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Monster Fun (IPC)
Monster Fun #1 (14 June 1975)
Publication information
PublisherIPC Magazines Ltd
ScheduleWeekly
Genre
Publication date14 June 1975 – 30 October 1976
No. of issues73 regular issues
2 summer specials
Creative team
Artist(s)Robert Nixon, Thomas Williams, Trevor Metcalfe, Mike Lacey, Ken Reid
Editor(s)"Frankie Stein"
Monster Fun (Rebellion)
Publication information
PublisherRebellion Publishing
ScheduleBi-Monthly (April 2022-April 2023)
Monthly (from June 2023)
FormatOngoing series
Genre
Publication date06 April 2022
Editor(s)"Frankie Stein"

Monster Fun was originally a weekly British comic strip magazine for children aged seven to twelve. Published by IPC Media, it ran for 73 issues in 1975–1976, when it merged with Buster.[1] Focused on humorous monster strips and stories, the magazine was known for "The Bad Time Bedtime Books" minicomic inserts, created by Leo Baxendale.

The nominal editor was "Frankie Stein" (a play on Frankenstein), a character who had previously appeared in the magazines Wham!, Shiver and Shake, and Whoopee!.[1] Recurring artists included Robert Nixon, Thomas Williams, and Trevor Metcalfe.

The magazine was known for handing out free toys in its issues. The first issue, for instance, came with a free plate wobbler[2] (a novelty item[3] consisting of an inflatable rubber bladder and a hand-operated pump; the bladder is placed under a plate, and inflating it makes the plate wobble).[4] The second issue had a "Freaky Spider Ring", the third a "Super Shaking Skeleton".

The comic was relaunched in April 2022, initially as a bi-monthly publication before moving to monthly publication.[5]

Publication history

[edit]

Original IPC Run

[edit]

Monster Fun's debut issue was dated 14 June 1975. Monster Fun Specials were printed in 1975 and 1976.

The magazine merged with Buster to form Buster and Monster Fun after the 30 October 1976 issue.[1] Due to its ongoing popularity, the Monster Fun logo was printed on Buster's cover until the summer of 1979.

Despite its short run, Monster Fun Annuals were printed every year, cover-dated from 1977 until 1985, though all contained some reprint material. They were all distributed in the UK from the autumn of the previous cover-dated year. Buster and Monster Fun Specials were printed (with much reprint material) every year from 1977 until 1996, making them one of the most long-lived of IPC / Fleetway titles. Almost all of the other original strips were reprinted in other titles in the 1980s and 1990s.

After Monster Fun's 1976 merger into Buster, the strips Gums, Kid Kong, X-Ray Specs, Mummy's Boy, Draculass, Teddy Scare, Terror TV, and Martha's Monster Make-Up all made the merger.[6]

In February 1982 these merged magazines merged again with Jackpot. Kid Kong was terminated on this occasion.

In June 1984 the magazine merged with School Fun. The comic strip Gums was terminated on this occasion.

In 1988 the magazine merged with Nipper. Mummy's Boy was terminated on this occasion. X-Ray Specs had the most longevity continuing until Buster's end (4 January 2000) though as with the all but one of the last Buster strips as reprints.

Rebellion revival

[edit]

In September 2021 it was announced that Rebellion, publishers of 2000 AD, would be relaunching the comic in April 2022, "revived and reimagined for today's kids".[7]

Unlike the original IPC run, the Rebellion revival will be published every two months, rather than weekly. Characters who will appear within the comics include Frankie Stein, Kid Kong, Draculass, Sweeny Toddler, Gums, Teddy Scare, and The Leopard from Lime Street.[8] The first issue in October 2021 was not part of the main sequence, as the publication's main subscription started from April 2022.

