From the pages of The Spider magazine, March 1941
Letters
THE EDITOR'S job is to please the readers of his magazine. When we invite you all to write us letters criticizing and making suggestions, we know that not all those letters will be full of pats on the back. Still, every communication received from a reader is in itself a barometer which serves a definite purpose in furthering the preparation of The Spider Magazine--your magazine. Grant Stockbridge welcomes your guidance, and so do Emile C. Tepperman (author of the Ed Race stories), Arthur Leo Zagat (creator of Doc Turner), and Wayne Rogers (who writes the Brother Henry yarns). All your comments regarding Dick Wentworth and these other characters are passed along to the authors concerned. And the authors try to abide by your requests.
Styles in fiction are constantly changing, and it is our duty to anticipate these changes. Henry Wing of Newton Massachusetts, has noticed a change in The Spider; his letter proves it:
Newton, Mass.
Dear Chief:I've read the Spider Magazine for four years, now and I've never written to you, either in complaint or praise. I've noticed, however, that lately the
Spider's adventures seem less fantastic than in the past, and I find that I like these new-type stories better.
This may be because I'm four years older, and more mature. But I believe that even the kids of today are more advanced than the kids of "my day." (Though I sound like an old man- I'm only twenty.)
When the newsstands became flooded with funny-paper style magazines a while ago I began to doubt my respect for the youth of today. But soon I realized that the readers of those books were youngsters not yet in their teens.
My ten-year-old brother was a comicbook fiend for a month or two. Then one day when I was reading The Spider, he asked me if I thought he'd like it I tried a little psychology on him. "No," I said, "you're too young to appreciate this type magazine." I chucked the book on the table and walked out. Presently I took a peek into the room.
Just as 1 thought--Bud was engrossed in The Spider! And I didn't have the heart to take it away from him until he had finished it! Now he's a
Spider fan, and my faith in the intelligence of modern kids is restored!
Yours truly, (Signed) Henry Wing
Henry Wing's preference for less fantastic stories is especially interesting in the light of another letter just received. We're printing that one, too, because this old U.S.A. is a democracy--thank heavens!--and a fellow can think what he wants and, what's more, he can SAY it!
Mr. Ben Rayburn, the loudspeaker is yours. Step right up:
Jersey City, New Jersey
Dear Mr. Stockbridge:It seems to me that you go to great length to devise logical ways in which The Spider can extricate himself from the various and dangerous difficulties in which you place him. Why not let him be more of the miraculous, or super-man type?
I would like to have Dick Wentworth so strong he could heave automobiles around, break gun barrels and tear down buildings!
Yours for a Super-Spider! (Signed) Ben Rayburn
Well, Ben, every man to his own choice. Yet, judging by the majority of comments concerning the pros and cons of plausibility, we feel convinced that the readers want Dick to remain a pretty rational fellow. His character and code of ethics can be "super", but his strength, marksmanship and general physical prowess must be such as could conceivably be attained by any of us after years of strenuous practice in fighting crime.
I had a good letter from G. Carlton Burkett, of Bethesda, Maryland. Virginia Combs' letter was the one that spurred Carlton to action. We must admit that Virginia's letter was an inspiration. Carlton says:
I am an American, and all Americans should be proud to join a club like yours.
During the years I have been reading the Spider Dick Wentworth has never had a vacation! He ought to have a week or two off and then come back to his work....
Nita van Sloan stands out, to me, as a great character also. Were it not for her, the Spider would not be obliged to undertake some of his more daring exploits.
Am anxiously awaiting my Spider ring. It will be a symbol to show my friends that I am with the Spider all the way!
Sincerely yours, (Signed) G. Carlton Burken
Grant says, "Why sure! We'll give Dick a vacation--which, goodness knows he has earned. But how about me?" Here's a letter from a chap who has apparently had his mind set on the business of law enforcement and crime fighting for some time. I hope he sticks to his purpose, for there is always room for another first class lawman!
Dear Chief:
I am just a rookie, so to speak, in your organization to fight crime. In another sense, however, I am not exactly a rookie. I belong to several organizations whose purpose is similar to that of the Spider League--to build up respect for the law.
I have met, personally, men such as F.B.I. Agents Bennett Hirsh, Jay C. Newman, Leo Cook, and John S. Bugas, present Chief of the Michigan Field Office. I have also received quite a few letters from Mr. John Edgar Hoover, the National Chief. I have chatted with Secret Service agents, and detectives from the Detroit Narcotics Squad.
I hope, in the near future, to take up the Science of Crime Detection....
Let me congratulate you on your splendid magazine. Please run more "Ed Race" stories. Next to the Spider, I like Race the best.
Wishing you, the Spider--and all the rest of your happy family the best of luck, I remain
Very Sincerely yours, (Signed) John Reidy Mort
It seems to me that merely knowing such men as Mr. Mort mentions should spur him on to achieve his desire! Let each of us appoint himself special-agentat-heart to go on proving the merit of those three BIG little words: Crime Doesn't Pay!
The Chief
From the pages of The Spider magazine, June 1941 (Essay)
