A Letter From The Publisher: Apr. 9, 1965

THIS episode from Peanuts shows how Charlie Brown once dared to dream of fame—and was, inevitably, squelched by a woman. That was 14 years ago, soon after the comic strip first appeared. This week our editors at last have news for Patty and all the other put-down artists who forever undermine Charlie's ego. Charlie indeed makes the cover. It is his due. The Peanuts chronicle has become world famous, and its harried nonhero is beloved by all who follow his tribulations.

TIME cover stories have been concerned with the comic-strip world twice before; in 1947, we presented Milton Caniff, who was then about to launch Steve Canyon, and in 1950 we ventured into Dogpatch with Al Capp. Since those days, the comics have gone through a slump as well as a renaissance. For some time now, the editors have been considering the comics' new style. More and more the strips are offering political satire, psychology, and comments of varying subtlety on the rages and outrages of everyday life.

TIME'S reporters talked to comic-strip artists, psychologists, educators and others who take the comics fairly seriously, seeking to find out what was afoot in the land of the funnies. The final choice for cover treatment fell to Charles Schulz's Peanuts, which stands out among the newer strips as probably the funniest and certainly the most existential.

Schulz, a 20-year TIME subscriber, declared himself awed by the choice, but overcame his awe sufficiently to draw for the cover the group portrait of his characters. He allows, that he caught Charlie in one of his rare happy moments—delighted no doubt that he finally made it.

TWO notes for travelers. In a recent issue of TIME'S college edition, we included a four-page report prepared for students going abroad. Packed with facts about tours, hotels, camps, hostels and study courses, the supplement was well received on the campuses. If you want a copy, please write to: TIME Student Travel Report, Box 870, Radio City Station P.O., New York, N.Y. 10019.

If you are going to be out of the country this summer, you may be interested to know of a TIME service that will get the magazine to you every week wherever you are. Depending on where your travels lead, you will get one or another of our five international editions: Canada, Latin America, Atlantic, Asia, South Pacific. We will need six weeks' advance notice of your itinerary. U.S. subscribers may write for application form to: TIME Travel Service, 540 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Ill. 60611. The service is free.