The first issue of OUT OF THIS WORLD ADVENTURES aroused at great amount of mail, as might be expected of any first issue, and was surely to be expected of as different a first issue as ours. If we were to do justice to all the letters that came in, we would have to turn over all the pages of this magazine to letters alone. We're sure no one wants us to do that, and we are also sure that readers prefer fiction to comment. For that reason we must regretfully omit many of the interesting letters we have received and we must limit ourselves in many cases to publishing excerpts from comments rather than the whole letters. You are invited to write to us about this issue and let us know your thoughts and suggestions.

D. A. W.

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FLYING SAUCERS

Dear Editor: 

I have been a reader of Fantasy stories for a great many years and after perusing the first issue of your new magazine, I am writing my first fan letter to tell you that I really enjoyed the stories.

Although I have always had a preference for stories of prehistoric civilizations, etc., I have become more interested recently in "out of this world" adventures, such as space and Time. The "Flying Saucers" of the present day (?) have become such a controversial subject that one has the feeling that there must be something going on of which the general public is in ignorance. Of all the stories in your magazine, the one by Mack Reynolds stands out in my mind. . . . One wonders if his story "The Discord Makers" is altogether fiction.

I am glad Fantasy magazines are getting away from "horror" covers. I believe such type of covers have been a detriment to the magazines in the past, for certainly more people are buying stf magazines than ever before. Some covers were much too nightmarish for the general public who would not buy them. Many people still think oi the stories as "trash" but I have found some very interesting theories in many of them.

Wishing your new publication the best of luck, I am, Yours truly,

E. Gordon,
1069 E. Market St., Akron, Ohio

IT'S TERRIFIC

Dear Editor: 

Out of This World is one of the best things that ever happened to the fantasy and science fiction world. It's terrific!

Being only 16 years old, I just love your illustrated section. Please make it longer. I enjoyed every story and the art work is darn good.

You'll have to put O.O.T.W. out on a monthly basis or I'll go nuts waiting for each issue. Yours truly,

Dick Mattson,
R. #1, Box 72, Roseau, Minn.

PICKED UP SPEED RAPIDLY

Dear Ed: 

Well! And Vol. 1 No. 1 certainly is. It didn't get off to such a good start, but it picked up speed rapidly.

Surely Cummings can do better next time. He has! This one shrunk. (One stink above stunk!)

Old V. V. Vas Vunderbar!

"Omega" had a good thought, new, too, but slipped somewhere.

Puzzle Pi made this a "Wish Ish." (Wish There Were More.) Didn't, in fact, know Tenn had such a good Penn.

"Boggey" must have been written by the kid. Which same would have been alright if he had told it.

"Terror" was good writing. Especially at first. The idea was good. This should have been a novel with the theme well thought out.

"Discord" was just that. An old theme. I read it, but I always knew what was coming.

"Forbidden Fruit" should have been forbidden. Same as "Discord."

All in all, a very good first try. As for the comics, well at least cut them to size and forget about trimmed edges. . . .

Charles A. Drummond
427 So. Olive St.,
Los Angeles 13, Calif.

LIKES CUMMINGS

Dear Mr. Wollbeim: 

Well, well, congrats. The first ish of Out of This World Adventures was a dandy. Nothing outstanding, but the general level of the stories was good.

Where did you dig up that Cummings story? It reads like some of his older (and better) novelettes. I've always liked Cummings, since I read "Space Flight of Terror" some years ago. But lately it seems to me that most of what stories I've run across by him aren't much good. "The Planet Smashers" was different, tho! The old Cummings. Best story in the ish. Followed by (in this order): "Omega and the Wolf Girl," "The Puzzle of Priipiirii," "Terror of the Mist-Maidens," "The Shipwrecked Bogey Man," "Forbidden Fruit," "Letter From the Stars" (How's chances for this being the first of a Van Vogt series?), "The Discord Makers."

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I didn't list the comic book section with rest, but I rather liked it. Something new in SF mags, anyway.

Who drew the cover? I don't know what it is about that cover, but it gets me. It has a sort of elusive quality I never before saw on a cover. Your inside illustrators are both new, aren't they? I liked McWilliams the best. . . . Keep up the good work. Yours stfanatically,

Frank E. McNamara
Granger, Mo.

WANTS A COMPANION MAG

Dear Sir: 

I was pleasantly surprised to find your mag on the stands. As you say, it is something new in mags. I'll be honest with you. Ed, I just don't like comics. Tho stories were all very good. I'm glad to see Cummings is making a comeback. He's been one of my favorites since I read his "Man on the Meteor." I think the best story was "The Shipwrecked Bogey Man." That kind of stuff is always good reading.

Since this mag compares with the old "Cosmic," why not bring out another one like "Stirring"? The short fantasy stories in that mag are still good reading, almost ten years after printing. Sincerely,

T. J. Oliver
712 32 Street,
Columbus, Ga.

BACK TEN YEARS

Dear Sir: 

What is Avon trying to do, put Science Fiction back ten years? Comic books don't belong in a S-F publication! I have not yet read the stories in your first issue, but however good they may be they can hardly offset the distaste induced by your "Illustrated Fantasy Stories." I still cannot understand how anyone could publish such junk at this stage of science fiction development.

