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Family Guy is an animated sitcom that premiered in 1999 and continues to this day with almost 400 episodes. Created by Seth Macfarlane, the TV series follows the Griffin family and the strange and hilarious residents of Quahog, Rhode Island. The characters have become cultural icons. For example, Stewie Griffin is instantly recognizable around the world.
For many, it’s a show that, through its many references and flashback gags, reintroduced pop cultures of the past to a new generation of viewers. What many might not know is that the TV show spawned a short-lived comic book series featuring the familiar style and characters of the show.
10 Published Less Than A Year After The TV Show’s Return
Family Guy had been shifted around to various time slots on Fox – time slots that would only hurt the show’s viewership and ratings. Eventually, Fox canceled the series in 2002. Over the course of the next two years, the DVD releases of Family Guy‘s first three seasons would become some of the highest DVD sales of all time.
This reignited Fox’s interest in the show and the series returned to air in 2005. Not one year later, Family Guy comic books would hit the stands starting with issue one titled, “100 Ways to Kill Lois.” In the mid to late 2000s, Family Guy was back and at the top of their game.
9 The “Series” Only Lasted Three Issues
After the TV revival of Family Guy in May of 2005, a comic book series based on the show published its first issue in April of 2006. However, the comic series lasted only three issues. The popularity of the TV show’s return did not fully translate to its print counterpart.
While the series only lasted three issues, the books themselves are much longer than the average comic book issue. They clock in at around 160 pages total for all three issues. The comics, while almost two decades old, are still reasonably available and fairly priced online.
8 It Was Written By Matt Fleckenstein
In order to maintain some through-line of consistency between the television shows and comic books, Matt Fleckenstein, a staff writer for the TV series was hired to write the three Family Guy comic books. Fleckenstein had originally worked as an assistant writer of the show, penning most of the episodes from the third and fourth seasons.
While none of the actor’s iconic voices can be heard, the comic book dialogue and tone closely resemble the show. It takes a bit of imagination – something comic book readers have in spades – but the comics do feel like part of the Family Guy mythos.
7 Art Style Reminiscent Of Early Seasons
While the Family Guy comic books were written by a series writer, the pages were illustrated by Benjamin Phillips. Matt Fleckenstein crafted a tone that was consistent with the TV show, while Phillips ensured the art would match as closely as possible.
If viewers who watch Family Guy read these comics now, many things will look familiar but just a little bit “off.” This is because Phillips’s character designs match the designs of the characters in the early seasons. The show’s character designs would grow more consistent and streamlined over time.
6 Published By Devil’s Due Publishing
Founded in 1999 (the same year Family Guy first premiered), Devil’s Due Publishing has published some original series. However, it’s more commonly known for its many comic book titles based on pre-existing IPs like G.I. Joe, Sheena, Army of Darkness, Voltron, and of course, Family Guy.
Many of these are mini-series, lasting a maximum of 6 issues or so, like Family Guy. While the three issues of Family Guy are available separately online, they’re also collected in a paperback titled, “A Big Book O’ Crap,” published in November of 2006.
5 Not Quite As Funny Without The Voices
While writer Matt Fleckenstein and illustrator Benjamin Phillips recapture the tone and art style of the show’s early seasons, one key factor (and perhaps the most important one) is missing from the comic book format: the voice actors.
So many jokes and line deliveries are only half as funny because of the performances of Seth Macfarlane, Alex Borstein, Seth Green, and company. The jokes and scenes in the comic feel like expansions of the TV show, but lack that one key ingredient that makes it truly “Family Guy,”
4 Stewie Details 100 Ways He’d Kill Lois
The first of the three Family Guy issues titled, “100 Ways to Kill Lois” features Stewie hosting a show for the reader where he presents a long list of diabolical schemes (and some simple scenarios) in which he kills Lois. Some of these are displayed visually while most are presented in a simple list at the book’s end.
One of the ways these comics feel somewhat dated is Stewie’s obsession with killing Lois and his demeanor with Brian. His goals and characterization have changed so much in the last 10-15 years that these comics truly feel like time capsules.
3 Peter Gives Parenting & Marital Advice
The second of the three issues titled, “Peter Griffin’s Guide to Parenting. Family Comes First (Right After TV)” features Peter wearing a cardigan, sitting by a fireplace, and smoking a pipe as he gives the reader parenting and marital advice, using examples from his own life.
One thing the comics do that distinguishes them from the TV series is how the characters constantly break the fourth wall. This happens during the odd gag in the TV series. However, the main character of each comic – in this case, Peter – speaks directly to the reader.
2 Chris Struggles To Give The Reader A Story
The third and final Family Guy comic book sees Chris reluctantly step into the spotlight. It’s unclear as to whether more comic books were planned, as in each of the three issues, one of the family members takes center stage and guides the reader through the story.
First, it’s Peter, then Stewie, and then Chris. However, Lois, Brian, and Meg never get the same opportunity. Chris struggles to fill time, resulting in the same wordless panel of a dumb-founded Chris 19 times in a row across several pages.
1 Features Original Stories Not Seen On TV
Each of the Family Guy comic issues is jam-packed with content. Not only do they each feature a main story that runs off and on through the whole book, but they also feature B-plots and side stories – all of which are completely original and never-before-seen on TV. For example, the family going out for Halloween or Peter taking a homeless man under his wing.
It could have been simple to repurpose a plot from a popular episode and repackage it in comic book form, but Fleckenstein and Phillips crafted all-new, original stories that feel very connected to the main TV series.
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