FOOM!
It takes real gravitas to create a fan club for yourself and make people believe it's legitimate—but that's exactly what Stan Lee and Marvel Comics did in February 1973. Initially helmed by legendary artist Jim Steranko, who handled much of the design and layout after a conversation with Stan Lee, Marvel launched FOOM (Friends of Ol' Marvel).
Marvel's first fan club, the Merry Marvel Marching Society (MMMS), had run its course by 1969. By the early 70s, Marvel was looking to start something fresh. Steranko, fondly remembering the premiums and clubs from old-time radio shows like The Shadow, jumped at the chance to take editorial control.
FOOM's Early Days
FOOM was published quarterly, and an annual subscription cost $3. For an additional $1, members received a membership card, six decals, and a poster. The first issue offered a preview of upcoming Marvel releases, behind-the-scenes info, an ad for the SPIDER-MAN ROCKOMIC record album, a crossword puzzle, a feature on The Fantastic Four comic series, a decoder puzzle, a pitch for Steranko’s History of Comics, and even coupons. This model was followed for the next few issues.
The Changing of the Guard
By issue #5, Steranko had moved on, and Tony Isabella took over as editor. He was followed by Scott Edelman (issue #8), Chris Claremont (issue #13), and David Kraft (issue #15). FOOM became a breeding ground for early works of now-famous creators. For example, Mike Ploog’s earliest Ghost Rider drawings and John Byrne’s first work at Marvel—a Frankenstein drawing—appeared in issue #5. Character contests started with issue #2, where future comics star Steve Rude submitted "Absorba Man," and Andy Olsen created a character called The Wolverine, though this version looked nothing like the one who would appear years later in Incredible Hulk #180.
FOOM's Legacy
While FOOM initially captured some of the spirit of the earlier MMMS fanzine, by the late 70s, interest (and sales) began to wane. FOOM ended its run with issue #22 in the fall of 1978. For many years, the fanzine was overlooked by collectors as just an interesting experiment, but in recent years, interest has surged. Many back issues now fetch considerable sums, especially in good condition.
