Clicking on the following links or images will take you to the different lists of miscellaneous funny comics & magazines covered in this section:
Links to the miscellaneous funny comics & magazines covered in this section:
Asterix Dennis the Menace Mad Magazine
Bob Hope Jerry Lewis Laurel & Hardy (Real-life comedians)
Complete List Complete GEMs List
Commentary:
This section contains an assortment of funny comics and magazines that don’t fit neatly into any other category in the comics section of this website. Each of these six publications has its own unique charm and is highly enjoyable to read. Three of the six showcase the antics of real-life comedians from TV and the movies translated into the comic-book medium. A brief capsule of each comic/magazine is given below.
Asterix: This comic was created as a strip for a French magazine in 1959 by writer René Goscinny and artist Albert Uderzo. The spectacular success of the strip led to the debut of the Asterix comic book in 1961, which started a series that lasted for many decades. Goscinny’s witty storytelling and Uderzo’s vibrant illustrations brought to life the adventures of Asterix, a clever Gaulish warrior, and his loyal friend Obelix. Set in ancient Gaul during the Roman occupation, the series follows the duo as they outsmart Roman soldiers and embark on exciting quests. The collaboration between Goscinny and Uderzo proved immensely successful, establishing Asterix as one of the most popular and enduring comic book franchises in the world.
Dennis the Menace: The origin of this comic book dates back to a newspaper comic strip created by Hank Ketcham in 1951. Dennis Mitchell made his debut as a mischievous young boy, whose escapades often caused chaos and frustration for everyone around him. The comic strip gained immediate popularity and was soon adapted into a comic book series in 1953. As Hank Ketcham was generally occupied with the comic strips, he mostly left the comic book art to his assistants Al Wiseman and Owen Fitzgerald, who helped bring Ketcham’s characters to life with their vibrant and expressive artwork. The creative contributions of the two artists and writers, along with the regular writer Fred Toole, made Dennis the Menace a beloved and enduring presence in the world of comics.
Mad Magazine: This satirical magazine, which was launched in 1952, has a rich and fascinating publication history that spans over six decades. Mad was initially released as a comic book before transitioning into a magazine format in 1955. It quickly gained a reputation for its irreverent humor, sharp social commentary, and distinctive visual style. The magazine featured a mix of parodies, political cartoons, movie spoofs, and humorous articles, all aimed at poking fun at popular culture, politics, and society. The following recurring features in Mad were my favorites (debut year in parentheses):
- Movie Parodies (1953): Key contributors – Harvey Kurtzman, Will Elder and Mort Drucker.
- Don Martin Dept. (1957): Key contributor – Don Martin.
- Spy vs. Spy (1961): Key contributor – Antonio Prohías.
- The Lighter Side of… (1961): Key contributor – Dave Berg.
- Mad Marginals & A Mad Look at… (1963): Key contributor – Sergio Aragones.
- Mad Fold-In (1964): Key contributor – Al Jaffee.
- Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions (1965): Key contributor – Al Jaffee.
Bob Hope: The comic series named The Adventures of Bob Hope debuted in 1950, featuring Bob Hope’s trademark wit and charm. The comics showcased Bob Hope’s comedic talents in a variety of settings, from wacky misadventures to humorous encounters with celebrities. The series provided readers with an entertaining and laughter-filled reading experience, capturing the enduring charm of one of comedy’s greatest icons.
Jerry Lewis: These comics began life in 1952, featuring Jerry with his partner of many comedy movies Dean Martin. In 1957, the title became a solo Jerry Lewis title named The Adventures of Jerry Lewis. The comics showcased the zany humor and antics that Jerry was renowned for, and featured his signature slapstick comedy and hilarious situations.
Laurel & Hardy: The comic series Larry Harmon’s Laurel & Hardy is among the rarest of the various sets of comics listed on this website. The series began its run in the UK in the mid-1960s, delighting fans with its humorous and faithful portrayal of the beloved comedy duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Later, the comics were reprinted in India, played an important role in bringing the timeless humor of Laurel and Hardy to Indian readers.