The first issue of Magilla Gorilla sold for 12 cent.

Mr. Peebles may have had a hard time selling his resident gorilla at Peebles Pet Store, but merchandisers had an immediate field day when the cartoon, Magilla Gorilla, first aired in 1964. That's because Hanna-Barbera developed the character with Ideal Toys, so that figural toys, pins, and plushes were available upon the show's debut.

Such a partnership between cartoon creators and toy makers had never been made in a show's development stages. So while Magilla Gorilla only aired for two seasons, the suspender and porkpie-hat-wearing primate was something of a pioneer.

Magilla Gorilla had, like many other Hanna-Barbera productions, a three-segment format with different stars. His backups were Punkin' Puss & Mushmouse and Ricochet Rabbit (Anyone with information about their origins, whereabouts and famous catchphrases/schticks should write us here. We're always looking for that lone fan who remembers even the most obscure of Hanna-Barbera creations...).

Even though only one person ever expressed interest in buying him as a pet, Magilla showed that he was pretty popular regardless by running for president against Yogi Bear in a 1964 Gold Key comic. He lost. But his comics career languished on for another 11 years.

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The first issue of Magilla Gorilla sold for 12 cent.