Stanley and his Monster #4 (1993)

Stanley and his Monster #4 (May, 1993)
"Going Down"
Writer & Penciller - Phil Foglio
Inker - Chuck Fiala
Letterer - John Costanza
Colorist - Robbie Busch
Editor - Paul Kupperberg
Cover Price: $1.50

If you need to catch up before reading about our senses-shattering conclusion, please check out #1, #2,and #3.

--

Fresh off our cliffhanger, Stanley and Company are joined by our old friend the (Phantom) Stranger.  I don't think they ever call him "Phantom Stranger", he's just "The Stranger" here... which, for better or worse, opens us up to Stanley commenting that he's "not allowed to talk to strangers".  Nyuk nyuk.

The Dovers really don't dig the idea of the Stranger sending their little boy to Hell in order to rescue their pet demon.  The Stranger zaps them with a spell of serenity, which frees the lad up for the trip.

The Stranger readies the Seal of Cloon (which is an actual, Seal... like the horn-honking-at-the-aquarium variety.  Bierce appears to be setting Stanley up to wind up in what the Stranger called a "Causality Loop".  Stanley packs for the voyage... bringing a very specific wagon-full of stuffs.  He's loaded up with a demon mask, a package of hot dogs, a two-liter of soda, an umbrella, and a jar of Bar-B-Q sauce... I wonder why he chose those items...

Well there Stanley, that's a mighty specific wagon-load...

After a wild, Max Headroom-esque inter-dimensional Seal-trek, Bierce and the Boy arrive at the (flaming and demonic) gates of hell.  Bierce tells Stanley that he's on his own from this point on... and advises him that Hell is "exactly what he thinks it is", like, as in he can affect the way Hell looks and operates.  I gotta wonder if John Byrne cribbed this bit for Lab Rats?

Stanley saunters in, and decides that Hell should look like a Saturday Morning cartoon show.  He is approached by an adorable hellfiend, who asks what his business is... to which, Stanley dons his demon Halloween mask.  It's good enough for the hell-fiend, who points the boy in the direction of his Monster.  Well, there's one item down.

Stanley and his Monster are reunited (and it feels so..., nah).  As they catch up, a tiny yellow pitchfork wielding devil enters.  He's all but ready to blow the whistle on the caper, when Stanley offers him... well, hot dogs (there's two).  Stanley impales the weiner on the demon's horn (wait, what?), and watches as the beast chases it carrot-on-a-stick-style off a nearby cliff.

Stanley and his Monster decide to blow this Popsicle stand, and head toward the conveniently-marked exit.  As they leave, they are confronted by our weenie-eating demon and his two-flaming companions.  Stanley tricks the devil into summoning a rainstorm, extinguishing the burning-beasties... oh, yeah... it's a good thing Stanley remembered his umbrella!  There's three.

The frankfurter-fiend, none too pleased with this turn of events grows to tremendous size... why wouldn't he just always be that big?  Luckily, Stanley's wagon is perfect for giving the demon the ol' slip... back off the cliff... presumably into a pool of flames.  Stanley's pretty hardcore.

Off in the distance the boys spy what the Monster refers to as a Punishment Node.  They crack that orb open, only to find the Monsters former-flame/fling, Miss Nyx.  She believes the boys to be a figment of her imagination, however, thanks to Stanleys cold (cold? still?) soda, she snaps back to reality.  The next... hundred or so pages, is a discussion between Nyx and the Monster over whether or not she should be "good", or if he could teach her how to be "good", or what it means to be "good"...

Hey, Nyx is back...

Thankfully, Cerberus bursts into the scene... along with that same little yellow demon?  Really, again?  Okay.  This time, he summons worms from the ground to entangle young Stanley... and then proceeds to wrap his tongue around Nyx's thigh... No really.  To which, she dumps our last remaining item, the Bar-B-Q sauce all over the naughty imp... which attracts the carnivorous grill-fan, Cerberus.

Yeah... still no CCA Code here

Finally, we're on our way out, when... oh, c'mon... the two angels are back.  They allow the Monster to plead his case... and, well... they let him go.  How about that?  Nyx must stay behind, but really... who wanted her to come back anyway?

