realism: maybe it made a big difference when Stan read every letter (sure, he can't read ALL, but maybe an hour each day?)


Thing strength:
FF123: Reed almost dies (bullet);
124: Reed collapses, then hospitalized
124: cover = first weak Thing (tghough symbolic, not in story)
124: monster in hospital: mate caught illness
- DELIVER ILLNESS TO THING?
125: Thing leaves for underworld
126: sick and weak

1968 decline:
least creative stories (rehashing old ones) == Stan's final. He ends in 126, "the way things were" - see announcement on letters page.


realism:
119: racism issue
123:asked if prefer realism or fantasy
127: responses: about equal (slight more fantasy)
BUT IN EARLY ISSUES DID BOTH!!!

long term character development:
FF128 - Torch on edge. Just lost his girl again.