DOC STEARNE, MR MONSTER

DOC STEARNE/MR MONSTER

Created by Fred Kelly for Bell Features, this character likely began life in WOW Comics 26. In its early episodes “Doc Stearne” has 3 protagonists, “Doc Stearne” himself along with “Professor Edwin Gale” and his daughter “Gloria Gale” whom “Doc Stearne” is continuously rescuing.

While tracking down a strange radio wave that caused individuals to commit suicide, they discover a lost world in Canada’s far north that is accessible only through an extinct volcano. . Due to hot springs it is a semi-tropical world and is home to several races. They encounter first the villainous “Brain Men” then, “Gloria” is kidnapped by a race of prehistoric giants called the “Gorots” from whom “Doc Stearne” rescues her.  Then in issue 29, they encounter the “Norviks”  who are descendants of ancient Vikings who discovered the land centuries earlier. With issue 30, WOW Comics, ceases publication and the subterranean adventures of “Doc. Stearne” and company come to an abrupt end .

When we see the serial again in Triumph Comics,31 it has been totally revised. The mysterious subterranean world has disappeared. “Doc Jim Stearne”, he now has a first name, is a psychiatrist at a hospital. The traumatization of a young woman and his encounter with a dead woman reincarnated causes him to dedicate his life to searching out and destroying the various monsters of our world. As a joke he is given the name “Mr. Monster” by his medial associates and he designs a costume of light chain mail for protection. Here again the story abruptly stops as Triumph Comics,31 becomes the last issue published.

The serial reappears in Super Duper 3. published by F. E. Howard Publications. Doc. Stearne/Mr. Monster has completely morphed into a costumed vigilante type character. “Gloria” remerges as his assistant and is still being rescued. Super Duper ceased publication with this issue and the serial ended.

That is till 40 years later in the late 1980’s when U.S. cartoonist Michael T. Gilbert came across it and decided to revive and renovate. The result was a different storyline which lasted longer than the original.

MEDIUM:

PERIODICAL GRAPHIC:                                                                                                  Created by Michael T. Gilbert & Associates:

Mr. Monster, 2-1, Feb. 1988 to 2-7 Apr. 1990 plus 2-8, no date. Dark Horse Comics

Doc Stearne … Mr. Monster Attacks, 1 of 3 to 3 of 3. Gilbert Studios/Tundra Publishing

Doc Stearne … Mr. Monster, 1, Jan. 1985 to 10, June 1987. Eclipse Comics.

Doc Stearne … Mr. Monster and Airboy, 1, August 1987. Eclipse Comics.

Doc Stearne … Mr. Monster vs. Godzilla. 1998. Eclipse Comics.

Mr. Monster’s Girl Friday … Kelly. 1, Jan. 2000 to 3, May 2000. Image Comics Group.

PERIODICAL GRAPHIC ANTHOLOGY:

Content serial:                                                                                                                  Triumph and WOW Comics published by Bell Features & Publishing..

WOW Comics, … no date: “Doc. Stern.”: … Car., Fred Kelly. Black & white.
27: “Programs of Death”: 12-17. 28: 31-36. 29: 38-43.

Super Duper Comics, 3, May/June 1947: “Doc Stern as Mr. Monster.” Car., Fred Kelly. 1-8. F.E. Howard Publications. Colour.

PERIODICAL TEXT & GRAPHIC ANTHOLOGY:

Content story graphic:

Taddle Creek, XIX-1, 36, Winter 2015-2016: “Doc. Stern As Mr. Monster.” Reprinted from Triumph Comics 31. Bell Features 1946.

SOURCE:

Article periodical:

Amazing Heroes, 77, 15 August 1985: “A Monster You Say ….” Writ., Eric Yarber: 23-30.

GALLERY:

The evolution of “Doc Stern” to “Mr. Monster”.

C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON D\DOC STEARNE, WOW Comics, 27, 12.jpg WOW Comics, 27: Car., Fred Kelly:12.

C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON D\DOC STEARNE,WOW Comics, 29, 42 _0001.jpg WOW Comics, 29: Car Fred Kelly: 42.

C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON D\DOC STEARNE, Triumph Comics 31, 1.jpg Taddle Creek, XIX-1, 36, Winter 2015-2016: Reprinted from Triumph Comics 31.

C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON D\DOC STEARNE, Triumph Comics 31, 2.jpg Taddle Creek, XIX-1, 36, Winter 2015-2016: Reprinted from Triumph Comics 31.

C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON D\DOC STERN, MR MONSTER, Super Duper Comics, 3, May-June 1947, 1.jpg Super Duper Comics, 3, May/June 1947: Car., Fred Kelly. 1

C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON D\DOC STERN, MR MONSTER, Mr. Monster, 1, Feb 1988, fc.jpg Mr. Monster, 1, February 1988: Front cover. Illus., Michael T. Gilbert.