magazines. I would like to say in your behalf
that the entire magazine is worth all the praise it gets and even more, as the artwork, stories, and
characters are of high quality.
Marya Rice
General Delivery
Main P.O.
Elizabeth, New Jersey
You're giving us such swelled heads, kid, that we may not sell any more copies of the FF to anyone
unless they produce a diploma first!
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Dear Stan and Jack:
I've tried putting off buying one or more titles, but in the first place, I can resist anything but
temptation, and besides, I'm a collector and I'm mortally afraid of passing up anything for fear of its
being sold out. Thor (Journey Into Mystery, #89) was so-so. For Thor that's rpetty good,
you know. Likewise the Ant-Man (Tales to Astonish, #41). The Human Torch
(Strange Tales, #106) was pretty good, despite the fact that I kind of figured what the Torch was up to.
The Fantastic Four, #12 – Really good. You'll have to go some to outdo this issue. Since the
Hulk has been running regularly in his own book, he doesn’t seem so contrived as most of
the antagonists the FF usually come up against. But I have to agree that Sue just doesn’t get her share
of the action. Shame on you for neglecting the poor girl! The Amazing Spider-Man #1!
Buddy, you've got a real winner there in my book. I hope the younger readers agree, because I want to
see this one every month! At least once!! And again, I'd like to plead with you to let Kirby
loose – just once – give him lots of time and let him ink his own pencils. His tremendous
talent manages to shine through anyway, but it's nothing compared to what he could do!
Phil Castora
Room 435, Russ Hotel
517-523 S. San Julianv
Los Angeles, California
Let Kirby ink his own pencils?? Phil, we're trying to make sure he gets enough time just to PENCIL them!
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Dear Stan and Jack:
I'm puzzled. When my parents were reading FF #11, they came to the pin-up of Sub-Mariner
and declared that Prince Namor was in comics before the Fantastic Four. Perhaps you know something
about this, and if you do, please give me the low-down.
Bill DeAndrew
56 Poningo St.
Port Chester, N.Y.
They're right, Bill! Years ago, in the Golden Age of Comics he was one of our biggest stars, and judging
by the tremendous response we've had to his appearances, he well may be again!
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Dear Stan and Jack:
Don't ever let anyone tell you that the FF are too impossible to exist really – or
even in a comic. Every girl appears a little faint at times. And any teen-ager gets a little fired up, just as
a grown man lets the best in himself come out. Needless to say, a scientist must stretch a few points
every now and then. So what's wrong if guys like Sue, Johnny, Ben and Reed do this in comics? It just
proves that the FANTASTIC FOUR are a more believable group of super-heroes.
George Kitchen
1937 W. Pratt St.
Baltimore 23, Maryland
Pretty clever, George! We KNOW the F.F. exist! (At least, to US they do!) But the ones we're not sure
about our READERS! We sometimes wonder if YOU guys and gals are for real!
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Dear Stan and Jack:
I have been a fan of your since the very first issue of the FF. I must admit that it has got
something no other comic mag on the market has got. It has got a certain quality to it. Quality that has
not been marred by the addition of ridiculous newcomers. Apparently you are the only current mag on
the market that can refuse to cheapen their characters with Johnny-come lately's. I would like to say
something about the so-called controversy over the Thing. In my opinion, the Thing is a part of your magazine that you cannot afford to do without. The personality you have provided
him with is unique. The reason he is so essential is that he typifies the normal human being. He is not
so perfect that he does not get mad and blow his top once in a while. I am saying this because in the
recent issue #12, FF Meets the Hulk, I read some rather startling comments from Fred
Bronson who wants to do away with the Thing. I just have one thing to say to Mr. Bronson.
If he cannot stomach the conduct of the Thing, I suggest he watch 'Ding Dong School' every
day on T.V. That way he would not have to put up with the dreadful language and ghastly conduct that
has made the Thing an indispensable part of this superior comic magazine. Without the
Thing, this magazine would be fairly easy to resist. As it is, it is practically impossible.
Gregg Smith
9543 Poole St.
La Jolla, California
Thanks, Gregg! We'll send DING DONG SCHOOL a bill for the plug tomorrow!
