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Doc Stearn...Mr. Monster

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Mr. Monster
Cover to Doc Stern...Mr. Monster #1 (1986) by Michael T. Gilbert.
Publication information
PublisherPacific Comics
Eclipse Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Tundra Publishing
Caliber Comics
Image Comics
Cost Of Paper Comics
First appearanceVanguard Illustrated #7 (Pacific Comics, July 1984)
Created byMichael T. Gilbert
In-story information
Full nameDoc Stearn

Doc Stearn...Mr. Monster is a comic book featuring a superhero created by Michael T. Gilbert, most recently published by Dark Horse Comics.[1]

Publication history

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Mr. Monster was derived from a Golden Age character created by Fred Kelly who appeared only twice in 1940s Canadian comic books (Triumph Comics #31, 1946, and Super-Duper Comics #3, 1947). After trademarking Mr. Monster, Gilbert heavily revised the character, creating a horror/humor hybrid which often featured heavy satire of both the horror genre and superhero comics in general.[2] The revised character first appeared in Pacific Comics Vanguard Illustrated #7, dated July 1984. However, shortly afterwards Pacific folded, with its assets being taken over by Eclipse Comics. They offered Gilbert the opportunity to give the character a title of his own, initially planned as a January 1985 one-shot reprinting and completing the Vanguard storyline.[3] The series would become an ongoing, with Dave Stevens providing a cover for the second issue.[4] Eclipse also published a series of specials starring Mr. Monster,[5] and later a crossover issue pairing him with Airboy.[6]

From 1988 Gilbert left Eclipse, instead taking the character to Dark Horse Comics.[7]

Reception

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Reviewing the first issue of the Eclipse series for Amazing Heroes, R.A. Jones felt the issue was missing a final spark despite its excellent art and otherwise solid writing.[8]

Ed Sample was positive about Airboy and Mr. Monster, though he noted Airboy took a less central role than expected.[9]

Bibliography

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  • Vanguard Illustrated #7 (Pacific Comics). July 1984.
  • Doc Stearn...Mr. Monster #1-10 (Eclipse Comics). 1985–1987. Issues 1-5 collected as Mr. Monster: His Books of Forbidden Knowledge Vol. 1 (Marlowe & Company). 1996.
  • Mr. Monster's Super Duper Special #1-8 (Eclipse Comics). 1986–1987.
  • Airboy #28 (prologue to Airboy and Mr. Monster, Eclipse Comics). August 1987.
  • Airboy and Mr. Monster one-shot (Eclipse Comics). August 1987.
  • Mighty Mites V.2 #2 (Eternity Comics). September 1987.
  • Wacky Squirrel Halloween Adventure Special one-shot (Dark Horse Comics). 1987.
  • Dark Horse Presents #14, 20, 28, 33 (Dark Horse Comics). 1988-1989.
  • Doc Stearn...Mr. Monster #1-8 (Dark Horse Comics). 1988-1990. Collected with revisions as Mr. Monster: Origins (Graphitti Designs). 1996.
  • Mr. Monster Attacks #1-3 (Tundra). 1992.
  • Mr. Monster's 3-D Triple Threat one-shot (Atlas). 1993.
  • Penthouse Max #3 (Penthouse). 1996.
  • Mr. Monster Presents: Crack-a-Boom! #1-3 (Caliber). 1997.
  • Mr. Monster Vs. Gorzilla One-Shot (Image Comics). 1998.
  • Mr. Monster's Gal Friday Kelly #1-3 (Image Comics). 2000.
  • Mr. Monster: His Books of Forbidden Knowledge Vol. 0. (TwoMorrows). 2001. Reprints all Mr. Monster stories from Dark Horse Presents (v. 1), as well as material from Crack-a-Boom! #s 1 and 2, Hero Illustrated #11, Trencher X-Mas Bites Special #1, and Mr. Monster Attacks! #2, along with new material.
  • Mr. Monster: Worlds War Two (Atomeka). 2004. Reprints Penthouse Max #3.
  • Mr. Monster: Who Watches the Garbagemen? (Atomeka). 2005. Reprints stories from Mr. Monster (Eclipse) #s 3 and 6, Mr. Monster Attacks! #1, and Mr. Monster's Gal Friday Kelly #3, along with new material.
  • Dark Horse Presents vol. 2 #1-3, 17, 27-30, 33-35 (Dark Horse Comics). 2011-2014.
  • YEET Presents #34 and #36 (Cost Of Paper Comics). 2020.[10]

References

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  1. ^ Markstein, Don. "Mr. Monster". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  2. ^ Michael T. Gilbert Chats With The Irrepressible Mr. Monster, at Comic Book Resources; published June 9, 2004; retrieved March 29, 2015
  3. ^ Eric Yarber (January 1, 1985). "Mr. Monster". Amazing Heroes. No. 62/1985 Preview Issue. Redbeard, Inc.
  4. ^ "Newsflashes". Amazing Heroes. No. 70. Fantagraphics Books. May 1, 1985.
  5. ^ "Newsflashes". Amazing Heroes. No. 88. Fantagraphics Books. February 1, 1986.
  6. ^ "Top of the News (advertisement)". Amazing Heroes. No. 123. Fantagraphics Books. August 15, 1987.
  7. ^ "Newsline". Amazing Heroes. No. 128. Fantagraphics Books. November 1, 1987.
  8. ^ R.A. Jones (May 1, 1985). "Comics in Review". Amazing Heroes. No. 70. Fantagraphics Books.
  9. ^ Ed Sample (November 1, 1987). "Comics in Review". Amazing Heroes. No. 128. Fantagraphics Books.
  10. ^ "YEET Presents #34 wins the race? | YEET Presents on Patreon".
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