The Marvel Comics Bullpen Bulletins Index

August 1975

2007-12-04T11:15:00.000-06:00

"While we're on the subject of congratulations, let's hear it for Artful Archie Goodwin, who's returned to the fold after far too long an absence... "

From Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 1, No. 94

July 1975

2007-12-03T13:11:00.001-06:00

Just this week (That's Marvel Standard Time, O Keeper of the Flame, not to be confused with the week when you finally read these wondrous words), George Pal, producer of such well-remembered and deeply-cherished Science Fiction films as The Time Machine and War of the Worlds, dropped by 575 Madison Avenue to let us in on the scoop of what many say may be his greatest epic - Doc Savage, Man of Bronze!

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 146

June 1975

2007-11-26T11:19:00.000-06:00

"... let's not forget Dynamic Dave Cockrum, whose fan dream of a lifetime came true when he was chosen to illustrate the equally-all-new, equally-all-improved adventures of the X-cruciatingly X-citing X-Men, who are currently cavorting in their brand-new Giant-Size mag!

Who says this ain't the Marvel Age of Sensational Second Chances?"

From Incredible Hulk, Vol. 1, No. 188

May 1975

2007-11-22T10:24:00.000-06:00

"On his wedding day, paying no heed to the risks involved, Brave-hearted Bill Mantlo cast aside all thought of his own safety to race to the rescue of a driverless bus plunging backwards down a hillside towards a rapidly-approaching brick wall. Stopping the vehicle mere inches from impact, Bill calmly returned to his wedding ceremony with the profound thanks of two much-relieved elder states-people still ringing in his ears.

We're proud of you, Bill, but no matter how much you argue, we still don't think Mantlo-Man deserves to star is his own mind-boggling mag yet."

From Giant-Size X-Men, Vol. 1, No. 1

April 1975

2007-11-21T11:09:00.000-06:00

"So get on the ball, Tigers."

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 157

March, 1975

2007-11-20T16:03:00.000-06:00

"Holiday Greetings, right from the heart
To our wondrous scripters
Who make writing an art.
To our painstaking pencillers
Breathing life to each tale
And our illustrious inkers
Be they female or male.
To our editors, letterers,
Production folk too,
Colorists, proof-readers,
Both the old and the new.
But heading the list
Is our top superhero -
So, greetings to YOU, chum
Without you - we're zero!"

From Avengers, Vol. 1, No. 133

February 1975

2007-11-14T12:41:00.001-06:00

"Let's roll out the red carpet for Free-wheelin' Frank Robbins, Marvel's newest artist and bon vivant! As many of you know, Frank's the artist and writer of the newspaper comic-strip 'Johnny Hazard' and is considered by his peers to be one of the finest craftsmen in the business."

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 141

January 1975

2007-11-12T09:39:00.000-06:00

"Remember how we promised you the latest scoop on our mighty Marvel softball team? Well, the other day the Marvel Comics (as some anonymous wag christened our Bullpen batters) took on the whole cockamamey staff of the Greenwich Village Voice, one of New York's best-known newspapers. We won't exactly tell you who won - but let's just say that our new team motto is, 'Wait'll next year!'
'Nuff said?"

From Captain America, Vol. 1, No. 181

December 1974

2007-11-07T12:44:00.000-06:00

"Let's hear a hearty 'Welcome Aboard!' for a contingent of dynamic new artists who hail from the far-off Philippines, and who're adapting by leaps and bounds to the Mighty Marvel style of dramatic storytelling!

First, there's Tremendously-Talented Tony deZuniga... Next, there's Awesome Alfredo Alcala (Alfredo, believe it or don't, pencils and inks some sixty pages per month of beautiful, finely-detailed artwork). Thirdly, there's Slammin' Sonny Trinidad - and then there's Startling Steve Gan..."

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 153

November 1974

2007-11-05T12:30:00.001-06:00

"All this and more await you in our first photo-profile, Hitler - produced by Marvel - and on sale now!"

From Incredible Hulk, Vol. 1, No. 181

October 1974

2007-10-30T09:53:00.000-06:00

"The nominations for the annual awards given out by the Academy of Comic-Book Arts have been announced, and while we don't have room to sandwich 'em all in here, suffice it to say that the minions of Marvel were not exactly overlooked this time around."

From Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 1, No. 90

September 1974

2007-10-29T09:29:00.000-06:00

"This last little tidbit isn't exactly chicken-fat, either! Yep, this is the month when the awesome, ultimate Marvel Value Stamp will appear somewhere - sometime - in one (count 'em, one) of our colorful classics!
Nope, we still won't tell you just which of our world-famous super-stars it features: we'll leave you the fun of finding that out for yourself, when you discover it starin' back at you from one of our liltin' letters pages!"

From Captain America, Vol. 1, No. 177

August 1974

2007-10-25T14:26:00.000-05:00

"And now, till we meet again, think peace - think love - think Marvel.
It could be habit forming.
Excelsior!"

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 135

July 1974

2007-10-23T13:16:00.000-05:00

"Here's a personal tid-bit or two we thought might be of interest: First off, let's give a harried hello to Lethal Larry Hama, who takes over as artist of our new Iron fist feature in the current ish of Marvel Premiere...

Speaking of kung fu, we've gotta tell you how pleased we are with Peerless Paul Gulacy, who's taken over our much-heralded Master of Kung Fu title, now that Judo Jim Starlin's devoting his full time to his own rendition of Captain Marvel.

