The results of a popular Draw a Monster competition and the return of Crabbe’s Crusaders are just part of a sizzling revamp (geddit?) to Monster Fun, the Treasury of British Comics revival of the classic weekly title from Rebellion Publishing.
The title gets a new look, too – and looks terrific, with a smashing lineup of strips on offer.
For those who came in late, Monster Fun is an all-new, monthly, aimed at children aged 7-12 reviving the title which first hit newsagents way back in 1975. The fang-tastic comic stars a whole host of delightful and spooky characters, offer laughter, mischief and mayhem: from the mishaps of “Kid Kong” and magical moments in “Witch Vs Warlock“, to the antics of Draculass, Hell’s Angel, Gums, and many more. With an exciting theme to each issue, alongside puzzles and prizes, Monster Fun aims to excite, fright, and delight every young reader.
Across this summer, hundreds of children from across Britain picked up their pencils and pens to enter the Monster Fun Draw A Monster Competition, offering the winner the chance to see their monster be drawn into a one page comic strip alongside their favourite character from the pages of Monster Fun.
Now, one lucky reader will certainly get a treat when they open the 48-page Monster Fun Halloween Spooktacular 2023 issue – on newsagents and comic shops shelves from Wednesday 4th October with an incredible new look – as their monster “Smizerd”, a blue wizard whose magic is all about cakes and baking, has been placed inside a Monster Fun story!
“Everyone always says it’s hard to pick a winner, but it genuinely was for this competition! The amount of creativity we’ve seen from our readers was incredible, and we’re thrilled that so many of them picked up their pens and pencils across the summer to get involved.” says Monster Fun editor Keith Richardson, “Our Halloween issue is always a hit, but now we have the winners showcased in there too, it’s proving to be an extra special issue for readers to enjoy this spooky season.”
The Monster Fun Halloween Spooktacular 2023 will also be the first issue in a brand new design and logo, transforming the comic for the next era of monsters, mischief, and mayhem.
“When Monster Fun launched in April last year, it was our first new ongoing comic in years,” notes Rebellion CEO, Jason Kingsley OBE. “Now, eighteen months on, we felt it time to embrace a new look as we continue to expand Monster Fun on shelves and as a brand.
“Our readership is growing every month, with more and more children and families finding Monster Fun an essential reading experience. We’ve worked so hard to create a quality comic that is all about encouraging a love for reading, and working with one of our star contributors, Matt Baxter, this brilliant new look – paired with comic strips starring some brand new characters – should make our comic a real highlight this Halloween!”
Inside the bumper 48 page Halloween Spooktacular 2023 issue popular favourites such as “Kid Kong“, “Hell’s Angel“, and “Witch Vs Warlock” will feature alongside new characters and strips including “Frankencritter“, “All Hallows Screams“, and the debut of a rebooted “Crabbe’s Crusaders” ready for a whole new generation of readers!
“Crabbe’s Crusaders” first appeared in Buster and Giggle, but the characters were previously revived in the 2018 mini-series, The Vigilant. In Monster Fun, they’ve been given a sparkling script and look by writer Alec Worley, with eye-popping art by Ruairi Coleman, coloured by Len O’Grady.
For a fang-tastic Halloween, children and parents can pick up the Monster Fun Halloween Spooktacular 2023 on shelves from the 4th October 2023 with a £4.99 one-off special price. The title is available in the UK from selected WHSmiths, TESCO, One Stop, and Waitrose stores – or at local newsagents. Issues can also be bought via the Monster Fun website, where back issues, international orders, and subscriptions to the comic can also be purchased.
• TOP TIP! If you head over to the Monster Fun web site, you can check out a special sampler of the new look comic! Don’t forget to subscribe while you’re there!
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. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 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, Comic Previews, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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