I was introduced to Gold Key’s The Little Monsters via my good pal Prof. Grewbeard and his excellent Magic Carpet Burn. The Prof. has exquisite taste in all things, particularly comics. The following stories are from The Little Monsters No. 25, June 1974. First: The wonderful cover, which well prepares the reader for cool contents.
The Little Monsters (‘Orrible Orvie and Awful Annie) were born during the monster craze of the 1960s, making their first appearance in 1964, a year before The Munsters and The Adams Family appeared on television. In comics, they appeared before the John Stanley penned, Melvin Monster, and the Milton Monster cartoon on ABC. The Little Monsters proved far more popular than all the competition, regardless of format, lasting a very solid 44 issues and 14 years.The reason for the title’s longevity is the typical recipe for success in comics: It had superior art and writing as well as excellent character design. I prefer this title to any of its more temporal brethren. I can't find art or script credits and that’s a darn shame.
May I suggest a visit to the aforementioned Magic Carpet Burn for a feast of this wonderful title? Just click HERE!
The designs remind me of Ed Benedict a little.
ReplyDeleteAs a kid I loved Little Monsters more than anything. I've recently discovered Melvin Monster and I love him too now.
ReplyDeleteI loved these comics as a kid.
ReplyDeleteThere is some appeal to big funny monsters to kids, not sure what it is. Wehn I read these (early 1970's?) I don't remember ever seeing The Munsters or The Addams Family, I came to the Little Monsters totally independent of that 60's comedy/horror craze and found them endlessly appealing.
I wonder what that is in kids brains that makes us love to be frightened by a good monster, and loves to find them amiable as well. Hmmmmmmm.
David: I see what you mean!
ReplyDeleteKW and Jeff: It seems I'm odd man out here! I never knew of this comic until lately. Jeff, I just think humans of all ages love a heart of gold with some rough edges to it. -- Mykal
I must admit, I never much cared for these Gold Key comics of this era. Seemed like they were just rip-offs of other genres and rarely read them. Maybe I missed something, but from the looks of it I don't think so.
ReplyDeleteGary: I'm loving those little monsters! -- Mykal
ReplyDeleteI love all the little details in their monstery abode!!!
ReplyDeleteJacque: Likewise!
ReplyDeleteI had an issue of this when I was a Little Monster! I loved it. I think it went away in a yard sale along with an issue of Green Lantern/Green Arrow and probably some Turoks. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteGhost: I try not to think too much about the comics I've lost, traded, given away, spilled soda on, torn by accident, etc, etc. I try to forget the first girl I fell in love with, but that never works either. -- Mykal
ReplyDeletethese stories rock, Mykal! i always wondered what the 70s era issues were like, it's a weird and wonderful thing that this title lasted as long as it did. i guess some people just don't get it- or read your helpful, info-filled intros either. i certainly don't consider The Little Monsters a rip-off!...
ReplyDeleteoh, and thanx for the plug, i'm planning on posting the Monster Joke Book issue(LM#5)soon, as well!
Prof.: I think the writing is very funny in these comics (and very consistent as well). I really wish I could peg the artist. It's really great stuff! I've just today bought some more issues. I'll certainly be popping over for a look at that Monster Joke Book once you get it posted, and thanks for introducing me to the Little Monsters in the first place! -- Mykal
ReplyDeleteThe first time I read Little Monsters stories were at Prof. Grewbeard's site. I was looking for info about all that monster families came up from the 60's boom. I fell in love with the series at once.
ReplyDeleteI love the character designs as well. They're rude as to their look, and precisely for that reason their kind temper works so well in the stories. And man! I've always found that masculine-looking face of Awful Annie really spine-tingling. I wish you could see my slack-jawed yokel expression the first time I saw her face!
And Gold Key Comics being a rip-off... No way! The only problem I've ever seen regarding their comics is the bad printing, likely because of plastic plates used at the press. They had to do something good considering that the series lasted 44 issues along 14 years.
In case it wasn't clear enough: I absolutely respect Gary Brown's thought, of course!
ReplyDeleteMy opinion is just that, my opinion.
Gabriel: I love that you discovered Little Monsters as I did: at the Prof.'s great blog (Good going, Prof. ol' pal)! It looks like we took the same cool path to this great title! I share your opinion of the title and think them great for the same reasons.
ReplyDeleteYep, everyone's opinion gets respect here; well put, Gabriel.
For those that may not know, friend Gary Brown publishes the excellent comic book zine Ibid, which I devour, as well as the Giant Dell Giant Index and volumes I & II of the Little Archie index - all of which I use frequently. Of course, his lifetime of comic book expertise didn't prevent him from being wrong about The Little Monsters.
;-)
I will just have to post some more stories to do my best to persuade Gary into The Little Monsters camp! -- Mykal
The world would be much worse off without Little Monsters posts!!
ReplyDeleteKarwell: They certainly provide a bright spot! -- Mykal
ReplyDeleteAnything with monsters is good! I'm not sure if he ever worked for Gold Key, but that babysitter, as well as the man in the foreground saying "Yikes" in the final panel of that story, looks a lot like the work of Lee Holley. Thanks for a great blog!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous: Lee Holley is a new name to me! I love when that happens. From my very cursory research, I think you have made a very fine guess. This calls from more investigation! Thank you for your comment!!
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