Add the above names to the roster of new young talents who are swiftly growing to Marvel-ous maturity, a list which already includes Affable Al Milgrom, (Santa) Klaus Janson, plus the other new lights we've discovered - or, more truthfully, who've discovered us, since we're nothing without 'em...

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 148

A Special Announcement From Stan, Roy, and Marvel Comics

2007-10-22T11:26:00.001-05:00

From Marvel's June 1974 letters' pages

June 1974

2007-10-22T11:08:00.000-05:00

Due to a last-minute emergency, we had to forego our widely-acclaimed Bullpen Bonus Page this go-round. So, we'll just have to wait till next month to tell you about all the brain-blasting bargains that'll be yours when you've amassed a complete set of Marvel Value Stamps - or about some of the hectic hijinx which the World's Weirdest Bullpen have been up to - not to mention the return of our capricious Checklist.

From Incredible Hulk, Vol. 1, No. 176

May 1974

2007-10-18T12:50:00.000-05:00

"As to our ever-enchanting color comics, they're mostly proofread and pondered over by Dutiful Don McGregor and our newest nabob, Devil-May-Care Doug Moench, who just blew in from the Windy City!"

From Captain America, Vol. 1, No. 173

Get Well Soon, Marie Severin

2007-10-17T08:35:00.000-05:00

Via Tom Spurgeon comes word that comics great and Bullpenner from way back Marie Severin has been hospitalized following a stroke. Get well cards can be sent to:

Marie Severin, patient
c/o Huntington Hospital
270 Park Avenue
Huntington, NY 11743

April 1974

2007-10-17T08:20:00.000-05:00

"After all, didja know that Fantastic Four #1 is now selling for up to $50 in many back-issue comic-book store across the nation, and that Spidey #1 isn't far behind?"

From Avengers, Vol. 1, No. 122

March 1974

2007-10-15T09:38:00.000-05:00

"So, starting now - and without abandoning our search for ever-newer horizons to conquer in the name of Marveldom Assembled - we're returning this paged to all its former, much-lauded glory, and adding a new Bullpen Bonus Page, to boot!

That's right, believer - now you'll get two full pages of news and views each month (three, if you count our liltin' letters pages)!

And, for those of you who are counting: Nope, we haven't dropped any pages of art and story, just a paid ad which took up the space last month - and this is spite of ever-rising printing costs and that depressing paper shortage you've been reading about (often, we might add, in newspapers with fewer pages).

So now who says mighty Marvel isn't the Company with a Heart?"

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 144

Who Is Steve Ditko?

2007-10-12T12:59:00.001-05:00

Co-creator of Spider-Man, Steve Ditko is famous for weird, distinctive art, his 1966 departure from Marvel Comics, and granting very few interviews in the course of his decades-spanning career, preferring to let creations such as The Creeper, the Objectivism-inspired Mr. A, and Squirrel Girl speak for him.

Okay, Squirrel Girl not so much.

Jonathan Ross - along with such comic luminaries as Stan Lee, John Romita, Flo Steinberg, Jerry Robinson, , Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore, and Alan Moore's Beard - turns the spotlight on the artist in the swell BBC4 documentary, In Search of Steve Ditko (BitTorrent). Did they find him?

Well, that's The Question, isn't it?

February 1974

2007-10-11T12:39:00.000-05:00

"RQF ILFBSHFXY UJDTUF
EFIRQ SO LIGXSVW - VSHDJP
BSSJ DJ RQF QUXW!"

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 129

January 1974

2007-10-10T09:27:00.000-05:00

"In answer to countless queries: Yes, the Glynis Wein who does that sensational coloring in so many Marvel Masterworks these days is indeed the lovely wife of one Len Wein. And, so help us, if your next question is 'So who's Len Wein...?'"

From Incredible Hulk, Vol. 1, No. 171

December 1973

2007-10-09T13:38:00.000-05:00

"Bad news, it seems, never travels alone.
Only two months ago, this space told of the demise of our friend and co-worker, Bill Everett. And now, we regret to announce the untimely passing of another all-time great comic artist, Syd Shores, on Sunday, June 3, 1973."

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 127

November 1973

2007-10-04T12:11:00.000-05:00

"Know what, friend and neighbor? It's been a good summer - at least from mirthful Marvel's point of view!"

From Incredible Hulk, Vol. 1, No. 169

October 1973

2007-10-03T13:14:00.000-05:00

"ITEM! Didja notice we just ran out of room? Oh, you did, huh?
Oh well.. See ya next time, Marvelite!"

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 139

September 1973

2007-10-02T12:28:00.000-05:00

"Now, if we may, we'd like to get serious for just a moment. This is the Bullpen item we hoped we'd never have to write.
Bill Everett, creator of the Sub-Mariner and a host of other great comic-book heroes, passed away on February 27th last.
Bill was known and loved by just about everyone in the comics world, and was respected as few of his peers are respected.
Rather than launch any lengthy eulogies here - something Bill wouldn't have wanted, in any case - we'd prefer simply to refer you to the pages of Sub-Mariner #65, now on sale, in which a final and well-earned tribute is paid to this most important of Marvel talents... this most kindly, most generous of men.
We sorta think that's where Bill would most have liked to be remembered."

From Avengers, Vol. 1, No. 115

August 1973

2007-09-27T12:16:00.000-05:00

"Let's all give a hearty 'welcome aboard' to Battlin' Bob Brown, whom we've long respected as one of comicdom's most talented artists..."

From Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 1, No. 83

July 1973

2007-09-26T13:23:00.000-05:00

"We're spacing the ads out, so you won't find each one in each and every title - but if you pick up a sizable handful of our masterworks each month, you can be certain you'll be kept abreast of just what mixed-up Marvel is up to!"

From Incredible Hulk, Vol, 1, No. 165

June 1973

2007-09-25T08:43:00.000-05:00

"Feast your eyes on the current Spider-Man super-spectacular. It's one of the greatest, most important issues ever - spotlighting perhaps the most momentous turning point yet in the career of our wondrous wall-crawler! Take it from us - this is the one!
'Nuff said?"

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 121

March 1973

2007-09-21T16:37:00.000-05:00

"Hmmm... The Monster Times... The New Yorker... looks like there are no worlds left for the ol' wall-crawler to conquer, 'cept maybe the Ladies' Home Journal! But, who knows - maybe one of these fine days-!"

From Captain America, Vol. 1, No. 159

February 1973

2007-09-20T07:59:00.000-05:00

"Those of you who've been with us since the early days of Marvel have probably lost track of how many times I've hammered home the point that, unlike cigarettes, our comics are really good for you."

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 131

January 1973

2007-09-19T13:01:00.000-05:00

"Remember - the dread Dormammu is watching you!"

From Incredible Hulk, Vol. 1, No. 159

December 1972

2007-09-18T13:34:00.000-05:00

"...Steve Ger ber - a name we predict you'll be seeing a lot more of, in the near future!"

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 115

November 1972

2007-09-17T19:42:00.000-05:00

"Anyway, for years now, we've wanted to start a comic-mag which dealt exclusively with the derring-do of a gal superstar, instead of the usual hunk of masculine muscle."

From Avengers, Vol. 1, No. 105

October 1972

2007-09-13T14:16:00.000-05:00

"Well, try Far-Out Frank Brunner, who teamed up with (Ahem!) old timer Barry Smith on a recent Dr. Strange mini-saga, and who's slated for other things to boot! Then of course there's Roisterous Ralph Reese... the Irreverent Billy Graham... Madcap Mike Trimpe, who's been helping brother Herbie splash India ink on the latest Ant-Man extravaganza - and this doesn't even count 'Duke' Wayne Boring, one of comicdom's potent pioneers..."

From Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 1, No. 78

September 1972

2007-09-13T13:59:00.000-05:00

"Like a fella named Milhous recently said, Phase One has just about had it - and it's time for Phase Two to begin. No man, no group of men, no publishing company can rest on its laurels...
So here's the real scoop - here's where we're at, and where we're headed - and be sure to pay attention, 'cause we're not making a move without ya!"

From Captain America, Vol. 1, No. 153

August 1972

2007-09-12T14:23:00.001-05:00

"... this Ghost Rider is a mad, mod, mystic hero who straddles both the world of motorcycles - and the supernatural!
(And that's some job of straddling!)"

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 125

July 1972

2007-09-10T14:21:00.000-05:00

"ITEM: January 5, 1972! Mark that date in your memory-book, faithful one - 'cause that's the night the batty Bullpen got it all together at Carnegie Hall, in the hectic heart of New york City!

As we told you last month, the whole magilla was called 'A MARVEL-OUS EVENING WITH STAN LEE' - and it was a way-out compendium of music, magic, and madcap Marvel mayhem! Smilin' Stan himself was Master of Ceremonies - presiding over the frantic goings-on while images of mighty Marvel superheroes flitted across a giant movie screen. A trio of our titanic artists got into the act, too, as Jazzy Johnny Romita, Happy Herb Trimpe, and Big John Buscema did sensational sketches of Captain America, ol' Greenskin, and Thor - which in turn were projected onto that selfsame screen. (There was a passel of our cavortin' characters in actual attendance, too, including Spidey, Daredevil, Doc Doom, and even J. Jonah Jameson himself!)

The standing-room-only crowd exploded with applause, also, at the roster of famous names who had gathered to pay homage to the madness that is Marvel: World-famous film director Alain Resnais translated a few of the Silver Surfer's soliloquies into his native French; and there were also a few pungent paragraphs about our heroes which were intoned by radio personalities Alec Bennett and Earl Doud, by actors Rene Aber jonois and Chuck Mc Cann (you've seen the latter a zillion times as the 'Hi Guy' neighbor on the other side of the medicine cabinet in those Right Guard commercials), and neo-journalist Tom Wolfe, resplendent in red, white, and ble as he read about - you guessed it - Captain America.

As for the music mentioned about, most of it was provided by the far-famed Chico Hamilton Players - but some more Marvel Madmen got into the act, too, as Hectic Herbie and Bashful Barry Smith plunked a couple of wild electric guitars while Rascally Roy Thomas belted out a rousin' rocker or two! Then, for the grand finale, just about everybody in the blamed Bullpen crowded onto stage to sing the Merry Marvel Marching Society theme-song - while, not to be outdone, dozens of cheering fans rushed onstage as well, and the show closed amid a revel of handshaking and autograph signing all 'round. And that was that!All in all, it was a wildly successful evening - and not necessarily the last of its kind, either! And, if there were a few bleary eyes and sore throats among the Bullpenners come the morning of the 6th - well, that's show biz, people!"

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 110

"... January 5, 1972, a day that will live in infamy... Consider this: Roy Thomas imitating Elvis."
-Peter Sanderson

June 1972

2007-09-07T13:40:00.000-05:00

"Wild Bill Everett, who created the Sub-Mariner many moons ago, has both written and drawn the fabulous 50th issue of Namor's own mag, now on sale!"

