Harvey Comics Classics Volume 1: Casper the Friendly Ghost Paperback – August 21, 2007

Growing up back in the 70s and 80s, one of the fondest memories I had was reading Harvey Comics. Long before Universal came out with the live-action film, Paramount once created a tale about a spook who was friendly, prefering not to scare.Thus Casper was born (or 'unborn' depending on how you view it). This collection shows the Friendly Ghost's beginnings from when Paramount owned the rights, to when Harvey Comics picked up the ghost.In another product, "The Ultimate Casper", Sid Jacobson (once Editor-In-Chief for Harvey Comics) claimed when Harvey obtained the rights for the Friendly Ghost in 1960, many things changed.One thing was that Casper now lived in a mystical realm known as the Enchanted Forest, where he lived in a haunted house with the Ghostly Trio. Whereas his good friends, Wendy, Spooky and Hot Stuff lived as well and resided. But also Casper was no longer just a ghost looking for a friend, but sort of Harvey's own version of a superhero, since he now helped practically anyone in trouble, even when they didn't want his help.The thing I love about Dark Horse's collection is they have done some thorough research with the character, and provided the best stories where you can witness Casper's evolution from his Paramount waif incarnate to the more popularized one made by Warren Kremer, Ernie Colon, and other artists who worked on the series for almost over 50 years.If you're an avid Harvey fan, or a collector of classic comics, I recommend investing with this Harvey Collection of Casper, as well as the other upcoming title, Richie Rich, and later Hot Stuff.Because these books definitely are worth the trip down memory lane when comics proved they could be entertaining without having to rely on villains all the time, or Universe-endangering threats.And it demonstrates how Harvey Comics managed to stay in business for several decades, producing over hundreds of comics for their weekly series. Which is indeed remarkable. I defintely recommend giving these books worth a look!

I have already seen the book and ordered it when I became aware that it was available here. You should be aware that this volume is superior to any like it on the market. It is comprehensive in tone and beautiful and crisp in presentation. It provides a new look at an old spirit who has delighted children and eternal children for generations. I have long said that the simple ethic of the tale, that continues to warm the heart, also instructs the child and the child in all of us, but never in a preachy or saccharine way. This is a book to be shared with your children and grandchildren. If I could give it ten stars, I would.

I don't know why cartoon comic strips went out of style. I am glad that there is someone else who has not forgotten them. Richie Rich was one of my favorite comic strips, and still would be if Harvey Comics were still in business.It is interesting to see how the comic strip developed. Casper's spooky roommates vary between two and four, and finally settle on three. The book also contains Nightmare's first appearance.In a couple of ways, the comic strip was not as socially acceptable as it is now. A couple of times, Casper felt rejected because everyone was afraid of him, and therefore tried to commit suicide. (As the author of the introduction comments, this shows that ghosts are not already dead in this finctional context.) The book also contains Wendy the Good Witch's first appearance. In the earlier episodes, Casper's relationship with Wendy was not as Platonic as it was in later episodes.Just one disappointments: Most of the stories are printed in black-and-white. The book might be much more expensive otherwise.Thank you, Dark Horse Books!

Long time fans of Casper the Friendly Ghost will be delighted by this thick volume of his classic adventures carefully reproduced in a mix of color and black & white. The book features reproductions of vintage comic book covers. The historical information about Casper's early career in movies, and his transition to comic books is interesting. The selected stories span the years 1949 to 1966. New readers who like lighthearted looks at the supernatural will enjoy these charming stories of ghosts, witches, and other fantastic characters.

If you're looking for a comicbook that you can read to a really young child - say, someone five years old or younger -- this collection is a great option. Sadly, these days (2008) there just isn't anything on the market that fills such a need, other than reprint books like this one and the Disney reprints from Gladstone Press. Modern comics are almost entirely geared towards an older audience, and they are almost universally violent -- funny animals and the Lone Ranger just aren't on the table anymore.I bought this for my kid and we have been enjoying it quite a bit. It's nice to find a comic that doesn't have a bazillion guns in it, or bimbo-y superheroines in skintight costumes, or more guns, or mutant this, mutant that. I never really liked Harvey books that much when I was a kid (they seemed too wimpy and I preferred superhero books) but now, as a parent, I'm into it. These stories are "age appropriate," as they say, and can help the littlest readers discover joys of the comicbook medium, without imposing any disturbing imagery or weird social messages.I would love to see more of this old stuff out in color... And hey, Dark Horse: can you do something with "Wendy The Good Little Witch" and "Little Dot"? In color?? Pleeeeeeeeeze??? I'll buy it. (Joe Sixpack, ReadThatAgain children's book reviews)