In March 2023, Rebellion announced that from June 2023, due to popular demand, the issues will be published monthly rather than every two months.[9]

Issues:

  • Monster Fun Halloween Special issue ("Halloween Spooktacular") was published in October 2021. Included in this issue were Frankie Stein; Kid Kong; Draculass; Teddy Scare!; Gums; Sweeny Toddler; Harry & Gary; Evil Eye; Tokoloshe; Birdman, Chicken & Sparrow; Martha's Monster Make-Up; Hell's Angel; Gah! The Gobblin' Goblin; Wiz War; The Leopard from Lime Street; Hire a Horror; Jump Junior, Monster Helper; Creature Teacher; Scare Salon and Grimly Feendish.[10]
  1. "Easter Special 2022", released in April 2022 (cover date 6 April - 31 May 2022). Included in this issue were Kid Kong, Steel Commando, Frankie Stein, Draculass, a stand-alone story The Story of Easter, Hire a Horror, Martha's Monster Make-Up, The Leopard from Lime Street and Hell's Angel, as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[11] A special, webstore-only edition, included an additional story (Sweeney Toddler).[12]
  2. "School's Out Special 2022", released in June 2022 (cover date 1 June - 2 August 2022). Included in this issue were Kid Kong, Steel Commando (continuing the story from issue 1), Frankie Stein, Draculass, a stand-alone story The Sun, Martha's Monster Make-Up, Hire a Horror, The Leopard from Lime Street (continuing the story from issue 1) and Hell's Angel, as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[13]
  3. "Summer Special 2022", released in August 2022 (cover date 3 August - 4 October 2022). Included in this issue were Kid Kong, Steel Commando (continuing the story from issue 2), Frankie Stein, Draculass, a stand-alone story Home Invaders, Martha's Monster Make-Up, Hire a Horror, The Leopard from Lime Street (continuing the story from issue 2) and Hell's Angel, as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[14]
  4. "Halloween Spooktacular 2022", released in October 2022 (cover date 05 Oct - 06 Dec 2022). Included in this issue were Kid Kong, Steel Commando (continuing the story from issue 3), Frankie Stein, Martha's Monster Make-Up, a stand-alone story The Stain, Hire a Horror, Draculass, The Leopard from Lime Street (continuing the story from issue 3), and Hell's Angel, as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[15]
  5. "Christmas Special 2022", released in December 2022 (cover date 07 Dec 2022 - 31 Jan 2023). Included in this issue were Kid Kong, The Spider Who Loved Me! (a story submitted by a reader in a competition, and scripted and illustrated by some of "Monster Fun"'s regular contributors), Steel Commando (continuing the story from issue 4), Frankie Stein, Draculass, a stand-alone story Clear and Present Danger, Hell's Angel, Martha's Monster Make-Up, Hire a Horror and The Leopard from Lime Street (continuing the story from issue 4), as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[16]
  6. "Ghoulish Gaming Special", released in February 2023 (cover date 01 Feb - 04 Apr 2023). Included in this issue were Gums, Kid Kong, Hell's Angel, Space Invaded! (part 1) (a new story for this publication), Steel Commando (continuing the story from issue 5), Martha's Monster Make-Up, Witch Vs Warlock (a new comic strip), Draculass, The Leopard from Lime Street (continuing the story from issue 5) and Hire a Horror, as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[17]
  7. "Twisted Time Travel Special", released in April 2023 (cover date 05 Apr - 06 Jun 2023). Included in this issue were Gums, Kid Kong, Hell's Angel, Space Invaded! (continuing the store from issue 6), Steel Commando (continuing the story from issue 6), Draculass, Witch Vs Warlock, The Leopard from Lime Street (continuing the story from issue 6) and Hire a Horror, as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[18]
  • "Spooky Subscriber Special", released in April 2023. This was an exclusive-to-subscribers, free, issue. The issue included 3 new stories (two Hell's Angel stories and one Martha's Monster Make-Up story), along with stories from previous issues (from the Halloween Spooktacular 2021 to the Halloween Spooktacular 2022, plus a Kid Kong story from the Cor!! Buster Humour Special, originally published in April 2019). These republished stories included in this issue were Kid Kong, Hire a Horror, Martha's Monster Make-Up, Draculass, Frankie Stein and Sweeny Toddler.[19]
  2. "Dino-Scare Special", released in June 2023 (cover date 07 Jun - 04 Jul 2023). Included in this issue were Gums, Kid Kong, Hell's Angel, Space Invaded! (continuing the story from issue 7), Steel Commando (continuing the story from issue 7), Witch Vs Warlock, The Leopard from Lime Street (continuing the story from issue 7), a Global Ghoulies picture (in the style of Ken Reid) and Martha's Monster Make-Up, as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[20]
