Doc Stearn...Mr. Monster Explained

Character Name:	Mr. Monster
Publisher:	Pacific Comics Eclipse Comics Dark Horse Comics Tundra Publishing Caliber Comics Image Comics Cost Of Paper Comics
Debut:	Vanguard Illustrated #7 (Pacific Comics, July 1984)
Creators:	Michael T. Gilbert
Full Name:	Doc 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

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

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

• 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]

External links

• • • Mr. Monster at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Markstein . Don . Don Markstein's Toonopedia . 2 April 2020 . Mr. Monster.
2. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=3614 Michael T. Gilbert Chats With The Irrepressible Mr. Monster
3. January 1, 1985. Mr. Monster. Eric Yarber. Amazing Heroes. Redbeard, Inc. 62/1985 Preview Issue.
4. May 1, 1985. Newsflashes. Amazing Heroes. Fantagraphics Books. 70.
5. February 1, 1986. Newsflashes. Amazing Heroes. Fantagraphics Books. 88.
6. August 15, 1987. Top of the News (advertisement). Amazing Heroes. Fantagraphics Books. 123.
7. November 1, 1987. Newsline. Amazing Heroes. Fantagraphics Books. 128.
8. May 1, 1985. Comics in Review. R.A. Jones. Amazing Heroes. Fantagraphics Books. 70.
9. November 1, 1987. Comics in Review. Ed Sample. Amazing Heroes. Fantagraphics Books. 128.
10. Web site: YEET Presents #34 wins the race? | YEET Presents on Patreon.