From Captain America, Vol. 1, No. 150

May 1972

2007-09-06T12:14:00.001-05:00

"Hello to Stalwart Steve Englehart, who's just joined our harried little staff, where he'll be doing proofreading, penciling, inking, scripting - and probably lettering, if somebody will lend him a spelling-book! Welcome aboard, Steve - may your inkwell never run dry!"

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 108

April 1972

2007-09-05T09:49:00.000-05:00

"These brief, random thoughts are being written just a short time after the Attica State Prison tragedy. Now I have no intention of imposing my own opinions upon you about which side, which party or parties might have been right or wrong. Instead, I'd like to discuss the theory of 'right or wrong' itself. Is it possible that too much harm, too much injustice has been caused in the name of 'right' - in the pursuit of combating 'wrong'?"

From Incredible Hulk, Vol. 1, No. 150

March 1972

2007-09-04T07:43:00.000-05:00

"This month I'm gonna try to answer the question which is asked of us more than any other. It's the plaintive, passionate poser, "How do I break into the comic-book biz?"
Of course the easiest answer is "Why would you want to?", but I won't cop out that easily. (Mainly because I've gotta fill this furshlugginer column!)"

From Avengers, Vol. 1, No. 97

February 1972

2007-09-03T19:38:00.000-05:00

"Stan (The Man) Lee who returns at last this month to scripting Spidey-thrillers again, startled everybody by suddenly shaving off his beard the other day! [...]
Affable Al Kurzrok, sometime Sgt. Fury scripter and fulltime production plodder, just got back from a wild weekend in voodoo-haunted Haiti. Hope you had a ball, A.K.- but why'd you just shave off the beard on that doll with all the hatpins in it?"

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 119

Marvelmania International

2007-08-31T09:23:00.000-05:00

ITEM: Here's big news for all members of the good ol' Merry Marvel Marching Society, and for those of you who intend to join. Remember years ago, when we started the MMMS? We promised we wouldn't just swear you in and forget about you. Then what happened? We forgot about you! Naw, we didn't really - but what did happen is - our mags became so much more popular than we ever dreamed they would and we became so much busier than we ever expected to, that we just never had the time to do all the things we had hoped to do with our swingin' little club. But, we managed to change all that now! And the change is so important, that we're gonna give it a paragraph all to itself - just like this -

ITEM: We had the greatest stroke of luck the other day. We met a fanatical Marvelite who also happens to be a most talented California executive. He's so impressed with our mags, and our club membership roster, that he made us a fantastic offer, which we've just accepted. From now on, the MMMS with be incorporated into a fabulous parent organization named Marvelmania International! Because of this great new development, there'll be an entire new company, independent of your Bullpen, working around the clock to make your club exactly what you want it to be. So watch for the exciting announcements about Marvelmania Internation in our mags, and remember - you won't be watching alone. We're as anxious to see what's coming next as you are!"
-Bullpen Bulletin, October 1969

"The fellow who operated Marvelmania was not the most honest guy in the world."
-Mark Evanier

"ITEM! If you haven't joined Marvelmania International yet, you're missing out on the jazziest color catalogue of superhero goodies you've ever drooled over! The original posters, show in living color, are enough to make Jonah Jameson smile - and wait'll you latch onto the swingin' art kit with self-portraits of you favorite Marvel madmen! All that and more, more, more, for only 25 cents to cover postage and kickbacks!"
-Bullpen Bulletin, May 1970

"...when I'd finally mastered the fine art of taping quarters to index cards and sending them safely through the mail, joining the M.M.M.S. was already a moot point. Gone. Done. Finished. It'd been casually superseded by the more commercially oriented Marvelmania merchandising outlet.Oh, I bought a few posters (STERANKO!), and got an issue of the club zine, as well as their catalog (the cover of which I posted here back at the beginning of the month), but it somehow wasn't quite the same."
-Fred Hembeck

"ITEM! If you aren't already subscribing to the only authorized publication of our official, bonafide, non-fattening fan club, Marvelmania International - Then you're probably the only one! Everyone else is flipping over Marvelmania Monthly Magazine, and in-depth periodical which cover everything going on at Marvel, past, present, and future! See the subscription ad elsewhere in this mag, then go, great one, go!"
-Bullpen Bulletin, September 1970

"ITEM! Just thought you'd like to know - the outspoken young fan who gave us the idea for the Ranks of Marveldom a few years ago is now a full-fledged editor, turning out possible the greatest fan mah of all for our own Marvelmania International! His name's Mark Evanier, and he and his assistant editor, Sturdy Stevey Sherman, came to visit us the other day from sunny California where Marvelmania has its headquarters. They're a couple of young, zingy, with-it guys, and after yakkin' it up with 'em for a while it's easy to see why Marvelmania has become the toast of fandom!"
-Bullpen Bulletin, January 1971

"In 1970, I worked for a while for an outfit called Marvelmania International, which was selling posters and decals and other merchandise of the Marvel characters. Well, let me amend that: The mail order firm, which was disguised as a fan club, was taking orders for such items and cashing the checks, and once in a rare while, they'd actually produce an item and ship it out."
-Mark Evanier

"... things at Marvelmania continued to fall apart. The guy who ran the place had overextended himself. He had great ideas for full-color catalogs and posters, but just as many outstanding bills from printers. Sherman quit working there. Three weeks later, after completing the next Marvelmania Fanzine, Evanier also left. Soon, creditors came after the guy who ran the place, the sheriff shut him down, and the police sat there and took the funds as they came in the door. Employees who left work on a Friday arrived on Monday to find the guy had 'cleaned the place out and disappeared.'"
-Tales to Astonish, by Ronin Ro

"SPECIAL NOTICE: Just as this issue went to press, we learned that Marvelmania International, the club which has been advertising in our pages for some months, has been officially disbanded. No more memberships or orders should be sent to Marvelmania."
-Bullpen Bulletin, December 1971

January 1972

2007-08-31T07:51:00.001-05:00

"A couple of months back, we announced that henceforth all of our titanic titles were going to be published as kingsize 25¢ mags - and that's just the way it was, for a month or so. However, once in a while you find out you've made a mistake - and there's nothing to be done for it but to admit it and to backtrack - to begin over again with a brand-new start."

