[First issue where the letter column is titled "The Legion Outpost"]

Dear Editor: I thought your recent story, "The Menace of Dream Girl," was an excellent story. However, I have one criticism. Inasmuch as I am a girl, I think I can safely say that Dream Girl really wasn't pretty enough to receive all of the attention that was showered upon her. Personally, I feel that Lightning Lass is considerably more attractive. Am I wrong, or do other readers feel the same way?

Michelle Pruyn, Abington, Pa.

(Judging from our mail from males - and females - you're outvoted. See letters below for an indication as to the type of raves we've been getting on our new cuties. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: Whee! Wow! My friends and I think your latest heroine, DREAM GIRL, is just that greatest. If they ever hold a REAL Miss Universe contest in the future, she'll undoubtedly win first prize. Thanks for giving us a terrific treat.

Mae Dennis, Baltimore, Md.

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Dear Editor: There is only one word for your new character, "Dream Girl" - BRAVO! I wish you would bring her back some day. Not only is she extraordinarily beautiful, but she has many admirable qualities. For example, she showed that she cared deeply for men and women she had never known previously. Incidentally, the power you gave "Lightning Lass", justifying her new name, "Light Lass," was a stroke of genius.

Jeannine Dickey, Ogden, Utah

(With Dream Girl a proven smash hit, you can bet we'll bring her back real soon. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: According to my calculations, the present members of the Legion of Super-Pets include Super-Horse, Super-Monkey, Streaky and Krypto. Why isn't PROTY II a member? His great deeds, which involved saving the lives of several of the Legionnaires, certainly should qualify him for admission. How about it?

Donald Limoncelli, Albuquerque, N.M.

(You are so right. Proty II absolutely has earned the right to become a full-fledged member of the Legion of Super-Pets. But first he should be able to pass an initiation test, don't you think? At any rate, we'll get to work pronto on a story in which this amazing pet applies for membership. We guarantee you'll find it exciting and full of surprises. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: I thoroughly enjoy all your Legion stories. But one thing puzzles my. Why is Triplicate Girl in the Legion? I don't see how her power can help the Legionnaires, or anyone, for that matter.

Larry Lang, Somerville, N.J.

(For a dramatic illustration of how useful the power of being able to split oneself into three bodies can be, we suggest you see the June issue of our companion magazine, WORLD'S FINEST. It features a bizarre new villain, "The Composite Superman," who, due to an amazing circumstance, has acquired the super-power of EVERY member of the Legion of Super-Heroes. In other words, he is as invulnerable as Mon-El, can discharge bolts like Lightning Lad, can transform himself into any shape like Chameleon Boy, etc. Naturally, he is also able to split into three like Triplicate Girl. As a result, with all these COMBINED Legionnaire powers, he shapes up as the most formidable foe ever encountered by the Superman-Batman team. This story is a "must" for all Legion fans! -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: Your new series in ADVENTURE - the Hall of Fame Classics - is great! It gives all of us readers a chance to see the wonderful stories of the past. By all means, continue this series!

Leonard Hassan, Brooklyn, N.Y.

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Dear Editor: Your choice for the first Hall of Fame classic, "The Shrinking of Superboy," was excellent. After all these years, this story really stood up. I'm looking forward to seeing more "oldies" in the Hall of Fame series.

William Lee, Brooklyn, N.Y.

(The preceding two letters are typical of the enthusiasm with which this classic story of yesteryear was received. Nominations for future reprints are pouring in from all over. Have you sent in yours? Don't forget - the older the story is, the better its chances for being reprinted. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: I would like to join the Legion of Super-Heroes. In my alter identity as "Super-Wolf," I am able to spot all the pretty girls in the area. This, I am sure you will agree, is a very desirable power. Please notify my as to membership procedures so that I may put my talent to use in the service of the Legion.

Michael (Super-Wolf) Drake, West Allis, Wisc.

(Sorry, Buster, but you're ineligible to join the Legion of Super-Heroes. However, we think you're a natural for the Legion of Super-Pets. -Ed.)

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Send all comments on a postal card to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, Inc., 575 Lexington Avenue, New York 22, N.Y. Due to the heavy volume of mail received, we regret that no communications can be individually answered.

Dear Editor: Your recent story, "The Mutiny of the Legionnaires", was a joy to behold, both from the point of art and story plot. My friends and I feel like kidnapping the author, Edmond Hamilton, and requesting hundreds of Legionnaire stories for his ransom.

Tom Faltos, Santa Cruz, Calif.

(Cheapskates! Ed Hamilton is worth THOUSANDS of stories. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: In the story, "The Menace of Dream Girl", in one sequence Saturn Girl tells Dream Girl to take three members with her to the planet, Vondra. Why then does she take four?

Debbie Pascale, East Haven, Conn.

(Don't you know that it's a woman's privilege to change her mind? -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: "The Menace of Dream Girl" was really good. It contained more romance than you have ever had in any Legion story. But I'm sticking up for the other girl members. They must all be at least 16 and, at that age, they are more romantic than you make them appear to be. Also, girls don't ALWAYS keep the same hair style. Couldn't Artist Forte make them a bit more feminine? Also, must it always be ALL work and NO play for the members? I'm sure the Legionnaires go out on dates together, shopping sprees, beauty parlors, etc. And how about an "Imaginary" story about a couple of the Legionnaires when they become adults? I'm sure it would be a hit.

(Unsigned)

(We'll forward your comments about new hairstyles to John Forte. As for your request for more romance, be patient. As long-time followers of the Legion are aware, SATURN GIRL is destined to marry LIGHTNING LAD when they become adults. So prepare for a great story in which we will show how their marriage came about. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: I wish to express my extreme happiness at seeing an old Superboy story reprinted in ADVENTURE No. 317, entitled "The Shrinking of Superboy." Your new "Hall of Fame" classic series will no doubt be a smash success in that it will permit your new readers to sample the great stories of the past, which they had missed. Is there a chance that this policy may extend to some of your other magazines?

Walter G. Smith, Glendale, Calif.

(You echo the sentiments of hundreds of other readers. As for extending this policy elsewhere, we refer you to the new "Surprise Feature", in each issue of WORLD'S FINEST. Not only are the stories in this department "oldies", but each one contains a special surprise. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: I think that every member of the Legion of Substitute Heroes should be in the regular Legion for the following reasons: Stone Boy should be in, because he already has been invited to join the real Legion. Polar Boy has Sun Boy's powers - but in reverse. Night Girl has good, if not better, powers that Triplicate Girl and both Fire Lad and Chlorophyll Kid have powers as good as Bouncing Boy.

Steve Kelber, Upland, Calif.

(We'd like to agree with you, but many readers have protested that the Legion already contains too many members and that it is difficult to keep up with them all. However, you'll notice that in this issue BOUNCING BOY has been dropped from the regular Legion, so we'll ask Author Hamilton to consider one of the Substitute Members to fill BB's vacancy. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: I was looking through my copy of the Columbia Viking Desk Encyclopedia and I found this definition: "Monel metal, a silvery white alloy. It is strong, durable and resists acid." Not only does it have the same name, but the description contains the characteristics of someone we know. Right?

Bob Rozakis, Elmont, N. Y.

(Right! We get the message, and we're sure all our other readers will, too. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: May I nominate another worthy animal for the Legion of Super-Pets? I am referring to that admirable four-footed character, "Swifty", who has been featured thus far in two issues of SUPERBOY (No. 105 and No. 109). He has all the good qualities of KRYPTO, in addition to some of his own. How about it?

Jeffrey Allmesoth, El Dorado, Kansas

(We'll consider Swifty a candidate for the animal Legion, providing he can pass their initiation test . . . which is pretty tough! As a matter of fact, the next issue of ADVENTURE will feature a story in which Proty II tries to enter the Legion of Super Pets, and has to pass a series of tests given to him by Krypto, Streaky, Super-Horse and Super-Monkey. -Ed.)

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Send all comments on a postal card to : THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, Inc., 575 Lexington Avenue, New York 22, N. Y. Due to the heavy volume of mail received, we regret that no communications can be individually answered.

Dear Editor: I've discovered a goof in the April ADVENTURE COMICS. On page 4, Invisible Kid is a member of the first squad, which gets wiped out. Yet on page 2 of the second part, Invisible Kid is shown at the Planetary Chance machine! Don't alibi this by saying he escaped because you yourselves stated that the whole squad was paralyzed on the planetoid.

Harry Delugach, Memphis, Tenn.

(We wouldn't think of wriggling out with such an obviously phoney story! The second Invisible Kid was Proty II, who was mischievously impersonating him, just as he impersonates Superboy and Chameleon Boy in this issue. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: I was counting the females in the Legion of Super-Heroes. Should I count Triplicate Girl as three girls or just one?

Gordon Ross, Los Angeles, Calif.

(We refer you to page 6, panel 3 of "The Menace of Dream Girl", in ADVENTURE No. 317. You'll find that, despite her ability to become three girls, Triplicate Girl only gets one vote in the Legion. Therefore, we feel you should only count her once. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: I was reading a comic about the Legion of Super-Heroes, and in it was a girl named Lightning Lass, who had the power to generate lightning, A while later I bought another comic about the Legion, and the same girl was in it, but this time she was Light Lass and she had the power of making things light. What gives?

Joan Peters, Jamaica, N. Y.

(Apparently you missed our February issue, in which Dream Girl caused Lightning Lass to lose her lightning powers while gaining the new ability to make objects light. Incidentally, we hope you like her new costume, shown for the first time in this issue. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: I found what may be a very serious mistake in the story, "The Legion's Suicide Squad." On page 6, panel 2, part 2, you have Shrinking Violet saying, "With only one Legionnaire left, we're beaten!" Well, I counted every Legionnaire that was listed, and found that Supergirl was not featured in the war. So how could Violet's statement be true?

Jim Lawson, Santa Barbara, Calif.

(Shrinking Violet was referring to the Legionnaires then present in the 30th century. Supergirl was busy in the year 1964, and there was no way of contacting her from the planetoid Throon. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: In ADVENTURE COMICS No. 319, you show Fire Lad shooting flame from his hands. Yet in ADVENTURE No. 315, you state that he sets things on fire by using his breath. Have I reported a boo-boo?

Jon Lederhouse, Newfane, N. Y.

(You have, indeed! We hope you weren't burned up over this error. You'll find Fire Lad back to his normal self in this issue. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: In many stories you show members of the Super-Family going forward or backward in time. In all these tales, you show the readers those circles of color, and put a date here and there. But how do our super-friends know which time they're in, since the circles and dates are symbolic and don't exist for them?

Jeff Shaffer, Palo Alto, Calif.

(Superboy long ago learned that the faster he flew, the further back (or forward) in time he would go. Since then, he and his super-friends have learned just how much speed it takes to cover a given number of years. By the way, they go in a clockwise motion to visit the past, and counter-clockwise to reach the future. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: I think I have found a mistake in the story, "The Revenge of the Knave from Krypton." On the first page of Part II Dev-Em gives Superboy his costume. Then on page 5, the costume Superboy is wearing is destroyed - but not his Superboy outfit, which he is wearing underneath. How is this possible, since Dev-Em's costume came from Krypton, and should be as indestructible as Superboy's -Glenn Rowsam, Lowville, N.Y.

(Dev-Em's super-suit was at the cleaner's, so he wore a non-super duplicate. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: I feel sorry for Bouncing Boy. I would like to see him get his power back, or perhaps get a new one. -Russell Bell, Bethesda, Md.

(Bouncing Boy seems perfectly satisfied to be plain Chuck Taine, with no super-powers. However, he'll be re-appearing shortly, in a surprise role. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: Boy, was "The Revenge of the Knave from Krypton" great. But I found one mistake. On page 6 of Part II you have Superboy carrying the spies through space without air helmets. Wouldn't they die, since there is no air in space? -Mike Stella, Colorado Springs, Colo.

(Would you believe us if we told you they were wearing invisible space suits? -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: In ADVENTURE No. 303, you show Brainiac 5 speaking of himself as "the great-great-great-great grandson of Brainiac." Yet in a recent SUPERMAN, you stated that Brainiac was really a computing machine. How could this be? -Sunnie Walton, Charlton, Miss.

(The original Brainiac had an adopted son, who posed as his real son in order to hide the fact that he wasn't human. This lad was the ancestor of Brainiac 5. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: I would like to become a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes. I am the Super DC Reader. My power is to read, from cover to cover, every DC comic published. I am willing to perform the three super-tasks necessary to join the Legion. -Dick (Super DC Reader) Muller, Scarsdale, N.Y.

(We are sure the Legion will be glad to consider your application for membership. Just find a way of traveling to the 30th century and tell them we've recommended you. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: In ADVENTURE No. 318, Sun Boy says he is casting the other Legionnaires adrift with no radio! And in the other space ship, Cosmic Boy is answering him on a radio! Explain this mistake please. -Paul Lichtenstein, Ozone Park, N.Y.

(Sun Boy gave them a radio that only worked on one frequency - that of the ship he was piloting. Therefore they couldn't use it to call for help. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: Why don't you have a story featuring the characters suggested by readers in "Bits of Legionnaire Business"? -Mark Santori, Chicago, Ill.

(Coming up in the next issue! In this great story, the Legion battles the Legion of Super-Outlaws, all of whom are based on suggestions by our readers. We'll give credit to those who suggested these super-characters in our next Legion Outpost column. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: You goofed! In the May issue, Mon-El thinks, "This is the first time in the Legion's history that anyone ever turned down a chance to join it!" But in "The Legionnaires' Super-Contest" Stone Boy, who won the right to join the Legion, declined the honor because he did not want to break up the Legion of Substitute Heroes. Therefore, Stone Boy was the first to turn down Legion membership and Dev-Em (a real cute dream-boat) was the second! -Margie and Elsa Johnson, Duluth, Minn.

(We guess Mon-El - and the editor - had a slight lapse of memory! -ED[sic].)

Dear Editor: Bravo! I think that ADVENTURE No. 319 ("The Legion's Suicide Squad") was the best story I have ever read. I especially was pleased with the surprise ending of two crack-pots standing off the whole Legion. However, please give Element Lad, Star Boy, Invisible Kid and Phantom Girl more of a chance to "show off" their talents. -David Eames, Sauquoit, N.Y.

(Phantom Girl and Element Lad did their stuff in our last issue and Star Boy and Invisible Kid are prominently featured in this one. How's that for service? -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: Do any of the Legionnaires other than Superboy have secret identities? If so, who are they? -John Moan, Woodstock, Ill.

(There is Supergirl, of course, whose other identity is Linda Lee Danvers. And Star Boy had a secret identity as Thom Kallor when we introduced him a few years ago. None of the other Super-Heroes has a dual identity. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: What happened to Star Boy? As I remember from his first appearance, he had all the powers of Superboy plus electrical vision. He had gained these powers when he flew his space ship through a comet's tail. In more recent stories, you say he has only the power to make things super-heavy. What's going on? -David Rhodes, El Segundo, Calif.

(Star Boy's comet powers were only temporary. When he lost them, he had only the power he was born with, which he uses in his current Legion assignments. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: When Bouncing Boy became skinny and lost his powers, I was sorry. I'm fat like Bouncing Boy used to be. Now there is nobody in the Legion who is fat. Before Bouncing Boy lost weight, I felt like I wasn't the only fat person in the world. Now I feel bad. Please make Bouncing Boy fat again. -Anonymous

(At present we have no plans for restoring Bouncing Boy's powers. However, cheer up. Lots of fat people in the world have done quite well. Presidents Grover Cleveland and William Howard Taft were both fat, you know.)

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Dear Editor: In you June issue, when the Concentrator drained all the power in the universe, you show people pointing at the black sun just when their vehicles stopped. This is impossible, since it takes 8 minutes for sunlight to reach Earth. The vehicles should have stopped 8 minutes before the sun went dark, and been in operation again by the time that happened. -Scott Taylor, Westport, Conn.

(Technically, you are right. We took a slight scientific liberty for dramatic effect. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: The Legion of Super-Heroes is my favorite. Why don't you have a story in which the Legionnaires marry and have children? The children have powers inherited from their parents, but combined to form new powers. Good idea? -Gary Karpinski, St. Louis, Mo.

(Good idea! We'll keep it in mind for a future story. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: I feel you made a mistake in making the Legionnaires so old. They will all be adults before long and will have to be drawn as adults, especially since the wedding of Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad is taking place soon. Not to mention Phantom Girl and Ultra Boy, Brainiac 5 and Supergirl - and now Bouncing Boy! - Unsigned.

(Not all the Super-Heroes are nearly grown up. Polar Boy, leader of the Legion of Substitute Heroes, is the youngest of our heroes, and smaller than the rest. Also, only Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad are definitely established as due to be married. If you think Brainiac 5 is sure to marry Supergirl, you'll be surprised to find out how many rivals he has. We suggest you read the feature on "Supergirl's Boy Friends" in the current issue of ACTION COMICS. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: I discovered a goof in "The Initiation of Proty II." When Proty changes to a double of Superboy, he thinks: "Since I now have a human-like body, I can talk aloud." But in a past issue I read that Proty can seem to talk by moving his lips and using his telepathic powers. -Karl Pettis, Gainesville, Fla.

(Through frequent experimentation, Proty has learned to imitate the human tongue and diaphragm so perfectly that he actually can talk now! -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: My classmates and I all think that Bouncing Boy should drink some more super-plastic fluid so he could be put back in the regular Legion. How about it? -Walter Scott, Greenville, S.C.

(We promise you that Bouncing Boy will soon bounce back - in a surprise fashion. It seems numerous readers are pining for our formerly rotund friend. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: In ADVENTURE No. 320, the villainous Molock says: "Our monitors couldn't observe what took place inside the lead-lined Legion Clubhouse!" But in No. 322, Superboy and Mon-El use their X-ray vision to see through the lead-lined Clubhouse wall! -Eric Paul Halvorson, St. Louis, Mo.

(While most of the Clubhouse is lead-lined, the top-most room, where Proty erected his phony machine, is not. In this issue's feature story, Luthor's x-viewer is constructed on the principles of Ultra Boy's penetra-vision, so it can see through lead. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: I think I've discovered a goof in the July ADVENTURE. In the Hall of Fame Classic, "Clark Kent, Class Cheat," you show the teacher writing on the blackboard. "Name the capitals and populations of 10 cities in Europe." How do you name the capital of a city? -Karen Manko, St. Petersburg, Fla.

(That poor teacher! She was so upset by the knowledge that some of her pupils were cheating that she wrote the question wrong! -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: I wish you could have more stories with Dream Girl. She was great! I think there should be more girls in the Legion of Super-Heroes. Night Girl is more powerful than Triplicate Girl or Shrinking Violet. Please consider it. -Linda Keany, North Hollywood, Calif.

(Whether they become Legion members or not, you'll be seeing more of Dream Girl and Night Girl, we promise you! Meantime, the six adorable girl Legionnaires are featured in the next issue of ADVENTURE. You won't want to miss this story! -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: I liked the story about Proty II joining the Legion of Super-Pets. Will you have one in which the Super-Pets fight another Legion - one of Criminal Pets? -Michael Sykes, Chicago, Ill.

(A good idea! A tussle between two animal teams should be fun. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: I would like to know who started the Legion of Super-Heroes. And how did the other heroes know about the Legion? -Stephen Rich, Staten Island, N.Y.

(Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad were the first three Legionnaires. The news of their super-deeds soon reached every corner of the universe, and other super-youths were eager to join them. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: You goofed! In the July ADVENTURE, you show Ultra Boy flying and using penetra-vision at the same time, but in past issues you've said he can only use one power at a time. How do you get out of this? -Richard Walter, Berkeley, Calif.

(Simple! Light Lass had used her power to make him super-light, so he could float in the air. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: Bravo for the Legion of Super-Heroes! One thing, though. Until yesterday, when I was reading a friend's old comics, I had never heard of Invisible Kid, nor did I know that Supergirl and Elastic Lad (Jimmy Olsen) were members. And you seldom give Phantom Girl and Element Lad important parts. Why not give these little-used heroes leading roles in some of your stories? -Lynne Crace, Ramsey AFB, Puerto Rico.

(This is precisely what we've been doing in our last few issues. Four of the heroes you mention are featured in this issue. And you'll see Element Lad, Invisible Kid and three other Legionnaires on the cover of the December SUPERBOY. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: "The Eight Impossible Missions" was terrific. I liked the way it turned out, with Saturn Girl selected as the leader. But I found a mistake. The Mighty Gazor said that he was given the longest Phantom Zone sentence of all. But in ACTION No. 310, Jax-Ur said he'd gotten a life sentence. -Barry LeBeau, N. Providence, R.I.

(Although Jax-Ur was given a life sentence, he could win an eventual parole or pardon. Gazor's sentence is life, with no hope of parole. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: In ADVENTURE No. 323, I caught a big mistake. It shows Jimmy Olsen the same age as in his own magazine, and Superman as Superboy. How could this be? Jimmy would have to be a small child if Superman was still Superboy. -Larry Schlesinger, Hillside, N.J.

(Sorry - you're the one who goofed! You forget that we're dealing with time travel. The Legionnaires live 1,000 years in the future, but they use their time machines to reach any other era they choose. Thus, they can bring Jimmy from our own time, while Superboy travels to the 30th century from his own time. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: I'd like to report two errors concerning Brainiac 5. If the original Brainiac wasn't his ancestor, how can he have a computer mind? Also, in "The Eight Impossible Missions," where Superboy is being sworn into the Legion, Brainiac 5 is present. But, as I recall, he entered after Superboy did, with Supergirl. Am I right? -Michael E. Colby, Hewlett Bay Park, L.I., N.Y.

(Brainiac 5 does not have a mechanical computer brain, like the original Brainiac. He is simply a super-mathematical whiz with a human brain. It's true that he joined the Legion at the same time as Supergirl. But are you sure Superboy had actually been sworn in as a member by that time? This time travel business can be tricky! -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: Since the cat in the Legion of Super-Pets is called Streaky instead of Supercat, and the dog is called Krypto, not Superdog, don't you think it would be more appropriate if Super-Horse was called Comet? And, if Super-Monkey has a name, it certainly should be used! -Jim Lawson, Santa Barbara, Calif.

(Super-Monkey's name is Beppo. You'll find him featured in the current issues of SUPERMAN and ACTION COMICS. And we'll try to use Comet's and Beppo's names more often in the future. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: I enjoyed the story of "The Revenge of the Knave from Krypton." However, I would like to know what happened to Dev-Em's parents after they landed on Earth. -Mark Woolf, Arlington, Tex.

(Although they have super-powers, Dev-Em's parents decided to leave the super-deeds to their son. They settled down to a quiet life in the 30th century. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: In "Clark Kent, Class Cheat," you show Clark answering questions about atomic energy. Since when was atomic energy discovered in Superboy's time? -Richard Burrell, Henderson, N.C.

(While the atom had not been split in Superboy's time, a great deal of scientific research had been done in this area - research which let to the present Atomic Age. One of these was Einstein's famous formula, e=mc², which is what Clark's test question was about. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: I would like to know when you are going to have another person join the Legion. You haven't had a new member in quite a while. -Jeremy Klein, Wayland, Mass.

(How does the Lone Wolf in this issue strike you? Shall we make him a member of the Legion? And what name should he use, now that he's no longer a Lone Wolf? -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: Whenever I read an issue of ADVENTURE, I always try to guess the ending of the story. Usually, I do pretty well, but "The Great Proty Puzzle" really knocked me over. You made the answer so obvious, and normally, the fact that Jimmy Olsen and Pete Ross were in the story would have aroused my suspicions that it had something to do with their names, but I was too busy searching each panel for some tiny clue to give it much thought. Anyhow, no one in my family could guess the ending, either. One thing bothered me, though. Saturn Girl won that rodeo event by unfairly using her super-powers. The Legion frowns on that sort of thing - right? -Lynn Miller, Washington, D.C.

(Saturn Girl did use her power to carry out the mission given her by Proty. But she disqualified herself and let the prize go to the rider who came in second. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: I have spotted an error in the August ADVENTURE. Gazor speaks of his earthquake machine. But he could not refer to an earthquake machine on Krypton. Gazor should have referred to it as a "Kryptonquake". -Robert Cohn, St. Louis, Mo.

(Technically, you're right. But we used the common term in our language for the sake of simplicity. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: I believe I have found a mistake in the story, "The Eight Impossible Missions". There are only seven missions. The last (and eighth) letter of Superboy's name was formed by Proty spelling his name backwards. So the title should have been "The Seven Impossible Missions". Am I right? -Sandra Fleehart, Bellevue, Wash.

(No - you're wrong! The eighth mission was solving the puzzle. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: In ADVENTURE No. 321, you show Ultra Boy, Superboy and Mon-El flying. But in No. 323, you show Ultra Boy using a flying belt. I'm afraid I'm rather confused on this point. Could you please tell me whether or not Ultra Boy can fly under his own power? - Joe Shaw, Plentywood, Mont.

(Ultra Boy can fly. But, since he can only use one of his powers at a time, he had to use a belt while using his Flash-Vision. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: You should give Ralph A. Moss, Allen Pelcher and Buddy La Vigre pats on the back and shake their hands. Why? Because Ralph Moss was the first to suggest TALES OF THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES, Allen Pelcher brought up the idea of "Bits of Legionnaire Business" and Buddy La Vigre defined for us what they would be. How about making them honorary members of the Legion of Super-Heroes? -Ned Snively, Winter Haven, Fla.

(Good idea - if they could get to the 30th Century to take part in Legion activities, as required by the Legion Constitution. But since they can't, we'll make them honorary members of the Legion of Super-Fans. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: Happy Anniversary! The Legion stories started in ADVENTURE in the September, 1962, issue, just two years ago. I have every issue since they started and I think they're great! -Jenny Franklin, Long Island City, N.Y.

(Thanks! If it weren't for legions of others like you, the Legion wouldn't be here to celebrate an anniversary! -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: I want to be a good loser and congratulate you on "The Legion of Super-Outlaws!" Your choice was excellent! Duplicate Boy is double good; Beast Boy makes me feel like a bird; Evolvo Lad makes my brain tingle; Gas Girl makes me feel light as air; and Life Lass is as lively as they come! I have to admit I felt bad when I found out my suggestion wasn't used, but I'd like to congratulate the fans who thought up the Heroes of Lallor. -Michael E. Colby, Hewlett Bay Park, L.I., N.Y.

(And after such a warm reception to our story, we could never be cold to Colby! - Ed.)

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Dear Editor: You've stated that Supergirl and Superboy need secret identities to protect their families. But the Legionnaires can't have secret identities because they send much of their time in the clubhouse and sometimes go on month-long missions. Please explain how they protect their relatives, in a down-to-earth way. -Jere Link, Mobile, Ala.

(Some of the Legionnaires, such as Element Lad, are orphans. But the rest have equipped their parents' homes with warning devices similar to those used to guard the Legion Clubhouse. -Ed.)

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Dear Editor: "The Legion of Super-Outlaws" was terrific! I never thought I'd see the day when Shrinking Violet would fall in love. By the way, does she ever smile? She looks sad all the time. -Linda D. Griffin, Norfolk, Va.

(We have a feeling that Shrinking Violet will be smiling a lot more now that she's in love. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: In ADVENTURE No. 325, you show Mon-El wearing a flying belt. But I thought he could fly under his own power. Please explain this to me. - Edwin Manguiat, Oakland, Calif.

(How's this? - Mon-El took another Legionnaire's flying belt out to get it repaired, and decided to test it on the way back. That could explain why he wore it, even though he didn't need it. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: "In ADVENTURE No. 324, you show Star Boy being knocked out by Gas Girl. Since he has the power of making anything super-heavy, why didn't he make Gas Girl so heavy that she would sink to the ground? - Steve Spickler, Bellevue, Wash.

(Star Boy never dreamed she could turn herself into knockout gas. Otherwise, he'd probably have done as you suggest. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: Where are you hiding the Time Trapper? I've been waiting for a battle royal between him and the Legion for months now. He's the greatest antagonist they've ever faced, in my opinion. In the nearly twenty years I've been reading comics, by the way, the Legion is the most exciting creation you have yet produced. -David Briggs, New York, N.Y.

(The Legionnaires are determined to end the Time Trapper's career during the new year, so watch for a showdown in the very near future. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: In ADVENTURE No. 310, you have Mr. Mxyzptlk the Fifth. If the first one is in the 20th century and the fifth one in the 30th century, each Mxyzptlk would have to live over 200 years. Let's see you get out of this. -Bruce Fisher, South Point, Ohio.

(Don't you know that life spans are much longer for inhabitants of the Fifth Dimension? -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I really liked "The Revolt of the Girl Legionnaires." And I thought it was cute at the end when Element Lad said he wished the girls had been on the level with their romances. So do I! Why can't the Legionnaires have more romance? I know Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl are destined to marry, but when? With all those cute girls and handsome boys, surely a few romances would start. -Unsigned, Kimball, Nebr.

(Let's see - we've established in past stories that Brainiac 5 likes Supergirl, Night Girl has a crush on Cosmic Boy, Phantom Girl admires Ultra Boy, Star Boy goes for Dream Girl, Shrinking Violet loves Duplicate Boy, and Light Lass is crazy about Lone Wolf. If we give you a few more romances in the future, will you give us your name the next time you write? -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I would like to know why Polar Boy, of the Legion of Substitute Heroes, was rejected when he applied for membership in the Legion of Super-Heroes. After all, his cold-producing power is just the opposite of Sun Boy's power of creating heat. -Roy Cunningham, Pine Bluff, Ark.