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Dear Stan and Jack:
Since I am stating my personal wants (at the risk of making this sound like a letter to Santa Claus)
I would rejoice at the sight of a mag which contains your super-heroes in single action (a good place for
the Thing to meet the Yancy Street Gang), team-action (it would be interesting to see Ant-Man and Mr.
Fantastic in conflict with The Chameleon and Paste-Pot Pete), and an occasional just plain science fiction
story. You could also use this mag as a sounding board for your new super-heroes. Please put a letter
column in Tales to Astonish, Strange Tales, Journey Into Mystery, and Tales of
Suspense, or better yet, give Ant-Man, Thor, and possibly later Iron-Man their own magazines.
Iron-Man has good potential, provided you do not give him too many transistorized gadgets. Perhaps a
villain could find or steal one of his super-magnets and use it against him. There are almost unlimited
possibilities provided he is not made too invulnerable. The Fantastic Four has always been my favorite
mag. The art work in ish #13 was below par, although the plot was fairly good. I agree with Fredric
Johnson in that he copter, pogo-plane and rocket should be used more. I doubt that you will get any
more "flying bathtubs" complaints about the fantasticar, although I don’t think Johnny modified it;
instead, he built it anew. Now that you've modified it so greatly, for heaven's sake, don't be afraid to
use it. The Red Ghost should return about issue #25. Perhaps he could team up with some of your
other villains to battle the FF. I like the idea of teaming up two villains, especially when the villains are
extremely different. I would enjoy seeing the Submariner in one or two stories as a complete hero.
Thor is a very good character. He is best in combat against a super-villain, or at times, Loki. Loki is a
good opponent, but don’t use him every third issue. I like the idea of Odin saving Thor occasionally.
Don't give Thor too many powers as this has ruined many a super hero. The powers displayed while
combating the Stone Men and the Executioner are very good and they should not be multiplied. Spider-
Man is an excellent hero although Steve's art work was a great deal better in Amazing Fantasy. Steve's drawing of the FF was horrid. (If someone slits my throat, we have a suspect.) Spider-Man
should clear his name and keep himself out of the limelight. For the sake of fandom, don’t make him
into another Hulk in the sense that he becomes public enemy #1. I guess I've covered about everything
in this letter. Good luck and keep up the good work. Yours til Dr. Doom rules the world…
Tom Dietz
141 E. Elm St.
Kent, Ohio
If you think that this is a long letter, you should see what we didn’t print. Sure you wouldn’t like to have
two pages of story, and twenty of fan letters?
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Dear Stan and Jack:
Boy, is my head spinning! Why, you ask? Well, over a year ago, you published the spectacular #1 issue of the FF. I thought you could never come out with any more of these unbelievable characters.
Then you kept right on going strong and created the Mighty Thor, and at the same time, the Spider-
Man. I could have done cartwheels. I tried to sit down for a breather, but you came out with the
Astonishing Ant-Man and Iron-Man. Please don’t create any more for a while or I'll have a nervous
break-down. Here's hoping the FF, Ant-Man, Spider-Man, Thor and Iron Man are published till my dying
day – which I hope will be a long time from now.
David Singer
99 Herald St.
Rochester 21, N.Y.
Gosh, we haven't the heart to tell you about SGT. FURY AND THE HOWLING COMMANDOS, or about –
but we'll leave that till next time!
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS SECTION:
- Don't miss STRANGE TALES, #110 July, on sale the beginning of April. Besides the usual HUMAN TORCH feature thriller, you will find the first of a new series featuring a new and different type of super-hero! His name's DR. STRANGE, and we can't wait to find out how you like him!
- Have you seen ANT-MAN'S beautiful new partner, THE WASP, in TALES TO ASTONISH yet?? We hear that SUE STORM is getting just a mite jealous – and when you see THE WASP, you'll soon see why!
- Next issue of FF will again feature DR. DOOM, in a super-thriller with a different twist! The THING
has an important part to play in it, and we have a hunch you fans will really dig some of the unusual gimmicks and action! So, as we always say, do the smart thing – reserve your copy at your dealer's
NOW!
- Thanks to all you fans who've written to congratulate us on our new MARVEL COMICS GROUP name
and cover trade mark. We're glad you like it, and promise to do our best to make sure that both you
and we can be justly proud of it! That's it for now – see you next ish with the usual collection of thrills,
spills and chills!
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