I belonged, I belonged, I belonged, I belonged to the Merry Marvel Marching Society

Posted by: Scott    Tags:  , ,     Posted date:  September 12, 2012  |  8 Comments


When I was a kid, I joined the Merry Marvel Marching Society the moment its existence was announced in the pages of the comics. Yes, I was that much of a Marvel fanboy, even though the term fanboy hadn’t been invented yet. But considering how I joined, it’s surprising I ever became a member.

I gathered my pennies, nickels, and dimes, shoved them into an empty Junior Mints box, taped it shut, shoved that into an envelope, taped that shut, and mailed the chunky package off to 625 Madison Avenue. After what seemed like a millennium of waiting, and wondering whether the mess I’d mailed ever made it, my membership kit arrived … including this snazzy button, which I still own, and which I often think of wearing to Comic-Con, stopped only by my fear of the heartache I’d feel if I lost it.

But there’s another momento of that membership I’ve lost over the years … and I’m hoping you can help me regain it.

Over at Marvel Mysteries and Comics Minutiae, Nick Caputo has posted an early MMMS ad which reminded me that one of the perks of membership was the “daringly different gimmick” of getting your name published in a actual Marvel Comic.

His post also reminded me that when, burned out on comics back in the ’80s, I sold 99% of my comics collection, I also sold the comic which had printed my name!

I believe—but I can’t be 100% certain—that my name appeared in an issue of Tales from Suspense which pictured Iron Man battling the Titanium Man on the cover. Or maybe it was a cover that starred Captain America, but had an Iron Man vs. Titanium Man story on the inside. After all these years, who can be sure?

Any idea whether anyone’s ever put together an Index to all the fans so named in the pages of Marvel Comics? Or—and this is hoping against hope—does anyone have unslabbed copies of that early run of Tales from Suspense in poor enough condition that flipping through them to do me a favor wouldn’t immediately lower them in value?

Sure would love to find a scan of my name!





8 Comments for I belonged, I belonged, I belonged, I belonged to the Merry Marvel Marching Society


joecab

Plus you can easily find the original MMMS theme song on the web. Talk about a blast from the past.

Phillip Beadham

Dear Scott,
Re: your enquiry about the M.M.M.S. members in Tales of Suspense with Iron Man vs The Titanium Man on the front cover.

I know I’ve got at least one part of that story, so I’ve been rifling through loads of dusty old boxes. Eventually I found Tales of Suspense # 83 (which has Iron Man fighting the Titanium Man on the cover). You are NOT amongst the 26 M.M.M.S. members who have their names printed. However, I seem to remember this was a two part story (with this issue – i.e. # 83 being the final part) , so maybe your name is in # 82. Actually, I may have that issue as well, but, if I have, it may take some time to find it!

Interestingly, Marvin Wolfman has a letter printed in the letters page of Tales of Suspense # 83!

If I find # 82, I’ll tell you!

Best regards,

Phillip

    Scott

    Thank you! I still have my MMMS membership card, and all the No Prizes I won. but for some reason, I let this slip away.

      Phillip Beadham

      Dear Scott,
      No joy, I’m afraid. I eventually found my other very old issue, featuring Iron Man vs the Titanium Man on the front cover. Unfortunately, it wasn’t Tales of Suspense # 82; it was the Invincible Iron Man King Size Special # 1. This means it doesn’t have any of the M.M.M.S. stuff in it. Sorry! I’m afraid it’s a case of the mind playing tricks – you find yourself remembering what you want to remember. Maybe someone else has ToS # 82.

      Phillip

        Scott

        Thanks for trying!

          Claudio P.

          Scott,
          I am an italian longtime Marvel fan, and a huge fan of your work (born in 1969). I restarted some collecting lately and I was constantly wondering where you’d have been ended up, and I would have never thought you had a website and found yours because of this post because I was doing a search on the MMMS.
          Being not only a huge Omega fan (I had the privilege to talk briefly via email to Steve Gerber before he died) but very likely one of the most affectioned readers of the Scarecrow (the fist two stories were published in Italy on the italian Fantastic Four) I was recently surprised to find you wrote a lot more (i.e. Captain Marvel, which I did not recall I also read when I was about 11 years old).

          The TOS issue you are looking for is #69, the first appearance of Titanium Man. I have a GVG copy that I was just going to put on sale, and I will be more than glad to send it to you for free if you email me your address. The MMMS ad with your name is in the centerspread.
          I have placed my address in the email field, if you don’t see it you can write me at tht707 {at} gmail [dot] com
          Claudio

Claudio P.

BTW, you can joke about it, but even if so editorially short-lived, the Scarecrow remains a unique character. The first two stories are among the most original and fascinating Marvel tales ever written, at least in the 1970s, to me they rank as high as Omega, Don McGregor’s Black Panther (or Killraven, but tnat’s on his own) or Gerber’s Defenders and some Roy Thomas or Gerry Conway’s work.
The amazing skill of the artists helped that, but nonetheless they are a staple of the Marvel age. Which, I am sorry to say, Marvel has made go awry in the last 15-20 years.

george rivera

Good morning! My name is George Rivera and I’m from the Big Apple NYC. I have been experiencing all sorts of difficulties in trying to find a 1969 – 1970 Marvel Mania International Club Membership Kit complete with items. I am desperately searching all over EBay and have not been able to find one. I am kindly asking if anyone out-there has any leads or information on where & how to obtain one please contact me at (646) 402 – 3992.
Email: grboricuacollege@hotmail.com. Thank you…