SHORT TAKES : New Kids Starring in Comics

The New Kids on the Block, the teen-age band from Boston that already has its own line of dolls and upcoming animated TV show, will branch into comics.

Cartoon-strip versions of the five New Kids will star in a new line of RockComics by the publishing house of Harvey Comics, home to Baby Huey and Casper the Friendly Ghost.

Under the agreement, Harvey RockComics will publish four different comic books each month, recounting the adventures of the New Kids: Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood and Joseph McIntyre. The inaugural issues--three books retailing for $1.25 each--will show up in stores throughout the United States and Canada beginning today.

The first month’s titles include “New Kids on the Block: Step by Step” (the title of the group’s latest platinum album), “Valentine Girl” (one of the New Kids’ hit singles) and “Magic Summer Tour,” respectively.