1/1/11

We're celebrating this first day of the New Year here at Tulgey Wood in style with the very first issue of Disney's flagship comic book Walt Disney's Comics and Stories. Issue Number 1 was published in October 1940, and what was inside? In addition to the latest episode of Floyd Gottfredson's Mickey Mouse comic strip reprint serial "Mickey Meets Robinson Crusoe" (originally published in newspapers in 1938 and 1939, and started serially in Walt Disney's Comics' predecssor Mickey Mouse Magazine), there were reprints of Al Taliaferro and Bob Karp's Donald Duck newspaper comic strip, "stories" about the Silly Symphonies The Robber Kitten and Water Babies, puzzles, riddles and even "Mickey's Hints" about such matters as table manners. The cover with that mischievous Duck giving a sly wink as he opened up the "Opening Number" might be an indication Donald knew he had not only taken over for Mickey on the cover of Mickey Mouse Magazine (Donald was on the last four Mickey Mouse covers of that Magazine, of which the new comic book was a continuation) but would also appear on almost every Walt Disney's Comics cover from 1940 through today (although in recent months Mickey has been spotlighted on the cover). On the back cover was a list of winners for the drawing contest from the July issue of Mickey Mouse Magazine, another indication that Walt Disney's Comics is a continuation of Mickey's mag. After you enjoy this primo Disney art (attributed to premier Disney artist Hank Porter), check out my online article about Walt Disney's Comics and Stories at the (free) D23 website. The 1st issue of the number 1 best selling comic book in history just seemed appropriate for 1/1/11—stop by for more about Walt Disney's Comics and Stories in the following days.

Christmas Comic Covers: Dennis vs. Donald's Nephews, Halos For Hoops

Let's kick the month of Christmas off with a holiday-themed comic-book cover showdown between some master mischief-makers. Both Dennis the Menace and Donald Duck (and his nephews) regularly celebrated Christmas in their comic books, so perhaps it was just a matter of time before they ended up sharing a seasonal situation, as in Dennis the Menace Bonus Magazine Christmas Special #87 1970 (drawn perhaps by Ron Ferdinand) Walt Disney's Comics and Stories # 207 October 1957 (drawn by Paul Murry). Rather than call this a swipe, let's assume that it's a case of great minds thinking alike.

Caroling, Caroling

Yesterday we had Archie and his friends caroling so today is Mickey's turn. This cheerful art, gracing the cover of the February 1999 issue of Walt Disney's Comics and Stories (No. 633), features a charmingly old-fashioned engraving-style illustration of Mickey and close pals Minnie and Donald Christmas caroling in a beguiling woodland setting. Pluto joins in with a howling-good harmony, we can assume, and Dopey since he don't sing none looks on happily as he holds the glowing lantern for our vocalizing merrymakers. Oddly little is known about this art—it's not from one of the famous Disney Studio Christmas cards so it was apparently some of sort of publicity art, and appears to be from circa 1939 (Dopey was at the height of his popularity, and the look of the Three Little Pigs/Wolves indicate their style as seen in 1939's The Practical Pig). The art is attributed to justly acclaimed Disney publicity artist Hank Porter. It's one of my favorites piece of Disney (and holiday) art, as it certainly gives you that Christmas glow just by looking at it. You can almost hear these cute carolers outside your own door...

Donald Duck: Thanksgiving Bird

Here's another Thanksgiving cover from Walt Disney's Comics and Stories, # 63 (December 1945). Drawn by comics great Walt Kelly this fun art reminds us that good ol' Donald has been as much of the Thanksgiving scene as tom turkey. After all Donald has flown many times in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, starting I believe in 1936 when he was soaring to ever greater heights of popularity. As you enjoy turkey (or tofurkey) on Thursday, remember to give thanks for balloon and comic-book star Donald Duck—and stop by on Thanksgiving Day for another rarely-seen photo of the Donald Macy's balloon from the 1960s.

A Thanksgiving Duck

A turkey gets the best of the Duck on this Thanksgiving-themed cover from the November 1940 issue of Walt Disney's Comics and Stories. This was only the second issue of this long-running title—all the more remarkable given it just published its 700 issue. Word is that the new publisher, Boom! Comics, will start running more comics in the classic tradition of this great comic book that will be celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2010. Reason enough to give thanks.

The Sign Of The Z

Just the other day, on Tuesday, November 3, the latest "wave" of the Walt Disney Treasures DVDs was released, featuring the entire series (in two sets) of Walt Disney's Zorro. When the series originally aired in prime time on ABC from 1957 through 1959 (the DVDs also include the rarely seen hour-long episodes that aired on the Walt Disney Presents anthology series), Zorro was all the rage with viewers, including Donald Duck, and (as Carl Barks might say) so too Hu, Dew and Lou, as evidenced by this May 1959 cover of Walt Disney's Comics and Stories, Number 224, drawn by Tony Strobl.