Doc Stearn...Mr. Monster

'Doc Stearn...Mr. Monster' is a comic book featuring a superhero created by Michael T. Gilbert, most recently published by Dark Horse Comics.

Publication history
Mr. Monster was derived from a Golden Age character created by Fred Kelly who appeared only twice in 1940s Canadian comic books (Triumph Comics #31, 1946, and Super-Duper Comics #3, 1947). After trademarking Mr. Monster, Gilbert heavily revised the character, creating a horror/humor hybrid which often featured heavy satire of both the horror genre and superhero comics in general. The revised character first appeared in Pacific Comics Vanguard Illustrated #7, dated July 1984. However, shortly afterwards Pacific folded, with its assets being taken over by Eclipse Comics. They offered Gilbert the opportunity to give the character a title of his own, initially planned as a January 1985 one-shot reprinting and completing the Vanguard storyline. The series would become an ongoing, with Dave Stevens providing a cover for the second issue. Eclipse also published a series of specials starring Mr. Monster, and later a crossover issue pairing him with Airboy.

From 1988 Gilbert left Eclipse, instead taking the character to Dark Horse Comics.

Reception
Reviewing the first issue of the Eclipse series for Amazing Heroes, R.A. Jones felt the issue was missing a final spark despite its excellent art and otherwise solid writing.

Ed Sample was positive about Airboy and Mr. Monster, though he noted Airboy took a less central role than expected.