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Letter of the Day
2008-05-01 17:33:44

Remember when I used to write one of these almost every day? Me either. It's starting to read like the the competition's text pages around here, with me having to beg off every other day because things have been too busy for me to focus on writing something substantial.

But to keep the sorta-content flowing, here's a very cool letter that we received today. (And it's even got a tangental connection to Iron Man Week):

Hi,

My name is John Wilinski. I teach eighth grade Language Arts at an inner city public school in Kansas City. I just finished the first meeting of the middle school comic book club. I figured this was a good week to have the first meeting with Iron Man and free comic book day coming out this weekend. (There probably only be one more before the end of the school year.)

We watched the web trailer for Secret Invasion, I went through a powerpoint presentation of some of the main characters from the story, and then I gave away a half dozen of Secret Invasion (the reprints that came out today) that I bought for them, and we read it.

16 students attended, and I have never seen them as well-behaved as when we were reading through the comic book. It was honestly the most fun I've had since I started teaching. I was worried that the comic might not be very friendly to new readers, but I was wrong. Bendis does a really nice job letting new readers into what is going on. The kids really enjoyed the book. More than a few said that they'd be picking up the next issue. (Assuming they can afford it. 4 bucks is a lot for some of these kids.)

I just wanted to say thanks for providing such entertaining material for them to read and to let you know how much we all enjoyed it. I truly believe that I wouldn't have developed a love of reading all types of literature today if I didn't first develop a love of reading comic books at their age.

Best wishes,
John

John, it's gratifying to hear that the dopey little stories we produce are such a help in the important work you're doing in teaching the next generation.

More later.

Tom B

Off on a tangent, but I think if you wrote once a week, most of us would be happy. We certainly enjoy daily, or more frequent, posts, but you're already 350 posts ahead of your next closest co-contributor.

And if you give us a Counter Force comic, we'll let you not post for a month straight.

Posted by motteditor on 2008-05-01 18:13:18

Wow...
See, comics have a place in School. :)

Posted by Aziroth on 2008-05-02 10:17:40

Tom come on man
Send this school some copies for free. I'm not saying set them up with free comics for life but maybe all the SI issues and crossovers. The PR alone would make it worth it, plus isn't marvel trying for new and younger readers? You really couldn't ask for a more noble and deserving group than what you have right here. Don't make the man keep buying so many extra issues on his teachers salary. Please show them why marvel isn't just a buisness but something more meaningful.

Posted by moral_d on 2008-05-02 10:52:27

Come on Tom
If there's a more deserving group for some free comics I can't think of them. I'm not saying give these guys free comics for life but SI and the tie in issues would be a really cool gesture and show Marvel isn't just a buisness. Don't make this guy keep buying additional issues on a teacher's salary.

Posted by moral_d on 2008-05-02 10:57:32

DP
double post, stupid computer. My bad.

Posted by moral_d on 2008-05-02 10:59:20

Hey Brevoort
To further magnify what Moral_D said, below is a link to a thread campaigning for the inclusion of a Comic book course that would teach not only how to make a comic book, but also how they've impacted our culture and our history. :)

http://www.marvel.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=108036&start=0

Just thought you might be interested.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me if you like. :D (link below links to my profile.)

http://www.marvel.com/boards/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=1164405

Posted by Aziroth on 2008-05-03 04:24:59

"It's starting to read like the the competition's text pages around here, with me having to beg off every other day because things have been too busy for me to focus on writing something substantial."

God, it's like you have a demanding job or something. I mean, we all know you're actually typing from a yacht sipping fruity alcoholic beverages, of course.

Posted by deworde on 2008-05-03 19:54:12

damn
I knew it...

Posted by notapotatoe on 2008-05-05 15:02:04

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About this blog:
Ramblings and musings from the mind of Tom Brevoort. "It won’t be clean. It won’t be fun. It mostly won’t be coherent."

About the author:
Tom Brevoort is Executive Editor for Marvel Comics, and oversees such titles as New Avengers, Civil War, and Fantastic Four.


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