“Monster Fun” humour comic heads back to British news stands next year

Monster Fun (2022) Logo

2000AD publishers Rebellion have announced the upcoming launch of Britain’s first all-new, on-going humour comic for kids in three decades, Monster Fun, kicking off in April 2022 as a bi-monthly title.

The 32-page bi-monthly title is not only Rebellion’s first brand new title since it acquired the legendary 2000AD in 2000, but also the first to be inspired by its archive of classic comics.

The first regular issue of Monster Fun will be available from all good newsagents and comic shops in April, but readers can subscribe now at monsterfun.co.uk and receive brilliant free gifts!

Every issue will feature laugh out loud all new adventures from familiar faces such as Sweeny ToddlerFrankie SteinThe Leopard from Lime Street and Draculass, while new stories like TokolosheHell’s Angel and Scare Salon will quickly become firm favourites thanks to breakout talents like Juni Ba (Monkey Meat), Robin Etherington (one half of the Etherington Brothers (How to Think When You Draw, the world’s most successful crowd-funded art and writing tutorial series), Matt Baxter (The Phoenix), and kids’ comics legends like Tom Paterson (BEANO, Whizzer & Chips).

“This is a huge deal for us,” says a Rebellion spokesperson, “our first new title since Rebellion acquired 2000AD, and it represents a major investment in rebuilding what was once taken for granted here, a thriving newsstand comics industry that supported literacy efforts while also imbuing a love of comics in generations of kids.

“Right now, graphic novels for children are absolutely booming – and we believe there’s a huge untapped market for good comics for kids. For too long, newsstands have been dominated by tie-in titles with a bit of plastic tat stuck to the front but with little or no decent reading content – we’re aiming to change that.”

And it all kicks off this Halloween, with the 48-page Monster Fun Halloween Spooktacular Special issue, out on 6th October from newsagents, comic shops and treasuryofbritishcomics.com, Britain’s kookiest anthology returns from the great beyond with plenty of brand new, HELL-arious comic strips that will have you howling with laughter, including “Gums”, “Hire A Horror”, “Kid Kong”, “Teddy Scare”, “Wiz War” and a diabolical host of new frights!

“They said British comics were dead – but Monster Fun is returning from the beyond to take over!” said Jason Kingsley OBE, CEO of Rebellion.

“I’m immensely pleased that we are launching the first new kids’ humour comic to hit newsstands for decades. There’s a huge market for all-ages titles out there and I’m proud that Monster Fun continues our commitment to bringing quality comic books back to life.”

Monster Fun comic #1 - cover dated 14th June 1975
Monster Fun comic #1 – cover dated 14th June 1975

Ben Smith, head of book, comic books, film and TV at Rebellion, said: “Monster Fun is a legendary and much-loved title from the golden age of British comics, that we’ve revived and reimagined for today’s kids. The team have put together a fantastic Halloween special to whet everyone’s appetites for the launch next year.”

One of hundreds of classic comic properties now owned by Rebellion, Monster Fun was a weekly British comic strip magazine for children aged seven to twelve. Published by IPC Media, it ran for 73 issues in 1975 – 1976, before merging with Buster. Not all the characters that feature in the new, ongoing Monster Fun began their lives in that title, but it’s a great one to base a new humour comic launch on!

Subscribe to Monster Fun now at monsterfun.co.uk

DON’T MISS THIS, EITHER!

The Treasury of British Comics Presents: The Tom Paterson Collection

The Treasury of British Comics Presents: The Tom Paterson Collection is on sale from 25th November 2021

Scottish artist Tom Paterson is one of the most inventive and influential cartoonists British comics have produced. Inspired by the work of George Martin, Leo Baxendale and Ken Reid, Tom became a comic artist at a young age, working for Fleetway and DC Thomsons on such classic strips as Sweeny Toddler, Calamity James, Buster, Grimly FeendishThe Numskulls, Bananaman and Dennis the Menace.

At the beginning of his career Tom was ghosting artists like Baxendale, but his own style and sense of humour quickly developed and Tom’s work soon became unmistakable. His trademark stinky, striped sock often appeared in the panels of his work – a useful identifier born out of an age where publishers frowned upon artists signing their work. Along with the sock came the additional, visual comedic gags scattered throughout the strips, giving each one that instant re-readability.

This collection features some of Tom’s outstanding colour and black & white strip work for IPC/Fleetway from titles like Buster, Whoopee!, Jackpot, Whizzer & Chips and Oink! amongst others. With quotes from the man himself and some extra, added treasures, this is a must have for fans of British humour comics both young and old!



Categories: British Comics, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News

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1 reply

  1. Great news – and totally unexpected! The Fleetway horror humour characters are a rich vein to draw on. Maybe Scream Inn and Evil Eye later on? And what about a Misty bi-monthly in the other months…. However it works out my wallet is open.

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