(The Legionnaires were afraid he couldn't properly control his frigid powers, so they gave him the "cold shoulder." -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: In "Lex Luthor Meets the Legion," you show Ultra Boy flying down and using his penetra-vision. Since he can only use one power at a time, what gives? -Kevin Martin, Houston, Tex.

(As he landed, he instantly switched from flying power to ultra-vision. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: What does that cloud sort of thing on Light Lass' costume mean? -George Horner, San Antonio, Tex.

(It is a cloud and was supposed to indicate that she could make objects as light as a cloud. But apparently others have had the same trouble with it that you have, because she changed it for a feather emblem a couple of issues back. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I discovered a major mistake in the story, "Lex Luthor Meets the Legion." You had Luthor wearing a wig. Yet you have previously stated that he tried to wear a wig, but discovered he was allergic to any human hair other than his own and he couldn't find an effective synthetic-hair wig. So how could he appear in a wig in this story? -Danny Odess, North Palm Beach, Fla.

(With a great deal of discomfort. Didn't you notice how he took his wig off whenever he was alone? It just goes to show what Luthor will go through for revenge! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: To quote from the Legion Constitution: "The Legion's leader shall be chosen each year in a manner to be determined by a vote of three-fourths of the entire active membership." So what's this nonsense about a pet (smarter than 99% of the Legion) giving a test to determine the leader? I know you won't print this, because you can't worm out of it. -Kenneth L. Gartner, Elmont, L.I., N.Y.

(If you'll check the story in question - "The Eight Impossible Missions" - you'll find that the Legionnaires voted unanimously to let Proty's puzzle decide the new leader. And we don't feel he's smarter than the Legionnaires, either. A puzzle that's easy to devise can sometimes be mighty hard to solve. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: In the Hall of Fame Classic, "Superboy's Switch in Time," Pa Kent is angry at Clark and says he's going to give him a lesson - with a hairbrush! He knows Clark is invulnerable. So how could the hairbrush hurt him? -Eddie Scott, Stafford, Va.

(Of course Pa Kent couldn't hurt Superboy, but the action was an outlet for his anger. Moreover, how did you expect Pa Kent to discipline his super-son - with Kryptonite? -Ed.)

Dear Editor: I thought "The Lone Wolf Legionnaire" was great. I suggest the name "Titan," for super-strength, for Lone Wolf. But, please, what powers does he have besides super-strength? -Norm Melzer, Kalamazoo, Mich.

(Lone Wolf also has the power of super-agility, giving him the ability to perform amazing acrobatic feats. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: In ADVENTURE No. 304, you published a letter from Bob Marcus about a boy, Louis Hamburg, who had magnetic powers, and a girl, Jennie Morgan, who could discharge electricity. You asked for the source of this information. It is in the book, "Stranger Than Science," by Frank Edwards, Article 42, page 126, published by Ace Books, Inc. -Alan Batterman, Spring Valley, N.Y.

(Thanks for giving us such detailed information . . . even if it's two years since we asked for it!" -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: "The Lone Wolf Legionnaire" was one of your best stories. I enjoyed it very much. I think maybe you could name him something to do with the planet he came from, as you did with Saturn Girl. By the way, I don't think there is enough romance in the Legion. The Legionnaires always seem so serious. Since they are teenagers, they must go on some dates. -Nancy Scott, Stuart, Fla.

(Sure they go on dates - especially Triplicate Girl, who sometimes goes on three at a time! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: In the Hall of Fame Classic, "Clark Kent, Class Cheat," you show Clark observing with his X-ray vision the structure of an atom. The picture shows an atom with four electrons on the first orbit and four on the second. An atom only has two electrons on the first ring - not four! -Ted Green, Largo, Fla.

(There were only two electrons, but they revolved so swiftly around the nucleus - millions of times a second! - that they seemed to be in two places at once! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: "The Revolt of the Girl Legionnaires" was terrific! But I found one small mistake. On the cover you show Shrinking Violet holding a statue of Invisible Kid, while on page 3 she is holding the statue of Cosmic Boy. What gives? -Tom Ackley, San Rafael, Calif.

(As you said, we made a small mistake. However, it wasn't of cosmic proportions, so we won't shrink from shame, nor disappear in disgrace. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: This may come as a great shock to you, but Mon-El must be expelled from the Legion of Super-Heroes! Yes, he is too old! He is approximately 1,030 years old, whereas Legionnaires must be 18 or under. All right, so our buddy does look 18 . . . but he was born before Krypton exploded and therefore must technically be ousted from the Legion. I know he spent 1,000 years in the Phantom Zone, but I won't buy the answer that time stands still in the Zone. -David Shestokas, La Grange, Ill.

(As we established once before, the determining factor is the Legionnaires' physical age, not their chronological age. When Supergirl tried to join the Legion first, she was turned down because Red Kryptonite had turned her physically into an adult. However, Mon-El is expelled in this issue - though for another reason - so we hope you're satisfied! -Ed.)

Dear Editor: I enjoyed "The Lad Who Wrecked the Legion," and I was especially happy to learn a little about Cosmic Boy's parents. You showed us a picture of them and revealed that they were celebrating their golden anniversary. Will you tell us about the other Legionnaires' parents in future stories? - Bill Lewis, Indianapolis, Ind.

(Yes - from time to time we'll be giving you a look at the Super-Heroes' families. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: Mon-El seems to be the most powerful member of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Since he's been using the lead antidote invented by Brainiac 5, he seems to have no weaknesses at all. He even has super-powers under a red sun. Can't anything harm Mon-El? - Mel Adams, Chicago, Ill.

(Yes, indeed! Like all the other Legionnaires, Mon-El is vulnerable to magic. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: ADVENTURE is my favorite magazine, and I thought "The Lad Who Wrecked the Legion" was terrific. But doesn't Command Kid ever have a haircut? I personally think he's a space-age Beatle. - Billy Edminster, Waupaca, Wisc.

(You have something there. He certainly did "bug" the other Legionnaires! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I have been a faithful reader of your comics for some time. But one thing puzzles me. Why does Night Girl, who only has super-powers away from sunlight, have powers at night, since the moon's light is just reflected sunlight and the stars in the sky are actually distant suns? - Karen Beach, Anaheim, Calif.

(Night Girl came from the dark planet Kathoon, which has no sun. It was here that her scientist father found a way to give her super-strength. Even on Kathoon stars are visible, but they are too far away to affect Night Girl's strength. And only direct sunlight can rob her of her power, which she even has in deep shadow. Therefore the reflected sunlight from the moon cannot weaken her. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: It seems incredible to me that all the members of the Legion of Super-Heroes manage to survive so many dangers without a scratch. They're hardly ever hurt at all. Aren't the Legionnaires ever seriously injured? - Ed Drew, Seattle, Wash.

(Wait until you see how one of the Legionnaires loses his arm in the May ADVENTURE! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I have only one complaint about your otherwise superb Legion of Super-Heroes. That is the fact that there are so many more males than females in it. Of the 19 active members of the Legion, 13 are boys, while only 6 are girls. I do wish you'd put more girls in the Legion. -Sandra Williams, New York, N.Y.

(We'll consider your suggestion the next time we're ready to add a member to the Legion. Meantime, you can console yourself with the fact that the Legion's leader is a member of the fair sex - Saturn Girl. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: At the end of "The Lone Wolf Legionnaire," you indicated that Lone Wolf would join the Legion. But now the next issue is out - and no Lone Wolf! What happened to him? -Charles Davis, Kansas City, Mo.

(We wanted to get our readers' reactions to Lone Wolf before inducting him into the Legion. Since most of the letters we've received have been favorable, we plan to make him a member as soon as we can decide on a new name for him. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: I thoroughly enjoyed "The Bizarro Legion" - in fact, the whole February issue. There were several reasons: (1) I never tire of the zany Bizarro antics; (2) the ending was fine, requiring some quick-thinking Legionnaire teamwork; (3) the "Know Your Legionnaires" feature was great. However, in this text, you overlooked Lone wolf, as well as Command Kid, who was dropped from membership. Otherwise, the whole issue was great. A final note: with the exception of "Superboy's Best Friend," "The 100 New Feats of Superboy" surpassed all your other HALL OF FAME CLASSICS combined! -Dale Matthews, Hanover, N.H.

(Lone Wolf was not included in the text because he has not yet officially joined the Legion. And Command Kid was one of several youths who have been members only briefly. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: Have the Bizarros changed their addition table? In JIMMY OLSEN No. 80, a Bizarro says that 2+2 equals 5 1/2; but in the February ADVENTURE, Bizarro-Brainiac 5 gets 3 as the answer. -Darrel Van Buer, Clinton, Iowa.

(The Bizarros consider Earth people stupid because, no matter how many times they work a problem the answer is always the same. The Bizarros could figure out 2+2 a dozen times and get a dozen different answers - and the only answer they'd consider wrong would be 4! -Ed.)

Dear Editor: In "The 100 New Feats of Superboy," the Boy of Steel says, "And while I've often endured the sun's heat of 20 billion degrees, I've never visited this star, the hottest in the universe - over 10 billion degrees." I'm sure this is a 100% goof! -Bob Rozakis, Elmont, N.Y.

(Oops! It looks like the Bizarros got some of their whacky mathematics into this story, too! Seriously, the sun's heat should have been given as 20 million degrees. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: Since Bouncing Boy is no longer in the Legion, why do you have his picture in the "Legion Outpost" logo? Are you going to bring him back? -Robert Innes, Albany, Calif.

(We have definite plans for Bouncing Boy, so don't be surprised if one of these days he comes bouncing back into action. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: I enjoyed "The Bizarro Legion." However, one thing bugs me. I can't believe you could fit 20 Legionnaires, plus trophy rooms, library, etc., into that one small clubhouse. -Richard Bands, Jr., Los Angeles, Calif.

(We couldn't - if the clubhouse consisted of just what can se seen from outside. But beneath the land on which it is built are vast underground chambers. Thus the clubhouse is like an iceberg - only a small portion is visible on the surface. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: You have presented four Legions so far: The Legion of Super-Heroes, The Legion of Substitute Heroes, The Legion of Super-Pets, and The Super-Heroes of Lallor (formerly The Legion of Super-Outlaws.) Now how about another Legion, using suggestions from the "Bits of Legionnaire Business?" -David Cardin, Albany, N.Y.

(We'll be using more of these suggestions in future stories - but how we'll use them is something we'll save for a surprise. By the way, you forgot two Legions - The Legion of Super-Villains and The Legion of Stupor-Bizarros. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: I enjoyed the feature, "Know Your Legionnaires." Lately you've been presenting these little "extras" in your magazines, explaining or highlighting parts of the Superman legend. This is a brilliant idea and I hope you continue it. -Cary Bates, Dayton, Ohio.

(Rest assured that we'll be bringing you these "extras" whenever we have space available. You'll find some in the SUPERBOY 80 PAGE GIANT, now on sale, as well as in the next SUPERMAN GIANT. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: I would like to suggest a pet for Saturn Girl - one of the Telepathic Hounds of the bottle-city of Kandor. This mind-reading canine could then be inducted into the Legion of Super-Pets. -Eugene Twilleager, Seattle, Wash.

(Your idea sounds good. Outside Kandor, the Hound would have the same powers as Krypto - plus its telepathic ability. But we wonder how Streaky the Supercat would feel, being outnumbered two-to-one in the Super-Pets by Kryptonian Canines? Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I like the Bizarros very much, but there is one thing I don't understand. You often state that they do everything the opposite of the way we do it on Earth. So, in "The Bizarro Legion," when the Bizarro-Super-Heroes were taking their oath, they said, "...and us promise to use our super-powers for only nasty purposes..." Yet, later in the book, you show them doing bad deeds - which, by their twisted way of thinking, would be good deeds! Can you explain this? -Timothy Loan, Oregon, Ill.

(Sure! A Bizarro would be disgraced if, after swearing an oath, he didn't go right out and break his word! So, since they swore to do "bad" deeds, they did "good" ones instead. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: "Know Your Legionnaires" was a good, informative article. Couldn't Superboy drink some of the same liquid Mon-El does, and have powers under a red sun, too? -Ned Snively, Winter Haven, Fla.

(No. On the contrary, this serum could be fatal to Superboy, because one of the ingredients is powdered Kryptonite. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: On the last page of "The 100 New Feats of Superboy," you show the Boy of Steel looking at a picture of himself rescuing a Martian kitten, in the Encyclopedia of Strength. But where did the editor of the book get that photo? Don't tell me an astronomer could take a picture of it, or that Superboy had a camera and snapped it himself. -Denis O'Sullivan, Flushing, N.Y.

(Who says that was a photo? It might have been a drawing based on Superboy's description of the event. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: In "Bad Boy Clark Kent," you have Superboy melting the Arctic ice to reveal extinct dinosaurs - a stegosaurus, a tyrannosaurus and (of all things) a woolly mammoth! But the stegosaurus lived millions of years before the tyrannosaurus, while the mammoth, which is not a dinosaur, lived much later, during the Ice Age. -Tony Swanson, Donovan, Ill.

(The upright dinosaur wasn't called a tyrannosaurus in the story, and could have been the somewhat similar-looking allosaurus, which lived at the same time as the stegosaurus. However, including that woolly elephant was an error of mammoth proportions! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I get mixed up when I see Superboy and Supergirl together in the Legion. Supergirl came to Earth when Superboy had grown up to be Superman. Therefore, he shouldn't know about her, since this would reveal something about his future. Does he take a serum, or hypnotize himself, or something, when he returns to his own time? I'm all befuddled. -Jerry Weissman, Providence, R.I.

(You're close. Supergirl uses post-hypnotic suggestion to make the Boy of Steel forget about her when he returns to 20th-century Smallville. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: On the cover of ADVENTURE No. 329, the sign on the Bizarro clubhouse reads: "Bizarro Super-Hero Clubhouse." Shouldn't it be "Bizarro Weakling Finks' Pad," since Bizarro's think backwards? Also, the inside art was different on the Legion. I liked the old style better. -Roberta Lortez, Hatboro, Penna.

(Our regular Legion artist, John Forte, was forced to cut down on his work for a while, due to illness, and Supergirl illustrator Jim Mooney had to pinch-hit. We're sure John's fans are glad to see him back drawing the Super-Heroes. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I like your Superboy Hall of Fame Classics in ADVENTURE, which brings us great stories of yesteryear. Do any of your other comics carry a similar department? -Jim Safran, Van Nuys, Calif.

(Yes. WORLD'S FINEST regularly publishes a "Surprise Feature" - which brings back some of our most popular stories. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: Saturn Queen, Cosmic King and Lightning Lord are said to be among the greatest villains you ever created. Then why are they hardly ever heard of? I hope you feature these fantastic foes more often in the future. -Rich Walls, Des Moines, Iowa.

(Right! More stories about these super-baddies coming up! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I caught a mistake in "The Man Who Knew Superboy's Identity." Dad Kent had written on the wall of the cave, "Count the water drops falling here for one full hour, Superboy! Then return home as Clark Kent!" What if someone had wandered into the cave? This would have revealed Superboy's secret identity! -Dave Pawlishak, Ambridge, Pa.

(Right! Dad Kent, as "The Mask," ran a grave risk of unmasking Superboy's dual identity. But don't worry. Before leaving the cave, the Boy of Steel wiped out the writing with his heat vision. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I have been reading ADVENTURE COMICS for several months now, and I wish to express my congratulations on the fine job you are doing on the Legion stories. Knowing that the age limit is 18, my friends and I agree that it would be interesting to see what would happen when a member reached this age. Superboy, as a grown-up Superman, belongs to the Justice League of America, but what about the other Legion members? -V.P. Hennings, Boston, Mass.

(18 is the age limit for admission to the Legion. However, a Legionnaire is not expelled upon reaching that age. Supergirl is over 18, but still a member. Indeed, we have shown that when the Legionnaires grow up, they will belong to an adult Legion of Super-Heroes. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: Congratulations on "The Super-Moby Dick of Space." At long last, you had a genuine development in the Legion. I was stunned when I saw that Lightning Lad still had his metal arm at the end of the story, because I am so used to "let-down" endings, such as dreams and illusions. You're finally pleasing your readers! -John Selsky, Philadelphia, Pa.

(That's the whole idea, John - if we don't please the readers, they won't buy our magazines! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: Could you tell me what Chameleon Boy's antennae are for? A friend of mine says that they give him his Chameleon power, and that if he remains in a shape without them for several hours, he loses his powers. Is that correct? Also, how does Saturn Girl do it? Saturn's day is 10 hours, 14 minutes long and scientists have proved that a change in the length of the day is the one thing we can't adapt to. I'll bet she goes through the meetings yawning! -Fred Kau, Honolulu, Hawaii.

(We've never found out what Chameleon Boy's antennae are used for. We didn't like to ask him such a personal question. As for Saturn Girl, have scientists proved that Saturnians can't adapt to changes in the day? -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: The sequel to the story of Dynamo-Boy was superb. The issue wouldn't have been half as exciting without the appearance of the Legion of Super-Villains. They seemed like such nice people at the beginning of the story, but they were their old traitorous selves by the time they marooned Vorn in the far future. Let's see more of this trio in issues to come. -Peter Mancuso, Freeport, N.Y.

(You must have E.S.P.! See the September issue of JIMMY OLSEN for a story in which the evil Legionnaires team up with Luthor and Brainiac. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: Don't the Legionnaires ever have any fun? Don't they ever go to parties, dances, or just out? Do they always have to work? Can't you publish a story wherein it's a Super-Hero's birthday and they celebrate? I'm getting sick of all those missions they're forever going on. They always do everything right! Don't they ever do things wrong or get scared? I really do love ADVENTURE COMICS, though. -Nancy Kahn, Paterson, N.J.

(Okay, Nancy - we'll try to show more scenes of the Legionnaires' off-duty life. And if you want proof that the Super-Heroes don't always win, you should read this issue, wherein Starfinger clobbers the Legion. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: In "The Bizarro Legion," Superboy tries to squeeze a diamond into coal, but only crushes it to dust. But in the Hall of Fame Classic in that same issue, the Boy of Steel squeezes a diamond to microscopic size. Why didn't the diamond crumble to dust in the second story of become microscopic in the first? -Richard Duncan, Athena, Ore.

(It all depends on how he squeezes it whether it crumbles or is compressed. At least, that's the best answer we can squeeze out of our minds! And that's the way the diamond crumbles! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I have read your magazine for many years, and I feel that you could use another animal in the Legion of Super-Pets - for instance, Super-RABBIT! I think he would be just as terrific as the other Super-Pets. I have a rabbit who "reads" the terrific stories in your excellent comics with me. -Harold Leibowitz.

(If your pet rabbit enjoys our mags, we think he's super! Don't forget to reward him with a bunch of carrots! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: How about taking a popularity poll to see which Legionnaires are the best-liked? it would be very interesting to see which ones are the readers' favorites. I suggest you leave out Superboy and Supergirl, since they have their own strips. I'll cast my vote for Mon-El right now. -Steve Rosenbery, New York, N.Y.

(How about it, readers? Which of the Super-heroes are your favorites and why? We'll print the best answers in The Legion Outpost, if they are written on a postal card in less than fifty words. Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I liked "The Triumph of the Legion of Super-Villains." Boy, was Lightning Lord off when he said they would destroy the Ex-Legionnaires! I especially liked the fact that the story was in 4 parts, published in two successive issues. Boy the way, don't you think it would be a good idea to have a GIANT Legion issue? -Shawn Childerse, Morgantown, Ky.

(Most of our Legion stories are too recent to reprint in an 80 PAGE GIANT just yet. But we'll keep the suggestion in mind for the future. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: It looks like you and your staff don't like Lightning Lad very much. First you kill him off, after which he is brought back to life. Then you give him a robot arm. I, for one, think that this is unfair. Have you started an Anti-Lightning Lad Organization? -Ricky Crump, Riverton, Utah

(Honestly, we like Lightning Lad! In fact, we always get a charge out of him! But we hope you won't be shocked when you find out what we have in store for him in a future issue. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: "The Civil War of the Legion" was fine, except that you put all the good Legionnaires on one side and all the crumby ones on the other. -Don Solla, Freeport, Pa.

(If you go around calling some of the Legionnaires crumby, you might get the whole club mad at you! Those Super-Heroes do stick together! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I enjoyed "The Civil War of the Legion." There is something I would like you to clear up, though. On page 9 of part I, you show Brainiac 5 walking away with Saturn Girl's group, while, in the same panel, he is also walking away with the other group. How can he be going in two directions at the same time? Is this a mistake? -Bill Thom, Cleveland, Ohio.

(Yes, it is - unless Brainiac 5 suddenly developed a split personality. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: In ADVENTURE No. 333, you say that Clark (Superboy) Kent is the fastest boy on Earth. But in FLASH, Kid Flash is the fastest. Please tell me which one really holds the title. -Bill Vickers, La Grange, Ill.

(Since Superboy had grown up to be Superman before Kid Flash got his super-speed, there's no conflict in the two statements. But we'll never know which is the faster... unless the Legionnaires challenge the Teen Titans to a track meet. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I want to the join Legion. I'm Code Kid. No - really, I'm just normally smart; but I've broken your Superman code in ACTION COMICS. However, I won't tell anyone how I did it. -Marshall Carpenter, Chelmsford, Mass.

(Thanks! If all our readers learned how to break the code, they might stop joining the Supermen of America. Then they wouldn't get those beautiful Superman buttons and membership certificates. Don't you wish you had some, too, Marshall? -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: Colossal Boy is a scientific impossibility. According to the laws of physics, his strength-to-weight ratio would be twice as small when he is giant-sized as when he is normal-sized. Just supporting his own weight as a giant would give him as much trouble as carrying 180 lbs. on his back while in normal size. -Steve Maurer, Middle Village, N.Y.

(We don't doubt your facts. But some scientists used to say that a bumblebee was built in such a way that it couldn't possible fly. The bumblebee kept on flying, and we've a hunch Colossal Boy will keep on growing. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I have been an ADVENTURE and Legion fan for a year and have liked every issue, but "The Civil War of the Legion" and "The Super-Moby Dick of Space" were the best stories. In the June issue, after Star Boy made Element Lad super-heavy, did Light Lass restore him to normal weight again? -Keith Rise, Schenectady, N.Y.

(She could have; or Star Boy could have neutralized his weight-induction power. On the other hand, maybe Element Lad just ate a light lunch. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: On the cover of "The Civil War of the Legion," you show Lightning Lad with two human arms, though he should have a robot right arm. Also, you show his sister, Light Lass, with lightning bolts on her uniform, instead of her new feather insignia. -Douglas Fyfe, Palatine, Ill.

(Okay - we goofed twice on one cover! But, at least, we kept our boo-boos confined to one family, so we did okay, "relatively" speaking. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: ADVENTURE No. 329 was very good except for one small mistake. In the Hall of Fame Classic, Superboy is shown looking through his scrapbook to recall the super-deeds he's done in the past. Why would he need to do this, since he has a super-memory? However, I still enjoy your comics - all of them. -Alan Ashford, Oklahoma City, Okla.

(Imagine that! Superboy forgot to use his super-memory! -Ed.)

Dear Editor: I used to read the comics published by one of your competitors, but since I've discovered DC mags, I'm off all others for life! DC gives me more pages of greater action with more original characters - and terrific plots! I might add that the editor of the mags I used to read seems, judging by his letter pages, to be his own biggest fan. He's always patting himself on the back. -George L. Bixler, Two Harbors, Minn.

(Don't worry about that blowhard editor, George. There's an old saying that begins, "You can fool some of the people some of the time . . ." which will eventually catch up with him. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: The June ADVENTURE was the best yet! I didn't dream there would ever be a "Civil War of the Legion." By the way, I've been waiting a year to see the return of Dream Girl and a battle royal with the Time-Trapper. Also, Lone Wolf is still not in the Legion! What happened to him? -Linda Rosen, Flushing, N.Y.

(Dream Girl and Lone Wolf will be back, in time. Meanwhile, the Legion is faced with one of the Time-Trapper's most diabolical plots in the next issue. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: After reading about the Legion of Super-Heroes, I decided to apply for membership. I'm Quantum Lad (so called because of the theory that light is made of small particles called "quanta".) I come from Lucis, a world of concentrated light. I can emit a laser beam from my right index finger. I can change myself into light and hence fly at the speed of light and pass through transparent objects. And in my light form I can dazzle foes. -Quantum Lad (alias David Broomhead,) Horsforth, Leeds, Yorkshire, England.

(Okay, chum, but you'll have to get in line. There are a lot of applicants ahead of you. See the page in this issue entitled "Bits of Legionnaire Business." -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: In ADVENTURE No. 334, you show Phantom Girl passing through solid rock while carrying a cylinder of Inhibitor Gas. How can the cylinder pass through the rock? -Tim Everly, Coshocton, Ohio.

(The same way Phantom Girl's costume passes through solids. Whenever she becomes immaterial, an invisible aura of force around her body affects anything she wears or carries in the same way. Dig us? -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: Shame on you American editors! In "The Man Who Knew Superboy's Identity," you refer to "Wales, England." Sorry, but Wales is not in England. Together with England and Scotland, it is part of the British Isles. -Pat Gaskell, Bootle, Liverpool, Lancaster, England.

(For detecting such a WHALE of an error, we here-by dub thee Boo-Boo Boy, and hope you'll forgive our ignorance of the facts of British geography. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: Whenever a boy takes me out on a date, I always wonder whether he likes me, particularly if he's handsome. I'd like you to tell me how Saturn Girl acts when she is with a boy she admires. Does she use her telepathic power to secretly read his mind and find out how she rates with him? -Joyce Mathau, Nashua, N.H.

(No. If she did, she'd be a first-rate rat. Saturn Girl never exercises her telepathic talent to invade the privacy of law-abiding citizenry. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I took a survey of the number of times the Legionnaires were shown in issues 300-333 (excluding No. 305, which I don't have) and got the following results: Saturn Girl - 671; Superboy - 622; Sun Boy - 600; Cosmic Boy - 543; Lightning Lad - 417; Brainiac 5 - 317; Mon-El - 287; Bouncing Boy - 281; Chameleon Boy - 271; Ultra Boy - 244; Triplicate Girl - 226; Star Boy - 209; Light Lass - 202; Shrinking Violet - 185; Element Lad - 146; Phantom Girl - 114; Matter-Eater Lad - 105; Colossal Boy - 100; Invisible Kid - 93; Supergirl - 91. -Greg Sanchez, South Gate, Calif.

(And you we dub Census Kid. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: In every Legion story, some of the Legionnaires are off on a distant space mission, so that when a real emergency arises, all of the Super-Heroes aren't available to fight it. Why is this? -Murt Thompson, Jr., Warwick, R.I.

(Give artist John Forte a break, will you? If he had to draw all the Legionnaires in every issue. he'd be a candidate for the psychiatrist's couch. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: Do the Legionnaires get paid for their crime-fighting services? I think they should. After all, sheriffs, policemen, FBI agents, and all other upholders of the law receive compensation for their activities. Don't tell me the people of the 30th Century are a bunch of cheapies who don't want to compensate their brave super-heroes. -Edward Wachtel, Bound Brook, N.J.

(The Legionnaires waive all salaries - even huge financial rewards - because they are not professional law agents. They are all unpaid volunteers. And we resent your suggestion that they put a price on their heroism. We'll bet that when you were a Boy Scout you charged little old ladies for helping them across the street. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: In "the One-Man Baseball Team," you show Superboy hitting a baseball into orbit. How could this be? If he hit a baseball hard enough to make it go into orbit, the ball would be going so fast it would disintegrate from the friction. Try to get out of this! Ha, ha! - Roger Woods, Kingsport, Tenn.

(When Superboy connects with a pitch, even the air molecules get out of the way - wouldn't you? - Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: In ADVENTURE No. 335, I noticed that you've changed Light Lass' symbol to a feather. Didn't enough people know that the old symbol was a cloud, standing for lightness? -Hope Roberts, Seattle, Wash.

(You guessed it! Evidently you saw the light, but the minds of many other readers were clouded, so we had to feather our nests - or, in this case, Light Lass' costume. -Ed.)

------

A few issues ago we asked readers to send us their votes for their favorite Legionnaire. While it's too early yet to announce any final results, because postcards are still pouring in, here are a few early returns, as well as the readers' reasons for their choices:

I'm casting my vote in the popularity contest for Mon-El, because he is smart, brave, and willing to risk his life for another. Even without super-powers, he'd be terrific! -Marshall Carpenter, Chelmsford, Mass.

My vote goes to Superboy, because he's Super-powerful, Upright, Polite, Extraordinary, Remarkable, Brave, Outstanding, and Young. -Thomas Tuna, Freeport, N.Y.

I like Colossal Boy, because he is the Jolly Green Giant of the Legion. Being big myself, I am called the Jolly Green Giant, and when we play Legionnaires, I always portray Colossal Boy. -Dominick Corrado, Bronx, N.Y.

I cast my vote for Cosmic Boy. He is magnetic and dynamic and attracts me. His power may not be the most fascinating in the Legion, but how he always gets out of trouble fascinates me. -Michael Colby, Newlett Bay Park, N.Y.

I pick the entire Legion, because if it weren't for teamwork they wouldn't be any good. And that includes Jimmy Olsen and Pete Ross. -Jim Austin, Ceres, Calif.

I'm for Invisible Kid. The reason? He's modest and doesn't try to act like a big-shot in the Legion. Let's see more of him in the future (and I really mean see). -Kirk Hall, Tarzana, Calif.

My favorite member of the Legion is Lightning Lad. You may think that I like Lightning Lad because I feel sorry for him for what he's been through, and I do. But don't forget that he is also a great Legionnaire. -Steve Games, Portland, Ore.