For your viewing/reading enjoyment...
The only chuckle this book gave me.

Back at casa Stanley. everything's back to (the new) normal.  Stanley's allowed to keep his Monster, and they all live happily ever after.

--

I suppose this wrapped up as best it could given the set-up.  When I first read the opening chapter of this four-part tale, I figured it would be a fun romp with a boy and his beast.  I did not, even for a moment, consider that there would be an actual story in here... and, I sorta kinda wish there wasn't.  The deeper we went into the Hell story, the less interest I had.  The more panel time given to Ambrose Bierce, the less I liked him.  When he first showed up in the second chapter, it was a novelty.  He was mistaken for John Constantine, and it was a cute gag.  I didn't expect him to be back, and to play such a large part overall.

The writing insofar as the dialogue was still a bright point.  The art, well... I mentioned all throughout my review series that Phil Foglio art is not normally my cup of tea.  For the first two issues, I really rather liked it.  The second half, however, felt much looser... and seemed to rely more on cartoony elements than just cartoon-ish elements (if that makes even a lick of sense).

Mildly disappointing overall, especially coming off the fun-high of the first issue.  I would have been much more interested (and likely entertained) by Stanley and his Monster exploring more Heterodyne Boys inventions.  That first issue just had so much heart to it... that sadly did not survive the remaining chapters.

Is it worth checking out?  I guess.  It's not gonna knock yer socks off or anything, but when it comes to a silly story you can do far worse.  Am I glad I'm done with it?  Heavens yes... Not that I aggressively disliked the series, but the joke kinda played itself out with about 40 pages to go.

--

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Stanley and his Monster #3 (1993)

Stanley and his Monster #3 (April, 1993)
"Parental Discretion"
Writer & Penciller - Phil Foglio
Inker - Chuck Fiala
Letterer - John Costanza
Colorist - Robbie Busch
Editor - Paul Kupperberg
Cover Price: $1.50

Can Stanley and his Monster maintain the fun and quality it delivered in the first two issues?  Well, that would be telling... Let's go ahead and find out together.

--

If you need to catch up, previous chapters are available here: #1, #2

Fresh off of last issue's cliffhanger, we rejoin the Stanley family (who I now know have the last name, Dover) having just discovered the Monster.  Not wanting to tell Stanley's folks that the Monster is a demon who wasn't nasty enough for Hell, Bierce concocts a tale of Indian burial grounds, and explains that the Monster is in fact a protective spirit dog.

When asked what was up with Nyx, the Monster attempts to cover by explaining that she was just a hot date that got out of hand.  Bierce informs the Dovers that since the "Spirit Dog" was buried on their property, they were stuck with him... unless he could perhaps exorcise him.  Bierce hits the Monster with an enchantment that shocks the beast, Stanley's mother begins to feel sympathy for the non-devil, and calls off the spell.

Stanley explains to his parents that they had already given him permission to keep the Monster three months prior.  The parents must have thought he was just joking around when they gave the okay.  The adult Dovers relent, and the Monster is allowed to stay... as long as he doesn't cause any (more) trouble.

Bierce takes his leave, after reminding young Stanley about the importance of the amulet he'd given him last issue.  Little did he know that he had also been protected by keeping the amulet in his possession.  As he drives home sans amulet, he runs right into a demon who is now free and more than willing to do him harm.

At casa Dover, it is bedtime.  Stanley hops into bed and the Monster squeezes underneath.  Just as they're about to drift off to sleep there's a frantic tapping at the window.  It's Bierce, and he's brought with him a gaggle of Nightgaunts.  Bierce wires the amulet to an electrical socket to protect the entire house from the Hellbeasts.  He explains his situation to our boys, and claims that he will need to move in to the attic until he can build a new amulet... and he'll need parts.

The next morning, Mr. Dover is off to work.  He observes how strange the sky looks... it is as though there's about to be a big storm.  At the sidewalk, he runs into a peculiar blue-faced fellow wearing an odd gown.  The fellow eyeballs Stanley's dad thinking he might be the Bierce he seeks.  After some small talk, he leaves Dad be.  From an upstairs window, Stanley and Company look on... Bierce identifies the blue-man as a Servant of Moxon.