From Avengers, Vol. 1, No. 95

December 1971

2007-08-30T08:01:00.001-05:00

"But, for much of the membership [Of the Academy of Comic Book Arts], the highpoint of the evening's festivities was the presentation of a Special Award to Marvel's own Stan Lee, who had virtually founded ACBA all by his lonesome and who served as president during its first, crucial year! Right on, Stan!"

From Incredible Hulk, Vol. 1, No. 146

November 1971

2007-08-29T08:25:00.000-05:00

"ITEM! This is it! Ten years to the month since the first immortal issue of Fantastic Four ushered in the Marvel Age of Madcap Madness - and have we got an anniversary surprise for you!"

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 116

October 1971

2007-08-28T11:57:00.000-05:00

"After scripting an even hundred issues of Spider-Man - after writing even more issues of Fantastic Four, plus countless other epics starring Captain America and the rest of our award-winning costumed do-gooders - Smilin' Stan Lee has finally decided he needs a couple of weeks away from the typewriter end of a superhero script."

From Captain America, Vol. 1, No. 142

September 1971

2007-08-28T11:49:00.000-05:00

"Now, all that remains is for the White House to declare a National Bullpen Day, and we'll have it made!"

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 100

August 1971

2007-08-24T12:37:00.000-05:00

"Speaking of landmark editions, here's one for the books: the current Hulk thriller, now on sale, is based on Tom Wolfe's brilliant best-seller "Radical Chic," and Tom himself actually appears in the yarn. He said he's always wanted to be a Marvel superhero - and nobody says them there kinda things lightly around the ol' Bullpen! To call this issue 'off-beat' would be like saying that Raquel Welch isn't too bad looking!"

From Incredible Hulk, Vol. 1, No. 142

July 1971

2007-08-23T12:23:00.001-05:00

"Savage Tales (Our M-rated mag - for the mature reader) looks like such a howlin' hit, that we're following it up with a ghoulish 50¢ goodie called The Tomb of Dracula. (Or The House of Dracula. We haven't decided yet.) It's a wholly new concept, starring Dracula himself, as he is - was - and perhaps will be."

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 98

June 1971

2007-08-22T12:16:00.000-05:00

"'Life is outside of Marvel Comics!'"

From Incredible Hulk, Vol. 1, No. 140

May 1971

2007-08-21T12:34:00.000-05:00

"People have been asking who writes the agonizingly alliterative headlines for these priceless pages each month. We always thought it was Our Leader, but he just hinted that he's had a bit of help - from some fellow named Spiro. (We can't reveal his last name because he wouldn't want his boss to know he's been moonlighting!)
Just goes to show you... everybody's into Marvel!"

From Captain America, Vol. 1, No. 137

April 1971

2007-08-20T13:05:00.000-05:00

"You've gotten so involved that all your mail seems to concern the world at large, and the conflicts and divisions that are assaulting our society. We're proud of your concern - thrilled by your insight, and your enthusiasm - but we're worried about our stories! Is anybody reading them?"

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 109

March 1971

2007-08-17T11:43:00.000-05:00

"One answer to the question of why Jim Ster anko has been absent from our pages recently is the fact that he's been hard at work writing his monumental History of Comics. Stan no sooner read the first copy than he grabbed the phone to congratulate the jaunty one on the cataclysmic job he'd done."

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 94

February 1971

2007-08-16T11:01:00.000-05:00

"We try to make it a point not to plug any of our titles too enthusiastically on this page, because these are supposed to be news items rather than hardsell ads. However..."

From Captain America, Vol. 1, No. 134

January 1971

2007-08-15T13:06:00.000-05:00

"So say 'hi' to Bashful Berni Wrightson who's been doing our mystery covers lately, as well as penciling, inking, coloring, and co-authoring a yarn in Tower of Shadows #8! Also, let's welcome Roarin' Rich Buckler, who's presently penciling a brand-new thriller for us."

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 106

December 1970

2007-08-14T12:44:00.000-05:00

"Our belated thanks to Sgt. Roger D. Landsberger, 284th MP Co. in Viet Nam, for sending us that great newspaper pic of "Captain America", one of the mighty V-100 armored vehicles of the 66th Military Police Company in Phu Toi. Other names used on these fantastic fighting machines are Thor, Iron Man, Daredevil, etc.
Now, if only that could make everybody stop fighting and start reading...!"

From Captain America, Vol. 1, No. 132

November 1970

2007-08-13T12:32:00.000-05:00

"Having contacted virtually every artist, writer, and comic-mag creator in the field, I couldn't wait to tell you the big news. An industry-wide society, to be called the Academy of Comic Book Arts has just been formed, which, hopefully, will do for comics what the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has done for films..."

