Fed up with the lack of new British humour comics being published by the major publishers, Joe Matthews decided to publish his own. Issue Three of Funny Monsters Comic is on sale now, featuring the  “Zackster – Kid Zombie” (this time at the beach and causing mayhem!), “The Bed Bugs” (investugating a mysterious hair) and “Werewolf Growl” as well as a text story, “Milly, Monster Hunter”, and some great activity page.

Every issue  comes with free stickers and trading cards as an enticing gift.

Funny Monsters Comic only has limited distribution but you can send for a copy by post simply by using PayPal (joe_1963@live.co.uk £2 including p&p – or £3 for issues 1 & 2) – or you might want to head to Lancaster Comics Day on Sunday 14th June, where you can meet Joe and but all three issues!

Unfortunately, Joe’s hopes that the Co-op might be a welcome distribution avenue for the title have not borne fruit (which we mentioned when we plugged Issue Two), because of both set up costs and the amount the company wanted of cover price.

“The finances just didn’t add up,” Joe told me recently. “I sold enough to break even of Issue One, not counting getting any money for doing all the artwork, Issue Two sold well at cons and Christmas fairs, and I’m selling Issue Three as a bundle with Issues One and Two, which has gone down well so far. I’ve got a few more con appearances lined up so hopefully it will carry on.

“It won’t make me any money but that’s not what it’s all about. I’m looking forward to Lancaster: it sounds like it’ll be a good day.”

This is a terrific project launched on a shoestring that deserves support. Give it a try.

• For more information visit the comic’s official Facebook page; or follow Joe on Twitter @FunnyMonstersCo

• Read a review of Funny Monsters Comic Issue Three on Lew Stringer’s “Blimey! It’s Another Blog About Comics” blog

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Explorer (previously known as Star Trek Magazine) and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War and “Dan Dare”. He’s the writer of "Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies" for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.

Categories: British Comics, downthetubes Comics News

Tags: Funny Monsters Comic, Humour Comics, Joe Matthews, Lancaster Comics Day