What Old Kids Comics Should I Buy For My Granddaughter?

[rick]

My Granddaughter Tara is going to be 5 on July 19th. Which is simply amazing to me since I could swear that she was just born the day before yesterday. But surprise, surprise they grow fast. In fact, this will be her last year before starting school.

Tara loves comics.

It helps that not only am I a fan but that both her Mom and Dad are also big time comic readers too. I mean let’s not forget that Tara’s middle name is Gotham because my daughter Jessica is such a big Batman fan.


Anyway I’ve been checking all over the place and it seems to me that for about $50.00 or so, I can pick up literally 25 or 30 classic kids comics. Compared to your typical Marvel or DC book from the 50’s through the 70’s, these are just plain cheap. Not only will she have a great time tearing them apart while looking in them over and over again, cutting out various paper dolls and doing the puzzle pages, but I’ll get the pleasure of reading them to her too.

I figure that I’ll buy a few Harvey books, especially a few Wendy comics and most certainly a couple of books starring Stumbo, the Giant and if I can afford them, an issue of Hot Stuff or two.

I will probably skip Richie Rich mostly because I’ve never really liked what he stood for, but at the same time I will certainly throw in a few Uncle Scrooge books, since I already know she loves Don Rosa, so I figure she’ll eat Barks right up. And since she loves her superheroes, I’ll have to see about getting her an issue of Super Goof.

Some early 1970’s Archie books should go into the pile too, especially some of that early Sabrina stuff. Throw in some Dell, Tom & Jerry and Loony Tunes books and the pile is almost complete.

I could honestly use a few suggestions though about some good old comics for a little girl of around 5.

My Mom suggested some Little Lulu and Mary Jane & Sniffles books, but those might actually be out of my range. And my wife suggested some Katy Keen because of the paper dolls.

So how about it gang, any suggestions for older, quality books for small kids?

And keep in mind that with my weird family, we are looking for things that are just a bit off kilter.

Thanks.

[Hintermann]

I started with Harvey Comics as a 8 year-old; my favourites were (and still are) Sad Sack, Little Dot, Little Lotta, Casper, Spooky etc. I am not a great fan of Richie Rich, especially post Silver Age.

Almost all Dell/Gold Key titles are good. For a 5-year old though, I would start with 'funny animal' type stories like Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Tom & Jerry, Woody Woodpecker, Yogi Bear etc. As she grows up, you can get her more mature titles like Twilight Zone, Turok etc.

I love Archie Series comics, but IMO they may not be suitable for a 5-year old.

Gilberton's Classics Illustrated Junior woould be an excellent start and get her interested in reading the text versions of the stories. In a few years, she can graduate to the regular Classics Illustrated comics.

Another excellent title is Hank Ketcham's Dennis the Menace comics.

Gemstone are currently publishing Disney comics (new and reprints of old stories). Worth checking.

[Cei-U!]

I'll ditto the Classics Illustrated, Jr. suggestion. Those are great kids' comics. I had a big stack of them as a wee'un. And why not buy her the Dark Horse Little Lulu TPBs? They're eminently affordable and will hold up under multiple reads.

Cei-U!
Ever the frugal fanboy!

[rick]

I'll ditto the Classics Illustrated, Jr. suggestion. Those are great kids' comics. I had a big stack of them as a wee'un. And why not buy her the Dark Horse Little Lulu TPBs? They're eminently affordable and will hold up under multiple reads.

Cei-U!
Ever the frugal fanboy!

I hadn't thought about the Classic Illustrated Jr., or Hintermans suggestion of Dennis the Menace either and I think those are both excellent ideas.

No trades though, I only want to give her actual, real live comicbooks in their original form.

Seeing that she is only going to be five, I'm betting that whatever I get her only will last a year or so before the normal wear and tear of a little kid destroys them completly. And I want her not to worry about them as collectables, I want her to be able to do the puzzle pages and cut out the dolls and things like that.

Which is why it's good that the average price on these older issues is only a couple of bucks for decent reading copies.

Does anyone remember if the Marvel Star line was any good or not?

They came out after my daughters were in their early teens, so I never really paid any attetion to them.

