Rocket's Blast

The Rocket's Blast was a 1961 science fiction and comics fanzine published by G.B. Love from 1961 until 1964, when it merged with The Comicollector to become the Rocket's Blast Comicollector or RBCC, one of the most popular adzines of the 60s and 70s. It was one of the earliest comic zines, printed via mimeograph, and featured collecting advice, news about new releases, fiction, and collector profiles among other things.
==History==
The Rocket's Blast was initially the newsletter for the SFCA (Science Fiction and Comics Association) and the first 10 issues, from December 1961 to September 1962 were very basic - no cover art, usually six typed pages printed only on one side. It was issued monthly, and included a Feature (a short profile of one of the SFCA members); We Suggest (suggestions for comics and other media to try); and a To The Members note from Love. Short - very short! - fiction was also included, as well as a regular piece called The Science Shop about various curious scientific or supernatural tales and the Rocket Roll, which listed the new members for the month. Letters of comment were also added after the first issue.
Issue #11 introduced a longer format and a front cover, as well as classified ads for those wanting to buy and sell comics. This set the scene for RB to make the transition to adzine, as well as adding a number of regular features that would carry onwards to the RBCC after the merger: the "Rocketeer Gossip" comic news, the "Best of SF" reviews and more opportunities for fan artists. This continued until March 1964 / Issue #28, when Love announced that the zine was going to merge with Jerry Bails' adzine, The Comicollector, with issue #29 being the first issue of the new combined zine. At this point, the zine had a print run of 200-350, reflecting the growth in popularity.
== Issue 1 ==
December 1961. Editor: G.B. Love. There were several versions made, all with the same content but with different layout. Page count varies, depending on the size of the sheet - 2 pages for legal size, 3 pages for A4. 7 copies only, one for each subscriber: Rick Weingroff, Rusty Clapsaddle, Buddy Saunders, Charles Donthitt, Jerry Snipes, Bernie Bubnis, Jr. 
Contents:
From the front page, a note from G.B. Love:
*"TO THE MEMBERS" message from GB Love.  
*"Dividing Line" very short story (one paragraph) by Bernie Bubnis.  
*"THE COLLECTOR'S CORNER" column by GB Love (recommending Flash #123 and Green Lantern #8).  
*"WE SUGGEST" comic suggestion column (GB suggests Amazing Adult Fantasy #9).  
*"THE SCIENCE SHOP" column discusses The Abominable Snowman (Part I). 
*“Special Announcement" by Love announces there will be classified ads in next issue.
== Issue 2==
January 1962. Editor: G.B. Love. 4 single-sided pages on carbon paper.  Page count varies as some copies were 8.5 x 14 inches, and some were 8.5 x 11. 9 copies only, one for each subscriber: Rick Weingroff, Rusty Clapsaddle, Buddy Saunders, Charles Donthitt, Jerry Snipes, Bernie Bubnis Jr, Edward Sheehy, and Paul Seydor. 
*Contents:“WE SUGGEST" comic suggestion column (Showcase #36) by G.B. Love
*"THE COLLECTOR'S CORNER" column (Batman Annual #2 and John Force - Magic Agent #1) by G.B. Love
*"THE SCIENCE SHOP" column discusses The Abominable Snowman (Part II) by G.B. Love
*"THE FEATURE" profiles 14-year-old fan Rusty Clapsaddle. 
*“LETTERS TO THE EDITOR” from Bernie Bubnis Jr., Rusty Clapsaddle, Edward Sheehy and a long one from Buddy Saunders stating, among other things, that he currently has 1,2000 comics in his collection, the oldest being from 1951.
*Comics Classifieds: small buying and selling ads by Buddy Saunders
==Issue 3==
February 1962. Editor: G.B. Love. 5 single-sided pages on carbon paper.  
Contents:
*"You Are Too Old To Be Reading Comic Books" by GB Love - article.  
*"WE SUGGEST" (Fantastic Four #3) by Love.   
*"THE FEATURE" profiles GB Love.  
*"Shon O'Shay, the God-Fearing Man," a short text story by Buddy Saunders.  
*"THE SCIENCE SHOP: Mystery Ships Over San Francisco" by Buddy Saunders. 
*"LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" from Rick Weingroff and Buddy Saunders. 
==Issue 4 ==
March 1962. Editor: G.B. Love. 5 single-sided carbon paper and mimeo pages.  One page is 8.5 x 14 inches.
Contents:
*"THE FEATURE" profiles Rick Weingroff. 
*"ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Weingroff - comics news
*”Forged of Fire," fiction by Weingroff.  