Stanley decides to show his mother just how useful the Monster can be by enlisting him in assisting with her daily chores... which goes about as well as you would imagine.

Throughout the day the house gets visited by several delivery and courier services, each dropping off pieces of supply needed by Bierce to assemble a second amulet.

 Mrs. Dover finally gets wind of what's going on up in the attic, and heads on up to... have a discussion with Mr. Bierce.  Just her, him, and a baseball bat!

Bierce hypnotizes Stanley's mother and sends her off to help her husband.  He convinces her that he had car trouble on the way to work... which is strange, considering Mr. Dover takes the bus each morning.  She tries dragging Stanley along with her, but through tricks of perspective he manages to slink away.

While Bierce toils away, Stanley and his Monster decide to, in a last ditch effort to prove how useful the "Spirit Dog" can be, make the family dinner.  During this time, Stanley's parents realize they'd been had and rush home to confront the boy, the beast, and the magician.

Upon arrival, the parents see their newly destroyed kitchen.  Lost in a rage, Mr. Dover runs head long into the Monster while wielding a baseball bat (perhaps the same one as earlier... continuity!).  He swings wildly, and destroys the amulet.

Only moments later, Hell's guardian angel arrives on the scene.  He grabs the Monster and vanishes.  Stanley cannot bear the thought of his friend being yanked back to Hell, however, he knows he is powerless to help him.  It is then revealed that while Stanley is powerless... there is one who is not... our old friend, the Phantom Stranger arrives at Casa Stanley... [to be continued...]

--

This was a fun issue... though, perhaps the low point of this miniseries thus far.  This just didn't feel like a penultimate chapter (I've always wanted to use penultimate in a sentence).  It may have relied a bit too much on comedy, and while the prior two issues had their comedy moments... they also had a lot of heart.  This issue, I dunno... felt kind of shallow... maybe even rushed.  The art, which up until now was growing on me took a step back in this installment.  Some pages looked just as good as earlier, however, some really felt rushed.  Maybe there was a time crunch... or maybe I'm imagining it... I'm not too proud to consider that.

I'd been looking forward to the opening scene all week.  I was genuinely curious how the Dovers were going to react to the Monster... or if there'd be something of a bait and switch.  I was mildly disappointed with the scene, and almost wish they had hit us with a swerve.

Is it worth reading?  Well, yeah... especially if you've come this far already.  It's still Stanley goodness, it's just sorta missing it's soul.  Hell, maybe that was intentional... though, probably not.  I'm still looking forward to the final issue, though, admittedly I'm not nearly as excited for it as I was before reading this one.

--

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Stanley and his Monster #2 (1993)

Stanley and his Monster #2 (March, 1993)
"Old Friends"
Writer & Penciller - Phil Foglio
Inker - Chuck Fiala
Letterer - John Costanza
Colorist - Robbie Busch
Editor - Paul Kupperberg
Cover Price: $1.50

Another revisit here at the ol' blog.  I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the first chapter of this four-issue miniseries, I figured why not see how everything winds up.

--

Note: If you need to catch up, check out my review/discussion of Stanley and his Monster #1, right here.

We open with a brief vignette in a dive bar.  An oafish fellow with a propeller hat approaches a disheveled blonde man, who is wearing a trench coat and smoking cigarettes... hmm, sound familiar?  Our man, who introduces himself as Weevil Dendrite believes he has found the magician John Constantine (and honestly, so did I)!  The blonde fellow becomes aggressively annoyed, and plainly states he is not John Constantine... he is Ambrose Bierce!

This guy?

No... This guy.

Weev' is trying to show off his latest divination, Jellomancy... which is pretty much exactly as it sounds.  Not-John throws the oaf out where he quickly finds himself squirrel food.

Back at the tree-fort, Nyx tells our Monster that he's wanted back in Hell.  Apparently Lucifer himself stepped down... the new rulers of Hell from the first issue are unaware of Luci's prior dealings.  A romantic relationship between Nyx and the Monster is alluded to, wherein the Monster left Nyx when he decided to become "nice".  In a surprisingly gory scene, Nyx tears at the Monster with her claws leaving puddles of blood splattered all throughout the tree fort.  A lucky "astoundingly coincidental" bolt of lightning hits the fort, sending both parties flying.  The Monster regains his bearings and bolts.

