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| The 1st issue of Monster Fun |
MONSTER FUN COMIC was released on June 7th, 1975 (dated the 14th) and heralded the start of renowned creator LEO BAXENDALE's swan-song in British comics, with his series of BADTIME BEDTIME STORYBOOKS being given the entire centrespread of the weekly comic. (Other artists also contributed from time to time.) After this, he would go on to create his 3 volume WILLY The KID run before fading from high-profile comics consciousness - his madcap, anarchic drawing style being kept alive by the likes of artists TOM PATERSON and Leo's son MARTIN.
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(FRANKIE STEIN, who'd first appeared back in 1964 in the fourth issue of WHAM! illustrated by the legendary KEN REID, was the comic's figurehead editor, an obvious choice given its 'comedy-horror' theme. He was 'resurrected' in 1973 in SHIVER & SHAKE, this time drawn by the amazingly prolific ROBERT NIXON, before moving over to WHOOPEE in 1974 when S&S was merged into it.)
Sadly, Monster Fun comic lasted for only 73 regular issues before being merged with BUSTER in October, 1976. By that time, however, Leo's Willy The Kid was about to explode onto an unsuspecting British public. Here, then, is the first of Leo's last weekly comics output - enjoy. And be sure to visit his website by clicking on the link in the right-hand side (from your point of view) column.
