Number 1755: John Stanley: Three beyond Lulu

After  John Stanley left his magnum opus, Little Lulu, there were other series. None of them lasted as long as Lulu, but they are still classic for being written by a master of comic humor. I am posting examples of three today.

First, a late fifties Stanley version of the Ernie Bushmiller newspaper strip, from Nancy #170 (1959). Next is an example of Stanley’s inspired and bizarre Melvin Monster, written and drawn by him from issue #5 (1966). Finally, the first story in the short-lived Gold Key series, O.G. Whiz. When I found this on the comic book spinner, on its first release in 1970, I knew Stanley’s name and unmistakable style. I owe that to Don and Maggie Thompson’s excellent fanzine, Comic Art, circa early 1960s, which is where I first read Stanley’s name.

Always highly recommended, the Stanley Stories blog by Frank Young.

Number 295


Melvin Monster and Crazy Klutch


The Stanley Stories website has a funny Melvin Monster story from Melvin Monster #3. The lead-in page also tells of Stanley's lifelong battle with depression, which probably affected his themes and storytelling. He refused to seek treatment, instead letting his depressive episodes run their course. In that way he was like Charles Schulz, who worked out his depression in his comic strips for 50 years, refusing treatment because he thought it would take away his gift.

Ain't it funny how funny people can be so sad?

The Melvin Monster stories were written and drawn by Stanley, and they have a dark side to them. Melvin's parents threaten to turn him over to a bogeyman. As we find out in the story from Melvin Monster #5, Crazy Klutch isn't how he's portrayed by the parents. The strip is constructed like a shaggy dog story, ending different from what is expected.

As smart and good a writer as Stanley was I can't figure out him spelling daisies as "daisys".