* "WE SUGGEST” comic suggestion column by G.B. Love
*"TO THE MEMBERS" by GB Love.  
*"THE COLLECTOR'S CORNER" by Love.  
*"The Revenge of Mentin, Part I" fiction by Edward Sheehy.  
*"LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" from Greg DeZiel.
*The Rocket Roll - new members Dave Bibby, Larry Tucker, Doug Storer and Dennis Budd.
*Comics Classified: want ad by Ed Sheehy.
==Issue 5 ==
April 1962. Editor: G.B. Love. 5 single-sided 8.5"x14" mimeo pages. 
Contents:
* "The Fantastic-Lee Four" by Rick Weingroff.   
* "ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Rick Weingroff.   
* "THE COLLECTOR'S CORNER" by Rick Weingroff.    
* THE BEST OF S-F by Bob Harner 3rd.  
* "THE FEATURE" profiles Jerry Snipes. 
* "THE SCIENCE SHOP, Sorcery, Fact or Fable" by Greg DeZiel.   
* "The Revenge of Mentin, Part II" fiction by Edward Sheehy.  
* Drawing contest by S.F.C.A. to find an artist.   
* "THE ROCKET ROLL": new member Michael Maginnis.   
* LETTERS TO THE EDITOR from Edward Sheehy and Buddy Saunders. Saunders suggests a drive to get membership up to 100 fans.
==Issue 6==
May 1962. Editor: G.B. Love. 4 single-sided 8.5"x14" mimeo pages.
Contents:
* "ROCKETEER GOSSIP - The Revivals - Where Now?" column by Rick Weingroff discusses revivals of Golden Age super heroes. 
* “THE ROCKET ROLL" lists new members, including John and Tom McGeehan, and Raymond Miller.  
* Announcement at the bottom of page 1 that "We are changing the name of our club to Science Fiction and Comics Association."   
* "THE FEATURE" profiles 14-year-old Paul Seydor.  
* "The Atom" article & illo by Bernie Bubnis.   
* "THE COLLECTOR'S CORNER" column by Greg DeZiel discusses Dr. Fate (with illo by DeZiel). 
* “THE BEST OF S-F" — Bob Harner 3rd reviews "The Unsleep" by Diana & Meir Gillon.    
* "The Revenge of Mentin Part III" fan-fiction by Edward Sheehy.  
* "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" from Mary Bending (1st female member of the club) and Fred Bronson.
* The Incredible Hulk by Richard Weingroff. 
* We Suggest and Coming Next Issue by the Editor. 
==Issue 7==
June 1962. Editor: G.B. Love. 10 pages.
* Contents:"THE FEATURE" profiles collector Michael Maginnis from W. Hyattsville MD.   
* "THE COLLECTOR'S CORNER" column by Dave Bibby discusses the origin of Green Lantern (Alan Scott).  
* "THE SCIENCE SHOP" column by Rick Weingroff on shooting stars.  
* "EDITOR'S NOTE" by GB Love - Why It's Wise to Advertise in the Classifieds
* "THE ROCKET ROLL" lists new members, including Dean Newman and Don Foote.  
* “Master of Gravity, Graviteer" fan-fiction by Buddy Saunders (illo by Greg DeZiel).   
* "WE SUGGEST" suggests World's Finest #126.   
* "ROCKETEER GOSSIP" column by Rick Weingroff.  
* "THE BEST OF S-F" — Bob Harner 3rd reviews "Necromancer" by Gordon R. Dickson.  
* "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" from Buddy Saunders and Bob Harner 3rd. 
* Coming in Future Issues
== Issue 8 ==
July 1962. Editor: G.B. Love. 6 pages.
Contents:
* THE FEATURE" profiles 14-year-old collector Dennis Budd.  
* “THE COLLECTOR'S CORNER" by Rick Weingroff & GB Love - report "here are some books you should look for … Amazing Adult Fantasy #15 features a new costumed hero called Spider-Man" and also “Journey Into Mystery #83 introduces a new super hero called Thor."  
* "THE ROCKET ROLL" lists five new members including Howard Keltner.   
* "ROCKETEER GOSSIP" column by Rick Weingroff discusses Blackhawk (illo by Greg DeZiel)
* "WE SUGGEST" suggests The Brave & The Bold #43 (Hawkman).  
* “THE BEST OF S-F“ — Bob Harner 3rd reviews The Primal Urge by Brian Aldiss.   
* "Purr" by Bernie Bubnis, a funny story told in a single paragraph.  Ditto art insert by Bernie Bubnis.  