From Incredible Hulk, Vol. 1, No. 133

October 1970

2007-08-12T12:18:00.000-05:00

"Even if you're one of Sugar-Lips [Gil] Kane's countless fans, you're still in for a startling surprise when you see how magnificently he's captured the spirit and the excitement which only Stan The Man's web-spinning wonder can muster!"

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 89

September 1970

2007-08-11T12:01:00.000-05:00

"Well, at the time of this writing (early in March), Jack Kirby has unexpectedly announced his resignation from our surprised but stalwart staff."

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 102

August 1970

2007-08-10T11:57:00.000-05:00

"There's just enough space remaining for me to tell you that there's not enough space remaining for me to tell you anything."

From Incredible Hulk, Vol. 1, No. 130

July 1970

2007-08-09T13:27:00.000-05:00

"Looks like it's old home week around the Bullpen once again. Two more little lambs who had gone astray have just returned to the fold - so let's hear a hearty 'Welcome Back' for Cheerful Chic Stone and Valiant Vince Colletta!"

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 100

June 1970

2007-08-08T13:39:00.000-05:00

"Didja hear about Stan The Man rapping for hours with Joe McDonald, Barry Melton, and their manager Ed Denson?
Or maybe you know them better as Country Joe & the Fish!"

From Captain America, Vol. 1, No. 126

May 1970

2007-08-07T09:46:00.000-05:00

"Let's start with the results of organized fandom's biggest popularity poll. The tallies of the 1969[sic] Alley Awards are finally in, and it's almost embarrassing the way mighty Marvel copped most of the main honors."

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 98

April 1970

2007-08-06T14:54:00.000-05:00

"From time to time we receive letters from readers who wonder why there's so much moralizing in our mags. They take great pains to point out that comics are supposed to be escapist reading, and nothing more. But somehow, I can't see it that way. It seems to me that a story without a message, however subliminal, is like a man without a soul."

From Captain America, Vol. 1, No. 124

March 1970

2007-08-05T14:50:00.000-05:00

"It's like the end of an era! It'll shatter the traditions of Marveldom to the their very foundation! But, do it we must, and do it we shall! So, hold onto your hats, 'cause here's the bit! Starting sooner or later, in some ish or other, we're gonna try using PERIODS instead of those furshlugginer EXCLAMATION POINTS with which we've been ending every sentence since comics began!"

From Incredible Hulk, Vol. 1, No. 125

February 1970

2007-08-04T14:56:00.000-05:00

"Guess who just called? Wouldja believe Wandering Wally Wood? (We used to call him Wondrous till he took off for parts unknown.)
Anyway, after a long powwow there's a chance that you'll be seeing WW's wizardry between the covers of some Marvel mags once again - where it has always belonged! (Now if only a cat named S.D. would dig up our phone number again! - Oh well, we can always dream!)"

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 95

January 1970

2007-08-03T14:39:00.000-05:00

"And, so, it's 'Here's where Stan tries to get off the hook' time again!"

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 80

December 1969

2007-08-02T11:23:00.001-05:00

"With the most profound regret, we sorrowfully announce the untimely death of George Klein.
George had been associated with the Bullpen for a period spanning more than two decades as both penciller and inker. He was also a gifted painter, a valued friend, and a gentleman in the truest sense of the word."

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 93

November 1969

2007-08-01T07:34:00.000-05:00

"You asked for it - and even if you didn't, you got it! For several years we've been receiving boatloads of requests to do an up-to-date photo feature on all our Bullpen yahoos![...]
You can hang 'em loose - hang 'em on a wall - or hang 'em in effigy - but buy a few copies, okay? We've gotta make enough extra dough to pay for a cracked Polaroid!"

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 78
Bullpen Gallery from Fantastic Four Annual, Vol. 1, No. 7

October 1969

2007-07-31T08:18:00.000-05:00

"Starting as soon as possible, we're abandoning our policy of continued stories! Yep, that means we'll try to make every Marvel masterwork complete in each issue! [...]
It's gonna make our job much tougher - we'll have to shorten our plots - perhaps tone down on our sub-plots, and tighten our pacing. But it's the least we can do for our rollickin' readers, and it'll be fun to see how it works out."

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 77

September 1969

2007-07-30T08:19:00.001-05:00

"Have you noticed that our x-travagantly x-citing X-Men sagas are back to 20 full pages again? When we saw the powerful, pulsatin' pencil-work of Nefarious Neal Adams - not to mention the incredible inking of Terrific Tom Palmer - we figured that it would be a crime to deprive a wildly waiting world those extra five pages!"

From Captain America, Vol. 1, No. 117

August 1969

2007-07-29T13:34:00.000-05:00

"It's finally reached the point where we MUST raise our selling price to 15¢ [From 12¢] or sacrifice the quality of our comics - and THAT we would never do...
But now, let's look at the bright side - today you can buy your majestic Marvel mags even faster... 'cause you don't have to fumble around with pennies!
Just another glowing example of how we strive eternally to make your life easier."

From Incredible Hulk, Vol. 1, No. 118

July 1969

2007-07-28T13:40:00.000-05:00

"It suddenly occurred to us to take a totally useless survey of how many of Bullpen bigwigs are sporting beards these days.
When we got thru counting we realized that almost a cool ten percent are fuzz-faces! Wanna know who?"

From Captain America, Vol. 1, No. 115

June 1969

2007-07-27T15:02:00.001-05:00

"Here's an announcement we make with mixed emotions. Jack (King) Kirby and family are moving to California.
In fact, by the time you read this, the King will already be settled on the shores of the blue Pacific!
But, don't panic, pilgrim - he'll still be doing his bit for the Bullpen, same as ever."