I like Brainiac 5 because he has a computer brain. I'd sure like to be him so I could figure out problems in seconds. Besides, Supergirl admires him and I like Supergirl. If I had Brainiac 5's brain, I'd be in the seventh grade by now! -[name withheld by request], Beloit, Wisc.

My favorite Legionnaire is Element Lad. He has the most original super-power and the most colorful costume as well. Also, his origin was the most fascinating one to date. So let's have more of him. -Ben Wright, Waltham, Mass.

(Continued on the last page)

LEGION OUTPOST -Continued...

We think that Chameleon Boy should win the honors because he can camouflage himself into any shape. He is also proof that someone can be as ingenious and resourceful as Superboy, even though he doesn't have super-speed, super-strength, etc. -Billy, Howard, and Bobby Davenport, San Antonio, Texas

My vote is for Mon-El, because he is invulnerable now to both Kryptonite and lead. I have a friend, and his vote is for Matter-Eater Lad because he can't starve. He can eat things like homework or even eat his way out of jail. -Helmut Welke, Chicago, Ill.

I think that to find a favorite Legionnaire you should divide the members into males and females. Therefore, my vote for the best male Legionnaire would be Mon-El, and my favorite super-heroine is Saturn Girl. -Mary Helen Fisher, Mundelein, Ill.

Brainiac 5 is my favorite Legionnaire because he does not have any fantastic powers such as invulnerability or super-strength, but possesses a twelfth-level brain which gives him the power of super-intelligence. -Randy Hargraves, Bellville, Ill.

In reference to your Legion polling, I would like to cast a vote for Cosmic Boy. I think he has done more for the Legion than any other member. I suggest you take Mon-El out of the race, because he has as many powers as Superboy. -Jonathan Rogawski, Los Angeles, Calif.

I vote for Lightning Lad. In my opinion he has been the bravest of the Legionnaires. What other super-hero has died in action to save another, or has lost an arm in battle? -Lawrence Reich, Brooklyn, N.Y.

My favorite Legionnaire is Mon-El, because he is the strongest of them all and yet isn't muscle-bound. The others probably even have muscles in their brains! Mon-El doesn't bother having a fancy costume like the rest, yet he's the handsomest anyway. He is always ready to go on missions and is never quarreling with his fellow Legionnaires. -John Irwin, Fort Wayne, Ind.

I'm casting my vote for Mon-El. He has an interesting background, just the right powers and limitations, and is modest as well. I hope Mon-El wins. -Thomas Mosteller, Lewes, Delaware

My favorite Legionnaire is Lightning Lad. It seems he's always "where the action is." I like his power, too. -Jeff Carroll, Glenview, Ill.

I like Night Girl best. I know she isn't a member - but she should be! -Alex Marcos, Ocala, Fla.

I choose Light Lass for the popularity poll because: 1. I like the way she mastered her new power. 2. She alone was the only member of the Legion who had faith in the innocence of the Lone Wolf. 3. She's darned cute! -Robin Hoffman, Hackettstown, N.J.

I would like to cast my vote for Matter-Eater Lad because of a peculiar reason . . . I feel sorry for him. True, his power is not as spectacular as some of the others', but his wit and intelligence draw my vote. -Tom Baysinger, Emporia, Kansas.

I like Mon-El the best of all, because his super-powers are the most helpful to the Legion. Unlike Superboy or Ultra Boy, he has powers under any sun and is invulnerable to anything except magic. -Richard Rufa, Newton, Mass.

(Send your vote for your favorite Legionnaire to THE LEGION OUTPOST, NATIONAL PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS, 575 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022. You have a greater chance of having your nomination published if you write it on a POSTAL CARD.)

In our August issue, a reader suggested we take a poll to determine the most popular of the Legionnaires - excluding Superboy and Supergirl, who have their own features. Here are some more votes we've received on the subject so far. We'll announce the top choices in an early issue, after we tabulate all the ballots. -Ed.

* * *

Robert Kane, Marion, Iowa - "I like Matter-Eater Lad better than any other Legionnaire. I know he has a relatively minor super-power, which he can't use in a fight (unless he's going to chew the guy's arm off), so he has to rely on a weapon. I'd like to see him featured more prominently in your stories." . . . Ron Ridolfo - "My vote is for Phantom Girl. She has one of the best powers in the Legion. She is pretty and witty - a kind of example to Saturn Girl, who is bossy and arrogant. She keeps a clear head and acts upon thought." . . . Celeste Martin, San Jose, Calif. - "My favorite Legionnaire is Cosmic Boy. He has a very 'attractive' power of magnetism. I also am 'attracted' to him because he is so cute."

Eric Hanigsberg, Great Neck, N.Y. - "My favorite Legionnaire is Brainiac 5, for the simple reason that he doesn't have any unbelievable powers." . . . Vicki Sand, Fergus Falls, Minn. - "I cast my ballot for Saturn Girl. She's beautiful, intelligent, and a good leader." . . . John Barrett, Allston, Mass. - "Sun Boy is the swingingest! He is the handsomest and best-dressed of all the Legionnaires. His costume is great." . . . Steve Kristiansen, Mountlake Terrace, Wash. - "Element Lad is my favorite Legionnaire because he's handsome and seems to be more modest than some of the others."

Ed Martin, San Jose, Calif. - "The Legionnaire I like best is Chameleon Boy, because of his unique power to transform to a copy of any object." . . . Karl Kellar, Houston, Tex. - "My favorite is Ultra Boy, because he is powerful, but not overpowering, like Superboy and Mon-El." . . . Robert Thomas, North Kingstown, N.J. - "I vote for Lightning Lad. He seems to be willing to sacrifice anything for the Legion. He is also very brave in Legion missions."

Susan Bartnick, Grand Rapids, Mich. - I like Triplicate Girl best, because she is so pretty and smart. She also has a beautiful figure. Her power makes her 3 times as sweet!" . . . Rose Ann Wasserman, Milwaukee, Wis. - "I pick Mon-El, because when he was in the Phantom Zone, he solved crimes that the people in the outer world could not. Also, he saved Superman's life in "The Last Days of Superman." And last but not least, I think he's pretty cute."

* * *

Dear Editor: The cover of "The Unknown Legionnaire" didn't tie in too well with the story. But otherwise, both story and art-work were (as Mary Poppins says) "super-cali-fragil-istic-expi-ali-docious!" -Beth Jackson, Ridgecrest, N.C.

(Your opinion of the cover would have been hard medicine to take, but - again quoting Miss Poppins - "A Spoonful of Sugar Helps the Medicine Go Down" - and your last remark provided the sugar! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: In "The Civil War of the Legion," you show Star Boy sinking Atlantis into the sea. Yet in a Lois Lane story, Roh-Tul's secret weapon destroyed Atlantis. How could you make such a drastic mistake? -Linda Biggers, Beaumont, Tex.

(What mistake? Star Boy only sank one city of the vast continent of Atlantis. The rest of the continent sank eons later. -Ed.)

THE GREAT BOO-BOO CONTEST

Our older readers may recall having read this issue's Hall of Fame Classic, "The Night of March 31st." But how many of you, reading it for the first time, guessed what it was all about? The story began on the "Night of March 31st," of course - but all the action took place the next day - April 1st, or April Fool's Day! In fact, this was the story on which our "Great Boo-Boo Contest" was based a few years ago. We received over 30,000 letters pointing out the goofs in the story. Here are a few of the hundreds they spotted:

On page 1, Superman is wearing a boot on one foot and a shoe and sock on the other. As Clark Kent, he wears his glasses to bed - and has telepathic powers. On page 2, panel 1, the phone cord is missing; in panel 3, Superman wears no cape; he is wantonly destructive, needlessly bursting through a wall and a window; Perry White is a Bizarro. On page 3, Lori the Mermaid has legs instead of a fish tail; in panel 1, Superman has one white shirt sleeve; there's a pay phone on Clark's desk; in panel 4, Jimmy wears formal clothes to work; in panel 5, Krypto has a short tail.

On page 4, Clark's glasses are missing - except for one panel, in which he wears a pince-nez and Bermuda shorts; Lois' hair changes from short to long and back again; she's going to lunch when the clock says 8:22; Krypto feels pain; and Clark switches to Superman in front of witnesses.

On page 5, Superman wears Clark's glasses; Lois has a pony tail and gloves in one panel; and in another, Mr. Mxyzptlk wears Clark's glasses, while Superman wears the Infernal Imp's hat. On page 5, Lana's costume changes in every panel; she tries to kill Superman, while his enemies come to his rescue; the Leaning Tower of Pisa is in Metropolis; a "deluxe penthouse" is a log cabin; and the last panel shows Lana standing in mid-air. On the final page, Ma Kent is selling Superman comic books in Metropolis; and Superman's enemies learn his identity from reading these mags.

Now look the story over carefully and see how many more of our deliberate boners you can spot. - Ed.

Dear Editor: I am sick and tired of seeing Superboy on the cover of every issue of every issue of ADVENTURE COMICS. Also, he has to be the big hero in the story. It would be a miracle if the Boy of Steel weren't on the cover just once! I am sure your other fans are getting sick of this, too! -David Ouellette, Essex, Ont., Canada.

(How about it, readers? Let's put it to a vote. Do you want to see Superboy continue on all ADVENTURE comics or not? Just send in your vote on a postal card, to the Legion Outpost, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022, and we'll test the Boy of Steel's popularity. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I was thrilled with "The Legion Dropouts." I was all set to frame the cover and put the story in my private "Hall of Fame." I turned every page with increasing interest! That is, until page 6 of part 2, when Brainiac 5 said, "It'll be a fake wedding, natch!" Why? Why? Why? The Legionnaires' affection seemed real enough. Other super-heroes have married successfully - Hawkman and Aquaman, for instance. The latter even has a son! This issue was a disappointment, so how about a sequel wherein the marriages are real? -Kevin Byrnes, Florham Park, N.J.

(Eventually, it's bound to happen. In some of our Superman and Supergirl stories, we've already introduced the grown-up Lightning Man and Saturn Woman as man and wife - Mr. and Mrs. Garth Ranzz! But our crystal ball is foggy as to when it will occur. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I liked your striking cover for "The Legion Dropouts." But I didn't expect Jimmy Olsen and Lucy Lane to be on it! -Ronald Denhaan, Lynn, Mass.

(Why not? After all, Jimmy is an honorary member of the Legion and he was allowed to take Lucy along as his guest. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: "The Legion Dropouts" was excellent, but I found a mistake. When the preacher (really a robot) performed the ceremony, he called the grooms and brides by their Legion titles - Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Ultra Boy and Phantom Girl - instead of their real names - Garth Ranzz, Imra Ardeen, Jo Nah and Tinya Wazzo. -Alan Rosen, North Hollywood, Calif.

(He sure did - and that should have tipped off sharp-eyed readers that it was a fake wedding. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I think it's a marvelous idea to have some of the Legionnaires marry, but I hope the constitution will be amended to permit them to stay in the Legion, as long as they don't mix romance with duty. I'd like to see what kind of baby two Legionnaires would produce. Would it inherit the powers of one parent or both parents? -Rachel Sorokin, W. Hartford, Conn.

(Who knows? If Light Lass married Colossal Boy, they might have a child who'd grow up to be 50 feet tall and weigh next to nothing! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I used to adore Cosmic Boy, and I suppose I still do, but he makes me so mad! It's the way he treats Night Girl that gets me all worked up. While she simply goes ga-ga over him, he treats he like dirt! Why don't you have him pay more attention to the poor girl? -Andrea Williams, Benton Harbor, Mich.

(Cosmic Boy doesn't yet realize Night Girl's attracted to his magnetic personality. But wait till you see when he encounters a new character - Cupid Kid. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I have some suggestions I feel would improve ADVENTURE. (1) If there are any new members, they should be girls, because the Legion now has more than twice as many heroes as heroines. (2) I suggest a Farm Legion, similar to the Legion of Substitute Heroes - or a big-league baseball team's farm clubs. When there's a vacancy in the Legion, the new member could be tried out and chosen from this Farm Legion if he proved himself in action with this group. -Glen Baron, Westminster, Calif.

(And, of course, no one would remain with this Farm Legion if he was chicken or easily cowed! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: Recently, one of your fans wrote in to tell you how many times each Legionnaire had been featured. The one I'm particularly interested in is Supergirl. There is a slight difference between 671 (the number of times Saturn Girl was shown) and 91 (Supergirl's appearances.) Not that I have anything against Saturn Girl, but it gets monotonous seeing her on practically every page. -Jeanne Sakata, Watsonville, Calif.

(In a future issue, we plan to feature Supergirl in a Legion story. And it will be illustrated by guest-artist Jim Mooney, who draws the Supergirl stories in ACTION! -Ed.)

* * *

Here are some more letters in the voting for favorite Legionnaire. We hope to have the tallies completed and give you the winner in the next issue.

Michael Hemingway, Tampa, Fla. - "I cast my vote for Colossal Boy. Who else could wade across an ocean or stop a city from plunging into the sea?" . . . D. Johnson - "I like Mon-El best because he is very handsome, brave and daring." . . . Jeff Haler, Brooklyn, N.Y. - "Ultra Boy, because he seems to be the mightiest Legionnaire. They don't call him Ultra Boy for nothing." . . . Curtis Coonrod, Lafayette, Ind. - "With me, Lightning Lad is the most popular. He's been in the Legion as long as anyone. Also, he's had more things happen to him than any other Legionnaire." . . . Paul Hendricks, Tampa, Fla. - "I vote for Matter-Eater Lad, because he has a very unusual power - he can never die of hunger."

Dear Editor: I think "The Legionnaire Who Killed" was great! The artwork on the cover was S-U-P-E-R ! But I do have two little complaints about your mag. I like Superboy, Saturn Girl, and Brainiac 5, but please don't show them on every page! Second, Invisible Kid and Matter-Eater Lad are rarely featured. Let's see more of them. Anyway, I still go for ADVENTURE! -Bill Retherford, Jacksonville, Fla.

(And you should go for this month's story, with Invisible Kid and Matter-Eater Lad getting a big play. By the way, you won't see Saturn Girl or Brainiac 5 in the next two issues. You and many other readers convinced us we were giving them over-exposure. Satisfied? -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I could have died when I read in THE LEGION OUTPOST that Lightning Lad had lost the Legionnaire poll by ONE VOTE! I looked in my drawer and there was a post card I'd forgotten to mail, naming Lightning Lad as my favorite. If I had mailed it, there would at least have been a tie, and if one other Lightning Lad fan had voted, he'd have one! -Andrew Zysman, Hillside, N.Y.

(Many elections have been decided by just one vote. Remember this when you reach voting age and election day rolls around. That ballot you cast can by as powerful in its own way as Lightning Lad's bolts! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: To me, one of the best parts of your mag is the letter department. I particularly liked the way you exposed the writer who claimed to be an English bobby. I'll bet most editors would have fallen for his story. But you pegged him as a phony and exposed him in print! Bully for you!" -Joe Cortesi, Ft. Meade, Md.

(Maybe that will make other potential hoaxters think twice before they try pulling the wool over our x-ray eyes. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: You've finally gone and done it! Your latest story, "The Legionnaire Who Killed," simply has no basis. In your January, 1964 letter column, you stated: "It is against the code to destroy life ruthlessly, or in a wanton manner. It is not against the code to destroy life in self-defense." Admit it, you blew it! -Alan Anderson, St. Petersburg, Fla.

(True, we forgot about that provision in the code. But Brainiac 5 proved that Star Boy could have used his power to beat the killer without doing him in. So the expulsion still stands. However, pressure from readers keeps mounting - as witness the next protest. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: What have you done to Star Boy? When I read "The Legionnaire Who Killed," I was sure he would be acquitted, or that the story was a hoax. But when I found it was real, I felt so MAD I wanted to give up all DC mags on the spot in favor of another line. The two people who astonished me most were that cold-hearted Saturn Girl and Jimmy Olsen! But there is a way to get Star Boy back into the Legion. Call it a mistrial! All of the Legionnaires were supposed to vote, but Pete Ross didn't. I'm sure he would vote for acquittal. I demand a RECOUNT! -Jimmy McNew, Bristol, Va.

(Who are you, an amateur Perry Mason? How can you be so sure Pete would vote "Not Guilty"? And even if he did, it would only make the vote even. Who'd decide the case then? But we appreciate your loyal support for Star Boy and, before you switch over to Brand I in protest, stick with us for a few more issues. Big, big surprises are in the works! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: "The Evil Hand of the Luck Lords" was one of your better stories. I was glad to see Saturn Girl's new and more attractive hairdo. I particularly liked the superstition motif - a very good plot device if you don't overdo it. -Rich Walls, Des Moines, Iowa.

(Give the credit to author Edmond Hamilton. He's now leaving for Egypt with his wife, on a Hollywood movie assignment. If we know Ed, he'll find some weirdo story ideas in Pharaoh-land, which will give even Alfie Hitchcock the shivers. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: The Legion of Super-Pets could use a few new members, so I would like to suggest the following candidates: Krypto-Mouse; Ace, the Bathound; and Whizzy, the future Supercat, who appeared in "Supergirl's Greatest Challenge." -Anita Susi, Wayne, N.J.

(How about Swifty, the super-greyhound? Lots of readers want him in the LSP, too. But maybe he'd rather join the Space Canine Patrol Agents (SCPA), an outfit of daring deputies you'll find Krypto working with in the next SUPERBOY. -Ed.)

Send all comments on a postal card to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. If you wish a personal reply, please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Dear Editor: When, in heaven's name, are the Legionnaires going to have some genuine weddings? When I saw the issue in which you advertised the marriage of two couples, I was overwhelmed - but unfortunately, it turned out to be a hoax. I think the rule prohibiting Legionnaires from marrying should be changed. I'm sure they could do their work just as well if they were married. How about some real weddings - soon? -Sharleen Sopowitz, Brooklyn, N.Y.

(Hold your horses! There's plenty of time! After all, the Super-Heroes aren't out of their teens yet! Tell you what, though - suppose we give you an "Imaginary Story" which shows their lives as adults. Then you'd get a preview peek at the marriages to come. Would you settle for that? -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I would like to know what happened to Mon-El after he won your popularity poll. Did you project him into the Phantom Zone, along with Dev-Em, Lone Wolf and Bouncing Boy, who also seem to be among the missing? -Ken Harlan, Arvada, Colo.

(No! He's already spent 1,000 years in the Zone, and that's more than enough for him! He'll be back very soon, in a top starring role. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I have a great idea for a comic hero to add to the Legion. His name is Cow Boy. His bull-dogging, roping, and other abilities are developed to an amazing degree. He and Superhorse would make a top-notch team. -Brad Nelson, Pittsburgh, Pa.

(And how about Bell Boy, with his ringing voice; Bat Boy, who flies, and sleeps hanging upside-down from the ceiling; Bus Boy, who can carry dozens of passengers; and Paper Boy, who's flat and can slide under doors? -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: Brainiac 5 disgusted me when he said Color Kid was "not great enough for the Legion." What's Brainy's super-power? A computer mind! Bah! As far as I'm concerned, that green-skinned blowhard is good for nothing outside of celebrating St. Patrick's Day. -Mike Polaski, Erie, Pa.

(Listen, buster, when you can solve complicated problems that would baffle all the Nobel Prize science winners in seconds, and work out super-strategy to foil the most brilliant of crooks, then you can talk about Brainiac 5's mental powers with authority. Why don't you admit you're as green as he is - with envy of his super-brain! We bet you're so anti-green you boycott all of the Jolly Green Giant products. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: The other day, I picked up four new DC mags at the newsstand, but found I only had enough money for three. Regretfully, I put one back; but when I got some, I found that two of the three I had bought were identical - ADVENTURE, featuring "The Evil Hand of the Luck Lords." Then I got so interested in the story that I forgot to study for a test in school - with disastrous results. It looks like the Luck Lords' evil hand jinxed me, as well as the Legion! Maybe I should've carried a rabbit's foot for good luck! -Warren L. Raymond, Glen Burnie, Md.

(Yeah? How much luck did it bring the poor rabbit? -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: As a reader of the Superman Family, I'd like to make some suggestions. ADVENTURE is the best of the group, but it could still be greatly improved. How about reducing the membership to five or six? Also, send Superboy back to the twentieth century. He hogs the action and should be eliminated. Your other heroes have great possibilities, so why not give them a chance to show what they can do? -Wayne DeWald, Hialeah, Fla.

(Sorry, but our readers have spoken on the Superboy question - with a resounding vote for the Boy of Steel. As for shrinking the number of Legionnaires, we don't dare. Too many beefs and protests from the fans. Look what happened in the cases of Bouncing Boy and Star Boy. We're still getting threats to boil us in oil unless we bring 'em back. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I really enjoy your letter column, but the Legion Outpost picture is out of date. Colossal Boy is shown wearing a red suit instead of a green one and Light Lass has the insignia she used when she was Lightning Lass. -David Ouellette, Essex, Ont., Can. 

(Right you are! We'll get on this immediately and update the pic by the next issue. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: In the March issue, Pete Ross says, "Superboy divided the bog like Moses divided the Red Sea." Moses did not divide the Red Sea's waters. God did it. The Bible states (Exodus 14:21): "And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided." So you see, Moses should not be given the credit. -Lynn Utley, Cottondale, Ala.

(Thank you for your correction. We're glad that you read the Good Book as well as our comic book. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: What I'd like to know is, why don't any of the Legionnaires use their real names, since only two of them -Superboy and Supergirl - have secret identities? Even Brainiac 5 and Mon-El don't use their true monikers - Querl Dox and Lar Gand. Is there some kind of Legion rule that says you have to take a phony label? -Hank Jeffreys, Jackson, Miss.

(Isn't it a lot easier to remember the Legionnaires when we tag them Phantom Girl and Matter-Eater Lad, rather than Tinya Wazzo and Tenzil Kem? The two exceptions you mentioned got their names in special ways. Brainiac 5 got his from an ancestor who was adopted by the evil Brainiac of our time and learned his scientific secrets. And Mon-El was dubbed so by Superboy when he had amnesia and couldn't recall his real name. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: In the March issue, in the Hall of Fame Classic, you show Superboy with his cape stretched on top of a tree to shield the members of the Drama Club from falling metal. Yet he has his cape on at the same time. What gives? -Billy Clance, Macon, Ga.

(It sure looks like our artist stretched things a bit - and we don't mean just the cape. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: What's with all these hero groups in comics nowadays? There's the Legion of Super-Heroes, the Justice League, the Doom Patrol, the Metal Men, the Teen Titans, the Blackhawks, the Sea Devils, the Challengers, Tomahawk's Rangers, and now the Inferior Five. Someday, I have the feeling, they'll all get into one big story in BRAVE AND BOLD, and no one will ever be able to sort them out again. -Ken Greeley, Montpelier, Vt.

(Listen, if we can sort your card from the thousands we receive every week, sorting out a few heroes should be a lead-pipe cinch. And didn't you forget a few other groups - the Legion of Substitute Heroes, the Legion of Super-Pets and the Space Canine Patrol Agents? -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: You probably don't get many letters from parents of your readers. However, I was a Superman fan as a boy, and I recently dipped into my son's collection of Superman mags to see if the Man of Steel had changed much. He sure had! I'm sending this letter to ADVENTURE because it's the one Superman Family mag which doesn't have a single thing that I remember from the original Superman stories. In the early '40's there were no tales of his career as Superboy, and the Legion of Super-Heroes was undreamed of. In fact, so much of what now makes up the Superman legend has come along since I was a fan that I hardly know where to begin. Supergirl, Kryptonite, Lana Lang, the Super-Pets. . . I'd never heard of any of them. But the stories are as good as ever - better in most cases! -Ben Harlow, Battle Creek, Mich.

(Are there any more parents out there who'd like to voice their thoughts concerning the "Superman Family?" Readers, get your mom or dad to write us about their memories of our old stories - what qualities, heroes, villains, artists, etc., they liked best, and we'll print them on a special page. We'll also reward each parent with a "surprise gift" if we publish his comments. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I notice that most of the girl Legionnaires have boy friends they particularly like. For instance, Phantom Girl goes for Ultra Boy and Shrinking Violet likes Duplicate Boy, of the planet Lallor. But what about Duo Damsel? Does she flip over one particular boy, or is she just a two-timer? -Eddie Jones, Jefferson City, Mo.

(You'll discover who Duo Damsel is sweet on in our very next issue. and even though she can split into two bodies, you can be sure she isn't two-faced! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: One thing about the Legionnaires has particularly aroused my interest. That's their costumes. Unlike many hero groups, which consist of members dressed exactly alike, the Legion has a different, distinctive costume for each member. But my big question is, where do they get them? The outfits are all so appropriate! They must have one whale of a fashion-designer! -Terri Balfour, Yuma, Ariz.

(They sure have! and you've sparked us with a terrific idea for a future story which centers about the way the Legionnaires acquire their costumes. Thanks for your excellent suggestion. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: One point about the Legion stories just doesn't seem reasonable to me. I never see a super-hero who isn't in his teens. Sure, I know the Legion only takes teen-age members. But now and then they must run into adult super-heroes. Yet I can't remember ever seeing one in the Legion tales, despite the vast numbers of teen heroes - in and out of the LSH - who always seem to abound. -Adam Becker, Providence, R.I.

(Chalk up another great idea for a Legionnaire story - a story featuring the adult heroes of the future. More brainstorms like yours and Terri Balfour's and our writers - and editors - will be unemployed. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I was reading recently that some investigators believe everybody has a certain amount of telepathic ability. If this is so, then Saturn Girl isn't so unique, after all. In fact, her telepathy isn't really a super-power, and she shouldn't be in the Legion. -Art Connor, Wheeling, W. Va.

(Is that so, wise guy? Everyone has a certain amount of physical strength, too. But let's see you lift a skyscraper, like Superboy, or smash a solid steel beam with one blow, like Karate Kid. Just as they have super-strength, Saturn Girl has super-telepathy. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: Some time back, you mentioned that the Legion has an Espionage Squad. Yet you've never shown this group in action. Can you at least tell me who's in the Squad besides its leader, Chameleon Boy? -John Draper, Seattle, Wash.

(The others are Invisible Kid, Shrinking Violet, Saturn Girl and Phantom Girl. We'll try to whip up a story about the group soon. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I know there are legends of heroes with all sorts of super-powers, but I'm sure many of the Super-Heroes' abilities are completely original. But I bet my teacher that there was a legendary character who had X-ray vision. Do I win? -Brian Thorpe, Armarillo, Tex.

(You can collect! Although the ancient Greeks knew nothing of X-rays, they did tell of a hero named Lynceus, who could locate buried treasure because he could see through solid earth. Tell your teacher to brush up on her mythology. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I know the Legionnaires come from many different worlds. My question is, how many of them hail from Earth? And don't mention Superboy and Supergirl, because they're both Kryptonians. -Lew Helper, Sacramento, Calif.

(There are five Earthlings in the Legion: Colossal Boy, Invisible Kid, Ferro Lad, Karate Kid and Sun Boy. Former Legionnaire Bouncing Boy was born on Earth, too. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: When I read "The Super-Stalag of Space," I could hardly wait to get a look at the next issue. It was terrific! I was surprised to see you killing off four characters in one story. You did away with Plant Lad, a boy from Chameleon Boy's home planet, Weight Wizard and Blockade Boy, who was my personal favorite. I admired his courage in sacrificing himself to save Matter-Eater Lad. Except for Blockade Boy's death, this story is the best I've ever seen in ADVENTURE. I hope you can whip up another one this great. -Michael Greene, Campbell, Calif.

(We'll give it the old college try - Metropolis U., Class of 2967, that is! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I enjoy ADVENTURE COMICS very much. I especially like the many good and often tragic changes you have in the Legion. Some readers have complained because Star Boy was expelled. To them you should answer, "Life is no bed of roses," and leave Star Boy where he is. I also wish you'd show more of the Legion of Substitute Heroes, to which Star Boy now belongs. -Susan Wallace, New York, N.Y.

(Will do! After the knocks we've been getting for giving Star Boy the heave-ho, your letter made us feel ten feet tall. Thanks. And Star Boy rooters - don't despair. A surprise is in the offing! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: Holy fanmail! ADVENTURE No. 344 was stupendous! I'm shaking in my boots for Matter-Eater Lad and Blockade Boy. The art was superior to all other art. Would you believe - to most art? -Martin Walsh, Holden, Mass.

(Sure, we'll believe it - as long as you exclude Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Rembrandt. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: In the June issue, on page 11, Cosmic Boy says, "Wow! The insects around here are murder! I wish I had a flyswatter!" Isn't it against the Legion Code to destroy life ruthlessly or in a wanton manner? -John Deckert, Westland, Mich.

(Yes. Will you settle for fly-paper next time? -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: As I was reading issue 344, I noticed that in the story, "The Millionaire Pupil," you had a pterodactyl, a brontosaurus and a parasaurolophus standing with a uintathere, a diceratherium, a megatherium and a saber-toothed tiger. This is impossible! The dinosaurs should have died out millions of years earlier. -Brian Alleman, Waukegan, Ill.

(Right - they were scheduled to die much earlier! But those stupid dinosaurs were too dumb to know it! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I love DC comics - but to get to the point, I'm wild about Superboy! And I don't like these characters who knock him. Every hero in the Legion is considered equal. In ADVENTURE, Superboy acts just like another teen-age hero. He doesn't hog the stories, either. If the finks don't like him, they don't have to read his comics. Those cats just have to get with it. Why shouldn't he be on the cover? Most people, when they buy ADVENTURE for the first time, do so because they recognize the Boy of Steel. How are they supposed to know who those other costumed youths are? -Herb Grant, Columbus, Ohio.