I'll be damned.
I just noticed that there's no Comics Code Authority stamp on this one...

Inside the Stanley house, there's a knock at the door.  Wouldn'tcha know, it's Ambrose Bierce.  His car just happened to break down in front of their home.  Stanley's mother invites Bierce to wait for the mechanic to arrive in their house, rather than out in the rain.  Stanley inadvertently rubs Bierce the wrong way by invoking the name of one John Constantine.  He gets back at the boy by tricking him with a reverse-squirting water gun (which is filled with Holy Water, natch).

Outside, the Monster is biding his time in the rain.  He must decide how to continue.  He wants to return to Stanley, but fears Nyx will follow him.  He decides he will return to Hell and hopefully straighten things out with the new management team.  He sneaks into Stanley's house, and see's Bierce.  Thinking Not-John to be Nyx in disguise, our Monster submits to him.

As this is going down, Nyx actually does disguise herself... as a Pilgrim?  Wouldn'tcha know it, her horse just happened to throw a shoe right outside the Stanley residence.  She too is invited inside.  Once there she sheds her disguise and forcefully grabs Stanley's father.  Stanley comes at her with the trick squirt-gun, which she luckily swipes and turns on him.  The Holy Water squirts her right in the eyes, burning them (as she's a demon, you see...).  The Monster hits a tremendous clap on poor Nyx's melon, knocking her out cold.

Stanley, Bierce and the Monster sit and ponder their next move.  Bierce plainly states that he could destroy Nyx... the Monster refuses, as he wonders if one day they won't be together again.  Bierce has no choice but to put a spell of binding on the Monster, as that is the only way Nyx will take him back without potentially harming the family.  In so doing, he transforms the Monster into a small toy resembling My Pet Monster.

Eh? Nahhh...

Thaaat's better.

Before they can attend to Nyx, she has already regained consciousness.  She too mistakes our mad-magician for John Constantine.  This time, he just gives up and plays along.  Rather than risk dealing with Nyx or Hell in the future, he decides that "John" can take all the credit for this event.

Stanley steps in to inform Nyx that it's only because of the Monster that Bierce didn't straight-up destroy her when he had the opportunity.  Bierce?  Oh, yeah... Stanley outs Not-John as Bierce.

Nyx picks up the Monster Doll, and pops back to Hell... not before telling Bierce she'd look him up the next time she's in town.  At the throne of Hell's Angels... err, the Angels that now rule Hell, that is... Nyx hands over the itty-bitty Monster doll.  The Angels hit it with a "Dispel", and it is revealed that her Monster was in another castle.

Back at casa Stanley, our Monster emerges from behind the couch.  Bierce presents him with a Talisman that will fool the masters of Hell, and keep them from finding him in the future.  Just as all of our problems appear to be solved... Stanley's parents walk in on the proceedings.  Ruh-roh...

--

Another super-fun issue of Stanley and his Monster.  This one found a wonderful balance of action and humor, and kept me entertained the whole way through.  The addition of our John Constantine stand in was humorous.  I have to wonder if this was a gag on a Doom Patrol issue that was supposed to feature John Constantine until editorial nyx... er, nixed it causing Grant Morrison to create his own J.C. stand in, Willoughby Kipling.

Constantine-alike, Willoughby Kipling
From Doom Patrol (vol.2) #47 (Sept. 1991)

This story was silly and somewhat touching.  The Monster cares so much for Stanley and his family that he would risk his own safety and comfort in returning to Hell.  The cliffhanger is a great one, and I find myself looking forward to the next issue.  All told, an excellent outing.

Not much to add as it pertains to the crafting of this issue... I pretty much said everything that needed said in my review of the first issue.  I am still kind of on the fence in regard to Foglio's art.  The character of Nyx, especially.  It used to be when I thought of Phil Foglio, a character not so different from Nyx would be what I'd picture.  I can appreciate all of the character designs otherwise.  Nyx... I dunno, I just don't want to look at her.

As with the first issue, grab it on the cheap, I don't think you'll be sorry.

--

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