* "Heroes United" by Fred Bronson - super-hero fan-fiction (sort of).  
* "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" from Dave Bibby, Fred Bronson, and Richard Weingroff, plus a couple of fan letters praising Buddy Saunders' short story (“Master of Gravity, Graviteer") from a previous issue
==Issue 9==
August 1962. Editor: G.B. Love. 7 pages.
Contents:
* "ROCKETEER GOSSIP,” about Mystery in Space #1 by Rick Weingroff.   
* "THE BEST OF S-F" — Bob Harner 3rd reviews “The Shrinking Man” by Richard Matheson.  
* "BLASTING OFF" by Fred Bronson - article on Gold Key.   
* "Graviteer and The Hole in the Ocean," short story with illo by Buddy Saunders.  
* "THINGS TO COME" with info sent in by Nick Debelo.
* advertisement for The Comic Collector's Handbook
* Information by Fred Bronson on his super-hero creations in "Heroes United".
* "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" 
* lots of ads for comics. 
* Rocket Roll - Paul Moslander is among seven new members listed.
==Issue 10==
September 1962. Editor: G.B. Love. 5 pages.
Contents:
* "ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Rick Weingroff.   
* "Heroes United" by Fred Bronson.  
* “THE FEATURE” profiles Larry Tucker.
* "THE BEST OF S-F" — Bob Harner 3rd reviews “War of the Worlds” by HG Wells.  
* "Graviteer and the Hole in the Ocean," fiction written/illustrated by Buddy Saunders. 
* "BLASTING OFF" by Fred Bronson.  
* "Forked Lightning Meets The Mania Master" by Paul Moslander.   
* "THE COLLECTOR'S CORNER" (“Great Guardians, Another Guardian”) by Don Foote (illo by Greg DeZiel)
* A critique of Ray Cummings' The Girl in the Golden Atom by Paul Moslander. 
* "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" from Paul Moslander and John Ferrazzano.
* Wonder Woman article by Richard Weingroff
==Issue 11==
October 1962. Editor: G.B. Love. 13 one-sided mimeo pages. Issue #11 has the same cover as issue #12; intended to be the permanent cover of the RB but popular opinion decided against it.  
Contents:
* Front cover by G.B. Love - The Avenger (I.W. Publications)
* "THE COLLECTOR'S CORNER" by Rick Weingroff - feature on DC's Showcase
* "ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Rick Weingroff.  
* "THE COMIC REVIEWER" by Steve Perrin - article about the first Human Torch
* "THE BEST OF S-F" — Bob Harner 3rd reviews On the Beach by Nevil Shute.  
* "Graviteer and the Sub Pirates" text story written/illustrated by Buddy Saunders.  
* "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" from Paul Seydor, Larry Tucker, Dave Bibby, Rick Weingroff & Steve Perrin.   
* Interior art by Greg DeZiel.
* Captain Comet article by Rick Weingroff.
* classified comic book ads
== Issue 12 ==
November 1962. Editor: G.B. Love. 15 one-sided mimeograph/ditto pages. Issue #12 has the same cover as issue #11; intended to be the permanent cover of the RB but popular opinion decided against it.  
Contents:
* Front cover by G.B. Love - The Avenger (I.W. Publications)
* "The First Year Is the Hardest" by GB Love - article on RB's first year of publication.
* "THE COMIC REVIEWER," an article about Thor by Steve Perrin. Art by Greg DeZiel.
* "The First and Still the Greatest," article about Superman creators Siegel & Schuster by Paul Seydor.  
* A review of George Lowther's "The Adventures of Superman" novel by Tom McGeehan. 
* ”THE COLLECTOR'S CORNER" by Rick Weingroff - Hawkman, Captain Marvel, and Plastic Man.
* "THE BEST OF S-F" — Bob Harper 3rd reviews Caviar by Theodore Sturgeon.
* "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR"
* classified comic book ads.
==Issue 13==
December 1962. Editor: G.B. Love. 16 one-sided mimeograph/ditto pages. 
Contents 
* Front cover art by Buddy Saunders - Adam Strange (DC Comics)
* ”THE FEATURE" profile of Mel Herbers. 
* "ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Rick Weingroff. 
* "How's the World Treating You" by Rick Weingroff - article on the use of politics in Marvel and DC comics.
* "THE BEST OF S-F" — Bob Harner 3rd reviews "The Bodyguard and Four Other Short Novels From Galaxy" edited by H.L. Gold. 
* "Wanted: Dead or Alive" by Bernie Bubnis. 
