February 2003
whole number 158
2003 pages 009-016
Steve Ditko with two pages this issue, with a chapter of his "A Mini-History" series on Spider-Man:
8. "Others, Outsiders (OOs): Complainers and Complaints Against Betty Brant".
He discusses the negative fan-mail reaction to the character of Betty Brant, especially when prospects of a romance between her and Peter Parker were hinted at in the comics, and refers to an extreme story idea he had for her which his editor, he concedes correctly, rejected. He expands this to a general discussion of the tone of the comic and some other comics, like Iron Man's alcoholism storyline and Captain America's continuing to mourn over Bucky.
Jack Keller's passing is noted, with a short letter, an autobiographical page and a sample of his 1960s Charlton work on TEENAGE HOTRODDERS.
Part 14 of the Carl Wessler bibliography looks at some 1952 work at Timely. Under The Gun features letters from Don Mangus, Nick Caputo, Jerry DeFuccio, Richard Prosch and Mark McMurray.
