'Welcome to Smellville': R.L. Stine to publish new series based on Garbage Pail Kids
Holy matrimony sure to appease Gen X and Millennial demos
R.L. Stine has signed an exclusive three-book deal to develop a new series based on Topps Company’s gross-out series - Garbage Pail Kids.
The creative genius and American author behind Goosebumps, Fear Street, and Mostly Ghostly is slated to publish an all-new series based on Topps Company’s 1985 parody of Coleco’s cute and adorable Cabbage Patch Kids. In contrast, the name - Garbage Pail Kids - pretty much says all you need to know about a series of misfit characters who were inspired by various themes, and featured sweet artwork and messaging that - no way in hell - would pass today’s pc sniff test (scroll below for a trip down memory lane).
Stine’s marriage with the Garbage Pail Kids almost feels too perfect. In part, because the 76-year-old novelist has successfully fictionalized a brand of social commentary that closely aligns with “Pail’s” brand Stine astutely refers to as “ghostly, loud, messy, out of control….out of their minds”. Stine’s first series is titled Welcome to Smellville, and will feature cover art and illustrations by resident Garbage Pail Kids artists, Joe Simko and Jeff Zapata.
It's only a matter of time until Hollywood gets their meat hooks on an R.L. Stine Universe. Do you smell what the Stine is cooking?
Abrams Children’s Books released the following synopsis. The middle-grade series is due out September 16!
SYNOPSIS
Welcome to the town of Smellville, where nine kids all live in a big tumbledown house and have as much fun as they possibly can. People may think that they’re gross and weird and strange, but they’re not bad kids—they just don’t know any better. In this hilarious new series from bestselling author R. L. Stine, the Garbage Pail Kids—from Adam Bomb to Brainy Janie—get into mischief at their middle school, all while battling bullies and their archenemies, Penny and Parker Perfect. These all-new illustrated stories are sure to amuse, entertain, and blow away readers of all ages. Bonus: includes four exclusive Garbage Pail Kids stickers!
Source Credit: EW