(Hear, hear! Next time Superboy runs for leadership of the Legion, we'll recommend he take you on as his campaign manager. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: The worst point about ADVENTURE is the way you treat Element Lad. Used effectively, he could be the most powerful member of the Legion - even more powerful than Superboy, Mon-El and Ultra Boy. For example, in "The Legion's Suicide Squad," he could have changed the rays used against the Legion to harmless elements. In "Lex Luthor Meets the Legion," he could have changed Luthor's Phantom Zone gun into something else. In "The Revolt of the Girl Legionnaires," when Light Lass stranded him atop a mountain, he could have got down by changing the ground beneath him into something slippery. And I could keep on going. -Les Rosen, Whittier, Calif.

(We wish you'd have kept on going. Your vivid imagination embarrasses us. Send in more escape gimmicks for El Lad, and we'll pass 'em along to our writers. They could use some of your grey matter. Me, too! -Ed.)

_____

Send all comments, preferably on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022.

Dear Editor:

I want to congratulate Sheldon Moldoff on a job well done - the July ADVENTURE. Even though he is a new artist, he has a lot of merit in his work. Most readers would probably prefer Curtis Swan as the regular Legion artist - and I agree. But give Shelly some experience on a few more issues. I think he is better now than John Forte ever was - and Forte wasn't a bad artist either.

-Dave Truesdale, Morton Ill.

(Shelly is no newcomer. He's been one of DC's top inkers for quite some time. Moreover, back in the '40's, he depicted such DC heroes as Hawkman and Sargon the Sorcerer.-Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I wish you didn't make all the (sigh!) boy Legionnaires so gosh-dark [sic] cute. Every month I fall in love with another one! First it was that dreamboat, Lightning Lad; then gorgeous, dark Cosmic Boy; then that blond doll, Element Lad! Now it's Ultra Boy. Could you please send me a do-it-yourself time-travel kit, so I can meet all the Legion's absolutely dreamy male members?

-Unsigned, Hempstead, N.Y.

(How can we send you anything when you didn't give us your name and address? Or are you known as Anonymous Admirer?-Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Why must Supergirl constantly return to her own time after each visit to the Legion? Since she can travel to any time she pleases, she could spend years in the future and return to a time only a moment after she left. If some device could be made which would temporarily arrest her bodily growth, she could remain with the Legion indefinitely, then come back to 1966, and no one would notice her absence, since she wouldn't have aged.

-Tom Tattershall, Kansas City, Mo.

(There's one big flaw in your plan, Tom - the Maid of Steel would get awfully homesick. Actually, there's another problem, too - but we're saving that for a future issue.-Ed.)

Dear Editor:

You know, I actually enjoyed "One of Us Is a Traitor." It was, to be brutally frank, the first Legion story that didn't send me into gales of laughter or tears of disgust at the patent absurdity of the plot, the characterizations, or the artwork, in a long, LONG time. I didn't like Sheldon Moldoff's artwork for the first two pages, but then it grew on me. I really went for the story, because for once the Legionnaires acted like human beings instead of stuffed shirts. Who wrote the story, anyway?

-Irene Vartanoff, Bethseda, Md.

("One of Us Is a Traitor" was the first of four Legion stories written by our latest discovery, 14-year-old James Shooter, who, like the young hero he introduces in this issue, is a science fair winner in his Pennsylvania hometown.-Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Congratulations to Jeff Greenberg for creating Color Kid! Anyone who is clever enough to dream up a Substitute Hero rates as a top fan. Color me green with envy, for I've tried to hit you with my new character.

-Dan Solla, Freeport, Pa.

(And color us pink with pride for your good sportsmanship. Keep watching future issues for other super-characters suggested by our readers.-Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Whether you're a teen-ager in the Stone Age or the Space Age, there's one element you must be familiar with: a four-letter word spelled L-O-V-E! Why can't we have more of this in the Legion? Sure, it's been established that Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad will marry - they deserve each other, because they're both conceited jerks - but how about the others? Doesn't Cosmic Boy realize that Night Girl has fallen for him? I'm almost positive that Phantom Girl and Ultra Boy will marry, and I'm glad - they are my favorite Legionnaires. Will Shrinking Violet and Duplicate Boy ever meet again? How about Mon-El getting a crush on a girl? I want more ROMANCE!

-Elizabeth Kane, East Meadow, N.Y.

(We promise more amour in the very next issue, even some smooching. And we don't care if DC's romance editors do accuse us of stealing their thunder!-Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I notice that everybody in the Legion wears boots except Light Lass. Why is she the only one who wears high heels? Isn't it hard for her to work in them?

-Janice Lyou, Buena Park, Calif.

(You forget she does most of her travelling by flight-ring, rather than on foot.-Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In ADVENTURE No. 344 and 345, the Legionnaires were held captive in the Stalag of Space. But some of them could have easily escaped. For instance, Saturn Girl could have mentally commanded Nardo to release them; Chameleon Boy could have turned into a fly and flown away; Element Lad could have changed the android guards into gas; or Matter-Eater Lad could have eaten them.

-Paige Gaines, San Fransisco, Calif.

(Good thinking, Paige! If you ever get to the 30th century, you should apply for a job training the Super-Heroes in the correct use of their powers. You can show them this letter for references.-Ed.)

Dear Editor:

If you kill off any more Legion members, make sure they stay dead. Man seems a little too omniscient when he can revive the fallen. Concentrate instead on realistic characterization and reactions to situations. In "The Legionnaire Who Killed," you could have shed some light on the characters of Star Boy's compatriots without using the sledge-hammer method you utilized. Brainiac 5 might think: "He has offended against the letter of the constitution and must pay the penalty. Still, I'm the only one who can prove he might have saved himself without killing. If only I were not the prosecutor!" Finally, remember your Euripides. In "Iphigeneia in Taurus," Athene says: "Orestes, when you stood for trial in Athens, and the votes were even, I cast my vote for mercy, and you live. Let this be law for ever: when the votes are even, you shall spare and not condemn." Since Jimmy Olsen, who voted for condemnation, was not a full-fledged Legionnaire, the vote should have been even, and Star Boy should still be a Legionnaire. Perhaps he could become a link between the real Legion and the Legion of Substitute Heroes.

-A.C. Bethune, Ottawa, Ont., Canada

(It's true that a link between the two Legion's hasn't been established. But do you think Star Boy would like to become the "missing link"?-Ed.)

Send all comments, preferably on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST. National Periodical Publications. 575 Lexington Avenue. New York. N.Y. 10022

Dear Editor:

In case you haven't noticed (though I'm sure you have) your next issue will mark four years that the Legion has been featured in ADVENTURE. As one of your fans, I would like to wish you many more. I was happy to see the introduction of Princess Projectra, who has a really good power, and Karate Kid. I wasn't sure whether K Kid would make a good hero at first, but after his work in capturing Garlak of Khund, I'm one of his staunchest fans. I just hope this habit of adding more heroes doesn't dilute the feature. The more Legionnaires in each issue, the less you can give insights into their personalities. Incidentally, when are you going to induct Lone Wolf?

- Leonard Rosenberg.

(What a guy! First you tell us you don't want us to add any more heroes - then you ask us to add Lone Wolf. Make up your mind! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Since Saturn Girl comes from the planet Saturn, why does she need a flight-ring? The gravity of Saturn is much greater than Earth's, so she should be able to fly under her own power here.

- Jerry Harrington, Plainfield, Iowa.

(The answer is simple. Actually, Saturn Girl was born on Saturn's largest satellite, Titan, which has a gravity comparable to Earth's. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

There is only one thing I dislike about the Legionnaires. When they interview new applicants, they always act as though they're too superior to accept good super-heroes with excellent powers. Okay - so these applicants are rejected. But if Brainiac 5 had any brains, he'd establish a Universal Anti-Crime Legion which rejectees could join if they wanted to. This would take a load off the regular Legionnaires by giving them some needed help when they're swamped with super-jobs.

- Stephen Michalowich, Wilmington, Del.

(Where've you been, Steve? Do you mean to tell us you never heard of the Legion of Substitute Heroes, which was established way back in ADVENTURE No. 306? It's a standby reserve group, made up of Legion rejects. To show you what we mean, we'll feature some of the Subs in the next issue. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

How about getting Karate Kid to send me some tips on judo and karate? I can sure use them on a couple of pals of mine.

- Harrison Owens, Jr., Jersey City, N.J.

(If this is what you want to do to your pals, what do you have in mind for your enemies? Sorry - sending you this info could set the cause of friendship back a million years! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Since the original Brainiac is a computer, he obviously does not age. And his body parts shouldn't wear out, because his intelligence warns him to replace them whenever necessary. Therefore, shouldn't he still exist in the 30th century, to present a menace to the Legion?

- Tom Tattershall, Kansas City, Mo.

(Your reasoning's fine, as far as it goes, Tom. But the story in which his "descendant", Brainiac 5, joined the Legion also revealed his Brainiac is destined to perish in our own time - reduced to nothingness by his own shrink-ray. We'll probably reprint this story as a future Hall of Fame classic. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

ADVENTURE No. 347 made a big hit with me, mainly for three reasons: (1) The Legion story was a full-lengther. (2) You had a solid two-page lettercol. (3) The tale built up in suspense and suspicion as it went along and then ended with a surprise conclusion as the identity of the traitor was revealed. Please continue this policy, and you'll have a very satisfied reader. The Legion is a great fighting team just as it is, so please don't make any drastic changes in it.

- Alan Trahern, Covington, La.

(How can we face you, Alan, after Superboy and Supergirl have been kicked out of the Legion? We don't even have the nerve to hint at the changes coming up in the NEXT issue! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I think Phantom Girl is a doll. She's my favorite Legionnaire. But couldn't she please have a new hairdo? My friends and I feel the style she is currently wearing does not flatter her very much.

- M. Luisi, Philadelphia, Pa.

(P.G.'s hairdresser is furious. He insists the coiffure he designed for her is the height of fashion in 2966. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Why does Mon-El use that name? The other Legionnaires use names that have to do with their powers, like Invisible Kid and Matter-Eater Lad. But Mon-El's powers have no relation to the syllables "mon" or "el". I know Superboy gave Mon-El his name, but I think he should use one that pertains to his powers, like Power Lad or Marvel Monarch.

- Loren H. Hill, Jamestown, N.C.

(But Mon's name has a meaning, too. He was suffering from amnesia when Superboy first met him, so the Boy Blockbuster, who mistook him for a relative from his own world, called him "Mon-El," after Monday, the day he reached Earth, and Superboy's family name on the planet Krypton, where he was called Kal-El. Ever since, the two lads have been like brothers - so why shouldn't Mon use this moniker? -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

After glancing over a few issues of Brand I mags, I've come to the conclusion that, like us fans, they go "ape" over DC. At least, they sure "ape" your heroes. Just take a look at the Legionnaires whose powers they've copied - including Saturn Girl, Lightning Lad, Cosmic Boy, Invisible Kid, Colossal Boy, and even Jimmy (Elastic Lad) Olsen.

- B. V. Davenport, Toledo, Ohio.

(We don't monkey around when it comes to dreaming up new heroes - so naturally other publishers ape us! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

After reading your comics for so many years, I am able to identify any artist on your staff. That is why I instantly recognized George Papp's marvelous work when I turned to the first page of ADVENTURE No. 348. Though my favorite artist is still Curt Swan, George rates in the top five. Besides, he has already had practice illustrating stories in which the Legionnaires appeared. I wonder how many readers know he was the first to draw Sun Boy? And how about that Dr. Regulus? He's one of the best villains I've seen in a long while. He has a wild costume, lots of originality, and a score to settle with Sun boy. His next battle with the Legion should be a druzel. If you read your own mags, you should know that a druzel is future slang for a blockbuster.

-Gary Skinner, Columbus, Ohio.

(We have a druzel to hand you! George Papp was the second to draw Sun Boy! He was first introduced in a Supergirl story drawn by Jim Mooney. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Let the truth be known! Saturn Girl is a BLEACHED BLONDE! Check in issue No. 267. Her hair is brown!

-Elizabeth Kane, Hempstead, N. Y.

(Wrong! Saturn Girl's a natural blonde - but in No. 267, she had her hair dyed brown. And she was once a redhead when she impersonated Lana Lang. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

We would like to inform you that we have started a junior Legion of Super-Heroes. We don't have super-powers, but we do things within our own ability. Impersonating the Legionnaires makes doing good deeds more colorful, and besides, it's fun trying to make costumes out of whatever old clothes we can find.

-Mike Greenhorn (Lightning Lad), Steve Greenhorn (Superboy), Scott Curtiss (Mon-El), Bruce Johnson (Cosmic Boy), and Reed Johnson (Chameleon Boy).

(Glad to hear about your club, boys. You're proving it doesn't take super-powers to do super-good. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Supergirl is supposed to be a Legionnaire, but you only feature here in one out of a million stories. She should be in nearly all of them, just like the rest of the Legion. I get pretty sick of her always being away on another mission or something.

-Betty Borbely, Spencer, W. Va

(Simmer down, Betty! The Girl of Steel is around this issue, and we promise not to neglect her in the future. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Why don't you guys let the Legionnaires eat? In all the mags I've read, for nearly a year, I haven't seen any of them touch food. Are they on a hunger strike?

-Marvin Kent

(Aren't you forgetting Matter-Eater Lad? In past issues, we've shown him feasting on rocks, guns, robots' fingers, and other such delicacies. The other Legionnaires eat when they're off duty. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In ADVENTURE No. 348, it seems you've used someone else's idea. Did you get permission from Agatha Christie to borrow the title of her novel, And Then There Were None, and then do a parody of the rhyme that does with it?

-A Faithful A. Christie Reader, Champaign, Ill.

(We didn't have to. The "Ten Little Indians" rhyme is very old and in the public domain. Miss Christie had "appropriated" it from someone else. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

The September ADVENTURE was fabulous! Artist George Papp has finally proved that he can handle a real hit-'em-in-the-mouth story. Dr. Regulus was good and worthy of more than one issue. Let's have more villains like him.

-Mark Evanier, Los Angeles, Calif.

(If it's villains you want, get our next ish. It features FIVE (count 'em) new villains, plus a threat to our whole blamed galaxy! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Movies have their Oscars, TV has its Emmys. I think our band of heroes deserves its own awards. Here are my choices of the best in ADVENTURE since the Legion debuted as a regular feature: Best suspense story - No. 325 - "Lex Luthor Meets the Legion"; best cover - No. 342 - "The Legionnaire Who Killed"; most disappointing cover - No. 327 - "The Menace of Superboy's Father"; best continued story - Nos. 325 & 326 - "Starfinger"; best milestone in Legion history - Nos. 346 & 347 - three new Legionnaires, and No. 342 - Star Boy's expulsion; most disappointing story - No. 313 - "The Condemned Legionnaires"; best villain - Nos. 340 & 341 - Computo; worst villain - No. 313 - Satan Girl; best predicament - No. 301 - "Lex Luthor and Clark Kent, Cellmates", and Nos. 344 & 345 - "Super-Stalag of Space", best Hall of Fame Classic - No. 343 - "Pete Ross' Super-Secret"; most helpful Legionnaire - Mon-El; least helpful - Brainiac 5.

-Joseph Pastori, Hicksville, N.Y.

(Thanks, pal! We'll call your awards "Joeys" . . . and your "booby prizes" we'll call "Brand 1's! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

While reading a DC comic, I thought our heroes would make a great baseball team. Here's the line-up: First Base - Flash who can easily run and catch any wild throw; Second Base - Plastic Man, who can reach for those high ones; Third Base - Martian Manhunter, who's powerful enough to stop any ball; Shortstop - Green Lantern, who can use his ring for catches; Right Field - Bouncing Boy, who can spring up to stop a potential home-run ball; Left Field - Hawkman, who can really catch flies - because he flies; Center Field - Metamorpho, who has all the elements of a great player; Pitcher - Doctor Fate, who can guide the ball with his magical powers; Catcher - Superman, who's had so much practice catching crooks; Cheerleaders - Wonder Woman, Supergirl and Lois Lane; and the Batboy - Jimmy Olsen!

-Paul Oliver, Fresno, Calif.

(We published your letter in this mag because we're bringing your Right Fielder back into action. But don't you think Robin would make a better BATboy? -Ed.)

Send all comments, preferably on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST. National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave, New York, N.Y. 10022.

Dear Editor: Popping planets! Every now and then, you folks at DC put out a real winner. I'm speaking, of course, of "The Rogue Legionnaire." I rate most stories on the interest I take in rereading them, and I can't put this one down! Congratulations are in order for James Shooter for giving us such a great science-fiction epic. Curt Swan's art was, as usual, magnifico. His portrayals of other eras showed he can draw the past with as much ease as the future. Universo was suitably dastardly, his plan to rid himself of the Legionnaires well conceived. His costume and that of his son were refreshing changes from the usual tights and breeches affairs so popular with the Legionnaires. (You could say I wish you'd burn those britches behind you.) The absence of Superboy proved that he needn't play nursemaid to the other Legionnaires. Time travel is an oft-used device, but I never tire of it. I'd like to see other Legionnaires in different time periods - perhaps Lightning Lad in Norseland, where he could be mistaken for Thor, or Sun Boy as Apollo in ancient Greece. The ending of the tale was rather tragic, and I hope to see a sequel soon. Finally, when are you going to tell us the origin of the Legion - how Rokk Krinn (Cosmic Boy), Garth Ranzz (Lightning Lad) and Imra Ardeen (Saturn Girl) met; how they decided to form the Legion; how other members joined them; the origins of their costumes and titles - everything? It would be the biggest hit of the year! -Leonard Rosenberg, Bronx, N.Y.

(We'll be getting around to it, Len. Meanwhile, you'll find a brief resume of the Legion's start in "The Origin of Cosmic Boy," which appears at the end of this column. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: What's happened to poor Princess Projectra? She doesn't have a boy friend. You'd better play Cupid for her before she starts having hallucinations. As for other romances I'd like to see developed, here are the other Legion gals and their beaux: Saturn Girl-Lightning Lad; Phantom Girl-Ultra Boy; Duo Damsel-Superboy; Shrinking Violet-Duplicate Boy; Supergirl-Brainiac 5; Light Lass-Lone Wolf; Dream Girl-Star Boy; Night Girl-Cosmic Boy. -Thomas Walsh, Arverne, N.Y.

(When a girl's as attractive as Princess P, you can bet plenty of guys and super-guys take notice - as we'll show in future issues! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: On one of our recent trips to the 20th century, we noticed that a magazine was being published about the exploits of the Legion of Super-Heroes. This came as quite a shock to us, since we didn't even dream the people of 1966 knew of our existence in the 30th century. Investigating further, we discovered that every story you've ever printed about us is an accurate account of an adventure the Legion has had! After discussing the matter with all our comrades, we have decided to make the entire DC staff privileged Honorary Members, provided you keep up the good work. However, there is one thing we must know before we consider you "in" - how in the world do you obtain such detailed information about us? - The Legion of Super-Heroes (Connie Wagner, Harrison, N.J.)

(Why, from Superman, Supergirl and Jimmy Olsen, of course. Where else? -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: On page 14 of your July issue, you introduce a "strange, evil face," which is obviously that of an Oriental person. It would appear that you are trying to instill prejudices in impressionable young people. One can hardly help noticing that most of your "Heroes" are White Anglo-Saxon-looking, and those that are not are difficult to associate with any human race on Earth. -Ronald Hietala, Morris, Minn.

(We never intended to make this villain look Oriental; in fact, we changed his appearance in the next issue. You might say that the Oriental look was purely "Occidental." As we'll reveal in a future issue, one of our newest Legionnaires, Karate Kid, learned his stuff from an Oriental. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: "Universo - The Rogue Legionnaire" was a good, solid, soundly written story. What's more, it was, I hope, indicative of better things to come. (A fervent "Thank goodness!" for that!) The individual scenes with each Legionnaire battling a separate menace in five different times were the making of the story. The Legion has always seemed to big, too impersonal, for good characterization; but these scenes proved that with proper handling, even Saturn Girl can seem human! Even a rotating membership could not provide the human interest inherent in three pages of Brainiac 5 on his own. So, obviously, this kind of story must be used again. Perhaps a story that doesn't start off with everybody together could help to give solo action a boost. Or - something more drastic - how about a small solo story in the back of the book? I'm sure many Legion fans would just love seeing their favorites fighting menaces as "star of the show." -Irene Vartanoff, Bethesda, Md.

(We'll give it some thought - though, frankly, we personally feel there's more potential in integrating the solo action in the stories, as we did in "The Rogue Legionnaire" - and as we're doing in this issue. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: Why was Superboy in ADVENTURE No. 349? He played no part save making me guess incorrectly about who saved the other members. I know you want to sell a lot of comics, but why have Superboy dominate the Legion stories and covers (especially the latter)? Why not just let him have his own feature in the mag, so you can star him proportionately with the other members? Also, why wasn't Invisible Kid in the story? After all, he's the leader of the Legion. -David Lewin, Lomita, Calif.

(Well try to keep our Valiant Vanisher in the limelight in most stories - though he's absent this go-round. As for Superboy, the mail we've received says the vast majority of readers want him on every cover, and they also want full-length Legion tales. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: In the last eight months, you've made wise choices as to the changes in the format of ADVENTURE COMICS. First, you've given the job of drawing the Legion to Curt Swan. Although his backgrounds are, at times, empty-looking, he is superior to any other artist who has done the series. Your writing has improved greatly in recent months. Formerly, the stories had almost no emotional or personal reactions. The Legionnaires were like efficient machines - no personalities or traits to make them human; only their powers and appearance to make them different from each other. But this has changed. The Legionnaires were sad when they dismissed Star Boy, but they stuck to their duty and did it. Sun Boy watched Duo Damsel walk off with Superboy and didn't throw any childish fits of jealousy, though it was clear he liked her. These touches make them seem like people, rather than over-efficient hero types. Best of all, you've abolished the Hall of Fame Classics to allow for a fuller Legion story. As I finish this letter, I'd like you to know that I have never seen any comic improve so much, so quickly, as ADVENTURE. -James Haggenmiller, Jersey City, N.J.

(Thanks for spotting the results of our efforts - and appreciating them. But as Al Jolson used to say, "You ain't seen nothin' yet!" -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: All the Legion members are basically the same. They all have two legs, two arms, and everything else that a person from Earth would have. I think you should get a few Legionnaires who are different from the others. -Eric Sarya, Hayward, Cal.

(You're in for some surprises, Eric. We know something you don't know. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I have been reading ADVENTURE for some time and never felt the urge to write. No. 347 supplied that motivation. "The Traitor's Triumph" was a masterpiece. I have the first half of the story, and was naturally very excited when No. 347 hit the stands. Before I was halfway through, I knew I was going to write. So this is the result. The cover really attracted my attention. In the last issue, Karate Kid was the one to whom suspicion was directed, and this clinched it (although it was falsified a bit). Your originality in the "Kid" business was unmatchable. Superboy's foiling of the spy-traitor was a real brainstorm. The singling out of the Legionnaires in their fight against the invasion was unique, even for DC. The artwork was superb. The various Legionnaires' expressions were shown expertly. Now, on to the letter column. I found several people writing in to point out mistakes. It seems to me they buy comics purely to look for mistakes and decide how best to heckle to editor with them. I approve of your candid retorts to these writers. But I can't understand why you give these flaw-finders so much of your valuable space. -Alan Eilers, Terre Haute, Ind.

(Maybe it's because we're gluttons for punishment. Besides, with loyal readers like yourself coming to our defense, perhaps it's true what they say - that "every knock is a boost!" -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: The Legionnaires are great guys except for one thing. Whenever a new hero tries out and is rejected, the Super-Heroes say such things as, "Get out!" or "We don't want you here!" Instead, why couldn't they say nice things like, "We're sorry, but your power isn't exactly what we need right now?" They're never nice to any member who's not accepted. -Benjamin Weiser, Wynnewood, Pa.

(Your criticism is well taken. We'll have the Legionnaires brush up on their Emily Post and exhibit more courtesy and better manners in the future. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: What ever happened to the Lone Wolf Legionnaire? Once, in The Legion Outpost, you said you would bring him back, but you never did. -Bobby Pet, Baltimore, Md.

(We're working on an idea to return him, Bobby, but it's not quite finished yet. When it is, you'll see a blockbuster of a comeback that will make comics history! -Ed.)

Dear Editor: Super-magnificent - that's what "The Outcast Super-Heroes" was. The plot was terrific; the art was wow!; the writing was tremendous. Every panel had me gasping. This was one of Curt Swan's best art achievements. The way the heroes were drawn made me appreciate them more. The villains were amazing and the battles between the monsters and the Legionnaires were stupendous. I loved seeing the convocation of the Legionnaires because it was so perfectly drawn. I can't wait to see the conclusion of the story. Your cover was too much! If you keep this up, you can easily beat Brands A to Z. -Tom Shields, Danville, Ill.

(Why not? We have more heroes in the Legion than most companies have in all their comics. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: This is the first time that I've ever written to any mag. But I read yours all the time and I think they are TREMENDOUS! I have one question. In a recent Direct Currents column, it says that Superboy and Supergirl get kicked out of the Legion. How can Supergirl be in the Legion when she didn't come to Earth until Superboy grew up to be Superman? -Jay Burdick, Bradford, R.I.

(You might as well ask how either one of the super-cousins can belong to a club which exists a thousand years after their time. The answer to both questions is the same: time travel. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: I think it's a bit strange that all the Legionnaires in your magazines can live on Earth without any discomfort. Surely you don't expect us to believe that the Legionnaires all come from planets with the same atmosphere and temperature as Earth. Surely Saturn Girl wouldn't be able to live on Earth without special equipment, and I'm sure she is not the only one. So please clear up this point. -Norm Nichols, Arispe, Iowa.

(There are a good many Earthlike planets in the universe, and 30th-century science is able to help persons adapt to conditions on other worlds. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: An open letter to Elizabeth Kane and other readers like her:

Dear Readers: If you want ROMANCE, why don't you stick to the Romance Comics? Personally, I appreciate it when a comic is what it claims to be; and after all, this is ADVENTURE Comics. Please remember that. I stopped buying one brand of comics because their stories, whether science fiction, ghost stories, mysteries, or whatever, were nothing but glorified love stories, and I got sick of it. I wouldn't want to give up ADVENTURE or any other DC comic I enjoy, because up to now they have been the best on the market. But if they start saturating the non-romance mags with mush to please you lovesick puppies, it may call for drastic action . . . and I know a lot of people who feel the same way. -Dave Olsen, Santa Barbara, Calif.

(Never fear - when we call a mag ADVENTURE, we mean ADVENTURE! But what's wrong with including a little romance, too? We want to keep your kind and Liz's kind coming back for more! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: ADVENTURE No. 351 was simply marvelous. Lightning Lad got his arm back, Bouncing Boy got his power back, Star Boy and Dream Girl got back into the Legion, and Color Kid even got Superboy and Supergirl back in. Well, everything is just fine except for one little difficulty. Where is Lone Wolf??? In ADVENTURE No. 331, you stated in the letter column that you would bring back Lone Wolf as soon as you could get another name for him. Well, you've certainly had time to think one up, so bring him back! -David Luhn, Fayetteville, Ark.

(Will do - very soon. Meanwhile, for L.W.'s new name, and a look at him as an adult, see the story in the next issue of ADVENTURE. It's a look at the Legion as they'll be when they grow up! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: ADVENTURE No. 350 was the best issue ever! I can't wait to see if Supergirl and Superboy remain ousted from the Legion. The best part of the whole issue was when Shrinking Violet "operated" on Superboy by traveling through his bloodstream to his brain. That reminded me of one of my favorite movies - FANTASTIC VOYAGE. Did your writer see that picture and get the "operating scene" from it? -Jack Jodell, Minneapolis, Minn.

(He couldn't have, because the story was written before the movie was released. Writer E. Nelson Bridwell does confess to having read Isaac Asimov's novelization of the story, however. But the basic idea was used years ago in a Supergirl story. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: While leafing through my collection of ADVENTURE COMICS, I am amazed at how much the Legion has changed. Take issue 267, for example. This was some time before the regular Legion series started with No. 300. On the cover, Saturn Girl is emitting lightning bolts from her eyes; her hair is blonde and long. In the story, the Legionnaires fly with rocket belts, and Saturn Girl's hair is brown and short in a flip. Cosmic Boy's costume is pink and purple; Saturn Girl's is a sort of purplish cranberry. Cosmic Boy's hair lacks the cute wave it has now. The only one of the trio then featured who has not changed greatly is Lightning Lad, although he looks two or three years older now. All in all, the Legion had changed for the better, and if you ever drop this series, as you did the Bizarros, I will come down and picket your office. -Liz Kane, East Meadow, N.Y.

(Thanks for your high opinion of the Legion - and for not suggesting that the differences between the Super-Heroes then and now is due to careless editing on our part. -Ed.)

(Continued on next page)

Dear Editor: I have just finished ADVENTURE No. 349 and I had to sit down and write you. "The Rogue Legionnaire" was the greatest Legion story I ever read. There are simply not words in the English language to describe it! I especially liked the surprise ending, where we found that the Science Fair winner was Universo's son. Usually your Legion stories don't surprise me, because I know to expect anything, but this simply left me stunned, so that I had to read it again to make sure I had read it correctly the first time. There was one thing that puzzled me. How did Universo know that Shrinking Violet would be sent to Egypt and not Saturn Girl, Brainiac 5, or one of the others? He told the falconer of her shrinking power. Nevertheless, the story was great, and as a future writer myself, my hat is off to any 14-year-old who could write a tale like that! -Violet Smith, Santa Ana, Calif.

