What do the acronyms SQUA TRONT and SPA FON mean in comic book fandom?

myrab51

Squa Tront is the name of a comic published by Fantagraphics. They say the name of the comic came from the words that space monsters frequently uttered in Weird Science and Weird Fantasy -- another thing they liked to say was "Spa Fon" [and of course there was a zine named Spa Fon, as well] http://www.boingboing.net/2005/04/27/squa-tront-11-publis.html They are also a pair of small green extraterrestrials in the 'Captain' comics. As well as interjections used by the Big Eyed Monsters in EC Comics. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_%28comics%29 Dec 21 07, 2:25 PM

atomicpyle

You touch on the terms' origins in EC comics, but do not explain fully. Squa Tront and Spa Fon were Martian and Venusian expressions of fear/surprise/awe translated as "Dear Lord!" or "Oh my God!" It was pretty much the same convention as EC Germans who frequently blurted out "Mein Gott in Himmel!" when shockingly confronted with the presence of a hero, newly arrived to foil their nefarious plans. Sep 25 09, 12:35 PM

rickcarufel

The original use of the words Spa Fon and Squa Tront were names of fanzines put out by the late, great Frank Frazetta in the early 1950's. They were later used by Al Williamson in the EC comics, Wierd Science or may have been added by Frazetta himself as I believe at the time he was inking stories drawn by Williamson. Both titles were resurrected in the late 60's-early 70's. Because of the extreme rarity of the originals the repros are often mistaken as the originals. Jan 10 11, 7:13 PM