  4. "Horror Holiday Special", released in July 2023 (cover date 05 Jul - 01 Aug 2023). Included in this issue were Gums, Kid Kong, Hell's Angel, Space Invaded (continuing the story from issue 8), Steel Commando (continuing the story from issue 8), Martha's Monster Make-Up, Witch Vs Warlock, The Leopard from Lime Street (continuing the story from issue 8), Global Ghoulies and Hire a Horror, as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[21]
  6. "Petrifying Pets Special", released August 2023 (cover date 02 Aug - 05 Sep 2023). Included in this issue were Gums, Kid Kong, Hell's Angel, Space Invaded (continuing the story from issue 9), Steel Commando (continuing the story from issue 9), Martha's Monster Make-Up, Witch Vs Warlock, The Leopard from Lime Street (continuing the story from issue 9), Global Ghoulies and Frankencritter, as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[22]
  8. "Freaky Fairy Tales Special", released September 2023 (cover date 06 Sep - 03 Oct 2023). Included in this issue were Gums, Kid Kong, Hell's Angel, Space Invaded! (continuing the story from issue 10), Steel Commando (continuing the story from issue 10), Martha's Monster Make-Up, Witch Vs Warlock, The Leopard from Lime Street (continuing the story from issue 10 and concluding the story arc), Lost in the Woods (game), Global Ghoulies and Hire a Horror, as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[23]
  10. "Halloween Spooktacular 2023", released October 2023 (cover date 04 Oct - 31 Oct 2023). Included in this issue were Gums, Kid Kong, Hell's Angel, Space Invaded, Steel Commando (continuing the story from issue 11 and concluding the story arc), Draculass, Witch Vs Warlock, Crabbe's Crusaders (a new serial), Global Ghoulies, Franken Critter, Martha's Monster Make-Up, Hire a Horror and All Hallows Scream, as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[24] (Note: from this issue, the issue number was shown along with the cover dates)
  12. "Spooky Space!", released November 2023 (cover date 01 Nov - 05 Dec 2023). Included in this issue were Gums, Kid Kong, Hell's Angel, Space Invaded!, Draculass, Martha's Monster Make-Up, Witch Vs Warlock, Crabbe's Crusaders (continuing the story from issue 112 and concluding the story arc), Global Ghoulies andWelcome to Garzag's Galactic Guzzle-Pit!, as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[25]
  14. "Christmas Special 2023", released December 2023 (cover date 06 Dec 2023 - 02 Jan 2024). Included in this issue were Gums, Kid Kong, Hell's Angel, Space Invaded!, Peaches Creatures (a new strip), Martha's Monster Make-Up, Witch Vs Warlock, Rex Power (a new strip)), Global Ghoulies andFrankencritter, as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[26]
  16. "Monstrous Motors!", released January 2024 (cover date 03 Jan - 06 Feb 2024). Included in this issue were Gums, Kid Kong, Hell's Angel, Space Invaded!, Peaches Creatures (part 2, continuing from the last issue), Martha's Monster Make-Up, Witch Vs Warlock, Rex Power (Episode Two, continuing from the last issue), Global Ghoulies andHire a Horror, as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[27]
  18. "Manic Movies!", released February 2024 (cover date 07 Feb - 05 Mar 2024). Included in this issue were Gums, Kid Kong, Hell's Angel, Space Invaded!, Peaches Creatures (part 3, continuing from the last issue), Martha's Monster Make-Up, Witch Vs Warlock, Rex Power (Episode Three, continuing from the last issue), Global Ghoulies and Frankencritter, as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[28]
  20. "Beastly Books!", released March 2024 (cover date 06 Mar - 02 Apr 2024). Included in this issue were Gums, Kid Kong, Hell's Angel, Space Invaded!, Peaches Creatures (part 4, continuing from the last issue), Martha's Monster Make-Up, Witch Vs Warlock, Rex Power (Episode Four, continuing from the last issue), Global Ghoulies and new strip Molly's Mummy, as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[29]
  22. "Nasty Nature!", released April 2024 (cover date 02 Apr - 30 Apr 2024). Included in this issue were Gums, Kid Kong, Hell's Angel, Space Invaded!, Peaches Creatures (part 5, continuing from the last issue), Martha's Monster Make-Up/Draculass (the title for Martha is scribbled out with a piece of paper with the Draculass logo pasted over it), new strip Zorthrax the Unforgivable (a character from issue 13's Welcome to Garzag's Galactic Guzzle-Pit!), Rex Power (Episode Five, continuing from the last issue), Global Ghoulies and Frankencritter, as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[30]
  24. "Sinister Science!", released May 2024 (cover date 1 May - 04 June 2024). Included in this issue were Gums, Kid Kong, Hell's Angel, a stand=alone story Forest of Fear, Space Invaded!, Peaches Creatures (part 6, continuing from the last issue, concluding the current story arc. A note on the final panel says "Peaches' Creatures will return!"), Witch Vs Warlock, Rex Power (Episode Six, continuing from last issue), Global Ghoulies, Martha's Monster Make-Up, as well as puzzles and reader-submitted art.[31]