There are a few improvements that could be made, with respect to the cover and inside illustrations. These, however, would be waste of effort until you get rid of the comics. Yours truly,

Charles Morris
2757 Claflin Avenue
Bronx 63, N. Y.

(Putting science-fiction back ten years would bring it back to 1940, a period when it was showing a very promising boom similar to today's and nipped only by the war. Actually it is only in a period of strength and vigor that a science-fiction magazine like ours could venture to experiment in an effort to enlarge the circle of its readers. Our illustrated story section is such a venture, and rather than "putting science fiction back," we are inclined to believe it will help to spread the borders of the rapidly growing mass of science-fiction readers. D. A. W.)

HE'S CHOKING

Oh, Great Ghu! You have at last published a scientifantasy magazine that has everything—everything that fen have been objecting to for years. My aching back! First a corny cover with garish gal and asinine alien. Then a name that is literally "Out of this World." Story plots, some of them, that went out with horseless carriages. Illustrators who must inhabit padded cells. Short articles that should haw stood in bed. Untrimmed edges. And, not yet satisfied, you graciously throw a real genuine, 24-Karet Komic book in for good measure. Ugh! Pardon me while I quietly choke. Wake up, man!

Frank F. Gloves
605 West Oak
Carbondale, Ill.

APPROVES ADULT COMICS

Dear Mr. Wollheim: 

It is with pleasure that we are able to welcome Out of This World Adventures into the realm of an ever increasing number of science-fiction and fantasy magazines. With the plethora of allegedly serious and semi-serious publications along the same lines as O. O. T. W. A., it is somewhat of a refreshing stimulant to have your 'zine along with the others due to the very novel introduction of adult illustrated "comics" centered around the STFantasy medium, something which has not yet been tried elsewhere. . . .

Albeit, you have at least resurrected the "comics" from a point of infancy, to the medium that it virtuously belongs to, as far as adult entertainment goes.

Your selection of authors, and their stories, is indeed commendable for a first issue, although "name authors" like Van Vogt, Cummings, del Rey and Tenn isn't necessarily the rule for fine stories. However, it is more for the editor to judge to the best of his ability rather than for a large legion of readers to later on condemn the publication.

The best stories—and they really were excellent—in your first issue were:

"The Planet-Smashers" by Cummings. . . . "Letter from the Stars" by Van Vogt. "Terror of the Mist-Maidens" by Chandler and "Omega and the Wolf-Girl" by Wm. Tenn. Regarding the other stories, in brief retrospect, I can only add that they were comparably equal to what most other STFantasy 'zine editors go searching for with a lighted lantern in order to find.

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Wishing all the best of luck possible on your welcome young publication, I remain. STFantastically yours,

Calvin Thos. Beck, Pres,
American Science-Fantasy Society.
P. O. Box 877, Grand Central Station,
New York 17, N. Y.

BOGEY MAN FIRST

Dear Mr. Wollheim:

Out of This World's first issue seems a very promising one. The fiction is interesting, and the artwork well-done. Here is how I rate the stories:

1- The Shipwrecked Bogey Man

This was a fine bit of weird stf, and the Mcwilliam pic for it was equally good. The McWilliam artwork, by the way, was one of the highlights of the issue.

2- Terror of the Mist-Maidens

Chandler, in this story near his best, can always be depended upon for an interesting and thought-provoking story. I am glad that no false note of romance was injected into TOTM-M.

3- Letter from the Stars

A departure from Van Vogt's usual style, and a welcome one. I like almost all of V's stuff, but a change of pace is in order once in a while.

4- Forbidden Fruit

This was a very fine short story, quite good, even for Neville.

5- Omega and the Wolf-Girl

Lester Del Rey's stories have undergone a marked change for the worse within the past few years, but this was only a bad story when compared to Del Rey's better work.

6- The Planet Smashers

The less said about a Cummings story, the better. This, as all his others was unadulterated hack.

7- The Discord Makers

Reynolds disappointed me in this rather poor imitation of Conquerer's Isle.

The cover was very poor in contrast to the almost uniformly good inside pics. I definitely disapprove of the comic section. If I want to read a joke book (which I don't), I'll go out to the newsstand and buy one. Comic book stf is usually unoriginal and childish.

It appears that I've failed to rate Tenn's The Puzzle of Priipiirii. I'd rank that story sixth, between Omega and the Wolf-Girl and the Cummings opus. Scientifantastically,

Morton D. Paley
1455 Townsend Ave.,
New York 52, N. Y.

DISAPPOINTED

Dear DAW,

I have just finished reading the first edition of Out of This World and I must say I'm disappointed. I expected much more from the editor of the Avon Fantasy Reader, you should know better.

The cover wasn't too bad, but I think there are better mediums than water color, don't you? The format of the contents page was good, but it's hard to find words to describe the picture. The last time I saw anything like it was in the note book of an aspiring artist aged 5 years. Improvement here is definitely needed.