(Jim Shooter just celebrated his 15th birthday, but he thanks you just the same. As for Universo, he gave descriptions of all five Legionnaires to all five of his henchman in the past. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: Miss Terious and Sir Prize were a Mysterious Surprise! Yessir, we sure had a hard time coming to the conclusion that those mystery Legionnaires were actually Supergirl and Superboy in disguise! (And, being the cautious soul I am, I'm wondering if you're pulling a double-switch and fooling us all. Maybe Miss Terious is Night Girl and Sir Prize is Star Boy.) Though I'm not a proponent of the "one issue, one complete story" theory, I must say that the twelve pages of saying goodbye to Superboy and Supergirl seemed somewhat forced, just so the story would not end in this issue. Yes, I know these pages gave some "human interest" to the whole story, but I can't see the need for the super-cousins to forget the Legion! -Irene Vartanoff, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Ill.

(By now you've seen the cover of the follow-up issue and know why we wanted the forgetfulness bit. When we put complications in our stories, we don't mess around! What could be worse than a Legion trying to get help from a Superboy who doesn't remember them? And, incidentally, congrats on correctly unmasking Sir Prize as Star Boy. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: With today's magazines putting stress on sensationalism and misleading titles, I have been wondering what sort of scandals a magazine of the far future would dream up about the Legion. Here are some of the stories that one might find in a mag called THE LEGION LOWDOWN: Lightning Lad and Matter-Eater Lad: "The Shock They Couldn't Stomach!" . . . Superboy: "Lana Lang Is Only Half a Woman Compared to Duo Damsel!" . . . Invisible Kid: "The Leader Nobody Notices!" . . . Light Lass: "Don't Ask Me About - MY BROTHER'S SWEETHEART!" . . . "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" by Sun Boy. -Elizabeth Kane, East Meadow, N.Y.

(And how about these: "The Problems of Being Short" by Shrinking Violet . . . "Big Man on Campus" by Colossal Boy! . . . and "The Day My Illusions Were Shattered" by Princess Projectra. By the way, Liz, you have two letters in this issue! After Dave Olsen's letter, this should make you feel better. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: In the November issue you made a remark about one of my favorite heroes, put out by a competitor of yours. I know which web-headed character Chameleon Boy was talking about, and it's this kind of remark that makes the Comic Kingdom a rotten profession. Please - no more remarks about Spidey. By the way, how come Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl are calling each other by their first names? -Gene Comeau, Norwich, Conn.

(Gosh, Gene, we didn't mean to get your dander up! It was just a little joke! If we went around weeping and gnashing our teeth every time someone told a gag about Superman, we'd be neck-deep in tears! As for L.L. and S.G., don't you think they've known each other long enough to use the names Garth and Imra - especially since they're engaged? -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: Begging your humble pardon, O ye almighty Editor, but I think you have flipped! From what I have gathered, ADVENTURE No. 351 should include most of the Legionnaires, the identity of the surprising Sir Prize and the mysterious Miss Terious, the reason Lightning Lad was kidnapped, some of the Substitute Heroes, Mr. Mxyzptlk versus Mon-El and Superboy, and the Devil's Dozen. Also, I don't know why, but I think Lightning Lad will get a human arm. Anyone who can put all that in one issue is really nuts! -M. Shelby Silver, Baltimore, Md.

(By now you know that Nelson did it all and more - including an appearance of the Super-Pets and the return of Bouncing Boy. And, since Nels admits to being a contributor to MAD and the author of THE INFERIOR FIVE, we figure he must be nuts! -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor: It is very rarely that I am really satisfied with a comic, and still stranger for me to praise it, but in this case I seem to have no alternative. What a magnificent display your October cover presented! Universo dominates, his "evil eye" pendant gleaming at the reader. Please don't bring him back and make him sink to robbing banks; just reprint this story very five years. Now, may I present some criticisms? As you have doubtless been informed by other budding Egyptologists, the Egyptians wore white generally. But using Horus for the name of the falcon was a stroke of genius. When you sent Colossal Boy to old England, I hoped you would introduce Beowulf, Guthrum, or Alfred the Great instead of simply transporting a few score later Medieval soldiers to the seventh century. You certainly edited my loud complaint about characterization in the letter column and, what's far better, you refuted it with the wonderful touch of presenting Universo's immense capacity for good in the person of his son. If you publish more such stories, thanks to James Shooter and Curt Swan, I predict that ye Editor will have to fight his way into the office through congratulatory mail! -A. C. Bethune, Ottawa, Ont., Canada.

(Just blame the Egyptian costumes on our hue-happy colorist. And we'd remind you that one can't be expected to run into a celebrity in every era. We think the Legion did mighty well to meet an Inca, Napoleon, and Kublai Khan. For the rest of your letter, our blushes of modesty tell the tale! -Ed.)

____

Send all comments, preferably on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022. Please include your Zip Code.

Dear Editor:

I am absolutely speechless. There are no adjectives in all creation that can describe ADVENTURE No. 351. Let me comment on some of the fantastic points of this remarkable issue. First, telling how Mr. Mxyzptlk became partially bald was a stroke of genius. Second, I'm thrilled that you finally included the Legion of Substitute Heroes in one of your yarns. Stupendous! Third, I am glad that you restored Bouncing Boy's power once and for all, instead of returning it for a few minutes. And last, I am happy you restored Lightning Lad's right arm. I'm also pleased that you reinstated Star Boy and inducted Dream Girl into the Legion. But don't you think "Dreamy Chick" would be a more appropriate name? Wow!

-Gary Cassidy, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

(We must admit, we like those initials - DC! Maybe we should also re-name the Legion . . . something like the Derring-do Club? -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Lately, much attention has been given to Jeff Greenberg for his creation of Color Kid, now a member of the Legion of Substitute Heroes. It is my sad duty to inform you that he did not create Color Kid. In issue No. 311, Leslie Leibow, of Fairlawn, N.J., sent in Color Kid as a Bit of Legionnaire Business. When will you give credit where credit is due?

-Elizabeth Kane, East Meadow, N.Y.

(We already have, Liz - by crediting the first fan to send the idea in. Jeff's Bit of Business appeared in No. 309. And speaking of Jeff, read the next letter. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Thank you! Thank you! I am so proud! You have made Color Kid one of your most vivid and exciting new characters. Even though he is only a Substitute Legionnaire, he was the hero of "The Forgotten Legion" (which was one of your best stories in months). And why am I so proud? Because he's my character - I created him in your Bits of Legionnaire Business column. Well, I've made my contribution!

-Jeff Greenberg, Los Angeles, Calif.

(You sure have, Jeff! We fell your boy adds a great deal of color to the Substitute Legion - so there's no telling when he'll pop up next. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

All I can say is "great guest stars!" Of course, I'm talking about ADVENTURE No. 351, featuring the Substitute Heroes, the Super-Pets and an unacclaimed hero - the good doctor who restored Matter-Eater Lad, Bouncing Boy and Lightning Lad. Of course, the villains weren't pantywaists! Evillo and his Devil's Dozen were just what the Legion needed to get the creaks out of their bones. Mr. Mxyzptlk was a good humor additive. The Hag - now there's a switch! It was beyond imagining to suppose that she was Dream Girl's sister! But how did she get her magic powers? The greatest surprise of all was that Sir Prize and Miss Terious turned out to be Star Boy and Dream Girl. I know I don't have to mention the superb artwork and story. But I am puzzled about one thing. How could changing the color of Kryptonite affect the molecular structure when Color Kid turns it from green to blue? Anyway, we need more stories like this one!

-Gordon Meyer, N. Madison, Ohio.

(We'll give you the lowdown on the White Witch in a future issue. How the change in color affects Kryptonite is a complicated process to explain, but basically, Kryptonite is an unstable element which changes to a different isotope when a little thing like its color is altered. This substance is unique; none of the 104 elements known to modern science behaves in the same manner. That's our explanation - but you'd better not check it with your chemistry teacher. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Many times you have mentioned a possible story about children of the present Legionnaires. Here are my ideas of what they might be like: Daughter of Mon-El and Duo Damsel - has powers of both parents, but when she splits in two, each body has only 1/2 the power of her original self. Son of Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl - shoots bolts from his hands that enable him to read the thoughts of those shot at. Daughter of Chameleon Boy and Princess Projectra - can cause illusions, but only by becoming something in the illusion. Son of Duplicate Boy and Shrinking Violet - can duplicate any power, as long as he doesn't have to increase his height. Daughter of Ultra Boy and Phantom Girl - can use more than one power at a time, unlike her dad, except when she is in phantom form. Son of Star Boy and Dream Girl - power to tell the future by the stars, as an astrologer. Daughter of Lone Wolf and Light Lass - super-acrobatic skill because of ability to make herself super-light.

-Kevin Byrnes, Florham Park, N.J.

(Quite an imaginative group, Kevin, even if you did pick the wrong hubby for Duo Damsel - and we're not committing ourselves on the possibility of a Chameleon Boy-Princess Projectra wedding. Compare the kids in this issue's novel with your ideas. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I think Invisible Kid's power is rubbing off on his costume. Normally, he has a green stripe which runs down from his insignia to his belt. However, in issue No. 150, the strip disappeared on page 5. It reappeared in page 6, only to vanish again on page 11. It soon tired of the sport and returned to Invisible Kid's costume on page 13, where it stayed to the end of the story. You had better inform him of this prankishness on the part of his crazy costume, or it might go one step too far. It wouldn't look very nice for

Continued on next page

the leader of the Legion to be suddenly "out of uniform," would it?

-Gary Skinner, Columbus, Ohio

(We get the message. But don't worry - even if everything else failed, the Comics Code would keep him looking decent. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Usually I try to pick out the slightest fault in each of your mags to help improve them. But, I regret to say, there was no way to improve No. 351. EXCEPT - you can't just let somebody who's been expelled back into any group, let alone the Legion. So why does Invisible Kid think he has the authority to raise a finger and let someone into the Legion without an official vote? My next remark is not a complaint, but just a comment. In No. 342, Color Kid was introduced. His power was not great enough to get him into the Legion, so Brainiac 5 said. Well, as we saw in No. 351, he proved his ability by changing the Green K cloud around Earth to Blue K. Didn't Brainiac 5 realize that he could probably alter all the Green K on Earth?

-Tom Jones, Pittsford, N.Y.

(That would only be a starter, since Superboy and Supergirl fly all over the universe! If C.K. did change all the Green K in existence to Blue K, it would completely exhaust his color-altering power. You wouldn't wish that on him, would you? As for your complaint, remember that Star Boy and Dream Girl had been admitted to the Legion as Sir Prize and Miss Terious. All Invisible Kid said was that they didn't have to resign again. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

"The Outcast Super-Heroes" was a great story. Imagine Superboy and Supergirl being kicked out of the Legion even, if it was for their own good! But the crowning achievement was on page 20, panel 4. Congratulations to Chameleon Boy for chopping out Brand I's leading web-headed imitation.

-Robert Seier, Bronx, N.Y.

(Aw, C.B. didn't really chop him - he just needled him a bit! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In ADVENTURE No. 349, Universo's son was pretty smart to build all those time-travel gadgets. He even saved the lives of five Legionnaires. I vote he become an honorary member of the Legion, like Jimmy Olsen. Jimmy has no super-powers, except when he takes his serum and becomes Elastic Lad. Universo's son could be useful when Brainiac 5 and Superboy are away.

- Larry Williams, Montgomery, Ala.

(It might be a good idea to give the boy an honorary membership. Another honorary Legionnaire, Pete Ross, has no powers at all, either. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

My keen 20-20 vision saw what was probably the biggest mistake I've ever spotted. In past issues, you established that lead was deadly to Mon-El. Yet, in ADVENTURE No. 350, on page 23, he was standing near Sir Prize and Miss Terious, who were wearing lad suits, and he didn't even weaken. You can't get out of this one, can you?

-Denis O'Driscoll, New York, N.Y.

(Are you kidding? We thought all Legion fans knew that Mon-El is protected from lead poisoning by a serum developed by Brainiac 5 - provided he takes the serum at least once every 48 hours. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I notice that the interplanetary law-enforcement agency in the Legion stories is called the Science Police. Why Science?

-Al Ferris, Jackson, Miss.

(Because they use science to a degree never before attempted by police. Every criminal is not only fingerprinted, but has his voiceprint (tell-tale vocal pattern, which is just as distinct), the invisible aura surrounding his body, his brain-wave pattern, and other facts, recorded. There are a dozen ways to identify a wanted man, and the special devices used by the Science Police can pick him out of a crowd of thousands with unerring accuracy. They also have analytic devices which can tell exactly where a bit of dust originated - pinpointing not only the planet, but the area - usually within a few miles of the spot. Crooks don't have an easy time of it in the 30th century. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

ADVENTURE No. 351 could have been the best Legion story you ever had, but a few flaws relegated it to only very good, which is usual for your Legion stories. The cover was a disappointment: imagine - four kids in weird costumes and a giant ask Superboy if he remembers them, and all he can come up with is "Get that eyesore (the Clubhouse) out of Smallville! I must compliment you, however, on getting over two dozen heroes, villains and pets into one story without half them overflowing the pages. The plans to get the ingredients of the magic brew were well thought out. I am really getting to like Princess Projectra and her mass-illusion power. Is she a real princess on her home world, Orando? But I was surprised at Supergirl. She really had no reason to attack the Subs. I'm afraid the Green K in her brain - and Superboy's - addled their minds a bit. Did you see the look on Mon-El's face after the Hag became the White Witch? Could we have a romance brewing, as well as a potion?

-Leonard Rosenberg

(We just might! And to answer your other question - yes! Princess P. is genuine royalty! How's that for putting real class in the Legion? -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I was very much encouraged when you had the gumption to allow Lightning Lad to lose his arm; whether or not you had so intended, his continuing in the Legion after his mishap may have influenced some readers not to consider handicapped persons as freaks. Therefore, I regretted the arm's restoration in No. 351. Speaking of social purpose, it's nice that you allow Supergirl a romance of sorts with green-skinned Brainiac 5. But with the exception of B 5 and Chameleon Boy, all the Legionnaires are Caucasians -an extremely unlikely proportion, considering that the Legion recruits from other planets, as well as the whole Earth.

-Monica Damian, Lafayette, La.

(Just remember that Lightning Lad had a robot arm for two years. We finally gave in to readers' demands and restored his real arm. As for having Legionnaires of other races, we'd suggest you keep reading this mag. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In the letter column in ADVENTURE No. 328, you stated that "Some of the Legionnaires, such as Element Lad, are orphans." What other orphans are there in the Legion? Please print this, because I really want to know!

-Steve Kristiansen, Lynnwood, Wash.

(Okay - there's Brainiac 5, Dream Girl, Mon-El and Superboy. -Ed.)

Send all comments, preferably on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Don't forget to include your ZIP CODE!

Dear Editor:

What a bother! After I finished reading ADVENTURE Nos. 346 and 347, I resolved to hand-print a chart of the Legionnaires' origins and powers. It took me days to finish, but finally I proudly put it up on my wall. Then along came ADVENTURE Nos. 350 and 351, bringing back Bouncing Boy, Star Boy and Dream Girl. Already my chart was obsolete! I'm afraid to make a new one, for fear you'll change on me again. But I don't mind it at all. It's really great to have those three back again!

-Alan Eilers, Terre Haute, Ind.

(Why don't you make your next chart on a blackboard, using chalk? Then you can keep a board eraser handy, just in case there is another Legion shakeup. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

You got a little carried away in No. 348. On page 3, where you show the roll-call vote, there are twenty-three X's. However, there are only twenty-one Legionnaires. Explain (without a wisecrack).

-Elizabeth Kelly

(Honorary members Jimmy Olsen and Pete Ross voted, too. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I was reading ADVENTURE when you first started the Legion series. The improvement was great in the last couple of years. The Legionnaires have become real human beings and the plots superb. Events like Lightning Lad's losing an arm and Star Boy's expulsion were the main cause of this. Now, with issue 351, you have ruined everything. In one issue you have undone all that it took several issues to build. Please state that the work of the scientist on Lightning Lad, Bouncing Boy and Matter-Eater Lad, as well as the reinstatement of Star Boy and Dream Girl, was just an illusion. Maybe you could have them put under a magic spell. But please change things back the way they were!

-Terry Alan Hughes, Windsor, Mo.

(Sorry, we can never turn back the clock to make things as they were. But that cuts both ways. Duo Damsel can never again be Triplicate Girl, since one of her three selves was destroyed. And Ferro Lad can never be brought back from the dead. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

"The Forgotten Legion" was certainly enjoyable, both for plot and for artwork. But I really think you have gone the limit with so many different members in the Legion. The continual parade of excitingly-garbed teen-agers that goes in and out of the Legion Clubhouse is enough to confuse all but the most gifted (with a super-memory) fan. True, it is the fact that most of the Legion members participate in each story that makes the Legion unique and different from such organizations as the Justice League. But I ask you - is this any way to run a super-group? No! I'd like to know more about each individual Legionnaire, his or her origin in detail, and something about his or her character, as we do of some of the older members, such as Saturn Girl and Brainiac 5. It makes the story a lot more exciting. How about it?

-Irene Vartanoff

Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Ill.

(You want only a few heroes each issue - others want the whole Legion on every page. We'll try to be like the guy who slapped the laughing spiritualist, and strike a happy medium. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I have been a fan of ADVENTURE for several years, so I have noted the changes that have come over your Legion stories - both good and bad. I've decided to tackle a problem that I don't believe has ever been brought up before: the complete un-futuristicness of your version of the 30th century. I don't mean in your depiction of scientific advances. I mean little things. For instance: (1) English is spoken all over the galaxy. (If not, at least indicate that this isn't so!) (2) One always seems to be referring to whole planets, not separate countries on different worlds. (Is Earth a united planet politically?) (3) All races look human, and most of them look white Caucasian. (4) The Legionnaires' verbal repertoire is "hip" 1966 - not 2966!

-Rand Lee, Roxbury, Conn.

[(1) Many languages are spoken in the 30th-century universe, but English is by then an interstellar language and the official one of the Legion. (2) Some planets still consist of many countries, but a great many - Earth included - have achieved world government. (3) We'll try to give you a few non-human races in future stories. (4) If we were all to use the "hip" talk of the future, with all the slang of an intergalactic age and the changes of 1,000 years, we'd have to include 20th-century subtitles, or you couldn't understand it. -Ed.]

Dear Editor:

I was interested, upon glancing at one of my son's comic magazines, to discover that you have a group of heroic Legionnaires featured. And I was extremely amused to learn that some of his friends thought of these teen-agers when my boy told them his father was a former Legionnaire. No, it isn't a joke. When I was a very young man, I joined the French Foreign Legion and served in North Africa and Southeast Asia. Things have changed a good deal since then. Little remains of the French colonial empire, and the Foreign Legion was disbanded some years ago. But I wish your Legion may prove as enduring as the Legion etrangere, which, though it's gone, lasted well over a hundred years after it was established, in 1831.

-James Allison, Wheeling, W. Va.

(We hereby give you an honorary commission in the Adult Legion Reserve. Now you can tell your son's friends you're still a Legionnaire. -Ed.)

Send all comments, preferably on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Don't forget to include your ZIP CODE!

Dear Editor:

How could you do this? I was shocked by Ferro Lad's death. And what was even worse, he didn't even have a decent funeral! He was only in the Legion for a few months, and he was my favorite Legionnaire. You got rid of him - now please bring him back.

-Paul Hoberg, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Dear Editor:

The time: 3:30. The date: Feb. 23, 1968. The place: the comic-court. The trial: The comic fans of America versus ADVENTURE COMICS. The charge: The murder of Ferro Lad. The trial has raged for three days, 4 hours, 44 minutes and 53 seconds. Finally the jury returns. The verdict? Guilty, due to insanity! I'm sick and tired of killing after killing. Sure there's a population explosion, but bumping off poor, defenseless Legionnaires, such as one of Triplicate Girls' other selves, Ferro Lad, and even non-Legionnaires like Weight Wizard, Plant Lad and Blockade Boy is not the way to deal with it!

-John Harrison, Columbus, Ohio

Dear Editor:

I do hope Ferro Lad will not return, as I'd much rather see a Legion with a constantly changing membership. The entire idea would be unusual in comics - expendable heroes. When your favorite Legionnaire's in trouble, readers will not be sure he'll be saved as they are with Superman and Batman, who aren't going to be killed off for anything short of the destruction of DC. (Perish the thought!)

-Mark Evanier, Los Angeles, Calif.

Dear Editor:

Why did you have to go and kill off Ferro Lad? You warned us we'd be shocked! How true! Ferro Lad had the makings of a great Legionnaire. All right, he died a hero and he saved the galaxy. And killing super-heroes is what makes your comic realistic. Not that's it's good to kill them, but it's okay once in a while.

-An thony Pelosi, Corona, N.Y.

Dear Editor:

What's the idea of killing off Ferro Lad? You could have had Superboy fly the bomb into the Sun-Eater and live, but no! You had to have F Lad do it! You're a nogoodnik!

-James VanSuch, Amityville, L.I., N.Y.

Dear Editor: I was shocked when I found that Ferro Lad was dead. But even more surprising was the fact that he had a non-human face, an oddity among human-looking Legionnaires. Could you please show us what he looked like?

-Andy Franklin, Larchmont, N.Y.

Dear Editor:

It was no secret that a Legionnaire would die in this issue (No. 353) - the question was - which one? Superboy was naturally eliminated, as were Princess Projectra (promise of a boy friend in a future issue), Sun Boy (needed for return match with Regulus) and Cosmic Boy (needed for Legion origin story). That left iron-clad Ferro Lad. This event, though sad, was needed. In two issues, all that Edmond Hamilton had done to dispel the theory that only villains get the bad breaks was erased by E. Nelson Bridwell. Now fandom is back to being "Doubting Thomases," rather than sitting secure in the knowledge that their favorite hero won't die. Still, I feel sad that the wise-cracking, never-say-die member will never be seen again. -M. Shelby Silver, Baltimore, Md.

Dear Editor:

I had planned to ask if we would ever see behind the mysterious mask of Ferro Lad, but I can't. He no longer exists. Usually when you kill off a character, readers respond in a fury of anger. But I don't feel mad, only sad. It's as though I've lost my best friend. The first time I saw that sturdy metal frame, with the face hidden behind an odd mask, he was my favorite. Tell me, is there any chance that the hyper-atomic explosion which was said to have killed him actually threw him into another dimension? -Gary Skinner, Columbus, Ohio

Dear Editor:

If you were going to kill off a Legionnaire, you should have sacrificed an older member. Let the new members stay around for a while! -Bill Harrison, Glenview, Ill.

(That's a sampling of the mail that's been flooding us ever since Ferro Lad perished. Maybe we'll show you his twin brother's face in some future Adult Legion tale. Meanwhile, the next issue has the Legionnaires wondering if they could have managed to save their iron-bodied buddy - and being haunted by "The Ghost of Ferro Lad!" -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

For membership in the Legion, I nominate the doctor who restored Bouncing Boy's power, Lightning Lad's arm and Matter-Eater Lad's shape. He would be great for a permanent Legion doctor. He could travel with the Super-Heroes on their missions and heal them when they get hurt. -Morty Perry, Newport, R.I.

(The doc's too old for regular Legion membership, but on the other hand, the Legionnaires are too young to hold medical degrees. We just might give the doc an appointment as official LSH medic. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In No. 353, you say, "Can you picture U.N.C.L.E. making a pact with THRUSH?" Well, believe it or not, it has happened, in the book, "The Dagger Affair," No. 2 in the "Man from U.N.C.L.E." series. -John Glasserman, North Miami Beach, Fla.

(Okay, we goofed - and we'll cry UNCLE before you give us the BIRD - a THRUSH, that is! -Ed.)

Send all comments, preferably on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Include your ZIP CODE!  

Dear Editor:

I just loved ADVENTURE No. 354. I'd been waiting a long time for a story of the Adult Legion. Brainiac 5 looked the best of all the grown Legionnaires. But the thing I liked most about him was that he wasn't married. I used to like ADVENTURE a great deal, but if you put in more romance, I'm tearing them up.

-Vaughan Waters, Texas City, Tex.

(So answer this one, buddy! If the Legionnaires don't marry and have children, where will the next generation of super-heroes come from? -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In ADVENTURE No. 352, the Hag predicted Ferro Lad would be disintegrated - and he was, in his battle with the Sun-Eater. How about Cosmic Boy and Matter-Eater Lad? Did their pictures show them hale and hearty as Miss Terious (Dream Girl) was shown, or did they reveal how these Legionnaires will die? Or did they, perhaps, show Cosmic Man slipping the ring on Night Girl's finger and Matter-Eater Man as President Kem, Chief Executive of Bismoll?

-Tim Cronin, Youngstown, Ohio

(That's something only Dream Girl and her cousin, the White Witch [formerly the Hag] know. But here's a clue: if the predictions were good, why did Dream Girl forbid Cosmic Boy to look because it was "too dreadful"? -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In "The Doomed Legionnaire," the Persuader cut the Sun-Eater into eight parts, but only seven super-people fought it. The Persuader cut it, Sun Boy acted as bait, and Tharok stayed in the ship. So what happened to the other segment?

-David Berger, Versailles, Ohio

(Since there was nobody to fight it, nothing! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

What in space has happened to Karate Kid? He was voted into the Legion in issue 346, appeared briefly in 350 and 351, and poof! he's gone! Please feature him again soon.

-Joseph Clermont, Chelmsford, Mass.

(You're only one of many who've been voicing the same request, so we solemnly promise to feature the black-belted blockbuster again soon. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

There must be Bizarros in the 30th century - right? I'd like to see a story where a Bizarro-Superboy wants to join the Legion. They'd have to let him in - he'd tear the place apart if they didn't. The fun would really begin when Brainiac 5 tried to trick the Bizarro into quitting.

-Eric Freden, Claremont Men's College, Claremont, Calif.

(You must be a newcomer to our Legion stories, or you'd know that we ran a somewhat similar tale, very hilarious, a couple of years ago. Only they did reject the Bizarro-Superboy - so he created a Bizarro-Legion of his own in which each member was an imperfect double of his Legion counterpart. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

We protest! We don't care how you do it, just bring back Ferro Lad!

-Marty Lane, Marshall Million, Kenneth Thomas, Richard Rowe, Marty Rowe, David Morgan, Diane Rowe, Buddy Henderson, David Rowe, Mark Smith, Steven Henderson, Kenneth, Tarrents, Hendersonville, Tenn.

(All right - we've brought him back in this issue! After all, you didn't say we should bring him back alive! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

ADVENTURE No. 354 was the greatest. But what happened to the careers of Invisible Kid, Sun Boy and Karate Kid when they grew up? Whom did they marry? Did any of them retire from the Legion, etc?

-Chuck Burner, Girard, Ohio.

(We didn't show what happened to Chameleon Boy or Princess Projectra, either. We're saving all five to surprise you in some future issue. -Ed.)

Send all comments, preferably on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Please include your ZIP CODE!

Dear Editor:

My 11-year-old sister, Betty Lou, reads Brand I comics. I've told her and even begged her to read ADVENTURE and the other DC mags, but she won't. What can I do?

-George Schire, Cottage Grove, Minn.

(Tell her she's mentioned somewhere in this issue, but don't say where. She'll have to read the mag to find out. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Why don't you save a lot of nail-biting and hair-tearing by putting the writer's and artist's names on the splash page of each story? When I want to write a congratulatory letter, I don't know whom to compliment! I'm good at recognizing your artists, but when it comes to writers, I'm nowheresville! So get on the ball, or I'll have Matter-Eater Lad bite your head off!

-Bruce Cantor, Detroit, Mich.

(What's eating you? We'll be glad to credit our artists and writers in this column any time. For instance, this issue's Legion tale was written by Jim Shooter, as were most of our recent ones. However, Otto Binder was the author of "The Six-Legged Legionnaire," while Nelson Bridwell scripted "The Five Legion Orphans." Curt Swan is our regular artist, but last month's story was done by George Papp. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I am a faithful reader of DC Comics and especially enjoy ADVENTURE. But one thing bugs me. In your Adult Legion stories, you show Brainiac 5 as a grown man. How is this possible if he is a computer and was put together as a boy?

-Steve Dragon, Conshohocken, Pa.

(You have it wrong! The ORIGINAL Brainiac was the computer. To disguise this fact, he adopted a real, flesh-and-blood boy, who was the ancestor of Brainiac 5. Our brainy boy's 12th-level mind makes him a "human computer", but his brain is still made of normal-looking gray matter, not wired circuits. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

When are you going to give us an issue devoted to the Legion of Substitute Heroes or the Legion Espionage Squad? They're the two least-known Legion affiliates and the most interesting. By the way, how about using more heroes from the Bits of Legionnaire Business columns? The Legion needs a couple of new members so you can kill them off like Ferro Lad. How about it?

-Rand Lee, Roxbury, Conn.

(The Espionage Squad swings into action in the next issue. As for killing off more Legionnaires - not right away! The avalanche of "Dear Sir, You Cur" letters from Ferro Lad lovers hasn't let up yet. But more on that subject in answer to the next letter. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

What kind of magazine do some of your readers think ADVENTURE is? In No. 356 the letter page was almost entirely devoted to a bunch of namby-pambies who gave you a big sob story about the death of Ferro Lad. Where have they been the past few years? You "killed" Lightning Lad and brought him back to life. You took away Bouncing Boy's power, then restored it. You destroyed Lightning Lad's arm, then grew him a new one. You expelled Star Boy, then got him back into the Legion. And in a recent Superman, you "killed" the Man of Steel, then brought him back to life. Don't do the same with Ferro Lad. My thoughts are the same as those of another reader, Mark Evanier. Let's not have any Legionnaires with a "life insurance policy"

-Dan Solla, Freeport, Pa.

