Tales From The Quarter Bin--The Sincerest Form Of Flattery?!?

I know what you're thinking: is this Richie Rich...

...or just an incredible simulation?

A simulation. A very precise, legally actionable simulation!

When Marvel started their imprint for younger readers, Star Comics, they brought in Richie Rich co-creator Warren Kremer as artist and longtime Richie writer Lennie Herman to create the incredibly original and completely not derivative Royal Roy.

See, he's not just another "poor little rich boy"--he's a prince!! Of the nation of Cashelot!! Son of King Regal and Queen Regalia!! With one rich girlfriend and one non-wealthy girlfriend. And...

The best part about Royal Roy was that the entire strip wasn't about the flaunting of excessive wealth. It was also about...

...flaunting monarchy and inherited autocratic power!!

Sadly, in some eyes, that may not having been enough to differentiate Royal Roy from Richie Rich. Indeed, spoilsport Harvey Comics sued Marvel for copyright infringement. Marvel cancelled poor Roy after 6 months, Harvey dropped the lawsuit and starting publishing Richie Rich again after a four year hiatus.

Did you know that over the years, Harvey published over fifty different Richie Rich series? That could have been you, Roy...you oculd have been a contender...

From Royal Roy #3 (1985) & #5 (1986)