The comic continued on a monthly basis, with new strips added occasionally (for example, #20 was advertised in issue 19 as containing 3 new strips: Sir Render, The Fright-Shift ('Hire a Horror Presents') and Sally Astro).

List of strips

[edit]

Original strips

[edit]
  • Arts Gallery (drawn by Mike Lacey)
  • Brainy and his Monster Maker
  • Cinders
  • Creature Teacher (drawn by Thomas Williams)
  • Dough Nut & Rusty (drawn by Trevor Metcalfe)
  • Draculass (1975–1976; continued in Buster until 1977) (drawn by Terry Bave)
  • Grizzly Bearhug
  • The Invisible Monster
  • Kid Kong (1975–1976; continued in Buster until 1982) (drawn by Robert Nixon)
  • Major Jump Horror Hunter
  • March of the Mighty Ones
  • Martha's Monster Make-Up (1975-1977) (drawn by Ken Reid)
  • Monster Hits Jokes
  • Mummy's Boy (1975-1976; continued in Buster until 1988), (drawn by Norman Mansbridge)
  • Tom Thumbscrew
  • X-Ray Specs (1975-1976; continued in Buster until 2000) (drawn by Mike Lacey)

Later strips

[edit]
  • Gums (1976; continued in Buster until 1984) (by Roy Davies and Robert Nixon)
  • Frankie's Diary
  • Freaky Farm (drawn by Jim Watson)
  • The Little Monsters
  • S.O.S. Save Our Stan as well as many pull-out posters
  • Teddy Scare (1976; continued in Buster until 1977) (by Barrie Appleby)
  • Terror TV (1976; continued in Buster until 1978) (drawn by Ian Knox)

Revival strips

[edit]

Note: Strips marked with a double dagger (‡) have so far only appeared in the Halloween Spooktacular 2022, or in a single issue of the current run.

This list does not include stand-alone, single issue, stories.

Revived strips

[edit]
  • ‡Birdman, Chicken & Sparrow (originally in Krazy Comic and later reprinted in Buster) - Sparrow is a new character to the strip
  • Crabbe's Crusaders (originally in Buster)
  • ‡Creature Teacher (from the original Monster Fun run)
  • Draculass (from the original Monster Fun run)
  • ‡Evil Eye (originally in Whoopee!)
  • Frankie Stein (originally in Wham!, Shiver and Shake, Whoopee! and the original Monster Fun run)
  • ‡Grimly Feendish (originally in Wham!)
  • Gums (from the original Monster Fun run and later Buster)
  • Hire a Horror (originally in Cor!!)
  • A spin-off The Fright-Shift was to be introduced from issue 20
  • Kid Kong (from the original Monster Fun run)
  • The Leopard from Lime Street (originally in Buster)
  • Martha's Monster Make-Up (from the original Monster Fun run and later Buster)
  • Steel Commando (originally in Thunder)
  • ‡Sweeny Toddler (has only appeared in the Halloween Spooktacular 2022, a story was also available in the web-store exclusive edition of issue 1) (originally in Shiver and Shake, Whoopee!, Whizzer and Chips and Buster)
  • ‡Teddy Scare! (from the original Monster Fun run and later Buster)