[Lone Ranger]

I really, really like Gold Key's Daffy Duck books from the 70s. There are the best of the WB characters IMHO. I think Mark Evanier wrote some of them.

Little Lulu is just about as good as they get. Sure, the issues from the 50s and the Giants are expensive - but books from the mid-60s onwards won't cost much in mid-grade. The Gold Key 70s issues are pretty good, as many are written by Arnold Drake. Not John Stanley, but not bad. Tubby also had his own series for a while - it's generally quite a bit less expensive than Lulu.

[Expletive Deleted]

Does anyone remember if the Marvel Star line was any good or not?It had its moments.

I remember liking PETER PORKER: THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-HAM. It was a bit of a CAPTAIN CARROT rip-off, but it was fun.

[Ray R.]

If you're interested in newer books, D.C. put out "Powerpuff Girls", which my daughter seemed to like, and some of the Bongo line like "Bart Simpson" might be enjoyable to a five year old. You might be able to get those in bargain bins. Marvel also had a decent run of "Ren & Stimpy" back when it was popular.


Otherwise, I echo others and think you're on the right track....

[Metamorpho]

As a kid I really enjoyed the "Little Archie" series I don't know what those sell for though. Also on the recommended but not sure of a price list:

Little Audrey
Baby Huey
Little Dot
or my favorite old timey politically incorrect comic: Little Lotta.

[MichikoS]

I would highly recommend any Felix comics. This beloved character has been entertaining kids for 50 years. My daughter and I enjoyed reading the comics and watching the cartoons of Felix, his friends, and his magic bag.

I believe Harvey published the character most recently, in the 1990s. I have no idea who has the rights to the character now, alas.

Michi

[TheHistorian]

Lulu is being reprinted by Dark Horse these days - nice big chunks for $10 each.

[Hintermann]

my favorite old timey politically incorrect comic: Little Lotta.

I love Little Lotta stories. Why should they be politically incorrect?

[rick]

I love Little Lotta stories. Why should they be politically incorrect?

Actually Little Lotta and Little Dot are definitly on the list.

Guys, thanks for all of the suggestions.

If you all come up with any others, please let me know.

[Cei-U!]

I love Little Lotta stories. Why should they be politically incorrect?

Fat jokes are un-PC in some quarters.

Cei-U!
Personally, I dig Lotta lots!

[Hintermann]

Fat jokes are un-PC in some quarters. Cei-U!


On, C'mon! These are supposed to be comic books and not political agenda. I don't care if it offends someone with large quarters...if that's what you're referring to. The whole idea is to laugh at the characters and at yourself!

[Metamorpho]

I LOVE Little Lotta!! Just added the non PC thing because I'm sure if she was published today there would be howls from various quarters that she is encouraging children to overeat. Now I find that absolutely ridiculous but given the current climate of opinion I can easily see some group coming up with that.

[Albert]

Don't know about the Star line, but Marvel did have some good kid's comics back in the 70s.. namely, Spidey Super Stories (based on the Electrc Company) and "Fun & Games" should be close to a five year old's level of enjoyment.

By the way, great idea giving your granddaughter a hunk of comics. My own granddaughter just turned two; once she turns five or six, I think I'll take a page from your book and get her a stack of cheap comics to read and cut up.

[Mike Kuypers]

I think the ideal would be Sugar & Spike. Unfortunately I understand issues are hard to come by and very expensive.

[Lone Ranger]

I think the ideal would be Sugar & Spike. Unfortunately I understand issues are hard to come by and very expensive.

With a little eBay digging around - they can be found in decent shape for two or three bucks.

Here's an auctions with lots of old kids' stuff with a S & S book in there:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/15-1950s-Comics-Cartoon-W-3D-Little-Eva-1_W0QQitemZ6637928335QQcategoryZ3976QQrdZ1QQcmdZVi ewItem

Another lot with some S & S;

http://cgi.ebay.ca/7-Comics-Batman-Superboy-Wonder-Woman-Sugar-Spike_W0QQitemZ6638936041QQcategoryZ32727QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

Here's a bunch of digests with a S&S digest in there:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Lot-Vintage-Collectible-Archie-Other-Comic-Magazines_W0QQitemZ6638971757QQcategoryZ35757QQrdZ 1QQcmdZViewItem

A couple of S&S books:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/2-VINTAGE-SUPERMAN-DC-COMICS-SUGAR-SPIKE-Paper-Dolls_W0QQitemZ6638974188QQcategoryZ3976QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem

[Cei-U!]

