FOOM!

It takes gravitas to create a Fan Club for yourself and make the fans believe it’s legitimate but that’s exactly what Stan Lee and Marvel Comics did in February 1973– initially helmed by legendary artist Jim Steranko who provided much of the design and layout after a conversation with Stan Lee.  Marvel’s first fan club, the MERRY MARVEL MARCHING SOCIETY had run its course by 1969 and in the early 70s they were looking to start something up again. Steranko fondly remembered the premiums and clubs many old time radio shows had produced, including one for The Shadow so he jumped at the chance to take the editorial reins.

FOOM was published quarterly and an annual subscription ran $3 while sending in an additional $1 would get you a membership card, six decals and a poster. The first issue included a look at what was coming up from Marvel in the next few months, some behind the scenes information, an ad for the upcoming SPIDER-MAN ROCKOMIC record album, a crossword puzzle, a feature look at The Fantastic Four comic series, a decoder puzzle, a pitch for Steranko’s HISTORY OF COMICS  and coupons– the model was followed for the next few issues.

By issue #5 Steranko had decided to move on and Tony Isabella took over as editor followed by Scott Edelman with #8, Chris Claremont with #13 and David Kraft for #15.  There were notable inclusions in various issues of FOOM including Mike Ploog’s earliest drawings of the modern Ghost Rider and John Byrne’s first work at Marvel which was a Frankenstein drawing in issue #5. Character contests began with issue #2 and future comics star Steve Rude submitted ABSORBA MAN as well as a character called The Wolverine by Andy Olsen who looked nothing like the character who would appear a few years later in INCREDIBLE HULK #180.

Initially FOOM Captured some of the spirit of the earlier MMMS Fanzine but by the late 70s interest (and sales) had started to wane. FOOM ended it’s run with issue #22 Fall 1978. For many years the Fanzine was ignored by collectors as simply an interesting experiment but recently interest has increased and many of the back issues now sell for considerable money especially in good shape.

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