Hard to imagine H.P. Lovecraft as a child.

Hard to imagine H.P. Lovecraft as the inspiration for a children’s story.

Lovecraft is the godfather of American horror and weird stories. 

He created the cosmic entity known as Cthulhu, a bizarre being that is part squid, part dragon, part humanoid, and all nightmare.

Lovecraft had a sad childhood. His father was committed to an asylum.

And ‘Howard Lovecraft,” the kids comic, keeps dad in the asylum. 

It’s an odd mix with something of a cartoon Addams Family vibe. Maybe it’s meant more for an adult audience but it has a kids sensibility about it.

Writer Bruce Brown and artist Renzo Podesta created three graphic novels featuring the character: “Howard Lovecraft and The Frozen Kingdom,” “Howard Lovecraft & The Undersea Kingdom” and “Howard Lovecraft & The Kingdom of Madness.” All three published a few years back.

The comics were also adapted into animated movies.

Despite it being a weird choice for a child’s story, there’s something charming and endearing in “Howard Lovecraft.” Strangely so but there nonetheless.