About the Author

JOHN STANLEY (1914-1993) was a journeyman comics scripter in the 1950s and 1960s.He is most famous for his scripts for most of the Little Lulu comics produced by Dell, and is considered by many comics historians to be the most consistently funny and idiosyncratic writer to ever work in comics.He left comics bitterly sometime in the late 1960s, never to return.

Reviews

"Thank goodness that [Stanley's] iconic work has been reprinted for this generation by Drawn & Quarterly. Oh, and the fact that the whole tome's laid out by comic genius Seth does the publication no harm, either." --Anthem"Drawn and Quarterly certainly paid attention to the book-asthree-dimensional-piece-of-art aspect. It's designed by John Stanley fan Seth . . . It's really just a gorgeous-looking book." --Newsarama"A bona-fide hoot. " --Comic Book Resources on The John Stanley Library

Not exactly a graphic novel but a collection of comic strips written by Stanley and illustrated by Gormley, these issues were originally published from 1957 to 1958. Reflective of the values, attitudes, and mores of the times, these panels provide an interesting glimpse into the past, particularly for fans of children's comic strips. Stanley, best known for his work on the Little Lulu comics, depicts the mischievous plans and adventures of Nancy, an all-American youngster. Her travails include rescuing stray cats, get-rich-quick schemes, fishing trips with her frequent companion Sluggo, and other comical tales. The depictions of Nancy, her Aunt Fritzi, dogcatchers, policemen, bankers, and others entertain, especially when viewed through a modern lens that reveals stereotypical portraits comprised of the values and feelings of a bygone era. Verdict Somewhat amusing. Initially aimed at younger audiences from the 1950s, these strips will appeal to historians and comics aficionados but are not likely to resonate with mass-market contemporary audiences.-Jeff Hunter, Royal Oak, MI Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.