* "Captain America Story," article by Raymond Miller - article on Captain America
* ”Serial Shorts" by John McGeehan & G.B. Love. 
* “The Rusty Man of Steel" by Paul Moslander - article on Superman.
* "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" from Richard Durell, Paul Moslander, Doug Storer, Rick Weingroff, and Bernie Bubnis.
* Article - comics references in newspapers and on TV
* classified comic book ads
== Issue 14==
January 1963. Editor: G.B. Love. 21 one-sided mimeograph/ditto pages. 
Contents:
* Front cover art by Buddy Saunders - Captain America (Marvel Comics)
* "THE FEATURE" profiles Howard Keltner.  
* "THE COMIC REVIEWER: A Key to Gold Key” by Steve Perrin - article on Gold Key Comics.
* "Wanted: A Good Team (Simon & Kirby)“ by John Ferrazzano and illoed by P. Alfieri.  
* "ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Rick Weingroff.  
* Article about ACG comics by Rick Weingroff. 
* "Graviteer Battles Magnus," text story written/illustrated by Buddy Saunders.   
* "THE ROCKET ROLL" lists new members: John G. Fantucchio, Larry Herndon, Paul Gambaccini, Rick Durell, and Margaret Gemignani. 
* "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" from John Page, Howard Keltner, Mike Friedrich, Paul Gambaccini, Buddy Saunders, Doug Storer & Frank Lamb. 
* Ads become more abundant with this issue, which includes one of Howard Rogofsky's first ads.  
==Issue 15==
February 1963. Editor: G.B. Love. 22 one-sided mimeograph/ditto pages (plus one additional page printed on 2 sides).
Contents:
* Front cover by Buddy Saunders - Spider-Man (Marvel Comics)
* "ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Rick Weingroff - "did you know"
* "Wanted: Dead or Alive" by Bernie Bubnis - shorts on Buddy Saunders, G.B. Love, and Rick Weingroff 
* "THE COMIC REVIEWER" by G.B. Love (Amazing Spider-Man #1)
* "THE COMIC REVIEWER" by Steve Perrin (Gold Key's Magnus, Robot Fighter)
* An article about Lev Gleason’s ”Daredevil" written/illustrated by Rick Durell.  
* "THE BEST OF S-F" — Bob Harner 3rd on the first four ERB paperbacks published by Ace.  
* "THE FEATURE" profiles Steve Perrin.  
* Art by Raymond Miller and Glen Johnson.  
* "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" from L.L. Simpson, Dan Fleming, Paul Seydor, and Bill Regier. 
* classified comic book ads
==Issue 16==
March 1963. Editor: G.B. Love. 40 mimeograph/ditto pages.  (11 pages blank).
Contents:
*Front cover by Buddy Saunders - The Shield (Archie Comics)
*"ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Rick Weingroff - includes circulation figures for Justice League and Superman and art in Green Lantern and Justice League (DC Comics)
*"The Late and Great Captain Flagg" written/illoed by Howard Keltner - feature on Captain Flagg (MLJ Comics)
*“THE FEATURE" profiles Don Foote. 
*"THE FAN COMMENTATOR" by Mickey Martin - feature on the high price of 1940s comics.
*"A History of Weird Science" by Bill Spicer (with Weird Science #12 cover tracing in ditto). 
*"Group Strips" by Steve Utley - article on team comics.
*"LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" from Phil Leibfred, Rick Durell, Frank Lamb, and Ed Gee.
*sketches of Sandman and The Spectre
*Zine ads: Bullseye #2, Jeddak #1, Mask & Cape #1
*classified comic book ads
==Issue 17==
April 1963. Editor: G.B. Love. 40 mimeograph/ditto pages.  (9 pages blank).
Contents:
*Front cover by Howard Keltner - Captain Atom (Charlton Comics)
*"The Magnetism of Magnus" by Bob Harner 3rd - article about Magnus, Robot Fighter
*"ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Rick Weingroff.  
*Pin-up section by Raymond Miller - Fawcett Comics characters.
*"THE BEST OF S-F" — Bob Harner 3rd reviews When Worlds Collide by Edwin Balmer and Philip Wylie.   
*"Man of the Atom" — Rick Weingroff writes about Captain Atom. 
*"THE COMIC REVIEWER" by Steve Perrin - review of Adventure Comics #300 (DC Comics)
*"THE FEATURE" profiles Paul Gambaccini.  
*"COMIC READER EXTRA" — insert written/illustrated by Jerry Bails - bonus The Comic Reader material with comic book previews
*"LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" from Ed Gee, Terry Peters, Paul Gambaccini, Robert Malisani, Rick Weingroff, Howard Keltner, and Leonard Rodriguez.
