In the early to mid-1960s, John Stanley turned his attention to drawing and writing his own series rather than working with the already established licensed characters he is most well-known for, such as Little Lulu. D+Q has embarked on an archival series of Stanley's comics, including Melvin Monster, Around the Block with Dunc and Loo, Kookie, and Thirteen Going on Eighteen.

Thirteen Going on Eighteen focuses on the friendship and rivalry of two teenage girls, Val and Judy. Each comic is a darkly hilarious look at the social maneuverings and betrayals of the teen set. Stanley's stripped down approach perfectly captures the fever pitch of the teenage years. He creates a teenage sitcom and turns it into an anguished character study.