RetroFan Review: Issue 39 has a quirky assortment of articles

RetroFan, I love you, and I recommend everyone get issue 39, but I have to call it as I sees it, and I am seeing an unfortunate trend in the magazines (this and sister mag, 70s/8o-scomic-focused Back Issue) Michael Eury edited before his retirement. There is a decline in copy editing in these mags, I believe, and this issue stands out for that unfortunate reason.

There are a few sentences with awkward phrasing, missing/repeated words, and just some things that could be tightened up. However, the article on The Fugitive by Will Murray has some egregious examples. Actor Barry Morse, who plays Girard on the Sixties classic TV series, is dubbed "Barry Morris" several times. It's distracting and a disservice to the fine content of the piece.

(On another note, here's an odd editorial choice, or lack thereof: There's a quote by Morse talking about how he never allows Girard to hold a gun, and he gives a reasonable explanation why. Yet right above this passage is a photo of the character aiming a gun. I feel the text or the caption should address the contradiction given how adamant Morse is in the quote.)

Here's the good news: The subject matter is compelling as ever. Now that we are nearly 40 issues in, a lot oft he big subjects are in the rearview mirror of RetroFan, so we are seeing some interesting forays into the likes of Mr. Peanut. Yes, there is a history of Planters Peanuts that examines the somewhat ambiguous origins of the company and its beloved mascot.

Sixties toy Zeroids get a profile, as does the Sixties Tarzan show headed by Ron Ely. I would have liked maybe another page or two about the latter, but it's a good story. Mark Voger's profile of Ed Wood makes good use of old interviews he did with some collaborators. I enjoyed the analysis of the women of UFO.

My favorite is are the coverage of The Fugitive, a show that I love, though I find it odd that it references the Harrison Ford feature but not the Tim Daly CBS remake. Scott Shaw! delivers an insightful survey of Charles Addams' career and life that includes The Addams Family but goes well beyond to reveal what the man was really like.

My other favorite section in issue 39 is the extensive interview with Suzan Loeb, who wrote advice columns in Marvel romance comics for years. Talk about a fresh subject! Loeb discusses various aspects of that duty and the other things she did at the company. This interview is a great surprise!

So it is another winner of an issue for TwoMorrows, but I am disappointed at some of the proofing errors making their way into this magazine. I saw some similar problems in a recent Back Issue. I hope it gets sorted out soon because the material is so great. RetroFan remains a highlight when I receive it