*Zine ads: Hero #2
*classified comic book ads
==Issue 18==
May 1963. Editor: G.B. Love. 42 all-ditto pages.  (5 pages blank).
Contents:
*Front cover by Buddy Saunders - Green Lantern (DC Comics)
*"THE FEATURE" profiles John McGeehan.  
*Article comparing comics of the early '60s to the 1940s and '50s by John McGeehan. 
* "A Voice from the Minority, or Is There Anything with Comics Today That Talent Couldn’t Cure?“ — opinion by Bill Spicer (lettered/illustrated by Spicer). 
*"THE BEST OF S-F" by Bob Harner 3rd. - "Flashy" a short story by SFCA members Bill Regier & Chuck Moss. 
*"Human Torch" article written/illustrated by Raymond Miller - article on the original Human Torch (Marvel Comics)
*"ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Rick Weingroff. 
*"THE ROCKET ROLL" lists new members: Marvin Wolfman, Lucien Kettle, Donald Petrone, Dick Memorich, Jeremy Barry, and Sherman Howard. 
*"LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" from John McGeehan, Marvin Wolfman, Dave Bibby, John Page, Rick Weingroff, Alan Weiss, Walt Taylor, and James E. Brown.
* ad for Rocket's Blast Special #1; Fighting Heroes #2 and Star-Studded Comics #1 with art by Buddy Saunders
*classified comic book ads
==Issue 19==
June 1963. Editor: G.B. Love. 36 all-ditto pages.  (6 pages blank).
Contents:
*Front cover by Buddy Saunders - Miss Liberty (MLJ Comics)
*"THE COMIC REVIEWER" by G.B. Love - Miss Liberty
*“THE BEST OF S-F" - Bob Harner 3rd reviews Brain Twister by Mark Phillips. 
*"Frontline Combat" article by Bill Spicer (with excellent ditto tracing of Frontline Combat #1 by Spicer) - article on Frontline Combat (EC Comics)
*"Man of Iron" by Glen Johnson - article on Robotman (DC Comics) with art by Raymond Miller. 
*"It All Started With The Flash" by Richard Weingroff - article on The Flash (DC Comics)
*"ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Rick Weingroff. 
*"COMIC READER EXTRA" by Jerry Bails - bonus The Comic Reader material with comic book previews
*"ROCKET'S BLAST PIN-UP PAGE" #1 by Raymond Miller. 
*"LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" from Jeremy Barry, Jerry Bails, Richard Merkin, Buddy Saunders, Jim Hamilton, Biljo White, Robert Malisani, and Paul Gambaccini.
*Announcement of Nebraska Fan Meeting, said to be "sponsored by Jerry Bails and Biljo White” (but wasn’t, which Bails states in a letter in Rocket’s Blast #20).
*Zine ads: Comics: Past Present and Future; Fighting Heroes #3.
*classified comic book ads
==Issue 20==
July 1963. Editor: G.B. Love. 42 all-ditto pages.  (8 pages blank). Print run: 200
Contents:
*Front cover by Howard Keltner - Captain Marvel (DC Comics)
*"THE FEATURE" profiles Dave Bibby. 
*"ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Rick Weingroff. 
*"Justice by Lightning" by John Ferrazzano - article about Captain Marvel, art by P. Alfieri (and "mastered" by Buddy Saunders).  
*Green Lama Pin-Up by Raymond Miller.
*"The Rise of the Atomic Knights" by Walt Taylor - article on the Atomic Knights (DC Comics) with art by Alan Weiss.  
* "Captain Marvel Comic Books from Spain" by John McGeehan. 
*"THE BEST OF S-F" — Bob Harner 3rd reviews Some Will Not Die by Algis Budrys. 
* "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" from Stan Lee, Jerry Bails (about the Nebraska Fan Meeting that wasn't), Carter De Paul, Robert Malisani, Bill Spicer, and Fred Bronson.
*Fanzine ads: Black Star #1; Comicdom #1; Fighting Heroes #4; Komik Heroz of the Future #2; Star #1.
*classified comic book ads
==Issue 21==
[[File:RB21.jpeg|thumb|Issue #21 cover by Raymond Miller - The Shield and Dusty the Boy Detective |alt=]]
August 1963. Editor: G.B. Love. 42 all-ditto pages.  (4 pages blank). Print run: 200.
Contents:
*Front cover by Raymond Miller - The Shield and Dusty the Boy Detective (MLJ Comics)
*"THE FEATURE" profiles Doug Storer. 