From Incredible Hulk, Vo. 1, No. 116

May 1969

2007-07-26T12:32:00.001-05:00

"Speaking of interesting visitors - and we've had 'em all, from famous director Federico Fellini, to prize-winning playwright William Gibson, to the master satirist Harvey Kurtzman..."

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 72

April 1969

2007-07-25T10:02:00.001-05:00

"We don't know if you're a far-out radical, or Mr. Establishment himself - if you're a black militant or a white liberal - if you're a pantin' protest marcher or a Jolly John Bircher - but, whatever you are, don't get bogged down by kindergarten labels!"

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 85

March 1969

2007-07-24T13:09:00.000-05:00

"Everyone's talking about Bashful Barry Smith, the surprising new staffer we just imported from merrie old England!
Barry's artwork is just not to be believed!"

From Captain America, Vol. 1, No. 111

February 1969

2007-07-23T13:38:00.001-05:00

"...Here's an amazing coincidence.
You aren't answering your letters, and I'm not buying your comics."

From Incredible Hulk, Vol. 1, No. 112

The Merry Marvel Marching Society

2007-07-22T20:13:00.001-05:00

Also in 1965, Marvel created its own fan community with the Merry Marvel Marching Society, The club crystallized Lee's happy-go-lucky public persona. Announced in the January books, those who joined for the price of $1 received a package consisting of a membership card, stickers, a membership button, and a letter of introduction signed by 'The Bullpen Gang'."

From Stan Lee and the Rise and Fall of the American Comic Book, by Jordan Raphael and Tom Spurgeon

Click the image to the right to download an mp3 of the MMMS's record... You'll never want to part with it!
A great, image-packed article on the history of the MMMS by Terrence J. Brady
Merry Marvel Marching Society vs Mary Marvel Marching Society
Dograt.com's article on the MMMS's Flexi disc recordings, with mp3s
YouTube slideshow of the first Flexi disc recording and Bullpen photos
Jack Kirby's memories of the recording session, via Mark Evanier
YouTube slideshow of the MMMS's history
Fred Hembeck's December 15th, 2004 blog entry about Marvel's various fan clubs
Bullpen Pages featuring MMMS rolls

January 1969

2007-07-21T22:10:00.000-05:00

"All we at Marvel ask is that our product be judged on the basis of quality - a quality which we sincerely believe is equal to that found in any other comparable media."

From Incredible Hulk, Vol. 1, No. 111

December 1968

2007-07-20T13:27:00.000-05:00

"Sooner or later, if man is ever to be worthy of his destiny, we must fill our hearts with tolerance."

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 81

November 1968

2007-07-19T12:15:00.001-05:00

"Rascally Roy Thomas, is knockin' 'em dead with his new Nehru threads and guru goatee! Groovy Gary Friedrich will be sending us his scripts from Hollywood for the next few months! Jazzy Johnny Romita bought himself a new set of wheels and now you can't even get him to walk across the street!"

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 66

October 1968

2007-07-18T10:08:00.000-05:00

"Wanna know the name of our newest writer? He's none other than Artful Arnold Drake, the lovable king-size leprechaun who combines his own unique dramatic quality with a fabulous flair for biting satire and crafty characterization!"

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 79

September 1968

2007-07-17T08:20:00.000-05:00

"And so, with heavy hearts, we announce the departure of one of the Bullpen's most popular pixies - Fabulous Flo Steinberg who bids us a fond farewell to seek her fortunes is another field of endeavor...
Face Front, Flo! The best of luck to you where e'er you go."

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 78

August 1968

2007-07-16T11:06:00.001-05:00

"That's the lowdown, loyal one. We don't want you to spend all your bread on our mags, honest. But, so long as the dramatic demand for them continues, we can't turn a deaf ear."

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No 63

July 1968

2007-07-15T12:31:00.000-05:00

"To give you an idea how far in advance we have to write these pithy pages, it's the day after Christmas, 1967, at this very moment as we write these lines... but you'll probably be reading this sometime in April, 1968!
And you wonder why we have trouble remembering things!"

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 76

June 1968

2007-07-14T08:30:00.000-05:00

"'Who SAYS this isn't the Second Golden Age of Marvel!'"

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 75

May 1968

2007-07-13T11:53:00.000-05:00

"[T]ill we meet again - let's be good to each other. There's gotta be SOME hope for a race that keeps reaching for the stars!"

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 74

Real Frantic Ones, Titanic True Believers, and Quite 'Nuff Sayers, Oh My!

2007-07-12T16:51:00.000-05:00

Enough! I have sat idle too long! I have watched the MMMS turn into disorganized chaos. (And that's the worst kind!) As a solution, I suggest we have some officers. By buying his first Marvel mag, a fan is automatically entitled to the rank of RFO (Real Frantic One). His first published letter elevates him to QNS (quite 'Nuff Sayer). A no-prize raises him to TB (true Believer). Each additional no-prize raises one level: From JHC (Junior Howling Commando) to AAT (Associate Assistant Thing) and finally to the penultimate, the utmost status a fan can attain: MM (Marvelite Maximus)!
Naturally, the artists all have the rank of DDD (Definitely Dizzy Doodlers), the editorial assistants are IPR (Illiterate Proof Readers), art associates are VOD (Victims of Doodlers), the letterers are IWP (Indefatigable Word Placers), and Stan himself is at the summit - MEO (Marvel's Earthbound Odin). Each person would use his title at the start of his name - as I've done."
(Signed-)
RFO Mark Evanier
[July 1967]

