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Mougin traces Heck's four-decade career from Harvey Publications and Comic Media in the early 1950s through his formative years at Marvel (originating Iron Man, Ant-Man, and the Avengers) to his stints at DC (Batgirl, Wonder Woman, Justice League) and back. Heck discusses working conditions and page rates, his admiration for Milton Caniff, and takes issue with Gary Groth and Harlan Ellison's characterization of him in The Comics Journal.

(int. Clint McElroy) — Smith, a West Virginia audio/video salesman and prolific comics letter writer, is interviewed by his collaborator at Comicast, an audio fanzine dedicated to bringing the fun back to comics coverage. Smith traces his collecting from childhood (his first read-through was a Batman issue the night before first grade) and argues passionately against speculation, peer-pressure buying, and the over-serious tone creeping into both comics and fan journalism. He praises underrated artists Don Heck, Dan Spiegle, and Curt Swan, and offers advice to aspiring letter writers: write sincerely about your real feelings rather than trying to flatter creators.

The co-publisher of Archie Comics and Red Circle discusses reviving the Red Circle superhero line for the direct sales market, with Rich Buckler as managing editor and titles including Mighty Crusaders, The Fly, The Shield, and The Black Hood featuring collectible artists like Alex Toth, Steve Ditko, Jim Steranko, and Gray Morrow. Gives a history of the company — his father created Archie in 1941, and Dick started in the business in 1956 cleaning stockrooms. Reveals Archie digests are thriving in supermarket checkout racks, that Marvel handles Archie's licensing, and that plans are in motion for a live-action Archie feature film. Pledges that Red Circle books will adhere to Comics Code standards voluntarily even though direct-sales titles don't require the seal.

Reader Jan C. Childress praises the earlier letterhacks interview (CI #107); typographer Don Markstein fact-checks a Walter Koenig claim about actors appearing in comics as multiple characters; Lou Mougin and DAK exchange banter about country music vs. classical/opera preferences.