Letter Bugs by Don MacPherson Welcome to a special all-JLA edition of "Letter Bugs," in which we look at fan letters from yesteryear written by the comic-book professionals of today. These are real subsmissions to comics letters pages from days gone by, written by people who went on to become comics creators themselves. Our first letter comes from the "JLA Mail Room" in Justice League of America #24 (cover date December 1963)... Dear Editor: Here's wishing you many bouquets and congratulations for the August issue's "Crisis on Earth-One." Even as only the first half of a story, it surpassed all of your past issues. I have never seen a finer or more exciting panel in all comicdom (with the exception of the JLA bursting forth from their bottle-prisons in "One Hour to Doomsday") than the last panel on page 24, where the Justice League and Justice Society members are introducing each other. What a glorious mass of super-humanity! I especially got a chuckle out of the two Atoms, Atom-2 bending down to shake the hand of Atom-1,and the two Green Lanterns comparing notes on their power rings. I especially liked Doctor Fate. He seems to have the same aura of "All-Powerful-Leader-and-Protector" about him that Superman has. And artist Mike Sekowski did such a magnificent job on him that it's a wonder Superman doesn't feel slighted. So once again, bouquetsm wine, and roses to all of you and especially Mike Sekowski--it takes courage to take on a story that boasts sixteen super-heroes and six super-villains--and it takes talent to handle them as beautifully as he did. Signed, Dave Cockrum, Carbondale, Ill. Well, if anyone knows what makes a good team book, it would be Dave Cockrum, best known as the artist on the landmark Giant Size X-Men #1 and subsequent issues of Uncanny X-Men. He also has a lot of fans from his time as a Legion of Super-Heroes artist in the 1970s. In fact, he based the Imperial Guard in Uncanny on the Legion. A few years later, in another corner of the "JLA Mail Room", one could find the following letter, published in Justice League of America #130 (cover date May 1976): Dear Editor: Gerry Conway's use of Two-Face in JLA #126 ("The Evil Connection") was most impressive. This villain's potential has never been hinted at until now ... as powerful a force for godd as for evil with only fate and a psychotic relation to the coin deciding which course Harvey Dent would take. Conway deserves recognition for bringing out a new side of Two-Face. The Dronndarians weren't exactly memorable villains, but then it seemed to me they were merely a technical necessity in order to set up an "impossible" menace for the JLA to battle, something Gardner Fox used quite a bit. The JLA ers were in especially fine form here, each being brought into action swiftly and easily. For once, having a ready-made marine emergency for Aquaman did not seem at all dubious and when the Atom rode a bullet to meet Superman and the Sea King, it was almost as inspired a trick as those which filled the Tiny Titan's own book of yesteryear. As for the Weaponers of Qward, why is it they make such good villains? Probably because the concept of weaponry has not been used at all well in comics and the fantastic armory of the Qwardians is very interesting. That art remains good. (Frank) McLaughlin's inking is clear, crisp and strong and does (Dick) Dillin's pencilling justice. Signed, Bob Rodi, Columbia, Mo. Bob Rodi is, of course, better known as Robert Rodi, writer on DC/Vertigo's raunchy spy spoof Codename: Knockout. In the latest issue of that title, one of the characters rides something, but it ain't a bullet, let me tell you. Don MacPherson always rings twice. Email Don MacPherson comments about this column, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board.