*"The Right Direction" — EC article by Paul Gambaccini. 
*"THE BEST OF S-F" — Bob Harner 3rd writes about Edgar Rice Burroughs' ACE pocketbooks. 
*"ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Rick Weingroff.  
*All Star #7 tracing by Raymond Miller. 
*"The Original Shield with Dusty" written/illustrated by Howard Keltner. 
*"LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" from Bernie Bubnis, Jerry Bails (explains why Captain Marvel can never be published because of court settlement), Marvin Wolfman, Biljo White, Bill Regier, Buddy Saunders, Jim Pobst, and Rick Weingroff.
*Fanzine ads: Star #1 and Rocket's Blast Special #1
* classified comic book ads
==Issue 22==
September 1963. Editor: G.B. Love. 48 all-ditto pages.  (5 pages blank). Print run 200.
Contents:
*Front cover by Buddy Saunders - Mr. Scarlet and Pinky the Whiz Kid (DC Comics)
*"THE FEATURE" profiles Bob Harner 3rd. 
*"THE BEST OF S-F" — Bob Harner 3rd reviews Glory Road by Robert Heinlein. 
*"ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Rick Weingroff. 
*"Flesh & Blood of the Ink" — article on pulps by Alan Simons. 
*Interior illos by Raymond Miller, including The Spirit
*"LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" from John McGeehan, Bernie Bubnis, Tom Lauria, Bill Spicer, Marc Nadel, Alan Simons, Paul Gambaccini, and Rick Weingroff.
*Zine ads: Super Star #1, Character Get Together #1 (from Vern Debes), Star-Studded Comics #2, Fighting Heroes #5, Mask & Cape #2, Jeddak #2
* classified comic book ads
==Issue 23==
October 1963. Editor: G.B. Love. 34 all-ditto pages.  (3 pages blank). Print run: 200.
Contents:
*Front cover by Buddy Saunders - Captain Commando (MLJ Comics)
*“THE FEATURE” profiles Raymond Miller. 
*Article on Captain Fearless Comics #1 by Bill Regier.  
* “What Happened to the Shield and Black Hood" by Rick Weingroff.   (MLJ Comics)
*Black Hood art by Buddy Saunders. 
*Nightmare and Sleepy pin-up by Raymond Miller. 
*Article on Stan Lee by Rick Weingroff.
*“ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Rick Weingroff. 
*"LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" from Buddy Saunders and Marv Wolfman.
* classified comic book ads.
==Issue 24==
November 1963. Editor: G.B. Love. 48 all-ditto pages.  (4 pages blank). Print run: 200.
Contents:
*Front cover by Buddy Saunders - Atoman
*"The Origin of Atoman" by G.B. Love. 
*"THE BEST OF S-F" — Bob Harner 3rd reviews "The Synthetic Man" by Theodore Sturgeon
*“ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Rick Weingroff. 
*"SPOTLIGHT ON THE PROS: #1 — Joe Giella" by Bernie Bubnis. 
*"ROCKET'S BLAST PIN-UP #3" Pin-up by Raymond Miller - Black Angel
*Reproduction of All Stars #8 by Buddy Saunders.
*"THE FEATURE" profiles Tom McGeehan.
*Letters page called "BLAST FROM THE READERS" for the first time, with letters from George R. R. Martin (1st LOC about free issue he received - #23), Andrew Fraknoi (criticism that Love takes 2 pages to respond to), Rick Durell, George Lawson, Mike Friedrich, Bill Spicer, Greg Suriano, Marc Nadel, Jim Hamilton, James E. Brown, and Andy Zerbe.
*Ready sheet for Heroes Hangout #1 is the first appearance of photo-offset in ROCKET’S BLAST.
*Zine ads: Character Get Together #1, Comi-Rama #2, Fantastic Creatures, Horror Screen World, Rocket's Blast Special #1, The Comic Hero.
* classified comic book ads.
==Issue 25==
December 1963. Editor: G.B. Love. 46 all-ditto pages.  (4 pages blank). Print run: 200.
Contents:
*Front cover by Alan Weiss - Hawkman (DC Comics)
*“The Atom" by Sherman Howard with 2 pages of color (ditto) pin-ups of the Atom (both Golden & Silver Age) by Alan Weiss. 
*"THE FEATURE" profiles Margaret Gemignani.  
*"Comic Books Controversy, Crisis and Censorship" — part 1 of a long article written/laid out/lettered by Bill Spicer. 
*"An Interview with Leonard Darwin" of the Comics Code Authority by Bill Spicer.  