New strips

[edit]
  • Frankencritter
  • ‡Gah! The Gobblin' Goblin
  • Global Ghoulies (single-page cartoon in the style of Ken Reid's Creepy Creations and World Wide Weirdies)
  • ‡Harry & Gary
  • Hell's Angel
  • ‡Jump Junior, Monster Helper
  • ‡Molly's Mummy
  • Peaches Creatures
  • Rex Power
  • Sally Astro (to start in issue 20)
  • ‡Scare Salon
  • Sir Render (to start in issue 20)
  • Space Invaded!
  • ‡Welcome to Garzag's Galactic Guzzle-Pit!
  • Witch Vs Warlock
  • ‡Wiz War
  • ‡Zorthrax the Unforgivable (one of the characters in Welcome to Garzag;s Galactic Guzzle-Pit! who was given their own strip)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Monster Fun," ComicVine. Accessed 21 September 2015.
  2. ^ Monster Fun #1 (14 June 1975).
  3. ^ Stringer, Lew (3 December 2010). "Blimey! It's another blog about comics!: Free Inside! - Part 5". Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  4. ^ Kibble-White, Graham (2005). The Ultimate Book of British Comics. Allison & Busby. p. 175. ISBN 9780749082116.
  5. ^ Official website
  6. ^ Buster #19761106 (6 November 1976).
  7. ^ Tantimedh, Adi (20 September 2021). "Monster Fun: Rebellion Launches New British Kids' Comic in April 2022". Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Monster Fun Comics Shop". Rebellion Publishing. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  9. ^ John Freeman (7 March 2023). "Monster Fun goes monthly due to popular demand". Down the Tubes. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  10. ^ Monster Fun Halloween Spooktacular, no. 2021 (6 October 2021). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  11. ^ Monster Fun Easter Special 2022 (6 April 2022). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  12. ^ Monster Fun Easter Special 2022 Webshop Exclusive Edition, no. Easter 2022 (6 April 2022). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  13. ^ Monster Fun School's Out Special 2022, no. School's Out 2022 (1 June 2022). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  14. ^ Summer Special 2022, no. Summer Special 2022 (3 August 2022). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  15. ^ Monster Fun Halloween Spooktacular 2022, no. Halloween Spooktacular 2022 (5 October 2022). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  16. ^ Monster Fun Christmas Special 2022, no. Christmas Special 2022 (7 December 2022). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  17. ^ Monster Fun Ghoulish Gaming Special, no. Ghoulish Gaming Special 2022 (1 February 2023). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  18. ^ Monster Fun Twisted Time Travel Special, no. Twisted Time Travel 2023 (5 April 2023). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  19. ^ Monster Fun Spooky Subscriber Special, no. 2023 (21 April 2023). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  20. ^ Monster Fun Dino-Scare Special, no. Dino-Scare Special 2023 (7 June 2023). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  21. ^ Monster Fun Horror Holiday Special, no. Horror Holiday Special 2023 (5 July 2023). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  22. ^ Monster Fun Petrifying Pets Special, no. Petrifying Pets Special 2023 (2 August 2023). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  23. ^ Monster Fun Freaky Fairy Tales Special, no. Freaky Fairy Tales Special 2023 (6 September 2023). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  24. ^ Monster Fun Halloween Spooktacular 2023, no. 12 (4 October 2023). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  25. ^ Monster Fun Spooky Space!, no. 13 (1 November 2023). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  26. ^ Monster Fun Christmas Special, no. 14 (6 December 2023). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  27. ^ Monster Fun Monstrous Motors! 2024, no. 15 (3 January 2024). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  28. ^ Monster Fun Manic Movies! 2024, no. 16 (7 February 2024). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  29. ^ Monster Fun Beastly Books! 2024, no. 17 (6 February 2024). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  30. ^ Monster Fun Nasty Nature! 2024, no. 18 (3 April 2024). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
  31. ^ Monster Fun Sinister Science! 2024, no. 19 (1 May 2024). Oxford, England: Rebellion Publishing.
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