Mickey Mouse Grapples With Ghosts

In the legendary series of giveaway comic-books that were a mail-in premium from Cheerios in 1947, the Mickey Mouse issue was Mickey Mouse and the Haunted House. Not surprisingly, this specially formatted comic book wasn't reprintred...until 1992, when it was republished in Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #578. As we celebrate all things spooky for Countdown to Halloween 2023, here are a few pages of this rarity. (Cover art by Carl Buettner, art by Dick Moores). 

Trick-Or-Treat, Apartment-Dwellers Style

For our Countdown to Halloween 2023: Though they may not go from house-to-house, city children who live in apartment buildings love trick-or-treating, too, even though there may be no jack-o-lanterns in the hallways. In fact, according to this vintage cover from The New Yorker (November 1, 1958), a child might be inspired by the neighbors in creating a costume. Case in point: the girl (or boy) ringing the bell whose costume is that of a society matron. Art by the legendary William Steig. 

Uncle Scrooge vs Spooks

One of my favorite of Carl Barks' later 1960s Uncle Scrooge comic-book adventures is Mystery of the Ghost Town Railroad.  No surprise there, as this fun escapade combines two of my favorite things: spookiness and trains. In fact, I was lucky enough to be able to choose this as a subject to write about this story for Disney Train magazine, published in Japan by the publisher, Hachette Japan, for which I have written for (and continue to work for) on many projects. Carl Barks actually drew two different covers for this story, the second of which was published as the actual cover (Uncle Scrooge No. 56 March 1965), while the alternate was published as the inside front cover. One can see why the cover in its first form was not used, and the second was. In the actual cover, Uncle Scrooge is in the foreground and the characters (including the ghosts) are all in dynamic action. In addition, the locomotive is included in the background, a definite plus. Enjoy both versions as we Countdown to Halloween 2023. 

Monstrous Muppet Merriment

As everyone who has read my D23 article about the Muppet Monsters—or even if you haven’t—knows that the Muppets mean monsters. So those irresistible creatures that can seem scary, but really aren’t, were featured on the wonderful line of Muppet greeting cards issued by Hallmark in the late 1970s-1980s. Included was this card spotlighting the Monsters on the March as Kermit questions if only for a moment the friends who surround him. Stop by here in Tulgey Wood for more monster-sized Halloween fun all this October as we Countdown to Halloween 2023.

Welcome to Halloween Time 2023

Welcome, foolish mortals, to the 2023 Countdown to Halloween...31 days of frightful fun that leads straight to the spookiest day of the year! October 1st marks the official Opening Day of Walt Disney World so it's a Tulgey Wood tradition to kickoff this macabre mansion salute the Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion. This publicity still (provided free for newspapers and magazines) promoting the featurette The Magic of Walt Disney World (issued theatrically in 1972 on the same bill as Snowball Express) shows off the unique design of the Florida version of the classic attraction, a Gothic looking Dutch manor house with English Tudor influenced styling that fits in with its Liberty Square location. This photo (click on the image for a closer view) also shows how the spooky manse looms over the Rivers of America from the atop on which it sts. Come back tomorrow (and all through October) for more Halloween fun. And don't forget to visit all the oogie-boogie blogs ready to scare the (un)living daylights out of you during this month-long scary-bration. 

Bugs Scares Up Some Pre-Halloween Snacks

This cover from the Bugs Bunny comic book (np, 73 1960, attributed to Ralph Heimdahl) shows the unhurried hare kicking back behind a carrot-patch scarecrow, But would Bugs be so nonchalant if he realized its October Eve...and that means tomorrow is October 1, me here in Tulgey Wood for Countdown to Halloween 2023! Starting tomorrow, it's time for tricks and treats. To regular visitors, welcome back and I hope you savor the sweets I toss into your trick-or-treat bag. To new visitors, a special welcome—Tulgey Wood is full of fun treats and even a few ghastly tricks, so I hope you enjoy your Halloween-time visit to Tulgey madness. Be sure and stop by the other blogs participating "crypt keepers" focus on the more horrific side of Halloween, including strong language and mature themes).Most of all, be sure and ring the doorbell throughout this macabre month right through October 31st as we Countdown to Halloween 2023 here in Tulgey Wood.

Searching For Spin And Marty In Sketches Magazine

Just posted on my Tulgey Wood YouTube channel: a video exploring the colorful way in which Walt Disney's Magazine (aka Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse Club Magazine) covered some of the Mickey Mouse Club serials. Specifically the "Annette" and "Spin and Marty" are the series-within-the-series at which I take a look, so please click here. You'll see I mention putting the Sketches article I wrote about "Spin and Marty" on my blog—so here it is. As in the pages of Walt Disney's Magazine I display in the video, the article features rare color photos, so enjoy. 

Happy Halloween 2022!

It may seen like a trick but it's time for a treat—because we made it to October 31st. To make our arrival all the sweeter, here's a look at this year's Krsipy Kreme doughnuts. Enjoy—and keep right on being spooky. See you at Thanksgiving! 

Mickey's Creature Feature

We need more monsters as we Countdown To Halloween 2022. So let's turn to Mickey Mouse! Among the invited guests to the Hollywood debut of his latest movie in Walt Disney's Mickey's Gala Premiere (1933) are some movie stars who just happen to be movie monsters. These caricatures, like all the caricatures in the short, are designed by Joe Grant. The legendary Disney artist was a staff artist at the Los Angeles Record, drawing Hollywood caricatures at the time when his art attracted Walt attention, and he signed Joe to create the movie-star designs for Mickey's Gala Premiere. They couldn't leave out the monsters, could they? 

Superman Vs. The Robots

As noted, TCM is showcasing robots as the Monster of the Month for October 2022.  And that reminds me, seems like one way or the other, Superman battled more than his fair share of robots. Even I incorporated a robot battle for the Man of Steel in the Porky Pig/Lex Luthor comic book I wrote for DC (with great art by the always excellent John Loter). Case in point: the cover of Action Comics no. 36 May 1941 by artist Fred Ray. All part of the Countdown to Halloween 2022.