*Planet Comics #52 reproduction.  
*"News from DC."   
*"THE BEST OF S-F" by Bob Harner 3rd. 
*"THE ROCKET ROLL" of new subscribers includes George R.R. Martin. 
*“BLASTS FROM THE READERS” includes LOCs from Jerry Bails, Fred Bronson, Mike Vosburg, Mike Baker, Jim Rossow, Marvin Wolfman, George R. R. Martin, Marc Nadel, and Phil Leibfred.
*Zine ads: Alien #1; Character Get Together #1, Comi-Rama #2, Fantastic Creatures, Fighting Heroes #7, Horror Screen World, Komix Illustrated, The Comic Hero, The Comic World News.
* classified comic book ads.
==Issue 26==
January 1964. Editor: G.B. Love. 46 all-ditto pages.  (4 pages blank). Print run: 225.
Contents:
*Front cover by Buddy Saunders - The Spectre (DC Comics)
* "The All Winners Squad" by Don Foote, illustrated by Buddy Saunders - article on Timely Comics' All Winners Squad
*"THE BEST OF S-F" — Bob Harner 3rd reviews Algis Budrys' short story collection Budrys' Inferno. 
*"Captain Marvel vs. Spy Smasher" article by Raymond Miller. 
*"ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Rick Weingroff - includes Julius Schwartz becoming editor of Batman and Detective Comics and other DC editorial shifts.
*Doll-Man pin-up by Mike Reed. 
* Cover tracing of Captain America #78 by Howard Waldrop.  
*"THE ROCKET ROLL" listing new subscribers including Russ Manning. 
*“BLASTS FROM THE READERS” includes LOCs from Rick Durell, Ron Fradkin, Raymond Miller, Russ Manning, Biljo White, Larry Rothenberger, Kent Russell, Paul Gambaccini, Howard Keltner, Buddy Saunders, and Larry Walczak.
*Zine ads: Horror Screen World #6; Star-Studded Comics #3
* classified comic book ads
==Issue 27==
February 1964. Editor: G.B. Love. 54 all-ditto pages (5 pages blank). Print run: 225.
Contents:
*Front cover by Howard Keltner - The Web (MLJ Comics)
*"SPOTLIGHT ON THE PROS: #2 - Mike Sekowsky" by Bernie Bubnis.  
*"INSIDE THE COVER" of Marvel Mystery #8 by Rick Durell  (with Xerox insert of the cover). 
*“A Page from the Golden Age” by Raymond Miller - sketches of various Golden Age characters.
*"Seduction of the Innocent" by Paul Gambaccini -review of the anti-comic book by Fredric Wertham with art by Gambaccini.
*"ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Rick Weingroff.  
*Article about Edgar Rice Burroughs paperbacks by Rick Weingroff.  
*Thrilling Comics #22 tracing by Raymond Miller.  
*“THE BEST OF S-F” —Bob Harner 3rd reviews "Passport to Eternity" by J.G. Ballard. 
*Spider-Man pin-up by Chuck Rogers Jr. 
*The "ROCKET ROLL” of new subscribers. 
*Late News sent in from Jerry Bails and Bernie Bubnis.  
*“BLASTS FROM THE READERS” includes LOCs from John McGeehan, Larry Herndon, Al Milgrom, and Dave Bibby.
*Zine ads: Character Get Together #2 & #3, Countdown #2, Fantasy Illustrated #1 (offset insert), Fighting Heroes #8, The Comic World #4, Wonderful World of Komix.
* classified comic book ads
==Issue 28==
March 1964. Editor: G.B. Love. 68 all-ditto pages. Print run: 350. Last issue as Rocket's Blast, merges with The Comicollector and changes name to Rocket's Blast and the Comicollector (RBCC) with #29.
Contents:
*Front cover by Buddy Saunders - Air Wave (DC Comics)
*“THE BEST OF S-F" — Bob Harner 3rd reviews "The Puppet Masters" by Robert Heinlein.  
*"ROCKETEER GOSSIP" by Rick Weingroff. 
*"A WORD FROM THE EDITOR" by G.B. Love - announcement of the merger with The Comicollector.
*"Comic Books Controversy, Crisis and Censorship Part Two" by Bill Spicer, with 8 pages of letters compiled by Spicer concerning the Comics Code Authority. 
*The "ROCKET ROLL" of new subscribers. 
* "BLASTS FROM THE READERS" includes an LOC from George R. R. Martin and Russ Manning.
* Art by Raymond Miller.
