Back Issue Letters: April 2014

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

The Phantom Stranger #23 (Feb. 1973)

Dear Editor,

I enjoyed the Phantom Stranger stories in issue #23.

Panic in the Night was a lot of fun but I kind of wish I knew more about that pipe organ with the ability to kill the Stranger. I'm left to assume that it plays some sort of magical tone that only the Stranger can hear. Some sort of dark tone that lures him to his final resting place forcing him to fight back through great pain.

I do have one request about The Spawn of Frankenstein. Do you really have to write Dr. Thirteen as such a jerk? This is supposed to be a smart man that addresses a situation with sharp skeptical mind. Why then would he assume that the monster was evil right away? I think he is better than that.

Your reader,
Jeff King
Pittsburgh, PA

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Weird War Tales #101 (Jul. 1981)

Dear Editor,

G.I. Robot! Yes! That was fantastic. I even love that J.A.K.E., the robot, has enough firepower to take out a squad of troops and two tanks. I want more.

The story Twice a Traitor was also pretty great. Always nice to see Nazis get messed with by their own war crimes.

Push-Button Hero was also a lot of fun. That little combat calculator that they have made me wonder if we can do that with technology now. Could we have a smart phone that gives solid tactical plans based on available data. Sounds like a something that would get a DARPA grant if it doesn't already exist.

This was just a great issue.

Thanks!
Jeff King
Pittsburgh, PA

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

The Incredible Hulk #164 (Jun. 1973)

Dear Editor,

Dang! I did not see the ending of Incredible Hulk #164 coming. I'm not sure how the big guy is going to get out of this one. I can't wait to get my hands on the next issue.

There is something I don't completely understand though. The Hulk is swimming home in the Artic Ocean and bumps into a US submarine. Now, before the sub has a chance to do anything the Hulk attacks it. I think this may be the first time that I've seen the Hulk throw the first punch. He normally tries to not bother things that leave him alone.

But what I really think is that the Hulk was just hungry. I mean he's been swimming for miles, burning tons of carbs, and here comes this "giant fish". Dude was just thinking about getting some dinner.

Thanks,
Jeff King
Pittsburgh, PA

Thursday, April 3, 2014

The Spectacular Spider-Man #30 (May 1979)

Dear Editor,

I don't think that The Spectacular Spider-Man #30 was a good place to jump into the story. There were so many references to past events that my head is spinning. There were clones of clones that want revenge for the lost love of the person that their clone loved.

And, since when did clones start having super powers? Aren't they supposed to be copies of somebody else? So if the original didn't have powers where did the clone's powers come from. That is like putting a $1 bill in a coping machine and having a $20 bill come out.

But the issue wasn't all that bad. Spidey had some good one-liners. And, it is always nice to see a bumbling second rate villian like the Darter get some time on the pages.

Thanks,
Jeff King
Pittsburgh, PA

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

The Twilight Zone #74 (Nov. 1976)

Dear Mr. Serling,

I just read Twilight Zone #76 and I'm interested in the theme that I found running through all the stories. All of them seemed to have an immoral person paying up for their sins. But as I read the stories I couldn't help but think about the stories' creators. It seems like this focus on justice must have come from somewhere.

Maybe your writers see themselves as getting slighted by people like the characters in these stories. Maybe they like to picture these people getting what they deserve.

If I may offer some unsolicited advice: Do your best to avoid people that don't make you happy. If you are spending time around people like the ones in the story try to find a way out of that situation.

Thanks for the fun issue.

Your friend,
Jeff King
Pittsburgh, PA