(We promise not to chicken out this time, regardless of the number of protests - mainly because we've painted ourselves into a corner, so to speak. We've established that Ferro Lad will still be dead when the other Legionnaires grow up - and we've given you a look at his ghost. So let him rest in peace! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I enjoyed "The Five Legion Orphans," but I think I spotted a mistake on page 13. Dream Girl tells what will happen a year in the future. Yet, in No. 317, she said, "My dreams only show things that'll happen within a few days." Please explain this change in her powers!

-Charles Redick, Venice, Calif.

(The result of pure magic, Charlie, my boy! Namely, a spell worked by Dream Girl's sister, the White Witch! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Four years ago I read my first issue of ADVENTURE. WOW!!! I began trying to get back issues and learn all the Legionnaires' names and powers. Soon a friend of mine and I started a Legion of Super-Heroes Club. Two members have joined since. The youngest is eight years old. The qualifications for joining are to know the Legionnaires, their costumes, their real names, their home planets, the Legion of Substitute Heroes, the Legion of Super-Pets, and the Espionage Squad. Please continue the "Know Your Legionnaires" series, so we can learn more facts about our favorites.

-Charles, Phelps, Williamsport, Pa.

(We will, C.P. - whenever we have room. And we hope you get as many members in your club as there are in the Legion! -Ed.)

Send all comments, preferably on a postal card to THE LEGION OUTOST [sic], National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Please include your Zip Code in your return address.

Dear Editor: I don't want to criticize (much) but to compliment you on a very, very good story. I'm talking about "The Ghost of Ferro Lad." I think this masterpiece was a wonderful species of tale known as a "Shooter Novel." When author James Shooter writes a book-length story - WOW! "The Rogue Legionnaire," for example, which I still consider the best Legion story ever written. He has matched the greatness of that story with "The Ghost of Ferro Lad." It was wonderful the way he blended action with the supernatural, and what a touch - having the real Ghost aid the Legionnaires, although he was never seen doing it or the fact explicitly stated. This left something to the imagination and sent tingles up and down my spine. The art was excellent. Curtis Swan added to the eeriness with his drawings of the seance. It was a great story, second only to "The Rogue Legionnaire."

-Charles Christesson, Jr., Rio Grande City, Tex.

(You spotted author Shooter's style perfectly. If you haven't read the Shooter Novel in this issue, do so . . . it's sure to bring back memories of your favorite Legion tale. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: I and a few of my friends formed a Legion Club. Each of us took a Legionnaire and we agreed that no one could switch to another hero. I chose Ferro Lad and when he died, I was kicked out of the club. I had spent money on a costume and now it was all for nothing. If you can't bring back Ferro Lad, at least tell me how to get back in the club.

-Tim Burke, Flushing, N.Y.

(Try haunting the clubhouse as Ferro Lad's Ghost. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: What happens to questions sent in by readers when they aren't printed? I've written to DC about six or seven times, but my letters gave never been published. The only thing I ever got was a form letter that gives us the lowdown on the Superman Family. Why can't the editor take the time to type up an answer to each person who writes in?

-David Picker, Brooklyn, N.Y.

(We only wish we had the time to answer all the questions you readers ask. But please understand - we receive thousands of letters every week, and it is simply impossible to answer them all personally, much as we'd like to. So bear with us, will you, Dave? -Ed.)

Dear Editor: At the end of "The Ghost of Ferro Lad," you have the ghost walking down the hall with footsteps that clang like iron. How can an immaterial ghost make clanging footsteps?

-Donald Nelson, New York, N.Y.

(Don't you ever read ghost stories? They're full of mysterious footsteps, caused by unseen beings. For example, take the ghost in the last stanza of Alfred Noyes' poem, "The Highwayman": "Over the cobbles he clatters and clangs in the dark inn-yard." If the Highwayman's ghost can clang, so can Ferro Lad's. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: You have made Brainiac 5 too much like a real computer. You say he is human, but every issue you turn him more and more into a computer. I know he has a twelfth-level brain, but he doesn't seem to display any emotion at all.

-Edwin G. Swartz, Pacific Beach, Calif.

(Just watch him the next time he meets Supergirl - he'll show plenty of emotion. And she says she's never seen a cuter computer. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: After reading "The Ghost of Ferro Lad," I thought I'd review the issue before his courageous death. Unfortunately, I missed No. 353, but I did get No. 352. When the Legionnaires were ready to give up, it was Ferro Lad who said, "I'd rather go down fighting than sit here humming my death march!" The never-say-die Legionnaire did just that - he went down fighting. I know you can't bring him back to life, but why not have an untold tale of Ferro Lad? I'm sure other readers would go for this.

-Russell Ferryman, Springfield, Ohio

(We might just do that - and maybe we'll reveal what his face looked like at the same time. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: Don't you think you have carried this too far? I mean you should stop turning Legionnaires into babies. In ADVENTURE No. 338, eight Legionnaires reverted to infancy, and Element Lad was one of them. Then, in No. 356, Element Lad was again turned into a baby. Don't you think you've used the Fountain of Youth bit on him once too often?

-Jerry Sexton, St. Clair, Mich.

(Not necessarily, but we promise not to put him in the playpen again - unless it's absolutely imperative to tell a terrific tale. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: Why not have the Space Canine Patrol Agents, who appear in SUPERBOY, become the pets of the Legionnaires - in one story, at least. Of course, Krypto is already Superboy's pet; but the others could pair off something like this: Chameleon Boy - Chameleon Collie; Brainiac 5 - Tail Terrier (Top Dog); Bouncing Boy - Mammoth Miss; Dream Girl - Prophetic Pup; Sun Boy - Hot Dog; Mon-El - Tusky Husky; Element Lad - Paw Pooch. The only one I can't figure out a master for is Bull Dog. You might have an idea about that.

-Michael Weldon, Richmond, Va.

(How about Karate Kid? He's as strong as several bulls. -Ed.)

Send all comments, preferably on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Please include your Zip Code with your return address.

Dear Editor:

Will you ever give us a GIANT LEGION book? In addition to featuring stories about the Legionnaires, you could also give us the best stories starring The Legion of Substitute Heroes and the Legion of Super-Pets. Now, honestly, what are our chances? Will you look in your crystal ball and tell us?

Ken Beeks, Yakima, Washington

(We'll leave the prediction department to Dream Girl. As soon as she zeroes in on the answer, we'll let you know. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I think I am one of your many readers who loves the Legion but can't identify them because there are so many members. Why don't you have your artists put a different number on each one's uniform, the way they do with football and baseball players?

Pete Nurmi, Springfield, Mass.

(And we bet you'll be selling scorecards to all your friends, so that they can identify them. Seriously speaking, we don't think you'll have much difficulty spotting who's who in future stories, inasmuch as we've hit on the solution mentioned in the following letter. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Three cheers for fewer Legionnaires! I'm sick of keeping track of so many heroes they flow over the page. But in recent issues the situation seems to have gotten better, in that you're working with fewer characters. Will this be permanent?

Tom Homey, Grand Ledge, Mich.

(As permanently as we can make it. However, what do we do with Jim Shooter's blockbuster of an idea, a two-part novel which features ALL the Legionnaires against ALL the villains they've ever encountered? -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I think you're missing a bet with Color Kid, the newest member of the Legion of Substitute Heroes. With his power to change the color of things, here are some of the feats he can perform. 1. He can hypnotize criminals simply by turning the atmosphere surrounding them into different hues, one right after the other, so that it has the same effect as your oft-used hypnotic color wheels. 2. He can also dazzle his foes with bursts of bright yellow and luminous green. 3. He can create Princess Projectra-type illusions of gold lightning-flashes (by coloring the air in streaks) he can confuse enemies with rays of utter blackness (black is the simultaneous existence of all colors in one spot). With all these powers, Color Kid should be in the Legion, not with the substitutes.

Rand Lee, Roxbury, Conn.

(Frankly, the feats you suggest for C.K. sound pretty repetitious. And what if a villain wore color-filtering contact lenses, unknown to your boy? However, we'll maintain an open mind on his eligibility for the Legion's Big League. If other readers can come to your defense by suggesting a variety of different uses for his talents, we'll re-open his case. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Once I read a famous short story called "The Most Dangerous Game." The author, Richard Connell, penned a fascinating tale, and it held me spellbound throughout. Now let me revise this statement so that it pertains to your latest issue: Once I read a story in ADVENTURE called "The Hunter." The author (Jim Shooter?) penned a fascinating tale, and it held me spellbound throughout. Whoever adapted Connell's immortal short story did it well. The Hunter, Otto Orion, was splendid portraying the formidable, half-crazed General Zaroff. Collectively using the Legion heroes to represent Sanger Rainsford, the original hero of Connell's tale, came off to perfection. The only character that disappointed me was Jakra, who was second-rate compared to Ivan, the terrible Cossack. The cover art was outstanding, and the bold, red letters proclaiming MOST DANGEROUS GAME sure rang a bell. My only regret is that readers who have not yet read "The Most Dangerous Game" will have the short story ruined for them when they read it.

Liz Kane, East Meadow, N.Y.

(Yes, our contemporary adaptation of Connell's classic literary gem was written by Jim Shooter, to whom we had suggested the idea. In past Legion stories, we have "updated" many famous classics in literature . . . "Mutiny on the Bounty", "The Count of Monte Cristo" and "The Three Musketeers" are a few examples. Jime [sic] is currently working on a thirtieth century Legion version of "The Odyssey", and we predict it will be a real winner. In the meanwhile, if readers have any nominations for other classics they'd like to see us "retread", let's have them! -Ed.)

Send all suggestions, preferably on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, Inc., 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Se sure to include your ZIP CODE!

Dear Editor:

Thank heavens you have Jim Shooter as a writer! Youngster or not, he's dreamed up the most well-thought-out, interesting, intelligent Legion stories in years. He has a great future in the comics world - and maybe science fiction writing, if he takes a mind to it. I specifically refer to "The End of the Legion." The idea is not new. However, this story was the most fast-moving one I've ever read in any comic! The sight of the Legionnaires on the run, the return of Supergirl and Bouncing Boy, the Prison Planetoid, the gang fight scenes, the glimpses of the home life of our heroes, and the excellent touches of politics and trial-by-jury - 30th century-style - were what made the issue. Seeing the Legion in civilian clothes - especially Chameleon Boy - was a novel experience. The comic had everything.

-Rand Lee, Roxbury, Conn.

(You seem to echo the opinion of numerous other fans concerning our talented teen, Jim Shooter. "Sharp" Shooter, by the way, is the author of a sensational imaginary novel in the December World's Finest which tells what would have happened if Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne had been BROTHERS! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I have been reading ADVENTURE for about two years and have been studying the heroes' powers, especially Sun Boy's. In past issues you show him completely in flames. Why doesn't he burn up? Or is he invulnerable? And don't tell me he has a protective aura like the Flash.

-Dan Patnode, Menomonee Falls, Wis.

(Sun Boy acquired the power of being fire-proof when he was accidentally locked in an atomic reactor. You'll be interested to know he has been inspected by the 30th-century fire department, and they declared he was not a fire hazard. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

What are the real names of the Legionnaires? For instance, what do Chameleon Boy's parents call him?

-Bill Jochims, Milwaukee, Wis.

(Look for the page in this issue which introduces all the Legionnaires, their planets of origin and their powers. This is published as a service in answer to all the hundreds of requests we've been getting from fans like you. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I'm a little mixed up. In No. 359, you have Duo Damsel's home on Earth. If she was born here, how did she get her super-powers? I see Invisible Kid lives on Earth, too. But what about Karate Kid? He said he called his parents from his apartment.

-Kenny Hatfield, Bloomington, Minn.

(Duo Damsel got her powers from the triple sun of her home world; her family later moved to Earth. Invisible Kid and Karate Kid are both natives of Earth, but Invisible Kid's parents like in Metropolis, while Karate Kid's folks live in a nearby Earth city, due to the housing shortage. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

After reading issue 359, I promptly stepped into my time-bubble (which was given me by Brainiac 5) and set the controls for the 30th century where I was to attend a Legion meeting as their most loyal fan. On my arrival I was arrested by the Science Police for associating with the outlawed Legionnaires. I didn't resist, because I felt my hero, Element Lad, would not want me to. Also, I did not drink any WATER, because I did not want to come under the control of Kandro Boltax and his fiendish plots. I am now in prison. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

-Robert Gold, Jackson Heights, N.Y.

(Get your hero to change you from Gold to Mercury and flow under the door. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I have just read "The End of the Legion" for the third time. I think I have spotted Princess Projectra's boy friend. He is Karate Kid. He certainly waded into those young punks who hurt her. Am I right? Does he really have a crush on her?

-Jack Knight, Oakland, Calif.

(Read this issue, see them together, and draw your own conclusions. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In No. 358, Chameleon Boy says he can copy a creature's shape, but not its powers. Yet in No. 359, you show him spinning a web when he takes a spider's shape.

-Jack McKenzie, Paramus, N.J.

(He can sometimes copy such abilities to a limited extent. For instance, he can fly when he takes the form of a bird - but he can't lay eggs. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

An open letter to Elizabeth Kane, who enjoys romance in the Legion: Your last letter was outrageous and uncalled for. You make boys sound like cold, heartless beasts. Don't you think that we fellows were sad when Ferro Lad was killed? In one issue, six boys wrote in to protest his death, showing how broken-up they were. Where were the girls?

-Marc Delman, Omaha, Neb.

(We received letters from them, too, but we couldn't read them. The tears had smeared the ink. -Ed.)

Send all comments, preferably on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Don't forget to include your Zip Code with your return address.

Dear Editor:

I have a kitten named Streaky who likes to help me read ADVENTURE comics that feature the Legion of Super-Pets - especially Streaky the Supercat. He pays no attention to Krypto, Beppo and Comet. If you can feature Streaky with the Super-Pets in an ADVENTURE adventure, my cat would love it.

-Charles Dorsett, Jr., Walnut Creek, Calif.

(You and your cat will be happy to learn that Streaky and his super-pet pals will be featured in our very next issue. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I have 16 pounds, 15 ounces of comics. Of this, 8 pounds are ADVENTURE; 1 pound - BATMAN; 1 pound - ACTION; 15 ounces - SUPERMAN; 5 ounces - WORLD'S FINEST; 1 pound, 12 ounces - LOIS LANE; 3 ounces -SUPERBOY. I intend to keep buying your magazine for years and years so that I'll eventually have TONS of them.

-Richard Hooten, North Little Rock, Ark.

(It's obvious you think DC is tops - and your opinion certainly carries a lot of weight! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I have read your great ADVENTURE mags for about two years now, but when Karate Kid mentioned the Espionage Squad, I was thoroughly confused. What is the Espionage Squad? Who's in it? What is its purpose? Is Chameleon Boy its chief?

-Don Finch, Los Angeles, Calif.

(The Espionage Squad is the spy arm of the Legion, and Chameleon Boy is the leader, because of his ability to imitate anything or anybody. Other permanent members of the squad are Invisible Kid, Shrinking Violet, Phantom Girl, and Duo Damsel. But any other Legionnaire may be recruited for a special job. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I spotted a boo-boo in No. 360. On pages 11 and 12 you show Cosmic Boy, Sun Boy, Lightning Lad and Duo Damsel in prison in their action costumes. But they were wearing civilian clothes when they were captured.

-Russ Waegelin, Twin Falls, Idaho.

(All right - we made a goof in that issue. But isn't this costume-ary with us? -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

You made the worst mistake in your history when you made Rond Vidar an honorary member of the Legion. He has no super-powers. His helping the Legion the first time was what any red-blooded kid would do. And dumping the antidote in the reservoir and pouring the water on the guards was nothing special at all!

-Mary Ann Flynn, Pitssfield, Mass.

(Would you have aided the Legion if it meant defying your own father? Could you have invented the time-cube, which can send persons or objects into the past and bring them back? Besides, an honorary Legionnaire isn't required to have super-powers. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I don't want to seem prejudiced or anything, but where are the Negroes in the 30th century? Surely there must be some of the race around. Certainly they are not represented in the Legion., for only two of the members have non-white faces. The rest are Caucasians. Please do something about this.

-Charles Davis, Shaker Heights, Ohio

(Keep watching this mag. We guarantee our next new Legionnaire will surprise you. Meanwhile, catch the February-March issue of UNEXPECTED for a new and different Negro hero, in the debut of The Secret Six. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I have a club. It is not very big; there are two members besides myself - Element Lad and Cosmic Boy. I, Mon-El, am the leader. But C.B. and E.L. won't obey me. What should I do?

-"Mon-El", New York, N.Y.

(Of course they don't obey you! Any legion fan knows the current leader is Invisible Kid, not Mon-El! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In our own century it is a common practice to have celebrities, such as sports figures and movie stars, endorse products. with this in mind, it is not too difficult to imagine what our 30th-century descendants might see when they switch on their 3-D TV sets:

Brainiac 5 making a pitch for Green Stamps; Duo Damsel singing "Double your pleasure"; Invisible Kid selling vanishing cream; Light Lass telling how sleeping on a certain mattress is like floating on air; Matter-Eater Lad endorsing Alka-Seltzer; Shrinking Violet urging viewers to get a low-calorie reducing food; Sun Boy saying his bit for a sun-tan lotion; a pitch for a certain basketball by Bouncing Ball [sic]; Dream Girl singing a sleeping medicine jingle; Colossal Boy telling folks to tall up with that brand of corn flakes; and the whole Legion reminding football fans to watch the Super Bowl.

-Charles Christesson, Jr., Rio Grande City, Tex.

(How about getting the Substitute Heroes into the act, too? Polar Boy and Chlorophyll Kid could endorse frozen vegetables; Fire Lad, breathing flames, could tell what to do for bad breath; Color Kid could tell about a hair dye; and Stone Boy could advise viewers that a certain insurance company is as strong and reliable as the Rock of Gibralter. -Ed.)

Send all comments, preferably on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Please include your Zip Code with your return address.

Dear Editor:

In ADVENTURE No. 360, you have Superboy slugging a guard with his fist. I've always thought that if he did this, he would kill his opponent. How about it?

-Ron Kleveland, Vancouver, Wash.

(If he put all his power behind the punch, he sure would. That's why the Boy of Steel always pulls his punches, or simply taps his opponents. But to see what would happen if he did slug someone a little too hard, get the current issue of ACTION, featuring "Superman - guilty of Homicide!" -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

After reading of your extraordinary "mutant," Ferro Lad, I decided I should set you straight on mutants. In order to call anything a mutant, you must have several generations (at least three) with the same mutation, because MUTANTS BREED TRUE. Since Ferro Lad died, it could never be proven that he would breed true, so he must not be called a mutant, but a freak.

-Mike Adler, Massapequa Park, N.Y.

(Obviously you are unaware that the 30th century knowledge of genetics is so great that a true mutant can be discovered by simple medical tests. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Karate Kid is just terrif. I guess I'm prejudiced because I'm learning the art. But I do have two complaints about K Kid: (1) He always seems to use a chop, hitting with the side of the hand. Why don't you show him using a fist or fingers more? (2) You should put him in an official suit (takido) instead of the one he wears now. He ties his belt wrong, too. All in all, he's great, though.

-Richard E. Gilbert, Pasadena, Calif.

(We've tried to get some different action on K Kid's part in past issues, and we'll keep it up. His outfit was specially created, and differs from that of other karate experts because K Kid is the first super-karate champ. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In the Legion Constitution, it says a new leader must be elected every year. In ADVENTURE No. 323, Saturn Girl was elected. 14 months later, in No. 332 [sic], Brainiac 5 was put in command. Again, just 11 months after this, Invisible Kid took over the position of honor. The time is coming when a new leader should be elected. This time, before saying who the new top man (or girl) will be, why not hold an election in which the readers can vote, too? This wouldn't be like the popularity contest you held a couple of years back, for it would be based on ability, not mere popularity. Superboy and Supergirl should be excluded, because they live in the 20th century and couldn't devote their full time to the post. The former leaders (including Cosmic Boy, the first leader) should be left out of the running, too.

-Tredgar Waller, Rosemount, Minn.

(How about it, fans? Who would you like to see holding the Legion's reins? Phantom Girl? Ultra Boy? Lightning Lad? Duo Damsel? You tell us and we'll announce the results in this department. Make sure all votes are postmarked before Dec. 26 - the date the next issue of ADVENTURE hits the stands. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

How about an Imaginary Story in which Mon-El and Superman both marry? One has a daughter and the other a son. They marry and have a son with double super-strength - but also with a double weakness - Kryptonite and lead. Since only lead can shield the deadly Green K rays, and only Kryptonite can protect him from lead, how could he escape a death-trap?

-Paul Alley, Kansas City, Kan.

(That's a death-trap idea that would even tax Batman's getaway genius. But we'll bet the super-grandson would find a way out. In fact, we might just use your idea and prove it can be done. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I am an English Rocker - opposite to the Mods. I do a flip for the Legion. But could Brainiac 5 find a way of getting Validus of, of the Fatal Five, back to Earth, curing his mad fits, and getting him into the Legion? (All you bu'ly Colonist DC fans write up to agree on this point, pleez - the Ed's got a soft heart.) Finally, could you explain why Duo Damsel stays in the Legion? Her power's not very good if it only stretches to duplicating herself. Can she do anything else, or have I marked? T'ra, you bu'ly Colonist people.

-Nick Sharkey, Leicester, England.

(It strikes us, Nick, that anybody who can be in two places at the same time has a pretty good thing going. DD doesn't need another power. As for Validus, he'll be back - very soon! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

My friends and I have formed a Mystic Club, and I'll tell you that "The Ghost of Ferro Lad" was excellent and true to the supernatural. If anyone knocks it, refer them to "True Tales of the Supernatural," found in any library. As leader of the A.R.M.S. (Arts and Rites of Magic and the Supernatural), I request that you put more ghosts in the stories. Since you have made it clear that Princess Projectra is a medium, I suggest you have tales concerning her power in that line. Do it, or I'll put my personal hex (which has been a success here) on you.

-John Flint, Wilderville, Ore.

(You don't scare us, John. Not with DC's ghostly heroes, the Spectre and Deadman, on our side. But with a full-fledged, 100 per cent, money-back guaranteed medium in the Legion, you can look for an occasional seance. -Ed.)

Send all comments, preferably on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Please include your Zip Code with your return address.

[this issue does not contain a letter column]

Dear Editor:

In ADVENTURE No. 356, Brainiac 5 said he came from the planet Yod; but in No. 362 ("Meet the Legionnaires"), he is said to be from the planet Colu. Have I caught you? And which planet does he come from?

-Mitchell Porten, Philadelphia, Pa.

(Which planet do you come from, Mitch? Earth, you say? But if you were French, you'd have called it "Terre," and if you came from Holland, you'd say it was "Aarde." So Brainiac 5's home world is Yod or Colu, depending on which language of that planet you're using. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In No. 360's Legion Outpost, you told Russell Ferryman that you might publish some untold tales of Ferro Lad (a good idea, since he only appeared in six issues before his untimely death). Then you added, " - And maybe we'll reveal what his face looked like at the time." I, for one, have always been dying to see Ferro Lad's face, but suddenly, after seeing that reply, it dawned on me that you have no right to let anyone know. Ferro Lad didn't want people to laugh at him or be repelled by his inhuman features. Honestly, people! That boy saved the galaxy! How dare you even think of revealing his most carefully guarded secret?

-D. Kendrick, West Helena, Ark.

(Well, it would be easy on writer Jim Shooter and artist Curt Swan if they didn't have to dream up an inhuman face for F Lad. But what do you other readers say? Shall we unmask the Boy of Iron, or leave his features a mystery? -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Let me congratulate you on the wonderful stories you publish in ADVENTURE COMICS. I'm hopelessly addicted to ADVENTURE, especially when you feature my favorite heroes, Mon-El, Cosmic Boy and Colossal Boy. I really think ADVENTURE is the best-selling magazine on the newsstands here in Manila. Please feature Mon-El more often. My friend, sisters and I like him very much because he's handsome, powerful and has such a nice haircut. I wish you'd grant this request of us Filipino ADVENTURE fans and avid readers (and I do mean avid!)

-Fe A. Panganiban, Manila, Phillippines

(Mon-El was so pleased with your letter he almost felt like mailing himself to you - in a Manila envelope, of course. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

May I refer you to Ken Beeks' letter in the October issue of ADVENTURE? He wanted to know if there would ever be an 80 PAGE GIANT ADVENTURE. Now, my gripe is that you gave him a totally inane and non-informative answer: "We'll leave the prediction department to Dream Girl. As soon as she zeroes in on the answer, we'll let you know." You shouldn't print a letter unless you can give a good answer. And will there be an 80 PAGE GIANT ADVENTURE forthcoming?

-Andy Franklin, Larchmont, N.Y.

(No - but the next 80 PAGE GIANT SUPERBOY will feature all Legion stories, including the origin of the Legion of Super-Pets and the first Adult Legion story, which introduced the Legion of Super-Villains. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In "Meet the Legionnaires," you only listed Elastic Lad and Pete Ross as Honorary Members. But recently, in "The Legion Chain Gang," Rond Vidar was elected to Honorary Membership. Am I right?

-Rob Evans, Nicoma Park, Okla.

(Yes, but when we wrote that text, he was off on a SECRET mission, so his name was officially unlisted. -Ed.)

Send all comments, preferably on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Please include your Zip Code with your return address.

Dear Editor:

Since you have invited us readers to vote for the Legion's next leader, here are my thoughts on the subject. It is a common practice among our larger and more successful businesses to promote the young, new members. They contribute fresh ideas which often do the companies more good than the stale ideas of older members. With this in mind, along with my personal liking for the guy, I vote for Karate Kid, who is a fairly new member of the group, for Legion Leader.

-Charles Christesson, Jr.,

Rio Grande City, Tex.

(Karate Kid is doing well in the voting. At this writing, he's running third - behind Ultra Boy and Mon-El, who are only one vote apart. We hope to have the final tally ready to announce in next issue's letter department. If any of you readers failed to vote for Legion Leader - too bad! The polls are closed! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I vote for Penman Girl (alias Liz Kane) - because she pens those fascinating letters to the Legion Outpost that keep me spellbound throughout.

-Sheryl Reich, Brooklyn, N.Y.

(We'll give Liz your vote for Leader of the Legion of Letter-Writers. And speaking of East Meadow's most outspoken correspondent, here's her latest Legion letter. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Thought you'd like to know that the Legion's writer, Jim Shooter, was written up in the THIS WEEK section of the Sunday Long Island Press. And here's a personal to Marc Delman. Don't take me so seriously. In my earlier letter, I didn't say boys were cold, heartless beasts. After all, some of my best friends are boys!

-Liz Kane, East Meadow, N.Y.

(We saw the THIS WEEK article on "Sharp" shooter. We won't comment on the rest of your letter, Liz, since it wasn't addressed to us. We'll leave that to Marc. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In a recent issue of ADVENTURE, Karate Kid says he is using Kendo - Japanese stick fighting. This is wrong. Kendo is Japanese fencing - swordplay. Stick fighting is called Jodo. These two martial arts are known to me as I have studied both in Japan.

-J.R. Tartaglia, Brooklyn, N.Y.

(Thanks. In the future, we'll see that K Kid minds his J's and K's - for Jodo and Kendo. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

While glancing over my priceless ADVENTURES, a thought came to my mind. What will happen to the Legion by issue No. 400? Will it still be there? Will artist Curtis Swan and writer Jim Shooter still be working on it? Will Timber Wolf finally join? Will Element Lad get a girl friend? Will he become leader? Will Princess Projectra or Chameleon Boy (who weren't shown in the recent Adult Legion story) die? Will Cosmic Boy's kid brother join the teenage auxiliary of the Adult Legion? Can you answer these questions?

-Jon Sinaberry, Canton, Ohio.

(Let's see . . . No. 400 should be the January, 1971, issue. Where do you think you'll be, Jon? Will our astronauts have set up a station on the moon? Who'll be President? What will the latest fashions be like? Who'll be the pop singing sensation of 1970? When you can answer these questions, we'll be ready to answer yours . . . and we figure that will be when ish 400 goes on sale in No. '70. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I am a great fan of the Legion. I reckon I might be the only person in England who gets a D.C. subscription. And I get my D.C.'s five months before other people in this country do.

-Edward Gray, Wolstarton, Newcastle, Staffordshire, Eng.

(We have news for you - you're far from the only D.C. subscriber in England. There are well over two hundred scattered over your tight little isle . . . and quite a number in Scotland, too. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I thought ADVENTURE No. 364 was great, especially the cover. One thing, though - I don't see the girl Legionnaires beaten up often enough. The only time I ever saw one get hurt was in No. 359, when Princess Projectra got whammed on the head. I think the girls take advantage of male villains, who are too gentlemanly to hit girls; but the girls aren't hesitant to slug the crooks. So in the future, let the bad guys beat up the girls.

-Marsden McGuire, Boston, Mass.

(You're probably not even satisfied with what happens to Phantom Girl in this ish. But watch how you talk about our gals! They're forming their own Legion in the next issue . . . and if you're not careful, their first mission may be to "get" a certain person whose initials are M.McG. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I am writing to thank you for creating Ferro Lad, the Legionnaire who was killed in action. Recently, on a chemistry test, I was asked to give the symbol for iron. Of course, I knew straight away because you engraved it on Ferro Lad's uniform - Fe. All I can say is, thanks for the extra ten points.

-Joe Ramsey, Cheverly, Md.

(And some people have the nerve to say comics aren't educational! -Ed.)

Send all comments, preferably on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Please include your Zip Code with your return address.

