Letter Bugs by Don MacPherson And lo, it was decreed that "Letter Bugs" was to return to the site of the Rail That Is Fourth. I've had a few requests for the return of this unusual column -- in which I reproduce the fan letters of yesteryear, written by the pros of today -- but it's hard to find material sometimes. Fortunately, a certain publisher of graphic novels passed along some humbling items that I just had to share here. Our first letter is composed of "Star Words" in Star Wars #50, published in the early 1980s, when Marvel Comics, not Dark Horse, had the comic-book rights to the big-screen behemoth... Dear Keepers of the Two-Meter Womp Rat: I have remained aloof from the furor in fandom about STAR WARS despite the fact that it is the most incredible feat of the human spirit! Determined not to join the crowd of humanity that seemed to pour endless praise upon anything that had Star Wars written on it, I had not written even after I had seen "Riders in the Void" come and go. Has George Lucas seen that issue? He should consider incorporating it into the filmed saga. Anyway, I have broken my self-imposed silence. The reason? Issue #46. "The Dreams of Cody Sunn-Childe" contained everything that is good about the saga: fantastic story and great visual representation. I especially liked the interaction of Lando and Chewie on panels two, three, and four of page five. That was great! I know that you have no idea of the content of The Revenge of the Jedi, but "The Dreams..." would have been perfect if Lando and Chewie had some clue to the passage of the Slave I, an ion trail, anything. Space is pretty big just to go flying around trying to spot a twelve-meter ship. Don't forget Han Solo for a year. Try a flashback issue of two, like #s 17 and 24. A Yoda origin would be kind of neat, too. One more suggestion: Have some recurring Imperial villains. Admiral Krell would have been good for that. And PLEASE DO A BOUNTY HUNTER STORY. Signed, Larry Young, Jr., Proctor, Vermont Yep, that letter was written by none other than AiT/planetLar publisher and Astronauts in Trouble writer Larry Young. And as for you young turks out there who think he got the name of Episode XI wrong, try again. The original title for the movie was indeed Revenge of the Jedi, but Lucas decided at the last minute that a pure Jedi wouldn't be into the notion of revenge or some such thing. So the title was changed to Return of the Jedi. I understand there were Revenge posters done up and everything. Sticking with a theme this time, here's another missive from Mr. Young, written "a long time ago..." and published in Star Wars #53: Dear Beggar's Canyon Real Estate Company, I feel strangely Forced to write and convey my infinite gratitude to Larry Hama, Carmine Infantino, and Carlos Garzon for producing the best STAR WARS comic. It warms the very cockles of my Taun-taun to have such a true addition to the saga. And this was the most fantastic art that ever graced such a well-thought-out plot. Mr. Hama, your plotline must be the very envy of Mr. Lucas himself! Your reference to Darth Vader's secret numbered accounts, the sudden increase of the porter's relative density, and the demise of Vader's telekinetic aide were so imaginative, and so completely identifiable as STAR WARS material, as to be indistinguishable from Lucas' saga. As for Princess Leia asking Darth to clean up the mess left by the dead shape-shifter, and Vader wheeling upon his professional pawns -- all that can be said is, "Too much!" I also enjoyed the irony behind Vader's acquisition of the Crown Jewels of Alderaan. O. Henry would have been proud. As for the art, here goes... The reflection of Leia in Vader's eyepiece was fantastic! The arrangement of the second panel on page six was very effective. If Princess Leia can be drawn in subsequent issues as she was drawn in #48, I might just get a subscription! Oh, by the way... I liked this issue. Signed, Larry Young, Jr., Proctor, Vermont BWAH-HAHAHA!!! "Forced to write"!!! Larry should be writing such sci-fi humor gems like that one for Letterman. Or, you know, sticking to what he's doing now, which is publishing some damn fine graphic novels. The Force is not with Don MacPherson, but he will live long and prosper. Email Don MacPherson comments about this column, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board.