Melvin Monster comic books issue 1

Cover by John Stanley. Stories and art by John Stanley. The celebrated cartoonist behind Dell's Little Lulu and Nancy comics, John Stanley presents his own creation, a misunderstood young monster named Melvin. Melvin tries being a bad monster for his Mummy and Baddy, but there's just something different about Melvin. He tries to listen to his guardian demon, and avoid being eaten by the family's pet alligator. But when he ventures into Human Being Land, he sees that life isn't always monstrous. Like a Little Monster Shouldnt; Teachers Patsy; Human Being Land; A Home Away from Home; The Collector; Substitute Sled. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Volume 1 - 1st printing. Collects Melvin Monster (1965-1969 Dell) #1-3. Story and art by John Stanley. John Stanley is celebrated as one of the great children's comics writers for his work on the Little Lulu series. In fact, the Lulu work is a small part of his output; he drew and continued to write many other comics-notably his work on the 1960s teen comics from Dell and his monster comedy strip, Melvin Monster. Drawn & Quarterly is launching an extensive reprinting of Stanley's work in handsome volumes designed by Seth. The first in this series is the two-volume Melvin Monster collection featuring all ten issues about the oddball monster boy who just wants to be good, go to school, and do as he's told. Stanley's reputation as a great storyteller and visual comedian is richly deserved; few Golden or Silver Age comics stand the test of time the way these comics do. Hardcover, 8-in. x 11-in., full color. All Ages Cover price $19.95.

1st printing. Story and art by John Stanley.

John Stanleys beloved classic now available in paperback

Now collected in an omnibus paperback, John Stanleys Melvin Monster is about a good-natured monster boy whose sweet personality belies his monstrous appearance. Melvin just wants to be good, go to school, and do as he is told. Melvins sunny optimism makes him an oddball outcast in his Monsterville community, where he disappoints his parents, Mummy and Baddy, with his irrepressible sunny disposition, and also continually escapes the wrath of their pet alligator Cleopatra who only wants to eat Melvin whole. Gag after gag, the acclaimed mid-century cartoonist Stanley sets Melvin up in fairly quotidian situations that spiral into hilarious ridiculousness, with a ferociously frenetic comedic timing.

Charmingly naïve, Melvin Monster draws its direct inspiration from the 1960s monster craze and the work of cartoonist Charles Addams and its television adaptation The Addams Family as well as The Munsters, however, Melvin Monster is all its own with Stanleys superior cartooning skills, melding pop colors, expressive lines, and funny jokes on full display.

Softcover, 6-in. x 8-in., 312 pages, full color. All Ages Cover price $24.95.