Dear Editor:

In a recent issue, a reader suggested having an election for a new leader of the Super-Heroes. So I am going to cast my vote for Ultra Boy, even though I'm not old enough to vote.

-James Garner, Jersey City, N.J.

(You're old enough to vote in this election, Jim - and you were one of 7,810 readers who did just that. We have the final tallies; but before we announce them, let's see who some of the other readers picked, and why . -Ed.)

"I vote for Mon-El because he is older. He was in the Phantom Zone from the 20th century to the 30th and has 1,000 years of knowledge behind him" -Jeffery Martin, Rock Creek, Ohio . . . "I would like to see Karate Kid as the Legion Leader because he has a unique ability. I SAID ABILITY - not power. K Kid didn't drink a potion or get changed by rays. He had to practice long hours to attain his famed skill." -Robert Gold, Jackson Heights, N.Y. . . . "I cast my vote for Element Lad. He could defeat the whole Legion - or almost - with his element-changing power. He could even turn rock to Kryptonite to beat Superboy." -Lonnie Herzog, Bronx, N.Y. . . . "I vote for Dream Girl because she is Dreamy, Remarkable, Eager, Amazing, Marvelous, Groovy, Irresistable, Reliable, Law-Abiding. She could also see into the future and see what crimes will be committed and who she should assign to them." -Dan Patnode, Menomonee Falls, Wis. . . . "I vote for Lightning Lad because he is the only one of the original three members who has not yet been Leader. Besides, he has the most 'battle scars' of any living Legionnaire." -Unsigned, Freehold, N.J.

(And now - the big announcement! The Legionnaire you readers have elected as the next Leader is . . . ULTRA BOY! He racked up 1,262 votes. Coming in a close second was Mon-El, with 1,160 votes - so he'll be the new Deputy Leader. Every Legionnaire got several votes (except Shadow Lass, who hadn't joined yet). Even former Leaders got some - and Timber Wolf, who hasn't joined yet, officially, racked up a few. Here's the way the other Super-Heroes did in the final tally: Element Lad - 893; Karate Kid - 879; Lightning Lad - 615; Phantom Girl - 525; Chameleon Boy - 420; Sun Boy - 388; Superboy - 316; Matter-Eater Lad - 300; Supergirl - 267; Duo Damsel - 144; Princess Projectra - 139; Colossal Boy - 111; Brainiac 5 - 96; Star Boy - 84; Bouncing Boy - 73; Dream Girl - 68; Light Lass, Cosmic Boy and Saturn Girl - 32 each; Timber Wolf - 23; Shrinking Violet and Invisible Kid - who are obviously the hardest to see - 15 each. That's it! Watch for Ultra Boy and Mon-El to take over their new duties in an early issue of ADVENTURE. And now, on to other matters. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

When I got ADVENTURE No. 365, I knew I had seen the guest, Shadow Lass, before. After a brief search, I found, in ADVENTURE No. 354, a woman with the same costume and hairdo, but with white skin. She was said to have died saving the Science Asteroid. Will Shadow Lass grow up to be a Caucasian Shadow Woman? Or did you make a mistake on skin coloring? Or am I wrong altogether? Also, is Shadow Kid, who appeared in ADVENTURE Nos. 344 and 345, from the planet Talok VII [sic], as Shadow Lass is? And is he still an active hero there?

-Charles Phelps, Williamsport, Pa.

(Right on several counts. Shadow Lass will grow up to be Shadow Woman. The statue we showed in No. 354 should have had blue skin, not white. And Shadow Kid is a Talokian, who got his power from the same source as Shadow Lass. He's still active, but he's a loner by choice, so it's unlikely he'll ever join the Legion. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I liked ADVENTURE No. 364, with the Legion of Super-Pets, and so did my cat. But my hamster didn't, because there wasn't a hamster in it. So I would like to ask you to do a comic in which a super-hamster joins the Super-Pets.

-Martin Johns, Sauquoit, N.Y.

(Holy S.P.C.A.! If we honored your request, readers with pet canaries, parrots, fish, frogs, guinea pigs, alligators and de-odorized skunks would insist we put those varieties in, too. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

How can the Legionnaires stand it? The uniforms they wear cover practically their whole bodies, except for their heads and hands - and some of them even wear gloves. If I wore an outfit like that, I would roast to death. Wouldn't you? Another thing - their boots look like they have only thin strips of cloth for soles. How can they walk without tearing them?

-Bobby Hitchman, Saigon, Vietnam

(You're thinking about 20th-century fabrics, Bobby. The miracle materials of the 2900's are another story. They have special insulation against both heat and cold. They're very thin and very strong - tougher than leather. Also, they have a lot of stretch. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In the future, why not introduce new heroes who come from the same planets as other Legionnaires? You already have five from Earth, which creates a credibility gap. Also, you could introduce non-apparent physical differences between outwardly similar races in the Legion. For instance, Star Boy might escape from a blinding light-trap because his Xanthusian eyes have protective inner lids, which shut out harmful glare. The Orandoan Princess Projectra might not be harmed by a certain knock-out gas because it is automatically expelled from her lungs as harmful, by reflex action (much as we sneeze). Element Lad might not die if a ray-blast hit the upper left side of his chest, because his Tromite heart is in the right side of his chest. Or Light Lass, if "dead", could be revived within 20 minutes because her Winathian brain can do without oxygen for that long. See what I mean?

-Rand Lee, Roxbury, Conn.

(We do, indeed - and will pass the idea along to Jim "Sharp" Shooter. But as for the Earth heroes in the Legion, that's only natural, since the Legion h.q. is located on this planet. -Ed.)

Send all comments, preferably on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Please include your Zip Code with your return address.

Dear Editor:

I must tell you that your last two issues (365 and 366) were absolutely fabulous! The idea of matching Brainiac 5 with Shadow Lass is a wild one. What color would their children be - red?

-Eugene Love, Huntsville, Ala.

(No - they'd probably be blue-green. On the other hand, if she married Mon-El, their kids might be purple. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I am not surprised by author Jim Shooter's limited knowledge of karate, as shown in his sequences with Karate Kid. My knowledge of it is somewhat limited, too. But karate chops are chiefly used in shows. Hoons, punches and grips are used a thousand times more often than chops in actual fights. Also, if it's throws you want in a fight, use jiu-jitsu. Judo is only a sport.

-Clement Robins, Sheffield, Mass.

(That ain't the way we heard it, Clem. Police have often used judo against criminals; and many women have learned the art to protect themselves from thieves. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I have often wondered about the layout of the Legion Clubhouse. Could you include a cross-section diagram of the Clubhouse in one of the coming issues?

-John Boyle, A.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.

(That's not a bad idea - a double-page spread similar to the one of the Batcave in the July-August GIANT BATMAN! We'll try and work one up for a future issue. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In issue 363, a reader said that Rond Vidar does not belong in the Legion, even as an honorary member, because he does not have super-powers. I disagree with that assumption. Rond does have one super-power - he is immune to hypnotism - even super-hypnotism.

-Mark Ashby, State College, Pa.

(You're right - even though the power is rather a negative one. But there is one honorary Legionnaire who has no powers - Pete Ross. And you'll see him in action in the next issue - when the fates of the legionnaires . . . and Smallville . . . depend on him! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I have a candidate for membership in the Legion of Super-Pets. He is Bezark, an invisible dog I invented some time ago. While he lives in the 20th century, you can't really be sure because he is invisible. Maybe he is in the 30th century, after all. Of course, he would be easy to draw.

-Alan Field, Atherton, Calif.

(Using invisible ink, we assume? -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I got a great idea. Why not team up Shadow Lass and Night Girl (of the Legion of Substitute Heroes)? Shady could provide dark shadows so that Night Girl wouldn't have her super-strength stolen by exposure to direct sunlight.

-Arnold Carter, Vienna, Va.

(It's such a natural team-up that a lot of other readers suggested it, too. So we'll undoubtedly do it in a future issue. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I'm not sure exactly what I'm getting into, but forthcoming is an attempt to give an in-depth evaluation of the Legion of Super-Heroes. At first supporting characters in the Superman family, they caught on like wildfire and, in ADVENTURE No. 300, were made a regular feature. Since then, they have undergone changes in writer, artist, theme and membership, yet they have remained among the most popular hero-groups in comicdom. However, I would like to see you use alliterative epithets when you refer to the various legionnaires. Bouncing Boy would be the Corpulent Combatant; Chameleon Boy the Durlan Disguise-Master; Element Lad the Transmuting Teen; Matter-Eater Lad the Dean of Digestion; Shrinking Violet the Diffident Dwindler; and Ultra Boy the Emir of Energy.

-Leonard Rosenberg, Bronx, N.Y.

(And for your great suggestion, Lenny, we hereby dub you the Titan of Titles. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In ADVENTURE No. 365, Karate Kid said that diamond was the hardest substance known, while in ACTION No. 359, Supermanium is said to be even harder - so hard a diamond drill can't scratch it. How do you explain this?

-Mark Cunningham, Troy, N.Y.

(K Kid meant that diamond is the hardest NATURAL substance known. Supermanium is an alloy created in a lab. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I am living in the mountains of Turkey, where DC Comics are scarce. They have Superman books in Ankara, but they are printed in Turkish. My favorite characters are the Legion of Super-Heroes. I read every one I can get my hands on.

-Callum Johnston, Eskisehir, Turkey

(Welcome to the ranks of our worldwide audience. -Ed.)

Send all comments, on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Include Zip Code with your address.

Dear Editor:

As of ADVENTURE No. 367, I have 43 issues of that mag. There have been some magnificent stories. Like Nos. 340 and 341 - "Computo the Conqueror"; Nos. 352 and 353 - "The Fatal Five"; No. 354 - "The Adult Legion"; No. 357 - "The Ghost of Ferro Lad"; Nos. 359 and 360 - "The End of the Legion"; Nos. 365 and 366 - "The Escape of the Fatal Five." But never, never have I read a Legion story like the one presented in No. 367 - "No Escape from the Circle of Death." I will have to say this is my favorite Legion story to date, and with competition like the aforementioned mags to run against, I'd say this is one whale of a tale - and not a continued one at that! The reasons for my praise are: (1) Curt Swan artwork; (2) the people of the 30th century giving the Legion the rewards it so richly deserves; (3) the Legion's new clubhouse; (4) insight into Karate Kid's civilian life; (5) the miracle machine used by Brainiac 5 to defeat the invaders, and the moral that went along with it.

-Dave Truesdale, So. St. Paul, Minn.

(Then to your readers for enjoying the story, you should add: (6) Jim Shooter's script. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In ADVENTURE No. 366, you show the Legionnaires being decorated by the president. But if Superboy's costume us impenetrable, how could the medal be pinned on? It seems to me that a pin wouldn't penetrate it.

-Wesley Hunter, McAlester, Okla.

(It wouldn't. But what makes you think they'll still use old-fashioned pins on medals in the 30th century? They'll use an adhesive that doesn't pierce the fabric. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In the April issue of ADVENTURE COMICS you provided a way to bring back Ferro Lad. The miracle machine can provide anything the Legionnaires wish for. So, using this, they could restore Ferro Lad to life. I know that in the Adult Legion story, you said he would stay dead, but the Legionnaires can change the future, can't they?

-Larry Godsey, Cincinnati, Ohio

(No, they can't alter destiny. In fact, there are some limitations even for a miracle machine. However, we promise to put Ferro Lad's brother in the next Adult Legion story, as a fully accredited member. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Can Chameleon Boy change himself into a phantom or become invisible?

-Marshall Wong, Los Angeles, Calif.

(He can't vanish, but he can become an immaterial phantom - and did just that in ADVENTURE No. 326. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Whoa! Sure, I like Mr. Spock on Star Trek, but that's no reason to turn Brainiac 5 into a green Mr. Spock. I'm referring to his use of the expression, "illogical." Somehow, it doesn't fit the Brainy I've grown to know and like so well. Besides, we readers want him to be more human-like than computer-like. He isn't a computer, like the original Brainiac, you know - he's a real, flesh-and-blood person.

-Callie Ann Colwell, Yankton, S.D.

(Okay, Annie! You and the many other readers who told us the same thing have decided the issue. From now on, Brainy will avoid Mr. Spock-type dialogue. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Recently, while examining micro-memory-tapes of 20th century documents, I came across a publication which interested me greatly - ADVENTURE COMICS. The recording was incomplete, however; only issues 360, 361, 366, 369 and 370 had been taped. What was most incredible was that they contained Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes which followed closely actual cases of the Legion! I decided to write this letter and send it to you via one of our government time-cubes. But I didn't have to write it! I simply copied it from the letter page of ADVENTURE where it had already been printed! I would like to point out two minor inaccuracies in your stories, though. Instead of the United Planets, most worlds belong to the United Federation of Planets. Also, the primary law enforcement agency of the U.F.N. is the Galactic Patrol, not the Science Police (which was phased out in 2956). I know this letter will reach you. I have set the cube to send it to the main New York Post Office on Jan. 20, 1968 (1,000 years ago to the day). The stamp is a copy of a 20th century stamp from the Postal Museum.

-Gor Bismari,

Director, Historical Information Service, Federal Office, Complex 7716, 2696 Stellar Ave., Metropolis, Earth.

(We think your letter is a hoax. If it's not, the authorities will be after you for stamp counterfeiting. Also, if we got the letter from you . . . and you copied it from this issue . . . who wrote it? -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I am tired of everyone saying Brainiac 5 is the least helpful member of the Legion. He invented the flight-ring. He invented a formula to take away the shape-changing power of the Proteans in No. 334. He invented a serum to make Mon-El immune to lead poisoning. He neutralized Starfinger's effects on Legionnaires in issue 336. He figured out how to restore himself and his fellow Legion members to their true ages when they were turned into tots in No. 356. Seems to me he's the most valuable of all the Super-Heroes.

-Mike Williams, Ridgway, Ill.

(Thanks for the excellent run-down. One more knock about Brainy in this column and we might have been picketed by the National Association for the Advancement of Green People. -Ed.)

Send all comments, on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Include Zip Code with your address.

Dear Editor:

I have just finished reading "The Mutiny of the Super-Heroines." At first I thought it would be like "The Revolt of the Girl Legionnaires" in ADVENTURE No. 326, but I was wrong. What made it different was giving the heroines extra powers, using more girls, and the major role played by Supergirl in defeating the villain. I did find two mistakes, though. On page 15, Star Boy's insignia is missing, while Ultra Boy's insignia is gone on page 16.

-Bruce Riley, Cleveland, Ohio

(Thanks for pointing this out. We'll assign a Legionnaire investigating team to solve the Mystery of the Missing Insignias at once! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Your Legion stories are great! I have only one complaint. The uniforms of Cosmic Boy and Element Lad are PINK! Don't you think pink is just a bit too feminine for heroes as great as these two?

-Shelley A. Van Geffen, New Orleans, La.

(No - and we don't think blue is too masculine for Supergirl and Shadow Lass, either. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In issue 368, page 20, Ultra Boy is holding up a mile-high skyscraper while Karate Kid repairs a support. U Boy said he couldn't hold it up much longer. I thought he had super-strength. Was the trouble that his flight-ring couldn't stand the weight?

-Mark Ribera, Boswell, Okla.

(No - just that when U Boy uses his super-strength, he's not invulnerable. He can only use one power at a time, remember. Result - here's a super-strong hero who tires . . . who can even pull a muscle . . . or get a charley-horse! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Recently, D. Kendrick argued that "Ferro Lad didn't want people to laugh at him or be repelled by his inhuman features . . . How dare you think of revealing his most carefully guarded secret?" I would agree with Mr. (or Miss) Kendrick wholeheartedly - if Ferro Lad were a real person and not just a figment of Jim Shooter's imagination. Why reveal the late Ferro Lad's face to the readers? Well, why reveal Superman's secret identity? Because we readers have the privilege of sharing all the secrets of the characters we read about. So print your untold tales of F Lad and show his face. We'll never tell.

-Charles Christesson Jr., Rio Grande City, Tex.

(Since our mail on the subject runs about 5-1 for showing F Lad's face, we'll see if "Sharp" Shooter can dream up such an untold adventure. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I just a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y flip over that cute Element Lad! What do you have against him? You hardly ever feature him in ADVENTURE. Please, please, please feature him more often. He gives me goose pimples!

-Lourdes Fleites, Morristown, N.J.

(That's odd - it's Polar Boy who has that effect on most people. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In "The Origin of the Legion," which appeared in the SUPERBOY 80 PAGE GIANT, Phantom Girl (Tinya Wazzo) says she's from a fourth-dimensional world, Bgztl. But did you realize that Earth is a fourth-dimensional planet? We have length, width, depth and time. Everything, in apparent motion or not, is moving through a time dimension. So you may confront Miss Wazzo with this bit of evidence. I think perhaps Bgztl is a fifth-dimensional world. That one I can't explain.

-Marie Annala, Dayton, Ohio

(Even if you could, that still leaves us with another problem. If Bgztl is in the fifth dimension, where is Mr. Mxyzptlk's land of Zrfff - in the sixth? -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I am 13 years old and an avid reader of DC comics. If I am not mistaken, 1968 marks the tenth anniversary of the first appearance of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Will there be a special issue to mark the event?

-Harry Schneider, Cincinnati, Ohio

(You're right about the anniversary - and it's mighty sharp of you to know what happened when you were only three! Yes, the Legion debuted in a Superboy story in the April, 1958 issue of ADVENTURE. And we have celebrated by giving them a new clubhouse in the April, '68 issue - ten years to the month! Also, we dedicated the GIANT SUPERBOY to the Legion. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

While going through some past issues, I found a letter from Dave Broomhead suggesting Quantum Lad for the Legion. He could project a laser beam, turn into a ray of light, pass through transparent objects, and dazzle foes. Then, in issue 354, you show a statue of a future Legionnaire called Quantum Queen. Is this Quantum Lad's girl friend?

-James Hankard, Medford, Mass.

(She's more likely to be his twin sister. Or perhaps there were five of them - quantuplets! -Ed.)

Send all comments, on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Include Zip Code with your address.

Dear Editor:

Well, I've finally figured out why Princess Projectra hasn't been shown in any Adult Legion stories so far. Because when they take place, she has grown up to be Queen Projectra and has had to quit the Legion to take over her royal duties.

-Michael Caso, Parma, Ohio

(Pretty sharp, aren't you? Now figure out whether one of the missing fellows married her and became Prince Consort of the planet Orando. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Did you happen to recall that Duo Damsel can duplicate any object she's carrying? In ADVENTURE No. 326, when she was Triplicate Girl, she wore a ring which, when she triplicated, became three rings. So she could still do it with other objects, even though she can only become two people now.

-Gordie Mott, Port Arthur, Ont., Canada

(Exactly - and, if you'll stop to think about it, this should be obvious - because her clothes duplicate when she does. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I have to compliment you on your latest GIANT SUPERBOY, starring the Legion. It was excellent. While I'm at it, I'd also like to thank you for helping my grade. You see, my Language Arts teacher gave me an assignment from it.

-Reginald Greenwood, Seattle, Wash.

(You're the lucky one, Reggie. When we were kids, the teachers only gave us assignments from ordinary school textbooks . . . never from comics! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

As a comparatively new reader of your Legions stories, I have an obvious question. It has been stated that Superboy did not know about his cousin, Supergirl, until hr arrival on Earth when he was Superman. How, then, can she appear with him in No. 368? Why doesn't his super-brain remember her? I know you must have a good answer for this and I'm eager to hear it.

-Leslie Ness, New Rochelle, New York

(We do, indeed, have an answer - so for you and other newcomers, we'll repeat it. Supergirl once hypnotized Superboy and gave him a post-hypnotic suggestion to forget her existence - and everything else about his life as Superman that he may learn in the future - when he returns to his own time. Simple, eh? -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

Star Boy's power is supposed to be the ability "to make things super-heavy by drawing mass from the stars." But mass means bulk, and we don't see anything his power focuses on growing larger. I have another explanation. What he draws from the stars is not mass, but gravitic power. Star Boy strengthens Earth's gravitational field (if he's on this planet) to pull harder on the thing he makes heavier.

-Rand Lee, Roxbury, Conn.

(Sorry, we stick by our original explanation. In white dwarf stars, matter is so compressed that handful would weight tons. Similarly, the mass Star Boy induces into objects is compressed, along with the normal matter, so that the weight increases, but not the size. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In "Mordru the Merciless," Mon-El calls for Superboy with his flight-ring. This seems strange, because Mon-El doesn't need a flight-ring.

-Robert Moynihan, Peabody, Mass.

(Not to fly - but it sure came in handy for calling Superboy, didn't it? And if Superboy (who also flies on his own) hadn't a ring, he wouldn't have got the signal. Now do you get why they wear flight-rings? -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I have two questions. (1) Can Duo Damsel merge back into one person if she is in two different rooms, or does she have to be close together? (2) Is there anything through which Phantom Girl cannot pass?

-Carl Alcorn, Butler Ridge, Fla.

(Duo Damsel has to be beside herself to pull herself together. And, while there are no solid objects our gorgeous ghost can't walk through, certain forms of energy can hold her back. -Ed.)

Send all comments, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022.

Dear Editor: No. 370 was a great mag. So was No. 369, which had the first part of the story. I've been reading DC for years, but when I read this story, I just had to write you. Strangely, I've never written before. I liked the way you brought armies of the 30th century to Smallville; but I'm sure the people of Smallville didn't like it! There was one thing that puzzled me, though. On page 8, a red sun is shown closer to Earth than our yellow sun. - Michael Nyer, Brooklyn, N.Y.

(What you thought was our yellow sun was really the moon. The red one was supposed to be the yellow sun - but the color artist was looking at it through rose-colored glasses. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: My sister and I wondered what would happen to the Legionnaires at school. If Matter-Eater Lad got hungry, would he eat his Latin book? If Phantom Girl was embarrassed, would she sink through the floor? - Fiona Watson, Toronto, Ont., Canada

(Phantom Girl is in school on page 2 of this issue's Legion adventure. But instead of embarrassment, she's called to perform a mission - so instead of sinking through the floor, she rises to the occasion. - Ed.)

Dear Editor: In TEEN TITANS No. 12, a reader suggested that the TT's try out for the Legion. In No. 14, another fan said they should try to join the Legion of Substitute Heroes. The editor replied "The TT's as substitutes? Never!" I couldn't agree with him more. Wonder Girl might be able to make the Legion, and Kid Flash could probably get into the Subs. But Aqualad and Robin would get thumbs down even from the Subs. The TT's should stay in their own little mag and leave the big jobs to the Legion. - Floyd Anderson, Duluth, Minn.

(We think you're right about Wonder Girl....and Robin - but only because he has no super-powers. But we think you've underestimated the other TT's. Don't you think this issue's tale proves one of 'em could make the grade? -Ed.)

Dear Editor: I'm going crazy. . . .and it's your fault. I'm sorry; perhaps I should blame Jim Shooter's scripts, along with Curt Swan's brilliant illustrations. ADVENTURE No. 365 featured "The Escape of the Fatal Five!" At the time, I thought it was your best issue. The conclusion next issue proved to be better, though. Issue No. 367 gave the Legion a new clubhouse, a new group of villains, an insight into Karate Kid, and a miracle machine. This zoomed to the top of the list. Until No. 369! Mordru is just the omni-powerful foe the Legion needs. But THE BEST issue is now No. 170, "The Devil's Jury"! Never have I seen such fantastic sorcery mixed in with excellent sub-plots, and a touch of characterization added. The art was earth-shattering, also. Please! Don't do this to me. Every issue keeps topping the last one. - Harvey Sobel, Commack, N.Y.

(Listen - when we stop topping ourselves, that's when we start worrying! By the way, how do you like our new Legion artist, Winslow Mortimer? He was one of the great Superman and Batman artists of the Golden Age. - Ed.)

Dear Editor: I was reading issue 370 when I saw the White Witch for the first time. Boy, is she beautiful! I wish you'd let her meet Element Lad and let them fall in love. White Witch is so gorgeous and E Lad is so cute - what a couple they'd make! Will you think about it? - Cathy Melton, San Antonio, Tex.

(We'll think about it, all right. The only question is, what will the White Witch and Element Lad think about it? - Ed.)

Dear Editor: In ADVENTURE No. 368, when Duo Damsel had Karate Kid in a headlock, why didn't he use the counter method, Koshi Karuna, on her? - George Grant, Lake Forest, Ill.

(He was too much of a gentlemen to do that to a girl. - Ed.)

Dear Editor: Well! In ADVENTURE No. 369, Duo Damsel thought, about Superboy: "On 30th-century history tapes I've seen who he'll marry when he grows up to be Superman." Now you've as good as told us that Superman will be cured of Virus X in ACTION. Since he isn't married yet, he has to live and marry, so those history tapes can be made. - Richard Hughes, Waukesha, Wis.

(And if it hadn't been for that, you'd have thought us capable of killing off the top-selling hero in comics, eh? We may not be Einsteins, but we aren't stupid enough to slaughter the goose that lays the golden eggs. - Ed.)

Dear Editor: There was an easy way to get rid of Mordru. Why didn't the Legion use the Miracle Machine they received in ADVENTURE 357? Brainiac 5 had said: "Only the most cosmos-shaking emergency can get us to crack it out and turn it on again." Don't you think Mordru was a cosmos-shaking emergency? - Kevin Kennedy, Orlando, Fla.

(He sure was - perhaps too much so! The Legionnaires simply didn't have the time to go for the machine with him breathing down their necks. And if they did use it, there's the question of whether Mordru's spells could negate its power. - Ed.)

Send all comments on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Include Zip Code with your address.

Dear Editor: ADVENTURE No. 371 should win the comic award for 1968. It will make history because . . . .Gim Allon was called by his real name; Ultra-Boy took over as leader; we got a look at Legion training; Chemical King and Bouncing Boy took active parts. - Steve Thompson, Covington, Ky.

(Thanks - glad you liked it. But why not wait till '68 is over before you decide which issue was the greatest? We have some doozies coming up! - Ed.)

Dear Editor: It's rather interesting that, after Duo Damsel's long infatuation with Superboy, she should end up marrying Bouncing Boy - or Bouncing Man. Charles Taine is, after all, the opposite of Superboy, as far as physique and powers go. She appears to have married Chuck on the rebound. (No pun intended). Why not have a story that shows a rivalry between these two for Duo Damsel, with the Legionnaires taking sides? - Rand Lee, Roxbury, Conn.

(And would you end the story with D.D. "chucking" Superboy and "bouncing" him out of her life? - Ed.)

Dear Editor: What's with the Legionnaire Training Classes? What happened to the good old days when anyone with a good enough super-power could join? Remember when every year there was a contest for new members? Remember not long ago when there were tryouts in almost every issue? Now you have people being trained for membership. Soon there will be millions of members. - Ron Chusid, Southfield, Mich.

(No, there won't. The Legion training is extremely rigorous, and few candidates, even though they have super-powers, can make the grade and graduate with honors - which is necessary of membership. - Ed.)

Dear Editor: In ADVENTURE No. 368, Bobby Hitchman mentioned that the super-heroes' costumes covered almost their whole bodies. I agree. Couldn't the heroines' costumes be a little more. . . .well. . . .a little less? - A Reader, Belmont, Calif.

(Who are you thinking of - Saturn Girl? Take a look at Dream Girl, Shadow Lass and Princess Projectra. If their outfits were much smaller we might not get them past the Comics Code. - Ed.)

Dear Editor: I want to know why nobody noticed that Bob Cobb was Mon-El, when Mon took that identity in Smallville recently. He didn't do anything to disguise his face, as Clark Kent does. Anybody who knew Bob and saw Mon would know they were the same person. - Jalina Page, Houston, Texas

(When "Bob" started his brush sales spiel, with his mouth going at top speed, all anybody noticed about this "Cobb" was the corn. - Ed.)

Dear Editor: In issue 371, you showed the physical training candidates for the Legion must undergo. But you only showed boys being trained. Do the girls also go through the same training, but in another wing of the Legion headquarters? - Michael Wood, Newton, Mass.

(They sure do. In the future, woman have equal rights - and equal responsibilities. - Ed.)

Dear Editor: I have been reading ADVENTURE for many years and consider it the best comic DC puts out. You had me worried that you were running out of plots until I read the June ADVENTURE. I found Mordru a groovy villain. And when I read the second part, I was even more pleased. - Mary Jane Freese, Los Angeles, Calif.

(We'll know we're on the right track as long as Miss FREESE doesn't give us the COLD shoulder. -Ed.)

Dear Editor: Ever since the Fatal Five first appeared, I have wondered why Mano never took off his helmet so we could see his face. I finally got up enough energy to sit down and write you a letter asking why. - Paul Gallant, New York, N.Y.

(His helmet is supplied with air like that of his home world. If he became GALLANT, like you, Paul, and tipped his helmet to a lady, it would be bye-bye to Mano. - Ed.)

Dear Editor: I really like Duo Damsel, but she doesn't have enough power. I think something should happen to give her a new power, along with that of becoming two people. Maybe each of her two bodies could get a different power. - Eddy Bain, Phoenix, Ariz.

(The trouble is, she might wind up having arguments with herself over which power is the better. - Ed.)

Dear Editor: How about teaming up Life Lass (of the Super-Heroes of Lallor) with Stone Boy (of the Substitute Legion)? I know he is still alive in his stone form, but didn't Life Lass once animate a tree, which was alive already? So, I imagine, she could give Stone Boy the power to move when he's stone, and he could use his rocky fists to kayo criminals. - B.V. Davenport, Toledo, Ohio.

(We might even wind up with a romance, if she could melt his "stony" heart. - Ed.)

Send all comments, on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022.

