This week’s throwback was inspired by my coworker Royivia Ferguson’s piece on graphic novels! In the post, she talks about the benefits of reading graphic novels and comic books, and mentions some of the great titles published by our Graphix imprint.
Her post made me recall how I loved to read comic books as a child, and got me wondering what Scholastic’s selections looked like in the past. A trip down to the Archive left me with a stack of comics and cartoons from the 70s through the 90s, along with magazines dedicated to comic strips. Below, you’ll see multiple issues of Bananas magazine, a teen publication from the 70s and 80s with funny stories, dating tips, and celebrity profiles. Fun fact: its editor was a certain “Jovial Bob Stine,” otherwise known as R.L. Stine!
"Who Reads Comic Books?" a report by Scholastic Magazines, 1948
Cartoons of the Month, Scholastic Book Services, 1971
A gaggle of giggles especially selected for teen-agers!
Chicken Fried Fudge, Scholastic Book Services, 1971
Can someone who looks like this draw funny cartoons?
The Cartoon Book of Sports by Clare and Frank Gault, 1977
Cartoons about 30 favorite sports.
Bananas Issue #52, 1982
Bananas Issue #58, 1982
Bananas Issue #60, 1982
Bananas Issue #68, 1983
The Drawing Book by John Deacon, 1984
Learn all the tricks and techniques from this great step-by-step guide.
The Cartoon Book 1 by James Kemsley, 1990
Hints on drawing cartoons, caricatures, and comic strips.
Comic Fun: How to Create Your Own Comics by Frank Rodgers, 1992
Packed with practical advice and topical tips this is the book for YOU if you’ve ever wanted to create your own comics.
The Comic Strip Book by Peter Foster, 1993
Hints on how to make your own adventure comic strip.
The Cartoon Book 2 by James Kemsley, 1994
Dazzle your family and friends with your very own cartoon characters and story-lines and leave them begging for more!
Little Comic Shop of Horrors (Give Yourself Goosebumps #17) by R.L. Stine, 1997
Laugh at your own risk! You’re walking through a creepy part of town when you find a new comic shop—Milo’s Comics Dungeon. Dungeon is right!
Special thanks to Gina Asprocolas and the Scholastic librarians for their help with this series!
Raisa Masood