*Zine ads: Fighting Heroes #9
* classified comic book ads
==Rocket's Blast SpecialsMyComicShop.com==
===Special #1===
The first Special was released in 1963 and had two further printings (1964 and 1967). The cover art was by Buddy Saunders, featuring the original Human Torch, Captain America and Namor the Sub-Mariner. This Special's focus was "11 Years with the Timely-Marvel Comics Group" which was written and illustrated by Raymond Miller.
===Special #2===
The second Special was released in September 1963 and had 19 one-sided pages produced on ditto. Cover art by Buddy Saunders, featuring the Fantastic Four's Human Torch. This issue features recreations from old Captain America comics by Buddy Saunders and Howard Waldrop. Also in this issue, an article on Dell's Naza; comic industry predictions for the far-off year of 1988; reproduced art from Golden Age comics (Captain America, Black Cat, All Winners, Marvel Family, etc.). Artists include: Buddy Saunders, Howard Waldrop, Raymond Miller. Writers include: Margaret Gemingnani, Alan Simons, Edward Simpson. 
===Special #3 ===
Released in June 1964; 15 pages, ditto. Cover by Buddy Saunders of Dr. Mid-Nite (DC Comics). This issue features "The Story of All American Comics" written by Paul Gambaccini and illustrated by Raymond Miller. 
===Special #4===
Published in September 1964, with 11 pages.; ditto. Cover by Howard Keltner of "The Commie Bashers": The Fighting American, The Shield, and The Avenger. This Special focused on "3 Plus 1", highlighting communism fighting heroes like The Fighting American, The Shield, and The Avenger; written and illustrated by Raymond Miller . 
===Special #5 ===
Released in December 1964, with 14 pages, ditto. Cover by John Fantucchio of the Golden Age DC Comics character, The Guardian. This Special contains "The Stars of Star Spangled" written by Don Foote and illustrated by Raymond Miller. An article about DC Comics' Star Spangled Comics anthology.
===Special #6 ===
Released in September 1965, with 45 pages.; ditto. Cover by Raymond Miller with a Quality Comics title collage. It features a lengthy article on the Quality Comics Group (Police Comics, National Comics, Smash Comics, etc.) by Raymond Miller and Dave Bibby
===Special #7===
Published in 1967 by the SFCA, 8 pages; black and white. Cover by John Fantucchio. The article is "End of an Era" by William Parente looks at the demise of EC Comics. Back cover by Buddy Saunders.
===Special #8===
Published in 1968 by the SFCA. 16 b&w pages plus colour covers. Wraparound cover by Don Newton. This was the Captain Marvel special, covering the history of the comic and its publication, with a 2-page retelling of the origin by Don Newton, with a double-page centerspread by Robert Kline. Two pin-ups (Dr. Sivana and Mr. Mind) by Newton. 
===Gallery===
File:RBSpecial 1.jpeg|Special #1 (first printing) by Buddy Saunders, Captain America, Namor the Sub-Mariner and the Original Human Torch (1963)
File:RB Special -1b.jpeg|Special #1 (second printing) by Buddy Saunders, Captain America, Namor the Sub-Mariner and the Original Human Torch (1964)
File:RB Special -1c.jpeg|Special #1 (third printing) by Buddy Saunders, Captain America, Namor the Sub-Mariner and the Original Human Torch (1967)
File:RB Special -2.jpeg|Special #2 cover by Buddy Saunders, Human Torch (1963)
File:RB Special -3.jpeg|Special #3 cover by Buddy Saunders, Dr. Mid-Nite (1964)
File:RB Special -4.jpeg|Special #4 cover by Howard Keltner, The Fighting American, The Shield, and The Avenger (1964)
File:RB Special -5.jpeg|Special #5 cover by John Fantucchio, The Guardian (1964)
File:RB Special -6.jpeg|Special #6 cover by Raymond Miller, Quality Comics (1964)
File:RB Special -7.jpeg|Special #7 cover by John Fantucchio, EC Comics (1967)
File:RB Special -8.jpeg|Special #8 cover by Don Newton, Captain Marvel (1968)
File:RB Special 8 full cover.jpg|Special #8 full wraparound cover by Don Newton
File:RB Special 8 interior 1.jpg|Special #8 interior centrespread of the Marvel Family by Robert Kline
File:RB Special 8 interior 2.jpg|Special #8 pinup by comic artist C.C. Beck.
File:RB Special 8 interior.jpg|Special #8, interior art by Don Newton, page 1 of a two-page "Origin of Captain Marvel" comic strip. 
==References ==
Category:1961 Zines
Category:1960s Zines
Category:Comics Zines