Before I begin, let me say thanks to the Flame of Life, for providing me with this particular letter page.


A lot of fans are under the impression that by 1966, DC was reduced to being merely a campy imitation of Marvel. I would submit the story "End of a Gladiator", from GL #46, as evidence to the contrary.

There's a lot to mull over here for a 12-page story, among which we find:

- The usually stoic Guardians are capable of deep emotion - a number of them openly weep in this tale over the fate of Hal Jordan.

- The GL corps is a closely banded, insular group. Hal's funeral is a very solemn event for them - outsiders, including his closest friends on Earth, are not issued invitations. Hal's final resting place will be a crypt on Oa.

- There is a lot more to the power ring than meets the eye, probably much to Clifton Torrance's dismay (see above). The ring delivers a stirring eulogy to Hal, even ending it with a quote from the gospel of John!

In light of these revelations, the reaction in #49's LC seems a bit subdued, although a young man from California named Dave Cockrum, soon to make a splash in the industry himself, touched on these themes in his letter:



Next: Back to the Future!