of the Neutralia by B. Wallis is also a very interesting and, perhaps, prophetic novel. Let's have more yarns of the space-rovers. During the year 1937 you have given us several outstanding stories. After carefully checking over the last twelve issues, I list ten which rank among the best of all time: The Globe of Memories by Seabury Quinn, The Guardian of the Book by Henry Hasse, The Last Archer by Earl Peirce. Jr., The Headless Miller of Kobold's Keep by G. Garnet, The Haunter of the Dark by H. P. Lovecraft, The Black Kiss by Robert Bloch and Henry Kuttner, The Last Pharaoh by Thomas P. Kelley, The Like of Life by Edmond Hamilton, Quest of the Starstone by C. L. Moore and Henry Kuttner, and The Sea-Witch by Nictzin Dyalhis."
December Issue a Pip!
Clifton Hall writes from Los Angeles: "Wow! Weird Tales doesn't believe in doing things half-way, does it? What have they done now but top off their greatest year with the best number I recall having ever read! Yes, that December issue was a pip! There were so many good yarns that it is difficult to select the best three. However, after some deliberation, I'd say that The Sea-Witch slips in with first honors. Let's have some more from Nictzin Dyalhis, who has been strangely silent the past year or so. Lovecraft's short jewel, Polaris, comes next in spite of its brevity. That one belongs with the weird classics. For third I'd say Hamilton's Child of Atlantis, although Fane of the Black Pharaoh and The Black Stone Statue are close behind. Even if this were all, the December WT would be the best in many moons. But there are also Uneasy Lie the Drowned, and Laocoon, plus a pretty good one in Flames of Vengeance! The cover was catchy, and Virgil Finlay's illustration of the vampire was a swell new feature. And now I nave a suggestion to make. Why not have all WT fans vote once a year to select the best story of the past twelve months, just as one of the movie magazines selects the best film of each year? You could use one page as a sort of plaque, with the winners listed, year by year. I sincerely hope that you will print this suggestion, as I believe that many readers will agree with me. I think I'd select Quinn's The Globe of Memories as 1937's best, with Fessenden's Words second, and The Thing on the Doorstep third. Why not see what the other WT-fanciers think?"
Concise Comments
Charles H. Chandler writes from Wooster, Ohio: "The Lake of Life is swell–the more Hamilton the better. Who was the fellow in an earlier story in WT–a couple of years back–a man with a steel hand–interplanetary adventurer? If any more stories about him, or by the same author, are available, let's have 'em! The Brundage covers are another distinctive feature of WT–they're good."
Donald A. Wollheim writes from New York City: "The full-page pictures by Finlay represent one of the best ideas ever. They should give him ample room to portray some of the weirdest drawings that any artist may hope to draw. But why not have a number of copies of each run off on quality slick paper for separate sale? They should make fine pictures for adorning the den of a weirdest."
Robert J. Hoyer writes from Chicago: "The Sea-Witch was a grand take. I dunno, there's something about that fellow Dyalhis' stories that gets me. I've been a fan of his since The Sapphire Goddess."
Andrew J. Wolsey writes from London: "May I take this opportunity of congratulating you on your success in printing, to my mind, the most thrilling serial ever written, namely, The Last Pharaoh?"
Most Popular Story
Readers, let us know which story you like best in this issue of Weird Tales, and why. Your criticism of the stories we print will help us to keep the magazine as you desire it. In the December issue, that strange tale by Nictzin Dyalhis, The Sea-Witch, is far out in front in popularity, as shown by your votes and letters. Address your comments to the Eyrie, Weird Tales, 840 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago.
