The Barsoomian #12 – March 1967
Issue #12 was another one in the slightly smaller page
size which worked well and was affordable. I really liked the cover
by George Schneider. George was good friends with Ken Webber and
the two frequently collaborated on sketches and doodles. Ken sent
me a lot of George’s artwork along with his own. In addition to that,
Ken loaned me the centerfold illustration by Harry Habblitz. Ken,
George and Harry provided numerous additional spot illustrations, along
with a beauty of Tarzan on a tree limb by Neal MacDonald. Another
artist new to this issue was Ken Barish.
This issue finished off the first series of “Laugh It
Off!” articles from the June and July-August 1945 issues of “Hawaii” magazine.
“Burroughs Publicity” reproduced two rare pre-publication post cards that
were produced jointly by ERB Inc. along with other publishers, such as
A. C. McClurg. J. Kevin Toelle tipped me off to their existence while
Stanleigh B. Vinson provided the cards and Hully Burroughs provided the
background information. My review of the Tarzan TV show was none
too flattering. To say the least, I didn’t like it, but I was happy
to be able to provide some coverage of it. Most of the people who
commented on the show agreed. I was delighted to have Rev. Henry
Hardy Heins’ article exploring Tarzan’s birthplace. The balance of
the issue is taken up with Fred Kwiecien’s lengthy article on the supernatural
in ERB’s works.
I think what pleased me most about this issue was that
The Barsoomian was finally beginning to look like a real magazine, despite
its incredibly low budget. NBC Television provided me with lots of
stills from the Tarzan TV show (to illustrate my trashing of it).
Harry Habblitz kindly provided two illustrations specific to Henry Heins’
article, which added a very nice touch. And Ken Webber provided some
more humorous cartoons of our Bar-ry mascot for the regular columns.
~ Paul Allen