On, C'mon! These are supposed to be comic books and not political agenda. I don't care if it offends someone with large quarters...if that's what you're referring to. The whole idea is to laugh at the characters and at yourself!

I agree with you, H. I was just answering the question.

Cei-U!
I summon the buzzkills!

[Jeremy A. Patterson]

There are some books that can deserve a second chance!


Here are two of them & their respective Toonopedia entries:


DC's Ambush Bug (This is from the 1980s, so you can find plenty of this guy's output for cheap: www.toonopedia.com/ambushbg.htm )


Gold Key's The Close Shaves of pauline Peril (This fun book lasted only four issues: www.toonopedia.com/paulinep.htm )


I will give you more tomorrow!


J.A.P.

[T GUy]

Gold Key's The Close Shaves of pauline Peril (This fun book lasted only four issues: www.toonopedia.com/paulinep.htm )


Yes, thanks, Jeremy, I needed another four comics on my wants list.

<Fade out to sound of Hanna-Barbera-style mock-swearing>

[Aaron King]

I second (or third or whatever we're on now) the Sugar & Spike suggestion. I recently found one in an antique store for a dollar! The top third of the cover was missing, but it was a dollar!

[Mike Kuypers]

I don't know how difficult those tabloid-size Limited Collectors' Edition comics from the '70s are to come by, but the Shazam! and Rudolph editions had activities for children.

[Jeremy A. Patterson]

Here are the Toonopedia entries of the other Star Comics books:


* Misty (This book stars the neice of millie the Model: www.toonopedia.com/misty.htm )

* Planet Terry (This is basically Richie Rich in Outer Space: www.toonopedia.com/planeter.htm )

* Royal Roy (This is Marvel's rip-off of Richie Rich: www.toonopedia.com/royalroy.htm )

* Top Dog (A book about a talking dog: www.toonopedia.com/topdog.htm )

*Wally The Wizard (From the guy who created LITTLE ARCHIE: www.toonopedia.com/wallywiz.htm )


I will return tomorrow with more children's rarities!


J.A.P.

[rick]

I want to thank everyone for their recommendations.

I had completely forgotten a few of the titles, like Spidy Superstories until they got mentioned, and the fact that I also forgot Sugar & Spike is an obvious sign of creeping senility.

Thanks again.

[rick]

I just wanted to send out a public thank you to our pal, the Lone Ranger.

After posting about what I want to do for Tara's birthday, the masked man sent me off a nice little pile of classics childrens books, including a really cool issue of Dennis the Menace and my personal favorite, Little Archie.

See gang this is exactly the kind of thing that made me miss this place so much. The just plain basic kindness and decency of the people who post here.

There is just something so cool about having friends from all over the world.

And the Ranger is certainly one of the best.

[Hintermann]

After posting about what I want to do for Tara's birthday, the masked man sent me off a nice little pile of classics childrens books, including a really cool issue of Dennis the Menace and my personal favorite, Little Archie..

Unless you've got it already, try to get hold of a good condition copy of "Dennis (the Menace) in Hawaii". It is extremely nostalgic and collectible - I am sure the little girl will love it.

[rick]

Unless you've got it already, try to get hold of a good condition copy of "Dennis (the Menace) in Hawaii". It is extremely nostalgic and collectible - I am sure the little girl will love it.


Thanks, that's very nice of you to offer, but in fact I do have a copy for her already. I pulled it from my own collection.

Still, it is a great book and I really appreciate the offer.

[Lone Ranger]

Rick

You are very welcome.

It was my pleasure - I really hope that she enjoys them.

I'm a little mad at myself, as there was a Yogi Bear comic that I found in my briefcase - it has somehow slipped out of the pile, so that package was short one book.

Let me know if there's any she liked in particular - as I know that I've got others I can send out, and Kat is never upset about comics moving off the floor and out the door.