Dear Editor:

I confess I haven't been keeping up with the SUPERBOY magazine; but in ADVENTURE No. 369, you showed Superboy's parents as completely different people than they used to be. In all the other mags I have, Ma and Pa Kent are old people, but now, all of a sudden, they are young - in their late 30's. Please explain this change to a poorly informed reader, like me.

-Ken Hatfield, Bloomington, Minn.

(This is the most astonishing confession we have ever heard! You HAVEN'T BEEN KEEPING UP WITH SUPERBOY! Well, we're forgiving souls; we're willing to let you off with a reprimand this time - but don't let it happen again! The change you missed occurred in SUPERBOY No. 145. A youth serum from another dimension turned the Kents younger. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I have just finished reading "When Superboy Walked Out on the Legion." It's a great story, but during the contest to pick a ruler for Thrann, Liquidman seemed to disappear from the story. I've been wondering what sort of feat he could have possibly done to compete with the others, but I could think of nothing.

-Charles Baer, Rancho Cordova, Calif.

(He had a tough time thinking of one himself. He wanted to make a big splash, but he only came out looking like a drip. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I'm glad to see Timber Wolf and Chemical King in the Legion. But what is Chemical King's power? Is it changing one chemical to another, or what?

-Vance Leasure, Hutchinson, Kan.

(No - it's Element Lad who changes one chemical element to another. Chemical King has power to speed up, slow down, or otherwise alter chemical reactions. Since all sorts of important things, including our very life processes, are caused by chemical reactions, that's quite a power! - Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I have often seen Brainiac 5 use his belt to create an impenetrable force-field. If it is truly impenetrable, why doesn't he suffocate, since air couldn't reach him? Does the force-field have some sort of "pores" to admit air? And if so, why doesn't a villain use gas to defeat Brainy?

-William Crum, Weston, Mass.

(Probably because no one ever thought of it. But now that you've brought it up, don't be surprised if some baddie tries to cook Brainy's goose - with gas. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

In ADVENTURE No. 371, Colossal Boy was charged with treason and spying and was expelled from the Legion. But in No. 342, when Star Boy was expelled for breaking the Legion code by killing, all the Legionnaires voted whether to expel him or not. This wasn't done in the case of Colossal Boy. Why?

-Mario Farina, Windsor, Ont., Canada

(Because Colossal Boy offered no defense. Therefore, there was no alternative to conviction and expulsion. Star Boy, on the other hand, put on a spirited defense at his trial. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I really love your comic, but somehow it doesn't seem quite true to life. I mean, every Legionnaire gets along with every other Legionnaire perfectly. Couldn't there be a few personality clashes? After all, they are only human.

-Torrey Adams, New Bedford, Mass.

(Yes, they are human - more or less, depending on how you define the term. But personality clashes are usually confined to their off-duty hours; they can't afford them on duty. Witness Mon-El and Element Lad in this issue. Generally, a Legionnaire with a hot head gets the cold shoulder from the others. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I have been doing some research on Chameleon Boy, my favorite Legionnaire. I found that he has the powers of Bouncing Boy, Colossal Boy, Ferro Lad, Phantom Girl, Shrinking Violet, Stone Boy and Elastic Lad. That makes him one of the most powerful Legionnaires. By the way, can he split in two like Duo Damsel?

-Scott Wilkie, Walnut Creek, Calif.

(No - Cham can't do the split bit. And, just for the record, he can't become as hard as stone or iron when he emulates the powers of Stone Boy and the late Ferro Lad. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I agree with reader Eugene Love that matching Shadow Lass (Tasmia Mallor) with Brainiac 5 would be a wild idea. But, according to my biology teacher, their kids would either be blue or green, not blue-green, as you suggested. Personally, though, I'd prefer to see her marry Mon-El. Tasmia-El - or Tasmia Gand - has a better ring to it than Tasmia Dox. And are you fellows macabre! You've already shown us that the adult Shadow Woman will die in action. So why build up a romance for her? Will she marry Mon-El and her death inspire him to make the universe safe for explorers? Or will she marry Brainiac 5 and help him devote his life to science? Which way goes your little scheme?

-Kitty Malone, St. Louis, Mo.

(Will she marry Lar Gand or be Mrs. Querl Dox? Read future tales and be prepared for some shocks. When we wax poetic it can be pathetic. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

You once stated that Lightning Lad was the unluckiest Legionnaire of all. Oh, really? So what if he died? He was revived! He lost an arm, but he got a new one. What about the original Proty, who died to revive L Lad? Or Ferro Lad, who died to save the galaxy? Or Triplicate Girl, who lost one of her three bodies battling Computo and became Duo Damsel? I would rather have L.L.'s misfortunes than any of these.

-Nelson Hardy, Carlisle, Mass.

(And how about Kid Psycho, of the Legion reserve? We have a doozy of a tale about his misfortunes in the works! -Ed.)

Send all comments, on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Include ZIP CODE with your address.

Dear Editor:

Concerning issues 371 and 372: GREAT! STUPENDOUS! TERRIFIC! This was the greatest Legion story of all time! Just think of all the history-shaking events in this ish! The use of two Legion trainees in the main plot; the origin of the Legion of Super-Villains; the return of Nemesis Kid and some Legion rejects; and getting Timber Wolf and Chemical King into the Legion.

-Greg Moe, Gilford, Mont.

(Thanks. By the way, it was a fan, Nick Pascale, who suggested the use of rejects as villains. -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I liked your story, "School for Super-Villains." because the LSV is my favorite villain group. At last Lone Wolf joined (Yay!) and you brought back Nemesis Kid, my second favorite Legion reject. May I suggest you bring back my favorite from "death," Jungle King.

-Neal S. Pozner, Seaford, N.Y.

Dear Editor:

ADVENTURE 371 and 372 were simply marvelous! But try and do one thing, please. Make Nemesis Kid good and have him join the Legion. He has too good a power to waste on crime.

-Warren Morrison, Commerce, Tex.

Dear Editor:

I just finished Issues 371 and 372 and the story was great. Just one thing bugs me. Shrinking Violet got so mad at Colossal Boy - yet he's her boyfriend.

-Edward Privensal, Jackson Heights, N.Y.

(Better not let Duplicate Boy, of the planet Lallor, hear that! He happens to be Vi's guy - not Colossal Boy! -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I just had to compliment you on Nos. 371 and 372. I consider myself a good judge of comics. But you don't want flattery; you want reasons for my liking this tale. (1) I enjoy stories with one hero featured; (2) You showed Nemesis Kid, whom I like; (3) You brought back Timber Wolf; (4) You admitted Chemical King.

-Larry Snyder, Bronx, N.Y.

Dear Editor:

In my opinion, your new member should be called Chemical Prince, not Chemical King. Is he a real king (or a prince)? After all, Princess Projectra is a real princess.

-Robert Gleaner, Audubon, N.J.

(No, Chem is not really royal; and the King just has a better ring to it than "Chemical Prince." -Ed.)

Dear Editor:

I noticed Chemical King has the same name as a hero in the Adult Legion story was said to have died to prevent World War VII. Or am I wrong?

-Chris Weitzel, Brunswick, Md.

(You are not wrong, but we have no immediate plans to kill off C.K. - and we don't mean Clark Kent! -Ed.)

THE GOOF-HUNTING GROUND: In ADVENTURE No. 372, you show Colossal Boy flying the Flight-Ring Course without a ring. But he can't fly on his own, like Superboy!

-Monica Parnell, Alexandra, La.

******

In No. 372, Chameleon Boy sees Lightning Lord and says, "Lightning Lord's lost brother, Mekt!" He should've said "Lightning Lad's brother."

-Kenneth Makowsky, Brooklyn, N.Y.

******

When Chemical King, Superboy, Chameleon Boy and Timber Wolf were locked up, why didn't Chemical King speed up the wall's disintegration process? Or why didn't Chameleon Boy become a phantom and walk through the wall?

-Drew Crislip, Bridgeport, W. Va.

(The wall was made of an indestructible material, which lasts indefinitely. And it was charged with anti-phantom energy, like that used on Cham's cell in this ish. -Ed.)

Why do you call the group a Legion? The dictionary defines the word as "any large body of armed men." In the 30th-century Legion, you have teen-age guys and gals who wouldn't think of using weapons of any kind.

-Richard Butler, West Covina, Calif.

(Wouldn't they? Read on. -Ed.)

******

In issue 367, you showed Goliath-sized guns for Colossal Boy and miniature weapons for Shrinking Violet. When will we see them using their weapons?

-Franklin Burden III, Lincoln, Nebr.

(Very soon. By the way, the weapons are designed to capture crooks, not kill them. Okay, Richard Butler? -Ed.)

******

Hey! In the lettercol of 372, you say Duo Damsel can duplicate anything she is holding. But in JIMMY OLSEN No. 76, an object she was carrying didn't split up when she did. And in ADVENTURE No. 321, she broke out of a metal shell by splitting, and she didn't reproduce the shell. Don't you mean she can duplicate anything she is WEARING?

-John D. Taylor, Kansas City, Mo.

(We do indeed. We bow to your superior research. -Ed.)

******

Dear Editor:

Today we took a journey to your dimension and discovered . . . THE COMIC ZONE! There we spied the latest ADVENTURE, amid the jungle of lesser brands. Speedily we backtracked to our guide's thatched hut, where we went over our capture like true zoologists. All kidding aside, it was a great story and your new artist, Win Mortimer, is terrific. The minute Don Allen introduced himself and his sister, we, the devoted Flash fans that we are, knew that had to be the Scarlet Speedster's descendants, We hate to correct Don and Dawn, but the boots on the Flash stature should have been yellow, not red.

-Glen Quasny and Rich Butler, West Covina, Calif.

(The boots WERE colored wrong! The colorist will get a super-swift kick! -Ed.)

******

Send all comments, on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 575 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Include Zip Code with your address.

To lead off, let's have the readers' reactions to issue 374. "Looking at the cover of ADVENTURE 374," says Bradley Anderson, of Milwaukee, Wis., "I was over-whelmed by the fact that there was no Superboy. Upon scanning it in more depth, I noticed how slyly you slipped him in with the ADVENTURE logo. Now, I realize he is the main hero in the Legion, and I don't really mind seeing him on every cover. But why not have the current leader's picture placed in this prominent position?" Simple, Brad. A lot more potential readers are familiar with Supie than with Ultra Boy.

"The world has sat through "Mission: Impossible" and a million take-offs," says Harvey Sobel, Commack, N.Y. "'Mission: Ridiculous,' 'Mission: Improbable," 'Mission: Impractical' and many more. BLACKHAWK used "Mission: Incredible." Now you come up with 'Mission: Diabolical.' The story was good, but the title laid a bomb." . . . "You seem to be making a habit of ending stories with thugs still on the loose," says Leonard Philip Zinna, Brooklyn, N.Y. "If Rogarth, Black Mace and Shagrek ever joined forces with the Fatal Five, there could be the devil to pay. I think the Legion's next assignment should be to run down these goons and put them out of the way. And the Super-Heroes should forget about fair play when the [sic] battle these characters."

On the subject of No. 373, we've received many letters asking us to bring back Don and Dawn Allen. Paul Palmer, Winchester, Mass., asks, "Couldn't they acquire permanent super-speed as Barry (Flash) Allen or Jay (original Flash) Garrick did? They would make great Legionnaires." . . . To which Daniel Wheeler, Bethlehem, Pa., adds, "If Brainiac 5 is so smart, why can't he give Dawn and Don PERMANENT super-speed. At least bring 'em back and make 'em honorary members, like Pete Ross." . . . Others are plugging for Kid Flash to join the Legion (or at least do a guest shot). Bob Sajewski, Erie, Pa., writes, "You're going to receive hundreds upon thousands of letters like mine, telling you to bring Kid Flash into the Legion. And why not? You proved in ADVENTURE 373 he could be one of the most powerful Legionnaires. He can get into the future on Flash's cosmic treadmill." There was at least one negative reaction to the story, from Scott Gibson, Sterling, Colo.: "You had a great plot. But why botch it up the way you did? The Tornado Twins could have been almost anything else, but you had to make them the descendants of Barry Allen. Yiicchh!"

Keith Friedman, Los Angeles, Calif., wants to know "If, while she's split in two, one of Duo Damsel's bodies learns something the other doesn't know, and the other learns something else, when they combine, will D.D. know both things? And when she splits again, will Miss A know what Miss B learned, and vice-versa?" Yes, on both counts. . . . Jon Roger McKenzie, Bellflower, Calif., sends a formula for a serum to use on Duo Damsel. He calls it "Double-Plus," and says that, "after 10 minutes of kicking and screaming, she will be able to split into four girls." To prove it works, he adds, "Right now I'm watching TV, playing baseball and reading your magazine, as well as writing this letter." If true, the serum should have a double effect on D.D., since she can already split in two. If she starts splitting in eight, would she be an Octo-Pussycat?

A lot of readers want more info on Phantom Girl. Tommy Law, Shreveport, La., wants to know how she could damage a robot by reaching her immaterial hands into its back, "since her hands could not touch it." She turned her fingers solid when they got inside. Get the picture? Yvan Bond, Kapuskasing, Ont., Canada, wonders how the Legion Clubhouse could be made "phantom-proof" if nothing solid can stop P.G. If you'll recall, Yvan, we said there were certain types of radiation that would stop her. Such radiation is used to charge the outer Clubhouse walls.

Next, let's get down to goofs. There are always plenty of letters from readers who've spotted boo-boos - or think they have. On No. 373, Jon Farwell, Coral Gables, Fla., notes that "Sun Boy says there are no records of any super-villains with Don and Dawn's power - which is super-speed. What about Professor Zoom, the Reverse-Flash? Wasn't he from the 30th century?" Nope - he was from the 25th century - 500 years before the time of the Legion! - . . . "Shadow Lass cannot be a Legionnaire," says Kris Reeves, New Berlin, Wis., "because the Legion Constitution specifies that 3/4 of the acting membership be present when a member is accepted." True - but hers was only a temporary, emergency appointment by the then acting leader, Superboy. Later, the full membership rewarded her with a permanent membership for her heroism.

Peter C. Hall, Croydon, Surrey, England, refers to an issue of some time back, and complains, "You should unite those Colossal Domes of yours and look up the word Mediaeval. You have it spelled Medieval." Correct, P.C. - that's the accepted American spelling. Pete goes on to say, "You state that the year is 693. The Mediaeval Age didn't start until 1066." Wrong again! The date usually given is 476, the time of the fall of Rome. . . . "What's happened to Duo Damsel's sleeves?" asks David Franklin, Indianapolis, Ind. In No. 313 she had violet cuffs; in 317 they were white; and they were orange in 325 and 326. Now she has white gloves." Let's just say she gets tired of wearing exactly the same outfit all the time.

Send all comments on a postal card to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, Inc., 909 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022. Include Zip Code with your address.  

"The King of the Legion" has brought terrific response, and plenty of guesses as to who the fake "Bouncing Boy" was. "Who else could the person bye but Proty disguised as Bouncing Boy?" asks John Lupp, Hanover, Pa. And Kem Templeton, Indianapolis, Ind., says "I have it! Chameleon Boy is in a coma, the real Bouncing Boy is at Legion Headquarters, and Proty was transported. Right?" Wrong, as you know by now. Next issue we'll tell you whether anyone guessed the phoney B.B. was Chameleon Boy. So far, not a single fan has come up with the right answer. . . . The other subject that has brought in plenty of mail was the picture of Superboy ripping the "S" off his indestructible costume. Ronald Kane, Long Beach, Calif., notes that "In SUPERBOY No. 91, Krypto couldn't rip his master's cape." A possible answer comes from Harvey Sobel, Commack, N.Y.: "Superboy knew how the Legion would honor the winner of the contest, so he wore a non-super costume."

We'd like to quote a little more from Harvey's letter while we're at it: "On the cover of ADVENTURE No. 354 is a statue of Quantum Queen. One of the Wanderers in 375 has this name. I'm glad to see that you are helping the puzzle pieces of the grown-up Legion-to-be, as portrayed in issues No. 354 and 355, to fall into place. First Shadow Lass, then Chemical King, and now Quantum Queen - and soon Reflecto will be introduced. It's this cohesive pattern that makes the Legion tales National's finest future stories." . . . Linda J. Hall, Salt Lake City, Utah, comments on the same subject, but adds: ""One hero you introduced in No. 354 may be overlooked. On page 15, panel 3, at the far left is a memorial to a certain Power Boy. Since Power Boy perished before he reached manhood, it would seem imperative that you introduce him in the teen Legion."

Now to some serious business. Paul Williams, Cataula, Ga., points out that "The current Legion Leader, Ultra Boy, and the Deputy Leader, Mon-El, were elected by the readers. I believe you should have a similar election every year. That way, the Leader will be the one the readers want." We agree - so, since it's about that time, we'll give you all one month to send in your votes. All ballots much reach us by February 27, the date when our next issue hits the stands. Remember, Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, Brainiac 5, Invisible Kid and Ultra Boy have already held the post. That leaves the following members eligible: Bouncing Boy, Chameleon Boy, Chemical King, Colossal Boy, Dream Girl, Duo Damsel, Element Lad, Karate Kid, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Matter-Eater Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Supergirl and Timber Wolf. Vote for your favorite. The winner will be the next leader; the runner-up will be the Deputy.

We have plenty of questions and suggestions, so we'll devote the rest of the column to them. "You should have some of the members quit the Legion," writes a mystery reader who failed to sign his (or her) letter. "And I don't mean just one issue or two. Like when you had Star Boy expelled and brought back after a few months. Everyone knows how Karate Kid and Princess Projectra feel about each other. Maybe they could quit to see more of each other. Then, after a while, something would bring them back." . . . Robert Reiner, El Monte, Calif., wants "a story about a second Legion, starring the Legionnaires' children." . . . "In the 30th century, you state that the capital of Earth is Metropolis. What happened to Washington, D.C.?" asks John Panzera, Lodi, N.J. Well, Washington is only the U.S. capital in our time. The U.N. meets in a different U.S. City - New York. When the future World Federation was formed, they picked Metropolis, that's all.

Christine Cassello, Chicago, Ill., a 22-year-old working girl, has a startling suggestion: "Get rid of the Legion. Break it up into smaller groups, like the Teen Titans, and give each group a magazine. That way, fans can see their favorites more often." . . . "Most of the girl Legionnaires' real names end in 'a'," writes Sharon Karibian, New York, N.Y. "For instance, Nura (Dream Girl), Ayla (Light Lass), Tinya (Phantom Girl), Imra (Saturn Girl), Tasmia (Shadow Lass), Kara (Supergirl), and Princess Projectra. Only Luornu (Duo Damsel) and Salu (Shrinking Violet) lack the final 'a'." . . . Richard Hooten, North Little Rock, Ark., has "a power for Rond Vidar, Universo's son, who is an honorary Legionnaire. Since he inherited his dad's immunity to hypnosis, why shouldn't he have his hypnotic power as well?"

"If Chlorophyll Kid, of the Substitute Heroes, can make plants grow super-fast, why don't the bacteria in the air grow when he uses his power?" asks Dan Wood, Dansville, N.Y. "Remember, bacteria are plants." It happens that C.K. can use his power with pinpoint accuracy, making only those plants grow that he wants to. Of course, if he wished to have some king-size bacteria, he could do it easily. . . . Rand Lee, Roxbury, Conn., has some ideas about Shrinking Violet's world, Imsk: "Its sun, Nu Pegasi, is a white dwarf star. It was once double, but back in the 20th century, its mate broke up, sending some dwarf matter to Earth, near Ivy Town, where it was found by Ray Palmer, now known as the Atom. The Imskites have the power to shrink like the Atom, too." . . . Vickey Wingate, Orange, Tex., is confused about Chameleon Boy's pet, Proty. "I remember reading how Proty died to restore Lightning Lad to life. Yet, in No. 375, you show Proty with Chameleon Boy. Did he, too, come back to life?" No - the one in 375 was Proty II, who comes from the same world as the original Proty.

"In SUPERBOY No. 120, the Boy of Steel found that he had a descendant in the 35th century. But in ADVENTURE COMICS, when he visits the Legion in the 30th century, he has never found a descendant," says Suheil E. Nusair, Amman, Jordan. "Admit it - that's the most colossal mistake you ever made." Why? It's a big universe. Superboy just never ran into his 30th-century descendants. . . . Commenting on the recently introduced Legion Academy, Frank Riley, Sunnyvale, Calif., states: "The intensive training program is only logical for an organization like the Legion. The old two-minute interview system could let in some bad apples, as it did in the cases of Nemesis Kid and Dynamo Boy."

Bennett Marks, Levittown, N.Y. sends a letter that would take up several letter columns by itself. One of his many suggestions is for "a Diplomatic Squad, consisting of Saturn Girl, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Dream Girl and Princess Projectra." We'll consider it, Ben - and your other ideas, even though we haven't the space to print them all. . . . Mary Isidorou, Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada, thinks the girl Legionnaires "act too much like boys. They always wear their costumes instead of regular dresses. They never change their hair styles. Just once, I saw Duo Damsel and Shadow Lass out of costume, when they were in disguise; and in one story I read a girlish remark." Hmm . . . maybe Jim Shooter should get some tips from a girl on how to handle the heroines in future stories.

Before we sign off, we have an important announcement. DC has moved! From now on, send your comments to us at our NEW address: THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 909 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022. Include your Zip Code with your return address.  

Dear Editor:

I would like to make a guess as to who the "Bouncing Boy" who vanished was. When Chameleon Boy saw Proty, he decided to use him as a diversion, by having Proty take his form. The clue to this is that "Bouncing Boy" never called the injured "Chameleon Boy" by name. Thus it is Chameleon Boy who is the real Legion Champion. Am I right?

-Patricia Ehlman, Newport, Ky.

(By now you know that you were, indeed. Yours was the first of several letters which correctly identified the phoney B.B. -Ed.)

* * * * * *

Dear Editor:

I have just finished the December issue of ADVENTURE and I feel that I must protest your brutal treatment of Chameleon Boy. Being a girl (we girls get very sentimental about these things, y'know), I was practically thrilled to death when Chameleon Boy found a girl he could really love. And now you've ruined it all. I understand that if Chameleon Boy got married and stayed in Elwinda's dimension, you'd never hear the end of it; but did you have to separate them like that? I certainly hope you will give us emotional readers a break and somehow reunite Cham and Elwinda.

-Debra Miyajima, Kailua, Hawaii

(Give us time and we may work something out. Did you ever stop to think why Cham wasn't in our Adult Legion story a couple of years back? -Ed.)

* * * * * *

Dear Editor:

I would like to comment on the realism of Bouncing Boy. His power comes from the potion he mistook for a bottle of soda-pop. That sounds simple, but here is how it would actually work. Every cell of the body is nourished by the food we eat. After B. B. drank the potion, the DNA in the cells produced a fluid in the body enabling him to swell his abdomen at will, thus giving him the appearance of a rubber ball with a head, arms and legs; and it gave him the power to bounce. Since the outer nerve cells, which normally register pain, are gone, he can bounce without hurting himself. But you have incorporated one mistake in your stories. You stated that acquired characteristics cannot be inherited. However, if the power one acquires affects the reproductive cells, one's children would have the same power. Unless the power is recessive, so it will not show up in all the children. But B. B. should have some children who bounce after he marries Duo Damsel.

-"Jan Arrah," Winthrop, Mass.

(Not necessarily, since we've established that he'll lose his power before the wedding. -Ed.)

* * * * * *

Dear Editor:

As I was going over some of my newest ADVENTURES, I spotted a mistake in No. 367. On page 11, Karate Kid is shown greeting his "master" - and the Kid has his boots on. According to an old Japanese custom, visitors are supposed to take off their shoes when entering other people's houses. They do the same in their own homes.

-Joseph Valles, Yokota AFB, Japan

(Isn't it possible the custom may change in the next 1,000 years? Or don't you get a BOOT out of that explanation? -Ed.)

* * * * * *

Dear Editor:

Looking over back issues, I find you have a sneaky way of naming planets in Spanish. In LOIS LANE No. 87, the sleeping planet was Dormir - Spanish for "to sleep." In ADVENTURE No. 343, the gamblers' planet was Ventura, which in Spanish means fortune or risk. Orando, Princess Projectra's home planet, is either from orar (to pray), or from orondo (puffed up).

-Steve Desdier, San Diego, Calif.

(How about oro, meaing gold, a symbol of royalty? -Ed.)

* * * * * *

Dear Editor:

In No. 375, on page 10, the conquerors of Immorto (Superboy) and Dartalg (Bouncing Boy) were to fight Psyche. Instead, Bouncing Boy and Chameleon Boy battled Psyche.

-Andew Jacobson, Bayside, N.Y.

(Looks like our writer changed heroes in mid-stream, eh? -Ed.)

* * * * * *

Dear Editor: On page 16 of issue 376, Chameleon Boy says he can't get out of the prison because the walls are super-sealed plastic, charged with special energy. But there was a window open. Couldn't he escape that way as an insect or a bird?

-Ray Cebalt, Detroit, Mich.

(What made you think the window was open? Look closely - you'll see the lines indicating a pane of transparent plastic. And if he tried to fly through that, he'd have got a different kind of pain! -Ed.)

* * * * * *

Dear Editor:

In ADVENTURE 376, Saturn Girl, Ultra Boy and Element Lad did not have their emblems on their costumes. Is it because they didn't have time to put them back after they tore them off in the last issue? If so, why did Superboy, Supergirl and Star Boy still have theirs?

-Ken Colgnard, Woodbridge, Va.

(They had extra shirts in the pouches of their capes. S.G., U.B., and E.L. don't wear capes. -Ed.)

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Send all comments, on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 909 Third Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Include Zip Code with your address.

Dear Editor:

I have the power to see into the future. Here are my predictions. (1) Shadow Lass will marry Mon-El before she dies. (2) In your next Adult Legion story, we readers will learn more about Power Boy, who was mentioned briefly as having died in action. (3) Supergirl will be featured more often in the Legion stories. (4) You will soon have an issue featuring the second Legion, formed by the original Legionnaires' children. Am I right?

-Clifton Watkins, Lawndale, Calif.

(We can't confirm any of your prophecies - yet. But you missed the BIG changes that are coming. The next time you see the Legion in action, they'll be in ACTION - ACTION COMICS, that is! They'll be sharing that mag with Superman, while Supergirl moves over here to ADVENTURE, which will henceforth be her own magazine! So be ready when the June issue of ADVENTURE comes out - featuring a fabulous full-length Supergirl novel! And get the June ACTION, in which Timber Wolf and Light Lass star in one of the Legion's strangest tales. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor:

Why aren't the descendants of Hawkman, Wonder Woman and the Atom in the Legion of Super-Heroes? And why isn't there a Green Lantern in the 30th century?

-Rob Reiner, El Monte, Calif.

(What makes you so sure the descendants of Hawkman, Wonder Woman and Atom would have super-powers? Even if they followed in their ancestors' footsteps, though, they probably wouldn't qualify. W.W. lost her powers, remember. And Hawkman and Atom depend on gadgets for their powers - strictly against Legion rules. As for G.L., it's been explained in his mag that Hal Jordan is destined to be the last Green Lantern stationed on Earth. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor:

In issue 372, Chemical King joined the Legion. In ish 375, we saw Quantum Queen, who can turn into a beam of light. But back in No. 354, you revealed that Q. Queen will join the Legion and be killed in action; Chem King will also die as an adult. Why not have Quantum Queen join soon, and have the two fall in love?

-Sharon Karibian, New York, N.Y.

(Well, we might get 'em together and see whether there's the proper CHEMISTRY to bring the love-LIGHT into their eyes. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor:

What kind of holidays do they celebrate in the future? I know from a past issue that they have Parents' Day. But do they have Columbus Day and other holidays we celebrate? How about religious holidays? Are there others than those of the religions we know?

-George Walker, Bronx, N.Y.

(Christianity, Judaism, Islam and most of the other religions of today exist in the 30th century, as well as religions of different worlds. And each one has its own holidays. There are also other days, commemorated on different planets. Most people of Earth descent still celebrate Columbus Day - and also Apollo Day, the anniversary of the first manned moon landing. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor:

You often show Lightning Lad shooting lightning from his fingers. But in the very first Legion story, he had to clap his hands to make lightning flashes. Also in that story, Cosmic Boy said that a special serum gave him super-magnetic eyes. Today, you say everyone on the planet Braal has that power, and it radiates from their hands. How do you explain these things?

-Bill Bergeron, Kimberly, Wis.

(The same way we explain the changes in Superman. Originally, he couldn't fly - but he could leap a quarter of a mile. And it was stated that nothing short of an exploding shell could penetrate his skin. Just as Superman has changed and improved over the years, so the Legionnaires have changed. And we think they're much better as they are today. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor:

In the Legion Outpost in No. 375, you say that Chameleon Boy can't do the split bit. But in No. 376, he used part of his body to duplicate Kodar's hammer. How did he do it?

-Art Scholp, Bergenfield, N.J.

(With great difficult. Actually, what we meant was that he couldn't split into two people, like Duo Damsel. It was all he could do to turn a bit of himself into a small, inanimate object. More than that he couldn't do - unless he had a split personality. -Ed.)

* * *

Dear Editor:

I think there is a better way to explain why Brainiac 5 does not suffocate while using his force-shield than assuming there are "pores" in it to let the air through. His belt could contain a device that breaks down the carbon dioxide he exhales into carbon and oxygen, thus permitting him to use the same air over and over. This would eliminate the possibility of someone using poison gas on him.

-Leonard Philip Zinna, Brooklyn, N.Y.

(We're sure your idea will make Brainy breathe easier -Ed.)

Send all comments, on a postal card, to THE LEGION OUTPOST, National Periodical Publications, 909 Third Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022. Include Zip Code with your address.