The interior pics weren't too good either. Martin is all right, but Mcwilliam should stick to comic books. How about Finley, Lawrence and some of the other really good illustrators?

The stories were neither good nor bad; they were not comparable to the stories you have chosen in the Fantasy Reader.

And now here is my biggest complaint. Comics have no place in this type mag, why use up good "story space" for that trash? I do hope the first will be the last. A reputation for good stories will sell far more copies than "Heykids! they got funnies in the middle."

Hoping to find Vol. 1 No. 2 greatly improved and wishing you all the success in and out of this world, I remain, Yours,

Stephen Y. Adams
54 So. So. Carolina Ave.,
Atlantic City, N. J.

A FINE INITIAL ISSUE

Dear Mr. Wollheim:

I have just read the first issue of the new S-F magazine Out of This World Adventures, and would like to congratulate you on a very excellent start. Certainly Avon is not unknown in this field, but I think few S-F mags, if any, can point to such a fine initial issue.

I also approve of your editorial policy concerning the stressing of space flight. This seems consistent with the title of the mag.

The story by Ray Cummings I especially liked, but the others were good, with maybe a reservation or two.

I do have a few suggestions: (1) Acknowledge the illustrator. (2) Next time, get a cover more in line with the accepted for a science-fiction magazine. (3) Keep Mcwilliam, if for no other reason for the illustration for "Omega and the Wolf-Girl." (4) I may be in the minority here, but I do not especially care for the color stories. Seems a bit like a comic book, and hardly appropriate considering the high plane which has been reached in stf literature. (5) The two-novelette system is good, but I thing occasionally a longer work might be substituted.

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This is rather immaterial, however, for the difference between a good and bad magazine lies in the intelligent selection of stories. I am convinced this is not lacking here, and for this reason, I confidently predict great success for Out of This World Adventures.

Hervey B. Bigbee, Jr., D.D.
Bolivar, Tenn.

OUR SPRUES SHOWING?

Dear Mr. Wollheim: 

This letter is intended for your statistical aid only, since I am not interested in making letter columns. A highly typed story is interesting chiefly for the treatment, and a fair yarn is downgraded for a reader who has seen several in the same pattern, unless the handling is very clever. This initial issue suggested an analogy with mass-produced moulded plastic objects, in that too frequently the sprues and mould marks showed too plainly.

Ratings: Best in issue: Shipwrecked Bogey Man, Letter From the Stars, Puzzle of Priipiirii.

Too-simple space opera: Planet Smashers.

Shook up "Lady or the Tiger" with last man theme, but poor emulsion: Omega and the W-G.

Sprues need trimming: Terror of the Mist-Maidens, Discord Makers, Forbidden Fruit.

As to the Comic Book inclusion, I presume you have a survey indicating I'm in the minority, or you wouldn't have done it? However, if it leads any simon-pure picture-readers to tackle connected text, I'm all for it.

Illus: Cover: Fair. I prefer the "sharp focus" pix. Inside: Fair. Adequate but not outstanding.

I was pleased to find the common rash of misprints and transposed lines missing. A few errors don't matter, but too many pulps appear to have no proofreading alt all.

Dorothea M. Dunifon
305 W. Lynwood St.
Phoenix, Ariz.

OOTWA!

Dear Editor: 

I have just completed my perusal of Volume 1, Number 1 and am all set to annoy you with my opinions, but before I go on to them I want to talk about something else. You know how fans refer to different STF-zines by using the initials of the mag? Well, using this system on your magazine I come up with OOTWA. Egad!

Now for comments on the stories: "The Planet Smashers" by Ray Cummings was poorly titled. I have read a few other stories by Cummings and found them rather dry; this story was an exception. It had a wonderful setting—all the magic of the Mardi Gras and the splendor of the Philadelphia Mummer's parade and the magnificence of the Festival of Qen in the ancient and forgotten city of Shanadu was in that story. The setting was very, very nice.

The plot, however, was weak. That ending was pretty bad. It is like reading a detective story and then having the detective solve the murder with a clue that wasn't revealed to the readers; you feel cheated. . . .

Dave Hammond
806 Oak St.,
Runnemede, N. J.

COMIC SECTION WONDERFUL

Dear Sir: 

Thank you. Thank you very much for the finest magazine of fantasy and science fiction literature in a long time. It is really an unusual magazine with a radical format and a venture that no other mag has ever attempted. Your comic section is very wonderful.

Avon has done more for the fantasy fans than any other publishing house. They have given us such pocket books as Fox Woman, Out of the Silent Planet, and now Princess of the Atom. The latter I have just finished reading and it is superb. I am also glad to see that it is a first of a series. I now have the whole group of fans here watching for the second one—The Green Girl.

"The Planet Smashers" was a top story. But it was not up to "The Princess of The Atom." But it was still a fine story. Van Vogt's story was also very good. Only one story in the issue was not very good. That was "The Terror of the Mist-Maidens." It was lousy. But no 'magazine can always have the very best of the best every issue. But I can see now that you are striving for it. Good luck. You will make it. Fantastically yours,

Roger Nelson
627 Robinson Ave.,
San Diego 3, California