Although the Bullpen's response was positive, this letter published in the November 1967 Bullpen Page shows not everyone in Marveldom agreed with young Evanier's idea:

"Dear Stan,
Let's get something straight. You are not MEO (Marvel's Earthbound Odin); your artists are not DDD's (Definitely Dizzy Doodlers); and your letterers are letterers, not IWP's (Indefatigable Word Placers) and so on. Get the message? If you follow up the idea of having to get letters printed, and of winning no-prizes in order to gain Ultimate Status, you'll get more bone-head letters than you know what to do with.
When a fan sends a letter, it's to verify or correct what you've done. If it gets printed, fine! If it wins a no-prize, fine! But if people write just to get their letters printed or to win no-prizes, the letters pages will start losing dignity. Finally, I though all loyal Marvelites had achieved ultimate status in the eyes of the Bullpen long ago. Do we have to add an atmosphere of cheap, commercial competitiveness to the Marvel comics group?"

Robert Lax

Despite Rancorous Rob's objections, Marvel adopted Evanier's proposal and introduced the first rank in the next month's Bullpen Page. Real Frantic One was followed by Quite 'Nuff Sayer, Titanic True Believer, Keeper of the Flame, Permanent Marvelite Maximus, and Fearless Front Facer, cementing Marvel's rep as a company that cared and listened to its fans.
Mark Evanier went on to considerable success in both comics and television and Robert Lax was never heard from again... unless he was this Robert Lax. Regardless, his snarky spirit lives on in the cranky comments of killjoys and flame-artists all over the internet.

From the letters page of Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 78 [September 1968]

April 1968

2007-07-12T13:24:00.001-05:00

"Anyway, when you're on top of the heap, it doesn't seem right to rib the other guy who hasn't quite made it - and that's why the only time we'll use the phrase Brand Echh from now on is in the title of our own goofy gag mag!
So, to the artists, writers, and editors of the other companies in this batty business in which we toil, many of whom are close personal friends of ours - we hereby end the fatuous little feud we've been flaunting before the public."

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol.1, No. 59

March 1968

2007-07-11T08:50:00.000-05:00

"This notice is not intended as an endorsement on our part of any specific policy regarding the war.
We simply feel that many American boys have been sent into battle far from home - and anything we can do to make 'em feel they're not forgotten is surely a worthwhile deep which transcends mere politics.
'Nuff said?"

From Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, No. 58

Starring Reed Richards! Ben Grimm! Johnny Storm! Sue Storm! And Spider-Man!

2007-07-10T11:02:00.000-05:00

Only another few months till Marvel makes the network! Starting in September, the FF and Spidey will be presented border-to-border and coast-to-coast by the American Broadcasting Company! Our fascinatin' foursome will be produced by Hanna-Barbera, while your favorite web-slinger will be filmed at the Universal City studios of Grantray-Lawrence - with both half-hour shows being in full animation and glowing color!

-Bullpen Bulletin, August 1967

Click on the images above to browse YouTube playlists of episodes of Fantastic Four and Spider-Man.

Making their debut on September 9, 1967, the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man cartoon series carried on the tradition of faithful adaptations and great voice work begun by 1966's Marvel Superheroes cartoon, but with improved animation courtesy of such talents as the late Alex Toth and Ralph Bakshi.

Although the Fantastic Four series ran for only twenty episodes, Spider-Man continued for three seasons, in time becoming just as much, if not more, of a cultural touchstone as the comic series that inspired it. For more great Spider-Man info, check out Wallopin' Websnappers, a fun Flash-based site narrated by Spidey himself, Paul Soles (Who also provided vox for Hermie the Misfit Elf!) which takes a look at the actors who lent their voices to the cartoon's cast of characters, and WFMU's Beware the Blog's article on the show's timeless music and its production history.

February 1968

2007-07-10T08:09:00.001-05:00

"Now then, we've often been asked how we at Marvel actually feel about having to submit out masterful yarns to an outside agency for approval. Our answer is, we're delighted to do it.
After all, the Comics Code Authority and your batty Bullpen share the same overall objectives..."

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 71

January 1968

2007-07-09T14:47:00.000-05:00

"And by the way, even if you don't live in the continental United States, write to your local TV station anyway, asking when Spidey and the FF will be seen in your area. (If you live in Red China, think how that'll shake 'em up!)"

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 70

December 1967

2007-07-08T12:50:00.000-05:00

"All of Marveldom assembled sends best wishes to Jolly Jack and Roz Kirby on their 25th wedding anniversary!
We're beginnin' to suspect that these two have a good thing going!"

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 69

November 1967

2007-07-07T12:32:00.000-05:00

"We're gonna recommend that you take a peek at - of all things - the latest ish of Millie The Model! We've changed the mag around completely - new type of artwork and stories - and honest to Aunt May, it's really kinda funny.
Even if Millie isn't your own cup of tea, we have a hunch your sister or gal friend (wouldja believe your cousin?) might just get a boot out of it!"

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 68

October 1967

2007-07-06T12:25:00.000-05:00

"Many Keepers of the Faith have demanded that we take a more definite stand on current problems such as Viet Nam, civil rights, and the increase in crime, to name a few.
We've a hunch that most Marvel madmen pretty well know where we stand on such matters - and we've long believed that our first duty is to entertain, rather than editorialize."

From Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, No. 67