Legion World Forums LEGION COMPANION Dr. Gym'll's Cultural Rarities Letter columns

Quite frankly, I don't miss the letter cols that much for The Legion because there's so much discussion available here.

However, I've noticed that a number of the smaller publishers have continued letter columns in their pamphlets, one of the big advantages of pamphlets over the trade collections for me. Sometimes the trade will add additional sketches - but I really value the letters, which for some reason are never in the TPBs.

Some of the "letters" are lifted from the comic's message board, but that's okay - I don't have time to follow the message boards of all the books I read. There's also response from the creative team or editor - now that's something I do miss with the elimination of the DC letter cols.

Yes, but you used to get Paul Levitz himself answering you back in those letter columns. Even the occasional showing up of Andy Lanning on the old DCMBs didn't have the same charge to it. And except for Lightle and Cockrum, the creators don't show up over here.

Now, o'course, DC has that abortion of a "message board" that is designed, almost, to keep people away. Two thousand characters per post? Some of the classic Legion letterhacks found it hard to keep their missives under two thousand words. More surprising, they usually had coherent substance. Most surprising, Levitz actually printed many of them.

I bought most of the "TalesLSH" 326-353 reprints for two reasons: the newly created covers (most by Steve Lightle), and the first half of that run having newly posed and answered letters. Most by Mindy Newell, instead of Levitz, but still highly worthwhile.

When DC and Marvel stopped doing lettercols, I thought I wouldn't miss them. But somehow, their comics seem incomplete without them.

Strangers In Paradise still does a wonderful lettercol, usually three pages. Creator Terry Moore banters with fans and often provides inside info on the story you just read (e.g, what did that mean in Panel 6?). You can probably get the same info on the SiP website, but I, too, don't have time to follow other sites.

The lettercols were more than just a bonus. They were a valuable resource for fans interacting with the editor (not usually the creative team). This created a sense that the company really cared about its fans, something that is lost in message boards, where interaction between fans and professionals is rare, as Grey noted.

Another point: Since editors chose what letters to print, lettercols were often filled with insightful and articulate comments, something lacking (lets face it) on most message boards.

"pamphlets"


AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!! Orwellian 1984 New-Speak!!!

They're COMIC-BOOKS!!! Or MAGAZINES!!!

Doesn't anybody use words properly anymore? (Believe me, something with staples in it and 32 pages is TOO BIG and complex to be properly called a "pamphlet". The underage-halfwit-fanboy who started calling them that oughta be strung up by his Ultimate X-Men comics...)

"I bought most of the "TalesLSH" 326-353 reprints for two reasons: the newly created covers (most by Steve Lightle), and the first half of that run having newly posed and answered letters. Most by Mindy Newell, instead of Levitz, but still highly worthwhile."

Oh my God, what a RIP-OFF. Ever since THE MAN OF STEEL #1 from John Byrne, somehow the idea of "alternate" covers has become an industry unto itself. TV GUIDE often does 4 or more for the same issue-- like they're hoping people will be dumb enough to buy both or all, JUST for the extra covers.

Back in the 70's, it used to bug me when Marvel's reprint books would have new covers. Much later, they sometimes included the original as a bonus. The original should have been ON the cover where it belonged! Then again, I'm a firm believer in doing EXACT reprints. If the record industry can do it, why not comics?

As for DC's ill-conceived "newstnad / Baxter" experiment (LEGION, TITANS, OUTSIDERS) I was not sad to see it die a quick death. It seemed to do nothing more than screw up the "obvious" continuity of the books, and also cost them any chance of having ONE regular art team doing all the stories on a regular basis.

Pamphlet - I thought that was the accepted word today. Just trying to be hip, Prof!

Funny, it was reading the last issue of Strangers in Paradise which struck me. Strangehaven also has great letters, and reviews of other comic books. And they are well written and thought-out. I don't see what DC really gained by eliminating them, the time for a person to read and respond to letters? Or maybe they weren't getting much written response? I do miss them for The Legion, but the boards are some substitute. Different flavour, though, I agree.

It seems to me that using "pamphlet" to refer to comic books is a term used by those who are into the trade paperbacks.

WHOO! I just got my second-ever published fan letter--and in one of my all-time favorite books: Astro City!

Kurt Busiek picks a "letter of the month" to publish in print in each AC issue and then continues with more letter columns on line. Mine was chosen for letter of the month!!! I wasn't even sure it would make the online edition, so I'm STOKED!!!

FYI, I rarely write fan letters, and when I do, it's usually because an issue has affected me particularly--usually in a positive way. I thought the AC issue I wrote about, #12, was especially great and my favorite of the current ongoing series. The issue it's printed in is #15, but you can read the letter here (I'm Anthony!) at Busiek.com if you want.

YAY!!!!

Congratulations, Lardy!

I fixed the link above as the previous one actually took you to the next letter! And you don't want to read hack stuff, do ya?

Just read it. Very nice. I don't follow AC, but I always enjoy someone talking enthusiastically about something they really like.

It's mostly me gushing about guest artist Graham Nolan and suggesting future guest artists that Kurt also seemed to like.

I hope you will all forgive me for editing the thread title. I promise to edit it back soon!

I quite enjoy a good gush.

I get a signed issue, too!!!

Awesome!

Wow! Yay Lardy!!

Super-cool, brother! Congrats!

Congrats Paladin! I'm so jealous right now.

Congrats, Lardy! I read it this afternoon (Astro City is also one of my all-time favorites), not knowing it was by "Lard" Anthony. When I saw your FB post I grabbed the book and read the letter again, just 'cause it was so much more important now!

Darn RIGHT, it is!

It's funny that the idea it was me didn't occur to you because my last name appears in the letter as well, and you obviously know it.

I like that Kurt agreed that a Tom Mandrake-drawn Hanged Man story would be awesome!

This is actually my second published letter. The first appeared in Booster Gold 42 in the Pre-Nu52.

Another issue which has become much more valuable all of a sudden!

Astro City #15 - retail price $3.99
Astro City #15 - signed Lardy copy $2.50 priceless

Well done Paladin!



Was that the "For the love of Mike, just make it stop!" letter?

I never saw your last name, even on the second reading when I was looking for it. I'll have to look again. I did see it in the online column.

Congrats Lardy! This is a pretty big deal because Kurt only chooses one letter a month--so well done!

It's funny--when I read #12 I immediately thought of you because I always think of you whenever I see Graham Nolan artwork. I know you're a fan from our past discussions of Batman artists. So its fitting you then wrote a letter about it and got some ink.

Also, I think the Tom Mandrake Hanged Man idea is actually pretty damn fantastic!

I still think the Nolan/Dixon run may be the most under-appreciated Batman runs ever! I know I've said it before, but Dixon/Nolan on Detective and Doug Moench/Kelley Jones on Batman may have been the best the 2 titles have ever been as far as simultaneous, quality runs!



Yeah! I get a little tingly in my nether regions just thinking about the possibility!!! (Nah, that's a half truth: a LOT tingly! )



You're right! I checked just now, and the printed version doesn't have my full name. In fact my first name only appears in Kurt's reply.