R.L. Stine takes on the Garbage Pail Kids this Halloween

February 21st 2020, 5:00pm

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

GOOSEBUMPS and FEAR STREET author R.L. Stine has signed a three-book deal with Abrams’ Children’s Books to bring us a middle-grade series based on those good ol' Garbage Pail Kids. R.L. STINE'S GARBAGE PAIL KIDS #1: WELCOME TO SMELLVILLE will hit shelves this fall.

In Stine’s vision, The Garbage Pail Kids are gross and weird and strange, but they’re not bad – they just don’t know any better. Welcome to Smellville introduces Adam Bomb, Brainy Janie, Junkfood John, and Nervous Rex as they get into mischief, battling bullies and their archenemies, the Perfects.

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More specifically, the official rundown goes like this:

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!

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Stine said in a statement:

The Garbage Pail Kids are ghastly, loud, messy, out of control, and out of their minds. MY kind of kids! I’m hoping to create a book series that captures all the loopy slapstick fun of these uniquely awful characters, to get all middle-grade kids reading – and laughing.

The books will feature art by mainstay Garbage Pail Kids artists Joe Simko and Jeff Zapata. Simko will design the books' cover art while Zapata handles interior illustrations. Each book will be packaged with four exclusive, collectible sticker cards. Check the cover art and R.L. Slime sticker out below. R.L. STINE'S GARBAGE PAIL KIDS #1: WELCOME TO SMELLVILLE hits via Abrams’ Children’s Books on October 6, 2020.