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Character of the Week: Little Lulu
by Nicole of Retro PlanetLittle Lulu
Little Lulu first appeared in 1935 in the Saturday Evening Post as the main character in a series of single panel cartoons. She was created by Marjorie Henderson Buell, one of the few female cartoonists in the comic book and cartoon business.
For ten years Little Lulu Moppet graced the pages of the Saturday Evening Post, and quickly became a public favorite. She also starred in twenty-six theatrical animated short films from 1943 to 1948. A large selection of Little Lulu merchandise was available in the 1940s such as coloring books, greeting cards, games, toys and figurines.
Little Lulu was so popular that she was used in Pepsi magazine ads and was the spokesperson, or “spokestoon” for Kleenex brand tissues in the 1940s and 1950s. One could see Little Lulu on tissue boxes, magazine ads, and on New York City billboards and buses.
After her long run in the Saturday Evening Post, Little Lulu crossed over to a syndicated daily comic strip that ran in newspapers throughout the country from 1950 to 1969. Adding to her popularity was the television syndication of her short animated films in 1963.
In the 1970s ABC aired two Little Lulu specials on its Saturday Morning ABC Weekend Special. There was even a Japanese anime television series called Little Lulu and Her Little Friends, which is now a very rare collector’s item.
Lulu was also the star of her own comic book. The Dell Comics’ book was named Marge’s Little Lulu before the name was shortened to Little Lulu in 1972. The comic book was sold internationally, and people all over the world enjoyed seeing Little Lulu, her best friend Tubby and her other friends get into mischief. The comic book changed companies a few times, and continued to be published until 1984.
Recently in 2004, Dark Horse Comics secured the rights to the Little Lulu comic books, and is still in the process of reprinting and publishing the eighteen volumes today.
Little Lulu is going on her 73rd year of making people laugh. For a little girl, Lulu has certainly made a big impression in the world of comics and cartoons. Her cute curls and smarmy attitude are sure to keep entertaining people for years to come.
To create your own Little Lulu adventures, check out our website. We have collectible Little Lulu and Tubby Vinyl Figures, and even a reproduction Little Lulu Cartoon Movie Poster.
Posted
Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 5:27 am EST by Nicole
Read more in Character of the Week
October 26th, 2008 at 11:04 am
It is hard to believe that I am three years older then LuLu. She is my main gal when I could get my hands on her comics. Now you can spend from five to 100 for a comic.
Jeannie