Comment from GWHARGIS

Excellent

Twelve-year-old boys aren't the only ones who fell prey to the allure of the comic book ad. I sent in $1.37 to a company that promised to send me 1,000 dolls. I was so excited. I counted down the days in that four to six week delivery span. When it came, the box was two inches tall and four inches by four inches across. It was full of tiny plastic figures. Cracker Jack prizes were better made. Lol. I had to listen to my parents tell me that if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. This 50 word story took me back to a simpler time when that let down was the worst of my problems. I wish you good luck in the contest. Gretchen

 Comment Written 05-Apr-2024

---

reply by the author on 05-Apr-2024

Hi Gretchen,
I desperately wanted a pair of those X-ray specs. The fantasies I enjoyed just thinking about them kept me going for days on end. However, I had just enough suspicion to keep me from forking over the money. I did, however, go for the greeting card offer from the Boy's Life Magazine. I got the greeting cards, sold them after what seemed like a lifetime, and actually got a Ben Pearson, recurved fiberglass bow, complete with target, arm guard, finger tabs and three target arrows. I made out like a bandit on that. My brother saw what I got and decided he wanted to sell cards too. We went together and managed to sell 24 boxes(miracles do happen) and bought ourselves an electric race track once, and a table hockey game another time. I still can't believe we were able to offload all those cards. I got third place in the contest. There was some great competition. Have a blessed evening gal.
Tom

Comment from Sallyo

Excellent

Ah, memories. I was never a twelve-year-old boy, but I remember all those promises. You know what? They're still at it. Magical cleaning products, wrinkle removers, weight-loss... makes the German binocs seem positively benign.

 Comment Written 05-Apr-2024

---

reply by the author on 05-Apr-2024

Hello Sallyo,
yes, you're right. Now the stuff is advertised on any magazine that an adult would read, and they also come after you on the internet. They're relentless. Thanks so much for the great review.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

Comment from gramalot8

Excellent

Very good story for this contest. You did a great hob into taking your readers into the mind of a 12 year old boy. And I hope he gets to that beach someday to show off his super skills.

Thanks for sharing this with us.

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2024

---

reply by the author on 04-Apr-2024

Hello gramalot 8
thanks so much for the great review and input. I did make it to the beach, many years later, but by then I wasn't nearly as worried about facing down bullies.
Have a blessed day.
Tom

Comment from Ric Myworld

Excellent

I broke out in chuckle thinking back to all the times those type ads that took my money in my youth. The hair grow cream. X-ray glasses to see through clothes. Giant muscles in a few short weeks. LOL. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 03-Apr-2024

---

reply by the author on 03-Apr-2024

Thanks for taking the time to read and review this post. I always wanted to purchase something from the back of the comic books, the X-ray specs really got my imagination going, but even if I had the money, by the time I found an envelope and got a stamp, the money set aside was already blown on candy.

Comment from Julie Helms

Excellent

I wanted those sea monkeys so badly. The picture showed a mom and dad and kids all in a sea monkey living room. My mom always said no....
Very relatable story! Well done!
Julie :-)

 Comment Written 03-Apr-2024

---

reply by the author on 03-Apr-2024

Thanks for taking the time to read and review this post. The sea-monkeys didn't entice me as much as the X-ray specs. Being a pre-teen, the idea was something that interested me immensely. Your mom was wise to say no. I haven't seen a comic book in years, so I've got no idea what they're offering on the back page now- probably cheap cell phones or video games.

Comment from Mark Jackson

Excellent

am not old enough to remember these adverts but I am aware of them. I think you might be courting controversy in using a hyphenated word, only joking. Good luck in the competition.

 Comment Written 03-Apr-2024

---

reply by the author on 03-Apr-2024

Thanks for reading and reviewing this post. Back in the day, I would spend the money I collected on my paper route to buy comic books. At the time they were only 12cents each. They all offered everything from X-ray specs to toys, trying to get stupid kids to spend their allowance. You might be right about the hyphen, no doubt someone will find it offensive.

reply by Mark Jackson on 03-Apr-2024

Hyphenated words are one word, but I had to look it up. He-man however is plainly one word.

reply by Mark Jackson on 03-Apr-2024

Unless someone can prove he was actually called Mr Henry Edward Man.

Comment from patricia dillon

Excellent

I suspect most of us have fallen for these type of ads at one time or another. Mine was a dodgy short story competition. I had sent in three posts before it clicked that something was wrong.

 Comment Written 03-Apr-2024

---

reply by the author on 03-Apr-2024

Thanks for reading and reviewing this post. There seems to be no end to the scams that people will try to entice the unsuspecting with. I think it's criminal that they tried to entice kids to send them money for junk, although I read that the Charles Atlas thing was more or less legitimate.

reply by patricia dillon on 04-Apr-2024

You're welcome.

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

A fun post and my Grandson (7 years old) is always telling me how strong he is and how he is getting stronger every day. Boys have a yearning to be He-men, a fun post, love Dolly x x x

 Comment Written 03-Apr-2024

---

reply by the author on 03-Apr-2024

Thank you for your kind review. Comic books offered all manner of products, including ads by Charles Atlas a body builder. The biggest issue when ordering was finding an envelope and a stamp.

Comment from Debbie D'Arcy

Excellent

I like this! The image is great and the childhood passion within the 50 word flash says it all. Clear and bold and a fun post, also boasting those ever useful author's notes. Well done and good luck! Debbie

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 03-Apr-2024

---

reply by the author on 03-Apr-2024

Thank you for taking the time to read and review this and the encouragement. Companies had no qualms about trying to get money from children, advertising in the backs of comic books. I was often tempted to buy something- X-ray specs really caught my eye.

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

This 50-word story, Fantasies of a Pre-teen, has the proper word count and takes the readers back to those great days of Circus Monkeys, X-ray specks, and Charles Atlas program.

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 03-Apr-2024

---

reply by the author on 03-Apr-2024

Thanks for the feedback on this post. It sounds like you're familiar with the offerings from the back of comic books. I was always tempted to order something, but even when I had the dime or quarter to cover most of the expense, I couldn't find an envelope or stamp.