TROLLS: CRITTERS WITH CRAZY HAIR LAUNCH INVASION

Trolls seem to be everywhere; it's an invasion of critters with crazy hair and mass appeal.

Trolls have come out from under their bridges and their other underground homes to take a place among the people.

They are so ugly they are cute, at least that's what fans say.

Predicted to be one of the hottest Christmas gifts, trolls are taking over stores and quickly becoming the newest collector item.

About 25 years ago, trolls were popular. But stories of trolls go back much farther.

According to the Encyclopedia Americana, trolls are "gnome-like creatures of Norse mythology; giants in Icelandic literature; dwarfs in Scandinavian folklore, who dwell underground and resemble the mythical brownies of Scotland. Trolls are thought of as being very kind to the human race but given to stealing various provisions or even women and children. They are supposedly able to make themselves invisible and can also foresee the future and can endow people with extraordinary strength or wealth."

And of course, there is the rather unpleasant troll of Billy Goat's Gruff fame. But trolls have taken on a more friendly demeanor.

The latest story says that to stroke their hair or rub their tummies will bring good luck.

Jill Spooler, manager of Spencer's Gifts, said, "We carry them with all different outfits, all the little sports players, babies, kids. We have jewelry with trolls on it, action toys that skate, crawl and giggle, board games, pillows.

"We are going to have masks for Halloween and little witch trolls and dracula trolls. For Christmas we will have Santa and elves. We even have Russ Troll for president.

"We sold a bride and groom troll for cake tops for a wedding cake," she said.

"They are very collectible. And the people who buy them are not just kids. It's adults who buy them too. A lot of people have mentioned that trolls were in style when they were kids and they are adding to their collections.

"I hear people say, `Oh, they're so ugly,' and other people think they are adorable," Spooler said. "When they first came out, I thought they were kind of ugly. But they kind of grow on you."

Spooler admitted she has started her own collection. "I started collecting this time. Maybe there is something to this."

The resurging popularity for trolls began last Halloween and has grown steadily since.

"We did carry them about three or four years ago, but they didn't sell," Spooler said. "This time, they are selling like crazy.

"We now have trolls in six or seven different places in the store. It's a fun item to deal with."

Betty Penrod, manager of Kirlins Hallmark, said, "We've got our front window in trolls. We have bunches and bunches of trolls."

But Penrod is at a loss to explain their popularity. "It's just a phase. They were popular years ago and now they have come back around. But they have different expressions now.

"We have punk rockers, cavemen, pizza-men, just all shapes and sizes," she said. "I think most people who have one, have more than one, but I don't have a clue why. What made people like them years ago? It must be something."

Joyce Dickerson, manager at Gift Horse, said that, unquestionably, trolls are ugly.

"But they do kind of grow on you," Dickerson said. "Everybody is buying them, young and old."

One customer left her store last week talking herself out of purchasing a troll. "She said, `I'm over these. I'm not buying one.'"

But that customer seems to have more will-power than most.

"They have been very hot ever since we got them in," Dickerson said. "And we've had many shipments."

She said new international trolls in native dress are quite popular.

"I'm sure people are collecting them. And a lot of people remember them from when they were children," Dickerson said.

"I think adults can think back about how much they liked them when they were a kid and understand why kids like them," she said. "But they are ugly."

Elaine Estes with Wal-Mart said, "The first time I saw them was on (television show) Rosanne. They had one at the bingo game. I've been seeing them everywhere since then."

Estes said she can't explain the popularity, but "We'll carry them pretty heavy. They are selling great."

The store had some "nasty trolls" that stuck out their tongues. But those are sold out now.

"People are looking for the one's with a jewel in the stomach now," she said.

Jenny Deevers from K-Mart said the store has set up a special display of trolls to cash in on their popularity.

"They are supposed to be some kind of good luck piece," she said, "but it doesn't do anything for me personally.

"I'd say this is just a trend and it won't really last. Well I don't know how long it will last."